A bird predation deterrent shield is described herein comprising a sheet of flexible material suspended from the anterior neck region of a cat, at least as wide at its bottom as the shoulders of the cat, and sufficiently long to reach the level of the carpal regions of the cat when the cat is standing on all four limbs. Bird predation deterrent methods are disclosed herein comprising placing such a bird predation deterrent shield on a cat whenever the cat is outdoors. Use of a shield according to the present invention has been shown to drastically reduce the number of birds killed by a cat when worn by the cat while outdoors.

The problem of domestic cats killing wild birds is enormous. It is estimated that 4.4 million songbirds are killed by domestic cats each day in the United States alone. That statistic, coupled with the continual destruction of wildlife habitat which further depletes bird populations, shows a great need for means for preserving the wild bird population. This problem is documented in the following references: Richard Stallcup, "Cats: A Heavy Toll on Songbirds. A Reversible Catastrophe," Point Reyes Bird Observatory Observer 91 8 (1991); P. B. Churcher and J. H. Lawton, "Predation by domestic cats in an English village", J. Zoology 211 439 (1987).
Presently the only method for completely preventing a domestic cat from killing birds has been to keep the cat indoors. This is a solution that a majority of cat owners do not find agreeable, therefore few of them keep their cats indoors. The attitudes of pet owners are as hard to overcome as a cat's natural hunting instincts.
Another less than satisfactory method for preventing bird predation by a cat has been to put a bell on the cat's collar. The sound of the bell is thought to warn birds of an approaching cat and give them time to escape. In actuality "belling the cat" does not work well if at all, since many new birds may come into an area that are unaware of the meaning of the bell and often the cat learns to stalk in a way which keeps the bell silent. Nor has it ever been clearly established that birds specifically associate the sound of the bell with a cat.
Another method that has been used to try to prevent bird predation by a cat is fencing the cat away from areas frequented by birds, such as near a bird feeder. Bird feeders are meant to attract birds and naturally cats are attracted to areas where birds often are. Due to the cat's prowess in leaping and climbing, fencing cats away from the feeder is often quite ineffectual. Often people face the choice of either having a cat or feeding the birds. However feeding birds and not owning a cat is not a solution, since a bird feeder will attract other neighborhood cats as well. Even when fencing around the bird feeder is effective, some birds are likely to stray out of the fenced bird feeder enclosure and into the close range of a cat. Then too, many people consider a fenced bird feeder unattractive and difficult to access, and will therefore not use this method for preventing cat predation of birds.
Placement of the bird feeders in a location impeding cats from getting close to the feeding birds has also been tried. One such location for the bird feeder might be high off the ground, but this does not prevent ground feeding birds from gathering to eat spilled seed and thus landing within the range of a waiting cat. An adjunct to high placement of the bird feeder might be locating it away from bushes or other objects that a cat could use to hide behind. This may reduce the bird killing somewhat, but cannot be considered an effective preventive measure.
One partial solution to the problem of cats killing so many birds would be a reduction of the number of cats. It is estimated that there are 60 million cats in the United States. Humane Societies and animal shelters are barely able to keep up with the numbers of unwanted cats (and dogs). Tragically many of the public are reluctant to neuter their pets and by not doing so drain public resources required to deal with the resultant pet over-population problem. The over-population of cats contributes to the large numbers of birds killed by cats.
A long standing need therefore exists to provide a solution to the problem of bird predation by domestic cats which would be acceptable to and widely implemented by cat owners.

Bird predation deterrent shield for a cat


Various embodiments of methods and systems for implementing a set of microcode operations corresponding to a microcoded instruction as a microcode subroutine are disclosed. In one embodiment, a microprocessor includes a dispatch unit configured to dispatch operations and a scheduler coupled to the dispatch unit and configured to schedule dispatched operations for execution. In response to receiving a microcoded instruction, the dispatch unit is configured to dispatch a microcode subroutine call operation that specifies a tag identifying a microcode subroutine.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is related to the field of microprocessors, and more particularly, to processing microcoded instructions within a microprocessor.
2. Description of the Related Art
Instructions processed in a microprocessor are encoded as a sequence of ones and zeros. For some processor architectures, instructions may be encoded with a fixed length, such as a certain number of bytes. For other architectures, such as the x86 architecture, the length of instructions may vary. The x86 microprocessor architecture specifies a variable length instruction set (i.e., an instruction set in which various instructions are each specified by differing numbers of bytes). For example, the 80386 and later versions of x86 microprocessors employ between 1 and 15 bytes to specify a particular instruction. Instructions have an opcode, which may be 1-2 bytes, and additional bytes may be added to specify addressing modes, operands, and additional details regarding the instruction to be executed. The x86 microprocessor architecture is one example of an architecture having complex instructions that may be implemented in microcode.
Certain instructions within the x86 instruction set are quite complex, specifying multiple operations to be performed. For example, the PUSHA instruction specifies that eight general purpose x86 registers be pushed onto a stack defined by the value in the ESP register. Thus, a PUSHA instruction specifies that a store operation be performed for each register and the ESP register may be decremented between each store operation to generate the address for the next store operation.
Less complex instructions are typically directly decoded by hardware decode units within the microprocessor. The terms "directly-decoded instruction" or "fastpath instruction" or "non-complex instruction" may be used interchangeably herein to refer to an instruction that is decoded and executed by the microprocessor without the aid of a microcode instruction unit. Directly-decoded instructions are decoded into component operations via hardware decode, without the intervention of a microcode instruction unit, and then these operations are executed by functional units included within the microprocessor.
Often, long running or complex instructions are classified as microcoded instructions. Microcoded instructions are handled by a microcode instruction unit within the microprocessor, which decodes the complex microcoded instruction and produces a series of less-complex operations for execution by the microprocessor. These simpler operations corresponding to the microcoded instruction are typically stored in a read-only memory (ROM) within the microcode unit. Thus, microcoded instructions are often referred to as MROM instructions.
A microprocessor may decode or partially decode an instruction encoding to determine if an instruction is a fastpath instruction or an MROM instruction. The process of determining the address in a microcode ROM to begin execution of a microcode routine to implement an MROM instruction is referred to as microcode entry point generation. If the instruction is an MROM instruction, the microprocessor's microcode instruction unit determines the entry point address within the microprocessor's microcode ROM at which the first of the corresponding microcode operations (collectively referred to as a microcode routine) are stored. The microcode routines to implement MROM instructions are typically stored in a sequentially addressed ROM. Typically, the microcode instruction unit maps or translates some or all of the instruction encoding to a microcode entry point ROM address for a location in the microcode ROM at which the corresponding microcode routine begins. This mapping may be performed by a lookup table, content-addressable memory, combinatorial logic or any other mechanism for translating the MROM instruction encoding to a ROM address. For example, microcode may be stored in a 3K ROM. The microcode unit may map an MROM instruction encoding to any 12-bit ROM address in the range 0x000-0xBFF according to where the entry point of the microcode routine for that MROM instruction is located. This ROM address is sent to an address decoder for the ROM that selects the addressed ROM entry. The microcode operation at the selected ROM entry is transferred out of the ROM into execution. The ROM address may be incremented to the next microcode operation in the routine or the next address may be contained within the operation, giving a threaded form of storage. Also, some microcode operations may indicate a jump to a non-sequential address in the microcode ROM. Multiple clock cycles may be used to transfer into execution the entire set of microcode operations within the ROM that correspond to the MROM instruction.
Once the microcode operations are output from the MROM unit, these operations are typically included within the operation stream that is dispatched to one or more devices that schedule operations for execution. Thus, typical MROM units, in effect, perform instruction expansion on the microcoded instruction.

System and method of implementing microcode operations as subroutines


A marine outboard engine for a watercraft is disclosed. The marine outboard engine includes a starter motor operatively connected to the crankshaft of the engine and a capacitor electrically connected to the starter motor. The capacitor is powering the starter motor to initiate rotation of the crankshaft. An alternator is operatively connected to the engine and is electrically connected to the capacitor for charging the capacitor when the engine is operating. A starting system and a method for operating a starting system of a marine outboard engine are also disclosed.

Marine outboard engines for boats or watercraft are typically provided with either a pull-start system or a starter motor. The pull-start system initiates rotation of the crankshaft of the engine by pulling on a rope operatively connected to the crankshaft to start the engine. The starter motor is typically positioned inside the cowling of the marine outboard engine and is connected to one or more batteries separate from the engine and positioned inside the watercraft that provide the electric power to the starter motor to initiate rotation of the crankshaft to start the engine.
In small boats or watercraft, a battery sitting on the deck or inside the hull can be cumbersome and take valuable space. Furthermore, the typically heavy battery must often be loaded and unloaded from the smaller watercraft for maintenance or during transport of the watercraft adding to the inconvenience of the battery. However, a battery powered starter for marine outboard engines allows for an easy engine start.
Pull-start systems on the other hand are incorporated into the marine outboard engine and therefore take no additional space in the watercraft. However, pull-start systems require a certain level of upper body strength from the user in order to start the marine outboard engine as the rope must often be pulled while in the seated position, which some user may find difficult and strenuous to operate.
Thus, there is a need for a marine outboard engine having a starter system that alleviates at least some of the drawback of prior starter systems for marine outboard engine.

