An Organic Electroluminescent Display (OELD) includes: a substrate, an organic electroluminescent unit arranged on a surface of the substrate and having a pair of opposing electrodes and an organic emissive layer emitting light due to recombination of electrons and holes supplied from the pair of electrodes, a sealing member combined with the substrate to protect the organic electroluminescent unit from external air and having a sealing portion along its edge, and a porous material layer arranged on a surface of the sealing member opposite to the organic electroluminescent unit so as not to contact the sealing portion, the porous material layer including a transparent material adapted to absorb moisture and remain transparent even after absorption of moisture.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an organic electroluminescent display, and more particularly, the present invention relates to an organic electroluminescent display having an improved sealing structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, Organic Electroluminescent Displays (OELDs) are self-luminous displays operating at a low voltage by electrically exciting a fluorescent organic compound to emit light. Since OELDs can be made thin, have a wide viewing angle, and have a rapid response rate, they are receiving great attention as a next generation display, eliminating problems arising with liquid crystal displays.
Such an organic electroluminescent display is manufactured by forming an organic layer in a predetermined pattern on a transparent insulating substrate, such as glass, and then forming electrode layers on the top and bottom surfaces thereof. In this organic electroluminescent display, holes injected from anodes migrate toward an emissive layer when an anode voltage is applied to the anode, and electrons injected from cathodes migrate toward the emissive layer when a cathode voltage is applied to the cathode, so that the holes and electrons recombine in the emissive layer to generate exitons. As these exitons transit from an exited state to a base state, luminescent molecules in the emissive layer emit light, thereby forming images.
Organic electroluminescent displays deteriorate as moisture intrudes thereinto, so that a sealing structure for preventing intrusion of moisture is required.
Conventionally, a sealing structure has been used which consists of a metal can or glass substrate formed into a cap having grooves filled with a desiccant powder. In addition, a film type desiccant has been attached using double-sided tape. The use of a desiccant powder complicates manufacturing processes, raises material and manufacturing costs, and increases the thickness of the substrate. Furthermore, due to the area filled with the desiccant powder, front emission or double-side emission, particularly when used together with a non-transparent substrate, cannot be achieved. The film type desiccant is not a perfect sealing structure preventing intrusion of moisture and is liable to be damaged in the manufacture or when used due to its poor durability and reliability. Therefore, the film type desiccant is not suitable for use on a mass scale.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,761 relates to an organic electroluminescent display apparatus including a stack of pairs of opposing electrodes with an emissive layer made of an organic compound therebetween, a container sealing the stack from external air, and a desiccant placed inside the container, wherein the desiccant remains in a solid state even after absorbing moisture. This patent suggests the use of an alkali metal oxide, sulfate, etc. as the desiccant. However, the organic electroluminescent display is thick due to the container. Furthermore, the desiccant becomes opaque, although it remains as a solid, after absorbing moisture, so that it cannot be applied to front emission and double-side emission displays. As described above, the manufacture of the organic electroluminescent display apparatus is complicated, and the material and manufacturing costs are high.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 5-335080 relates to a method of forming a protective layer in a thin, organic electroluminescent display including an emissive layer containing at least one kind of organic compound arranged between an anode and a cathode, at least one of which is transparent, the protective layer being made of amorphous silica. In particular, amorphous silica, which has a dense structure, is applied as a thick layer to a second electrode layer to prevent intrusion of moisture from the outside. However, the amorphous silica protective layer cannot absorb moisture present in the electroluminescent display, and accordingly, an additional moisture absorbing material is required.

Organic electroluminescent display device with porous material layer


A bow making apparatus (10) for receiving and maintaining the disposition of bow fabricating material during the making of a decorative bow. The bow making apparatus (10) includes a base member (12) defining an upper work surface (14) for supporting bow fabricating material (28) during the bow making operation. The apparatus (10) also includes first, second and third retainer members (22, 24,25) extending upwardly from the upper work surface (14) of the base member (12) for releasably receiving and maintaining the position of gathered sections of bow fabricating material (28). The apparatus (10) also includes a ribbon spool holder (50) for supporting a ribbon spool while fabricating a bow.

Decorative bow making has long been recognized as an art, and substantial skill is generally required to manually tie well proportioned decorative bows. Of course, automation of the bow making industry has given rise to complex machinery for producing decorative bows, but such machinery is expensive and takes originality, creativity and, indeed, enjoyment, out of the bow making process. Attempts have been made to devise bow making devices that are inexpensive, but they too tend to limit the bow maker's creativity by dictating the resulting bow configuration. Examples of such devices ate disclosed in the following U.S. Patents:
______________________________________ U.S. Pat. No. Inventor(s) Issue Date ______________________________________ 696,361 E. S. Chase Mar 25, 1902 1,010,155 W. E. Lange Nov 28, 1911 1,598,310 T. A. Quinlan Aug 31, 1926 2,077,370 R. K. Reynolds Apr 13, 1937 2,105,436 G. Flatto Jan 11, 1938 2,542,222 A. F. Welch Feb 20, 1951 2,569,943 J. W. Mitchell Oct. 2, 1951 2,666,249 R. R. Ruiz, et al. Jan 19, 1954 2,763,080 A. F. Welch Sep 18, 1956 3,223,440 W. Rosenzweig Dec 14, 1965 3,428,227 J. W. Cavoli Feb 18, 1969 3,462,049 R. P. Smith Aug 19, 1969 3,501,070 W. M. Shattuck Mar 17, 1970 3,816,888 J. B. Rather, Jr. Jun 18, 1974 4,454,968 J. J. St Lawrence Jun 19, 1984 4,629,100 B. Owens Dec 16, 1986 4,714,182 D. Hecht Dec 22, 1987 ______________________________________
Other devices have been produced for measuring filaments for subsequent use, such as in tassels and pompons. Typical of the art are those devices disclosed in the following U.S. Patents:
______________________________________ U.S. Pat. No. Inventor(s) Issue Date ______________________________________ 3,377,674 R. F. Brassaw, et al. Apr 16, 1968 3,854,179 J. Montoya Dec 17, 1974 4,337,578 E. L. Seals Jul 6, 1982 ______________________________________
Typical bows are disclosed in the following U.S. Patents:
______________________________________ U.S. Pat. No. Inventor(s) Issue Date ______________________________________ 5,100,706 L. Zaweski Mar 31, 1992 5,215,791 E. A. Davignon Jun 1, 1993 ______________________________________
Of all of the prior art references cited, none teaches a device for fabricating a decorative bow wherein the device serves to retain the gathered portion of the bow such that the loops of the bow may be independently measured and freely maintained. Further, none of the prior art devices provides a means for independently retaining a plurality of bows. Further, none teaches an extension for supporting a spool of ribbon.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bow making apparatus for receiving and maintaining the disposition of bow fabricating material during the making of a decorative bow.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a bow making apparatus which assists in the tying of a decorative bow, but does not stifle originality or creativity in the bow making operation.
Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bow making apparatus which includes a ribbon spool holder for supporting a ribbon spool during the bow making process.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bow making apparatus which is simple to use and inexpensive.


Modified and stabilized propeptides of Growth Differentiation Factor proteins, such as GDF-8 and Bone Morphogenetic Protein-11, are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for making and using the modified propeptides to prevent or treat human or animal disorders in which an increase in muscle tissue would be therapeutically beneficial. Such disorders include muscle or neuromuscular disorders (such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, muscle atrophy, congestive obstructive pulmonary disease, muscle wasting syndrome, sarcopenia, or cachexia), metabolic diseases or disorders (such as such as type 2 diabetes, noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, or obesity), adipose tissue disorders (such as obesity), and bone degenerative diseases (such as osteoporosis).

Growth and Differentiation Factor-8 (GDF-8), also known as myostatin, is a member of the Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily of structurally related growth factors, all of which possess important growth-regulatory and morphogenetic properties (Kingsley et al. (1994) Genes Dev. 8:133-46; Hoodless et al. (1998) Curr. Topics Microbiol. Immunol. 228:235-72). GDF-8 is a negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass, and there is considerable interest in identifying factors which regulate its biological activity. For example, GDF-8 is highly expressed in the developing and adult skeletal muscle. The GDF-8 null mutation in transgenic mice is characterized by a marked hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the skeletal muscle (McPherron et al. (1997) Nature 387:83-90). Similar increases in skeletal muscle mass are evident in naturally occurring mutations of GDF-8 in cattle (Ashmore et al. (1974) Growth 38:501-507; Swatland and Kieffer (1994) J. Anim. Sci. 38:752-757; McPherron and Lee (1997) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 94:12457-12461; and Kambadur et al. (1997) Genome Res. 7:910-915). Recent studies have also shown that muscle wasting associated with HIV-infection in humans is accompanied by increases in GDF-8 protein expression (Gonzalez-Cadavid et al. (1998) PNAS 95:14938-43). In addition, GDF-8 can modulate the production of muscle-specific enzymes (e.g., creatine kinase) and modulate myoblast cell proliferation (WO 00/43781).
In addition to its growth-regulatory and morphogenetic properties in skeletal muscle, GDF-8 may also be involved in a number of other physiological processes (e.g., glucose homeostasis), as well as abnormal conditions, such as in the development of type 2 diabetes and adipose tissue disorders, such as obesity. For example, GDF-8 modulates preadipocyte differentiation to adipocytes (Kim et al. (2001) B.B.R.C. 281:902-906).
Like TGF-β-1, -2, and -3, the GDF-8 protein is synthesized as a precursor protein consisting of an amino-terminal propeptide and a carboxy-terminal mature domain (McPherron and Lee, 1997, supra) as well as a signal sequence which directs the protein to the extracellular domain and is also cleaved from the protein. It is believed that before cleavage of the propeptide, the precursor GDF-8 protein forms a homodimer. The amino-terminal propeptide is then cleaved from the mature domain and the cleaved propeptide may remain noncovalently bound to the mature domain dimer, inhibiting its biological activity (Miyazono et al. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263:6407-6415; Wakefield et al. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263:7646-7654; and Brown et al. (1990) Growth Factors 3:35-43). It is believed that two GDF-8 propeptides bind to the GDF-8 mature dimer (Thies et al. (2001) Growth Factors 18:251-259). Due to this inactivating property, the propeptide is known as the "latency-associated peptide" (LAP), and the complex of mature domain and propeptide is commonly referred to as the "small latent complex" (Gentry and Nash (1990) Biochemistry 29:6851-6857; Derynck et al. (1995) Nature 316:701-705; and Massague (1990) Ann. Rev. Cell Biol. 12:597-641). The mature domain is believed to be active as a homodimer when the propeptide is removed. Other proteins are also known to bind to GDF-8 or structurally related proteins and inhibit their biological activity. Such inhibitory proteins include follistatin (Gamer et al. (1999) Dev. Biol. 208:222-232) and follistatin-related proteins.
Further, a number of human and animal disorders are associated with loss of or functionally impaired muscle tissue, including muscular dystrophy, muscle atrophy, congestive obstructive pulmonary disease, muscle wasting syndrome, sarcopenia, and cachexia. To date, very few reliable or effective therapies exist for these disorders. The terrible symptoms associated with these disorders could be substantially reduced by employing therapies that increase the amount of muscle tissue in patients suffering from the disorders. Such therapies would significantly improve the quality of life for these patients and could ameliorate many effects of these diseases. Thus, there is a need in the art to identify new therapies that contribute to an overall increase in muscle tissue in patients suffering from these disorders.
The present invention fills this need by providing modified and stabilized GDF propeptides that retain their biological activity and inhibit the activity of GDF proteins. The modified propeptides of the invention may be used to treat human or animal disorders in which an increase in muscle tissue would be therapeutically beneficial.

