A portable refrigerator kit for perishable pet products for keeping perishable pet products from spoiling while the user is out camping with one""s pets. The portable refrigerator kit for perishable pet products includes a boxlike assembly including a boxlike member having outer and inner walls, and also having upper and lower floors, and further having an open top with the boxlike assembly also including a partition disposed in and separating the boxlike member into compartments; and also includes a refrigeration assembly being disposed in the boxlike assembly and including a motor being disposed between the upper and lower floors, and also including a compressor being connected to the motor, and further including coils being connected to the compressor for cooling the boxlike member; and further includes container members being removably disposed in the compartments of the boxlike member; and further includes an assembly for supplying power to the refrigeration assembly; and also an assembly for opening bottles and cans.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to portable refrigerator kits and more particularly pertains to a new portable refrigerator kit for perishable pet products for keeping perishable pet products from spoiling while the user is out camping with one""s pets.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of portable refrigerator kits is known in the prior art. More specifically, portable refrigerator kits heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,759,190 5,787,839; 5,701,757; 5,598,713; 5,398,520; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 400,053.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new portable refrigerator kit for perishable pet products.
The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new portable refrigerator kit for perishable pet products which has many of the advantages of the portable refrigerator kits mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new portable refrigerator kit for perishable pet products which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art portable refrigerator kits, either alone or in any combination thereof. The present invention includes a boxlike assembly including a boxlike member having outer and inner walls, and also having upper and lower floors, and further having an open top with the boxlike assembly also including a partition disposed in and separating the boxlike member into compartments; and also includes a refrigeration assembly being disposed in the boxlike assembly and including a motor being disposed between the upper and lower floors, and also including a compressor being connected to the motor, and further including coils being connected to the compressor for cooling the boxlike member; and further includes container members being removably disposed in the compartments of the boxlike member; and further includes an assembly for supplying power to the refrigeration assembly; and also an assembly for opening bottles and cans. None of the prior art includes the combination of the elements of the present invention.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the portable refrigerator kit for perishable pet products in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new portable refrigerator kit for perishable pet products which has many of the advantages of the portable refrigerator kits mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new portable refrigerator kit for perishable pet products which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art portable refrigerator kits, either alone or in any combination thereof.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new portable refrigerator kit for perishable pet products for keeping perishable pet products from spoiling while the user is out camping with one""s pets.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new portable refrigerator kit for perishable pet products that is easy and convenient to take along and use, in particular for perishable pet products.
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new portable refrigerator kit for perishable pet products that prevents food and drink products from spilling during travel.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

Portable refrigerator kit for perishable pet products


This present invention relates to a solution for topical or local application comprising at least one corticosteroid; from about 1% to 4% by weight of solubilization agents consisting essentially of a combination of at least one glyceryl ester of a fatty acid of 6 to 22 carbon atoms and a betaine surfactant, from about 10% to 50% by weight of composition of an alkanol cosolvent, and from about 20% to 50% water.

This invention relates to vehicles for topical or local application of corticosteroids and to mixtures of the vehicle and medicaments. In particular, this invention relates to new, improved medicament vehicles having advantages over previously known vehicles.
One of the oldest types of medicament vehicles is the ointment, a preparation containing active medications that can be readily applied and rubbed into the skin. It serves as a means for distributing the medication uniformly over the skin surface and maintaining it there until beneficial action can occur. The earliest ointment preparations were based on fats, waxes, greases and petrolatum. These are, by nature, greasy or not water-washable and have a limited ability to release medication to the skin. A non-aqueous ointment of more recent origin is a mixture of polyethylene glycols having molecular weights of 1,000 to 20,000. This vehicle, although water-washable, has a greasy texture and does not provide an occlusive dressing on a treated surface.
Topical corticosteroid formulations are extensively employed in the treatment of skin disorders, such as dermatitis. To be therapeutically effective, the active ingredient must be in a molecular dispersion to facilitate desired percutaneous absorption which is particularly important is achieving a therapeutic response for the management of psoriasis. Unfortunately, the more effective corticosteroids are essentially insoluble in water (less than 0.0005% soluble), hydrocarbon vehicles such as mineral oil, petrolatum, and polyethylene gelled mineral oil. Various organic solvents and solubilizers have been found to be good solvents for such steroid. However, they have been found to be unsuitable for commercial application for reasons such as their high volatility and low boiling points, their disagreeable odor, their "paint removing" property, and their undesirable skin reaction. Furthermore, various water-soluble emulsifiers and oily liquids or emollients have been suggested for use in preparing creams or lotions. However, because of the undesirably low solubility of the corticosteroid in such vehicles, higher levels of these materials in topical products are required thereby increasing their cost, increasing the risk of irritation and also adversely affecting their cosmetic elegance.
By local application it is meant use in body cavities including mucous membranes, i.e., vaginal, nasal, anal, etc. and in the treatment of inflammation and irritations which occur, including vaginitis, hemorrhoids and the like. Accordingly, in view of the above considerations, it is seen that a need exists for a suitable vehicle capable of solubilizing a sufficient amount of the corticosteroid so that it may be employed in topical or local formulations, while being dermatologically beneficial, stable, and pharmaceutically acceptable.
It is accordingly the purpose of this invention to provide an essentially water-washable base which provides an occlusive film for longer and better therapeutical activity; release the medicaments more quickly and effectively; bring dissolved therapeutic agent in known dilution in contact with the skin; spread evenly and adhere well even if the skin is moist; be readily removed from the skin or fabrics with water; serve as an excellent levigating material for many prescribed ingredients that usually require separate treatment before being incorporated into one of the bases; and because it does not hydrolyze, deteriorate, become rancid, support mold growth or require preservatives.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a vehicle using a unique system, new for topical or local preparations, which has exceptional solubilizing properties particularly for corticosteroids.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a new topical or local preparation which can produce a foam when packaged either in the form of an aerosol or a non-aerosol foam-forming closure system.


There is disclosed a process for the aqueous polymerization of acrylamide to produce polymers of high molecular weight utilizing mixtures of water and monomer, at least one of which can be contaminated with small amounts of polymerization inhibiting components. In the process of the invention, a minimum amount of a redox pair catalyst is utilized in order to obtain the desired high molecular weight polymer. The minimum amount of catalyst is automatically provided to the polymerization mixture by adding a first member of a redox pair to the polymerization mixture and intimately combining a second member of the redox pair catalyst with an organic polymer capable of forming a colloidal dispersion in an aqueous medium and adding this intimate mixture to the mixture of water, acrylamide monomer, and a first member of the redox pair catalyst.. The process disclosed provides for the slow release of one member of the redox pair catalyst from said intimate mixture into an aqueous solution or emulsion polymerization medium. As polymerization proceeds, an additional amount of catalyst is made available by the slow recess of one member of the redox pair into the aqueous polymerization medium. The polymerization process can be initiated and maintained at ambient temperatures and pressures. Thus polymerization is effected without providing additional heat or pressure to the reaction mass. Molecular weights of about 1 million to 10 million can be obtained where monomer concentrations are held between about 10 to about 50 percent by weight of the polymerization mixture.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the production of high molecular weight polymers of acrylamide by a process of aqueous polymerization.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,573,263 there is disclosed the preparation of water-soluble, high molecular weight synthetic polymers from monomers such as acrylic acid and acrylamide by the use of a redox system in conjunction with the use of an azo compound free-radical source. As indicated therein, the use of a redox catalyst only, without the additional azo compound catalyst, results in an exotherm during the process which causes greater initiator activity and thus, results in a branched polymer having a low molecular weight.
The problems involved in the preparation of high molecular weight polymers utilizing solution or emulsion polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers are extensively discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,080, incorporated herein by reference. In prior art solution polymerization processes, the polymerization temperature of about 60.degree. to about 70.degree. C. has been used which causes the polymerization initiator to decompose rapidly. This results in too many polymer chains starting to form simultaneously with the end effect that too many chains which are short are produced. The resulting polymers are inadequately high in molecular weight. This has led to the use of polymerization initiators such as amines and ammonia. With the use of ammonia, generally extensive pH controls must be utilized to avoid the loss of ammonia and an uncontrolled course of reaction.
The process of U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,080 involves the addition of catalysts in at least three steps at intervals during the course of the polymerization in order to maintain the initiator concentration low enough so as to obtain the very high molecular weight polymers desired. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,042,772, the problem of obtaining acrylamide and acrylamide-acrylic acid polymers utilizing contaminated acrylamide is solved by the use of urea as an additive during the polymerization. Use of a water-in-oil emulsion polymerization process is described as particularly suitable for the production of said polymers utilizing a redox polymerization catalyst.
Other processes describing the polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers utilizing redox polymerization catalysts are U.S. Pat. No. 3,509,113 and 4,020,256. There is no indication in the prior art that very high molecular weight polymers can be obtained by the use of a minimum of a redox catalyst sufficient to initiate polymerization, said minimum being determined by the slow release of at least one member of a redox pair into the polymerization mixture containing a second member of the redox pair catalyst. The slow release of one member of the redox pair being controlled by the rate at which the organic polymer, capable of forming an aqueous colloidal dispersion, is solubilized in said aqueous polymerization medium.

