Disazo dyes formula (VIII) ##STR1## or of formula (IX) ##STR2## Where A, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, n and M are as defined in the specification are excellent dyes for ink jet printing.

Ink jet printing systems generally are of two types: continuous stream or drop-on-demand. In continuous stream ink jet systems, ink is emitted in a continuous stream through an orifice or nozzle. The stream is perturbed, causing it to break up into droplets at a defined distance from the nozzle. At the break up point, the droplets are charged in accordance with digital data signals and passed through an electrostatic field which adjusts the trajectory of each droplet in order to direct it to a specific location on a recording medium or to a waste ink collecting recipient (e.g. for recirculation). In drop-on-demand systems, a droplet is expelled from a nozzle to a position on a recording medium in accordance with digital data. A droplet is not formed or expelled unless it is to be placed on the recording medium.
The most important part of an ink used in ink jet printing are the dyes. Although a number of dyes have been proposed none has been produced which meets all the requirements of a modern printing process.
C.I. FoodBlack 2 (formula I) and dyes having similar structures have been mentioned as black dyes for ink jet inks in JP patent application Ser. No. 59-093,766. These dyes, however have a somewhat bluish hue and give images with poor light fastness. ##STR3##
Black dyes of formula (II) or mixtures thereof have been described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,626,284 ##STR4## wherein Q represents a phenylene or naphthalene group substituted by a group shown by SO.sub.3 M.sub.1 ; R represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a lower acylamino group, a nitro group or a halogen atom; R.sub.1 represents a phenyl group substituted by a group shown by SO.sub.3 M.sub.1 or a group shown by COOM.sub.1, a lower alkyl group substituted by COOM.sub.1, or a lower alkylaminocarbonyl lower alkyl group; R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group substituted by a group shown by COOM.sub.1, or a lower alkylaminocarbonyl lower alkyl group; M.sub.1 represents an alkali metal atom or an ammonium cation; and n represents 0 or 1.
Black dyes of formula (III) or mixtures thereof have been described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,724,001 ##STR5## wherein Q represents a phenylene group substituted by a methyl group, a methoxy group or an ethoxy group or a naphthalene group substituted by SO.sub.3 M; X represents a hydrogen atom or a phenyl group substituted by SO.sub.3 M; m represents 1 or 2; n represents 1 when X represents a hydrogen atom and n represents 0 when X represents a phenyl group substituted by SO.sub.3 M, wherein X represents a hydrogen atom and m represents 1 when Q represents a naphthalene group substituted by SO.sub.3 M; and M represents an alkali metal atom or an ammonium cation.
Anionic black dyes of general formula (IV) are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,053,495 ##STR6## where W is COOH; X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, COOH, SO.sub.3 H, halo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, alkyl with 1 to 6 C atoms, alkoxy with 1 to 6 C atoms and acylamino with 1 to 6 C atoms; Y is hydrogen, COOH or SO.sub.3 H; Z is hydrogen, COOH or SO.sub.3 H, R and R.sup.1 are independently hydrogen or alkyl from 1 to 6 C atoms substituted by 0, 1 or 2 COOR.sup.2 groups; and R.sup.2 is hydrogen or alkyl from 1 to 6 C atoms provided that there are at least two COOH groups and that the number of COOH groups is equal to or greater than the number of SO.sub.3 H groups.
These dyes are claimed to give differential water solubility depending upon pH. On a plain paper substrate with a pH from 5 to 7 the water solubility of these dyes is much lower than at higher pH and therefore the dyes will be more resistant to removal from the substrate by washing.
Such dyes, however, give rise to a poor smudge behaviour due to bronzing (association of the dye on the surface of the recording material). Although they can provide pure blacks on plain paper or coated paper, these dyes may provide a somewhat bluish hue on other recording media.
Black dyes with improved water fastness of general formula (V) have been described in EP Patent Application 0,612,820 ##STR7## where R is NH.sub.4 and Y is hydrogen or SO.sub.3 R. These dyes, however, do not show a neutral hue and a yellow dye needs to be included in the black ink.
In EP Patent Application 0,597,672 black dyes of structure (VI) are described ##STR8## where R.sup.1 represents a phenyl or naphthyl group which may be substituted by a hydroxyl group, NH.sub.2, SO.sub.3 M or COOM wherein M represents a hydrogen atom, or a cation species derived from an alkali metal, ammonia or an amine; R.sup.2 represents a carboxyalkyl group wherein the carboxy group may form a salt with an alkali metal or ammonia, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxyalkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl or alkanoyl group, and R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5, which may be the same or different, each independently represents a hydrogen atom or SO.sub.3 M wherein M is defined as above, provided that R.sup.1 does not represent a phenyl group substituted with SO.sub.3 M when R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 all represent SO.sub.3 M.
These dyes, however, do not show a neutral black hue and a yellow dye needs to be included in the black ink.
Of the compounds represented by the general formula (VI) wherein R.sup.1 represents a phenyl group substituted by SO.sub.3 H and where R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 all represent SO.sub.3 H only a few dyes having particular structures can be combined with other dyes, because other combinations deteriorate the storage stability of the inks or the light fastness of the prints.
Black disazo dyes of formula (VII) are described in GB Patent Application 2,289,473 and WO Patent Application 95/31505 ##STR9## wherein R.sub.1 is optionally substituted phenyl or optionally substituted naphthyl; R.sub.2 is hydrogen, halo, COOH, SO.sub.3 H, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy or optionally substituted alkylthio; R.sub.3 is NR.sub.7 R.sub.8 ; R.sub.4 is hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; R.sub.5 is hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl or phenyl; R6 is hydrogen or SO.sub.3 H; R.sub.7 is hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl, R.sub.8 is optionally substituted acyl.
Black disazo dyes of formula (VII) are described in JP Patent Application 07-268,256 where R.sub.1 is optionally substituted phenyl, R.sub.2 is branched alkyl or branched alkoxy with 1 to 8 C atoms; R.sub.3 is alkoxy with 1 to 9 C atoms; R.sub.4 is hydrogen, optionally substituted phenyl, CH.sub.2 COOH or C.sub.2 H.sub.4 COOH; R.sub.5 is hydrogen and R.sub.6 is hydrogen or SO.sub.3 H.
Black disazo dyes of formula (VII) where R.sub.1 is carboxyphenyl; R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are hydrogen, methyl or methoxy; R.sub.4 is hydrogen; R.sub.5 is phenyl or carboxyphenyl and R.sub.6 is hydrogen are described in JP Patent Application 04-304,274.
Black disazo dyes of formula (VII), where R.sub.1 is optionally substituted carboxyphenyl; R.sub.2 is alkyl or alkoxy with 1 to 4 C atoms or CH.sub.2 COOH; R.sub.3 is alkoxy with 1 to 4 C atoms; R.sub.4 is hydrogen; R.sub.5 is hydrogen, alkyl with 1 to 4 C atoms or CH.sub.2 COOH and R.sub.6 is hydrogen are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,198,022. All these dyes are to be substituted by one or more carboxy or carboxy alkyl groups, preferably they contain at least as many COOH groups as SO.sub.3 H groups.
Dyes containing COOH groups however tend to cause "crusting" resulting in a "poor first ejection" according to EP Patent Application 0,612,820.
Dyes of the above mentioned structures considered to be state of the art do not satisfy all the required demands when used in aqueous inks for ink jet printing.
Dyes used for such recording liquids have to be sufficiently soluble, do not show bronzing on recording materials (association of the dye on the surface of the recording material), they have to be stable even when the recording liquid is stored for a long period of time, they need to provide printed images having high optical density, excellent water fastness and excellent light fastness.
Various types of compositions have been proposed as inks for use in ink jet printing. Typical inks are composed of various types of dyes, water, organic cosolvents and other additives.
In particular the inks have to meet the following criteria:
(1) The ink gives high quality images on any type of recording medium. PA1 (2) The ink gives printed images exhibiting excellent water fastness. PA1 (3) The ink gives printed images exhibiting excellent light fastness. PA1 (4) The ink does not clog jetting nozzles even when these are kept uncapped while recording is suspended. PA1 (5) The ink is quickly fixed onto recording media without bronzing and can not therefore be scrubbed off. PA1 (6) The ink can be stored for a long period of time without deterioration in its performance. PA1 (7) Physical properties of the inks, such as viscosity, conductivity and surface tension, are each within a defined range. PA1 (8) The recording liquid has to be safe, non toxic and not flammable. PA1 R.sub.1 is hydrogen, alkyl, optionally substituted alkyl, alkoxy, optionally substituted alkoxy, thioalkoxy, optionally substituted thioalkoxy, halo, COOM or SO.sub.3 M; PA1 R.sub.2 is alkyl, optionally substituted alkyl, alkoxy or optionally substituted alkoxy; PA1 n is 2 to 4; and PA1 M is hydrogen, a metal atom, preferentially an alkali metal atom, ammonium or ammonium substituted with alkyl, alkoxyalkyl or hydroxyalkyl each having 1 to 12 C atoms.
Reactive black dyes have also been proposed for ink jet printing for example in EP Patent Application 0,693,537. However, inks containing dyes with incorporated reactive groups deteriorate the storage stability of the inks and due to their potential health risk they are less suitable for handling in a non chemical environment.


