A medium for electrophoretic display using a liquid for electrophoretic display which can reversibly change a visible state by action of an electric field includes a medium comprising each independent structures of microcapsules or cells filled with a liquid for electrophoretic display comprising at least alkylpolyetheramine having a structural unit represented by a specific structural formula, one or more kinds of fine particles, a dispersant and a dispersion liquid medium, wherein the fine particles contain fine particles subjected to surface treatment for making lipophilic. Also, an electrophoretic display device includes a display device comprising a pair of substrates in which a light-transmitting electrode is formed on at least one substrate and the medium for electrophoretic display described above between the substrates.

In recent years, demands for reduction in electric power consumption, reduction in a thickness and flexibility of display devices are increased as information devices develop, and research and development of display devices which meet the above demands are actively carried out.
An electrophoretic display device invented by Harold D. Lees et al. is known as one of such display devices. This electrophoretic display device has a structure in which two electrode substrates at least one of which is transparent are oppositely disposed via suitable spacers and in which a display liquid prepared by dispersing fine particles (pigment particles) in a dispersion medium that is colored differently from the color of the particles is filled into the space between the electrode substrates to form a display panel, and display is shown on the transparent electrode surface by applying an electric field to the display panel (refer to, for example, patent document 1).
A liquid for electrophoretic display filled into the space between the electrode substrates is constituted from fine particles of titanium oxide and the like (pigment particles), a dispersion medium having a low dielectric constant such as xylene, tetrachloroethylene, paraffin and silicone oil in which a dye for giving a contrast of a color to the fine particles is dissolved, a dispersant such as a surfactant and the like and additives such as a charge-providing agent and the like. The fine particles in the display liquid transfer to a transparent electrode side by applying an electric field to the liquid for electrophoretic display to allow the color of the fine particles to appear on the display face. Further, the fine particles transfer to an opposite side by applying an electric field of a direction which is reverse to the above to allow the color of the dispersion medium colored by the dye to appear on the display face.
Such an electrophoretic display device is a display device in which desired display can be obtained by controlling a direction of an electric field, and it has the advantages that it costs low and has as a broad visibility angle as those of printed matters and that it is small in electric power consumption and has a memory property of display, so that it is paid attentions as an inexpensive display device.
However, since a display liquid for the above electrophoretic display device described in the patent document 1 is prepared usually by dispersing an inorganic pigment having a high refractive index such as titanium dioxide and the like in a hydrophobic dispersion medium having a low dielectric constant which is colored by dissolving a dye, it is difficult to control dispersion stability, and it has the defects that coagulation brings about reduction in the contrast and the repetitive display characteristics and reduction in the display quality. Further, since the dye solution is used, it has the defect that the contrast is weakened by adsorption of the dye onto the pigment surfaces.
Accordingly, a lot of developments for stabilizing the dispersion systems and improving the display characteristics has so far been made in order to solve the above problems.
For example, an art in which sorbitan fatty acid ester surfactants are added in a system using electrophoretic particles subjected to surface treatment with a coupling agent of titanate in a dispersion medium colored by a dye is known as a means for raising the dispersion stability (refer to, for example, patent document 2).
Further, it is known that one of two kinds of electrophoretic particles having different charging states is treated with a quaternary ammonium salt compound and a surfactant is further added thereto (refer to, for example, patent document 3).
On the other hand, it is known as a means for improving the contrast that a dye which is non-adsorptive to a pigment surface is used as a dye used for coloring a dispersion medium (refer to, for example, non-patent document 1) and that a dye concentration in a dispersion medium is to be low (refer to, for example, non-patent document 2).
Further, a method in which microcapsules encapsulated a display liquid for electrophoretic display are used as display particles (refer to, for example, patent document 4) is known as a method for preventing unequal display caused by uneven distribution of electrophoretic fine particles on a display face.
However, the art described in the patent document 2 is unsatisfactory in an effect of dispersion stabilization and still has a problem in that a satisfactory effect is not obtained as well in a contrast of display.
Also, a satisfactory dispersion stability is not obtained as well in the art described in the above patent document 3, and the effect is unsatisfactory.
Further, the methods described in the non-patent documents 1 and 2 do not come to completely solve the defects brought about by the dye solutions and still have problems in terms of practical use.
In the method of the patent document 4 described above, a colored dye solution and a dispersion liquid of pigment particles are used for an encapsulated display liquid, and therefore it is not satisfactory in terms of a contrast as is the case with the phenomenon described above.
Then, an electrophoretic display device in which a dye solution is not used is known as a means for solving the problems involved in the systems in which a dispersion medium colored by dyes is used. Known is, for example, an electrophoretic display element in which a liquid prepared by dispersing at least two kinds of electrophoretic fine particles which are different from each other in a color tone and an electrophoretic property in a colorless dispersion medium is filled in a cell formed between two counter electrodes at least one of which is transparent via spacers (refer to, for example, patent document 5).
Also, use of a steric repulsion effect brought about by addition of a charge-controlling agent and surface treatment of particles is known as a means for preventing coagulation between particles which is a problem in a system using, as a display liquid for electrophoretic display, the above liquid prepared by dispersing two kinds of the electrophoretic fine particles which are different from each other in a color tone and an electrophoretic property (electrified charge) (refer to, for example, patent document 6).
Further, known is an electrophoretic display element using a liquid prepared by dispersing at least two kinds of electrophoretic fine particles which have the same electrophoretic property and which are different from each other in an electrophoretic speed in a colorless dispersion medium (refer to, for example, patent document 7).
Also, known is a display liquid for electrophoretic device containing particles which are subjected to surface treatment and have voids in the inside and pigment particles having a color tone which is different from that of the above particles in a dispersion medium (refer to, for example, patent document 8).
Further, known as well is an art in which a liquid prepared by dispersing at least two kinds of electrophoretic fine particles which are different from each other in a color tone and an electrophoretic property in a colorless dispersion medium is encapsulated in microcapsules (refer to, for example, patent document 9).
However, in the art described in the patent document 5 described above, an electrified charge of the different electrophoretic fine particles is combination of a positive charge and a negative charge, and therefore involved therein is the problem that electric attracting force is produced between the fine particles to cause coagulation of the fine particles, whereby the dispersion stability is reduced to bring about deterioration in the contrast by mixed color.
Also, in the art described in the patent document 6 described above, involved therein is the problem that it is difficult to completely prevent two kinds of the electrophoretic fine particles from being coagulated, so that the good contrast can not be realized.
Further, even the fine particles having a slow moving speed described in the above patent document 7 are in a shorter moving distance when present close to the electrode on the display face and therefore appear on the display face in a certain case. Also, an electrified charge is usually different even between particles having the same color tone, and the moving speeds have distribution. Accordingly, a problem is involved in that it is difficult to obtain the satisfactory contrast without controlling so that the particles are not superposed among those having different color tones.
Further, in the particles having voids in the inside described in the above patent document 8, the dispersion liquid medium gets into the voids, and therefore particularly the white particles are reduced in a refractive index, which makes it difficult to obtain the satisfactory contrast.
Also in the case described in the above patent document 9, stability of the dispersion liquid is not maintained, and there still remains the problem that color mixing caused by coagulation due to electric attracting force between the electrophoretic fine particles is generated in the microcapsule to bring about color mixing of display.
Patent document 1: U.S. Pat. No. 3,612,758 (claims, examples and others)
Patent document 2: U.S. Pat. No. 2,733,687 (claims, examples and others)
Patent document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 119704/1999 (claims, examples and others)
Non-patent document 1: Philips Lab: Conference Record of 1980 Biennial Disp. Res. Conf.
Non-patent document 2: Xerox Palo Alto: Proc. SID, Vol. 18 3/4, 1977
Patent document 4: Japanese Patent No. 2551783 (claims, examples and others)
Patent document 5: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 269124/1987 (claims, examples and others)
Patent document 6: Published Japanese translation of PCT International Publication for Patent Application No. 510790/1996 (claims, examples and others)
Patent document 7: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 50886/1988 (claims, examples and others)
Patent document 8: U.S. Patent Application Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-277903 (claims, examples and others)
Patent document 9: U.S. WO98/03896 (claims, examples and others)

Liquid for electrophoretic display, display medium and display device using the same

Abstract: The electrophoretic display medium and the electrophoretic display device each using the above display liquid for electrophoretic display have a high contrast on a display face and can display the contrast with high reliability even in repetitive display, and they are excellent as well in a response.


The invention relates to a suction unit and relates to a vacuum cleaner. The suction unit comprises a drive system for driving the suction unit over a surface to be treated; a chassis supporting the drive system; a nozzle for removing particles from a surface to be treated which nozzle is configured to move with relation to the chassis in a direction away from the surface to be treated, the nozzle having an interior space defining an opening that faces the surface to be treated; and an outlet communicating with the interior space, the outlet being arranged for communication with a fan unit in operating conditions. The suction unit further comprises coupling means for coupling the nozzle to the chassis, wherein the coupling means is arranged to exert a force that is directed away from the surface to be treated when the under pressure in the interior space increases. In this manner the problem of the suction unit getting stuck on the floor can be overcome or at least be reduced. Furthermore the traction of the drive system can be improved. An autonomous vacuum cleaner according to the invention comprises such a suction unit and further comprises a dust chamber, and a fan unit that communicates with the dust chamber, the fan unit communicating with the outlet for creating under pressure in the interior space of the nozzle in operating conditions.

