Conjugates of hydroxyalkyl starch and a protein are provided herein. The conjugates are formed by a convalent linkage between the hydroxyalkyl starch or a derivative of the hydroxyalkyl starch and the protein. Methods of producing the conjugates and the use of the conjugates also are provided herein.

It is generally accepted that the stability of proteins can be improved and the immune response against these proteins is reduced when these proteins are coupled to polymeric molecules. WO 94/28024 discloses that physiologically active proteins modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG) exhibit reduced immunogenicity and antigenicity and circulate in the bloodstream considerably longer than unconjugated proteins, i.e. have a reduced clearance rate.
WO 02/09766 discloses, among others, biocompatible protein-polymer compounds which are produced by conjugation of biologically active protein with a biocompatible polymer derivative. The biocompatible polymers used are highly reactive branched polymers, and the resulting conjugates contain a long linker between polymer derivative and protein. As biocompatible polymers, polymers of formula (P—OCH2CO—NH—CHR—CO—)n-L-Qk-A are described, wherein P and Q are polymeric residues and k may be 1 or 0. For P and Q, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyoxyethylene, polytrimethylene glycol, polylactic acid and its derivatives, polyacrylic acid and its derivatives, polyamino acid, polyvinyl alcohol, polyurethane, polyphosphazene, poly(L-lysine), polyalkylene oxide, polyacryl amide and water soluble polymers such as dextran or polysaccharide are mentioned. As proteins, among others, alpha, beta and gamma interferons, blood factors, cytokines such as interleukins, G-CSF, GM-CSF are mentioned. In the examples of WO 02/09766, only mono-, di- and tri-polyethyleneglycol derivatives are disclosed which are coupled exclusively to interferon and epidermal growth factor, and human growth hormone.
WO 94/01483 discloses biocompatible polymer conjugates which are formed by covalently binding a biologically inactive polymer or polymer derivative to a pharmaceutically pure, synthetic hydrophilic polymer via specific types of chemical bonds. As naturally occurring polymers and derivatives thereof, polysaccharides such as hyaluronic acid, proteoglycans such as chondroitin sulfates A, B and C, chitin, heparin, heparin sulfate, dextrans such as cyclodextran, hydroxyethyl cellulose, cellulose ether and starch, lipids such as triglycerides and phospholipids are disclosed. As synthetic polymers, among others, polyethylene and derivatives thereof are described having an average molecular weight of from about 100 to about 100,000. As proteins linked to the polymer or the polymer derivative, cytokines and growth factors are described, including interferons, tumor necrosis factors, interleukins, colony stimulating factors, growth factors such as osteogenic factor extract, epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor, platelet derived growth factor, acidic fibroblast growth factor and others are disclosed. In all working examples of WO 94/01483, polyethylene glycols derivatives are used as polymer.
WO 96/11953 discloses N-terminally chemically modified protein compounds and methods of their production. Specifically, G-CSF compositions are described which result from coupling a water soluble polymer to the N terminus of G-CSF. In the context of WO 96/11953, also consensus interferone N-terminally coupled to water soluble polymers are disclosed. While a wide variety of water polymers are listed in WO 96/11953 (e.g. copolymers of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, carboxymethyl cellulose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, poly-1,3-dioxolane, poly-1,3,6-trioxane, ethylene/maleic anhydride copolymer, polyaminoacids (either homopolymers or random copolymers), poly(n-vinyl pyrrolidone)polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol homopolymers, polypropylene oxide/ethylene oxide copolymers or polyoxyethylated polyols), only PEGylated G-CSF or consensus IFN compositions are described in the working examples of WO 96/11953.
WO 97/30148 relates to polypeptide conjugates with reduced allergenicity comprising a polymeric carrier molecule having two or more polypetide molecules coupled thereto. These conjugates are preferably part of compositions used in the personal care market. Said conjugates are produced by activating a polymeric carrier molecule, reacting two or more polypeptide molecules with the activated polymeric carrier molecule and blocking of residual active groups on the conjugate. As polymeric carrier molecule, a vast variety is listed in WO 97/30148, including such different groups of compound like natural or synthetic homopolymers such as polyols, polyamines, polycarboxylic acids and heteropolymers comprising at least two different attachment groups. Examples are given, which comprise star PEGs, branched PEGs, polyvinyl alcohols, polycarboxylates, polyvinylpyrrolidones and poly-D,L-amino acids. Among others, also dextrans such as carboxymethyl dextran, celluloses such as hydroxyethyl cellulose or hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydrolysates of chitosan, starches such as hydroxyethyl starches or hydroxypropyl starches, glycogen, agarose, guar gum, inulin, pullulan, xanthan gum, carrageenin, pectin, alginic acid etc. are disclosed. As polypeptides, only some enzymes are explicitly disclosed.
Baldwin, J. E. et al., Tetrahedron, vol. 27 (1981), pp. 1723-1726 describe the chemical modification of dextran and hydroxyethyl starch to give aldehyde substituted polymers which are allowed to react with hemoglobin to give soluble polymer-bound hemoglobins. These were shown to be capable of binding oxygen, but heart perfusion experiments clearly indicated that the polymer-bound hemoglobins were not suitable for use as blood substitutes.
WO 99/49897 describes conjugates of hemoglobin formed by reacting polysaccharides such as dextrane or hydroxyethyl starch with amino groups of the hemoglobin. As functional groups of the polysaccharide, aldehyde groups produced by oxidative saccharide ring-opening are used. As preferred reducing agent used, borane dimethylamine is disclosed. Moreover, WO 99/49897 is exclusively limited to hemoglobin.
WO 03/074087 relates to a method of coupling proteins to a starch-derived modified polysaccharide. The binding action between the protein and the polysaccharide, hydroxyalkyl starch, is a covalent linkage which is formed between the terminal aldehyde group or a functional group resulting from chemical modification of said terminal aldehyde group of the hydroxy alkyl starch molecule, and a functional group of the protein. As reactive group of the protein, amino groups, thio groups and carboxyl groups are disclosed, and aldehyde groups of the protein are not mentioned. Moreover, while a vast variety of possibilities of different linkages is given in the form of many lists, including different functional groups, theoretically suitable different linker molecules, and different chemical procedures, the working examples describe only two alternatives: first, an oxidized hydroxyethyl starch is used and coupled directly to proteins using ethyldimethylaminopropyl carbodiimide (EDC) activation, or a non-oxidized hydroxyethyl starch is used and coupled directly to a protein forming a Schiffs base which is subsequently reduced to the respective amine. Thus, the working examples of WO 03/074087 neither disclose a single conjugate coupled via a thio group or a carboxy group of the protein, nor describe a conjugate comprising hydroxyethyl starch, the protein, and one or more linker molecules.
Nearly the complete literature regarding techniques of coupling a polymer to a protein describes PEGylation methods and PEGylated proteins (e.g. interferons alpha, interferons beta). Despite the progress of coupling methods and use of monofunctional PEG-molecules, a general disadvantage of PEGylated drugs is that the metabolization pathway of PEG as a non-natural polymer is not known in detail.
Some of the patents describe the modification of interferon by substitution of amino acids, increased glycosylation or formation of multimers. These methods require high technological efforts (recombinant techniques) and could result in new entities which are markedly different from the natural proteins (e.g. interferon) and could exhibit different properties.
Moreover, it is taught in the art describe to form, e.g., of complexes between IFN-beta and polysaccharides via metal complexation. However, complexes are not as stable as covalent conjugates and contain metal ions (e.g. Zn2+), which might have undesired side effects.


A fluid catalytically cracked heavy naphtha containing a substantial proportion of preferably more than 90% C.sub.9 + hydrocarbons is contacted with a reformate heavy naphtha containing a substantial proportion of C.sub.9 + hydrocarbons and, optionally, a benzene-rich stream, over a catalyst of acidic functionality, preferably unsteamed ZSM-5, under transalkylation reaction conditions of temperature and pressure to produce a gasoline boiling range product, boiling below 300.degree. F., having a reduced sulfur content and an increased octane number. In one mode of operation the reformate is cascaded from the reformer as the conditions of reaction are compatible with the conditions established in the reformer.

