An improved sliding member is provided that has a sliding surface and a deposition layer formed on the sliding surface utilizing an ion-plating method, wherein the deposition layer is composed mainly of chrome nitride, including CrN. The CrN of the chrome nitride has a preferred orientation of plane {111} and contains boron in an amount of not less than 0.05 and not more than 20 weight percent. The deposition layer further contains oxygen and/or carbon in an amount of not more than 15 weight percent. The improved sliding member exhibits excellent abrasion and scuff resistance and enhanced peeling resistance.

The present invention relates to a sliding member, such as a piston ring for use in internal combustion engines, having an ion-plating deposition layer, or film, of chrome nitride formed on the sliding surface thereof.
For a sliding member, such as a piston ring for use in internal combustion engines, a technique of enhancing the abrasion resistance thereof has been made public in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication (JP-A) 8-296030 (1996), where the enhancement is enabled by forming an ion-plating deposition layer of CrN, also including Cr2N, on the external circumferential sliding surface thereof, by means of a physical vapor deposition (PVD) method.
There are two types in the publicly known ion-plating deposition layers composed mainly of chrome nitride including Cr2N and CrN, i.e., one type of deposition layer having the CrN of the chrome nitride which has a preferred orientation of the plane {111}, and the other type having the CrN of the chrome nitride which has a preferred orientation of the plane {100}. A deposition layer of the CrN having the preferred orientation of the plane {111}, is superior in abrasion resistance and scuffing resistance, but, due to having high internal stress, is inferior in peeling resistance, to a deposition layer of CrN having the preferred orientation of the plane {100}. On the contrary, or inversely, a deposition layer of the CrN having the preferred orientation of the plane {100}, is inferior in abrasion resistance and scuffing resistance, but, because of the porosity thereof being easily controllable, is superior in peeling resistance, to a deposition layer of the CrN having the preferred orientation of the plane {111}.
An object of the present invention therefore is to provide a sliding member having an ion-plating deposition layer, composed mainly of chrome nitride including Cr2N and CrN, that has peeling resistance enhanced, or improved, while maintaining the excellent abrasion and scuffing resistance level of a deposition layer of the CrN which has a preferred orientation of the plane {111}.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, an improved sliding member is provided that has a sliding surface and a deposition layer formed on the sliding surface by means of an ion-plating method, wherein the deposition layer is composed mainly of chrome nitride, including CrN. The improvement comprises the CrN of the chrome nitride which has a preferred orientation plane of {111}, where the deposition layer contains boron in an amount of not less than 0.05 and not more than 20 weight percent.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, an improved sliding member is provided which has a sliding surface and a deposition layer formed on the sliding surface by means of an ion-plating method, wherein the deposition layer is composed mainly of chrome nitride, including CrN. The improvement includes the CrN of the chrome nitride having a preferred orientation plane of {111}, where the deposition layer contains boron in an amount of not less than 0.05 and not more than 20 weight percent, and either one or both of oxygen and carbon in an amount of not more than 15 weight percent.
With an improved sliding member obtained by the use of the deposition layer as described above, according to the present invention, enhanced peeling resistance is obtained which is better than that of the conventional sliding members having an ion-plating deposition layer which does not contain boron, with the CrN having the preferred orientation plane of {111}, while maintaining the excellent abrasion resistance and scuffing resistance of the conventional sliding members having an ion-plating deposition layer which does not contain boron, with the CrN having the preferred orientation of the plane {111}.
The reason that abrasion resistance and scuffing resistance of the deposition layer are enhanced by adding boron, may be described in that, boron is considered to have a higher free composing energy in chrome than other elements, such as carbon, oxygen and nitrogen, have in chrome. Therefore boron does not tend to form a boride, and does tend to form a solid solution either in chrome or chrome nitride of CrxN, thereby producing a greater effect on strengthening the base of the deposition layer, resulting in enhanced abrasion resistance and scuffing resistance.


A method in a wireless network comprising a plurality of frequency channels and a receiving participant, the method includes: receiving data on a first subset of the plurality of frequency channels, wherein the frequency channels in the first subset are utilized at least once; receiving data on a second subset of the plurality of frequency channels; determining packet error rates for the respective frequency channels in the first and the second subsets; and selecting one of the plurality of frequency channel as an optimal frequency channel based on a result from the act of determining.

In a wireless binaural hearing device system, it may be advantageous to transfer data between the two hearing device via an optimal frequency channel, wherein the optimal frequency channel adapts to variations in the environment of the wireless binaural hearing device system.
Therefore, an object of one or more embodiments described herein is to select an optimal frequency channel for transmission of data between hearing devices in a binaural hearing device system.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Hearing device and a method of selecting an optimal transceiver channel in a wireless network


An apparatus for surgically manipulating tissue without causing irreparable damage to the tissue during retention and manipulation is disclosed. The tissue manipulator apparatus includes a shaft having proximal and distal ends, a rod member with proximal and distal ends circumferentially contained within the shaft, a contact member having at least one tissue contact surface area comprising a plurality of projections connected to the distal end of the rod member, and a handle member attached near the proximal end of the shaft. The plurality of projections preferably point in the direction of retraction of the targeted tissue. The apparatus is designed to distribute the interdentating contact over the tissue micro surface area in an effort to reduce reliance on pressure induced friction alone.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a device for surgically manipulating tissue without damaging the tissue. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tissue manipulating instrument having at least one of sharp extensions, barbs, teeth, serrations, or similar structures of sufficient length to penetrate a tissue surface and having a geometry that resists further incision of tissue whereby torque can be exerted by the distribution of the extensions, barbs, teeth or serrations.
2. Description of Related Art
Several tools have been developed for manipulating tissue by friction, trauma, such as hooking and puncturing, and a combination of friction and trauma which include coacting jaws such as those that are present in forceps and tweezers. The two most common classification for surgical graspers are traumatic and atraumatic.
A traumatic surgical grasper typically has at least one tissue penetrating element on one jaw and often has two coacting or interdentating teeth on the other which function to provide holding power via shear forces that are applied to the hole that is created by penetrating the tissue. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,619,260 issued to Magill et al. discloses a tissue-retrieving means for a surgical instrument having a snare loop projecting outwardly for encircling projecting body tissue and means for contracting the loop to sever the encircled tissue. The retrieving means includes tissue engaging means and manipulating means. The tissue engaging means preferably comprises means for impaling the encircled tissue including a barb movable between a contracted position for inserting the barb into the encircled tissue and an expanded position assumed upon the removal of the tissue on the engaging means.
Although effective for certain tissue manipulations, a traumatic surgical grasper is capable of producing undesirable effects. For example, in laproscopic cholecystectomy where prehension of the gall bladder is desired, a traumatic grasper would perforate or tear the gall bladder thereby releasing septic bile into the peritoneal cavity thus causing the patient great danger. Therefore, many instances of tissue manipulation require means for manipulating the tissue without affecting the structural integrity of the tissue.
An atraumatic grasper functions by compressing tissue against jaws that are typically covered with serrated, roughened, or ridged surfaces which are capable of creating friction but are not sharp enough to make incisions into the tissue. One example of such an atraumatic tissue grasper is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,615 issued to Rose. The Rose patent discloses a forceps type medical instrument with tissue gripping jaws. The jaw arrangement includes a pair of members having opposing wavy and serrated surfaces which open and close against one another to enable tissue to be retained therein by means of friction.
Another atraumatic tissue grasper is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,004 issued to Christoudias. This patent reference describes a twin forceps approximator having two movable plates joined together at one end and a central plate having the same length which is joined to the two plates at the one end. The two movable plates close against opposite sides of the central plate either simultaneously or sequentially. Teeth are located on the inside surface of the free ends of the plates or jaws in order to engage the tissue between the jaws so that the tissue can be rotated or manipulated.
Many types of tissue forceps exist in the medical instrument art which comprise the basic design of two mobile plates joined at one end. The inside surfaces of these plates often comprise complimentary teeth or ridges which function to hold the tissue between the flexible plates. The size of the plates or jaws, the configuration of the contact surface, and the presence or absence of teeth on the plates or jaws are the characteristics used to categorize and identify the various forceps by name. Most of these tissue forceps are also considered to be atraumatic tissue graspers.
Like traumatic tissue graspers, atraumatic tissue graspers may also produce undesirable effects. More specifically, with respect to the same example used in association with the traumatic tissue grasper, namely laproscopic cholecystectomy, sufficient atraumatic grasper prehension force can create a point load on the gall bladder that can perforate it, or an over pressure to the ligated sac that can induce failure or extravasation.
The present invention overcomes the shortcomings associated with the above described traumatic and atraumatic tissue graspers by distributing the minimally penetrating contact over the tissue micro surface. This provides substantial holding power over the contact surface with less reliance on pressure induced friction. Although the surface of the tissue undergoes multiple incisions by the mechanism of prehension with the present invention, the incisions are of insufficient size to effect the structural integrity of the organ. The present invention also overcomes similar limitations associated with surgical tissue manipulation in general where tissue is simply too slippery to hold or retain easily such as is the case with arthroscopic manipulation of cartilage.

