To improve light extraction efficiency of a deep ultraviolet light-emitting diode (DUVLED), a typical LED element has a single crystal substrate made of sapphire or AlN, The ultraviolet layer is arranged as a film stack having an n-type conductive layer, a recombination layer, and a p-type conductive layer. A stack of a p-type contact layer and a reflective electrode is disposed on the p-type conductive layer. The ultraviolet emission layer and a p-type contact layer are made of mixed crystal of AlN and GaN. The transmittance for the emission wavelength of the p-type contact layer is increased, and the light extraction efficiency is improved. Also an LED element whose p-type contact layer is configured in a layered structure and whose reflective electrode is patterned is provided. Moreover, an electric appliance having such LED elements is provided.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to improvement in the light extraction efficiency of ultraviolet light-emitting diodes.
2. Description of the Related Art
Solid state light-emitting elements utilizing a nitride semiconductor material have been widely used in applications of blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Similar solid state light-emitting elements are in demand for use in shorter wavelength applications. Thus, ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UVLEDs) have been developed based on material groups similar to those of blue LEDs. Since ultraviolet (UV) light is considered to have a variety of useful applications including sterilization, water purification, and medical applications, especially so for light at short wavelengths in the deep ultraviolet range of 350 nm or below, or more specifically, in a part of the UVC range of around 260-280 nm, LEDs that operate in the UVC range, and deep UV LEDs (DUVLEDs) are under intensive development. A typical DUVLED uses a sapphire substrate or a single crystal AlN substrate and has a layered structure made of a gallium aluminum nitride series semiconductor containing aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), and nitrogen (N) for its main composition. Output power of such DUVLEDs has been improved, and DUVLEDs that output at 10 mW output level UV radiation have been manufactured to date.
Technological challenges for such DUVLEDs include improvement of emission efficiency, as an example. The emission efficiency may be measured by an external quantum efficiency, ηEQE, which is defined as the number of photons emitted by the LED element per unit time, divided by the number of electrons in the operational electric current per unit time. The external quantum efficiency, ηEQE can be factored into three factors of an internal quantum efficiency ηIQE, an electron injection efficiency ηEIE, and a light extraction efficiency ηLEE, given by the following relationship:ηEQE=ηIQE×ηEIE×ηLEE.
Among the three factors for the DUVLEDs the internal quantum efficiency ηIQE and the electron injection efficiency ηEIE have been drastically improved to date as a result of continuing development efforts. Specifically, technological solutions that have contributed to such improvement include reduction of crystalline dislocations for the ultraviolet emission layer to improve the internal quantum efficiency ηIQE (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,811,847; H. Hirayama et al., "231-261 nm AlGaN deep-ultraviolet light-emitting diodes fabricated on AlN multilayer buffers grown by ammonia pulse-flow method on sapphire," Appl. Phys. Lett. 91, 071901 (2007); H. Hirayama et al., "222-282 nm AlGaN and InAlGaN-based deep-UV LEDs fabricated on high-quality AlN on sapphire," Phys. Stat. Solidi (a), 206, 1176, (2009); and S, Fujikawa et al., "Realization of 340-nm-band high-output-power (7 mW) InAlGaN quantum well ultraviolet light-emitting diode with p-type InAlGaN", Jap. J. Appl. Phys. 47, 2941 (2008)). For the improvement of the electron injection efficiency ηEIE, it is effective to supplement electron blocking performance in a p-type semiconductor layer by adopting a structure called an MQB (multi-quantum barrier) that utilizes a superlattice structure in the p-type semiconductor layer (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,759,813). Currently as much as 50-80% efficiency can be expected for a product of the internal quantum efficiency and the electronic injection efficiency, or ηIQE×ηEIE.
However, even for DUVLED elements for which a high value of the product of the internal quantum efficiency and the electron injection efficiency ηIQE×ηEIE, fabricated DUVLED elements have been operated at an external quantum efficiency ηEQE of around 4% at the maximum. Such poor performance can be attributed to an insufficient value of the light extraction efficiency, ηLEE. Light extraction efficiencies ηLEE for conventional DUVLED are typically less than 10%.

Ultraviolet light-emitting diode and electric apparatus having the same


A cable assembly (100) comprises a mating member (4), a printed circuit board (2), a cable (6) and a pair of hooked contacts (3). The printed circuit board (2) has an LED (23) attached thereon and a pair of vias (210, 211), the cable (6) has a positive wire (61) and a negative wire (62) connected with the mating member (4). The hooked contacts (3) are assembled in the vias, each contact (3) defines a holding portion (34) and a pair of legs (351) retained in the vias, the holding portion (34) has a plurality of barbs (341) and encloses the corresponding wire, the barbs pierces outer jackets (610, 620) of the wires (61, 62) to electrically connect the contacts with inner conductors of the wires.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a cable assembly, and more particularly to a cable assembly with hooked contacts connected wires and printed circuit board therebetween.
2. Description of Related Art
Nowadays, cable assemblies are widely used in an electronic equipment, especially for transmitting power, and the performance of the cable assembly directly impacts on the entire electronic equipment whether can normally run.
A typical cable assembly has a printed circuit board, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) attached on the printed circuit board, a supporter receiving the LED, a plurality of cables comprising positive wires and negative wires, a cylindrical mating member and an insulative shell enclosing the printed circuit board, the LED, the positive and negative wires, the supporter, the cylindrical mating member and cables partially. The LED is illuminated to indicate the work status of the cable assembly whether the power is on or off. Part of outer jackets of the positive and negative wires are stripped away to expose corresponding inner conductors outside, the inner conductors are soldered on the printed circuit board. However, the production process above mentioned is too much complicated.
Hence, it is desirable to have an improved structure to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.


An apparatus wherein a hot stamp transfer roller can be quickly removed from the metal core after the hot stamp transfer roller is used up and immediately replaced with another hot stamp transfer roller so that the process can continue without having to return the central hub and the remaining portion of the hot stamp transfer roller to a facility where the hot stamp transfer roller is ground away from the central hub.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of transfer of hot stamped foil to the surface of an object.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Prior art for printing rollers was observed in previous issued patents and published patent applications. The previous art, however, does not solve the problem that currently exists in the hot foil stamping industry.
The following seven patents and published patent applications are the closest prior art known to the inventor.
1. U.S. Pat. No. 5,786,051 issued to Georg Niggemeier et al. on Jul. 28, 1998 for "Ink Transfer Roller with Interchangeable Cover" (hereafter the Niggemeier Patent");
2. U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,360 issued to William James Lane, III et al. on Jan. 19, 1999 for "Replaceable Printing Sleeve" (hereafter the "'360 Lane Patent");
3. U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,799 issued to William James Lane, III et al. on Nov. 16, 1999 for "Replaceable Sleeve" (hereafter the "'799 Lane Patent");
4. United States Published Patent Application No. 2003/0131743 issued to Alexander Sauer et al. on Jul. 17, 2013 for "Roller with Detachable Roller Cover" (hereafter the "Sauer Published Patent Application");
5. U.S. Pat. No. 8,075,465 issued to Paul Verfaellie et al. on Dec. 13, 2011 for "Roller Assembly with an Eccentric Expandable Cover Retaining Ring and a Method of Manufacturing the Roller Assembly" (hereafter the "Verfaellie Patent");
6. U.S. Pat. No. 8,250,977 issued to Lev Zlatin et al. on Aug. 28, 2012 for "Printing Press with Replaceable Sleeve Shell Segments For A Cylinder" (hereafter the "Zlatin Patent");
7. United States Published Patent Application No. 2013/0228085 to Raghbir Bhullar et al. on Sep. 5, 2013 for "Process for Refurbishing Cylinder Rolls and Bases for Printing Machines" (hereafter the "Bhullar Published Patent Application").
The Niggemeier Patent discloses an ink transfer roller with interchangeable cover. Specifically, the patent discloses:                "An ink transfer roller for a support roller or support bar, in particular of metal, with a stretchable, interchangeable fiber-reinforced laminated plastic material cover (K) covered with a metal-ceramic layer (MK), which is provided with small ink transfer cups (FN), wherein the laminated plastic material cover (K) consists of a stretchable inner cover (UB) and an outer cover (OB), between which a foamed material compressible layer (SS) is enclosed."
This patent discloses the concept of having an exchangeable roller but it works differently than your invention in that the exchangeable roller essentially is an elastic type band which can be stretched over the center hub.
The '360 Lane Patent discloses a replaceable printing sleeve. In particular, the patent discloses:                "A replaceable sleeve having a working surface is provided which is adapted to be mounted on a carrier. The sleeve includes an inner polymeric layer, a reinforcing layer overlying the inner layer, an intermediate polymeric layer overlying the reinforcing layer, and an outer polymeric layer. The sleeve may include a cushion layer between the intermediate layer and the outer layer. The layers comprising the sleeve are formed around a support and then cured simultaneously in a single step. The resulting sleeve may be used in printing operations or in other applications such as coating, embossing, laminating, calendering and the like."
The '799 Lane Patent discloses a replaceable sleeve having a working surface is provided which is adapted to be mounted on a carrier.
The Sauer Published Patent Application discloses:                "Printing rollers, in particular ink rollers, dampening rollers or varnishing rollers for web-fed offset printing machines and sheet-fed offset printing machines, with a rigid roller core and a roller cover with an outside layer from elastomeric or elastic plastic material are constructed that way that the roller cover is connected with the roller core detachable. In this way for inking units, dampening units and varnishing units of printing machines rollers are made available, whose roller cover is exchangeable and can be used in a one-way method."
The Verfaellie Patent discloses:                "A roller assembly for a production machine having an inner wheel base capable of attachment to the driving axle of a production machine and an expandable outer ring which is cooperatively connectable to the inner wheel base is disclosed. The circumference of the expandable outer ring is adjustable. An outer roller cover mounts circumferentially around the adjustable expandable outer ring."
The Zlatin Patent discloses a printing press with replaceable sleeve shell segments for a cylinder. The major concept of this invention is that you can vary the diameter of the printing wheel but it is implied within the concept that the printing wheel can be removed and replaced.
The Bhullar Published Patent Application discloses a process for refurbishing cylinder rolls and bases for printing machines.
None of the prior art patents address the problems that currently exist in the Hot Stamping industry.