The conversion of catalytically cracked heavy naphthas, which, typically, begin to boil within the gasoline boiling range, about 285.degree. F. (140.degree. C.), and finish boiling in the distillate range, e.g. 400.degree. F. (204.degree. C.), to materials which begin and end boiling within the gasoline boiling range, C.sub.5 to 330.degree. F., is important to refiners.
Aromatic heavy naphtha fractions such as fluid catalytically cracked (FCC) 300.degree.-425.degree. F. products are high in octane, but because they begin to boil above the gasoline end boiling range, and may contain a large proportion of sulfur impurities, they require further processing to become commercially valuable as gasoline. However, it is difficult to eliminate, or at least reduce, the properties which make them undesirable as gasoline, i.e. the high sulfur content and high boiling point, without compromising the high octane properties that make them desirable as gasoline.
Recently, it has been reported that lowering gasoline endpoint results in a product endpoint where, in a standard ASTM distillation, 90 volume percent of the gasoline distills below 300.degree. F. (T.sub.90) will reduce pollution. Meeting this T.sub.90 permits only 10% of the hydrocarbons in gasoline to boil above 300.degree. F. A significant boiling range conversion of heavy naphthas will be required to meet this goal.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,923,641 to Morrison discloses hydrocracking a C.sub.7 + naphtha over zeolite beta at moderate temperatures and pressures to achieve a high yield of iso-C.sub.4. However, the disclosure is silent on the yield and quality of higher hydrocarbons.
Upgrading a reformate by treatment with a crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite has been described. The described processes utilize the zeolite to selectively remove the normal paraffins and leave the aromatics and/or isoparaffins unchanged. U.S. Pat. No. 2,886,508 discloses contacting a reformate with a 5 angstrom unit aluminosilicate to selectively remove the normal paraffins by adsorption. U.S. Pat. No. 3,114,696 discloses cracking conditions to selectively crack the normal paraffins of a reformate. U.S. Pat. No. 3,395,094 discloses hydrocracking conditions to selectively crack the normal paraffins and also to preserve the aromatic components of the reformate feed. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,767,568 and 3,729,409 describes treating a reformate feed over a zeolite, e.g., ZSM-5, in the presence of hydrogen, to improve the yield-octane number relationship of the reformate.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,945,913 and 4,078,990 both to Brennan et al. disclose production of benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTX) from alkyl aromatic feeds e.g. reformate fractions of at least nine carbon atoms over an acidic catalyst. A proposed catalyst is ZSM-5. U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,990 discloses that alkyl side chains of two or more carbon atoms rapidly dealkylate to near completion in the shallower portion of the catalyst bed which is first contacted by the feed. When this mixture, which is made up of methyl benzenes and alkanes of two or more carbon atoms, reaches the major portion of the bed, transalkylation and disproportionation reactions of the methyl benzene occur to equilibrium resulting in a product containing BTX. While this process takes advantage of the more easily dealkylated ethyl-branched aromatics of the reformate for purposes of producing methyl aromatics which can then undergo transalkylation and disproportionation reactions with the free alkyl groups, the process relies on a feed rich in ethyl-branched aromatics. There is no suggestion to utilize a feedstock which at the outset comprises methyl-branched aromatics which are more difficult to dealkylate than ethyl and higher alkyl-branched aromatics.


Exemplary embodiments of method and apparatus are provided for resurfacing of skin that includes formation of a plurality of small holes, e.g., having widths less than about 1 mm or 0.5 mm. For example, such small holes can be produced using a mechanical apparatus that includes one or more abrading elements provided at the end of one or more rotating shafts, thus avoiding generation of thermal damage as occurs with conventional laser resurfacing procedures and devices. The holes thus formed can be well-tolerated by the skin, and may exhibit shorter healing times and less swelling than conventional resurfacing procedures. The fractional surface coverage of the holes can be between about 0.1 and 0.7, or between about 0.2 and 0.5. The method and apparatus can produce cosmetic improvements in the skin appearance by eliciting a healing response.

Conventional dermabrasion devices and techniques generally involve removal of an entire surface layer of skin tissue using mechanical means (for example, a rotating diamond head). Such techniques can produce a rejuvenating effect on the skin, but they generally require an extended healing time (during which the skin appears red and irritated) and may be very painful.
Procedures and devices for generating fractional damage in tissue are gaining increased attention and usage. Fractional damage includes forming small regions of damage in tissue (e.g., ablation or thermal damage) that are surrounded by healthy tissue. The small size of the damaged regions and proximity of healthy tissue can facilitate rapid healing of the damaged regions, as well as other desirable effects such as tissue shrinkage. Present approaches for generating fractional damage typically involve the use of expensive and potentially dangerous lasers or other sources of intense optical energy to damaged tissue, and can also generate associated thermal damage in the tissue which may be undesirable.
Accordingly, there is a need for a relatively simple, inexpensive, and safe dermabrasion method and apparatus that can reduce or eliminate some of the undesirable side effects of conventional dermabrasion procedures.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and apparatus for discontinuous dermabrasion


An isolated and purified lactoferrin receptor protein is isolated and purified from bacterial pathogens, including Moraxella and Neisseria, and has a molecular weight of between about 70,000 and about 90,000, as determined by SDS-PAGE. Such lactoferrin receptor protein may be provided in combination with a lactoferrin receptor protein from the bacterial pathogen of a molecular weight of about 100,000 to about 105,000 daltons. The lactoferrin receptor protein may be produced by providing a solubilized membrane preparation from the bacterial pathogen containing lactoferrin receptor proteins, non-lactoferrin receptor proteins and other contaminants, complexing the lactoferrin receptor proteins with lactoferrin and purifying the resulting complexes substantially free from the non-lactoferrin receptor proteins and the other contaminants, and separating the novel lactoferrin receptor protein from the complexes. The lactoferrin receptor protein is useful in diagnostic applications and immunogenic compositions, particularly for in vivo administration to a host to confer protection against disease caused by a bacterial pathogen that produces the lactoferrin receptor protein or produces a protein capable of inducing antibodies in a host specifically reactive with the lactoferrin receptor protein.

Most living organisms require a continuous supply of iron to maintain growth and thus have evolved efficient mechanisms for acquisition of iron under conditions of limitation (ref. 1--Throughout this application, various references are referred to in parenthesis to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains. Full bibliographic information for each citation is found at the end of the specification, immediately preceding the claims. The disclosures of these references are hereby incorporated by reference into the present disclosure) A common mechanism found in many bacterial species involves the synthesis and secretion of small iron-chelating molecules, siderophores, which complex with iron and are subsequently bound and internalized via specific receptors at the bacterial surface (ref. 2). This mechanism is effective in a wide variety of environments and is often found in bacterial species that are present in a variety of ecological niches.
The vertebrate host provides an iron-restricted environment to potential bacterial pathogens, largely due to the sequestration of extracellular iron by the host iron-binding glycoproteins, namely transferrin (Tf) and lactoferrin (Lf). Although a siderophore-mediated mechanism should be effective in this setting, some bacterial species have evolved alternative mechanisms of iron acquisition that are adapted to their particular host. Thus, some members of the Pasteurellaceae and Neisseriaceae are capable of specifically binding and effectively acquiring iron from the host Tf and in some cases, Lf. This is mediated by receptors present at the bacterial surface whose expression is induced by restricting the level of available iron in the medium.
Receptors that are specific for Tf from the host (ref. 3) have been identified in a variety of important human and veterinary pathogens as well as some commensal species (Table 1). To date, Tf receptors have only been identified in bacterial species within the Pasteurellaceae and Neisseriaceae. In most species the Tf receptor has been shown to consist of two proteins, Tf-binding protein I (Tbp1) and Tf-binding protein 2 (Tbp2). The genes encoding these proteins have been cloned from Neisseria meningitidis (ref. 13), N. gonorrhoeae (refs. 14 and 15), Haemophilus influenzae (ref. 16) and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (refs. 17 and 18). The predicted amino acid sequences of Tbp2 proteins reveal homology to the lipoprotein signal peptidase recognition site suggesting that it is lipid-modified and retains an association with the outer membrane via its lipid tail. Lipidation of Tbp2 has been confirmed by labelling (refs. 13 and 19) and evidence is accumulating that Tbp2 is largely surface exposed (refs. 20 and 21). Isogenic mutants deficient in the production of Tbp2 demonstrate severely limited ability to utilize transferrin as a sole iron source during in vitro growth studies, suggesting Tbp2 plays an important, albeit not essential role in iron acquisition (refs. 14, 16, 22).
Based on its homology with other TonB-dependant outer membrane proteins Tbp1 receptor proteins are believed to have several regions which span the outer membrane (ref. 23) (see ref. 35 for a topological model that can be applied to Tbp1). Similarly, based on the results obtained with the FepA receptor (ref. 25), Tbp1 is thought to act as a gated pore which allows the passage of iron from the transferrin and lactoferrin molecules, which are themselves not internalized, to the periplasm where it is bound by the ferric iron-binding protein, FbpA. Two additional proteins FbpB and FbpC are believed to be involved in the transport of iron across the cytoplasmic membrane.
The transport of iron across the outer membrane is believed to occur in a TonB-dependent manner, in that amino acid sequences referred as the "TonB box", located in a number of TonB-dependent outer membrane receptor proteins have also been identified in Tbp1. The inability to utilize human transferrin following insertional inactivation of the H. influenzae TonB homologue clearly supports this theory. In addition, mutants in which the Tbp1 protein has been insertionally inactivated are unable to utilize transferrin as a sole iron source, supporting its essential role in iron acquisition from transferrin.
Bacterial lactoferrin receptors have only been described for human pathogens in the Neisseriaceae, and were thought to consist of a single protein, Lbp1. Amino acid sequence analysis of the Lbp1 protein shows high homology to Tbp1 (refs. 26, 35, 36), and isogenic mutant analysis deficient in Lbp1 suggests an essential role of Lbp1 in iron acquisition (refs. 24 and 28). Recent genetic evidence suggests that similar to the tbpBA operonic organization, an open reading frame is located immediately upstream of the lbpA structural gene which may encode a Tbp2 homologue, Lbp2 (ref. 35).
Properties of lactoferrin receptor proteins of bacterial pathogens indicate that these proteins have utility in diagnosis of and vaccination against diseases caused by such bacterial pathogens that produce lactoferrin receptor proteins or proteins capable of raising antibodies specifically reactive with lactoferrin receptor proteins.
It would be advantageous to provide purified lactoferrin receptor proteins (and methods of purification thereof) for use as antigens, immunogenic preparations, including vaccines, carriers for other antigens and immunogens and the generation of diagnostic reagents.