Engine starting system for a marine outboard engine


A one-way valve suitable for implant in the human vascular system is disclosed. The valve is formed by a tube of braided filaments and has an upstream end supported in an open configuration by a radial support. The valve has a downstream portion formed by a plurality of flexible leaflets resiliently biased into a closed configuration sealing the valve. The leaflets separate under pressure to allow fluid flow downstream but close in response to back pressure to prevent retrograde flow. The leaflets are biased by internal elastic forces within the filaments or by means of a resilient flexible membrane. To prevent collapse of leaflets under relatively high back pressure, elongated support columns are arranged lengthwise along the tube. A second radial support is provided downstream to support the columns. Fasteners are positioned circumferentially around the tube to anchor the valve within the lumen of the vascular vessel.

This invention relates to one-way valves and especially to replacement valves for use within the human circulatory system.
The veins of the human circulatory system have one-way valves comprising two leaflets (known as bicuspid valves), which promote the flow of blood from the extremities back to the heart by preventing the retrograde flow of blood to the extremities between heart beats. The presence of the venous valves also allows muscular action to assist in the pumping of blood from the venous side of the circulatory system back to the heart. The contraction of various muscles tends to constrict the veins, forcing blood to flow, and the venous valves permit only one-way flow back to the heart.
The veins are subject to various disorders related to defective structure and function of their valves, known as valve incompetence. Valve incompetence can cause varicose veins, as well as chronic venous insufficiency wherein the valve leaflets become thickened and contracted so that they become incapable of preventing the retrograde flow of blood. Both of these conditions cause considerable discomfort and can lead to further complications such as edema, erythema, dermatitis, skin ulceration and cellulitis.
Tricuspid valves (having three leaflets) are found in the heart and enable the heart to act as a pump by allowing only one-way flow of blood. The heart valves are also subject to various disorders such as mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, mitral valve prolapse and tricuspid stenosis. These disorders are serious, potentially life threatening and may be treated by surgical replacement of the affected valve.
Artificial endovascular valves for the replacement of incompetent venous valves or diseased heart valves should be bio-compatible, long-lasting, and have the appropriate hemodynamic characteristics which approximate those of natural valves to properly control and promote the flow of blood throughout the circulatory system. Such endovascular valves may also find use in artificial hearts and artificial heart assist pumps used in conjunction with heart transplants.
The invention concerns a one-way valve positionable within a lumen of a vessel, such as a vein. The valve according to the invention comprises a flexible tube formed of intermeshed filaments, which are preferably intermeshed by braiding. The tube has an upstream end and a downstream end which are oppositely disposed from each other. A radial support is attached to the tube at the upstream end. The radial support biases the tube radially outwardly into an open configuration which allows fluid within the vessel to flow relatively unimpeded into the valve from the upstream end. A plurality of flexible leaflets comprises the downstream end. The leaflets have surfaces facing inwardly of the tube. The leaflets are interengagable with each other and movable from a closed position wherein the surfaces are in sealing contact to stop flow through the valve in an upstream direction and an open position wherein the leaflets are separated apart from one another to permit fluid flow through the valve in a downstream direction. The leaflets are normally biased toward one another by a biasing means, allowing them to be readily moved into the closed position. Alternately, the leaflet may be biased into the closed position.
In one embodiment, the biasing means comprises the intermeshed filaments forming the tube themselves being resilient and biased by internal elastic forces into a converging shape wherein the surfaces of the leaflets are biased toward one another or in sealing contact. In the preferred embodiment, the biasing is provided by a resilient, flexible membrane covering the tube. The membrane has a converging shape which forces the surfaces of the leaflets toward each other or, alternately, into sealing contact. Preferably, the valve has two leaflets, although three leaflet valves are also feasible.
For higher pressure operations, it may be necessary to support the valve with one or more elongated supports arranged lengthwise along the tube. Preferably, the elongated supports are intermeshed with the filaments comprising the tube and prevent it from collapsing when subjected to pressure from the downstream end. The elongated supports may be integrally formed with the upstream radial support or may be connected between an upstream and a downstream radial support. Preferably, the radial supports push outwardly against the wall of the vessel to fix the valve in place. However, for relatively higher pressure applications fasteners having vessel engaging portions projecting outwardly from the tube may be used to fix the position of the valve by attaching it to the vessel wall.
It is an object of the invention to provide a one-way valve which can be implanted in a vessel of the human vascular system.
It is another object of the invention to provide a one-way valve which is compatible with human tissue.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a one-way valve which is simple, inexpensive and long lasting.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a one-way valve which has hemodynamic characteristics similar to natural valves.
These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following drawings and detailed description of the preferred embodiments.


A paperboard panel having score lines thereon such that it can be folded to form a 4-point glued infold tray to contain product, can be folded flat for storage purposes or can receive product and be further folded to form a closed box-like structure totally enclosing the product and having a self-locking feature to keep the box in its closed position.

There are many and varied types of product cartons in the prior art. Some of them can be folded into a flat state and erected to form a tray for receiving a product such as food products. Others can be folded in a flat state for storage and then erected to form a closed container for holding a product.
In the fast food industry especially, a package is required which can be easily opened, filled with the product, closed and then reopened to gain access to the product and to reclose it if desired. Such prior art packages for the fast food industry are generally of styrofoam or similar material which can be stacked one within the other for storage purposes. When used, the food products are placed in a bowl-shaped depression on one side of the package and the other side is folded about a hinge and locked to the bottom portion with a tab in a slot. This container can of course be opened and closed repeatedly. However, if the containers are to be used in a location with restricted space, such as on an airplane, the bowl-shaped containers, even though they stack within each other, require a significant amount of space. Further, the prior art containers require a closure of some type, generally a slot with a projection that is inserted in the slot to lock the two halves together.
The present invention provides a carton that is formed from a paperboard blank and which can be first folded in a substantially flat state for storage, unfolded, second, to form a tray with a bottom wall and vertical side walls and end walls for receiving the product and can be further folded, third, to form a box-like structure that encloses the product totally. The scoring of the carton allows it to fold and close easily. Further, unique diagonal score lines on the side walls allow the carton, when folded to the box-like structure, to fold its side walls around and over the product, thus holding the product securely in the container. In addition, this unique diagonal scoring on the side walls interacts against and with the product to result in a resilient, self-locking closure that does not require special locks or locking devices. Further, when opened from the box-like structure to the tray, space is provided on each side of the center portion of the tray where the product is located to allow additional product such as french fries to be placed therein. The blank can also be formed such that it can be pre-setup by machine although in such case, the tray cannot be folded to a flat state from its erected state. Also, the blank can be formed such that, when erected into a rectangular tray, a plurality of the rectangular trays can be nested within each other to conserve space.
Thus the present invention relates to a product carton that can be folded to a substantially flat state for storage, erected as a tray having a bottom wall, vertical side walls and end walls for receiving a product, and further folded to form a box-like structure that totally encloses the product.
It is an important object of the present invention to provide a carton that utilizes score lines on the side wall panels to cause an interaction between the side wall panels and the product which results in a self-locking box-like structure.
It is another important object of the present invention to provide a product carton which has a plurality of spaced inverted V-shaped score lines on each side wall panel to cause the side wall panels to fold around and over the product, thus holding it securely in place in the container.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a product carton that can be pre-setup by machine but cannot be folded to a flat state.
It is also another object of the present invention to provide a product carton that, when erected to form a substantially rectangular tray, can be nested one within the other for purposes of conserving space.


A test strip for use of the determination of an analyte in a fluid sample according to one embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The test strip comprises a base having a top and a bottom, a collection chamber that extends between the top and the bottom of the base, a containing ring that is disposed on the bottom of the base and surrounds the collection chamber, and a capillary channel formed in top of the base that has an inlet fluidly coupled to the collection chamber, a test element disposed within the capillary channel. A lid is attached to the top of the base and covers the collection chamber, the test membrane, and at least a portion of the capillary channel.