Replaceable hot stamp transfer roller removably affixed to a central core for image transfer from an image source to a surface of an object


A method and system for non-contact measurements of microwave capacitance of miniature structures patterned on wafers used for production of modern integrated circuits. A near-field balanced two-conductor probe is brought into close proximity to a test key built on a wafer of interest and replicating the miniature structure of interest. The resonant frequency of the probe for the test key is measured. The probe is then positioned at the same distance from an “open” calibration key and “short” calibration key, and the resonance frequencies of the probe for the calibration keys are measured. A shear force distance control mechanism maintains the distance between the tip of the probe and the measured test key and calibration keys. The microwave capacitance of the test key is then calculated in accordance with a predefined formula. The obtained microwave capacitance of the test key is indicative of the capacitance of the miniature structure of interest and may be further used for determining possible defects of the integrated circuit of interest.

A fundamental shift is taking place in the fabrication of integrated circuits, and in particular in the construction of the multiple wiring layers that provide connections to the tens of millions of transistors on a state-of-the-art chip. The prior standard in the industry has been the use of aluminum wires isolated each from the other by silicon dioxide. Despite the prior success of this combination, such is now reaching the limitation imposed by state-of-the-art chips and is now placing limitations on the performance of the chips. In order to obviate these limitations, the semiconductor industry has begun a search for replacements for aluminum and/or silicon dioxide that can provide enhanced device performance.
Two shifts in fabrication of integrated circuits are currently taking place: (1) from aluminum to copper wires to reduce the resistance of the metal wires, and (2) from silicon dioxide to dielectrics with lower dielectric constants k, commonly referred to as 'low-k' materials. The move away from silicon dioxide as the interlayer dielectric has been driven by the need to reduce the delay times along the wires in the complex circuits. This has opened up a wide field of research and development in the semiconductor industry focused on the fabrication and characterization of new high-performance materials.
However, the stable, well-understood nature of silicon dioxide has led to an absence of effective tools and methods for characterizing dielectric materials. As a result, progress toward the identification and optimization of new dielectric materials has been slowed by the lack of characterization instruments.
In standard aluminum/silicon dioxide processes, the wiring layers are formed by first laying down a uniform aluminum film, etching away the aluminum in the regions between the wires, and then filling these regions with silicon dioxide. The switch from aluminum to copper has caused a change in this process since there is no effective way to etch copper. Thus, for copper/dielectric based integrated circuits, the Dual Damascene process is generally employed, in which two layers of dielectric material (either silicon dioxide or a low-k dielectric) are initially deposited. The dielectric layers are then etched to form vias and trenches where the wires are to be formed. The copper is then deposited into these trenches and vias. Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is then applied to produce a smooth surface on which the process steps can be repeated for the next wiring layer.
The Damascene process has been somewhat successful, but has also led to a wide range of problems that were not encountered in the standard Al/SiO2 technology. These problems have been particularly common when the typically less-stable low-k dielectrics are used. As an example, the dielectric etching process necessary to form the trenches for copper often damage the dielectric material causing a change in its dielectric constant, and as a consequence, a change in the performance of the device. This type of damage often occurs at the interface between the metal and dielectric and causes changes in the capacitance between wires, thus affecting device performance.
There is a clear need for dielectric metrology to be used on product wafers during manufacturing of integrated circuits and the like. The existing techniques for dielectric constant measurements of low-k films include Hg-probe, MIS-capacitance, and Corona discharge.
These techniques are able to measure k value on blanket wafers, however they cannot be used on production wafers. Moreover, Hg-probe and MIS-capacitance are not appropriate for measurements on porous dielectrics. In addition neither of the above techniques can be employed to monitor low-k dielectrics during processing.
Measuring capacitance is an important step in monitoring the fabrication process of integrated circuits. The standard method for accomplishing this task is to build large capacitance test structures directly into the device itself and then measure the capacitance of these structures by making direct contact, either through pins on the finished device or by placing small probes on contact pads.
Interdigitated comb is now a standard parametric in-line test and more representative of true low-k process metrology. However, it involves extensive sample cross-sectioning and numerical modeling, thus making the data collection unrealistically time-consuming. In addition, traditional capacitance measurements require test structures with capacitances on the order of 1–100 pF so as to overcome the stray capacitances in the measurement wires. This requirement means that interdigitated comb structures must be fairly large since the typical specific capacitance between wires in state-of-the-art integrated circuits is less than 1 fF/μm. There are three distinct disadvantages to such large capacitance test structures. First, the structures take up significant area on the wafer, which particularly undesirable on production wafers. Second, the large size of the test structure leads to significant stray capacitance between the structure and nearby structures with the stray capacitance being very difficult to account for in the analysis. Third, the large size of the structure means that the properties of interest are being averaged over large areas and therefore cannot be studied locally on the scale of the wires themselves. It therefore would be highly desirable to have a non-contact technique for capacitance measurement on miniature test structures.

Method and system for non-contact measurement of microwave capacitance of miniature structures of integrated circuits


A voltage level translator circuit for translating an input signal referenced to a first voltage supply to an output signal referenced to a second voltage supply includes an input stage for receiving the input signal, the input stage including at least one transistor device having a first threshold voltage associated therewith. The voltage level translator circuit further includes a latch circuit operative to store a signal representative of a logic state of the input signal, the latch circuit including at least one transistor device having a second threshold voltage associated therewith, the second threshold voltage being greater than the first threshold voltage. A voltage clamp circuit is connected between the input stage and the latch circuit. The voltage clamp circuit is operative to limit a voltage across the input stage, an amplitude of the voltage across the input stage being controlled as a function of a voltage difference between the first and second voltage supplies.

Certain portable devices, including wireless handsets, notebook computers and personal digital assistants (PDAs), often employ circuitry which runs on two or more different voltage levels. For instance, circuitry utilized with such portable devices may be configured so that a portion of the circuitry, such as, for example, input/output (IO) buffers, runs at a higher voltage level (e.g., about 3.3 volts), as may be supplied by an IO voltage source, while another portion of the circuitry, such as, for example, core logic, runs at a substantially lower voltage level (e.g., about 1.0 volt), as may be supplied by a core voltage source. This difference in voltage levels often necessitates the use of a voltage level translator circuit for interfacing between the multiple voltage levels.
There are many applications in which a circuit (e.g., an IO buffer) may be required to operate over a wide range of IO voltage source levels. The level of the IO voltage source may be determined by the particular application. From a performance standpoint (e.g., speed, power consumption, reliability, etc.), it is generally preferable to manufacture multiple circuits, each circuit being individually optimized for a specific expected IO voltage source level of operation. However, this approach significantly increases the cost of both design and fabrication of the circuits, and is thus undesirable. It is well known that when the IO voltage source is brought down to a level comparable to the core voltage source level, such as, for instance, to conserve power, a standard voltage level translator circuit is often inoperable or operates with poor performance (e.g., slower speed, increased skew, etc.). Thus, standard voltage level translator circuits that are designed to handle a wide range of IO voltage source levels typically do so by compromising on circuit performance.
Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved voltage level translator circuit for interfacing between multiple voltage levels that does not suffer from one or more of the problems exhibited by conventional voltage level translator circuits.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Voltage level translator circuit with wide supply voltage range


A stent is provided that includes at least two stent segments which mate with one another. At least one of the stent segments includes a hollow member, and at least one of the stent segments includes a solid member. At least one of the solid members is secured to at least one of the hollow members.

Stents are generally tubular devices for insertion into body lumens. A stent is typically used to prop open a passageway or, in combination with a graft, provide a prosthetic intraluminal wall, e.g., in the case of a vascular stenosis or aneurysm, to provide an unobstructed conduit for blood in the area of the stenosis or aneurysm. A stent may be endoluminally deployed in a body lumen, a blood vessel for example, at the site of a stenosis or aneurysm by so-called "minimally invasive techniques" in which the stent is compressed radially inwards and is delivered by a catheter to the site where it is required, through the patient's skin, or by a "cut down" technique at a location where the blood vessel concerned is accessible. When the stent is positioned at the correct location, the stent is caused or allowed to re-expand to a predetermined diameter in the vessel.
Stents often consist of more than one component, and different securing means are known for securing stent elements together. For example, stent portions may be secured together via welds at one or more points or seams where the portions are immediately adjacent one another. Elements of individual stent segments may also be fastened to one another by crimping the elements together. In yet another example, stent portions may be secured together via a combination of crimping members and welds. This technique is described in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/748,444 filed Dec. 20, 2003, entitled, "CRIMP AND WELD CONNECTION," which is incorporated herein by reference.
Nevertheless, stent elements which facilitate connecting together stent segments or provide other functions would be useful.

