A computer implemented method for creating and managing a database system comprising data structures for storing, in a memory, data and relations between the data, the method comprising the steps of creating a mind map structure wherein each node of the mind map represents a set in the first data structure and each branch represents a relation in the fifth data structure of the database in which there are defined five data structures that hold all information relating to tables, records and relations, namely: a first data structure comprising a definition of at least one data set, a second data structure comprising definitions of properties of objects, a third data structure comprising definitions of objects, a fourth data structure comprising definitions of properties of each object, a fifth data structure comprising definitions of relations and a sixth data structure for storing definitions of relations between objects.

The database is a data storage concept evolving for decades since the 1960s to ease increasing difficulties in designing, building, and maintaining complex information systems (multi-user systems with a large amount of data). Another term directly related to databases is a database management system (DBMS), which enables the effective handling of databases. It shall nevertheless be noted that the terms database and DBMS define different entities, they may be inseparable: a database's properties may be determined by its supporting DBMS. A DBMS is presently a complex software system such as general-purpose DBMSs, like Oracle or Microsoft SQL Server.
Techniques exist for computer-implemented methods and systems for creating and managing a database. In particular there are three major DBMS approaches widely used in the industry, e.g., relational databases, object databases and graph databases.
A relational database is a collection of data items organized as a set of formally described tables from which data can be accessed easily. A relational database may be created using the relational model. The software used in a relational database is called a relational database management system (RDBMS). A relational database may be a dominant choice for many data storage applications. An RDBMS may comprise of n number tables in which, for example, each table has its own primary key. The relational database was first defined in June 1970 by Edgar Codd, of IBM's San Jose Research Laboratory.
A problem with a relational database may be the complexity that arises when the relational database is created. It is generally important that defined relationships among the tables are correct and that each set of information is linked to its pair. Although less information has to be entered in total than with other database approaches, verifying that points are set up correctly may be a time-consuming process. Furthermore, the relationships can become complicated when a relational database comprises numerous tables.
An object database (also object-oriented database management system or OODBMS) is a database management system comprising information represented in the form of objects as used in object-oriented programming. Object databases may be different from relational databases and belong together in a broader database management system.
An object database may store complex data and relationships between data directly, without mapping to relational rows and columns, which may make object databases suitable for applications in which complex data may be encountered. Objects may have a many to many relationship and are accessed by the use of pointers. Pointers may be linked to objects to establish relationships. Another benefit of an OODBMS may be that an OODBMS may be programmed with small procedural differences without affecting the entire system. This may be helpful for those organizations in which data relationships may be used that are not entirely clear or there is a need to change these relations to satisfy a new business requirement.
Disadvantages of object databases may include lower efficiency when data is simple and relationships are simple, late binding may slow access speed, data and operations being separated, low responsiveness to changes in problem space, and inadequate design for concurrent problems, for example.
Over the years there have been designed hybrid object-relational databases. For example a pre-grant publication US 2003/0208493 A1 entitled "Object Relational Database Management System" appears to disclose an object relational database management system permitting a client application to access one or more data sources. A client application may direct queries to an object server component to obtain data from the data sources. An object server component may operate with an object definition component which may fulfill the queries. An object definition component may access an object definition database to obtain and use metadata, in the form of programmatic objects, about the location and structure of the data stored in the data sources. An optional object manager component may, for example, work with the object definition component to edit and create new metadata or, via the object server component, to work with and create new instances of the data sources.
As it pertains in particular to graph databases, such databases may depart from traditional storage and definitions paradigms. Many software developers may have experience with storing data in tabular form in a relational database. Such approaches may work well for some applications, but presently may begin to show drawbacks. Relational databases, for example, may exhibit difficulties in scaling. Unfortunately, more and more of today's innovative applications may involve massive data to be processed. In some instances, such large data processing requirements may expose a need for new approaches such as Graph Databases. For example, tables, such as tables used in relational databases, may be difficult to implement in Web-based environments. Since the Web may be characterized as collection of pages that are hyperlinked, not identically-shaped rows in a gigantic table, a graph database may more closely accord with present-day Web architectures. A graph, as known from mathematics, or as informally drawn by most engineers on whiteboards, may be a much more natural representation for data that is native to the web. Given that much of the data processed by today's innovative applications may exist elsewhere, the time of stovepipe applications may past. Additionally, some applications may not own a substantial percentage of their own data, such as some social feed aggregators.
A pre-grant publication number US2012096002 entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING AND MANAGING A UNIVERSAL SOCIAL GRAPH DATABASE," appears to disclose a computer-implemented method for determining connections between entities that includes receiving private information from a user, retrieving public information from publicly available sources, and matching the public information with the private information. The method also includes generating a graph database with the public and private information, determining connections among entities in the graph database, and determining strength of connectivity between entities in the graph database. The disclosure appears to provide a system that tracks public and private connections between people and provides connection and profile information as a software platform via the Internet and at least one application programming interface. The system appears to implement or generate at least one graph database. The graph database may be updated in real time. Such a system may be capable of being used on a large scale to power cloud or software as a service based application that services simultaneous users and run simultaneous algorithms.
From known databases, such as ORACLE®, there is known an ALTER command. The process of modifying database structures directly requires locking a database structure that will be modified. There is also a related LOCK command that effectuates a freeze of a database structure for the time of modification such as adding, searching for or modifying records of a given table.
In production, end-user database systems, may make use of special scripts utilizing special triggers, which execute ALTER and/or LOCK commands automatically.
In some instances, an operation of adding a column to a database may lock a table. Further, an ALTER command may close currently executing data processing tasks such as transactions. This may render processing operations executing with varying number of parameters to be ineffective and may potentially threaten integrity of data gathering. Further, if data are collected very quickly, the size of a data buffer may be insufficient.
The use of the aforementioned commands in databases that are updated very frequently may be problematic in that such approaches may require databases to stop certain services. Hence it may also be beneficial to create a database system that does not require to stop the aforementioned services when, for example, a new column is to be added to an existing table.
Drawbacks of known graph databases include, for example, increased memory requirements and difficulties in presenting information to a user in a clear way. Further drawbacks of current database systems include lack of possibility of extending database in real time and difficulties in understanding how a complex database is designed.
Taking into account the present techniques there is a need to design and implement an efficient database model that is especially adapted to large scale databases, is easily scalable and has reduced memory requirement in comparison to graph, relational or object-oriented databases.
Up to now such problems have been addressed with a use of more powerful hardware such as database servers having higher performance and more memory instead of solutions related to design of the databases.

Computer-implemented method for storing unlimited amount of data as a mind map in relational database systems


A plurality of fastening plates are used to securely connect a plurality of teeth segments to a support member to form a sprocket wheel. Each of the fastening plates has a plurality of threaded through holes and a plurality of threaded fasteners engage the threaded holes to secure the teeth segments to the support member. Each of the fastening plates also has a flat planar surface which contacts the teeth segments and provides a large area of clamping surface contact. Each fastening plate spans a joint between adjacent teeth segments and contacts a portion of at least two adjacent segments. Because of the large clamping surface area provided by the flat planar surfaces of the fastening plates, potential for tangential slippage of the teeth segments under load is greatly reduced.

Earthmoving and construction type machines, which have endless self-laying track chain assemblies for support and propulsion, generally utilize a sprocket wheel to engage and drive the track chain. Several different types of sprocket wheels have been used in the past. These include a single wheel member having a plurality of integral teeth, hub members which accommodate a plurality of separate individual teeth, and a circular support member for supporting multiple segments, with each segment having several teeth. Each segment is generally connected to the circular support member by a plurality of threaded fasteners and cooperating threaded nuts.
One type of drive sprocket having a plurality of separate individual teeth connected to a hub portion is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,365,544, issued to H. D. Geyer et al. on Dec. 19, 1944. In this patent, the teeth are fulcrumed to the hub portion somewhere near the middle of the teeth so the teeth can rotate in either direction about the fulcrum. Resilient means are provided to return the teeth to their original no load position. This arrangement is intended to make the teeth self-adjusting to accommodate variations in the track chain.
Another type of sprocket wheel, having a plurality of segments with several teeth on each segment, is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,511,186, issued to T. Sasamoto on Apr. 16, 1985. In this patent, the teeth segments are connected to an outer tube by a plurality of threaded bolts and nuts.
Each of the above-noted sprocket assemblies provides replaceable drive teeth, either individually or in segments. However, the teeth are secured to a support member so that they are intended to deflect, or by bolts and nuts which may allow deflection of the segments under heavy loads.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems, as set forth above.


