The subject invention permits diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) by analyzing peripheral blood mononuclear cell subset populations and activation markers. A positive diagnosis for CFS is associated with an increase in the percentage of CD8+ cells showing CD38 or HLA-DR cell markers or a decrease in CD11b markers in CD8+ cells. The analysis is preferably performed using fluorochrome-labelled monoclonal antibodies specific for a determinant of the above subset cells and activation markers.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is being reported with increasing frequency in many sections of the United States as well as other parts of the world, including England and Australia. In many patients, CFS begins with an acute "flu-like" illness and is characterized by a debilitating fatigue lasting for more than 3-6 months; chronic and recurrent low-grade fever, pharyngitis, adenopathy, myalgia, arthralgia, sleep disorders and mood disorders. A common feature is multilevel brain disorder, reflected in mental changes such as loss of memory, vertigo, and disorientation, often described as "spaciness." Direct measurements of brain function using, for example, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have indicated abnormalities in the central nervous system. Dementia and signs of "mental clouding" have also been documented through psychoneurologic testing.
The infectious agent(s) for CFS is unknown; the agent is suspected to be viral, at least in part because many viral infections are characterized by chronic fatigue. However, post viral fatigue generally does not persist for more than a few weeks, which is contrary to the clinical picture in CFS. Conclusive evidence of an etiologic association of a particular known virus to CFS has not been presented, although high levels of antibodies to Epstein Barr virus (EBV), human herpes virus-6 (HHV-6) and the p24 core antigen of HTLV have been reported. Further, certain immunologic abnormalities described in CFS are often found in viral infections, including activation of CD8+ cells. Other immunologic abnormalities observed include decreased function of NK cells, reduced mitogenic responses of lymphocytes and B-cell subset changes.
It is of interest to determine whether there are virologic and immunologic parameters which are at least substantially specific for CFS so that they can be used as a diagnostic aid in those patients who present with symptoms including chronic fatigue. Further, definitive diagnosis of CFS is hampered by the lack of a screening test such as an immune profile or a serologic test to identify the etiologic agent. Identification of the etiologic agent to produce recombinant proteins that are safe for use in vaccines, diagnostics, and/or screening of the blood supply is greatly desired.

Screening method for chronic immune dysfunction syndrome

Rush-Presbyterian-St. Lukes Medical Center

The Regents of The University of California


According to the invention, a system for rotating a parabolic antenna about a central point is disclosed. The system may include a support member, a spherical structure, and at least one arm. The support member may be coupled with a surface and may also be coupled with the support member. The spherical structure may be at least partially spherical in shape about the central point. The spherical structure may include a first plurality of magnets. The at least one arm may be in proximity to the spherical structure and may also include a second plurality of magnets. The at least one arm may be coupled with the parabolic antenna, and at least a portion of the magnets in either one of, or both of, the first plurality of magnets and the second plurality of magnets may be configured to be selectively activated to rotate the arms about the central point.

This invention relates generally to reorientation of objects via electro-mechanical means. More specifically the invention relates to rotating parabolic antennas.
Existing electro-mechanical systems employed to reorient objects usually involves providing rotational motion of objects about certain axes. Each desired axis of rotation capability typically requires an independent electro-mechanical system. For example, a single axis of rotation is easily achieved using a singular electro-mechanical system which may include a chassis, motors, gearboxes, shafts, and bearings. Two axes of rotation necessitate an additional electro-mechanical system. Finally, three axes of rotation require yet another additional electro-mechanical system.
Addition of electro-mechanical systems to achieve two and three axes rotation also requires coordination of all electro-mechanical systems to ensure there is minimized physical interference between these systems. Even with diligent design consideration, it is often impossible to provide systems in which significant portions of the turning radius of various axes are unavailable due to physical interference.
For example, a single axis rotational system may allow for 120 degrees of movement in that axis, but adding a second axis of rotation having 60 degrees of movement cause the movement in the first axis to be limited to 90 degrees because of physical interference between the two systems. Continuing the example, if a third axis of rotation was added, the first axis may then be limited to 60 degrees, the second axis to 45 degrees, with the third axis only providing a small amount of rotational freedom (i.e. 30 degrees).
This limitation on the rotational degree of freedom in each axis can lead to some significant limitations in real world applications. By way of example, below-horizon aiming of parabolic antennas, which may require severe angular freedom of motion, may be impossible if multiple axes of rotation are also desired.
Furthermore, the ability to rotate a subject object about an axis of its own, or provide for other functions of such a subject object (i.e. power and data transfer), may also be impeded or otherwise complicated by the electro-mechanical systems necessary for rotation in all axes. For example, providing power and/or data transfer to these subject objects may be interfered with either because of either physical interference by the rotational systems, or the extreme nature of desired rotations when actually achievable.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A putting training aid includes a weighted roller assembly. The weighted roller assembly includes a bracket member and a weighted roller mounted relative to the bracket member such that the roller is rotatable about a central axis relative to the bracket member. The roller has a weight of at least 18 ounces. A connection is configured for connection of a putter shaft to the bracket member. The connection may be through a direct connection to the bracket member. The connection may be through a support tray connected to the bracket member.

Typically, in playing golf, a poor putter may make one or both of two kinds of errors in form.
One such error is that the golfer, in swinging back the putter prior to the hit, lifts up the putter as in a normal swing with a wood or iron golf club; and this type of golfer often also lifts up the putter as soon the golf ball is struck in putting. These "not-flat" errors are frequent in spite of the fact that the standard wisdom in putting is to move the putter in a flat "sweeping" motion.
Another such error is that the golfer turns the golfer's body while putting, and in the same way, again, as if in a normal swing with a wood or iron golf club. So, typically, such golfer, even if "sweeping" the putter head in a flat plane (thus not making the first kind of error mentioned above), brings back the putter head in an arc preparatory to the hit; and this type of golfer also follows through after the hit in an arc. These "not-straight" errors are frequent in spite of the fact that the standard wisdom in putting is to move the putter in a straight line through the hitting area of the putt (including before the putt hit and after the putt hit). Since a "good" putting motion is so different from a "good" wood-club swing or iron-club swing, it would be helpful to provide a tool or device to assist in training golfers to feel the difference and to practice doing putting with a flat and straight "sweeping" motion.
Accordingly, there is a need for a putting training aid which trains the user to make a low, straight putting stroke.


An organic metal precursors containing one or more organic ligands bonded to one or more metal atoms, wherein the organic ligand is rapidly dissociated from the metal atom upon exposure to light and degraded leaving a metal or a metal oxide. By using the organic metal precursors, an electroconductive, metal-containing patterned film can be easily deposited on a substrate at room temperature under atmospheric pressure without using photosensitive resins.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to an organic metal precursor and a method for forming a metal-containing patterned film on a substrate using the same, and in detail, to an organic metal precursor that enables an electroconductive metal pattern of a micro- or nano-scale to be shaped only by the aid of light without using separate photoresists. The present invention is also directed to a method for depositing a patterned film of a metal or a metal oxide on a substrate via a photo-induced chemical reaction of the organic metal precursor.
2. Background Art
Conventionally, patterned films of metal-containing materials have been made through complicated process involving: depositing a film of an organic metal compound on a silicon or glass substrate by chemical vapor deposition or atomic layer deposition; applying a photoresist film on the organometallic film by spin-coating; and patterning and etching the photoresist film by photolithography. Alternatively, a film of a metal may be deposited on a substrate through plasma deposition, sputtering or electroplating and then coating with a photosensitive resinous film, followed by patterning with light and etching of the resinous film to afford a patterned film of the metal. Unfortunately, these prior techniques generally require high temperature and high vacuum conditions and involve the laborious steps of patterning and etching the films of the photosensitive resin.
Other techniques for forming metallic patterned films have been also proposed which do not depend on photochemical reactions. For example, Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 62-263973 discloses a patterning method wherein electron beam is irradiated to a thin film of an organometallic compound. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,064,685, organometallic compound-containing ink is applied to a substrate, and then the resulting coating film is allowed to undergo thermal-degradation by being exposed to laser beam radiation to provide a patterned film of a metal. According to this method, the substrate should be subjected to a high temperature condition, and only metal can be deposited.
On the other hand, U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,312 describes that a pattern of a metal can be made through coating a substrate with a metal complex prepared by bonding one or more photosensitive organic ligands to one or more metal atoms, and exposing the substrate to electromagnetic radiation, wherein there is no necessity for applying a photosensitive resin to the coating film of the metal complex. The metal complex consists essentially of at least one ligand selected from the group consisting of: acetylacetonates (both substituted and unsubstituted); dialkyldithiocarbamates; carboxylates; pyridines; amines; diamines; arsines; diarsenes; phosphines; diphosphenes; arenes; alkoxy ligands; alkyl ligands; and aryl ligands. Particularly, in the case where the complex comprises more than one ligand, at least one of the ligands is selected from the group consisting of: oxalato; halogens; hydrogen; hydroxy; cyano; carbonyl; nitro; nitrito; nitrate; nitrosyl; ethylenes; acetylenes; thiocyanato; isothyocyanato; aquo; azides; carbonato; amines; and, thiocarbonyl. When exposed to electromagnetic radiation, the metal complex goes through a photochemical reaction resulting in dissociation of the organic ligands from the central metal atoms, to produce a new metal-containing material adherent to the substrate. However, the rate of such transformation is relatively low, and consequently many hours are required to complete the patterning process, which is the critical problem with this technique.

