A coreless substrate having a plurality of function pads, etched from a metal sheet and having a protruded shape; an insulating layer, the insulating layer being formed on one side of the function pads, a circuit corresponding to a pattern being formed on the insulating layer, a via hole being formed on the insulating layer to electrically connect the function pads and the circuit; and a solder resist, being formed on the insulating layer to protect the surface of the insulating layer. The coreless substrate has a signal delivery characteristic that is improved by eliminating the inner via hole.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a substrate, more specifically to a coreless substrate and a manufacturing method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
As mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDA), thin film transistor liquid crystal displays (TFT LCD) and many other electronic devices get smaller these days, the semiconductor devices that are installed in these devices are also getting smaller, thinner and lighter.
To keep up with this trend, flexible printed circuit boards (FPC), such as tape carrier packages (TCP) and chips on film (COF), in which a circuit pattern is formed on a base film, are used as a circuit board. Used for a semiconductor device package is the TAB (tape automated bonding) method, by which a pre-formed bump electrode and a circuit pattern, which is formed on a tape circuit board, are collectively bonded to a semiconductor device and the semiconductor device is mounted on the tape circuit board.
In the prior art, in order to reduce the warpage of a high-performance package substrate, a copper clad laminate core (epoxy-resin-impregnated glass fiber fabric, both sides of which are adhered with a copper foil) with a thickness of about 0.8 mm is used. In other words, the semiconductor package substrate of the prior art is a copper clad laminate on which a build-up layer is additionally formed.
FIG. 1 is the sectional view of a semiconductor package substrate with a thick core layer in accordance with the prior art. Referring to FIG. 1, the semiconductor package substrate of the prior art comprises a core layer 110 of the copper clad laminate (CCL), a circuit 130 and an interstitial via hole 120.
The core layer 110 of the CCL is generally about 400 μm˜800 μm thick, and the insulating layer laminated on the core layer 110 of the CCL is about 30 μm˜40 μm thick. Using a thick core layer 110 of the CCL may reduce the warpage problem but is hardly feasible for reducing the size of the inner via hole (IVH), which is imperative for making a high-performance package substrate. The diameter for the IVH, for electrical connection between the layers, is about 100 μm. This kind of IVH is usually formed by use of a CNC drill.
FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating the noise corresponding to the diameter of an IVH formed on the semiconductor package substrate. Referring to FIG. 2, the x-axis indicates the frequency of the signal (unit: GHz) while the y-axis indicates the noise (unit: dB).
In the frequency band of a general signal, which is 0˜6 GHz, the smaller the radius of the IVH is, the smaller the noise becomes. Thus, the diameter of the IVH must be reduced in order to improve the signal delivery characteristic of the package substrate. With a thick CCL core, however, forming a small-diameter IVH is technically very difficult. Since the IVH is formed using a CNC drill, the diameter of which is about 100 μm˜350 μm, there is limitation to how much the diameter can be reduced. Although reducing the diameter is possible, the process is very costly.


An apparatus and method of evaluating whether an image under test is similar to a reference image, the method comprising performing a test on pairs of blocks in turn, each pair of blocks comprising a block of the image under test and a corresponding block of the reference image, the test comprising calculating a difference measure indicative of the difference between the blocks and comparing the difference measure to a threshold, wherein the test is passed if the difference measure betters the threshold, and the image under test and the reference image are deemed to be similar if the test is passed by all of the pairs of blocks.

In many applications involving video footage, it is useful to be able to determine if a sequence of video frames (i.e. the individual images which, when viewed sequentially, make up a sequence of moving images) of the video footage can be considered to be static. For example, it is a common requirement for video advertisements intended for television or other similar media to have a frozen sequence of frames (i.e. a sequence of substantially identical frames) at the end. It is also useful to be able to check video footage for unexpected sequences of frozen frames, which is a common feature of video footage which has been incorrectly converted from analogue to digital formats.
It is important that any method for determining whether a sequence of video frames can be considered to be static is robust in the presence of noise in the video footage or signal of interest. Such noise typically arises during analogue capture and transmission processes, and in the process of digitally compressing the video footage. It is also important that any such method is able to detect changes in only a small part of the video frames making up the video footage.
One approach to determining if a sequence of video frames can be considered to be static is to calculate an RMS difference value between pairs of adjacent frames (referred to as the reference frame and the subsequent frame) in the sequence. In this method, the difference between a value of each pixel of the reference frame and a value of each corresponding pixel of the subsequent frame is calculated. These differences are squared, and the sum of the resulting squares is calculated and averaged, by dividing the sum of the squares by the number of pixels in a single frame. The square root of the result of this averaging operation is then calculated and compared to a threshold to assess whether the differences between the frames are within acceptable limits, indicating that the subsequent frame is substantially the same as the reference frame. This test is repeated for all of the frames in the sequence, and if all of the frames are found to be substantially the same as their adjacent frames, the frame sequence can be considered to be static.
A disadvantage of this approach is that if the threshold is made large enough to exclude the effects of noise from the assessment of whether the subsequent frame is substantially the same as the reference frame, movement in a small part of the frames (i.e. differences in pixel values between a small part of the subsequent frame and a corresponding part of the reference frame) may not be detected, thus giving rise to false positive assessments that the frame sequence can be considered to be static.
An alternative approach is to calculate the difference between corresponding pixels of the reference and subsequent video frames and compare each of these individual differences to a threshold. A test is then made to calculate the proportion of the individual differences, for the entire video frame, which exceed the threshold, and if this proportion is below a predetermined maximum for all of the frames in the sequence, the frame sequence can be considered to be static.
A difficulty with this approach is that it is not very sensitive to differences between frames which are caused by noise, and is also not particularly sensitive to movement in a small part of a frame.
Additionally, both of the approaches described above are computationally intensive, as the calculation of the difference between corresponding pixels of the first and subsequent frames must be carried out for all of the pixels making up a frame.

System for detecting sequences of frozen frame in baseband digital video


A method for adjusting display of stereoscopic images of a stereoscopic image display module is disclosed. The stereoscopic image display module includes a sensing unit, a display unit, and an active barrier board. The active barrier board is disposed at a side of the display unit. A plurality of slits and a plurality of barriers are formed on the active barrier board and arranged alternately. The method includes displaying a stereoscopic image by the display unit, detecting a tilt angle of the stereoscopic image display module by the sensing unit, and adjusting relationship of the plurality of slits and the plurality of barriers by the stereoscopic image display module according to the tilt angle.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to a method for adjusting display of stereoscopic images and a related stereoscopic image display module, and more specifically, to a method for adjusting display of stereoscopic images of a stereoscopic image display module according to different tilt angles of the stereoscopic image display module and a related stereoscopic image display module.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In general, stereoscopic images are transmitted as left eye images and right eye images viewed by a user's left and right eyes, respectively. The left eye images and the right eye images received by the two eyes are matched as a stereoscopic image that has focal range and gradation according to a discrepancy between visual angles of the two eyes.
However, when a user utilizes a stereoscopic image display device to view stereoscopic images by a parallax barrier method, the user may view ghost images or opposite images from the original viewing angle if the stereoscopic image display device is deflected by a tilt angle. The said viewing problem may provide the user with a poor stereoscopic visual feeling.

Method for adjusting display of stereoscopic images of stereoscopic image display module and related stereoscopic image display module


A medication dispensing device comprising a cartridge for containing an injectable product therein and an injector attached to the cartridge. The injector includes a drive mechanism comprising a dosage sleeve having a dosage knob at the proximal end thereof and a threaded rod coupled to the sleeve and axially advanceable into the cartridge upon clockwise rotation of the knob for dialing up a desired dosage to be injected. A ratchet mechanism is disposed in the injector housing and includes a rotatable piece secured to the dosage sleeve for rotation therewith and a locking seat in engagement with the rotatable piece. The ratchet mechanism permits rotational movement of the sleeve in the clockwise direction only. A disengaging mechanism is secured to the housing of the LCD assembly and includes a pin that extends into and engages the rotatable piece of the ratchet mechanism such that axial movement of the pin causes corresponding axial movement of the stationary piece. Upon depressing the outer surface of the disengaging mechanism, the pin and the rotatable piece are moved axially away from the seat sufficiently enough to permit a user to rotate the dosage knob in a counterclockwise direction to accurately dial back an accidental overdose measurement without removing the cartridge from the injector.