A turbomachine includes a compressor portion that generates a cooling airflow. The compressor portion includes a plurality of compressor stages. The turbomachine further includes a turbine portion operatively connected to the compressor portion. The turbine portion includes a plurality of turbine stages. A conduit fluidly connects at least one of the plurality of compressor stages with at least one of the plurality of turbine stages and delivers a portion of the cooling airflow from the compressor portion to the turbine portion. An injector port is connected to the conduit and a secondary fluid generation system. The secondary fluid generation system delivers an amount of dry secondary fluid into the cooling airflow passing from the compressor portion to the turbine portion. The amount of dry secondary fluid replaces a portion of the cooling airflow passing to the turbine portion.

The present invention relates to the art of turbomachines and, more particularly, to a turbomachine and a method for enhancing power efficiency in a turbomachine.
Modern turbomachines achieve higher efficiencies and higher power output through the use of high adiabatic compression ratios of 20:1 or greater. High compression ratios lead to high efficiency and increased power output. Adiabatic compression is achieved using high efficiency axial flow compressors and is invariably accompanied by a temperature rise that leads to reduced compression efficiency. In order to reduce this temperature rise, air pre-cooling devices siphon off heat and thus partially offset any efficiency gains. Also, partially compressed air is extracted for cooling hot gas path components of combustion turbines. The work going into producing the cooling air is not transferred to the turbine and thus represents a further loss of efficiency. To address this lost work and increase power output, many modern day turbomachines employ external compressors that pump in more air or supply steam injection at a compressor discharge (CDC) diffuser exit or downstream of the diffuser exit. However, external compressors represent additional power consumers and thus create efficiency losses. While steam injection enhances heat transfer rates and boosts power output, high quality high pressure (HP) steam is required. The use of high quality HP steam has a negative impact on efficiency resulting from useful bottoming cycle heat loss. Moreover, by injecting the steam at the CDC diffuser exit or downstream thereof, airflow cooling offsets any gains that may be achieved in compressor efficiency. Also, injecting steam at this particular point in the turbomachine requires efficient combustion chamber mixing before ignition in order to mitigate any combustion degradation.

Turbomachine and a method for enhancing power efficiency in a turbomachine


Storage racks for coolers. Embodiments provide storage racks for coolers each of which includes a spacer and pairs of supports, standoff portions, and arms. The standoff portions couple with the supports while the arms couple with the standoff portions and are oriented along the first direction. The spacers couple with the arms; are oriented along a direction perpendicular to the first direction; and space the arms apart by the width of the coolers (or less). Some racks are continuous, curvilinear, and are made from rods or heavy gauge wire. The spacers can define straight or additional standoff portions. Further, the arms and spacers of some racks define a plane and the supports define another plane. These planes can intersect each other although they can be parallel.

Commercial ice chests and other types of coolers allow users to store perishables and other items which they wish to maintain at some particular temperature (usually cooler than ambient). But, when closed for relatively long periods of time, these coolers tend to breed mold, mildew, etc. (hereinafter "mold") in the residual moisture left therein following their use. These organisms can even discolor the inside of the coolers (particularly near the bottom) and often produce a noxious musty odor. Cleaning the coolers prior to placing them in storage provides only partial relief. Sooner or later most closed coolers will produce troublesome mold unless thoroughly cleaned, dried, and disinfected prior to being placed in storage. The slime that can form from this mold can become a health concern particularly if the establishment that owns the affected cooler serves food or beverages therefrom.
Some commercially used coolers aggravate such problems due to the nature of their use. For instance, coolers used in marine settings (such as on fishing boats, bait shops, etc.) are often used to store organic materials. In some cases, that material might be bait, fish, etc. These objects themselves (and perhaps even material carried into the coolers on these objects) can foster the growth of mold by providing moisture, nutrients, etc. for the same. Residual amounts of these materials left behind in the coolers during storage therefore often accelerate the growth of mold and might even begin to emit odors of their own as they age, rot, etc.
Many users attempt to overcome these difficulties by propping open the lids of their coolers. But this sort of solution requires that some object remain lodged in the cooler for perhaps extended periods of time. If, as it often happens, that object is removed then the problems discussed above result anyway. When a user opens one of these closed coolers the foul odors trapped therein escape causing discomfort to those in proximity to the cooler. Moreover, in a commercial setting, propping open a cooler looks tacky and can discourage customers from interacting with the establishment not to mention the loss of otherwise useful floor space that the stored cooler occupies.
In addition, cleaning one of these fouled coolers usually requires large amounts of water, relatively hazardous materials (for instance, bleach), more water to rinse the cleaned cooler of the cleaning chemicals, and time for the cooler to dry. Otherwise, the hazardous chemicals and/or moisture on (or in) the cooler can contaminate food, beverages, and/or ice placed therein as well as damaging, discoloring, or staining furniture, clothing, etc. which might come into contact with the cooler.
While the cooler dries, in addition, many users leave the cooler on its side on a sidewalk, garage floor, patio, pavement, lawn, etc. where they obstruct traffic and take up needed space. Moreover, while lying in the open, the coolers can be caught by gusts of wind or otherwise upended thereby exposing the lid hinges to damage from impacts and the body of the cooler to scuffs, scratches, dents, cracks, etc. In such cases, the damaged parts might need to be replaced or repaired. But, in other cases, the user simply uses the damaged cooler or throws it away and purchases another one.
Moreover, sometimes users store their coolers by placing or stacking them against an exterior wall such as those found near where coolers are used (for instance, near a point of sale of food and beverages that might be sold therefrom). These stored coolers, of course, remain exposed to wind, sun, and rain. They are thus susceptable to wind damage as well as becoming brittled, faded, discolored, etc. due to the effects of potentially strong ultraviolet light from the sun. Then, again, the wind-blown rain (and other debris such as dirt, dust, grass clippings, etc.) can infiltrate the stored coolers leading to the very problem, mold and its odor, that the user wished to avoid thereby necessitating a re-cleaning before use. And, even if the stored coolers remain clean, dry, and in good condition, there presence can be or become an eye sore.


The cable pulling system includes a jet loop for pulling cable through a cable tray in a structure, such as a building. The jet loop is physically coupled to a bracket, which is clamped to the cable tray. The bracket uses clamp wing nuts matched to threaded clamp bolts to compressively hold upward-extending portions of the U-shaped members of the cable tray between clamp plates and downward-extending portions of either end of the bracket. The clamp plates and the downward-extending portions of either end of the bracket have matching pairs of indentations whose center axes and edges align with one another and with the uppermost two wires on either side of the cable tray. The jet loop can be moved in either of two opposite directions and is removably coupled to a cable or bundle of cables to pull the cables through the cable tray.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to cable installation, and particularly to a cable pulling system for installing communications cable.
2. Description of the Related Art
It has been widely observed that the world is becoming increasingly more connected electronically with the passage of time. As such, buildings designed for business and/or residential use often provide for some combination of communication services such as Internet service, television, telecommunications, etc., for users of those buildings. Some or all of these communications services often rely on installing communication cables in those buildings, such as coaxial cable, twisted pair cable, and fiber optical cable, to ensure that the signals they are designed to carry reach the desired destinations in those buildings. While wireless communications have also been increasing, finite wireless bandwidth and myriad other issues, including security concerns, suggest wired communications solutions will continue to be widely employed in many buildings.
On aspect of relying on wired communications solutions is the need to install communication cables throughout new and existing buildings to provide the desired connectivity. Currently cable trays of various sizes are used to hold cables in many buildings. Cables are often pulled through these cable trays by hand, sometimes in large groups and often with one group of cables in physical contact with another group of cables as they are being pulled through the cable tray. Strings or ropes are often employed in the cable trays to allow the cables to be pulled through them.
Current methods of installing cable in buildings give rise to many problems. The desire for additional connectivity often means large numbers of cables must be pulled through cable trays and significant friction problems can develop within and between these cables. This friction not only makes the installers' task difficult, it can lead to damaged or broken cables. In some cases lubricant is used to allow cables to slide past one another, but lubricant can be costly and messy and does not solve all friction issues.
Because the current cable installation is difficult and can damage the cables being installed, it would be desirable to mitigate or eliminate these shortcomings. Thus, a cable pulling system solving the aforementioned problems is desired.


A composition containing, in a physiologically acceptable medium, (1) at least one aqueous phase containing particles of a substantially linear block silicone copolymer, and (2) at least one polymer containing at least one monomer having an ethylenic unsaturation and a sulphonic group, and/or at least on organic powder.

