This invention relates to an imaging element comprising a dye represented by Formulae II and IIA below:

This invention relates to imaging materials including silver halide photographic materials containing novel benzothiazine dyes.
Although the variety of dyes and pigments known in the art is very wide, there is a continuing effort by synthetic dye chemists to discover new chromophoric systems for use as colorants in a broad range of applications. These applications include: textile dyes, hair dyes, paint pigments, printing inks, inkjet colorants, rubber and plastic colorants, polymer stabilizers, electrochromic and thermochromic display devices, laser dyes, electrophotographic pigments, sensitizing dyes, image dyes, and filter dyes for photographic systems, liquid crystal display devices, optical disks, biological stains, and others.
A wide variety of dyes are employed in photographic materials. In addition to the diverse dyes used to form images in color photographic elements, spectral sensitizing dyes are used to extend the sensitivity of silver halides, which are inherently sensitive only to blue light, to other wavelengths of radiation. Among the dyes commonly employed for this purpose are the cyanines and merocyanines, which are discussed in T. H. James, ed., The Theory of the Photographic Process, 4th Ed., Macmillan, New York, 1977, Chapter 8, and in F. M. Hamer, Cyanine Dyes and Related Compounds, Wiley, New York, 1964.
Photographic materials often contain filter dyes to absorb light from different regions of the spectrum, such as red, blue, green, ultraviolet, and infrared, to name a few. These filter dyes are often required to perform the function of absorbing light during exposure of the material so as to prevent or at least inhibit light of a specific spectral region from reaching at least one of the radiation sensitive layers of the element. Dyes are also used in color photographic materials as filters, typically located in overcoats or interlayers, to absorb incident radiation and improve image sharpness. It is a particular problem that many polymethine dyes used as intergrain absorbers in photographic films are fluorescent, and upon absorbing light at their absorbance maxima can in turn emit light in the form of fluorescence, generally at a wavelength longer than that of their absorbance maxima. Fluorescence by absorber dyes can result in false sensitization of sensitized emulsions, rendering some classes of dyes unfit for use in photographic materials.
In addition, filter dyes are often used in non-imaging layers as antihalation dyes which absorb the radiation that passes through the imaging layers unabsorbed, and hence prevent undesirable blurriness of the final image. After processing of the element, however, the continued presence of the antihalation dye will adversely affect the image quality of the photographic material. It is therefore desirable to use filter dyes that will be solubilized and removed or at least decolorized during photographic processing. Dyes that are easily solubilized, however, tend to wander throughout the photographic material during coating, adversely affecting the final image quality. To prevent dye wandering, the dyes can be coated with a mordant to bind the dye in the layer in which it is coated. Dye mordants, while often useful, tend to either bind the dye too strongly, inhibiting solubilization of the dye during photographic processing, or too weakly, thus not preventing dye wandering. To address this problem, dyes used as antihalation dyes or filter dyes may be formulated as solid particle dispersions. Solid particle dispersions allow for the coating of filter dyes in a layer-specific manner such that the dyes are immobile in coated acidic emulsion layers, but then are fully removed in the high pH environment of photographic processes. Solid particle dispersions of highly stable dyes also offer advantages for use in output media such as inkjet printing.
There are numerous patents describing various filter dyes formulated as water-soluble absorber dyes or as solid particle dispersion dyes, for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,950,586; 4,948,718, 4,948,717, 4,940,654, 4,923,788; 4,900,653; 4,861,700; 4,857,446; and 4,855,221. Further, some nuclei represented generally by Formula I below (Xxe2x95x90SO2, Cxe2x95x90O; Yxe2x95x90SO2, Cxe2x95x90O) are known; specifically the benzothiazine compounds described by Formula IA below are described in (Lombardino et. al., Org. Prep. Proc. Int. 1971, 3(1), 33) and (U.S. Pat. No. 3,303,191). Tautomeric derivatives
substituted at the ketomethylene position by various ester groups are also described for pharmaceutical applications (JP 46022150). However, none of these references describe any polymethine or azamethine dyes derived specifically from the benzothiazine nuclei utilized in the current invention, or other closely related nuclei, or their use in imaging elements.