Modified and stabilized GDF propeptides and uses thereof


A brake assembly configured to bias the master cylinder to rotate upward in a crash which induces the brake pedal to rotate down and away from the driver. This is achieved with a reduced number of parts, an angle reservoir for the initial position, a localized crush zone in the booster all configured to use the assembly's contact with the lower dash panel as a fulcrum point inducing downward rotation of the brake pedal. The present invention takes geometric advantage of its position proximate the lower dash panel to sure that when the engine compartment portion is pushed rearward toward the occupant compartment, the localized crush zone of the booster case induces upward rotation of the master cylinder causing the booster to pivot about the lower dash panel and cause the parallel brackets to rotate downward.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to crash-safe vehicle brake assembly designed to not only minimize intrusion of the assembly into the occupant compartment of the vehicle, but also to bias the movement of the brake pedal away from the driver in the event of a front impact collision.
2. Background of the Invention
Power brake assemblies for vehicles are by necessity generally mounted proximate the lower dash panel with the master cylinder, fluid reservoir, and booster on the engine compartment side and the brake pedal itself on the occupant compartment side of the lower dash panel. In the event of a front impact collision, components in the engine compartment are pushed rearward toward the occupant compartment, and in many cases the larger components of the brake assembly may themselves intrude into the occupant compartment, or cause the brake pedal and attendant linkages to move toward the driver and cause injury. Since many front impact collisions occur when the driver is trying to stop the vehicle and therefore the driver's foot is firmly applied to the brake pedal, significant rearward movement of the pedal itself or other brake assembly components is likely to injure the driver's foot and/or leg.
A schematic illustration of a conventional brake assembly before a frontal crash is shown in FIG. 1, and after a frontal crash is shown in FIG. 2. In these figures, dash lower panel D divides the engine compartment EC from the occupant compartment OC with master cylinder M and booster B mounted just inside engine compartment EC, and coupled to brake pedal P which is disposed inside the occupant compartment OC. The arrow in FIG. 1 shows the rearward direction of the force transmitted in a frontal crash. A component C in the engine compartment, such as the battery for example, is driven into master cylinder M. FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the position of the assembly pre-crash in solid lines and post-crash in dashed lines. When component C contacts master cylinder M, the force of the impact tends to move the brake assembly toward occupant compartment OC and brake pedal P upward. As noted previously, in a frontal crash it is likely that the driver has his or her foot firmly planted on the brake pedal. It is can be seen that the upward movement of the brake pedal can increase the possibility of injury to the driver.
There have been numerous previous attempts to address this problem. In one approach, various brackets, linkages or fasteners in the brake assembly are designed to fail upon frontal impact to, in essence, disconnect the engine compartment components from the brake pedal. U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,207 to Stadler et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,339,971 to Kato; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,481,311 to Sanagi et al. disclose breakaway fastener concepts. U.S. Pat. No. 6,2969,900 to Adams et al.; and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0075005 to Schiel et al. disclose linkages in a brake assembly which are designed to redirect the force of a frontal crash.
In another approach to the problem, other components are designed to fail to lessen the severity of a frontal crash. U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,135 to Dolla discloses a pedal arrangement in which the bulkhead is weakened at a buckle zone. Upon frontal impact the bulkhead buckle zone crumples and carries the bearing mounts and pedals with it away from the driver. Japanese Patent No. 11105737 to Tomonori also discloses a structural change to the engine compartment to inhibit intrusion of the brake components into the occupant compartment. A strut tower is designed with an inclined face to bear against the master cylinder upon impact and thereby cause the master cylinder to rotate upward.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,601 to Verbo et al. discloses a brake assembly mounted horizontally with a booster case having a multiple part front shell designed to separate and collapse in a crash to absorb the kinetic energy. U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,886 to Kaneko et al. also discloses a planned failure of the booster case caused by a specially designed diamond-shaped coupling flange on the master cylinder contacting and breaking through a booster shell wall that is weakened in a selected area. The coupling flange has an arc-shaped tip that is designed to break through the booster shell wall. Kaneko et al. also requires a specially designed reinforcing plate mounted inside the booster case on the master cylinder side. The reinforcing plate has a notched area through which the arc-shaped tip of the coupling flange passes through. Because the reinforcing plate rigidifies most of this inside assembly, the movement of the coupling flange through the notched area causes the master cylinder to break into the booster and incline. The goal of Kaneko et al. is to prevent movement of the push rods, pedals, etc. in the crew compartment when an external force is applied to the hydraulic pressure generating apparatus in the engine compartment. Another measure taught by Kaneko et al. to prevent movement of the valve housing, push rod and pedal is to incline booster and master cylinder upward with respect to the horizontal. Kaneko et al. requires the specially designed coupling flange to be positioned proximate the booster shell, and the specially designed mating reinforcing plate to be assembled inside the booster in order to achieve the goal of preventing movement of the pedal, push rods and other components inside the crew compartment.
The prior art examples discussed herein focus on either the engine compartment portion of the brake assembly, or the passenger compartment portion. That is, some address the need to prevent the engine compartment portion from intruding into the passenger compartment by way of breakaway fasteners or other parts failures that operably disconnect the engine compartment portion from the pedal. Others address the need to move the brake pedal, also by way of breakaway fasteners and the like. The prior attempts to design a brake assembly that reduces the possibility of injury to the driver in a frontal crash required a multiplicity of specially designed parts such as brackets with guide surfaces, linkages designed for failure, coupling flanges designed to collapse into a booster case, and reinforcing plates for rigidifying a booster case with complex configurations. Additional parts mean increased complexity, weight and higher costs of manufacture. Even with these complex assemblies and additional parts, the prior art does not address advantageous movement of both the engine compartment portion causing movement of the passenger compartment portion in response to a collision force.
There has been a need for a crash-safe brake assembly that reduces the amount of intrusion into the occupant compartment in the event of a crash. Not only that, but also recognition that since the driver's foot is likely already pressed to the brake during a frontal crash, there has been a need for a brake assembly that purposefully moves the brake pedal away from the driver to prevent injuries to the foot and/or leg.


An oil cooling and filtering circuit connecting a reciprocating fluid power hydraulic cylinder to a reversible hydraulic pump or hydraulic directional valve. The circuit consists preferably of a three-way, three-position valve and a purge relief valve, which functions to divert a percentage of the low pressure oil coming out of the cylinder work port to an oil cooler. Instead of the fluid simply moving back and forth in the line and become overheated due to fluid friction and repeated pressurization, the working fluid in the line to the cylinder work port is circulated out of the fluid line and gradually replaced with cooled oil. The circuit itself does not perform cooling, but it provides a means to send trapped oil to an oil cooler. A secondary advantage is to provide filtration to the oil that is removed for cooling.

The invention relates generally to hydraulic circuitry and, more specifically, to an oil cooling circuit for continuously reciprocating hydraulic cylinders.
Hydraulic cylinders are used in a wide variety of applications. In certain applications, particularly high pressure, high duty applications, the hydraulic fluid may reach temperatures that begin to degrade components of the hydraulic circuitry and adversely affect performance of the hydraulic cylinders and associated equipment. In particular, some continuously reciprocating high-pressure cylinders currently experience higher than normal rod seal failure. Because these systems have high costs of construction and operation, repair and replacement of components as a result of heat damage is expensive not only in the cost of replacement components and the labor required for the repair but also in the downtime of the equipment.
Hydraulic fluid builds up heat if it is doing work but is not able to travel out to an oil cooler. Heat buildup is due to fluid friction and the thermodynamic effect (adiabatic heating) of being repeatedly compressed during each cylinder cycle. Depending on the displacement of the cylinder and the length and diameter of the fluid lines that power the cylinder, a certain percentage of this oil is trapped and merely travels back and forth in the fluid lines connected to the work ports of the cylinder. Hydraulic oil has a compressibility of approximately 0.5 percent per 1000 psi of pressure. If the hose or tubing carrying the high pressure oil from the pump to the cylinder has sufficient length that a significant percentage of the oil volume required for that stroke never leaves the hose or tubing, this trapped oil cannot circulate out for cooling and heat builds up incrementally during operation. A certain amount of mixing and heat transfer with cooler, in-coming oil most likely occurs but the oil closest to the cylinder piston remains at a high temperature and in an unfiltered condition. As the linear distance between the pump or valve and the cylinder is increased, and as the cylinder displacement is increased, the problem becomes more severe.
There is a need, accordingly, for a means of cooling the hydraulic fluid in such systems to avoid the high temperatures that adversely affect performance, the cost of operation, and the costs of repairs.