To provide a moisturizing effect and an emollient effect, current cosmetic compositions are most often provided in the form of an emulsion containing an aqueous phase and an oily phase. Depending on the direction of the dispersion, it may be an oil-in-water (O/W) type emulsion consisting of an aqueous dispersing continuous phase and an oily dispersed discontinuous phase, or a water-in-oil (W/O) type emulsion consisting of an oily dispersing continuous phase and an aqueous dispersed discontinuous phase. O/W emulsions are the most in demand in the cosmetic field because they contain, as external phase, an aqueous phase which confers on them, during application to the skin, a fresher, less greasy and lighter feel than W/O emulsions.
However, the feel of cosmetic compositions and in particular of these emulsions may be unsatisfactory because they often lack smoothness during application. To overcome this disadvantage, texturing agents may be added which confer smoothness to the composition containing them. For example, EP-A-874017 describes particles of block silicone copolymer in the form of silicone-in-water dispersions, which are appropriate for incorporation into care products and providing smoothness thereto.
However, while the incorporation of such a dispersion indeed provides smoothness, it also provides a sticky effect during application to the skin, which is unpleasant for the user.
The objective of the present invention is to enable production of emulsions having good cosmetic properties without having the disadvantages of the prior art.

Composition containing a silicone copolymer and an AMPS-like polymer and/or organic powder


An apparatus for coupling at least two structures. The apparatus comprises a resilient, elongated coupling member having a plurality of spaced-apart apertures and a plurality of projections positioned between respective pairs of adjacent apertures. The apertures in a first portion of the coupling member are sized and positioned to removably receive the projections of a second portion of the coupling member when the coupling member is wrapped around a bundle or structure.

Complex electrical and electronic devices may have a large number of cables or wires routed between the various components, connectors, and terminals comprising each device. The cables may become damaged by contacting sharp edges or hot surfaces of components within the device if the cables are not tied down or restrained in some manner. In addition, if not bundled, the cables may become tangled and difficult to trace during diagnostic testing or when the cables must be repaired or replaced.
One approach to solving the foregoing problems has been to bundle the cables together with cable ties. A conventional cable tie may comprise a thin, flat band having an aperture positioned at one end and a tapered tab portion positioned at the opposite end. In operation, the tab portion of the band is inserted into the aperture to form a loop around the cables and the tab portion is drawn through the aperture to tighten the band around the cables. A small plastic or metal engaging member positioned in the aperture engages the portion of the band which passes therethrough and prevents it from loosening. Excess band material projecting from the aperture may then be trimmed off.
One drawback associated with the foregoing approach is that trimming the band requires an extra time-consuming operation. Furthermore, the material comprising the band is typically resilient and accordingly the band must be trimmed with a sharp tool. When trimming the band, the user may inadvertently damage the cables with the tool. In addition, the trimmed edge of the band may be sharp and may accordingly harm the user accessing the internal components of the electronic device. Conversely, if the excess portion of the band is not trimmed, it may obstruct visual and physical access to the internal components of the device, or may interfere with normal operation of the components.
Still a further drawback with the foregoing approach is that once installed, the cable tie cannot easily be removed because the engaging member is deliberately positioned to prevent the cable tie from loosening. As a result, the user may be required to cut the cable tie band with a sharp tool to access individual cables, and may inadvertently damage the cables when doing so. Furthermore, the band is not reusable once cut, and must therefore be replaced. Accordingly, the entire operation may become time-consuming, may incur additional material costs in the form of replacement cable ties, and may increase the likelihood that the cables will be damaged whenever the cable ties are removed or installed.

Device for removably coupling a plurality of structures


A composition having a formula LixMgyNiO2 wherein 0.9<x<1.3, 0.01<y<0.1, and 0.91<x+y<1.3 can be utilized as cathode materials in electrochemical cells. A composition having a core, having a formula LixMgyNiO2 wherein 0.9<x<1.3, 0.01<y<0.1, and 0.9<x+y<1.3, and a coating on the core, having a formula LiaCobO2 wherein 0.7<a<1.3, and 0.9<b<1.2, can also be utilized as cathode materials in electrochemical cells.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to lithium metal oxide compositions as well as electrochemical devices utilizing such compositions and, in particular, to lithium-magnesium nickel oxide compositions suitable as components of lithium-ion electrochemical devices.
2. Description of Related Art
Rechargeable lithium and lithium-ion batteries can be used in a variety of applications, such as cellular phones, laptop computers, digital cameras and video cameras, and hybrid electric vehicles etc., due to their high energy density.
Commercially available lithium-ion batteries typically consist of graphite-based anode and LiCoO2-based cathode materials. However, LiCoO2-based cathode materials can be expensive and typically have relatively low capacity, approximately 150 mAh/g.
Alternatives to LiCoO2-based cathode materials include LiNiO2-based cathode materials, which can be less expensive. Typical LiNiO2-based cathode materials can include compositions having a formula LiNi0.8Co0.2O2 or LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2. These materials are relatively more expensive than cobalt-free LiNiO2-based cathode material because of the relatively higher cost of cobalt relative to nickel. Furthermore, LiNiCoO2-based cathode materials usually have lower safety, cyclability, and first cycle efficiency over LiCoO2-based cathode materials because of the lower structural stability and higher surface reactivity of LiNiO2 type cathodes.
Li(Ni, Co)O2-based cathode materials have also been disclosed. For example, Lecerf et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,980,080, disclosed a process of making a cathode material for a secondary battery having a formula LiyNi2-yO2 or Li1-xCoxO2. Xie et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,288, disclosed modified lithium nickel oxide compounds for electrochemical cathodes and cells based on LixMyOz materials, where M is a non-transition metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gallium, tin and zinc. Mayer, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,333, disclosed a LisNiyCOzMnO2 material. Mayer also disclosed, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,007,947 and 6,379,842, cathode materials having a formula LixNiyCOzMnO2 or LixMn2-rM1rO4 where M is a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, titanium, tungsten, chromium, molybdenum, magnesium, tantalum, silicon, and combinations thereof and M1 is one of chromium, titanium, tungsten, nickel, cobalt, iron, tin, zinc, zirconium, silicon, or a combination thereof. Kumta et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,654, disclosed cathode materials having a formula Li1+xNi1-yMyNxO2(1+x) and LiN1-yMyNxOp where M is a transition metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, and aluminum and N is a Group II element selected from the group consisting of magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and zinc. Sunagawa et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,090, disclosed a positive electrode material based on Li—Ni—Co—Mn—O2. Peres et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,274,272, disclosed an active cathode material having a formula LiLNi(I-C-A-M) CoCAlAMgMO2. Gao et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,277,521, disclosed a lithium metal oxide material containing multiple dopants with a formula LiN1-xCOyMaM′bO2 where M is a metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, and combinations thereof and M′ is a metal selected from the group consisting of magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and combinations thereof. Mao et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,071,649, disclosed LiCoO2-coated LiNiO2 or Li(Ni,Co)O2 materials. None of these disclosed Li—Mg—Ni—O2-based cathode materials.
Matsubara et al, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,771, disclosed a cathode material having a formula Liy-x1Ni1-x2MxO2 where M is a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, iron, cobalt, manganese, and magnesium, x=x1+x2, 0<x1≦0.2, 0<x2≦0.5, 0<x≦0.5, and 0.9≦y≦1.3.
Multiple companies are also commercially fabricating cathodes utilizing materials with a general formula LiNiCoMO2. TODA (earlier Fuji Chemical) manufactures products CA5, CA1505N, and NCA. Honjo-FMC and Nichia (both of Japan) also provide nickel-cobalt-based cathodes. These products typically suffer from low safety properties, and relatively low rate capability.

Lithium metal oxide materials and methods of synthesis and use


A direction of travel of a packet at a switch in an interconnection fabric that has multiple switches with ports is determined. A next turn pointer in the packet is used to identify turn bits in a routing path. The turn bits are then used to select an exit port as a function of the direction of travel of the packet.

Packet routing algorithms fall into different categories. Destination routing is a method where a destination and a source of a packet are carried in a header of the packet. At each switch in the route, a next destination is looked up in a routing table. This is referred to as a turn in the path of the packet. This may result in high latency, or delay in transmission of the packet due to the frequent look-ups in the routing table. Another category of packet routing is referred to as path routing. Each turn taken by a packet is identified in the header of the packet in the form of a list. A pointer is used to separate turns already taken from turns yet to be taken.
Although path routing reduces latency by eliminating turn look-up at every switch, it may still not be optimized. Some path routing methods use a return path that is also stored in the header for error handling. In the event of an error, the source is notified, or a request is sent back to the source using the return path. For packets that are delivered without errors, additional bandwidth consumed to carry the return path is effectively wasted bandwidth, since the return path was not needed.
Some path routing methods do not include return paths. In the case of an error, an absence of an acknowledgment signal from the receiver, an ACK, triggers a resend after a certain amount of time.
A further alternative involves the use of a mathematical routing formula to encapsulate source information in destination information. This is described in a PCE Express Advanced Switching Specification. Calculations using the formula can result in long compute times.

Packet routing as a function of direction

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


The invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for assembling a battery. The invention includes an improved apparatus and method for sealing a battery case closure to a battery case. The apparatus comprises a device for moving a carrier with fluid pressure through fluid conduits disposed internal a shaft. A novel case stop is disclosed for stopping and positioning a battery case on a support. A method is disclosed for heating a battery case with a case heater. A conveyor system is included for sequentially moving a plurality of flat battery components such as case closures.