In EP0803224 a suction unit is integrated with a fan unit and a dust chamber, while all components are accommodated in the same housing. In EP0803224 the outlet of the nozzle for removing particles from a surface to be treated communicates with a chamber accommodating a dust container. The chamber is connected to a fan unit that provides under pressure. The nozzle is mounted to the chassis by an arm that is supported by a ball joint so that it can pivot with relation to the housing. During movement of the vacuum cleaner across the floor the nozzle rests by its own weight on the floor and floats on the floor because of the flexible support at the ball joint.
A problem with known suction units is that when the nozzle is completely sealed from the outside atmosphere the under pressure in the nozzle increases while the nozzle gets stuck on the surface to be treated. This occurs especially when cleaning soft floors such as carpets. The problem is already well known for traditional non-autonomous vacuum cleaners. For autonomous vacuum cleaners the consequences generally are worse, since it can lead to a device that gets inoperable, without a user noticing it. The enhanced under pressure results in a normal force that presses the nozzle down to the cleaning surface. It could then occur that the driving system has insufficient power to move the suction unit or vacuum cleaner to overcome the increased downward force. This can result in the device getting immobile. This is in particular true when the suction unit is relatively small, since in that case a drive system normally will only have limited power.

Suction unit and autonomous vacuum cleaner


An access port and method of use is described that has a filter assembly along a fluid flow path through the access port. The access port is in fluid communication with a catheter that is surgically implanted in a patient's brain or intraspinal space. The filter assembly has a filter element and a series of one-way valves. The one-way valves allow the fluid to flow easily across the filter assembly in one direction but prohibit fluid flow through the one-way valves in the opposite direction. The one-way valves are oriented to allow fluid flow from the catheter to a chamber within the access port which can be accessed by a needle. Drug or other medication to be administered to the patient through a needle must pass through the filter before entering catheter to be ultimately administered to the patient.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to medical devices which are implantable in the human body and more particularly relates to a subcutaneously implantable direct delivery access port for delivering drugs to the ventricles of the brain or to the intraspinal area.
2. Description of Related Art
It is often desirable for a physician or other health care professional to withdraw cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a patient in order to assess the condition of the CSF or to administer drug to the CSF. Access ports, such as the model 8506 ICV Access Port and the 8507 Intraspinal Port, developed by Medtronic, Inc. of Minneapolis, Minn., allow the physician or other healthcare professional to intermittently withdraw CSF from the ventricles of a patient's brain or intraspinal space or administer drug to the CSF.
These access ports are typically placed cranially or over the ribs and are connected to a catheter which is surgically placed in the intraventricular space of the brain or intraspinal area of the spinal cord. CSF is withdrawn by inserting a needle through the patient's skin and through a septum that forms the top of the port. The end of the needle is located in the port and CSF is withdrawn from the patient through the catheter and port.
When it is desirable to administer drug to the CSF, a needle is inserted through the patient's skin, through the septum and into the port which is connected to a catheter. The drug is passed into the port where it passes through the catheter into the patient's CSF.

Filtered intracerebroventricular or intraspinal access port with direct cerebrospinal fluid access


A method for detecting a slope of a road on which a vehicle is traveling in at least one spatial direction. The vehicle has a body and a chassis with a plurality of wheels. An inclination of the vehicle body in the spatial direction is determined. For at least one wheel, a vertical distance to the vehicle body is detected. The distance so determined is used to calculate an inclination of the chassis in the spatial direction. The slope of the road in the spatial direction is determined from a difference between the inclination of the vehicle body in the spatial direction and the inclination of the chassis in the spatial direction.

The position of a vehicle changes during its travel in dependence on the slope or position of a road on which the vehicle is traveling. Angles for detecting the position of the vehicle can be detected by sensors.
One method for controlling a system of a vehicle is described in the publication DE 10 2006 026 937 A1. Here, a stability index is determined. Furthermore, a first and a second observer are provided, who, on the basis of operating variables of the vehicle, determine a reference lateral speed as well as a lateral speed, from which an initial lateral speed and an initial longitudinal speed are determined.
A method for determining a target curve slope of a vehicle when traveling on a curved section of road is known from the publication DE 10 2012 024 984 A1. In this case, the target curve slope of the vehicle is determined in dependence on a detected road curvature. Furthermore, an optical surface condition of the curved section of road is taken into account.
A method for the processing of sensor data in a vehicle is described in the publication DE 10 2012 216 205 A1, wherein driving dynamics data and chassis sensor data of the vehicle are detected and filtered.


A data selection device having M+1 stages. Each stage has stored therein prioritized data. Selection of the highest prioritized data available at any instant in time is based on a comparison repeated M times of both the selectability and priority of data available from two different stages of the device. The highest prioritized data is provided at the output of the M+1 stage.

This invention relates generally to a data selection device, and more particularly to an image display controlling apparatus in which a data selection device is used for selecting one of a plurality of superimposed images commonly referred to as "sprites" on a screen of a raster scanning device.
Video display controlling apparatus capable of producing sprites must be able to move the sprites to any desired position on the screen. Each sprite is assigned a priority value. When two or more sprites have coordinates which overlap each other, only the sprite having the highest priority value will be displayed on the screen.
A conventional data selection device 50 for determining the priority order of a plurality of sprites is shown in FIG. 1. Device 50 can store sixteen different sprites, each having a width of 16 dots (i.e. pixels) along a horizontal scanning line of a screen of a cathode ray tube. Each dot is described by a 4 bit word of data. Each word of data can represent one of sixteen different types of characteristics concerning the dot. For example, each 4 bit word can represent one of sixteen different colors.
Device 50 includes sixteen different circuit blocks SP1-SP16 each of which includes a pattern shift circuit 11. Each pattern shift circuit 11 has four shift registers 15 each of which has a length of 16 bits. Each pattern shift circuit 11 also includes a latch circuit 16 for storing an X coordinate representing the position along the horizontal scanning line of the screen at which the 4 bit word of sprite data is to be displayed. A comparator 17 and a clock control circuit 18 are also included in each pattern shift circuit 11.
The sprite data to be displayed is stored within four shift registers 15 of each pattern shift circuit 11. Storage of the sprite data takes place during the horizontal blanking period of a cathode ray tube (CRT) just prior to the horizontal scanning line on which the sprite data is to be displayed. Parallel transmission of sprite data to shift registers 15 is provided through pattern input signal lines 100. Each shift register 15 stores the sprite data based on read-in clock signal CK which is supplied to shift registers 15 along read-in clock signal lines 102. Sprite data is stored first in circuit SP1 and then sequentially in circuits SP2-SP16.
As the data for each pattern shift circuit 11 is stored within its corresponding shift registers 15, the corresponding display coordinate (i.e. X-coordinate) is stored in a corresponding latch circuit 16 through an input line 101. A horizontal dot counter 19, which maintains a count corresponding to the point along the horizontal scanning line at which the beam from the CRT is located, is connected to each comparator 17 of each pattern shift circuit 11. Each comparator 17 compares the count value supplied by horizontal dot counter 19 to the value stored in an associated latch circuit 16. For example, when the values supplied from horizontal dot counter 19 and latch 16 of circuit SP1 are the same, comparator 17 of circuit SP1 produces a detection signal 104. Clock control circuit 18 of circuit SP1 upon receiving detecting signal 104 outputs a clock control signal 105 to each of the four shift registers 15 of circuit SP1. Sprite data stored within these shift registers 15 is sequentially outputted along four output lines 103 in synchronism with the clock control signal 105.
Connected to output lines 103 of circuit SP1 are four OR gates 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d of an OR circuit 14. Each of the OR gates 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d has sixteen inputs. Output lines 103 of circuit SP1 are also connected to four input terminals of a NOR gate 12a. NOR gate 12a produces a signal "a".
Each circuit block SP2-SP16 has an AND circuit 13a-13o, respectively. Each AND circuit 13a-13o has four AND gates. Output lines 103 of each circuit block SP2-SP16 are connected to first input terminals of the four gates of the associated AND circuit 13a-13o. The second input terminal of the four gates of AND circuits 13a-13o is connected to the output of NOR gate 12a. The outputs from each of the four gates of AND circuit 13a-13o are connected to one of the four gates 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d of OR circuit 14, respectively.
Each circuit block SP2-SP15 also includes a NOR gate 12b, 12c connected at its input to the output lines 103. As shown in FIG. 1, NOR gate 12b produces a signal "b" and NOR gate 12c produces a signal "c". In each circuit block for SP2-SP15 the output of each NOR gate is connected to an input of each gate within each AND circuit 13 of each higher numbered circuit block. For example, the output of NOR gate 12b of circuit block SP2 is connected as an input to AND gates 13b-13o. The output of NOR gate 12c of circuit block SP3 is connected as an input to AND gates 13c-13o.
Sprite data stored in each pattern shift circuit 11 is assigned a different priority value with the highest priority given to sprite data stored in circuit block SP1 and the lowest priority given to the sprite data stored in SP16 (i.e. the lower the number of the SP circuit, the higher its priority).
A four bit word of data having a value of (0,0,0,0) is considered non-selectable sprite data. For example, a word having a value of (0,0,0,0) describes the color of a dot considered transparent and would not be selected by device 50 (i.e. no selectable data exists). If selectable data does exist then at least one of the four bits of the word appearing on output lines 103 has a high logic level (i.e. a logic level of 1) .
When selectable data exists on output lines 103 of circuit block 103, signal "a" of NOR gate 12a has a logic level of 0. Since signal "a" is provided as an input to each gate of AND circuits 13a-13o, AND circuits 13a-13o output logic levels of 0. Therefore, the output from OR circuit 14 represents the pattern shift data stored within pattern shift circuit 11 of circuit block SP1.
When the outputs from shift registers 15 of circuit block SP1 (i.e. output lines 103) have a value of (0,0,0,0) a nonselectable data group exists. Signal "a" of NOR gate 12a changes to a logic level of 1. If selectable data exists on output lines 103 of circuit block SP2 signal "b" of NOR gate 12b assumes a logic level of 0. Since signal "b" is fed as an input to each of the gates of AND circuits 13b-13o, AND circuits 13b-13o assume a logic level of 0. Consequently, the outputs from OR circuit 14 will represent the pattern shift data stored within pattern shift circuit 11 of circuit block SP2.
Each of the remaining circuit blocks SP3-SP15 has a NOR gate (e.g. NOR gate 12c) which operate in a similar manner as NOR gates 12a and 12b to disable AND circuits 13c-13o, respectively. In other words, data selection device 50 provides a scheme which permits only data stored in the highest prioritized pattern shift circuit 11 to be supplied as the display pattern through OR circuit 14. Selectable data existing in circuit block SP1 has the highest priority and will be chosen over any other selectable data existing in any other circuit block. Selectable data existing in circuit block SP16 has the lowest priority and never will be chosen over any other selectable data existing in any other circuit block.
Data selection device 50 has several drawbacks. More particularly, NOR gate 12a is connected to more AND gates than is NOR gate 12b which is connected to more AND gates than is NOR gate 12c. In other words, each of the NOR gates of device 50 is connected to a different number of AND gates resulting in a different load across each output of each NOR gate. Signals "a", "b", "c"...produced from each of these NOR gates has a different delay time due to the different output loads. For example, the delay time of signal "a" is longer than the delay time of signal "b" which is longer than the delay time of signal "c".
The number of inputs for each of the AND gates varies depending on the SP circuit block and increases in number as the number of the SP circuit block increases. Generally, the larger the number of inputs for an AND gate the longer the delay time in providing an output signal therefrom. Accordingly, when the sprite data for SP16 is chosen, an unacceptably large access time is required. For high speed access applications, such delay times are undesirable.
The size of an integrated circuit should be as small as possible and is based on the number of logic gates which are required and the size of each logic gate required. The greater the number of inputs for any particular logic gate, the greater the size of the integrated circuit. Device 50 requires an integrated circuit having an undesirably large size.
Since each AND circuit 13a-13o of circuit blocks SP2-SP16 has a different number of inputs, standardization of the gates is not possible. Manufacture of AND circuits 13a-13o is also a problem since each AND circuit 13a-13o has a different size due to the different number of inputs required for each AND 13a-13o. The area occupied by each AND circuit 13a-13o is different complicating their layout on a semiconductor chip. The area occupied by wires associated with each AND gate 13a-13o also varies. For the foregoing reasons, device 50 requires too much space on a semiconductor chip.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a data selection device for selecting among data which has been prioritized having high speed access which is suitable for use with a semiconductor integrated circuit. The overall size of the data selection device should be reduced compared to conventional data selection devices. The logic gates should be standardized to optimize both the size of the device and reduce manufacturing costs of the device.


