In accordance with one embodiment an electrochemical cell system includes a housing, at least one electrochemical cell within the housing and including an anode including a form of lithium, and an ionic liquid electrolyte within a cathode, the cathode separated from the anode by a solid separator impervious to the ionic liquid electrolyte, a temperature sensor within the housing, and an environmental controller at least partially positioned within the housing and configured to maintain a temperature within the housing at least 50° C. above ambient based upon input from the temperature sensor.

Batteries are a useful source of stored energy that can be incorporated into a number of systems. Rechargeable lithium-ion ("Li-ion") batteries are attractive energy storage systems for portable electronics and electric and hybrid-electric vehicles because of their high specific energy compared to other electrochemical energy storage devices. In particular, batteries with a form of lithium metal incorporated into the negative electrode afford exceptionally high specific energy (measured in Wh/kg) and energy density (measured in Wh/L) compared to batteries with conventional carbonaceous negative electrodes.
When high-specific-capacity negative electrodes such as lithium are used in a battery, the maximum benefit of the capacity-increase over conventional systems is realized when a high-capacity positive electrode active material is also used. Conventional lithium-intercalating oxides (e.g., LiCoO2, LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2, and Li1.1Ni0.3Co0.3Mn0.3O2) are typically limited to a theoretical capacity of ˜280 mAh/g (based on the mass of the lithiated oxide) and a practical capacity of 180 to 250 mAh/g. In comparison, the specific capacity of lithium metal is about 3863 mAh/g. The highest theoretical capacity achievable for a lithium-ion positive electrode is 1168 mAh/g (based on the mass of the lithiated material), which is shared by Li2S and Li2O2. Other high-capacity materials including BiF3 (303 mAh/g, lithiated) and FeF3 (712 mAh/g, lithiated) are identified in Amatucci, G. G. and N. Pereira, Fluoride based electrode materials for advanced energy storage devices. Journal of Fluorine Chemistry, 2007. 128(4): p. 243-262. All of the foregoing materials, however, react with lithium at a lower voltage compared to conventional oxide positive electrodes, hence limiting the theoretical specific energy. The theoretical specific energies of the foregoing materials, however, are very high (>800 Wh/kg, compared to a maximum of ˜500 Wh/kg for a cell with lithium negative and conventional oxide positive electrodes).
Thus the advantage of using a Li metal negative electrode (sometimes referred to as an anode) is the much higher energy density of the entire cell, as compared to cells with graphitic or other intercalation negative electrodes. A disadvantage of using pure Li metal is that lithium is highly reactive. Accordingly, the lithium metal has a propensity to undergo morphology changes, which cause structures having a high surface area to form on and around the negative electrode when the cell is being charged. Exemplary high surface area structures include dendrites and mossy structures.
Dendrites are the most common failure mode for cells with Li metal anodes. The dendrites form with a needle-like structure and can grow through the separator during charging of the cell, resulting in an internal short. "Soft shorts" that burn out rapidly result in a temporary self-discharge of the cell, while "strong shorts" consisting of a higher, more stable contact area can lead to complete discharge of the cell, cell failure, and even thermal runaway. While dendrites typically grow through the separator during charge, shorts can also develop during discharge depending on the external pressure placed on the cell and/or internal volume changes that occur in both the negative and positive electrodes.
Because Li metal is highly electronically conductive, the surface of the Li tends to roughen as the metal is plated and stripped. Peaks in the surface grow as dendrites during charge. During discharge, some smoothing of the dendrites occurs. Nonetheless, there is typically some roughness that remains at the end of discharge. Depending on the depth of discharge, the overall roughness can be amplified from one cycle to the next. Because the metal is essentially at the same electrochemical potential throughout, potential and, to a lesser extent, concentration gradients in the electrolyte phase drive the change in morphology.
Related to dendrite initiation and growth is development of the Li morphology, which tends to increase the electrode surface area with cycling and consumes solvent to generate fresh passivation layers. Formation of high-surface-area mossy Li tends to occur during low-rate deposition from a liquid electrolyte, especially if the salt concentration is high. The high surface area combined with high reactivity of Li and flammability of the organic solvent makes for a very reactive and dangerous cell.
Another significant challenge in realizing a commercially viable battery incorporating a Li metal anode is the high Li metal interfacial resistance, and the slow transport of Li in the materials typically present in a solid state cell containing Li metal, as well as kinetics of Li transfer between phases on the cathode side of the cell. While these processes are typically assisted by operation at an elevated temperature, elevated temperatures require the use of an electrolyte in the cathode that is stable and has a low vapor pressure at high temperatures.
What is therefore needed is an electrochemical cell including a form of lithium in the anode which is capable of operation at elevated temperatures.

Elevated temperature Li/metal battery system


Disclosed an image forming apparatus equipped with an exposure section including a plurality of LED elements, the apparatus forming an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive body with the exposure section, the apparatus including: an RFID tag provided in the exposure section, the RFID tag including a light quantity correction data storing section and a communication section to perform wireless communication; an RFID reader/writer to perform the wireless communication with the RFID tag; a control section to allow the RFID reader/writer to perform the wireless communication with the RFID tag so as to read or write the light quantity correction data from/to the light quantity correction data storing section of the RFID tag during a period when no processing related to the image data is being performed; and a storage section to store the read light quantity correction data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus equipped with a light emitting diode (LED) printer head as the exposure section thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, an image forming apparatus using an LED printer head (hereinafter referred to as an LPH) as the exposure section thereof to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive body thereof has been developed. In the LPH, LED chips, each of which includes a plurality of LED elements arranged in the main scanning direction according to a preset resolution, are arranged in an array, and the LPH includes an optical section, such as a graded index (GRIN) lens, which condenses irradiated lights emitted from the LED elements according to image data to form the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive body.
It is known that the unevenness of light quantities is generated in such an LPH owing to the dispersion of the LED elements in manufacturing, the optical properties of the GRIN lens, and the like. The following technique in order to settle the unevenness of the light quantities is known. That is, the technique previously stores light quantity correction data into a nonvolatile storage section, from and to which data can electrically be erased and written, such as an electronically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM). The light quantity correction data is for evening out the light quantities of a plurality of LED elements by digitally controlling the current values of driver circuits to light the LED elements. Moreover, the technique reads the light quantity correction data stored in the storage section into the control device thereof to wholly control the image forming apparatus to perform an exposure by the use of image data and the read light quantity correction data.
Moreover, the resolution in the main scanning direction (arranging direction of the LED chips) has been becoming higher to be 600 dpi, 1200 dpi, and so forth, with the realization of the densification of the arrangements of the LED elements. For example, if the maximum size of a recording medium on which an image forming apparatus can form an image is the A3 wide size (324 mm in width direction), then 7680 elements and 15360 elements of LED elements are arranged in the cases of 600 dpi and 1200 dpi of resolution, respectively.
In this manner, as the number of LED elements has increased with the heightening of the resolution, the data quantity to be controlled as image data has increased. Moreover, the exposure control method has also changed from only the one to perform simple on-off actions of the LED elements to the ones including the one to control a lighting exposure time on the basis of set numerical values of a plurality of bits, and consequently the traffic of the data to be used for an exposure has also increased. Consequently, it has become indispensable to mount an LPH interface equipped with a large-capacity and high-speed data communication function in order to meet the demand of the improvement of the productivity (high-speed capability) of the image forming apparatus.
Furthermore, to make it possible to form images on various recording media, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is equipped with a plurality of image formation speeds in the same image forming apparatus according to the features (such as paper types and paper thicknesses) of various recording media in order to improve the fixation performance of toner, and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus must meet the data communication functions capable of coping with the image formation speeds according to the various recording media.
As an interface technique to realize the large-capacity and high-speed data communication function to the problems mentioned above, for example, there is a technique to attain the high-speed transfer of multi-bit data by the following measures. That is, on the transmission side, the technique performs the parallel-serial conversion of clock-synchronized parallel data by a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) circuit, and performs the clock modulation according to the number of bits of the serial conversion by a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit. On the reception side, the technique restores the converted serial data to the input parallel data by performing the serial-parallel conversion of the serial data and restoring the modulation clock to the original clock by a receiver circuit equipped with a frequency modulation circuit. By that way, the technique attains the high-speed transfer of multi-bit data.
By adopting the technique mentioned above, it is possible to realize the large-capacity and high-speed data communication function by arranging a control signal, image data and light quantity correction data in parallel data, and the degree of freedom of the length of a bundled wire becomes high to make it possible to heighten the degree of freedom to the layout of the inside of the image forming apparatus. Accordingly, it becomes possible to intensively arrange the high-speed data processing section to unitize it.
However, although the technique mentioned above enables the high-speed communication of exposure data and the like to the LPH, the method increases the costs of circuit components and increases the production cost with the increase of the circuit components when the method is adopted as the means for reading the light quantity correction data of the LPH, and consequently the method causes a user an disadvantage. Moreover, the method has a problem of the impossibility of making the most of the performance of the LVDS circuit for exposure data owing to the limitation of the length of the bundled wires caused by the restriction of the circuit configuration to read light quantity correction data.
There is a method of mounting a storage section (for example, ROM) storing light quantity correction data inside the image forming apparatus as the means for solving the problem. However, because an image forming apparatus that is required to have a high speed and high durability needs the exchange of an LPH at the time of maintenance and the adjustment of light quantity correction data according to the process conditions and the frequency of usage, it is necessary to update the data of the storage section or to exchange the storage section every operation of the maintenance and the adjustment. Consequently, if the light quantity correction data suited to the LPH is not stored in the storage section owing to a trifling operation error, the incongruence becomes a cause of producing an image defection. Furthermore, the management of light quantity correction data is necessary also in the manufacturing process of the image forming apparatus, and the collation of the LPH mounted in the image forming apparatus with the light quantity correction data stored in the storage section becomes necessary to produce a new technical problem.
Consequently, a technique to provide a nonvolatile storage section that stores light quantity correction data in the LPH, and to read the light quantity correction data from the storage section has become general.
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-239697 discloses an apparatus to control the lighting of LED elements by reading light quantity correction data from an EEPROM (storage section storing correction data) by a strobe signal, by supplying the read light quantity correction data to an LED driver IC as printing data, and by supplying a selection signal of LEDs with a strobe signal as an drive instruction of an LED array according to the printing data.
The Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-239697 discloses that the technique makes a drive section (printing control section) generate a clock signal to obtain the light quantity correction data, and that the technique inputs the light quantity correction data stored in the storage section into the drive section in synchronization with the generated clock to transfer the light quantity correction data by the supplied clock. The technique aims to reduces the design margin accompanying a timing changes in the transfer clock of the printing data and the transfer clock of the light quantity correction data, that is, the technique separately considers the reading control of the light quantity correction data, the setting control of the light quantity correction data, and the transmitting method of the printing data, and the technique provides an interface circuit to balance each of them so that they can be processed severally by suitable methods.
However, because it is necessary for the conventional technique mentioned above to balance the interface of the whole image forming apparatus in order to improve the throughput of large-capacity light quantity correction data and the data communication capacity thereof (high-speed capability and reliability of transmission signal), the printing ability thereof is sacrificed. Consequently, the communication capacity of exposure data is limited by the reading and setting functions of the light quantity correction data from the storage section. Moreover, in the case where the length of the bundled wire is desired to be elongated, the length is also restricted by the interface circuit.

Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.


A magnetic separation device includes magnetic separation units in each of which a flow direction of raw water in a separation vessel is set to the same direction as a rotation direction of a magnetic drum. In the left-side magnetic separation unit, a raw water feeding channel is connected to the left side of the separation vessel, so that the raw water flows from left to right in the separation vessel and the treated water flows out of a discharge channel. The magnetic drum rotates in a counter clockwise direction. In the right-side magnetic separation unit, the raw water feeding channel is connected to the right side of the separation vessel, so that the raw water flows from right to left in the separation vessel and the treated water flows out of the discharge channel. The magnetic drum also rotates in the clockwise direction.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.2011-183271 (Patent Literature 1) is known as a background art in the technical field. The publication describes "the separator 30 has a magnetic drum configuration in which the magnetic group 34 is arranged close to the inner circumferential face of the drum rotor 32, the drum rotor 32 is integrated with the magnetic group 34 to rotate in the same direction as the flow direction of the raw water 38, and the scraping brush 52 is arranged at a position where the scraper 46 contacts the face of the drum rotor 32 (see abstract). However, the publication fails to disclose or suggest increasing (scaling up) treatment capability for the raw water with the magnetic drum configuration.

Magnetic separation device and raw water treatment apparatus


A lean NOx reduction catalyst capable of reducing NOx through reaction of H.sub.2 with NOx at low temperatures below 350.degree. C. is installed in a downstream portion of an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine in or near a muffler. Such an NOx reduction catalyst comprises, for example, Pt/zeolite catalyst. An H.sub.2 generator is installed so as to supply the H.sub.2 to an inlet side of the NOx reduction catalyst. The H.sub.2 generator may include a reforming catalyst for reforming methanol, LPG, or natural gas to generate H.sub.2. The generated H.sub.2 flows to the NOx reduction catalyst where it reacts with NOx to purify the exhaust gas.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a nitrogen oxides (NOx) decreasing apparatus for an internal combustion engine. More specifically, the present invention relates to an exhaust gas purification system with a lean NOx catalyst capable of reducing NOx included in exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, such as a so-called lean burn gasoline engine, a diesel engine, or a hydrogen engine, independently of a concentration of oxygen (O.sub.2) included in exhaust gas, that is, independently of an operating air-fuel ratio.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As a method for decreasing NOx included in exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, the following three methods are known:
(1) to decrease NOx by using a three-way catalyst, PA1 (2) to decrease NOx by using combustion at excessively lean air-fuel ratios, and PA1 (3) to decrease NOx by using a lean NOx catalyst (as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication HEI 1-139145). However, there are the following problems with these methods.
With method (1), the ratio of air to fuel supplied to an engine must be controlled to about 14.5, namely, the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. If the air-fuel ratio is leaner than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, NOx cannot be decreased by the three-way catalyst. Contrarily, it is well known that to obtain good fuel economy, an engine should be operated at air-fuel ratios leaner than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, NOx decrease and fuel economy are incompatible in method (1).
Method (2) seeks to combine NOx decrease with fuel economy by using a so-called lean burn engine. However, when the engine is operated at air-fuel ratios lean enough to decrease NOx, the combustion approaches a misfire limit, and driveability gets worse. To prevent this, an improvement has been proposed, wherein turbulences are generated within an engine cylinder so that the burning velocity is increased to thereby shift the misfire limit to the lean side. However, if the turbulences are excessive and the flow velocity becomes too high, formation of a flame core and propagation of the flame in an early period of combustion will be obstructed. Thus, there is a limit to this method. Also, another improvement has been proposed, wherein the air-fuel ratio distribution within an engine cylinder is controlled so that rich air-fuel mixtures are formed only in a region close to the ignition plug to produce easy ignition. However, as illustrated in FIG. 3, when the misfire limit is shifted to the lean side, the negative slope of the NOx concentration curve also is decreased. Thus, not much effect on NOx concentration can be expected.
Method (3) is intended to solve the above-described problems of item (2), more particularly, to operate an engine at air-fuel ratios slightly closer to the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio than the misfire limit and then to purify the insufficiently decreased NOx by using a zeolite-type lean NOx catalyst. This method has the potential to provide a clean system that also has good fuel economy. However, since the lean NOx catalyst can operate only under oxidizing exhaust gas conditions and is usually exposed to high temperatures, it is difficult to obtain both a sufficiently high NOx conversion by the lean NOx catalyst and durability of the catalyst.
As will be understood from the above, problems of practical use exist with any conventional NOx decreasing method.
Lean burn gasoline engines as well as diesel engines include excess O.sub.2 in the exhaust gas, that is, they are operated under oxidizing gas conditions. The leaner the air-fuel ratio, the greater is the concentration of O.sub.2 included in the exhaust gas. A catalyst which reduces NOx under oxidizing gas conditions is defined as a lean NOx catalyst, which is usually composed of a noble metal-type catalyst or a zeolite-type catalyst. The lean NOx catalyst has an NOx conversion versus temperature characteristic as shown in FIG. 4. At temperatures above 350.degree. C., mainly reduction of NOx by HC occurs, while at low temperatures below 250.degree.-350.degree. C., reduction of NOx by hydrogen (H.sub.2) occurs, wherein NOx purification by H.sub.2 is possible.
However, since the lean NOx catalyst is usually installed in or near an engine exhaust manifold in a conventional exhaust system, the temperature to which the catalyst is exposed is as high as 800.degree.-900.degree. C. Further, since the lean burn engine is operated at above stoichiometric air-fuel ratios, almost no H.sub.2 remains in the exhaust gas. Therefore, the NOx reduction characteristic of a lean NOx catalyst at low temperatures below 250.degree.-350.degree. C. has not been used in a conventional lean burn gasoline engine or diesel engine.

NOx decreasing apparatus for an internal combustion engine


A method for detachment of a mobile set within the equivalent route area moving between the communication systems comprising steps of: during the detachment process is implemented between a mobile set and a service node in one communication system, the service node generates one or more messages and transmits it to the service nodes in one or more communication system within the ERA. If the message is transmitted to the service node within the ERA of only one communication system, this service node transmits this message or the message generated according to this message to the service nodes within the ERA of the other communication system. With the method proposed in present invention, when a mobile is detached from two or more communication systems which share the same ERA, the service nodes in all communication systems within the ERA can still correctly manage the relevant information on this mobile set.