Oil cooling circuit for continuously reciprocating hydraulic cylinders


A system and method for determining fluid flow of compressible and non-compressible liquids includes an input receiving an object model defined as a plurality of cells having nodes, a processor and memory. The processor is configured for: discretizing a partial differential equation (PDE) corresponding to the received model; for each node P: (i) locating all neighboring cells that share the node P; establish a finite difference stencil at each cell center, and identify stencil intersection points with cell boundary edges; calculate an approximate solution of the PDE at the intersection points; (ii) approximating the PDE at the cell center of the neighboring cells using the stencil and discretized PDE; and (iii) updating a solution of the PDE at the node P by using the solution of approximated discretized PDE at all the neighboring cell centers; and iteratively updating the solution for all nodes P from an initial guess until a convergence criterion is satisfied.

Computer methods and algorithms can be used to analyze and solve complex systems involving various forms of fluid dynamics having inputted boundary conditions. For example, computer modelling may allow a user to simulate the flow of air and other gases over an object or model the flow of fluid through a pipe. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is often used with high-speed computers to simulate the interaction of one or more fluids over a surface of an object defined by certain boundary conditions. Typical methods involve large systems of equations and complex computer modelling and include traditional finite difference methodology, cell-centered finite volume methodology and vertex-centered finite volume methodology.
Traditional Finite Difference Methodology
Traditional Finite Difference Methodology (TFDM) requires a structured grid system, a rectangular domain and uniformed grid spacing. TFDM cannot be applied on a mesh system with triangular cells (elements). Rather, cells must be quadrilateral (2D) and cannot be polygonal (i.e., number of sides=4). In 3D, cells must be rectangular cubes.
TFDM typically requires the use of coordinate transformations (i.e., grid generation) for curvilinear domains, to map the physical domain to a suitable computational domain. In addition, there may be a need to use a multiblock scheme if the physical domain is too complicated. Partial differential equations (PDEs) must be transformed to the computational domain.
Traditional Finite Difference Methodology is typically difficult to deal with in complicated grid arrangements. Special treatment may be required near boundaries of the domain (e.g., in staggered grid systems or for higher-order schemes). Even with coordinate transformations, highly irregular domains may create serious difficulties for accuracy and convergence due to numerical discontinuities in the transformation metrics. Cell-Centered Finite Volume Methodology/Vertex-Centered Finite Volume Methodology
Cell-Centered Finite Volume Methodology (CCFVM) and Vertex-Centered Finite
Volume Methodology (VCFVM) achieve greater flexibility in grid arrangement. Cells can be polygonal (e.g., triangular) in 2 Dimensional space or polyhedral (e.g., tetrahedral, prismatic) in 3 Dimensional space. With CCFVM/VCFVM there is no need for coordinate transformations to a computational domain. Rather, all calculations can be done in physical space. As well, grid smoothness is not an issue. Cell-centered schemes evaluate the dependent variable at the centroid of each cell. Vertex-centered (or vertex-based) schemes evaluate the dependent variable at the vertices of each cell.
With CCFVM/VCFVM, inaccuracies due to calculation of fluxes across cell faces may be difficult to deal with. In addition, there are difficulties associated with treatment near boundaries for higher-order schemes, and accuracy and convergence issues associated with cells that are severely skewed or have a high aspect ratio.
Accordingly, current computer modelling schemes are limited in the form of objects they can model and require different models and algorithms for different fluid applications, such as between compressible and non-compressible fluids.

System and method for determining fluid flow of compressible and non-compressible liquids


A processing machine for plate-like workpieces, especially a bending machine, which has a strip-like vise holder (5) as a workpiece support for supporting the workpiece (1) to be processed and a hold-down device (3) which is subdivided into individual segments (4) which are movable relative to one another in the direction of the bending line, and preferably are also interchangeable in order to be able to be adaptable to differing dimensions and shapes of the workpiece (1) to be processed. In this way, the edges (1a) on a workpiece (1) can be bent such that they can form undercuts, but the separation of this workpiece (1) so processed from the hold-down device (1) nevertheless remains possible. In order here to be able to select almost any desired segments (4) of the hold-down device (3) for a movement, while other segments (4) are not to be displaced, a single coupling element (9) is continuously adjustable in the direction of the bending line for such a group of segments (4), and has a coupling driving unit (13) for engagement into a corresponding matching coupling, preferably a recess (14 and/or 39) on the segment (4) in question, so that the construction of segments (4) is very simple from the perspective of production and construction, and no special measures in reference to segments (4) are necessary for executing a displacing movement.

The invention concerns a processing machine for flat workpieces, especially for producing bent edges on sheet parts and/or for cutting or stamping of workpieces formed from sheet metal with a horizontal, and in particular, a strip-like workpiece holder and with a processing tool as well as with a hold-down device subdivided into individual segments arranged near the processing tool for clamping the workpiece on the workpiece holder. The segments are arranged in a row alongside one another in the direction of the orientation of the workpiece holder and a processing line, and in particular a bending line, and are movably and fixably mounted in this direction, whereby they are electively separable or couplable with an adjusting drive extending basically over the length of the hold-down device.
A processing machine of this general type is known from EP-0 258 204 B1. The shifting of individual segments of the hold-down device here serves to take undercuts arising from sheet metal processing into consideration and to be able to remove the hold-own device from the workpiece despite such undercuts. At the same time, the movable segments are individually adjustable by means of an adjusting rod in connection with the known processing machine, whereby each segment has its own clamp coupling for connection with this adjusting rod. In the coupled position, the segments are carried along and moreover displace the additional segments lying in front of the coupled segment viewed in the direction of adjustment.
Thus, a great expenditure is necessary for being able to selectively adjust individual segments or groups of segments, because each segment requires its own clamp coupling with an associated activation. To be able to selectively connect the segments with the adjusting rod or a carrier, they have recesses running transversely to the adjusting rod in which in any given case a clamping element can be moved. Each clamping element must be loaded in the clamping seat by two clamping springs whose force must be cancelled out by adjusting cylinders. These adjusting cylinders require appropriate bore holes for a pressure medium. A pilot valve is necessary for control in any given case which for its part needs an appropriate connection with a control. The individual segments must thus also have a minimum dimension in order to be able to accommodate the coupling which consists of clamping elements and activating elements in any given case.

Machining center for processing flat workpieces with a segment distributed hold-down


A data entry and/or operating system, particularly a keyboard, also a POS keyboard, includes a lower part and an upper part as well as at least one circuit board and at least one retainer plate, the retainer plate lying on the lower part. One or more bushings are integrated for the purpose of connecting the circuit board to the retainer plate. The upper part is formed from a rubber mat having keys, and the stability of the keyboard is assured by the circuit board, bushing and metal retainer sheet. The lower part is connected to the upper part in a sealed manner.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data entry and/or operating system, particularly a keyboard, as well as a POS keyboard, for use under harsh environmental conditions, i.e., a keyboard with higher levels of protection or a keyboard that satisfies the higher levels of protection, particularly vibration, shock, ESD, etc.
Description of the Background Art
Keyboards that are dustproof and waterproof are already available. Thus, DE 20 2007 003 350 U1 describes a dustproof and waterproof keyboard with an outer covering that is completely sealed and for its part possesses antimicrobial properties. DE 20 2010 008 809 U1 discloses a waterproof keyboard with an LED backlight. In this case, a keyboard plate, forming a plurality of keys, is made as a single piece and is airtight and waterproof. To equalize the air pressure, the base plate of the keyboard has at least one air hole for equalizing the air pressure. DE 60 2004 011 111 T2 (EP 1 697 952 B1), which corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 7,723,631, published a further waterproof keyboard.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Rubber mat keyboard, particularly a silicone mat keyboard


Polymer blends of glycolide and/or lactide homopolymer and/or glycolide/lactide copolymer and polycaprolactone and/or polytrimethylene carbonate homopolymer or copolymers thereof and absorbable surgical devices manufactured therefrom having improved mechanical properties, such as improved impact resistance and improved cyclic flex, are disclosed.