Organic metal precursor for use in forming metal containing patterned films


A brake controller is provided that includes a braking force application mechanism that presses a friction member against a braked member so as to apply a braking force to a wheel of a vehicle; and a control unit. The control unit calculates an index, which indicates a difference between an expected braking effectiveness and an actual braking effectiveness, corrects a target value, which is set to control a pressing force of the friction member, in accordance with the index to reduce a variation in a braking effectiveness of the vehicle. The control unit further sets a variation range in accordance with a factor that causes the difference. The variation range limits a variation in a correction amount to correct the target value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a brake controller that controls the braking force applied to the wheel of a vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional electronically controlled brake control system for a vehicle (for example, in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 62-18359 (1987)) generates a deceleration error signal by comparing the driver braking request signal with the measured deceleration. This brake system further has a means for correcting the braking request signal that generates an adaptive coefficient from the deceleration error signal and corrects the braking request signal by using an adaptive coefficient under prescribed conditions, such as vehicle speed, brake level, and operating inclination, of over a plurality of stoppings of the vehicle. The brake system compensates for brake deterioration over an extended period of time and restores desired brake performance.
However, the measured deceleration error may vary in response to factors other than brake deterioration, such as the variations in the vehicle operating conditions, for example, the environmental temperature, external disturbances and the occurrence of abnormalities. Because of this, the adaptive coefficients obtained from the deceleration level error signal may be difficult to appropriately characterize as reflecting (resulting from) only the deterioration of the brake over an extended period of time. In such a case, the use of an adaptive coefficient does not necessarily compensate for long-term brake deterioration and stabilization of the braking effectiveness.


A heat source which is particularly adapted to be utilized for a food warming unit or the like. The heat source includes a fuel tank which is adapted to be filled with a liquid fuel and includes a recessed chamber with one or a plurality of burner units disposed therein. Associated with the recessed chamber is a spring-loaded, hinged cover which is adapted to be automatically released to extinguish the burners upon certain disturbances to the fuel tank, such as by being tipped over, lifted, or dropped. The unit also features a unique burner construction which greatly reduces costs compared with known heat sources.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to heat sources and, more particularly, is directed towards the type of heat source which is particularly adapted to be utilized with food warming or similar units.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Food warming units are well known in the art. They are most familiarly utilized in conjunction with buffet style food serving, such as those supplied by caterers, cafeterias, and the like.
Such food warming units rely upon various sources of heat to maintain the desired temperatures of the food being served. One form of heat source frequently utilized is generally known as canned heat, which consists of prepackaged cans that are filled with solid or jellied fuels. Such forms of heat sources are disadvantageous in that, being of limited capacity, they must be frequently replaced as the fuel is burned up. In addition to the high cost of the throw-away cans and the fuels, such canned heat is difficult to handle and somewhat messy. An empty can whose fuel has been spent is hot, and therefore some hazard is present in removing the can and replacing it with a fresh can. Further, the fresh can must be reignited, which further complicates the handling procedure.
I have also found that the prior art food warming units which utilize canned heat or other types of heat source lack sufficient safety features. In the event that the food warming unit or its associated heat source is distributed by, for example, being knocked over, no means exist in the prior art devices for extinguishing the flame and preventing a possible fire.
It is towards these ends that the present invention is advanced. I am aware of the following U.S. patents which are generally related to this art: U.S. Pat. Nos. 272,387; 651,952; 690,519; 810,730; 821,795; 1,232,227; and 3,171,398.


A method for fabricating a half-tone mask having a main chip region and a guard-board region, in which a deposition on entire surface by electrolytic process is made possible to simplify the fabricating process, including the steps of providing a transparent substrate, forming a half-tone mask on the transparent substrate, and selectively forming light shielding layers in the guard-board region of the half-tone mask.

This invention relates to a half-tone mask, and more particularly to a method for fabricating a half-tone mask using, an electrolytic process which makes it possible to simplify the fabricating process.
In general, in order to fabricate chips, a plurality of chip regions are defined on a wafer using a stepping process. Then the chip regions are subjected to processes for many times.
However, in the stepping process in which a half-tone mask of a semitransparent material with a transmissivity of 4-10% is used, regions that have been multiply exposed can happen through the many times of exposure processes.
That is, even though the half-tone mask has a transmissivity of 4-10%, a light transmission through the mask having the transmissivity of, 8-20% for doubly exposed regions and 16-40% for four times exposed regions may expose the photoresist, resulting in the form of undesired patterns on the wafer.
Accordingly, to solve the aforementioned problem, a region that is not transmissive to lights is required on the half-tone mask, for which a guard-board is provided on at the periphery of a main chip with which multiple exposure can be prevented.
The guard-board of the conventional half-tone mask will be explained with reference to the attached drawing.
FIG. 1 illustrates a guard-board in the conventional half-tone mask, FIG. 2a is an enlarged sectional view of part "A" the guard-board of FIG. 7, FIG. 2b is an enlarged plan view of the guard-board of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2c is a detail view of part "B" of FIG. 2b.
As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional half-tone mask has the main chip 12 at the center, around which a guard-board region 13 is formed.
The region excluding the main chip 12 and the guard-board region 13 is an unnecessary region 11 in the mask.
The guard-board occupies an area of about 2.times.10.sup.8 .mu.m.sup.2 in the half-tone mask. As shown in FIG. 2a-2c, the guard-board has a shape of a checker board with a plurality of phase shift layers 20 each having a size of 1.0 .mu.m.times.1.0 .mu.m. That is, the guard-board is formed by using a method including the steps of forming a phased shift layer 20 of silicon oxide film(SiO.sub.2) or SOG(Spin On Glass) on a quartz substrate and forming a plurality of contact holes 20a each having a size of 1.0 .mu.m.times.1.0 .mu.m with a pitch of 1:1 in the phase shift layer 20.
However, the guard-board of the conventional half-tone mask has the following problems.
In general masks, contact holes of about 2.0 .mu.m.times.2.0 .mu.m size are used in fabrication of semiconductor devices.
However, the formation of the guard-board of the conventional half-tone mask requires formation of a plurality of contact holes each having a size of 1.0 .mu.m.times.1.0 .mu.m with a pitch of 1:1. The contact holes have to be formed an area of about 2.times.10.sup.8 .mu.m.sup.2 maintaining a size error within .+-.10%, which is a difficult process to carry out. As a result, productivity in mass production drops, causing mask costs to increase.


A surgical apparatus includes a rotatable shaft and a turbine assembly. The rotatable shaft includes a cutter located thereon. The cutter is configured to cut an object when the shaft is rotating about a rotational axis. The turbine assembly includes a turbine and a turbine housing. The turbine housing is configured to receive a fluid that enters the housing parallel to the rotational axis, and to steer the fluid to impinge on the turbine in a direction that is not parallel to the rotational axis. The turbine is configured to rotate the shaft so as to cut the object by the cutter.

Turbine-driven rotary cutters and drillers are used in a variety of medical applications.
For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication 2013/0266430, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes an air turbine handpiece having: a head portion with built-in free turbine blade, a neck portion installed consecutively with the head portion and grasped by an operator, a grip portion installed consecutively with the neck portion, an air supply duct for driving the turbine blade, and an exhaust duct for exhausting the air. The exhaust duct is provided with a reflux duct, open at one end to the exhaust duct, and open at the other end to the turbine room as the exhaust exit, a value in which an aperture at the reflux exit of the reflux duct is divided by an aperture in the air supply port of the air supply duct, becomes one or less, and the reflux exit of the reflux duct is opened to the turbine room near the air supply port between the air supply port and the exhaust exit.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,562,343, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a dental handpiece that uses a single airflow input to drive both a rotor and provide a hydrostatic bearing. The fluid flow in the form of compressed air is applied first to the hydrostatic bearings and then subsequently to the turbine blades of the rotor without the use of any moving mechanical parts by the design of the air passageway being more direct for the hydrostatic bearing. This passageway is the form of a manifold insert which may be mounted within the handpiece. The handpiece includes a pair of frusto-conical cages separated by a C-shaped spacer which enables precise fabrication. The frusto-conical ends of the rotor and the mating frusto-conical inner surfaces of the cages are provided with a diamond like carbon coating.
Documents incorporated by reference in the present patent application are to be considered an integral part of the application except that, to the extent that any terms are defined in these incorporated documents in a manner that conflicts with definitions made explicitly or implicitly in the present specification, only the definitions in the present specification should be considered.


The American legal system, judges and lawyers are continually researching an ever-expanding body of past judicial opinions, or case law, for the ones most relevant to resolution of new disputes. To facilitate these searches, some companies collect and publish the judicial opinions of courts across the United States in both paper and electronic forms, with some of the cases containing references to prior cases from other courts that have previously ruled on all or part of the same dispute. Identifying the prior cases is problematic, because, for example, conventional computer text-matching not only suggests too many non-prior cases, but also misses too many actual prior cases. Accordingly, the present inventors devised systems, methods, and software that generally facilitate identification of one or more documents that are related to a given document, and particularly facilitate identification of prior cases for a given case. One specific embodiment retrieves prior-case candidates based on information extracted from an input case, and then uses a support vector machine to determine which of the prior-case candidates are most probably prior cases for the input case.