Disclosed are lipid A analogs useful for the treatment of septic shock and LPS-mediated activation of viral infection.

The invention relates to compounds which are useful as anti-endotoxic drugs, particularly analogs of lipid A.
The incidence of gram negative bacteremia in the United States has been estimated to be approximately 100,000 to 300,000 cases per year, with a mortality rate of 30-60% (Dudley, Am. J. Hosp. Pharm. 47, Supp.3:S3, 1990). Antibiotics are commonly used as the primary chemotherapy for this disease; however, their bactericidal action results in disruption of the bacterium and concomitant release of endotoxin, i.e., the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) moiety of the bacterial outer membrane. The liberated LPS induces a number of pathophysiological events in mammals (collectively referred to as gram-negative endotoxemia or sepsis syndrome): these include fever, generalized inflammation, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), hypotension, acute renal failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), hepatocellular destruction, and cardiac failure (Dudley, supra; Braunwald et al., eds., Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 11th ed., McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1987).
Although the endotoxin initiates sepsis, it has little or no direct effect on tissues; instead, it triggers a cascade of biologic mediators which lead to sepsis and septic shock. Endotoxin stimulates monocytes and macrophages to produce tumor-necrosis factor and interleukin-1, two major primary mediators. These mediators then cause the sepsis syndrome by stimulating inflammatory or other cells, such as endothelial cells, to secrete a cascade of secondary mediators (e.g., prostaglandins, leukotrienes, interferons, platelet-activating factor, endorphins, and colony-stimulating factors). These inflammatory mediators influence vasomotor tone, microvascular permeability, and the aggregation of leukocytes and platelets. Although the actions and interactions of these substances appear to be complex, their net effect in initiating septic shock appears to be very significant (Braunwald et al., supra).
As reported by DiPiro (Am. J. Hosp. Pharm. 47, Supp.3:S6, 1990), the bacterial lipopolysaccharide molecule has three main regions: a long-chain polysaccharide (O Antigen) region, a core region, and a lipid A region. The entire lipopolysaccharide molecule and some of its components have toxic effects. Most of these toxic effects, however, are believed to be attributable to the lipid A portion. Structurally, lipid A is composed of a disaccharide and acylated by long-chain fatty acids.
Therapies for endotoxin-related diseases have generally been directed toward controlling the inflammatory response. Such therapies include: corticosteroid treatment, suggested to ameliorate endotoxin-mediated cell membrane injury and to reduce production of certain biologic mediators (Bone,N, Eng. J. Med. 317:653, 1987; Veterans Administration Systemic Sepsis Cooperative Study Group, N. Eng. J. Med. 317:659, 1987; Braunwald et al., supra); administration of antibodies designed to neutralize the bacterial LPS endotoxin (see, e.g., Ziegler et al., N. Eng. J. Med. 307:1225, 1982); treatment with naloxone, which apparently blocks the hypotensive effects associated with the sepsis syndrome (Sheagren et al., Shock Syndromes Related to Sepsis. In: Wyngaarden and Smith, eds., Cecil Testbook of Medicine, 18th ed. Philadelphia, 1988, pp 1538-41); and treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, purported to block cyclo-oxygenases and thereby decrease the production of certain secondary mediators such as prostaglandins and thromboxane (DiPiro, supra).


An improved tool holder of the type having an insert receiving pocket and using tiltable pin to clamp an insert in the pocket. The pin is located in a bore through the bottom of the pocket of the tool holder and is tiltable therein so that one end of the pin engages a center hole of an insert and clamps it in the pocket. A recess communicates with the bore near the lower end of the pin when the pin is in the bore and spherical elements such as balls are disposed in said recess. Means for moving said spherical elements are provided so that the pin is tilted into clamping position on the insert. A top clamp is provided that cooperates with the pin element in clamping said insert.

This invention relates to tool holders having indexable insert receiving pockets that detachably hold inserts during cutting operations.
The tool holders have a bore through a bottom of the insert receiving pocket and an elongated pin member is disposed in said bore. The upper end of the pin enters into the region of the pocket and registers with a center hole in the insert to be clamped. Movement of the upper portion of the pin is effected in some manner so that the upper part of the pin engages the center hole and clamps the insert to a side wall of the pocket in the tool holder.
Examples of such tool holders are evidenced by U.S. Pat. No. 3,488,822, issued to D. G. Jones, and assigned to applicant corporation. Further examples of these types of tool holders are U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,792,516; 3,316,616; 3,889,332; 3,579,776; 3,491,421; 3,555,786 and 3,496,296.


Relatively thin microdisc cassette cases having a generally rectangular parallelpiped shape and adapted to house therewithin a standardized 3.5-inch flexible magnetic disc, include a pair of opposing planar cassette case halves, and detent members for joining these cassette case halves one to another in face-to-face relationship. The detent members include a number of registered male and female detents which are sized and configured so as to be in an interference friction fit with one another. In such a manner, the cassette case halves are securely joined one to another without necessarily employing conventional ultrasonic welding techniques. However, the cassette case halves may nonetheless be separated upon application of a separatory force of sufficient magnitude. Preferably, the cassette case halves, and hence the male and female detent members, are unitarily molded from a polyacetal resin.

Flexible sheet-like magnetic discs having a nominal standardized size of about 3.5-inches are widely used in a variety of data storage/retrieval systems. For example, cassettes which include flexible magnetic discs are used in conjunction with personal computers so as to load data and/or programs into the central processing unit of the computer, as well as to store data in an off-site location in a more convenient manner.
When placed into service in a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, the magnetic disc (which is accommodated for rotational movement within the interior of the cassette case) is caused to spin relative to a magnetic read/write head by means of a motor-driven spindle coacting with an aperture in the central hub of the magnetic disc. The spindle, moreover, serves to center the magnetic disc relative to the magnetic read/write head so that accurate placement and retrieval of data onto and from the disc will ensue.
The cassette case for flexible magnetic discs having a standardized size of about 3.5-inches (i.e., so-called "microdiscs") is relatively thin (i.e., on the order of about 0.14 inch (3.4 mm)). In this regard, it has been the industry practice for some time to physically join the cassette case halves (which are typically made of an ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resin) using ultrasonic welding techniques. Although mateable male/female projections have been formed on the interior of conventional cassette case halves in order to provide "locators" they do not serve to physically couple the cassette halves one to the other. Instead, the cassette case halves are typically joined to one another by ultrasonic welding. (See in this regard, U.S. Pat. No. 4,517,617 to Tsuji et al, incorporated by reference herein).
Several problems, however, are associated with the ultrasonic welding of the cassette case halves. For example, ultrasonic welding of the cassette case halves requires vibration at ultrasonic frequencies to be imparted to the cassette case at localized regions so as to generate the necessary frictional abrasion to provide for localized temperature increases sufficient to at least partially melt the cassette case in the localized regions, so that upon resolidification, the cassette case halves are irreversibly joined to one another. The frictional abrasion necessary to achieve localized temperature increases, however, typically generates a sufficient amount of dust-like particles which remain contained within the cassette case. As one means of solving this problem, conventional microdisc cassettes have also included non-woven fabric protector and an associated lifter (which serves to bias the fabric protector into physical engagement with the flexible magnetic disc) so as to prevent the dust generated from the ultrasonic welding operation from disrupting the proper reading/writing of information from/onto the flexible magnetic disc.
During fabrication of conventional microdisc cassettes, a final quality check is performed on the magnetic media prior to shipment of the microdisc to the purchaser. Oftentimes, however, the flexible magnetic media does not satisfy quality standards (e.g., due to defects that may have occurred during handling as part of the fabrication process) and therefore must be segregated from the acceptable disc products. Because the cassette case halves have been irreversibly joined to one another via ultrasonic welding, the defective flexible magnetic disc cannot simply be replaced with a disc of acceptable quality. As a result, the entire assembled microdisc cassette must be scrapped--a costly necessity due to the labor investment that is involved in the fabrication process.
It would be especially desirable if means were provided to allow the cassette case halves of microdiscs to be joined one to another without ultrasonic welding. Such an improvement could possibly eliminate the need for fabric protectors which are provided with conventional microdisc cassettes, and thereby save the labor/handling costs associated with the same. In addition, the cassette case could be fabricated more easily with the cassette case halves being readily separable to allow defective magnetic media to be replaces. As a result, the entire microdisc cassette would not need to be scrapped. It is towards achieving such improvements to microdisc cassettes that the present invention is directed.
According to the present invention, novel microdisc (i.e., standardized 3.5-inch magnetic "floppy" discs) cassette cases formed of a molded thermoplastic material are provided whereby the opposing halves are joined to one another in face-to-face relationship without necessarily employing ultrasonic welding techniques. More specifically, the present invention includes joining the opposing cassette case halves one to another by means of frictionally interengaged male and female detent members which are formed as one-piece structures with respective ones of the cassette case halves. Preferably, the frictional interengagement between the male and female detent members provide the sole means by which the cassette case halves are joined.
The male and female detent members each have a peripheral edge which defines a generally annular interengagement region. That is, the peripheral edges of the male and female detent members will each frictionally engage one another within the generally annular region circumscribed by each. This annular region of frictional interengagement between the male and female detent members is beneficial as it maximizes the amount of interference fit therebetween, while minimizing the detent members' depth dimension (i.e., as measured perpendicular to the plane of the cassette case halves). In this regard, the width dimension of the generally annular interengagement region (i.e., as measured in a plane parallel to the plane of the cassette case halves) is at least about two times, and most preferably at least about three times, the interengagement region's depth dimension.
According to some embodiments of this invention, the male detent members are in the form of a projecting nib having an enlarged cylindrical head portion. The female detent member, on the other hand, will be in the form of a conforming annular upright wall which defines a space that is sized and configured to accept the enlarged cylindrical head of the male nib therewithin. The annular upright wall will moreover preferably define an entranceway of reduced dimension so as to enhance the interference fit between the enlarged head of the male nib and the space defined by the upright annular wall.
Another embodiment of this invention includes a number of discrete walls arranged so as to circumscribe generally the annular interengagement region. In its preferred form, the discrete walls of the male detents will each project outwardly from their associated cassette case half in converging relationship to one another. The discrete walls of the female detents, however, will each project outwardly from their respective cassette case half but in a diverging relationship to one another. The walls of the male detents will thus be in interference fit on an exterior lateral side of the walls of the female detents within the annular interengagement region defined thereby.
Further aspects and advantages of this invention will become more clear after careful consideration is given to the detailed description of the preferred exemplary embodiments thereof which follow.