This invention relates to glycolide and/or lactide based polymer compositions and more particularly to polymer compositions which are blends of a glycolide and/or lactide homopolymer or glycolide/lactide copolymer and polycaprolactone homopolymer and/or polytrimethylene carbonate homopolymer and/or caprolactone or trimethylene carbonate copolymer, said polymer compositions being particularly useful in the manufacture of absorbable surgical devices.
Polymers and copolymers of, and surgical devices made from, lactide and/or glycolide and/or related compounds are well-known. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,668,162, 2,683,136, 2,703,316, 2,758,987, 3,225,766, 3,268,486, 3,268,487, 3,297,033, 3,422,181, 3,442,871, 3,463,158, 3,468,853, 3,531,561, 3,565,869, 3,597,449, 3,620,218, 3,626,948, 3,636,956, 3,736,646, 3,739,773, 3,772,420, 3,773,919, 3,781,349, 3,784,585, 3,792,010, 3,797,499, 3,839,297, 3,846,382, 3,867,190, 3,875,937, 3,878,284, 3,896,802, 3,902,497, 3,937,223, 3,982,543, 4,033,938, 4,045,418, 4,057,537, 4,060,089, 4,137,921, 4,157,437, 4,243,775, 4,246,904, 4,273,920, 4,275,813, 4,279,249, 4,300,565, and 4,744,365, U.K. Pat. or Appln. Nos. 779,291, 1,332,505, 1,414,600, and 2,102,827, D. K. Gilding et al., "Biodegradable polymers for use in surgery-polyglycolic/poly (lactic acid) homo-and copolymers: 1," Polymer, Volume 20, pages 1459-1464 (1979), and D. F. Williams (ed.), Biocompatibility of Clinical Implant Materials, Volume II, chapter 9: "Biodegradable Polymers" (1981). All of the foregoing documents are hereby incorporated by reference. Some of the foregoing documents listed mention or discuss annealing, heat-treating, or post-treating surgical articles containing the lactide/glycolide/related compound polymers or copolymers. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,422,181, 3,626,948, 3,636,956, 3,772,420, 3,792,010, 3,797,499, 3,839,297, 3,878,284, 4,137,921, 4,157,437, 4,243,775, 4,300,565, U.K. Pat. or Appln. Nos. 1,332,505, 1,414,600, and 2,102,827, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,137,921, 4,157,437, 4,243,775, and 4,300,565.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,365 it was found that certain two-phase compositions derived from lactide and glycolide in which lactide moieties predominate, have a remarkable and unexpected balance of desirable properties. Those properties include lack of brittleness and the ability to be injection molded and annealed. The properties of the composition make it possible to injection mold surgical devices (e.g., staples, clips) from the composition and to anneal those devices to obtain devices having a remarkable and unexpected balance of desirable properties. As compared to a substantially amorphous, one-phase poly(lactide/glycolide) device of a given composition, the annealed, two-phase device of the small overall composition has a much higher distortion temperature but essentially the same in vivo rate of loss of tensile strength. Thus, the compositions of U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,365 make it possible to increase the resistance to thermal distortion of poly(lactide/glycolide) surgical devices without adversely affecting their rate of loss of tensile strength. More particularly, the compositions of U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,365 comprise a multi-phase polymeric composition derived from lactide and glycolide, the first phase having about 0 to about 25% m glycolide moieties and about 75 to about 100% m lactide moieties and the other phases having glycolide and lactide moieties in amounts such that the composition overall has up to 45% m glycolide moieties, wherein the first phase constitutes at least 50% (and preferably not more than about 95%) by weight of the composition.
In addition to the afore-recited patents and other documents which disclose polymers and copolymers of, and surgical devices made from lactide and glycolide, other patents disclose surgical devices prepared from coploymers of lactide or glycolide and other monomers including caprolactone or trimethylene carbonate. Such patents include U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,704, U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,730 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,734. More particularly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,730 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,704 disclose copolymers of epsilon-caprolactone and glycolide useful in making surgical articles and particularly surgical sutures having low Young's modulus. In addition to the afore-recited patents, U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,256 discloses the utilization of high molecular weight caprolactone polymers as coatings for surgical sutures, while U.S. Pat. No. 4,429,080 discloses surgical articles manufactured from triblock copolymers prepared from copolymerizing glycolide with trimethylene carbonate.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,665 describes a surgical composite structure including a plurality of fibers as a reinforcing component and a matrix of a deformable at ambient temperature bioabsorable component comprising a blend of a first and second absorbable polymer, the first absorbable polymer comprising a plurality of linkages selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid ester and lactic acid ester linkages and mixtures thereof and the second absorbable polymer comprising a plurality of linkages selected from the group consisting of 1,3-dioxan-2-one; 1,4-dioxan-2-one and .epsilon.-caprolactone linkages, the first absorbable polymer comprising at least about 50 up to about 90 weight percent of the blend. Materials listed as suitable for the second absorbable polymer are: 1) poly(trimethylene carbonate); 2) poly(p-dioxanone); 3) poly(E-caprolactone); 4) copolymers of poly(trimethylene carbonate), poly(p-dioxanone) or poly(E-caprolactone); and 5) other polymers or copolymers with glass transition temperatures below room temperature. No mention is made of a blend which includes either a lactide/trimethylene carbonate copolymer or a blend including lactide/trimethylene carbonate copolymer having a trimethylene carbonate content of at least about 70%, or forming fibers from such blends.

Blends of glycolide and/or lactide polymers and caprolactone and/or trimethylene carbonate polymers and absorbable surgical devices made therefrom


A host device and a method of implementing Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems in a low-efficiency storage device are provided. The host device includes a plurality of DRM systems and a DRM system-shared interface module. The DRM systems provide pieces of DRM-related data and data identifiers (IDs) which identify the pieces of data. The DRM system-shared interface module adds DRM system IDs, which are used to identify the DRM systems, to the pieces of data and the data IDs, and provides results, which are obtained by adding the DRM system IDs, to a low-efficiency storage device.

1. Field of the Invention
Methods and apparatuses consistent with the present invention relate to digital rights management (DRM) and, more particularly, to implementing a plurality of DRM systems in a low-efficiency storage device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, research into DRM has been actively conducted, and commercial services to which DRM is applied have been introduced or are being introduced. DRM is a technological concept for protecting digital content, which is easy to illegally copy and distribute.
Although efforts to protect digital content have been made in the past, these efforts are however based on the prevention of illegal access to the digital content.
For example, access to the digital content is permitted only to users who have paid for it, and users who have not paid for it cannot access the digital content. However, due to the characteristics of digital data, the digital content can be easily reused, processed, duplicated, and distributed.
Accordingly, when the users, who have paid for and gained access to the digital content perform illegal duplication or distribution of the digital content, users who have not paid for the digital content can also use it.
In order to solve the problem, DRM allows digital content to be encrypted and distributed, and requires a license, called a Rights Object (RO), to use the encrypted digital content.
The concept of a related art DRM environment is described in detail with reference to FIG. 1 below.
Referring to FIG. 1, a device 110 can acquire digital content from a content provider 120. In this case, the digital content supplied by the content provider 120 is encrypted, and an RO is necessary to use the encrypted digital content.
The device 110 can acquire the RO, in which a right to use encrypted digital content is included, from an RO issuance authority 130. For this purpose, a user must make a predetermined payment for the digital content. The RO includes a key which enables the decryption of the encrypted digital content.
The RO issuance authority 130 reports the details of the issuance of the RO to the content provider 120. The RO issuance authority 130 and the content provider 120 may be the same entity according to the circumstances.
The device 110, which has acquired the RO, can use the decrypted digital content by consuming the RO.
The encrypted digital content may be uninterruptedly duplicated and distributed by another device (not shown). However, information about restrictions, such as the number of times of use or a period during which the encrypted digital content can be used, and the allowable number of duplications of the RO, are included in the RO, so that the RO is subjected to restrictions in the reuse or the duplication thereof, unlike the encrypted digital content. According to such DRM technology, the digital content can be effectively protected.
Furthermore, the device 110 may manage the encrypted digital content or the RO through a specific embedded system (hereinafter referred to as a 'high-efficiency storage device'), such as a Personal Computer (PC) or a mobile phone, in which multiple processes are supported in order to make it convenient to store and distribute the RO, which is shown in FIG. 2.
Referring to FIG. 2, a host device 210 corresponds to the device 110 shown in FIG. 1, and a high-efficiency storage device 250 provides a function of managing the digital content or the RO possessed by the host device 210.
In this case, the host device 210 includes a plurality of DRM systems, such as a Microsoft DRM system and an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) DRM system. The DRM systems may simultaneously operate through multi-tasking. Hereinafter, a plurality of DRM systems having different DRM technologies are indicated by 'DRM system A,' 'DRM system B,' and the like to identify the respective DRM technologies.
Furthermore, the high-efficiency storage device 250 may perform some of the functions of the plurality of DRM systems included in the host device 210, such as functions to store DRM-related data, an RO, or digital content. In this case, multiple processes or multi-threaded processes are performed, as in the host device 210, in order to share the functions of the plurality of DRM systems that operate through multi-tasking in the host device 210.
The DRM system A of the host device 210 assigns process A to the high-efficiency storage device 250 to store and manage data about the DRM system A in the high-efficiency storage device 250, and communicates with the high-efficiency storage device 250. At the same time, the DRM system B assigns process B to the high-efficiency storage device 250 to store and manage data about the DRM system B in the high-efficiency storage device 250 in the same manner, and communicates with the high-efficiency storage device 250. In the same manner, N processes, which correspond to N DRM systems that simultaneously operate in the host device 210, are assigned to the high-efficiency storage device 250, and are simultaneously executed.
The high-efficiency storage device 250 may include the software architecture shown in FIG. 3, so that the N processes can be assigned.
Referring to FIG. 3, the high-efficiency storage device 250 includes a process management layer, which enables it to perform scheduling on respective processes (process A, process B, . . . ). In this case, the term 'scheduling' refers to planning and implementing a policy for assigning processes to a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or various processors in order to process tasks.
That is, the processes may be executed by using a preemptive technique or a non-preemptive technique, and the process management layer may perform inter-process scheduling using the preemptive technique or the non-preemptive technique. In this case, the term 'preemptive technique' refers to a technique in which, when a single process occupies the CPU, another process can take the CPU, and the term 'non-preemptive technique' refers to a technique in which, when a process occupies the CPU, another process cannot take the CPU until the processing of the initial process is finished.
Recently, in order to conveniently keep and distribute the encrypted digital content or the RO, the realization of a technology that allows the digital content or the RO to be managed through a mobile storage device, such as a memory stick or a Multi-Media Card (MMC), has been attempted.
However, in the mobile storage device, the operational capability thereof is very low compared with that of the high-efficiency storage device. Only a very small amount of resources are generally assured, and a minimum amount of resources are provided for economic reasons, such as price. Accordingly, the method of installing the process management layer shown in FIG. 3 in the mobile storage device is not a desired method to support the plurality of DRM systems shown in FIG. 2.
Accordingly, even for a low-efficiency mobile storage device, a method of efficiently implementing a plurality of DRM systems is required.