A blow molded synthetic resin container has a body portion with a bottom wall and a sidewall of generally circular cross section, and a closure portion. The sidewall has a pair of vertically elongated grip recesses defined by top and bottom walls and first and second walls extending therebetween and converging along an axial line at the maximum depth of the recess, with the inward angle of one hung steeper than the other. The grip recess has a convex bridge rib extending horizontally and rectilinearly between the first and second walls and terminating at points spaced inwardly of the periphery of the sidewall to space its rectilinear outer surface inwardly of the periphery. The first wall also has a plurality of ribs of smaller height and width than the bridge rib extending axially from both side surfaces of the bridge rib.

The present invention relates to synthetic resin containers and, more particularly, to blow molded synthetic resin containers having grip recesses formed about the periphery thereof.
As is well known, blow molded synthetic resin containers are now widely employed for many applications and are produced in a variety of sizes and configurations. Such containers are intended to provide not only for protective storage of the product contained therein, but also for easy dispensing or pouring of the contents. As a result, various container configurations have been proposed to permit facile gripping of the container by the user, particularly when the surface of the container may be moist and provide an opportunity for slippage to occur in the user's hand. To achieve this result, ribs, roughening and various types of formations have been suggested and employed on the surface of the container.
In addition, there have been a number of efforts to provide grip recesses about the periphery of the container to receive the user's thumb and fingers so as to improve the gripping ability. Exemplary of such designs are Ota et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,752 and Alberghini et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,097. As is discussed in both of these patents, there is a tendency for such grip recesses to evert as a result of internal pressure from the contents alone or from the stresses which result from dropping the filled container even a small distance. As a result, both Ota et al and Alberghini et al propose to provide transverse ribs within the grip recesses to increase the resistance to eversion under shock loading.
In the Ota et al and Alberghini et al patents, a multiplicity of transversely extending ribs are shown in each rib. However, it has also been suggested to provide recesses with axially extending ribs such as seen in Kerr U. S. Design Pat. No. 277,551. In practice such prior ribbed constructions for the grip recess have not proven particularly effective in resisting the tendency for eversion in a drop test which is critical to the adoption of such container designs for widespread application.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to produce a blow molded synthetic resin container having grip recesses formed about the periphery thereof which exhibit a high degree of resistance to eversion under shock loading and internal pressure.
It is also an object to provide such a container in which a single transverse rib in the grip recesses may provide such resistance to eversion even in grip recesses of substantial axial dimension, thus enabling the user to dispose a multiplicity of fingers within the grip recess.
Another object is to provide such a container which may be readily manufactured and which may be modified in grip recess configuration to permit grip recesses of even greater axial dimension.


A lens holding mechanism of spectacles with an extremely simple structure is provided, which mechanism nonetheless enables the respective lenses to be securely clamped. The respective lenses are held onto the respective endpieces or the bridge by abutting an elastically deformable holding member having a receiving portion with a first corresponding hole provided therethrough and an abutment portion with a second corresponding hole provided therethrough onto the lens surface and tightly inserting a first inserting pin of a joint member mounted onto the respective endpieces or the bridge into a holding aperture provided in the vicinity of the circumferential fringe side of the respective lenses so as to be tightly received into the first corresponding hole while at the same time by tightly inserting the second inserting pin into the second corresponding hole. In spite of such an extremely simple structure, the reliable lens clamping is assured.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a lens holding mechanism of spectacles, in more details, to such mechanism having an extremely simple structure that the respective lenses can be securely clamped without using a screw.
2. Prior Art
Recently, a pair of spectacles, which is wide in vision and light in weight, and shapely in form, is popular among the wearers in general, and particularly a so-called "rimless spectacles" is the most popular among them, which does not require a rim enclosing the lenses because the bridge portion symmetrically connecting a pair of lenses as well as the endpiece portions foldably hinging the temples are directly screwed onto holding apertures opened in the vicinity of the fringe sides of the lenses.
However, such prior rimless spectacles was found inconvenient in use because the clamping portions of the lenses at such holding apertures become fluctuated in no time due to the loosening of a screw or wear on the lens holes. That is to say, conventionally, the lens holding has been secured by providing a supporting piece on the bridge and endpieces to be screwed onto the lenses, and abutting such member on the side surface of the lens, thereby, preventing the rotational displacement of the clamping portions. As such rimless spectacles is very simple in structure, the bridge and endpieces thereof become susceptible to deformation under external forces, with the result that the abutment of the supporting piece to the lens side surface becomes insufficient to bring the lens holding portions into an unstable condition or fluctuation.
Nowadays, the tendency for the users, who are not satisfied with the state of the art, to demand further simplification in design and structure of the rimless spectacles, especially of the lens clamping portions thereof, has further led them to complain of the intervention of such supporting piece and demand that it should be gotten rid of.
Thus, the present invention is to provide a lens holding mechanism of spectacles having such an extremely simple structure that it can dispense with a screw so as to allow further simplification in design, which nevertheless enables the respective lenses to be clamped without fluctuation.
Further, the present invention is to provide a lens holding mechanism for spectacles which is also applicable to prescription eyeglasses, the thickness and rear-side surface curvature of which change according to the degree of vision correction to be required.


This invention discloses a method for producing maleic anhydride comprising an azeotropic distillation step to dehydrate a crude maleic acid-containing aqueous solution, which method is characterized by as an azeotropic solvent (1) using an organic solvent exhibiting a maximum dissolving concentration of the organic solvent in water in the range of 0.1-5% by weight at a temperature of 20° C. According to this invention, it is made possible to prevent the occurrence of a blocking substance, allow a continuous operation for a long time, and remove by-produced acid components by a process of distillation for azeotropic dehydration.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method for the production of maleic anhydride which comprises a step for the azeotropic dehydration of a crude maleic acid containing aqueous solution, and more particularly to a method for the production of maleic anhydride, characterized by azeotropic dehydration by using an organic solvent having the maximum concentration in water in the range of 0.1-5% by weight at a temperature of 20° C.
2. Description of Related Arts
The maleic anhydride is a general-purpose compound which is possessed of a double bond of large reactivity and two carboxyl groups in the form of an anhydride and, therefore, is capable of chemically performing various reactions and is extensively used in various fields covering plasticizers and agricultural pesticides as well as pharmaceutical preparations, polyester resins, and alkyd resins. This maleic anhydride is produced by a method which comprises oxidizing such an aliphatic hydrocarbon as n-butane which has not less than four carbon atoms or benzene in a reactor for catalytic gas phase oxidation, recovering maleic acid from the produced gas containing maleic anhydride and maleic acid, and refining the recovered maleic anhydride. A water which obtained by washing the waste gas discharged during the production of phthalic anhydride by the reaction of catalytic gas phase oxidation of naphthalene or o-xylene contains maleic acid in an appreciable quantity. The maleic anhydride, therefore, is produced by a method which comprises recovering the water and changing maleic acid to maleic anhydride.
Generally, when maleic anhydride is produced via the reaction of catalytic gas phase oxidation, the method which directly subjects the maleic anhydride obtained by the reaction of catalytic gas phase oxidation in its unmodified form to purification and which absorbs the obtained maleic anhydride once in an aqueous solution and purifies the aqueous solution containing the crude maleic acid, subsequently converts maleic acid into maleic anhydride are available, for example.
JP-B-41-3172, for example, discloses as a means to produce maleic anhydride by subjecting a mixed gas of benzene and air to catalytic gas phase oxidation, a method for continuous production of maleic anhydride which comprises exposing a reaction gas containing maleic anhydride to water thereby obtaining a crude maleic acid containing aqueous solution, dissolving the aqueous solution in fused maleic anhydride, and continuously adding the resultant mixed solution into a mixed solution of maleic anhydride and aromatic hydrocarbon at a temperature in the range of 130-160° C. thereby effecting liquid-phase dehydration of maleic acid. The aromatic hydrocarbons used for the purpose of dehydrating maleic anhydride include xylene, cymen, ethyl benzene, diethyl benzene, and dichlorobenzene, for example. The quantity of the aromatic hydrocarbon used for this purpose varies with the kind of the azeotropic solvent to be used. Generally, it is 2-5 times the quantity of the water which is formed in consequence of the dehydration of maleic acid.
JP-A-50-50316 discloses a method for obtaining maleic anhydride by absorbing in water a maleic acid-containing gas resulting from the catalytic oxidation of an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon thereby forming a crude maleic acid-containing aqueous solution, treating the aqueous solution at a temperature in the range of 100-150° C. under a pressure in the range of 400-760 mmHg thereby deriving fused maleic acid, and subjecting the fused maleic acid to distillation for dehydration at a temperature in the range of 115-165° C. under a pressure in the range of 40-200 mmHg. This method is characterized by converting part of maleic acid into maleic anhydride, treating the impurities consequently entrained with water thereby forming a solid phase composed of fumaric acid and other insoluble impurities and an aqueous liquid phase containing maleic acid, expelling the solid phase from the system by filtration, and recirculating the aqueous filtrate of maleic acid for purification. This method is directed to precluding the method for continuous production of maleic anhydride from inducing faults such as gradual deposition of impurities on the inner walls of devices, blockage of such devices due to the deposition, and degradation of the conduction of heat.
Further, JP-A-63-313782 discloses a method for the production of maleic anhydride which is directed, while the washings of waste gas containing organic substances comprising maleic acid as a main component at a concentration in the range of 20-40% by weight is azeotropically distilled with o-xylene in a dehydrating column to convert the maleic acid into maleic anhydride and obtain maleic anhydride, to removing with a vacuum evaporator the pitch entrained by the maleic anhydride withdrawn from the dehydrating column through the lower part thereof.
When maleic anhydride is obtained by the reaction of catalytic gas phase oxidation, however, the apparatus for continuous production frequently suffers the interior thereof to incur blockage with such impurities as benzoquinone which is by-produced in the reaction and with fumaric acid which is by-produced in the process for purification of maleic anhydride, for example. While JP-A-50-50316mentioned above teaches a method for precluding such a method for continuous production of maleic anhydride from inducing faults such as gradual deposition of impurities on the inner walls of devices, blockage of such devices due to the deposition, and degradation of the conduction of heat, the method has not been capable of preventing the blockage fully satisfactorily. The method disclosed by JP-A-41-3172 falls short of satisfaction.
As a means to repress the occurrence of this blockage chemically unlike the methods described above, JP-B-03-76311 discloses a method for the production of maleic anhydride which is directed, during the production of maleic anhydride as from a crude maleic acid-containing aqueous solution obtained by absorbing in water the reactive gas resulting from the reaction of catalytic gas phase oxidation of benzene and a C4 hydrocarbon fraction, toward concentrating and dehydrating the crudemaleic acid-containing aqueous solution by the addition of an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution. According to this patent publication, the crude maleic acid-containing aqueous solution contains various kinds of impurities and these impurities are suffered to occur in the form of a mixture of intermediate products and by-products without reference to the kind of hydrocarbon to be used as a raw material and are not perfectly prevented easily even by such means as modification of a reaction catalyst. It offers an explanation purporting that the cause for the persistence of these impurities is ascribable to the promotion of resinification or gelation by the cooperation of a phenol and an aldehyde or a quinone and an aldehyde, for example, and that the apparatus is consequently blocked. It is held that the formation of a resinous or gel-like substance can be prevented by adding hydrogen peroxide to the crude maleic acid-containing aqueous solution. This prevention, however, entails a new problem that the apparatus for purification is corroded by the formic acid which is inevitably by-produced. Further, the hydrogen peroxide is known as a polymerization initiator for maleic anhydride. The azeotropic distillation for dehydration which has a particularly high working temperature, therefore, newly forms a maleic acid polymer which is destined to serve as a blocking substance.
This invention, in view of the problems mentioned above, contemplates providing such a method for the production of maleic anhydride as allows a protracted continuous operation for the process of purification which is capable of preventing the generation of a blocking substance without inducing relevant devices to corrode, preventing the deposition of a blocking substance in a column for azeotropic dehydration and distillation which, because of a complicated internal structure, renders the work of washing the interior of the column irksome and difficult, and removing the impurities by-produced in the reaction.