1. Field of the Invention
Present invention relates to a field of communication, especially to a method for a mobile set detaching from two or more communication systems that share the same equivalent route area (hereinafter referred to as ERA).
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, for the convenience of management, a service area of a mobile communication system can be divided into several different route areas (hereinafter referred to as RA) with each managed by a service node. After a mobile set is registered with a mobile communication system, it learns about the RA it locates. If a subscriber moves within the mobile communication system, when the mobile set finds out that it enters a new RA or it needs to initiate a periodical RA update process, it is necessary for this mobile set to carry out a RA update process. During the RA update process, if the service node changes, information on the mobile set will be eliminated from the original service node after it has been transferred to the new service node.
Generally, a detachment process may be performed so that: the mobile set informs the network that the mobile set no longer needs any service, or the network informs the mobile set that the network no longer offer any service for the mobile set. The mobile set may be detached either explicitly or implicitly. The explicit detachment means that either the network or the mobile set carries out the detachment process explicitly, while the implicit detachment means that the network detaches the mobile set without any notification. For instance, the system receives no message from the mobile set in a preset period of time, or an error (which can not be settled) happens to the physical link between the system and the mobile set. The process that the network detaches a mobile set may be initiated by either the service node (within the network) that offers service to the mobile set, or a home network register (hereinafter referred to as HSS) corresponding to the mobile set. After the detachment process completes, it is necessary to inform the HSS that the mobile set in state of detachment.
In general, when a mobile set moves from a service area of one mobile communication system to a service area in another new mobile communication system, the RAs of the two communication systems are different. In this case, it is necessary to perform a RA update process between the mobile set and the service node in the new mobile communication system. In addition, during this process, a series of processes may be implemented between the service node in the new mobile communication system and the original one to exchange relevant information to support the mobility of the mobile set. The two processes are necessary to be implemented once the mobile set returns the original communication system.
Now, an ERA method is adopted to effectively reduce the implementations of the process mentioned above during the mobile set switches between mobile communication systems. With this method, a RA of a mobile communication system and a RA of another mobile communication system are considered as one ERA. For the first time when a mobile set moves from a RA of a mobile communication system to a RA of another mobile communication system, the two service nodes of the two mobile communication systems exchange the relevant information on the mobile set so that the relevant information on the mobile set are saved in the service nodes of the two mobile communication systems. In this way, the fact that the mobile set moves within the ERA or enters a new mobile communication system is considered as that it moves within one RA of the same service node. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform any RA update process or corresponding information exchanging.
However, with the movement of the mobile set during the process that the mobile is detached from an equivalent route area (hereinafter referred to as ERA) shared by two or more communication systems, several available methods have no idea but support that the mobile set could be detached from only one of the communication systems. Therefore, in the case that the mobile is powered off, the service node of other communication system (but within the same ERA) learns about no relevant information yet. Thus, waste is caused to the system resource.

Method for detachment of MS moving between communication systems


A novel paint roller “cage” having improved tracking and ease of use is adapted for receiving different length axle shafts of various sizes of paint roller frames. An outer tubular support, upon which a paint roller cover or other paint absorbing material may be mounted, contains a pair of support bearings secured at either end of an inner tubular chassis, with one support bearing at a first end of the outer tubular support, and the other support bearing at approximately its mid point. The two support bearings are connected by an inner tubular chassis, which both maintains the two bearings at a desired axial spacing and also holds the walls and radial bearing surfaces of a bushing chamber that is integrally molded with each support bearing in proper position about a tubular bushing that is adapted to be frictionally secured to the axle shaft. In one embodiment, the outer tubular support has a diameter of about 1″ and a length of about 9″, and can be used with both 6.5″ and 9″ roller frames. The nominal axial clearance between the tubular bushing and the adjacent radial bearing surfaces of the bushing chamber is less than about 0.005″.

Lieberman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,985,959 discloses, in FIGS. 1 and 3 though 5, end supports for a paint-applying cover sleeve of a paint roller assembly, each support containing a split tube bushing adapted to receive the metal axle of a paint roller handle (or "frame"). The bushing is frictionally retained on the axle and rotates within a cylindrical chamber defined in the end support.
Isaac U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,039, in FIGS. 2 through 5, discloses a sectional paint roller cover bearing assembly (or "cage") having an end piece that surrounds a split sleeve which acts as a bushing. However, the bushing of Isaac is only retained by the end piece after either an extension or an end cap is inserted into the end piece. Several extensions may be used to form a longer roller assembly for supporting a longer cover, and a second bushing may be disposed in one of the extensions; however the only bearing surfaces for facilitating rotation of the roller on the axle of the roller frame are at the two ends, in the end piece and in the end cap.
Goldstein U.S. Pat. No. 5,210,899 discloses a paint roller cage, seen in FIGS. 1, 5, 7, and 9, having a series of offset or staggered outer semi-cylindrical surfaces that frictionally engage the interior of a small diameter paint roller cover sleeve. At least one bushing loosely fits within the confines of one of the semi-cylindrical chambers of the bearing and clamps around the metal axle of the paint roller handle. Except for an end cap at one end, each bearing surface is not cylindrical, but is defined by a pair of adjacent reduced diameter semi-cylindrical surfaces at each end of each semi cylindrical chamber. Goldstein makes no special provision for accurate rotation and lateral positioning of the bearing assembly about the axle, and it would appear from FIG. 10, that when the removable cover is not secured to the bearing assembly, Goldstein's bushings can easily fall out of the cylindrical chambers.
In Song Kim U.S. Pat. No. 7,120,963 there is disclosed a paint roller cage in the form of a cylindrical sleeve having a diameter of about 0.25″ to 1.0″, upon which the paint receiving cover material may be mounted, and into one end of which a single molded support bearing is inserted, the single support bearing having a first cylindrical chamber adapted for supporting the axle portion of the paint roller handle, typically a metal rod, and a second chamber coaxial with the first for receiving a single split bushing having an nominal internal diameter less than the diameter of the metal rod of the paint roller handle, with the dimensions of the second chamber being such that the bushing may rotate freely inside the second chamber, but is somewhat constrained longitudinally. The second chamber has a large lateral opening through which the split bushing may be inserted into the second chamber prior to insertion of the support into the sleeve. The inner surface of the sleeve functions as a cover for the lateral opening after the support and bushing have been inserted.
A traditional paint roller cover with a 0.5″ nap has a diameter of 1.5″ and a length of 9″, and with a conventional cage and frame weighs about 0.85 lbs, or fully loaded with paint weighs about 1.8 lbs. Moreover, traditional roller covers have lateral movement along the axle on average of 0.25″ resulting in walk off from the frame.
Simply reducing the length of a standard roller to reduce its weight results in a loss of efficiency in that more strokes are needed with shorter rollers to paint a given surface. Similarly, use of a standard length cover on a shorter frame results in asymmetric forces being applied to the cover and exacerbates the tendency of the rotating cover to deviate from the proper alignment with the frame. Therefore there is a need for a lightweight paint roller of standard length that can be used with a shorter and smaller frame but that nevertheless still maintains a proper alignment between the cover and the frame, thus facilitating precise and even coverage of the surface to be painted.

Lightweight, small diameter paint roller


Detergent compositions containing at least two surfactants, one having a cloud point of less than about 30xc2x0 C., especially below about 14xc2x0 C., and another having a cloud point of greater than about 30xc2x0 C., especially above about 40xc2x0 C.

This invention relates to detergent compositions.
More particularly, the invention concerns detergent compositions that have an improved ability to defoam proteins compared the prior art, over a wide temperature range, with very low surface tension (i.e., below about 35 dynes/cm) and with excellent wetting properties at very high dilution rates.
In another aspect the invention provides a detergent composition that is easily soluble in and stable in an aqueous cleaning preparation containing a high concentration of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, phosphoric acid or hydrochloric acid.
In yet another respect, the invention concerns aqueous detergent-cleaner compositions, with enhanced wetting and defoaming properties, that are especially useful in cleaning food processing apparatus contaminated with protein deposits, for example, beer brewing apparatus, and apparatus used in processing diary and related food products.
According to another aspect of the invention, methods are provided for cleaning food processing equipment, using such cleaning compositions.
In its broadest aspect, the detergent composition includes a xe2x80x9clowxe2x80x9d cloud point surfactant (xe2x89xa630xc2x0 C., preferably xe2x89xa625xc2x0 C.) and a xe2x80x9chighxe2x80x9d cloud point surfactant (xe2x89xa630xc2x0 C., preferably xe2x89xa625xc2x0 C.). This combination of surfactants provides suitable defoaming characteristics over a wide range of temperatures.