Polymerization process for preparation of acrylamide homopolymers with redox catalyst


A mower-conditioner for cutting and conditioning grass or other fodder comprises in combination a housing accommodating a cutting device (for example a bottom-driven disc-type rotary scythe device or a reciprocating cutter bar device) and a first conditioning device (for example a flail drum rotating about a horizontal axis and provided with pivotally-mounted flails), and a second conditioning device (for example a belt-driven fluted drum). The said first and second devices have at least one element (for example the said flail drum and driving belts or the like) in common. There are combs and grids to act on the cut fodder, and the mower-conditioner is readily adjustable for the treatment or production of different kinds of fodder.

The present invention relates to machines for the harvesting and conditioning of fodder, and more particularly to mower-conditioners.
On the market there exist numerous mower-conditioners which are essentially of two types. Certain of them possess a conditioning mechanism of the roller type and are more particularly intended for harvesting the fodder called "artificial" such as lucerne or clover for example. The other category of mower-conditioners possesses a conditioning mechanism of the type comprising flails, tines or the like which may or may not cooperate with a comb the position of which is generally adjustable. These machines are more particularly intended for the harvesting of the fodder called "natural", such for example as grass.
The above-described two types of mower-conditioners have totally different operating principles. Thus the use of a machine of one certain type is not suitable for the fodder which normally should be conditioned with a machine of the other type. In fact the conditioning of lucerne for example with a mower-conditioner provided with a comb between the teeth of which the flails of a drum pass can have the effect of stripping the leaves from this type of fodder, which causes it to lose a part of its nutrient elements. Likewise the passage of grass between conditioning rollers has practically no effect upon the type of fodder, the drying of which is only very slightly accelerated.
The present invention has for object a mower-conditioner adapted to the harvesting of both "natural" and "artificial" fodder. According to another object of the present invention, the adaptation of this mower-conditioner is effected very easily, practically instantaneously and without dismantlement.


A metering device for a carburetor which permits liquid fuel flow in a primary fuel supply circuit to be adjusted without disassembly of the carburetor. The adjustable metering is accomplished prior to mixture of the liquid fuel with air in the metering device. The metering device is particularly constructed to achieve short and direct paths for transport of fuel to the air stream flowing through the carburetor to the manifold. A fuel bowl side bleed permits greater atomization of the fuel to produce higher percentage burn of the fuel.

The text of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/428,332 is incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein.
This invention relates generally carburetors for internal combustion engines and more specifically to a metering device of a carburetor.
High performance as well as fuel economy of an internal combustion engine, and in particular automobile racing engines, is greatly affected by operation of the engine's carburetor. In general, the carburetor must feed the proper amount of fuel to air stream flowing into the engine, at the proper time, so that the engine runs smoothly and with the power needed, without wasting fuel or running too hot. The proper amount of fuel to be metered to the air stream will depend on several factors, including the construction of the particular engine and ambient air conditions. Generally speaking when the ambient air is cool and dry, its density increases so that more fuel is required to maintain the proper mass ratio of fuel to air in the cylinders. In contrast, warm humid ambient air conditions reduce the density of the air in the cylinder so that less fuel should be supplied. Thus, to achieve the optimum operation of the carburetor under different conditions, it is desirable to adjust the carburetor.
A typical carburetor includes a main body through which a stream of air from the air intake passes to the manifold, and in which the fuel is fed to the air stream. A fuel bowl holding a reservoir of gasoline to be fed to the air stream is mounted on the main body by a metering block through which a measured flow of fuel is aspirated from the fuel bowl to the air stream in the main body. One face of the metering block forms a wall of the fuel bowl which is usually immersed about half way up the face in the gasoline in the bowl. The metering block has an idle/transfer circuit which transfers fuel to the main body when the engine is running at low to moderate speeds, and a main circuit which transfers fuel at higher engine speeds. Some of the air received in the main body is diverted to a main air bleed in the metering block and thence to the main fuel and idle/transfer circuits for premixing with the liquid fuel from the fuel bowl prior to the introduction of the fuel to the air stream in the main body. The introduction of air facilitates the atomization of the fuel needed to produce a combustible air/fuel mixture for the engine.
Optimum performance of the engine depends in part upon the degree of atomization of the fuel which reaches the combustion chamber of the engine. The greater the mixing of air and fuel, the higher the percentage of fuel which is burned in the combustion chamber. The atomization produced by the main air bleed in the metering block and by aspiration of the liquid fuel into the air flow through the main body of carburetor, while good, still delivers a substantial amount of fuel to the combustion chamber in drops which are too large to burn.
Presently, main fuel circuits and idle/transfer circuits in metering blocks have several changes in direction within the metering block. Frequent and/or sharp changes in direction cause the fuel to flow turbulently through the metering block. It requires more energy and is more difficult to move the fuel through a tortuous path. In addition, these circuits tend to be somewhat long, causing small but measurable delays from the time when the throttle is open and the engine calls for additional fuel, and the actual delivery of fuel to the air stream in the main body.
The amount of fuel drawn from the fuel bowl depends upon the momentum of the air stream flowing through the main body and on the size of the restriction in the idle/transfer circuit and main circuit in the metering block. The restriction is achieved by insertion of a metering jet into the circuit in the metering block. Most commonly, the metering jets for the main circuit are placed in the intake port for the main circuit on the first face of the metering block in the fuel bowl. The metering jets can be changed, but require disassembly of the fuel bowl and metering block from the main body to do so. Thus, for example, it would be completely impractical to adjust the metering of the main circuit during the course of a race, and very difficult to make rapid alterations when testing an engine on a dynamometer.
There are presently existing metering blocks which permit an adjustment of the air/fuel ratio in the air stream in the carburetor without disassembly of the fuel bowl and metering block from the main body. The Total Control Metering System metering block made by Racing Engine Components of Colorado Springs, Colo. has a single air/fuel ratio adjuster which can be manipulated while the metering block and fuel bowl are mounted on the main body. The air/fuel ratio adjuster includes metering portions which are disposed in both main fuel circuits of the metering block downstream of the location where air is introduced to the fuel from the main air bleed. A wide range of flow rates is permitted. An actuator portion of the adjuster extends from the metering portion to a location outside an end wall of the metering block where it is accessible for adjustment without disassembly of the carburetor. The metering portion is shaped so that by turning the adjuster on its longitudinal axis within the metering block, the effective cross sectional areas of both main fuel circuits are changed in the same way to change the fuel/air ratio.
Changing both main fuel supply circuits in the metering blocks limits the precision of the adjustment. In many cases, the optimal allocation to each cylinder of fuel fed through a single metering block is not the same for each cylinder. In addition, permitting a wide range of change in the flow rates of fuel increases the chance that an engine might be damaged as a result of an improper fuel flow setting for a particular engine under certain ambient conditions.
Adjusting the fuel flow to the main body through use of an air/fuel ratio adjuster which meters the flow of an air/fuel mixture has certain problems. Substantially more fuel enters the metering block and flows past the location where air is introduced to the fuel than will ultimately be metered to the air stream in the carburetor. Thus, less air is mixed with the fuel in the metering block. The flow of the air/fuel mixture through the restriction caused by the metering portion of the adjuster tends to become irregular. Moreover, the restriction tends to separate the fuel from the air so that the advantage of pre-mixing the fuel with air in the metering device prior to introduction into the air stream in the main body, is lost to a significant degree. Thus, it is possible for the fuel to be insufficiently atomized when it enters the air stream, adversely affecting combustion in the engine.