Test strips (e.g., biosensors) containing reagents are often used in assays for determining the concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample. Testing and self-testing for the concentration of glucose in blood is a common use for test strips. One method of obtaining a blood sample and analyzing the sample for determining the glucose level is with a lancing device and a separate blood collection device. In obtaining a blood sample, a drop of blood is obtained from the fingertip using the lancing device, and the blood is harvested using a test strip, which is then analyzed by a test unit that determines the concentration of glucose in the blood. Test strips are also used for determining the concentration or presence of various other analytes (e.g., fructosamine, hemoglobin, cholesterol, glucose, alcohol, drugs including illegal drugs, etc.) in a variety of body fluids (e.g., blood, interstitial fluid, saliva, urine, etc.).
A drawback associated with the use of physically separate lancing and collection devices is that a patient/user must manipulate two different instruments requiring the user/patient to bring the collection device (e.g., the test strip) to the area of skin that has been lanced to collect the sample. Because the user must align the collection device with the sample to be collected, a larger than necessary amount of sample often is produced and collected to ensure an accurate analysis. In other situations, not enough sample is collected for accurate analysis because the collection device is not properly positioned. This problem can be further compounded if the user has impaired vision or poor dexterity. Because test systems are requiring smaller volumes of blood for analysis, it is difficult to position a collection instrument for proper collection.
The surface condition of the skin affects the formation of a blood droplet at the lancet site on skin. Many individuals use hand lotions, have oily or sweaty skin, or do not dry their hands completely after washing which also affects droplet formation. Often users do not always cleanse the area of skin to be lanced with alcohol. These variations increase the wettability of the skin's surface causing the droplet to spread in an uncontrolled and unpredictable manner making it difficult to harvest the sample.
Further, the collection of blood samples on alternative sites such as the forearm is complicated by the presence of body hair because the sample (e.g., blood) has a tendency to "wick up" the hairs found on these parts of the body. Cleaning the lance site with alcohol does not alleviate this wicking problem. Thus, there exists a need for a lancing and collection device that co-locates the lancet and the collection point to accurately collect a blood sample for analysis.

Methods for using a diagnostic test strip for collecting and detecting an analyte in a fluid sample


A system and method for controlling the lifting of a stack of sheets to be printed in order to keep the currently uppermost sheet of the stack within a certain predetermined height range for reliable removal to a feed table. A motor is operated in either a discontinuous mode or in a continuous mode to lift the sheets, the mode of operation being chosen in dependence on the speed of the press and the thickness of the sheets when compared against an established curve. A sensor is utilized to determine the vertical position of the uppermost sheet in the stack. In the continuous mode the motor speed is adjusted in accordance with the height of the uppermost sheet in the stack, while in the discontinuous mode, the motor is energized and de-energized such that the height of the currently uppermost sheet in the stack is maintained within a predetermined height range.

In sheet processing machines, for example sheet printing machines, the sheets (i.e., printing media) to be printed are individually taken off the top of a stack of sheets as they are delivered, typically in an underlapping relationship, to a feed table. Suction-based lifting devices are then typically employed to individually remove the sheets from the stack. In order for these lifting devices to reliably engage the sheets, it is a necessary requirement that the vertical position of the upper surface of the top sheet must be maintained within a relatively narrow range of heights.
To keep the uppermost sheet within the required range, the sheets are typically stacked upon a pallet which can be raised as needed to compensate for the decline in the stack height as sheets are removed. Ordinarily, a motorized stack lift drive is provided for raising the pallet and stack of sheets so that the top surface of the uppermost sheet is within the proper height range. Since the speed that sheets are fed to the printing machine (i.e., processing machine) depends on the operating speed of the printing machine, and the height of the top of the stack varies in dependence on the sheet thickness, the drive must raise the pallet in dependence on these parameters.
To ensure that the stack is raised to the proper height, generally a stack height sensor is utilized. A control device monitors output signals from the stack height sensor, the control device operating the drive in accordance with the signals. Either discontinuous (i.e. intermittent) or continuous pallet lifting can be performed to maintain the proper stack height as the sheets are removed from the stack.
German patent DE 3 607 979 A1 discloses one such control device that continuously raises a stack lift drive. In this system the stack lift drive motor is continually operated, while the lifting motor is sped up or slowed down as needed to adjust for the varying deviations between a predetermined desired height and the actual height as determined by the stack height sensor. Although this types of system can handle the stack lifting task, a disadvantage of this system is that the motor and accompanying drive must be capable of a very large range of adjustments to ensure that the top of the stack can be kept within the narrow height range at all processing speeds of the printing machine and for all printing medium thicknesses. As can be readily appreciated, such a system is relatively complex and expensive due to the extensive performance requirements for the motor and drive.
Drives and motors that operate discontinuously to lift the stacks have lower performance requirements. One such system is disclosed in British patent 1,535,474 (corresponding to German Patent No. DE 2 659 511 C2). Instead of varying the motor speed, to operate a discontinuous drive the drive is either switched on or off to adjust the stack height in accordance with the output signal of a stack height sensor. With these type of systems, however, the higher the printing speed and/or the thicker the printing media, the higher the switching frequency must be in order to keep the top of the stack at the required height. Accordingly, the drive and motor must be designed to handle such rapid intermittent operation. More significantly, at high switching frequencies the pallet and stack tend to vibrate, particularly in the associated mechanical lifting gears. These vibrations cause the stack (including the critically positioned top sheet) to experience unpredictable movements. As a result of these vibrations, when dealing with either height speed printing or thick printing media that has a relatively heavy weight, problems often occur in attempting to reliably lift the top sheet off of the stack and accurately transport the sheets to the feed table.
Another system for controlling the lifting of the sheets is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,329 (corresponding to German Patent No. DE 3 631 456 C2). In this system a correction movement is calculated and performed based on a number of complex factors. A pulse generator connected to the shaft of the motor counts fractions of motor shaft revolutions so that the exact amount of correction movement itself is stored in memory and factored into the next correction movement calculation. This exact measurement allows precise compensation for parameters such as temperature, system wear and tear, voltage irregularities, and so on. The speed of the processing machine is also known, but is only used to calculate precise sheet thickness and the number of sheets removed during a correction movement. Continuous correction movement is also discussed, however the system does not switch to a continuous lifting mode based directly on the speed of the printing machine and sheet thickness, but instead on a number of complex factors including time intervals between movements and precisely calculated sheet thicknesses. While again this system accomplishes its objective, this pulse generator and memory combination (means for determining a quantity dependent on correction movement) requires complex calculations and measuring devices when only a simple vertical movement is required. As a result, such a system is far more expensive, complex and error-prone than is necessary to keep a stack of sheets within the required height range.

Control drive for a stack lift drive in sheet processing machines, more particularly sheet printing machines


A disposable and interchangeable roasting pan/cover features a base panel with a side wall about its perimeter. A platform for supporting a food product is positioned on the interior surface of the base panel. A handle recess may form the platform so as to define a handle upon the exterior surface of the base panel. Alternatively, a pair of side wall recesses in the interior surface of the side wall may define handles on the side wall exterior surface while enhancing the structural strength of the pan/cover. A rim is disposed about the outer edge of the side wall and features an even number of staggered tongue and groove features. Two of the pan/covers may be oriented with their rims abutted so that one pan/cover serves as a cover for the other serving as a pan. The tongue and groove features of the two pan/covers engage one another so that the cover oriented pan/cover does not slide off of the pan oriented pan/cover holding the food product.

1. Field of the Invention
Disposable roasting pans for use in cooking foods such as hams, roasts, turkeys, and the like have become popular because they are inexpensive to purchase and eliminate the need for roasting pan cleanup. These roasting pans are typically made of a light or thin gauge material, such as aluminum foil, and may be used with a lid or cover made of the same material.
While the pan is typically used for cooking only one time, the cover, since it does not receive the juices or grease from the food item, could be readily reused. With existing disposable pan and cover designs, however, the cover may not be effectively used as a pan. As a result, the cover by itself is not useful, and consumers may be forced to purchase both another cover and pan when only the latter is actually needed. In other words, consumers can end up discarding and thus wasting the covers of existing disposable roasting pan and cover sets.
If the cover could be used as a pan, that is, if the pan and cover of the roasting pan were interchangeable, the consumer would need to only purchase another single pan/cover for future use. Alternatively, the consumer could use the leftover cover by itself as a pan if his or her cooking needs so permitted. Consumers could also purchase two pan/covers and have the option of using them together in a pan and cover configuration or as two pan applications (where covers are not required). A disposable roasting pan with an interchangeable cover would thus be advantageous in terms of expense and flexibility.
2. Description of Related Art
A roasting pan featuring an interchangeable cover is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,875 to Wener. The roasting pan of Wener has two identical pan halves. Each pan half features a rim with staggered protrusions and recesses. When two halves are joined in a pan and cover configuration, the protrusions and recesses of the two halves fit together so that the halves do not shift relative to each other. In addition, a pair of extending and rigid handles are rim-mounted at opposing ends of each pan half. While the roasting pan of Wener offers the advantages of an interchangeable pan and cover, it also suffers from a number of disadvantages, especially when utilized in a disposable roasting pan application.
As a food product such as turkey, ham, or beef is roasted, juices and grease will collect in the bottom of the roasting pan. It is therefore desirable to elevate the food product above the bottom of the roasting pan so that these juices and grease will not be absorbed in the cooking item and disrupt an even cooking process. In addition, elevation allows for drainage and thus for the food product to be more uniformly cooked and browned. The roasting pan of Wener does not provide a platform for elevating a food product above its bottom. Its interior bottom surface is flat. While a wire rack could be placed within the roasting pan, and the food product placed upon the rack, this would involve additional expense and cleanup for the user.
The thin gauge metals used by disposable roasting pans suffer from diminished structural strength. As a result, disposable roasting pans customarily feature ribs of varying sizes and designs in the bottom of the pan to add structural strength without increasing the metal gauge or thickness. The roasting pan of Wener does not provide for such ribs or the like. It follows that if the roasting pan of Wener were made of a disposable-grade material, it would have a very flimsy and weak bottom surface. This would severely limit the size of the food product that could be accommodated by the roasting pan.
The extending and rigid handle design of the roasting pan of Wener suffers from a number of disadvantages. Even though the handles may be incorporated into the one-piece construction of the pan halves, they clearly involve additional manufacturing operations such as cutting and smoothing (of their edges). These manufacturing operations add cost to the product.

