An oil reconversion devices 1a and 1b for waste plastics which thermally crack a waste plastic Ro by heating it and converts a generated cracker gas Gr into oil by cooling it, equipped with a thermal cracking bath 2 which has a bath main body 4 placed inside a coil 3 . . . , induction-heats the bath main body 4 by feeding a high-frequency current through the coil 3 . . . , and thermally cracks at least a molten plastic Rd obtained from the waste plastic Ro to generate the cracker gas Gr, an injection port 5 through which the waste plastic Ro is injected, a feeder 6 which supplies the waste plastic Ro injected through this injection port 5 to the thermal cracking bath 2 via a forced or direct feeding means Ua or Ub without a bath, and an oil conversion processor 7 which cools and converts the cracker gas Gr generated by the thermal cracking bath 2 into oil.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2003-96469 discloses a conventionally known waste plastics oil reconversion device which reconverts waste plastics (high-polymer wastes) heavy oil (Grade-A heavy oil equivalent) after thermally cracking it by heating.
The oil reconversion device is equipped with a melting bath which has a first crucible placed inside a first coil, induction-heats the first coil by feeding a high-frequency current through the first coil, and melts solid waste plastics such as polyethylene, polysterol, and vinyl chloride contained in the first crucible at around 250° C. (70° C. for vinyl chloride), which is a relatively low temperature to obtain a molten plastic, and a thermal cracking bath which has a second crucible placed inside a second coil, induction-heats the second crucible by feeding high-frequency current through the second coil, and thermally cracks the molten plastic contained in the second crucible by heating it to a high temperature of around 450° C. (170° C. for vinyl chloride) to generate a cracker gas, which when cooled obtains a heavy oil.
However, the following problems remain to be solved for such a waste plastics conventional oil reconversion device.
First, because the waste plastics inside the first crucible to be induction-heated are heated as it is being agitated, its melting performance is limitated and is insufficient from the viewpoint of rapid melting and further homogeneous and high-quality melting.
Second, because construction is adopted wherein the bottom of the first crucible and the bottom of the second crucible are connected through a communicating tube, in which an open/close valve is installed, the manufacturing process becomes complex, making cleaning and maintenance difficult when the communicating tube is clogged.
Third, because it is equipped with two melting baths and a thermal cracking bath, although fit for processing a large amount of waste plastic, in processing small amounts of waste plastic, the large scale of the overall device may lead to a decrease in installability and universal usability, increasing running costs due to increased unnecessary power consumption.
The present invention has the objective of providing an oil reconversion device for waste plastics solves such problems of the background technology.

Oil reconversion device for waste plastics


This disclosure provides a ferrite ceramic composition, a ceramic electronic component including the ceramic composition, and a process of producing a ceramic electronic component including the ferrite ceramic composition, of which the insulation performance can be secured even when fired simultaneously with a metal wire material containing Cu as the main component, and which can have good electric properties. The ferrite ceramic composition includes an Ni—Mn—Zn-based ferrite having a molar content of CuO of 5 mol % or less and in which, when the molar content (x) of Fe2O3 and the molar content (y) of Mn2O3 are expressed by a coordinate point (x,y), the coordinate point (x,y) is located in an area bounded by coordinate points A (25,1), B (47,1), C (47,7.5), D (45,7.5), E (45,10), F (35,10), G (35,7.5) and H (25,7.5).

In recent years, ceramic electronic components have been used widely in various fields, and chip-type inductors have been used widely as filters for high frequency applications that can remove noises generated in electronic devices such as mobile phones and notebook-size personal computers.
As for the processes for producing this type of chip-type inductor, various processes are known. For example, JP 7-22266 A (claim 1, claim 2, paragraph Nos. [0007], [0017], etc.) proposes a process for producing an inductor element, which comprises: repeating a step, which comprises printing a ferrite paste containing an organic binder on a substrate and drying the printed ferrite paste, multiple times, thereby forming a first ferrite green sheet layer; placing a metal conductive body on the first ferrite green sheet layer; repeating a step, which comprises printing the ferrite paste on the first ferrite green sheet layer and the metal conductive body and drying the printed ferrite paste, multiple times, thereby forming a second ferrite green sheet layer on the first ferrite green sheet layer and the metal conductive body; compressing the first ferrite green sheet layer, the metal conductive body and the second ferrite green sheet layer together; and firing the compressed product.
In JP 7-22266 A (claim 1, claim 2, paragraph Nos. [0007], [0017], etc.), it is described that one metal selected from Ag, Pd, Pt, Ni and Cu or an alloy of at least two metals selected from the above-mentioned metals is used as the metal conductive body.
In JP 7-22266 A (claim 1, claim 2, paragraph Nos. [0007], [0017], etc.), it is contemplated to produce a high-quality chip-type inductor within a short time and without causing any structural defect and so on by employing the above-mentioned process.
JP 2001-52946 A (claim 1, paragraph Nos. [0014], [0026], etc.) proposes a process for producing a chip-type inductor, which comprises the steps of: inserting a conductive wire comprising a metal wire into a molding mold, holding both ends of the conductive wire by a support section formed inside of the molding mold to position the conductive wire at the center of the molding mold; injecting a magnetic ceramic slurry into the molding mold; molding the ceramic slurry that has been injected into the molding mold by a wet-mode pressing technique to form a molding having the conductive wire embedded therein; firing the molding to produce a magnetic core; and forming external electrodes, which are respectively connected to both ends of the conductive wire, at both end surfaces of the fired magnetic core.
In JP 2001-52946 A (claim 1, paragraph Nos. [0014], [0026], etc.), it is described that Ag, Cu or an alloy of either one of these metals is used as the conductive wire.
In JP 2001-52946 A (claim 1, paragraph Nos. [0014], [0026], etc.), it is contemplated to produce a high-density and high-quality chip-type inductor by producing the molding having the conductive wire embedded therein by a wet-mode pressing technique.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Ferrite ceramic composition, ceramic electronic component, and process for producing ceramic electronic component


A quorum-based server power-down mechanism allows a manager in a computer cluster to power-down unresponsive servers in a manner that assures that an unresponsive server does not become responsive again. In order for a manager in a cluster to power down servers in the cluster, the cluster must have quorum, meaning that a majority of the computers in the cluster must be responsive. If the cluster has quorum, and if the manager server did not fail, the manager causes the failed server(s) to be powered down. If the manager server did fail, the new manager causes all unresponsive servers in the cluster to be powered down. If the power-down is successful, the resources on the failed server(s) may be failed over to other servers in the cluster that were not powered down. If the power-down is not successful, the cluster is disabled.

1. Technical Field
This invention generally relates to data processing, and more specifically relates to networked computer systems.
2. Background Art
Since the dawn of the computer age, computer systems have become indispensable in many fields of human endeavor including engineering design, machine and process control, and information storage and access. In the early days of computers, companies such as banks, industry, and the government would purchase a single computer which satisfied their needs, but by the early 1950's many companies had multiple computers and the need to move data from one computer to another became apparent. At this time computer networks began being developed to allow computers to work together.
Networked computers are capable of performing tasks that no single computer could perform. In addition, networks allow low cost personal computer systems to connect to larger systems to perform tasks that such low cost systems could not perform alone. Most companies in the United States today have one or more computer networks. The topology and size of the networks may vary according to the computer systems being networked and the design of the system administrator. It is very common, in fact, for companies to have multiple computer networks. Many large companies have a sophisticated blend of local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs) that effectively connect most computers in the company to each other.
With multiple computers hooked together on a network, it soon became apparent that networked computers could be used to complete tasks by delegating different portions of the task to different computers on the network, which can then process their respective portions in parallel. In one specific configuration for shared computing on a network, the concept of a computer "cluster" has been used to define groups of computer systems on the network that can work in parallel on different portions of a task.
Clusters of computer systems have also been used to provide high-reliability services. The high reliability is provided by allowing services on a server that fails to be moved to a server that is still alive. This type of fault-tolerance is very desirable for many companies, such as those that do a significant amount of e-commerce. In order to provide high-reliability services, there must be some mechanism in place to detect when one of the servers in the cluster becomes inoperative. One known way to determine whether all the servers in a cluster are operative is to have each server periodically issue a message to the other servers indicating that the server that sent the message is still alive and well. These types of messages are commonly referred to in the art as "heartbeats" because as long as the messages continue (i.e., as long as the heart is still beating), we know the server is still alive.
In the prior art, when a server becomes invisible due to lack of a heartbeat, a server in the cluster that is designated as a manager assumes the server that no longer has a heartbeat has failed. As a result, the manager must provide the resources that were on the failed server on another server in the cluster. Note, however, that the absence of a heartbeat does not always mean a server is dead. For example, a server may not provide a heartbeat because it may be temporarily unresponsive due to trashing, swapping, network floods, etc. If the server is not giving heartbeats but is still alive, there exists the possibility that the server may once again become responsive and start providing heartbeats. If the manager has already assumed the server has failed, and has provided the server's services on another server, we now have two servers that try to provide the same services. This creates a problem in administrating the cluster. One way to deal with this problem is to monitor data for a service to make sure that two servers don't try to access the same data for the same service. However, this is complex and inefficient. Without a mechanism for assuring that services in a computer cluster are not duplicated when a server failure is detected, the computer industry will continue to suffer from inadequate and inefficient ways of handling a failed server in a computer cluster.