Method for production of maleic anhydride


Presented is a device for the preparation of samples for ionization by laser desorption, especially MALDI, that comprises a sample support assembly with a surface which has an array of sites for holding substances, and an outer contour surrounding the sample site array, and a flat cover which can be placed flush on or over the surrounding outer contour such that a shielded gas compartment is formed between the cover and the surface, said cover having an array of apertures arranged such that each aperture comes to rest over a corresponding sample site. A gas transport system is also provided on the assembly and cover, which serves to introduce a protective gas into the shielded gas compartment between cover and surface so that a protective gas atmosphere is generated in the gas compartment to protect the substances on the sample sites against atmospheric influences. An associated method is also described.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to applications in the field of mass spectrometry. In order to measure substances of interest mass spectrometrically, they must be transferred into the gaseous phase, unless they are already gaseous, and ionized. For sample substances which are originally liquid or solid, in particular, the ions are preferably produced with an ionization method which uses laser desorption, especially matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI).
Description of the Related Art
Since being developed in the 1980s, MALDI has brought about crucial advances in the mass spectrometric analysis of large molecules and polymers as well as biopolymers, for example peptides and proteins. In this field, it is common practice to couple a MALDI ion source with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF) as the mass analyzer. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry exhibits a high level of sensitivity and is particularly suitable for large and complex molecules, which is of great importance for applications in biology and for chemical analyses.
As the specialist is well aware, MALDI is based on the co-crystallization of a matrix substance and the analyte of interest in the sample with a molar excess of matrix molecules of 102 to 105. During the growth, the analyte molecules embed themselves into the crystals of the matrix substance. Usually, successful co-crystallization requires a ratio of analyte molecules to matrix molecules of around 1/5000 (mol/mol). Small organic molecules that strongly absorb energy at specific laser wavelengths, for example at 337 nanometers for nitrogen lasers, are often chosen as the matrix substance. Sinapic acid, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and α-cyano-hydroxycinnamic acid can be named here as examples. The excitation is performed using short, high-energy laser pulses of, for example, two to five nanoseconds' duration. After relaxation in the crystal lattice, the excitation leads to the explosive transfer of small amounts of substance on the surface of the matrix crystal into a hot plasma. The embedded analyte molecules, together with the matrix, are transferred from the ion source into the vacuum of the mass spectrometer and thus become accessible for mass spectrometric analysis.
An essential part of a MALDI-based mass spectrometric measurement is the sample preparation and the application onto the sample support. The person skilled in the art is familiar with different methods, such as the so-called dried droplet method, which ultimately comprises the mixing of an analyte solution and a matrix solution with subsequent vaporization of the solvent used, or so-called thin layer preparation. Several means of sample preparation have been described in the past and are known to the person skilled in the art. One example to mention here is the brochure published by the applicant in Sep. 2012 entitled "Bruker Guide to MALDI Sample Preparation", in which different types of sample support plates and a selection of possible matrix substances are presented.
The previous patent applications by the applicant DE 196 28 112 A1 (corresponding to GB 2 315 328 A and U.S. Pat. No. 5,841,136 A) and DE 196 28 178 C1 (corresponding to GB 2 315 329 A and U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,860 A) disclose an introduction port for flat sample supports into the vacuum system of a mass spectrometer, said introduction port comprising an evacuable cartridge for receiving the sample supports, and a method for rapidly and simultaneously applying a large number of samples in solution from microtitration plates to a MALDI sample support plate. Both documents mention in passing that some sensitive sample substances are preferably applied to the sample support under a protective gas.
The U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,986 B1 (Anderson et al.) describes an alignment plate designed in the form of an aperture mask, whose arrangement of apertures corresponds to the sample site array of a MALDI sample support plate positioned underneath it and serves to guide the pipette when sample substances are being applied.
The international publication WO 2015/074959 A1 discloses a nebulizing system with a closed chamber with controllable atmosphere in which MALDI sample preparations can be conducted in an inert gas atmosphere.
Given the information above, a need exists in the technical field to provide devices and methods with a not very complex protective gas system with which sensitive substances also can be applied to a sample support.

Device and method for the preparation of samples for ionization by laser desorption in a mass spectrometer


Apparatuses and methods to operate a commute time function of a communications device are described herein. In one embodiment, the commute time function is automatically activated based on an event and is then performed by (i) determining an up-to-date commute time based on commute information and (ii) displaying or speaking the up-to-date commute time on the device. In one embodiment, triggered by and before the occurrence of a calendar event, a device obtains a current commute time (based on the commute information and based on current traffic conditions). In this embodiment, the device reschedules the calendar event based on the current commute time, by sending an update to the contacts with whom the user is to meet that indicates a change to the calendar event. Other embodiments are also described.

In metropolitan areas, traffic congestion remains a major problem. The Texas Transportation Institute reports that, in 2005, the annual delay experienced by a traveler during peak times in the Los Angeles area is 72 hours and 46% of the delay is caused by incidents including car accidents and construction. As a result, the increased fuel consumption due to travel in congested conditions rather than in free-flow conditions is 57 gallons per peak traveler in 2005.
A main contributing factor of traffic congestion is that the traveler is not properly informed of the traffic conditions prior to embarking on his daily commute. Drivers primarily rely on radio and television reports for information on traffic conditions. The main shortcomings of these traditional sources of information include (i) the delayed reporting of traffic congestion due to accidents and disabled vehicles and (ii) the reporting of traffic conditions on routes which are irrelevant to the driver.
Today, commuters may also turn to the Internet to obtain up-to-date traffic information and estimated commute time. Numerous websites on the Internet (e.g., www.SigAlert.com) allow the user to view the current traffic conditions on the freeways including the speed of travel and the location and time of accidents. Other websites (e.g., Google Maps) provide the user with an estimated commute time for a selected route.