Atraumatic connections for multi-component stents


This invention relates to a binder for reservoir tubes and in particular to one including a conical head formed with a longitudinal through hole at the center and a plurality of longitudinal blind holes around the longitudinal through hole at the center, and an end piece provided with a center positioning tubular member and a plurality of circular protuberances around the center positioning tubular member, whereby a plurality of reservoir tubes may be mounted between the conical head and the end piece and the tip of the reservoir tube at the center position will protrude out of the conical head thereby binding a plurality of reservoir tubes together and enabling the binder to be used a writing implement.

The prior art ball-point pen can receive only one a reservoir tube and so once the ink in the reservoir tube is used up, it is necessary to replace the reservoir tube with a new one. However, the ball-point pen and the spare reservoir tubes are usually stored in different places thereby often causing the user to spend much time in finding the spare reservoir tube.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a binder for reservoir tubes which may obviate and mitigate the above-mentioned drawbacks.


Recombinant DNA encoding a polypeptide precursor of the HN or F glycoprotein of Newcastle Disease Virus has been prepared and sequenced.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to polynucleotides encoding viral polypeptides associated with the poultry disease known as Newcastle Disease and their preparation by recombinant DNA methods.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a typical paramyxovirus and causes a severe respiratory infection in poultry. This disease is of great economic importance, requiring control by vaccination or quarantine with slaughter of all birds in confirmed outbreaks. The genome of NDV is a single strand of RNA of negative polarity, molecular weight 5.2-5.6.times.10.sup.6, or approximately 15,000 bases which is transcribed by a polymerase to produce viral mRNA. The genomic RNA is bound to three proteins in the viral nucleocapsid. These proteins are the nucleocapsid protein NP, the phosphoprotein P, and the large protein L. The nucleocapsid is contained within a lipid envelope derived from host cell plasma membranes on the inner surface of which is a shell of membrane or matrix protein M. On the outer surface of the viral envelope are the two viral glycoproteins, the haemagglutinin-neuraminidase HN, involved in the binding of the virus to host cells and the fusion protein F, involved in fusion with and penetration through the membrane.
The primary translation product of the F gene contains a signal sequence which is presumably removed during or shortly after translation of the polypeptide. Glycosylation of the polypeptide occurs as the polypeptide is translated to result in the precursor glycoprotein F.sub.o. The glycoprotein F.sub.o is usually cleaved during processing in vivo to give sub-unit polypeptides F.sub.2, F.sub.1, which are linked by a disulphide bridge. That is the sub-units F.sub.1 and F.sub.2 together form a single molecule because they are linked between cysteine residues by the --S--S-bond. The peptide bond cleavage correlates with virulence: F.sub.o of virulent strains is cleaved to F.sub.1 and F.sub.2 in a wide range of host cells, whereas F.sub.o of avirulent strains, such as LaSota and B1, is cleaved only in a restricted range of host cells. Except where F.sub.o is specifically referred to as such, or the context otherwise requires, the term F used herein includes both F and F.sub.o.
The primary translation product of the HN gene is the glycoprotein HN. In two avirulent strains a precursor glycoprotein (HN.sub.o) is cleaved to active HN by cleavage of a C-terminal glycopolypeptide. Except where HN.sub.o is specifically referred to as such, or the context otherwise requires, the term HN used herein includes both HN and HN.sub.o.
Monoclonal antibodies raised against the NDV HN glycoprotein neutralise NDV infectivity, R. M. Iorio and M. A. Bratt, J. Virology 48, 440-450 (1983). Y. Umino et al., Archives of Virology 81, 53-65 (1984) reported that monospecific antisera to the NDV HN glycoprotein were highly neutralising of haemagglutinin and neuraminidase activity. Antisera to the F glycoprotein inhibited haemolysis and virus-induced cell fusion and the combination of anti-HN and anti-F antisera appeared particularly effective in a plaque reduction assay. Accordingly it would be of interest to prepare, by recombinant DNA methods, artificial DNA or RNA encoding the NDV glycoproteins HN and F. (It is convenient herein to refer to DNA or RNA encoding the NDV proteins, although, strictly, it can encode only the polypeptide precursors thereof which are processed in vivo to glycoproteins). The primary products of NDV transcription in vivo are polyadenylated, capped and methylated mRNAs which are complementary to the genomic RNA and have sedimentation coefficients of 35S, 22S and 18S. The 18S and 35S transcripts code for the six proteins, the 18S RNA coding for proteins NP, P, M, HN, and F and the 35S RNA for the large protein L. The 18S RNA contains five distinct monocistronic poly A-mRNAs, i.e. each codes for one of the five proteins. S. R. Weiss et al, Journal of Virology 18, 316-323 (1976) have shown that these 18S mRNAs have relative molecular masses of 5.0, 5.7, 7.1, 7.4 and 8.5.times.10.sup.5.
P. L. Collins et al., Journal of Virology 43, 1024-1031 (1982) have performed in vitro translations and thereby have made assignments of the protein coded for by each mRNA. In ascending order of relative molecular mass they are M, P and proteins of r.m.m. 36K and 33K, NP, unglycosylated F and unglycosylated HN.
No definitive genomic map of NDV exists at present. Maps have been constructed by UV transcriptional mapping, as described by P. L. Collins et al., J. Virology 35, 682-693 (1980) and J. Virology 28, 324-336 (1978). These maps are inconsistent. The last published such paper indicated that the NP gene lies nearest the 3' end, followed by the P gene then the M and F genes in unknown order, followed by the HN gene, all in the 3' half of the genome, and the large L gene nearest the 5' end. However, UV transcriptional mapping is an imprecise technique which is known from work on Sendai virus to have given incorrect results.
Recently, L. E. Dickens et al., J. Virology 52, 364-369 (1984) have compared the gene order in human respiratory syncytial virus (a paramxyovirus) with the rhabdovirus VSV and NDV. The gene order disclosed (3' to 5') is NP, P, M, F, HN and L but it is derived from an unpublished personal communication from another scientist.
The SV5 genes encoding the HN and F proteins have been sequenced. See S. W. Hiebert et al., J. Virology 54, 1-6 (1985) and R. G. Paterson et al., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 81, 6706-6710 (1984).
C. D. Richardson et al., Virology 105, 205-222 (1980), sequenced the first 20 amino acids at the N-terminal end of the F.sub.1 protein of Sendai Virus, SV5 and NDV. A mixture of all 18-mer oligonucleotides encoding the six consecutive amino acids of this NDV sequence with the lowest number of possible codons would have to contain a minimum of 864 different oligomers.
Recently, A. Wilde et al., Journal of Virology 51, 71-76 (1984) have shown that the 22S NDV RNA transcript gives rise to polycistronic RNA molecules. Their paper reports at page 75, R.H. column, lines 16-19 that cDNA clones derived from individual NDV genes were used to show that the RNA was bi- or tri-cistronic. No further information about such gene clones was given.
The Sendai virus HN and F genes have been sequenced by B. M. Blumberg et al., Journal of Virology 66, 317-331 (1985) and Cell 41, 269-278 (1985). Also Y. Hidaka et al., Nucleic Acids Research 12, 7965-7973 (1984) have sequenced part of the F gene.
3. The inventors' own prior disclosures
The present inventors have been engaged in cloning NDV genes by recombinant DNA technology. On Jan. 10th, 1985 at a Society for General Microbiology workshop at Birmingham, England, they presented orally an outline of their work including a short region of cDNA sequence thought to be in the region of the junction between HN and L genes. An open reading frame was not given.
On Jul. 17th, 1985, they gave an oral paper, with overhead projection, to a meeting of the Biochemical Society at Oxford, England. A brief abstract outlining the work but giving no detail, was circulated to delegates in about June 1985. A poster was exhibited in July 17th at the meeting. The poster reported the cloning in the plasmid pBR322 of a series of overlapping small fragments which by laborious and careful mapping techniques had been shown to span the entirety of the F and HN genes. The poster gave no nucleotide sequence information in the coding region but reported a deduced 69-residue amino acid sequence NPTSAVFD . . . PLLVEILKN near the 5' end of the HN gene. This sequence did not include any methionine or tryptophan residues which have unique DNA codons. The oral paper went no further in content than to the poster.
Despite the above reports, it was still impossible to specify with confidence the location on the NDV genome of the HN and F genes particularly in view of the unreliability of UV transcriptional mapping. Nor was there published any nucleotide sequence information which would enable the man skilled in the art to construct a small number of probes whereby the relevant genes in an NDV gene library could be hybridised to the probe and thence extracted from the library. Further, no such NDV gene library was known at the priority date of this patent application. Accordingly it remained a problem to prepare a cDNA or RNA coding for the HN and F genes of NDV.

National Research Development Corporation


An NOx sensor diagnosis apparatus, which diagnoses an NOx sensor provided in an exhaust pipe to detect a concentration of NOx in exhaust gas, includes a calculation value operating unit to acquire a calculation value of the concentration of NOx in the exhaust gas based on an actuation state of an engine, an error determining unit to determine that the sensor is erroneous when a difference between the calculation value and the detection value of the concentration of NOx detected by the sensor is larger than a determination threshold value, and a determination threshold value setting unit to set the determination threshold value based on a temperature of water for cooling the engine, an atmospheric pressure, and an outdoor temperature.