A lift truck power source includes a hybrid power supply including a storage battery, a capacitor bank, and optionally a fuel cell. The capacitor bank stores power produced during regeneration by either the truck traction system or the lift system and delivers current when current demand exceeds that delivered by the fuel cell. The storage battery or fuel cell acts as a main power supply to deliver current at a rate sufficient to power the lift truck. When the fuel cell is the main power supply, the storage battery stores power during times when current demand is less than that delivered by the fuel cell and delivers current at times when current demand is greater than that delivered by the fuel cell. When the storage battery is the main power supply, the fuel cell supplements the power delivered by the storage battery, and can also recharge the storage battery.

The field of the invention is electric powered material handling vehicles, and more particularly lift trucks which perform lifting operations under a variety of operating conditions.
Electric powered lift trucks employ large lead acid batteries to provide energy for their traction systems and their lift systems. The battery typically delivers from 24 to 48 volts to a DC bus and a traction system is powered from this bus to move the truck around the workplace under the control of an operator or a computer. The traction system can draw large currents from the DC bus during truck acceleration or when moving the truck up an incline, and it can regenerate current into the DC bus when "plugging" during truck deceleration or movement down an incline.
The lift system typically consumes half the power during normal truck operation. When lifting heavy loads the lift system draws current from the DC bus and when lowering a load it may regenerate current back to the DC bus.
A conventional lift truck will typically operate from 5 to 6 hours on a fully charged battery. When the battery voltage drops below a certain level the truck is driven to a battery station where the depleted battery is removed and a fully charged replacement battery is installed. This operation typically requires from 20 to 30 minutes during which the truck and operator are nonproductive.
Efforts have been made to increase the efficiency of these drive systems and to thereby lengthen the time period between battery changes. This includes recharging the battery during truck operation with the currents regenerated by the traction system and the lift system. While this approach does recover some of the energy, lead acid batteries are very inefficient energy recovery devices and much of the regenerated energy is wasted as heat produced in the battery. Also, the high current peaks that can occur during truck operation can limit battery life.


The invention relates to a formula regulation and dispensing system for baby bottles, which allows a controlled volume of formula to be administered through a baby bottle for feeding. This controlled amount of formula allows the user to monitor and regulate the consumption of liquid by an infant between required burpings. Using the invention, the user will know the proper time to burp the baby, thus reducing the occurrence of reflux and other conditions resulting from excess stomach gases.

New parents often are initially overwhelmed with both the joy and responsibility brought into their lives through the birth of a newborn baby. A primary concern for parents and caretakers is proper nourishment for their infant, since a majority of the baby's waking moments are devoted to feeding. Feedings can be exhausting when trying to effectively balance the variables that contribute to this process. Knowing how to hold the baby correctly and the proper time to burp the baby are critical factors that can reduce the occurrence of reflux, while minimizing spitting up. For example, often times it is recommended with newborn babies that they be burped each time they consume two ounces of formula. Precisely determining when that desired amount of formula has been consumed by a baby can be difficult, however, particularly while holding the baby in feeding position. Thus, babies often times are burped either too often or too little, neither of which is good for a baby. Alternatively, the feeding process must be frequently broken up to try to gauge how much of the formula has been taken from the bottle.
Use of the present invention to measure and regulate the amount of formula fed to the baby advantageously ensures correct feeding methods, resulting in proper nourishment and minimizing related complications for the baby. The present invention was designed for parents and caretakers who bottle feed or supplement with formula using a baby bottle. Of course, the device of the present invention also could be used by a caretaker to feed previously obtained breast milk to a baby, when the mother is away.
In the past, others have created devices and systems for regulating the feeding of formula to a baby, but none of these devices or systems comprises the unique combination of structural features of the present invention, which result in its advantages over those prior art devices and systems when used to feed a baby.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,501 to Lyons describes a bottle assembly having a check valve arrangement, which allows equalizing air to enter the bottle during the pauses in the baby's sucking on the nipple. This reference does not disclose a metered dispensing device, however, instead focusing on the use of disc valves that control flow from the bottle to the nipple. Thus, Lyons's device could not be used in the manner of the present invention to administer a specific amount to formula to a baby.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,208,862 to Stringfellow describes a liquid measuring and dispensing device of the type often used in connection with dispensing alcoholic beverages, which would not be useful for the purpose of regulating the feeding a baby in the manner of the present invention. The device of Stringfellow comprises a measuring dispensing container which includes a trapped portion 12 with a vent tube 11 flowing from the trap into the bottle. Liquid pours from the bottle through the opening 3 into the measuring dispensing chamber and fills until the liquid reaches a height to fill the trap and thereby close the vent line. The difference in the size of the exit spout 6 and the entrance area 10 to the measuring chamber provides for the buildup of the liquid in the container to fill the trap 12.
Each of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,054,254, 6,113,257 and 6,089,389 to Inbar and Sharon describe bottles having two or more compartments that are separate, for example, by means of a floating valve arrangement that is in contact with the neck of the bottle. These patents teach that a purpose of that compartmentalizing using such valve means is to permit mixing of the contents of the two containers at an appropriate time to prepare the formula for administration to a baby. There is no teaching or suggestion in these patents, however, of the dispensing and regulation device of the instant invention, having the advantages inherent therein.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,561 to Drobish describes a metering device for dispensing uniform volumes of liquid from a container, which metering device works by employing a series of concentric tubes and an air vent to limit the flow of liquid into a collecting chamber within the container. More specifically, liquid enters an accumulating chamber 20 through an inlet opening 27 and rises in the chamber until it covers vent hold 28. Once vent hold 28 is covered, liquid will stop flowing because of the vacuum created in the bottle due to lack of air. The bottle is then turned upright, allowing the liquid to enter into communication with the outlet 17 and further allowing air to go back into the bottle through the small air tube 23. The metering chamber 20 is partially segregated from the collecting chamber 21 by a transverse baffle 25, which projects horizontally from the lower end of the vertical wall 18 intermediate the metering chamber 20 and collecting chamber 21. Again, the device of Drobish is not suitable for use in dispensing formula to a baby in the manner accomplished through the instant invention.
None of the foregoing references, taken either singularly or in combination, describes or suggests the present invention comprising a container having an angled baffle that defines a measuring chamber and a consumption chamber, which together enable the user to determine the amount of liquid placed each time in the measuring chamber and transfer that measured liquid from the measuring chamber to the consumption chamber (for feeding to the baby).
Moreover, in light of the limitations of the devices and systems described in the above patents and the overall state of the prior art in this field, a need exists for a formula dispensing and regulation system that permits a parent or caretaker to consistently measure and feed a specific volume of formula to a baby, thereby ensuring that the parent or caretaker can effectively regulate the consumption of formula (or other liquid) by the baby (or infant) between, e.g., required burpings, thereby properly nourishing the baby and minimizing any complications it might experience. That need and other objects are fully met by the present invention and its methods of use described herein.