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A steering wheel comprises a gas bag module having a visible front side (26) with a gas generator carrier (17) on which a gas generator (21) is mounted, and several switches (15). The gas generator carrier (17) extends to close to the front side (26) of said gas bag module and forms at least one section of a common accommodation housing to accommodate said several switches (15).

Conventional gas bag modules typically have a visible front side, a gas generator carrier on which a gas generator is mounted, and several switches.
Gas generator carriers are sheet metal or plastic parts which, as it were, form the bridge between the gas generator and the steering wheel skeleton. The gas generator is mounted usually directly on the gas generator carrier and the latter is in direct or indirect connection with the steering wheel skeleton, the latter connection especially being available in a so-called "floating horn module".
Modern steering wheels are increasingly also provided with switches, e.g. for operating telephone or radio or for operating an on-board computer. These switches are usually arranged adjoining the gas bag module to the left and right. As the gas bag module is usually constructed so as to be movable for actuating the horn, there is a gap between the covering cap and the switches.
The installation of the switches usually requires several parts which, in addition, make it more difficult to predetermine the gap precisely and keep it as small as possible.
It is an object of the invention on the one hand to provide a steering wheel in which fewer parts are necessary and in which, on the other hand, the gap between the covering cap and the switches is small and can be predetermined within narrow limits, which is to be achieved as far as possible with little installation effort at the same time.


In the present invention, an apparatus and method for performing alpha blending calculations in a fast and efficient manner is disclosed. When implemented as an integrated circuit, the apparatus of the present invention occupies reduced area. The apparatus comprises a plurality of multiplexers and an adder. Each of multiplexers is configured to receive a bit value, α1, of the digital value alpha, α. Each of the plurality of multiplexers is configured to receive the first and second digital image values. Each of the plurality of multiplexers is also configured to direct to outputs of the multiplexers either the first or second digital image value responsive to the bit value, αi. Each of the outputs of the plurality of multiplexers is shifted left according to the order of the bit values, α1, to produce a plurality of left-shifted outputs. The adder is produces the sum of the left-shifted outputs.

A digital image is made up of many pixels that are represented in a computer system as digital values. The pixels are typically arranged in columns and rows such that the collected pixels form images to be perceived by a user. Pixels can be displayed as color or gray-scale images (also called black and white images). In a gray-scale image, each pixels is represented by a luminance (also called intensity) value. For example, where luminance is expressed using eight digital bits, each pixel is represented by a single unsigned byte with a range of 0 to 255, where 0 specifies the darkest pixel, 255 specifies the brightest pixels, and intermediate values specify intermediate luminance. Moreover, images can be represented in color format wherein chrominances and luminances are specified. Chrominance (or color) can be represented using a collection of colors that when mixed together generate a perceived color. For example, the colors red (R), green (G), and blue (B) can be used to display many different colors. Depending on the chromatic content of the individual colors, a color gamut is available from which colors can be generated.
Digital image technology finds many applications including television, video and computer graphics. In these types of applications, it can be straightforward to display any given image; however, many possibilities exist when it becomes necessary to display two or more images over the same display area. Whereas to display either of two images as if it were placed on top of the other can be a simple task, it can, however, be the case that a mix or blending of the images is necessary. In the field of art to which it pertains, this mixing or blending is often achieved through a technique called alpha blending. Through the use of alpha blending, two or more images can be individually displayed, but can also be partially displayed with one image dominating the other.
In computer graphics applications, for example, in computer games, blending of images is very important, however, for complex or fast-paced graphics, alpha blending calculations can become computationally intensive. In certain applications, a screen can contain millions of individual pixels where each pixel must be refreshed every 1/60th of a second. Moreover, many or all such pixels may require alpha blending calculation. Thus, there is a need for a method for fast alpha blending calculations in systems incorporating complex digital graphics. There is a further need for an apparatus that can produce fast alpha blending calculations through reduced hardware or reduced complexity hardware, software, or firmware.

Apparatus and method for alpha blending of digital images


Sulfonic acid esters of 2,4-bistrichloromethyl-6-(mono- or dihydroxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine are disclosed. Also disclosed is a negative-working radiation-sensitive mixture containing such a compound in combination with a compound containing at least two acid-crosslinkable groups, and a water-insoluble polymeric binder which is soluble or at least swellable in aqueous alkaline solutions. The esters are esters of a sulfonic acid or sulfonic acids of the formula R--SO.sub.3 H or R'(--SO.sub.3 H).sub.2 with 2,4-bistrichloromethyl-6-(mono- or dihydroxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine of the formulae I and/or II ##STR1## where R is an optionally further substituted (C.sub.1 -C.sub.10)-alkyl, (C.sub.5 -C.sub.10)cycloalkyl, (C.sub.6 -C.sub.10)aryl, (C.sub.6 -C.sub.10)aryl-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.10)alkyl or (C.sub.3 -C.sub.9)heteroaryl radical, R' is an optionally substituted (C.sub.1 -C.sub.10)alkylene, (C.sub.6 -C.sub.10)arylene or (C.sub.3 -C.sub.9)heteroarylene radical, and n may be 1 or 2. The radiation-sensitive mixture according to the invention is remarkable for a high resolution and a high sensitivity over a wide spectral range and can be used to produce a radiation-sensitive recording material suitable for producing photoresists, electronic components, or printing plates, or for chemical milling.