Stable hydrotropic surfactants comprising alkylamino propionate

Abstract: Methods of cleaning beer and food processing apparatus comprising applying these compositions also containing an alkali or acidic cleaner.


Methods and devices for providing temporary handrail systems such as those used to surround the periphery of a building rooftop. A number of handrail sections are reversibly interconnected to one another to form a continuous protective rail. In practice, the rail is quite stable and resistant to tipping. In described embodiments, the handrail systems of the present invention feature load-distributing support bases and weight support platforms. Weights are selectively added to the weight support platforms to anchor the handrail in place. The weight support platforms are located above the surface of the roof and do not contact the roof surface. The weight load is transmitted via a support leg downwardly to a load-distributing support base that is placed in contact with the roof. As a result, the roof membrane is not damaged by a point load applied to it. In addition, a portion of the weight load from the weight support platform is transmitted directly to the vertical support rails of the rail sections. Thus, the rails are more securely anchored in place and have greater resistance to movement of the rail either forwardly or backwardly. The handrail arrangement of the present invention offers improved stability over conventional systems. The rail sections readily interlock to form a continuous rail. The interlocking structure also allows the rail sections to be angled with respect to one another. The interlocking feature increases the stability of the rail.

The invention relates to temporary safety handrail systems that may be quickly and easily erected or removed and, in particular aspects, the invention relates to handrail systems that use weighted counterbalancing.
Temporary safety handrails are important to provide protection against falling for workers on building roofs. These structures also help prevent equipment or items from falling or being blown off of roofs and injuring individuals below. Safety rails generally, of course, are useful in many other situations as well.
Some temporary handrail systems are known that use weighted counterbalancing to stabilize the handrail. U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,153 issued to Glynn and entitled xe2x80x9cPortable Handrail Counter-Weight Systemxe2x80x9d describes a modular portable handrail system that employs cantilever arm/counter-weight anchor assemblies. Unfortunately, this system has a number of problems that limit its effectiveness. For example, the system has roof-contacting portions with sharp corners and edges that can damage the roof membrane and cause the roof to leak.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,483 issued to Van Herpen and entitled xe2x80x9cSupport for the Handrail of a Detachable Handrail Unitxe2x80x9d describes a safety handrail for the tops of buildings and the like. The rail has several xe2x80x9cbasesxe2x80x9d that are horizontally disposed offset legs that rest upon the rooftop. The ends of offset legs are weighted down by placing weights onto the leg and the rooftop surface. Because the weight and the base both contact the roof, they can cause damage to the roof membrane from their sharp corners and edges.
Conventional weighted handrail systems have other disadvantages in operation. The weights in these systems are generally applied only to the offset end of the horizontal leg. This is an inefficient means of anchoring a rail in place. The rail may be pulled or pushed backwardly and lifted off of the roof. The weighted end of the leg can act as a fulcrum about which the rail assembly could rotate. As a result, stability of the rail is problem.
Many conventional weighted handrail systems also fail to adequately distribute weight loads across the surface of a roof. As a result, significant amounts of weight are applied to specific points on the sometimes delicate roof membrane thereby resulting in damage to the rooftop.
It would be desirable to have systems and methods that address the problems associated with the prior art.
The present invention is directed to methods and devices for providing temporary handrail systems. In a preferred application, the handrail systems of the present invention are used to surround the periphery of a building rooftop. A number of handrail sections are reversibly interconnected to one another to form a continuous protective rail. In practice, the rail is quite stable and resistant to tipping.
In exemplary embodiments, the handrail systems of the present invention feature load-distributing support bases and weight support platforms. Weights are selectively added to the weight support platforms to anchor the handrail in place. The weight support platforms are located above the surface of the roof and do not contact the roof surface. The weight load is transmitted via support legs downwardly to load-distributing support base that is placed in contact with the roof. The support bases are substantially devoid of sharp edges and corners and distribute the weight load so that point loading is not a problem. As a result, the roof membrane is not damaged by a point load applied to it. In addition, a portion of the weight load from the weight support platform is transmitted directly to the vertical support rails of the rail sections. Thus, the rails are more securely anchored in place and have greater resistance to movement of the rail either forwardly or backwardly.
The handrail arrangement of the present invention offers improved stability over conventional systems. The rail sections readily interlock to form a continuous rail. The interlocking structure also allows the rail sections to be angled with respect to one another. The interlocking feature increases the stability of the rail.


The present invention relates to a composition for preventing or treating a psychiatric disorder comprising a phenyl carbamate compound and a method for preventing or treating a psychiatric disorder therewith. The present invention provides anti-anxiety activity and protections against seizure and bipolar disorder, such that it may be effectively used for preventing or treating various psychiatric disorders related to mood disorder or resulting convulsion.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a composition for preventing or treating a psychiatric disorder comprising a phenyl carbamate compound and a method for preventing or treating a psychiatric disorder therewith.
Description of the Related Art
Psychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders. These include various affective, behavioural, cognitive and perceptual abnormalities. A number of psychiatric syndromes feature depressed mood as a main symptom. Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behavior, feelings and sense of well-being. Depressed people may feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, worried, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, hurt, or restless. The mood disorders are a group of disorders considered to be primary disturbances of mood. These include major depressive disorder (MDD; commonly called major depression or clinical depression) where a person has at least two weeks of depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities; and dysthymia, a state of chronic depressed mood, the symptoms of which do not meet the severity of a major depressive episode.
Another mood disorder, bipolar disorder, features one or more episodes of abnormally elevated mood, cognition and energy levels, but may also involve one or more depressive episodes. When the course of depressive episodes follows a seasonal pattern, the disorder (major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, etc.) may be described as a seasonal affective disorder. Outside the mood disorders: borderline personality disorder commonly features depressed mood; adjustment disorder with depressed mood is a mood disturbance appearing as a psychological response to an identifiable event or stressor, in which the resulting emotional or behavioral symptoms are significant but do not meet the criteria for a major depressive episode and posttraumatic stress disorder, an anxiety disorder that sometimes follows trauma, is commonly accompanied by depressed mood. Bipolar disorder has been known for decades as a chronic mental disorder, with high relapse rates, most of times incapacitating, supposedly having a neurobiological substrate. Although the understanding of neurobiology has expanded in the last years, little is known about the real pathophysiological mechanisms of bipolar disorder. One of the models that has been applied to bipolar disorder is kindling, taken from the model of epilepsy, in which the repetition of crises would cause a process of neuronal sensitization, leading to a progressive threshold decrease, with the increase in the recurrence of epileptic crises (manic). Animal model studies suggest that this process may involve a series of alterations in the genic expression and second messengers In fact, pharmacological studies have been consistent with these findings, demonstrating the action of antidepressants and mood stabilizers in several intracellular mechanisms which involve the regulation of genic expression and cellular plasticity (Benicio Noronha Frey et al., Rev Bras Pisquiatr 2004; 26(3):180-8).
Anxiety is an unpleasant state of inner turmoil, often accompanied by nervous behavior, such as pacing back and forth, somatic complaints and rumination. It is the subjectively unpleasant feelings of dread over something unlikely to happen, such as the feeling of imminent death. Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), a GABA(A) receptor antagonist and prototypical anxiogenic drug, has been extensively utilized in animal models of anxiety. PTZ produces a reliable discriminative stimulus which is largely mediated by the GABA(A) receptor (Jung M E et al., Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2002 June; 26(4):429-39). Anxiety is not the same as fear, which is felt about something realistically intimidating or dangerous and is an appropriate response to a perceived threat. Anxiety is a mood. When it becomes a mental disorder, that is, characterized by excessive, uncontrollable and often irrational worry about everyday things that is disproportionate to the actual source of worry, it is diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD occurs without an identifiable triggering stimulus. It is called generalized because the remorseless worries are not focused on any specific threat; they are, in fact, often exaggerated and irrational. Subtypes of anxiety disorders are phobias, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behavior, and Posttraumatic stress disorder
Throughout this application, various publications and patents are referred and citations are provided in parentheses. The disclosures of these publications and patents in their entities are hereby incorporated by references into this application in order to fully describe this invention and the state of the art to which this invention pertains.

Phenyl carbamate compound and a composition for preventing or treating a psychiatric disorder comprising the same


A golf bag club organizer is disclosed for holding golf club irons in a golf bag in a fixed and orderly array, and for keeping the clubs in place even when the bag is inverted. The golf club organizer provides a first bracket carrying seven forks, each fork having two dissimilar prongs that grasp the head of a golf club iron, keeping a golf club iron fixed in place. A second bracket provides an array of adjustment holes, and may be bolted onto the first bracket after the combined length of the brackets has been adjusted to be equal to the diameter of the rim about the opening of a golf club bag. Both brackets provide alligator connectors which connect to the rim of the golf bag, keeping the organizer in place. Each alligator connector provides an inner and an outer jaw having frictionally engaging teeth which grip the rim of the golf club bag. A pair of bolt holes in each alligator connector allows the jaws to be biased together, thereby increasing the friction between the connectors and the rim of the golf bag.