A modular display system having a plurality of display modules, a plurality of display signs, a plurality of insertable digit panels, a plurality of insertable spacer panels, and one or a plurality of insertable colon panels. The display system is mounted to a wall and can be reconfigured as different predetermined configurations both as to the number of signs and modules. Each module can be changed to a variety of predetermined configurations. A thumbwheel switch is provided on each module so that with each different configuration, a different setting is entered on the thumbwheel switch thereby reconfiguring control information to display the data properly on each module.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to display systems and more particularly to modular scoreboard display systems.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is generally well known that traditional scoreboards are heavy and bulky and once installed it is difficult to move or to modify them. Furthermore, traditional scoreboards are difficult to maintain and when a breakdown occurs, the entire system is usually disabled for the duration of the problem. Furthermore, such traditional scoreboards are uniquely designed for each different sport, and, hence, most schools and universities can only afford scoreboards for their several major sports.
In order to ascertain the prior art in this field, the Inventors effectuated a patentability search to be performed resulting in the following prior art:
______________________________________ Inventor U.S. Pat. No. Date ______________________________________ Spencer 2,978,676 April 4, 1961 Spencer et al 3,440,347 April 22, 1969 Clift 3,588,869 June 28, 1971 Abbott 3,651,507 March 21, 1972 Hurley 3,653,026 March 28, 1978 Kurtenback 3,727,213 April 10, 1973 Sweeney 3,737,889 June 5, 1973 Syria 3,959,640 May 25, 1976 Gardner 3,981,002 September 14, 1976 Castelli et al 4,045,788 August 30, 1977 ______________________________________
The Gardner patent relates to a portable scoreboard including a keyboard which is adapted for use with a variety of events. The patent to Castelli is directed to an allpurpose scoreboard for a variety of sporting events wherein a radio transmitter is used. The Clift patent sets forth an automatic scoring system for scoring vehicles using radio transmitters on each of the vehicles. The Hurley patent displays a bingo scoring system using a remote transmitter and the Abbott approach is directed to a remote control device for turning off the scoreboard clock. The Sweeney patent sets forth a display system for boxing matches, the Syria patent sets forth an electronic computer and display system for a variety of different athletic events, and the Kurtenback patent sets forth a portable scoreboard for use adjacent a wrestling match.
However, all the above approaches, however diverse they may be, do not provide a truly versatile scoreboard which is totally functional and modular as does the present invention. The display of the present invention includes a plurality of modules and a plurality of signs which can be interchanged in any number of predetermined formats adaptable to any number or variety of sports. Furthermore, each module contains a plurality of sliding digits, a plurality of spacer panels, and one or a plurality of colon panels. These can be selectively inserted into the module to define a number of predetermined configurations of numeric or alphabetic patterns. In order to accomplish this versatility, a separate electronic control is provided on each module and whenever a different display is desired at the module, the information is appropriately modified. The system is designed so that should any portion thereof fail, that portion can be quickly and easily removed. Finally, each module contains the ability to conduct a self-test of its operation independent from each other module and independent from the system. Should any portion of the module fail, that portion can be quickly and easily replaced.


A message cabinet that is designed to reduce installation cost, improve energy savings, lower maintenance cost, be easier to service, and have a stronger construction for high winds. The message cabinet includes a main body, a pole-receiving hole, a first recess, a second recess, a first plurality of displays, and a second plurality of displays. The main body houses the electronic components of the present invention. The first plurality of displays and the second plurality of display allows the present invention to display electronic messages to drivers. The pole-receiving hole allows the present invention to be receive a mounting pole. The first recess and the second recess allow the present invention to dissipate heat accumulated by the electronic components within the main body.

Message cabinets have been giving drivers updates for years, aiding them in their commutes and helping them avoid accidents. The typical message cabinet includes two housings for the electronic message centers with each housing further including a mounting bracket for each housing to be mounted to a pole. Due to the requirement of mounting brackets, shrouds are additionally required to hide these mounting brackets. Each of the housings only include ventilation on the bottom to dissipate heat accumulated by the electronic components within the housings. Furthermore, the typical message cabinet includes two graphics processing units, two controller units, and two wireless systems for each of the housings. Due to the requirement of the two graphics processing units, two controller units, and two wireless systems, there is more risk for failure. As technology has advanced, there are now better ways to design these message cabinets.
It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a message cabinet that is designed to reduce installation cost, improve energy savings, lower maintenance cost, be easier to service, and have a stronger construction for high winds. The present invention is a single double-faced housing which includes a pole opening and mounting plates for the present invention to be mounted to a pole rather than using mounting brackets. This eliminates the need for shrouds to hide mounting brackets. The present invention includes ventilation at the sides rather than just the bottom to more efficiently dissipate heat accumulated by the electronic components. Furthermore, the present invention includes one graphics processing unit, one controller unit, and one wireless system to minimize the risk for failure.


The invention refers to a flame-retardant non-woven textile article produced by bonding of a fleece without binder and is characterized in that the fleece contains cellulosic fibers in which at least one flame-retardant compound containing phosphorus is incorporated. The fleece is preferably bonded using water jets. The products according to the invention display excellent flame-retardation and good tear strength properties even with low area weights. The cellulosic fibers can be used either on their own or in blends with other fibers particularly high temperature resistant non-melting fibers. Compounds from the group of esters, esteramides and/or amides of pyrophosphoric acid from monothiono-, dithiono-, trithiophosphoric acid, triphosphoric acid, monothiono-, dithiono-, trithiono- and/or pentathiotriphosphoric acid or rather Bis-(2-oxo-1,3,2-dioxaphosphinanyl)-oxide, Bis-(2-thiono-1,3,2-dioxaphosphinanyl)-oxide or 2-oxo-1,3,2-dioxaphosphinanyl-2' thiono-1',3',2'-dioxaphosphinanyl-oxide are suitable as flame-retardant compounds containing phosphorus. Bis-(5,5-dimethyl-2-thiono-1,3,2-dioxa-phosphinanyl-oxide is particularly well suited.

This invention concerns a flame-retardant non-woven textile article manufactured by bonding of fleece without a binder.
Flame-retardant woven textile articles are known from the literature. Usually, this entails treating a textile with one or more flame-retardant compounds. Substances containing phosphorus, in particular, have made a name for themselves in their capacity as flame-retardant compounds. Therefore, the treatment of cellulosic textile woven articles with flame-retardant compounds containing phosphorus has been described in numerous patent letters, such as the U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,541; U.S. Pat. No. 4,494,951; U.S. Pat. No. 4,487,800; U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,101 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,145,463.
What all these described procedures have in common is that the treatment with flame-retardant compounds is carried out on the textile after its manufacture.
Furthermore, it is known from the literature how flame-retardant non-woven textile articles may be manufactured. U.S. Pat. No. 3,906,136, for instance, describes a technique for producing flame-retardant textile articles by adding a derivate of hexahydrotriazinphosphonate to the textile, the phosphonate being subsequently cured to form a resin. This technique applies, among others, to non-woven cellulosic textile articles, too.
It is known from U.S. Pat. No. 2,983,623 that fibres and textiles can be treated with a mixture of tetrakis-hydroxymethyl-phosponiumchloride (THPC) and urea in the course of which a network-like polymer compound results in the textile article as a result of subsequent curing. The application of this technique to non-woven textile articles is mentioned.
With these known procedures, too, treatment using the flame-retardant compound containing phosphorus is carried out on the textile article after its manufacture. Additionally, a bonding always takes place because of the curing of the added compounds. In the context of manufacturing non-woven textile articles this process corresponds to bonding using binders or adhesive agents. This results in increased stiffness as well as a high area weight of the product which, in many fields of application, is not desired. Textiles which have been made flame-retardant in this way are also likely to release substances containing phosphorus while in use, producing unpleasant irritations to the skin. On top of that, the resin-producing substances applied pose a strain on the environment.
For all these reasons, the production of flame-retardant non-woven textile articles which are unaccompanied by the above-mentioned disadvantages and side effects has been attempted. In particular, efforts have been made to achieve bonding of the source material, namely the fleece, without adding additional substances.
EP 0 447 605 A1, for example, describes the manufacturing of a flame barrier with an area weight of 40 to 100 g/m2 made of a fleece by bonding the fleece using high-energy water jets, with the fleece textile consisting of partly graphitized polyacrylnitrile fibres.
The bonding of fleece using water jets has become known as "hydro-entanglement" or "spun-laced technology". The procedure entails the entanglement of the individual fibres of the fleece by means of water jets which are substantially directed in vertical manner onto the fleece under a certain pressure.
The disadvantage of the EP 0 447 605 A1 flame barrier is that polyacrylnitrile fibres are not biodegradable. Furthermore, the graphitizing of the polacrylnitrile fibres before their processing to the product involves one further costly process step. Furthermore, the black color of the evolving textile article which results from graphitizing makes the application of the article very difficult in many areas.
WO 93/13249 describes a process for the manufacture of a cellulosic product which contains polysilicic acid, the polysilicic acid being partly modified with aluminium silicate. Such products, and fibres in particular, are obtained by adding SiO2 to a solution of cellulose, such as viscose, in the form of polysilicic acid. This solution is then spun into fibres which incorporate chains of polysilicic acid. According to example 4 of this application, staple fibres produced in this way can be bonded to non-wovens using water jets.
The disadvantage of these known products is that the tenacity of the spun fibres, and therefore the tenacity of the products resulting from this technique, is low in comparison with fibres made by the usual viscose process. This means that these products do not lend themselves to certain specific fields of application.