Apparatus and method for implementing digital rights management systems in low-efficiency storage device


Method of producing hydrogen sulfide in an alkaline environment. A mixture having a sodium salt, elemental sulfur (S) and water is added to a reactor for the purpose of generating hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas as the main product and sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) as a byproduct.

Hydrogen sulfide is a chemical compound with the formula H2S. At room temperature, it is a colorless, flammable and extremely dangerous gas with the characteristic foul odor of rotten eggs. Chemically, hydrogen sulfide acts as a reducing agent, and reacts with metal ions to form metal sulfides, which may be considered the salts of hydrogen sulfide. In addition, the naturally occurring mineral form of several metals are sulfides (e.g., galena, or lead(II) sulfide and sphalerite, or zinc sulfide). In regards to health, hydrogen sulfide is both an irritant and a chemical asphyxiant which affects oxygen utilization and the central nervous system. At lower concentrations (2-5 ppm), it causes nausea, tearing of the eyes, headaches and/or loss of sleep. Moderate concentrations (5-100 ppm) can cause more severe eye and respiratory irritation. At higher concentrations, (100+ ppm) it can cause shock, convulsions, inability to breathe, extremely rapid unconsciousness, coma and death.
Despite the above health risks, hydrogen sulfide has a number of advantageous industrial applications as illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, it is used as an additive of petroleum products and as an analytical reagent in chemical analysis. It is also used to produce sulfur and sulfuric acid.
Historically, hydrogen sulfide was most commonly obtained by its separation from "sour gas," which is a natural gas with a high content of H2S. In most modern industrial applications, hydrogen sulfide is produced by reacting hydrogen gas at high pressure (>10 bar) with molten elemental sulfur at about 450° C. U.S. Pat. No. 6,387,669 entitled "Methods for Producing Hydrogen (Bi)Sulfide and/or Removing Metals" describes a method of making hydrogen sulfide using anaerobic microorganisms known as sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) which couple the oxidation of an organic or hydrogen to the reduction of sulfate to hydrogen sulfide.
In mining, hydrogen sulfide is used in the preparation of metal sulfides and removal of impurities in metallurgical processes. This process is described, for example, in the article entitled "Biological Sulfide Production for Metal Recovery," by C. J. N. Buisman et al. at the TMS Congress of 1999. Often in industries (mining industries, sulfuric acid factories) diluted streams of sulfuric acid, contaminated with metals, have to be treated. Historically, these streams were neutralized using limestone or other alkalinic components, resulting in the precipitation of sulfates and metals such as gypsum and metal hydroxides, respectively, which have to be landfilled. The operating costs of this process are high while the operational costs associated with removal of sulfate and metals are relatively low (1500 mg/l for sulfate and 0.5-5 ppm for the metals). In addition, all valuable metals are lost in the sludge. Using biogenic sulfide production, these contaminated streams can be treated to produce sulfur and metal sulfides. Metals present in the waste acid bleed used as a source for hydrogen sulfide production will precipitate as metal sulfides according to:Metal+H2S→metal-sulfide+H2(g)  (1)Additionally metal oxides present in the waste id bleed used as a source for hydrogen sulfide production will precipitate as metal sulfides according to:Metal oxide+H2S→metal-sulfide+H2(O)l  (2)
However obtained, hydrogen sulfide can be very costly to produce because of the dangers involved in production, and because of the hazards it poses to human health. What is needed is a cost effective method of producing industrial-scale quantities of hydrogen sulfide that eliminates the need for expensive reagents such as pure hydrogen, ethanol or natural gas. Additionally, it would be advantageous to produce hydrogen sulfide in a process that is thermodynamically favored such that the rate of production can be controlled by controlling the temperature of the reaction vessel.


Provided is a planar optical waveguide circuit type variable attenuator capable of light attenuation by an arbitrary value in a range from 0 to 10 dB and also by not less than 30 dB, which is small-sized and is of power saving type. The attenuator is composed of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer circuit 30 having input waveguides 1a, 1b and an output waveguide 1d which are formed on an optical waveguide layer 3, and comprises a slit 12 formed on the waveguide layer in a longitudinally intermediate part of at least one of the optical waveguides 1a, 1b, 1d and in a direction crossing the optical waveguides 1a, 1b, 1d, and matching medium displacing means 16a, 16b for displacing index-matching medium 13 in a part of the slit 12 from a position including a path of propagation light in the optical waveguides 1a, 1b, 1d, and a position retracted from the path of propagation light.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a planar optical waveguide circuit type variable attenuator used in an optical communication field or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
For example, a planar optical waveguide circuit type variable attenuator has been used as an optical variable attenuator for optical communication or the like. The planar optical waveguide circuit type variable attenuator is composed of an optical waveguide layer formed on a substrate made of silicon or the like. The optical waveguide layer has cores and a clad (refer to, for example, a nonpatent document 1).
FIG. 10(a) is a plan view illustrating the configuration of an optical waveguide circuit type variable attenuator using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer circuit 30, and FIG. 10(b) is a sectional view along line VIII—VIII in FIG. 10(a). As shown in FIG. 10(b), an optical waveguide layer 3 formed on a substrate 7 made of silicon or the like, is composed of cores (optical waveguides) 1 and a clad 2 surrounding the cores 1. In the planar optical waveguide circuit type variable attenuator shown in FIG. 10(a), the cores 1 constitute the Mach-Zehnder interferometer circuit 30.
The Mach-Zehnder interferometer circuit 30 has at least one (two in this case) input optical waveguide 1a, 1b, an optical branch portion 21a for causing branching of a light beam inputted from the input light waveguides 1a, 1b, at least one (two in this case) output optical waveguide 1c, 1d, an optical coupling portion 21b provided on the input side of the output light guide waves 1a, 1b, for coupling light beams, and two connection optical guide waves 1e, 1f which connect the optical coupling portion 21b and the optical branch portion 21a together and which are arranged in parallel with and are spaced from each other.
In the Mach-Zehnder interferometer circuit 30 shown in this Figure, the optical branch portion 21a and the optical coupling portion 21b are formed respectively close to two cores 1 arranged in parallel with each other and formed by 2×2 direction coupler.
Further, in the optical circuit device shown in FIG. 10(a), the two connection optical waveguides 1e, 1f of the Mach-Zehnder interferometer circuit 30 are formed respectively therein with phase adjusting means 8a, 8a′ for adjusting phases of light beams transmitted through the optical connection waveguides 1e, 1f. These phase adjusting means 8a, 8a′ are formed of, for example, thin film heaters 9a, 9a′ and are provided on the upper side of the clad 2.
The phase adjusting means 8a, 8a′ and phase part connection optical waveguides 1s, 1t formed underneath a zone where the phase adjusting means 8a, 8a′ are formed, constitute phase shifters. It is noted that reference numeral 23 denotes power supply electrodes for the thin film heaters 9a, 9a′. The phase adjusting means 8a, 8a′ have one and the same configuration, and accordingly, when, for example, the phase adjusting means 8a alone is energized, the following operation is effected.
That is, in the planar waveguide circuit type variable attenuator shown in FIG. 10, when the temperature of the phase part connecting waveguide 1s is locally changed under control by the thin film heater 9a serving as the phase adjusting means 8a, the refractive index of the phase connection optical waveguide 1s on the side where the above-mentioned temperature is changed, is changed and accordingly, the effective refractive index of the core 1 in the part where the refractive index is changed is changed. That is, a thermooptical effect having such an phenomenon that the refractive index of quartz glass or the like is changed depending upon a temperature, is utilized, and with this effect, the phase of the light beam transmitted through the core whose refractive index is changed, is changed. Thus, a phase difference is caused between the light beam transmitted through the phase part connecting optical waveguide 1s and the light beam transmitted through the phase part connecting optical waveguide 1t, that is, the light beams transmitted through the optical connection waveguides 1e, if have a phase difference therebetween.
Namely, due to the themooptical effect caused by a heat generated by the thin film heater 9a serving as the phase adjusting means 8a, the effective optical waveguide length of the thus heated phase part connection optical guide 1s is changed so that the phase of the light beam transmitted through the core having the thus changed effective optical guide wave length is changed, and accordingly, the light transmittance of the Mach-Zehnder interferometer circuit 30 can be changed. Thus, the optical circuit device shown in FIG. 10(a) can be used as an optical waveguide circuit type interferometer capable of changing a light transmittance and an optical branching ratio so as to have a function of an optical variable attenuator. It is noted that the phase adjusting means 8a′ is provided as a back-up one adapted to be used when, for example, the phase adjusting means 8a fails.
In this planar optical guide wave type variable attenuator, since the refractive index of quartz glass from which the cores 1 are formed, has a temperature coefficient dn/dT of 10−5 (1/° C.), if the temperature of the core 1 is increased by 20° C. over a length of, for example 5 mm, the effective optical length of the core 1 varies about 1 μm.
FIG. 11 shows a characteristic curve a which exhibits a relationship between an applied power and an insertion loss in the planar optical waveguide circuit type variable attenuator shown in FIG. 10. In view of this characteristic curve a, it is understood that a light attenuation value of about 10 dB is obtained by an applied power of about 430 mW, and a maximum attenuation value of 22.5 dB is obtained by an applied power of about 520 mW. FIG. 11 also shows a characteristic curve b which exhibits a relationship between an applied power and a difference (PDL: polarization-dependence loss) due to a polarization (TE-polarization and TM-polarization) of the insertion loss in the planar optical waveguide circuit type variable attenuator shown in FIG. 10. In view of the characteristic curve a and the characteristic curve b, it is understood that a difference caused by the polarization of an insertion loss is about −2 dB when the optical attenuation value is about 10 dB.
The optical variable attenuator as stated above is used in a light wavelength multiplex transmission (WDM) system, for example, in a main network of an optical communication system. In the WDM system, although a rare earth added optical fiber amplifier is used for simultaneously amplifying a plurality of light wave beams, since the optical amplifying efficiency has a wavelength characteristic, a difference in light intensity is caused, depending upon a wavelength. Further, since a specified light wave beam is separated or inserted, intermediary of a transmission path, a difference in light intensity is also caused, depending upon a wavelength in this case.
Thus, an optical variable attenuator is used in order to enable differences in light intensity to be precisely and dynamically uniform. Since the difference in light intensity depending upon a wavelength is in a range from 0 to 10 dB, a range of light attenuation value usually required for the optical variable attenuator is from 0 to about 10 dB see e.g., "Development of Variable Attenuator" by Sumimoto and others, Showa Electric Wire Review Vol. 52, No. 1(202).

