The present invention relates to a primer coated polyester film for imaging media which has a thickness of 40 to 200 xcexcm, a haze of not more than 5%, and comprises a biaxially oriented polyester film support and at least one priming layer laminated on the support and oriented at least monoaxially. The priming layer is formed from a coating solution containing a water-soluble resin (A) having vinyl alcohol units as a main constituent and a water-soluble or water-despersible resin (B) having an aromatic polyester unit.

The present invention relates to a transparent polyester film for the imaging media. More particularly, it relates to a transparent primer-coated polyester film for the imaging media which has a priming layer formed by coating a resin on at least one side of a biaxially oriented polyester film, and which has high-degree transparency and adhesion, particularly high adhesion to the functional layers mainly made of a water-soluble or hydrophilic resin such as polyvinyl alcohol.
Polyester films such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) are used as support films for a variety of purposes owing to their excellence in many properties such as mechanical strength, dimensional stability, flatness, heat resistance, chemical resistance and optical properties, in addition to their high cost performance.
These polyester films, however, have disadvantages in which their cohesive force is strong due to their chemical properties and crystallized film surface, and are therefore low in adhesion to the functional layers in various uses. In order to eliminate such disadvantages, various methods and techniques have been proposed, such as laminating a low-crystallizability polyester layer on the surface of a polyester film by means of coextrusion, or coating a water-dispersible polyester or acrylic resin as a primer on a base polyester film (Japanese Patent Publication (KOKOKU) No. 49-10243, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (KOKAI) Nos. 52-19786, 52-19787, 54-43017, etc.).
Thus, although the techniques using a support film comprising a polyester or acrylic resin as a primer have been developed, any of these films has been unsatisfactory in adhesion to the functional layers mainly made of a water-soluble or hydrophilic resin such as polyvinyl alcohol.
As a result of the present inventor""s earnest studies to solve the above problem, it has been found that by providing a priming layer (offering satisfactory adhesion to aqueous coating) on a polyester film support by coating its surface with a coating solution of a specific composition, the above problem can be solved.
The present invention has been attained on the basis of the above finding.
The object of the present invention is to provide a transparent polyester film for imaging media which has a priming layer (primer coated layer) with particularly high adhesion to the functional layers mainly comprising a water-soluble or hydrophilic resin such as polyvinyl alcohol, for example, the ink image receiving layer in ink jet printing which has become widely used in recent years, and the functional layers mainly comprising a water-soluble or hydrophilic resins such as gelatin, for example, sensitive photographic films, and which is also excellent in transparency and flatness.
To attain the above aim, in an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a primer coated polyester film for imaging media, which has a thickness of 40 to 200 xcexcm and a haze of not more than 5%, and comprises a biaxially oriented polyester film support and at least one a priming layer laminated on said support and oriented at least monoaxially,
said priming layer being formed from a coating solution containing a water-soluble resin (A) having the vinyl alcohol units as main constituent and a water-soluble or water-dispersible resin (B) having an aromatic polyester unit.
The present invention is described in more detail.
The polyesters usable in the present invention as biaxially oriented polyester film support include, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in which not less than 80 mol % of the structural units is constituted by ethylene terephthalate, polyethylene-2,6-naphthalate (PEN) in which not less than 80 mol % of the structural units is constituted by ethylene-2,6-naphthalate, poly-1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate (PCT) in which not less than 80 mol % of the structural units is constituted by 1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate, polyethylene isophthalate, and poly-1,4-butyrene terephthalate (PBT).
As the copolymer materials other than the said primary constituent, there can be used diols such as propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, 2,3-butylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, trimethylene glycol, tetramethylene glycol, hexamethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polytetramethylene glycol and polyalkylene glycol; isophthalic acid, 2,7-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, 5-sodiumsulfoisophthalic acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, diphenyl ether dicarboxylic acid, oxymonocarboxylic acid, and their ester-forming derivatives.
The polyesters usable in the present invention include homopolymers, copolymers and their blends with a small proportion of other resins.
The polyester film support used in the present invention is biaxially oriented, and it may contain a projection forming agent such as added particles, precipitated particles, catalyst residue, etc., which, when contained in the film, can impart preferable slip properties to the film. The type, size and amount of the projection forming agent may be properly selected according to the required slipperiness and transparency of the film. For instance, in order to provide a required haze with the restricted film thickness in the present invention, it is suggested to contain at least one type of particles having an average size (diameter) of not more than 5 xcexcm, preferably not more than 3 xcexcm, in an amount of not more than 1% by weight, preferably not more than 0.5% by weight, in the case of the added particles.
The polyester film support may also contain, if necessary, other additives such as antistatic agent, stabilizer, lubricant, crosslinking agent, anti-blocking agent, antioxidant, UV absorber, etc.
In the present invention, the polyester film support may have a multilayer structure, in which case part of the layers may comprise a polymer or polymers other than polyesters.
The primer coated polyester film according to the present invention has a priming layer (with excellent adhesion for aqueous coatings and easily adherable) on at least one side of the biaxially oriented polyester film, the said priming layer having been oriented at least monoaxially. Stretching of this resin layer is conducive to the uniformity of layer thickness and the improvement of adhesion and transparency.
The primer coated polyester film of the present invention is preferable for use as a support for the imaging media, and its thickness ranges from 40 to 200 xcexcm. If the thickness is less than 40 xcexcm, the film have lack the strength required for the support. A film thickness exceeding 200 xcexcm is more than necessary in practical use and detrimental to economy.
It is also notable that the primer coated polyester film of the present invention is low in haze. High haze of the primer coated polyester film leads to the problems such as reduced distinction of the projected image on OHP and restricts the scope of use of the film. Specifically, the film haze needs to be not more than 5%, preferably not more than 3%.
Regarding transparency of the film, it is preferable that the overall light transmittance of the laminated film is in a high percent range, specifically not less than 80%, preferably not less than 85%, even more preferably not less than 88%, for the same reason as in the case of film haze mentioned above.
The important feature of the present invention resides in that the priming layer of the said laminate film is formed by using a coating solution containing (A) a water-soluble resin having vinyl alcohol units as main constituent and (B) a water-soluble or water-dispersible resin having aromatic polyester unit. More specifically, it is essential for the laminated film of the present invention to have a priming layer formed by applying the said coating solution on at least one side of the support film and drying it, the thus formed layer being oriented at least monoaxially.
As the water-soluble resin (A) having the vinyl alcohol units as main constituent, it is possible to use polyvinyl alcohols which can be obtained through ordinary synthetic reactions or the compounds obtained by applying a partial modifying treatment such as acetalization or butyralization on the said polyvinyl alcohols. The resins (A) used in the present invention are not specifically defined except that they are water-soluble. The polymerization degree of the resins (A) is also not specified, but it is usually not less than 100, preferably 300 to 40,000. If the polymerization degree is less than 100, the formed priming layer may be too low in water resistance.
The saponified products of polyvinyl acetate having a saponification degree of 70 to 99.9 mol % are practically used as the resin (A). The preferred range of saponification degree is 70 to 95 mol %.
The resin (A) used in the present invention may be a resin obtained by copolymerizing a low-molecular weight compound having a polymerizable unsaturated functional group such as acrylic vinyl group in the ordinary polyvinyl alcohol units mentioned above, or a resin obtained by copolymerizing a low-molecular weight compound having polymerizable unsaturated functional groups such as vinyl acetate and acrylic vinyl group, and further subjecting the product to a deacetation treatment, as far as the main constituent of such resin is vinyl alcohol units.
The water-soluble or water-dispersible resins (B) having an aromatic polyester unit and usable in the present invention can be selected from those prepared to be used as water dispersions by the conventional methods. These resins (B) can be synthesized from the ordinary polycondensation reactions using as starting materials a polyvalent carboxylic acid whose main constituent is an aromatic dicarboxylic acid compound and a polyvalent hydroxyl compound whose main constituent is an aliphatic diol compound. The amounts of aromatic dicarboxylic acid compound and aliphatic diol compound are preferably not less than 60 mol % based on 100 mol % of polyvalent carboxylic acid and polyvalent hydroxyl compound, respectively.
The polyvalent carboxylic acids usable in the present invention include aromatic dicarboxylic acids such as terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, orthophthalic acid, phthalic acid, 4,4xe2x80x2-diphenyldicarboxylic acid, 2,5-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid and 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, aromatic tricarboxylic acids such as trimellitic acid, trimesic acid and trimellitic anhydride, aliphatic dicarboxylic acids such as sebacic acid, dodecanedicarboxylic acid, glutaric acid, succinic acid and phthalic anhydride, and ester-forming derivatives thereof.
For the aromatic dicarboxylic acid compounds, it is preferable that at least one of terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid and their ester-forming derivatives is selected as the main constituent.
The polyvalent hydroxyl compounds usable in the present invention include aliphatic diols such as ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-propanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 2-methyl-1,5-pentanediol, neopentyl glycol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polytetramethylene glycol, polytetramethylene oxide glycol, dimethylolpropionic acid, glycerin and trimethylolpropane, and aromatic diols such as p-xylylene glycol and bisphenol A-ethylene glycol adduct.
For the aliphatic diol compounds, it is preferable that at least one of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, neopentyl glycol, 1,4-cycohexanedimethanol and their ester-forming derivatives is selected as the main constituent.
The resin (B) used in the present invention may be a polyester polyurethane obtained by reacting a diisocyanate or the like with the terminal group of an aqueous polyester comprising the said constituents to effect urethane modification, or an acryl and/or vinyl graft polyester obtained by polymerizing an addition polymerizable compound having acrylic or vinyl-based unsaturated double bonds, in the presence of an aqueous polyester.