Quorum-based power-down of unresponsive servers in a computer cluster

International Business Machines Corporation


An optical apparatus includes an image source, a relay optical system, and an optical processing system. The image source is configured to display an image. The relay optical system is configured to project the image displayed by the image source to the optical processing system, and to image at infinity. The optical processing system is configured to project incident light from the relay optical system in a same direction to at least two preset directions sequentially.

Along with the development of science and technology, an augmented reality display apparatus is attracting more and more attention. In order to enable the augmented reality display apparatus to adapt to different users and guarantee that image missing does not occur during a strenuous exercise, the augmented reality display apparatus needs a relatively large exit pupil diameter and there is further a requirement on miniaturization and light weight of the augmented reality display apparatus.
However, in the prior art, the purposes of a large exit pupil, a large view field and the like of the augmented reality display apparatus are implemented generally by increasing a volume of an image source, a diameter of a relay optical system and so on. Thus the volume and the weight of the display apparatus are greatly improved. Additionally, in order to obtain a relatively good display effect, a lens in a lens group of a relay system needs to be inclined in an off-axis manner and thus the optical distortion, aberration and the like are increased, and the difficulty in system design and system optimization is greatly improved.

Optical apparatus and waveguide display apparatus


Disclosed is a photographic element comprising a silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith a dye-forming coupler represented by Formula I: ##STR1## wherein R" represents the group ##STR2## in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 independently selected all groups, provided that any two of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 may join to form a ring;. R.sup.4 is hydrogen or a substituent, provided that R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 may join to form a ring when R.sup.4 is a substituent; and PA2 W is a specified substituent having the formula: ##STR3## and wherein the remaining substituents are as described in the specification. The use of the coupler of Formula I lends improved manufacturability and dye light stability to the element.

Conventional color photography depends on the formation of dyes and uses subtractive primaries to form the desired colors. One of the problems encountered with the dyes which form the images is their tendency to degrade when exposed to light. This is of particular importance with respect to photographic elements intended for direct viewing. Direct view elements include reflective prints and color transmission elements such as motion picture prints and projection slides. Such elements receive substantial exposure to light while being viewed. This not only causes the dye images to fade, but when the dyes of different colors fade at different rates, the image changes color and the neutral areas become undesirably colored. Since the advent of color photography there have been ongoing efforts to improve the dye stability. Nevertheless, there is still a need for further improvement in the dye light stability of photographic elements intended for direct viewing. Efforts have been ongoing to provide stabilized dyes which will exhibit improved light stability. Some of these efforts are described as follows.
EP0 704 758 of Kawagishi et al. teaches certain 1H-pyrazolo[5,1-c]-1,2,4-triazole compounds which are said to be useful for improving color reproduction, color developability, and magenta dye light stability. The coupler contains at the 3-position an aminoalkylene group bonded to a hetero substituted phenyl group by a --C(O)--, --SO.sub.2 --, --SO.sub.2 NR--, --C(O)NR--, or --COOR-- group. Neither the carbon of the aminoalkylene group alpha or beta to the azole ring to which it is bonded is required to be further substituted. Among the specific couplers contemplated are those having, for example, .alpha.-methyl, .alpha.-isopropyl, .alpha.-ethyl, .alpha.-dodecyl, .alpha.-phenyl and .alpha.,.alpha.-dimethyl links to the azole ring. In almost every example, the .alpha. carbon is linked directly to a heterogroup of the substituent. When there is present a .beta.-carbon, it is never further substituted.
EP 602 748 of Tang et al. suggests generic substituent groups for pyrazolotriazole couplers which enhance the combination of color reproduction, dye light stability and coupler reactivity. It is stated that substitution at the alpha carbon is desired, but there is no specific suggestion that further substitution at the beta carbon is advantageous.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,697 of Kita et al. suggests pyrazolotriazole couplers having a fully substituted carbon in the alpha position with an oxygen linked moiety in two of the branches for purposes of improved sensitivity and reduced development pH sensitivity No data on dye stability is given and there is no recognition of the advantage of any particular substituent combination for purposes of improving dye light stability.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,032,497 of Nakayama et al. suggests a certain pyrazolotriazole coupler having a tertiary alkyl group in the 3-position and a primary alkyl group in the 6-position for the purpose of improving the absorption spectra of the magenta dye formed upon development and improving the resistance of the dye to formaldehyde and light.
In addition to the desired light stability of the resulting magenta dye, it is also important that the magenta coupler be manufacturable in a commercial sense. Purification is an integral part of the synthesis of compounds. There are many methods of purification known in the art such as crystallization, distillation, chromatography, and dialysis. These methods find wide application in academia and in industry. Many of these methods, however, are limited in that they can handle only relatively small amounts of material. For example, chromatography is an extremely efficient method of purification of organic compounds but when applied to quantities over 25 grams, the quantities of absorbent, the volumes of solvents needed, and the physical operations required (such as evaporation of elutant solvents), make the operation impractical for large quantities from a cost point of view.
Solids have another advantage during manufacture. Compounds need to be transferred between reaction vessels and between areas of manufacture and areas of use (such as dispersion making in the case of photographic couplers). The transfer of liquids and oils, especially high molecular weight materials which tend to be very viscous, can be problematic. The transfer of solids is easier.
For the manufacture of large amounts of material, it is highly desirable to use purification techniques that are cost effective for large amounts of material. For the manufacture of photographic couplers, hundreds of kilograms a year or more would be needed and thus a purification method such as chromatography as described above would be impractical. The two practical methods of purification in the manufacture of large amounts of material are distillation and recrystallization. In order to use distillation, the material must boil at temperatures less than 140.degree. C. at reduced pressure. Photographic couplers are typically too high boiling to distill, and therefore recrystallization is the only practical way to purify large quantities of such materials.
In order to purify materials by recrystallization, it is necessary that the materials have a well defined crystal structure. Materials having this well defined crystal structure are characterized by a sharp melting point when pure; the melting point range is typically less than 2.degree. C. A discussion of recrystallization can be found in Purification of Laboratory Chemicals by D. D. Perrin and W. L. F. Armarego, Pergamon Press, N.Y. 1988.
Thus it is a problem to be solved to provide a magenta coupler that not only forms a dye having advantageous resistance to light degradation but, from the practical standpoint, one that is crystallizable in order to be capable of industrial exploitation.

Photographic element containing magenta coupler having improved manufacturability and dye light stability


A dock leveler includes a lip that not only pivots between an extended operative position and a pendant position relative to a deck but also translates in its pendant position between blocking and non-blocking positions. A fastener connects the lip to a hinge in such a way as to minimize the stress between the fastener and the lip. The hinge includes a lip-facing surface into which the fastener is anchored, wherein the fastener is tilted out of perpendicularity to the lip-facing surface. The head of the fastener is held parallel to the lip even though an angled gap may exist between the lip and the lip-facing surface of the hinge.

1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention generally pertains to dock levelers and more specifically to a reduced-stress connection between a hinge and a lip of a dock leveler.
2. Description of Related Art
A typical truck loading dock of a building includes an exterior doorway with an elevated platform for loading and unloading vehicles such as trucks and trailers. Many loading docks have a dock leveler to compensate for a height difference that may exist between the floor of the loading dock platform and an adjacent bed of a truck or trailer. A typical dock leveler includes a deck that is hinged along its back edge at or near the elevation of the floor so that the deck can pivotally adjust the height of its front edge to an elevation that generally matches the height of the rear edge of the truck bed to provide a ramp for material handling equipment.
In addition, a front hinge may pivotally connect an extension plate or lip to the front edge of the deck. The front hinge allows the lip to pivot between a stored, pendant position and an extended, operative position. In the extended position, the lip can rest upon the truck bed to form a bridge between the deck and the bed. This allows personnel and material handling equipment, such as a forklift truck, to readily move on and off the truck during loading and unloading operations.
With some dock levelers, the lip is connected to the deck in such a way that the lip can be used as a barrier to help prevent material handling equipment from accidentally driving off the edge of the deck while the deck is in its stored, cross-traffic position and no truck is parked at the dock. An example of such a dock leveler is disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 4,920,598. With the '598 dock leveler, the lip includes a series of slots through which a corresponding series of bolts extend to fasten the lip to a deck hinge. The slots plus clearance between the underside of the lip and the hinge allow the lip to slide between a normal operating position and a raised barrier position.
When the lip is in its normal operating position and is extended to rest atop the back edge of a truck bed, tremendous stress can develop between the lip and the heads of the bolts that fasten the lip to the hinge when loads move over the dock leveler. The stress is concentrated along just a portion of the bolt head because the clearance between the lip and the hinge allow the lip to cock at a slight angle relative to the contact face of the bolt head. With the design disclosed in the '598 patent, the resulting stress concentrations require the use of heavier and/or stronger materials than would otherwise be needed.