Flexible magnetic disc cassettes with separable cassette cases


A proximity sensor is provided with a means for directly measuring parameters of a proximity sensor coil which permit the determination of both the AC and DC resistances of the coil. These parameters are then used to determine a discriminator value magnitude according to a mathematical relationship that has been predetermined through previous analysis of empirical data for the particular coil and application intended for the proximity sensor. In one particular application of the present invention, the rear AC resistance is utilized and is added to the DC resistance after the DC resistance has been mathematically altered by a preselected factor. Alternative embodiments of the present invention can also utilize the imaginary AC component of the impedance either by itself or in conjunction with the rear AC component of the impedance. Whether the real or imaginary AC components of the impedance are used individually or together, the DC resistance is used in the determination of the discriminator value magnitude because of its reliable relationship to the temperature of the coil.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to proximity sensor and, more particularly, to a proximity sensor that directly measures the AC and DC resistances of the sensor coil and, from these measured parameters, derives a discriminator value which exhibits a significantly reduced temperature sensitivity, is a generally linear function of temperature and indicative of the distance between the proximity sensor and a metallic object.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Proximity sensors have been well known to those skilled in the art for many years. One particularly well known type of proximity sensor is the eddy current killed oscillator, or ECKO, which utilizes an oscillator that generates a radio frequency, or RF field, at the face of the sensor. Together, the oscillator and the sensor form a tuned circuit which oscillates at a predetermined frequency. When a metallic object, or target, is moved toward the face of the sensor, eddy currents are established in the target as a result of the oscillating magnetic field. The development of these eddy currents cause the oscillations to diminish in amplitude, or be killed. Typically, an integrator converts the sine wave signal, which is generated by the oscillator, into a DC signal. The DC signal, which varies in amplitude with the amplitude of the oscillator, is sensed by a device, such as a Schmitt trigger, and converted into a digital signal. The digital signal represents the presence or absence of a metallic target in the region of the sensor face.
Sensors of the type described above utilize a threshold detector which can be used to convert the analog DC signal into a digital output which indicates the presence of a metal target. The magnitude of the DC signal varies as a representative function of the distance between the face of the sensor and the target. However, sensors of this type are not commonly utilized to determine the actual distance between the target and the sensor face over a wide range of target distances because of the severe effect that temperature changes have on the accuracy of the sensor output. Because of this deleterious affect of temperature on the DC signal of a proximity sensor, the inability of a proximity sensor to provide a signal that is reliable and repeatable for a wide range of target distances at all temperatures inhibits the use of this type of sensor in a distance measuring application. The severe affect of temperature change of the magnitude of the DC signal therefore prevents proximity sensors of this type from being reliably used to measure the distance between the target and the face of the sensor.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,074,185, which issued to Dardenne on Feb. 14, 1978 describes a method and apparatus for measuring the position of a magnetic rod. An induction coil is fed by means of constant AC current supply and the resulting voltage which appears across the terminals of the coil is measured. The reactive component value of the voltage is determined and used as a representative signal of the position occupied by the magnetic rod in the coil. This apparatus measures the reactive component of the voltage and not the AC or DC resistances.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,023, which issued to Heimlicher on Apr. 2, 1985, describes an oscillator with a temperature compensated oscillating coil. It describes a method by which the temperature coefficient of the copper resistance in an oscillating coil is used to compensate for the temperature coefficient of the quality factor of the same coil. An AC voltage that is proportional to the copper resistance of the oscillating coil is generated in the oscillating circuit. The oscillator comprises an oscillating coil which, in turn, comprises a high frequency litz wire. To access the copper resistance of the coil, one of the litz wires is separated from the other wire at a first terminal of the coil and separately connected to a second terminal of the coil. From the second terminal, the coil is seen as a bifilar coil. A constant alternating current source is connected to the second terminal in order to generate an AC voltage across the oscillating circuit that is proportional to the copper resistance of the coil. The oscillator is intended for use in proximity switches which have relatively large switching distances. This device is primarily intended to compensate for the quality factor of an oscillating coil. In addition, the device described in this patent injects a voltage into the separated litz wire which is opposite to that of the oscillator voltage. Furthermore, this patent does not describe a method which measures impedance values.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,591,795, which issued to McCorkle on May 27, 1986, describes a signal conditioning circuit for a linear/rotary variable differential transformer (L/R VDT). The circuit described in this patent can be utilized for ratiometric comparison of L/R VDT primary coil peak excitation and L/R VDT secondary coil peak response. Unique peak detectors are used for detecting both primary and secondary peak values. The circuit may include an oscillator having resistive and capacitive elements in a tank circuit which also includes the L/R VDT primary coil. Offset errors may be determined externally by providing for a momentary shutdown of the oscillator to permit the measurement of DC components to the signal conditioner and excitation DC output. The device described in the McCorkle patent requires that the oscillator be shut down for the period of time required to measure the DC characteristics of the coil. By the nature of this device, it appears to require at least two or three coils and, in the preferred embodiment, utilizes peak detectors.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,079, which issued to Kustra et al on Jan. 9, 1990, describes a method and apparatus for correcting an eddy current signal voltage for temperature affects. This device measures physical characteristics of an electrically conductive material by the use of eddy current techniques and compensates measurement errors which are caused by changes in temperature. It includes a switching arrangement connected between primary and reference coils of an eddy current probe which allows the probe to be selectively connected between an eddy current output oscilloscope and a digital ohmmeter for measuring the resistances of the primary and reference coils substantially at the time of eddy current By using this technique, changes in resistance due to temperature affects can be compensated for in determining the true error in the eddy current measurement. The true error can therefore be converted into an equivalent eddy current measurement correction. This device uses a reference and a primary sense coil and the detection method utilizes a balanced bridge scheme.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,942,372, which issued to Heimlicher on Jul. 17, 1990, describes a method and a circuit for reduction of temperature dependance in an oscillator. This circuit, which is generally similar to the other Heimlicher patent described above, reduces the temperature dependance of an oscillator by a circuit that uses two positive feedback paths to provide the positive feedback necessary for maintaining the oscillation of an LC-oscillating circuit. On of the two feedback paths compensates the temperature dependant influences while the other compensates temperature independent influences.
It would be beneficial if a proximity sensor could utilize its single coil in cooperation with a circuit which provides means to directly read the AC and DC resistances of the coil to permit the derivation of a temperature independent discriminator value that can be used to determine the distance between a target and the face of the sensor with sufficient accuracy to confidently and reliably determine the distance between the sensor and the target.

Proximity sensor with reduced temperature sensitivity using A.C. and D.C. energy


The present invention provides a vehicle seat which includes a seat frame, a seat cushion receiving member stretched across the seat frame, and a seat cushion placed on the seat cushion receiving member. In the vehicle seat, the seat cushion has such dimensions as to cover the seat frame as viewed in plan, and a lower surface of the seat cushion has a raised portion in a region covering the seat frame, and the raised portion is raised so as not to contact the seat frame.

Seating portions of vehicle seats are required to have a large elastic stroke for satisfactory seating comfort, and a reduced thickness for both reduced weight and space saving. In some examples of seating portion structures that can achieve both such an elastic stroke and a reduced thickness, a seat cushion receiving member that extends two-dimensionally is stretched across a seat frame via coil springs or by providing the seat cushion receiving member itself with elasticity, and a seat cushion is placed on the seat frame and the seat cushion receiving member. A large elastic stroke can be implemented by the seat cushion receiving member and the seat cushion, and a reduced thickness can be implemented because a thin seat cushion receiving member and a relatively thin seat cushion can be used.
Patent Literature 1 uses an elastic sheet such as a vinyl chloride sheet as a seat cushion receiving member. Patent Literature 2 uses wires as a seat cushion receiving member, and the wires are stretched across a seat frame via coil springs. S-shaped springs are also used as a seat cushion receiving member. Patent Literature 3 also uses wires as a seat cushion receiving member, and the wires are stretched across a seat frame via coil springs.