The present invention relates generally to medical dispensing devices and, more particularly, to an injector pen that permits selectively measured doses to be dispensed.
Patients suffering from diseases such as diabetes must inject themselves several times each day with an insulin solution. Since the volume of insulin solution to be injected varies from injection to injection, it is necessary for such patients to be able to measure a precise volume of insulin. Diabetics have conventionally used a typical syringe for injection of insulin. However, it is difficult to control the operation of the syringe as well as the quantity of drug injected.
In order to permit a diabetic to measure and administer a more accurate and controlled dosage, injector pens have been developed, which enable a particular dosage to be accurately and conveniently measured. Generally, these pens are threaded onto a cartridge having a particular quantity of liquid medication sealed therein. The cartridge includes a plunger and a mechanism for advancing the plunger in the cartridge in such a manner to dispense the medication.
One such pen that has functioned very adequately is the OptiPen.RTM., which is manufactured by Disetronic AG, of Burgdorf, Switzerland, and which is commercially available through Hoechst of Frankfurt, Germany. This pen includes an LCD assembly for conveniently "dialing up" the desired dosage. To use this pen, a release button is actuated in order to unlock the dosage knob and energize the LCD. The old insulin cartridge is removed and a new insulin cartridge is threaded onto the injector housing. The dosage knob is then turned, which sequentially increases the number appearing in the LCD until the desired dosage setting appears on the LCD. Each number on the display represents a predetermined dosage volume, and each turn of the dosage knob causes an audible "click" sound to be heard. Each turn of the dosage knob causes a threaded rod to move forward in the cartridge. Once the desired dosage is obtained, the needle attached to the end of the cartridge is injected into the skin, and the dosage knob is pressed in slowly until it clicks into place, assuring that the desired dosage of insulin has been injected.
Another dispensing assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,833, issued to Sams. This dispenser includes a disengageable drive mechanism, such as a pair of jaws, that is controlled by a rotatable section of the housing that houses the engagement mechanism This "sleeve", when rotated, disengages the pair of jaws from the plunger rod to permit the rod to be moved into its "zero" position. The rod is then set to the desired dosage, causing a push button to become extended. The drive mechanism is then re-engaged with the rod, and the push button is depressed to administer the dose of insulin.
In addition to delivering insulin, mechanical injectors are useful for the delivery of human growth hormone which, like insulin, must be administered periodically. A problem with the OptiPen described above is that it does not permit a user to correct the error of inadvertently dialing up too great an amount of medication to be dispensed. Any resetting of the dosage of this pen would require that the cartridge be removed from the injector, which not only necessitates considerable effort, but more importantly, generally results in inaccurate dosing, especially if a significant dosage has been initially overdialed. As a result, if too great a dosage is dialed up, it is generally necessary to discharge the entire dose and start over. This is quite problematic in the delivery of growth hormone, since growth hormone is tremendously expensive. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a dispensing device that permits a user to accurately and conveniently correct an overdial situation.


A system for determining a type of a player associated with an online game, wherein the system includes at least one player device having one or more sensing modules; a server arrangement communicably coupled with the at least one player device, wherein the server arrangement is configured to transmit a first set of information to the at least one player device; receive a second set of information from the at least one player device, wherein the second set of information comprises a game information and a sensor information; analyze the second set of information to calculate a reliability factor of the associated player; and determine the type of the associated player based on the calculated reliability factor.

In recent time, online gaming has acquired an important place in an entertainment industry. Typically, a player performs one or more activities on a gaming apparatus to win an online game in a single player or a multiplayer mode. Further, a gaming establishment is configured to promote multiplayer mode wherein multiple players participate as team members of a team and perform activities in a collaborative manner to defeat an opponent team. Furthermore, the online game may comprise a skill-based game and a wager based game.
Generally, in the wager based game, the player places a wager on an outcome of the game. In such games the outcome of the game is uncertain. On the other hand, in the skill-based games, the player may determine the outcome of the game by using his/her physical or mental skills. The gaming establishment provides the benefits including monetary or financial gains to the player when he/she wins the game.
However, there exist certain limitations associated with providing aforementioned the benefits to the player associated with the online game. The online games very often involve fraudulence activities in various forms. For example, players may use an autonomous program (for example, such as bots) which can interact with the online game. Such autonomous programs are designed to behave like a player. Furthermore, such autonomous programs can apply perfect or nearly perfect strategies to determine the outcome of the online game and thereby attain the monetary or financial gains. To overcome the aforesaid limitation, most of the online games use computer programs or systems, such as captcha, intended to distinguish human from machine input. However, the bots generally bypass such computer programs using several techniques such as optical character recognition and machine learning.
Therefore, in light of the foregoing discussion, there exists a need to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks associated with determining the type of the player associated with the online game.

System and method for determining type of player in online game


A method of designing a layout of a semiconductor device includes preparing a layout for a semiconductor integrated circuit, the preparing of the layout including providing lower and upper metal patterns and via patterns, which are vertically interposed between the lower and upper metal patterns, performing a retargeting process on the lower and upper metal patterns, classifying the via patterns to extract at least one risk via from the via patterns and changing a position of the risk via. During the changing of the position of the risk via, all of the via patterns, other than the risk via, are unchanged in position thereof. Related systems and computer program products are disclosed.

Example embodiments of the inventive concepts relate to methods of designing a layout of a semiconductor device, for example, to methods of designing a layout of a semiconductor device including a field effect transistor, methods of fabricating a semiconductor device using the same, and computer systems and program products configured to perform the designing of the layout.
Due to their small-sized, multifunctional, and/or low-cost characteristics, semiconductor devices are widely used elements in the electronic industry. The semiconductor devices may be classified into a memory device for storing data, a logic device for processing data, a hybrid device including both memory and logic elements and/or other semiconductor devices. To meet the increased demand for electronic devices with fast speed and/or low power consumption, it is desirable to realize semiconductor devices with high reliability, high performance, and/or multiple functions. To satisfy these technical requirements, complexity and/or integration density of semiconductor devices are being increased.

Methods for designing a layout of a semiconductor device including at least one risk via


A nonvolatile memory and a method of driving the same are provided, which adopt an improved write verify operation. The method of driving a nonvolatile memory device having variable resistance memory cells, bit lines coupled to the variable resistance memory cells, and column selection transistors coupled between the variable resistance memory cells and the bit lines to receive a first control voltage being applied to their gates, includes making the first control voltage at a first level, and changing a resistance of the variable resistance memory cells by providing a write bias to the variable resistance cells; verifying and reading whether the changed resistance enters into a specified resistance window; and changing the first control voltage to a second level that is different from the first level, and changing the resistance of the variable resistance memory cells by providing the write bias to the variable resistance memory cells.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a nonvolatile memory device and a method of driving the same, and more particularly, to a nonvolatile memory and a method of driving the same, which adopt an improved write verify operation.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A nonvolatile memory device using a resistance material includes a phase change random access memory (PRAM), a resistive RAM (RRAM), a magnetic RAM (MRAM), and the like. A dynamic RAM (DRAM) or a flash memory device stores data using charges, whereas the nonvolatile memory device using the resistance material stores data using a phase change of a phase change material such as a chalcogenide alloy (in the case of a PRAM), a resistance change of a variable resistance material (in the case of an RRAM), a resistance change of a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) thin film according to a magnetization state of a ferromagnetic material (in the case of an MRAM), and the like.
More specifically, the PRAM stores data using a phase change material such as a chalcogenide alloy of which the phase is changed to a crystalline state or an amorphous state as it is cooled after being heated. Since a phase change material in a crystalline state has a low resistance and a phase change material in an amorphous state has a high resistance, the crystalline state may be defined as a set state or a logic level "0", and the amorphous state may be defined as a reset state or a logic level "1".
The PRAM provides a set pulse or a reset pulse to the phase change material, and performs a write operation using joule heat generated according to the set pulse or the reset pulse provided to the phase change material. Specifically, the PRAM makes the phase change material in an amorphous state by heating the phase change material over its melting point using the reset pulse and then quickly cooling the melt phase change material, or makes the phase change material in a crystalline state by heating the phase change material to a temperature, which is higher than the crystalline temperature, but is lower than the melting point of the phase change material, and then cooling the phase change material after maintaining the temperature for a preset time.
In order to prevent unnecessary current consumption, the nonvolatile memory device using the resistance material including the phase change memory device may adopt a write verify operation. The write verify operation is performed in a manner that, before write data is written, data pre-stored in variable resistance memory cells (e.g. phase change memory cells in the case of a phase change memory device) is read (hereinafter referred to as verify data), the verify data and the write data are compared with each other, and the write data is written only in fail variable resistance memory cells in which the verify data and the write data are different from each other. When the write verify operation is performed, it is required that resistance values of variable resistance memory cells are arranged in specified resistance windows.