Pivotal and vertically translatable dock leveler lip


A manual operation device for controlling an instrument mounted on an automotive vehicle includes: an operating portion to be operated manually; an actuator for applying a force to the operating portion; a detection portion for detecting an operation position of the operating portion; a memorizing element for memorizing a force pattern; a receiving element for receiving the force pattern from an external device and for memorizing the force pattern in the memorizing portion; and a control element for reading out the force pattern memorized in the memorizing portion, for outputting the control data to the actuator on the basis of the read out force pattern and the operation position of the operating portion detected by the detection portion, and for outputting the operation signal to the instrument.

Recently, a system for integratively operating various electric instruments mounted on an automotive vehicle is realized. Specifically, the system operates the instruments such as a navigation device, an air-conditioner and an audio unit in such a manner that information for operating of the instruments is shown on a display, and a passenger in the vehicle operates a button shown on the display performed by, for example, touch panel operation or remote control operation.
However, according to the above system, it is necessary for the passenger to watch the display when the passenger operates the button. Accordingly, when a driver in the vehicle operates the button, a problem arises that it is difficult for the driver to recognize where the button is disposed and what happens to the instrument after the button is operated.
In view of the above problem, a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-84875 is well known to solve the problem. This technique relates to a device called a haptic device for controlling a reaction force in accordance with a position of the button and a state of the instrument. Further, the haptic device applies not only the reaction force but also external assist force to an operation direction.
More specifically, when a volume of a radio or a CD player is operated, an operator feels a friction of a manual operation device when the manual operation device is operated to turn up the volume. Further, the operator feels an acceleration of the manual operation device when the manual operation device is operated to turn down the volume. Thus, the external force is applied to the manual operation device. As a result, even when the volume is turned up, it can be avoided that a sound to be outputted to a compartment of the vehicle is rapidly increased. Further, when the operator wants to turn down the volume, the volume can be rapidly reduced. Thus, a problem such as interception of conversation and audio listener is resolved. Further, the above control details are different in each instrument as an object of operation by the manual operation device (e.g., the navigation device, the air conditioner and the audio unit). Furthermore, the manual operation device can switch the object instrument.
However, in the above technique, a problem arises when a user removes the instrument mounted on the vehicle (e.g., a portable navigation device) from the vehicle. For example, when the operator switches the operation object instrument by using the manual operation device, the operation object instrument to be switched does not exist in the vehicle practically. In this case, even when the operator operates the manual operation device to switch to the object operation instrument, nothing happens. Thus, the operator may feel uncomfortable.
Further, when a user changes a regularly used vehicle to another vehicle, the user may feel uncomfortable since a friction force of the manual operation device in the other vehicle is different from that in the regularly used vehicle.
Further, another user drives the vehicle and the other user may change adjustment of the friction force in accordance with his preference just before the user drives the same vehicle. In this case, the user may feel uncomfortable.

Manual operation device for automotive vehicle


An apparatus and method for detecting surface and subsurface objects is provided. A sweeping mechanism comprising a sensor is connected to a mounting frame. The mounting frame is connected to a motorized host platform. The sweeping mechanism sweeps the sensor according to a predetermined footprint when the motorized host platform either pulls or pushes the mounting frame. A signaling mechanism connected to the sensor produces a signal when the sensor senses an object beneath the surface.

Systems for detecting surface and subsurface objects have been used to detect concealed objects including, without limitation, hidden bombs, narcotics, cables, pipes, and corpses. Such systems also have been used to facilitate subsurface detection in various technology areas, such as for motion detection, seeing-through walls, archeology, and geology. Most notably, however, such systems are used to detect land mines. While systems for detecting surface or subsurface objects, including the invention described herein, may be advantageously employed in various applications, the invention is described herein, in terms of a system for the detection of land mines or other improvised explosive devices (IEDs), with no intent of limitation.
Since 1975, land-mines have exploded under more than 1 million people and are currently thought to be killing approximately 800 people a month. In 64 countries around the world, there are an estimated 10 million land-mines still lodged in the ground. They remain active for decades-years after wars have ended. As such, a large worldwide community has devoted extensive resources to ridding the world of both future and currently placed land mines. Mine detecting technology has been invaluable to this endeavor and has been responsible for preventing the loss of many lives.
There are currently at least four types of mine detection machines available: 1) vehicle mounted; 2) handheld; 3) airborne; and 4) mechanical clearing devices such as rollers, plows, or flails. These mine detection machines detect surface and subsurface anti-vehicular ("AT") and anti-personnel ("AP") mines. An AT mine is a type of land mine designed to damage or destroy vehicles, whereas an AP mine is used against humans.
Vehicle mounted, airborne, and mechanical clearing types of mine detection systems have value because they cover large areas and because they can have good ballistic protection or good standoff if, for example, they are remotely controlled. On the other hand, they are very expensive, very large, very heavy, and much less prevalent than handheld detection systems. In addition, mechanical clearing devices are not highly effective in detecting and clearing landmines and they tend do damage fragile ecosystems when deployed as they must destructively interact with the area they are clearing.
Handheld mine detection systems are helpful because they are inexpensive, relatively easy to use with appropriate training, easy to transport, and they are already very prevalent in the military and commercial world. However, current handheld mine detection systems require the soldier or de-miner to personally hold and sweep the sensor from side to side while walking through a hazardous environment. Thus, the soldier or de-miner risks his or her life being in such close proximity to buried explosive devices (landmines or other improvised explosive devices (IED)) which can detonate when stepped upon. Moreover, enemy fire may be directed toward the soldier engaged in de-mining. In addition, these handheld sensors must be swept at the appropriate speed and at the appropriate overlap to ensure adequate coverage so that no mines are missed by the sensor and operator. This sweep speed and overlap is an activity that requires training and experience to be proficient, let alone expedient. Mistakes can be fatal, both immediately to the operator of the sensor should he detonate a mine or later to the civilian population that will be using the recovered land should a mine have been missed.
As such, there remains a need for an improved system for employing handheld sensors to detect surface or subsurface objects that is safe, convenient, and inexpensive.

Sensor sweeper for detecting surface and subsurface objects


A dual treadle treadmill. The dual treadle treadmill includes a frame, a first treadle, a second treadle, and a generator. The first treadle and the second treadle are each pivotally coupled with the frame and each have a moving surface. The generator is operably associated with the first treadle such that the generator is driven in response to the first treadle pivoting relative to the frame. Other embodiments of dual treadle treadmills are also described.

Dual treadle treadmills provide two moving surfaces that articulate relative to each other. These dual treadle treadmills provide both a treadmill-like motion and a stair climber-like motion. This combination of motions provides an exercise that simulates climbing a flight of stairs and provides similar health benefits to users. Existing dual treadmills include several drawbacks, such as unnatural motions that result from existing mechanisms for operating dual treadle treadmills.

Apparatus, system, and method for providing resistance in a dual tread treadmill


An antimicrobial solution is provided for use in the cleaning of dentures and toothbrushes, as well as, for use as an oral mouthwash and/or a general disinfectant. The primary active ingredients of the present invention include an approximately 4.5% solution of hydrogen peroxide as an antibacterial agent and sodium lauryl sulfate as a cleansing agent. The present invention is mixed and maintained in liquid form. Additional ingredients are included to ensure the activation of the various antibacterial or cleansing agents. The present invention overcomes the problems with presently available denture cleansers because it does not require the use of hot, warm, or even cold water to activate the cleansing agent.

This invention generally relates to an antibacterial solution for either oral or topical use. In particular, the present invention relates to an antimicrobial solution for internal use by an individual or as a cleaning agent. More particularly, the present invention relates to an antimicrobial solution for use in the cleaning of dentures and toothbrushes, as well as, for use as an oral mouthwash and/or a general disinfectant.
Oral hygiene has been shown to be closely associated with the general health of an individual. Opportunistic infections have been linked to microorganisms commonly found in the oral cavity. The mouth has been described as the primary portal of entry and site of disease for microbial infections that affect the general health. It is, therefore, desirable to provide an antimicrobial solution for use in combating the growth and spread of the microorganisms that are the primary cause of such infections for use both within the oral cavity and as a cleansing solution for devices used within the oral cavity, such as, but not limited to, toothbrushes and dentures.
Currently available denture cleansers are available in tablet format only and generally function to clean dentures without killing harmful bacteria. Their cleaning action is known as "effervescence" and this action has been shown to damage and even to destroy dentures over time as it slowly pits the exterior surface of the denture. Further, such tablet cleaners must be dissolved in warm or hot water. This higher temperature water has been known to warp dentures distorting their proper fit and ultimate damaging them beyond repair. It is, therefore, desirable to provide a liquid denture cleanser capable of cleaning dentures without damaging them and simultaneously killing harmful bacteria that may be growing thereon.
Toothbrushes have been shown to retain particles of food and other material removed from the teeth of a user during brushing even when thoroughly rinsed after use. As a result, a breeding ground for bacteria is created that is repeatedly placed in the mouth of a user exposing that person to numerous unknown microorganisms that are potential causes of various periodontal and other diseases. It is, therefore, desirable to provide a toothbrush cleanser that can either significantly reduce or eliminate harmful bacteria from a toothbrush between uses.