Flame-retardant non-woven textile article and method of making


A mitred grate and drain cover comprises a peripheral edge having an upper and lower surface and a substantially elliptical shape which defines a space, and a plurality of cross pieces within the space. Depending sidewalls extend from the lower surface of the peripheral edge, and are constructed with respect to the peripheral edge such that they are at an angle other than 90xc2x0 to the peripheral edge. The sidewalls define a space for receiving a pipe.

This invention relates to mitred grates and drain covers. More particularly, the invention relates to drain covers and grates, with or without drain pipes, for use on sloped or inclined surfaces.
Drainage pipes play an important role in the design and structure of buildings, landscaping and the like in order to permit collected or run-off water to be removed from areas, and to conduct the flow of such water to city drainage installations. A typical drainage pipe may be located adjacent a building, or in a parking lot or other landscape structures, with a drain cover or grate closing off the pipe. The drain cover or grate is preferably flush with the surface, and permits water run-off to flow through the grate, and into the pipe for further removal.
It is an inherent feature of the drainage pipes that they slope from the water collection point, namely, at the open end of the pipe (or the pipe flow entrance) including the grate or drainage cover, and that the pipes slope therefrom to a street gutter, curb, or the next stage of the sewer system. These pipes will, therefore, often flow under parking lots, sidewalks or other areas, in carrying the collected water from the pipe flow-line entrance to the street or guttering for further removal.
Existing drainpipes typically comprise a series of pipes which have a water-flow entrance, and which are located in the area to be drained, a series of connected piping through which the water can flow, and an outlet at a remote end from the water flow entrance, where water flowing through the pipe is discharged for further removal through other sewer systems.
In a typical form, the grates or pipe covers which are placed over the drain pipe at the flow-water entrance end are circular, corresponding substantially in size to the diameter of the drain pipe. These grates are necessary, and perform an important function, in that they permit the free flow of water from the collection area into the drain pipe, but prevent larger objects from entering the drain pipe and ultimately blocking the system.
Therefore, the drain pipe covers and grates provide a useful and indispensable function, allowing the drainage of water, but selectively, depending upon the size and configuration of the grate, preventing small stones, sticks or other items from causing a blockage in the system.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a mitred grate and drain cover comprising: a peripheral edge having an upper and lower surface and a substantially elliptical shape which defines a space, and a plurality of cross pieces within the space; depending sidewalls extending from the lower surface of the peripheral edge, the sidewalls being constructed with respect to the peripheral edge such that they are at an angle other than 90xc2x0 to the peripheral edge, the sidewalls defining a space for receiving a pipe.
Preferably, the mitred grate and drain cover further comprises securing means for securing the grate and drain cover to a pipe.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a drain cover comprising a grate having peripheral edge defining a space and at least one cross piece extending within the space, the grate having an upper surface and lower surface; and depending sidewalls extending from the lower surface of the grate, and constructed at an angle thereto other than 90xc2x0.
Preferably, the peripheral edge and sidewalls define a receiving space for receiving a pipe having an open end which is received within the space. Securing means for securing the grate to a pipe may also be provided.
In yet a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a mitred grate and drain cover comprising an elliptical peripheral edge defining a space and at least one cross piece located in the space so as to define a plurality of openings in the grate, and securing means for securing the grate to an end of a pipe.
The invention therefore provides for a grate or pipe cover for use in drainage systems, the grate being of a substantially elliptical or similar such shape, so that it fits over a pipe which has been cut obliquely, rather than in a direction substantially normal to the flow of water therein. This arrangement of an oblique or mitred grate permits increased flexibility in locating drain pipes and their cover grates, making it no longer necessary to have the grate or drain pipe cover on a substantially vertical pipe, as is the present situation. Thus, the water inflow end of the pipe can be sloped all the way up to the surface, providing greater flexibility to design engineers where only a very slight slope is permitted due to the lie of the land. This flexibility is achieved by avoiding the need for the vertical component upon which the substantially round grate is placed, sometimes providing as much as an additional 6-8 inches of vertical height which could otherwise be used to slope the pipe.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the open end of the pipe, with the mitred grate, presents a significantly larger surface area to water being drained, and is therefore able to achieve higher levels of drainage than may have been possible with the smaller surface area round grate covering a pipe of approximately equivalent diameter. The oblique or mitred grate of the invention can also be used so that the angle at which the pipe is cut causes the resulting opening to be essentially flush with any surface at which the water inlet end is located, whether the surface is horizontal, somewhat inclined, or closer to vertical, as a curb or sidewalk edge may be.
At the same time, while permitting a greater inflow of water, the grate prevents, to the same extent as any other grate, the influx of debris and landscape materials entering the pipe, which either causes clogging of the pipe or the conveyance of debris to the street where it may create an unsightly mess.


A method and apparatus for forming a green ceramic arc tube for a metal halide lamp. A feedstock material comprising ceramic and a binder is prepared and injected into an inner cavity of a mold. The inner cavity of the mold has an inner surface that corresponds to a desired outer shape of a body of the ceramic arc tube. A fluid is injected into the feedstock material to create a cavity in the feedstock material and to force the feedstock material into contact with the inner surface of the mold. The mold is then separated from the formed ceramic green arc tube.

The present invention relates to a method for forming a green body of a ceramic arc tube used in metal halide lamps, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a method for forming a green body of a shaped ceramic arc tube for use in a metal halide lamp.
It is known in the prior art to produce ceramic arc tubes for metal vapor discharge lamps by sealing a tubular translucent alumina-based element that is opened at both ends with heat resisting metal or ceramic caps and by sealing discharge electrodes to central holes of the caps. Production of arc tubes constructed in this manner is complicated and the arc tubes have limited life and stability, because the seal between the caps and the tubular element breaks down over time, due to the poor corrosion resistance of the material used to seal the caps to the tubular element. Additionally, the luminous efficiency and color rendition is not optimal in a ceramic arc tube that has a straight tubular shape.
Integrally shaped ceramic arc tubes in which an outer diameter of an arc discharge portion is larger than that of electrode holding end portions has been proposed in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,418 discloses a ceramic green arc tube for a metal vapor discharge lamp where an outer diameter of the arc discharging portion is larger than that of the end portions that hold discharging electrodes. The ceramic green arc tube is produced by preparing a stiff plastic body that consists mainly of a ceramic material and a binder. The stiff plastic body is formed into a straight tubular body by means of an extruder. The tubular body is placed in an inner cavity of a molding dye that has the shape of the desired ceramic arc tube. One end of the formed stiff plastic tubular body is closed and a compressed fluid is applied to the open end of the tubular body. The extruded tubular body is inflated until a central portion of the tubular body contacts an inner surface of the molding die. The inflated body is hardened and dried with the heat of the previously heated molding dye. A ceramic green arc tube is ejected from the mold.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,387,067 discloses a ceramic arc tube of a metal vapor discharge lamp that has a discharge portion with electrode holding end portions integrally formed at opposite ends thereof. The outside diameter of the arc discharge portion is larger than that of the electrode holding end portions. The ceramic arc tube is made by placing a tubular green body in a fusiform cavity of a die, inflating the middle portion of the green body more than the end portions of the green body, and firing the shaped green body to produce a ceramic arc tube.
The present invention concerns a method for forming a green ceramic arc tube for a metal halide lamp. A feedstock material is prepared by mixing alumina with a binder. The feedstock material is injected into an inner cavity of a mold. The inner cavity of the mold has an inner surface that corresponds to a desired outer shape of a body of the ceramic arc tube. An outer diameter of an arc discharging portion of the desired ceramic arc tube body is larger than end portions of the arc tube that hold discharging electrodes. A fluid is injected into the feedstock material to create a cavity in the feedstock material and to force the feedstock material into contact with the inner surface of the mold. The mold is then separated from the formed ceramic green arc tube.
The feedstock material may be comprised of approximately 80% alumina suspended in a binder comprising approximately 18% carnauba wax and 2% stearic acid by weight. The feedstock material may be heated before being injected into the mold to melt the wax and decrease its viscosity. The fluid used to create a cavity in the feedstock and force the feedstock material into contact with an inner surface of the mold, may have a viscosity that is less than the feedstock material. The ratio of viscosity of the feedstock material to the viscosity of the fluid injected to create the cavity may be over 100 to 1. The injected fluid may be a liquid, such as water or a gas such as Nitrogen. Depending on the type of feedstock material, the feedstock material may be heated or cooled after the fluid is injected into it to increase the viscosity and strength of the feedstock material to allow the formed arc tube to be removed from the mold.
The apparatus used to form a green ceramic arc tube according to the method of the present invention includes a mold, a ceramic feedstock injector and a fluid injection unit. The mold has an inner cavity with an inner surface that corresponds to the desired outer surface of the arc tube. The mold may also include a pin that extends into the inner cavity which defines an inner diameter of an end portion of the arc tube. The mold may further include an injector pin coupled to the fluid injector for injecting fluid into the ceramic feedstock material. The mold may include a core pull mechanism for removing the arc tube from the mold. The mold may be comprised of two sections that have opposing surfaces that are transverse to an axis that extends through the cavity and end portions of the formed arc tube. The ceramic feedstock injector has an outlet coupled to a feedstock inlet in the mold. The ceramic feedstock injector is adapted to inject a ceramic feedstock into the mold. The fluid injection unit has a fluid outlet coupled with a fluid inlet of the mold. The fluid outlet of the fluid injection unit may be coupled to an injector pin that injects a fluid into the ceramic feedstock.
The single step process of the present invention allows arc tubes to be produced with significant material and process time savings. Wall thickness distribution can be tailored by varying the heat transfer and rheology of the process. The present invention allows arc tubes to be made in a variety of shapes and sizes with reduced cycle times. The walls of the arc tubes are more tightly packed by exerting pressure through the fluid, which results in fewer defects in the arc tubes.