The present invention relates to sulfonic acid esters of 2,4-bistrichloromethyl-6-(mono- or dihydroxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine and to a negative-working radiation-sensitive mixture containing these compounds in combination with a compound containing at least two acid-crosslinkable groups, and a water-insoluble polymeric binder which is soluble or at least swellable in aqueous-alkaline solutions. The invention also relates to a radiation-sensitive recording material produced therewith which is suitable for producing photoresists, electronic components, or printing plates, or for chemical milling.
The constant reduction in the size of structures, for example, in chip production, down to the range of less than 1 .mu.m requires modified lithographic techniques. In order to image fine structures, radiation is used which has a short wavelength, such as high-energy UV light, electron beams or X-rays. The radiation-sensitive mixture must be suited to the shortwave radiation. A summary of the requirements imposed on the radiation-sensitive mixture is provided in the paper by C. G. Willson entitled "Organic Resist Materials--Theory and Chemistry" [Introduction to Microlithography, Theory, Materials and Processing, edited by L. F. Thompson, C. G. Willson and M. J. Bowden, ACS Symp. Ser., 219: 87 (1983), American Chemical Society, Washington]. There is therefore an increased requirement for radiation-sensitive mixtures that can be used in the more recent technologies such as mid- and deep-UV lithography [exposure, for example, to excimer lasers at wavelengths of 305 nm (XeF), 248 nm (KrF) , 193 nm (ArF)], electron beam lithography or X-ray lithography. Preferably these mixtures are also sensitive in a wide spectral range and can be used in conventional UV lithography.
Negative-working radiation-sensitive mixtures that contain bisazides as crosslinking agents and binders derived from isoprene are known. They are used as radiation-sensitive layers in the production of printing plates, printed circuits and integrated circuits. Their use in microlithography is, however, limited by various technical disadvantages. Thus, it is difficult to produce high-quality layers without defects (pinholes). The thermal stability of such mixtures is inadequate, i.e., the resist images are distorted during processing by thermal flow. Finally, their resolving power is limited to structures greater than 2 .mu.m since they exhibit undesirably high swelling even in the cured regions during the necessary development with organic solvents. This results in turn in structure distortions or inhomogeneous development processes and, consequently, in inexact reproduction of the image provided by the exposure mask.
In order to produce resist images having a resolution of better than 2 .mu.m, other negative-working radiation-sensitive mixtures have been developed which are sensitive to radiation of shorter wavelength, for example, a mixture containing a copolymer of 2,3-epoxypropyl methacrylate and 2,3-dichloropropyl methacrylate (DCOPA) or a combination of the corresponding homopolymers. However, the glass transition temperature of this mixture is too low for many applications. In particular, the mixture has an undesirably low plasma etching resistance. In addition, this resist material has to be processed with developers containing organic solvents having low environmental acceptability. Other hitherto known negative-working photoresists with an aliphatic base also exhibit a low plasma etching resistance.
EP 164 248 discloses an acid-curable mixture that can be developed in aqueous alkali, has an improved plasma etching resistance as a result of the use of aromatics and is sensitive to near-UV light (350 to 450 nm). The acid formers mentioned in this connection are, in particular, sulfonic acid ester derivatives of diazonaphthoquinone, which form weakly acidic carboxylic acids on exposure and are therefore effective only at comparatively high concentration. However, as a result of the weak absorptions and of the inadequate bleaching-out behavior of the photolytic acid former, such mixtures have a low sensitivity to deep UV radiation, electron radiation and X-rays.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,692,560 describes an acid-curable mixture containing an acid-crosslinkable melamine derivative, a novolak and chlorinated benzophenones as photolytic acid formers. These mixtures also have inadequate sensitivity in the deep-UV region. The same applies to the acid-forming derivatives of DDT which are mentioned in EP 232 972. In addition. these are highly toxic and cannot therefore realistically be used. All the same, such compounds have an appreciable sensitivity in the deep-UV region (200 to 300 nm).
Examples of compounds that form a strong acid on irradiation include, in particular, onium salts such as diazonium, phosphonium, sulfonium and iodonium salts of non-nucleophilic acids such as HSbF.sub.6, HAsF.sub.6 or HPF.sub.6 [J. V. Crivello, Polym. Eng. Sci., 23:953 (1983) ]. In addition, halogen compounds, in particular trichloromethyltriazine derivatives (EP 137 452=U.S. Pat. No. 4,619,998/4,696,888) or trichloromethyloxadiazole derivatives, o-(quinone diazide)sulfonyl chlorides, o-(quinone diazide)-4-sulfonic acid esters, bis(sulfonyl)diazomethanes, sulfonylcarbonyldiazomethanes and nitrobenzyltosylates have been recommended.
These compounds are used in negative- or positive-working radiation-sensitive mixtures. The use of such photolytic acid formers, however, entails certain disadvantages which severely restrict their possible uses in various fields of application. Thus, the onium salts have a relatively high, virtually unbleachable self-absorption in the desired wavelength region. This means that the maximum achievable resolution of the resultant radiation-sensitive mixture is limited in many cases. Furthermore, many onium salts are toxic. Their solubility in many solvents is inadequate, and for this reason only a few solvents are suitable for producing a coating solution. In addition, impurity atoms, some of which are undesirable and which may result in process interferences, particularly in microlithography, are introduced if onium salts are used, with the result that the use of such mixtures leads to unsatisfactory results. Although halogen compounds such as (quinone diazide)sulfonyl chlorides form strong hydrohalic acids, they have, in the radiation-sensitive mixture and also on certain substrates, only a limited durability. This has been improved by inserting an interlayer between substrate and radiation-sensitive layer containing compounds that form a strong acid upon exposure, but this resulted in an undesirable increase in defects and in a reduced reproducibility (DE 36 21 376=U.S. Pat. No. 4,840,867).
Although other classes of compounds that generate hydrohalic acid such as bistrichloromethyltriazine derivatives (EP 137 452) have a good acid-forming efficiency, they have an often inadequate solubility in common resist solvents. They are, in addition, frequently sweated out of the photosensitive layer under the processing conditions applied in practice, with the result that a reproducible production of the resultant layer is no longer possible.
In more recent publications by F. M. Houlihan et al., SPIE 920:67 (1988), it was shown that positive-working systems containing nitrobenzyl tosylates that form sulfonic acids with low migration tendency on exposure can be used in certain acid-labile resist formulations in addition to the above-mentioned acid formers. From these results it can be deduced that such compounds can also be used for photocurable systems. The sensitivities achieved under these circumstances and the thermal stability of the photoresist prove, however, to be inadequate.
Despite the intensive research activity hitherto carried out in this field, no radiation-sensitive mixture is known at the present time with which a negative-working radiation-sensitive recording material can be produced having a high sensitivity in the deep-UV region (200 to 300 nm), a high resolution, and an ability to be developed fully compatibly and in aqueous alkali solutions using standard lithographic processing steps.

Radiation-sensitive sulfonic acid esters and their use


An organ preservation container includes a gas impermeable housing for containing an organ. At least two liquids having different densities and forming a liquid-liquid interface are also contained in the housing. A closure for hermetically sealing the housing is provided. A structure is provided within the housing for engaging the organ and for maintaining a portion of the organ at the liquid-liquid interface such that the organ will be maintained partially in both of the liquids. A method for preserving the organ is also described.

The period between harvesting an organ and transplantation of the organ or cells from the organ into the recipient usually involves cold storage and transportation. During this period, the supply of blood, and consequently oxygen, is cut off from the organ. This period of cold ischemia is, at present, unavoidable and results in the gradual deterioration of cell function, eventually progressing to irreversible damage.
A new rapidly emerging technique for improved preservation of donor pancreata and possibly other organs has been established and several groups are now testing it in research and clinical trials. The technique is called the 2 layer method and calls for the utilization of a solution of perfluorocarbon (PFC) or other oxygen-dissolving solution in combination with a cold storage preservation solution such as the University of Wisconsin preservation solution (the "UW solution"). The UW solution contains as its primary agents lactobionate and raffinose. These compounds are too large to enter the cells and therefore remain in the extracellular spaces. These impermeants act through osmotic forces to prevent cell swelling that would otherwise damage the stored organ.
Liver is another common organ for transplantation, as transplantation can be the only option for many patients suffering from treatable liver diseases. A successful transplantation requires that the donor liver be optimally preserved. Although the liver can be preserved for 10-20 h, its cellular energy levels fall to critically low values within the first 1-4 h. The consequences of a poorly functioning transplanted liver are potentially fatal, and requires retransplantation at a significant increase in cost. It is therefore vital that adequate procedures and systems be provided for organ storage and transportation.
It is a well known fact that maintaining an organ partially submerged in oxygenated PFC greatly extends its useful life for transplantation or for cell procurement. The density of most organs is approximately 1 g/cm3. The density of PFC is approximately 2 times that of the organ or 1.95 g/cm3 and the density of the UW solution is approximately equal to that of the organ. Accordingly, the PFC settles at the bottom of the container while the UW solution settles on top of it. The organ typically rests partially submerged in the PFC while also being contacted by the UW solution. It is difficult to maintain this partial submersion especially during transportation of the organ because of the different sizes and shapes of organs and because the position of the container may also change.
Walsh, U.S. Pat. No. 6,490,8890, discloses a regulated organ containment shipping system using dual-layer preservation liquid. The organ containment shipping system has an outer container adapted to receive a passive cooling medium and an inner container positioned within the outer container by structure that includes a gimbal mechanism to substantially maintain the inner container in a predefined orientation in the event of a change of orientation of the outer container.


A spur gear deceleration mechanism unit (30) of a wrist structure unit is adapted to be driven in a first deceleration ratio structure or a second deceleration ratio structure. The first deceleration ratio structure uses at least a first spur gear (31) fitted onto an output shaft of a wrist inner frame driving motor (21) and a second spur gear (32) rotatably supported by a first auxiliary shaft (41). The second deceleration ratio structure uses at least the first spur gear, a first additional spur gear (51) rotatably supported by an additional auxiliary shaft (50), and a second additional spur gear (52) rotatably supported integrally with the first additional spur gear by the additional auxiliary shaft.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wrist structure unit provided at a tip of an arm of an industrial robot.
2. Description of the Related Art
A wrist structure unit of an industrial robot includes a wrist machine frame and a wrist inner frame rotatable relative to the wrist machine frame. Various wrist elements, such as a hand and a tool, are attached to the wrist inner frame via a working tool attachment member. Rotation of an output shaft of a driving motor incorporated in the wrist machine frame is decelerated by a spur gear deceleration mechanism unit, thereby rotating the wrist inner frame relative to the wrist machine frame.
Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2014-000612 has disclosed a wrist structure unit that includes a decelerator chamber housing a spur gear deceleration mechanism unit that stores a driving motor in a wrist machine frame to form a driving force transmission mechanism and a wiring chamber housing wiring cables for supplying a driving power to the driving motor and transmitting and receiving control signals, in which the chambers are formed to be apart from each other. Accordingly, maintenance of the driving motor can be performed independently at the wiring chamber side via the wiring cables, thus ensuring easy maintenance.
Additionally, in the above Patent Publication, only a spur gear transmission mechanism allows deceleration and transmission by one wrist operation system of a wrist having a plurality of degrees of operational freedom. This structure can exclude a complicated deceleration mechanism in which a belt-pulley mechanism coexists, resulting in the reduction of production cost.
In the Patent Publication, the spur gear deceleration mechanism that consists of a three-stage spur gear train is arranged on one side of the wrist machine frame. A single-stage spur gear has a deceleration ratio ranging from 1:2.5 to 1:7 (about 4), so that the three-stage spur gear train can achieve a deceleration ratio of from 40 to 80. In addition, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. H07-052074 discloses a spur gear deceleration mechanism. Furthermore, in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. H10-175188, a fifth axis deceleration mechanism is also a spur gear deceleration mechanism whose driving motor is arranged in a wrist chamber.
However, in the spur gear deceleration mechanisms of Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication Nos. 2014-000612 and H07-052074 and the fifth axis deceleration mechanism of Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 10-175188, when deceleration ratio needs to be changed due to a change in specifications, such as an increase in portable mass, design changes such as the preparation of a new wrist machine frame are needed.
The present invention has been accomplished in view of such circumstances. It is an object of the present invention to provide a wrist structure unit that can easily change deceleration ratio without newly forming a wrist machine frame.