Golf is a very popular recreation, requiring players to purchase a set of golf clubs that can be quite expensive. Players typically carry the clubs in a golf bag, which is then transported by means of a carrying strap, a two-wheeled manually-pulled carrier, or a powered golf cart. During transport, it is commonly the case that the expensive clubs collide with each other as they move freely about the bag, potentially causing damage and making it difficult to find any particular club.
As a result, golf club organizers have been developed that attempt to secure the clubs in an orderly fashion and to attach to the opening of a golf club bag. Unfortunately, prior golf club organizers have failed to provide the structures necessary to adequately grip the head of each club. As a result, clubs tend to be released by the organizer prematurely, such as when the golf bag if turned on its side and loaded into the trunk of an automobile. Without gravity to hold the clubs in place, they tend to release from prior golf club organizers.
Another problem with existing golf club organizers is that they fail to adequately grip the golf bag that they are attached to, or require permanent modification of the golf bag to prevent the organizer from becoming detached. The permanent modification may take the form of a bracket or plate that must be screwed permanently into the golf bag, causing irreparable damage.
A further problem with existing golf club organizers is that they tend to be sized to fit a specific golf bag, and are incapable of adjusting to fit smaller or larger bags. As a result, such organizers are less versatile and are not widely used.
What is needed is a golf club organizer that affirmatively grips each club, and holds all clubs in an organized array that allows a player to easily select the club of choice. The golf club organizer must be adjustable so that it may be adapted for use with a variety of golf club bags. The golf club organizer must also be attachable to a golf club bag without doing permanent damage to the bag.


A digital signature of a message originator of a message is validated by a processor on message retrieval by a message recipient as a first-tier validation of the message. In response to a successful first-tier validation of the digital signature of the message originator, a transaction token and a message originator identifier are extracted from a message payload of the message. Communication is initiated with a verification service within a secure messaging environment of the message originator as a second-tier validation of the message using the extracted transaction token and the extracted message originator identifier to confirm whether the secure messaging environment of the message originator generated the transaction token and inserted the transaction token into the message payload. Results of the second-tier validation of the message with the verification service within the secure messaging environment of the message originator are determined.

The present invention relates to messaging, such as within secure messaging environments. More particularly, the present invention relates to message originator token verification.
In message queuing environments, data messages or message transactions may be protected by digitally signing and/or encrypting messages. Secure messaging environments that sign and encrypt message data may use a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to uniquely identify senders and recipients in the system. Digital signatures allow recipients to determine whether a transaction message is from an authorized sender, and whether the certificate of the sender is trusted (e.g., issued by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA)) by the recipient's messaging environment. Encrypting message data ensures that only an intended recipient may view the message or transaction content.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

International Business Machines Corporation


In accordance with the present disclosure, a system and method for Modular, Locking Headrail-Retention Mechanism is described. The module, locking headrail-retention mechanism may, in certain embodiments be separate from a headrail, and insertable into at least one end of the headrail. In other embodiment, the locking headrail-retention mechanism may be manufactured as part of the headrail. The locking headrail-retention mechanism may comprise a cylindrical housing and a first cam disposed within the cylindrical housing. The locking headrail-retention mechanism may also include a retention plate proximate one end of the cylindrical housing and axially aligned with the first cam. A biasing member may be disposed within the cylindrical housing, and may impart an axial force on the first cam. The first cam may be operable to selectively prevent the axial force from being imparted on the retention plate.

Window coverings, including blinds and shades, are ubiquitous in homes and businesses. Typical blinds and shades require installation with brackets affixed to the wall. Installation can be an involved process, with numerous steps, tools, and measurements to account for, which can be intimidating for some homeowners. Additionally, it may require tools or expertise that the homeowners do not have, leading many to rely on professionals for installation. This can be inconvenient and expensive. What is needed is a way for homeowners to install window coverings themselves, without requiring multiple tools or any particular expertise in hanging window coverings.

Modular, locking headrail-retention mechanism


An integral stub tube which simplifies the reactor pressure vessel fabrication process, provides a structural transition between the penetration and head, and facilitates future remote inspection of the attachment weld is described. In one embodiment, a stub tube is machined into the bottom head dome. Specifically, a penetration is formed in the bottom head dome by a bore having a stub tube portion. The stub tube portion has a cylindrical shape and a length of the stub tube portion is selected to provide a transition between a penetration housing and an adjacent portion of bottom head dome. The penetration housing extends through the penetration, in the dome. A weld attaches the stub tube portion to the penetration housing.

Boiling water nuclear reactors typically include a reactor core located within a reactor pressure vessel (RPV). A known RPV includes a substantially cylindrical shell. The shell, for example, can be about twenty feet in diameter and about seven inches thick. The cylindrical shell is closed at its top end by a removable top head. The top head is removable so that components, such a fuel bundles, located in the RPV can be accessed. The RPV cylindrical shell is closed at its bottom end by a dome shaped bottom head assembly welded to the shell.
A plurality of openings, sometimes referred to as penetrations, are formed in the bottom head dome so that components, such as control rod drive assemblies, can extend within the RPV. Typically, a substantially cylindrical stub tube having a bore extending therethrough is welded to the bottom head dome and the tube bore aligns with an opening in the bottom head dome. The cylindrical stub tube typically is fabricated from a corrosion resistant material such as stainless steel or Ni--Cr--Fe.
With a control rod drive assembly, for example, the control rod drive housing, e.g., a tube, is inserted through the bottom head dome opening and stub tube bore, and the housing extends into the RPV. The control rod drive (CRD) housing is welded to the stub tube to maintain the housing in the desired position. The stub tube thus serves as a transition piece between the bottom head dome, which typically is fabricated from low alloy steel (LAS), and the CRD housing, which typically is fabricated from stainless steel.
Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) is a known phenomenon occurring to adjacent stub tube welds connecting the bottom head dome to the stub tube and connecting the stub tube to the CRD housing. Particularly, the stub tube welds are subject to a variety of stresses associated with, for example, differences in thermal expansion, the operating pressure needed for the containment of the reactor cooling water, and other sources such as residual stresses from welding, cold working and other inhomogeneous metal treatments. Such stresses may, at times, cause cracks adjacent the stub tube welds or may even cause cracks in the weld materials.
To avoid SCC, it is desirable to eliminate welds. In addition, the welds which are required should be inspectable. It would be desirable to provide a stainless steel penetration to LAS head attachment that eliminates the stub tube to head weld, meets all design stress requirements, and simplifies fabrication.

Machined stub tube in a bottom head of a boiling water reactor


A three dimensional token game including a plurality of dice. Each die has four concave members with each concave member having a color painted thereon. Included are a plurality of player pieces for each of the game players. Each piece has a color. The color of any one player piece is identical to the color of one of the concave members of the dice. A plurality of field squares, for building and rearranging a playing field setup during the game, are included. Each field square is chosen by the player after each player rolls the dice. Each field square is a color, with the color of each field square identical to the color of one of the concave members of the dice. Each field square is stackable one on top of another field square, with a like color before game play. Each field square is positionable on a playing surface for creating the playing field setup. Lastly, a plurality of winning squares, positionable on the playing field at a line of field squares, are provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a three dimensional token game and more particularly pertains to providing a token game wherein the field squares of the game are used to build and rearrange the playing field setup during game play, and a player wins by collecting four different colored squares earned by being on a four colored winning square, and rolling four different colored die.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of token games is known in the prior art. More specifically, token games heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of entertainment are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,808 to Wood discloses a board game apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,877 to Pridgeon, Green and Spector discloses a method of playing a board game. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 311,556 to Popek and Foster discloses a manipulative skills game board. U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,692 to D'Agostino discloses a game board with movable pieces. U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,184 to Yearick, Walsh and Muccini discloses a board game. Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,113 to Ahlers and Ahlers discloses a board game.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe three dimensional token game that allows the playing field setup of the token game to be built and rearranged during game play, and further allowing a player to win by being on a four colored winning square and rolling four of the same colored concave members of the dice, or by collecting four different colored field squares during game play.
In this respect, the three dimensional token game according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing a token game wherein the field squares of the game are used to build and rearrange the playing field setup during game play, wherein a player wins by collecting four different colored squares earned by being on a four colored winning square, and rolling four different colored die.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved three dimensional token game which can be used for providing a token game wherein the field squares of the game are used to build and rearrange the playing field setup during game play, wherein a player wins by collecting four different colored squares earned by being on a four colored winning square, and rolling four different colored die. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