Micro traumatic tissue manipulator apparatus


An artificial heart valve comprises a support structure defining an aperture for blood flow and a flexible leaflet connected to the support structure along first and second at least partially straight lines of attachment, wherein the leaflet is movable relative to the support structure between an open configuration in which the leaflet permits blood flow through the aperture and a closed configuration in which the leaflet restricts blood flow through the aperture. A lateral cross-section taken through the leaflet defines an outwardly convex portion, an outwardly concave portion and a junction between the convex and concave portions. The heart valve may be configured for implantation in a human or animal subject. A method of manufacturing a heart valve and a former for use in such a method are also disclosed.

The valves of the heart may be abnormal from birth, may become diseased, or may degenerate in old age. When their function becomes sufficiently impaired they may require to be replaced. There are many different artificial heart valves available for their replacement in established clinical use. In general, these artificial valves have been of two types. Mechanical replacement heart valves are constructed of rigid, synthetic materials such as metallic alloys, pyrolytic carbon, or rigid polymers. They do not resemble natural heart valves. Biological replacement heart valves are constructed of flexible materials of human or animal origin such as human aortic or pulmonary valves, animal aortic or venous valves, or animal pericardium (the fibrous sheet surrounding the heart). Such animal tissues are commonly treated with agents such as glutaraldehyde to enhance their durability. Biological heart valves resemble the natural aortic or pulmonary valves. Glutaraldehyde-treated bovine pericardium is a commonly used material, fashioned into three flexible leaflets on a supporting frame to mimic the natural aortic valve. These valves are implanted into the heart after removal of the abnormal valve by means of an open-heart operation. More recently, flexible valve leaflets have been attached within an expandable mesh-like cylinder for implantation via a catheter introduced into the apex of the heart or via a peripheral blood vessel. After manipulation into the correct location the device is expanded with a balloon to create a functional valve, without the need for conventional invasive surgery.
In general, mechanical valves require life-long anticoagulant drug treatment to prevent blood clotting around the valve and interfering with valve function, or spreading in the bloodstream to block vital arteries to the brain, gut, limbs or other areas, while biological valves are vulnerable to degeneration that limits their useful life, particularly in children and young adults.
Attempts to substitute a synthetic material for the biological material of the valve leaflets have been stimulated by the desire to avoid the leaflet calcification and degeneration, particularly in young adults and children, which detract from the clinical attractiveness of bioprosthetic valves. Most efforts have focussed on biostable polyurethanes. Valve design has resembled that of bioprosthetic valves in the expectation of retaining the low thrombo-embolic risk of these valves.
Synthetic polymeric, flexible-leaflet artificial heart valves, being still at an experimental stage, cannot be said to have a standard, established pattern of design. However, those examples that have been revealed in the literature mimic the design of the standard, established bioprosthetic valve, that in turn resembles the natural aortic valve of the heart. There is a good reason for this as this design retains near natural blood flow through the functioning valve. This is believed to be responsible for the bioprosthetic valve being unlikely to activate the blood clotting mechanisms of the body ("low thrombo-embolic risk"—hence allowing use of these valves without the clinical need for anticoagulation), in contrast to the "unnatural" design and abnormal flow patterns of mechanical valves.
The use of synthetic polymers, such as polyurethane, has been proposed as a possible solution to the limited durability of current flexible-leaflet bioprosthetic heart valves of animal origin. There are few examples of synthetic polymer heart valves in clinical use and these are currently confined to use in extracorporeal circuits where prolonged function is not required. Experimental polymer heart valves have shown limited durability and this is a serious disincentive to further development of such valves for clinical use as valve replacement devices. Experimental polymer heart valves have, in particular, been susceptible to damage such as tearing as a consequence of high localised bending stresses especially caused by buckling or wrinkling that may occur during valve operation.
The available polyurethanes that are suitable for medical use and that are sufficiently biostable for prolonged use in the bloodstream are relatively limited in number and are generally too stiff to allow satisfactory function of leaflets made from polyurethanes. This is particularly apparent with the stiffer, higher modulus, polyurethanes that would have greatest durability and biostability. Furthermore, the use of reinforcement within the polyurethane, such as carbon nanotubes or larger fibres, is likely to increase stiffness and render the reinforced leaflet too stiff for satisfactory haemodynamic function i.e. too stiff to allow the valve to open and close readily with satisfactory pressure drop across the valve and low regurgitation through the valve.
An important group of patients at present have no practical, satisfactory replacement heart valve available to them. This group comprises children and young adults in the developing nations. For example, Sub-Saharan Africa has the largest population of rheumatic heart disease patients in the world (World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates over 1 million aged 5-24 year olds—compared to some 33,000 in the industrialised world). Many of these go on to merit valve replacement. For these young patients the complex valve repair or valve transfer (Ross operation) procedures, sometimes applicable in the developed world, are not a feasible prospect; mechanical valves need life-long anticoagulant therapy (itself needing supervision), with a prohibitive life-long risk of bleeding or valve thrombosis; and biological valves often last only a few years before needing repeat surgery, with its own attendant risks. Thus, for the relatively small number of younger patients in the industrialised world, and for patients who cannot take anticoagulant drugs for medical or life-style reasons there is a pressing need for a durable replacement heart valve that will function clinically satisfactorily without anticoagulant drugs for many years without being vulnerable to early deterioration and failure. However, there is a very much larger population of patients in the developing world who could benefit from such a valve. Access to surgical facilities has often been a limiting factor, but with increasing development in many countries this may well become less of a problem. If a reasonably priced, reliable heart valve that did not require anticoagulation, and was easy to implant in a conventional operating room, were available, there would be a wide clinical application.


A dielectrophoretic columnar focusing device uses interdigitated microelectrodes to provide a spatially non-uniform electric field in a fluid that generates a dipole within particles in the fluid. The electric field causes the particles to either be attracted to or repelled from regions where the electric field gradient is large, depending on whether the particles are more or less polarizable than the fluid. The particles can thereby be forced into well defined stable paths along the interdigitated microelectrodes. The device can be used for flow cytometry, particle control, and other process applications, including cell counting or other types of particle counting, and for separations in material control.

Flow cytometry is a technology that can simultaneously measure and then analyze physical characteristics of single particles, usually cells, as they flow in a fluid stream through a beam of light. Many biochemical procedures require isolating cells of a uniform type from a tissue containing a mixture of cell types.
For example, cell separation is often used to analyze the DNA content of individual cells. In a typical cell-separation technique, DNA or antibodies coupled to a fluorescent dye are used to label specific cells. The labeled cells can then be separated from the unlabeled cells in a flow cytometer, also known as a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. A typical flow cytometer lines particles up in single file in a fine stream. The individual cells traveling single file pass through a laser beam and the fluorescence of each cell is measured. Selected cells can then be separated from the fluid stream using a vibrating nozzle to form droplets containing single cells. This technique can sort many thousands of cells per second.
The cytometer fluid system must transport the particles in a fluid stream to the laser beam for interrogation. For optimal illumination, the particles should be positioned in the center of the laser beam and only one cell or particle should move through the laser beam at a given moment. However, as shown in FIG. 1A, under normal pressure-driven laminar flow in a microfluidic channel, the fluid velocity profile is governed by a parabolic relation: fluid velocities near channel walls go to zero, while fluid velocities near the center of the channel are maximized. Particles carried along fluid streamlines will thus observe the same fluid velocity profile, with particles near walls moving slowly and particles in the center moving rapidly. As shown in FIG. 1B, this presents problems for optical detection schemes that rely on uniform particle velocities. With integration detectors, such as a photodetector, the detector will be unable to differentiate between a large number of fast moving particles and a low number of slow moving particles since both cases will produce similar optical signals. In addition, particles at different planes in the channel will be either in or out of focus of the optical detection system, also giving variability in optical detection signals.
To solve these problems, most conventional flow cytometers use hydrodynamic focusing, wherein the sample is injected into a stream of shealth fluid within the flow channel. The sample core remains separate but coaxial within the shealth fluid, enabling the laser beam to interact with the particles that are focused to a thin-core fluid streamline. However, hydrodynamic focusing requires that additional flow streams be added to the system, complicating fabrication, fluid routing, and waste disposal. Therefore, a need remains for a simplified focusing device to confine microparticles within fluid streamlines inside a microfluidic channel.

Dielectrophoretic columnar focusing device


A combined furniture and heating device having a concealable electric fireplace insert installed within a fireplace compartment of a furniture apparatus is provided. The electric fireplace insert has a front surface from which simulated flames are viewable when an opening of the fireplace compartment is uncovered so that the furniture apparatus is configured in its open configuration. The furniture apparatus includes a concealing panel removably installable over the opening configure the device in a concealed configuration so that the electric fireplace insert and its simulated flames viewable at its front surface are at least partially concealed. Power to a heating apparatus of the electric fireplace insert is turned on and off by a disabling device as the concealing panel is alternated between the open and concealed configurations. The disabling device can include a switch or a thermistor.

Fireplaces are commonly found in homes of colder climates. Fireplaces often improve the aesthetics of a room in which they are located. Electric and gas fireplaces are also commonly used in homes, apartments, and condominiums as well as in commercial settings such as restaurants, hotels, offices, and other places of business. Fireplaces, including electric and gas fireplaces, presently are not concealable from view when not in use.
What is needed is an electric fireplace with a removable and/or replaceable cover for concealing an electric fireplace insert of an electric fireplace. A further need exists for an electric fireplace insert that is capable of being concealed so as to blend in with the décor of a room, wherein the electric fireplace insert is operable when configured in an unconcealed, open configuration and inoperable when configured in a closed or covered, concealed configuration.