1. Field Of The Invention
This invention relates to the construction of electrical storage batteries and more specifically, to an improved apparatus for assembling a battery.
2. Background Of The Invention
The fabrication and assembly of an electric storage battery such as a lead acid storage battery have undergone major changes over the decades. The changes in the fabrication and assembly of an electric storage battery have been implemented to increase the reliability of the electric storage battery, to reduce the material cost of the electric storage battery and reduce the labor cost associated with the assembly of the electric storage battery.
Many assembly processes of the electric storage battery have been automated to reduce the overall cost of manufacture. One process in the assembly of the electric storage battery that has been automated is the process of sealing a battery case closure to a battery case.
Typically, the battery case comprises a rectangular open top case having a plurality of intercell partition walls. A plurality of battery plates are respectively received between the plurality of intercell partition walls for forming a plurality of battery cells. The plurality of battery plates between the plurality of partition intercell walls are interconnected by intercell connectors extending through or over the intercell partition walls. The intercell connectors connect the plurality of battery plates between the plurality of partition intercell walls in an electrical series configuration.
In most battery designs, a positive and negative battery post extends upwardly from the battery plates at opposed ends of the battery case for providing a positive pole at one end of the battery case and a negative pole on the other end of the battery case. In these battery designs, the positive and negative battery posts extend above the level of the battery case.
In many battery designs, a battery case closure includes a positive and negative battery bushing secured to the battery case closure. When the battery case closure is placed over the battery case, the positive and negative battery posts are received within the positive and negative bushings of the battery case closure. The batter case closure is sealed to the battery case by a heat sealing process. Thereafter, the positive and negative battery posts are electrically connected to a positive and negative battery bushings.
The prior art has provided numerous battery case sealing machines for heat sealing a battery case closure to a battery case. In general, these battery case sealing machines heated the upper surfaces of the sidewalls, the intercell walls and end walls of the battery case and simultaneously heat the sidewalls and end walls of the battery case closure. After the battery case and battery case closure were at least partially molten, the battery case closure was moved into engagement with the battery case allowing the molten surfaces of the battery case closure and the battery case to unite for sealing the battery case closure to the battery case.
Unfortunately, the battery case sealing machines of the prior art had numerous disadvantages. Firstly, the battery case sealing machines of the prior art did not always provide a uniform seal about the upper surface of the sidewalls, the intercell walls and end walls of the battery case. Secondly, the battery case sealing machines of the prior art were large and occupied a substantial volume on a production battery assembly line. Thirdly, the battery case sealing machines of the prior art were slow in operation. Fourthly, the battery case sealing machines of the prior art required an extensive amount of time for altering the machine for accommodating for a different size of battery case.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus and method for assembling a battery.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for sealing a battery case closure to a battery case that overcomes the difficulties of the prior art battery case sealing machines.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for sealing a battery case closure to a battery case incorporating a unique single column configuration for providing increased accuracy and speed of the operation of the apparatus.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for sealing a battery case closure to a battery case incorporating a unique single column configuration for providing increased accessibility to the apparatus for easy cleaning and alteration.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for sealing a battery case closure to a battery case for providing increased speed in interchanging a heater platen for accommodating for a different size battery case.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for sealing a battery case closure to a battery case with independent control of the melting time of the battery case and the battery closure.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for sealing a battery case closure to a battery case with increased control of the melting depth of the battery case and the battery closure.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for sealing a battery case closure to a battery case with increased control of the pressure of engagement between the melted battery closure and the melted battery case.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for sealing a battery case closure to a battery case with increased control of the time of engagement between the melted battery closure and the melted battery case.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for sealing a battery case closure to a battery case having improved alignment between the battery closure and the battery case.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for sealing a battery case closure to a battery case incorporating an improved conveyor for moving the battery case relative to the apparatus.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for sealing a battery case closure to a battery case incorporating an automated battery closure loader for automatically loading the battery case closures on the apparatus.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for sealing a battery case closure to a battery case incorporating a battery closure conveyor for sequentially moving a plurality of battery case covers to the apparatus for automatic loading thereon.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for sealing a battery case cover to a battery case for providing increased speed in interchanging a battery closure receiver for accommodating for a different size battery case.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for sealing a battery case closure to a battery case incorporating a rotatable closure receiver being rotatable about a horizontal axis for enabling a closure to be loaded onto the closure receiver while a battery closure is awaiting heating by the apparatus.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus and method for assembling a battery having a device for moving a carrier with fluid pressure through fluid conduits disposed internal a shaft.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus and method for assembling a battery having a novel case stop for stopping and positioning a battery case on a support.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus and method for assembling a battery having a control system for controlling the movement of a case heater during a battery case heating process.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus and method for assembling a battery having a conveyor for sequentially moving a plurality of flat battery components such as case closures.
The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the present invention. These objects should be construed as being merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the invention. Many other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention with in the scope of the invention. Accordingly other objects in a full understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention, the detailed description describing the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


Provided is a valve device and a shock absorber that can prevent them from being in a failure state at the normal time and can freely set a passive valve even when both pressure control and passage opening/closing are performed by a solenoid valve. For this reason, the valve device includes a first passage and a second passage connected downstream of the pressure introducing passage, a solenoid valve that opens the first passage to control the upstream pressure and closes the second passage when energized, and that closes the first passage and opens the second passage when not energized, and a passive valve provided downstream of the solenoid valve in the second passage.

The valve device is used, for example, as a damping valve that makes the damping force of a shock absorber interposed between a vehicle body and an axle of a vehicle variable.
For example, as disclosed in JP 2014-173716 A, such a damping valve includes a main valve body that gives resistance to the liquid flow generated when the shock absorber extends and contracts, a pressure introducing passage for reducing and leading the pressure upstream of the main valve body to the back face of the main valve body, a first passage connected downstream of the pressure introducing passage, a solenoid valve including a pressure control valve valve body that controls a valve opening pressure when opening the first passage and an opening/closing valve valve body that opens and closes the downstream side relative to the pressure control valve valve body, a second passage connected between the pressure control valve valve body and the opening/closing valve valve body in the first passage, and a passive valve provided in this second passage, and when the solenoid valve is energized, opens the opening/closing valve valve body to control the valve opening pressure of the pressure control valve valve body, and when the solenoid valve is not energized, closes the opening/closing valve valve body to allow a liquid to flow to the passive valve.
According to the above configuration, the valve opening pressure of the pressure control valve valve body can be controlled and the back pressure of the main valve body can be controlled to the valve opening pressure of the pressure control valve valve body at the normal time when the power is supplied to the solenoid valve. When the back pressure of the main valve body is adjusted to have a large or a small value, the resistance according to the main valve body changes. Therefore, when the back pressure is controlled, the damping force generated by the shock absorber can be made large or small to change the damping force characteristics. On the other hand, at the time of failure when the power supply to the solenoid valve is cut off, the liquid passes through the passive valve. Therefore, the back pressure of the main valve body is determined by setting the passive valve at the time of failure. In other words, even when the power supply to the solenoid valve is cut off, the shock absorber can exert a predetermined damping force, which results in fail-safe.


The present invention relates to the measurement of the depth of a contaminant, e.g. snow, found on a roadway or runway from a moving vehicle by measuring the distance between where a beam of light hits the upper surface of the contaminant and where the beam of light should have hit the roadway or runway based on the position of the light source. To eliminate the effects of pitch and roll on the measurements a second light source provides a reference spot, whereby the contaminant depth calculations can be performed independent of the distance between the roadway or runway and the light sources. A video recording device, such as a digital camera, is used to capture images of the spots, whereby the distances can be measured by adding the number of pixels between the spots in the images. The present invention can also be used for determining the surface texture/roughness and the coefficient of friction of the roadway or runway by increasing the sensitivity of the recording device to capture minute changes in relative spot position, and by utilizing complex signal processing to correlate the changes in relative spot position to surface texture/roughness.

Measuring the surface properties of roadways, and in particular runways, is becoming an important part of travel safety, and in determining when and what kind of surface maintenance is required. Aircraft pilots require up to the minute runway condition reports, including the depth of the snow and the consistency, e.g. powder or slush. Devices for measuring the depth of snow range from in-situ sensors, such as those disclosed in German Patent Publications Nos. 3204477 published May 5, 1983 in the name of Wilfried Fritzshe, and 3317298 published Jan. 3, 1985 in the name of Zillober et al, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,686,841 issued Nov. 11, 1997 to Stolarczyk to portable probes for inserting into the snow, such as those disclosed in German Patent Publication No. 19503017, published Sep. 28, 1995, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,059 issued Jan. 26, 1999 to Sturm et al. Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000121749 published Apr. 28, 2000 to Taminoe et al, discloses a snow depth measuring device that measures the phase difference between a light directed at the snow and that of the reflected light. All of the aforementioned systems simply measure the snow in a single spot, and therefore require multiple measurements to obtain, at best, an average value.
Vehicle mounted systems for measuring the surface roughness of roadways are disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication 2003/137673 published Jul. 24, 2003 in the name of Cox et al, and Swiss Patent No. 666349 issued Jul. 15, 1988 to Slavko Mesaric. Cox et al relies on phase profilometry, i.e. uses shadows for contrasting the surface, to generate a 3-D profile of a surface. Mesaric, on the other hand, measures the distortion of light strips marked along the surface of the road. Neither system provides a simple and easy system for measuring the characteristics of a surface, in particular snow or contaminant depth, while moving along the surface thereof.
An object of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices by providing a relatively inexpensive and simple device for measuring the surface characteristics of a roadway or runway, while driving thereon.