An apparatus and method for alleviating spiraling in boreholes is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sub, which adjusts the length of the bottom-hole assembly in response to tension/compression, flexural bending and/or torque measurements made above and below the reamer so that the drill bit and the reamer cut at the same depth rate. The sub is connected between the drill bit and the reamer. The apparatus further includes measurement devices disposed on the bottom-hole assembly above and below the reamer, which are capable of measuring the tension/compression, flexural bending and torque in the bottom-hole assembly. The method includes use of a data processor, which determines which operational output signals to supply to the sub in order to adjust its length and thereby accomplish the desired drilling rates.

Hydrocarbons, such as oil and gas, are commonly obtained from subterranean formations that may be located onshore or offshore. The development of subterranean operations and the processes involved in removing hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation typically include a number of different steps such as, for example, drilling a wellbore from a surface location to a desired target in the reservoir, treating the wellbore to optimize production of hydrocarbons, and performing the necessary steps to produce and process the hydrocarbons from the subterranean formation.
The drilling part of completing a well can present many challenges, especially in those formations, which are difficult to drill, such as highly interbedded formation, hard formations or complicated geological structures. Those formations, which require access through complex angles such as is required with directional drilling can also present many challenges as can those formations having many differing structures throughout their depth.
In some drilling applications, it is necessary to enlarge the wellbore to a greater diameter than the drill bit and/or the pass-through diameter of the previous casing string. This can be required for different reasons, the main one being to reduce the circulating pressure of drilling fluid or cement in the wellbore.
Such an operation is commonly known as reaming. This is often accomplished using a device known as a reamer or underreamer. A reamer is included as part of the BHA and attached above the drill bit assembly. The reamer is a secondary drilling apparatus having cutters, which remain retracted within the BHA until it is desired to drill the enlarged hole above the drill bit assembly. There are many mechanisms used to expand and retract the reamer from the BHA, which are well known within the art.
In some applications, especially those involving formations having inter-beds of different strength or structures that intersect the wellbore at different angles, which vary from region to region, the reamer can cut at a different speed than the drill bit, cutting their respective formations at differing depths per unit of time, faster or slower depending on the rock strength. This change in loading between the two cutting structures causes different levels of compression and tension within the BHA above the bit and below the reamer and also above the reamer. This variation in load can cause the borehole to become spiraled as the orientation of the cutting faces is altered as the compression or tension bends the drill collars between the two cutting structures by varying amounts. Different amounts of wear are also induced on the cutting structures by failing to balance the load causing a greater difference in the rates at which the reamer and bit will drill.
If the spiraling is severe enough it is possible for the BHA to become lodged in the wellbore. Spiraling builds up torque on the stabilizers or other down-hole equipment in contact with the formation. This can adversely affect the drilling operation by reducing the rate of penetration, causing premature wear to the cutting structures, increasing the difficulty of moving cuttings out of the wellbore as it becomes spiraled and potentially causing the BHA to become stuck either through the mechanical creation of ledges or excessive cuttings build up. Thus, there remains a need in the art for minimizing spiraling of the borehole in an effort to prevent the BHA from becoming stuck in the borehole during back reaming and to improve overall drilling performance.

Apparatus and method of alleviating spiraling in boreholes


A power conversion apparatus and a power conversion method are provided for heat treatment. The power conversion apparatus includes a rectifier configured to convert AC power to DC power, a smoothing filter configured to control the DC power received from the rectifier to be constant, an inverter configured to convert the DC power received from the smoothing filer into high-frequency power by turning the DC power on and off using a switching device made of an SiC semiconductor, and a control unit configured to control the rectifier and the inverter. A rating of output power output from the inverter is determined in accordance with a frequency of the high-frequency power output from the inverter, a current-applying time, and an operation rate obtained by dividing the current-applying time by a sum of the current-applying time and a non-current-applying time.

Electric resistance heating methods include induction heating and direct resistance heating. In hardening treatment in particular which is one kind of heat treatment using induction heating, a proper frequency is selected according to a heat treatment depth in a workpiece.
According to a related art power conversion apparatus for heat treatment, DC power is converted into high-frequency power by performing switching using a power semiconductor device. In recent years, an SiC-MOSFET made of SiC (silicon carbide) has attracted attention as a switching device for the power semiconductor.
The switching frequency becomes ten times when the oscillatory frequency changes from 10 kHz to 100 kHz. Thus, the temperature rise of the power semiconductor changes greatly. That is, when the capacity (maximum rated value) of an inverter in the power conversion apparatus for heat treatment is determined in accordance with the maximum frequency in an operating range of the apparatus, the temperature rise is uneconomically low for a low output frequency. It is also uneconomical that the temperature rise differs in accordance with a current-applying time per one time as well as in accordance with the operating frequency.

Power conversion apparatus and power conversion method for heat treatment


A method of preventing multiple client access by datagram-based control protocols on a network having a scan peripheral and a server. The server utilizes a connectionless protocol for communicating control data and a connection oriented protocol for communicating scan data. A first client sends an open connection request to the server in an attempt to open a connection with the server. The server checks to determine if a connection with another client is currently open. Thereafter, the server rejects the open connection request in the event a connection is currently open. The server accepts the connection request and storing predetermined client information in the event a connection with another client is not currently open. The client sends a datagram-based protocol request for a predetermined action to the server. Next, the server determines if the predetermined action is a protected action and whether the request is from the client that has the currently open connection. Additionally, the server sends an error message to any client not having a currently open connection which makes a datagram-based protocol request for a protected action. The server processes a datagram-based protocol request when made by the client having a currently open connection. One of the client and the server closes the open connection upon completion of an activity.

The present invention generally relates to software and firmware, i.e., software embedded on a system, and more particularly to software and firmware for preventing multiple access of datagram-based control protocols.
Scanning peripherals, i.e., scanners, are becoming a larger portion of the peripheral industry. Users find such peripherals useful as a means of input for text, graphics and images. Many software applications now permit manipulation and use of such data. Some scanners utilize out-of-band control, such as multifunction peripheral data transfer format (MFPDTF) to control functions of the peripheral. For out-of-band control, the control commands are transmitted outside the data channel on a separate channel. Conversely, other scanners utilize in-band control, such as scanner control language (SCL). In-band scan control is accomplished via a set of in-band commands that are imbedded within the scan data stream.
Since scan data is both lengthy and contiguous, it is sensible to transmit the data using a connection-oriented protocol, such as transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) or sequenced packet exchange (SPX) protocol. Unlike scan data, control data is typically comprised of a series of short request-response transactions. Thus, for a scanner with out-of-band control, it is sensible to eliminate overhead associated with establishing and terminating a connection with the scanner by using a connectionless protocols, such as simple network management protocol (SNMP), user datagram protocol (UDP), and internetwork packet exchange (IPX), for control commands.
A problem exists, however, when using a connectionless protocol for the out-of-band controlled scanners. When scanners and other peripheral devices are attached to a network, multiple clients can access the devices. Since multiple clients can access the scanning peripheral on a network, potential contention problems occur. Scanners, for example, ordinarily require setup before starting an actual scan. Contention occurs when one client sends commands to set the scanner resolution, page size, and other options in preparation for starting a scan, and at the same time another client issues similar commands to the same scanner. When the first client finally opens a data connection to start the scan job, some of the desired scan options may already have been overwritten by the second client. Nothing inherently exists in a connectionless protocol to prevent such overwriting. Similarly, one client can send commands to reset the scanner while another client""s scan is in progress, and effectively abort the other client""s scan job.
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved server method that utilizes a connectionless protocol for control data and a connection oriented protocol for scan data.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved server method that uses a connection oriented protocol to grant access to objects referenced by a connectionless protocol.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method apparatus that handles network contention.

Multiple access prevention for datagram-based control protocols method

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A multiplex filter has at least n filter chambers which are surrounded by a housing and/or at least one insert positioned in the housing. A metal dividing device is constructed in each of the n filter chambers, dividing each filter chamber into m resonator chambers, wherein m≥2. The resonator chambers are coupled perpendicular to the H fields and/or parallel to the central axis or with a component essentially perpendicular to the H fields and/or parallel to the central axis. A common connection is guided into the first filter chamber via a first opening in the housing, and is coupled in the same to the m resonators of the m resonator chambers. As a result of the fact that the coupling is established perpendicular to the H field, the resonator can have a very compact construction.