Nonvolatile memory device and method of driving the same


A neurostimulation system delivers neurostimulation to a patient using one or more primary parameters and one or more secondary parameters. The one or more primary parameters are controlled for maintaining efficacy of the neurostimulation. The one or more secondary parameters are adjusted for preventing the patient from developing neural accommodation. In various embodiments, values for the one or more secondary parameters are varied during the delivery of the neurostimulation for prevention of neural accommodation that may result from a constant or periodic pattern of stimulation pulses.

Neurostimulation has been applied to modulate various physiologic functions and treat various diseases. For example, cardiovascular functions are modulated by neural signals in portions of the autonomic nervous system. The heart is innervated with sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves. Neural activities in these nerves are known to regulate, among other things, heart rate, blood pressure, and myocardial contractility. Modulation of such neural activities by neurostimulation therefore provides for modulation of such cardiovascular functions. One example is the modulation of cardiac functions in a patient suffering heart failure or myocardial infarction. Electrical stimulation applied to the vagus nerve is known to decrease the heart rate and the contractility, lengthening the systolic phase of a cardiac cycle, and shortening the diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle. Such effects of vagus nerve stimulation allow for control of myocardial remodeling. In addition to treating cardiac disorders such as myocardial remodeling, vagus nerve stimulation is also known to be effective in treating disorders including, but not limited to, depression, anorexia nervosa/eating disorders, pancreatic function, epilepsy, hypertension, inflammatory disease, and diabetes.
However, neurostimulation may decrease its effectiveness in a patient after it has been applied to the patient for a period of time. Such neural accommodation or tolerance may be due to neural reorganization (plasticity) or attenuation of end organ responsiveness. Neural plasticity is the change of structure, function, and organization of neurons in response to new experience. An end organ may decrease its responsiveness to stimulation due to receptor down regulation, reduced sensitivity of receptors, change in second messenger systems, cell signaling cascades, etc. Thus, there is a need for maintaining efficacy of neurostimulation over time, especially when the neurostimulation is applied as a long-term therapy.

Method and apparatus for neurostimulation with prevention of neural accommodation


An eye dominant training device comprising a track sewn into the front brim of a sun visor that accepts a wrap around clear plastic material, referred to as a graphic display shield. The shield slides in and out of the track for easy replacement. The shield when placed in the track covers the eyes completely but does not go down beyond the bottom of the nose or below the bottom of the ears at the wrapped position. The shield has a clear generally rectangular window for the placement of master and testing graphic displays which may be in the form of decals. The testing graphic displays are sued for determining present eye dominance if any. The utilization graphics display includes one circle in front of either eye for the sole purpose of viewing a target through the circle with a line matrix including one tilted horizontal line with several vertical lines placed next to the circle. The circle is used as an object focusing device for the eye being trained. When looking through the circle the viewed object is placed in the center of the circle. Outside of the clear part of the rectangle on the shield, the plastic is blackened out to force the wearer to concentrate on the use of the device. The present invention is described for the use in the sport of golf but can be used in other sports that relate to eye dominance training or any other area where this eye dominance would be required.

The background of the invention will be discussed in two parts.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to golf training apparatus, and more particularly to a golf sight training apparatus including a shield or lens member attachable to a sun visor or brim of a golf cap for enabling one to determine and concentrate on the sight eye during practice.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various golf training devices have been devised, such as mats having position markings thereon for foot placement and devices for attachment to the head or a hat, for teaching keeping the eye on the ball and non-movement of the head during the golf swing.
One such device comprises a flat piece of material, such as plastic or cardboard, attached to the brim of a cap by clips, with the material provided with a peephole to train the golfer to keep his eye on the ball.
Another such device includes a pair of eyeglasses for golfers having laterally slidable vision screens mounted in tracks in each eyeglass opening. Each vision screen has a transparent upper portion and a lower opaque portion with a vertical slit, the golfer adjusting the slit for each eye for viewing the ball through the adjusted slits.
Another such sighting device for teaching a golfer to keep the head motionless includes eyeglasses having a circular target sight on each lens. The lenses may be transparent upper portion and a lower opaque so that when using two sights, the sights blend to appear as a single hazy circular shadow encircling the ball.
Such prior art golf training devices do not take into consideration the fact that the vast majority of people have a dominant eye. Furthermore, such devices are constructed with the belief that the head must remain motionless. In the golf swing there are several factors that relate to the head, shoulders, and body position during back swing and follow through that have been widely used and quite effectively. There is one factor that is very important that has been talked about for several years but largely ignored. Most golfers are right handed and generally those people are also right eye dominant. However, with right handed golfers, the left eye is nearer the target. As a means of teaching one to keep the head still and keep the eye on the ball, for right handed golfers, some golf professionals teach cocking the head to the right when addressing the ball, thus placing the presumable dominant right eye in the position of having to look at the ball past the bridge of the nose.
When a golfer aligns himself to the correct position over a golf ball with his eye sight dominant from the wrong side, the dominant side will align the head in the wrong position, i.e., a line of sight from the left side being the correct one and one from the right side being wrong due to an angle instead of a straight line from the eye to the ball. Many golfers turn their heads to the right to align the head with the left eye pointing straight down, these golfers being naturally right handed. Left handed people do the same, but in the opposite direction. This assists in solving the problem of the position of the head at address, but it puts the head out of the proper position at address. This can cause all kinds of problems, such as swaying, jerking, shoulder roll and being too far forward in stance. Head movement is one of the most crucial areas to the golf swing. Other areas of this syndrome can also be explored. Training the eyes for sighting the shot is also crucial. Golf lessons that are given today teach, in more cases than not, that the golfer should stand to the ball, look at where he wants to hit the ball, place this in his conscious mind by seeing the shot occur, look at the ball and hit it. However, the target is just about blocked out before you get to the ball with your swing.
An object of the present invention is to help the golfer train his eyes to see the ball, and, with practice as the dominant eye is trained, eye knowledge will be translated to the brain.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a training apparatus in which eye dominance is located, eye dominance is trained, head movement is limited, stance of feet is shown, parallel head alignment is shown and track of back swing and tempos can be taught.
It is further object of the present invention to provide a method of training an eye to become more dominant over the other normally dominant eye and a method of teaching tempo and direction in a golfer's back swing and follow through. This can be applied to both a full swing or a putting stroke.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method of training that applies to other sports where eye dominance is required, such as hitting a ball, pitching a ball, or shooting a gun, by way of examples.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a method of training for head movement in the golf swing and focusing of concentration for the eyes to see the ball at impact.


A container package assembly which comprises a first support member and a second support member, a plurality of containers, a top pad, and a membrane. The first support member having a first side, the second support member having a second side. The first support member and the second support member being arranged along a common plane wherein the first edge is immediately adjacent to the second edge. Each of the support members constructed and arranged to receive a predetermined number of containers thereon. A top pad positioned on top of the containers, the top pad dimensioned to extend over at least a portion of each of the support members. The support members, the predetermined number of containers and the top pad comprising an assembly, the assembly at least partially encapsulated by the membrane.