Method and apparatus for forming green ceramic arc tubes using pressurized fluid assisted injection molding


A state change management system of a manufacturing cell in a cell control system receives, from the manufacturing cell, event information items in different forms generated in multiple manufacturing machines constituting a manufacturing cell, via a communication device, to thereby monitor the changes in the states of the multiple manufacturing machines. Moreover, the state change management system converts the received event information items in the different forms into a standardized form, and outputs the event information items in the standardized form to a production planning device that performs production planning of a product manufactured by the manufacturing cell via the communication device.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a state change management system for a manufacturing cell, and in particular, relates to a state change management system for a manufacturing cell in a cell control system that manages a manufacturing cell composed of multiple manufacturing machines.
Description of the Related Art
In a manufacturing cell operating in a large factory, multiple, different kinds of manufacturing machines, such as machine tools, robots or PLCs, are installed. A cell control system obtains various kinds of device-based or product-based manufacturing information items from those multiple manufacturing machines constituting the manufacturing cell, and the obtained manufacturing information items are used for various management tasks required in manufacturing, such as process management, quality management and safety management.
An example of the cell control system according to a conventional art will be described using FIG. 9.
A cell control system 10 includes at least one cell controller 11 that manages a manufacturing cell. The cell controller 11 includes a manufacturing management part 12, a storage device 13 and a communication device 14. The manufacturing management part 12 receives device-based or product-based manufacturing information items from multiple manufacturing machines 21 installed in a manufacturing cell 20 via the communication device 14, sorts out the received process-based manufacturing information based on information related to processes stored in the storage device 13 in advance, or gives determination results, which are based on information related to safety standards stored in the storage device 13, to the received manufacturing information items, to organize thereof as cell-based manufacturing information, and stores the organized cell-based manufacturing information in the storage device 13. Further, the manufacturing management part 12 transmits the manufacturing information stored in the storage device 13 to a production planning device 30 via the communication device 14.
As a conventional art related to the cell control system, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 05-253813, with the aim of speedy communication of messages and prevention of leakage in message communication, a technique is disclosed in which a message is inputted from a cell controller to an initial screen of a numerical controller when power is turned on, to thereby cause the initial screen to display the message every time the power is turned on or in every break time.
Moreover, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-320011, with the aim of making development of a cell control system and changes thereof with ease, and responding flexibly to change or addition of tasks, there is disclosed a technique including an execution control module that performs description and interpretation of procedures of tasks and a functional module that executes information processing or equipment operation necessary for the tasks, to thereby execute the tasks according to messages sent from the execution control module.
Further, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-309011, with the aim of saving the effort of creating programs independently for respective appliances and providing an integrated program interface, a technique is disclosed in which operation software for a manufacturing cell is procedurally described in one programming language.
Multiple manufacturing machines installed in a factory are, in general, controlled by respective controllers produced by different manufacturers. Moreover, in some cases, even the manufacturing machines of the same type (for example, machine tools) in a manufacturing cell are controlled by controllers produced by different manufacturers, and in some other cases, further, even the controllers produced by the same manufacturer are of different models.
Therefore, in a manufacturing cell, various kinds of event information items, such as alarms, warnings or changes in machining conditions (for example, tool exchange or changes in main program selection) generated in a controller for controlling manufacturing machines, are displayed in different formats on indicators provided in the respective controllers, and are notified to the cell controller in many cases. Further, if manufacturing countries of the controllers are different, the various kinds of event information items are indicated and notified in different languages in some cases.
As described above, since the formats or languages of the various kinds of event information items, such as alarms, warnings and changes in machining conditions, collected by the cell control system are different by the respective manufacturing machines and are not standardized, it is inefficient to collect the event information items from the manufacturing machines, and then summarize and manage as cell-based information. Moreover, since handling of the collected information is complicated, when maintenance or change of the cell control system is needed, it takes time to address, and sometimes becomes difficult to easily accomplish maintenance or change.
Against such a problem, the technique described in the foregoing Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 05-253813 transfers a common message to all of the numerical controllers connected to the cell controller to make the numerical controllers indicate the common message; however, the technique does not standardize the messages generated from the different numerical controllers and does not collect standardized messages on the cell controller side.
Moreover, in the technique described in the foregoing Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-320011, the cell controller is able to flexibly respond to change or addition of tasks; however, the technique does not standardize messages generated from the different controllers to be collected on the cell controller side.
Further, the technique described in the foregoing Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-309011 is configured to save the effort of creating programs independently corresponding to manufacturing machines controlled by controllers of different languages, such as the robot language, the ladder chart and the C language; however, the technique does not standardize messages generated from the different controllers to be collected on the cell controller side.

State change management system for manufacturing cell in cell control system


A copier, printer or similar image forming apparatus operable with a supply such as a developer cartridge being loaded in a body thereof. A door forms a part of a housing portion of the apparatus body and is provided with an opening for loading and unloading a supply and an openable lid for covering and uncovering the opening. Even when the lid is opened, the operation of the apparatus is not interrupted. Simple and safe replacement of a supply is insured and, yet, a supply is prevented from contaminating the apparatus when loaded and unloaded.

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus operable with a disposable supply being loaded in a body thereof.
It is a common practice with a copier, facsimile apparatus, printer or similar image forming apparatus to load various disposable supplies in a body of the apparatus. For example, an image forming apparatus of the type using a developing unit for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoconductive element or similar image carrier by a developer is operable with a developer cartridge. The developer cartridge is loaded in the body of the apparatus for supplying a developer and is a typical disposable supply. Another typical supply is a silicone oil tank which may also be loaded in the apparatus. Such various supplies are individually replaced with new ones as needed. It has been customary to replace desired one of the supplies by opening a large front door which is mounted on the apparatus body. This is undesirable from the safety standpoint because when the front door is opened, various movable parts such as paper feed rollers and timing belts and various electrical parts such as motors and solenoids are uncovered.
An implementation heretofore proposed against the above hazard is an interlocking device which automatically interrupts the operation of the apparatus, i.e., mechanical motions and current supply when the front door is opened for the replacement of a supply. However, interrupting the operation of the apparatus every time a supply is replaced lowers the productivity (number of papers produced with images per unit time). Thus, prior art image forming apparatuses are incapable of continuing the image forming operation while insuring safety manipulations for the replacement of a supply, i.e., achieving satisfactory productivity. Further, since various knobs and other numerous parts such as for the removal of a jamming sheet are densely arranged inside of the front door, a person intending to replace a particular supply is often perplexed resulting in the operation efficiency being lowered.
In a prior art copier or similar image forming apparatus which develops an electrostatic latent image provided on an image carrier by using a developer in the form of powder, the operation is automatically stopped when the developer almost runs out or when a predetermined number of further copies are produced after such a near-end condition has been reached. When the developer is implemented by a two-component developer which is the mixture of toner and carrier, the copying operation is inhibited until the toner supplied to the apparatus or the toner cocnentration in the developer exceeds a predetermined amount. A drawback with this kind of control is that the downed condition of the copier continues until the supply of toner, preventing a person from producing urgent copies or forcing a person to give up copying when only a few more copies suffice. This limits the productivity of copies (number of copies per unit time).
This kind of developing unit may be operated with a developer cartridge which is an example of supplies as stated earlier. In the case that such a developing unit is so constructed as to allow a developer cartridge into and out of its body through an opening which is formed through a housing portion, there is a fear that the operator's hand is carelessly put into a cartridge inserting and removing path via the opening while the used cartridge is removed. Touching various movable members arranged around the path is very dangerous. It is therefore impossible to adopt a system which allows a developer cartridge to be replaced without interrupting the operation of the apparatus, unless such hazards are removed.
A developing unit of the type described includes an agitator or similar agitating member for preventing the developer stored in a developer supply chamber or in the apparatus body itself from blocking. When a developer cartridge is used with such a developing unit and loaded and unloaded through the opening which is formed through the housing portion of the apparatus body as previously stated, the agitating member which is rotating is hazardous for the operator who may inadvertently insert the hand into the cartridge inserting and removing path via the opening. Preferably, therefore, the agitating member should be disenabled throughout the inteval between the removal of the used cartridge and the insertion of a new cartridge. Suspending the agitating operation for such an interval is not critical because it will be resumed as soon as a new cartridge is loaded. Even during the above-mentioned interval, the copier should preferably be operated without interruption.
In the case of a two-component developer, toner is sequentially supplied to the developer as the toner concentration in the developer is decreased. The supply of toner is essential even in the case of a one-component toner. In an image forming apparatus of the type using a toner cartridge for the supply of toner and replacing the cartridge through an opening which is formed through a housing portion of the apparatus, toner adhered to the bottom wall of the used cartridge is apt to be scattered around or dropped through the opening due to vibrations when the cartridge is removed from the apparatus. Such toner would contaminate the exterior of the apparatus.