As an exhaust gas purification system for purifying NOx in exhaust gas of a diesel engine, an SCR system using a selective catalytic reduction apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as an SCR apparatus) has been developed.
The SCR system supplies the urea aqueous solution upstream of the exhaust gas of the SCR apparatus, generates ammonia by heat of the exhaust gas, and reduces and purifies NOx on an SCR catalyst by the ammonia (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In the SCR system, injection of the urea aqueous solution is controlled according to the concentration of NOx in the exhaust gas. A NOx sensor is provided on an exhaust pipe for the above control.
When a detection value of the NOx sensor is not appropriate, the injection of the urea aqueous solution cannot be appropriately controlled, and thus the SCR system includes a NOx sensor diagnosis apparatus that diagnoses the appropriateness of the NOx sensor.
The NOx sensor diagnosis apparatus in the related art is configured to diagnose that the NOx sensor is erroneous when a difference between a calculation value of the concentration of NOx determined according to an actuation state of an engine and the detection value of the concentration of NOx detected by the NOx sensor is larger than a predetermined threshold value (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

NOx sensor diagnosis apparatus and selective catalytic reduction system


A high frequency driver for a gas discharge lamp is supplied with a DC voltage. The driver converts the input DC voltage to an AC voltage and supplies the AC voltage to a load, which comprises a gas discharge lamp, an inductor connected in series with the lamp and a capacitor connected in parallel to the lamp. The AC voltage has a first high frequency during ignition of the lamp and a second high frequency during normal operation of the lamp after its ignition. The first frequency is higher than the second frequency by a ratio of at least 2.2. By modulating the frequency of the AC voltage the ratio can be increased while still complying with EMI and RFI requirements.

"U.S. Pt. No. 5,138,235 discloses a starting and operating circuit for an arc discharge lamp. The circuit comprises a DC power supply means coupled to AC input terminals, oscillator means coupled to said DC power supply to receive a DC voltage, oscillator staffing means and load means coupled to the output of the oscillator and including an inductor in series with the discharge lamp and a capacitor in parallel to the lamp. Upon switching on an AC power supply to the circuit the capacitor has a low impedance, an initial current through the inductor is high and a voltage across filamentary electrodes at ends of the lamp is high. With said latter voltage being sufficient high the lamp will ignite. Then the impedance of the load will decrease, which is reflected to the operation of the oscillator such that its oscillation frequency decreases from an ignition frequency to a lower normal operating frequency. In one example the ignition frequency is 46 kHz and the normal operating frequency is 25 kHz (according to electronic file of said document). This means a ratio between those frequencies is 1.84."
U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,243 discloses an electronic ballast for instant start gas discharge lamps. The ballast differs from the circuit disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,235 in that the oscillator, called inverter in U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,243, comprises at its output a transformer of which the secondary winding supplies several gas discharge lamps in series with series inductors and capacitors. The inverter comprises two switched resonating sections for increasing a resonating frequency to over 50 kHz of the inverter at normal operating of the lamps. According to the document (column 4 lines 33-36): "Increasing the frequency reduces the values of the transformer and the ballast inductor and capacitors. Increasing the frequency also improves the performance and reduces the cost of the ballast."
U.S. Pat. No. 6,437,520 discloses an electronic ballast with cross-coupled outputs, comprising two inverters, of which each inverter provides a low voltage alternating current at an AC output of the other inverter. As an example, at ignition the frequency is 80 kHz and with normal operation the frequency is 40 kHz. This means a ratio between those frequencies is 2.

High frequency driver for gas discharge lamp


An implant for the closing of defect openings in the body of a human or animal is proposed, with a load-bearing structure which, in a first operating state (primary form), has a great ratio of length to transverse extent along an axis (9) and, at least in a further operating state (secondary form), has a much smaller ratio of length to transverse extent along the axis (9), the load-bearing structure (1) being capable of being reversibly transformed from the secondary form into the primary form by exertion of a force against elastic material forces, the secondary form assuming approximately the form of a double disc with a proximal disc element (7) and a distal disc element (6) for receiving the surroundings of the defect opening between the disc elements, and the load-bearing structure (1) being formed essentially in one piece without joining connections, and a placement system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an implant for the closing of defect openings in the body of a human or animal and to a system for the placement of such an implant.
In particular in the treatment of vascular disorders, in order to reduce the risk of complications and reduce the trauma for patients caused by major operations it has been endeavoured for years to treat vascular defects by minimally invasive surgery. In such surgery, the site to be treated is not opened directly by an operation but instead instruments and implants are introduced through relatively small incisions, in particular into the abdominal cavity. In cardiology, treatment is preferably carried out by means of catheters, which are introduced into the vascular system at a suitable location, in particular via the major arteries of the leg. In this so-called interventional treatment, instruments and implants are introduced through the catheters or sheaths in order to perform the interventions.
In particular for the treatment of septal defects of the heart, interventional treatment offers enormous advantages, since it is not necessary to open the thorax and cut open the heart, which is sensitive and difficult to stop.
For this purpose, the prior art discloses a series of implants and catheter systems with which implants for the closure of defect openings can be introduced into the body and placed at the site of the defect.
2. Description of the Prior Art
An implant of the type mentioned at the beginning and a catheter system for the placement of such an implant are described in WO 97/28744. In this document there are also a large number of references to further literature and a discussion of U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,420 A, DE 42 22 291 A1, DE 28 22 603 A, U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,420 A and WO 96/01591.
Furthermore, WO 93/13712 discloses an implant for the closure of septal defects which in the implanted state assumes a double-cone or double-disc configuration, the outer structures respectively being formed by wire elements which are not directly connected to one another and are covered with fabric membranes, with the fabric membranes being sewn together in a radius corresponding to the defect to be closed. A major disadvantage of this system is that the implant constructed from a plurality of structural elements requires considerable effort for its assembly, in particular since the diameter of the sewn region has to be adapted to the diameter of the septal defect to be closed. Mass production instead of complex one-off fabrication could only be achieved if large quantities of such implants with graduated diameters of the sewn seams were produced surplus to immediate requirements and kept in stock. It goes without saying that such a course of action would not necessarily be economically advantageous in comparison with one-off assembly, since an enormous number of implants which may never be used would have to be stored at delivery depots and the like.
In WO 95/27448 there is a description of an implant which is to be used as a vein filter and for which it is also proposed that it be used as a load-bearing structure for a septal closure. In this case, a relatively elongated double cone is formed from a series of individual wires, the cones being directed towards each other in the manner of a bone in one configuration and being made to point in the same direction, similar to a fly agaric toadstool, in a further configuration.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,727 A discloses an implant in which a type of umbrella is placed in front of a septal defect and is secured through the defect by a counter-closure, which is essentially formed by four loops respectively produced by a wire, which unfold when ejected from a catheter and are intended to prevent the implant from slipping through to the umbrella side.
Finally, EP 0 474 887 A1 discloses an implant in which two round or otherwise polygonally shaped sealing patches, which are respectively stretched out by a peripheral compliant frame element, are connected inter alia by means of a multiplicity of threads, which have to be pulled tight through the catheter for the placement of the implant. In a further embodiment, a central snap closure is to be provided for the positional securement of the two patches. The implant described there is very difficult to place on account of the considerable effort needed for its manipulation and also requires complicated assembly which is very prone to faults.
An implant for the closure of septal defects in particular, with which quite secure placement is possible and with which erroneous seating can be corrected and, if necessary, the implant can be withdrawn again into a catheter until it is finally discharged, is described in the already mentioned WO 97/28744. The implant described there unfolds of its own accord, on account of a secondary structure impressed on it, when it is ejected from the catheter and adapts itself within broad limits to the dimensions of the defect by elastic forces. On account of the structure impressed in the superelastic material described, the parts of the implant arranged in the manner of a double disc on both sides of the septum clamp elastically against the surrounding region of the septum and in this way lead to a particularly secure seating and low leakage, the so-called residual shunt. In this case, the implant is formed by a series of wire-shaped elements, which are connected to one another by suitable joining processes, such as ultrasonic welding or brazing. Finally, the implant is also provided with a covering, which is appropriately fastened to the wire-shaped elements.
If suitable for the treatment of septal defects, all the implants described have the disadvantage that they comprise a plurality of individual parts which have to be assembled or connected to one another by joining processes. This is not a major problem for verifying the functional capability of such an implant and when small numbers are concerned, but is not very expedient for mass production, since the reliable functioning of the connecting locations has to be checked, involving considerable effort in terms of quality assurance, because of the great responsibility which the product entails, and the same applies to the other assembly steps. Voids possibly occurring during the joining processes also harbour the risk that during production they will be colonized by germs, which possibly cannot be reliably killed by sterilization and may be released after prolonged use or if fatigue ruptures occur.

Implant for the closing of defect openings in the body of a human or animal and a system for the placement of such an implant

PFM Produkte fur die Medizin Aktiengesellschaft


A multiple emulsion includes a continuous water phase; an oil droplet phase dispersed through the continuous water phase; an inner water droplet phase dispersed through the oil droplet phase; and a water insoluble compound suspended in the inner water droplet phase. The multiple emulsion is useful as a transportable and combustible fuel.