Determining surface properties of a roadway or runway from a moving vehicle


A rolling method, and an apparatus therefor, capable of improving a fundamental unit of rolling rolls, dimensional accuracy and rolling stability, and having high productivity are described. The rolling method, and the apparatus therefor, reverse roll a to-be-rolled material having a dog bone-like shape and rough rolled by a single or plurality of breakdown mills BD, etc, by using an intermediate universal mill UR for carrying out X-shape rolling, a quick shift edger mill QE having a plurality of box calibers having different sizes, for carrying out edging rolling by quickly shifting one of the box calibers corresponding to a pass schedule, and a finish universal mill UF for carrying out H-shape rolling for raising flanges on both sides.

Conventionally, large H-shaped steels are generally produced by rough rolling a beam blank, a bloom or a slab produced by continuous casting, etc., by using a breakdown mill and then conducting intermediate rolling or finish rolling in a universal mill, etc. FIG. 1 shows the layout of the most typical shape-steel mill. It includes a breakdown mill BD comprising grooved horizontal rolls 1 and 2 that together form a vertical pair, an intermediate universal mill UR equipped with horizontal rolls 3 and 4 and vertical rolls 5 and 6 that are so arranged as to oppose one another in the vertical and horizontal directions, respectively, an edger mill E equipped with horizontal rolls 7 and 8 that together form a vertical pair, and a finish universal mill UF equipped with horizontal rolls 9 and 10 and vertical rolls 11 and 12 that are so arranged as to oppose one another in the vertical and horizontal directions, respectively. As shown at the intermediate and lower stages of FIG. 1, a predetermined shape steel is rolled and produced by using the shape steel mill by carrying out a plurality of reverse passes at the breakdown mill BD, a plurality of reverse passes at the intermediate universal mill UR and the edger mill E and a single pass at the finish universal mill UF.
FIG. 2 shows a shape steel mill which is proposed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 52-88565 and makes the setup of the conventional shape steel mill compact in FIG. 1, and the finish universal mill UF is installed in the proximity of the edger mill E. The rolling pass schedule of this rolling mill is shown at the lower stage of FIG. 2. In other words, after a reverse rolling is carried out in a plurality of passes at the breakdown mill, reverse rolling is carried out in a plurality of passes at the intermediate universal mill UR and the edger mill E, and one-pass rolling is thereafter carried out at the finish universal mill UF.
FIG. 3 shows a shape steel rolling mill proposed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 63-52701. According to this prior art technology, the intermediate universal mill UR, the edger mill E and the finish universal mill UF are disposed adjacent to one another, and the H-shaped steel is produced by passing the blank through these mills in a plurality of passes. In the drawing, reference numeral 14 denotes a heating furnace.
In the rolling mill of the prior art example shown in FIG. 1, the upper and lower horizontal rolls 3 and 4 of the intermediate universal mill UR have the shape represented by the solid lines shown in FIG. 4(a), and the flange of the H-shaped steel as the to-be-rolled material is opened to both sides. (Hereinafter, rolling of the H-shaped steel into such a shape will be called "X-shape rolling".) The horizontal roll 3 (and the horizontal roll 4, too) is worn out in the course of use as indicated by dash lines in FIG. 4(b) but when grinded, the roll 3 can secure a predetermined width b and can be used for the to-be-rolled material 15 of the H-shaped steel having the same size.
On the other hand, the width b1 of the upper and lower horizontal rolls 9 and 10 of the finish universal mill UF has a predetermined shape in a radial direction so as to be match with the final product of the H-shaped steel as shown in FIG. 5(a), and the H-shaped steel as the to-be-rolled material is rolled into an H shape (hereinafter, rolling of the H-shaped steel into such a shape will be called "H shape rolling") by using the upper and lower horizontal rolls 9 and 10 and the right and left vertical rolls 11 and 12. However, this width b1 changes to a width b2 in the course of use for a predetermined time as shown in FIG. 5(b) and even when it is grinded and modified, the predetermined roll width b1 cannot be secured. Therefore, the rolls are used for rolling of a product of a smaller product size in the next rolling operation. In other words, there remains the problem that the roll consumption of the finish universal mill is inferior to the roll consumption of the intermediate universal mill UR.
Next, in the rolling mill described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 52-88565 shown in FIG. 2, the finish universal mill UF is disposed closer to the edger mill E so that it can be installed in a narrower space, but shaping of rolling is fundamentally the same as the prior art example shown in FIG. 1. However, the roll consumption unit of the finish universal mill UF is inferior and eventually, the running cost is high. For this reason, the finish universal mill UF is used for rolling in only the final single pass.
In Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 63-52701 shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of normal and reverse rolling passes are carried out by using the intermediate universal mill UR, the edger mill E and the finish universal mill UF. Therefore, the improvement of the roll consumption unit of the finish universal mill UF described above is not made. Therefore, the rolling mill of Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 63-52701 proposes a negative counter-measure of setting the surface reduction ratio of the finish universal mill UF to 15 to 55% of that of the intermediate universal mill.
Further, as X shape rolling and H shape rolling are repeated, the flange of the H-shaped steel is repeatedly turned up and down, but if the thickness of the flange of the H-shaped steel is as great as 60 to 80 mm at the initial stage of the reverse pass, a biting error occurs to invite miss-rolling, and this renders a critical problem which inhibits productivity.

Method and apparatus for rolling shape steel


A system and method are provided for retrieving and integrating disparate, heterogeneous information such as structured data, unstructured text, and images from different information sources in real-time. The system includes a plurality of client applications a model agent and a plurality of integration agents. Queries are written in terms of the classes, attributes, and relationships of the domain model as provided by the model agent. These queries for information are sent from a requesting client application to an appropriate integration agent based upon the data source it is responsible for. If the requested information is split among a plurality of integration agents that are each tied to a data source, the agent will broker the query by sending sub-queries to those agents directly, perform transformations on the data to match the model, and combine the information together for transmission to the requester. In this fashion, each integration agent can act as a broker and thus no centralized brokering system is required.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to accessing information and, more particularly, to retrieving information from disparate information sources and integrating the retrieved information in a user-defined format.
2. Description of the Related Art
We live in an information age. More information is being created and made available than ever before, due to the development of computers in general and access technologies in particular. For example, the Internet provides an unprecedented amount of information. However, there are problems to be solved. First, the information sought is normally stored in a distributed manner. For example, a single information source may store only a portion of the information sought and therefore other information sources may have to be separately accessed to gather the information sought. Second, even if the information sought is successfully located in one or more information sources, the information may not be readily available to a user for various reasons. For example, the portions of the information stored in different information sources may be in different formats such that the portions are not readily combinable without additional efforts on the part of the user. Third, using a single, centralized integration system to retrieve information from a number of different information sources and integrate the retrieved information may be impractical as the number of the information sources grows. Also, such a centralized integration system requires storing data in a data warehouse first and then fetch the data from the data warehouse, thereby providing possibly outdated data.
Therefore, there is a need for a system and method for retrieving information directly from disparate information sources without going through a data warehouse and integrating the retrieved information in a user-defined format. There is also a need for a system and method for retrieving and integrating such information in real-time without resorting to a single, centralized integration system.

System and method for retrieving information from disparate information sources in a decentralized manner and integrating the information in accordance with a distributed domain model/ontology


Disclosed herein is a surface treatment machine that enables the inhibition or reduction of residual abrasives that remain on a workpiece that has been surface treated. An H steel (a workpiece to be treated) 12 is conveyed by means of a conveying device 20. Blasting devices 24A, 24B are then projected abrasives on to the conveying H steel such that it is surface treated. In the downstream of the blasting devices 24A, 24B along the conveying direction, a blowing port 30A of an air blower 30 is located above a conveying path to blow gas to the upper surface 112A of the H steel 12 such that the abrasives on the H steel 12 are blown off and removed therefrom.

One conventional surface treatment machine, as disclosed in, e.g., Patent Literature 1, blast finishes an elongated members or workpiece. In such a conventional machine, if the elongated workpiece to be blast finished is, for instance, an H steel having an H-like cross section, the H steel is positioned in an H-like position in which its web surfaces are in their lateral positions, such that abrasives are projected on to the positioned H steel for surface treatment. In this case, because the upper side of the positioned H steel is formed almost like a slot, the abrasives that have been projected may remain therein. Therefore, this type of conventional machine requires that an H steel that has been surface treated should conveyed in its I-like position, in which the web surfaces are in their longitudinal position, to prevent the abrasives that have been projected from remaining on the treated H steel. However, this conveying position of the H steel to be conveyed lacks stability. In contrast, if the H steel is conveyed in its H-like position, as described above, the abrasives that have been projected may remain thereon.