In the context of the transmission of TM modes and/or TM waves, only the electrical field has a component in the direction of propagation, and the magnetic fields are entirely perpendicular to the direction of propagation. TM waves are therefore also called E waves. A multiplex filter in this context comprises a common connection and at least two signal line connections, wherein the at least two signal line connections are each connected to the common connection via one signal transmission path. The direction of signal transmission can be from the common connection to one of the multiple signal line connections (for example in the form of a diplexer or multiplexer), and also simultaneously from another one of the signal line connections to the common connection (for example in the form of a duplexer which has two further connections in addition to the first common connection). Each signal transmission path passes through different resonator chambers such that different frequency ranges are filtered in the same.
The publication by M. Höft and T. Magath, "Compact Base-Station Filters Using TM-Mode Dielectric Resonators," describes the construction of a high-frequency filter which has multiple dielectric resonators. In this case, the individual resonators are coupled parallel to the direction of propagation of the H field.
A disadvantage of this construction is that more space is required to implement the desired filter properties. This space requirement increases in proportion to the number of signal transmission paths which should be included.
Therefore, the problem addressed herein is that of creating a multiplex filter which is particularly suitable for the transmission of TM modes in the transverse direction, wherein this multiplex filter should be constructed in both a space-saving and cost-effective manner.
This problem is addressed with respect to a multiplex filter and a method for tuning such a multiplex filter. Advantageous non-limiting implementations of the multiplex filter or of the method for tuning the multiplex filter are provided.
The multiplex filter has a housing which has a housing base, a housing cover spaced apart from the housing base, and a circumferential housing wall between the housing base and the housing cover. The housing base and the housing cover are preferably intersected by a central axis. The multiplex filter also has at least n filter chambers which are surrounded by the housing and/or at least one insert positioned in the housing.
A dividing device which consists of metal or which comprises metal is constructed in each of the n filter chambers, dividing each filter chamber into m resonator chambers, wherein m≥2, and wherein each of the same form one resonator. The dividing devices are arranged parallel to the central axis or with a component substantially parallel to the central axis and divide the filter chamber into m resonator chambers parallel to the central axis or with a component substantially parallel to the central axis. The resonator chambers in each filter chamber, and therefore each of the resonators, are decoupled from each other by the dividing devices situated in each filter chamber. In addition, at least n dielectrics are included, of which at least one is arranged in each filter chamber. The multiplex filter has n−1 separators. The n filter chambers are arranged along a central axis which is perpendicular to the H field, or with a component essentially perpendicular to the H field, wherein every two filter chambers which are adjacent or are adjacent along the central axis are separated by one separator. Each of the n−1 separators has at least m coupling openings via which every two resonator chambers which are adjacent in the signal transmission direction are coupled to each other. The resonator chambers are coupled perpendicular to the H fields and/or parallel to the central axis or with a component essentially perpendicular to the H fields and/or parallel to the central axis. A common connection is guided into the first filter chamber via a first opening in the housing, and is coupled in the same to the m resonators of the m resonator chambers. As a result of the fact that the coupling is established perpendicular to the H field, the resonator can have a very compact construction. In addition, m signal line connections are coupled via m openings in the housing to the m resonators in the m resonator chambers in the nth filter chamber.
It is particularly advantageous in this case that the individual filter chambers, and accordingly the individual resonator chambers with the resonators are stacked one above the other, wherein the same are coupled by coupling openings which are constructed inside the separators. The coupling is in the signal transmission direction, and therefore perpendicular to the H field. This enables a very compact construction of the resonator because multiple signal transmission directions are established parallel to the central axis and are uncoupled from each other.
The method for tuning the multiplex filter comprises various method steps. In one method step, at the beginning, all coupling openings of the 1+Xth separator and/or the n−1−Xth separator are closed, wherein X is equal to 0 at the beginning. In a further method step, a reflection parameter is measured at the common connection and/or at least one, and preferably all, signal line connections. Subsequently, the resonance frequency and/or the coupling bandwidth, and/or the input coupling bandwidth, is/are adjusted to a desired value. This method can be used to adjust the resonance frequency and/or the coupling bandwidth of m resonator chambers of a filter chamber to the desired value independently of further resonator chambers in other filter chambers.
There is a further advantage when one or both end faces of each of the n dielectrics are coated with a metal layer, wherein this metal layer then constitutes one of the n−1 separators, and wherein at least one recess inside the metal layer forms the at least one coupling opening. The use of accordingly coated dielectrics enables a further reduction of the size of the high-frequency filter.
There is also a further advantage for the multiplex filter if a diameter of at least one, and preferably all, filter chambers is defined and/or prespecified by at least one insert in each case, and particularly by an annular insert which leans against the housing wall. The resonance frequency can be tuned in this way. The configuration of the insert leaning against the housing wall in a form-fitting manner also ensures that the insert cannot slide from its position over time.
The insert of one, and preferably of each, filter chamber has wall segments adjacent to the inner wall of the housing with different thicknesses, such that it is possible to adjust the volumes of individual resonator chambers of a filter chamber independently of each other, and/or for said volumes to differ from each other. The use of such inserts further increases the flexibility of the multiplex filter.
A further advantage of the multiplex filter arises when the inserts of at least two of the n filter chambers which do not directly follow each other—that is, are not adjacent to each other—have an opening, and the at least two openings are connected to each other by a channel which runs, by way of example, at last partially inside the housing wall. An electrical line runs in this channel, and the electrical line couples the two resonator chambers of the different filter chambers to each other capacitively and/or inductively. In this way, despite the compact construction of the multiplex filter, it is possible to achieve an overcoupling of resonators which are not directly adjacent.
An advantage also arises when at least one anti-turning element is attached between at least one of the n−1 separators and the at least one insert and/or the adjacent dielectric, to prevent these elements from turning with respect to each other. In this case, it is possible for at least one anti-turning element to be attached in each case between the housing base and/or the housing cover and/or the housing wall and the insert in the first filter chamber and the nth filter chamber, the same preventing these elements from turning with respect to each other. This ensures that the resonance frequencies and the group delays of the individual resonators do not change over time due to vibration in the high-frequency filter.
The n dielectrics inside the multiplex filter can have a disk shape, and/or all or some of the n dielectrics can have completely or partially differing dimensions. It is also possible for all or at least one of the n dielectrics to fully or partially fill in the volume of their respective filter chambers, and therefore of the m resonator chambers. The behavior of each resonator with respect to its resonance frequency and its coupling bandwidth can be accordingly adjusted by the geometric form and the arrangement of the dielectrics.
The dividing device is preferably formed by a plurality of through-connections inside the dielectric, which are arranged in the filter chamber parallel, or at least with one component parallel, to the central axis, thereby dividing the dielectric into m parts, wherein each of the m parts is found in one of the m resonator chambers of a filter chamber. This enables the use of a single dielectric, which is preferably made of a ceramic. In contrast, it would be possible for the dielectric to be composed inside each filter chamber of m parts which are preferably the same size, wherein each of the m parts is found in one of the m resonator chambers in a filter chamber, and wherein a metal layer is formed inside each filter chamber between the m parts as a dividing device. This metal layer separates the individual resonator chambers inside a filter chamber from each other, wherein the metal layer is arranged parallel to, or at least with one component parallel to, the central axis. A metal layer can be, by way of example, an electrically conductive coating on the lateral peripheral surface of the dielectric. Such an electrically conductive coating must be applied only at the locations of the m parts which are not in contact with the insert or with another already coated part of the m parts.
At least two or all of the n dielectrics, or two or all of the m parts of at least one dielectric, are made of a different material. In this case, it is also possible that at least one or all of the n dielectrics preferably have at least one recess filled with air. In this way, it is possible to separately change the resonance frequency for each resonator of a resonator chamber inside a filter chamber.
The first filter chamber has a region in which the dividing device only extends through the first dielectric over a sub-length of the diameter, thereby forming an opening region in which the common connection is coupled in the first filter plane to all m resonators, wherein the opening region has a size or length which is less than 10%, preferably less than 20%, more preferably less than 30%, more preferably less than 40%, and more preferably less than 50% of the smallest diameter of the first filter chamber. In this way, it is possible for a common connection to be used as a shared connector. By way of example, a mobile radio antenna can be connected to the common connection, wherein signals are transmitted via the same and signals are received by the same.
The signal transmission direction runs through each of the m signal line connections either from the signal line connection to the common connection or from the common connection to the signal line connection. If the signal transmission direction runs from one or more of the signal line connections to the common connection, one resonator of one resonator chamber of a filter chamber is coupled to precisely one resonator of one resonator chamber of a filter chamber which is adjacent in the signal transmission direction. This ensures that one resonator chamber is coupled to precisely one further resonator chamber along the route toward the common connection in the signal transmission direction. In the opposite direction, in the case in which the signal transmission direction runs from the common connection to one or more of the m signal line connections, one resonator of one resonator chamber of a filter chamber is coupled to one or more resonators of one filter chamber which is adjacent in the signal transmission direction. This means that in this case one resonator of one resonator chamber is coupled to more than one resonator of multiple resonator chambers of a further filter chamber. As such, it is possible to create additional signal transmission paths. However, this is preferably only true if the signal transmission direction runs from the common connection to the m signal line connections.
The coupling between the individual resonators is increased by the dielectric in the first resonator being in contact with the first separator, and the dielectric in the nth resonator being in contact with the n−1th separator, wherein the remaining dielectrics of the remaining n−2 resonators are in contact with both of the separators bounding the filter chamber in question. This is particularly advantageous if the dielectric in the first resonator is additionally in contact with the housing cover and the dielectric in the nth resonator is in contact with the housing base. The phrase "in contact" is used to indicate that two entities at least touch. The dielectrics of the n filter chambers in this case are preferably fixed to the respective separator or the respective separators, thereby improving the coupling.
In a further embodiment of the multiplex filter, the common connection contacts the dielectric in the first filter chamber either centrally or off-center. The dielectric in the first filter chamber has a depression into which the common connection projects, and as a result the common connection is in contact with the first dielectric, or the dielectric in the first filter chamber has a recess which passes through the same, through which the common connection extends such that the common connection is in contact with the first dielectric and is in contact with the first separator. The same is true for the m signal line connections. These have a central or off-center contact with the dielectric which is arranged in the m resonator chambers of the nth filter chamber. The dielectric in the nth filter chamber has up to m depressions into which the m signal line connections project, and as a result the m signal line connections are in contact with the nth dielectric, and/or the dielectric in the nth filter chamber has up to m recesses passing through the same, through which the m signal line connections extend such that the m signal line connections are in contact with the nth dielectric and are in contact with the n−1th separator.
A further advantage of the multiplex filter is a result of the fact that the arrangement and/or the size and/or cross-section shape of at least one coupling opening of one of the n−1 separators differs entirely or partially from the arrangement and/or the size and/or the cross-section shape of another coupling opening of the same n−1 separator or from a coupling opening of another of the n−1 separators. As an alternative or in addition thereto, the number of the coupling openings in the n−1 separators can be entirely or partially different among the same, and/or the number of the coupling openings of one of the n−1 separators used for the coupling of a resonator is different from the number of the coupling openings of the same separator used for the coupling of another resonator. This enables an adjustment of the coupling between the individual resonators to the desired value.
For further tuning of the high-frequency filter, it is also possible that at least one, and preferably all of the resonator chambers of at least one, and preferably all of the filter chambers have at least one additional opening toward the outside of the housing, wherein at least one tuning element can be inserted via this additional opening into the resonator chamber of at least one filter chamber. The distance between the tuning element which is inserted through the at least one additional opening into the at least one resonator chamber of at least one filter chamber can be modified for the corresponding, respective dielectric inside the at least one resonator chamber in the at least one filter chamber. In this case, multiple tuning elements can also be inserted into one resonator chamber, wherein one tuning element consists, by way of example, entirely of a metal or a metallic coating, whereas the other tuning element comprises a dielectric material. The tuning element which consists of a metallic material can be used for coarse tuning, and the tuning element which comprises a dielectric material can be used for fine tuning of the resonator frequency and/or the coupling bandwidth of the corresponding resonator.
In this case, the distance between the at least one spacer element and the respective dielectric inside the at least one of the m resonator chambers of the at least one of the n filter chambers can also be reduced to such an extent that it is in direct contact with the same. The dielectric of at least one of the n filter chambers can also have at least one indentation, wherein the distance between the tuning element and the dielectric can be reduced in such a manner that the tuning element dips into the indentation of the respective dielectric and is in contact with the same. The tuning element in this case enters into the at least one of the m resonator chambers of at least one of the n filter chambers particularly perpendicularly to the signal transmission direction—that is, preferably perpendicular to the central axis.
A method for tuning the multiplex filter is accordingly repeated for the remaining filter chambers. After the resonance frequency and/or the coupling bandwidth of at least one resonator, and preferably all resonators in the first and/or last—that is, nth—filter chamber have been adjusted to the desired value, in a further method stop at least one, and preferably m or more coupling openings of the 1+Xth separator and/or the n−1−Xth separator are opened. Then the value of the counter variable X is increased by 1. The previous method steps are then carried out once more. Once again, a reflection factor is measured on the common connection and/or a reflection factor is measured on at least one, and preferably on all m signal line connections. Subsequently, the coupling openings to the following resonators in the following filter chambers are opened and the value of the counter variable is once again increased. The tuning of the multiplex filter begins with the resonators into which the common connection and the m signal line connections engage—that is, with the resonators of the outermost filter chamber—and ends with the resonators which are arranged in the filter chamber (for an odd number n) or the filter chambers (for an even number n) in the center of the multiplex filter.
In the event that the multiplex filter has an uneven number of filter chambers, the filter chambers in the center of the multiplex filter must be utilized once for the measurement of the reflection factor on the common connection, and another time for the measurement of the reflection factor on at least one, and preferably all, of the m signal line connections. The coupling openings of the two separators which surround the filter chamber in the center of the multiplex filter must be closed to the other connector in each case—that is, to the common connection or to at least one, and preferably all, of the m signal line connections, according to the measurement of the respective reflection factor.
Subsequently, or if, for an even number of filter chambers, all coupling openings are open, the forward transmission factor and/or the reverse transmission factor can be measured, in addition to the reflection factors on the common connection and/or on at least one, and preferably all, of the m signal line connections.
The resonance frequencies and/or the coupling bandwidths can be modified for each resonator chamber of a filter chamber and thereby for each resonator in a filter chamber by modifying the diameter of at least one resonator chamber of a filter chamber, which is possible, by way of example, by exchanging the at least one insert for another insert with a modified size. The arrangement and/or the number and/or the size and/or the cross-section shape of the at least one coupling opening can also be modified by turning and/or exchanging the at least one separator. Likewise, the resonance frequency and/or the coupling bandwidth can be modified by rotating inward or outward at least one tuning element into/out of at least one resonator chamber of a filter chamber. Finally, the dielectric in a filter chamber can be exchanged for another dielectric with modified dimensions and/or recesses.
Various non-limiting embodiments are described in detail below as examples with reference to the drawings. Objects which are the same have the same reference numbers. In the corresponding figures of the drawings,