Baby bottle regulation and dispensing system


The present invention is directed to novel themisone derivative compounds that have been modified to prevent the formation of the toxic metabolite, 2-phenyl-acrylamide. Compositions comprising such derivative compounds have activity as anesthetics and as neuroprotective agents.

Many compositions are available for sedating patients or, in larger dosages, for inducing surgical anesthesia in patients. These materials are used alone or in combination with other agents, such as nitrous oxide, to induce narcosis and to raise the patients pain threshold so that the patient can withstand surgical procedures. Likewise in smaller doses, these materials can reduce anxiety and generally sedate the patient. For example the following compounds are in general use as sedative and anesthetic agents: thiopental sodium, 5-allyl-1-methyl-5-(1-methyl-2-pentynyl)barbituric acid sodium salt (brevitol), 2-bromo-2-chloro-1,1,1-trifloroethane (halothane), and the like.
Most anesthetic and sedative agents, in addition to their beneficial effects, also lower certain body functions, such as respiration, blood pressure and heart action. Lowered body functions may sometimes lead to complications, particularly in older patients and in patients suffering from cardiac and vascular diseases and diseases of the kidneys and liver. Likewise, reduction in blood pressure may also lead to circulatory insufficiency during the surgical procedures which, unless alleviated, may do serious harm even to patients who have previously exhibited no signs of heart, kidney or liver disfunction.
General anesthesia, administered as an inhaled or intravenous agent, for a surgical operation involves analgesia, amnesia, loss of consciousness, motionlessness and abolition of autonomic responses. The mechanism of action is still not completely understood, but most general anesthetics act at multiple molecular sites. The potential mechanisms of anesthesia action include protein receptor, lipid and ion channels. As the solubility of anesthetics increases in oil, so does the potency leading to the lipid theory developed by Meyer and Overton. There is also a correlation between anesthesia potency and the ability of the anesthetic to inhibit the enzyme activity of the protein, for example in firefly luciferase, a model used for studying anesthesia. In addition, potentiation of the inhibitory response, mediated by the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), dampens neuronal excitability placing the GABA receptor as a potential receptor site for anesthetic action. GABA is the major mediator of inhibitory synaptic transmission, and a family of ligand-gated chloride channel proteins. Other theories include NMDA and ligand-gated ion channels as a receptor. There is sufficient evidence supporting the blockade of Na+ channels and the activation of K+ channels.
The effects of anesthesia depend on the concentration at the site of action, although concentrations cannot be measured in the brain of humans, therefore the concentration in the blood or expired gas (for inhaled anesthetics) is evaluated. Current inhaled general anesthetics (including, halothane enflurane, nitrous oxide, desflurane, isoflurane and sevoflurane, shown below) have a low therapeutic index (usually 2-3), hence the discovery of a new structural class would help in the development of safer anesthetics.

The present invention is directed to derivatives of themisone, that have been found to have anticonvulsant and anesthetic activity. Themisone, also known as Atrolactamide, was found in the 1950's to be a very potent anticonvulsant. The racemic mixture protected 4 out of 4 mice against seizures at 250 mg/kg, however the compound was toxic (blood dyscrasias, rash). Applicants believe the toxicity of this compound results from the formation of 2-phenyl-acrylamide by an elimination reaction as shown below:
To prevent the formation of this potential metabolite in vivo, applicants have designed and synthesized derivatives of themisone that prevent the elimination and potential formation of 2-phenyl-acrylamide, a potential toxic metabolite. These compounds have been found to exhibit both anti-convulsant activity as well as anesthetic acitivity. Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is directed to novel themisone derivatives that are blocked from forming 2-phenyl-acrylamide and the use of such compounds for reducing the incidence and severity of seizures and for use as a general anesthetic.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Oral general anesthetics and metabolitically resistant anticonvulsants

University of Virginia Patent Foundation


The invention is directed toward a compound comprising a recombinant nucleic acid encoding an immunoadhesin inserted within an adenoviral nucleic acid, wherein the recombinant nucleic acid can be packaged in an adenovirus particle and wherein expression of the recombinant nucleic acid encoding the immunoadhesin results in production of the immunoadhesin protein. The recombinant nucleic acid encoding the immunoadhesin can be within an adenovirus. The invention further provides methods for delivering an immunoadhesin to a cell or a subject comprising administering to the cell or the subject an adenovirus comprising a recombinant nucleic acid encoding an immunoadhesin; producing an immunoadhesin comprising administering to a cell an adenovirus comprising a recombinant nucleic acid encoding an immunoadhesin inserted within an adenoviral nucleic acid, whereby the cell expresses the recombinant nucleic acid encoding the immunoadhesin, thereby producing the immunoadhesin; treating an inflammatory condition in a subject comprising administering to the subject an adenovirus comprising a recombinant nucleic acid encoding an immunoadhesin inserted within an adenoviral nucleic acid or a recombinant nucleic acid encoding an immunoadhesin inserted within an adenoviral nucleic acid, whereby a cell in the subject expresses the recombinant nucleic acid encoding the immunoadhesin and produces the immunoadhesin, thereby treating the inflammatory condition or administering to the subject a recombinant nucleic acid encoding an immunoadhesin, or an immunoadhesin, wherein the immunoadhesin is selected from the group consisting of vIL-10-IgG, IL-13-IgG, LFA-IgG, IL-2ra-IgG, IL-1ra-IgG, mutant IL-4-IgG, VLA4-IgG, IL-2-IgG, TGF-.beta.1-IgG, TGF-.beta.1.sup.223,225 -IgG, and VCAM-IgG; and methods of screening an immunoadhesin for bioactivity.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to immunoadhesins and methods utilizing immunoadhesins. Specifically, this invention relates to methods of producing immunoadhesins, methods of delivering immunoadhesins, methods of treatment using immunoadhesins, and methods of screening immunoadhesins for bioactivity using a replication-deficient adenovirus system.
2. Background Art
Immunoadhesins are antibody-like chimeric fusion proteins comprised of an immunoglobulin gamma heavy chain constant region plus another non-immunoglobulin molecule, such as a cell surface receptor, a cell-adhesion molecule, or a ligand, and are useful for research such as receptor structure-function analysis (Cheon et al., 1994; Heidaran et al., 1995), immunohistochemistry (LaRochelle et al., 1995), ligand identification (Watson et al., 1990), and receptor isolation (Beck et al., 1994) as well as clinical therapeutics (Ashkenazi et al., 1991; Byrn et al., 1990; Chamow et al., 1992; Finck et al., 1994; Jin et al., 1994; Lenschow et al., 1992; Lin et al., 1993; Linsley and Ledbetter, 1993; Wallace et al., 1994; Zheng et al., 1995). Since immunoadhesins can be constructed from a human protein sequence with a desired specificity linked to an appropriate immunoglobulin hinge and constant domain sequence, the binding specificity of interest can be achieved entirely by using human-derived components. Therefore these immunoadhesins are minimally immunogenic to a human subject and safe for therapeutic applications. For example, the immunoadhesin CD4-IgG has been used in human clinical trials. (Hodges et al. "Phase 1 Study of Recombinant Human CD4-Immunoglobulin G Therapy of Patients with AIDS and AIDS-related Complex. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 35:2580-6; 1991)). Additionally, since these immunoadhesins can be constructed using various binding or "active" regions, they can be designed for treating specific conditions.
For example, noninfectious ocular inflammation of presumed autoimmune etiology is estimated to cause approximately 10% of severe visual handicap (70,000 cases per year) in the U.S. These diseases cause an inflammation ofthe uveal tract affecting both the anterior and posterior segments of the eye, are chronic degenerative, and potentially blinding, and are collectively known as uveitis. Affected individuals range typically in age from the first to seventh decades, although the second through fourth decades are particularly susceptible. The precise pathogenic mechanisms causing this condition remain elusive. Treatment for these conditions is by necessity nonspecific and entails the use of immunosuppressive agents which provide relief but, unfortunately, can be associated with myriad systemic side adverse effects which can be life threatening. Thus, there clearly is a need for therapeutic alternatives to current treatments that are more specific and avoid such adverse effects. The administration of immunoadhesins described herein represents such a therapeutic alternative.
To date, production of immunoadhesin molecules has entailed the use of transfection of plasmid DNA in a transient fashion or by establishment of stable transfectants (Aruffo et al., 1990; LaRochelle et al., 1995; Linsley et al., 1991). The yields of immunoadhesin obtained have ranged from 0.5-4.5 mg/i following affinity chromatography on immobilized protein A in transient transfection systems (Aruffo et al., 1990; Linsley et al., 1991). Higher concentrations (30-50 mg/l) have been described following the establishment of stable transfectants in large scale production (Haak-Frendscho et al., 1993). While these methods are useful for producing immunoadhesins, they are limited by the inefficiency of transfection and the rather labor intensive nature of establishing stable transfectants (Linsley et al., 1991). This relative lack of efficiency takes on particular significance when screening multiple constructs for activity. It is necessary to produce milligram quantities of recombinant immunoadhesins for preclinical efficacy screening. Ideally, a system for production of an immunoadhesin would combine efficient, high level gene expression, appropriate assembly/post translation modification, and ease of purification.
The methods described herein disclose such a system by providing replication-defective adenovirus vectors comprising nucleic acids encoding immunoadhesins to provide an efficient means of gene transfer into a variety of cell types. Additionally, adenovirus-mediated gene transfer results in high level protein expression. This combination of facile gene transfer and high specific activity provides a rapid means of producing milligram quantities of recombinant molecules.
This inventive system shows marked improvement over other techniques in many respects. Previous techniques involve transient transfection for protein production and result in low transfection efficiencies as well as low amounts of fusion protein production. Cumbersome screening protocols make isolation of protein producing clones time consuming and difficult. In addition, the activity of the chimeric protein can be greatly affected by the production method. The chimera may have different activities based upon whether it is made in bacteria, baculovirus, or mammalian cells.
The present replication-defective adenovirus system involves a method of producing immunoadhesins which is very close to a human system and therefore minimizes undesirable characteristics of a recombinant protein molecule such as incorrect glycosylation and other post-translational protein modifications. Moreover, this system results in transductions at surprisingly much higher efficiency resulting in greater levels of protein production and simplified screening procedures. Thus, the present methods also provide a much-needed, improved, and specific immunotherapeutic method for use in treating uveitis and, in particular, in treating individuals with autoimmune diseases that avoids the adverse side effects of previous treatments.