Methods and systems are provided for indicating whether an aircraft is below a designated minimum safe altitude level for an altitude sector. A method comprises displaying a graphical representation of a first sector on a display device associated with the aircraft. The first sector corresponds to a geographic area having a first minimum altitude criterion. If a current altitude of the aircraft is below the first minimum altitude criterion, the method continues by displaying the graphical representation of the first sector using a first visually distinguishing characteristic chosen to indicate that the aircraft is below the designated altitude level for the first sector.

The minimum (or lowest) safe altitude is used in aviation to designate an altitude level deemed safe over a particular geographic region. Generally, the minimum safe altitude is an altitude level that incorporates a safety buffer above the obstacles and/or terrain within a particular geographic region proximate to a route that an aircraft may travel. The minimum safe altitude is intended to ensure clearance over obstacles and terrain during flight.
Often, the minimum safe altitude is determined based on criteria provided by a governmental or regulatory organization. For example, in the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration defines criteria for the minimum safe altitude in the Federal Aviation Regulations. The regulations may provide a specific safety buffer for determining the minimum safe altitude for a region, for example, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal distance of four nautical miles. By flying an aircraft at or above the minimum safe altitude, the pilot complies with the terrain and obstacle clearance requirements for the particular geographic region.
For instrument-based operations in accordance with instrument flight rules (IFR), the minimum safe altitudes are often published on aeronautical charts for various airways, routes, and approaches for a given navigation reference point. These aeronautical charts are published as printed procedures or charts, also known as approach plates. Depending on the navigational reference point, these paper charts often include a Minimum Sector Altitude (MSA) or Terminal Arrival Area (TAA) which depicts the minimum safe altitude for various sectors or regions surrounding the navigational reference point.
Generally, a pilot must maintain copies of these printed charts and utilize the proper chart during flight. After identifying the proper chart, the pilot must locate the appropriate sector that corresponds to the current location of the aircraft, the corresponding minimum safe altitude for the sector, and then compare it to the current altitude of the aircraft to determine if the minimum safe altitude criterion for the current sector is met. The published charts are oriented north-up and often require a pilot to manually rotate and position the chart to orient it based on the current heading of the aircraft. The minimum safe altitude is often located in the corner of the chart, or in the case of a TAA, spread out at various locations on the chart, making it difficult to locate the minimum safe altitude for a given sector. Additionally, these charts often include a variety of other information relating to the given navigational facility, further obfuscating the desired minimum safe altitude information. Thus, using and maintaining the printed charts is both cumbersome and confusing.

Methods and systems for indicating whether an aircraft is below a minimum altitude criterion for a sector


A device for cooling a rolled product such as a steel strip moving in front of the device includes a box filled with a pressurized gas. The box comprises a plurality of fins forming pipes, each fin including at least one gas outlet orifice directed towards at least one surface of the rolled product. The orifices of each fin are aligned in the transverse direction of the rolled product. Each space between two adjacent fins has a depth in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the rolled product and a width in the longitudinal direction of the rolled product sufficient to enable evacuation of the gas without disrupting the exit of the gas from the adjacent fins.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a device for cooling a rolled ferrous or non-ferrous product, especially a steel strip.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Heat treatment of rolled products that pass vertically over rollers and through successive treatment chambers is known in itself. In the manufacture of steel plate for automobile bodies, continuous annealing or galvanization lines are used on which the steel is heated to temperatures of up to 600.degree. C.-900.degree. C. Rapid and uniform cooling of these products is then needed to reduce the temperature of the product to a temperature below 500.degree. C. depending on the quality required.
Various cooling methods have been used before now. Passing the rolled product over cooled rollers or immersing it in a liquid or a semi-liquid medium is known in itself, for example. These two-phase conduction or convection cooling methods provide local thermal transfer coefficients in excess of 400 kCal/m.sup.2 .multidot.h.multidot..degree.C., but for small temperature drops. Moreover, these methods have the drawback of generating problems of oxidation of the rolled product and contact of the rolled product with the cooling liquid or solid frequently causes flatness defects.
Another type of method, by spraying a gas, avoids the previously mentioned drawbacks. U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,471 describes a steel annealing line in which the steel strip passes across the front of a box containing a series of gas blower nozzles. These nozzles project only slightly from the surface of the box, however. Evacuation of the gas after it impinges on the steel strip is impeded by the box: back-pressure areas then arise between the nozzles and the box, disrupting the blowing of the cooling gas towards the steel strip. Moreover, the gas can only escape laterally, across the width of the rolled product, which produces differential cooling of the edges of the rolled product and may lead to flatness defects. The thermal transfer coefficients achieved by this type of device do not exceed 200 kCal/m.sup.2 .multidot.h.multidot..degree.C. for a gas comprising a mixture of nitrogen and 5 hydrogen, and even lower for air.
In the article by T. Kaihara et al "New technology in KM-CAL for sheet gage" published in "Developments in annealing rolled steel", ed. Pradan and Gupta, 1992 it is indicated that a maximum rate of 50.degree. C./s can be obtained for a rolled product with a thickness equal to 0.7 mm, which is equivalent to a transfer coefficient of around 175 kCal/m.sup.2 .multidot.h.multidot..degree.C.
An article by Hiroshi Takechi entitled "Recent developments in the Metallurgical Technology of Continuous Annealing for Cold-rolled and Surface-coated sheet steels" in the same publication discloses that, even if the gas outlet orifices are at a distance of 50 mm from the rolled product, it is not possible to obtain a cooling rate of better than 100.degree. C./s for a plate less than 0.35 mm thick, corresponding to a transfer coefficient of 200 kCal/m.sup.2 .multidot.h.multidot..degree.C.
Document WO 92/02316 describes a cooling device in which an extrusion moves horizontally between fin-form pipes having gas outlet orifices in the transverse direction of the extrusion. Only the relative position of the top and bottom fins, in a staggered arrangement, is specified to obtain uniform cooling of the extrusion. In this document, however, there is no discussion of the problem of evacuating the gas after it impinges on the extrusion. The impingement of the gas on the extrusion is disrupted by the stagnant gases between the fins.
The article by IMOSE "Heating and cooling technology in continuous annealing" (ISIJ Transactions, Vol. 25, 1985, 911-932) indicates that a thermal transfer coefficient equal to 250 kCal/m.sup.2 .multidot.h.multidot..degree.C. at most can be obtained by increasing the speed and the volume of the gas, by reducing the distance between the rolled product and the blower nozzles and by enriching the gas with hydrogen. This value of the thermal transfer coefficient is nevertheless too low to significantly accelerate cooling of the rolled product.
Moreover, all of the methods that increase the hydrogen content in order to increase the transfer coefficient are difficult to render compatible with safety standards and represent real hazards to the operators.
The table below summarizes the various methods proposed before now for cooling a steel strip from 600.degree. C. to 400.degree. C.
______________________________________ Rate of cooling between 600.degree. C. and 400.degree. C. for a Heat transfer steel strip Cooling coefficient 1 mm thick method (kCal/m.sup.2 .multidot. h .multidot. .degree.C.) (.degree.C./s) Remarks ______________________________________ Gas jets - 100 17 too low normal 250 42 only for a high extreme hydrogen possible* content (*IMOSE) Cooled rollers 1000 160 serious flatness defects Immersion in 400 67 Oxidation of hot water product (.gtoreq.90.degree. C.) Immersion in 6000 1000 Oxidation of cold water product and impossible to stop cooling By mist spray 600 100 Oxidation of product cold water product and impossible to stop cooling By mist spray 600 100 Oxidation of product ______________________________________
The aim of the present invention is to propose a gas projection type cooling device that can cool a rolled product with a thermal transfer coefficient greater than 350 kCal/m.sup.2 .multidot.h.multidot..degree.C., using an innocuous gas.


A lifting aid for a long-handled implement includes a mounting assembly configured to be attached to an elongated portion of a long-handled implement and a fulcrum assembly pivotally attached to the mounting assembly. The fulcrum assembly includes a fulcrum bar pivotally attached to the mounting assembly and at least one skid shield operably coupled to the fulcrum bar such that (i) at least a bottom portion of the at least one skid shield is disposed adjacent to a lowermost part of a lower end portion of the fulcrum bar and (ii) at least a lower part of the bottom portion of the at least one skid shield is capable of moving, at least in a substantially linear manner, upwardly above the lowermost part of the lower end portion of the fulcrum bar and downwardly below the lowermost part of the lower end portion of the fulcrum bar.