Wrist structure unit of industrial robot


A battery pack, including a bare cell, a protection circuit board electrically connected to the bare cell, the protection circuit board including a checking unit to check whether the protection circuit board is operational, an upper case disposed on an upper side of the bare cell, the upper case having a checking hole defined therein to check the protection circuit board, the checking hole being formed to be opened to the checking unit, and a water penetration sensor, combined with an exterior of the checking hole, to cover the checking hole.

1. Field of the Invention
Aspects of the present invention relate to a battery pack and a method of manufacturing the battery pack, and, more particularly, to a battery pack including a bare cell, a protection circuit module, and a water blocking unit and a method of manufacturing a battery pack including a bare cell, a protection circuit module, and a water blocking unit.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, a conventional battery pack includes a bare cell that is capable of charging and discharging as needed, a protection circuit board which controls the charging and discharging and which opens the circuit when over-charging and over-discharging occurs, a resin which fills a space between the bare cell and the protection circuit board so as to prevent the protection circuit board from separating from the bare cell, and a case in which the bare cell, the protection circuit board, and the resin are packed into a form that may be mounted to an external device.
In order to manufacture the conventional battery pack, the positive electrode of the bare cell is connected to the lead, and the negative electrode is connected to the positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor. Then, the lead and the PTC thermistor are electrically connected to the protection circuit board. In order to prevent the protection circuit board from separating from the bare cell, the resin fills the space between the protection circuit board and the bare cell to mechanically fix the protection circuit board to the bare cell. In addition, the battery pack includes a case that enables the battery pack to be mounted to an external device to pack the bare cell and the protection circuit board therein. Here, the case, the bare cell, the protection circuit board, and the resin may be molded into one body using another resin. Alternately, the case may include upper and lower cases and contain the integrated bare cell and protection circuit board when the upper and lower cases are combined.
However, when water penetration sensing paper, which senses whether water has penetrated into the conventional battery pack, is not adhered to the conventional battery pack, water penetration cannot be checked even after water penetrates the battery pack. As a result, the battery pack may be damaged due to the penetrated water, and, accordingly, the performance of the battery pack may deteriorate. Thus, the battery pack penetrated by water cannot efficiently supply power to electronic devices.

Battery pack and method of manufacturing the same


The present invention relates to a process for improving a deasphalting unit process by producing an improved feedstream for the deasphalting process via ultrafiltration of a vacuum resid-containing feedstream. In particular, the present invention produces an improved quality feedstream to a solvent deasphalting process which results in improved deasphalted oil (DAO) production rates and/or higher quality deasphalted oils. The present invention can be particularly beneficial when used in conjunction with an existing deasphalting equipment to result in improved deasphalted oil (DAO) production rates and/or higher quality deasphalted oils from the existing deasphalting equipment without the need for significant equipment modifications to the existing deasphalting unit.

Solvent deasphalting of heavy residual hydrocarbon containing feedstocks such as vacuum and atmospheric resids is well known in the art and extensively used in modern petroleum and petrochemical processing of crude oils and other raw petroleum refining feedstocks. As the need for processing lower grade feedstocks with lower API gravities and higher viscosities in existing and new petroleum refining facilities increases, the increase on petroleum resid content and overall residual production continues to require improved and/or larger facilities for subsequent treatment of these residual intermediate products produced.
The refining residual products, including atmospheric and vacuum resids, have high boiling point ranges, with initial boiling points ranging from about 650° F. (343° C.) to over 1000° F. (538° C.), as well as high density, viscosity, and asphaltene metal contents. For many refinery processes, a significant amount of the high molecular weight multi-ring asphaltene components must be removed from these residual streams prior to further processing these streams into higher value products. Solvent deasphalting processes such as Propane Deasphalting (PDA), Solvent Deasphalting (SDA), and Residual Oil Solvent Deasphalting (ROSE) are well known in the art. All of these processes use low boiling-point, alkane-based solvents to precipitate the asphaltenes from the resid/solvent mixture and to remove a higher asphaltene content product stream as well as a lower asphaltene content oil/solvent stream. It should be noted that the term solvent deasphalting used herein, pertains to any extraction deasphalting process that utilizes an alkane-based solvent for the extraction of asphaltenes. The lower boiling point solvent is recovered from the low asphaltene content oil/solvent stream to produce a deasphalted oil ("DAO") with reduced asphaltene content. Depending upon the specifications for the solvent deasphalting process, the DAO product produced is of a reduced asphaltene sufficient to be utilized as a feedstock to subsequent refinery upgrading processes. The DAO product thus produced is generally of sufficient quality to be sent for further processing in refining catalytic upgrading units, but the DAO product is most commonly utilized in the production of lubrication oil grade products.
Several patents exist to improve the solvent deasphalting processes. U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,616 describes a process for solvent extraction of aromatics from a residual oil prior to hydrocracking and solvent deasphalting. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,592,832 and 5,178,750 describe processes for improving the deasphalting process through a two-step solvent process. Other patents, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,274,030 have utilized filters to remove solids in conjunction with the solvent deasphalting, but the process does not appreciably change the molecular composition of the hydrocarbon stream produced. U.S. Pat. No. 6,524,469 utilizes a membrane separations process to upgrade a visbroken resid stream prior to solvent deasphalting. However, all of these processes require either additional available capacity in the solvent deasphalting unit and/or the use of additional solvents, in particular valuable low boiling point alkane-based solvents, for the pre-treatment of the heavy oil stream prior to the solvent deasphalting process.
There are many problems that exist in the industry subject to the need for improved deasphalting processes. Firstly, conventional solvent deasphalting processes are expensive to install and operate. They require a significant amount of process equipment and require the use of valuable hydrocarbon based solvents which can be lost in the processing of the residual oils, as well as a significant amount of energy expenditures in order to fractionate and recover the solvent components from the deasphalted oil components. Additionally, refineries in the U.S. as well as many other countries are aging and struggling to maintain or increase capacity while the demand to utilize raw petroleum feedstocks with higher residual contents is increasing. Existing solvent deasphalting units can be difficult to upgrade especially if the deasphalting units are hydraulically limited. In this case, the equipment is too small for the required production rates, and expensive equipment replacement or modifications can be prohibitive in costs. Thirdly, as the demand for more and higher quality lube oil products increases, existing solvent deasphalting units are faced with need to produce both a higher quality product as well as an increase in production. As stated, today's petroleum refiner is faced with very costly modifications to existing deasphalting units to meet these increased quality and production volume demands.
Therefore, there is a need in the industry for an improved integrated deasphalting process. An even greater need exists for a process which can improve the product quality and production throughput of DAO from existing solvent deasphalting units while utilizing equipment which can be operated in conjunction with existing deasphalting processes, and which do not require significant equipment replacements or modifications to an existing deasphalting unit.

Deasphalter unit throughput increase via resid membrane feed preparation

ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company


Machine-readable media, methods, and apparatus are described which order memory transactions to increase utilization of multiple memory channels. In some embodiments, a processor may determine an issue order for memory transactions based on the memory channels that are to service the memory transactions. In some embodiments, the processor attempts to obtain an issue order that minimizes or reduces the number of idle periods experienced by the memory channels. Further, the processor may issue the memory transactions to an external memory controller for servicing in the determined issue order.

Computing devices typically comprise a processor, memory, and an external memory controller to provide the processor as well as other components of the computing device with access to the memory. The performance of such computing devices is strongly influenced by the memory bandwidth. Memory bandwidth may be increased and overall memory performance increased by providing a memory controller with multiple memory channels. For example, a memory controller with two memory channels has twice the available memory bandwidth and potentially twice the performance of a memory controller with only a single memory channel. However, memory controllers with multiple memory channels generally do not effectively utilize the additional bandwidth. In particular, such memory controllers typically allow one or more memory channels to experience substantial idle periods despite the processor having memory transactions that need to be serviced. Accordingly, computing device performance may be improved by reducing the frequency and/or duration of memory channel idle periods.


An inflatable packaging for storing multiple glass bottles made from a sheet that has a longitudinal axis and a traverse axis. The sheet is folded along six or more traverse fold lines spaced from each other to form a row of two or more pouches. The inflatable packaging can have two or more of such rows separated by a line of weakness. Each pouch has a front wall, a rear wall, a base, and an open-top for storing the glass bottle. Two adjacent pouches are separated by a dividing panel, wherein the dividing panel is corrugated in a biconcave shape.