The American legal system, as well as some other legal systems around the world, relies heavily on written judicial opinions—the written pronouncements of judges—to articulate or interpret the laws governing resolution of disputes. Each judicial opinion is not only important to resolving a particular legal dispute, but also to resolving similar disputes, or cases, in the future. Because of this judges and lawyers within our legal system are continually researching an ever-expanding body of past opinions, or case law, for the ones most relevant to resolution of new disputes.
To facilitate these searches, companies, such as West Publishing Company of St. Paul, Minn. (doing business as West Group), collect and publish the judicial opinions of courts across the United States in both paper and electronic forms. Many of these opinions are published with bibliographic cites or hyperlinks to historically related opinions, known as prior cases, from other courts that have previously ruled on all or part of the same dispute. The cites and hyperlinks enable researchers to find printed volumes containing the related opinions or readily access the related opinions electronically over a computer network. For example, an opinion in a patent case from the United States Supreme Court, the highest court in the United States, would generally cite not only an opinion from the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the next highest court for patent cases, but also an opinion of a local Federal District Court where the patent case started, thus documenting the history or progression of the case through the U.S. federal judicial system.
Although it may seem a simple matter to identify the prior cases for any given case, the reality is that identifying these cases is problematic for at least three reasons. First, the vast majority of opinions (about 90%) as originally written do not explicitly identify their prior cases, in part because some prior cases are only published after the opinions that should cite them were published. Second, there are no straightforward rules based on the court titles to determine even when to look for prior cases, since appellate courts—courts that review the decisions of other courts—sometimes hear new cases, and trial courts—courts that hear new cases—sometimes re-decide old cases that have been remanded (sent back) from appellate courts. And third, even when one knows to look for a prior case, the conventional technique of computer-based text-matching (that is, searching existing opinions for those with court dockets, case title, and party names that match those in a given case) not only suggests too many non-prior cases, but also misses too many actual prior cases, creating additional work for human reviewers without necessarily improving accuracy.
Accordingly, the present inventors have recognized a need for new tools and methods to facilitate identification of historically related cases, and potentially other types of related documents.

System, method, and software for identifying historically related legal cases


A speech synthesizer includes a first indicator for indicating the amplitude of a waveform by using a random number, a second indicator for indicating the superposition period for waveforms by using a random number, a waveform generator for generating first and second waveforms having an amplitude indicated by the first indicator, and a waveform superposition device for synthesizing an unvoiced speech waveform by superposing the second waveform generated by the waveform generator onto a waveform obtained by delaying the first waveform by a superposition period indicated by the second indication means. The speech synthesizer is capable of making the frequency characteristic of unvoiced speech analogous to that of white noise, and generating synthesized speech which is natural and analogous to an actual human voice.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a speech synthesizer for synthesizing a speech waveform by superposing impulse response waveforms.
2. Related Background Art
Various types of synthesizing methods for use with a speech synthesizer have been proposed heretofore. As compared with a speech synthesizer using a recording/editing method (PCM, ADPCM or the like), a speech synthesizer using a parameter editing method which uses speech feature parameters derived previously from a speech or a rule synthesizing method are very effective in information compression so that various types of words and sentences are allowed to be synthesized, although it produces an unnatural synthesized speech that is hard to understand.
According to the parameter editing method, various types of feature parameters called PARCOR, LSP, or cepstrum are used as the coefficients of a synthesizer filter which superposes impulse response waveforms to produce a synthesized speech. Generally, an impulse train signal is inputted to the synthesizer filter for synthesizing voiced speech, whereas a white noise signal or M-series signal is inputted for synthesizing unvoiced speech. A synthesizer filter having a minimum phase characteristic is often used.
Female speech, fairly natural and beautiful, can be synthesized although it has been heretofore considered difficult to synthesize as such, by using a method of superposing zero phase impulse response waveforms in the power spectrum envelope (PSE) speech analysis/synthesis method which aims at a high quality speech synthesis on the basis of the same parameter editing method.
This method of superposing zero phase impulse response waveforms is called an "OWA (Over-Wrap-Adding) method. This OWA method will be briefly described
Voiced speech mainly constituting a vowel sound is a sound which is produced such that air expired from a lung pulses intermittently at a constant period by using vibration of the vocal chords, and resonation at the tongue, lips, chin and so on. The period of intermittent vibration of the vocal chords determine the pitch of the sound. A change in the vibration period of the vocal chords with time causes one's accent and intonation. Alternatively, unvoiced speech constituting a particular consonant is a sound which is produced such that air expired from a lung has a turbulent flow having an indefinite period when it passes through a narrow space (called an articulatory point) defined particularly by the tongue tip, teeth, lips and so on within the articulatory organs.
A speech synthesizer generally synthesizes a speech waveform by using synthesizing processes analogous to those for human speech as described above.
FIG. 6 shows an example of the typical structure of a conventional speech synthesizer.
In FIG. 6, a speech signal, generated by an oscillator 1 corresponding to human vocal chords and an articulatory point, is shaped and modulated by a modulation circuit 2 corresponding to human articulatory organs, and converted into a speech at a speaker 3 and outputted therefrom.
The oscillator 1 is constructed of a noise generator 1-1 for generating high frequency white noises, a pulse generator 1-2 for generating pulses of a predetermined period which are used for voiced speech, a switch 1-3, and a variable amplifier (multiplier) 1-4. In response to an instruction supplied for each speech section from an external master device (system controller), the switch 1-3 selects either the noise generator 1-1 or the pulse generator 1-2.
In producing voiced speech, a voiced speech indication V causes the switch 1-3 to select the pulse generator 1-2 which generates pulse signals of a predetermined period P determined by an external instruction. The pulse signals are sent via the switch 1-3 to the variable amplifier 1-4 at which they are amplified at gains defined by partial autocorrelation coefficients. Thereafter, they are sent to the modulation circuit 2 using a vocal tract articulatory equivalent filter at which they are shaped and modulated into a voiced synthesized speech waveform and outputted from the speaker 3.
In a similar manner, in producing unvoiced speech, an unvoiced speech indication U causes the switch 1-3 to select the noise generator 1-3 which generates noise signals. The noise signals are sent via the switch 1-3 to the variable amplifier 1-4 at which they are amplified. The amplified noise signals are shaped and modulated into an unvoiced synthesized waveform and outputted from the speaker 3.
Various control data such as the frequency P, the amplitude A, and so on, of a signal supplied to the speech synthesizer circuit have been determined heretofore such that a speech waveform of an actual human voice is analyzed by means of one of the above-described various speech analysis methods, and the speech wave form is attributed to a certain model determined by the analysis results.
With the above-described OWA method, synthesized speech has been produced such that for a voiced speech section having a pitch, a power spectrum envelope (PSE) obtained in accordance with a power spectrum envelope parameter is subjected to an inverse Fourier transform to thereby generate an impulse response waveform, and the impulse response waveform is superposed at the modulation circuit 2 at a time interval of the pitch period. Also, for an unvoiced speech section without a pitch, an impulse response waveform is obtained in accordance with the power spectrum envelope at the section, the impulse response waveforms to the noise signal are multiplied by random values having a zero mean value at an equal time interval (about 0.17 msec time interval), to thereby randomly change the amplitudes of the impulse response waveforms which are then superposed, and the obtained unvoiced synthesized waveform is multiplied by a coefficient at an interval of a constant section to thereby make the power of the synthesized waveform substantially equal to the original speech waveform and realize a characteristic similar to random noise.
With the conventional OWA method, particularly in synthesizing a speech at the unvoiced speech section, the amplitudes of noise signals are changed randomly. However, the period for superposing the impulse response waveforms is constant so that the synthesized speech sounds something like a sound from a buzzer for example. Further, there arises also a disadvantage that unvoiced speech synthesized by the conventional OWA method does not have a random noise characteristic analogous to the human voice in the strict sense of the word. This is confirmed by a finer frequency resolution spectrum analysis of the synthesized waveform, which analysis indicates the presence of spectrum peaks at the positions of the integral-fold of the superposition frequency (an inverse of the superposition period).

Speech synthesizer and method for synthesizing speech for superposing and adding a waveform onto a waveform obtained by delaying a previously obtained waveform


A method for the prevention of Fusarium diseases comprising the application of a microorganism that detoxifies fusaric acid to the plant or to the soil. The microorganism is Klebsiella oxytoca which has the ability to detoxify fusaric acid.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to microorganisms that have the ability to make fusaric acid (a substance that causes vine-splitting to members of the gourd family, tomato blight or the like) non-toxic to plants, and a method for detoxifying fusaric acid by the use of the microorganisms.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is known that the genus Fusarium contains species that can cause diseases of wither and blight that can occur during the growth of plants. Diseases such as vine-splitting in members of the gourd family such as cucumbers, watermelons, melons, etc., tomato blight, half-wither disease of eggplants, yellow blight of strawberries, dry rot of devil's foot root, spring blight of grass, etc. are infection of species of Fusarium, named Fusarium oxygsporum fusarium monitiform, Fusarium moniliform, as well as a large number of other species. These fungi contaminate the soil, and are absorbed into the plant from the soil via the xylem. It is thought that the cause of the withering of plants is the fusaric acid that is produced by the metabolism of these fungi. Fusaric acid is produced by almost all species the belong to the genus Fusarium (including the two species mentioned above) that are plant pathogens. This fusaric acid acts as a non-specific toxin, and it damages not only the host plants but also other kinds of plants. Fusaric acid causes an increase in the permeability of plant protoplasmic membranes with respect to tissue fluids that contain Ca.sup.+, K.sup.+, Na.sup.+, or other cations, or that contain various kinds of amino acids, which increase causes exudation of the tissue fluids to surfaces such as those of the leaves of the plant. This exudate dries, and the surfaces of the plants develop high osmotic pressure, which increases the evaporation of water still more. As a result, the plant wilts an dies.
Chemical agents that are used to prevent Fusarium infections include, for example, the o-phenylenediamine derivative include, for example, the o-phenylenediamine derivative with the structure shown below, with the trade name Topjin-M which is used as a soil fungicide. ##STR1## This agent kills the fungi of the genus Fusarium that line in the soil, but if it is merely scattered on the surface of the soil, it is not effective, so it is necessary to mix it into the soil before sowing or planting. This operation requires much labor. There is also the disadvantage that once the symptoms of the infection have appeared, this agent has almost no effect on stopping the progress of the disorder.
There is a variety of tomato that is resistant to infections caused by Fusarium. It has been found that, in the tissues of this variety of tomato, as shown below, fusaric acid (I) is metabolized and decomposed to form N-methylfusaric acid amide (II). The decomposition of fusaric acid is effectively attained among varieties of tomatoes that have strong resistance to Fusarium infections. ##STR2##
As described above, fusaric acid causes vine-splitting to members of the gourd family, as well as tomato blight or the like. In view of tomatoes having resistance to the above-mentioned infectious diseases, the diseases of plants caused by fusaric acid can be prevented by decomposing or chemically modifying fusaric acid so as to make the fusaric acid non-toxic to plants.