An electronic circuit unit includes an electronic circuit unit main body that is housed in a shelf, a first rotating shaft that is provided on a front side of the electronic circuit unit main body, a lever member rotatably provided about the first rotating shaft for urging the electronic-circuit-unit-main-body toward a depth side of the shelf, a second rotating shaft that is provided in the lever member and extends parallel to the first rotating shaft, a locking member rotatably provided about the second rotating shaft. When the lever member is rotated in a first direction about the first rotating shaft, the electronic circuit unit main body is moved toward a depth side of the shelf. When the lever member is rotated in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, the electronic circuit unit main body is moved toward a front side of the shelf.

In the past, an electronic circuit unit insertion and removal mechanism for inserting and removing an electronic circuit unit into and from a shelf has been known (see, for example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2008-53749). According to this insertion and removal mechanism, the shelf includes a groove section, the electronic circuit unit includes a rotatable lever provided with an engaging section at the tip thereof, a rotatable stopper that is connected to the lever and is provided with an engaging section at the tip thereof, and a housing section that houses the lever and the stopper and is provided internally with an engaging surface that may engage the engaging section of the stopper, the shelf is locked to the electronic circuit unit as a result of the lever being rotated and the engaging section of the lever engaging the groove section of the shelf, and, even when an unlocking force acts on the electronic circuit unit, the engagement between the engaging surface of the housing section and the engaging section of the stopper is not released.

Electronic circuit unit and communication device


A clutch mechanism for an energy storage device is disclosed. In an embodiment, the clutch mechanism includes a loading gear, a driving gear, a one-way bearing, a sleeve, and a gear shaft comprising a gear portion and a clutch portion. The gear shaft includes multiple spheres, and a push rod and an elastic element which are located in a cavity of the gear shaft. The push rod includes a groove and can slide in the axial direction of the gear shaft. A pressure block is fixed to the driving gear, the pressure block being able to push the push rod to slide in the axial direction of the gear shaft, so as to unlock or lock the sleeve and the gear shaft. A gas insulated circuit breaker employing such a clutch mechanism is also disclosed.

Many kinds of energy storage devices need to operate in conjunction with a clutch mechanism in order to accumulate energy and, when required, release energy. These energy storage devices may for example accumulate potential energy using a spring, and once accumulation of energy is complete, put the clutch mechanism into an unlocked state so as to release energy.
Various types of existing gas insulated circuit breakers used in high-voltage electricity transmission use energy storage devices and clutch mechanisms coordinated therewith; when in a locked state, the clutch mechanism allows the energy storage device to accumulate and store energy. When the clutch mechanism is in an unlocked state, the motive power device will be isolated from the energy storage device, so that the energy accumulated in the energy storage device can be released. Thus the potential energy stored in the energy storage device is converted to kinetic energy, which drives an operating mechanism in the gas insulated circuit breaker to open or close the circuit connected thereto. One existing clutch mechanism employs a ratchet mechanism, wherein the ratchet operates in conjunction with a pawl, and can only rotate in one direction as energy accumulates in the locked state; thus the energy accumulated will not be lost. When the accumulation of energy by the energy storage device is complete, the pawl will achieve mechanical separation of the motive power device and the energy storage device with an arcuate surface on the ratchet, thereby releasing the accumulated energy.
South Korean patent KR100841649B1 has disclosed a withdrawable switchgear for medium-voltage power distribution, wherein a clutch mechanism is used to allow switching between two different modes: manual operation of the trolley and electrical operation of the trolley. The clutch mechanism comprises a driving gear, a driven gear and a lead screw, wherein a switching unit can transfer driven gear torque to the lead screw, or prevent transfer of torque from the driven gear to the lead screw. The switching unit comprises a clutch rod disposed in a handle socket and a clutch ball disposed in a ball socket, as well as an elastic component.

Clutch mechanism for energy storage device and gas insulated circuit breaker thereof


A fluid pressure apparatus for a bicycle comprises a piston, a housing with a chamber dimensioned to receive the piston therein so that the piston can move axially, and first and second fluid ports in fluid communication with the chamber. The first and second fluid ports are located so that the piston is disposed between the first and second fluid ports when the piston is disposed in a piston home position. A first positioning element moves from a first home position towards a first direction, and a first biasing element biases the first positioning element towards the first home position. A first coupling element couples the first positioning element to move with the piston in the first direction, but the first positioning element and the piston move relative to each other when the piston moves in an opposite second direction.

The present invention is directed to bicycle control devices and, more particularly, to a fluid pressure apparatus for a bicycle.
Some bicycle control devices operate using pressure from a fluid such as air, water, oil, etc. One example of such a device is shown in German Offenlegungsschrift No. 195 14 267. The device disclosed in that document comprises a fluid pressure cylinder, a piston that is axially slidably disposed within the cylinder, a pair of rods that extend from opposite sides of the piston, an actuating member that presses against one of the rods, and a bushing that guides the other rod. First and second fluid ports are located on opposite sides of the piston so that fluid flows through the first fluid port when the actuating member moves the piston in one axial direction, and fluid flows through the second fluid port when the actuating member moves the piston in the opposite direction. As a result, two operations of a control device coupled to the first and second fluid ports can be performed using a single piston and fluid pressure cylinder.
The fluid in the pressure cylinder normally acts as a biasing mechanism, similar to a pair of springs mounted on opposite sides of the piston, that maintains the piston in a desired home position between the first and second fluid ports. However, if the fluid pressure on opposite sides of the piston is unbalanced, then the piston will be located in the improper position relative to the first and second fluid ports. As a result, the actuating member will have to be moved asymmetrically, thereby creating discomfort for the rider.


Disclosed is a process for preparing a multilayered cylindrical article which comprises introducing into a cylindrical mold a composition comprising a liquid, uncured resin material and a magnetically attractable filler material, spinning the mold about its axis, applying a magnetic field to the composition within the mold, thereby attracting the magnetically attractable filler material in the direction dictated by the magnetic field and causing the magnetically attractable filler material and the liquid uncured resin material to separate into layers, and subsequently curing the uncured resin to form a cylindrical article having at least two layers. Subsequent to formation, the multilayered cylindrical article can be coated with additional layers. Further, additional layers can be added to either the inside or outside surface of the cylinder by introducing the additional layer material into the mold and spin casting to form a layer. The cylinders formed by the processes of the present invention can be employed as imaging members in electrographic, ionographic, electrophotographic, and similar imaging processes.