The present invention relates to multiple emulsions and a method for preparing same, especially with respect to multiple emulsions useful as a transportable and combustible fuel.
In the field of emulsions, there are numerous disclosures related to two-phase emulsions, that is, water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions and oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions. Multiple emulsions, that is emulsions having more than two phases, are discussed in connection with various fields in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,478,561, 5,438,041 and 4,254,105, and in connection with fuels in U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,877.
The specific composition of emulsions is very important in the fuel industry, and numerous characteristics, additives and the like affect the stability of the emulsion, and therefore its usefulness as a transportable and combustible fuel. Further, depending upon the oil or hydrocarbon used in the emulsion, various contaminants may be present, and additives to counteract such contaminants may affect the stability of the emulsion.
The need remains for a stable multiple emulsion which can be formed using reduced amounts of expensive components such as surfactant and other additives.
Furthermore, the need remains for a multiple emulsion wherein the corrosive nature of metals such as vanadium and the like which may typically be contained in the oil phase are effectively and economically counteracted, without disrupting stability of the emulsion.
In light of the foregoing, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a stable multiple emulsion which is formed using minimal amounts of surfactant.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a stable multiple emulsion which includes additives for counteracting the corrosive nature of metals contained in the oil phase.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a multiple emulsion which is readily transported and combusted as a useful and desirable fuel product.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear hereinbelow.

Multiple emulsion and method for preparing same


A multi-stage reciprocating vacuum pump includes first (2) and second (4) pump chambers located in the pump housing (1) and in which respective pistons (6, 8) reciprocate, first and second conduits (14, 20) for communicating, respectively outlet and suction (15, 16) sides of the first pump chamber (2) with the suction side (17) of the second pump chamber (4), and shut-off elements (18, 21; 25) associated with the first and second conduits (14, 20) for selectively communicating the first and second conduits (14, 20) with the suction side (17) of the second pump chamber (4); and the method of operating the pump includes manipulating the shut-off elements so that the first and second conduits (14, 20) are selectively connected to the suction side (17) of the second pump chamber (4).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-stage reciprocating vacuum pump including a housing, at least one first pump chamber and at least one second pump chamber provided in the housing and each having a suction side and an outlet side, a piston reciprocating in each of the at least one first pump chamber and the at least one second pump chamber, a valve provided at the outlet side of each of the at least one first pump chamber and at least one second pump chamber, and a conduit for communicating the outlet side of the at least one first pump chamber with the suction side of the at least one second pump chamber, and to a method of operating the pump.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As a rule, reciprocating vacuum pumps for pumping out a recipient between the atmospheric pressure and a desired end vacuum of, e.g., 10−2 mbar are formed with several stages. One of such pumps is disclosed, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,755. In such a pump, separate stages are arranged in a row in order to be able to provide for the necessary pressure difference. The suction capacity is determined by a pump stage adjacent to the recipient. The following, normally with a reduced suction capacity, pump stages provide for further compression of the delivered gases up to the atmospheric pressure. By a proper gradation, the power consumption of a pump can be reduced.
In order to start the pumping-out process when the pressure in the recipient is still close to 1000 mbar, it is not necessary to further compress the gas which is aspirated with the first piston. The following pump stages are bypassed by using a pressure controlled by-pass valve, and these pump stages need not to perform any compression. However, at this initial stage, a higher suction capacity would be advantageous for accelerating the pumping process.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-stage reciprocating vacuum pump in which all stages in each phase of the pumping process can be used in such a way that the pump characteristics are improved and an effective pumping takes place.
Another object of the invention is the provide a compact and space-saving construction of a reciprocating vacuum pump, with the connecting conduits having minimum lengths and a reduced flow resistance.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a reciprocating vacuum pump in which the condensation of liquid and the amount of solids in the connecting conduits are eliminated or at least are reduced to a minimum.

Multi-stage reciprocating vacuum pump and method of operating the same


A method for using a system, which includes a film formation apparatus for forming a high-dielectric constant thin film on target substrates together and a gas supply apparatus for supplying a process gas. The method includes a preparatory stage of determining a set pressure range of pressure inside a vaporizing chamber for a liquid material cooled at a set temperature. The preparatory stage includes obtaining a first limit value of pressure at which vaporization of the liquid material starts being inhibited due to an increase in the pressure, obtaining a second limit value of pressure at which vaporization of the liquid material starts being unstable and the pressure starts pulsating movement due to a decrease in the pressure, and determining the set pressure range to be defined by an upper limit lower than the first limit value and a lower limit higher than the second limit value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor processing system including a vaporizer for generating a process gas from a liquid material, and particularly to a system comprising a film formation processing apparatus for performing, e.g., ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition), MLD (Molecule Layer Deposition), or low pressure CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition). The term "semiconductor process" used herein includes various kinds of processes which are performed to manufacture a semiconductor device or a structure having wiring layers, electrodes, and the like to be connected to a semiconductor device, on a target substrate, such as a semiconductor wafer or a glass substrate used for an FPD (Flat Panel Display), e.g., an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), by forming semiconductor layers, insulating layers, and conductive layers in predetermined patterns on the target substrate.
2. Description of the Related Art
A film formation process for forming a predetermined film on the surface of a semiconductor wafer is performed in manufacturing semiconductor devices. For example, a process of this kind is performed, using a low-pressure CVD apparatus. In low-pressure CVD apparatuses, a source material is supplied in a gaseous state to promote a chemical reaction, thereby depositing a thin film on the surface of a wafer. In apparatuses of this kind, there is a case where a process gas is generated by vaporizing a liquid material, and is supplied into a process chamber as a film formation gas. For example, in order to vaporize a liquid material, there is known a structure including a carrier gas supply passage formed concentrically around a liquid material supply passage. These supply passages are connected to a nozzle at their lower ends, from which a liquid material and a carrier gas are delivered to atomize the liquid material into mist by means of a nebulizer action. Then, the atomized liquid material is heated and thereby vaporized.
In a nozzle of this spray type, the pressure inside the vaporizing chamber needs to be lower than a pressure limit value for vaporizing the liquid material, and thus, conventionally, the pressure inside the vaporizing chamber is preferably set to be as low as possible. On the other hand, recently, since semiconductor devices need to use high-dielectric constant thin films, studies have been made on vaporization of a liquid material comprising a solid material, such as Sr(THD)2 (strontium bistetramethyl-heptanedionato) or Ti(MPD)(THD)2 (titanium methylpentanedionatobistetramethylheptanedionato), or a high viscosity liquid source, such as Sr(METHD)2 (strontium bismethoxyethoxytetramethylheptanedionato), dissolved in a solvent. Where a liquid material of this kind is vaporized, if the flow rate of the liquid material is too small, the pressure inside the vaporizing chamber becomes too low, and the solvent or thinner may be preferentially boiled in the tip of the nozzle. In this case, the solute of the liquid material is precipitated in the tip of the nozzle and causes nozzle clogging and/or spray abnormality. Consequently, residues are increased due to a deterioration of the vaporizing efficiency, and case particle contamination on wafers.
Conventionally, semiconductor processing systems including a gas supply apparatus using a vaporizer of this kind are arranged such that the structure and use conditions of the gas supply apparatus are preset in accordance with a liquid material, and the pressure of the vaporizer is not controlled independently of the semiconductor processing apparatus. However, in order to prevent problems from being caused by the new liquid materials described above, there has been proposed a structure that includes a pressure sensor for monitoring the pressure inside the vaporizing chamber (Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2002-324794 (Patent Document 1: page 5, paragraph 2, and FIG. 1)). According to the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, the pressure inside the vaporizing chamber is monitored by the pressure sensor, so that, when a decrease in the pressure inside the vaporizing chamber is detected due to progress of clogging in the tip of the nozzle, the liquid material is stopped to interrupt the film formation process. Then, a solvent that has a vaporizing temperature higher than the solvent of the liquid material is supplied into the feed line to stop drying of the interior of the feed line and to clean the interior of the feed line by dissolving an organic metal derived from the liquid material and precipitated due to a decrease in the pressure inside the vaporizing chamber. Consequently, the tip of the feed line can be prevented from being completely clogged, so as to eliminate a working operation time of about two days for replacing the feed line, thereby improving the productivity.
However, according to the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a decrease in the pressure inside the vaporizing chamber is detected during a film formation process, the substrate being treated by the film formation process is suspended halfway. Then, this substrate is discarded, because this substrate may be contaminated with particles of e.g., the organic metal precipitated due to a decrease in the pressure inside the vaporizing chamber. Accordingly, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 can safely stop the apparatus to prevent the feed line from being completely clogged when the pressure inside the vaporizing chamber is lowered, but needs to discard the substrate being treated by the film formation process and to reset the process with a new substrate.

Semiconductor processing system including vaporizer and method for using same


A conveyor belt cleaning apparatus, comprising; a case, wherein the case is designed to secure to a conveyor belt assembly; a frame member, wherein the frame member is secured to the case; at least one spray nozzle attached to the frame member; at least one pump connected to the at least one spray nozzle; a solution reservoir connected to the at least one pump; at least one applicator attached to the frame member and positioned relative to the at least one spray nozzle.