Microorganisms detoxifying fusaric acid and method for detoxifying fusaric acid by the use of the same


Compounds having formula I ##STR1##. are inhibitors of urokinase and are useful in the treatment of diseases in which urokinase plays a role. Also disclosed are urokinase-inhibiting compositions and a method of inhibiting urokinase in a mammal.

Urokinase (urinary-type plasminogen activator or uPA (International Union of Biochemistry classification number: EC220.127.116.11)) is a proteolytic enzyme which is highly specific for a single peptide bond in plasminogen. Plasminogen activation (cleavage of this bond by the urokinase enzyme) results in formation of plasmin, a potent general protease.
Many cell types use urokinase as a key initiator of plasmin-mediated proteolytic degradation or modification of extracellular support structures such as extracellular matrix (ECM) and basement membrane (BM). Cells exist, move and interact with each other in tissues and organs within the physical framework provided by ECM and BM. Movement of cells within ECM or across BM requires local proteolytic degradation or modification of the structures and allows cells to invade adjacent areas previously unavailable prior to the degradation or modification.
Cellular invasiveness initiated by urokinase is central to a variety of normal and disease-state physiological processes (Blasi, F., Vassalli, J. D., and Dano, K. J. Cell Biol. 104:801-804, (1987); Dano, K., Anderson, P. A., Grondahl-Hansen, J., Kristensen, P., Nielsen, L. S., and Skriver, L. Adv. Cancer Res. 44:139-266, (1985); Littlefield, B. A. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 622:167-175, (1991); Saksela, O., Biochim. Biophys. Acta 823:35-65, (1985); Testa, J. E. and Quigley, J. P. Cancer Metast. Rev. 9:353-367, (1990)). Such processes include, but are not limited to, angiogenesis (neovascularization), bone restructuring, embryo implantation in the uterus, infiltration of immune cells into inflammatory sites, ovulation, spermatogenesis, tissue remodelling during wound repair and organ differentiation, fibrosis, tumor invasion, metastatic spread of tumor cells from primary to secondary sites and tissue destruction in arthritis. Amiloride, for example, a known urokinase inhibitor of only moderate potency, has been reported to inhibit tumor metastasis in vivo (Kellen, J. A., Mirakian, A. Kolin, A. Anticancer Res. 8:1373-1376, (1988)) and angiogenesis/capillary network formation in vitro (Alliegro, M. C. and Glaser, B. M. J. Cell Biol. 115[3 Pt 2]: 402a, (1991)).
Inhibitors of urokinase, therefore, have mechanism-based anti-angiogenic, anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, anti-retinopathic (for angiogenesis-dependent retinopathies), contraceptive and tumoristatic uses.


A dispensing apparatus for delivering a silica coating solution in a fixed quantity from a liquid container to a surface of a substrate to form a silica film thereon. The liquid container storing the silica coating solution is connected to a diaphragm pump through a suction pipe. The diaphragm pump is connected to a nozzle through a delivery pipe. The coating solution in the liquid container is supplied to the nozzle by sucking and delivering action of the diaphragm pump. The coating solution is discharged from the nozzle to a surface of a substrate supported by a spin chuck of a spin coating apparatus.

(1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus for use with a spin coating apparatus for dispensing a coating solution to form silica film on surfaces of substrates such as semiconductor wafers or glass substrates for liquid crystal displays.
(2) Description of the Related Art
A conventional apparatus for dispensing a coating solution is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication (Examined) No. 1989-52065 (Japanese Patent Publication (Unexamined) No. 1985-12175), for example.
This type of solution dispensing apparatus has a sealed container for storing the coating solution, which is pressurized by introducing nitrogen gas or helium gas thereinto. The coating solution is delivered under pressure from the container through supply piping, to drip onto a substrate surface.
A different type of apparatus employs a bellows pump for delivering a photoresist as a coating solution to drip onto a substrate surface. That is, the bellows pump sucks a coating solution such as a photoresist, and delivers the coating solution for application to a substrate surface.
The known apparatus have various drawbacks as set out hereunder.
The apparatus utilizing gas pressure encounters the following inconvenience when nitrogen gas is used for introduction into the sealed container.
Nitrogen gas is readily soluble in the coating solution. The nitrogen gas dissolved in the coating solution may emerge in bubbles during transmission of the coating solution or may cause degassing after application to a substrate. This results in pinholes appearing in the film formed on the substrate, or in uneven application of the solution, thereby lowering the yield of products.
Where helium gas is used instead of nitrogen gas, the gas is less soluble in the coating solution. However, helium gas is expensive and poses a different problem of high running cost.
The apparatus using a bellows pump and not a gas is free from the problems of gas dissolution in the coating solution and high running cost, but has the following drawback where the coating solution is the type that forms silica film.
The bellows pump sucks and delivers the coating solution with expansion and contraction of the bellows. However, by reason of the pump structure, the coating solution drawn in is not entirely forced out, with a possibility that part of the coating solution remains in the bellows over a long period of time. The coating solution for forming silica film, generally, becomes crystallized with ease. If the coating solution for forming silica film remains in the bellows, crystals of the coating solution will be formed in the bellows. As a result, the bellows pump will deliver the coating solution intermingled with crystals, for application to a substrate surface. When this coating solution forms a film on the surface of a spinning substrate, the crystals will adhere to the substrate surface. This results in uneven application of the solution around the crystals, thereby impairing uniformity of the film formed.

Apparatus for delivering a silica film forming solution


A two-piece golf ball includes a core and a cover. The core is made from a rubber composition containing a base rubber to which an organic sulfur compound is mixed in an amount of 0.05 part by mass or more on the basis of 100 parts by mass of said base rubber. The JIS-C hardness, measured by a JIS-C hardness tester, of the center of said core is in a range of 40 to 60 and the JIS-C hardness of the surface of said core is in a range of 70 to 85, and further, a difference in JIS-C hardness between the core surface and the core center (hardness of core surfacexe2x88x92hardness of core center) is in a range of 20 to 27. The compressive deformation amount, which is measured by applying, to said core, a load from an initial load of 10 kgf (98.07 N) to a final load of 130 kgf (1274.91 N), is in a range of 3.5 to 4.6 mm. The thickness of said cover is in a range of 1.8 to 2.3 mm. With this configuration, it is possible to further increase the flying distance of the ball without impairing the feeling of hitting the ball and the durability against cracking.