Devices for packing and shipping products and/or containers of products are known. Such devices are available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and styles. Often a package is designed to contain a number of different containers, such as several containers of a product, in a single package for delivery from one location to another, such as from a manufacturer to a wholesaler or retail seller. Sometimes the shipping package is also used to display the product once the shipping package is opened at the retail seller.
In many cases, the package used to ship containers of product from the manufacturer to the retailer is of such type that the containers need to be removed from the package prior to displaying the containers in the retail environment. The need to remove the containers form the package is often time and labor intensive. Additionally, a separate display package may be required to display the package. The display package may be a secondary package inside the shipping package, often resulting in higher costs for the containers.
Where a package, and the containers it holds, is suitable for transitioning directly from shipping to retail display, the size of the package can be an important factor. Shelf space at the retail environment is very valuable and the retail package must be of proper size to conform to the limited space allocated for display of the package. The need for smaller display packages is increasing as products compete for increasingly limited shelf space.
The trend toward decreasing the size of the display package poses a problem for the combination shipping package which transforms into a display package. A shipping package must conform to the dynamics required to safely transport product from the manufacturer to the retail environment. The size of the shipping package is important as this package must meet common length and width requirements to be effectively palletized. If the size of the shipping package is too small, it will be become increasingly difficult to palletize and to interlock the layers of shipping packages in the pallet. This will effect the strength and durability of the pallet of product in distribution.
A smaller shipper also effects the requirements of the secondary packaging machinery at the manufacturing plant for the product. Most secondary packaging machines are designed for speed based on the number of shipping packages produced per minute. If the size of the display package causes the size and container count of the shipper to decrease, it may require a new secondary packaging machine to meet the speed requirements of the container line.
A smaller shipper is generally more costly than a larger shipper. If the size of the display package causes the shipper to decrease in both size and container count, it may result in a more cost per container for the combination shipping package and display package.
In addition to a trend toward smaller display packages, there is also a need for a display package to offer full view and access of the container to the consumer. Many display packages which also serve as shipping packages restrict the full view and access of the containers due to use of sides and lids of material, such as cardboard. In order to provide greater view and access to the containers, the cardboard material of such shipping packages must be heavily modified such as by cutting, tearing or otherwise removing one or more flaps, lids or other portions of the package. Such modification of shipping packages is inconvenient and often results in a display device which is aesthetically displeasing and which displays the containers in an undesirable manner. Such cutting of the cardboard to prepare the display may also result in damaged containers that are accidentally cut when the shipping package is modified to become a display package.
A combination shipping package which transitions to a display package usually offers a cost savings by elimination of a secondary display package and a secondary packaging line specific for a display package.
There remains a need for a cost effective low-bulk package which is capable of shipping a plurality of containers and transitions to a plurality of smaller display packages without a need for any cutting or tearing of the cardboard or other fairly rigid material of the package, and provides full consumer view and access to the containers, yet also meets the strength, durability, palletizing, and general industry standards for shipping packages of like containers to market.
Without limiting the scope of the invention, a brief summary of various embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description of the Invention below.
A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification is provided as well for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. 1.72.
In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a container package assembly which includes a plurality of trays for supporting containers thereon, a top pad which is placed over the containers and at least one layer of encapsulating film which at least partially covers the combination top pad, containers and trays. The package may be used for shipping and, optionally, for retail display.
In at least one embodiment of the invention, the container package assembly comprises two or more trays which are positioned horizontally adjacent to one another. A plurality of containers are disposed on each tray and a top pad extends atop the containers over at least a portion of each of the trays. The trays, containers and top pad are at least partially encapsulated by a packaging film such as shrink-wrap, stretch-wrap, plastic or other type of thin pliable membrane. The top pad provides stability to the individual containers positioned on the trays during distribution of the shipping package as well as maintaining stability of the entire package by structurally linking the two independent trays.
The container package assemblies of the present invention desirably are sufficiently stable and strong enough to cope with the rigors of shipping as well as being of a size and bulk which allows the package assemblies to be placed in a retail setting without interfering with the consumer""s ability to view and access the containers contained therein.
The container package assemblies have sufficient strength and dimensional characteristics to form interlocking layers of packages in a pallet and may be transitioned to a plurality of package assemblies which are sized to be placed in the limited shelf space of the retail setting.
Typically, the trays comprise a fairly rigid horizontal support surface. Desirably, the trays may have one or more vertical sides or walls to help retain the containers on the horizontal support surface. These side walls function to retain the containers on the horizontal support surfaces during the packaging process, during distribution, and during the transfer of the display package to the retail shelf. The walls may be of uniform height, may be tapered, or may have other configurations.
The inventive container package assembly may include one or more vertical levels of trays and containers. Where multiple vertical levels of trays are utilized, a single top pad may be placed atop the top layer of containers. It is also within the scope of the invention for a top pad to be placed between each layer of containers and the bottom surface of a vertically adjacent tray.
The top pad, in accordance with the invention, typically has a surface area equal to or less than the area of the tray positioned thereunder.
Some embodiments of the invention include encapsulating film which encapsulates less than the entire assembly of trays, containers and top pad.
The invention is also directed to a method for packaging a plurality of containers comprising the steps of providing a first support member and a second support member adjacent the first support member, the first and second support members having a plurality of containers disposed thereon, placing a top pad on top of the containers, the top pad extending over at least a portion of each of the containers and at least partially encapsulating the support members, the containers and the top pad with a film. Typically, the support members will have three sidewalls and an open side.
Further aspects of the invention will become apparent form the detailed description which follows.


A spectroscopic assay is provided. The assay comprises: a motive particle configured to move within a solution, the motive particle comprising a first analyte binding reagent for selectively binding to a target analyte; and a spectroscopic reporter particle configured to provide a predetermined spectroscopic signal in response to being interrogated by a spectrometer, the spectroscopic reporter particle comprising a second analyte binding reagent for selectively binding to the target analyte, wherein the motive particle and the spectroscopic reporter particle are configured to provide a sandwich assay in the presence of the target analyte via the first and second analyte binding reagents.

a. Field of the Invention
The instant invention relates to spectroscopic assays and tagging.
b. Background
Spectroscopy is often used to analyze samples for their chemical composition. In some cases the sample is pure enough or has a high enough concentration of the material of interest that spectroscopic analysis can be performed directly on the sample. However, it is most often the case that a sample is very impure and the impurities will interfere with the spectroscopic analysis or the constituent that is desired to be detected is at a very low concentration; below the detection limit. The combination of impure sample and low concentration is also common and leads to the most challenging type of spectroscopic analysis.
Some examples of difficult analyses are: water analysis for trace contaminants or pathogens, where the sample may have some degree of purity; or analysis of biological sample where the sample matrix is very complex and the analyte is found at low concentrations. Often in these situations the samples are modified by filtering or a separation technique to enhance the concentration of the analyte or to remove the interfering material from the matrix. These additional steps often require time and expense. It would be desirable to have an analytical technique (assay) that is capable of performing all of these tasks rapidly and at low cost.
In 1999 a paper was published which showed how one could detect trace materials in complex matrices. This paper focused on the detection and quantitation of a metabolite, bilirubin, in biological samples. Bilirubin concentrations in blood or urine are desired as they indicate potential problems with liver function. It is of particular value with neonatal infants who are breaking down their mother's blood to bilirubin before their livers are functioning well enough to remove the toxic material.
In this publication the authors showed how a spectroscopic method known as Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) could be used to detect bilirubin which has reacted with a synthetic coating on silver nanoparticles. The coating was synthesized to be highly reactive to the bilirubin molecule. The concept behind this analysis is to place the highly reactive coated SERS into a sample (whole blood) containing metabolic levels of bilirubin and to detect reaction product. The coating is illustrated in FIG. 1.
The authors were able to demonstrate that a small spectral feature was observed due to the reaction product and that peak could be used for quantitation. The spectra and resulting quantitative response curve are illustrated in FIG. 2. Even though the SERS effect enhances the spectral signal by as much as 108 the spectrum shown in FIG. 2 is dominated by features from whole blood components in the matrix. This interference greatly limits the quantitation of bilirubin in whole blood and prevents the detection of low quantities.
Another limitation to the detection limit of material is the particle nature of SERS. SERS requires nanoparticles of certain metals to be on the order of 100 nm. As the amount of analyte decreases it is necessary to concomitantly decrease the number of particles such that the amount of reacted analyte on the surface is high. Or conversely, the equivalent problem is that at low concentration the number of particles with a reacted bilirubin on the surface becomes small compared with those without a bilirubin. In either case, this situation is illustrated in FIG. 3. The sample will contain many particles that are not in the laser beam, and therefore, they are not detected.
This limit is fundamental. One cannot simply use a larger laser beam to interrogate more particles. The size of the laser beam is related to the spectral resolution. This is illustrated in FIG. 4. A spectroscopic analyzer, in the illustration we show the common Czerny-Turner design, produces a spectral resolution that is related to several factors, one of which is the aperture width, w. As w becomes larger the spectral resolution becomes worse. The spectral resolution must be sufficient to resolve the analyte spectral feature from the matrix features. The spectral resolution also is a factor in the detection limit as the height of the peak (known as the signal) is decreased with the loss of spectral resolution. This fundamental limit will limit the sensitivity of an assay even in pristine samples.
A solution to this fundamental limit was published as a patent application in 2006 (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/211,325) by Canon and Ray. Their method is illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 5A illustrates the concept of their paramagnetic pull-down assay. Two particles are used for this assay: a paramagnetic particle and a SERS active nanoparticle. Both particles are modified. The paramagnetic particle is modified with an analyte binding coating. The SERS active nanoparticle is coated with a material that produces a strong Raman signal, a protective coating, such as a SiO2 coating, and an analyte binding coating. The protective coating protects the SERS active nanoparticle and provides a surface to bind the analyte binding coating.
Figure illustrates the result of a positive paramagnetic pull-down assay. The assay results in a "sandwich" composed of a paramagnetic particle, the analyte, and a SERS active nanoparticle. This sandwich will produce a large SERS signal due to the coated SERS active nanoparticle. However, at this step of the assay the sample will always exhibit a large SERS signal since the SERS active nanoparticles are always present. Further, the signal produced will be that of the coating and is not related to the analyte.
FIG. 6 shows steps of a complete paramagnetic pull-down assay 10. The assay begins by adding a sample to a pre-treated vial in operation 12. The pre-treated vial contains the two particle types described in FIG. 5. The particle types may, for example, be in the form of a pellet or a coating on the inside of the vial. The sample is added to the vial in operation 14, and the vial is shaken vigorously to disrupt the particles and mix the particles in a solution with the sample in operation 16. The vial is then gently shaken to ensure that the particles stay suspended and convectively mix with the sample in operation 18. The final step uses a magnet to pull the paramagnetic material to a point in operation 20.
FIG. 7 demonstrates the significance of an invention described in 2006 U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/211,325 by Carron and Ray (the '325 application), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In a system described in the '325 application, the pellet produced by a magnetic pull-down will only contain SERS active particles if the analyte is present to create the sandwich shown in FIG. 5B. The pull-down removes the particles from the sample matrix to effectively remove interferences from the matrix and it allows a small laser beam to interrogate all of the assay's SERS active particles that are indicative of a positive result. This is illustrated in FIG. 7A.
FIG. 7B shows that one could use the sample vial as an internal standard to normalize differences between sample vials or instrumentation to make a globally valid assay. FIG. 7C shows a result of the assay—a calibration curve with accurate predicted concentrations of analyte and a detection limit described by the RDL (Reliable Detection Limit).
If, as shown in FIG. 6, the pre-treated vial contains particles with a plurality of analyte binding coatings and an associated unique Raman coating on the SERS active particles for each analyte specific coating, a multiplex assay is created. A multiplex assay has the advantage of testing for multiple analytes simultaneously. For example, a medical assay for sexually transmitted diseases may contain the particle elements needed to detect several diseases at one time.