The packaging is a means to protect an article from contamination, dirt, and damage. The packaging is of utmost significance in the manufacture, sale, and transport of articles. The primary purpose of the packaging is to protect an article from the environment. For example, packaging can protect an article from dust, water, etc. Also, the packaging has a primary function to protect an article from external shocks and bumps. This function of packaging is of importance in the transportation of fragile articles that are susceptible to damage during transportation. Good packaging can protect an article from damage due to shock or bumps both during transportation and mishandling of the article.
Multiple fragile containers, such as liquor bottles are generally stored and transported in cardboard boxes. Corrugated cardboard boxes are used for protection against bumps and shocks. Inside the box, the collision between the fragile containers is generally prevented by using crumpled paper or buffering material. However, the known method provided limited protection and the fragile container are susceptible to damage during the handling and transport of boxes. The buffering material between the bottles can get aggregated increasing the risk of collision of the bottles. The cardboard also provided limited cushioning against minor bumps and shocks.
Fragile containers or the contents of the fragile container can be costly. For example, most wines dispensed in glass bottles are costly and special care is taken in their handling. Trays are available to isolate the bottles in a box. However, the known method has several drawbacks, such as higher cost of transportation and storage of the bulky packaging articles, and increased cost of packaging per article. Moreover, transferring the bottles from the box can also be laborious and time-consuming.
Thus, a need is appreciated for an improved packaging for multiple fragile articles or containers that is devoid of the aforesaid drawbacks.

Inflatable packaging vessel for fragile articles


A method for applying energy to biological tissue. An electromagnetic energy source is directed to apply the energy to a region of the tissue, so as to ablate a portion of the tissue in the region. Preferably, cooling of tissue in the region is initiated subsequent to the ablation.

It is known in the art to apply electromagnetic energy to biological tissue to engender changes therein. Sunbathers, for example, regularly expose themselves to bright sunlight in order to increase melanocyte activity in the basal layer of the epidermis, responsive to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Artificial UV sources have been created to satisfy the desire for a "healthy"—looking tan in the winter. Other forms of electromagnetic energy, laser-light in particular, are currently used in a large range of therapeutic and cosmetic procedures, including eye surgery, hair removal, wrinkle removal, and tattoo removal.
PCT publication WO 98/55035, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes methods for minimizing injury to biological tissue surrounding a site exposed to pulses of electromagnetic energy.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,949 to Tankovich et al., which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a hair-removal method for placing a contaminant in the skin, using a laser to create explosions to drive the contaminant deep into hair ducts in the skin, and subsequently heating the contaminant to kill biological tissue surrounding the contaminant. The rate of application of energy is controlled to allow cooling of the skin.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,814,040 to Nelson et al., which is also incorporated herein by reference, describes a method for port wine stain removal, including applying a coolant to the skin, and subsequently directing laser radiation below the cooled area.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,801 to Anderson et al., which is also incorporated herein by reference, describes a method for treating wrinkles in the skin, including directing electromagnetic energy to a target region of the skin, while cooling an area above the target region.


Various embodiments enable navigation flows that occur within a single tab to be tracked through the use of identifiers that are created and passed between client-side and server-side software. The client-side and server-side software work in concert to utilize these identifiers to track navigation within a particular tab. In at least some embodiments, a client can request a web page from within a tab and, responsive to that request, a server can create an identifier and associate the identifier with the web page. The web page and identifier can then be returned to the client. Subsequent web page requests from within the tab include the identifier so that the server knows that the request came from the same tab.

Many web browsers allow users to have multiple pages open at the same time under different tabs. The different tabs in the browser typically share the same browser session and session cookies. Because all of the tabs share the same browser session, when a user opens a page in a new tab, the new page is already conveniently logged in with the server for that user.
The nature of the tabbed browsing design has, however, created a complication insofar as tracking navigation flows that occur within individual browser tabs. Specifically, multiple tabs in the same browser typically share the browser session so when a request is generated and sent to a server, there is no indication of the tab from which the request originated. In many instances it can be useful to track a user's navigation within a particular domain or website. This can be useful to help domain or website owners understand how users interact with their site. For example, understanding a user's navigation activities can help facilitate marketing or advertising decisions associated with a particular site.
Typically, navigation data can be recorded and correlated regarding a user's activities with respect to a particular browser session. However, as noted above, when a user has multiple tabs open in a browser, because the tabs share the same browser session and session cookies, tracking navigation flows with respect to a single tab cannot be performed.