Communications device having a commute time function and methods of use thereof


A switching power supply unit includes an N-number (N: an integer of 2 or greater) of transformers; an N-number of inverter circuits; a rectifying smoothing circuit including a {2×(N+1)}-number of rectifying devices, a choke coil, and a capacitor; an additional winding disposed to be interlinked with each of magnetic paths formed in the N-number of transformers; and a driver. In the rectifying smoothing circuit, a (N+1)-number of arms each have two of the rectifying devices, and are disposed in parallel to one another between the pair of output terminals, a secondary winding in each of the N-number of transformers is coupled between adjacent ones of the (N+1)-number of arms to individually form an H-bridge coupling, and the additional winding is coupled in series to one or more of the secondary windings in the N-number of transformers.

The technology relates to a switching power supply unit that performs voltage conversion with use of switching devices.
As some examples of a switching power supply unit, various DC-DC converters have been proposed and put into practical use (for example, refer to United States Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0196072 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,780,585). A DC-DC converter used for this purpose generally includes a switching circuit (an inverter circuit) including switching devices, a power conversion transformer (or a transformer element), and a rectifying smoothing circuit.


An arrangement for protecting an integrated circuit device (11) against latch up during a nuclear event comprising a capacitance (15) and a switch (17) connected in parallel across the power supply lines (13) of the device. When the power supply lines are connected to a power supply (19) the capacitance stores energy sufficient to supply necessary operating currents to the device during its normal operation. The switch is arranged so that, under a transient gamma pulse incident thereon during a nuclear event, its impedance is set to a low value at such a rate that the energy stored by the capacitance is discharged through the switch and the voltage applied to the device via the power supply lines is pulled down to such a level and at such a rate as to prevent transient gamma pulse induced latch-up in the device.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the protection of integrated circuit (IC) devices against latch-up during a nuclear event.
2. Description of the Related Art
Latch-up occurs in an IC device when a transient gamma pulse arising at a nuclear event causes parasitic components within the device to become locked in a permanent state. This renders the IC device useless and may lead to its burn out.
A conventional method of preventing such latch-up is to arrange for the power supply of an equipment incorporating IC devices susceptible to such latch-up to be temporarily grounded via a so-called crow-bar switch which is closed in response to detection of a nuclear event by a detector specifically provided for the detection of such events.
Such a method has the disadvantages that the crow-bar switch has to become very rapidly capable of passing a large current and that the supply is interrupted not only to IC devices which require gamma induced latch-up protection, but also to other devices of an equipment.

Protection of integrated circuit devices


A bearing isolator apparatus is for use in a piece of equipment which includes a rotatable shaft and a housing through which the shaft extends. The apparatus includes a static component for securing to the housing and a rotational component for securing to the shaft. A tortuous fluid path extends between the static component and the rotational component and a plurality of electrically conductive filaments extends between the static component and the rotational component, such that an electrical current can pass between the components. One or more conductive members electrically connect the rotor to the shaft.

The increasing use of variable frequency drives (VFDs) within the electric motor industry as a consequence of energy conservation targets has caused a significant increase in stray voltage accumulation within shafts of rotating machinery.
VFDs regulate the speed of the motor by converting alternating current (AC) voltage to direct current (DC) voltage, then back to a pulse width modulated AC voltage of variable frequency. The voltage change relative to the time induces a form of capacitance between the motor stator and the rotor, which in turn induces a voltage on the rotating shaft. Once this shaft voltage builds up it will divert to ground through the path of least impedance, which with no grounding protection is nominally through the bearings.
When a large enough current passes through the bearings it will arc between the ball bearings and the races. In bearings which are operating properly, there is a micro gap with the ball bearings floating on a 'fluid film' of lubricating substance. Once the build up of voltage overcomes the dielectric capacity of this lubricant it will cross over this micro gap causing an electric discharge machining (EDM) effect on the outer race, thus damaging the bearings which will eventually ultimately require replacement.
Various methods of mitigating shaft voltage build up have been suggested including use of shielded cable, grounded shafts, insulated bearings, insulated grease and the installation of a Faraday shield within the motor. Shaft grounding methods might employ the use of brushes or bushes which contact the shaft. Brushes are to clusters of string filaments and bushes are a solid block components.


The pyrrolylpiperidines, 1-methyl-4-(1-methylpyrrol-2-yl)-4-piperidinol, 1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-1-methyl-4-(1-methylpyrrol-2-yl)pyridine, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are useful as antidepressant agents.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to pyrrolylpiperidines, processes for their preparation and uses as antidepressants.
2. Prior Art
Mental illnesses include psychoses and neuroses. The symptoms requiring treatment include depression, anxiety, agitation and hallucinations. Drugs used particularly for treatment of both reactive and endogenous depressions include monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as iproniazide, tranylcypromine, nialamide, phenelzine and pargyline and the non-MAO inhibiting tricyclic aromatic dibenzazepines such as imipramine and dibenzocycloheptadienes such as amitriptyline.
All of these drugs have side effects that limit their usefulness. The MAO inhibitors may cause tremors, insomnia, hyperhydrosis, agitation, hypermaniac behavior, confusion, hallucinations, convulsions, orthostatic hypertension and death. They frequently cause dizziness, vertigo, headache, inhibition of ejaculation, difficulty in urination, weakness, fatigue, dry mouth, constipation and blurred vision. Imipramine may cause blurred vision, dryness of mouth, constipation, urinary retention, orthostatic hypotension, respiration depression, myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure. Similar difficulties are experienced with amitriptyline.
There is a genuine need for psychotherapeutic agents which are effective and have fewer side effects than the drugs in use today. There is also a need for drugs which have different modes of action than the presently used ones since none is completely effective. The compounds of the present invention satisfy these criteria.
Japanese published Appln. No. 73/56687 to Yoshitomi Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. discloses antidiabetic and antiinflammatory agents including compounds of the formula: ##STR1## where R=H or alkyl. The compounds are prepared by dehydrating the corresponding piperidinols.

Antidepressant pyrrolylpiperidines, their pharmaceutical compositions and method of use


Electrical power contacts (100) are described having a mounting portion (114), a mating portion (102), and a transition region (116) that extends between the mounting portion and the mating portion. The mating portion can define first and second contact blades (104, 106) that are spaced from each other to define a receptacle that can be sized to receive a complementary electrical power contact (200). The transition region can be sized and shaped so as to transmit electrical power between the mounting portion and the mating portion.

Electrical assemblies can include at least one electrical conductor, and an electrical insulator that surrounds the electrical conductor. The at least one electrical conductor typically defines a first end for electrical connection to an electrical contact, and a second end for electrical connection to a mounting member. The electrical contact and the mounting member can be placed in electrical communication with respective complementary electrical components. The at least one electrical conductor can be configured to carry electrical power or data signals between the complementary electrical devices. The size of electrical power contacts and the current-carrying capacity of electrical power contacts are often competing design characteristics.


A speed lacing device for an article of footwear having a rigid portion comprising a curved neck and a fastening tail that together define an almost-friction-free sliding surface for a lacing cord, the lacing cord being in contact with the sliding surface in either a state of tension or a state of relaxation. The speed lacing device also having a flexible portion that extends from the rigid portion to form an upper half of a closed loop through which the lacing cord is threaded.