Antimicrobial solution for both tropical and oral use


Devices that assist in transferring liquid from commercially available fuel additive containers into capless fuel system intakes generally include an enlarged mouth portion and a narrower nozzle portion, with the mouth portion detachably engaging with an additive container, and the nozzle portion inserted into a capless fuel system intake, such that the capless fuel system's opening flap is held in the opened position. The mouth of the device includes a plurality of hinge points that permit circumferential enlargement of the aperture, thereby allowing the device to form a substantially leak-proof frictional engagement with the neck of fuel additive containers having different diameters. In this manner devices can be used with almost all additive containers, regardless of the type, size and/or manufacturer.

The present invention relates to pourable matter delivery devices, and more specifically, to a pouring device having a circumferentially expandable mouth and fixed stem for accommodating fuel additive container openings of a range of sizes.
Many vehicle operators utilize fuel additives in order to modify or improve certain characteristics such a gasoline's octane rating, or act as a corrosion inhibitor or lubricant. An example of a common and commercially available fuel additive is STP® brand "Gas Treatment". Fuel additives typically include components such as metal deactivators, corrosion inhibitors, oxygenates and antioxidants. Typically a user purchases a fuel additive in a container having an elongated neck that terminates in the container opening. This design allows many fuel additive users to simply remove the container cap, direct the opening of the container into the gas tank opening, and pour in the contents. The specific size and shape of the container varies by manufacturer and product.
The addition of fuel additives into capless gas systems, however, is more complicated. In general, a capless gas system does not have a cap, but rather a self-sealing mechanism at the point of entry of fuel for a fuel tank. This self-sealing mechanism is typically a spring-loaded interior lid that allows entry of a standard fuel-pump nozzle, but closes off when a nonstandard fuel-pump nozzle attempts to gain entry. Capless gas systems are gaining in popularity with automobile manufacturers because they are considered an improvement over standard systems due to their ability to prevent fuel theft, and because they greatly reduce environmental hazards such as fuel spillage and evaporation that arises from improperly tightened or otherwise defective gas caps.
However, since capless gas systems are designed to prevent the introduction of substances into the gas tank using a nonstandard nozzle or spout, it is not possible to introduce fuel additives to capless gas systems using standard fuel additive containers. As a result, motorists having capless gas systems either can't use fuel additives, or experience great difficulty if they attempt to use a standard fuel additive container to introduce the fuel additive into their gas tank. Spillage of these liquids can be hazardous to both people and the environment.
In order to resolve such issues, there is a need for a device that facilitates the introduction of fuel additives into capless gas systems. It is desirable that this device can be used with a variety of fuel additive containers, and particularly with a range of neck diameters and openings. It is desirable that this device is capable of achieving a frictional fit including a tight seal that is not prone to leakage, and that these characteristics are achieved regardless of the neck and/or opening size of the engaged container. It is desirable that this device is simple and economical to manufacture, and easy to transport and use. It is desirable that this device does not require multiple parts that must be assembled and stored.

Circumferentially adjustable device for transferring fuel additives from containers into capless fuel systems


At least two different redundancy protocols are operated in parallel by network devices in an Ethernet network. Control is determined and assigned to one of two protocols to have total control over which ports in the network devices are active and which are blocked for transmission of user data and network data network traffic while allowing all control and monitor traffic to traverse the ring of network devices. Control and monitoring packets are transmitted by RSTP packets through all of the network devices in the ring while restricting the data ports of the network devices to transmit user data and data network traffic to the network devices connected in the line of the network devices. Parameters received in RSTP packets are collected from all of the network devices in the ring in order to determine which network device of the network devices is a virtual root bridge.

This is thus in particular an invention for Ethernet switches in networks. Furthermore, the invention relates in particular to switches in networks with special environmental conditions. However, the invention does not need to be limited to the use with switches, but it is preferably applicable here. The use of the invention with switches is therefore dealt with below, although it can be used in general with the electronic devices cited above that are connected to a network with at least two network accesses (data ports).
The prior-art protocols used today in the field of Ethernet networks render possible a media redundancy, although the technology on which the network transmission is based, the Ethernet, due to the broadcast characteristics (broadcast topology), is not normally able to work with network circuits (ring topology).
RSTP and MRP protocols are known. RSTP is specified in "IEEE 802.1D-2004:802.1D IEEE Standard for local and metropolitan area networks," MRP is specified in "Draft IEC 62439-2 Industrial Communications Networks High Availability Automation Networks; Part 2: Media Redundancy Protocol (MRP)," the general mechanism for operating a ring-redundancy protocol on an Ethernet basis is known from WO99/046908 (Local Network, in particular Ethernet network, with redundancy characteristics and redundancy manager) [U.S. Pat. No. 6,430,151].
The MRP protocol is used below by way of example for Ethernet ring-redundancy protocols. The methods are likewise valid for other ring-redundancy protocols, such as, for example, the Fast HiPER ring from Hirschmann or the like.
The RSTP protocol breaks loops in the network topology by administratively blocking individual connection points (for example network ports at which network devices are connected) between the network devices (also referred to as network infrastructure devices, such as, for example, Ethernet switches, routers and the like) and breaking the loop topology into a tree with the highest prioritized network device as a root (root bridge).
In the supported network topologies (in contrast to RSTP) the MRP protocol is limited to a pure ring structure and therefore, in contrast to RSTP, can operate with a method optimized with respect to the determinism of the reconfiguration time.
Both protocols have in common that they suppress the exchange of network traffic via certain ports (also referred to as data ports) of individual network devices with the exception of network traffic for controlling/monitoring the media redundancy in order to avoid an endless recirculation of network traffic, so called loops and/or broadcast storms, in physical loops.
However, to this end a protocol needs exclusive access to resources of a network infrastructure device, namely the network port administration thereof in order to be able to activate and deactivate these ports for normal network traffic as needed.
However, there are no interfaces between the two protocols, which is why both protocols can operate only completely independently of one another. It has not been hitherto ensured that both protocols cooperate without any problems with a common operation of both protocols in a common network. For MRP it is compulsorily required that RSTP must be switched off at the network ports at which MRP is operating in order to avoid problems. It has hitherto been impossible for one and the same RSTP network to be connected at more than one switch in the MRP ring.
Due to this restriction, in the event of an incorrect cabling, loops can occur as shown in FIG. 1. The RSTP connection present in addition to the "ring" structure between the two infrastructure devices RS and RM represented symbolically is not blocked by the RSTP and the loop is not broken, since the protocol cannot detect the loop because it is not activated at the ports at which the MRP ring protocol is operating.
Furthermore, there is the danger of ports being administratively blocked by a redundancy protocol, while other protocols want to switch via this port.
FIG. 2 shows the RSTP root bridge with two switches connected in the ring. The path costs from the RS and RM switches directly to the root bridge are smaller than any other connection to the root bridge. The RSTP thus breaks the loop that has formed by blocking the connection between RS and RM. However, the ring-redundancy protocol configured inside the ring has, independently of this, already automatically blocked another ring port in order to break the loop that the ring represents.

Parallel operation of RSTP and MRP and segmentation coupling


A dispersed fine-sized anion-modified and phosphorus-promoted iron-oxide slurry catalyst having high surface area exceeding 100 m.sup.2 /gm and high catalytic activity, and which is useful for hydrogenation and hydroconversion reactions for carbonaceous feed materials is disclosed. The catalyst is synthesized by rapid aqueous precipitation from saturated salt solutions such as ferric sulfate and ferric alum, and is promoted with phosphorus. The iron-based catalysts are modified during their preparation with anionic sulfate (SO.sub.4.sup.2-). The resulting catalyst has primary particle size smaller than about 50 Angstrom units, and may be used in a preferred wet cake or gel form which can be easily mixed with a carbonaceous feed material such as coal, heavy petroleum fractions, mixed waste plastics, or mixtures thereof. Alternatively, the catalyst can be dried and/or calcined so as to be in a fine dry particulate form suitable for adding to the feed material. The invention includes methods for making the catalyst and processes for using the catalyst for hydroprocessing of carbonaceous feed materials to produce desirable low-boiling hydrocarbon liquid products.