The resin (B) is preferably of the type in which an ionic functional group has been introduced into the molecule for improving water dispersibility. The ionic functional group to be introduced into the molecule in this system is preferably an anionic group comprising a carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, phosphoric acid or a salt thereof in view of dispersion stability. In order to enhance cohesive force of the priming layer, it is preferable that the resin (B) is a polyester in which the functional group comprising a carboxyl group or a salt thereof has been turned mostly into an aqueous form. The method for introducing an ionic functional group into the molecule of the aqueous polyester is not specified in the present invention; it is, for instance, possible to use a method in which a compound having a sulfonic group or a salt thereof, or a tri to tetrafunctional carboxylic acid or its ester-forming derivative is used as a copolymer material, and a method in which urethane modification or acrylic vinyl modification is affected by using a modifying compound having an ionic functional group.
The resin (B) used in the present invention is preferably a copolyester comprising the structural units defined above. The average molecular weight (determined by GPC) of the resin (B) is not specified, but it is usually not less than 5,000, preferably not less than 8,000. If the average molecular weight of the resin (B) is less than 5,000, the priming layer tends to deteriorate in water resistance and adhesion to the functional layers. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the resin (B) is preferably not less than 20xc2x0 C., more preferably not less than 30xc2x0 C., even more preferably not less than 40xc2x0 C. If Tg of the resin (B) is less than 20xc2x0 C., the priming layer may be unable to have satisfactory anti-block properties. The upper limit of Tg of the resin (B) is preferably 140xc2x0 C. If Tg of the resin (B) exceeds 140xc2x0 C., the priming layer may lack sufficient stretchability when it is oriented with the base polyester film in the stretching step.
In the present invention, it is preferred to additionally use a low-molecular weight compound (C) having a bi- or higher-order multi-functional crosslinkable group. By using a compound such as a melamine compound having at least one of methylol group, methoxymethyl group, alkoxymethyl group and imino group having reactivity with the alcoholic hydroxyl group of the resin (A), an epoxy compound having a glycidyl group, an isocyanate compound having a blocked isocyanate group, or a metal alcoxide containing Ti, Zr or Al, it is possible to improve cohesive force of the priming layer as well as its water and solvent resistance. By this effect, the said resin layer is not affected by the solvent used in the coating solution for forming a functional layer on the resin layer and is capable of showing high adhesion.
The crosslinkable compound (C) may be a single compound selected from those shown above, but it is also possible to use a combination of these crosslinkable compounds. For instance, a combination of an epoxy compound having the glycidyl and hydroxyl groups and a melamine compound having at least one of methyl group and methoxymethyl group, or a combination of an epoxy compound having the glycidyl and hydroxyl groups and an isocyanate compound having a blocked isocyanate group can be used.
The presence of at least one crosslinkable compound (C) having many reactive functional groups in the molecule contributes to elevating crosslinking efficiency to realize easy improvement of water resistance, solvent resistance and adhesion of the priming layer.
The most preferred example of the crosslinkable compound (C) having many reactive functional groups in the molecule is melamines having a methylol or methoxymethyl group. As the melamines having a methylol or methoxymethyl group, there are generally known the compounds having a tri- to hexa-functional methylol or methoxymethyl group, but hexa-functional methylolmelamine and methoxymethylmelamine are especially preferred as they provide the most efficient effect of improvement.
Also, in the priming layer of the film of the present invention are preferably contained the inactive particles for improving anti-block properties and slip characteristics of the film surface.
The inactive particles usable in the present invention include both inorganic and organic types. Examples of the inorganic inactive particles are silica sol, alumina sol, calcium carbonate and titan oxide. Examples of the organic inactive particles include the fine particles comprising a single or copolymer of polystyrene resin, polyacrylic resin, polyvinyl resin or the like, and the organic particles represented by the crosslinked particles combining the said fine particles and a crosslinking agent. The softening or decomposition temperature of these inactive particles is preferably not less than 200xc2x0 C., more preferably not less than 250xc2x0 C., even more preferably not less than 300xc2x0 C.
The size (diameter) of the inactive particles in the priming layer is preferably so selected that the ratio of the average diameter (d; xcexcm) of the particles to the average thickness (L; xcexcm) of the priming layer (d/L) is within the range of 1/3 to 3/1, preferably 1/2 to 3/1.
The mixing ratios of the resin (A), resin (B) and crosslinkable compound (C) contained in the coating solution used for forming the priming layer in the present invention preferably is in the range where the following formulas (1) and (2) are satisfied at the same time:
1/9xe2x89xa6(A)/(B)xe2x89xa69/1xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(1)
1/1xe2x89xa6{(A)+(B)}/(C)xe2x89xa6100/1xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(2)
In case where the crosslinkable compound (C) comprises a combination of two or more compounds, the total amount thereof is supposed to be equivalent to the value of (C) in the above formula (2).
When the component resin (B) is too small in content, sufficient adhesion to the base polyester film may not be obtained. It is preferable that the resin (B) content is not less than 10 parts by weight for providing the priming layer with desired adhesion.
A too small content of the resin (A) results in unsatisfactory adhesion of the priming layer to the functional layers comprising hydrophilic resins. The resin (A) content is preferably not less than 10 parts by weight for imparting satisfactory adhesion to the priming layer.
It is preferable that the crosslinkable compound (C) is contained in an appropriate ratio in the coating solution comprising a mixture of the components (A) and (B) for improving adhesion, particularly adhesion with water resistance and anti-block properties. When the content of the crosslinkable compound (C) is too high, adhesion of the priming layer may be adversely affected.
The priming layer according to the present invention may further contain a small quantity of a water-soluble or water-dispersible binder resin other than the resins (A) and (B) mentioned above, as required. Examples of such binder resins usable in the present invention include polyurethane resins, acrylic resins, vinyl resins, epoxy resins and amide resins. The skeletal structure of these binder resins may be substantially a composite structure provided by copolymerization or other treatments. Examples of the binder resins having a composite structure include acrylic resin-modified polyesters, acrylic resin-modified polyurethanes, vinyl resin-modified polyesters and vinyl resin-modified polyurethanes.
In the priming layer of the film according to the present invention, a small quantity of a crosslinking-reactive compound other than those mentioned above may also be contained as required. Such a crosslinking-reactive compound undergoes a crosslinking reaction primarily with the functional group of the resin contained in the priming layer to further improve cohesiveness, surface hardness, scuff resistance, solvent resistance and water resistance of the priming layer. The crosslinking-reactive compound used in the present invention may be either a low-molecular weight compound or a high polymer having a reactive functional group as far as a bi- or higher-order multifunctional reactive group is contained in the molecule.
The priming layer of the film of the present invention may contain, if necessary, small quantities of additives such as surfactant, defoaming agent, coating properties improver, thickener, low-molecular antistatic agent, organic lubricant, antioxidant, UV absorber, foaming agent, dye, pigment, etc. These additives may be used either singly or in combination as required.
The priming layer may be formed either on one side alone or on both sides of the base polyester film. In case where the said layer is formed on one side alone of the base film, a layer different from the priming layer may be formed on the opposite side of the film so as to impart additional properties to the support for imaging media (such as recording sheets) of the present invention. A chemical treatment or a physical treatment such as discharge treatment may be conducted on the film before coating to improve the film coating properties and adhesion of the coating solution to the film. Also, in order to further improve surface properties of the polyester film for imaging media of the present invention, a physical treatment such as discharge treatment may be performed after formation of the priming layer.
The thickness of the priming layer is usually in the range of 0.01 to 2 xcexcm, preferably 0.02 to 0.5 xcexcm, more preferably 0.03 to 0.2 xcexcm. When the thickness of the said layer is less than 0.01 xcexcm, preferred adhesion may not be obtained, and when the thickness exceeds 2 xcexcm, anti-block properties may not be sufficient.
The known methods can be used for producing the biaxially oriented polyester film used as support. For example, a method can be used which comprises mixing the dry polyester chips and the necessary additives in a hopper, supplying the mixture to an extruder from the hopper, melt kneading the mixture by the extruder at 200 to 300xc2x0 C., extruding it into a sheet from a die, rapidly cooling the extrudate on a casting drum (rotary cooling drum) of about 70xc2x0 C. or below to obtain an amorphous sheet, stretching this sheet 4 times or more, preferably 9 times or more in area in the machine and/or transverse directions, and heat setting the oriented film at 120 to 200xc2x0 C.
Formation of the priming layer on the surface of the biaxially oriented polyester film is achieved by coating in the present invention. A method is preferably used in which a coating solution of a priming is applied in the polyester film producing process. More specifically, the following methods can be used: a coating solution capable of forming a priming layer is applied on the surface of an amorphous sheet and dried; a coating solution for forming a priming layer is applied on the surface of a monoaxially oriented film and dried; a coating solution for forming a priming layer is applied on the surface of a biaxially oriented film and dried. Of these methods, the one in which a coating solution for forming a priming layer is applied on the surface of an amorphous or monoaxially oriented film and the laminated film is subjected to a heat treatment while simultaneously drying and curing the coat, is most economical. In any way, the formed priming layer is oriented at least monoaxially.
It is possible to use, if necessary, a combination of some of the said coating methods. For instance, a process may be used in which a coating solution for forming a first layer is applied on the surface of an amorphous sheet and dried, and after uniaxial drawing, a coating solution for forming a second layer is applied thereon and dried. In this case, the object of the present invention can be attained if this film is a laminated film in which the layer forming the film surface is a priming layer according to the present invention.
Various coating means such as reverse roll coater, gravure coater, rod coater, air doctor coater, etc., described in, for instance, Yuji Harasaki: Coating Systems, Maki Shoten, 1979, can be used for applying a coating solution of a priming on the surface of a polyester film.
The coating solution used for forming the priming layer in the present invention is usually prepared using water as main medium for the reason of safety and hygienic consideration. As far as water is used as main medium, a small quantity of an organic solvent may be contained in the coating solution for the purpose of improving water dispersibility or enhancing film-forming performance. The amount of such an organic solvent, when used by mixing it with water which is the main medium, should be within the range where the solvent can be entirely dissolved in water. It is possible to use a single organic solvent or a mixture of two or more different types of organic solvent as required.
According to the present invention, as described above, there is provided a laminated film which shows excellent adhesion in all applications where a layer containing an aqueous resin such as polyvinyl alcohol is used as a functional layer for bar code labels, magnetic cards, graphic arts, etc., for instance, OHP films, labels, plotter films, photographic films, photographic printing paper films, etc.