The present invention is directed to processes for preparing imaging members. More specifically, the present invention is directed to processes for forming multi-layered polymeric drums or belts by a spin casting process, which drums or belts can subsequently be employed as imaging members or further processed into imaging members. One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a process which comprises introducing into a cylindrical mold a composition comprising a liquid, uncured resin and a magnetically attractable filler material, spinning the mold about its axis, applying a magnetic field to the composition within the mold, thereby attracting the magnetically attractable filler material in the direction dictated by the magnetic field and causing the magnetically attractable filler material and the liquid uncured resin to separate into layers, and subsequently curing the uncured resin to form a cylindrical article having two layers. Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a process which comprises introducing into a cylindrical mold a composition comprising a liquid, uncured resin and a magnetically attractable filler material of a density higher than that of the uncured resin, spinning the mold about its axis while applying a magnetic field from inside the mold, thereby attracting the higher density magnetically attractable material toward the inside diameter of the mold, and subsequently curing the uncured resin to form a cylindrical article having two layers, wherein the innermost layer comprises the magnetically attractable material of higher density.
The formation and development of images on the surface of photoconductive materials by electrostatic means is well known. The basic electrophotographic imaging process, as taught by C. F. Carlson in U.S. Pat. No. 2,297,691, entails placing a uniform electrostatic charge on a photoconductive imaging member, exposing the imaging member to a light and shadow image to dissipate the charge on the areas of the imaging member exposed to the light, and developing the resulting electrostatic latent image by depositing on the image a finely divided electroscopic material known as toner. The toner will normally be attracted to those areas of the imaging member which retain a charge, thereby forming a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image. This developed image may then be transferred to a substrate such as paper. The transferred image may subsequently be permanently affixed to the substrate by heat, pressure, a combination of heat and pressure, or other suitable fixing means such as solvent or overcoating treatment.
The formation and development of electrostatic latent images on dielectric receivers is also known. These processes typically employ an imaging member comprising a conductive layer and an insulating dielectric layer. A charge pattern is applied to the dielectric layer in imagewise fashion with an ionographic or electrographic writing head, and the charge image is then developed with toner. Further details regarding ionographic processes are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,564,556, U.S. Pat. No. 3,611,419, U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,084, U.S. Pat. No. 4,569,584, U.S. Pat. No. 2,919,171, U.S. Pat. No. 4,524,371, U.S. Pat. No. 4,619,515, U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,363, U.S. Pat. No. 4,254,424, U.S. Pat. No. 4,538,163, U.S. Pat. No. 4,409,604, U.S. Pat. No. 4,408,214, U.S. Pat. No. 4,365,549, U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,556, U.S. Pat. No. 4,160,257, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,155,093, the disclosures of each of which are totally incorporated herein by reference.
Imaging members for electrophotographic imaging systems comprising selenium alloys vacuum deposited on rigid substrates are known. Imaging members have also been prepared by coating rigid substrates with photoconductive particles dispersed in an organic film forming binder. Coating of rigid drum substrates has been effected by various techniques such as spraying, dip coating, vacuum evaporation, and the like. Flexible organic imaging members can also be manufactured by processes that entail coating a web and thereafter shearing the web into segments which are then formed into belts by welding opposite ends of the sheared web. The resulting welded seam on the imaging member, however, disrupts the continuity of the outer surface of the imaging member, and welded belts are less desirable for electrophotographic imaging systems because the seam forms a weak point in the belt and collects toner and paper debris during cleaning, Particularly with wiper blade cleaning devices. Accordingly, cylindrical drums and seamless belts suitable as substrates for electrophotographic or ionographic imaging members are particularly desirable. Imaging members for ionographic or electrographic imaging systems also preferably are in the form of a cylindrical drum or a seamless belt.
Processes for forming cylinders or belts by centrifugal or spin casting processes are known. The process generally entails rotating a mold or mandrel having a cylindrically shaped cavity about a center axis and introducing a film forming polymer composition in the liquid state into the cavity. The film forming polymer is subsequently solidified to form the desired polymeric tube. Film forming polymer compositions introduced into the cavity can be solidified by any of several drying or curing techniques, including oven drying, infrared lamp drying, vacuum chamber drying, impingement drying, dielectric heating, and the like. If desired, a release coating can be used on the inside of the mold or mandrel, such as silicone resins cured with a catalyst, silicone, oil, fluorocarbon oils and coatings, waxes, fatty acids and salts, hydrocarbon oils, and the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,394,340 (Tarumi et al.), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses a process for producing a thin-walled endless belt by centrifugal molding which comprises introducing a liquid curable silicone rubber dissolved in a solvent into a rotating cylindrical mold, hardening the silicone rubber to form a mold surface on the inner surface of the cylindrical mold, and thereafter introducing a thermosetting resin dissolved in a volatile solvent onto the mold surface to form the endless belt.
In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 4,107,254 (Webster et al.), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses a process of lining a pipe with settable material by arranging the pipe with its longitudinal axis inclined at an angle to the horizontal, introducing a selected amount of liquid material into the pipe at a predetermined rate so that the liquid material flows down along the pipe, shifting the pipe to a horizontal position and spinning the pipe about its axis to distribute the material, and continuing to spin the pipe until the material has set.
Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 3,666,528 (Barnhardt), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses a process for applying filled polyimide compositions in coatings of substantial thickness to internal cylindrical surfaces of compressor housings, labyrinth seal bands and the like. A mixture of a solution of polyimide precursors and talc are centrifugally cast onto a metallic cylindrical surface such that most of the solvent is evaporated and the precursors are partially cured so as to be structurally self sustaining. The rotation of the article to be coated is stopped and the coating is further cured under the pressure of an inert atmosphere such that residual solvent and volatile curing reaction byproducts are evolved without blistering the coating.
Further, U.S. Pat. No. 3,184,525 (Brandt), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses a process for making films of fluorine containing solid polymers which comprises evenly and uniformly distributing a powdered fluorine containing solid polymer over the inside surface of a cylindrical molding drum, rotating the molding drum on its axis at a sufficiently high speed that the powder particles are stationary, heating the powdered polymer in the molding drum during the rotation of the drum to the film forming temperature, subsequently cooling the polymer while continuing rotation of the molding drum, and removing the resulting film from the molding drum.
Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,808,364 (Blunt et al.), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses a method of forming rotationally molded articles without providing significant heating by providing a liquid monomer solution and rotational molding means, the molding means having an inner chamber wall defining an inner chamber and the liquid monomer solution including a catalyst and monomer. The liquid solution is conveyed into the rotational molding means and the rotational molding means is rotated while the solution polymerizes to form an article of polymer.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,714,312 (Nitta et al.), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses a method of manufacturing reinforced pipes made of a material obtained by mixing thermoplastic synthetic resin powder and a fibrous inorganic substance. The material is introduced in a rotatable metal mold in a predetermined quantity and the metal mold is heated externally while it is rotated. The fibrous substance is diffused uniformly in the molten plastic material and aligned in the peripheral direction, and the reinforced pipe is thus produced.
In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 3,439,079 (McDowell), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses a process for preparing a hollow article of a thermoplastic polymer wherein the process requires partially filling a cavity with a thermoplastic polymer and sealing the mold. A vacuum is then applied to the mold cavity and the thermoplastic polymer is heated to a temperature above its melting point while the mold is simultaneously rotated. The vacuum is released while the mold is rotated and the rotation is continued until a smooth continuous coating of the inner surfaces of the mold is obtained. The mold is then cooled and the molded article is removed.
Further, U.S. Pat. No. 3,246,069 (Maynord), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses a process for molding hollow articles of thermoplastic polymers which comprises coating the molding surface of a hollow sectional mold with a continuous thin layer of a plastisol, charging into the mold a thermoplastic material, closing the mold, rotating the mold in a multiplicity of planes, heating the mold to fuse the thermoplastic material and bond the thermoplastic material and the plastisol together, cooling the mold, and removing the article thus formed.
Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 3,673,296 (Timko), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses a method for electrostatically holding particles along a mold surface by impressing an electrostatic charge on the particles subsequent to their deposit, minimizing disturbance of the deposition stream and sticking of powder in the deposition apparatus. A roll deposition unit and corona bar are employed in association with a rotating mold to form a cylindrical member from powdered plastic material. The unit deposits powder in a strip zone lengthwise of the mold. The corona bar is positioned externally of the roll case, parallel to and coextensive with the roll and closest to the cylindrical mold wall in a plane outside the stream of powder flowing from the roll to the mold wall. When the bar is charged and the mold is grounded, the resultant discharge is largely concentrated outside the stream, minimizing electrostatic effect on particles in the stream.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,542,912 (Rielly et al.) discloses a method for making a multilayered article by rotational casting. A mixture of a plurality of thermoplastics, each having at least a 10.degree. F. difference in melting point from any other thermoplastic in the mixture, is rotatably blended in a mold. Each of the thermoplastics are then melted by heating the mixture to a temperature above the melting point of the highest melting point thermoplastic in the mixture and below the degradation temperature of any of the thermoplastics in the mixture. The mixture of molten thermoplastics is rotated for a time sufficient to achieve a good distribution of material on the inner wall of the mold and the mold is then cooled while rotating to solidify the thermoplastics. The highest melting point thermoplastic is disposed innermost of the article produced, and this material may have a density which is higher than others in the article.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,779 (Steinberg et al.) discloses a method of rotationally molding a multi-layered article. The outer layer is first rotationally molded and solidified. An inner polymer layer is fed into the mold cavity and an inner layer is rotationally molded to the inner surface of the outer layer. Preferably, the outer layer and inner layer are thermoplastics. The outer layer polymer has a melting point higher than the inner layer polymer. The outer layer is rotationally molded and cooled to below its melt temperaure but above the melt temperature of the inner layer polymer. The inner layer is then rotationally molded while the outer layer remains solid.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,966,870 (Vecchiotti) discloses a process for preparing hollow, multi-layered plastic structures comprising a layer of thermoplastic polyester material and a layer of polyethylene, the polyethylene and polyester layers being cross-linked together at their interface. The process entails charging a mold with thermoplastic polyester material, rotating and heating the mold so as to fuse and form a layer of the polyester material on the inner surface of the mold, cooling the mold to a point below the melting point of the polyester but above the melting point of a subsequently added cross-linkable polyethylene material, stopping the rotation and charging the mold with the cross-linkable polyethylene material, resuming the rotation of the mold, and heating it to a temperature sufficient to fuse and cross-link the polyethylene with the polyester layer, cooling the mold to a point below the melting point of the polyethylene and removing the finished structure from the mold.
Copending Application U.S. Ser. No. 07/761,128 filed concurrently herewith, entitled "Processes For Preparing Imaging Members," with the named inventors Douglas J. Weatherall, Marion H. Quinlan, and Andrew O. Kenny, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses a process which comprises introducing into a cylindrical mold a composition comprising a liquid, uncured resin material and a filler material of a density different from that of the uncured resin material, spinning the mold about its axis at a speed sufficient to cause separation of the uncured resin material and the filler material into layers, and subsequently curing the uncured resin to form a cylindrical article having at least two layers, wherein the outermost layer comprises the material of higher density. The multilayered cylindrical articles prepared by this process can be employed in several applications. For example, when one layer is electrically conductive and the other is electrically insulating, the article can be employed as an ionographic imaging member or as the conductive substrate layer of an electrophotographic imaging member. Optionally, additional layers can be applied to the cylindrical article by adding additional uncured material of the desired composition to the mold either prior to or subsequent to the curing step, spinning the mold to distribute the additional material on the inner surface of the mold wall, and curing the additional material. Alternatively, additional layers can be added to the cylindrical article prepared by these processes by other conventional coating methods, such as spray coating, dip coating, vacuum evaporation, or the like.
Copending application U.S. Ser. No. 07/761,091 filed concurrently herewith, entitled "Field Assisted Processes For Preparing Imaging Members," with the named inventors Richard J. Manzolati, Marion H. Quinlan, Douglas J. Weatherall, and Andrew O. Kenny, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses a process which comprises introducing into a cylindrical mold a fluid photoconductive material, spinning the mold about its axis at a speed sufficient to distribute the photoconductive material substantially uniformly along the inner surface of the mold, introducing into the cylindrical mold a fluid electrically conductive material, spinning the mold about its axis at a speed sufficient to distribute the electrically conductive material substantially uniformly along the inner surface of the mold, and causing the photoconductive material and the electrically conductive material to solidify, thereby forming a cylindrical imaging member having an electrically conductive layer and a photoconductive layer. Optionally, additional layers can be added to the cylindrical article prepared by this process, either by introducing a fluid comprising the material from which the desired layer is to be formed and spinning the mold about its axis to distribute the material along the inner surface of the mold and thereafter causing the material to solidify, or by other conventional coating methods, such as spray coating, dip coating, vacuum evaporation, or the like.
Although known processes are suitable for their intended purposes, a need remains for processes for preparing drums and belts suitable for electrophotographic and ionographic applications. In addition, a need continues to remain for processes for preparing multilayer drums and belts having a high degree of uniformity in the thickness of the layers. Further, there is a need for processes for preparing multilayer drums and belts wherein the outer layer has excellent surface finish characteristics. There is also a need for inexpensive processes for preparing multilayer drums and belts. Additionally, a need continues to exist for processes for preparing multilayer drums and belts having a high degree of dimensional uniformity. Further, a need exists for processes for preparing multilayer drums and belts containing a wide variety of filler materials in a wide range of filler concentrations. In addition, there is a need for processes for preparing multilayer drums and belts with low stresses, high temperature stability, rigidity, and solvent resistant characteristics. A need also exists for processes for preparing multilayer drums and belts from mixtures of materials having similar densities wherein one of the materials is magnetically attractable. Further, a need exists for processes for preparing multilayer drums and belts wherein the inner layer is magnetically attractable and is of a higher density than the material constituting the outer layer. A need also exists for processes for preparing multi-layered drums and belts wherein one of the layers contains a magnetically attractable material distributed within a matrix material in a graded, non-uniform density.