A process for sequencing DNA segments having complementary strands comprising (a) synthesizing simultaneously truncated products and full-length products starting from both 3' ends of the complementary strands of the DNA segment, which serves as a template, by introducing specific oligonucleotide primers annealing to the 3' ends of both complementary strands of the DNA segment, a deoxyribonucleotide elongator for each of adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine, a thermally stable DNA polymerase and a terminator for each of adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine, (b) thermally cycling step (a), (c) separating out the resultant truncated products and full length products according to size, and (d) selectively detecting all truncated products and full length products according to size, and (e) selectively detecting all truncated products and full-length products generated from a given strand of template.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a method to sequence a genomic DNA, a cloned DNA, a single stranded DNA or an oligonucleotide. One embodiment of the inventive process couples amplification of genomic DNA via the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with DNA sequencing via dideoxynucleotide chain termination.
2. Background of the Invention
The polymerase chain reaction is described in Mullis and Faloona, 1987, Methods Enzymol., 155, 335 and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195 and 4,683,2.02. The entire contents of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195 and 4,683,202 are incorporated by reference herein.
DNA sequencing via dideoxynucleotide chain termination is described in Sanger et al, 1977, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 74, 5463.
Direct sequencing of PCR products has proven difficult because of reannealing of the complementary strands, which often disturbs primer extension along the template. Although asymmetric PCR and M13 cloning of PCR products produce single stranded templates suitable for sequencing, these methods require multiple preparative steps.
Many prior protocols require nested primers for the sequencing steps.
Asymmetric PCR (Gyllenstein and Erlich, 1988, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 85, 7652) is a procedure for sequencing PCR products. Asymmetric PCR generates an excess of one DNA strand which is to be sequenced. Considerable empirical testing for every template is required to obtain sequence data from both strands for confirmation.
Most heretofore sequencing methods rely on a single primer extension reaction With chain-terminating dideoxynucleotides.

Coupled amplification and sequencing of DNA


A licensing platform is provided. The licensing platform, in communication with a first license sharing device and a second license sharing device, includes a license database and a main license sharing device. The license database provides a plurality of licenses. The main license sharing device includes: a license allocation manager, in communication with the license database, for dynamically managing a usage status of the plurality of licenses; a next-tier membership manager, in communication with the license sharing devices, for allocating at least one of the plurality of licenses to the license sharing devices, and updating a license usage status of the license sharing devices; and a license record manager, in communication with the license allocation manager and the next-tier membership manager, for recording the usage status of the plurality of licenses.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to a licensing platform, and more particularly to a licensing platform for managing software licenses.
2. Description of the Related Art
Accompanied with the thriving Internet, floating licensing that allows sharing of software among multiple computers also becomes prevalent. Floating licensing is a software licensing method that permits computers or work stations to transfer a software license to one another. With such licensing means, a usage period of a software license can be shared by the computers or work stations, with a total number of the computers or work stations using the software license not exceeding a total number software. To manage the number of software licenses being shared by computers or work stations, a licensing platform is usually used for managing transfer of software licenses and verifying software license.
In a conventional software license management method, only a small number of licensed devices are allowed to share software licenses. If the number of software licenses and licensed devices are both increased, not only complications in license management may multiply, but also efficiency of a license platform may be degraded as the licensing platform is prone to be overloaded. Therefore, there is a need for a more efficient licensing platform to solve the above issues.


A gate for a lamp which is particularly suited for illuminating rectangular objects comprises a holding element defining a light-passage opening which can be mounted on the lamp. Four gate wings are mounted on the holding element about the light-passage opening for defining a gate opening having substantially the approximate shape of an even-leg, or isosceles, trapezoid.

This invention concerns a gate for a lamp, particularly for illuminating rectangular objects, having a holding element defining a light-passage opening which is mountable on the lamp and four gate wings mountable on the holding element about the light-passage opening for defining a gate opening.
From a prospectus, "dedolight" of the Dedo Weigert Film GmbH, which was published in July of 1989, a gate for a lamp having four gate wings is known. Two of the gate wings are main wings which are mounted on opposite sides of a light-passage opening of the holding element to be pivotal about parallel first pivot axes which extend parallel to corresponding main-wing surfaces. The other two gate wings are side wings which are mounted at opposite sides of the light-passage opening, on the holding element, to be pivotal about parallel second pivot axes which extend substantially perpendicular to the first pivot axes. The second pivot axes extend parallel to planes of their corresponding side wing surfaces. It follows that by means of the four gate wings a rectangular gate opening can be shaped which, by means of pivoting the gate wings, can be varied in size. Such a gate is particularly suitable for illuminating in film and TV applications.
When illuminating a rectangular object, such as, for example, a painting in a museum, it is desired to only illuminate the object itself. Known gates are not suitable for this because they do not produce very precisely shaded silhouettes, so that their formed light right angles have "rabbit ears". If an employed lamp is placed in a flood position a slight barrel shaped (bowed) distortion is brought about along the straight length edges of the gate wings. Because of this, it is not possible to form a straight edge. Further, when illuminating paintings in museums it is usual to employ a lamp so that a light beam therefrom is directed downwardly at an angle of approximately 45.degree.. When a rectangular gate opening is used, this results in a trapezoidal image being created on the illuminated object. Because of this, when a rectangular object is illuminated, not only the object itself is illuminated.
An object of this invention is to provide, in an uncomplicated manner, a gate for a lamp that makes possible a sharply bordered illumination of rectangular objects.


A tinnitus masking device and method for producing a masking signal with a selected center frequency, selected bandwidth, and selected volume is provided. A random noise generator and a clock circuit are employed in conjunction with a switched capacitance filter bank to produce a masking signal with the selected center frequency and selected bandwidth. The masking signal is then received by a volume control unit and then amplified for delivery to the tinnitus sufferer's ear or ears by speakers or headphones. Additionally, the tinnitus masking device may include a timer and fade out unit.

Tinnitus describes a perceived sound, e.g., ringing, buzzing, whistling, or roaring, that is experienced by a tinnitus sufferer and that does not exist as a physical sound. The condition can be annoying or very painful, and the discomfort caused by tinnitus frequently interferes with a sufferer's sleep. Tinnitus often occurs at a specific frequency or over a small frequency range and is frequently constant; however, the specific frequency or small frequency range varies from patient to patient.
Most of the relatively recent efforts to treat tinnitus have involved attempts to mask the perceived sound. Masking is the interference of one sound on another. Perfect tinnitus masking involves providing a masking signal that exactly overrules the perceived sound in terms of psychoacoustics without supplying unnecessary energy to the tinnitus sufferer. See e.g., Tinnitus: Diagnosis/Treatment 55 (Abraham Shulman ed. 1991).
Many conventional tinnitus maskers produce only a broad band masking noise or signal. The masking signal produced by these conventional maskers is elevated to a level adequate to mask the tinnitus, but the energy supplied to the tinnitus sufferer's ear is considerably in excess of the required amount. Even if a masker is custom made to be near the sufferer's tinnitus frequency, the broad masking signal supplies energy at many other frequencies as well.
In 1981, the Committee on Hearing, Bioacoustics, and Biomechanics of the National Academy of Science presented characteristics that the committee felt were needed in future tinnitus maskers. The recommendations included a masker that would use narrow bands of noise to reduce the energy delivered, that would match the tinnitus frequency, and that would include a variable bandwidth for the masking frequencies. See H. Sauberman, Report on Tinnitus Working Group No. 89 of CHABA, Second International Tinnitus Seminar 250-52 (A. Shulman, J. Ballantine, and J. Laryngol eds. suppl. 1981).
Thus a need has arisen for a tinnitus masker that uses a minimal amount of energy, that allows for a variable center frequency of the masking signal over the human auditory spectrum including high frequencies, and that provides for variable bandwidth selection.