Planar optical waveguide circuit type variable attenuator


The present invention provides organopolysiloxane comprising one or more unsaturated bond-containing group(s) in one molecule and having constitutional units F1, M1, and T in any combination of                (i) F1 and M1,        (ii) F1 and T, and        (iii) F1, M1, and T:

Epoxy resin compositions containing acid anhydride curing agents have heretofore been known to form transparent cured products that are suitable as sealing materials for optical semiconductor devices such as light-emitting diodes and photodiodes.
For example, epoxy resin compositions composed mainly of an epoxy resin having an organic resin skeleton, such as bisphenol A epoxy resin, bisphenol F epoxy resin, or (3′,4′-epoxycyclohexyl)methyl-3,4-epoxycyclohexane carboxylate, are used in the field of optical semiconductor devices.
The recent advance of the performance of optical semiconductors, however, has required sealing materials for optical semiconductor devices to have more excellent heat resistance, light resistance, and the like. In this respect, the conventionally known epoxy resin compositions have failed to produce sufficient properties.
In consideration of this problem, proposals have heretofore been made on resin compositions for use in various optical semiconductors.
For example, a thermosetting resin composition for use in optical semiconductors which is obtained by curing a particular silicone composition through hydrosilylation reaction has been proposed (see e.g., Patent Document 1).
A technique of applying a particular silicone composition having improved hardness to use in optical semiconductors has also been proposed (see e.g., Patent Document 2).
A composition for use in optical semiconductors containing organopolysiloxane having a particular structure has further been proposed (see e.g., Patent Document 3).
In addition, a technique of applying a methacryloxy group-containing silicone composition to use in optical semiconductors has been proposed (see e.g., Patent Document 4).
In addition, a technique of using an alicyclic epoxy compound and a vinyl ether compound in combination has been proposed as a technique of applying an epoxy resin composition to photosensitive coating materials, inks, and the like (see e.g., Patent Documents 5 and 6).
Furthermore, a technique of controlling the mechanical properties of a cured product by allowing a material containing an epoxy compound and a vinyl ether compound in combination to further contain a particular phenol resin has been proposed (see e.g., Patent Document 7).

Organopolysiloxane, method for producing the same, and curable resin composition containing the organopolysiloxane

Abstract: wherein R1 represents any selected from the group consisting of a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group having 3 to 10 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, and a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group; R2 represents an unsaturated bond-containing group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms; X represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms; Y represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms; and a, b, and c each independently represent an integer of 1 or larger, wherein F1 represents a unit constituting cyclic organopolysiloxane.


Provided are techniques for retrieving lock attention data. A group of attention connection paths configured to transmit lock attention interrupts and lock attention data between the host and the control unit are identified. A lock attention interrupt is received from the control unit. In response to receiving the lock attention interrupt, a connection path from the group of attention connection paths is selected and lock attention data is retrieved from the control unit using the selected connection path.

1. Field
Embodiments of the invention relate to selection of a connection path for retrieving lock attention data from a group of attention connection paths.
2. Description of the Related Art
A transaction processing system such as an airline reservation system, a hotel reservation system, a credit card transaction processing system, an automatic teller machine system, other banking systems, or the like typically comprises a plurality of host systems or hosts such as mainframe computers, servers, and the like. The hosts access data in a common data storage location. The data store typically includes a plurality of storage devices such as hard disk drives, data caches, and the like. The hosts may access the data in the storage devices through a control unit. For example, a first host may request data from the control unit, and the control unit may retrieve the data from one or more storage devices. The first host may also transmit data to the control unit, and the control unit may write the data to one or more storage devices.
Each host communicates with the control unit through a channel path. Each channel path typically includes one or more physical communication channels such as a digital electronic communication bus, a digital optical communication bus, or a similar communication channel. In addition, each channel path may include one or more logical control blocks, addresses, communication devices, digital switches, and the like for coordinating the transmission of digital messages between the host and the control unit.
Before the first host accesses data through the control unit, the first host typically requests that the data be locked. For example, the first host may request that specified data such as one or more rows in a data table, one or more tracks of a hard disk drive, or the like be locked. If the first host is granted the lock, the first host may access the specified data without a second host being allowed access the specified data. The first host has exclusive access to the specified data until the first host releases the lock. For transactions such as airline reservations, credit card transactions, or similar transactions, a locking function is designed to allow a transaction with a first host to be completed before a second host can access the transaction data.
If the second host requests a lock on the specified data while the first host holds the lock on the specified data, the second host will be not receive the lock and will become a waiter. Instead the second host's lock request will be placed in a lock request queue. The second host may wait to process transactions until receiving the lock. After the first host has released the lock on the data, the control unit grants the next lock request in the lock request queue for the specified data. For example, after the first host releases the lock, the control unit may grant a lock on the specified data to the second host if the second host's request is the next request in the lock request queue. The control unit notifies the second host that the lock has been released by transmitting lock attention data. In this scenario, the lock attention data may take on different forms depending on the status of the lock. The lock attention data may provide information that the lock has been granted or may provide a lock contention message. The lock attention data may provide lock status information. One skilled in the art will recognize other appropriate lock attention data. Upon receipt of the lock attention data granting the lock, the second host may access the specified data.
Notwithstanding current techniques for enabling a host to access lock attention data, there is a need in the art for providing improved access.

Retrieving lock attention data using an attention connection path selected from a group of attention connection paths associated with a host

International Business Machines Corporation


A visual effect generating module for changing visual effects of a selected image block within an image area is disclosed. The visual effect generating module includes a color changing module for receiving and changing pixel values of a plurality of pixels within the selected image block and a first multiplexer coupled to the color changing module for selectively outputting pixels corresponding to the image area or pixels output from the color changing module.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing technique, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for generating visual effects.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As conventional analog video broadcasting is transforming into digital video broadcasting (DVB), digital television becomes more and more popular. In general, the interaction between the digital TV and users is achieved through dialogue blocks or an on-screen display (OSD) shown on the screen. For highlighting an item or a button that been selected by the user, the most common means in the prior art is to change the visual effects of the selected item or button so as to distinguish the selected item or button from other items or buttons. For example, the original color of the selected item can be replaced with another color to emphasize the item.
In the conventional digital television displaying technique, the selected item is displayed on a layer, and a mask graphic object is created on a layer above the layer to which the selected item belongs. The mask graphic object is allocated in a location with respect to the selected item. A video mixer/blender is then employed to mix data of different layers into a composed image. As a result, the mask graphic object covers the selected item in the composed image so that the user senses the visual effect change of the selected item.
In conventional technique, each layer of the digital television requires a corresponding layer processing circuit, which is a complex and costly component. Therefore, the number of layers of the conventional digital television is limited. As mentioned above, the convention art requires at least two layer processing circuits to change the visual effects of a specific block. Obviously, system resources are wasted and hardware costs are increased in the conventional art.

Method and apparatus for generating visual effects


A new and distinct cultivar of Viburnum plant named ‘SMNVCDD’, characterized by its compact, upright, mounding and outwardly spreading plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; large inflorescences with numerous white-colored flowers; and good container and garden performance.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Viburnum plant, botanically known as Viburnum nudum L. var. cassinoides and hereinafter referred to by the name 'SMNVCDD'.
The new Viburnum plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Grand Haven, Mich. The objective of the breeding program is to develop new uniform and compact Viburnum plants with good container performance.
The new Viburnum plant originated from an open-pollination during the spring of 2004 of an unnamed proprietary seedling selection of Viburnum nudum L. var. cassinoides, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with an unknown selection of Viburnum nudum L. var. cassinoides as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Viburnum plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor during the spring of 2007 as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated open-pollination in a controlled environment in Grand Haven, Mich.
Asexual reproduction of the new Viburnum plant by softwood cuttings in a controlled environment in Grand Haven, Mich. since June, 2007 has shown that the unique features of this new Viburnum plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.


The present invention proposes a crystallization process comprising the steps of feeding a slurry solution in which a terephthalic acid solution or a part of the terephthalic acid is precipitated to a crystallization vessel, precipitating the terephthalic acid in the crystallization vessel, generating a slurry containing crystals and solvent, discharging the slurry, and further comprising the steps of introducing the slurry in a tangential the direction of a hydrocyclone, returning the slurry flowing out as a downward swirling flow from a lower part of the hydrocyclone to the vessel, and discharging the slurry overflowing from the upper part of the hydrocyclone. According to the present invention, crystals of large particle size is obtained and a stable driving ranging long term can be achieved because any adhesion or accumulation of the terephthalic acid crystals does not appear at all in the crystallization vessel.