Regardless of the large number of known dyes, there is still a need in the imaging arts for filter dyes which do not fluoresce and which can be used as absorber dyes or antihaltion dyes.
This invention provides an imaging element comprising a dye represented by Formulae II and IIA below:
wherein;
R1 represents a hydrogen, an aryl group containing 6 to 14 carbon atoms, or an alkyl group containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms;
R2 and R3 together form an aromatic carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring system containing 6 to 14 atoms;
X represents a sulfoxide (Sxe2x95x90O), sulfone (SO2), carbonyl (Cxe2x95x90O) or dicyanovinyl (C(CN)2) group, and Y represents a sulfoxide (Sxe2x95x90O), sulfone (SO2), carbonyl (Cxe2x95x90O) or dicyanovinyl (C(CN)2) group, with the proviso that X and Y cannot both be carbonyl,
L1, L2, and L3 represent methine groups, wherein the methine groups may combine to form a 5 or 6-membered ring when m is equal to or  greater than 1
m is 0, 1, 2, or 3;
W is an aryl group; and
D is a moiety in conjugation with the X and Y groups. In one embodiment the imaging element is a silver halide photographic element.
The dyes utilized in the photographic elements do not fluoresce in an undesired manner. Further, they are convenient to manufacture and they may be utilized both as absorber dyes and as antihalation dyes.
The inventors herein have discovered that a wide variety of nuclei described by formula I, and most preferably the 3,4-dihydro-1H-2,1-benzothiazin-4-one 2,2-dioxide nuclei (hereupon commonly referred to as xe2x80x9cbenzothiazinexe2x80x9d) described by formula IA can be used to conveniently prepare dyes of Formulae II and IIA, and most preferably dyes of Formulae III and IIIA below:
In formulae I, IA, II, IIA, III, and IIIA above, R1 and R4 each independently represents an aryl group containing 6 to 14 carbon atoms, or an alkyl group containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms. R2 and R3 together form an aromatic carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring system containing 6 to 14 atoms (for example, a substituted or unsubstituted benzene ring). X may represent a sulfoxide, sulfone carbonyl or dicyanovinyl, and Y may represent a sulfoxide, sulfone carbonyl or dicyanovinyl with the proviso that both X and Y are not both carbonyl. In a preferred embodiment, X is a sulfone (SO2) and Y is a carbonyl (Cxe2x95x90O). R5 groups are substituents which do not interfere with the activity of the dye. Preferably the R5 groups each individually represent an alkyl group of 1 to 20 (preferably 1 to 8) carbon atoms, an alkenyl group of 2 to 20 (preferably 2 to 8) carbon atoms, or an aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclic or cycloalkyl group of 5 to 14 carbon atoms, or a hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, amido, cyano, halogen, nitro or hydrogen. Each L represents a methine group (this including the possibility of any of them being members of a 5 or 6-membered ring where m=1, or particularly when m greater than 1). m is 0, 1, 2, or 3. W represents an aryl group.
Unless otherwise specifically stated, use of the term xe2x80x9csubstitutedxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9csubstituentxe2x80x9d means any group or atom other than hydrogen. Additionally, when the term xe2x80x9cgroupxe2x80x9d is used, it means that when a substituent group contains a substitutable hydrogen, it is also intended to encompass not only the substituent""s unsubstituted form, but also its form further substituted with any substituent group or groups so long as the substituent does not destroy properties necessary for photographic utility. If desired, the substituents may themselves be further substituted one or more times with the described substituent groups. The particular substituents used may be selected by those skilled in the art to attain the desired photographic properties for a specific application and can include, for example, hydrophobic groups, solubilizing groups, blocking groups, and releasing or releasable groups. When a molecule may have two or more substituents, the substituents may be joined together to form a ring such as a fused ring unless otherwise provided.