The present invention relates to conveyor belts, and more particularly to a sanitizing attachment for conveyor belts.
It has been recognized in the industry and by the public in general that conveyor belts used in store checkouts (e.g., grocery stores, home good stores, etc.) can be a source of contamination of foods or other purchased items, due to the large number items that are in physical contact with the conveyor belt. For example, food products, cleaners, medicines, chemical products (e.g., glues, adhesives, polishes, etc.) may come in contact with the conveyor belt surfaces. Additionally, individuals may touch, sneeze, or drool on the belt, which may lead to direct exposure to various diseases. However, the conveyor belt is not easily removed, and cleaning may not be performed on a regular basis. Accordingly, this can lead to both real and perceived dangers of contamination from the conveyor belt. Now more than ever it is vital to keep these surfaces clean to help prevent the spread of disease or viruses.
One of the many challenges for check-out cashiers who operate conveyor belts is the maintenance of the belt. The cashier must ensure that the conveyor belt is kept clean, and that their customers have a clean place to set their groceries. Grocery stores carry a wide variety of products, including fresh and frozen vegetables, containers of milk and ice cream, fresh fish, poultry, and beef, along with household cleaning solutions and chemicals, such as soaps and bleach. Despite significant improvements in product packaging, it is a fact that many products still leak fluids. Loose wrapping may allow leaks on the belt, such as the juices from raw meats. Or plastic bottles with a loose lid, may leave sticky fluids on the conveyor belt. Since the fluids and debris left on the conveyor belt may be from uncooked meat, poultry, fish, or perhaps a leaky bleach or medicine bottle, bacteria and/or toxins can leave behind contamination. It is known that people coming in contact with bad forms of bacteria and/or toxins can such as those that can be found on conveyor belts can become sick from any number of foodborne or other viral diseases, Therefore, unsantitized belts can lead to significant health and safety concerns to both to shoppers and store employees.
Due to these concerns, it is routine for a cashier to have a bottle of cleaner and/or disinfectant at their station. Armed with a roll of paper towels, or some form of cloth wiper it is a typical practice for cashiers to periodically spray any particular type of cleaner which may or may not include sanitizers/disinfectants onto their conveyor belt in order to wipe away dirt, a smudge, smear or collection of unknown substances. Unfortunately, when there is a long line of anxious customers, or there are no more towels or disinfectant solution available to the cashier, it is possible that the conveyor belt is not cleaned often enough. In addition, the thoroughness of the cleaning/sanitizing is only as good as the training and quality of work performed by the employee. This can be particularly troubling when considering the types of fluids that may exist on the surface of the conveyor belt as mentioned above and which can include uncooked food drippings laced with bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E-coli), Salmonella, and other assorted viral bacteria and fungi.
Although some automatic cleaning systems for conveyor belts have been attempted, these existing systems often involve an internal sprayer that dispenses directly on the belt from underneath. However, if the spray from underneath begins operating while a customer is actively loading the belt with products that they intend to purchase, that section will not have been effectively sanitized. This same ineffectiveness can happen if the employee/cashier starts spraying cleaner/sanitizer after the products to be purchased had already been placed onto the belt. In both instances, when the conveyor belt is actively in use, the initial spray is performed in front of where products are being placed.
These internal solutions for cleaning and sanitizing conveyor belts are complicated, costly, and difficult to maintain. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to have a cleaning system that can be added to both new and existing conveyor belt systems with easy and quick installation, low maintenance requirements, and simple to operate.
It is desired to have an attachment to the conveyor belt that is easy to install, provides an efficient and effective sanitizing of the conveyor belt, and provides customers with the reassurance that the conveyor belt is sanitized. In effect, adding an additional and more complete layer of protection against foodborne and viral illness.

Method and apparatus for cleaning and sanitizing conveyor belts


A modular fuel assembly for a nuclear thermal engine includes a plurality of fuel elements each having a fueled, truncated conical shell and an unfueled peripheral lip at the base of the shell with radial passages there-through. The fuel elements are nested with the lips seating one on top of another to form a stack of fuel elements with frusto-conical flow passages between the shells of adjacent fuel elements which are divided into channels by ribs on the conical shells. The stack of fuel elements is mounted in a cylindrical housing with the bases of the shells facing a central inlet opening at one end of the housing. Propellant enters the central inlet opening, is deflected radially outward by a deflector into an annular flow distribution channel from which it flows radially inward through the passages in the fuel element lips, through the flow channels of frusto-conical passages between the fueled shells where it is heated, and out through a central exhaust passage.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to fuel elements and assemblies thereof for nuclear thermal engines.
2. Background of the Invention
Nuclear thermal engines utilize fissionable material to heat a propellant, typically hydrogen, which is discharged through a nozzle to generate thrust. A design objective in such engines is to achieve a high thrust-to-weight and specific impulse. This requires a core design featuring a compact configuration with high heat transfer area, a high coefficient of heat transfer and optimum flow rate and flow velocity.
An early design for nuclear thermal engines used prismatic fuel elements in the form of hexagonal rods stacked side by side with a pattern of longitudinal bores in each rod through which propellant flowed axially. Such fuel elements were subject to stress induced cracking between the bores as a result of the very high thermal stresses occurring during operation.
An experimental particle bed fuel element utilizes small fuel beads packed in an annular support. Propellant flows radially inward through a porous peripheral wall, the particle bed and a porous annular inner wall, and then flows axially out through a central passage. These particle bed fuel elements can develop hot spots causing melting of the fuel beads. Thus, while the particle bed fuel elements have a high heat transfer capability, it is difficult to control propellant flow through them and they have poor mechanical stability.
Another proposed design utilizes flat annular plates with radial grooves or holes for propellant flow radially inward to a central discharge passage. However, the very high temperature gradient, for example 100.degree. K at the periphery and 3000.degree. K at the central discharge passage, produces severe stress cracking in the flat, annular plates.
A suggestion has been made to utilize fueled truncated conical shells seated on one another with grooves in the contacting confronting shell surfaces for coolant flow. See, also, U.S. Pat. No. 3,150,054 to Fox, which shows a truncated conical reactor design.
There is a need therefore for improved fuel elements and assemblies for nuclear thermal engines.

Stackable truncated conical shell fuel element and an assembly thereof for a nuclear thermal engine


A capacitive input device includes a plurality of receiver sensor electrodes oriented substantially parallel to a first axis proximate to a sensing region of the capacitive input device. The capacitive sensing device also includes a plurality of transmitter sensor electrodes oriented substantially parallel to a second axis proximate to the sensing region and configured to be capacitively coupled with the plurality of receiver sensor electrodes. The at least one receiver sensor electrode of the plurality of receiver sensor electrodes is disposed in a configuration forming multiple crossings with a line that is parallel to the second axis, the multiple crossings occurring proximate to the sensing region.

Capacitive sensing devices are widely used in modern electronic devices. For example, capacitive sensing devices have been employed in music and other media players, cell phones and other communications devices, remote controls, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and the like. These capacitive sensing devices are often used for touch based navigation, selection, or other functions. These functions can be in response to one or more fingers, styli, other objects, or combination thereof providing input in the sensing regions of respective capacitive sensing devices. However, there exist many limitations to the current state of technology with respect to capacitive sensing devices.
The drawings referred to in this description should not be understood as being drawn to scale unless specifically noted.


Architecture for developing an application. The architecture provides an entry point to commonly used classes of an application development framework. A developer begins a project which predefines a set of collection classes. An exposer component includes an identifier component and a compiler for generating accessors to the collected classes. The identifier uses an attribute on a collection class which a compiler dynamically extracts in order to generate accessors to the desired collected classes and compiles the generated collection classes for use in the namespace.

Application development is becoming increasingly time-consuming as the amount of code and sophistication of program features become more complex. Such complexities impact development time, and can result in more software bugs that eventually impact user acceptance of the application product. Moreover, delays in delivering applications to market due to delays in application development further impact the bottom-line of software vendors.
Conventional application development programs include libraries of object code that is needed to build an application and use the application. This can be a problem for the programmer when seeking out specific functionality during application development.
In some development frameworks, building applications is all about using the underlying framework classes. Due to the size of the framework, and the organization of various classes in it, developers can find it difficult to learn and use. There can be are hundreds of namespaces and each of them has a significant number of classes. Classes that are needed on an everyday basis are mixed with other classes that are not needed as often. Thus, it becomes a challenging task to look for a class for a simple task. Moreover, to achieve that simple task, developers need to use a combination of classes, which makes it even more difficult to use.
What is needed is an improved application development framework.

Extensible productivity tool for exposing common classes in application building


A lamp reflector assembly includes a fixture having a base and a support member movably attached to the base. Attached to the support member is a pair of spaced-apart arms, each having an electrical receptacle. Connected to the electrical receptacles are electrical contacts of opposing ends of an elongate lamp, with a middle portion that emits radiation. Attached to the base of the fixture is a concave reflector having a pair of clearance holes sized to permit the end portions of the lamp to pass through, to locate the electrical contacts outside the reflector. The resulting combination provides adjustability of the position of the lamp relative the position of the reflector, to focus the radiation reflected generally forwardly from the reflector. The present invention offers important advantages over a prior art adjustable assembly, where the reflector is bonded to a sheet metal bracket.