A player for storage media having a number of data groups is provided, which player enables a data group to be selected in a clearly organized way, particularly when a large number of data groups is stored on such a storage medium. In this context, a read head is provided for reading out the data of a first storage medium, and a read-head control is provided for positioning the read head in the area of a data group to be played, which data group is stored on the first storage medium. In addition, an input unit is provided where, on the one hand, various storage media and, on the other hand, various data groups, are selectable on a selected storage medium to be played. A conversion device is provided, which, in response to the number of data groups on the first storage medium exceeding a predefined value, forms at least two subsets from the number of data groups of the first storage medium, each of these subsets at the input unit being selectable as a different storage medium. The conversion device drives the read-head control as a function of the subset selected as storage medium at the input unit, to position the read head.

Players for storage media, e.g., in the form of compact-disk changers, are known in the art. In this context, in the operation of an input unit, on the one hand, a selection can be made among various compact disks and, on the other hand, a selection can be made among the titles on the selected compact disk. The selected compact disk is then placed in a play position. A read-head control then positions a read head, for example at the beginning of the selected title of the compact disk to be played, to enable this title to be played.


A belt is entrained on a plurality of rollers and runs when the rollers are driven to rotate. A bead is attached to the belt and prevents the belt-like member from running crooked. The bead includes a first layer formed of a first material having a first hardness and a second layer formed of a second material having a second hardness. The second layer is laminated on the first layer. The bead is attached to the belt with the first layer being closer to the belt than the second layer. The first material and the second material expand simultaneously with temperature and humidity, and the first material and the second material contract simultaneously with temperature and humidity. The first hardness is higher than the second hardness.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an endless belt and an image forming apparatus that employs the endless belt, and more particularly to the structure of an endless belt.
2. Description of the Related Art
Among conventional belts is a semi-conductive endless belt having a bead that prevents the belt from running crooked or deviating from a desired straight travel path. The bead is formed of a base material (e.g., urethane) and a reinforcing material (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET)) that are laminated one over the other. The bead is bonded to the endless belt using an adhesive.
The aforementioned endless belt suffers from a problem in that the dimensions of the belt and bead change due to changes in environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. The changes in environmental conditions cause the belt to warp or to become wavy over time. Warping of the belt is detrimental to the performance of the belt, causing difficulty in maintaining long term print quality.

Endless belt having deformation prevention qualities, and image forming apparatus that uses the endless belt


A sliding module having a sliding sleeve and at least one cam segment having at least one cam. The sliding sleeve has a positioning section for positioning the cam segment fixedly against rotation and displacement. The positioning section includes a surface structure on the outer circumferential face of the sliding sleeve for producing a press-fit connection between the cam segment and the sliding sleeve. A stop region is provided configured to limit an axial movement of the cam segment.

DE 10 2008 005 639 A1 has disclosed a valve train apparatus which has two cam elements which are arranged on a camshaft and have in each case two cam pairs for different cylinders. Each cam pair has in each case two cams of different configuration with an identical base circle radius, the cams being of different configuration in each case for different operating modes, such as a firing mode and an engine braking mode or a low rotational speed range and a high rotational speed range. The two cam elements are arranged on the camshaft such that they can be displaced in the axial direction. The camshaft and the two cam elements are connected fixedly to one another so as to rotate together by way of a multiple tooth connection. As is apparent from the figures, each cam element has a tubular main body with cam pairs which are configured correspondingly thereon and a switch guide plate which is configured thereon. The shaft body extends through the tubular main body, along which shaft body the cam elements are arranged such that they can be displaced in the axial direction. The axial movements of the cam elements are limited via stop means. It is shown clearly that a configuration of this type of a cam element requires an increased complexity in terms of manufacturing technology. In addition, a corresponding cam element is to be configured for each specific motorization and/or for each specific internal combustion engine, as a result of which the manufacturing complexity is increased considerably and the manufacturing costs are increased considerably.
Fundamentally, the configuration of cam elements on a sliding sleeve is known for eliminating said disadvantage, the cam elements being pressed onto the sliding sleeve to this end. The manufacture of a very wide variety of camshafts of a very wide variety of motorizations is possible by way of said modular design comprising cams which are produced individually and are to be mounted with one another on the sliding sleeve. Here, however, the problem of the cam which slips on the sliding sleeve in the axial direction during the operation of the camshaft is often manifested. This is due to the to and fro movement of the sliding sleeve and is caused by it coming into contact with any stop faces for limiting its axial movement. On account of the acceleration and deceleration of the sliding sleeve, the cam which is arranged on the sliding sleeve experiences a corresponding drive force and braking force in the axial direction and accordingly a force (axial force) which acts on the cam in the axial direction. The release of the cam from the sliding sleeve and therefore a movement of the cam relative to the sliding sleeve in the axial direction occur disadvantageously on account of said axial force. As a consequence, a correct functionality of the camshaft is no longer ensured.
Thus a need exists for a sliding module of modular construction for making an axial movement of a cam segment along a load-bearing shaft of a camshaft possible, which sliding module can be manufactured in a simple and inexpensive way and the individual components of which can be combined with one another in such a way that a multiplicity of different camshafts and/or sliding modules for a very wide variety of motorizations can be manufactured by way of a small number of individual components.