This invention pertains to highly dispersed sulfate anion-modified iron oxide slurry catalysts, having high surface area and high catalytic activity for hydrocarbon hydroconversion reactions. It pertains particularly to such dispersed iron oxide catalysts which are synthesized by rapid precipitation from saturated aqueous solutions of iron salts in presence of sulfate (SO.sub.4.sup.2-), anions, and promoted by addition of small amounts of phosphorus as a promoter for hydrocracking/hydrogenolysis reactions. Such dispersed catalysts are useful for hydroconversion of carbonaceous feed materials such as coal, heavy petroleum resids, and other high molecular weight hydrocarbons such as waste plastics to produce desirable, low-boiling value-added hydrocarbon liquid products.
The use of various iron containing compounds such as pyrites (FeS.sub.2) and red mud (Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3) as catalysts for coal hydrogenation and liquefaction processes has been well known for many years. Such particulate iron catalyst compounds were usually added in small amounts to a coal-oil slurry feedstream upstream of a reactor operated at elevated temperature and pressure conditions. However, because of the generally low effectiveness of such known catalytic compounds primarily due to their low initial surface areas and inability to provide high levels of dispersion (number of catalyst particles per unit reacting volume) under reaction conditions, catalytic hydroconversion processes for coal and heavy petroleum resid feedstocks which have been developed during the past 30 years have often utilized particulate supported type catalysts. Such supported catalysts may be beads or extrudates containing small amounts of one or more active promotor metals such as cobalt, molybdenum or nickel deposited on an inert support material such as alumina or silica. Some examples of such particulate supported type catalysts are disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,630,888 to Alpert et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,294,685 to Kim et al; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,424,109 to Huibers et al. Such supported catalysts are used in either downflow fixed bed reactors or in upflow ebullated bed reactors maintained at desired reaction conditions of temperature, pressure and space velocity.
Although such particulate supported type catalysts such as cobalt-molybdenum or nickel-molybdenum deposited on alumina or silica support and catalytic hydroconversion processes using the supported catalysts have provided good results for hydrogenation and hydroconversion of coal and heavy oil feed materials, some disadvantages of such particulate supported type catalysts are their relatively poor contact with the feed materials and their rapid deactivation caused by deposition on the catalyst of coke and metal contaminants such as iron, titanium, nickel and vanadium contained in the feeds. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 4,136,013 to Moll et al discloses an emulsion type metal catalyst useful for hydrogenation processes, but it also has disadvantages of low catalytic activity and high catalyst usage. At the levels of catalyst usage disclosed in the Moll et al. patent, the catalyst cost becomes prohibitive unless the catalyst is recovered from the unconverted feed material and reused. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,077,867 and 4,134,825 to Bearden et al. disclose an in-situ formed metal-carbon containing dispersed slurry catalyst, called 'M-Coke' for hydroconversion of coal, heavy oil, and mixtures thereof. The catalysts of Bearden et al. are primarily based on molybdenum which is significantly more expensive than iron. Also, disposal of used molybdenum catalysts is not environmentally as benign as that of used iron catalyst. U.S. Pat. No. 4,486, 293 to D. Garg disclosed a co-catalyst combination of iron and Group VI or VIII non-ferrous metal for liquefaction of coal in hydrogen-donor solvent using water soluble salts of the co-catalyst metals. It is known that catalysts formed from the water-soluble precursor salts often undergo sintering under coal liquefaction conditions and lack the high degree of dispersion necessary for high catalytic activity. U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,088 to Utz et al. discloses a unique way of improving the slurry catalyst dispersed during coal liquefaction by precipitating the iron oxide onto the coal matrix. But it is believed that deposition by such precipitation of the entire coal feed with catalyst would be very expensive for a commercial scale of operations. V. Pradhan et al. disclosed in "Catalysis in Direct Coal Liquefaction by Sulfated Metal Oxides" Energy and Fuels, 1991, Vol. 5, various dispersed catalysts which have been found useful in coal liquefaction processes, including sulfated transition metal oxides such as sulfated iron oxides (Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 /SO.sub.4) and sulfated tin oxides (Sn.sub.3 O.sub.2 /S.sub.4 O.sub.4), in which the role of added anion .sub.4 (SO.sub.4.sup.2-) was attributed to the prevention of catalyst sintering or agglomeration under coal liquefaction conditions. However, further improvements are needed in catalyst forms and compositions for hydroprocessing of various carbonaceous feedstocks, particularly for dispersed iron-oxide based catalysts that are less expensive, environmentally benign, and highly active for the catalytic hydroconversion processes in which they are used.

Dispersed anion-modified phosphorus-promoted iron oxide catalysts


Methods of analyzing the rock content of a geologic formation are provided herein. The methods typically comprise obtaining samples from the formation and subjecting the samples to conditions that will cause the extraction and/or release of one or more volatile compounds from the samples, if present in the samples, and then analyzing the amount of such one or more volatile compounds released/extracted from the sample and then further relating such results to the physical and/or rock content composition of two or more regions of the geologic formation. The results can be used to inform or guide oil and/or gas exploration and/or production operations, such as placement of fracking operations.

The recent oil and gas shale revolution in the United States and elsewhere is based on producing oil and gas by fracking long horizontal wells. These horizontal wells are typically 1 to 2 miles (about 1.6-3.2 km) long and are typically drilled their entire length within a single formation, often staying the entire length within a single unit of a single formation, often of only 5 feet (about 1.5 m) in thickness. Usually a horizontal well is fracked and tested within a week to a month or a few months after drilling the horizontal well.
The intent of these horizontal wells is to produce large volumes of oil and gas charged strata. The wells typically have a fracking radius of 100 to 200 feet. Thus, fracking is not only the unit that the horizontal wells are drilled in, but also a significantly larger area of overlying and underlying strata.
Even within a single 5-foot (5′) unit in a single formation there can be considerable changes in rock properties (with respect to any other part of the formation), and these changes in rock properties can affect the ultimate oil and gas production economics of a horizontal well either positively or negatively.
In vertical wells, rock properties are often attempted to be in part derived from wire line logs. The 3 main logs routinely used are resistivity, gamma ray, and sonic logs. Other similar logs may also be employed for this purpose. Generation of these logs add significant costs to a vertical well operation. However, the costs of running these logs in horizontal wells are so high as to usually be prohibitive. Also, the quality of these logs in horizontal wells are generally recognized as being not of as high quality as they are in vertical wells.
Sometimes rock properties in vertical wells are studied using core samples ("cores"). However, cores cannot be taken in horizontal wells, and even in vertical wells they are extremely expensive to drill and collect and analyze. Also coring usually causes the drilling of the well to take much more time than drilling a normal well. And receiving the results of the core analyses can often take months.
I have previously invented methods comprising extracting volatile compounds from materials associated with geologic formations, such as petroleum drill cuttings from a petroleum exploration or production site and relating such volatile compound information to the oil content of formations. These methods are described in International Patent Application WO 2018/11194 and U.S. Pat. No. 10,190,413, which issued from a counterpart US patent application. My inventions described in WO 2018/111945 include identification of "trapped" oil deposits, which I indicate were captured by surrounding impermeable rock. Outside of this characterization, however, it was not known to me or others prior to the invention described herein that such volatile compounds could also or alternatively be used to characterize the properties of rocks in a formation, especially in a region associated with a single oil deposit, and to identify geologic features of the formation, such as faults, therein.


An agricultural machine for grouping windrows together or for windrowing products lying on the ground includes a main frame supporting a central gathering and windrowing device and two side gathering and windrowing devices connected to support arms that extend laterally during work. Each of the side support arms is articulated relative to the main frame on a substantially vertical axis about which it is foldable at an angle of approximately 90° for transport and each of the side gathering and windrowing devices is articulated on its support arm around a substantially horizontal axis about which it is foldable upwards at an angle of approximately 90° to obtain a reduced machine width for transport.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an agricultural machine for grouping windrows together or for windrowing products such as grass, hay or straw that are lying on the ground. This machine comprises in particular a main frame supporting a central gathering and windrowing device that is connected to said main frame and two side gathering and windrowing devices that are connected to support arms that extend laterally relative to the main frame, which side devices and central device are substantially in line and extend substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the machine during work.
2. Discussion of the Background
On a machine of this kind, the side gathering and windrowing devices may be folded upward for transport, by means of their support arms, about substantially horizontal axes. This arrangement makes it possible to reduce the width of the machine in order to further displacements on tracks and roads. However, in this position, the height of the machine is considerably increased. This hampers rearward visibility and impairs the stability of the machine due to the distance of its center of gravity from the ground. It then risks overturning when passing over major unevennesses or in a bend.

Agricultural machine for swathing products lying on the ground


An optoelectronic module includes a laser, a ball lens, a substrate, a reflector, and a focusing lens. The laser generates a diverging light beam along an optical axis. The ball lens has a center. The substrate has a surface supporting the laser and an alignment structure. The alignment structure registers the ball lens in a plane parallel to the substrate surface and in a direction normal to the substrate surface so that the center of the ball lens is substantially aligned with the optical axis and the ball lens parallelizes the diverging light beam into a collimated beam. The reflector deflects the collimated beam to produce a deflected collimated beam in a plane intersecting the substrate surface. The focusing lens focuses the deflected collimated beam.