A fluid dispenser head for mounting on an actuator rod of a dispenser member that is displaceable down and up along an axis (X), the head including an axial connection sleeve for engaging on the actuator rod and defining an inlet duct, the head further including a dispenser endpiece defining an endpiece channel that is connected to the inlet duct via a connection channel, the endpiece including a free dispenser end defining a dispenser orifice that is situated at a downstream end of the endpiece channel, the head further including a bearing surface on which axial pressure can be exerted so as to drive in the actuator rod, where the endpiece extends substantially parallel to the axis (X), and is offset away from the axis.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser head for mounting on, or for associating with, an actuator rod of a dispenser member that is displaceable down and up along a longitudinal displacement axis. The rod internally defines a flow channel through which the fluid is delivered to the dispenser head. The dispenser member can be in the form of a pump or a valve including a body inside which the actuator rod is mounted so as to be displaced down and up against the action of a return spring that tends to return the actuator rod into a rest position. The dispenser head is thus associated with a pump or a valve so as to constitute a fluid dispenser that is also provided with a fluid reservoir from which the pump or the valve takes the fluid so as to be dispensed through the head. Such dispenser heads are frequently used in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics, or even pharmacy.
(2) Description of Related Art
In general, such dispenser heads comprise an axial connection sleeve for engaging on the free end of the actuator rod. In addition, the head further comprises a dispenser endpiece defining an endpiece channel that is connected to the inlet duct via a connection channel. The endpiece includes a free dispenser end defining a dispenser orifice that is situated at a downstream end of the endpiece channel. The head further comprises a bearing surface on which axial pressure can be exerted so as to drive in the actuator rod. The dispenser head therefore fulfils both a pushbutton function and a dispensing function. That type of dispenser head is already known in the prior art. It includes a dispenser endpiece that slops relative to the longitudinal displacement axis. As a result of the slope of the dispenser endpiece, the dispenser head is difficult to manufacture: given that the head is made by molding, the slope of the endpiece requires a relatively complicated mold that is not displaceable along a single axis.


Depth locator apparatus for insert bit holders provides a means for adjustably setting the depth of a screw head relative to a fastened work-piece surface. The apparatus is comprised of a sleeve, externally threaded, and with an internal bore to affixedly engage the drive end of a bit holder. The apparatus additionally includes two locking rings with internal threads to engage the external thread of the sleeve. The depth of the fastener relative to the work-piece surface is determined by the location of the outermost lock ring, relative to the insert bit, as it locates against the surface, being constrained against axial movement by the rearmost lock ring. The forward ring includes a work engaging cap that rotates relative to the sleeve and the rings.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to screw driving bit holder devices for insert bits used to drive screws, having various drive head configurations driven manually or by power, and more particularly, to a method for depth location of the screw.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art delineating holding devices for insert type bits for driving screws is substantial. The concept of, the reason for, and the description of, the insert type bit are well documented in Fischer U.S. Pat. No. 2,522,217. These items will not be re-recited here except to note they were based generally on economic considerations.
It is noted that Fischer refers to this type of bit of bit as a "unitary bit." The name "insert bit" appears in Fitch U.S. Pat. No. 2,806,706. The term "insert bit" is now used generally for this type of bit.
Numerous refinements and new utilities have been advanced for the insert bit and particularly for the bit holding devices for these bits. The most predominant of these has been the addition of permanent magnets of the Alnico type to the bit holding device. The magnetism is transfered to and through the insert bit for retention of the screw to the bit. The merits of such bit holdrers are found in F. G. Clark U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,550,775; 2,671,484; 2,677,294; 2,833,548; 3,007,504; and C. A. Lange U.S. Pat. No. 2,838,082.
The most common bit holders in use at the time of this invention, and described in the following detailed description, are of two types which are commonly known as the C-ring and the nose cap type. These are available in both magnetic and non-magnetic styles.
The C-ring type in most common use embodies the essential elements of the Fischer U.S. Pat. No. 2,522,217, including a cylindrical body with a shank for transmitting torque through the body, or alternately an integral socket recess designed to attach in a fixed relationship to a rotating power tool spindle or to a manual hand driver. Also included are a socket type recess to receive the polygonal shank of the insert bit, which now most commonly has a hexagonal shank, and a shoulder surface at the bottom of this bore to restrain the axial thrust of said bit when in engagement with a screw type fastener. Finally, there is included a spring type ring in an internal annular groove in the bore to retain the bit against axial pull out forces, either frictionally or more positively by engaging notches being supplied in almost all currently manufactured insert bits. The bit holders are prescribed and defined in federal specifications such as GGG-B-00122.
The Clark U.S. Pat. No. 2,550,775 embodies these same features as discussed above, except that the retaining ring is replaced by a permanent magnet, located in a bore at the bottom of the bit driving socket, which retains the bit magnetically, but with the added new utility of retaining the fastener magnetically on the end of the bit. Although currently in use, it is limited to applications where the relatively weak holding force of the magnet will not cause problems of a convenience or safety nature should the bit stick in the fastener recess and be pulled out of the bit holder.
The bit holder of the C-ring type in most common use at this time is a hybrid of the preceding patents, utilizing both the superior holding force of the retaining ring and the utility of the magnet as described above.
The nose cap type bit holder in most common usage at this time, either magnetic or non-magnetic, incorporates the features of the hybrid C-ring bit holder described above. These are: a cylindrical body, a shank or socket driving means, a socket recess to accept the bit, and a magnet or locating shoulder at the bottom of this recess. An exception is the retaining ring feature which is located in a separate nose cap or sleeve which has a partially threaded bore to engage like external threads on the end of the cylindrical bit holder body opposite the shank of the driven end. The retaining feature is a rubber O-ring retained in an annular groove at the bottom of the nose cap internal bore. The O-ring is compressed in the groove and against the bit by the end surface of the bit holder when the cap is threaded onto the bit holder. This compression causes very high frictional forces against the bit which resist bit pullout should the bit tend to stick in the fastener recess.
Two types of nose cap bit holders are now in common usage. One type has a threaded nose, with the major diameter of the threads being the same as, or slightly less than, the diameter of the body. The threads blend into the body, providing no distinct shoulder. The second type, having a larger body diameter, utilizes the same threads, but provides a thread relief and a distinct shoulder. This limits the O-ring compression and subsequent O-ring damage when the nose cap is threaded into place.
The nose cap of these two types of bit holders are interchangeable. This is important to the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the nose caps are universally adaptable to both types of nose cap bit holders.
The Lange U.S. Pat. No. 2,838,082 shows a sleeve of similar construction and attachment and bit retaining means. The Lange patent differs from the most commonly used nose cap type bit holders, in that the bit driving socket means is incorporated in the unthreaded portion of the detachable sleeve. The external face of the magnet, located in a bore in the bit holder body, is essentially flush with the threaded end of the bit holder. The bit retaining means in this case is a retainer ring located in an annular groove in the socket portion of the sleeve. It is located in such a relationship with the face of the magnet as to engage the notches in the insert bit.
The most common nose cap bit holder in use at this time is then seen to be a hybrid of both the C-ring bit holder described above and the nose cap or sleeve type of the referenced Lange patent. It is also noted that the bit retaining means, used in this now most common hybrid embodiment, is a resilient continuous rubber ring, commonly referred to as an O-ring. This ring develops sufficient frictional holding force to retain the bit, independent of the notches, against normally encountered pull out forces.
An examination of the above cited patents, as well as currently developed art, indicates one commonality, that being the lack of a feature to locate the depth of the fastener relative to the work surface. It is this new utility for bit holders that the present invention addresses and provides.
Until this new utility, integral with the bit holder, was provided, the method of depth location was incorporated in the driving tools providing rotation of the bit holder shank. These were generally, but not limited to, relatively expensive electric or air driven power tools. This took the form of a depth locator adapter designed specifically for the particular power tool, and available generally only on power tools designed for screwdriving. These usually incorporated a clutching mechanism associated with the locator adapter. They were generally designed to work only with tools having the hexagonal power shanks, with the detenting annular groove, shown in several of the cited patents and standardized for industry by ANSI specification B107.4. These are the shanks of the bit holders of the two embodiments described below.
The primary purpose of this shank design was to prevent the slippage that occurs typically in three-jaw key chucks holding round shank tools, such as drills. The avoidance of such slippage is of great importance, given the higher torques and impacts associated with screw driving, and coincidentally, the prevention of axial pull out of the driven tool.
Bit holders of this type incorporating the hexagonal power shanks, as well as many other screwdriving accessories sucha as nut setters, socket adapters or extensions, power bits and bit finders, were originally designed to be used in power driven screwdrivers with compatible hex chucks. They are increasingly being used in power drills with key type three-jaw chucks because of the non-slip feature of the hex shank, and the higher torque and variable speed features now common on power drills making them better suited to screwdriving.
With the advent of battery operated screwdriving tools and drills utilizing three-jaw key chucks, and quick release chucks for the hex shank either to replace or be used in conjunction with the key chuck, ref. U.S. Pat. No. 4,692,073, the use of, and utility of, the hex shank screwdriving accessories, including the bit holders associated with the present invention, is seeing an exponential growth. It can therefore be expected that the new utility, provided by the present invention, will also experience this growth.
The following detailed description will refer frequently to bit holders having hexagon shanks. To clarify the orientation of various parts and features of these bit holders, the bit or driving end will be referred to as forward or front, and the shank or driven end will be referred to as rearward or back.