D preferably contains an atom with an available electron pair positioned in conjugation with the X and Y groups in formula II or in conjugation with the carbonyl oxygen of the benzothiazine ring in formula III, said atom being an O, N, Se, S or C with at least one electron-withdrawing group bonded thereto, or D may be a group containing a benzene ring. D may particularly contain an O or N atom, or a xe2x80x94C(CN)2 positioned in conjugation with the X and Y groups in formula II or in conjugation with the carbonyl oxygen of the benzothiazine ring in formula III. By being positioned in xe2x80x9cconjugationxe2x80x9d with the carbonyl oxygen, it is meant that there is a conjugated system between the oxygen and the atom in D. Such systems are generally known in organic chemistry and refer to a chain in which a single bond, and a double or triple bond, appear alternately. Particular groups for D include:
In the above, X1 represents a sulfoxide (Sxe2x95x90O), sulfone (SO2), carbonyl (Cxe2x95x90O) or dicyanovinyl (C(CN)2) group, and Y1 represents a sulfoxide (Sxe2x95x90O), sulfone (SO2), carbonyl (Cxe2x95x90O) or dicyanovinyl (C(CN)2) group, with the proviso that X1 and Y1 cannot both be carbonyl. R6 represents an aryl group (which includes substituted or unsubstituted) preferably containing 6 to 14 carbon atoms, or an alkyl group containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms. R7 groups each individually represent an alkyl group of 1 to 20 (preferably 1 to 8) carbon atoms, an alkenyl group of 2 to 20 (preferably 2 to 8) carbon atoms, or an aryl, arylalkyl, heterocyclic or cycloalkyl group of 5 to 14 carbon atoms, or a hydroxy, carboxy, cyano, chloro, nitro or hydrogen. R8 represents a hydrogen, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, sulfonamido, sulfamoyl, or an alkyl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkylamino, or alkylthio group preferably of 1 to 10 carbon atoms. R9 represents an alkyl group preferably of 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, or an arylalkyl or cycloalkyl group preferably of 5 to about 10 carbon atoms. G represents xe2x80x94O or xe2x80x94C(CN)2. Groups of up to 12 carbon atoms may particularly include aryl groups such as phenyl, or cycloalkyl groups such as a substituted or unsubstituted cyclohexyl.
R10 represents an alkyl group (xe2x80x9cgroupxe2x80x9d wherever used in the present application includes the possibility of being substituted or unsubstituted alkyl) of 1 to 20 (preferably 1 to 8) carbon atoms or an alkenyl group of 2 to 20 (preferably of 2 to 8) carbon atoms, or an aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclic or cycloalkyl group preferably of 5 to about 14 carbon atoms. R11 represents an electron withdrawing group. In particular, preferred electron withdrawing substituents would have a Hammett op constant of greater than 0.1 and preferably between 0. 1 and 1.0 (for example, between any of 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 or 0.6 and 1.0). Hammett "sgr"p values are discussed in Advanced Organic Chemistry 3rd Ed., J. March, (John Wiley Sons, N.Y.;1985). Note that the xe2x80x9cpxe2x80x9d subscript refers to the fact that the "sgr" values are measured with the substituents in the para position of a benzene ring. Additional tables relating to Hammett "sgr"p constants can be found in Chemical Reviews Volume 91, pages 165-195 (authored by C. Hansch et al.). Groups for R11 may include cyano, acyl, benzoyl, phenacyl, aminocarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryl, or alkylsulfonyl group (any of which particularly may have 2 to 20, and preferably of 2 to 8, carbon atoms), or an arylsulfonyl or any sulfamoyl group (either particularly including those of 1 to 8, and preferably 1 to 20, carbon atoms). Alternatively, R10 and R11 may together represent the non-metallic atoms necessary to complete a substituted or unsubstituted ring containing at least one 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic or unsaturated alicyclic nucleus.
R12, R15, R16 and R17 each individually represents hydrogen, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, sulfonamido, sulfamoyl, or an alkyl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkylamino, or alkylthio group preferably of 1 to 10 carbon atoms. R10, R13, R14, R19 and R20 each individually represents an alkyl group preferably of 1 to 20 (and more preferably 1 to 8) carbon atoms or an alkenyl group preferably of 2 to 8 carbon atoms, or an aryl, arylalkyl, heterocyclic or cycloalkyl group preferably of 5 to about 14 carbon atoms. Alternatively, R13 and R14, or R19 and R20 together represent the non-metallic atoms required to form a substituted or unsubstituted 5- or 6-membered ring with each other, or R13 and R14 individually represent the non-metallic atoms necessary to form a substituted or unsubstituted 5- or 6-membered fused ring with the phenyl ring to which the nitrogen is attached. R18 represents an alkyl group preferably of 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, or an arylalkyl or cycloalkyl group preferably of 5 to about 10 carbon atoms. G represents xe2x80x94O or xe2x80x94C(CN)2.