Multiplex filter with dielectric substrate for the transmission of TM modes in the transverse direction


A vehicle front structure includes side rails, rail tips, and a tension member. The side rails extend longitudinally in a front portion of the vehicle on left and right sides of a central longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The rail tips have a plurality of flat walls that define a hollow polygonal body disposed about a tip axis. The rail tips have proximal and distal ends. The proximal end is fixedly coupled to a forward terminal end of the side rail inboard of an outer quarter of a total vehicle width. The rail tip extends outboard and forward such that the distal end is disposed within the outer quarter. The flat walls have a forward wall thickness that is less than a rearward wall thickness. The tension member is fixedly coupled to the distal ends and spans laterally therebetween.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Vehicles conventionally have an internal body structure including a pair of rails extending longitudinally along the front of the vehicle and on opposite sides of the vehicle's power plant (e.g. engine). A bumper typically extends along the front of the vehicle, between the two rails. The rails typically support the power plant and any number of vehicle components or body panels. The bumper and rails are conventionally designed to absorb some of the forces that can occur during an impact event by deforming. The degree and location of such deformation can determine the trajectory of the vehicle during and after the impact event, and can influence the forces experienced by vehicle occupants. One type of impact event is known as a narrow offset impact (i.e., the IIHS small overlap crash test) where only the outer 25% of the vehicle's width is impacted by a rigid object (e.g., a barrier, wall, or vehicle) during the impact event. Another type of impact event is known as a flat frontal impact where the entire front of the vehicle impacts a flat, rigid object (e.g., a barrier, wall, or vehicle) during the impact event. Yet another type of impact event is known as a frontal oblique impact event where a movable, deformable object (e.g., a movable deformable barrier, or a vehicle) impacts the front corner of the vehicle at an angle relative to the vehicle.

Vehicle front structure with splayed rail tips


Techniques for augmented social networking may include receiving an image. After receiving an image, in real time, an identity of a person in the image may be determined. Association information for the person based on the identity and one or more defined parameters may be determined. The defined parameters may represent electronic communication. Location information of the person may be determined. The association information may be presented proximate to the person in an augmented reality view using the location information. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Currently, people may learn information about other people using technology. The technology may include social networking websites, email communication, short message service (SMS) and instant messaging. Technology can connect people so that a viewer of a social networking website can learn about another person's social associations. For example, on networking sites, a viewer may learn about another person's relationship status, such as whether the person is dating, engaged or married. A viewer may also learn about the other person's family such as who is their mother, father, brother, cousin, niece and nephew. The social networking site may provide information, such as who is a friend of the person and activities that the person enjoys participating in.
All this information is provided to a viewer when he/she is using his/her electronic device. Often a viewer is reading about a person's associations when he/she is at home, work, coffee shop or other location. However, the information is presented in a vacuum as it is unrelated to the people currently surrounding a viewer. For example, a viewer must remember a person's information when he/she sees that person at a social gathering. Alternatively, a viewer must look up the person after they meet them in order to learn more information about the person's associations. It is with respect to these and other considerations that the present improvements have been needed.


A mounting assembly (200) includes first and second mounting components (108, 112) that are displaceable relative to one another. At least one positive-stiffness biasing element (236) exhibiting a positive-stiffness spring rate is operatively disposed between the first and second mounting components. At least one negative-stiffness biasing (288, 290) element exhibiting a negative-stiffness spring rate is disposed between the first and second mounting components in parallel with the at least one positive-stiffness biasing element. A combined spring rate of the at least one positive-stiffness biasing element and the at least one negative-stiffness biasing element is less than the positive-stiffness spring rate of the at least one positive-stiffness biasing element alone. The mounting assembly can exhibit a natural frequency that is less than a natural frequency of a mounting assembly having the at least one positive-stiffness biasing element without the at least one negative-stiffness biasing element. Systems including such mounting assemblies are also included.