The present invention relates to a two-piece golf ball including a core made from a rubber-like elastic body and a cover formed to cover the core, and particularly to a two-piece golf ball capable of increasing the flying distance of the ball without impairing both the feeling of hitting the ball and the durability of the ball.
In general, two-piece golf balls, which are capable of increasing the flying distance of the ball and prolonging the durability of the ball as compared with thread-wound type golf balls, have been widely used for golfers.
A two-piece golf ball, however, is different from a thread-wound type golf ball having been accustomed for a long time by golfers, in terms of feeling of hitting the ball. Accordingly, the technique of improving a two-piece golf ball from the viewpoint of feeling of hitting the ball has been successively examined.
For example, Japanese Patent No. 3040300 has proposed a two-piece golf ball, wherein the feeling of hitting the ball is improved to a level comparable to that of a thread-wound type golf ball.
On the other hand, the golfer""s demand to increase the flying distance of a golf ball has been strong yet, and therefore, although two-piece golf balls are capable of increasing the flying distance of the ball as compared with thread-wound type golf balls, it is expected to develop a two-piece golf ball capable of further increasing the flying distance of the ball.
Various kinds of two-piece golf balls improved in feeling of hitting the ball have been proposed, for example, in the above-described document, Japanese Patent No. 3040300; however, these two-piece golf balls each fail to take a good balance against other performances as described below.
For example, with respect to the two-piece golf ball proposed in Japanese Patent No. 3040300, the feeling of hitting the ball becomes softer than that of a conventional ball; however, the cover is not particularly specified except for the thickness of the cover, which is described to be preferably in a range of 1.4 mm to 2.7 mm and to be set to 1.6 mm in each of the disclosed embodiments. With such a thickness of the cover, it is difficult to improve both the durability and the flying performance of the ball, and particularly, in consideration of a difference in JIS-C hardness between the core surface and the core center, which is described to be preferably in a range of 28 to 34, it becomes probably very insufficient to improve the durability against cracking of the ball as well as the flying performance of the ball, and further there is a problem associated with a composition of a material for obtaining such a core.
In view of the foregoing, the present invention has been made, and an object of the present invention is to provide a two-piece golf ball capable of increasing the flying distance of the ball without impairing both the feeling of hitting the ball and the durability of the ball.
To achieve the above object, the present inventor has earnestly studied a two-piece golf ball having a core and a cover on a difference in JIS-C hardness between the core surface and the core center and the compressive deformation amount of the core in a specified range, and on the thickness of the cover formed to cover the core.
The present inventor has eventually found that a two-piece golf ball including a core and a cover, which is characterized in the following points (1) to (4), is surprisingly excellent in either of the flying performance of the ball, the feeling of hitting the ball, and the durability of the ball, and that the golf ball particularly exhibits a flying performance sufficiently acceptable to golfers at the level of low/intermediate head speeds (about 35 to 40 m/s).
(1) The core is made from a rubber composition containing a base rubber to which an organic sulfur compound is mixed in an amount of 0.05 part by mass or more on the basis of 100 parts by mass of said base rubber;
(2) the JIS-C hardness, measured by a JIS-C hardness tester, of the center of said core is in a range of 40 to 60 and the JIS-C hardness of the surface of said core is in a range of 70 to 85, and further, a difference in JIS-C hardness between the core surface and the core center (hardness of core surfacexe2x88x92hardness of core center) is in a range of 20 to 27;
(3) the compressive deformation amount, which is measured by applying, to said core, a load from an initial load of 10 kgf (98.07 N) to a final load of 130 kgf (1274.91 N), is in a range of 3.5 to 4.6 mm; and
(4) the thickness of said cover is in a range of 1.8 to 2.3 mm.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a two-piece golf ball including a core and a cover, wherein said core is made from a rubber composition containing a base rubber to which an organic sulfur compound is mixed in an amount of 0.05 part by mass or more on the basis of 100 parts by mass of said base rubber; the JIS-C hardness, measured by a JIS-C hardness tester, of the center of said core is in a range of 40 to 60 and the JIS-C hardness of the surface of said core is in a range of 70 to 85, and further, a difference in JIS-C hardness between the core surface and the core center (hardness of core surfacexe2x88x92hardness of core center) is in a range of 20 to 27; the compressive deformation amount, which is measured by applying, to said core, a load from an initial load of 10 kgf (98.07 N) to a final load of 130 kgf (1274.91 N), is in a range of 3.5 to 4.6 mm; and the thickness of said cover is in a range of 1.8 to 2.3 mm.
In this two-piece golf ball, preferably, the cover is made from a material containing a main resin to which an inorganic granular filler is mixed as a reinforcing material in an amount of 11 parts by mass or more on the basis of 100 parts by mass of said main resin.
With these configurations of the two-piece golf ball, it is possible to further increase the flying distance of the ball without impairing the feeling of hitting the ball and the durability of the ball.


A clear, multilayer polymeric film that is desirable for thermoforming applications. The film in its various embodiments include two inner layers of nylon and/or a core layer of ethylene vinyl alcohol or ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer sandwiched between the two inner nylon layers. The film also has an outer layer of a heat sealable polymer and may also have an outer layer of nylon. The film is coextruded, blown into a tubular shape, oriented, and cooled by the method of tubular water quenching. The film has various improved physical properties over the prior art, including properties of xe2x80x9cmemoryxe2x80x9d, clarity, gloss and low haze.