Tracking navigation flows within the same browser tab


A method is described for manufacturing non-volatile memory cells on a semiconductive substrate having active areas bounded by portions of an insulating layer. A thin layer of tunnel oxide is formed and a first layer of conductive material is then deposited. A plurality of floating gate regions are defined by forming stripes of shielding material only above pairs of alternated active areas. Spacers of a selective material are defined with respect to the shielding material and of small width at will in the shelter of the side walls of the stripes thus defined. A shielding material is also deposited on the active areas which lacked it. The formation of the floating gate is completed by leaving the definition of the distance between the floating gate regions to the spacers.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a non-volatile memory cell comprising dielectric layers at low dielectric constant.
Although not limited thereto, the invention relates, in particular, but not exclusively, to a non-volatile memory cell of the Flash type, comprising dielectric layers at low dielectric constant and the following description is made with reference to this field of application for convenience of explanation only.
2. Description of Related Art
As it is well known, the Flash EEPROM memory electronic devices integrated on semiconductor comprise a plurality of matrix organized non-volatile memory cells 1; i.e., the cells are organized in rows, called word lines WL, and columns, called bit lines BL as shown in FIG. 1a.
Each non-volatile cell 1 comprises a floating gate MOS transistor as shown in FIG. 1b. The floating gate region FG of the floating gate transistor is realized above the channel region CH realized in the semiconductor substrate 2 and it is separated from the latter by means of a thin tunnel oxide layer 3, whose thickness is between 6 and 12 nm. A control gate region CG is capacitively coupled to the floating gate region FG by means of a single dielectric layer 7 (e.g., an oxide) or by means of the superposition of several dielectric layers for example of the ONO (oxide/nitride/oxide) type.
FIGS. 1b and 1c also show an enlarged view of the sections on a vertical plane of a cell along the channel length L and width W.
The other regions of the transistor are the usual drain D, source S, and body terminals. Metallic electrodes are provided for contacting drain and source terminal with control gate region CG terminals in order to be able to apply pre-established voltage values to the memory cell 1.
The charge stored in the floating gate region FG determines the logic state of the cell 1 by modifying its voltage threshold: fundamental characteristic of the memory cell 1 is in fact that of having two states, one with low threshold voltage ("erased" cell) and one with high threshold voltage ("written" cell). The voltage is applied from outside the control gate region CG, but the electrode effectively controlling the channel state is the floating gate region FG.
The floating gate region FG voltage does not depend only on the control gate region CG voltage, but also on the source, drain and bulk potentials, according to this relation:
                    V        FG            =                                    Q            FG                                C            TOT                          +                              ∑                                          i                =                S                            ,              B              ,              D              ,              G                                                                    α              i                        ·                          V              i                                                                        Where                    :                                          α      i        =                                        C            i                    /                      C            TOT                          <                  1                                                                          C            TOT                              =                        ∑                                    i              =              S                        ,            B            ,            D            ,            G                                            C          i                    In the calculation of the capacitive relations the capacitors get close to capacitors having plane and parallel plates, so:
                    α        G            =                                    C            G                                C            TOT                          =                  1                      (                          1              +                                                W                                      W                    +                    A                                                  ·                                                      t                    ONO                                                        t                    ox                                                                        )                                                            α              S        ,        B        ,        D              =                            C                      S            ,            B            ,            D                                    C          TOT                    =                                    L                          S              ,              B              ,              D                                L                          (                      1            +                                                            W                  +                  A                                W                            ·                                                t                  ox                                                  t                  ONO                                                              )
where: Qfg=total charge stored in the FG; Ctot=total capacitance related to the FG, equal to the sum of the partial capacitances related to the i-th element; αi=capacitive coupling coefficient of the FG with the i-th element; Vi=voltage of the i-th element; A=total length of the superposition of FG and insulating oxide (FOX); tONO=thickness of the interpoly dielectric (7) tox=thickness of the tunnel oxide (3) Li=efficient electric length of the superposition region of FG and i-th element, where i can assume the S=source, B=body, D=drain, G=gate and W=channel width values
From these relations the importance of the form and of the profile of the floating gate region FG is understood. In particular, it becomes necessary that such region is extended on the field oxide FOX formed in the semiconductor substrate 2 in order to protrude therefrom forming gills indicated with "A" in FIG. 1c. The function of the gills A is that of making the capacitance between the two poly (Cg) predominant with respect to the others and of having the channel controlled by the control gate region CG. The size of the gill A further influences the gate capacitive coupling value (αg): a reduction of this parameter has a strong impact on the performance of the cell in terms of programming and erasing time.
The extension of the gill A is thus a critical parameter of the cell geometry. Another critical parameter is also that of the spacing size between two consecutive floating gate regions FG indicated with "H" in FIG. 1c.
A known method flow for realizing these Flash memory cells 1 integrated on a semiconductor substrate 2 is schematically shown in FIGS. 2–5. In these figures vertical section views are shown in a direction parallel to the "Word Lines".
This known method provides the formation in the substrate of a plurality of active areas wherein the memory cells will be realized being separated one another by portions of a field oxide layer FOX. On the substrate 2 a first dielectric layer 3 called "Tunnel Oxide" and a polycrystalline silicon layer 4 called POLY1 are then formed.
This polycrystalline silicon layer 4, whose thickness is of around 50–150 nm, is for example formed by means of LPCVD (Low Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition). This polycrystalline silicon layer 4 is possibly doped in order to reduce its resistivity, e.g., with an implant of either phosphoric or arsenic or in situ by adding a suitable material, e.g., phosphine, to the deposition environment.
The method goes on with the definition of the layer 4 to realize a plurality of polycrystalline silicon stripes 5 parallel one another. These stripes 5 are separated and insulated from the substrate 2 by means of the oxide layer 3 as shown in FIG. 4.
In particular, in this step a layer 6 of photosensitive material called resist is deposited on the surface of the polycrystalline silicon layer 4 and it is exposed with a suitable radiation in predetermined areas non-protected by a mask. The portions of resist selectively exposed to the radiation have a removing speed higher than that of the non-exposed areas and so they can be removed by means of a chemical solution called developer (FIG. 3). After lithographic definition a dry etching of the polycrystalline silicon stripes 5 is performed to define the floating gate regions FG (FIG. 5).
After depositing an interpoly dielectric layer 7, the standard method flow continues with the definition of the "Word Lines" by forming a polycrystalline silicon layer 8 (called POLY2).
The "Word Lines" are then defined through a photolithographic method which provides the use of a resist mask so that these word lines are arranged perpendicularly with respect to the polysilicon stripes 5.
Although advantageous under many aspects, this method flow has several drawbacks. In fact, the lithographic transfer of the mask pattern is highly critical and it limits the reduction of the spacing between two consecutive polycrystalline silicon stripes 5.
A difficulty is that of solving structures of lower sizes with respect to the wave length used in the exposition (generally 248 nm or 193 nm). Moreover, the light transmitted through the photoresist layer is reflected from the substrate generating interference phenomena, which cause a degeneration of the pattern transferred from the mask. Normally, in order to reduce the amount of reflected radiation an anti-reflecting material (BARC) is used, which is deposited in the form of layer below the resist layer 6 and which is removed during the etching of the polycrystalline silicon stripes 5.
The interference phenomena causing the degeneration of the pattern transferred from the mask can be reduced also by depositing an oxide layer above the pblycrystalline silicon layer 4, which is then removed by means of a dry etching or a final etching solution (so-called "hard mask" method).
Different methods have been developed in the prior art with the aim of improving the pattern definition and thus reducing the spacing between consecutive floating gate regions.
A known method provides the use of a so-called "phase shift" (PSM) mask. This mask id provided with an added layer called phase-shifter, placed on the edges of the drawn structures, which allows to invert the phase of the light crossing it while, at the same time, it destructively interferes with the light crossing the uncovered areas. In this way the splitting of the thin stripes is increased. Even if this method allows to improve the lithographic definition of the floating gate region, it is quite complex and expensive to be implemented. Moreover, this method does not allow to realize openings in the polycrystalline silicon layer smaller than 140 nm +/−10 nm with the lithography 248 nm and smaller than 115 nm +/−10 nm with the lithography 193 nm, and it suffers from the lack of a suitable level of control and intra-die and intra-wafer repeatability.
Another known method is the definition of structures having controlled size, such as for example spacers similar to those used in the definition of the transistors of the LDD type in a sacrificial material (or more suitably in a combination of sacrificial materials) deposited above the polycrystalline silicon layer (POLY1) to be defined to form the floating gate region. By aligning the etching with these spacers smaller sizes than those allowed by the lithography are obtained. After defining the floating gate region, the method flow goes on with the formation of the interpoly dielectric, which allows the sealing of the POLY1, and of a second polycrystalline silicon layer, called POLY2. The cell is then defined by means of standard etching and photolithography techniques.
However, this method has the drawbacks of a lack of repeatability of the desired size of the spacers in all the areas of the die and on the whole wafer, and of a high faultiness inevitably due to the long sequence of depositions and etchings necessary first to define the above cited sacrificial spacers and then to remove them together with all the other layers different from the polycrystalline silicon layer constituting the floating gate region.
Another known method—which recalls the preceding one—for reducing the spacing size between consecutive floating gate regions exploits the polimerization properties of the etching chemical materials. In accordance with this method, an organic material is deposited below a photosensitive resin, which is exposed with a suitable radiation in the presence of a conventional mask in order to define the floating gate regions. Then the organic material is etched by using a very polimerizing chemistry in order to form a sort of spacer of polymer along the walls of the organic material itself and so, aligning with said spacer, the polycrystalline silicon is subsequently etched, in order to repeatably define a poly-poly spacing of smaller sizes with respect to the lithographic ones. However, this method has several drawbacks linked to its essential polimerizing step. In particular, the polimerization is such as to leave working residues that, especially in case much smaller sizes are realized with than those obtainable by means of lithography, then they can cause short-circuits between adjacent floating gate regions during the definition of the polycrystalline silicon.
The technical problem underlying the present invention is that of devising a method for forming non-volatile memory cells, having such characteristics so as to allow the realization of floating gate regions extremely close with each other, thus overcoming the limitations that still affect the manufacturing methods according to prior art.

Method for manufacturing non-volatile memory cells on a semiconductor substrate


Articulating faucets have segments connected by a plurality of movable joints. Each joint includes a pair of ceramic mating disks arranged in face to face contact, but able to rotate relative to each other when sufficient force is applied. A wave spring helps keep the disks in constant contact, and rubber spheres press against opposing surfaces of the ceramic disks to produce shear forces to keep the joint stable. In the faucet water passes through the joint by means of a tube or a hollow banjo bolt sealed from the joint. The faucet can therefore direct water to a wide variety of positions, without the need for a side spray, and while reducing the risk of joint leakage.

The present invention relates to a plumbing fittings with connector assembly for coupling fluid conduits. More particularly it relates to a movable joint used to connect segments of an articulating faucet.
Bathroom lavatories and kitchen sinks typically have faucets positioned at the back deck thereof, or on the counter immediately behind the sink. Some, kitchen sinks in particular, may have relatively wide single basins, or may have multiple basins. Thus, it is often desirable for a faucet spout used therewith to be able to pivot so as to be able to direct water between multiple basins, or to a specific part of a wide basin. Even when a basin is not very large, it may be desirable to direct water to a pot or other item positioned in or near the basin, and pivoting spouts is the traditional solution for this need.
Pivoting faucets have been in use for many years and are quite commonly found in the kitchen of a home. Such faucets are characterized by having a connecting or coupling means for securing the spout to the faucet body while allowing the spout to be rotated during use.
Faucets incorporating movable joints are also known. For example, the HiRise™ kitchen pot filler introduced by the present assignee provides commercial-grade functionality in home kitchen settings. Articulating faucets, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,149, are also known. Such jointed faucets enhance functionality and convenience by providing even greater flexibility in movement than standard pivoting faucets alone.
Jointed articulating faucets present challenges related to sealing between the movable connection of water carrying components as well as maintaining the stability of the faucet after it has been manipulated into one the desired position. The latter is event more challenging when providing the faucet with many, near infinite articulated positions.
Thus, an improved articulating faucet, and joint therefore, is desired that better addresses the aforementioned difficulties.


A new and distinct cultivar of Begonia plant named ‘Victoria Falls’, characterized by its compact, pendulous and mounded plant habit; freely basal branching habit; pubescent leaves; and numerous double flowers that are bright orange in color.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Begonia plant, botanically known as Begonia pendula, commercially known as hybrid tuberose Begonia, and hereinafter referred to by the name 'Victoria Falls'.
The new Begonia plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Amstelveen, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was to develop new freely branching hybrid tuberose Begonia cultivars with numerous brightly-colored flowers.
The new Begonia plant originated from a cross-pollination made by the Inventor in December, 2006 of a proprietary selection of Begonia pendula identified as code number 03-H-27, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Begonia pendula identified as code number 03-66-3, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Begonia was discovered and selected by the Inventor from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Amstelveen, The Netherlands in May, 2007.
Asexual reproduction of the new Begonia by cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Amstelveen, The Netherlands since July, 2007, has shown that the unique features of this new Begonia plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.