Provided is a display device including: a substrate; and multiple pixels provided on the substrate, the pixels each having an organic EL element obtained by laminating a lower electrode provided on the substrate, an organic compound layer, and an upper electrode in the stated order, and the lower electrode including an electrode independently placed for each of the pixels, in which: the lower electrode is formed of a first lower electrode layer provided on the substrate and a second lower electrode layer provided on the first lower electrode layer; the organic compound layer and the upper electrode cover the first lower electrode layer and the second lower electrode layer; and charge injection property from the second lower electrode layer into the organic compound layer is larger than charge injection property from an end portion of the first lower electrode layer into the organic compound layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display device, in particular, an organic electroluminescence (EL) display device including an organic EL element.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, an organic EL display device including an organic EL element as a self-luminous device has been attracting attention as a flat-panel display. Here, the organic EL element is an electronic element having a pair of electrodes and an organic compound layer placed between the pair of electrodes, and the organic EL display device is a display device using the organic EL element as a display element.
In a top-emission type display device, a lower electrode to be provided closer to a substrate side with respect to an organic compound layer is required to have a high reflectance for improving the light extraction efficiency of the device. A metal material having a high reflectance such as aluminum or silver is used as a material for the lower electrode, and the material is formed into a layer having a thickness of 30 nm or more in order that the reflectance intrinsic to the material may be obtained. When an organic EL element is formed by laminating the organic compound layer and an upper electrode on the lower electrode having a thickness of 30 nm or more, the organic compound layer becomes thin at end portions of the lower electrode (referring to an upper end portion, a lower end portion, and a side wall portion). The application of a voltage between the lower electrode and upper electrode of such organic EL element causes a phenomenon in which a current concentrates on an end portion of the lower electrode. As a result, the following problem arises. The emission intensity of the organic compound layer at the end portion becomes larger than its emission intensity at a flat portion except the end portion, and hence local brightness unevenness occurs in the same light-emitting pixel.
Several methods have heretofore been proposed as methods for solving the problem. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-332082 discloses a display device in which all upper end portions of lower electrodes are roundly chamfered so that an electric field may not concentrate in the upper end portions. In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-327694 discloses a display device in which a side surface of a lower electrode is tilted by processing an upper end portion of the lower electrode into a taper shape.
However, even in the case where an upper end portion of a lower electrode is processed like Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-332082 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-327694, as in the case where the upper end portion is not processed, the thickness of an organic compound layer to be formed on the lower electrode tends to be smaller at the upper end portion than at a flat portion as the upper surface of the lower electrode. Accordingly, such a tendency that a current is more likely to concentrate in the upper end portion of the lower electrode than in the flat portion of the lower electrode does not change. In addition, the concentration of the current in the upper end portion of the lower electrode makes the emission intensity of the layer at the upper end portion larger than its emission intensity at the flat portion of the lower electrode. Accordingly, the problem of the local brightness unevenness in the same light-emitting pixel still remains.
In addition, the current efficiency and chromaticity of an organic EL element largely change depending on the thickness of an organic compound layer constituting the element. Accordingly, when the thickness of the organic compound layer to be formed on a lower electrode is not uniform owing to the state of the lower electrode, actually causing a current to flow through the organic compound layer may cause a reduction in luminous efficiency of the element or the deterioration of its color purity.


A flat alkaline primary battery is provided. The annular end portion of the negative electrode can is engaged with the annular end portion of the positive electrode can so that the positive electrode can and the negative electrode can are connected via a gasket to create an enclosed space inside the cans. The enclosed space accommodates a separator, a positive electrode mixture having a positive electrode active material as a main component, and a negative electrode mixture having a negative electrode active material as a main component. The enclosed space is filled with an alkaline electrolyte. The positive electrode active material is oxy nickel hydroxide. The negative electrode active material is a zinc or zinc alloy powder. The mass of the oxy nickel hydroxide is between 3.9 and 4.4, times, inclusive, of the mass of the zinc or the zinc alloy. Alternatively, the mass of the oxy nickel hydroxide is between 3.3 times, inclusive, the mass of the zinc or the zinc alloy.

In flat alkaline primary batteries such as coin-shaped batteries and button-shaped batteries used for compact electronics such as electronic wrist watches and portable electronic calculators, a positive electrode can contains a positive electrode mixture where manganese dioxide is used as a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode can contains a negative electrode mixture where zinc or zinc alloy powder is used as a negative electrode active material.
The positive electrode mixture and the negative electrode mixture face each other with a separator in between, and an alkaline electrolyte is injected inside the battery. The manganese dioxide in the positive electrode mixture, graphite powder, which is a conductive agent, and in the case where the binding properties of the positive electrode mixture are poor, a resin powder or emulsion such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is a binding agent, are mixed and then compressed into a pellet which is used as the positive electrode.
In addition, so-called silver oxide batteries where silver oxide is used as the positive electrode active material in flat alkaline primary batteries are widely available in the general market. Silver oxide has a high volume energy density compared to manganese dioxide, and the battery voltage where the positive electrode active material is silver oxide and the negative electrode active material is zinc is flat in the vicinity of 1.56 volts. Therefore, silver oxide is mainly used in power supplies for compact electronics such as electronic wrist watches and portable electronic calculators the final voltage of which is not lower than 1.2 volts.
Although silver oxide provides excellent performance, it is expensive because silver, which is a precious metal, is the main component and its price fluctuates depending on the market rate for silver. Thus, silver oxide is a difficult material for use in reducing or stabilizing the manufacturing cost. Therefore, a great number of so-called alkaline manganese batteries are spread in the general market as well as silver oxide batteries. The positive electrode active material in the alkaline manganese batteries is manganese dioxide, the price per mass of which is much less expensive, approximately one-two-hundredths of silver oxide, although the volume energy density of the alkaline manganese batteries is lower and the voltage drop due to discharge is greater than those of silver oxide.
In order to improve the above described performance of manganese dioxide, it has been studied that various additives are added to inexpensive active materials such as manganese dioxide (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-234107, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-6092, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-19349).
Flat alkaline primary batteries where manganese dioxide is used as a positive electrode active material have a problem where the voltage drops greatly due to discharge. The voltage drop of manganese dioxide due to discharge causes the problem that the time of use in devices, such as electronic wrist watches where the final voltage is set to a high value for the voltage of silver oxide batteries, is extremely shortened. Although various studies have been conducted in order to prevent the voltage drop, satisfactory results have not been obtained.


An image forming apparatus has a photosensitive member, a charging member, an exposing device, a developing device, a transfer member, a polishing member, a driving device, a voltage applying device, a torque detector, and a control portion. The photosensitive member has a photosensitive layer and a surface protection layer formed on the surface of the photosensitive layer. The polishing member has an elastic layer on its circumferential surface, and rotates with a linear velocity difference from that of the photosensitive member. The torque detector detects the torque of the driving device. The control portion estimates an attachment condition of discharge products to the surface of the photosensitive member based on the torque of the driving device detected by the torque detector. When the torque is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the control portion performs an image degradation suppression process.

The present disclosure relates to image forming apparatuses that form an image on a recording medium such as paper. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a method for estimating the attachment condition of discharge products to the surface of a photosensitive member on which a photosensitive layer and a surface protection layer are formed, and thereby preventing image defects such as image deletion.
In image forming apparatuses such as printers, copiers, facsimile machines, and multifunctional peripherals having their functions integrated together, as a photosensitive drum, which is an example of an image carrying member, an amorphous silicon photosensitive member having formed on its surface an amorphous silicon layer, or an organic photosensitive member having formed on its surface an organic photosensitive layer, is widely used. With a view to improving the stability of image quality over a long period of time and thereby achieving a prolonged life of the photosensitive drum, a photosensitive member that has formed on it a surface protection layer which protects the surface of the photosensitive layer is used. For example, an amorphous silicon photosensitive member has formed on it a surface protection layer comprising amorphous silicon carbide or amorphous carbon which has a higher hardness and which excels in wear resistance and print resistance.
If the above-described surface protection layer is oxidized in the process of the electrostatic charging of the photosensitive layer, or is soiled with active substances such as ozone, NOx, and SOx and their reaction products, that is, so-called discharge products, in a high-humidity environment, the oxidized part or the discharge products adsorb moisture, forming a low-resistance layer. As a result, the electric charge of a latent image may inconveniently flow in the planar direction, causing the image to blur, or to ooze as if rubbed against, that is, so-called image deletion is inconveniently made more likely to occur.
As a solution, various methods have been proposed for removing an oxidized part of the photosensitive layer and discharge products attached to the photosensitive layer and thereby preventing image deletion. For example, according to one known method, the surface condition of the photosensitive member is detected by use of the driving torque of the photosensitive member, and polishing conditions such as the pressing force and the rotation speed of the rubbing member are changed based on the result of detection. According to another known method, the driving torque of the cleaning brush is measured, and the amount of toner left unused on the photosensitive member is controlled based on the result of detection.

Image forming apparatus provided with a photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer and a surface protection layer which is formed on the surface of the photosensitive layer and which has a hardness higher than that of the photosensitive layer


An operating device for an automated gear box having a shift gate with a selector slot, three or more shift slots intersecting the selector slot, and an actuator for actuating a gear or shifting shaft in shifting motions. The shifting shaft has a pin or shaft extending through the shift gate. A blocking device with one or more blocking elements moveable generally along the selector slot allows movement of the pin to an adjacent shift slot and shifting within the shift slot by the actuator while blocking further movement of the pin along the selector slot upon engaging a blocking element.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to automated gear boxes, and more particularly, to automated gear boxes operated by means of actuators.
2. Description of Related Art
Automated gearboxes in which a conventional manual gearbox is operated by means of actuators and connected to the engine of a motor vehicle by way of an automatic clutch are becoming increasingly important. They are less expensive than automatic gearboxes which are equipped with hydrokinetic torque converters and operate with planet gears, and the automated gearboxes operate with a higher degree of efficiency.