An adjustable sound enhancing muffler device for a percussion instrument includes a first arm member having structure to be connected to a percussion instrument which is cooperative with a second arm member having a plurality of pad members having sound-muffling characteristics. The second arm member is selectively and removably connected to the first arm member at a point adjacent a slot of the first arm member to provide for a variety of radial and axial positioning of the second arm member with respect to the first arm member. The plurality of pad members may be maintained in a constant set contact with a membrane of a percussion instrument at a selected tension by means of a threaded screw cooperating with a tension spring.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to musical drum instruments, and more particularly concerns a device for external adjustable attachment to a drum head that enhances the quality of the sound produced by the drum.
2. Description of the Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR .sctn. 1.97-1.99
Musical drums generally have a circular cylindrical side wall shell supporting an upper or attack head and an opposed parallel lower or resonating head. The heads each consist of an outer rim associated with the shell and a drum head membrane tautly stretched upon the rim. A plurality of tensioning devices are disposed upon the exterior surface of the shell to provide appropriate tension to the membranes. The attack membrane usually has a preferred attack area centered therein.
Drum heads, particularly those of the more recent plastic and other synthetic types, often exhibit a total phenonemon known as "drum head ring", or more simply, ringing, which is characterized by distorted upper harmonic tonal over-rings that vary in pitch as successive impacts are applied to the attack drum head, and when electric sound amplification systems are used to increase the volume of the drum, drum head ring becomes significantly more noticeable.
Drum head ring presented a minor problem when drum membranes were made principally of natural products, such as cat skin or other "gut" type materials. The natural product drum membranes exhibited only low levels of drum head ring, often not noticeable to the average listener. However, with the increased popularity of synthetic drum membranes, ringing has presented a more severe problem. The synthetic membranes produce a more distortable ring of louder volume than do natural product membranes; thus, even a musically untrained listener may notice the distorted tone quality of the synthetic membrane. When electronic amplification is used to increase the volume of the drum sound, ringing becomes even more noticeable. As a result of some very significant advantages of synthetic membranes over natural product membranes, which make the use of synthetic membranes popular, it is highly desirable to minimize, suppress and muffle unwanted overtones and vibrations without detracting from the sound of the primary fundamental desirable tones. This is particularly true in the advent of digital recording and playback and its corresponding increasingly high quality demands placed upon musical recordings and performances.
In the past, articles such as ordinary blankets, pillows, and other available objects having the ability to absorb sound have been inserted internal to the drum shell and against the drum membrane. Such usage of rugs or pillows, or the like, is unsightly especially when transparent drum membranes are used and traveling bands are inconvenienced by the need to carry the large bulky items. To some extent, pillows, rugs, or the like placed internal of the drum shell also retard the desired drum sound and projection, in addition to retarding ringing. Thus, the desired tone and volume of the drum may be adversely affected. Still further, use of pillows or rugs and the like internal of a drum may be impractical for a marching drummer. Also, the use of rugs or pillows, or the like, may adversely affect the "feel" of the drum thereby detracting from the performance of the drummer or may fail to provide a uniform and/or consistent tension against the drum membrane.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,499,616, 2,572,504, 3,951,032, and 5,107,741 are exemplary of different configurations and forms of drum mutes internal to a drum membrane surface for the purpose of reducing drum head ring which are internal to a drum head or membrane. Although such configurations and forms of drum mutes are directed to the reduction of drum head ring, their internal nature may be undesirable in several respects in that internal placement may establish the drum mute in a set non-adjustable position, access to the drum mute may be blocked by its internal nature, and drums without an internal drum muting configuration may not conveniently be retrofitted to include such an internal drum mute feature. Additionally, when a muffling device bears against the drum head or membrane, the pitch of the sound emanating from the drum is often changed depending not only upon the amount of pressure with which the muffling device bears against the drum head or membrane, but also by the number and/or location of the muffling device. Still further, internal muffling devices may be composed of several mechanically connected metal parts, which tend to rattle and loosen, adding extraneous noise.
In the past, attempts have been made to mute or muffle a drum by the drummer laying something on the drum head. Often, such an expedient is directed to solving the problem of drum head ring, yet the solution is not consistent, may be unattractive in a concert setting, and since the drum head necessarily vibrates during a performance, something simply lying on the drum head will move around on the drum head and may interfere with the play of the drum. Thus, attempts have been made to provide an external drum mute to a drum head or membrane such as the differing configuration and forms of drum mutes disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,565,225, 4,567,807, 4,899,635, and 5,404,784.

Adjustable sound enhancing muffing device for percussion instrument background of the invention


A decanter type centrifugal separator includes a torque transmission mechanism with enhanced effect of absorbing a torsional vibration. The decanter type centrifugal separator (10) includes a bowl (20); a screw conveyor (40) disposed in the bowl (20); a processed liquid feed portion (15); a separated liquid discharge port (81); a solid discharge port (82); a drive portion (71); and a differential gear unit (50) for generating a difference in speeds between the bowl (20) and the screw conveyor (40). A torque transmission mechanism (60, 61) includes an elastic damping member (67) for absorbing the torsional vibration of the screw conveyor (40).

In a conventional decanter type centrifugal separator 100 shown in FIG. 10, during separation and dehydration treatment of crystalline particles, such as those of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), terephthalic acid, or the like, or starch ground milk, or the like, when a throughput thereof increases during the conveyance and dehydration treatment of centrifugally precipitated particles (solid) along an axial direction thereof through a minute difference in speeds between a bowl 120 and a screw conveyor 140 disposed therein, chattering (torsional self-excited vibration) of the screw conveyor 140 is generated between the bowl 120 and a tip of a screw conveyor flight 142 through the treatment substances. As a result, there may be problems including damage of an internal gear due to an impact load (torque) being imposed on a differential gear unit 150, and a crack in a stock solution feed hole part 144 at 45 degrees due to a torsion of a screw conveyor cylindrical hub 141 (boss). Accordingly, the throughput of the conventional decanter type centrifugal separator 100 is restricted to less than approximately half of an intended design maximum treatment capacity thereof.
To eliminate such problems, proposals have been disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,069,967 (Jan. 24, 1978), U.S. Pat. No. 4,069,966 (Jan. 24, 1978), and U.S. Pat. No. 3,685,722 (Aug. 22, 1972). Apparatuses disclosed in the references provide flexibility in a direction of rotation on a side of a differential gear unit in order to absorb torsional self-excited vibrations. However, plays may be created in the differential gear unit or in connection parts at both ends of a drive force transmission shaft disposed between the differential gear unit and a screw conveyor. As a result, it is difficult to absorb the torsional vibrations generated in the conveyor at each transmission part.
More specifically, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,069,967, a torsion bar, or the like, is mounted to a pinion gear shaft on an input side of the differential gear unit for absorbing the torsional vibration. Although maintaining spring characteristics, the torsion bar itself has an extremely small damping factor. Accordingly, it is insufficient for absorbing the torsional vibration. Further, the apparatus is mounted to the pinion gear shaft on the input side of the differential gear unit. Accordingly, it is easily expected that backlashes (plays) of the respective gears constituting a drive force transmission path in the differential gear unit, or plays of, for example, spline teeth of connection parts at both ends of a transmission shaft between the differential gear unit and a screw conveyor may accumulate. As a result, the effect of absorbing the torsional vibration generated in the conveyor in each transmission part may decrease.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,069,966, a torsion bar is mounted to a pinion gear shaft on an input side of a differential gear unit in the same way as above. Further, as an auxiliary mechanism, a cantilever torsion bar tip part on the pinion gear shaft is immersed in viscous liquid to improve a damping factor for absorbing the torsional vibration. However, similar to the apparatus above, the apparatus is mounted to the pinion gear shaft on the input side of the differential gear unit. Accordingly, it is easily expected that backlashes (plays) of the respective gears constituting a drive force transmission path in the differential gear unit, or plays of, for example, spline teeth of connection parts at both ends of the transmission shaft between the differential gear unit and a screw conveyor may accumulate. As a result, the effect of absorbing the torsional vibration may decrease.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,685,722, an output shaft side (a screw conveyor side) of a differential gear unit is provided with flexibility in a direction of rotation for absorbing the torsional self-excited vibration. However, a drive force is transmitted through connection parts at both ends of a transmission shaft between the differential gear unit and a screw conveyor. Accordingly, it is easily expected that plays of, for example, spline teeth of connection parts at both ends of the transmission shaft may accumulate. As a result, the effect of absorbing the torsional vibration may decrease. In addition, basically, a normal coil spring is combined with a leaf spring to provide the flexibility. Accordingly, it is supposed that a damping factor is low, and the effect of absorbing the torsional vibration is low.

Decanter type centrifugal separator with torque transmission mechanism


In an adjustable foot pedal assembly for a vehicle, a brake pedal is supported on a carrier, which is adjustable fore and aft. A brake valve has a valve body fixed relative to the path of carrier movement, and a plunger movable in a direction transverse to the path of carrier movement. A transfer arm, pivoted on the carrier, is operatively connected to the foot pedal and the plunger, for effecting movement of the plunger in response to depression of the foot pedal so that the relationship between the movement of the foot pedal and the responsive movement of the plunger is independent of the position of the carrier. The brake valve does not need to be moved as the pedal position is adjusted, and the brake pedal characteristics are therefore unaffected by adjustment of the position of the pedal.

In a motor vehicle, it is important, for the comfort of the operator, and for safe operation of the vehicle, to be able to adjust the position of the operator's feet relative to the control pedals of the vehicle. In automobiles, this is generally accomplished by fore and aft adjustment of the operator's seat, or by a combination of fore and aft adjustment and vertical adjustment. However, in larger vehicles, seat adjustment is frequently not provided. Where seat adjustment is provided, whether in an automobile or in a larger vehicle, it can give rise to other problems, such as dangers associated with seat track failure, and positioning the operator too close to the steering wheel, or too low for proper vision of the road.
Various pedal position adjustment mechanisms have been proposed. Examples are the adjustable suspended pedal mechanisms described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,964,125, 6,151,984, 6,305,239 and 6,374,695, the adjustable floor pedal systems described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,364,047 and U.S. patent publication 2002/0157497.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,364,047, a floating floor is adjustable fore and aft by a motor. The floating floor carries not only the pedals, e.g. a brake and throttle pedal, but also electrical transducers which produce electrical signals in response to pedal movement. In U.S. patent publication 2002/0157497, the brake component is carried along with the pedal, and connected to the vehicle brakes via flexible hydraulic hoses.
In many vehicles, although the throttle is electrically controlled, the brake is operated pneumatically or hydraulically. An electrical transducer can be mounted on a floating floor without giving rise to serious problems. However, a hydraulic or pneumatic valve requires fluid lines, which are typically relatively stiff, and would be liable to fail, due to cracking or chafing as a result of repeated flexure, if connected to a floating floor. Moreover, these brake valves are relatively heavy, and it is not practical to mount them for movement along with a pedal. On the other hand attempting to operate a fixed brake valve from a brake pedal mounted on a floating floor would entail other problems, namely, making a simple mechanical connection between the adjustable brake pedal and the fixed brake valve, and maintaining a uniform brake pedal effort throughout the range of pedal position adjustment.