The present invention relates to the field of lacing devices and more specifically to a speed lacing device for an article of athletic footwear that, combined with a tightening device such as a lacing cord, enables quick and easy placement and tightening of an article of athletic footwear, on a wearer""s foot.
A common problem with lacing devices of the prior art is that they often inflict unnecessary friction on the lacing cords. One such lacing device is the basic lacing eyelet found in the upper of many articles of athletic footwear. Lacing eyelets force the lacing cords to be threaded between two horizontal planes, one above the side walls of the upper and one below the side walls of the upper, and force the lacing cords to change direction by 180 degrees over a very thin surface. This sharp change in direction around the lip of the eyelets causes excessive rubbing, and therefore reduces the life-span of the lacing cord.
Obviously if there is excessive friction on the lacing cord, not only will the lacing cord suffer unnecessary wear, but the article of footwear will be more difficult to tighten and undo. Many of the lacing devices described in the prior art require that the wearer tighten the lacing cord at each individual lacing device because there is too much friction between the lacing cord and the lacing devices to be able to tighten the article of footwear with just one pull.
It is also common in the prior art to have lacing devices that are attached to the footwear upper by creating a hole in the upper and attaching the lacing device through the hole. U.S. Pat. No. 4,633,548 describes such a lacing device that includes a rigid loop portion through which the lacing cord is inserted, and a rivet that secures the lacing device to the footwear through a hole in the upper. The rigid loop portion has a series of gripping teeth to ensure that the lacing device is fixed in place. While this method gives a secure attachment, it is time consuming to install and the hole creates a weakness in the fabric of the upper.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,057 discloses a lacing device that comprises a flexible loop and a stiff guiding element that is threaded onto the flexible loop. The guiding element is made of plastic and substantially reduces the friction between the lacing cord and the lacing device. While this lacing device reduces friction, a disadvantage is that the guiding element is free to move about on the flexible loop. This means that the guiding element can move out of engagement with the lacing cord causing the lacing cord to interfere with the flexible loop. A second disadvantage of this lacing device is that the guiding element is only in contact with the lacing cord when the lacing cord is under tension. When the boot is being loosened, the lacing cord loses contact with the smooth guide path of the guiding element and falls onto the flexible loop which generates significant friction on the lacing cord. When the boot is re-tightened, there is the possibility that the lacing cord may not engage the guiding element properly, thereby adding friction to the lacing cord and defeating the purpose of the guiding element.
Based on the prior art, an improved lacing device is needed that can reduce the amount of frictional wear on the lacing cord by providing a smooth surface for the lacing cord to slide along both when it in a state of tension and a state of relaxation. Also, a lacing device is needed that can be securely fastened to a footwear upper without creating a hole in the upper fabric.
A general object of the present invention is to provide an improved lacing device comprising an almost-friction-free sliding surface adapted to receive lacing cords.
A more specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved lacing device with an almost-friction-free surface adapted to receive lacing cords so that the lacing cord may contact the almost-friction-free surface when it is in both a state of tension and relaxation, in order to reduce lacing resistance and increase the life-span of the lacing cord.
Another specific object of the invention is to provide a strong, rigid and long-wearing lacing device that is adapted to be securely fastened to a footwear upper without the need for creating a hole in the surface of the upper fabric.
As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides an improved speed lacing device for an article of footwear, said lacing device comprising:
a rigid J-shaped element adapted to be securely fastened at one end to a quarter of a footwear upper, said J-shaped element comprising a curved neck portion and a fastening tail that together define an almost-friction-free sliding surface for a lacing cord, said lacing cord being in contact with said sliding surface in either a state of tension or a state of relaxation;
a flexible strap that combined with the J-shaped element forms a closed loop through which said lacing cord is threaded, said strap being securely fastened at both ends to a quarter of the footwear upper;
said rigid J-shaped element and said strap together defining a lacing-cord-passageway adapted to receive a lacing cord for tightening said article of footwear around the wearer""s foot.
As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention also provides an article of footwear that comprises:
An upper that extends upwardly from the base of the wearer""s foot and comprises two quarters that are separated by an opening at the frontal part of the upper for allowing placement of the footwear on the wearer""s foot.
A series of lacing devices that are attached in rows along the edge of the opening between the two quarters, the rows being positioned in pairs opposite each another, said lacing devices comprising:
a) a rigid J-shaped element adapted to be securely fastened at one end to a quarter of a footwear upper, said J-shaped element comprising a curved neck portion and a fastening tail that together define an almost-friction-free sliding surface for a lacing cord, said lacing cord being in contact with said sliding surface in either a state of tension or a state of relaxation;
b) a flexible strap that combined with the J-shaped element forms a closed loop through which said lacing cord is threaded, said strap adapted to be securely fastened to a quarter of a footwear upper;
c) said rigid J-shaped element and said strap together defining a lacing cord passageway adapted to receive a lacing cord for tightening said article of footwear around the wearer""s foot.
As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention also provides a speed lacing device for an article of footwear, said lacing device comprising:
A J-shaped element, said J-shaped element comprising a curved neck portion and a fastening tail adapted to be securely fastened to a quarter of a footwear upper;
A strap extending around said J-shaped element for forming therewith a closed loop for receiving a lacing cord, said strap being adapted to sandwich the fastening tail and be securely fastened to a quarter of a footwear upper.


Disclosed herein is a process for preparing a syndiotactic polypropylene comprising washing with a hydrocarbon solvent a polymer obtained by polymerizing propylene in the presence of a catalyst comprising a transition metal compound having an asymmetric ligand. The slurry of the polymer obtained by the polymerization is treated with a .beta.-dicarboxy compound and an alcohol or with an alcohol containing hydrochloric acid gasunder non-aqueous conditions prior to the washing with a hydrocarbon solvent so that the residue of the catalyst used in the polymerization reaction may be rendered soluble in the hydrocarbon solvent, the properties of the resulting syndiotactic polypropylene are improved greatly.

Although the existence of syndiotactic polypropylenes has been known from old days, those produced by the conventional process, in which propylene is polymerized at a low temperature in the presence of a catalyst comprising a vanadium compound, an ether and an organoaluminum, are of low syndiotacticity and hence can hardly be regarded as characterizing syndiotactic polypropylenes. On the other hand, a polypropylene of a good tacticity, e.g., a syndiotactic pentad fraction of more than 0.7, has been discovered for the first time by J. A. Ewen et al. by the use of a catalyst comprising a transition metal compound having an asymmetric ligand and an aluminoxane (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1988, 110, 6255-6256).
The above-mentioned method by J. A. Ewen et al. exhibits a good activity per unit amount of the transition metal and gives the resultant polypropylene a high tacticity and fairly excellent properties. However, the surface of its molded articles is so sticky that it has raised problems on practical use.

Preparation process of syndiotactic polyproplene


A method of operating a robotic cleaning device over a surface to be cleaned, the method being performed by the robotic cleaning device. The method includes: following a boundary of a first object while registering path markers including positional information at intervals on the surface; tracing previously registered path markers at an offset upon encountering one or more of the previously registered path markers; and switching from tracing the previously registered path markers to following an edge of a second object upon detection of the second object.

In many fields of technology, it is desirable to use robots with an autonomous behaviour such that they can freely move around a space without colliding with possible objects and obstacles.
Robotic vacuum cleaners or robotic floor mops, further referred to as robotic cleaning devices, are known in the art and usually equipped with drive means in the form of one or more motors for moving the cleaner across a surface to be cleaned. The robotic cleaning devices may further be equipped with intelligence in the form of microprocessor(s) and navigation means for causing an autonomous behaviour such that the robotic vacuum cleaners can freely move around and clean a space in the form of e.g. a room. Thus, these prior art robotic vacuum cleaners have the capability of more or less autonomously vacuum clean or mop a room, in which furniture such as tables, chairs and other objects such as walls and stairs are located.
There are basically two categories of robotic cleaning devices known in the prior art;—the ones which clean a surface by random motion and the ones which navigate on the surface using various sensor data.
The robotic cleaning devices, which use a random motion also look randomly for the charger. These robotic cleaning devices navigate and clean by principle of contingency. Such robotic cleaning devices may comprise a collision sensor to avoid collisions when cleaning. Typically they comprise means to detect and locate the charger when they happen to pass it or when the charger comes into the field of view. This is obviously not a very efficient way of cleaning and navigating and may in particular not work very well for large surfaces or for complicated layouts.
The other type of prior art robotic cleaning devices, which navigate using sensor data deduce from the sensor data where they can safely drive without colliding with objects or obstacles. As they make assumptions about their environment based on the sensor data, which is in most cases not complete, they run a high risk of getting stuck or lost. In addition, extracting data and thus making assumptions from the sensor data additionally requires expensive electronic components.
In some cases prior art robotic cleaning devices use a stroke method to clean, which means they drive back and forth stroke by stroke in order to clean a surface. When navigating such a prior robotic cleaning device from one room to another or back to the charger, the robotic cleaning device uses sensor data to navigate. The risk of collision with objects or obstacles is then comparably high, since such robotic cleaning devices are also forced to make assumptions based on the sensor data. This may slow down the robotic cleaning device and thus reduce the efficiency of the cleaning. Additionally a stroke by stroke method may leave a substantial amount of debris or dust remaining, for example close to edges of objects or obstacles. The cleaning may not be neat.
Some known robotic cleaning devices may comprise a side brush arranged close to or at a left or right periphery of a cleaning opening in order to brush debris and dust into and in front of the cleaning opening. When a side brush, in particular only one side brush, is installed on the robotic cleaning device, the cleaning pattern needs to be adapted accordingly to make sure that the side brush is removing the debris and dust in an optimal way.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Cleaning method for a robotic cleaning device