Field assisted processes for preparing imaging members


Techniques for creating a dynamic Huffman table in hardware are provided. In one aspect, a method for encoding data includes the steps of: implementing dynamic Huffman tables in hardware representing a plurality of Huffman tree shapes precomputed from a sample data set, wherein the Huffman tree shapes are represented in the dynamic Huffman tables by code length values; upon receipt of input data, writing symbols and their counts from the input data to the dynamic Huffman tables; calculating a score for each of the dynamic Huffman tables with the symbols and counts from the input data, wherein the score is based on the code length values of the precomputed Huffman tree shapes and the counts from the input data and selecting a given one of the dynamic Huffman tables having a lowest score for encoding the input data. A process for implementing the present techniques in SRAM is also provided.

Many hardware and software applications use data compression to reduce storage and memory capacity, and to reduce network and input/output bandwidth. Huffman encoding is often used to compress data, for example in the Deflate (gzip) standard. Huffman codes are variable length codes in which most frequent data items are encoded with fewer bits. Dynamic Huffman codes are custom codes constructed on the fly based on the frequency of data items.
Creating a dynamic Huffman (DH) table in hardware is a time and area consuming process. For instance, conventional DH based compression requires software intervention involvement, or a complicated mapping of the Deflate software algorithms to hardware. These may lead to a performance or compression ratio or silicon area penalty.
As a result, many hardware implementations choose to use the fixed Huffman (FH) method instead of the dynamic Huffman (DH) method. The disadvantage of FH is less compression compared to the DH.
Therefore, a simplified and fast technique for creating a dynamic Huffman table in hardware would be desirable.

International Business Mahcines Corporation


Local bit line pairs in a domino SRAM include an amplifier to amplify the voltage differential across the bit lines during a read operation if a cell in the local group of cells has been identified as a slow to read cell. The amplifier includes a transistor switch that is turned on by a timing pulse during the read operation, but only if the Array Built In Self-Test (ABIST) has detected a slow to read cell in the local group. If there is no slow cell, the amplifier is not activated, and the domino read operation is carried out. The amplifier can be used globally across the SRAM or selectively in certain sub-arrays.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a high performance domino STATIC RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (SRAM) in which the core memory cells are organized into sub-arrays accessed by local bit lines connected to global bit lines, and more particularly to an improved domino SPAM with a local sense amplifier to boost the local bit line voltage during a read operation for cell that has been identified as a slow read cell.
2. Description of Background
A static semiconductor memory typically includes six-transistor cell in which four transistors are configured as a cross-coupled latch for storing data. The remaining two transistors are used to obtain access to the memory cell. During a read access, differential data stored in the memory cell is transferred to the attached bit line pair. A sense amplifier senses the differential voltage that develops across the bit line pair. During a write access, data is written into the memory cell through the differential bit line pair. Typically, one side of the bit line pair is driven to a logic low level potential and the other side if driven to a high voltage level. The cells are arranged in an array that has a grid formed of bit lines and word lines, with the memory cells disposed at intersections of the bit lines and the word lines. The bit lines and the word lines are selectively asserted or negated to enable at least one cell to be read or written to.
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in prior art domino SRAM design the cells are arranged into groups of cells, typically on the order of eight to sixteen cells per group. Each cell in a group is connected to a local bit line pair. The local bit line pair for each group of cells is coupled to a global bit line pair. Rather than use sense amplifier to detect a differential voltage when reading a cell, in a domino SRAM the local bit lines are precharged and discharged by the cell in a read operation, which discharge is detected and determines the state of the cell. The local bit line, the precharge means, and the detection means define a dynamic node of the domino SRAM. Domino SRAMs of the type discussed here are explained in greater detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,729,501, 6,058,065 and 6,657,886, which are incorporated herein by reference.
In a domino SRAM cell, in the read operation the cell must produce a bit line voltage large enough to drive off the SRAM macro with no help from a sense amplifier. This presents a problem because an SRAM typically includes at least a few cells that are "fast to write" but "slow to read". The problem can occur within the normal process window were the pass gate on one side of the cell is relatively strong (the fast write side) and the pass gate on the other side is relatively weak (the slow read side). The "fast write slow read" cell is not a problem in traditional SRAM designs using a state of the art sense amplifier because if a cell produces 300 mv or 30 mv, the sense amplifier can amplify relatively small bit line voltages. The prior art approach to the problem of a slow read domino SRAM cell is to either swapping in spare bit line columns, or swapping in spare word line rows, or waiting longer for the slow cell to produce the proper voltage needed to drive the SRAM macro. These prior art approaches all result in some form of performance slow down, either fixed or variable.

Local bit select circuit with slow read recovery scheme

International Business Machines Corporation


Disclosed herein is a method of measuring a gap between exterior structures and interior structures. The method comprises directing a transmitted m-wave signal from an exterior surface of the exterior structure into the exterior structure and the interior structure. The transmitted m-wave signal is generated by a gap sensing device that comprises an electromagnetic dual-tuned resonant coil sensor. The method also comprises measuring a received m-wave signal with the gap sensing device. The received m-wave signal comprises the transmitted m-wave signal influenced by the assembly. The method further comprises determining a size of the gap between the exterior structure and the interior structure based at least partially on at least one measured characteristic of the received m-wave signal.

Some assemblies include two or more structures joined together at an interface with dimensions constrained by a predetermined tolerance. For example, in the aerospace industry, the gap between certain joined structures are less than a predetermined tolerance, such as 0.005 inches. When a gap exceeds the predetermined dimension, a shim or another gap-reduction method can be used to effectively reduce the gap between joined structures to ensure the predetermined tolerance is met and the joined structures fit together properly.
To determine if interfacing surfaces of joined structures are within the predetermined tolerance, gaps between the joined structures are detected and measured. One known method of determining the size of a gap between joined structures includes manually measuring the gap. For example, a technician can manually insert a mechanical device, such as a feeler gauge, into the gap. Accordingly, through progressive trial and error a technician can obtain a plurality of gap measurements at different locations along the interfacing surfaces of joined structures. The technician then records the measurements and often a shim is cut based on the measurements and placed in the gap. Manually measuring gaps and fitting shims in this manner is often a time-consuming process that requires several iterations. Moreover, such a manual measurement process is useful only if the gap is accessible for manual measurement. Often, the gap is an interior gap or an enclosed gap, which makes access to the gap from an exterior of the assembly or even an interior of the assembly difficult.
Another known method of determining the size of a gap between joined structures includes using an electronic device to measure the gap. More specifically, a technician can manually position an electronic device at a first location to obtain a first measurement, reposition the electronic device to a second location to obtain a second measurement, and further reposition the electronic device as needed. The shim is then manufactured in the same manner as described above.
However, both the mechanical and electronic measuring devices are configured to obtain a single measurement at a single location within the gap requiring a technician to manually reposition the device at various locations within the gap. Additionally, the technician manually identifies the exact location within the gap being measured, for example, by using a sketch, relying on the technician's ability to accurately identify a location that the measurement is being performed. As a result, measuring a gap by using either the mechanical and electronic measuring devices is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process and may not result in measurements having a required precision to fabricate a shim or other method of filling the gap. Furthermore, many joined structures define confined spaces that make manual access to the joined structures by a technician not only difficult, but often uncomfortable and unsafe.