The invention relates to an electromechanical component which is configured as a sandwich-type structure. In the interior of said structure, a support layer consisting of foamed plastic is arranged. Said support layer is placed between covering layers which consist of compact materials. All layers are produced from hardly inflammable plastic material, for example LCP or PEI plastics so that it is not necessary to add any flame-retardant additives. The component can be configured in the shape of a slab but it can also have a more complex three-dimensional structure and can optionally be provided with mechanical functional elements. Accordingly to an aspect of the invention, the support layer of the component can consist of silicone. The composition of the inventive component provides a means for simplifying recycling a product at the end of its lifetime.

This application claims the benefit of German application serial no. 19850737.2 filed Nov. 4, 1998 and German application serial no. 19901262.8 filed Jan. 15, 1999, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference, and which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. xc2xa7365 of International Application PCT/EP99/08401, filed Nov. 3, 1999, which was published in accordance with PCT Article 21(2) on May 11, 2000 in German.
The invention relates to an electromechanical component, particularly a component according to the preamble of claim 1.
In the electrotechnical industry, use is made for numerous applications of printed circuit boards which, firstly, serve the purpose of holding electronic components mechanically and, secondly, simultaneously produce electric connections between these components. Conventional printed circuit boards are frequently produced from hot-cured materials such as, for example, anionic resin paper or epoxy resin reinforced with glass fibres. These materials are combustible per se, and this is not acceptable for safety reasons. Consequently, these materials have flame-retardant chemicals added to them such as, for example, bromine compounds or organic phosphorous compounds which, in co-operation with other inorganic substances such as, for example, antimontrioxide as synergist, avoid the flammability of conventional printed circuit boards.
The flame-retardant additives in the printed circuit boards give rise, however, to substantial difficulties in the recycling of the printed circuit boards. In particular, the hot-curable materials cannot be recycled and must therefore finally disposed of in refuse dumps. Furthermore, it is possible to burn these materials, in which case substantial efforts are required in order to avoid toxic emissions which stem from the flame-retardant chemicals. For these reasons, there are relatively high costs for the removal at the end of the service life of a product which contains conventional printed circuit boards. With regard to the general trend towards a sustained economic approach, it is therefore desirable to provide components for electrotechnical applications which can be recovered with an acceptable economic outlay at the end of the service life of a product.
DE 24 13 158 A describes a punchable and drillable flame-retardant insulating plate for electrotechnical aims, which is produced from inorganic fibrous material, inorganic binder and inorganic filler as well as a heat-curable resin. The inorganic materials are not combustible whereas the organic resin is combustible. This insulating plate is a multi-component system.
Starting from here, it is the object of the invention to create a component for electrotechnical applications which avoid the disadvantages described at the beginning.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of a component according to claim 1. The component has a support layer, at least the top side of the support layer being covered by a covering layer. Both the covering layer and the support layer are produced from a relatively non-combustible plastic material. The covering layer and the support layer are permanently connected to one another and lend the component mechanical stability which suffices for the respective application. Furthermore, the covering layer bears electrically conducting material by means of whichxe2x80x94after a further structuring process, if appropriatexe2x80x94it is possible to produce electrical connections between electronic components.
The particular advantage of this component resides in the fact that the flame-retardant properties are achieved without additives which show up difficulties in recycling at the end of the service life of a product.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the covering layer can be constructed in a multilayer fashion from a plurality of layered films. This design is particularly advantageous wherever two or more of these films bear a conductor track structure, each plane of a conductor track structure being separated spatially from an adjacent plane by an electrically insulating film. If required, electric connections can also be produced between the planes.
In accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the invention, the electrically conducting material is formed as a layer which completely covers the covering layer. This layer can, for example, consist of a thin layer of copper which is structured in conductor tracks using an etching technique. As an alternative thereto, the conductor tracks can also be produced using a hot embossing process or a selective chemical electroplating process.
However, it is also possible for the conductor tracks to be produced from a free-flowing material using a printing process, in particular a screen printing technique.
It is particularly advantageous when the covering layer is produced from LCP plastic material (Liquid Crystal Plastic) or polyetherimide (PEI). These materials are intrinsically flame-retardant and easy to recycle.
The support layer can expediently be produced from foamed plastic material. This has the advantage that the component is lighter as a whole, adequate mechanical stability simultaneously being achieved. Moreover, the foaming of the plastic leads to a saving in material, and so the costs for the component are comparable to the costs of a part which is produced from conventional material. However, it is also possible to produce the support layer from silicone, which permits a particularly cost effective application.
It is particularly advantageous when the covering layer is of flexible design such that the component can be deformed, for example when being mounted in an electrical device. The mechanical stability required of electric components during mounting can be achieved by virtue of the fact that the flexible covering layer is reinforced with a support layer in the regions specified for holding components, while the rigid support layer is lacking in the regions which are to remain flexible.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the component can be of flat design in the form of a printed circuit board. However, it is also possible for the component to have a three dimensional structure and be provided with mechanical functional elements. These mechanical functional elements can serve the purpose, for example, of holding heavy electronic components such as, for example, capacitors or transformers on the component without the need for additional fastening elements. Furthermore, the component can be designed such that it fulfils at least partly the purpose of an insulating housing for an electric device.
A further object of the invention is to specify a method in accordance with which the component according to the invention can be produced in a particularly favourable way.
This object is achieved by a method according to claim 18.