A hinge for metal cabinets has a first bearing support mounted to a body of a metal cabinet. A second U-shaped bearing support is attached to the door leaf of the metal cabinet by being inserted into a cutout provided in a corner area of an angled portion of the door leaf. The angled portion extends toward the body of the metal cabinet. A rotation axle of the hinge mounted in the first bearing support is positioned at an external side of the door leaf in the area of the angled portion. The second bearing support has a first bore. A fastener is received in the first bore for attaching the second bearing support to the door leaf. The first bore extends angularly to the door leaf and the angled portion. A U-shaped support bracket has U-legs embracing the second bearing support. The U-legs rests on the door leaf and the angled portion. The support bracket is provided with a second bore for penetration by the fastener.

The invention relates to a hinge for a metal cabinet, in particular, a switch cabinet, and is comprised of a first bearing support attached to the body of the metal cabinet and a second U-shaped bearing support mounted to the door of the metal cabinet and embracing the first bearing support, the door leaf having an angled portion extending toward the body of the metal cabinet and the second bearing support attached to the door leaf being inserted into a cutout provided in the area of the angled portion of the door. For cabinets mounted in a row, the rotation axle of the hinge is located external to the corner area formed by the angled portion of the door leaf.
A hinge with the aforementioned features is described in EP 0 223 871 B2; the second bearing support of this prior art hinge is attached to the door leaf by means of a clamping pin arrangement, wherein this clamping pin arrangement extend past the cutout area into the corner area formed by the angled portion and the door leaf and thereby secures in the cutout the second bearing support that is inserted into the door cutout. The clamping pin arrangement is embodied as a pin that penetrates both bearing supports.
The known hinge has the disadvantage with respect to the attachment of the second bearing support at the door that the arrangement of a clamping pin penetrating both bearing support s requires a special and complicated design of the first bearing support that is to be mounted on the cabinet body because the legs of this bearing support that project toward the door leaf have to be provided with a laterally open bore or recess for receiving the clamping pin when the door is closed. Furthermore, the stability of the door or of the corner area formed by the door and its angled portion, is negatively affected by the cutout provided there so that the door can be deformed in the area of the corner area when an according force acts on the hinge. Furthermore, the use of a clamping pin can be questionable with respect to various door leaf thicknesses and also the clamping pin cannot be handled in a reliable manner because it can be driven in either too tightly or too loosely. Furthermore, a clamping pin with a different and adjusted taper will have to be provided for each door leaf thickness.
It is therefore an object of the invention to suggest an attachment of the second bearing support at the door for a hinge of the aforementioned kind, with which the aforementioned disadvantages are prevented.

Hinge line for metal lockers in alignment, with external joint axis


This electronic musical instrument, having several sound sources, can generate one tone several times according to tone generation one operation, and generate chord. It can control the tone generation level and tone generation timing based on the instruction input and tempo clock.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an electronic musical instrument which can generate several tones simultaneously or which can generate specified chords.
2. Description of the Prior Art
At present available are various electronic musical instruments which can generate several tones simultaneously, generate specified chords, or generate automatically rhythm. Also available are instruments which can control the tone generation level by detecting the key depression speed and breath intensity.
These musical instruments have the following functions and faults.
The electronic musical instruments which can generate simultaneously several tones, in general, have some sound source circuits, and the number of musical tones which can be generated simultaneously by one sound generation operation (pressing of keyboard).can be changed. This is enabled by setting beforehand the number of sound sources actuated by one sound generation operation (hereinafter referred to as the number of sound sources) in the electronic musical instrument. However, since the setting of the number of sound sources requires operations of various function keys, it is impossible to do such a setting during playing the instrument. The conventional electronic musical instruments had faults that when the number of sound sources is set to 1, only one musical tone is generated, thereby resulting in poor expression, even though the specified tone is ff(fortissimo), and that when the number of sound sources is set to 2 or more (generally 2 to 8), the sound is heavy and lacks in delicacy, even if the specified tone is pp (pianissimo). Besides, there are other types of electronic musical instruments which allow programming of various types of settings of the sound sources and enable program selection with a simple selection operation. However, this type needs the program change operation, and the program selection can be performed only in a previously specified order. Correct execution of such a program needs training of player to some extent. Accordingly, for beginners this was difficult. Moreover, it was very difficult to change quickly the number of sound sources of the conventional electronic musical instruments during playing, following the change of volume (level).
The electronic musical instruments capable of generating chords generate chords by specifying the root (the lowest tone in a chord (for example, C in the do-mi-so)) and the type (major chord, minor chord, dominant seventh chord, dominant seventh minor chord). For example, keyboard type electronic musical instruments have the following functions.
Pressing one key generates the major chord whose root is the pressed key. PA1 Pressing two keys generates the minor chord whose root is the higher key. PA1 Pressing three keys generates the dominant seventh chord whose root is the highest key.
However, in these electronic musical instruments the data which can be specified are only the root and type of chord, therefore only the specific chord can be generated by one specification. Accordingly, the player cannot give variation of the sound (strong and weak sound), and the music is monotonous. When the player wants, for example, to express a pianissimo tone, a chord consisting of 3 to 5 tones is generated, so that delicacy is lost.
The electronic musical instruments which can generate rhythm incorporate a rhythm generating section. These instruments can generate various rhythms by setting the type of rhythm and tempo. In the electronic musical instruments having an automatic accompaniment function a chord specified by keyboard can be generated as broken chord (arpeggio) based on the rhythm tempo. However, the conventional automatic accompaniment function could only generate one or several tones according to the rhythm tempo, decomposing the specified chord into component sound tones. Therefore, if the player changes the chord during beat, with improper timing, the chord is changed while the broken chord is being generated. For example, when a chord is a sextuplet (one beat) consisting of prime, third, fifth, octave, fifth, and third, and the tonic chord(C chord) is specified, the chord must be generated in the order of "do, mi, sol, do, sol, mi". But, if the specification is changed to the D chord at the next timing to the octave tone generating while a broken chord is generated, the chord generated is "do, mi, sol, do, la, fa#". Thereby a complicated chord is generated. So as to eliminate this failure, the player has to change the chord according to beat timing. Accordingly, playing such an instrument is difficult. The same is valid not only while playing chords, but also while playing a melody in tune with a rhythm.
There are two types of electronic musical instruments which can control the tone generation level. One of them is keyboard type electronic instruments having a function to control the musical tone intensity (tone generation level) by detecting the key depression intensity and speed. Another type is electronic wind instrument which controls the tone generation level by detecting the breath intensity. These electronic instruments are provided with a sensor to detect the above-mentioned intensity (key depression and breath intensity) and a means for converting the detected value into the tone generation level control data. However, the conventional electronic instrument has a defect that the tone generation level varies depending on the player's key depressing force or breath intensity because the detected values are converted into the tone generation level control data always based on a fixed relation. Hence, if an instrument is played by a player with higher key depression intensity or breath intensity, the sensor detection value reaches soon the level of "ff", and he can not play delicately. On the other hand, for a player with lower key depression intensity or breath intensity it is difficult to generate sound of sufficient level (breath threshold). The electronic wind instruments are provided with a breath sensor as shown in FIG. 1 (C). However, it is difficult to uniform their characteristics owing to their structural features, therefore, they differ in the relation between actual breath intensity and tone generation level.
Among all electronic instruments, the electronic wind instruments, in general, have a form and a key arrangement similar to those of woodwind instruments. They are designed so that a specific sound pitch can be specified by setting a playing key to ON or OFF with a fingering pattern similar to that of the woodwind instruments. However, since the actual wind instruments are monophonic instruments, the above-mentioned fingering pattern is set so as to specify a specific single tone. Therefore, most of conventional electronic wind instruments can not specify chords and can generate only single tones. This makes it difficult to use them for accompaniment.