A heat sink assembly formed of a number of radiation fins arranged in a stack, each radiation fin having two mounting flanges arranged in parallel at two opposite sides, each mounting flange having a dovetail mounting hole on the middle and a dovetail bottom mounting lug, the dovetail bottom mounting lugs of one radiation fin being engaged into the mounting holes of another radiation fin.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to heat sinks for dissipating heat from an electronic device, for example, the CPU of a computer or the like and more particularly, to a heat sink assembly, which is made by fastening a number of radiation fins into a stack.
2. Description of the Related Art
Following fast development of modern information technology, advanced personal computers, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), notebook computers of relatively higher operation speed and better computing function have been continuously created. The chips in these advances electronic devices produce much heat during operation. In order to keep normal functioning, heat must Heat sinks and fans are commonly used for this purpose. A heat sink for this purpose generally has a number of radiation fins arranged in parallel on a metal bottom plate. Increasing the installation density of the radiation fins on the metal bottom plate greatly increases the heat dissipation efficiency of the heat sink, however, it will complicate the installation procedure.
FIGS. 8 and 9 show a heat sink assembly according to the prior art. According to this design, the heat sink assembly A is comprised of one front radiation fin A1, one rear radiation fin A2, and a number of intermediate radiation fins A3. The front radiation fin A1 has a bottom mounting flange A11, which defines a coupling groove A111 at the back side. The rear radiation fin A2 has a bottom mounting flange A21, which has a front protruding portion A211 at the front side. Each intermediate radiation fin A3 has a bottom mounting flange A31, which has a rear coupling groove A312 at the back side and a front protruding portion A311 at the front side. By means of engaging the respective front protruding portions A211 and A311 into the respective rear coupling grooves A312 and A111, the radiation fins A1, A2 and A3 are fastened together, forming a heat sink assembly. This design of heat sink assembly still has drawbacks as follows.
1. Because three stamping dies must be prepared for the front, rear and intermediate radiation fins, the manufacturing cost of this heat sink assembly is high.
2. The engagement between the respective front protruding portions and the respective rear coupling grooves cannot prohibit displacement of the radiation fins relative to one another during installation.
3. The design of the front protruding portion and/or rear coupling groove at the bottom mounting flange of each radiation fin consumes much material and requires much labor, thereby increasing the manufacturing cost of the heat sink assembly.
4. The precision of the engagement between each front protruding portion and the respective rear coupling groove is critical, complicating the fabrication of the radiation fins.
FIGS. 10 and 11 show another design of heat sink assembly according to the prior art. According to this design, the heat sink assembly C is comprised of a plurality of radiation fins B arranged in parallel. The radiation fins B each have a flat base B1 and a plurality of mounting flanges B2 respectively perpendicularly extending from the flat base B1. Each mounting flange B2 has a hook B21 at one side and a lug B3 at an opposite side. The lug B3 defines therein a hook hole B31. By means for forcing the hooks B21 of one radiation fin B into hook holes B31 of the lugs B3 of another radiation fin B, the radiation fins B are fastened together, thereby forming the desired heat sink assembly C. This design of heat sink assembly still has drawbacks as follows.
1. The mounting flanges B2 must be bent from the flat base B1 precisely. A small precision error may result in a connection failure between two radiation fins B.
2. The hooks B21 and hook holes B31 of the lugs B3 of one radiation fin B must correspond to the hook holes B31 and hooks B21 of another radiation fin B precisely. A small precision error may result in instability of the connection between two radiation fins B.
3. Every radiation fin B has three mounting flanges B2 with three hooks B21 and three lugs B3. A position error of one hook B21 or lug B3 will result in instability of the heat sink assembly C.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a heat sink assembly that eliminates the aforesaid drawbacks.


An articulated handle for hockey sticks. This articulated handle extends downwards and outwards from the top of the stick handle. The articulated handle is compound angled and forms a grip for the user. In use, the player holds the stick in one hand at about the center of the handle as before. The upper hand holds the articulated handle. The articulation creates a natural position for holding the stick. Moreover, it gives the user considerably more power and control. Finally, the articulated handle reduces the stress placed on the user's wrist, thereby reducing or eliminating stress injuries. Although this handle is designed for use with hockey sticks, it can also be used on any handled implement, such as shovels, rakes, hoes, tennis rackets, or other similar implements.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to handles for hockey sticks and other handled implements, and particularly to articulated handles for hockey sticks and other handled implements.
2. Description of Related Art
Hockey is a sport that uses a long handled stick to move a puck across an ice rink. The sticks have a blade end and a long handle that extends upward from the blade at an angle. Typically, the stick is gripped with the hands. One hand holds the handle at about the center of the handle. The other hand holds the handle near the top. Because of the angle of the blade and handle, the upper hand often holds the handle at an awkward angle. This not only decreases power and agility in stick handling, it can lead to stress injuries for players.