Optoelectronic modules have been developed for transmitting optical information or receiving optical information or both. An optoelectronic module typically includes at least one active device, such as an optical receiver or an optical transmitter, and a lens for coupling light between the active device and an optical fiber of a fiber optic cable. An optoelectronic module typically includes a connector with a bore that is configured to receive a ferrule, which holds an optical fiber of the fiber optic cable. The bore positions an end of the optical fiber at the focal point of the lens of the optoelectronic module.
During fabrication of an optoelectronic module, the optical components are aligned with one another and with an optical fiber of a fiber optic cable to optimize the coupling efficiency between the active device and the optical fiber. In one active alignment approach, the connector holding the ferrule is mechanically manipulated until an optimal coupling between the optical fiber held by the ferrule and the active device within the optoelectronic module is achieved. After the optimal coupling has been achieved, the connector is bonded to the optoelectronic module. This process requires either human interaction or expensive equipment that automatically dithers the connector into the optimal position.
Some types of optoelectronic modules use machined parts to align the active devices and the coupling optics. The alignment accuracies of such machined parts are low. In order to compensate for the large accumulated alignment mismatches inherent in such designs, the connector typically is actively aligned to the focusing lens in three dimensions to achieve a high coupling efficiency with the optical fiber. Active alignment in three dimensions, however, increases the cost and complexity of the optical alignment process.
Planar wafer-level optical assemblies have been developed for coupling light between an external fiber optic cable and the active components of optoelectronic modules. These optical assemblies simplify the tasks of packaging the active devices and aligning the coupling optics to the external fiber optic cable. The coupling optics in the transmitter optical paths of these designs include a single lens for focusing a diverging light beam from a laser onto the receiving end of an optical fiber. The use of such a focusing lens imposes significant constraints on the design of the optical components along the transmitter optical path between the laser and the focusing lens. In addition, in designs that use a single ball lens to focus light from a laser onto an external optical fiber, the ball lens introduces significant aberrations that reduce the coupling efficiency between the laser and the external optical fiber.

Optoelectronic module with high coupling efficiency

Avago Technologies Fiber IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.