Electronic musical instrument with tone generation control


The present invention provides effective and safe medicaments for the treatment of connective tissue diseases of the skin, particularly with respect to the treatment of cutaneous forms of Lupus Erythematous. The medicaments comprise as the therapeutically active ingredient a beta2 adrenoceptor agonist. The invention furthermore relates to dermatological compositions without skin sensitization properties and which contain enantiomerically pure or enriched R-enantiomers of a beta2 adrenoceptor agonist.

There is no permanent cure for connective diseases of the skin, such as cutaneous forms of Lupus Erythematosus. Today, the treatment of connective diseases includes topical treatment with strong steroids, sometimes in combination with anti-malarial drugs or systemic immuno-suppressants. Unfortunately, the treatment with such drug agents has serious side effects and cannot be applied for prolonged periods.
The present inventor has recognised the strong need for therapeutic agents that can effectively alleviate the symptoms of cutaneous forms of Lupus Erythematosus (LE) without exhibiting significant adverse effects. Quite surprising, the present inventor has found that the topical application of a beta2-adrenoceptor agonist effectively relieves the clinical manifestations in cutaneous forms of Lupus Erythematosus.
Cutaneous forms of Lupus Erythematosus (Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus) encompass at least 10 to 15 different clinical presentations that usually can be divided into 3 categories, including (1) acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (ACLE), (2) subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE), and (3) chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE). Some of the common types of cutaneous LE include chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE) and various sub-types thereof.
Current evidence indicates that cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus is a separate disease from systemic Lupus Erythematosus and not just a benign variant of systemic LE in that the two diseases seems to be genetically different diseases (Rook's, Textbook of Dermatology, chapter 65, page 56.2, volume 3, 7th edition, edited by Tony Burns et al, Blackwell Science, 2004). Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is the most common connective tissue disease and is characterised by multi-organ inflammation, which most commonly affects the skin, joints and vasculature. Almost any organ or system of the body, including the lungs, kidneys, heart or brain may be affected by the inflammation.
Beta2-adreneroceptor agonists are traditionally used in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis and nervous system injury. Beta2-adrenoceptor agonists has also been found to interact with specific receptors on T-lymphocytes to mediate anti-inflammatory activities (Baramki D et al. Modulation of T-cell function by (R)- and (S)-isomers of albuterol: anti-Inflammatory Influences of (R)-isomers are negated in the presence of the (S)-isomer. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2002 March; 109(3):449-54) and Barnes P J. Effect of beta-agonists on inflammatory cells. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1999 August; 104(2 Pt 2):S10-S1)7.
A number of drug agents and combinations thereof have been proposed for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases including discoid Lupus Erythematosus, wherein a beta2-adrenoceptor agonist among other drug agents is proposed to be administered as a secondary active drug agent.
The patent application US2005192261 relates to topical treatment with combinations of an antihistamine or an antihistamine analogue and a corticosteroid.
The patent application WO05051293 relates to topical treatment with Ibudilast or a related compound.
The patent application US2004220153 relates to topical treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).
The patent application US2004224876 relates to topical treatment with a non-steroidal immunophilin-dependent immunosuppressant (NsIDI) and an NsIDI enhancer (NsIDIE).
Notably, none of the above-mentioned patent application relates to the direct treatment of cutaneous forms of LE with a beta2-adrenoceptor agonist, neither as the sole therapeutically agent nor as the primary therapeutically agent.
Furthermore, a number of treatment regimens have been proposed for the treatment of systemic LE. In these treatments, the primary therapeutically effective drug agent eventually may be co-administered with a beta2-adrenoceptor agonist:
The patent application WO2003092617 relates to the treatment of an inflammatory skin disease, such as systemic Lupus Erythematosus, by topically administering a steroid and a beta-adrenergic receptor ligand.
The patent application US2003236298A1 (Atherogenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc) relates to 1,3-bis-(substituted-phenyl)-2-propen-1-ones that are inhibitors of the expression of VCAM-1 for the treatment of patients with a disease mediated by VCAM-1, such as systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
The patent applications US2005130935 and WO 2003097073 (Astion Development A/S) relate to combinations of a beta2-adrenoceptor agonist and an aminosugar for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, including systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
The patent applications US20050176714 and WO2003104204 relate to pyridazine derivatives acting as phosphodiesterase IV inhibitors for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, such as systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
Furthermore, unusual respiratory manifestations of systemic Lupus Erythematosus, "shrinking lungs" have been treated with albuterol (Salbutamol) (Thompson P J, Dhillon D P, Ledingham J, Turner-Warwick M. Shrinking lungs, diaphragmatic dysfunction, and systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Am Rev Respir Dis. 132(4), 926-8, 1985).
Topical administration of beta2-adrenoceptor agonists has been shown to result in sensitization of the skin and allergic reactions. For example, salbutamol (albuterol) has been reported to be a topical sensitizer that causes contact dermatitis reactions when applied to the surface of the skin of humans (in Biochemical Modulation of Skin Reactions, page 10-11, edited by Agis K. Kydonieus and John J. Wille, CRC Press LCC 2000).
However, the present inventor has overcome this problem by providing topically administrable compositions only or mainly comprising the R-enantiomeric form of a beta2-adrenoceptor agonist.
Topically administrable compositions comprising an enantiomerically pure beta2-adrenoceptor agonist have been disclosed in the art:
The patent application US2005192261 discloses topical compositions primarily comprising an antihistamine or an antihistamine analogue and a corticosteroid.
The patent application WO05051293 (COMBINATORX, INCORPORATED) discloses topical compositions primarily comprising Ibudilast or related compounds.
The patent application US2004220153 discloses topical compositions primarily comprising selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).
The patent application US2004224876 discloses topical compositions primarily comprising a non-steroidal immunophilin-dependent immunosuppressant (NsIDI) and an NsIDI enhancer (NsIDIE).
The patent application WO2003092617 (COMBINATORX, INCORPORATED) discloses topical compositions comprising a steroid and a beta-adrenergic receptor ligand.
Topical compositions of a beta2-adrenoceptor agonist are proposed in several documents, but these fail to emphasise the importance of administering the enantiomeric pure form: The patent application U.S. Pat. No. 4,574,129 (Bristol-Myers Company) discloses topical compositions comprising a beta2-adrenoceptor agonist and vehicle materials for the treatment of topical anti-inflammatory effect in mammals.
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,777 (Schering Corporation) discloses transdermal compositions of albuterol further comprising 5 to 50% of 1-dodecyl-azacycloheptan-2-one and 5 to 50% of non-aqueous urea.
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,466 (Ciba-Geigy Corporation) discloses topical compositions based on Formoterol and related compounds for use in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases.
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,980,159 (Bristol-Myers Squibb Company) discloses post-shave compositions (aqueous solutions) comprising a beta2-adrenoceptor agonist for pilomotor effects.
The U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,972 (Societe L'Oreal S.A) discloses cosmetic/pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of cutaneous diseases and sensitive skin comprising an effective substance P antagonist amount of at least one beta2-adrenoceptor agonist together with an skin irritant.
The patent application WO05102296 (HEPTAGEN LIMITED) discloses topical compositions comprising a combination of vitamin D or an analogue, preform or derivative thereof, a cannabinoid or cannabinoid receptor agonist, and a beta2-adrenoceptor agonist for the treatment of psoriasis.
The patent application WO03088997 (UNIVERSITEIT UTRECHT HOLDING B.V) discloses topical compositions of an antigen and a beta2-adrenoceptor agonist for the induction of tolerance to treat autoimmune diseases, delayed type hypersensitivity reactions and/or transplant rejection, and/or graft versus host reaction and/or allergic reactions.
The patent application US2003236298A1 (Atherogenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc) discloses topical compositions of 1,3-bis-(substituted-phenyl)-2-propen-1-ones inhibiting the expression of VCAM-1.
The patent application US2005130935A1 (Astion Development A/S) discloses combinations of beta2-adrenoceptor agonist and an aminosugar for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
The patent application JP7304647 (KAO CORP) discloses compositions for massage comprising one or more compounds selected from (A): (i) a xanthine derivative, (ii) a beta-adrenergic agent, (iii) an alpha-2 adrenergic activity inhibitor, and (iv) a bipyridine derivative; and (B) a scrubbing agent.
The patent application JP9110674 (KAO CORP) discloses a bathing composition comprising a compound of the plant of pepper family (e.g. Piper nigrum L, Piper longum L, Piper angustifolium), carbonate and an organic acid.
The patent application JP 61-154201(TEIJIN LTD) discloses transdermal compositions comprising a β-stimulation agent and a dissolution assistant agent.
The patent application JP 06-048497 (Kao Corp) discloses a bathing agent composition containing a β-adrenergic stimulant, inorganic salt, an organic acid and an oily component.
The patent application U.S. Pat. No. 4,088,756 (The Regents of the University of Michigan) relates to topically applied compositions comprising at least one active compound selected from the groups α1, β1, and β2-adrenergic agents and oral hypoglycemic agents.
The patent application WO05102296A2 (HEPTAGEN LIMITED) relates to topically applied compositions comprising vitamin D or its analogue, cannabinoid or a cannabinoid receptor agonist; and a beta-adrenoceptor agonist for the treatment of immuno-proliferative skin diseases.
The patent application WO2003092617 (COMBINATORX, INCORPORATED) relates to topically applied compositions comprising a steroid and a beta-adrenergic receptor agonist for the treatment of an inflammatory skin disease.
The patent application WO9519336 (IOVIS BIOMEDICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL CONSULTANTS) relates to phenyl ethanol amine ethers acting as beta adrenergic agonists that may be applied topically to skin.
Notably, none of the above-mentioned patents and patent applications disclose topically administrable compositions, wherein the beta2-adrenoceptor agonist is the primary therapeutical agent or the sole therapeutical agent.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Treatment of connective tissue diseases of the skin