A housing adapted to receive a flow of slurry has a central section, an upper section, and a lower section. A clean water introduction assembly has a horizontal manifold, a plurality of horizontal apertured pipes and a plurality of vertical water lines. A valve assembly has an upper valve and a lower valve. The upper valve is normally open. The lower valve is normally closed to feed clean water from the manifold through the water lines and out of the apertured pipes into the housing. In this manner water entering the housing will cause a hindered settling. The valve assembly is also operable in a back flow mode with the upper valve being closed and the lower valve being opened. In this manner water from the housing will flow from the apertured pipes. In this manner clogs in the holes of the apertured pipe are cleared. A coupling assembly is provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hindered settling system and more particularly pertains to separating a primary flow of slurry into a secondary flow of water with heavy particulate matter and a tertiary flow of water with light particulate matter, the separating being done in a safe, ecological, convenient and economical manner.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of settling systems of known designs and configurations is known in the prior art. More specifically, settling systems of known designs and configurations previously devised and utilized for the purpose of separating water and particulate matter through known designs and configuration are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,454 issued Sep. 20, 1983 to Hultsch relates to a Process and Apparatus for the Dewatering of Solids in Suspension. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 7,147,111 issued Dec. 12, 2006 to Fendley relates to a Hindered-Settling Fluid Classifier.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a hindered settling system that allows for separating a primary flow of slurry into a secondary flow of water with heavy particulate matter and a tertiary flow of water with light particulate matter, the separating according to the present invention being done in a safe, ecological, convenient and economical manner.
In this respect, the hindered settling system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of separating a primary flow of slurry into a secondary flow of water with heavy particulate matter and a tertiary flow of water with light particulate matter, the separating being done in a safe, ecological, convenient and economical manner.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved hindered settling system which can be used for separating a primary flow of slurry into a secondary flow of water with heavy particulate matter and a tertiary flow of water with light particulate matter, the separating being done in a safe, ecological, convenient and economical manner. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


A vehicle testing device and method are provided whereby a mechanic can easily test the pneumatic brake system of a tractor, converter dolly and trailer. In addition, electrical circuitry is supplied to allow the mechanic to check the electrical circuits from the tractor to the trailer which supply power for the turn signals, brake lights, clearance lights, auxiliary lights and turn signals. The testing device is compact and portable and affords a mechanic a convenient tool for efficiently carrying out the necessary safety tests on both the tractor and trailer which may be disconnected at the time the testing occurs.

1. Field Of The Invention
The invention herein pertains to a device and method for testing the pneumatic brakes of tractor-trailers as used for commercial hauling. The testing equipment herein is useful for trucking companies, D.O.T. officials, and others that must periodically inspect the brake and electrical light systems of trucks and trailers.
2. Description Of The Prior Art And Objectives Of The Invention
Safety is a primary concern of the U.S. Department of Transportation (D.O.T.), trucking companies and all personnel associated therewith. Tractor-trailers are responsible for transporting most of the goods in the United States and other countries and the pneumatic braking systems which are employed must be frequently tested along with the turn signals, brake lights, auxiliary lighting, clearance lighting, and tail lights to insure a safe vehicle. Over the years mechanics have developed various systems to correctly and efficiently test and repair the pneumatic and electrical light circuits of tractor-trailers but many of the test procedures require two men. As such, the cost of frequent inspections for tractor-trailers has greatly increased in some cases, therefore putting the drivers, other motorist and property at risk as fewer inspections and tests are undertaken. Heretofore a single mechanic would have difficulty in checking, for example, the brake system beneath the tractor or trailer while holding the brake pedal depressed and would likewise have difficulty in observing the brake lights at the rear of the trailer from a position inside the cab. In addition, it has been difficult in the past to check the electrical light circuits of a trailer if unattached from tractor because power must be supplied to the trailer electrical circuitry for a visual inspection.
For this and other reasons the present invention was conceived and one of its objectives is to provide a method and testing apparatus for a tractor-trailer which will allows a sole mechanic to check the brake systems of tractors and certain trailers with accuracy.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a means for a single mechanic to check the electrical light circuitry of a tractor and a trailer even when the tractor and trailer are disconnected and parked at separate locations with accuracy.
It is also an objective of the present invention to provide a method for testing the pneumatic system as well as the electrical light system of tractor-trailers by a single mechanic with improved efficiency, convenience and accuracy.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a device to maintain a brake pedal in a depressed posture to allow the mechanic to leave the tractor cab and visually inspect beneath the tractor-trailer for air leaks, frayed or damaged air lines and components while the brake pedal remains depressed.
It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a testing device whereby the outside electrical lights and pneumatic brake systems are quickly and easily checked to determine if any defects exist or if repairs are necessary.
It is yet still another Objective of the present invention to provide a device for testing electrical light circuitry and pneumatic brake systems of tractor-trailers which includes a compact, easily portable housing containing electrical circuitry with pneumatic fittings and easily visible gauges and lights thereon.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a testing device and method for tractor-trailers which includes a metal housing having a pair of battery connections for testing certain electrical circuitry of trailers while disconnected from the electrical supply of the tractor by applying proper voltage to the battery connections with accuracy.
Various other objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as a more detailed description is set forth below.


The invention concerns a surgical apparatus for the irrigation and aspiration of the operative cavity during endoscopic surgery. The apparatus comprises a reservoir of liquid for irrigation of the cavity, a pump for circulating the liquid in the cavity, a pressure measuring and control means, such as a piezometric cell and valve for measuring and controlling pressure in the cavity and a flow control means for controlling the flow of the liquid. The apparatus also provides temperature control means by which the temperature of the liquid may be adjusted, which along with pressure control means and adjustment of pressure of the liquid in the cavity, provides a desired hemostatic effect during the surgical process.

The present invention pertains to the field of surgical techniques and relates more particularly to an irrigation and aspiration apparatus which can be used in endoscopic surgery.
It will be recalled that endoscopic surgery and/or exploration generally makes use of irrigation means ensuring the cleaning of the operative site, aspiration means ensuring the removal of liquids and body tissues, and means for dilation or tensioning of the organs or of the cavity on which surgery is being carried out. The irrigation and dilation can be effected simultaneously by injection, under slight pressure, of an isotonic or very slightly hypotonic solution, such as advantageously glycine, on account of its dielectric properties. It will be remembered, as regards this surgical technique, that it is imperative to maintain the excess pressure between a minimum threshold (sufficient to dilate the cavity and to counterbalance the capillary pressure) and a maximum threshold (corresponding to the pressure of absorption of the irrigation liquid by the venous system). These thresholds, which vary between individuals, are approximately 15 and 45 mmHg respectively.
Irrigation techniques have been widely described, particularly in patent publications, and reference may advantageously be made to patents FR 2,244,440 (IGLESIAS), and FR 256,954, FR 2,569,555 (BURNER). The first of these patents describes simple means for supply of irrigation fluid consisting essentially of a gravity reservoir and of valves for controlling the flowrate. The BURNER patents describe more elaborate means, involving in particular the use of means for automatic regulation of the pressure using a pump placed under the control of a pressure regulator. The second of these latter patents describes more particularly an aspiration technique using means for regulating the pressure. However, it will be noted that even apparatuses with controlled pressure do not entirely rule out the risks of liquid passing into the blood system, on account of the significant variations in arterial pressure which can occur during surgery.
Publications WO 8700759 (MINNESOTA), FR 2,378,494 (WOLF) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,900,022 (WIDRAN) also disclose an irrigation device for injecting irrigation liquid into an operative cavity; however, these devices do not comprise means for heating the liquid or controlling its temperature. For related techniques, reference may also be made to the following publications: U.S. Pat. No. 4,486,384 (DARNELL), GB 2,205,244 (BLOGOVESCHENSKY), U.S. Pat. No. 3,177,871 (MYERS) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,733 (WRIGHT).
Finally, it is recalled that the haemostatic influence of temperature is well known, but that this influence is the result of two causes with different effects; on the one hand, a cause with a positive effect consisting in an increase in the rate of polymerization of the fibrinogens and the rate of formation of the "platelet clot"; on the other hand, a cause with a negative effect consisting in vasodilation.
As far as the Applicants are aware, no attempt has ever been made, in laparotomy surgery using an irrigation serum, to make use of the haemostatic influence of the temperature of the warm serum alone, because of the predominance of the negative effect; serum at 40.degree.-45.degree. C. has been used in particular, but after pinching or suturing the cut vessels. However, the Applicants considered that it might not be the same in endoscopic surgery on account of the positive effect of putting the operative cavity under excess pressure. Their work thus led them to note that a serum or other irrigation liquid injected at a temperature of between about 42.degree. and 45.degree. C. considerably slowed down the haemorrhagic flow; overall, the use of warm isotonic serum (42.degree.-45.degree. C.) instead of serum at ambient temperature, as in the prior art, has the following results: it accelerates the haemostasis of the vessels spread, permits a reduction in the irrigation flow necessary for cleaning the operative site and for maintaining perfect vision. There still remained the delicate problem of the risks of liquid being transferred into the blood system, with the peri- and post-operative risks which this involves, a problem for which the technique of the invention affords a solution. On the basis of these observations, the invention proposes means ensuring optimal irrigation of the operative site in endoscopic surgery, with a maximum limitation of the risk of the liquid passing into the blood system.