Long-handled implements, such as various shovels, spades, pitchforks and the like, are often utilized to perform a variety of tasks (e.g., relating to snow removal, home improvement projects, construction, excavating, landscaping, farming, etc.). The utilization of such long-handled implements, while typically generally useful and beneficial, still often presents some challenges and limitations to users. For example, as a result of shoveling snow with a snow shovel or digging into soil or stone with a spade, many users have been known to experience fatigue or even more serious health-related issues (e.g., back pain, joint pain, heart attacks, strokes, etc.). Such health-related issues may be especially linked to certain actions of users, such as continually bending over and lifting or prying the loaded snow shovel or spade generally upwardly so as to throw, push or otherwise displace the snow, soil, stone, etc. to a desired location.
In an attempt to assist users with moving, lifting or prying long-handled implements, some moving or lifting aids for long-handled implements have been developed, but often with relatively complicated designs, relatively bulky and/or heavy components (e.g., large frame structures supported on large or small wheels, etc.) or with components which compel users to still bend over or perform other various laborious maneuvers.
With at least the aforementioned challenges and limitations in mind, there is a continuing unaddressed need for a lifting aid for a long-handled implement which is at least relatively simple in design and relatively light weight, which may be used on various types of long-handled implements, which is at least relatively simple to use, which at least enables a user to bend over less and keep a straighter posture while using a long-handled implement and which at least enables a user to gain additional leverage while using a long-handled implement, such as while shoveling snow with a snow shovel or digging into soil or stone with a spade, thus making it easier for the user to lift or pry the loaded snow shovel or spade generally upwardly so as to throw, push or otherwise displace the snow, soil, stone, etc. to a desired location.

Lifting aid for a long-handled implement


Methods and systems are provided for estimating liability in an accident. In an embodiment, a liability estimate may include an upper bound of liability and a lower bound of liability. In one embodiment, liability estimation in a vehicle accident may be based on a plurality of characteristics that describe the accident. These characteristics may include: the configuration of the roadway, the type of accident, right of way, and impact points of each vehicle. The characteristics from an actual accident may be compared to those in a past or theoretical accident. Liability may be estimated from a preassigned liability associated with a nearest matching past or theoretical accident. The liability estimate may include a base liability and one or more adjustments due to various factors.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to estimation of liability in an accident. Certain embodiments relate to computer-implemented systems and methods for estimating liability in a motor vehicle accident through analysis of characteristics of motor vehicle accidents.
2. Description of the Related Art
A typical motor vehicle accident claims organization may face a number of challenges in processing claims. Some of these challenges may include assessment of liability, threat of litigation, and experience level of claims adjusters. A motor vehicle accident claims organization may add value to the liability assessment process by producing a solution that enhances the liability assessment process and increases the effectiveness of the claims adjuster.
Assessment of liability is one important challenge facing a claims organization. It is believed that a large percentage of motor vehicle accident claims may be assessed at 100% liability against the insured when the claimant may actually share in the fault. While it may be difficult to pinpoint exact reasons for this practice among claims adjusters, several factors influencing the tendency to assess 100% liability against the insured may include, but are not limited to, ineffective negotiation, large case loads, inadequate time to effectively assess liability, and a desire to settle claims quickly to avoid litigation.
Considering the litigious nature of claimants, and the presence of claimant counsel during negotiations, claims adjusters may need to rigorously investigate characteristics of a motor vehicle accident scene, duties of the insured, and contributing actions of the claimant before assessing liability.
The experience level of claims adjusters may typically be low due to a lack of longevity in such a position. Over the years, a dramatic shortening of the training regimen for most new claims adjusters may reduce the effectiveness of claims adjusters. In addition, the lack of experienced claims adjusters available to advise and teach new claims adjusters worsens the situation. Furthermore, new claims adjusters may not be as knowledgeable in claims adjusting practices and the laws of their jurisdiction, as are senior claims adjusters, and consequently they may make "best guess" assessments. Therefore, a lack of trained and experienced claims adjusters may tend to produce an inadequate and/or inequitable assessment process.
Accordingly, it may be advantageous to provide a system and method to assess fault or liability in motor vehicle accidents by relying on expert knowledge collected from experienced claims adjusters regarding the influence of multiple characteristics of a motor vehicle accident proportional to the liability of the claimant and the insured.

Computerized method and system of estimating liability and range of liability for an accident


A quantum rod light-emitting display device according to an embodiment of the invention includes a display panel including a first substrate, a second substrate opposite to the first substrate, and a quantum rod layer formed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein a plurality of quantum rods are arranged in the quantum rod layer in one direction; and a polarizer disposed on the display panel and including a quarter wave plate (QWP) layer and a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) layer, wherein the PVA layer transmits only light linearly polarized in a first direction, and wherein the QWP layer is disposed under the PVA layer, and the QWP layer circularly polarizes the light linearly polarized in the first direction or linearly polarizes light reflected by the display panel in a second direction.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the invention relate to a light-emitting display device, and more particularly, to a quantum rod light-emitting display device including a quantum rod layer.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
With gradual developments in personal computers (PCs), portable terminals, and various information apparatuses, highly efficient flat panel displays (FPDs) made lightweight and thin, and driven at low power have been required.
Recently, research into an active-matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) panel, which is a self-emissive display panel, has briskly been conducted. In the AMOLED panel, organic emission materials forming an organic emission layer (EML) have greatly different lifespans according to color of light emitted by each of the organic emission materials. In particular, a blue emission material has a relatively short lifespan, which is shorter than a lifespan of a typical display device.
Accordingly, it is still necessary to develop an FPD that has high optical efficiency and as long a lifespan as a liquid crystal display (LCD), and which may be driven at low power.
Meanwhile, in an LCD, which is a typical FPD, light emitted by a backlight unit (BLU) is transmitted through a lower polarizer so that only light polarized in one direction can be incident to a liquid crystal (LC) panel. Thereafter, the light emitted by the BLU is transmitted through an upper polarizer and is finally incident to a user's eyes to display an image.
However, the LCD has a very low light use efficiency because only 5 to 6% of light emitted by the BLU is substantially and finally incident to a user's eyes. Also, since configuration of a polarizer becomes increasingly complicated to obtain desired polarization effects, fabrication cost increases.
To solve the above-described problems, a polarizer using a hydrophilic polymer has been adopted. In this instance, however, the polarizer absorbed moisture under high-temperature high-humidity conditions and generated gases in a solid to cause swelling of the solid. In serious instances, the polarizer contracted. As a result, failure rate of polarizer increased, thereby degrading the performance of the FPDs.

Quantum rod light-emitting display device


A data symbol reading device is provided with a white light source, a single-color LED light source, and mode selection switches. The reading device is controlled to have a symbol reading mode, a color image scanning mode, and a monochrome image scanning mode based on the position of the selection switches. The reading device transmits data as appropriate to a host computer. Alternatively, the symbol reading device is provided with red, green, and blue single-color light sources, and has the same modes. Further, the symbol reading device may be provided with a three or four color filter wheel and a white light source to generate the color and monochrome images.

The present invention relates to a data symbol reading device for reading an encoded data symbol, such as a two dimensional data symbol.
Conventionally, there is known a data symbol reading device which can read product information in the form of a bar code. This type of data symbol reading device is commonly used with point of sale terminals to facilitate inventory control, etc. However, since the reading of bar codes only requires a one-dimensional scan along the length of the bar code, the amount of information that can be stored in a bar code is limited.
Recently, two types of data symbol reading devices, which can read a two dimensional tessellated data symbol affixed to a product, have been developed for use at point of sale terminals. The two types of data symbol reading devices employ different imaging devices. The first type of data symbol reading device uses an area sensor type of imaging device, such as a CCD. The CCD can read the entire pattern of the two dimensional data symbol without being moved with respect to the data symbol, and therefore the data symbol can be read quickly.
The second type of data symbol reading device uses a line sensor type of imaging device. The line sensor reads the data symbol line by line, and must be moved in a sub-scanning direction relative to the data symbol.
However, in the conventional data symbol reading device in which the area sensor is employed, since there is only one kind of light source for illuminating the data symbol, the usefulness of the data symbol reading device is limited.


The present invention includes a method of preparing an inkjet ink imaged lithographic printing plate by imagewise applying an acidic inkjet ink onto a substrate coated with an inkjet ink reactive coating composition which is acid-catalyzed, to produce an imaged coated substrate wherein the inkjet ink imaged regions are more insoluble than non-imaged regions. Then the imaged and non-imaged regions of the imaged coated substrate are contacted with a developer or fountain solution to selectively remove the coating from the soluble non-imaged regions. The present invention also includes an inkjet ink imaged lithographic printing plate which is prepared by the method of the invention.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention has to do with a method of preparing an inkjet ink imaged substrate such as a lithographic printing plate. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of preparing a lithographic printing plate by providing a coated substrate, the coating of which is insolubilized by contact with an acidic medium. Selected portions of the coating are contacted with an acid delivered as an inkjet ink to produce insoluble regions. The remaining soluble regions of the coating may then be removed with a developer or fountain solution on a printing press to produce a lithographic printing plate.
2. Description of the Related Art
Several methods of preparing imaged lithographic printing plates based upon insolubilization of exposed regions are known in the art. The insolubilization can be achieved by a variety of reactions. A number of these methods use inkjet machines to deposit an ink-receptive image onto a hydrophilic substrate.
Published patent application No. U.S. 2003/0007052 A1 describes a method whereby a conventional negative lithographic coating which contains a diazonium condensate coated on a printing plate is selectively coated with alkaline inkjet ink to produce developer-insoluble imaged regions.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,054 describes a method of making a ready-to-use printing plate. An inkjet applies an acidic polymer, which is at least partially neutralized with a base, to a substrate. The polymer is dried after which the plate can be used without developing. A similar concept is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,013 wherein an inkjet fluid is employed to apply an oleophilic image to a substrate.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,689 describes a method wherein an acid labile polymer is applied to a substrate and an inkjet is used to print a solution of organic acid and solvent thereon. Heat is applied to remove the solvent and then the plate is developed by washing away the solubilized acid labile polymer.
None of the related art discloses a method in which an acid delivered as an inkjet ink is employed to cross-link printed portions of a substrate to produce the inkjet ink imaged lithographic printing plates of the present invention.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a simple method of preparing a lithographic printing plate using commercial inkjet printers.