Lamp assemblies including a generally concave shaped reflector are well-known for use in curing photoinitiated adhesives and other coating compositions.
UV radiation curing offers significant energy and savings versus thermal curing in heat ovens. UV radiation curing also is much quicker offering significant time savings, and is more environmentally friendly in reducing toxic emissions. Another advantage of UV curing is the adhesives leave behind no solvent residue, as is common with thermoplastic adhesives which set upon cooling or evaporation of a solvent. This is important in certain applications, e.g. medical device manufacturing, to avoid compromising biomedical acceptability.
Previously, lamp assemblies commercially available for UV curing included a lamp horizontally disposed and fixed at the time of manufacture in a reflector. These lamp assemblies were criticized as inefficient. A "Prefocused Lamp Reflector Assembly" was proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,800 issued to Dymax Corporation, and a similar lamp assembly is currently being sold by Dymax. That assembly provides for moving of the reflector and thereby manually focusing the radiation from the lamp by the user. Then the relative position of the reflector to the lamp is fixed by the user through use of a bonding material.
Although the Dymax lamp assembly has proven generally suitable for its intended purposes, it possesses numerous inherent deficiencies which detract from its overall effectiveness and desirability. During the focusing process the user is exposed to the UV radiation from the lamp assembly, and possible electric shock from the connections of the power source to the lamp. Touching the lamp or reflector leaves behind human skin oil, which may later adversely affect performance of the lamp assembly or cause the lamp or reflector to crack at the place where human skin oil resides.
After the Dymax lamp assembly is focused, the reflector is bonded to a thin sheet metal bracket with clips holding the lamp. As the bonding material solidifies over several hours, sometimes the reflector skews slightly which reduces the output from the lamp assembly. Once the bonding material has solidified, it is no longer possible to refocus the lamp assembly. The bonding material may also deteriorate over time, causing further problems.
Because only weak structure secures the lamp, sometimes there is arcing between the lamp and the bracket contacts. Additionally, the weak structure of the Dymax lamp assembly provides little protection for the fragile lamp and reflector, which are subject to breakage especially during shipping.
In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, it is an object of this invention to provide a lamp reflector assembly providing speedy and easy alignment of the reflector relative to the lamp, to mechanically focus the radiation output of the assembly.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a lamp reflector assembly with sufficiently strong structural framework to maintain indefinitely the position of the reflector and the lamp once focusing by the user is complete, and to protect the lamp and reflector during shipping.
It is still a further object of this invention to provide a lamp reflector assembly such that focusing can be completed without unduly exposing the user to UV radiation or electric shock, and without the user having to touch the lamp or reflector thereby depositing human skin oil.
Finally, it is yet another object of the present invention to fix the relative position of the reflector to the lamp without the use of bonding material.

Mechanically aligned lamp reflector assembly


The present disclosure relates to an apparatus (100) for passive scanning of an object. The apparatus comprises a distance sensing unit (110) adapted to measure distances to a plurality of points of the object, an orientation sensing unit (120) adapted to determine orientations of the distance sensing unit (110), and a processor (140) adapted to derive information about the object or a scene in which the object is used based on the measured distances and orientations of the distance sensing unit (110).

Nowadays, active scanning of objects gains increasing attention. Active scanning of objects makes up a significant proportion in future techniques. For example, a self-driving car may actively scan objects such as people and obstacles in a route using an active scanning device provided in the car.
When using such active scanning devices, precise operation is of high importance. Otherwise, such devices lead to malfunction such as causing an accident in case of a self-driving car making use of an active scanning device. Thus, these scanning devices are often technically complex. Moreover, usual active scanning devices do not consider the human's actual interest in the scanned objects.
Active scanning implies control of an active component which facilitates distance measurements (ranging) to a plurality of points of the object or a set of objects for a scene. It typically requires a plurality of sensors arranged in space (like a camera) or movement and/or rotation of a detector in space in a controlled manner or induced variability in exposed points of the object (e.g. obtained with moving probing beam, in RADAR, LIDAR or optical coherence tomography techniques).
Alternatively, scanning can be performed by benefiting from motion of the probing beam or sensor which is not directly related to the scanning activity and not under direct control of the scanning apparatus. For example, the detector can be placed on the moving body part of the user and perform sampling from various angles and positions due to the natural motion of user and/or body parts. This is the idea of/can be regarded as passive scanning.
It is thus an object of the present disclosure to provide an efficient scanning device.

Apparatus and a method for passive scanning of an object or a scene


An unsupported platy titanium dioxide pigment containing an organic dye laked thereon. The dyed TiO2 pigment is useful to color cosmetic, food, and drug formulations.

Colored lustrous pigments are known in which the lustrous pigment part is a natural pearlescent material or synthetic pearlescent substance (also called nacreous pigments) and the colors are a wide variety of inorganic and organic coloring agents or dyestuffs. The processes used to make colored lustrous pigments in the prior art encountered numerous difficulties among which the following are noteworthy: severe bleeding of the color on filtration of the coated product from suspension; poor adherence of dyestuffs on the surface of the pigment such that the color could be washed off with water; difficulty of retaining luster with increased color intensity; and non-uniform distribution of the dyestuff on the pigment surface.
The foregoing problems are in part described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,084,983. This patent relates to the use of titanium dioxide-coated-mica pigments to produce colors due to interference phenomenon and additional color effects achieved by coating organic dyes on the surface of these pigments. In an attempt to overcome the problems encountered in the art, the dyestuff is chemically bound on the surface of the pigment with the help of a laking reagent. For example, one laking reagent disclosed is aluminum chloride which on hydrolysis produces layers of aluminum hydroxide with which the dye reacts to form the insoluble color lake thereby permitting the dye to deposit on the surface of the pigment. Although this approach particularly addresses the problem of poor adherence of the organic dye on the surface of the pigment, the problem of heavy bleeding of the uncoated dye remains severe. The failure of the previous art to control this problem has been a serious obstacle to developing a suitable process of preparing colored lustrous pigments of superior quality. This failure was the consequence of the inefficiency of the laking process, which resulted from the manner in which the laking was carried out and from the conditions maintained in the coating of the dye on the surface of the pigment.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,351 discloses a superior adsorbed dye colored nacreous pigment and method of producing same by contacting an aqueous dispersion of metal oxide coated substrate nacreous pigment with a solubilized dye and a laking reagent. The process of U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,351 is similar to that of the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,084,983 in that some of the same reagents can be used to produce the same general type of product. However, the manner in which these reagents are used, the conditions maintained during the laking process, and the quality of reagents employed are significantly different, leading to significantly different results. U.S. Pat. No. 4,084,983 employs a two-step process in which aluminum hydroxide, for example, is first deposited on the platy surface of the pigment and thereafter the aluminum hydroxide coated pigment, with or without isolation from the suspension in which it is formed and re-suspension, is reacted with a dye to form the insoluble color lake. This process depends on how well the dye binds to previously precipitated aluminum hydroxide on the pigment surface. Actually, the binding of the dye to form the color lake, by this method, becomes inefficient because of the loss of active sites as a result of the firmly adhering aluminum hydroxide layers already bound on the surface of the pigment. Fortunately, by following the reverse procedure it is possible to improve not only the efficiency of the laking process but also the quality of the product. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,351, an aqueous solution of the dye is combined with the nacreous pigment suspension and it has been found that when the pigment particles are allowed to settle out of suspension, they carry the dye molecules with them by physical adsorption such that much of the dye originally in solution is weakly adsorbed to the pigment particles. At this point in time the dye could be easily washed off the pigment surface with water. The laking reagent (e.g. a hydrolyzable aluminum compound) is added and the aluminum hydroxide precipitated on hydrolysis reacts with the already adsorbed dye to form a firmly adhering color lake on the surface of the pigment.
One the most important synthetic nacreous pigments is titanium dioxide-coated mica which is composed of a mica platelet having an adherent crystalline titanium dioxide coating thereon. The color exhibited is a function of the thickness of the coating. The composite pigment has good reflectivity characteristics, high stability to heat and chemical agents and is non-toxic, which makes it suitable for cosmetic application. The titanium dioxide may be in the anatase form as described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,087,827; 3,087,828; 3,418,146; and, 3,437,515, or in the rutile crystalline form as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,038,099.
Metal oxides other than titanium dioxide have been used to prepare similar types of nacreous pigments by coating on the mica platelets. Some examples include ferric oxide (U.S. Pat. No. 3,087,829), zirconium dioxide (U.S. Pat. No. 3,087,828), tin dioxide (U.S. Pat. No. 4,040,859) and the like.
The metal oxide coating on the mica substrate has a high refractive index and provides the optical effects, including high luster or reflectivity, coverage, interference reflection color (if the metal oxide coating is sufficiently thick) and absorption color (if the metal oxide contains color material). The mica, on the other hand, has a low refractive index and functions as a carrier or substrate, as well as contributing to some extent to the optical effect of the pigment. Importantly, titanium dioxide is an approved color additive for foods, drugs, and cosmetics. Mica is not approved for food and drugs.
Unsupported crystalline titanium dioxide platelet nacreous pigments are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,861,946. The unsupported pigment is realized by coating the titanium dioxide on calcium sulfate chips and platelets followed by dissolving away the calcium sulfate substrate.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,192,691 describes the preparation of unsupported metal oxide nacreous pigments by treating a metal oxide-coated mica nacreous pigment with an aqueous acid solution containing hydrofluoric acid and mineral acid until the desired amount of mica has been extracted. The resulting pigment can be used in a wide variety of cosmetic and plastic applications and possesses improved stability, luster, mechanical integrity and other properties.
A number of the patents describe the removal of the substrate from metal oxide-coated substrates and particularly the dark mica varieties such as phlogopite and biotite. U.S. Pat. No. 4,883,539 describes a process in which a metal oxide-coated phlogopite mica pigment is treated with a mineral acid such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid or nitric acid, preferably combined with some oxidizer such as nitric acid or hydrogen peroxide. U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,849 discloses conducting a two-step process in which the acidic extraction is followed by extracting the acid treated pigment with a base. This procedure is preferably applied to dark mica sorts such as phlogopite or biotite which have lower aluminum content and are therefore easier to dissolve rather than light mica sorts such as muscovite which do not favor a selective extraction of cations.
Unsupported metal oxide nacreous pigments and method of making same are further disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,851. Such pigments are prepared by subjecting the metal oxide-coated mica nacreous pigment to an extractive dissolution in acid followed by an extractive dissolution in alkali. The metal oxide-coated mica nacreous pigments can be any of those known heretofore such as those prepared by the methods described in any of the foregoing references. Any of the crystalline forms of the mica substrate can be used although the invention has particular applicability to the muscovite form of mica.