The present invention is related to scoring or cutting balloon catheters carrying at least on a portion of their surface at least one drug or drug preparation and at least one lipophilic antioxidant at a ratio of 3-100% by weight of the at least one lipophilic antioxidant in relation to 100% by weight of the drug, wherein a combination of the at least one drug being a limus drug and the at least one lipophilic antioxidant being butylated hydroxytoluene is excluded.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the transfer of a drug loosely adhering to the surface of a scoring or cutting balloon catheter to a site inside the body, usually in a diseased blood vessel. The preferred application is local drug therapy during percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The interventions are performed to restore blood flow in stenotic or occluded blood vessels, usually into arteries. A catheter is introduced in a major artery. At the distal end the catheter carries a cylindrical balloon in folded state with very small diameter and additional tools or structures which scratch or cut the luminal surface of the treated blood vessel or tissue. In the folded state the balloon can enter or pass the stenotic or occluded segment of e.g. a blood vessel. Once positioned in the narrowed segment, the balloon is inflated to enlarge the lumen of the blood vessel to its original diameter. Simultaneously, a drug may be transferred to the vessel wall to prevent early and late re-narrowing due to hyperproliferation of the injured vessel wall.
Medical devices may contain drugs either to improve the tolerance, efficacy or in vivo life-time of the device or the device serves as carrier for the drug. In any case the dosedensity (e.g. mg drug/mg device or mg drug/mm2 device surface), chemical stability, adherence, release rate, and total amount released are important and frequently critical features of the drug formulation. These properties are the more critical the more the requirements during production and application of the device vary or may even be contradictory. Drug-coated angioplasty catheters are typical examples: the drug coating must adhere firmly to tolerate mechanical stress during production including folding of balloons, crimping of stents, packaging, transportation to customers, and during final application, which involves the passage through a narrow hemostatic valve, an introductory sheath or guiding catheter and a variable distance through possibly tortuous and narrow blood vessels. When the balloon is inflated the drug should be released within a minute or less as rapidly and as completely as possible. The problem was demonstrated by Cremers et al. (Cremers B, Biedermann M, Mahnkopf D, Bohm M, Scheller B. Comparison of two different paclitaxel-coated balloon catheters in the porcine coronary restenosis model. Clin Res Cardiol 2009; 98:325-330) who retrieved as much as 50% of the dose from balloons after expansion for one minute in coronary arteries of pigs, whereas other catheters coated with the same drug and dose but in a different formulation released more than 95%. Almost perfect results (i.e., loss of only 10% of dose and residual drug on the balloon after expansion in an artery of about 10%) were achieved with a rigid prototype balloon (Scheller B, Speck U, Abramjuk C, Bernhardt U, Bohm M, Nickenig G. Paclitaxel balloon coating—a novel method for prevention and therapy of restenosis. Circulation 2004; 110: 810-814). The application of the same coating composition to more flexible modern balloon catheters resulted in problems, i.e., larger premature loss of the drug. The coating of scoring or cutting balloons with drugs in a reliable way with a dose which sufficient to be efficacious imposes additional problems because of the more complex structure of the device and the more complex production process.
2. Prior Art
Protection from premature drug release. Premature release of a drug from a balloon is a major problem which has been addressed by a variety of methods. Some of them are mechanical, e.g. the use of protection tubes, sleeves, envelops. Examples are U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,614, USP 6,306,166, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,650 disclosing various protective sheaths which are retracted before the balloon is inflated, or U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,692 proposing a cover which bursts during balloon expansion. A different approach is taken in U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,840 disclosing structured balloon membranes with tiny cavities, WO 94/23787 with roughened balloon membranes to enhance the adherence of coating, or more recently U.S. Pat. No. 7,108,684 proposing a pouch which protects the drug-containing layer on the balloon and WO 2009/066330 disclosing methods placing the drug selectively under the folds of a folded balloon. Although efficacious these methods have the disadvantage of increasing the complexity and cost of production or make handling of the devices more difficult or add to the diameter of the devices (which must be kept as small as possible to facilitate passage through stenotic lesions) . In some embodiments the protective membranes or perforated membranes interfere with the scoring components of the balloons or prevent a homogeneous transfer of the drug to the tissue or even put the patient at risk. None of these methods has been applied to scoring or cutting balloons and nothing is known about problems which will arise from the increasing complexity and mechanical problems arising from a disturbance of the protecting envelops by the scoring or cutting structures and vice-versa.
Other approaches use either physical or chemical methods to control the release of drugs from a balloon surface, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,304,121 describes a hydrogel which releases the drug only after exposure to a triggering agent; U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,951 relies on thermal activation; according to U.S. Pat. No. 7,445,792 a lipophilic ^hydration inhibitor' protects water-soluble drugs from premature release; and according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,614 a viscous matrix protects the drug from premature release, however, the viscous matrix must be protected by a sheath during the passage to the stenotic vessel segment. None of the methods has been tested in practice and proven to fulfill the requirements for fast, reliable and complete drug transfer to the target tissue. None of the methods has been designed to be used with scoring or cutting balloons.
Numerous methods of sustained drug release are known and successfully used in practice but are not applicable to medical devices which are in contact with the target tissue for only a few seconds or minutes. Sustained drug release is usually achieved by embedding the drug in a polymer which restricts the diffusion rate to the surface and in this way controls the transfer into the adjacent tissue.
Therefore, a need remains for a method or formulation which protects the coating from premature losses during production, handling, and on the way to the lesion and still allows the immediate and complete release of the active ingredient at a location and point in time determined by the user. During the production process this problem is even more severe for scoring and cutting balloons because of the more complex structure of the product. Scoring and cutting balloons have merits in the treatment of certain lesions, e.g. if the conventional smooth balloons tend to dislocate during inflation or if a controlled and predetermined injury of the vessel wall is preferred to an uncontrolled dissection during balloon inflation. Nevertheless, the problem of renarrowing of the vessel lumen due to excessive neointimal proliferation as a reaction to the unavoidable injury during dilatation is the same as with conventional balloon catheters.
An advantageous way to control adherence and release of a drug from a medical device, e.g., an angioplasty balloon, is the selection of a suitable formulation and coating which do not require mechanical protection, or additional physical or chemical interaction with the coating except the usual operation of the device e.g. inflation of a folded balloon to induce the release of the drug. Although desirable and frequently tried, the conflicting objectives of perfect adherence during production and before use and immediate release at the site of action make it a difficult task. A large variety of patent applications vaguely disclose measures, compositions and devices to solve this problem for conventional balloon catheters either by the selection of drugs, the choice of specific coating processes or formulations containing various additives. Long lists of compounds have been copied from textbooks of chemistry, pharmacology, or pharmacy but even with extensive experimentation disclosures are not sufficiently clear to allow a person familiar with the subject and skilled in the art to come to a satisfactory solution without an inventive step. Examples of prior art are US 2008/0118544 reciting an excessive number of substances and substance classes or U.S. Pat. No. 7,445,795 which discloses the use of hydration inhibitors' not applicable to the preferred class of very lipophilic drugs which require ^hydration enhancers' as e.g. disclosed in WO 2004/028582. Although the hydrophilic additives (which may be regarded as ^hydration enhancer') work quite well on certain conventional balloon membranes (Scheller B, Speck U, Abramjuk C, Bernhardt U, Bohm M, Nickenig G. Pa-clitaxel balloon coating—a novel method for prevention and therapy of restenosis. Circulation 2004; 110: 810-814) the adherence to various modern conventional or scoring PTA or PTCA balloons is either too weak or too tight resulting in premature loss of a major proportion of the drug or incomplete release at the target site. None of the known compositions has been tried on scoring or cutting balloon catheters.
Prior art: Antioxidants. In theory, antioxidants address an almost universal feature of diseased tissue, namely the Reactive oxygen species', and should have widespread medical applications. In practice, only very few controlled clinical trials have shown beneficial effects of antioxidants (Suzuki K. Antioxidants for therapeutic use: Why are only a few drugs in clinical use? Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 2009;61:287-289). Antioxidants are mentioned as potentially useful drugs for the treatment of focal vascular disease such as stenosis, restenosis, atherosclerotic plaques, and vulnerable plaques in US 2009/0136560 with no additive, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,523 as agents inducing apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells, in WO 2004/022124 either as active drugs or as 'hydration inhibitors' . In US 2008/0241215 probucol, a drug approved for the treatment of hyperlipidemia, a known risk factor for atheriosclerosis, is proposed as the active ingredient in stent coating, either alone or combined with rapamycin or another anti-restenotic agent in a slow-release formulation. None of the above-mentioned documents contains data encouraging the use as additives to a lipophilic drug to delay the release rate of the drug and no specific compositions are disclosed which address the above-mentioned problems of adhesion of a drug before the target lesion is reached and immediate release when required.
Small proportions of antioxidantsare commonly used to protect drugs or nutrients from decomposition by oxygen or oxidation, an application which has also been proposed for drugs coated on implantable medical devices such as stents (US 2007/0020380, US 2009/0246253) or balloon catheters (US 2009/0246252, especially paragraph [105 ]). However, antioxidants are commonly used in proportions of less than 1% by weight in relation to 100% by weight of the drug. Normally it is intended to use as less antioxidant as possible, i.e., less than 0.1% by weight in relation to 100% by weight of the drug (Voigt R. Lehrbuch der pharmazeutischen Technologie. 5. Edition, Verlag Chemie, Weinheim—Deer-field Beach, Florida—Basel, 1984).
Present invention. The problem underlying the present invention was the provision of a scoring or cutting balloon catheter with an improved adherence of the drug without negative effect on the release of the drug at the target site.
The problem was solved by a scoring or cutting balloon catheter according to claim 1. In other words, the problem was solved by a scoring or cutting balloon catheter carrying at least on a portion of its surface at least one drug or drug preparation and at least one lipophilic antioxidant at a ratio of 3-100% by weight of the at least one lipophilic antioxidant in relation to 100% by weight of the drug, wherein a combination of limus drugs with butylated hydroxytoluene as the lipophilic antioxidant is excluded. Preferred embodiments are disclosed in the dependant claims .
During testing of a large variety of coating methods, additives and drug combinations the surprising discovery was made that certain lipophilic antioxidants added to even more lipophilic and less water soluble drugs in a defined mass ratio significantly increase the adherence of the drug to scoring and cutting balloons during handling and on the way to the target lesion even if the target lesion is located far away from the site where the device first enters a blood-filled introductory sheath, guiding catheter or vessel containing rapidly flowing blood. This was also tested with scoring balloons. In spite of the additional mechanical stress (as compared to conventional balloons) imposed on the coating due the movement of the scoring wires surrounding the folded balloons the loss of the drug during the passage through a narrow hemostatic valve and a 3curved guiding catheter was very low. Thus, at least one lipophilic antioxidant in an amount of 3-100% by weight is used as an adherence improver for drugs coated on a scoring or cutting balloon catheter. The wording "at least one lipophilic antioxidant" means that single antioxidants but also mixtures of different antioxidants are included.
Preferred examples of active drugs are inhibitors of cell proliferation, preferably taxanes such as paclitaxel, do-cetaxel and protaxel, immunosuppressants belonging to the class of substances binding to the mammalian target of ra-pamycin (mTOR) , i.e., mTOR inhibitors such as sirolimus, everolimus, zotarolimus, biolimus and temsirolimus, most preferred is sirolimus, referred to as limus-drugs. Alternatively, specific inhibitors of neovascularization such as thalidomide, statins like atorvastatin, cerivastatin, flu-vastatin or anti-inflammatory drugs like corticoids or even more preferred lipophilic derivatives of corticoids such as betamethasone diproprionate or dexamethasone -21-palmitate. Various drugs may be applied or combined if different pharmacological actions are required or efficacy or tolerance is to be improved. Thus, the wording "at least one drug or drug preparation" means that single drugs but also mixtures of different drugs are included. Preferred drugs are either lipophilic (partition coefficient between n-butanol and water>10, or display very poor water solubility (<1 mg/ml, 20° C.).
Preferred additives to the active drugs are lipophilic antioxidants, particularly preferred are antioxidants which are solid at temperatures up to 40° C. Preferred are buty-lated hydroxytoluene, butylated hydroxyanisole, nordihy-droguaiaretic acid, propyl gallate and ascorbyl palmitate. Probucol is not a preferred additive. The combination of mTOR-binding limus-drugs with butylated hydroxytoluene is excluded as already mentioned above. This applies to combinations of the single drug with the single antioxidant as well as to combinations of butylated hydroxytoluene with mixtures consisting of different Limus drugs.
Lipophilic antioxidant means that the partition coefficient of the antioxidant between n-butanol and water is >1, more preferred >10 and even more preferred >100.
Preferably, the drug is more lipophilic than the antioxidant, i.e., the partition coefficient between n-butanol and water of the drug is higher than the partition coefficient between n-butanol and water of the antioxidant.
At the dose density used the chosen antioxidants do not display relevant therapeutic or prophylactic effects in respect of the disease which is treated by the coated medical device nor is the relative amount of the antioxidant chosen to protect the drug from oxidative decomposition. The dose density and the mass relation of the antioxidant to the drug are solely optimized in respect of adherence of the drug to and release from the medical device surface. The antioxidant dose on the medical device is too low to provide the desired pharmacological effect, i.e., it is ineffective on its own. The antioxidant on the medical device is not required to protect the active drug (e.g., the antiproliferative drug) from oxidative decomposition during production, sterilization and storage; at least it is not required at the dose or concentration applied according to this invention. 'Not required' means that the active drug is stable enough without the antioxidant or at an antioxidant dose or dose density or ratio to the active drug below the dose according to the present invention. 'Sufficient stability' means that less than 5% of the active drug is lost due to oxidative decomposition between the coating of the device and the use in patients one year after production if stored at ambient temperature (=drug or drug preparation stable against oxidative decomposition).
The dose of the antioxidant on the surface of a medical device may be defined in respect of the therapeutic drug. Preferred relationships (weight/weight) are 3-100% antioxidant of the weight of the drug. For example, if the dose density of the drug is 5 μg/mm2 device surface, the amount of antioxidant is 0.15-5.0 μg/mm2. Higher proportions of the antioxidant may be selected if either the drug is applied at a dose below 3μg/mm2 device surface or the adherence of the drug to the device surface is further improved. The antioxidant load of the device may reach 10 μg/mm2. A higher load is possible. Other preferred ranges for the relationship of antioxidant to drug on a weight/weight basis are 5-100%, more preferred 10-100%, and even more preferred 20 -100% in relation to 100% of the drug. The relationship may also be defined in respect of moles: in a preferred embodiment the antioxidant is present from 10 mole % relative to the drug to 200 mole %. Higher amounts of the antioxidant may be useful; they are only excluded if they display on their own significant pharmacological prophylactic or therapeutic effects in respect of the disease to be treated.
If more than one drug is used the total weight of the drugs or the total moles of the drugs serve as basis for the calculation of the amount of the antioxidant. If more than one antioxidant is used the total weight of the antioxidants or the total moles of the antioxidants serve as basis for the calculation of the amount of the antioxidants.
Polymer-free coating compositions are preferred. It is a special advantage of the present compositions that they do not require the use of polymers to prevent premature release of the drug.
Usually, drugs and mixtures of drugs with additives are coated on medical devices as liquid formulations in volatile solvents. The choice of solvent is important for the distribution of the drug on the device, especially if the device is coated at an advanced stage of production. An advanced stage of production of a scoring or cutting balloon may include the scoring or cutting elements of the device, the structures required to fix these elements and an already folded balloon. The solvents further determine the structure of the coating in dry state and the adherence and release of the drug from the surface. Preferred organic solvents are acetone, tetrahydrofuran, and various alcohols such as methanol and ethanol. Usually, 1 to 30% (volume/volume) water is added. The drug or drugs and the antioxidant may be applied at the same time dissolved in the same solvent or mixture of solvents. Alternatively, they may be separately dissolved in the same or different solvents and sequentially applied. In a preferred embodiment, the scoring or cutting balloon catheter has been coated with at least one drug and at least one antioxidant both together ore each separately dissolved in tetrahydrofuran or a mixture of solvents containing more than 25% (v/v) tetrahydrofuran. Another preferred embodiment is based on a scoring or cutting balloon catheter, which has been coated with at least one drug and at least one antioxidant both together or each separately dissolved in acetone or a mixture of solvents containing more than 25% (v/v) acetone. Coating with dry particles such as micro- or nanoparticles , crystals, capsules etc. or particles suspended in a liquid preparation is possible. Coating with particles may be facilitated by a roughened or sticky surface of the medical device.
A variety of coating procedures providing more or less uniform layers on medical devices are known from the literature and are disclosed in patent applications. These include simple dipping, spraying, and methods providing precise doses and homogeneous distributions (e.g., WO 2009/018816). Coating may be applied stepwise, either as multiple layers of the same composition or as layers with different compositions e.g. the drug first and the antioxidant second or in the opposite order. All these methods may be applied to the formulations of the current invention. Furthermore, coated medical devices may be dried under different conditions such as temperature, air flow, gas composition, and pressure at different stages of the production process. They may be stored in water-vapor-tight seals with a separately packed water absorbing-agent within the seal.
Subject of the current invention are scoring or cutting balloon catheters, e.g., catheters for angioplasty or coronary angioplasty. Preferred are scoring or cutting balloon catheters for short-lasting use during an interventional image guided therapy. Short lasting use means that the device is not implanted but eliminated from the body when the procedure is finished, usually within less than 10 minutes, but never later than a few, preferably 5, hours after the end of the procedure. Catheters may contain balloon membranes made from various polymers and copolymers , polyam-ides (nylon 12, pebax), polyethylenes, polyurethanes, various polyvinyls and the like. Independently of the type of material, the adherence and release properties of drugs are improved by the addition of lipophilic antioxidants. Furthermore, catheters comprise elements which are aimed at scoring or cutting the surfaces in direct contact with the inflated balloons, e.g. wires with various profiles, or protrusions of the balloon surface.
The scoring or cutting balloon catheter carries the at least one drug or drug preparation and the at least one lipophilic antioxidant at least on a portion of its surface which is aimed at coming into close contact with the tissue to be treated, e.g., the balloon at the distal portion of a catheter shaft. This means that at least 5%, preferably more than 50%, most preferably more than 90% of the surface is coated. The balloon of a scoring or cutting balloon catheter has a central cylindrical part and two opposite conical ends. If less than 100% of the balloon catheter's surface is coated, it is preferred that the cylindrical part is coated and that at least parts of or the complete conical ends remain uncoated.
Below, the invention is described by means of Examples.