This invention is in the field of thermoplastic polymeric films which may be used for the packaging of products, especially food products such as meat and cheese. More specifically, the invention is in the field of polymeric thermoplastic films that are thermoformable i.e., may be softened through the application of heat, distorted to a desired shape, and cooled.
Polymeric films are widely used in the packaging field for the packaging of products, especially food products. Films used for the packaging of food generally contain multiple layers, in which each layer adds certain desired physical or chemical properties to the completed film. For example, an xe2x80x9coxygen barrier layerxe2x80x9d serves to protect the packaged food from spoiling. Oxygen barrier properties are necessary to protect many packaged foods over an extended shelf life. Additionally, an xe2x80x9cabuse layerxe2x80x9d may serve to protect the packaged product from physical abuse or stresses caused by the normal handling of the product during packaging, shipping, or during commercialization.
Although each of the layers of a polymeric film serve a particular purpose, the film itself must be stable, and the layers must remain together and not delaminate.
One polymer typically used as a barrier layer is ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymers (xe2x80x9cEVOHxe2x80x9d) which are also known as saponified or hydrolyzed ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers. In addition to its desirable properties as a barrier to oxygen and other gases, EVOH is also an effective barrier to odors, fragrances, solvents and oils. EVOH also has good properties of processability, i.e. in comparison with other polymers it is relatively easy to process into a layer of a multilayer film. EVOH and EVOH copolymers are generally classified according to ethylene content, for example by mole percent. Typically, as the percentage of ethylene increases in relatively low humidity applications, the gas barrier properties decrease, moisture barrier properties improve, and the resin is more processable. At higher levels of humidity, for example at levels that are common for the packaging of meat, of from 90% to 92% humidity, higher ethylene content results in an increase in the moisture barrier properties.
However, there are in general some difficulties with the use of EVOH copolymer in polymeric films. For example, in comparison with other resins EVOH copolymers have poor impact resistance, poor flex crack resistance, and poor drawability.
In order to protect the EVOH layer, which is as previously noted poor in impact and flex crack resistance, additional layers must be added to cover the EVOH layer. One such layer which may be used to protect the EVOH layer is a layer comprising a polyamide. A polyamide is a high molecular weight polymer having amide linkages along the molecular chain structure. Nylon polyamides, which are synthetic polyamides, have favorable physical properties of high strength, stiffness and abrasion resistance.
It is known in the art of making polymeric films to construct a multilayer film with a barrier layer of EVOH copolymer sandwiched by layers comprising a nylon polyamide. The following patents are of interest in illustrating the prior art polymeric films having a core layer of EVOH between two layers of a nylon,
Commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 4,284,674, to Sheptak, teaches a polymeric thermal insulation product with EVOH core layer adhered on each side to a nylon layer. The nylon layer is adhered to another layer of a polyolefin, such as an oriented polypropylene.
Commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 4,355,721, to Knott, teaches at column 5, lines 44 to 52, a multilayer polymeric film for food packaging having a core barrier layer of EVOH sandwiched between two nylon layers. An adhesive layer and HDPE sealant layer are disposed on one side of one of the nylon layers.
Commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,852, to Ossian, discloses a multilayer polymeric film with a core layer of EVOH sandwiched between two nylon layers. The film may have additional fourth and fifth layers of an adhesive and a heat sealable polymer, disposed on one side of the nylon layers, and sixth and seventh layers of an adhesive and a LLDPE or propylene-ethylene copolymer disposed on the other nylon layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,491, to Kondo, teaches a heat shrinkable composite packaging film. The film has a core layer of EVOH which is surrounded on one side by a first layer of a polymer having a low permeability to hot water, and on the opposing side an outermost layer of antiblocking polymer. The outermost layer may be a nylon.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,729,926, to Koteles, discloses at column 4 a polymeric film having the following structure:
tie/nylon/EVOH/nylon/tie/LDPE/primer/outer layer
The outer layer may be any of various polymeric materials that are suitable barrier materials.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,855, to Wofford, teaches a seven-layer thermoformable polymeric laminate having the following layer structure:
abuse layer/tie/nylon/EVOH/nylon/tie/sealant
The sealant layer may be any of various sealants, including an ionomer. The abuse layer also serves as a moisture barrier layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,746,562, to Fant, discloses a seven-layer polymeric film having the following layer structure:
LLDPE/tie/nylon/EVOH/nylon/tie/LLDPE
Each of the outer LLDPE layers also comprises an anti-blocking agent.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,755,419, to Shah, discloses an oxygen barrier oriented seven layer heat-shrinkable film of the following layer structure:
blend/tie/nylon/EVOH/nylon/tie/blend
The blend used for the outer layers may be a blend of LLDPE, LMDPE and EVA. Alternatively, the outer layers may comprise a blend of ethylene propylene copolymer or polypropylene.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,105, to Mueller, teaches an oxygen barrier film which is adhered through use of an adhesive layer to a second film comprising a nylon. The film may also comprise an LLDPE outer layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,304, to Nohara, teaches a multilayer gas barrier vessel with a core layer of EVOH sandwiched between two nylon layers, an outer layer of polyester, and an inner layer of polyester.
Commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,592, to Ossian, teaches a core layer of EVOH sandwiched between two nylon layers. The film may also include a fourth layer of an adhesive and a fifth layer of a heat sealable polymer. In an alternative embodiment the film may also include a sixth layer of an adhesive and a seventh layer of a heat sealable polymer disposed on the fifth layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,833,696, to Iwanami, discloses a laminate with improved flex crack resistance, drawability and modality, and excellent gas impermeability. The laminate comprises a first layer of an EVOH-copolymer and a thermoplastic polyester, and a second layer of a composition consisting of a group including nylon.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,855,178, to Langley, discloses a chemical barrier fabric in which a fabric material is laminated to a multilayer film of a layer of EVOH sandwiched between two layers of nylon. A heat-sealable polyethylene layer is disposed on the outside of the sheet material.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,726, to Bekele, teaches a multilayer polymeric film for chub packaging of the following layer structure:
heat seal/abuse layer/tie/nylon/EVOH/nylon/tie
The heat seal layer may be selected from the group consisting of ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer, LDPE, and ethylene ester copolymer, and may include an antiblocking agent. The abuse layer may be a very low density polyethylene or alternatively may be an ionomer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,431, to Gibbons, teaches in FIG. 3 a five-layer polymeric film which is laminated to a substrate such as paperboard. The film has the following layer structure:
ionomer/nylon/EVOH/nylon/ionomer
One ionomer layer is laminated to the substrate while the second ionomer layer is coated with a layer of LDPE.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,112, to Schirmer, teaches a multilayer blown polymeric film for use in chub packaging. The film has a first outer layer of a heat sealable polymeric resin, such as LLDPE, a first interim layer comprising a polymeric material of high molecular weight such as LDPE, HDPE or EVA, a second interim layer comprising a nylon, and a second outer layer comprising a self-weldable polymeric material.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,999,229, to Moritani, teaches a multilayered polymeric gas barrier film with an intermediate layer of a composition having 50 to 97 weight percent EVOH and 45 to 3 weight percent nylon. As disclosed in Example 1, a layer of nylon may be disposed in contact with the intermediate layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,068,077, to Negi, teaches a multilayer polymeric film with a barrier layer of from 70 to 95 weight percent EVOH and from 5 to 30 weight percent nylon. The barrier layer may be sandwiched between two layers of nylon.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,306, to Blatz, teaches a polymeric blend of a major portion of an amorphous nylon and a minor portion of EVOH for use as a gas barrier in a multilayer polymeric film. In an alternative embodiment at column 6, lines 8 to 11, the invention may comprise a two layer structure with one layer of substantially EVOH and one layer of substantially amorphous nylon. At column 8, example 20 discloses a three layer structure comprising a core layer of EVOH sandwiched between two nylon layers.
It has now been found that a clear multilayer polymeric film of a unique structure, including a core layer of EVOH sandwiched between two nylon layers, or two nylon inner layers and a nylon outer layer, represents an improved multilayer thermoformable polymeric film. The films of the invention are coextruded and then blown into a tubular shape. The films are then cooled by the method of water quenching.
The films of the invention have improved physicals properties of xe2x80x9csnap backxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cmemoryxe2x80x9d over prior art films. The improved physical properties mean that after the film is used in the packaging of a product the film shrinks or tightly wraps around the product. The films of the invention create a much tighter package than prior art films, and retain tightness over a longer period of time than prior art films.
The films also have improved properties of gloss, and higher clarity and lesser haze than the prior art. The resulting film of the invention produces a packaging material having an improved structure and appearance. The advantages of the films of the invention are especially apparent in thermoforming applications.
The improved physical properties and appearance of the films of the invention are believed to result from the water quenching method in which the films are made. The films are cooled by the application of air as the coextruded film leaves the die. After air cooling the film is cooled by the application of water in direct contact with the film.
In a first embodiment, the film comprises a first core oxygen barrier layer of an EVOH copolymer. The EVOH may comprise up to 44 mole percent ethylene. The EVOH layer is sandwiched between second and third inner layers comprising a nylon, preferably 5 to 35 weight percent of an amorphous nylon copolymers that is blended with one or more various other nylons. Each of the two inner nylon layers may also include a nucleating agent.
Fourth and fifth layers of an adhesive or tie resin are disposed in contact with each of the second and third layers of nylon, respectively. Suitable adhesive resins include anhydride modified polyolefins, such as EVA-based or LLDPE-based adhesives, or any of various other polymeric adhesives that are commonly used in the art of making polymeric films.
Disposed on the fourth adhesive layer is a sixth outer layer of nylon. Similar to the second and third layers of nylon, the sixth layer of nylon preferably comprises from 5 to 35 weight percent of an amorphous nylon copolymer that is blended with other nylons, and may further include a nucleating agent and an antiblocking agent.
The seventh layer of the film, which is disposed in contact with the fifth layer, is a sealant layer. The sealant layer may comprise any of several polymers commonly used in sealant layers, including LDPE, LLDPE, ethylene vinyl acetate (xe2x80x9cEVAxe2x80x9d), ethylene methyl acrylate (xe2x80x9cEMAxe2x80x9d), ethyl methyl acrylic acid (xe2x80x9cEMAAxe2x80x9d), an ionomer, or a blend of any of these polymers.
The first embodiment may alternatively also include an eighth layer disposed in contact with the sixth layer of nylon. The eighth layer comprises an anhydride modified polyolefin, of the type that is commonly used as a polymeric adhesive.
In a second embodiment, the film comprises first and second core layers of nylon. As in the first embodiment, the nylon layers preferably comprise from 5 to 35 percent by weight of an amorphous nylon copolymer that is blended with one or more of various other nylons. Each of the first and second nylon layers may also comprise a nucleating agent.
Disposed between the first and second layers of nylon is a third layer of an adhesive or tie resin. The adhesive resin may be a anhydride modified polyolefin, such as an EVA-based or LLDPE-based adhesive, or any of the various other polymeric adhesives commonly used in the art of making multilayer films. Fourth and fifth layers of the adhesive are disposed in contact with the first and second layers of nylon, respectively.
A sixth outer layer of a nylon is disposed in contact with the fourth layer of an adhesive. Similar to the first and second layers of nylon, the sixth layer preferably comprises from 5 to 35 percent by weight of an amorphous nylon copolymer that is blended with one or more of various other nylons, and may include a nucleating agent and an antiblocking agent.
The seventh layer of the film, the sealant layer, preferably comprises a blend of LLDPE and LDPE. The sealant layer may also comprise EVA, the linear polyethylene ULDPE, EMA, EAA, EMAA, an ionomer, or blends of any of these polymers.
In a third embodiment, the film comprises a first core layer of an EVOH copolymer with up to 44 mole percent ethylene. The first layer is sandwiched between second and third layers of nylon. As in the previous embodiments, the second and third layers preferably comprise from 5 to 35 percent by weight of an amorphous nylon copolymer, that is blended with one or more of various other nylons. Each of the second and third layers may also include a nucleating agent. A fourth outer layer of nylon, which like the second and third layers preferably comprises from 5 to 35 percent by weight of an amorphous nylon copolymer that is blended one or more of various other nylons, is disposed in contact with the second layer of nylon. The fourth layer of nylon may also include a nucleating agent.
A fifth layer of an adhesive or tie resin is disposed in contact with the third layer of nylon. Suitable adhesive resins include anhydride modified polyolefins, such as EVA-based or LLDPE-based adhesives.
Disposed in contact with the fifth layer of an adhesive is a sixth layer of an ionomer. Disposed in contact with the sixth layer is a seventh layer, a sealant layer, which may comprise LLDPE. The seventh layer may alternatively comprise EVA, LDPE, ULDPE, EMA, EMAA, EAA, an ionomer, or blends of any of these polymers.
In a fourth embodiment of the seven layer film, the film comprises a first core barrier layer of an EVOH copolymer having up to 44 mole percent ethylene. The core layer is sandwiched between second and third layers of nylon. As in the previous embodiments, the second and third layers preferably comprise from 5 to 35 weight percent of an amorphous nylon copolymer that is blended with one or more other nylons, and may further include a nucleating-agent.
Fourth and fifth layers of an adhesive or tie resin are disposed in contact with the second and third layers of nylon, respectively. Suitable adhesive resins include anhydride modified polyolefins, such as EVA-based or LLDPE-based adhesives, or any of the various other polymeric adhesives that are commonly used in making polymeric films.
Disposed in contact with the fourth layer of an adhesive is a sixth outer layer. The sixth outer layer may comprise a polypropylene, polyester, any of the polyethylenes manufactured by way of a single site catalyst, medium density polyethylene (xe2x80x9cMDPExe2x80x9d), linear medium density polyethylene (xe2x80x9cLMDPExe2x80x9d), LDPE, LLDPE, EVA, styrene including rubber-modified styrene, or a blend comprising any of these polymers.
A seventh layer, of a sealant, is disposed in contact with the fifth layer. The sealant layer may comprise EVA, LDPE, LLDPE, ULDPE, EMA, EMAA, an ionomer, or blends of any of these polymers.
In a fifth embodiment, the films of the invention comprise a first core barrier layer of an EVOH copolymer having up to 44 mole percent ethylene. The core layer is sandwiched between second and third layers of nylon. As in the previous embodiments, the second and third layers preferably comprise 5 to 35 weight percent of an amorphous nylon copolymer that is blended with one or more various other nylons. Each of the second and third layers may also include a nucleating agent.
A fourth layer of an adhesive or tie resin is disposed in contact with the second layer of nylon. The adhesive layer may comprise anhydride modified polyolefins, such as EVA-based or LLDPE-based adhesives, or any of various other polymeric adhesives that are commonly used in the making of polymeric films.
A fifth outer layer is disposed in contact with the third layer of a nylon. The fifth layer comprises an anhydride modified polyolefin, of the type that is commonly used as a polymeric adhesive.
Disposed in contact with the fourth layer of an adhesive is a sixth layer of a bulk olefin resin. The sixth layer may be a bulk or general olefin resin of various polymeric substances, particularly low-priced resins. For example, the sixth layer may be a regrind of various scrap polymeric materials. Alternatively, the sixth layer could comprise a variety of low cost resins, including EVA, or one of the various types of polyethylene, including LDPE and LLDPE, or a blend of any of the aforementioned polymers.
Disposed in contact with-the sixth layer of a bulk olefin is the seventh layer of a sealant. The sealant layer may comprise EVA, LDPE, LLDPE, ULDPE, EMA, EMAA, an ionomer or blends of any these polymers.
The films of the invention may be of any thickness. A preferred range of thickness is from 2 to 10 mils, and a most preferred range is from 2.5 to 7.5 mils.