Articulated handle for hockey sticks and the like


A multiplex router device, having a multiplex configuration, is instrumental in reducing internal and external traffic flows for a routing protocol process that occurs at a time of system switchover. A data base integration module, in a route calculation unit in the active mode, stores network link-state information collected by a routing protocol packet transmission-reception module in a link-state data base, and at the same time sends the information to a route calculation unit, but does not send routing protocol information collected. In the route calculation unit in the standby mode, a data base integration module that received the network link-state information stores its contents into its own link-state data base. When a failure occurs in the route calculation unit in the active mode, the route calculation unit performs the routing protocol process by using the stored link-state data base.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a router device for routing packets to destinations on networks, and more particularly to system switchover technology in a router device having a redundant configuration.
2. Description of Related Art
A router, which forwards packets between the terminals of different networks, needs to exchange routing information with another router to perform dynamic routing of packets, and on the basis of routing information, create a routing table which shows the destination addresses of packets associated with transit nodes.
Two protocols are known for exchanging routing information and for generating a routing table based on the information: one is a Distance Vector Algorithm (DVA) based protocol, such as Routing Information Protocol (RIP) stipulated by Request for Comments (RFC) 1058 prepared by Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and issued from the Internet Architecture Board (IAB), and the other is Link-State Algorithm (LSA) based protocol such as Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) stipulated by RFC 1247.
A RIP-based router exchanges routing table entries with another router and determines a routing path according to the number of hops (the number of routers to the destination), while an OSPF-based router exchanges network connection state information (addresses and so on) and determines a path based on a cost determined by considering many factors including the number of hops. It should be noted that, in exchanging routing information among routers, a particular packet called a routing protocol packet is used.
More specifically, in OSPF, each router exchanges information with all other routers by using packets called routing protocol packets. Each router periodically transmits packets called Hello packets, a kind of routing protocol packet, to the network. A Hello packet includes the router""s own ID, and the identity of the network to which the router is connected, and a list of other routers"" ID""s connected to the same network to which the router is connected. The other routers"" ID""s placed in the above list include the other routers"" ID""s of which the router was made aware by Hello packets received from other routers.
If a router receives a Hello packet, which includes its own ID, from another router that the router has been aware of, on the understanding that the two routers have become aware of each other, the two routers exchange network link-state information by sending routing protocol packets.
Network link-state information includes the ID of the advertising router, the identity of the network to which the advertising router is connected, the addresses of the interfaces through which the advertising router is connected to the networks, and the costs of the interfaces. The cost of an interface means the cost which is incurred when the interface is used to forward packets and which is set by the network administrator.
A router which collected network link-state information from another network connected to the same network creates a routing table specifying the least-cost path as the packet route. This router forwards the packet according to a resulting routing table.
Network link-state information is transmitted by a router where a change occurred in its configuration. A router receiving this information updates the routing table if an update is necessary according to contents of the change.
Meanwhile, each router, while it transmits or receives Hello packets and network link-state information, manages the states of other routers on the network to which this router is connected and also manages the states of the interfaces through which this router is connected to networks. With regard to the states of routers, each router manages the routers"" ID""s, and checks if each of those routers is aware of this router, or checks if each of those routers has completed the transmission and reception of network link-state information. With regard to interface state, each router manages the addresses of the interfaces and other routers connected to a network to which an interface is connected.
A list of other routers, which is included in a Hello packet, is prepared according to the states of routers and the states of interfaces mentioned above.
Each router monitors the active modes of the other routers according to information from Hello packets it receives. More specifically, if there is any other router from which the router has not received Hello packets for longer than a fixed period, the router decides that a failure has occurred in this other router. Also, the router takes measures such as altering the contents of the routing table to establish another path to avoid the faulty router.
To improve the performance of the routers, it has recently been proposed to separate a router into a portion for forwarding packets and a portion for creating a routing table. Using this configuration, it becomes possible to execute the packet forwarding process regardless of the load on the process of creating the routing table.
This technique is described in xe2x80x9cPacket Magazine Third Quarter 1995xe2x80x9d (Cisco).
In this specification, the portion for creating a routing table is called a route calculation unit and the portion for counting packets is called a forwarding process unit.
To enhance the reliability of the router device, it is now common practice to multiplex the above-mentioned route calculation units. The multiplex router device includes a plurality of route calculation units, and always has one route calculation unit placed in the active mode to make it execute an ordinary process while keeping the remaining route calculation units in a standby mode. When the route calculation unit in the active mode runs into trouble, the multiplex router device brings one of the waiting route calculation units into the active mode (this is referred to as a system switchover of route calculation units), and the one other route calculation unit takes over and continues to execute the process that was previously being executed by the route calculation unit in trouble.
This technique is described in Cisco""s manual, xe2x80x9cConfiguration Fundamentals Configuration Guidexe2x80x9d. Cisco System, Inc. 1996
To prevent the other routers from being affected by this system switchover of the route calculation units or to facilitate the system switchover, a thinkable method includes the steps of sending all items of information (network link-state information, states of routers, and states of interfaces), which the route calculation unit in the active mode obtained from the routing protocol process, from the route calculation unit in the active mode to the route calculation units in the standby mode, and storing them in the route calculation units in the standby mode. With the above arrangement, the same states in the route calculation unit, which was previously in the active mode, can be reproduced in a route calculation unit which is subsequently brought into the active mode, and the route calculation unit newly brought into the active mode can promptly become capable of executing the same process as did the previously operating route calculation unit. Consequently, the other routers are protected from the affects of the system switchover of the routers.
However, according to the above-mentioned system switchover technology, the amount of information that must be sent from the route calculation unit that has been in the active mode to the route calculation unit in the standby mode increases as the number of other routers increases. For this reason, as the channels accommodated in the respective routers increase and the routers increase in number as the size of the network becomes larger, the traffic volume in the routers becomes too large due to the transmission of information from the operating route calculation units to the route calculation units in the standby mode. If such excessively large traffic flows occur, delays will arise in the process by the route calculation units themselves or enough traffic capacity cannot be secured for forwarding of packets due to the traffic of information from the route calculation units in the active mode to the route calculation units in the standby mode. The above-mentioned heavy traffic is likely to provide hindrances to the packet forwarding. From a different point of view, it is impossible to accommodate a large number of channels in the router device.
On the other hand, if any information obtained by the routing protocol process is not transmitted from the route calculation unit in operation to the route calculation unit in standby mode, not only must the route calculation unit, which is subsequently brought into operation, execute the routing protocol process from the beginning, but also the other routers must execute the routing protocol process. Furthermore, the packets that have passed this router cannot be forwarded in a normal manner until the routing protocol process ends and the router collects network link-state information about the other routers and reorganizes the routing table. Furthermore, the traffic on the network is increased, for example, by exchange of network link-state information by routing protocol packets.
The present invention has as its object to prevent the occurrence of interruption of packet forwarding or an increase in traffic on the network while reducing the amount of information to be transmitted from the route calculation unit in operation to a route calculation unit in a standby mode at least in a multiplex router device, which includes a plurality of route calculation units.
To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a multiplex router device comprising a plurality of route calculation units, each performing a routing protocol process to create a routing table used to determine a packet route, wherein when one of the route calculation units is set in an active mode and at least one of other route calculation units is set in a standby mode, if a failure occurs in the route calculation unit in the active mode, the one route calculation unit in the standby mode is brought into the active mode.
The route calculation unit includes a memory, process unit, notification unit and holding unit.
The memory holds routing protocol information, when the route calculation unit concerned is in the active mode. The routing protocol information includes network link-state information showing connections between the routers and networks, the states of neighboring routers showing the link-states with neighboring routers, and interface states showing states of network interfaces to connect the multiplex router device to networks.
The process unit executes the routing protocol process, including collection of the routing protocol information held in the memory means, according to the routing protocol information held in the memory.
The notification unit sends, when the route calculation unit concerned is in the active mode, to the route calculation unit in the standby mode only the network link-state information out of the network link-state information, neighboring router states, and interface states stored in the memory. and
The holding unit holds in the memory the network link-state information sent from the route calculation unit in the active mode when the route calculation unit is in the standby mode.
According to the multiplex router device described above, because the information sent from the route calculation unit in the active mode to the route calculation unit in the standby mode is network link-state information only, the internal traffic is less than that in the case where all items of routing protocol information are sent. The route calculation unit shifted from the standby mode to the active mode already obtained network link-state information while it was in the standby mode and holds this information, so that it is not necessary for this route calculation unit to exchange information with other routers to collect the network link-state information over again. Consequently, the volume of traffic on the networks can be reduced compared to the case where no routing protocol information is sent to the route calculation unit in the standby mode. The network link-state information held while the router is in the standby mode matches the contents of the routing table the moment the router is shifted to the active mode. Therefore, on every system switchover of the route calculation units to be set in the active mode, the contents of the routing table cease to exist, and the normal packet forwarding is prevented from being affected by system switchover.

System and method for using active and standby routers wherein both routers have the same ID even before a failure occurs


A method for adjusting antenna radiation in a wireless network involves varying antenna radiation directions of antennas throughout a defined range. A test receiver measures signal parameters from the antennas at measurement locations as the antenna radiation directions are varied. The processing system determines a resultant antenna radiation direction for each of the antennas in the wireless network, or segment thereof, based upon the measured signal parameters.

Whenever a wireless network is initially installed or expanded, various wireless parameters must be tuned to proper values prior to full commercial operation. The tuning of wireless parameters is referred to as radio frequency (RF)network optimization. The RF optimization typically includes adjusting the direction of base station antennas and the transmit power of down-link transmitters.
Wireless service providers often have relied upon a trial-and-error strategy to optimize radio frequency antenna coverage of cells or other geographic areas within a wireless network. The trial-and-error strategy requires repeated measurements at the same locations through iterative test drives until a feasible constellation of the antenna direction for each base station is found. The test drive refers to taking radio frequency measurement samples from a vehicle which is equipped to measure radio frequency parameters versus location while driving through the coverage area of a wireless network. Based on recorded measurements of parameters in a cluster of cells during a test drive, recommendations on adjusting system parameters are established. However, the trial-and-error approach sometimes leads to quality deterioration or service interruption if incorrect recommendations are applied to an operational system. After the recommended changes to system parameters are implemented, another test drive typically is completed to validate system performance. If the latest test drive did not indicate adequate performance, the wireless network or expansion may be delayed from commercial operation, while yet another round of parameter adjustments is followed by a corresponding test drive.
Even if a wireless network timely goes into commercial operation, improper radio frequency optimization may reduce the capacity of a wireless network. Failure to accurately optimize radio frequency coverage may lead to unnecessary expenditures for capital intensive cellular infrastructure. For example, additional channel capacity or additional cell sites, which are not truly needed, may be added to compensate for an incorrectly optimized wireless system.
The trial-and-error approach to optimization wastes valuable time of engineering and technical resources by often entailing iterative or multiple field measurements to obtain an acceptable solution for radio frequency optimization. The repetitive nature of the trial-and-error tends to make such an approach difficult or impractical for handling large networks. Thus, a need exists for improving the accuracy of optimization rather than relying on the time-consuming and happenstance accumulation of empirical data.
As wireless networks evolve from second generation wireless networks to third generation wireless networks, applying trial-and-error techniques for optimization of radio frequency coverage may become outdated because third generation wireless networks are expected to entail significant complexity in the number of variables and permutations associated with antenna radiation patterns. Second generation wireless networks primarily concern varying the antenna direction in the vertical direction, which is commonly known as down-tilt. In contrast, third generation wireless networks are expected to be capable of varying the base station antenna radiation pattern both vertically and horizontally.