Methods and systems for measuring gaps between exterior structures and interior structures


A method and a system for assisting steering and mooring alongside of vessels that enables operators to easily obtain physical relationship between two vessels and the states of mooring lines and fenders when the operators lay the two vessels aboard and moors them alongside for loading cargoes are provided. Physical relationship between a hull of the first vessel and a hull of the second vessel is calculated in the form of numerical data based on information on a reference position of a first vessel that is detected by a first GPS receiver, information on a reference position of a second vessel that is detected by a second GPS receiver, oscillation information on the first vessel, oscillation information on the second vessel, information on a distance between the two vessels that is measured by distance measuring device, coordinate data including hull outer shape and the like against the reference position for each vessel, and air pressure data for each fender. Information on the physical relationship between the hull of said first vessel and the hull of said second vessel based on the numerical data and the state of each fender are displayed on a first display device provided for a steering room of the first vessel and a second display device provided for a steering room of the second vessel by means of animation.

An operator has been required to be extremely attentive in mooring a vessel at the pier or laying vessels aboard so as not to damage the vessel(s).
When two vessels such as oil tankers are laid aboard for loading cargos on the sea with well-known operations such as STS (Ship-To-Ship) or FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading), the two vessels need to be moored alongside in close proximity to each other. An advanced design of the fenders installed between the vessels and the operators' experienced steering technique are essential to that operation.
As the similar technologies, apparatus for assisting vessel steering disclosed in the Japanese Patent Publication 2005-212693, system for assisting vessel steering disclosed in the Japanese Patent Publication 2006-162292, apparatus for assisting safety management of vessel disclosed in the Japanese Patent Publication 5-233999, monitoring system disclosed in the Japanese Patent Publication 2005-208011, apparatus for assisting vessels in departing/landing bridge disclosed in the Japanese Patent Publication 2003-276677, a monitoring method disclosed in the Japanese Patent Publication 2002-162467, and mobile monitoring system disclosed in the Japanese Patent Publication 9-35200 are known.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication 2005-212693    Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Publication 2006-162292    Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Publication 5-233999    Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Publication 2005-208011    Patent Document 5: Japanese Patent Publication 2003-276677    Patent Document 6: Japanese Patent Publication 2002-162467    Patent Document 7: Japanese Patent Publication 9-35200

Method and system for assisting steering and mooring alongside of vessels


Provided herein are copolymers of a polyaminopolymer and polyanhydride, wherein the polyaminopolymer comprises a polyaminopolyolefin; and methods of their preparation.

Lubricating oil for an internal combustion engine commonly contains additives to reduce and/or control deposits, wear, and/or corrosion. Similarly, liquid hydrocarbon fuels for an internal composition engine also commonly contain additives to control and/or reduce the formation of deposits. A polyolefin is useful as an additive in a fuel or lubricant as a viscosity modifier. To be useful as a viscosity modifier at both low and high temperatures, such a polymer must have a sufficient thickening effect on a light lubricating oil at high temperatures and a limited thickening effect on the light lubricating oil at low temperatures.

Copolymers of polyaminopolyolefins and polyanhydrides and methods of their preparation


A pulse light source includes: a master laser that outputs a master laser light pulse whose repetition frequency is controlled to a predetermined value; a slave laser that outputs a slave laser light pulse; a phase comparator that detects a phase difference between an electric signal having a frequency of the predetermined value, and an electric signal based on a light intensity of the slave laser light pulse; a loop filter; an adder that adds a repetition frequency control signal having a certain repetition cycle, to an output from the loop filter; and a phase comparator that measures a pulse phase difference which is a phase difference between the master laser light pulse and the slave laser light pulse. A magnitude of the repetition frequency control signal is controlled such that the measured pulse phase difference matches with a target value of the pulse phase difference.

Conventionally, there are known devices that vary a difference in repetition frequency between two lasers by vertically fluctuating a repetition frequency of a slave laser, while keeping a repetition frequency of a master laser constant (see, for example, Patent Document 1 (Patent Publication No. 4786767)).
In this device, the slave laser includes a piezoelectric element. The device is designed to add a component vertically fluctuating (for example, a sinusoidal voltage) to a voltage which is to be applied to a piezo driver for driving the piezoelectric element (see, for example, FIGS. 1 and 3 of Patent Document 1).

Pulse light source, and method for stably controlling phase difference between pulse laser lights


A method includes receiving a request for a list of nearby user devices, where the list of nearby user devices will be sent to a merchant device, where the merchant device is associated with a merchant, where the merchant operates a plurality of merchant devices, and where the merchant device is included in the plurality of merchant devices; receiving a respective location for one or more user devices, where each user device is associated with the merchant; determining, for each of the one or more user devices, whether the user device is nearby the merchant device, based on the respective location, to the merchant device than the other merchant devices in the plurality of merchant devices; generating the list of nearby user devices based at least on the determination; and sending the list of nearby user devices to the merchant device.

In a conventional point-of-sale electronic credit card transaction, the transaction is authorized and captured. In the authorization stage, a physical credit card with a magnetic stripe is swiped through a merchant's magnetic card reader, e.g., as part of a point-of-sale device. A payment request is sent electronically from the magnetic card reader to a credit card processor. The credit card processor routes the payment request to a card network, e.g., Visa or Mastercard, which in turn routes the payment request to the card issuer, e.g., a bank. Assuming the card issuer approves the transaction, the approval is then routed back to the merchant. In the capture stage, the approved transaction is again routed from the merchant to the credit card processor, card network and card issuer, and the payment request can include the cardholder's signature (if appropriate). The capture state can trigger the financial transaction between the card issuer and the merchant, and optionally creates a receipt. There can also be other entities, e.g., the card acquirer, in the route of the transaction. Debit card transactions have a different routing, but also require swiping of the card.
Many transactions require that the customer sign a physical receipt, electronically approve a transaction, e.g., by pressing an approve button on a user interface, electronically sign for the transaction, e.g., with a stylus or finger on an electronic signature capture device with a touch sensitive pad, or enter an authorizing personal identification number (PIN).
Customers can conduct transactions with merchants that have multiple point-of-sales. The points-of-sale can be within one store location or across multiple store locations.

Multiple merchants in cardless payment transactions and multiple customers in cardless payment transactions


A system and method of scrubbing gas utilizing a liquid to wet a gas stream is provided. The scrubber comprises a container containing a liquid; a tube having a tube inlet opened exterior of the container connected via a throat to a tube outlet allowing a gas to flow from exterior the container into the space above the liquid; a motor having a rotatable shaft; a siphon pipe connected to the rotatable shaft having a siphon inlet disposed below the liquid surface and a siphon outlet positioned above the surface proximate the tube throat; wherein the rotating siphon pipe draws and rotates the liquid through the siphon pipe into the tube throat drawing the gas into the throat mixing with and scrubbing the gas; and a second opening in the container for discharging the scrubbed gas from the container.