Irrigation and aspiration apparatus for use in endoscopic surgery

Societe dite Sinergy S.A., a French Corp.


A technique for providing support for multiple calling conventions for methods and procedures that return structures is provided. A source code of a client program may be compiled by either of two compilers, wherein one compiler employs a calling convention that is different from the first one. A binary library containing a procedure and a converter for each procedure returning a structure to a client program, is provided to support two calling conventions. If the client program is compiled by a compiler using a first calling convention, the program is compiled such that it calls the procedure directly and receives a result, a structure, via the first calling convention. Compiling the client program with a compiler using the second conventions results in calls to the procedure being routed to the converter, which calls the associated procedure, using the first calling convention. The converter receives the result from the procedure and returns the result to the client program using the second calling convention. A special modification to the signature of the procedure as it appears in the library source code, combined with the use of macros to generate a companion converter, permit a binary library to be built by a single compiler, such that the library supports the calling conventions for returning structures appropriate to two different compilers.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to an improved data processing system and in particular to a method and system for supporting dual calling conventions between different compilers. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for supporting dual calling conventions between different compilers for methods that return structures.
2. Description of the Related Art
A "compiler" is a program that translates programs written in a high-level programming language into the native machine language of a data processing system. The input into a compiler is the "source program" or "source code" and the output is called the "object program" or "target code". Presently, in the DOS/Windows environment, no universally agreed upon calling convention exists for procedures returning structures when source code is compiled into object code. For example, most C or C++ compilers implement one of two systems for returning structures. One involves defining attributes that return pointers to structures and another entails employing a method where the caller provides a hidden argument for passing a structure back to the caller. The first is employed by Microsoft's C and C++ compiler while the second method of returning structures is employed by Borland's compiler for C and C++. Borland C and Borland C++ are available from Borland International, Inc., located in Scotts Valley, Calif. C and C++ compilers are available from Microsoft Corporation located in Redmond, Wash. As a result, between the Borland and Microsoft compilers, no binary standard exists for procedures returning structures.
For products featuring binary class libraries or binary procedure libraries, this lack of standardization can become a severe problem. Some software vendors avoid this problem by excluding methods or procedures returning structures. However, in order to facilitate the construction and distribution of language-independent class libraries that can be distributed in binary form, it is sometimes necessary to provide procedures which return structures.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a method and system for providing compatibility between different calling conventions found in different compilers for procedures returning structures.

Method and system for supporting dual conventions for methods that return structures

International Business Machines Corporation


There is provided a device for positioning a golf tee within the ground. The device defines a flat base and at least one tee shaped recess. The recess is adapted to releasably retain in a friction fit engagement a portion of the tee therewithin. Upon withdrawal of the device from the tee, once the tee has been positioned in the ground, the tee remains at a predetermined height in the ground.

The patent literature abounds with devices functional to set a golf tee at one or more predetermined heights within the ground. Exemplary patents include U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,161 issued to W. K. Wilkinson; U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,747 issued to D. R. Young; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,689 issued to K. P. Lettrich.
Deleteriously, these prior art systems are often complex both structurally and in usage, typically, being formed of more than a single part, which is loosable and often breakable. It is difficult to reproduce the height of the setting of the tee.


Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media for compressing sensor log information. One of the methods includes accessing log information maintained in one or more databases, the log information being generated in response to actions associated with entities, and the log information indicative of respective sessions for which one or more logs were generated, each log indicating an entity. Log information is grouped according to entity. One or more logs associated with respective sessions based on the grouped log information. Compressed logs are generated from logs associated with respective sessions based on compression rules.

Logs can be generated and maintained by a plethora of systems, devices, and so on, in response to actions such as sensor events, web analytics, VPN access events, geospatial movement, payment processing events, security monitoring, and so on. The logs can be stored as rows of a table (e.g., a database table), with each row specifying information organized into particular columns of the table. A reviewing user attempting to understand the table, with logs associated with the systems, devices, and so on, spread throughout the table, can be hindered by logs associated with each system, device, not being grouped together, and by the logs specifying extraneous information that can be difficult to understand (e.g., understand an overall context) when spread throughout the table.

Multiple sensor session and log information compression and correlation system


An insulated trench isolation structure with large and small trenches of differing widths is formed in a semiconductor substrate without a planarization mask or etch. Embodiments include forming trenches and refilling them with an insulating material which also covers the substrate surface, followed by polishing to remove an upper portion of the insulating material and to planarize the insulating material above the small trenches. A second layer of insulating material is then deposited to fill seams in the insulating material above the small trenches and to fill steps in the insulating material above the large trenches. The insulating material is then planarized. Since the insulating material is partially planarized by the first polish and the seams and steps are filled by the second deposition, the resulting topography of the upper surface of the second layer of insulating material is small enough to enable a direct final polish without the need to create and implement a planarization mask and to perform an etch and mask removal, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and increasing production throughput.

Current demands for high density and performance associated with ultra large scale integration require submicron features of about 0.25 microns and under, increased transistor and circuit speeds and improved reliability. Such demands for increased density, performance and reliability require formation of device features with high precision and uniformity.
Conventional semiconductor devices comprise a substrate and various electrically isolated regions, called active regions, in which individual circuit components are formed. The electrical isolation of these active regions is typically accomplished by forming field oxide regions by thermal oxidation of the semiconductor substrate, typically monocrystalline silicon or an epitaxial layer formed thereon, bounding the active regions.
One type of isolation structure is known as trench isolation, wherein shallow trenches are etched in the substrate and an oxide liner is thermally grown on the trench walls. The trench is then refilled with an insulating material. The resulting structure is referred to as a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure. The active region typically comprises source/drain regions formed in the semiconductor substrate by implantation of impurities, spaced apart by a channel region on which a gate electrode is formed with a gate oxide layer therebetween.
A typical method of trench formation comprises initially growing a pad oxide layer on the substrate, and depositing a barrier nitride layer thereon. A photoresist mask is then applied to define the trench areas. The exposed portions of the nitride layer are then etched away, followed by the pad oxide layer. The etching continues into the substrate to form the shallow trench. When etching of the trench is completed, the photoresist is stripped off the nitride layer.
Next, the substrate is oxidized to form an oxide liner on the walls and base of the trench to control the silicon-silicon dioxide interface quality. The trench is then refilled with an insulating material such as silicon dioxide derived from tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) to form a field oxide region. The insulating material is then planarized, as by chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) using the barrier nitride layer as a polish stop, to remove all the oxide over the active regions so that only the trenches are filled. The nitride and pad oxide are stripped off the active areas to complete the trench isolation structure.
It is difficult to planarize the insulating material, because the field oxide regions vary largely in size. For example, one trench may have a width as little as 0.25.mu., while an adjacent trench may be several microns wide. After the insulating material is deposited to fill the trenches and cover the polish stop, fissures called "seams" exist in the deposited insulating material above the smaller trenches, and indentations called "steps" exist in the upper surface of the insulating material above the large trenches, which steps are considerably deeper and wider than the seams. The presence of both seams and steps is problematic during polishing, in that the large amount of polishing required to remove the seams over the small features results in the removal of excess insulating material over the large features. This overpolishing of the insulating material above the large trenches produces undesirable "dishing" of the insulating material, resulting in a nonplanar insulating surface.
A conventional approach to the problem of simultaneously planarizing an insulating material over both large and small features comprises masking, etching and then polishing, as by CMP. This procedure is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C. Adverting to FIG. 1A, there is schematically illustrated substrate 11, pad oxide layer 12, polish stop 13, oxide liner 14, trenches 15, insulating layer 16, seams 17 and steps 18. Inverse source/drain photoresist mask 19 is formed on the insulating layer 16 to protect the seams 17 and steps 18 from overetching. Isotropic etching is then performed to remove most of the insulating material in the active areas (FIG. 1B) before the final chemical-mechanical polish, as shown in FIG. 1C.
Disadvantageously, the inverse source/drain mask 19 is a "critical mask"; i.e., it is extremely complex and difficult to design and use. Its creation requires a complicated algorithm to calculate the location of the steps and seams and to provide protective masking over them, since even seams over the smallest features must be protected while etching. Moreover, the complexity of the mask and its small features challenges the capabilities of the photolithographic process necessary to implement the mask, thereby increasing manufacturing costs and reducing production throughput. As design rules are reduced to as small as 0.18.mu. or less, the inverse source/drain mask becomes even more difficult and costly to design and use.
In copending application Ser. No. 08/992,490, filed Dec. 18, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,124,183, and copending application Ser. No. 08/992,491, filed Dec. 18, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,090,713, methods were disclosed for forming an STI structure by planarizing the insulating material using a simplified planarization mask. Copending application Ser. No. 08/992,490 discloses a method wherein after the insulating material is deposited, it is polished, as by CMP, such that the insulating material above the small trenches (i.e., at the seams) is planarized, then the insulating material is furnace annealed to increase the resistance of the seams to etching. Following annealing, a simplified photoresist planarization mask is applied to cover only the insulating material above the large trenches (i.e., the steps), and the unmasked portions of the insulating material are etched. The mask is then removed and the remaining insulating material is planarized, as by CMP.
Copending application Ser. No. 08/992,491 filed Dec. 18, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,090,713 discloses a method wherein after the insulating material is deposited, it is polished, as by CMP, such that the insulating material above the small trenches (i.e., at the seams) is planarized, then a second, thin layer of insulating material is deposited to fill the seams. Following the second deposition of insulating material, which effectively eliminates the seams, a simplified photoresist planarization mask is applied to cover only the insulating material above the large trenches (i.e., the steps), and the unmasked portions of the insulating material are etched. The mask is then removed and the remaining insulating material is planarized, as by CMP.
The methodologies disclosed in copending application Ser. No. 08/992,490, filed Dec. 18, 1997 and copending application Ser. No. 08/992,491, filed Dec. 18, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,090,713 simplify the planarization mask by providing for masking only the insulating material over the large trenches. Thus, the design and implementation of the required mask is facilitated. However, these methodologies still require a planarization mask and an etching procedure, followed by removal of the mask, before planarization can be completed.
There exists a need for a simplified, cost-effective method of manufacturing a semiconductor device with shallow trench isolation without the necessity of employing a mask for planarizing the field oxide.