Acid inkjet imaging of lithographic printing plates


An A/V signal region for A/V signals and an audio signal region for only audio signals of the A/V signals are disposed on a record medium of a HDD. When the audio signals and the video signals of the A/V signals are independently edited, the A/V signal region is sought from the audio signal region. Each channel of the audio signals in the audio signal region is sought. Thereafter, the A/V signal region is sought. Since the number of sectors of the audio signals is smaller than that of the video signals and thereby the track width of the audio signal region is smaller than that of the A/V signal region, the seek distance in the region is small. Thus, the seek time can be decreased. When the edit point of an audio signal is the same as the edit point of a video signal or when an A/V signal is successively reproduced, only the A/V signal region is used. Thus, the A/V signal can be reproduced at very high speed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an A/V (Audio and/or Video) signal recording/reproducing apparatus for recording a video signal and an audio signal with many channels and a recording method thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Conventionally, an A/V signal composed of an audio signal and a video signal is recorded on a magnetic tape. Such a magnetic tape is referred to as a linear record medium because the A/V signal is linearly recorded on time axis.
Since the magnetic tape is a linear record medium, it takes a long time to edit the A/V signal recorded thereon. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, when sceans A and B that have been recorded at different positions of a source tape are edited as successive scenes, the scene A is reproduced from the source tape. The scene A is recorded on a destination tape. The scene B is searched and reproduced from the source tape. The scene B is recorded after the position of the scene A on the destination tape. Thus, the scenes A and B are recorded as one A/V signal (see FIG. 4B). In other words, to edit an A/V signal recored on a linear record medium such as a magnetic tape, at least two VCR units are required. In addition, a search time for a signal recorded on the tape is required. The search time is on the order of several seconds to several ten seconds.
To solve such a problem, in recent years, a technique for recording an A/V signal on a non-linear record medium that is randomly accessible has been increasingly used. In this case, as such a non-linear record medium, a hard disk drive is often used.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of the hard disk drive. Tracks 101a, 101b, and so forth are concentrically arranged on the record surface of a disk 100 that is a record medium. Each track is divided into sectors 102a, 102b, and so forth each of which has a predetermined data length. In the case of hard disk drives that record signals of computers, the data length of each sector is for example 512 bytes. On the other hand, in the case of hard disk drives that record A/V signals, the data length of each sector is for example 4096 bytes. The tracks 101a, 101b, and so forth are identified by track numbers starting with 0 from the outermost periphery to the innermost periphery. Thus, the tracks 101a, 101b, and so forth with the same numbers are cylindrically arranged on the disk 100. These cylindrical portions are referred to as cylinders. Each cylinder is identified by a cylinder number with the same value as the corresponding track number.
Likewise, sectors 102a, 102b, and so forth of each cylinder are identified by sector numbers starting with 0. When data is read or written, a target track number and a target sector number are designated to a hard disk controller. Thus, a magnetic head disposed at an edge of a movable arm 104 is moved to the target cylinder. This operation is referred to as "seek" operation. The hard disk controller waits until the disk 100 rotates and the target sector comes to the position of the magnetic head 105. This operation is referred to as "rotation wait" operation. Each sector contains a cylinder number, a sector number, and so forth as identification information at the start position thereof. While the rotation wait operation is being performed, the hard disk controller continuously reads the identification information. When the hard disk controller detects the target sector, it starts reading data.
FIGS. 6A and 6B show an edit operation for an A/V signal on the hard disk. As shown in FIG. 6A, scenes A and B are recorded on an outer peripheral track and an inner peripheral track of the hard disk, respectively. When the scenes A and B are edited as one A/V signal, data of the scene A is read and reproduced with a track number and a sector number that represent the position of the scene A. After the data of the scene A has been reproduced, the seek operation and the rotation wait operation are performed with a track number and a sector number that represent the position of the scene B. Thus, the scene B is read and reproduced.
Thus, unlike with a magnetic tape as a linear record medium, on the hard disk as a non-linear record medium, the edit operation for connecting the scenes A and B and for recording the connected scenes on the tape is not performed. In other words, as shown in FIG. 6B, points A.sub.start and A.sub.end that represent the start position and the end position of the scene A and points B.sub.star and B.sub.end that represent the start position and the end position of the scene B are recorded. After data from the point A.sub.start to the point A.sub.end is reproduced, the seek operation and the rotation wait operation are performed. Thereafter, data from the point B.sub.start to the point B.sub.end is reproduced.
In this case, the seek operation and the rotation wait operation performed from the scene A to the scene B take several 10 ms to several 100 ms. This time period is much smaller than that necessary for such operations on the linear record medium. Thus, with such a non-linear record medium, discontinuous data can be continuously reproduced without need to perform the edit operation for connecting scenes. Thus, an A/V signal can be successively reproduced. Consequently, with a non-linear record medium such as a hard disk, the edit operation can be much effectively performed.
Recently, especially in professional field, an audio signal with multiple channels has been increasingly used. For example, an audio signal with four to eight channels has been recorded. For example, an audio signal is recorded in such a manner that a voice sound is recorded on the first channel, other sounds are recorded on the second and third channels, and an effect sound is recorded on the fourth channel.
On the other hand, various audio signals and video signals are recorded in one hard disk drive. Such audio signals and video signals may be edited as one A/V signal. In this case, since the seek operation should be performed for each of audio channels, the number of times of the seek operation and the seek distance increase. Thus, it is difficult to successively reproduce such signals as one A/V signal.
To solve such a problem, conventionally, a technique for recording audio signals and video signals to individual hard disk drives or another technique for recording relevant audio signals and video signals as blocks have been commonly employed.
FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams showing a method for recording audio signals and video signals to respective hard disk drives. In this method, as shown in FIG. 7A, only video signals are recorded to a hard disk drive A. On the other hand, audio signals with four channels (first to fourth channels) are recorded to a hard disk drive B.
In this method, when audio signals and video signals are independently edited, as shown in FIG. 7B, these signals can be accessed in parallel. The reproduced A/V signals are temporarily stored in a buffer memory and read therefrom at a proper timing. Thus, they are reproduced as linear A/V signals. Consequently, according to this method, successive A/V signals can be effectively reproduced. However, in this method, since two hard disk drives are required, the cost of the apparatus adversely increases.
FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic diagrams showing a method for recording relevant audio signals and video signals as blocks. In this method, as shown in FIG. 8A, when a video signal is associated with an audio signal with four channels (first to fourth channels), these signals are recorded as a block.
According to this method, as shown in FIG. 8B, the edit point of the audio signal is the same as the edit point of the video signal. When blocks of audio signals and video signals are edited, the number of times of the seek operation for the hard disk drive is small. Thus, the signals can be effectively edited. In addition, when A/V signals are simply reproduced in succession, the reproduction speed increases.
However, in the case that the edit point of an audio signal is different from the edit point of a video signal, when these signals should be independently edited, as shown in FIG. 8C, as the number of times of the seek operation increases, A/V signals read from the hard disk drive become discontinuous. Thus, it becomes difficult to read the signals from the buffer memory. Consequently, the A/V signals cannot be reproduced in succession.
Thus far, an A/V signal recording/reproducing apparatus that has the advantages of the above-described two methods that allow the parallel reproductions of audio signals and video signals using two hard disk drives and high speed successive reproductions of which relevant audio signals and video signals are recorded as blocks and that is accomplished at low cost has not be developed.

Recording/reproducing apparatus and method thereof


A member to be adhered is provided with a body having a bonding surface on which an adhesive is applied, and a non-bonding surface from which a grip portion is integrally formed, allowing insertion of the body into a sealed member.

The present invention relates to a structure for attaching a member adapted to be adhered to a subject member.
Conventionally, it has been difficult to stably bond a sealing member (corresponding to a member to be adhered) to a sealed member (corresponding to a subject member) in the case where the sealing member is small in its size, or in the case where the sealing member has a smaller non-sealing portion, i.e. a portion to be gripped by a pincette and the like.
Furthermore, in the case where a surface on which the adhesive material is coated is relatively large, the adhesive material tends to contaminate the hands of workers. Thus, the bonding operation for such a sealing material was remarkably worsened in its labor effectiveness.

Structure of attaching a member adapted to be adhered to a subject member