The purified terephthalic acid is produced by oxidizing paraxylene with a molecular oxygen in liquid phase, dissolving a crude product of terephthalic acid in hot water, and catalytically hydrogenating the aqueous solution of the crude terephthalic acid by contacting with a catalyst of noble metal belonging to the group VIII of the Periodic table in the presence of hydrogen. This production process employing an apparatus of commercial scale has a production performance ranging many years.
In this process, the slurry prepared by cooling the hydrogenated reaction liquid and including the precipitated terephthalic acid crystals is separated to the first crystallization products and the first mother liquor product usually at the temperature of from 120° C. to 220° C. The first mother liquor product contains considerable amounts of dissolved impurities such as paratoluic acid being a hydrogenated product of 4-carboxybenzaldehyde (4CBA), which is a main impurity in the crude terephthalic acid, the terephthalic acid corresponding to the solubility of the isolation temperature and other impurities, etc. Further, it may contain small amounts of the terephthalic acid crystals.
Mere disposal of the first mother liquor product significantly increases the load of an effluent treatment. Further, it is rational that the paratoluic acid and the terephthalic acid are recovered as the second crystallization products and reused because the paratoluic acid is a precursor of the terephthalic acid. The production of the purified terephthalic acid containing recovery and return of the second crystallization products to the liquid phase oxidation process is described in Japanese Examined KOKOKU Patent Publication No. Shou 56-35174 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. Hei 10-195016, etc.
Additionally, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. Hei 8-231465 discloses a mother liquor substitution method for dividing terephthalic acid crystal particles instead of using elevated pressure centrifugal separation method.
Regarding the recovery of the second crystallization products to the liquid phase oxidation process, the foregoing Japanese Examined KOKOKU Patent Publication No. Shou 56-35174 further teaches that "The crystallization temperature of the second crystallization products should be 130° C. to 100° C.". Further, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. Hei 10-195016 teaches that "The raw water solvent discharged is subsequently cooled to 40° C. or less by decompression.".
According to the experiences of the inventors ranging many years, however, when the slurry with comparatively low concentration of the crystals is generated in a crystallization vessel as the case of recovering the second crystallization products, crystals are easy to accumulate on the inner wall and the internal structure of the crystallization vessel. Further, when the concentration of the crystals in the crystallization vessel is low, a stable separating operation in downstream tends to become difficult in many cases because the particle sizes of the crystals relatively decrease.
In other words, the inventors tried to introduce the first mother liquor product separated at the temperature of about 145° C. into a crystallization vessel in the above-mentioned purified terephthalic acid preparing apparatus, to cool down to 100° C. with flash vaporization of a solvent (water), and to supply the generated slurry to a separating means for the second crystallization products, the internal structure of the crystallization vessel was found to be adhered and accumulated by the crystals. Furthermore, the pressurized filtration method selected as separating means was found to induce an intense blocking of a filter, and frequent cleanings of the filter with short intervals were necessary.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a way of long and stable operation of the crystallization vessel and the separating means of the crystals in the process of feeding the slurry solution of terephthalic acid to the crystallization vessel, precipitating the terephthalic acid in the crystallization vessel, generating and discharging the slurry including crystals and solvent.


A reperfusion catheter system with an introducer sheath having an inner wall defining a longitudinal opening extending from a proximal portion to a distal end. A balloon catheter has an outer wall and has a longitudinal opening extending from a proximal portion to a distal end. The balloon catheter is disposed through the opening in the introducer sheath, and the balloon catheter has an inflatable balloon at the distal end. A conduit has a first end disposed in fluid communication with the area inside the introducer sheath between the inner wall of the introducer sheath and the outer wall of the balloon catheter. The conduit also has a second end disposed in fluid communication with the inside of the balloon catheter. The invention provides for the establishment of artificial antegrade blood flow in the lumen of a target vessel through a path between the outer wall of the balloon catheter and the inner wall of the introducer sheath, through the conduit, through the opening in the balloon catheter, and exiting through the distal end of the balloon catheter. When the occlusion balloon is inflated, there is no back flow in the target vessel and, as the artificial antegrade flow takes place, there is full control of the target vessel blood flow and as a result a significant increase in the safety of the embolization procedures.

In the case of standard catheter embolization procedures, there is a possibility of having backflow causing non-target embolization. This backflow may be caused by inadequate techniques employed by the person performing the treatment. Also, where pressure builds up distally such as with embolization procedures with microparticles and liquid embolic agents (glue/Onyx [Ev3]) backflow may result. This backflow may also result in non-target embolization. In order to prevent backflow, an occlusion balloon catheter may be used in the target vessel. However, inflation of the balloon stops the blood flow to the organs and or tissues of the target vessel which introduces additional risks.
Accordingly, there is a need for a catheter system that allows full control of the target vessel antegrade flow (either decreasing the antegrade flow or stopping it completely when needed) to aid in deploying embolic agents and to provide perfusion to a vessel occluded by a balloon.


The present invention relates to a novel bisimide compound useful as an acid generator for a chemically amplified resist composition used in manufacturing of semiconductor element and the like or a raw material for synthesizing heat resistant polymers, an acid generator and a resist composition using said compound and a method for pattern formation using said composition, and further relates to a synthetic n intermediate for a bisimide compound and a bis(N-hydroxy)phthalimide compound useful as an intermediate for a functional compound such as a heat resistant polymer or photosensitive material, and provides a bisimide compound shown by the general formula [1]:

In manufacturing of semiconductor elements as an example, with the recent trend of higher density integration in semiconductor devices, wavelengths of energy sources for irradiation instruments used in fine processing, particularly those used in lithography, have become shorter and shorter, and now deep UV (300 nm or less) and KrF excimer laser (248 nm) have already been made into practical use, and ArF excimer laser (193 nm) is close to practical use. Further studies for exposure technology using F2 laser (157 nm), electron beams, extreme UV (EUV: 1 to 30 nm band) and the like has been promoted for the purpose of ultrafine fabrication of 100 nm or less. In resist compositions under development for these applications, various known acid generators are used, but use of these known acid generators causes various problems.
For example, when a diazodisulfone compound having an aliphatic alkyl group, which is presently used, is used as an acid generator, the compound has such problems that strong acid cannot be generated or acid generation efficiency is poor, whereas, use of a diazodisulfone compound having an aromatic group as an acid generator, also has problems such as poor solution stability. Further, when a sulfonium salt or an iodonium salt is used as an acid generator, there are also such problems that fine particles are easily formed due to poor solubility, storage for several weeks is difficult due to poor solution stability, and when said salt has a counter anion derived from trifluuoromethanesulfonic acid, easy variations in resist performances are caused; (e.g. variations in dimension, sensitivity, shape and the like) and thus a practically suitable acid generator has not been found.
Further, as a resist composition using an imidesulfdnate compound as an acid generator, the following resist compositions have been disclosed: use of a combination of poly(hydroxystyrene/styrene/tert-butyl acrylate) and N-trifluoromethylsulfonyloxy-bicyclo-[2.2.1]-hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxyimide (see JP-A-7-209868); use of a combination of poly(p-hydroxystyrene/tert-butyl acrylate) and N-camphorsulfonyloxynaphthalimide or N-trifluoromethylsulfonyloxy-bicyclo-[2.2.1]-hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxyimide [see H. Ito et al., ACS. Symp. Ser., 1995, vol.614 (Microelectronics Technology), p 21-34; H. Ito et al., J. Photopolym. Sci. Technol., 1996, vol. 9 (No. 4), p. 557-572; and JP-A-6-266112]; use of N-pentafluorobenzenesulfonyloxy-bicyclo-[2.2.1]-hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxyimide (see JP-A-3-206458); use of a combination of poly(styrene/p-hydrbxystyrene/p-tert-butoxycarbonylmethoxystyrene) and N-benzenesulfonyloxysuccinimide (see JP-A 6-214395) and use of N-norbornanesulfonyloxy-bicyclo-[2.2.1]-hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxyimide (see JP-A-2001-199955). However, these N-imidesulfonate compounds have such problems that the resist composition using these compounds is, due to asymmetric structure and high reactivity thereof, labile to moisture and the like, and thus gives a solution with poor solution stability, low acid generation efficiency and low sensitivity. In addition, a N-imidesulfonate compound having a counter anion derived from trifluoromethanesulfonic acid also has a problem such as easy variation in resist performances, similar to the above.
As an analogous compound to a bisimide compound of the present invention, for example, 2,6-bis(methanesulfonyloxy)benzo[1,2-c:4,5-c′]dipyrrole-1,3,5,7(2H, 6H)-tetrone [see Y. Imai et al., J. Polym. Sci. Polym. Chem. Ed., 1975, vol. 13 (No. 10), p. 2391-2396;-DE-A-19540107 and the like] has been reported. However, these compounds are, used as a raw material for a polyimide compound and not relates to an acid generator, and even if use of said, compouds as an acid generator is intended, they cannot be used due to extremely poor solubility in a resist solvent. Further, 3a,4,4a,7a,8,8a-hexahydro-2,6-bis(butanesulfonyloxy)-4,8-ethenobenzo[1,2-c:4,5-c′]dipyrrole-1,3,5,7(2H, 6H)-tetrone (see JP7A-11-258801) has also been reported. However, this compound was used as a cross-linking agent for a chemically amplified negative resist composition and not relates to an acid generator, and even if use of said compound as an acid generator is intended, it cannot be used due to low sensitivity, low resolution and poor profile.
Further, as other analogous compounds to a bisimide compound of the present invention, for example, 5,5′-oxybis[2-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione] and 5,5′-[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethylidene]bis[2-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione] (see JP-A-3-206458, JP-A-6-301200, JP-A-8-501890 and the like), and 5,5′-oxybis[2-(4-toluenesulfonyl)oxy-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione] (see JP-A-11-167199) have been reported as an acid generator for chemically amplified resist materials. However, these compounds cannot be practically used as a resist composition due to no solubility in a resist solvent generally used.
As described above, conventional acid generators practically used or studied have the following problems: an acid generated is weak; acid generation efficiency is insufficient; fine particles are easily formed due to poor solubility; use of said acid generator as a resist compositions occurs decomposition during storage due to poor solution stability resulting in variation in sensitivity or poor pattern formation; and a resist composition itself cannot be prepared due to little solubility in a resist solvent. Thus, development of a useful compound which can solve these problems and generates an acid in response to radioactive ray, is now demanded.