A device for coupling the detachable connection between a driving shaft of an engine and a driven cylindrical hub of a generator wherein the engine and generator are provided with collar members having corresponding annular flanges which are detachably clamped together by a ring formed from two pivotal clamping halves.

This invention relates to a coupling device, and more particularly to a combined clamping and coupling device for an engine and associated generator.
Conventionally, portable electricity generators are widely used in outdoor activities in locations without a supply of electricity. For example, in camping environments, markets, circus fields and the like. Known portable generators usually comprise an internal combustion engine having an output or driving shaft connected to a driven shaft of a generator by a coupling. Such a coupling includes a tapered bore extending inwardly from an outer end of the output shaft of the engine and a cone head formed at the outer end of the driven shaft of the generator. The cone head is insertable into the tapered bore for frictionally interlocking the shafts together.
It is found that both the engine and generator should be preassembled on the same base in the factory producing the generator so that the tapered bore and cone head can be precisely and tightly joined together. In transporting this assembly, a heavy bump or vibration may cause the shafts of the engine and generator to deform or detach from each other.

Shang Lun Tsun, Jen Te Hsiang, Tainan Hsien


A freewheel unit intended especially for the stator of a hydrodynamic torque converter, allows first and second elements to rotate relative to each other around a rotational axis essentially in only one direction. A locking element carrier extends in the circumferential direction around the rotational axis and comes at least one first locking element which extends away from this carrier toward the first element in a first circumferential direction. At least one first locking element can come to rest against at least one blocking surface provided on the first element to prevent any relative rotation between the first element and the locking element carrier in one direction of relative rotation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to a freewheel unit which is intended especially for the stator of a hydrodynamic torque converter and which allows two elements to rotate with respect to each other around an axis of rotation in essentially only one direction.
2. Description of the Related Art
Freewheel units of this type are used, for example, to connect the outer area of the stator in a hydrodynamic torque converter to a support element such as a support shaft. Through the use of these types of freewheel units, it is ensured that the stator or the area of the stator which carries the vanes is supported so that it can rotate in one relative direction while being prevented from rotating in the other direction.
WO 91/16553, for example, discloses a freewheel with a plurality of pawls which are carried on one of the two elements which can rotate relative to each other, and are free to pivot. The pawls have locking sections which can come to rest against blocking surfaces on the other elements when these other elements try to rotate in the blocked direction. It is also known that ball elements can be used to produce a wedge-like blocking action when the two elements try to rotate with respect to each other in the unallowed direction of relative rotation.
All these freewheel units consist of a large number of separate elements, which must be put in place individually during the assembly process. This means that a great deal of work is required to produce such units.
It is the object of the present invention to make available a freewheel unit which is intended especially for use with the stator of a hydrodynamic torque converter and which is of simple design but nevertheless offers a reliable blocking action.
According to the invention, the freewheel unit allows two elements to rotate relative to each other around a rotational axis essentially in only one direction. This unit includes a locking element carrier, extending in the circumferential direction around the rotational axis, and at least one locking element, which is carried on the locking element carrier and which extends away from this carrier in a first circumferential direction and toward a first side, where at least one blocking surface is provided on the first of the two elements, against which at least one locking element can come to rest to prevent any relative rotation between the first element and the locking element carrier in one direction of relative rotation.
In the freewheel unit according to the invention, therefore, the locking element carrier, which carries at least one locking element, is offered as a complete assembly, so that the work of inserting a plurality of separate locking or latching elements and fastening them in place is no longer necessary.
So that the freewheel unit according to the invention can provide a similarly reliable blocking function with respect to the second of the two elements, this unit also comprises at least one second locking element, which is carried on the locking element carrier, and which extends away from the carrier in a second circumferential direction essentially opposite the first circumferential direction and toward a second side essentially opposite the first side, where at least one second blocking surface is provided on this second of the two elements, against which at least one second locking element rests or can come to rest to prevent any relative rotation between the locking element carrier and the second element in one direction of relative rotation. In this case it is also advantageous for the first blocking surface, of which there is at least one, and the second blocking surface, of which there is also at least one, to be freely exposed so that they can interact with the first locking element, of which there is at least one, and the second locking element of which there is also at least one, in essentially opposite circumferential directions.
So that the load can be distributed uniformly in the circumferential direction during the transfer of torque, it is proposed that first and second locking elements be provided in alternation with each other in the circumferential direction on the locking element carrier. To prevent any undesirable or undefined shifting in the position of the locking element carrier, furthermore, it is also especially advantageous for this carrier to be fastened to one of the two elements.
A highly reliable locking effect can be obtained by designing the locking element carrier essentially in the form of a ring. For example, it is possible to provide a locking element carrier which is essentially in the shape of a cylinder or a section of cylinder, from which the first locking elements extend away radially toward the outside. It is in this case also advantageous for the second locking elements to extend away from the locking element carrier radially toward the inside.
In an alternative design, it is possible to provide a locking element carrier which is essentially in the form of a ring-shaped disk or section of a ring-shaped disk, from which the first locking elements extend toward a first axial side. In this type of design, it is then possible according to the invention to provide in addition that the second locking elements extend away from the locking element carrier toward a second axial side essentially opposite the first axial side.
So that the constructive design can be simplified even further, it is proposed that the locking element carrier be made of sheet metal together with the locking elements, which are formed as integral parts of the carrier. It can then also be provided that the first locking element, of which there is at least one, and/or possibly the second locking element, of which there is also at least one, are bent away from the locking element carrier toward the first and second sides, respectively,
The present invention also pertains to a hydrodynamic torque converter which has a freewheel unit according to the invention, where a plurality of guide vanes is supported on the radially outside area of the first of the two elements, and where the second of the two elements is supported nonrotatably with respect to a support element.
It can also be provided that the first element is supported on the second element so that it is free to rotate in the axial direction and/or in the radial direction.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.

Freewheel unit, especially for the stator of a hydrodynamic torque converter


A method and system for inspecting a turbine wheel having axial slots along a perimeter thereof that are configured for mating with and securing airfoil members to the perimeter of the wheel, and an annular slot that intersects the axial slots. The method and system make use of one or more eddy current probes that are placed in the annular slot to electromagnetically inspect the annular slot and at least one of the axial slots for cracks in surfaces thereof. The probe is part of a probe assembly that includes a mounting member for engaging at least one of the annular and axial slots. The probe assembly is operable to maintain the probe at a fixed distance from surfaces of the annular slot as the probe travels through the annular slot.

The present invention generally relates to nondestructive inspection methods and systems. More particularly, this invention relates to a method and system for scanning a turbine wheel with an eddy current probe, and particularly surface regions of slots within the wheel.
Various nondestructive examination (NDE) techniques have been used to perform nondestructive testing on articles. An example is eddy current probe inspection of turbine components, as disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,706,020, 6,426,622, and 6,545,467, whose disclosures pertaining to the construction, operation, and use of eddy current probes are incorporated herein by reference. A component of particular interest is industrial gas turbine wheels to which the buckets of the turbine are mounted. In the hostile operating environments of gas turbines, the structural integrity of the turbine wheels within its turbine section is of great importance in view of the high mechanical stresses that wheels must be able to continuously withstand at high temperatures. The regions of a wheel forming the slots into which the buckets are secured, typically in the form of what are known as dovetail slots, are known to eventually form cracks over time, necessitating monitoring of the wheel in these regions. In some wheel designs, such as the stages 1, 2, and 3 wheels of the General Electric 7FA gas turbine, cooling of the buckets and wheel perimeter is assisted by the presence of a cooling slot located near the perimeter of the wheel and into which the dovetail slots extend. Over extended periods of time under the severe operating conditions of a wheel, cracks may form at common edges formed where the dovetail slots and cooling slot intersect. The ability to detect cracks with lengths of as little as 60 mils (about 1.5 mm) and even less is desirable in order to provide sufficiently early detection to avoid catastrophic failure of turbine wheels.
While a turbine rotor can be completely disassembled to gain access to its individual wheels, inspection techniques that can be performed with limited disassembly are preferred to minimize downtime, such as to fit within outage schedules of a gas turbine employed in the power generating industry. Since buckets are typically removed for inspection, it would be preferred if the dovetail and cooling slots of a turbine wheel could be examined with only the buckets removed. However, access to the cooling slot is very limited, and any inspection technique using an eddy current probe must address the difficulty of bringing the probe into stable, near-proximity to the surfaces being tested.