Z1, Z2 and Z3 each individually represents the non-metallic atoms necessary to complete a substituted or unsubstituted ring system containing at least one 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic nucleus.
The group formed by Z2 may include pyridine, pyrazole, pyrrole, furan, thiophene, and congeners, or fused ring systems such as indole, benzoxazole, and congeners.
The atoms represented by Z3 can complete a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic nucleus, which can be fused with additional substituted or unsubstituted rings such as a benzo ring. Suitable heterocyclic nuclei are of the type commonly used in sensitizing dyes and are well known in the art. Many are described, for example, in James, The Theory of the Photographic Process, 4th Edition, pages 195-203. Useful heterocyclic nuclei include thiazole, selenazole, oxazole, imidazole, indole, benzothiazole, benzindole, naphthothiazole, naphthoxazole, benzimidazole, and the like. In a preferred embodiment, Z represents the atoms necessary to complete a substituted or unsubstituted benzoxazole or benzothiazole nucleus.
m is 0, 1, 2, or 3. n is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4. p is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4. q is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. r is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4. s is 0, 1, 2, or 3. t is 0 or 1.
Active methylene moieties of D4 as represented below, where G
represents O, are well known in the art and are described, for example, in Hamer, Cyanine Dyes and Related Compounds, pages 469-494 and 595-604. In accordance with the present invention, preferred active methylene groups include those derived from benzoylacetonitrile, 2-pyrazolin-5-one, pyrazolidindione, barbituric acid, rhodanine, indandione, benzofuranone, chromandione, cyclohexanedione, dioxanedione, furanone, isoxazolinone, pyrazolopyridine, pyridone, isoxazolidinedione, pyrandione, and tricyanopropene (R11=CN, G=C(CN)2). M+ is a cation such as H+, Et3NH+, C5H5NH+, Na+, K+, and the like.
L1 through L6 are methine groups (the term xe2x80x9cgroupxe2x80x9d, as already mentioned, is used in this application to include substituted or unsubstituted). Substituents on L1 through L6 may include a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, chloro or acetoxy, or cycloalkyl group, as described above for R6 and R7. Any of L1 through L6 may be members of a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring (particularly a 5- or 6-membered ring of either type), such as cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and congeners. It will be understood that this possibility is within the definition of substituted methines (xe2x80x9csubstitutedxe2x80x9d methines being included in the term xe2x80x9cgroupxe2x80x9d in reference to methines). For example, when m=1, and particularly when m greater than 1, L1 through L3 (particularly L2 and L3) can be members of any of the foregoing types of rings (and are therefore considered xe2x80x9csubstitutedxe2x80x9d).
Examples of any of the alkyl groups mentioned above are methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, and congeners. Cycloalkyl groups can be cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, 4-methylcyclohexyl, and congeners. Alkenyl groups can be vinyl, 1-propenyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, and congeners. Aryl groups can be phenyl, naphthyl, styryl, and congeners. Arylalkyl groups can be benzyl, phenethyl, and congeners. Useful substituents on any of the foregoing or other groups disclosed, include halogen, alkoxy, acyl, alkoxycarbonyl, arninocarbonyl, carbonamido, carboxy, sulfamoyl, sulfonarnido, sulfo, nitro, hydroxy, amino and congeners.
The following are specific examples of the dyes utilized in the invention.