Thermoformable multilayer polymeric film


A vertical storage unit is provided for modular furniture of the type having a worksurface with an open knee space below the worksurface. The storage unit includes an open framework drawer, which is slidably mounted in a hollow cabinet for horizontal movement between a closed position in which the sides of the drawer are disposed in the cabinet, and an open position in which the sides of the drawer are disposed outside of the cabinet, and extend perpendicular beyond the worksurface. A plurality of removable, drop-in storage trays are suspended from the drawer framework in a vertically spaced apart relationship. The sides of the drawer are open to access each storage tray, such that when the drawer is in the open position, objects may be placed into and removed from the vertically arranged storage trays with a generally vertical hand motion. Convenient storage is thereby provided within arm's length of the worksurface, without encroaching upon the knee space below the worksurface, so as to provide improved freedom of movement, particularly in task environments.

The present invention relates to furnishings for offices and other similar settings, and in particular to a vertical storage unit for modular office furniture, and the like.
Open office plans are well known in the art, and generally comprise large, open floor spaces that are partitioned off into individual workstations by movable panels. Partition panels in such open office plans are typically configured to receive hang-on furniture units, such as worksurfaces, overhead cabinets, shelves, etc., so that the panels become an integral part of the workstation furnishings. Center drawer units are often mounted underneath the worksurfaces at selected locations to provide convenient, closed storage areas at the workstations for certain types of frequently used articles, such as pencils, paper clips, note pads, and the like. One example of such a partition panel arrangement is disclosed in the Breiner Patent No. 3,916,972.
The above-noted partition panels and hang-on furniture arrangements are usually known in the office furniture industry as "systems furniture." Such systems furniture arrangements have some inherent restrictions in versatility, since each workstation must necessarily include certain types of partition panels in order to support the hang-on furniture units Furthermore, the hang-on furniture units can generally be assembled only in a rather limited number of different arrangements.
A unique alternative arrangement for dividing and partitioning open office plans is disclosed in related co-pending application Ser. No. 307,775, filed Feb. 7, 1989, entitled MODULAR FURNITURE, which has been incorporated by reference into the present application. This new arrangement provides a plurality of individual furniture units, each of which is independently supported on the floor of the open office. The freestanding furniture units have a novel modular construction which permits them to be individually arranged and combined in a predetermined configuration to create distinct workstations.
Another problem associated with conventional systems furniture relates to center drawer storage in task workstations. Many modern workstations are designed with separate task areas along a common worksurface, such as for correspondence, drafting, communications, computer operations, and the like. A castered task chair is normally provided at such workstations to permit the worker to easily move between the task areas of the workstation, while remaining seated in the chair. While conventional center drawers provide very convenient storage for frequently used articles, they protrude into the knee space underneath the worksurface, and thereby tend to interfere with the movement of the seated user as he moves in his chair between task areas along the worksurface. Furthermore, center drawer arrangements normally have limited storage space that is readily usable, since the worker must physically move out of the way to access the rear portions of the center drawer.

Vertical storage unit for modular furniture


A method for manufacturing an electrode sheet includes the steps of forming a granulated material containing a plurality of granules; forming an electrode mixture layer by molding the granulated material into a sheet; and placing the electrode mixture layer on electrode current collector foil. The step of forming the granulated material includes the steps of forming a granule containing at least an electrode active material and a binder; and adhering a polyglycerol fatty acid ester to a surface of the granule.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an electrode sheet and an electrode sheet.
Description of the Background Art
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2013-77560 discloses a method for manufacturing an electrode sheet, wherein an electrode mixture layer is formed by molding a granulated material into a sheet, and this electrode mixture layer is compression bonded to electrode current collector foil.

Method for manufacturing electrode sheet and electrode sheet


An image communication apparatus, and a method of controlling the same, control, in a case of displaying an address book stored in a storage unit of the self-apparatus, so as to display in a display unit an administrator address book; and control, in a case of displaying an address book stored in the external apparatus, so as to make a request to an external device for all address books that the external apparatus has.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image communication apparatus, a method of controlling the same, and a storage medium.
Description of the Related Art
A device, which registers address book data linked with a user in an address book server and uses an address book that is used by obtaining the address book data linked with the user from the address book server has been proposed (refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-305176).
Specifically, in a multifunction peripheral (MFP), there is a remote address function that can be used to obtain an address book from another multifunction peripheral (server), and to obtain a destination from that address book.
Conventionally, a multifunction peripheral has equipment that stores an administrator address book, which can only be edited by an administrator. Setting of a transfer destination is often performed by an administrator, and setting of a transfer destination to which the multifunction peripheral transfers received data is preferably a destination registered in the administrator address book. Therefore, it is preferable display the administrator address book as an initial value to accept setting of a transfer destination.
In contrast, among multifunction peripherals there are also devices that do not have such an administrator address book, and if such a device is set as an address obtainment destination server and an address book is requested in order to set a transfer destination, an error would occur. If such an error occurs, there is a fear of causing an administrator to misunderstand that there is no connection to the server, in spite of the fact that there actually is a connection with the server.
The objective of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned problem of the conventional technique.

Image communication apparatus, method of controlling same, and storage medium for displaying addresses from address book


A method and system for displaying hardware items so as to facilitate the disposition of the items or products in appropriate places on panels in a time period much shorter than is conventionally encountered.

The present invention relates to a method and system of displaying hardware products, and particularly to such a system involving display board panels and the like in a wall mounted environment or on a display rack.
It has become a common practice in the merchandising of hardware items or products to utilize display racks as part of point of sale merchandising techniques. Such racks often take the form of two-dimensional wall units or so-called floor merchandisers, the latter comprising a three-dimensional arrangement, such as, for example, a three or four sided rotatable rack. What this merchandising practice generally involves is the deplopment of the hardware items on peg board panels by inserting hooks of one kind or another through apertures which are generally arrayed, in an orderly way on the display board, such that the hardware items can be easily mounted or hung on the hooks. In order to guide the placement of the items in setting up the display, and to serve eventually as a means of furnishing information to the prospective customer, "out-of-stock" cards are generally suitably spaced from each other and in near abutting relationship to the display board panels. These "out-of-stock" cards are carried by the hooks, the hooks being inserted through apertures provided in the cards.
Although conventional systems for displaying hardware products in the aforedescribed way have gained acceptance and are widely used, a very severe drawback to the merchandising of hardware in this manner is that the jobber or retailer finds that he does not wat to spend the significant amount of time normally consumed in setting up the display system. For example, it quite often takes two and one-half hours to set up a complete hardware display system involving a four-sided display rack. This time consumption is partly accounted for by the fact that there is a tendency not to place the appropriate hooks into the display board panel at sufficiently close spacing with respect to adjacent hooks so that oftentimes space is lost on the panel. Consequently, the jobber or retailer has to go back and re-do a particular panel and the whole process can be very frustrating. In order to assist the jobber or retailer a schematic or general layout of the display system is sometimes furnished; that is to say, a layout which shows how the particular out-of-stock cards, as well as trays and booklet containers are to be set up on the panel. A fundamental difficulty with the use of the schematic, however, is that quite often the card numbers include digits that are very similar, such that these digits are sometimes mentally reversed, and the result is that the cards are not placed in their proper locations.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to solve the aforenoted drawbacks and difficulties and to facilitate close, neat spacing in the placement of various indicia-bearing members on a hardware display panel.
Another object is to avoid the consumption of substantial amounts of time in setting up a complete hardware display. With respect to the time period involved, the system of the present invention is effective to reduce that period from two and one-half hours to about forty minutes.


A container assembly and system for dispensing a stack of electronic device components includes an elongated tube having a cavity configured to contain a stack of said components. The tube has a dispensing end opposite an access end and a dispenser opening sized to dispense the electronic device components. The access end has an access opening sized to allow entry of a press to push the stack upwardly. A retainer is positioned proximate the access end to engage a last component in the stack and prevent it from exiting the tube through the access opening. The retainer may include a plurality of retainers. The retainer(s) can be a pair of retainers, four retainers, a chamfer formed in the tube, a perimeter insert, and/or a slidable panel. A method of making and a method of dispensing are provided.

Electronic device components, such as heatsink lids, are packaged and provided to manufacturing customers, typically in a stacked configuration in a tube container. These containers may be used by the customers to hold and dispense single electronic device components therefrom during a manufacturing event. However, as components shrink in size, challenges in dispensing them from a container can occur. For example, clearance tolerances between an inside wall of the container and the edge of the components therein are smaller. This can be problematic for tooling that access and moves the components out of the container.
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope or to specific invention embodiments is thereby intended.

Containers for holding and dispensing stacks of electronic device components


A data storage device includes a flash memory and a controller. The flash memory has a plurality of SLC-spare blocks, a plurality of SLC-data blocks, a plurality of TLC-spare blocks and a plurality of TLC-data blocks. The controller writes data into the SLC-spare blocks in response to a write command arranged to write the data into the flash memory, wherein when a first predetermined condition is satisfied, the controller selects a plurality of first TLC-data blocks with the least amount of valid data from the TLC-data blocks, writes valid data stored in the first TLC-data blocks into at least one first TLC-spare block, and releases the TLC-data blocks to increase the number of TLC-spare blocks by one.

Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to a data maintenance method of a data storage device, and in particular to a data maintenance method for a Triple-Level Cell.
Description of the Related Art
Flash memory is considered a non-volatile data-storage device, using electrical methods to erase and program itself NAND Flash, for example, is often used in memory cards, USB flash devices, solid state devices, eMMCs, and other memory devices.
Flash memory such as NAND Flash uses a multiple-block structure to store data, wherein the flash memory uses floating gate transistors. The floating gates of the floating gate transistor may catch electronic charges for storing data. However, the electronics might undergo loss from the floating gate due to the operation of the flash memory or various environmental parameters, which can affect data retention. The writing process of the Triple-Level Cell (TLC) is more complicated than the other types of cells of the flash memory. Therefore, a stable and efficient writing process for the Triple-Level Cell is needed.