The subject matter of the present disclosure broadly relates to the art of support structures and, more particularly, to mounting assemblies that are operative to support static and dynamic loads while damping and/or isolating vibrations between the supporting and supported structures between which the mounting assemblies are disposed.
It will be appreciated that the subject matter of the present disclosure is capable of broad application and use in connection with a variety of applications and/or environments in which static and/or dynamic loads associated with a supported structure are transferred or otherwise communicated to a supporting structure. Non-limiting examples of environments in which mounting assemblies in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure are suitable for use can include light-duty (e.g., automotive) and heavy-duty (e.g., tractor and/or trailer) motor vehicle applications, industrial machinery and equipment applications, agricultural and farm machinery applications, marine power and drive applications, aeronautical applications, and/or power generation (e.g., wind turbine, gas turbine and electrical generator) applications.
In known support structures, a supported structure or component can generate or otherwise be associated with static and dynamic loads. Typically, such loads are transmitted or otherwise communicated to the corresponding supporting structure or component. Mounting assemblies having conventional constructions of a wide variety of types, kinds, configurations and arrangements have been developed for use in transmitting or otherwise communicating the static and dynamic loads to, from and/or otherwise between the supported and supporting structures.
In many cases, conventional mounting assemblies provide a substantially-rigid interconnection between the supported and supporting structures. In such cases, one or more mounting assemblies are often fixedly attached to the supporting structure and pivotally attached to the supported structure. While such constructions may provide some degree of rotational freedom, such constructions are typically substantially fixed in the radial and/or axial directions.
However, in cases in which vibrations and/or other undesirable inputs are generated by or otherwise communicated to, from and/or between the supported and supporting structures, known mounting assemblies of the foregoing construction tend to directly transmit or otherwise communicate such vibrations and/or other undesirable inputs to, from and/or between the supported and supporting structures. As a result, mounting assemblies have been developed that provide a robust interconnection between the supported and supporting structures while also providing some amount of vibration damping and/or isolation. However, such designs are often deemed to provide effective damping over only a limited range of frequencies of vibration. In other cases, the transmission of undesirable vibrations could potentially be reduced through the use of a less rigid or otherwise more-compliant connection between the supported and supporting structures. However, mounting assemblies are typically sized or otherwise designed to withstand static and dynamic loads within a particular load range and to maintain the desired level of performance at least within those load ranges. In many cases, reducing the rigidity or otherwise increasing the compliance of the mounting assemblies can result in a decrease in performance (e.g., increased deflection) and/or other disadvantageous issues.
Notwithstanding the widespread usage and overall success of the wide variety of mounting assemblies that are known in the art, it is believed that a need exists to meet the foregoing and/or other competing goals while still providing comparable or improved performance, ease of manufacture, ease of assembly, ease of installation and/or reduced cost of manufacture.

Mounting assemblies and systems including same

Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC


A turbocharger system and method for a vehicle, wherein the system comprises a high pressure turbocharger and a low pressure turbocharger. Both the high and low pressure turbochargers are driven by exhaust gas on an exhaust side of the turbochargers. The system further comprises a first bypass conduit that bypasses the low pressure turbocharger during set events.

In vehicles of today it is common to use an exhaust driven turbocharger for compressing air to an inlet manifold of an engine. The turbocharger revs up dependent on the exhaust flow, which in turn is dependent on engine speed and engine torque. Hence, turbocharger response is a well-known problem with turbocharger engines at low engine speeds. This problem becomes worse with the new technologies to reduce CO2, downspeeding and downsizing with increased boost due to the fact that it needs more energy to build up the higher boost pressure. The response problem is a limiting factor in CO2 reduction especially in real world driving due to that an acceptable drivability of the vehicle needs an amount of power margin to handle instant power demands without need of gear shifting, The instant power demands may be from road inclination, small accelerations, accessories, etc. In order to use as much of the energy from the exhaust gas as possible, it is known to use two turbochargers in series, one high pressure turbocharger that compresses the inlet air before the inlet manifold but also a low pressure turbocharger that compresses air before entering the high pressure turbocharger. The response problem according to the above is known also for a two-step system, but an additional problem is the synchronization of the two turbochargers in order to utilize them in optimal way depending on engine load.
It is known to use various compressors connected to the inlet manifold for response assistance by feeding air to the inlet side before the turbocharger has revved up. The mechanical compressor is complex, expensive, has low durability, NVH (Noise, Vibrations, Harshness) problems, difficult to control and is noisy.
There is thus a need to find a solution that is cost efficient, durable, produces low noise and improved response.

High and low pressure turbocharger system with compressed gas tank


A corrosion-resistant and brazeable aluminum material. has an aluminum core, and a thermally sprayed layer formed on the core is composed of a brazing metal intermingled with zinc or its alloy. The brazing metal may be a mixture of aluminum and silicon, an aluminum-silicon alloy, a blend of the mixture with the alloy, or silicon. The brazeable aluminum material may be produced by blending a first powder of the brazing metal with a second powder of a corrosion resistant substance including zinc, so as to prepare a powder mixture, and then thermally spraying the powder mixture onto the aluminum core.

The present invention relates to a brazeable aluminum material, and more particularly to a corrosion resistant brazeable aluminum material for use to construct a heat exchanger or the like apparatuses which are manufactured by the brazing technique and must be resistant, and also relates to a method of producing the corrosion resistant aluminum material.
The term `aluminum` used herein is meant to include aluminum alloys.
The `thermal spraying` method is well known and has been proposed to form on aluminum a brazing agent layer composed of an Al-Si alloy, so as to make brazeable materials. Such a simple forming of the brazing agent layer is however not effective to render the materials resistant to corrosion.
It has also been proposed to melt spray Zn or its alloy onto the aluminum surface prior to the melt spraying of the brazing agent, with Zn or its alloy forming a corrosion resistant layer on the surface (see for example the Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. Hei. 1-157794 and Hel. 2-46969).
It is a disadvantage inherent in this idea that two sets of thermal spraying apparatuses have to be installed in and along a production line, one of them disposed upstream of the other, thus prolonging the production line and raising manufacture cost.
Further, since an entire surface of the brazing agent layer formed on the corrosion resistant layer is left in contact with ambient air, a stable oxide membrane is likely to be formed on the surface. Due to the fact that such a strong oxide membrane impairs the brazeability, any aluminum material producible by the two-step thermal spraying has not been put into commercial use. A first object of the present invention is therefore to provide a corrosion-resistant and brazeable aluminum material which has a thermally sprayed surface layer capable of being manufactured in a production line not prolonged, and nevertheless being highly brazeable.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a method of producing the aluminum material as set forth just above.
In order to achieve the first object, an aluminum material has a surface coated with a thermally sprayed layer which is composed of a homogenized mixture of a brazing metal and Zn (i.e., zinc ) or its alloy. The second object is achieved herein by blending a first powder of a brazing metal with a second powder of a corrosion resistant substance so as to prepare a powder mixture, and then thermally spraying this powder mixture onto an aluminum material surface.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the description made below referring to the drawings.

Method of producing brazeable aluminum material


A diagnostic device provides the flow of a desired reaction mixture under the force of gravity through a channel. The flow of the reaction mixture gains necessary energy to bring about a physical or a chemical reaction of the reaction mixture. A viewing chamber at the end of the channel retains results of the reaction. The device allows a timed reaction to take place without application of external forces such as vibration, rocking, optical activation, heat or pulsing. Alternative chambers at an entry end of the channel are used to introduce a secondary reaction mixture or reagents. A vent to the channel provides an indication of volume of the reactants and can also function as a viewing area. Channel configurations include various paths of flow and various inner wall geometries.

In the art of laboratory chemical testing, various devices for carrying out diagnostic and other tests exist. Of particular interest today are inexpensive and preferably disposable devices which are convenient to use, yet do not dispense with the accuracy of the test performed thereby.
Currently, most disposable and/or less expensive type devices consist of two or more injection molded components which are assembled together or with other additional components. Typically, the tolerances required on the components and during assembly are very tight which contributes to high manufacturing costs. Also, many devices require during operation the application of external forces, such as mechanical agitation or a magnetic field for mixing reactants, to induce the desired chemical reaction. Such a requisite adds to operating costs of the devices.
For example, C. Coleman in U.S. Pat. No. 3,799,742 discloses a miniaturized unitary analytical test container. That device receives a specimen of interest in a reception chamber through a narrow first passageway. The specimen is transferred from the reception chamber to a filter or separation chamber through a second narrow passageway. From the filter, the specimen flows into two reaction chambers through respective conduits to the reaction chambers. A predefined amount of desired reagents are prepackaged in the reaction chambers, i.e. during manufacturing. Lead bead elements are also placed in the reaction chambers during manufacturing and act to facilitate mixing of the filtered specimen and reagent material in the chambers with application of external forces for mixing (e.g. mechanical agitation or a magnetic field). Such mixing makes the desired chemical reaction possible.
In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,775,515 to Cottingham discloses a device for carrying out an immunochemical particle agglutination reaction without the necessity of shaking, rocking or otherwise adding external kinetic energy thereto. The device is a slide with a channel into which liquid sample and reagents are introduced at one end. The reaction mixture is attracted to the surfaces of the channel walls and is drawn forward under capillary forces to the opposite end of the channel. During capillary flow, agglutination occurs. Coextensive with the opposite end of the channel is a viewing chamber, in which the reaction products can be observed visually or by suitable instruments. Although operating costs of this device are reasonable, manufacturing costs of the device are substantial due to the slide and channel configurations required for capillary action.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,888,629 to Bagshawe, a testing reaction device with a predetermined amount of reactant and/or reagent contained in a porous matrix pad is disclosed. The matrix pad is supported in a container in a manner that allows sample fluid to pass from one side to another side of the pad in the container under forces of gravity. The sample fluid reacts with reactants and/or reagents contained in the matrix pad while flowing therethrough and forms a liquid product which is gathered in an end of the container and a particulate product which is retained in the matrix pad. However, such a device is costly to manufacture because different matrix pads with various reagents and/or reactants are needed for desired various reactions. Further, this type of device is not appropriate for many reaction types. The device is designed mainly for use with radioimmunoassay systems.
Accordingly, there is a need for an inexpensive and preferably disposable device useful for carrying out assays, including diagnostic tests.

Reaction apparatus employing gravitational flow