One method used to incorporate solvent or water-soluble filter dyes into photographic film element layers is to add them as aqueous or alcoholic isotropic solutions. Dyes introduced by this method are generally highly mobile and rapidly diffusing and often wander into other layers of the element, usually with deleterious results. While the use of polymeric mordants can prevent dye wandering, such mordants aggravate the stain problem encountered when the dye remains in the element through processing. Filter dyes have also been prepared as conventional dispersions in aqueous gelatin using standard colloid milling or homogenization methods or as loaded latices. More recently, ball-milling, sand-milling, media-milling and related methods of producing fine-particle-size slurries and suspensions of solid filter dyes have become standard tools for producing slurries and dispersions that can readily be used in photographic melt formulations. Solid particle filter dyes introduced as dispersions, when coated at sufficiently low pH, can eliminate problems associated with dye wandering. In one embodiment the particles have a mean diameter from 0.01 to 100 micrometers. The dyes may be located in any layer of the element where it is desirable to absorb light, but in photographic elements it is particularly advantageous to locate them in a layer where they will be solubilized and washed out during processing. Useful amounts of dye range from 1 to 1000 mg/m2. The dye should be present in an amount sufficient to yield an optical density at the absorbance Dmax in the spectral region of interest before processing of at least 0.10 density units and preferably at least 0.50 density units. This optical density will generally be less than 5.0 density units for most photographic applications.
The dyes of the invention can be used as interlayer dyes, trimmer dyes, antihalation dyes or light-absorbing elements. They can be used to prevent crossover in X-ray materials as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,900,652 and 4,803,150 and European Patent Application Publication No. 0 391 405, to prevent unwanted light from reaching a sensitive emulsion layer of a multicolor photographic element as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,611, and for other uses as indicated by the absorbance spectrum of the particular dye. The dyes can be used in a separate filter layer or as an intergrain absorber.
The dyes of Formula (II, IIA, III and IIIA) are useful for the preparation of radiation sensitive materials. Such materials are sensitive to radiation such as visible light, ultraviolet, infrared, or X-ray.
The dyes of Formula (II, IIA, III and IIIA) are also useful in non-photographic imaging elements. For example, the non-photographic imaging material may be an optical recording medium, such as a CD or other medium sensitive to a laser, or light-emitting diode. The dyes are also useful as colorants for inkjet ink. Such inks may be prepared and utilized by various methods known to those skilled in the art.
Another aspect of this invention comprises a radiation sensitive element containing a dye of Formula (II, IIA, III, and IIIA). Preferably, the radiation sensitive element is a photographic element comprising a support bearing at least one light sensitive hydrophilic colloid layer (Generally this is a silver halide emulsion layer) and at least one other hydrophilic colloid layer. A dye of Formula (II, IIA, III, and IIIA) may be incorporated in a hydrophilic layer of the photographic element in any known way.
The support of the element of the invention can be any of a number of well-known supports for photographic elements as discussed more fully below.
The photographic elements made by the method of the present invention can be single color elements or multicolor elements. Multicolor elements contain dye image-forming units sensitive to each of the three primary regions of the spectrum. Each unit can be comprised of a single emulsion layer or of multiple emulsion layers sensitive to a given region of the spectrum. The layers of the element, including the layers of the image-forming units, can be arranged in various orders as known in the art. In an alternative format, the emulsions sensitive to each of the three primary regions of the spectrum can be disposed as a single segmented layer.
A typical multicolor photographic element comprises a support bearing a cyan dye image-forming unit comprised of at least one red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith at least one cyan dye- forming coupler, a magenta dye image-forming unit comprising at least one green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith at least one magenta dye-forming coupler, and a yellow dye image-forming unit comprising at least one blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith at least one yellow dye-forming coupler. The element can contain additional layers, such as filter layers, interlayers, overcoat layers, subbing layers, and the like. All of these can be coated on a support which can be transparent or reflective (for example, a paper support).
Photographic elements of the present invention may also usefully include a magnetic recording material as described in Research Disclosure, Item 34390, November 1992, or a transparent magnetic recording layer such as a layer containing magnetic particles on the underside of a transparent support as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,279,945 and 4,302,523. The element typically will have a total thickness (excluding the support) of from 5 to 30 micrometers. While the order of the color sensitive layers can be varied, they will normally be red-sensitive, green-sensitive and blue-sensitive, in that order on a transparent support, (that is, blue sensitive furthest from the support) and the reverse order on a reflective support being typical.
The present invention also contemplates the use of photographic elements of the present invention in what are often referred to as single use cameras (or xe2x80x9cfilm with lensxe2x80x9d units). These cameras are sold with film preloaded in them and the entire camera is returned to a processor with the exposed film remaining inside the camera. Such cameras may have glass or plastic lenses through which the photographic element is exposed.