Shallow trench isolation formation without planarization mask


An infant support pad, particularly for use with premature or smaller infants provides support for the head and neck of an infant including lateral movement as well as forward movement of an infant's head and is made up of a padded base layer extending along a substantial length of an infant's body, a deformable support member at one end of the base layer to provide support to an infant's head and neck, and complementary fasteners are attached to the base layer and support member to provide for adjustability of the support member around an infant's head and neck.

This invention relates to infant head and neck supports; and more particularly relates to a novel and improved self-supporting, flexible but firm, infant head and neck support.
Infant head supports are well known. All of the known devices are designed as a soft or passive support of an infant's head or neck. The infant head supports are designed to surround an infant's head with a cushion or head roll that is not permanently deformable. For instance U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,711 issued to Houghteling, discloses a head support device that supports the lateral sides of the infant's head from sudden movement or impact. Another example of infant head support is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,351 to Ive. This type of device provides a soft, pliable pad surrounding an infant's head.
It is therefore desirable to provide a deformable head and neck support for an infant which will not only protect the head and neck of an infant from sudden movement or impact but also retain a newborn's head and neck in a desired position and conform to all infant head sizes. Premature infants and newborns typically are placed in an infant carseat or stroller with an infant support pad inserted therein. Oftentimes, the infant will fall asleep and, since their neck muscles are not strong enough to hold up their head, the head will fall forward or to the side posing a risk of injury or suffocation to the infant.
There is therefore a need for an infant head and neck support that will retain a newborn's head and neck in a desired position while providing a flexible but firm, means of support that is conformable into different opening sizes according to the size of the infant's head.

Abstract: The fastener means that releasably attach the support member to the base layer are located in inner and outer positions, with the outer locations providing a broader U-shaped opening, and the inner locations providing a narrower U-shaped position, with terminal ends of the support member converging inwardly.


A giant magnetoresistance (GMR) head for magnetic storage systems, the GMR head having a free layer with improved soft magnetic properties while retaining giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effects. The free layer comprises an alloy comprising Cox, Fey, and Cuz, wherein x, y, and z represent the atomic weight percentage of Co, Fe, and Cu, respectively.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to giant magnetoresistance (GMR) heads for magnetic storage systems, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for improving soft magnetic properties of a spin valve free layer while retaining giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effects.
2. Description of Related Art
Magnetic recording systems that utilize magnetic disk and tape drives constitute the main form of data storage and retrieval in present-day computer and data processing systems. In the recording process, information is written and stored as magnetization patterns on the magnetic recording medium. Scanning a write head over the medium and energizing the write head with appropriate current waveforms accomplish this recording process. In a read-back process, scanning a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor over the medium retrieves the stored information. This MR read head sensor intercepts magnetic flux from the magnetization patterns on the recording medium and converts the magnetic flux into electrical signals, which are then detected and decoded.
However, limitations of MR sensor performance were drastically expanded by the discovery of the giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect, also known as the spin-valve effect. In contrast to a conventional MR effect, which is based on homogeneous ferromagnetic metals or alloys, the GMR effect is present only in heterogeneous magnetic systems with two or more ferromagnetic components and at least one nonmagnetic component. Hence, a GMR head has a greater sensitivity to magnetic fields from a disk.
Accordingly, a spin valve sensor is employed by a GMR read head for sensing magnetic fields on a moving magnetic medium, such as a rotating magnetic disk. A typical spin valve sensor includes a nonmagnetic electrically conductive spacer layer between a ferromagnetic pinned layer structure and a ferromagnetic free layer structure. An antiferromagnetic pinning layer interfaces and is exchange coupled to the pinned layer structure for pinning a magnetic moment of the pinned layer structure 90° to an air bearing surface (ABS) where the ABS is an exposed surface of the sensor that faces the rotating disk. Leads are connected to the spin valve sensor for conducting a sense current.
A magnetic moment of the free layer structure is typically oriented parallel to the ABS in a quiescent condition, the quiescent condition being where the sense current is conducted through the sensor in the absence of any signal fields. The magnetic moment of the free layer structure is free to rotate from the parallel position in response to signal fields from the rotating magnetic disk. Changes in response to field signals from the rotating disk changes the resistance of the spin valve sensor due to the angle between the magnetic moments of the pinned and free layer structures. The sensitivity of the sensor is quantified by a magnetoresistive coefficient dr/R (ΔR/R) where dr is the change in resistance of the sensor between parallel and antiparallel orientations of the pinned and free layer structures and R is the resistance of the sensor when the moments are parallel. The GMR effect operates to produce a lower resistance for parallel alignment of the pinned and free layer structures, and a higher resistance for antiparallel alignment of the pinned and free layer structures.
Several classes of soft magnetic materials have evolved for use in the construction of spin valves. Permalloy, a general term that refers to alloys of Ni and Fe, is one class used in the fabrication of spin valves due to permalloy's very small anisotropy (i.e., varying of magnetic properties along different axis) and magnetostriction characteristics. Another important design feature for spin valves is to provide a magnetic material for the free layer structure that lowers coercivity, i.e., the magnetic field necessary to switch the direction of magnetization and decrease magnetic induction to zero.
Moreover, the success of hard disk drives (HDDs) originates from these successful design features and an ever-increasing demand for storage capacity coupled with a consistent reduction in price per megabyte. Areal density (expressed as billions of bits per square inch of disk surface area, Gbits/in2) is the product of linear density (bits of information per inch of track) multiplied by track density (tracks per inch), and varies with disk radius. Improved areal density levels have been the dominant reason for the reduction in price per megabyte. High areal densities have been achieved by introducing new technology and by proportionally reducing certain key dimensions, such as the GMR head, within the HDD ("scaling"). Thus, there is a present need to reduce the free layer thickness in GMR spin valve sensor.
Current spin valve designs have free layers composed of a bilayer of CoFe and NiFe. A minimum thickness of CoFe in contact with a Cu spacer layer in the spin valve is necessary to achieve the highest GMR signal. In other words, sensitivity is increased with a reduction in the thickness of the free layer. However, to maintain acceptable sensor performance, and GMR, the bilayer material CoFe should not be reduced far below 15 Å. Hence, in reducing the bilayer structure of CoFe and NiFe to a thickness below 15 Å, the NiFe must be reduced to near zero.
The soft magnetic properties of CoFe are less attractive than NiFe and as the total thickness of the free layer is reduced, the ratio of CoFe to NiFe increases. As a result of the increased ratio, coercivity increases causing a strong resistance to change in magnetization of the bilayer structure. Thus, it is important to find a replacement for CoFe with improved soft magnetic properties, yet while retaining high GMR.
It can be seen that there is a need for providing a high quality soft magnetic material for the spin valve free layers of magnetic recording heads.
More particularly, it can be seen that there is a need for providing improved soft magnetic properties for free layers of spin valves while retaining giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effects.

Method and apparatus for improving soft magnetic properties of a spin valve while retaining high giant magnetoresistance

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.