System and method for adjusting antenna radiation in a wireless network


Provided are a film-type semiconductor package and method using test pads shared by output channels, a test device, and a semiconductor device and method using patterns shared by test channels. The semiconductor device includes a film-type semiconductor package and a test device. The film-type semiconductor package outputs test signals through a plurality of test pads. The test device tests the film-type semiconductor package using the test signals. A printed circuit board (PCB) of the test device includes a plurality of common patterns, each of which connects at least two of a plurality of test channels to an input terminal, the test channels connecting the input terminals to the test pins. When the film-type semiconductor package, the method of testing the semiconductor package, the semiconductor device and the test device, and the method of testing the film-type semiconductor package in the semiconductor device are used, the film-type semiconductor package can be tested without replacing an existing test device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to a film-type semiconductor package and method using test pads shared by output channels, a test device, and a semiconductor device and method using patterns shared by test channels.
2. Description of the Related Art
A film-type semiconductor package, such as a chip-on-film (COF), transmits a signal generated by a display driver to a display panel.
Film-type semiconductor packages are tested at multiple stages of a manufacturing process. In particular, after film-type semiconductor packages are manufactured, the film-type semiconductor packages are tested for contact. In this case, test signals are transmitted to the film-type semiconductor packages, and signals output from output pins of the film-type semiconductor packages are checked. Is determined whether the test signals transmitted to the film-type semiconductor packages are identical to the signals output therefrom.
FIG. 1 illustrates test pads TPAD of a conventional film-type semiconductor package 10. FIG. 2 illustrates output channels CH respectively connecting the test pads TPAD to output pins OPIN of the film-type semiconductor package 10 of FIG. 1.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the conventional film-type semiconductor package 10 includes the output pins OPIN, buffers BUF, the output channels CH, and the test pads TPAD. The buffers BUF receive test signals to be subsequently output therefrom. The output pins OPIN transmit the received test signals to the test pads TPAD.
The test signals are transmitted through the output channels CH, which connect the output pins OPIN and the test pads TPAD. There is a one-to-one correspondence between the output pins OPIN and the test pads TPAD. Therefore, the number of test pads TPAD is identical to the number of output pins OPIN.
The test pads TPAD transmit the test signals to a test device (not shown) through the output channels CH respectively connected thereto. The test device (not shown) tests the film-type semiconductor package 10 using the received test signals.
FIG. 3 illustrates a conventional test device 30. Referring to FIG. 3, the conventional test device 30 includes test pins TPIN, a printed circuit board (PCB) 32, and a tester head 34. A film-type semiconductor package 40 of FIG. 3 is analogous to the film-type semiconductor package 10 of FIG. 1.
The test pins TPIN are connected to the test pads TPAD of the film-type semiconductor package 40, and thus receive test signals. The tester head 34 receives the test signals through input terminals ITERM and tests the film-type semiconductor package 40.
The PCB 32 of the conventional test device 30 includes patterns PAT for transmitting the test signals received by the test pins TPIN to the tester head 34. The patterns PAT are formed by patterning test channels CH which connect the test pins TPIN to the input terminals ITERM, respectively.
To test the conventional film-type semiconductor package 10 or 40 using the conventional test device 30, the number of test pins TPIN and the number of input terminals ITERM included in the conventional test device 30 must be equal to or greater than the number of the output pins OPIN of the film-type semiconductor package 10 or 40 because the number of test pads TPAD included in the conventional film-type semiconductor package 10 or 40 must be equal to the number of output pins OPIN, and the test pins TPIN and the input terminals ITERM of the conventional test device 30 must respectively correspond to the test pads TPAD.
Therefore, when the number of output pins OPIN of the film-type semiconductor package 10 or 40 is greater than the number of test pins TPIN and the input terminals ITERM of the conventional test device 30, the conventional test device 30 cannot test the film-type semiconductor package 10 or 40. That is, an increase in the number of output pins OPIN included in the film-type semiconductor package 10 or 40 requires the costly replacement of the test device 30.
Furthermore, growing demand for larger and higher visual-quality liquid crystal displays (LCDs) has resulted in a rapid increase in the number of output pins OPIN of the film-type semiconductor package 10 or 40. Consequently, the test device 40 must be more frequently replaced at high costs.

Film-type semiconductor package and method using test pads shared by output channels, and test device, semiconductor device and method using patterns shared by test channels


A method of, and apparatus for, transferring a web, in particular a paper web or cardboard web or an insertion tail severed from the web, from a web-discharging web-guiding surface, via a web conveying apparatus, to the next structural unit of a machine for producing and/or handling the continuous paper web or cardboard web, the insertion tail is detached from the web-guiding surface by way of at least one brief high-energy air jet. The present invention provides that in the case of a web of high grammage, immediately once the tail has been detached from the web-guiding surface, the tail, which has been severed at least on a preliminary basis, is completely severed by an additional mechanical severing arrangement and, by way of its newly formed start, gripped, and passed on, by way of the web conveying apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of, and an apparatus for, transferring a web, in particular a paper web or an insertion tail, which is part of a continuous paper web.
2. Description of the Related Art
A method, which is described in DE 101 14 613.2, and the associated apparatus make it possible not just to catch the paper web, in particular the tail, from the web-discharging web guiding surface, but, at the same time, also to sever the same transversely. The border nozzles used for this purpose operate pneumatically with high-energy air jets. This method and the apparatus are already suitable for relatively high operating or web speeds and for paper webs of low grammage.
Other references are DE 199 62 731 A1 and the "Double Tail Elimination" brochure from the FIBRON Machine Corporation, New Westminster B.C., Canada.

Method and apparatus for transferring a paper web


Methods are described for producing sugar from sugar-containing plant material with microbiological control, which includes treating a sugar-containing plant raw material and/or a component derived therefrom, and/or a medium containing the plant raw material and/or the component, with monochloramine. Monochloramine usage in the method can reduce loss of sugar from bacterial consumptions in the processing of sugar-containing plant materials, such as sugar beets, without causing adverse effects on the sugar product, such as the brightness of white sugar.

The present invention relates to methods for microbiological control in the production of sugar from sugar-containing plant materials, and particularly relates to bacterial control in beet sugar processing.
Sugar (sucrose) and sugar products are primarily obtained from the vegetable raw materials, such as sugar beets and sugar cane, by mechanically disintegrating these plants and extracting, or pressing out, sugar-containing solutions from the plant parts. Sugar beet, cultivated Beta vulgaris, is a plant whose root contains a high concentration of sucrose.
Sugar beets, and other sugar-containing plants that are obtained from agricultural raw materials, are subject to microbiological decay through bacteria, yeasts, and fungi within certain temperature ranges, pH values, and concentration limits. There is a risk of infestation by microorganisms in food-technological processes related to sugar-containing plants, such as sugar beets, both during sugar production processing operations and during storage of raw, intermediate, and final products related to these operations. Microorganisms can degrade sugars contained in the raw materials and process materials to acids and gases to cause loss of sugar product, and/or cause elevated bacterial populations in the products. Microorganisms can influence the process negatively, not only by causing sugar losses, but also, for example, by causing pH drops and high lactic acid concentrations, which can affect other steps in the process (e.g., pressability of the pulp). Moreover, the process for the production of sugar from beets (or sugar cane) risks a microbial cleavage of the disaccharide sucrose into the monosaccharides glucose and fructose, which involves further disadvantages in addition to the immediate loss of sucrose, causing, for instance, a more intense coloration of the syrup, a higher need for alkalizing agents, and an increased amount of molasses.
At temperatures of less than about 50° C., the sugar-containing solutions can be subject to decay by all the microorganisms mentioned, i.e., bacteria, yeasts, and fungi. When extracting juices by thermal cell opening at temperatures above 50° C., only thermophilic bacteria typically are still capable of metabolic activity. The metabolic activity of the thermophilic bacteria can cause problems, and bacterial propagation (growth) can worsen the problems. An example of such a thermal extraction method is the widely-applied hot water extraction of sugar beets ("diffusing"), used in sugar production. In the sugar industry, formalin, dithio-carbamates, peracetic acid, ammonium bisulfate, and quaternary ammonium bases, have been used as antibacterial agents in juice flow or perishable intermediate products. These compounds may be relatively stable and remain in the treated materials and their products. For at least several years, the beet sugar processing industry has been using formaldehyde as a treatment agent. To control (thermophilic) bacterial action, for instance, the feed water to a diffuser in beet sugar processing has been dosed with formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is toxic and reduces the brightness of the white sugar product.
Thus, the present inventors determined that improved methods are needed for the sugar production industry, such as beet sugar processing, for the control of the microbiology, which does not adversely affect the brightness of white sugar or otherwise contaminate the sugar products, and which can be used as a potable-water approved technology to expand treatment opportunities and locations within a sugar production operation.

Methods of microbiological control in beet sugar and other sugar-containing plant material processing

Buckman Laboratories International, Inc.


The present invention aims at providing a motor which can stably be mounted on a circuit board when being assembled into an instrument in particular. The motor 1 in accordance with the present invention comprises a motor body A, an output shaft 3 projecting from a front end of the motor body A, and a voltage-supplying terminal 8 provided in the motor body A, the terminal 8 having an elastic force in a direction substantially orthogonal to the output shaft 3 and also having a grounding portion 14 disposed near a rear end of the motor body A.

Conventionally known as techniques in such a field are those disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. SHO 62-23248 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI 11-136901. The former publication proposes a technique in which, while a motor contact for supplying current to a motor brush has a flexibility, its elastic repulsive force is actively utilized. On the other hand, a small-Size motor 100 disclosed in the latter publication is made such that it is easily assembled into communications instruments such as a cellular phone. As shown in FIG. 6, the small-size motor 100 has an output shaft 103 to which a weight 104 is secured, whereas a forwardly extending electric terminal 102 is fixed at a barrel 100a of the small-size motor 100 by way of a bracket 105 and a holder 109. If such an electric terminal 102 made of a spring sheet is utilized, then no soldering is necessary when securing the motor 100 onto a circuit board 101, whereby the efficiency of production improves.