The present invention relates generally to the field of cleaning a gas stream and more particularly to a method and apparatus for removing particulates and absorbing undesired gases from a gas stream and emitting a cleansed gas by mixing a gas with a liquid in an economical manner.
It is very often desirable to clean a gas stream of particulates and/or undesirable gases. Some gases, such as industrial emissions, must be cleansed or scrubbed until the emission meets legally regulated standards to be emitted into the atmosphere. Car emissions must meet legal standards, at least once a year. It is also becoming more desirable and popular to clean air in domestic settings. In fact, there are studies indicating that indoor pollution may be as great, if not a greater risk, to the individual health than outdoor pollution.
Indoor air quality is made worse by the fact that is usually entrapped and recirculated in structures that are sealed to a greater extent than in the past for energy saving reasons. The air which we inhale and exhaled is continually picking up particulates and becoming more comprised of other gases such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide in proportion to the oxygen and nitrogen content of the air. Domestic pollution is becoming an increasing health hazard seriously effecting the young an old, those with respiratory problems, asthma and allergies. Some of these irritants and pollutants include, but are not limited to, allergens such as pollen, mold spores, pet dandruff and dust, and gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and naptha. Additionally, the surrounding air contains bacteria, viruses and odors that are undesirable.
Several methods are currently used to attempt to clean or partially clean gases such as air in a domestic setting. One of the most common methods of xe2x80x9ccleaning airxe2x80x9d is the utilization of filter systems. Typical filter systems for domestic use utilize a fan to circulate air from the environment through a mesh filter and at times through an additional charcoal source to absorb odors. These systems are very limited in the particulate size that is removed and only mask odors without addressing gases included in surrounding air. For these prior art systems to be even limitedly efficient it is required to frequently replace and/or clean the filters.
Other current and prior art air cleaning devices include electrostatic devices that electrically charge particles for capture. Again, this cleaners are very limited what is removed and the quantity of removal of particulate. Another drawback with electrostatic cleaning devices is that the charged dust particles that are emitted excessively collect on furniture, drapes, blinds, frames and the like.
Another type of gas cleaner requires the use of a venturi for scrubbing the gas. A venturi gas scrubber is a wet scrubber effective for removal of noxious gases, fumes, odors, particles and dust from a gas stream. Essentially, these type of scrubbers utilize a high velocity motive fluid stream passed through a constricted area to mix the gases with the motive fluid, absorb the selected gases and wet the small particulates for removal. The motive stream and mixed gas are impacted dropping out the particulates. Additionally, the undesired gases and odors are eliminated through absorption or chemical reaction between the undesired gases and the motive or scrubbing fluid. Passing the carrying gas through a mechanical cyclone may eliminate the particles. The primary deficiency in these type gas scrubbers is the pump. The pump required for the motive fluid is expensive, bulky and noisy.
It is therefore a desire to provide a method and apparatus for cleansing a gas utilizing a gas scrubbing system that reduces the pump requirements for a quantity of gas to be scrubbed. It is a further desire to eliminate the requirement of a conventional pump while mixing a liquid with a gas for scrubbing the gas.
A system and method of cleansing a gas of undesired particulate, aromas, and gases of the type utilizing a liquid to wet a gas stream is provided. The gas scrubber of the present invention including a container having a bottom wall and a top wall interconnected by a side wall containing a liquid having a surface forming a space between said surface and said top wall; a tube mounted through the top wall, the tube having a tube inlet opened exterior of the top wall connected via a throat to a tube outlet disposed in the space, the tube allowing a gas to flow from exterior the container into the space; a motor having a rotatable shaft, the motor positioned above the top wall, the shaft extending through the tube; a siphon pipe connected to the rotatable shaft, the siphon pipe having a siphon inlet disposed below the liquid surface and a siphon outlet positioned above the surface proximate the tube throat; wherein the rotating siphon pipe draws and rotates the liquid through the siphon pipe into the tube throat drawing the gas into the throat mixing with and scrubbing the gas; and a second opening formed through the container for discharging the scrubbed gas from the space exterior of the container. Undesired gases are removed from the original stream by absorption in the liquid and particulate is dropped out of the gas stream after being wetted by the liquid.
The gas scrubber may include a rotatable fan wheel attached to the shaft, the fan wheel being positioned proximate the tube inlet to introduce additional gas through the tube and into the tube throat.
The gas scrubber may further include a screw propeller attached to the shaft to rotate therewith, the propeller having blades, each having a top leading edge and a bottom trailing edge interconnected by a face with the top leading edge positioned proximate the tube inlet for introducing additional gas down the face into the tube throat.
The gas scrubber may include blades attached to a top, outside portion of the siphon pipe, each of the blades having a top leading edge and a bottom trailing edge interconnected by a face that tangentially encircles the siphon pipe; the top leading edge positioned proximate the tube inlet and the bottom trailing edge positioned proximate the throat; the siphon pipe outlet positioned proximate the top leading edge of each blade such that liquid flowing out of the siphon pipe outlet flows across the face and the rotating face forces the gas and liquid down the face to mix the liquid and gas and forcing the mixture down and centrifugally off the trailing edges through the throat to further mix and scrub the gas with the liquid in the throat.
The discharged mixture drops out particulate and the liquid absorbs selected gases. The cleansed gas may then be released to the atmosphere. The partially cleansed gas may be routed through a separating device such as mechanical cyclone to drop out additional particulate and entrained liquid.
It should be realized in conjunction with the description of the device that various elements of the invention may be utilized in numerous combinations to achieve the desired results of the invention. For example, and not for limiting purposes, the system may utilize an oblong nozzle and oblong throat in combination with a conventional pump, reducing the pumping requirements typically required by prior art devices for the same amount of gas to be cleansed and liquid for cleansing. Additionally, the conventional pump may be eliminated by use of the siphon pipe singularly or in combination with other elements described.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention.


Keyboard apparatus includes: a plurality of white and black keys: a plurality of mass body units each pivotable in response to operation of a corresponding one of the keys; a frame having mounted thereon the plurality of keys and mass body units; and upper- and lower-limit stoppers provided on the frame for limiting a pivotable range of each of the mass body units by the mass body unit colliding against the stoppers. Each of the mass body units includes a cavity portion provided in a section thereof that pivots against a gravitational force as the corresponding key is depressed, and a plurality of particles are accommodated in the cavity portion with some vacant space left in the cavity portion.

The present invention relates generally to electronic musical instrument keyboard apparatus including a mechanism for causing a mass body unit to pivot in response to depression operation of a corresponding key.
Heretofore, there have been known electronic musical instrument keyboard apparatus of a type in which a mass body unit is caused to pivot in response to depression of a key to provided a key touch feeling, i.e. feeling of mass and feeling of stop, similar to those provide by a keyboard mechanism of an acoustic piano (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. HEI-9-198037, which will hereinafter be referred to as "patent literature 1").
FIG. 6 is a schematic right side view of a conventionally-known electronic musical instrument keyboard apparatus, which includes white keys 1, black keys 2 and a key frame 61. The key frame 61 has stepped portions formed at front and rear ends regions thereof as viewed in a longitudinal direction of the keys, and a horizontal portion 61a located between the front and rear stepped portions. Key support section 61b is provided on a rear region of the horizontal portion, and a mass body unit support portion 61c is provided on a front region of the underside of the horizontal portion 61a. Key pivot portions 1b and 2b of the white and black keys 1 and 2 are provided on the key support section 61b for pivotably supporting the white and black keys 1 and 2. Front and rear mounting portions 61d and 61e are provide in front of and at the back of the front and rear stepped portions, respectively and mounted to a bottom plate 4 of the key frame. The bottom plate 4 is, for example, a lower case (shelf plate) of the electronic musical instrument. Vertical wall portion 61f is formed in front of the mounting portion 61d, and a key guide 5 corresponding to the white key 1 is provided on the vertical wall portion 61f. The key guide 5 is inserted in the underside of the white key 1 near the distal end la of the key 1 and functions to prevent leftward/rightward positional displacement and rolling of the white key 1. Further, a key guide 6 corresponding to the black key 2 is provided on and projecting upward from the horizontal portion 61a. A plurality of key switches 4 are provided on the horizontal portion 61a of the key frame, and a plurality of protrusions (actuators) are provided on the undersides of upper portions of the white and black keys 1 and 2 in opposed relation to the key switches 4.
Force transmitting portion 1c projects downwardly from the underside of the white key 1 and passes through a hole 61g of the horizontal portion 61a. The force transmitting portion 1c has a bottom plate provided at its distal end. Resilient member 7 is fixed to the lower surface of the bottom plate.
Mass body units 62 are provided in corresponding relation to the white keys 1 and black keys 2. The mass body units 62 are arranged under the keys 1 and 2 in parallel to one another under in a direction where the keys are arranged in parallel to one another (i.e., i.e., in a key-arranged direction). The mass body unit 62 shown in the figure corresponds to the white key 1. Each of the mass body units 62 is pivotably supported by the support portion 61c, and it is caused to pivot via the corresponding force transmitting portion 1c.
Each of the mass body units 62 includes: a pivot point portion 62c supported by the mass body unit support portion 61c; main and auxiliary driven portions 62a and 62b of a bifurcated shape formed in front of the pivot point portion 62c and engageable with the force transmitting portion 1c of the corresponding key; an elongated connecting section 62d located rearwardly of the pivot point portion 62c; and a mass concentrating section 62d provided at the rear end of the elongated connecting section 62e. Namely, the elongated connecting section 62d is joined to an upper front end portion of the mass concentrating section 62e. The mass concentrating section 62d and mass concentrating section 62e, especially the mass concentrating section 62e, produce a great moment of inertia as the mass body unit 62 pivots.
The mass concentrating section 62e has a horizontal lower surface portion that can uniformly collide against a later-described lower-limit stopper 9. The mass concentrating section 62e also has an upper surface portion slanting downward toward its rear end, and this upper surface portion can uniformly collide against a later-described upper-limit stopper 10. The above-mentioned main and auxiliary driven portions 62a and 62b are held in engagement with the force transmitting portion 1c with the resilient member 7 interposed therebetween.
As the mass body unit 62 pivots in response to key depression operation by a human player, a reactive force corresponding to a moment of inertia of the mass body unit 62 is transmitted via the white key 1, so that a feeling of mass is imparted to a player's finger having depressed the key. Then, once the human player releases the finger from the depressed white key 1, the mass body unit 62 slowly pivots back to the original position (i.e., position illustrated in the figure).
Although not specifically shown, the force transmitting portion of the black key 2 overlaps the force transmitting portion 1c of the white key 1 as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the sheet of the figure. Mass body unit similar to that for the white key 1 is provided for the black key 2, and pivotably supported by the mass body unit support portion so that it can pivot via the force transmitting portion of the black key 2. Although not shown in the figure, a return spring is provided between each of the white and black keys 1 and 2 and the key frame 61.
The upper-limit stopper 10 is disposed on the lower surface of the horizontal portion 61a of the key frame. As the mass body unit 62e pivots, the upper surface of the mass concentrating section 62e collides with the stopper 10 to be stopped at an upper limit position defined by the stopper 10. Because the mass concentrating section 62e is rapidly braked, a human player's finger is imparted with a feeling of stop by way of the key.
The lower-limit stopper 9 is disposed on the upper surface of the bottom plate 4 of the key frame. As the mass body unit 62 pivots back to the initial position, the lower surface of the mass concentrating section 62 collides with the stopper 9 to be stopped at the initial position defined by the stopper 9. At this time too, a feeling of stop can be imparted to the human player's finger as long as it is kept in contact with the key.
Further lower-limit stopper 11 is disposed on a front upper surface of the horizontal portion 61a of the key frame. Once the white key 11 is fully depressed after the key switch 11 turns ON, the white key 1 is stopped at a lower limit position by left and right side surfaces of the white key 1 colliding with the further lower limit stopper 11. Such lower-limit stopper 9, upper-limit stopper 10 and further lower-limit stopper 11 each extend in a belt shape in the key-arranged direction for shared use among all of the white and black keys.
From the viewpoints of an impact absorbing capability, tone deadening capability and improved reproducibility of the stopped positions of the keys (white and black keys 1 and 2) and mass body units 62, the above-mentioned stoppers 9, 10 and 11 need to have a resilient restoring force; it has been conventional to form these stoppers 9, 10 and 11 of, for example, felt, polyurethane elastomer or the like. However, it has been known that resilient deformations are accumulated in the stoppers 9, 10 and 11 as they are compressed due to an impact applied from the mass body unit 62 and such resilient deformations would cause a reactive force (called "rebound") to the key and mass body unit 62 such that the key would undesirably vibrate. Thus, there can not be obtained a comfortable feeling of stop. Particularly, a great reactive force would be given by the upper-limit stopper 10 that is subjected to an impact from the mass body unit 62 having pivoted by being subjected to a great key depression pressure.
Also known in the art are electronic musical instrument keyboard apparatus in which each mass body unit has a closed interior space and a multiplicity of fine weight particles are movably accommodated in the closed interior space (see. for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. HEI-8-16153, which will hereinafter be referred to as "patent literature 2"). In contrast to the aforementioned electronic musical instrument keyboard apparatus, the closed interior space swings vertically downward in response to depression of the corresponding key. Thus, at the beginning of strong key depression (i.e., key depression with a great force), the fine weight particles freely fall, which produces a small inertial mass. During the pivotal movement of the mass body unit, the mass of the fine weight particles is added to the mass body unit, so that a human player can obtain a feeling of performance. Once the mass body unit collides against the lower-limit stopper, the reactive force to the human player's finger becomes very small not only because the fine weight particles function to attenuate the collision energy of the mass body unit but also because the weight of the key has decreased due to the collision. As the mass body unit pivots back into collision against the upper-limit stopper, the reactive force becomes small on the same principle as noted above so that the mass body can stop without bounding.
However, with such known electronic musical instrument keyboard apparatus, it has been difficult to greatly vary the feeling of mass during key depression operation. Besides, no effective techniques have been proposed to date for preventing mechanical sound noise from being produced by the movement of the fine weight particles and for knowing the accommodated quantity of the fine weight particles in the closed inner space of the mass body unit.