Organic dyes suitable for use in drugs and cosmetics laked onto a platy titanium dioxide pigment


The invention provides a primer composition comprising (I) an organoalkoxysilane or siloxane, (II) an organohydrogensiloxane having an SiH group and an alkoxysilyl group, and (III) an organic titanate. Also provided is a primer composition comprising (A) an alkenyl-containing organopolysiloxane, (B) an organopolysiloxane, (C) an organoalkoxysilane or siloxane, (D) an organohydrogensiloxane having an SiH group and an alkoxysilyl group, (E) a platinum catalyst, (F) an organic titanate, and (G) an organic peroxide. The primer compositions have sufficient adhesion to join thermoset silicone rubber to various substrates.

When it is desired to join silicone rubber to various substrates, one common practice is to previously apply primer compositions. A number of primer compositions are known. For example, JP-B 2107/1986 corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,332,844 discloses a primer composition comprising an organic silicon compound having an alkoxy group, an organic titanium compound, and an organic silicon compound having an SiH group. JP-A 25615/1994 corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,844 discloses a primer composition comprising an organic silicon compound having a group represented by the formula: -CR.sup.2 R.sup.3 (CH.sub.2).sub.n COOR.sup.1. JP-B 4866/1986 discloses a primer composition comprising an organopolysiloxane raw rubber, organopolysiloxane resin, organoalkoxysilane or siloxane, organic titanate, and organohydrogensiloxane. Further, JP-B 48904/1988 discloses a primer composition comprising an organopolysiloxane raw rubber, organopolysiloxane resin, organoalkoxysilane or siloxane, organohydrogensiloxane, platinum series catalyst, organic titanate, and organic peroxide.
As dry plain paper copiers (PPC) and laser beam printers (LBP) are reduced in weight and size, there is an increasing demand for thermoset silicone rubber having a low hardness as typified by a JIS A scale hardness of 20 or lower. With conventional primer compositions as mentioned above, most thermoset silicone rubbers having a low hardness cannot be bonded to various substrates. There is a desire to have a primer composition which can bond such low hardness thermoset silicone rubber to substrates.


A color conversion function is corrected in accordance with the input color data (Xin, Yin, Zin) of the original image. The original image is therefore converted into colors which are different from colors of the original image but which are appreciated by the user. One or more specific color is previously determined. The appropriate color value memory 40 stores appropriate output values (Xbesti, Ybesti, Zbesti) for the specific colors. The color value discrimination portion 20 judges whether or not the input color data (Xin, Yin, Zin) is the specific color. When the input color data (Xin, Yin, Zin) is judged as the specific color, the corrected characteristic value calculation portion 24 calculates a correction characteristic value (dXi, dYi, dZi) based on the input color data (Xin, Yin, Zin) and the appropriate calor value. The color-conversion characteristic value correction portion 26 corrects conversion data (A, B, C) stored in the color-conversion characteristic value memory 42 based on the corrected characteristic values (dXi, dYi, dZi). The color conversion portion 28 converts the input color data (Xin, Yin, Zin) based on the corrected conversion data (a, b, c) produced and stored in the corrected color-conversion characteristic value memory 50, thereby outputting desired corrected color data (Xout, Yout, Zout).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a color conversion device for converting a color signal representative of an original image into another color signal.
2. Description of the Related Art
There has been conventionally proposed a color conversion device which converts a color signal representative of an original color into another color signal which is capable of reproducing a color the same as the original color.

Color conversion device for converting an inputted image with a color signal in a specific color range into an output image with a desired specific color


Some embodiments of the invention provide a printer user interface (UI) component configured to handle presentation of information to a user during printing operations. The printer UI component may de-couple the rendering and configuration functionality provided by a printer driver from the presentation of information to end users, thereby reducing the risk that applications may crash or hang due to printer driver malfunction. In some embodiments, a registry of events upon which information should be presented to the user is established, and the printer UI component may be registered for some or all of these events, so that when the specified events occur the printer UI component may be invoked to cause information to be presented to the user.

A device driver is a body of software code that often enables one or more higher-level software applications to interact with a hardware device. Often, a device driver accepts generic commands from a higher-level application with which a user interacts, and translates the commands into lower-level commands that the printer device being driven is configured to process. By acting as a translator, the device driver can simplify the programming of higher-level applications, since those applications need not be programmed to issue commands in the lower-level languages that devices process. A device driver may also provide a standardized interface through which higher-level applications may invoke a device's functions.
A printer driver is a body of software code that enables higher-level applications to invoke the functions provided by a printer device. Typically, a printer driver provides functionality that may be broadly categorized as rendering, configuration and user experience functionality. Briefly, rendering functionality provided by a printer driver translates information that is generated when a print job is initiated to commands and data that comply with a page description language (PDL) that the printer device is configured to process. Configuration functionality enables a higher-level program to configure and view configuration aspects of a printer device, such as the paper sizes the printer device supports, whether color printing is supported, etc. User experience functionality manages the presentation of information by the printer device to a user during print operations, such as to let the user know that a print job has commenced or completed, that ink supplies are low, etc.

Printer driver and application decoupling using event centric registration model


Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to computer processes for generating and training a generative machine learning model to estimate the true sizes of items and users of an electronic catalog and subsequently applied to determine fit recommendations, as well as confidence values for the fit recommendations, for how a particular item may fit a particular user. During training, the disclosed generative model can implement Bayesian statistical inference to calculate estimated true sizes of both items and users of an electronic catalog using both (1) a prior distribution of sizes for items and users and (2) a distribution based on obtained evidence regarding how items actually fit users. The resulting posterior distribution can be approximated using a proposal distribution used to generate the fit recommendations and associated confidence values.

Expressed simply, Bayesian statistical analysis starts with a belief, called a prior, and then updates that belief with observed data. The prior represents an estimate of what the Bayesian model parameters might be and can be represented as a parameterized distribution. The observed data can be gathered to obtain evidence about actual values of the parameters. The outcome of Bayesian analysis is called a posterior, and represents a probabilistic distribution expressing future events in terms of confidence. If further data is obtained the posterior can be treated as the prior and updated with the new data. This process employs the Bayes rule, which indicates a conditional probability, for example how likely is event A if event B happens.
Computer learning models can process large volumes of user and item interaction data (such as data reflective of user interactions with an electronic catalog of items) to provide relevant recommendations for users. Such a computer learning model may be implemented using Bayesian analysis as described above. The parameters of a Bayesian model can be set in a process referred to as training. In Bayesian machine learning, the Bayes rule can be used during training to infer model parameters from data. For example, quantities of interest (such as parameters of a statistical model and sometimes latent variables) can be treated as random variables, and values of these variables can be determined by analyzing a posterior distribution over these quantities given some observed data.

Model-based artificial intelligence data mining system for dimension estimation


A sheet supporting device, including: a sheet supporter having a support surface; a guide disposed on one side of the sheet supporter on which the support surface is provided and having a guide surface configured to come into contact with an edge, in a width direction, of a sheet on the sheet supporter; and a slider disposed on the other side of the sheet supporter, wherein the sheet supporter has an elongate opening, wherein the guide and the slider are coupled to each other through the elongate opening, such that the guide and the slider are movable together in the width direction of the sheet, and wherein the guide includes a first hook hooked on a portion of the sheet supporter and configured to be movable in the width direction of the sheet along the portion of the sheet supporter.

Technical Field
The following disclosure relates to a sheet supporting device and a sheet conveying device.
Description of the Related Art
An automatic document feeder (ADF) of an image reading apparatus is equipped with a sheet supporting device, and sheets to be conveyed by the ADF are placed on the sheet supporting device. Such a sheet supporting device includes: a sheet supporter having a support surface for supporting sheets; and guides each configured to be movable on the support surface in a width direction of the sheets.
The sheet supporting device described above includes: a sheet supporter; guides provided on an upper side (upper surface) of the sheet supporter; and sliders provided on a lower side (lower surface) of the sheet supporter. The sheet supporter has a guide opening, and each guide and each slider are coupled by a coupling member through the guide opening.

Sheet supporting device and sheet conveying device