Immunoadhesins and methods of production and use thereof

The United States of America, as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services


A sports insignia cap that includes a crown element forming a dome shape adapted to be worn atop a person's head, a spongy, flexible form having a configuration indicative of a sports team insignia, a fabric enveloping said flexible form and providing decoration in conformance with being indicative of the sports team insignia, and a fastener that fastens the crown element to at least one of the flexible form and the fabric.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a novelty sports hat that has a three-dimensional configuration indicative of a sports team insignia.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Logo sports caps are known from U.S. Pat. No. Des. 359,159 that show a sports logo sewn onto the front side of the cap. A ball cap with replaceable pennant panels is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,120.
While the conventional sports logo cap and ball cap with replaceable pennant panels seem suitable for sports fans who want their hats to designate their favorite teams, the two-dimensional representation of the logo does not stand out when viewed from a distance and may not be easily distinguishable from hats with two-dimensional representation of logos of other teams when viewed from afar.
Conventional novelty hats include disclosure of those that use three-dimensional configurations that are either humorous (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,070 that gives the appearance of a ski pole passing through the wearer's head or U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,821 that simulates a fried egg) or cute (U.S. Pat. No. 4,268,918 that show animals whose limbs or extremities may be moved with a rope pull, e.g., a skunk, a bird, a turtle and a dog head).
It is desirable to combine features of novelty hats and sports logo hats in such a manner that the sports logo is easily recognized from a distance and readily distinguishable from other sports logos of other hats. It is further desirable to manufacture the sports logo configuration in three-dimensional form so that the configuration does not cause injury to others while the hat is worn.

Novelty sports hat with three-dimensional team insignia


In an electrophotographic printer, a guide member is arranged at the upstream side of the record medium feed path with respect to the transfer charger for shifting the recording medium towards the photoconductive drum by a predetermined amount. A conductive brush member, which is grounded, is arranged at the downstream side of the feed path with respect to the transfer charger for shifting the recording medium towards the photoconductive drum by another predetermined amount.

The present invention relates to a skew prevention structure of an electrophotographic printer for preventing the skew of a recording medium due to the winding of the recording medium around a photoconductive drum.
Conventionally, there has been known an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copy machine and printer employing a so-called electrophotographic image forming process. In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the uniformly charged photoconductive material provided on the surface of a photoconductive drum is exposed to light, carrying an image data, to form a latent image. The latent image is developed by adhering toner thereto (a toner image is formed), and the toner image is transferred onto a recording medium and fixed.
Some of the electrophotographic printers print images onto a so-called fanfold recording sheet which is a continuous recording sheet provided with perforated tear lines, which are defined at the portions to be folded. Hereinafter, this continuous form recording sheet is simply abbreviated as a continuous sheet. The continuous sheet can be easily cut off at the perforated tear lines.
Incidentally, in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a so-called heat roll fixing process is generally employed.
In the heat roll fixing process, a pair of fixing rollers comprising a heat roller heated to a high temperature and a press roller are arranged such that the rotational axis of the press roller is in parallel to that of the heat roller, and the recording sheet carrying an unfixed toner image thereon, is nipped between the pair of fixing rollers. The unfixed toner image on the recording sheet is fused by being heated with a heated roller (heat roller), and fixed onto the recording sheet at a fixing station. The heat roll fixing process is advantageous in that excellent energy efficiency is realized and a fixing speed can be increased.
The fixing station also functions as a feed means to feed the recording sheet nipped between the pair of fixing rollers. Usually, the heat roller is rotatably driven, and the press roller is driven to be rotated in accordance with the rotation of the heat roller.
FIG. 2 shows an example of a laser beam printer for printing images onto a continuous sheet employing the electrophotographic image forming process. The laser beam printer comprises a toner cleaner 2, discharging station 3, charging station 4, scanning optical system 5 for emitting a scanning laser beam onto a photoconductive drum 1, a developing station 6, and a transferring station 7 around the photoconductive drum 1 along the rotational direction thereof. Further, a fixing station 8 is disposed at the position in which the continuous sheet 9 is fed. A tractor 10 is disposed between the photoconductive drum 1 and the fixing station 8. The tractor 10 is driven by the continuous sheet 9 as the continuous sheet 9 is fed. The tractor 10 applies a predetermined amount of tension to the continuous sheet 9 as it is fed from the photoconductive drum 1 to the fixing station 8.
Incidentally, in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus as described above, when a printing ratio is lowered (e.g., 5% or less), the continuous sheet is attracted around the circumferential surface of the photoconductive drum in a relatively wide area and thus a problem arises in that so-called skew occurs (the continuous sheet proceeds obliquely or windingly), wherein the printing ratio is the proportion of the area to which toner is applied to the printable area on the continuous sheet 9.
At the transferring station in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a recording sheet is charged to a reverse polarity with respect to that of the toner attracted on the photoconductive drum by a charger, such as a corona charger or the like, so that the toner on the surface of the photoconductive drum is electrically attracted and transferred to the recording sheet.
In the case of discharged area development as in the printer, the surface of the photoconductive drum is charged at the same polarity as that of the toner. When a printing ratio is low, and accordingly, the amount of the toner attracted onto the circumferential surface of the photoconductive drum is small, the recording sheet easily attracted to the circumferential surface thereof. However, the amount of the recording sheet attracted to the photoconductive drum (winding length, or the length of the area of the recording sheet winding around or contacting the circumferential surface of the photoconductive drum) depends upon the amount of toner on the recording sheet (image pattern), and the difference of the charged amount due to the irregular quality of a recording sheet and different humidity.
Accordingly, the recording sheet is not uniformly wound around the photoconductive drum in the axial direction of the photoconductive drum and thus the winding length is partially different.
Further, it is very difficult to make the peripheral speed of the photoconductive drum to be accurately equal to the feeding speed of the continuous sheet. As a result, in the situation when a continuous sheet is used as the recording sheet and the continuous sheet is fed by the fixing rollers, a difference of tension is caused in the width direction of the continuous sheet between the photoconductive drum and the fixing station. Thus the feeding amount of the continuous sheet in the width direction varies due to the difference of the tension applied thereto, and as a result, the skew of the continuous sheet occurs.
More specifically, the continuous sheet tends to proceed obliquely toward the side where the winding length is smaller because the portion of the continuous sheet in which winding length is long is more affected by the rotation of the photoconductive drum.
Once the skew arises, the position of the continuous sheet is taken in the fixing station (fixing roller pair) inclines more, and more and finally a jam is caused.