A test fixture for use with a Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA) restrains a hollow cylindrical tube for purposes of performing either a tensile or transverse/bending load test. The fixture includes a clamp that is configured to restrain the tube without imparting a preload or changing a mechanical property of the tube.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to mechanical analysis of a material used to make a medical device or portions thereof intended for implantation within a body; more particularly, this invention relates to mechanical analysis of a polymeric material represented by a hollow tube having dimensions approximating the dimensions of a medical device, such as a stent.
2. Background of the Invention
A Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA) is a precision instrument designed to measure the viscoelastic properties of a material, such as a polymer material in a dry or wet stage. A DMA may be used to measure changes in a sample material resulting in changes in temperature and/or external forces. Applied external forces may be represented by enforced displacements on the sample, in which case material properties are determined from a measured reaction force. The external forces may be time-varying, e.g., sinusoidal. Prior to testing, a sample of the material is mounted in a clamp, one part of which is stationary and the other part is moving and connected to a motor drive.
The sample can be in a bulk solid, film, fiber, gel or viscous form depending on the fixture used. The motor drives the sample to a selected strain or amplitude. As the sample undergoes deformation, a linear variable differential transformer mounted on a driving arm or rod measures such quantities as a static or time-varying strain amplitude as feedback control to the motor. Interchangeable fixtures are used to measures quantities such as an elastic modulus, toughness, damping, stress relaxation, creep, and softening points. See e.g., Introduction to Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)—A beginner's Guide, PerkinElmer® Inc.
One quantity of importance in analyzing material used to make implantable medical devices is the glass transition temperature, Tg. The "glass transition temperature," Tg, is the temperature at which the amorphous domains of a polymer change from a brittle vitreous state to a solid deformable or ductile state at atmospheric pressure. In other words, the Tg corresponds to the temperature where the onset of segmental motion in the chains of the polymer occurs. When an amorphous or semicrystalline polymer is exposed to an increasing temperature, the coefficient of expansion and the heat capacity of the polymer both increase as the temperature is raised, indicating increased molecular motion. As the temperature is raised the actual molecular volume in the sample remains constant, and so a higher coefficient of expansion points to an increase in free volume associated with the system and therefore increased freedom for the molecules to move. The increasing heat capacity corresponds to an increase in heat dissipation through movement. Tg of a given polymer can be dependent on the heating rate and can be influenced by the thermal history of the polymer. Furthermore, the chemical structure of the polymer heavily influences the glass transition by affecting mobility.
The sample and the fixture restraining the sample is enclosed within a thermal isolation chamber which can heat the sample and the fixtures to temperatures above normal ambient temperatures or cool the sample and the fixtures to temperatures below normal ambient temperatures. The temperature is generally varied dynamically, e.g., at a constant heating or cooling rate. The stiffness and damping of a sample may be calculated as a function of temperature from force, displacement and phase data, using well-known mathematical relationships which separate the applied load into the components due to movement of the mechanical system and the components due to deformation of the sample. The phase relationship between the force applied to the sample and the resultant displacement allows the sample deformation force component to be further divided into an elastic component and a viscous component. The elastic and viscous components are used to determine the elastic modulus and damping through the use of model equations for the particular sample geometry and deformation mode. These equations are well-known in the field, e.g., Theory of Elasticity, S. P. Timoshenko and J. N. Goodier, McGraw-Hill (3rd ed. 1970). Currently, there are two classes of fixtures for DMA—tensioning and non-tensioning. Tensioning fixtures include the 3-point bend, tension/film, tension/fiber, compression, compression and penetration fixtures, while non-tension fixtures include single/dual cantilever and shear sandwich fixtures.
As mentioned above, existing fixtures for restraining movement of a sample in a DMA are intended for analysis of material in bulk solid, film, fiber, gel or viscous form. Unfortunately, there exists no ability to test a hollow cylindrical tube, in particular, a thin walled tube having dimensions corresponding to a tube that is formed into a stent. A fixture suited for a film or fiber, for example, cannot restrain a hollow tube in a wet or dry environment, as needed, because either the sample cannot be adequately held by a clamp, the clamp induces unwanted preloads into the sample, such as torsion, or collapses the tube walls when the clamp is tightened down on the ends of the tube in order to hold it in place. Other problems with existing fixtures are they are difficult to assemble or modify to accommodate the special needs of a hollow tube.

Fixture for mechanical analysis of a hollow tube


A transparent pressure sensitive adhesive label sheet comprises a label film comprising a polyethylene resin of a density of 0.925 to 0.950 g/cm.sup.3 as the main component thereof, having an average of the tensile strength to the MD direction and the tensile strength to the TD direction of 250 kg/cm.sup.2 or more, a 1% secant modulus to the MD direction of 2500 to 5000 kg/cm.sup.2, a haze of 3 to 15% and a gloss of 80% or more and provided with the property suitable for printing by a surface treatment and a release paper laminated with the label film through a layer of a pressure sensitive adhesive material. An opaque pressure sensitive adhesive label sheet is about the same as the above except that it comprises a label film having a total light transmission of 40% or less in place of the haze and the gloss described above. The pressure sensitive adhesive label sheet shows excellent appearance when label marks are printed on the transparent film or on the white opaque film, follows the elongation of the substrate well even after being printed and can be handled smoothly in the process using an automatic labelling machine.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a novel pressure sensitive adhesive label sheet comprising a label of a plastic film coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive layer. More particularly, it relates to a pressure sensitive label sheet comprising polyethylene film which shows excellent appearance when label marks are printed on it and can be handled smoothly in the process using an automatic labelling machine.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Beautiful labels are attached to many commercial containers for the purposes of advertisement, good appearance of design and the like.
The labels are generally attached to containers automatically by transferring the adhesive labels having a pressure sensitive adhesive material from a release paper of a label tape to the surface of the containers by using an automatic labelling machine. The label tape is generally prepared by temporarily attaching a label sheet of 25 to 250 .mu.m thickness having label marks printed on it to a release paper through a layer of a pressure sensitive adhesive material and then by cutting out the label sheet alone to the shape of the label.
A film of a rather stiff material, such as PET, PVC and the like, has been generally utilized for the pressure sensitive adhesive label because of easier operation of the labelling but a film of a soft material, such as polyethylene and the like, has not been utilized.
However, when a film of a rather stiff material, such as PET, PVC and the like, is utilized for a label on a soft flexible container, physical properties of the film cannot match the flexibility of the container and wrinkling and lifting are often formed. When they are formed, the shape of the label is deformed and the appearance of the printing is deteriorated.
For solving the problem, a pressure sensitive adhesive label made of a low density polyethylene film as a label for squeeze bottles was disclosed (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,587,158; Re 32,929). Pressure sensitive adhesive labels generally tend to become more fragile when they are printed. When the printed pressure sensitive adhesive label of a low density polyethylene disclosed in the patent described above is attached to a substrate having flexibility, the label may be fractured because the printed label has a lower tensile strength and cannot follow the elongation of the substrate. This label has another problem that it causes difficulty in the operation of the automatic labelling machine because of the lower stiffness.
Conventional transparent polyethylene films have a problem that printed marks do not show up clearly when the label marks are printed on the film and the appearance as a label is inferior.


A system and method for a RF transaction device for storing user personal data is disclosed. The invention includes a system and method for facilitating a healthcare transaction using a transponder system configured to store different healthcare information in different storage areas on a database. The invention includes providing account information in ISO/IEC 7816 magnetic stripe Track 1/Track 2 format. The invention also includes an RFID reader for transmitting account and database information. In one embodiment the invention provides an RFID reader as a free standing or a computer implemented device. In another embodiment, biometric security measures are used in conjunction with the transponder system. In another embodiment, the transponder system communicates with one or more third-party healthcare providers to facilitate the transfer of healthcare and personal information.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has recently launched a new plan to convert the present healthcare information infrastructure to a nationwide, electronic network for healthcare information. Currently, only thirteen percent of hospitals nationwide have electronic systems, and only 14 to 28 percent of other physicians maintain electronic systems.
Electronic healthcare systems provide many challenges. For example, oftentimes, physicians and hospitals use computer systems for billing, while they use manual filing systems for tracking medical records. Therefore, information can be lost, mislaid, or inputted incorrectly for billing purposes. Recently, different software systems, such as CareRevolution by Electronic Healthcare Systems, have provided single point-of-care products that provide one database for both billing and medical information.
Nevertheless, medical and billing information must still be transferred from the patients to the physicians manually. Further, with patients moving and increased traveling, often the patient may not have all his medical information in one place and/or on hand when he needs medical attention. While current healthcare systems allow information to be maintained and held by the healthcare provider, it is desirable for such information to be portable and held with the patent instead.
Having the proper patient medical history has been shown to improve medical care and reduce medical errors. Further, improvements in health information technology have been estimated to produce savings of up to ten percent. Therefore, there is a need for a portable device for healthcare information.

RF transaction system and method for storing user personal data