Electronic musical instrument keyboard apparatus


A precision release agent management system for an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus fuser device. The precision release agent management system includes a reservoir adapted to contain a release agent. A wick absorbs release agent from the reservoir. A metering member receives release agent from the wick, which is supported for resiliently urging into operative contact with the metering member. A blade member is associated with the metering member to establish a desired thickness of release agent on the metering member, and a donor member is adapted to receive release agent from the metering member, and operatively contact the fuser device to apply the release agent thereto. A plurality of features is associated with the reservoir for precise alignment of the donor member, the metering member, and the metering blade.

In electrostatographic reproduction apparatus, such as electrophotographic copier/duplicators, printers, or the like, a light image of an original document to be printed or copied is typically recorded by either digital or analog devices as an electrostatic latent image upon a photosensitive member. Subsequently, the latent image is rendered visible (i.e., developed) by application of electrostatically charged marking particles, commonly referred to as toner. The developed toner image can be either fixed directly upon the photosensitive member, or transferred from the photosensitive member to another support substrate, or receiver member, such as a sheet of plain paper, with subsequent affixing of the toner image thereto.
In order to fix or otherwise fuse the toner material onto a receiver member permanently, it is generally necessary to apply heat so as to elevate the toner material to a temperature at which constituents of the toner material coalesce and become tacky. This action causes the toner to flow to some extent into the fibers or pores of the receiver member or to otherwise adhere to the surface thereof. Thereafter, as the toner material cools, solidification occurs causing the toner material to be bound firmly to the receiver member.
One method for thermal fusing of toner images onto a receiver member has been to pass the receiver member with an unfused toner image thereon between a nip formed by a pair of opposed roller members that are in contact with each other, wherein at least one of the roller members is heated. During operation of a fusing system of this type, the receiver member to which the toner image is electrostatically adhered is moved through the nip formed between the rolls with the toner image contacting the fuser roller thereby to affect heating of the toner image within the nip. Typical of such fusing devices are two roller systems wherein a fuser roller is coated with an adhesive material, such as a silicone rubber; other low surface energy elastomers, such as a Viton® fluoroelastomers available from E.I. DuPont De Nemours of Wilmington, Del.; or other low surface energy material, such as tetrafluoroethylene polymer resins like, for example, Teflon® resins also sold by DuPont.
In the foregoing fusing systems, however, since the toner image is tackified by heat, it frequently happens that a part of the image carried on the receiver member will be retained by the heated fuser roller and not penetrate into the receiver member surface. This tackified material can stick to the surface of the fusing roller and come in contact with a subsequent receiver member bearing another toner image to be fused. Thus, a tackified image, which has been partially removed from a first receiver member, may thereafter transfer to a subsequent second receiver member in non-image portions of the second receiver member. In addition, a portion of the tackified image of the second receiver member may also adhere to the heated fuser roller. In this way and with the fusing of subsequent sheets bearing toner images, the fuser roller can eventually become thoroughly contaminated and unusable, thereby requiring replacement of the fuser roller itself. In addition, since the fuser roller continues to rotate when there is no substrate bearing a toner image to be fused, toner that may be adhered to the fuser roller can be transferred from the fuser roller to the pressure roller, and also to other rollers and components associated with the fuser system, thereby contaminating the overall fuser system. The foregoing conditions are referred to generally in the printing/copying art as "offset". Attempts have been made to control heat transfer to the toner and thereby control offset. However, even with adhesive surfaces provided by the silicone elastomers and the other materials mentioned hereinabove, this has not been entirely successful.
It has also been proposed to provide toner release agents such as silicone oil, and in particular poly(organosiloxane) oils like poly(dimethylsiloxane), that are applied to the surface of the fuser roller to act as a polymeric release agent and thereby reduce offset. The use of such release agents is reported, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,964,431 and 4,056,706, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. These release agents possess a relatively low surface energy and have been found generally suitable for use in a heated fuser roller environment. In practice, a thin layer of poly(organosiloxane) oil (also referenced as silicone oil hereinafter) release agent is applied to the surface of the heated fuser roller to form an interface between the fuser roller surface and the toner image carried on the support material. Thus, a low surface energy, easily parted layer is presented to the toners that pass through the fuser toning nip and thereby reduces the amount of toner which offsets to the fuser roller surface.
Various methods are known for applying release agent materials to a fuser member such as a heated fuser roll. One such system comprises a Release Agent Management (RAM) system including a donor roll that contacts the fuser member to which the oil or release agent material is applied. The donor roll also contacts a metering roll, which conveys the oil from a supply of oil to the donor roll. With such a system, it is customary to use a metering blade to meter the silicone oil or other suitable release agent material to a desired thickness onto a metering roll. In the fusing of monochrome (i.e. black on a conventional imaging substrate) the uniformity of the oil layer on the metering roll is not so critical compared to that required for color toner images, particularly, those associated with transparency substrate materials used for optically projecting the color images.

Precision release agent management system


A soap dispenser can be configured to dispense an amount of liquid soap, for example, upon detecting the presence of an object. Certain embodiments of the dispenser include a housing, reservoir, pump, motor, sensor, electronic processor, and nozzle. In certain embodiments, the sensor can be configured to generate a signal based on a distance between an object and the sensor. In certain embodiments, the electronic processor can be configured to receive the signal from the sensor and to determine a dispensation volume of the liquid. The dispensation volume can vary as a function of the distance between the object and the sensor. The processor can be configured to control the motor to dispense approximately the dispensation volume of the liquid.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to liquid dispensers, and more particularly, some embodiments relate to electronic liquid dispensers.
2. Description of the Related Art
Users of modern public washroom facilities increasingly desire that each of the fixtures in the washroom operate automatically without being touched by the user's hand. This is important in view of increased user awareness of the degree to which germs and bacteria may be transmitted from one person to another in a public washroom environment. Today, it is not uncommon to find public washrooms with automatic, hands-free operated toilet and urinal units, hand washing faucets, soap dispensers, hand dryers, and door opening mechanisms. This automation allows the user to avoid touching any of the fixtures in the facility, and therefore lessens the opportunity for the transmission of disease-carrying germs or bacteria resulting from manual contact with the fixtures in the washroom.