There is disclosed a method for generating highly-accurate tooth surfaces of a globoid worm wheel without using a globoid worm hob. When generating tooth surfaces of a copper-alloy globoid worm wheel by grinding with an electro-deposition grinding tool including a cutting surface on which abrasive grains are embedded, the electro-deposition cutting tool then being finished to have the same tooth surfaces as a globoid worm which can engage with the globoid worm wheel, the generation of the tooth surfaces of the globoid worm wheel is carried out under such a condition that a maximum cutting depth of one abrasive grain is predetermined to be not more than a quarter of the average diameter of the abrasive grains.

The present invention relates to a method for generating tooth surfaces of a globoid worm wheel.
Gear cutting of a globoid worm wheel has been conventionally carried out by means of a globoid worm hob (see FIG. 1) or a fly cutting tool which includes a portion of the globoid worm hob. The globoid worm hob includes a thread face whose lead is not constant, in contrast with a cylindrical worm hob. Relieving of a side face extending from a cutting edge of the globoid worm hob has to be performed substantially by manual operation, so that the tooth surfaces of the hob cannot be finished accurately. Also, when a rake face of the hob is re-ground, the tooth profiles of the hob deviates from ideal tooth profiles.
As described above, in the globoid worm hob which has been conventionally employed in a gear-cutting method for the globoid worm wheel, it is substantially difficult to perform the relieving of the side face extending from the cutting edge of the hob so that the globoid worm hob itself cannot be manufactured easily. As a matter of course, it is also difficult to generate highly-accurate tooth surfaces of a globoid worm wheel by using the globoid worm hob.

Method for generating tooth surfaces of globoid worm wheel


A method and a system for calibrating an x-ray scanner, in which the lengths d.sub.ij of x-ray paths are first computed by means of the image of the calibration standard. There are then computed both the theoretical attenuations Ac.sub.ij and the attenuations Am.sub.ij measured on the image. There are then deduced the coefficient of proportionality K between the values Ac.sub.ij and Am.sub.ij in order to obtain values of K.times.Ac.sub.i. The values KAc.sub.i and Am.sub.i are employed for calculating the corrections to be made per channel as a function of the attenuation.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to x-ray scanners and more particularly to a method for calibrating devices of this type which utilizes the image of one or a number of calibration standards. The invention is also concerned with a system for carrying out said method.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In order to examine a patient, it is becoming an increasingly common practice to employ x-ray devices known as scanners which produce images of cross-sections of the patient's body. These devices are based on the physical phenomenon of absorption of x-rays by the human body. This absorption is directly related to the distance x of travel of the x-rays within the body in accordance with the formula: EQU I=I.sub.o e.sup.-bx
where:
I.sub.o is the intensity of the radiation which enters the human body,
I is the intensity of radiation which passes out of the human body,
b is a coefficient of attenuation which depends on the body through which the radiation passes.
In a logarithmic measurement scale, the attenuation I/I.sub.o is equal to bx or in other words proportional to the distance x.
As shown in FIG. 1, a scanner is essentially constituted by an x-ray source 10 associated with a detection device 11, these two elements being disposed in a fixed geometrical relationship to each other in order that the body to be examined may be positioned between them. Furthermore, they are supported by a structure (not shown) which is capable of rotating about the body to be examined so as to irradiate the body at different angles. The x-ray source, which is controlled by a device 13, emits x-rays in an angular sector which has a sufficient width to illuminate the entire cross-section of the body. The detection device 11 has the shape of an annular sector, the length of which is adapted to the width of the x-ray beam and is constituted by a large number of elementary detectors 12 in juxtaposed relation to each other.
In order to obtain an image of the cross-section of the human body through which the x-ray beam passes, the structure which supports the source 10 and the detection device 11 is caused to rotate about the body and output signals of the elementary detectors 12 are measured and then suitably processed in accordance with known methods in order to obtain a representative image of the cross-section. For this processing operation, the elementary detectors 12 (also known as channels) are connected to an electronic device 14 which carries out in the first place a computation of the logarithm of the signals received so as to obtain a signal whose amplitude is proportional to the attenuation of the x-rays.
As a result of different phenomena which will not be explained here, the amplitude of said signal in the case of each elementary detector or channel is not proportional to the attenuation which has in fact been sustained. In consequence, in order to overcome this disadvantage, various methods have been devised which consist for example in recording the output signals of the channels in the presence of bodies having known dimensions and a known coefficient of absorption so as to compute the attenuations (calculations of logarithms) and to compare these measured attenuations with values computed as a function of the dimensions and of the absorption coefficient of the body or calibration standard. These comparisons make it possible to deduce a law of correspondence or a modifying law between the measured values and the values which should be obtained. This law can be in the form of correspondence files or of mathematical formulae representing this correspondence in respect of each detection channel.
The standards employed for carrying out these so-called calibration measurements are for example blocks of different thicknesses which are introduced in proximity to the x-ray source, thus entailing the need for handling operations at the level of the source in order to introduce and withdraw these blocks. Furthermore, the shapes of said blocks and their positions are remote from the shape and position of the body of the patient to be examined, thus increasing the nonlinearity of the system.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,352,020, it is proposed to use circular blocks 15, 16 and 17 having different diameters which are placed at the center of rotation of the support structure. This makes it possible to come closer to the conditions of measurements to be performed on the body to be examined. This patent also proposes to make use of a cone-shaped standard having a circular cross-section which is displaced transversely with respect to the beam so as to obtain different attenuation lengths. With the standards described, the measurements are performed with respect to a predetermined position of the support structure and in the case of each standard.
FIG. 2 shows the shape of three response curves 20, 21 and 22 of the attenuation as a function of the position of the channels in the case of measurements on three standards of circular shape. The measured values are represented by the dots and vary about a mean value which represents the theoretical value in a linear system. These curves can be employed as follows: when the measured signal corresponds to a point A, it will be deduced from this that the linear signal is the point A' of the mean curve 20. When the measured signal corresponds to a point B located between the curves 20 and 21, the linear signal will be deduced therefrom by interpolation between the curves 20 and 21. This interpolation can be computed in accordance with a linear law or more generally a polynomial law.
The curves 23 and 24 of FIG. 3 show in another form the principle of calibration at the level of a channel. These curves describe, in a given channel, the attenuation as a function of the thickness x of measured values (curve 23) and in respect of computed values (straight line 24). In fact, the measured values produce points which are connected to each other in accordance with a predetermined law which may be linear or polynomial so as to obtain a continuous curve. When an attenuation is measured, this corresponds for example to point C of curve 23 and the linear value corresponding to the point C' of curve 24 is deduced therefrom.
The U.S. patent cited earlier describes an apparatus in which the correspondence between the measured values and the real values of attenuation is established by means of a system of files created during the calibration operation. In regard to interpolation, the patent proposes linear, cubic and biquadratic interpolations, but the linear interpolation is alone described in detail.
The methods of calibration which have been briefly described in the foregoing are distinguished by the fact that they carry out a processing operation on the measured signals in order to obtain an image which is free from artifacts or in other words without flaws. However, it is not always easy to obtain an image of this quality, especially on account of the fact that the calculations are made with certain approximations which can be very rough in some instances.
In consequence, one object of the present invention is to carry out a method which processes, not the measured signals themselves, but the image obtained so as to eliminate circular artifacts.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a system which makes it possible to carry out said method.

Method and system for calibrating an x-ray scanner from the image of at least one calibration standard