Nondestructive inspection method and system therefor


A spring and damping arrangement for adjusting the spring rate and the driving position of a motorcycle includes a series circuit having at least one helical spring, an air spring unit, and a hydraulic actuating element. The spring rate of the air spring unit is changeable as a function of a force acting from the outside on the spring and damping arrangement, such that the driving position change resulting from the applied force is compensated by the hydraulic loading of the hydraulic actuating element, such that a defined driving position can be adjusted or maintained.

The invention relates to a spring and damping arrangement for setting the spring rate and the riding position of a motorcycle, and to a motorcycle which is equipped with an arrangement of this type.
Setting apparatuses for changing the suspension properties of the suspension system of a motorcycle are already known from the prior art in different embodiments. Here, for this purpose, setting apparatuses which are provided within the suspension system as a rule influence the damping properties of the damping element, in order to produce a soft, comfortable or hard, sporty damping action.
It is a disadvantage here that a ride level regulation means or a variably adjustable riding position within adjustable limits cannot be realized by way of the setting systems which act on the damper elements.
EP 1734277 B1 has disclosed a known system, what is known as the D-ESA system (Dynamic Electronic Suspension Adjustment). Here, the chassis can be set electronically via the suspension and damper properties. This takes place at the touch of a button by the operator, it being possible for the loading to be selected, that is to say whether one is riding alone, alone with luggage or, for example, with a pillion. The damping rate is changed by means of a proportional valve on the damper.
In the prior art, the spring rate adjustment is realized via the use of an elastomer ring. The latter is seated outside the coil spring and, in accordance with document DE 10 2009 053 232 A1, is connected mechanically in series. Here, an actuator which forms two fluid chambers which can be displaced on the circumferential face acts on the elastomer ring. Here, the degree of filling of the one chamber changes the spring preload, and the degree of filling of the other chamber controls the spring rate via the gap size change and therefore the available space of the elastomer ring.
DE 102007007630 A1 describes the above-described active mechanism, in a different structural implementation. Here, the change in the spring rate is produced via a spiral spring and an elastomer spring device which is connected in series. The device is composed of an elastomer element and an associated locking device. Here, a plurality of devices can be connected in series behind one another. Here, the locking device is to either lock or permit the compression of the elastomer element. The spring rate of the spring strut is therefore fixed by way of the spring rate of the spiral spring and the non-locked elastomer elements.
DE 10 2007 015 888 A1 has disclosed a further solution for setting the spring rate. Here, an additional spring which is connected in series with respect to the main spring is required. In addition, a slide is used which, when the predefined compression travel of the additional spring is reached, holds the stop of the additional spring and thus prevents further compression of the additional spring.
Documents EP 1734277 B1, DE 3343007 C2 and DE 10 2014 200 118 A1 have disclosed further solutions for setting the spring rate of a spring of a motorcycle.
The circumstance that the riding position cannot be set variably firstly in the case of a constant load and secondly in the case of a different load is a disadvantage in the case of the abovementioned solutions.
It is desirable to provide a solution, by way of which, in particular, the following states can be realized. In the case of constant loading, continuous lowering or raising of the riding position should be possible, with retention of the spring rate. The regulation of the riding position should therefore take place in a manner which is dependent on the loading. This should take place under the premise of not having to provide any additional assemblies or actuators as setting means. It is thus not desired, for example, to provide a compressor for generating compressed air in the motorcycle for space and weight reasons.
Proceeding from the prior art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the abovementioned disadvantages and to provide a universal, inexpensive solution for setting the spring rate and the riding position of a motorcycle.
Said object is achieved by way of an apparatus having the features of claim 1, and having the features of claim 6.
It is a core concept of the present invention to utilize the existing hydraulics, such as the oil hydraulics in a motorcycle, in such a way that a hydraulic actuator is arranged in series with and coupled in terms of pressure technology to an air spring and preferably a coil spring, by the air volume of the air spring being influenced by way of an increase in the loading, in such a way that firstly the spring characteristic, that is to say the spring rate changes, and secondly a desired riding level state results or can be set by way of adaptation using the hydraulic actuator in a manner which is dependent on the loading state.
Therefore, according to the invention, a spring and damping arrangement for setting the spring rate and the riding position of a motorcycle is proposed, comprising a series circuit comprising at least one coil spring, an air spring unit and a hydraulic actuator. The spring rate is therefore set in a manner which is dependent on the loading. The spring rate adjustment advantageously takes place in the form of an automatic adaptation in the case of a loading change.
The apparatus according to the invention advantageously has a means, by way of which the hydraulic loading of the hydraulic actuator can be changed manually or in accordance with the system setting, and the air volume of the air spring unit can be changed. Here, the hydraulic actuator can be configured as what is known as a preload adjuster. In the following text, a hydraulic actuator will be spoken of in general, a hydraulic unit which is variable with regard to the hydraulic loading preferably being used, which hydraulic unit can be filled with more or less hydraulic fluid, in order to change the effective spring strut length in a manner which is dependent on the spring rate in the case of a defined loading state.
Furthermore, it is provided in one preferred embodiment of the invention that a movable separating piston is arranged between the air spring unit and the hydraulic actuator, by way of the relative piston position of which separating piston the air volume of the air spring unit changes. Here, the hydraulic actuator can be loaded directly via a hydraulic line with the hydraulics and therefore the hydraulic fluid of the motorcycle. As an alternative, for example, a gas bag can also be provided as one realization form of the air spring. In simplified terms, these are multiple-layer high density plastic bags which are filled with gas. The hydraulics are supported against said bags.
According to the invention, it is possible as a result to realize the following conditions. If the hydraulic actuator is reset (relieved) in the case of a constant loading, the supporting preload of the spring forces which occur is shifted, as a result of which continuous lowering of the riding position is achieved, with retention of the spring rate. If the loading of the vehicle or motorcycle is increased, the hydraulic actuator has to be prestressed, that is to say has to be loaded hydraulically further, with the result that the spring rate rises and the desired riding position is maintained. If, in contrast, the loading is reduced, starting from a previously heavier loading, the hydraulic actuator has to be relieved, and the spring rate drops, as a result of which the desired riding position is maintained.
The spring rate of the air spring unit can be varied, for example, in the case of constant loading by way of a pressure adaptation by a connector stub, filling stub or service access of the air spring. A ride level regulating algorithm which is implemented correspondingly in the controller ensures via an electrified preload adjuster that the desired riding position is maintained in the case of a changed spring rate. The pressure of the air spring can be influenced, for example, via a mechanical or electric pump. In other words, this means that the air spring unit advantageously has a connector stub for air or another gaseous medium, in order to change the static filling pressure and therefore the spring rate of the air spring unit by way of adding or discharging of the air or the gaseous medium.
The spring and damping arrangement is advantageously configured in such a way that the hydraulic loading of the hydraulic actuator takes place using a mechanical or electromechanical setting apparatus.
A further aspect of the present invention relates to a motorcycle or engine-operated bicycle comprising a spring and damping arrangement as described above.
Furthermore, it is provided in one particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention that a ride level regulation means of the chassis which can be operated by a user is provided in the motorcycle, by way of which ride level regulation means the hydraulic loading of the hydraulic actuator and therefore the spring rate of the air spring unit can be set in a manner which is dependent on the loading state of the motorcycle, in such a way that the desired chassis level can be set.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, furthermore, the apparatus has a pressure sensor system and a pressure display which is connected to the pressure sensor system, by way of which pressure display the hydraulic loading and/or the pressure which is set in the air spring unit by way of the respective loading and dynamic riding situation of the motorcycle is displayed or can be displayed. Undesired chassis states can thus be reacted to directly. In the case, for example, of an excessively low air pressure in the air spring unit, the pressure can be increased using an on-board hand pump, and can be checked on the display.
In addition, it can also be provided that, furthermore, an electrically adjustable damper is provided in order to set the oscillation behavior of the spring and damping arrangement.
It is provided in one preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention that, furthermore, a stop or a rebound buffer spring is connected to the air spring unit, in order to limit the spring travels and/or the extension force of the air spring unit in the case of braking maneuvers, with the result that special riding situations can also be taken into account despite a riding position which can be set in a variable and comfortable manner.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Spring- and damping arrangement for a motorcycle

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