Skew prevention structure for electrophotographic printer


An all-inclusive electrical heating liner for use in the fabrication of articles of apparel is disclosed. It is comprised of a thermally insulating fabric piece which is shaped to define a dorsal panel and a pair of frontal panels to which are secured patterns of heating wires at specific locations. The spaced relationship between the dorsal panel and the pair of frontal panels is adjustable whereby the liner can be incorporated in articles of apparel of different sizes including small. Medium, large and X-large apparel sizes and gender types. The liner incorporates a power supply, controls, switches, wiring, connectors and other components thereby facilitating the incorporation of the liner into an article of apparel resulting in a cost reduction to the manufacturer of heated articles of apparel. Various embodiments are described to show that the all-inclusive one-piece heating liner is adaptable to many articles which require control heating.

It is well known in the art to fabricate articles of apparel with integrated heating pads located at specific areas of the article of apparel whereby to provide heat and comfort to the user person. Such articles of apparel are usually of the type worn in winter months when climatic conditions can get very cold. Many of such articles of apparel tend to be very bulky and cumbersome and not comfortable to the user person when heating pads are attached to the liner of the article and loose wiring and cables are secured in place and connected to batteries, a control and one or more switches. Such unorganized attachment not only render the article more bulky but can represent a hazard at the connection points of wires and also resulting in malfunction, and this is particularly so if the article is subjected to stretching and tumbling during wash and dry cleaning or during activities of the wearer person. Accordingly, the article no longer has its utility that being of providing heat. There is a need to overcome such eventual problems.
Another problem in the fabrication of such articles of apparel, is that during the assembly and connection of the various component parts, there is the risk that wires become severed by the stitching needles of high speed sewing machines not to mention the difficulty of positioning the different components and wiring that has to be secured at precise locations inside the article of apparel during fabrication. If trimming of the fabric to which the liner is secured is required during installation, the use of scissors could accidently cut a wire rendering the entire heating system inoperative. Therefore, skilled labor is required in order to ensure that the heated garment is properly constructed. Such skilled labour adds to the cost of manufacture of heated articles of apparel.
Because of the high cost of heated articles of apparel they are currently available in limited types of garments, such as winter jackets for leisure or work use, ski garments, and motorcycle jackets, to mention a few. Because the batteries have limited charges the heating circuits can only operate for specific time periods, other than heated garments, such as motorcycle wear which can be plugged into a connector of the battery of the motorcycle. When batteries become discharged the utility of the heated article of apparel is no longer available and, the charging of batteries requires time for charging. Therefore, the heating feature of the article of apparel has limited time use unless the batteries are changed and this is usually not possible. Also, when the wearer person is in an area wherein there is no access for recharging batteries, the article of apparel does not provide its intended use. The carrying of extra charged batteries is not a viable solution has it adds weight and requires a means for its storage on the wearer person. The batteries can also become discharged if the wearer person forgets to shut off the batteries after removing the article of apparel.
Most of the heating circuits for such articles use metal wires. Unfortunately, these heating wires become bulky when tied together in bundles or cable form and form displeasing esthetics on the outer surface of the article of apparel. These wires and wire bundles must be properly installed in the garment to provide for the wear and tear of the article when used, thus compensating for arm and body movements and particularly to the stretching and tumbling of the article during washing and drying in machines. When wires become disconnected or broken the entire heating system incorporated in the article of apparel becomes useless and difficult and costly to repair. There is therefore, a further need to prevent these additional problems.
As mentioned above, heated articles of apparel require controls for operation by the wearer person. Such controls are usually quite bulky and heavy with wires connected thereto which makes it cumbersome to store with the wires often becoming entangled and disconnected from the control. Such controls are usually stored in a pocket specifically sewn to the article of apparel and not easily accessible to the wearer person. An on/off switch to actuate the heating system is usually made accessible to the wearer person and in some cases provide for selection of a few heating levels. Due to the use of rechargeable alkaline batteries, the heating output wattage is limited and the time of operation is usually very short. Therefore, the usefulness of the heated garment to keep the wearer person warm for any prolong period of time, is limited. Such problem has been somewhat reduced by the use of more efficient batteries such a lithium ion power cells. But their use may also be shortened if a user person does not recharge them after every use of the article of apparel. There is therefore a need to overcome such problem.
A still further problem with the manufacture of heated articles of apparel is that articles of apparel come in different sizes to fit user persons of different statures and different gender. Therefore, different patterns are required to guide the worker person in the assembly and construction of the different size articles of apparel including different wire lengths and precise positioning as well as the interconnection of different parts. A minor error in the assembly can cause an entire system malfunction and to overcome such errors it is necessary to test the assembly before the article of apparel is sent to market. If there is a malfunction then considerable time can be loss in finding and correcting the fault often requiring the article to be dismantled. Because different assembly configurations are required, for different size and gender articles of apparel, this results in time loss during manufacture and increase risk for errors in the assembly process. Another disadvantage of prior art heating assemblies is that they are often formed of different panel parts which need to be assembled and having their wiring interconnected during the manufacturing of the article of apparel leading to errors and malfunctioning There is therefore a need to overcome this further problem.

All-inclusive one-piece electrical heating liner for articles of apparel


A mobile cooking oil caddie which includes in combination features of heating, filtering and transporting oil for disposal into a disposal tank. The caddie is rolled under a hot oil fry cooker and hot fats can be drained into the caddie from the cooker. A filter screen is provided in the caddie for filtering the hot fats. If the grease is to be disposed, the caddie is moved to a facility in which the oil is pumped from the caddie by a motorized pump to a disposal tank. If the grease has been stored for a time and is not in a fluid state, the heater can be activated to heat transfer mixture which in turn heats the grease to a fluid state. The filter can then be cleaned of food particles and the caddie stored until it is desired to drain the fry cooker again for receipt of hot fats from the cooker when desired.

In recent years the proliferation of convenience or fast food restaurants has driven a growing need to handle, recycle, store, screen, and dispose of fats generated from the fryers in such restaurants in the form of used cooking oil and fats generated by the cooking grills as a byproduct of heating and cooking meats and products containing fat.
Previously, when disposing of oil, a bucket or container was used to collect the oil for transport to a container where it is held for collection by a truck. Such a method exposed the person doing the transport to a risk of burns, and it also allowed spillage onto the floor from the open bucket.
Recently, there have been developed wheeled transport devices for disposing of used cooking oil from the fryers, socalled "grease caddies" of low slung design and having a pivotable top lid openable to expose a screened filter basket. The grease caddie is adapted to the fryer-cookers so that the caddie fits into the space below the hot oil fryer-cooker such that the oil can be drained by gravity from the cooker through the screening basket into a reservoir in the caddie.
In the instance of disposing of the fats generated from the cooking grills, troughs or removable trays are filled with run off fats and particles from the high temperature heating or cooking surface known as the grill. The contents of these trays are periodically dumped into the disposal buckets.
Prior art disposal caddies consisted of carts of various shapes and sizes with wheels designed to roll the cart to a disposal receptacle, whereupon the contents are hand or electrically pumped from the cart into the disposal container.
It is clear that an improved apparatus for handling, screening and, in this case, heating the fats is desirable. Heating of fats held in the disposal cart is needed because at room temperature fats thicken or even solidify, which makes evacuating the contents of the disposal container cumbersome and difficult. Heating capacity in the disposal cart provides greater flexibility and convenience for the operator because the operator can control the temperature of the fat which, in turn, allows the convenience of pumping the hot, liquid fats from the cart at a time most convenient for the operator.
The more recently designed grease caddies included a heater element inserted directly into the tank of the caddie to maintain the contents of the caddie fluid for pumping out into large storage tanks, or if the contents had solidified, to liquify the contents for evacuation.
The problem with these heat devices is that they were implanted into a small area of the caddie tank and the heater would have to be operated at a high enough temperature for the warmth to spread throughout the caddie, thus liquefying the entire contents thereof. Such elevated temperatures, plus the direct contact between the heating element and the grease or oil in the tank caused its own set of problems. On certain occasions, especially when the contents of the tank was low, the grease might smoke or even catch fire due to exposure to too much heat.
While a thermostat could in theory be used in an attempt to control the temperature, having the heating element directly exposed to the grease or oil left much to be desired. After considering the situation noted above, it became clear to the inventor that there was a better way to maintain the grease fluid without adding to the cost or complexity of the caddie (as via a thermostat) and while also eliminating the grease--heating element contact.


Systems, apparatuses, and methods related to the design, fabrication, and manufacture of gallium arsenide (GaAs) integrated circuits are disclosed. Copper can be used as the contact material for a GaAs integrated circuit. Metallization of the wafer and through-wafer vias can be achieved through copper plating processes disclosed herein. To avoid warpage, the tensile stress of a conductive layer deposited onto a GaAs substrate can be offset by depositing a compensating layer having negative stress over the GaAs substrate. GaAs integrated circuits can be singulated, packaged, and incorporated into various electronic devices.