Data storage using SLC and TLC memory banks and data maintenance method thereof


An optical waveguide assembly for distributing light within a vehicle door panel includes a light source that outputs light to an optical waveguide. A trunk waveguide that propagates light through internal reflection has output branches and a trunk input portion connected to the light source. Branch waveguides that propagate light through internal reflection extend from the output branches of the trunk waveguide to lighting outputs of the vehicle door panel. Support arms extend between the branch waveguides and support the branch waveguides within the vehicle door panel.

The invention relates to distributed lighting systems.
Distributed lighting systems distribute light from one or more light sources in central or strategic locations to one or more remote locations. A distributed lighting system promises several advantages over conventional lighting techniques, including low power consumption, extended life, heat reduction where the light is emitted, and increased design flexibility.

Optical waveguide assembly for vehicle door panel


A midsole having a bellows type of shock absorbing air bag and a method for preparation of such a midsole. The present midsole comprises a hexahedral-shaped air bag for absorbing an outer shock and comprising upper and lower parts which are provided with a plurality of vertical bellows members, a plurality of elastic bodies for providing elasticity for the air bag and being received in each bellow member, a plurality of upper and lower caps for causing the elastic bodies to maintain their positions in the bellows members and being mounted on the air bag as engaging with an open end of each bellows member, an air control valve for controlling air charge in or air discharge from the air bag and an air communication pipe for permitting the air bag to communicate with the air control valve by being connected at an end thereof to the air bag and at the other end to the air control valve. The present invention provides a midsole which freely controls its cushioning in accordance with the using object of the shoe and is provided with a shock absorbing air bag having an excellent resilience.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to a midsole of a shoe having a shock absorber or a cushion and a method for preparing such a midsole, and more particularly to a midsole having a bellows type of air bag as the shock absorber and a method for preparation of such a midsole.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A known shoe such as a sports shoe is generally provided at its outer sole with a resilient midsole which is to absorb the pressure, said pressure intending to be transferred from the ground to the sole of wearer's foot when the wearer takes a step forwards in the course of walking or running, in this respect, to prevent the wearer's foot from suffering from the pressure and to provide the comfort of the wearer. In order to provide such a resilient midsole for the shoe, the outer sole of the shoe is conventionally provided with a sponge midsole, a combined foam midsole and a midsole enclosing a closed bag-shaped air bag.
However, it is noted that the known shoe having aforementioned midsole, that is, the sponge midsole, the combined foam midsole and the midsole enclosing the closed bag-shaped air bag, has a disadvantage in that the cushioning of the midsole can not be freely controlled in order to correspond to the using object of the shoe and the resilience of the midsole is relatively lower than it is conventionally required.
The above disadvantage of the shoe having the known midsole is necessarily caused by uniformly manufacturing the midsole and equipping the shoe with this midsole regardless of the conditions in practically using the shoe such as using object of the shoe, the wearer's weight and the like. In other words, while the resilient midsole manufactured by the aforementioned process provides somewhat shock absorbing effect for the shoe, it also introduces several problems. For example, the air bag, having a bag-shaped outer appearance as it is prepared by a conventional preparation method wherein the previously cut raw materials are simply welded to each other using a high-frequency resistance welder, necessarily has a substantially larger welding area than it is needed to improve the cushioning effect of the midsole. In addition, if this type of air bag is charged with air, its swollen shape shows an inclined bag-shaped outer appearance and, in this respect, its volume is necessarily reduced and this causes the shock absorbing effect of the air bag to be deteriorated. Furthermore, in consideration of the known manufacturing process wherein the air bag is uniformly manufactured and equipped to the shoe regardless of the conditions such as using object of the shoe, the wearer's weight and the like, the practical shock absorbing effect of the air bag is deteriorated.

Midsole having a shock absorbing air bag


Presented herein are techniques for adding a secure control layer to a distributed communication fabric that supports publish-subscribe (pub-sub) and direct query (synchronization) communication. The secure control layer is configured to perform policy-based authentication techniques to securely manage the exchange of data/information within the communication fabric and enable registration/discovery of new capabilities.

There are many different devices, applications, services, servers, etc. (collectively referred to herein as computing components) available from different vendors that perform various operations within a computing network and/or provide information to the network. In order for these various computing components to perform their operations, the components often obtain information/data from one or more other sources (e.g., other devices, applications, services, servers, mobile devices, etc.).
Different types of information may be produced or used by different computing components. In one example, this information includes security information. Security information may include, but is not limited to: raw security events, network flow information, identity information, security configuration information, security intelligence information, reputation information, correlated security analysis, and security reports. Security information may also include: indexes of information, policy, configuration settings, topology (physical, layer 2, and/or layer 3), network flow information, deep packet inspection of data and control plane traffic, control plane events, content security events, policy (e.g., network, control, endpoint), posture assessment information, compliance rules and assessment, profiling assessment information, statistical counts and analysis of the statistics on traffic patterns, etc.

Policy-based control layer in a communication fabric


A liquid crystal display comprises: a plane light guide plate having an illumination surface which emits a light guided through a front end face portion from front face portion to outside; a liquid crystal panel which is disposed on front face of the illumination surface of the light guide plate and controls a transmission of light by electric signal supplied through a circuit board; a light source which is disposed adjacent to the front end face portion of the light guide plate in parallel thereto; and a main reflector attached to the front end portion of the light guide plate surrounding the light source; in which stoppers 6 are mounted on a holder 2 being a component of the light source to regulate free movement of the liquid crystal panel, whereby the liquid crystal display is small-sized. Further, a low voltage side wiring of a wiring section for supplying a power to the light source is formed by arranging a wiring material or wiring pattern of thin insulated strip on the light guide plate, etc.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display provided with a back light and, more particularly, to a supporting structure of a liquid crystal panel and a wiring structure for a light source of the back light.
2. Prior Arts
Generally, as shown in FIG. 8, an entire liquid crystal display comprises: a liquid crystal panel 50 in which a display material such as liquid crystal is held between two opposed substrates; a circuit board 51 which is disposed for driving the panel 50; an edge type lighting device (back light) 53 which is disposed at the rear (on the backside) of the liquid crystal panel 50 through a plastic frame 52; and an outer frame 54 covering these elements.
In the conventional liquid crystal display of above structure, for the purpose of supporting the liquid crystal panel 50 on the back light 53, stoppers 56 are disposed at four corners 55a, 55b, 55c and 55d of the plastic frame 52 forming an integral one unit with the plastic frame 52.
In the mentioned conventional liquid crystal display, a wiring section of the light source for the back light is arranged as described below. That is, as shown in FIG. 9a (perspective view in which outer frame 107 is omitted for the sake of easy understanding) and FIG. 9b (sectional view), the conventional liquid crystal display comprises: a light guide plate 101 having an illumination surface 1011A which is formed of a plane light-transmitting member composed of a lens film or the like on a front face portion 1011 thereof and having a subref lector composed of a reflection film on a back face portion 1014 and on a side end face portion 1013; a light source 103 which is disposed adjacent to a front end face portion 1012 of the mentioned light guide plate 101 and emits a light to be guided into the light guide plate 101; a liquid crystal panel 102 which is disposed on the front side of the illumination surface 1011A of the mentioned light guide plate 101 and controls the transmission of the light guided by the electric signal through the light guide plate 101; a main reflector 104 which is attached to the front end face portion 1012 of the mentioned light guide plate 101 by surrounding the mentioned light source; and a wiring section 105 for supplying a power to the mentioned light source. In the wiring section, a low voltage side wiring 105B was arranged insulatedly at the rear of the mentioned main reflector 104. The mentioned elements were all accommodated in the outer frame 107.
The light source 103 is lighted up by the power source supplied through the wiring section 105, and the illumination surface 1011A of the light guide plate 101 is illuminated with the light of the light source 103 from the rear of the liquid crystal panel 102. On the liquid crystal panel 102, the transmission of light at the portions corresponding to respective picture elements is controlled by electric signal, thereby depicting a required picture on the liquid crystal panel 102, and accordingly, the picture depicted on the liquid crystal panel 102 may be seen from the front side. The control signal is supplied from outside to the liquid crystal display 102 through the circuit board 106.
Since the conventional liquid crystal display is arranged as described above, in the aspect of supporting the liquid crystal panel, the stoppers 56 shown in FIG. 8 are formed at the time of forming the plastic frame 52, and at least 0.5 to 0.6 mm is required to secure a minimum thickness of the stoppers 56. Accordingly, when end face of the stoppers 56 is put in contact with the back side of the lamp, longitudinal dimension of the liquid crystal display is increased, and when internal face of the stoppers 56 is put in contact with the side end face of the lamp, lateral dimension of the liquid crystal display is increased. Furthermore, a space (thickness) for disposing the stoppers must be secured also on the opposite side of the lamp, and therefore dimensions of the liquid crystal display are increased as much as the lamp side.
In the aspect of wiring of the light source of the back light, as shown in FIGS. 9(a) and (b), since the insulated low voltage side wire 105B is arranged at the rear of the main reflector 104 for the power supply to the light source, a large dead space is produced round the low voltage side wire 105B, eventually resulting in the problem of large external dimensions of the entire liquid crystal display.

Liquid crystal display having stoppers on back light or outer frame or having particular features of the low voltage wiring