Method and apparatus are provided for polishing substrates comprising conductive and low k dielectric materials with reduced or minimum substrate surface damage and delamination. In one aspect, a method is provided for processing a substrate including positioning a substrate having a conductive material form thereon in a polishing apparatus having a rotational carrier head and a rotatable platen, wherein the substrate is disposed in the rotational carrier head and the platen has a polishing article disposed thereon, rotating the first carrier head at a first carrier head rotational rate and rotating a platen at a first platen rotational rate, contacting the substrate and the polishing article, accelerating the first carrier head rotational rate to a second carrier head rotational rate and accelerating the first platen rotational rate to a second platen rotational rate, and polishing the substrate at the second carrier head rotational rate and at the second platen rotational rate.

1. Field of the Invention
Aspects of the invention generally relate to the fabrication of semiconductor devices and to chemical mechanical polishing and planarization of semiconductor devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Reliably producing sub-half micron and smaller features is one of the key technologies for the next generation of very large scale integration (VLSI) and ultra large-scale integration (ULSI) of semiconductor devices. However, as the fringes of circuit technology are pressed, the shrinking dimensions of interconnects in VLSI and ULSI technology has placed additional demands on the processing capabilities. The multilevel interconnects that lie at the heart of this technology require precise processing of high aspect ratio features, such as vias, contacts, lines, and other interconnects. Reliable formation of these interconnects is important to VLSI and ULSI success and to the continued effort to increase circuit density and quality of individual substrates and die.
In order to further improve the current density of semiconductor devices on integrated circuits, it has become necessary to use conductive materials having low resistivity for conductors and materials having low dielectric constant (low k, defined herein as having dielectric constants, k, less than about 4.0) as insulating layers to reduce the capacitive coupling between adjacent interconnects. Increased capacitative coupling between layers can detrimentally affect the functioning of semiconductor devices.
One conductive material gaining acceptance is copper and its alloys, which have become the materials of choice for sub-quarter-micron interconnect technology because copper has a lower resistivity than aluminum, (1.7 μΩ-cm compared to 3.1 μΩ-cm for aluminum), a higher current and higher carrying capacity. These characteristics are important for supporting the higher current densities experienced at high levels of integration and increased device speed. Further, copper has a good thermal conductivity and is available in a highly pure state.
One difficulty in using copper in semiconductor devices is that copper is difficult to etch in a precise pattern. Etching copper using traditional deposition/etch processes for forming interconnects has been less than satisfactory. Therefore, new methods of manufacturing interconnects having copper-containing materials and low k dielectric materials are being developed.
One method for forming vertical and horizontal interconnects is by a damascene or dual damascene method. In the damascene method, one or more dielectric materials, such as the low k dielectric materials, are deposited and pattern etched to form the vertical interconnects, i.e., vias, and horizontal interconnects, i.e., lines. Conductive materials, such as copper-containing materials, and other materials, such as barrier layer materials used to prevent diffusion of copper-containing materials into the surrounding low k dielectric, are then inlaid into the etched pattern. Any excess copper-containing materials and excess barrier layer material external to the etched pattern, such as on the field of the substrate, is then removed.
Planarizing a surface, or "polishing" a surface, is a process where material is removed from the surface of the substrate to form a generally even, planar surface. Planarization is useful in dual damascene processes to remove excess deposited material and to provide an even surface for subsequent levels of metallization and processing. Planarization may also be used in removing undesired surface topography and surface defects, such as rough surfaces, agglomerated materials, crystal lattice damage, scratches, and contaminated layers or materials.
Chemical mechanical planarization, or chemical mechanical polishing (CMP), is a common technique used to planarize substrates. In conventional CMP techniques, a substrate carrier or carrier head is mounted on a carrier assembly and positioned in contact with a polishing article in a CMP apparatus. The carrier assembly provides a controllable pressure to the substrate urging the substrate against the polishing article. The article is moved relative to the substrate by an external driving force. Thus, the CMP apparatus effects polishing or rubbing movement between the surface of the substrate and the polishing article while dispersing a polishing composition to effect both chemical activity and mechanical activity.
Conventionally, in polishing copper features, such as dual damascene features, the copper-containing material, and a portion of the barrier layer, is polished to the level of the barrier layer, and then the barrier layer is polished, with a portion of the dielectric layer and copper features, to the level of the underlying dielectric layer.
One difficulty that can occur in polishing copper features may arise when using low k dielectric material in copper dual damascene formation. Low k dielectric materials are typically soft, porous, or brittle. Current polishing pressures, greater than about 2 psi, can damage the low k dielectric material and form defects in the substrate surface, such as film delamination, due to high shear stresses caused by the friction between the polishing article and substrate surface. Additionally, conventional polishing processes contact the substrate and a polishing article at polishing conditions that impart high shear stresses. Such polishing conditions, including both polishing pressure and polishing article rotational rates, have been observed to and result in delamination of material from the substrate surface.
Therefore, there exists a need for an apparatus and method that reduce or minimize the formation of topographical defects and film delamination during processing.

Methods for reducing delamination during chemical mechanical polishing


An image display control apparatus includes a memory, a determination unit, and a display controller. The memory stores plural sets of information each set including image information indicating an image to be displayed on a display and at least one attribute concerning the image information, which are associated with each other. When one of plural images displayed on the display is selected, the determination unit determines whether or not the image information stored in the memory includes image information stored in association with an attribute relevant to an attribute associated with the selected image. The display controller performs display control to display a mark for a relevant image when displaying the plural images on the display in accordance with the image information stored in the memory and displaying on the display a relevant image based on the image information included in the stored image information.

(i) Technical Field
The present invention relates to an image display control apparatus, an image display apparatus, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and an image display control method. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image display control apparatus that performs display control to display plural images each having attributes, an image display apparatus including the image display control apparatus, a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program executed by the image display control apparatus, and an image display control method for displaying plural images each having attributes.
(ii) Related Art
Some recent image display apparatuses used in image capture apparatuses such as digital video cameras and digital electronic still cameras, mobile terminal apparatuses including such image capture apparatuses, and the like are configured to record information relevant to image information as attributes on recording media in such a manner that the attributes are attached to the image information. The attributes include, for example, information indicating the date and time of image capture, information indicating a position obtained by global positioning system (GPS), information indicating the photographer, information indicating an event set by user operation, and information indicating the format of the image information.
The attributes described above are used when, for example, images are reproduced, in order to sort the images into groups by date and time of image capture, event, or the like and reproduce the images. There is also a demand to record image information on a separate recording medium collectively in units of photographers or dates and times of image capture. To meet this demand, image display apparatuses that implement grouping for each of the attributes are nowadays being commercialized. An image display apparatus having such a grouping function is generally provided with dedicated keys, in advance, each for specifying a group, and allows a user to easily record images in units of groups or display images in units of groups by operating the dedicated keys.
Such image display apparatuses have a configuration in which a dedicated key is provided for each of the attributes. Users are thus expected to have knowledge of types of attributes corresponding to the prepared dedicated keys in order to effectively utilize the grouping function.
There may be a case where a user, when checking multiple images displayed in a list on an image display apparatus, wishes to view images relevant to some of the multiple images, such as images captured at the same date and time.

Image display control apparatus, image display apparatus, non-transitory computer readable medium, and image display control method


A method for reducing effects of vibropendulous errors within a sensor device having three orthogonal sensors is described. The method includes calculating compensation terms for each sensor, the compensation terms associated with an angle between a pendulous axis for the sensor and a cross axis of the sensor, and subtracting the compensation terms for each sensor from data received from that sensor.

This invention relates generally to operation of sensor devices, for example, micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) and discrete component sensor devices, and more specifically, to methods and systems for compensation of data originating from the operation of these sensor devices.
Certain sensor based devices, for example, pendulous mass accelerometers and gyroscopes, incorporate one or more suspended components that are subject to vibropendulous effects during operation. An example of such a component is a proof mass of a MEMS based sensor device. The vibropendulous effects are caused by forces that might placed on the suspended components during accelerations. Specifically, such forces are those that have elements that are perpendicular to a "pendulum axis" of each individual suspended component. The pendulum axis is an axis about which the suspended component is designed to vibrate. Any forces in the other axes may also cause a vibration in that axis, which is referred to as vibropendulous effects, which can result in bias errors in the data generated by the operation of the suspended components.
One known sensor device utilizes an auxiliary sensor to provide compensation for vibropendulous errors using analog signal correction. However, such a solution requires the addition of additional components (i.e., the additional sensor and supporting electronics) to the sensor device incorporating such a solution. Addition of components increases cost and complexity while further increasing a probability of component failure within the sensor device due to the increased number of components therein.

Methods and systems for vibropendulous error compensation of acceleration sensors