1. Field
The present disclosure generally relates to the field of semiconductor wafer processing technology. In particular, this disclosure relates to the design, fabrication, and manufacture of gallium arsenide (GaAs) integrated circuits.
2. Description of the Related Art
The use of GaAs substrates in the design and construction of integrated circuits has proven to have desirable effects. For example, GaAs substrates have been useful in achieving greater performance in power amplifier circuits. Typically, a GaAs integrated circuit will be used as a component in a larger circuit device or design. In order to be integrated into the circuit design, the GaAs integrated circuit is mechanically and electrically coupled to a printed circuit board for the circuit device. In other cases, the GaAs integrated device is mounted to other electronic devices.
The contact side of the GaAs integrated circuit is typically adhered to a contact pad on the device's printed circuit board. More particularly, the integrated circuit usually includes a gold layer which adheres to the printed circuit board pad using a conductive adhesive. Often, the GaAs substrate has vias which extend into or through the substrate for facilitating electrical flow vertically through the substrate. These vias are also coated with the gold conductive material. Depositing the gold layer is a time-consuming and relatively inefficient process. Also, gold is an expensive material, increasing the cost for GaAs integrated circuit products. Finally, gold has a relatively high dissolution rate in solder, and therefore is not able to be soldered to the pad of the device's printed circuit board. Instead, conductive adhesive is typically used to adhere the gold contact to the printed circuit board. The use of conductive adhesive requires an additional manufacturing step, and also requires the use of larger pads to accommodate adhesive overflow. However, even with these undesirable features, gold continues to be the standard metal used for a contact layer on GaAs integrated circuits, which significantly drives up the product cost especially in recent years due to the high price of gold.
Accordingly, there is a need for improved GaAs integrated circuits that employ less costly component materials and can be more efficiently manufactured. Furthermore, there is a need for improved processes and methods for manufacturing such GaAs integrated circuits.

Methods of stress balancing in gallium arsenide wafer processing


A method for product provisioning includes: evaluating each entity of a product based on one or more criteria to determine if the product can be populated in a database as a globally updateable product; if the product has been determined to be eligible for being populated in the database as a globally updateable product then performing the following steps: determining, for each entity of the product, eligibility for the entity to be a global entity; generating a global entity instance for each eligible entity of the product; saving the global entity instance for each eligible entity of the product; generating a default entity instance for each ineligible entity; saving each default entity instance in the database; and if the product has been determined to be ineligible for being populated in the database as a globally updateable product then instantiating and populating the product in the database as a local product.

Over time the number of products and services provided to users of telecommunication products has grown significantly. For example, in the early years of wireless communication, devices could be used for conversations and perhaps also had the ability to send and receive text messages. Over time, technology advanced and wireless phones of varying capabilities were introduced which had access to various services provided by network operators, e.g., data services. More recently there are numerous devices, e.g., so called "smart" phones and tablets, which can access communication networks in which the operators of the networks, and other parties, provide many different types of services, applications, etc. These services and products have become so numerous that updating them has become an expensive challenge.
An example of how telecommunication services and products are provided will now be described with respect to a Charging and Billing system. In a Charging and Billing system, the services that a customer can use, e.g., sending a Short Message Service (SMS) to another party or utilizing mobile data, is modelled as a service which is realized through a product specification and a product offering. A product offering is an item that a customer actually sees to purchase. This product offering can be a single product or a bundled product. The product specification, for example, contains the configuration such as which services the product is related to and the product offering contains, for example, prices for using the services and also recurring fees, etc.
FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of a conventional product provisioning process associated with entities, a customer and product. When a customer 102 orders a product offering it is instantiated as a product instance 106 on the contract 104 of the customer 102. The service and other entities are also realized as personal instances on the contract 104 which is needed in order for the customer 102 to be able to use the product. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, there is also a Customer Facing Service (CFS) 112 and a Resource Facing Service (RFS) 114 associated with the product instance 106 which also have corresponding instances associated with the product specification 110. These are the Customer Facing Service Specification (CFSS) 116 and Resource Facing Service Specification (RFSS) 118. Alternatively, the service and other entities could have been instantiated before and already be present from a previous product purchase. As soon as the product instance 106 is instantiated on the contract and set to an active status, the customer 102 can use the services associated with the product. The personal instances, such as the product or service instance, can also contain values that are unique for the customer and contract, such as contact address, personal prices or favorite discounted numbers. Associated with the product instance 104 are one or more product offering entities 108 describing the product and product specification entities 110 describing technical definitions, e.g., price models used in charging with, as desired, input of the price from the product offering.
In most cases, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a customer belongs to a base profile (which is also known as a base subscription) that has a set of products and data that are common for that profile. For example, Customer1 200 can have a contract, Contract1 202, which is linked to the products and services that the customer has purchased or subscribed to. In this example, Product A 204, Product B 206, Product C 208 and Product D 210. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3, Customer2 300 has a contract, Contract2 302, which is also linked to the products and services that the customer has purchased or subscribed to. In this example, Product A 304, Product B 306, Product C 308 and Product D 310. These products and services can be considered to be representations of instantiations of base products of a subscription. In most systems, a majority of the instances used are of this base product type. However, in addition to the base subscription, the customer can have add-on products which are products that the customer has bought on top of the base subscription.
The instantiated products typically include various data items or fields described herein as "attributes" which may need to be updated. Examples of attributes that a product can include which may need to be modified at some point in time, include: name; description; links to so-called "child products" (for example, when the product is a bundle that contains several other products, e.g., one product for SMS, another product for voice calls, and a third product for data traffic); links to services for which the product contains the pricing; links to buckets which contain the resources used to pay, e.g., using the service it contains; prices for usage, recurring fees, start-up fees, etc.; the link to the product offering that it is instantiated from; and characteristic values of the products if they are personalized or customized.
In existing systems each product offering is instantiated on the customer contract directly which results in some portion of the information associated with each product being stored multiple times in the system. This is problematic and becoming more so as the quantity of devices and the quantity of products/services also grows.
Provisioning of changes to the product offering, such as updates of configuration or error corrections requires resources and time in order to update all customer instances and typically is performed in batches instead of all at once. Additionally, as potentially millions of instances need to be touched or modified this provisioning usually occurs during low traffic times in the system. This mass provisioning of products is also known as "batch processing". This typically requires that the batch processing needs to be performed well in advance of the launch date for a new version of a product. This launch date is preferably chosen with an acceptable lead time so that all customers using the same product will have the changes applied in such a way that they become active at substantially the same time. The delay in product change implementation can also be problematic in that being forced to have a time delay in implementing changes could cause a negative experience for the customer depending on, for example, the nature of the change.
An example of batch processing, in a simplified format, is shown in FIG. 4 in which a product is disseminated to two different users. In this example, Customer1 400 and Customer2 406 each have their own contract, Contract 1 402 and Contract 2 408, respectively. Each contract also includes information about a product, Product A 404, for each customers' contract. A change, shown as Product Offering 410, to Product A is occurring and needs to be disseminated via batch processing to each user as shown by the arrows 412 and 414. This can be costly in terms of time and resources, particularly when there are many products, many changes, many users and each entity needs to be updated individually as part of the batch process.
For the case of error correction, performing batch processing may cause additional problems. For example, for all of the transactions that have occurred, from the point in time when the change was applied and until all of the instances have been provisioned with the change, the operator may also need to correct those transactions afterwards. This correction can be performed through, for example, re-rating or by compensating the customer directly if re-rating is not possible.
Alternatively, a variety of sub-optimal solutions have been built to avoid batch updates and these complex solutions typically also create their own sets of problems. For example, one alternative is to not allow changes that affect all instances, i.e., to use a system which is very inflexible in terms of changes that are allowed. For another example, a system could not update existing products but instead provision new product instances (and other entity instances) and for customers to discontinue use of the old product.
Thus, there is a need to provide methods and devices that overcome the above-described drawbacks of the conventional approach to implementing product provisioning.