Coating formulations for scoring or cutting balloon catheters


The present invention relates to a display device comprising a substrate, at least one UV curable conductive layer and an imageable layer. The present invention also relates to a display device comprising a substrate, a first transparent conductive layer, a light modulating layer, and a second conductive layer, wherein the second conductive layer is UV curable.

Currently, information is displayed using assembled sheets of paper carrying permanent inks or displayed on electronically modulated surfaces such as cathode ray displays or liquid crystal displays. Printed information displayed in these manners cannot be changed. Devices that allow for the modification of information, such as electrically updated displays, are often heavy and expensive. Information may also be applied to sheet materials via magnetically written areas, for example, to carry ticketing or financial information. Such magnetically written data, however, is not visible.
Media systems exist that maintain electronically changeable data without power. Such system can be electrophoretic (Eink), Gyricon, or polymer dispersed cholesteric materials. An example of such electronically updateable displays can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,600,060, which shows a device having a coated, then dried emulsion of cholesteric liquid crystals in aqueous gelatin to form a field responsive, bistable display. U.S. Pat. No. 3,816,786 also discloses a layer of encapsulated cholesteric liquid crystal responsive to an electric field. The electrodes in the patent can be transparent or nontransparent and formed of various metals or graphite. It is disclosed that one electrode must be light absorbing, and it is suggested that the light absorbing electrode be prepared from paints containing conductive material such as carbon.
Fabrication of flexible, electronically written display sheets is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,047. A substrate carries a first conductive electrode, one or more layers of encapsulated liquid crystals, and a second electrode of electrically conductive ink. The conductive inks form a background for absorbing light, so that the information-bearing display areas appear dark in contrast to background non-display areas. Electrical potential applied to opposing conductive areas operates on the liquid crystal material to expose display areas. Because the liquid crystal material is nematic liquid crystal, the display ceases to present an image when de-energized, that is, in the absence of a field. A first flexible substrate is patterned which is coated. A second pre-patterned substrate is bonded over the coating.
The Fergason patent discloses the use of nematic liquid crystal, which absorbs light and does not maintain an image in the absence of a field. Dyes in either the polymer encapsulant or liquid crystal are used to absorb incident light. The dyes are part of a solution, and not solid submicrometer particles. The patent further discloses the use of a chiral dopant in Example 2. The dopant improves the response time of the nematic liquid crystal, but does not operate in a light reflective state.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,048 discloses a light modulating cell having a polymer dispersed chiral nematic liquid crystal. The chiral nematic liquid crystal has the property of being electrically driven between a planar state, reflecting a specific visible wavelength of light, and a focal conic state, transmitting forward scattering light. Chiral nematic liquid crystals, also known as cholesteric liquid crystals, potentially in some circumstances have the capacity of maintaining one of multiple given states in the absence of an electric field. Black paint can be applied to the outer surface of a rear substrate to provide a light absorbing layer forming a non-changing background outside of a changeable display area defined by the intersection of segment lines and scanning lines. A first glass substrate is patterned. A second patterned glass substrate is fixably spaced from the first substrate. The cavity is filled with liquid crystal.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,870 discloses directly depositing opaque conductive ink in an image wise pattern by screen printing. A conductor is printed directly over a polymer dispersed cholesteric material. Displays having such a configuration requires a light absorbing backing. The invention creates the light absorber by printing second conductors formed by screen printable carbon in a resin matrix. Carbon absorbs visible light, but also absorbs ultraviolet radiation that can be used to cure ultraviolet responsive conductive formulations. If an ultraviolet cured silver ink were used the reflection of the silver would create negligible contrast between the reflective planar and the transmissive focal conic states. The drying process for opaque conductive inks requires many minutes to cure the ink.
A photocurable silver composition is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,881, which comprises an ultraviolet light curable organic mixture, a photoinitiator, a silver powder, and a silver flake composition. The silver flake composition comprises at least 20% of the weight of the silver powder. The disclosed compositions may be used to produce silver-containing coatings on a variety of different substrates. However, this material is not disclosed for use in display devices.
Cholesteric liquid crystals reflect a portion of the visible spectrum when in a reflective state. It is preferable that the reflective state have neutral color balance. It would be useful to provide cholesteric displays exhibiting neutral density in the reflective state. It would be useful for such display to be fabricated using simple, low cost processes. Such processes should include inexpensive, high speed methods for forming second conductors.

UV curable conductive layers in LC displays

Industrial Technology Research Institute


A system and method of using friction stir welding and friction stir processing to perform crack repair or preventative maintenance of various materials and structures, wherein the structures include pipeline, ships, and nuclear reactor containment vessels, wherein the friction stir welding and processing can be performed on various materials including metal matrix composites, ferrous alloys, non-ferrous alloys, and superalloys, and wherein the friction stir welding and processing can be performed remotely and in harsh environments such as underwater or in the presence of radiation.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to friction stir welding wherein heat for creating a weld is generated by plunging a rotating pin of a tool into a workpiece. More specifically, the present invention relates to performing crack repair, crack prevention, and material conditioning in a friction stir welding process that enables the present invention to repair or perform pre-emptive maintenance on materials that are welded, wherein the present invention is particularly applicable to the repair and maintenance of pipes, and has important applicability to the nuclear energy industry.
2. Description of Related Art
Crack formation and propagation is a serious problem in many applications that use metal and alloy structures and components. For example, pipes used in the exploration for and transportation of gas and petrochemicals are in constant need of replacement and repair. Furthermore, thousands of miles of new pipes are being manufactured and installed every year.
It is well known in the industry that crack initiation can be a result of loading, hydrogen embrittlement, corrosion, stress corrosion, material defects, and especially fusion welding defects. In particular, the process of fusion welding introduces residual stresses caused by solidification of a liquid phase, solidification cracking, porosity, large grain sizes prone to grain boundary corrosion, and crack initiation sites that originate from the heat affected zone. As a general rule of thumb, it can be assumed that fusion welding reduces the physical properties of the base metal by some 30% to 40%. The reason for the reduction in physical properties and creation of crack initiation sites is due to the introduction of defects and the altered grain structure of the metal or alloy from the fusion welding process.
While a need has been established to friction stir weld high melting temperature alloys for improved properties (making it possible to achieve 95%+ base metal properties), a methodology has not yet been established to repair cracks, except in aluminum alloys.
Accordingly, what is needed is a system and method for repairing cracks in metal matrix composites, ferrous alloys, non-ferrous alloys, and superalloys. What is also needed is a system and method for performing crack prevention on these materials and aluminum.
Another aspect of the invention relates to its applicability to use in environments that are difficult to perform any type of welding. For example, fusion welding is not a viable process for repairing welds in fluid or underwater environments. Fusion welding is even difficult to perform in air environments because of the cast structure that is created from a molten phase, and the accompanying defects. Fusion welding repair is at best a temporary solution to cracks since the process adds more defects to an already defect prone welding area.
Failure of pipes or other structures that are subject to the effects of crack propagation is a problem with serious consequences not only for the environment, but the health of workers. For example, consider a nuclear containment vessel. Leaks in such an environment can have serious health consequences for those involved.
Accordingly, it would be an advantage over the prior art to provide a system for friction stir welding in such environments, not only to repair cracks, but to also perform preventative maintenance.

Crack repair using friction stir welding on materials including metal matrix composites, ferrous alloys, non-ferrous alloys, and superalloys