Bismide compound, acid generator and resist composition each containing the same, and method of forming pattern from the composition

Abstract: (wherein R and A1 are as defined in claim 1).

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A circularly polarized patch antenna assembly having a relatively compact volume includes a substrate, a radiation metal piece, a grounded metal piece and a signal-inputting body. A plurality of frequency down-conversion metal pieces in a form of elongate stripe extends from four sides of the grounded metal piece, thereby to reduce the resonant frequency. The frequency down-conversion metal pieces are adhered on the side face of the substrate, so that the frequency down-conversion metal piece on one side face is arranged diagonally with respect to the frequency down-conversion metal piece on the opposite side face. When the resonant frequency of the antenna is to be reduced, the position and the area of the frequency down-conversion metal piece can be adjusted but the increased area of the frequency down-conversion metal piece cannot be larger than a half area of the side face of the substrate. Alternatively, the length of the frequency down-conversion metal piece can be increased.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an antenna, and in particular to a relatively compact patch antenna assembly.
2. Description of Prior Art
Nowadays, automotive satellite navigation systems rapidly become more and more popular. In addition to be combined with an in-car AV system, many kinds of GPS products are developed in which the satellite navigation system is integrated with a PDA, Notebook or mobile phone. The GPS product which is most closely related to the car owner is the portable automobile GPS. As to the car owner whose car is not originally equipped with a GPS, it is good for him/her to choose a portable automobile GPS because the price thereof is reasonable and the portability thereof allows to be used out of the car. Further, even the car owner buys a new car in the future, he/she can still use this portable automobile GPS.
When the GPS is integrated with various electronic products such a PDA, Notebook or mobile phone, a GPS signal-receiving antenna assembly is necessarily built in the electronic device. With reference to FIG. 1, the antenna comprises a substrate 1A, a radiation metal pieces 2A, a grounded metal pieces 3A and a signal-inputting body 4A. The substrate of this kind of antenna is made of ceramic materials having a high dielectric constant (8-150). The resonant frequency of the circularly polarized patch antenna is 1575.42 MHz.
Recently, since the volume of the PDA or mobile phone is made more and more compact, when the GPS is to be integrated with the PDA or mobile phone, a phenomenon may occurs that the existing circularly polarized patch antenna shown in FIG. 1 cannot be mounted therein. Moreover, it is difficult for this kind of circularly polarized patch antenna to further reduce the size thereof because the area of the radiation metal piece 2A connected on the surface of the substrate 1A will be reduced accordingly when the volume of the substrate 1A is reduced. On the condition that the substrate dielectric constant is not changed, once the area of the radiation metal piece 2A is reduced, the resonant frequency of the antenna will rise to depart from the frequency band that can be received by the GPS, which causes the GPS unable to receive the signals. Although the antenna can be mounted in a small-volume PDA or mobile phone, the function of receiving satellite signals may not be obtained. Therefore, it is an important issue in the field of the present invention to reduce the area and volume of the circularly polarized patch antenna.

Circularly polarized patch antenna assembly


In order to manufacture the compound powder or the porous granulated substance in an efficient manner, a powder processing apparatus has an accumulating face on which the processing target powder is to be accumulated and a processing face disposed in opposition to the accumulating face and convexly curved, and a moving means for moving the accumulating face and the processing face along the accumulating face relative to each other. The apparatus comprises an excitement treatment means capable of applying an excitation energy to the processing target powder accumulated on the accumulating face from an excitation energy supplying portion disposed in opposition to the accumulating face or an oscillation means for oscillating the accumulating face or the processing face in a direction intersecting the accumulating face.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a powder processing method for milling processing target powder by applying, in particular, a compressive force and a shearing force thereto, as a mechanical treatment for activating the processing target powder by applying a mechanical force thereto. The present invention relates also to a powder processing apparatus having an accumulating face on which the processing target powder is to be accumulated and a processing face disposed in opposition to the accumulating face and convexly curved, and a moving means for moving the accumulating face and the processing face along the accumulating face relative to each other. The present invention relates also to a method of manufacturing porous granulated substance formed by coagulation of the processing target powder and having a number of pores.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, as the powder processing apparatus of the above-noted type, there is known an apparatus having a bottomed cylindrical container member for receiving processing target powder fed therein, a processing member which is disposed in opposition to an accumulating face, i.e. an inner face of the container member and which has a convexly curved processing face at the leading end thereof, and a rotational driving means (an example of "moving means") for rotating the container member and the processing member relative to each other (see e.g. Japanese Patent Application "Kokai" No. 63-42728 (referred to as Prior-Art Document 1 hereinafter), Japanese Patent Application "Kokai" No. 6-134274 (Prior-Art Document 2 hereinafter), Japanese Patent Application "Kokai" No. 5-317679 (Prior-Art Document 3 hereinafter)). With such powder processing apparatuses as above in operation, as the rotational driving means is activated to cause the processing face formed at the leading end of the processing member to be moved relative to the accumulating face formed in the inner face of the container member so as to apply a compressive force and a shearing force to the processing target powder at the gap between the accumulating face and the processing face, thus effecting a milling treatment to the processing target powder, for example.
Further, the above-described Prior-Art Document 3 discloses a technique in which the above-described powder processing apparatus is employed for milling and mixing, by applying strong compressive and shearing forces to a mixed powder thereto, the powder mix being obtained by adding fine ceramics powder of e.g. silicon nitride or zirconia to a metal powder of e.g. stainless steel, thereby compounding the metal powder and the fine ceramics powder in such a manner that a coating layer comprised of the metal powder and the fine ceramics powder is formed on surfaces of cores of metal particles.
Also, as a compound powder obtained by compounding processing target powder with another substance, there is known nitrogen-containing titanium oxide powder obtained by compounding titanium oxide powder with nitrogen element. And, it is known that this nitrogen-containing titanium oxide powder acts as a photocatalyst.
In this way, as a powder processing method for manufacturing a compound powder by compounding a processing target powder with another substance, there are known e.g. a method including the steps of stirring and mixing titanium oxide powder and urea as a nitrogen compound for causing the urea to be adsorbed on the titanium oxide powder and then heating them together (see e.g. Japanese Patent Application "Kokai" No. 2002-154823 (referred to as Prior-Art Document 4 hereinafter)), a method comprising sputtering titanium oxide powder as a target in a nitrogen-containing gas (see e.g. Japanese Patent Application "Kokai" No. 2000-140636 (referred to as Prior-Art Document 5, hereinafter)), a method comprising effecting a nitrogen plasma treatment on titanium oxide powder (see e.g. Prior-Art Document 4 and Japanese Patent Application "Kokai" No. 11-43759 (referred to as Prior-Art Document 6 hereinafter)), and so on.
In the case of the powder processing methods described in the above-described Prior-Art Documents 1-3 using the powder processing apparatus in compounding a processing target powder such as titanium oxide powder with another substance such as nitrogen, thus manufacturing compound powder, while it is possible to render the surface of the processing target powder to a state of a relatively high activity by milling the powder, it has been difficult for any of these methods alone to compound the processing target powder with another substance.
Also, in the case of the powder processing method described in the above-described Prior-Art Document 4, in order to compound nitrogen contained in urea with the titanium oxide powder, it is necessary to heat the entire titanium oxide powder to e.g. 500° C. for 30 minutes in advance. Hence, the method requires e.g. a heating furnace, thus complicating the processing apparatus and requiring a vast amount of processing time as well.
Further, in the case of the powder processing methods described in the above-described Prior-Art Documents 4-6, if there exists organic substance adsorbed on the surface of the processing target powder such as titanium oxide, this will hinder the compounding of another substance to the metal oxide powder, thus inviting deterioration in the yield. Moreover, e.g. the sputtering treatment alone could not manufacture the compound power in an uniform and efficient manner.
Also, there is known porous granulated substance having a number of pores, hence usable as a heat insulating material with restriction of heat transfer by these pores or as a sound absorbing material with restriction of transmittance of sound waves. And, it is also known that if the pores of such porous granulated substance are formed extremely small, movement of air molecules will be restricted and entrance of air molecules into these pores will also be restricted, so that super low heat conductivity and super high sound absorbency can be achieved. Further, the porous granulated substance having such small pores can be expected to be used as a separating membrane for various components.
Such porous granulated substance can be manufactured by causing fine processing target powder to coagulate by applying a compressive force thereto.
However, in the case of the above-described method of manufacturing porous granulated substance, the application of a compressive force to the processing target powder alone sometimes fails to realize good coagulation of the processing target powder.
Also, when the powder processing apparatus disclosed in any one of Prior-Art Documents 1-3 is used for milling the processing target powder by applying a compressive force and a shearing force to the powder at the gap between the accumulating face and the processing face opposed thereto in association with a relative movement therebetween, an active face such as a newborn face can be formed on the surface of the processing target powder. This is believed to facilitate the coagulation of the processing target powder. As a matter of fact, although a certain degree of coagulation of the milled processing target powder is possible, it was difficult to achieve such degree of coagulation as enables the powder to be used as the porous granulated substance.