Methods and systems for provisioning of customer product


An improved dynamic range dimmer for gas discharge lamps is provided in which the frequency is shifted during the startup of the lamp, and the frequency is shifted and the duty cycle is varied to dim the light emitted by the lamp. When dimming is desired the frequency is shifted to increase the voltage available to the lamp, which then has its power reduced by controlling its duty cycle. Such an arrangement provides a greater range of light intensity variation. If the lamp is turned off while set to a dimmed level, then the frequency is automatically restored to the resonant value used when starting the lamp, to assure breakdown of the plasma in the lamp for proper ignition.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to an improved dynamic range dimmer for a gas discharge lamp. In particular, the present invention relates to a dimmer, for a gas discharge tube, which provides sufficient voltage to sustain gas discharge tube arc during manual dimming and accommodates aging of the gas discharge tube.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The impedance characteristics of gas discharge lamps are both non-linear and a negative resistance, such that current flowing through the lamp is not directly proportional to the voltage supplied to the lamp. Until a minimum voltage is reached, the current through the gas discharge lamp is zero. The lamp conducts only after the minimum voltage is achieved. Ballasts are connected in series with the gas discharge lamps to limit the current, which would otherwise increase rapidly and unchecked.
If a load in an alternating current (AC) circuit is equivalent to a pure resistance then the circuit would have a power factor of one. Such a power factor of one is preferred and means that the voltage and current are sinusoidal and in phase with one another.
Dimming of gas discharge lamps is difficult due to the non-linear characteristics of gas discharge lamps. It is highly desirable to vary the light intensity of gas discharge lamps over a large range. A range of least 10:1 is required in most situations, with a range of 20:1 being preferred. One reason for having a large range is that the eye is a non-linear device, especially at high light levels, and a change of 30% is barely perceptible.
Another reason a large range is desired is to save energy. It is preferable to run the gas discharge lamps at very low levels when a room is unoccupied. Most existing designs barely reach the 10:1 ratio, and very few of those exceed it. Yet another problem with existing gas discharge lamp configurations is if they have a dimming capability, when they are in a dimmed condition and the power is interrupted, the gas discharge lamp cannot be restarted, or is very difficult to restart until it is restored to the undimmed state.
Various methods of dimming have been developed, all of which limit power to the gas discharge lamp. These approaches can be divided into three types. First, one can control the amplitude of the energy fed into the lamp via its external circuitry. This can be achieved by voltage or current limiting at either AC or DC inputs. If the ballast is electronic and has an inverter, the AC or DC levels can be limited. Second, one can control the duty cycle or "on time" of the AC; again either internally or at the input. There are various methods to control the duty cycle, for example, pulse width modulation phase control, etc. Third, in electronic ballasts the frequency can be varied.
To ensure proper gas discharge tube startup, the frequency of the driving oscillator must match the resonant frequency of the series resonant output circuit. At resonance the voltage developed across the output circuit reaches peak value. The amount the peak value is above the driver input voltage is dependent upon the quality factor or Q, of the output circuit. The peak voltage must be sufficient to initiate the arc in the gas discharge tube. Once the tube arc has started, it is no longer necessary to develop the peak voltage. Furthermore, maintaining operation of the resonant frequency of the output circuit will cause a loss of power in the series resonant output circuit.
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dimmer for gas discharge lamps which has a large range of dimming.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a dimmer for gas discharge lamps in which the gas discharge lamp will resume emitting light at a dimmed level, after the light is dimmed and the power is subsequently interrupted.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a dimmer for gas discharge lamps which frequency shifts in the start mode and employs frequency shifting and variation of the duty cycle to accomplish dimming.

Dynamic range dimmer for gas discharge lamps


A coated glass article which may be heat strengthened with reduced variability in sheet resistance is disclosed. A multi-layer coating is formed on a glass substrate including a barrier applied on the glass substrate, base layer of a substantially undoped metal oxide applied over the barrier layer, and an electrically conductive layer of a doped metal oxide applied directly on the base layer. The same source metal is used for the base layer and the electrically conductive layer.

This invention relates to a multi-layer coating formed on a glass substrate in such a fashion that the coating is electrically conductive. The glass sheet carrying the electrically conductive coating is then heat strengthened in a conventional glass heating furnace. More particularly, this invention relates to creating a multi-layer electrically conductive coating such that when heat strengthened, the variation in the sheet resistance of the coating is minimized.
Coatings can be formed from a wide variety of materials which are deposited on glass and other materials as substrates, to accomplish a variety of functions. One example of such coated glasses involves the deposition of metal oxides on such substrates, and by the addition of various so-called dopant materials, causing one or more of such metal oxide layers to be electrically conductive.
Such electrically conductive coatings on glass substrates have a wide variety of end uses, some of which require further processing of the coated glass sheets. One such additional processing step is the heat strengthening of the coated glass sheets, which involves a limited amount of controlled reheating and cooling of the coated glass sheet. Thus, heat strengthened glass is more resistant to thermal breakage due to improved surface compressive stress. Generally, glass can be said to be heat strengthened when surface compressive stress is greater than 3,500 pounds per square inch (psi).
Further, heat strengthening of the coated glass, where surface compressive stress is greater than 8,000 psi, is also known as tempering. Tempered glass, upon sufficient impact, will break in a controlled fashion, i.e. into small granular fragments, so as to reduce the likelihood of injury to people or animals who may contact it. Therefore, tempering adds a safety factor where coated glass sheets are used in applications where people may come in contact with them, for example, commercial freezers and refrigerators, such as are used in supermarkets, and/or vehicle windows and the like. Electrically conductive coated glass sheets can be advantageously used in such applications if, by the application of electrical current, the temperature of the glass sheet is raised, thereby removing frost or other moisture which can condense on the glass, thus decreasing the visibility of products which are displayed behind the glass sheets or obscuring the view of the driver of a vehicle in the case of vehicle window.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,547,400 discloses the formation of a coated soda-lime silica glass wherein a first "seal coating" is formed by the deposition of an organic/metallic ion-containing, chlorine-free compound. The stated purpose of the seal coating is to minimize penetration of said coating by chlorine containing materials which would be a potential point of reaction with sodium on the surface of the glass to form crystals of sodium chloride. The formation of sodium chloride is considered to be detrimental as it creates voids in the film leading to light scattering defects and the optically undesirable condition known as "haze". A coating of fluorine doped tin oxide is subsequently applied next to the metal oxide seal coating through the decomposition of butyltin trichloride.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,836 discloses subject matter similar to the '400 patent. However, it includes additional information regarding the columnar microstructure of the tin oxide coatings. This patent, however, still requires the use of a chlorine-free compound to form the "seal coating."
U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,079 discloses a method of making haze-free tin oxide coatings. The thrust of the invention of the '079 patent is the use of monophenyltin trichloride to form a haze-free tin oxide undercoat on glass, on which haze-free conductive doped tin oxide coatings may be formed under process conditions which ordinarily would give hazy coatings, if deposited directly on glass. The '079 patent is primarily directed to use of a particular organotin compound specifically monophenyltin trichloride.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,859,499 is directed to a method for coating a substrate with an electrically conductive layer. The invention of the '499 patent concerns the preparation of a metal based powder in a method for pyrolytically depositing this powder upon a substrate in order to form a transparent coating with low emissivity and greater electrical conductivity. This case, however, requires the use of dry indium formate as the precursor material to form the coating of indium oxide upon the surface of the substrate.


A method and system for controlling power to a cranking subsystem in a device having a power source is disclosed. The cranking subsystem is coupled to an engine and a starter that allows a user to activate the cranking subsystem. The method and system include providing a switch and at least one controller. The switch is coupled between the power source and the cranking subsystem. The at least one controller is coupled with the switch and is for controlling the switch to be open or closed based on the starter being used to activate the cranking subsystem and at least one other criteria. The at least one other criteria is programmed into the controller.

The present invention relates to systems which may have a limited power supply and more particularly to a method and system for providing intelligent power management in such as system which can protect the cranking subsystem of a device such as a truck tractor.
Many systems utilize a power supply which may have a limited capacity. For example, truck tractors, boats, golf carts, and satellites may utilize a battery or other energy storage apparatus for DC electrical power. These devices may have a mechanism for recharging the battery, such as an alternator. However, on occasion these devices operate on the stored power from the battery. For example, a truck tractor typically includes an alternator for generating power, a battery for storing power, and various subsystems which may consume power. These power consumers include a cranking system; lights; computers; communication devices electronics for the engine, brakes, steering and other subsystems; and comfort devices such as heating cooling, ventilation, refrigeration, microwaves, and televisions. Many of the power consumers can operate on the stored power of the battery alone when the alternator is not generating power.
Breakdown of the electrical system can be the primary cause of failure for many of these devices, such as the tractor trailer. Even where the electrical system is less subject to malfunctions, breakdown of the electrical system can cause the device to be unable to function. Such a failure of the device may be expensive, both to repair and in other costs absorbed by the user. For example, a failure of the electrical system which drains the battery of a truck tractor may be costly not only because the truck tractor must be towed to another location and repaired, but also because time and perishable cargo may be lost. Consequently, the ability to predict, diagnose, and avoid such failures is desirable.
Mechanisms for avoiding such failure are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,858 by Thomsen et al. (xe2x80x9cThomsenxe2x80x9d) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,577 by Lesesky et al. (xe2x80x9cLeseskyxe2x80x9d). Thomsen and Lesesky treat one problem that has been diagnosed in devices such as a truck tractor, the problem of overcranking. Consequently, Thomsen discloses cutting off power to the cranking system of a truck tractor when the current flowing and time for which the current flows exceed a particular level. Similarly, Lesesky discloses cutting off power to the cranking system of a truck tractor when a user has provided a cranking signal for greater than a particular time. Furthermore, Thomsen treats the problem of theft using solid state switches controlled using a micro-computer and a code input by a user. Based on whether a code is provided to the system, whether the internal temperature of a switch is above a particular value, and whether a particular current has been provided for a particular time, Thomsen allows power to be provided to the cranking motor.
However, it would still be desirable to be capable of diagnosing impending failures, avoiding failures, providing power to consumers in a more optimal manner. Accordingly, what is needed is a system and method for providing intelligent power management. The present invention addresses such a need.
The present invention provides a method and system for controlling power to a cranking subsystem in a device having a power source. The cranking subsystem is coupled to an engine and a starter that allows a user to activate the cranking subsystem. The method and system include providing a switch and at least one controller. The switch is coupled between the power source and the cranking subsystem. The at least one controller is coupled with the switch and is for controlling the switch to be open or closed based on the starter being used to activate the cranking subsystem and at least one other criteria. The at least one other criteria is programmed into the controller.
According to the system and method disclosed herein, the present invention allows power to the cranking subsystem to be controlled based on a variety of factors. As a result, the cranking subsystem can be protected from over-cranking.

System and method for protecting a cranking subsystem