In the following discussion of suitable materials for use in elements of this invention, reference will be made to Research Disclosure, September 1996, Number 389, Item 38957, which will be identified hereafter by the term xe2x80x9cResearch Disclosure I.xe2x80x9d The Sections hereafter referred to are Sections of the Research Disclosure I unless otherwise indicated. All Research Disclosures referenced are published by Kenneth Mason Publications, Ltd., Dudley Annex, 12a North Street, Emsworth, Hampshire PO10 7DQ, ENGLAND. The foregoing references and all other references cited in this application are incorporated herein by reference.
The silver halide emulsions employed in the photographic elements of the present invention may be negative-working, such as surface-sensitive emulsions or unfogged internal latent image forming emulsions, or positive working emulsions of internal latent image forming emulsions (that are either fogged in the element or fogged during processing). Suitable emulsions and their preparation as well as methods of chemical and spectral sensitization are described in Sections I through V. Color materials and development modifiers are described in Sections V through XX. Vehicles which can be used in the photographic elements are described in Section II, and various additives such as brighteners, antifoggants, stabilizers, light absorbing and scattering materials, hardeners, coating aids, plasticizers, lubricants and matting agents are described, for example, in Sections VI through XII. Manufacturing methods are described in all of the sections, layer arrangements particularly in Section XI, exposure alternatives in Section XVI, and processing methods and agents in Sections XIX and XX.
With negative working silver halide a negative image can be formed. Optionally a positive (or reversal) image can be formed although a negative image is typically first formed.
The photographic elements of the present invention may also use colored couplers (e.g., to adjust levels of interlayer correction) and masking couplers such as those described in EP 213 490, Japanese Published Application 58-172,647; U.S. Pat. No. 2,983,608; German Application DE 2,706,117C; U.K. Patent 1,530,272; Japanese Application A-113935; U.S. Pat. No. 4,070,191 and German Application DE 2,643,965. The masking couplers may be shifted or blocked.
The photographic elements may also contain materials that accelerate or otherwise modify the processing steps of bleaching or fixing to improve the quality of the image. Bleach accelerators described in EP 193 389; EP 301 477; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,163,669; 4,865,956; and 4,923,784 are particularly useful. Also contemplated is the use of nucleating agents, development accelerators or their precursors (UK Patent 2,097,140; U.K. Patent 2,131,188); electron transfer agents (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,859,578 and 4,912,025); antifogging and anti color-mixing agents such as derivatives of hydroquinones, aminophenols, amines, gallic acid; catechol; ascorbic acid; hydrazides; sulfonamidophenols; and non color-forming couplers.
The elements may also contain filter dye layers comprising colloidal silver sol or yellow and/or magenta filter dyes and/or antihalation dyes (particularly in an undercoat beneath all light sensitive layers or in the side of the support opposite that on which all light sensitive layers are located) formulated either as oil-in-water dispersions, latex dispersions, solid particle dispersions, or as direct gelatin dispersions. Additionally, they may be used with xe2x80x9csmearingxe2x80x9d couplers (e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,366,237; EP 096 570; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,420,556; and 4,543,323.) Also, the couplers may be blocked or coated in protected form as described, for example, in Japanese Application 61/258,249 or U.S. Pat. No. 5,019,492.
The photographic elements may further contain other image-modifying compounds such as xe2x80x9cDeveloper Inhibitor-Releasingxe2x80x9d compounds (DIR""s). Useful additional DIR""s for elements of the present invention, are known in the art and examples are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,137,578; 3,148,022; 3,148,062; 3,227,554, 3,384,657; 3,379,529; 3,615,506; 3,617,291; 3,620,746; 3,701,783; 3,733,201; 4,049,455; 4,095,984; 4,126,459; 4,149,886; 4,150,228; 4,211,562; 4,248,962; 4,259,437; 4,362,878; 4,409,323; 4,477,563; 4,782,012; 4,962,018; 4,500,634; 4,579,816; 4,607,004; 4,618,571; 4,678,739; 4,746,600; 4,746,601; 4,791,049; 4,857,447; 4,865,959; 4,880,342; 4,886,736; 4,937,179; 4,946,767; 4,948,716; 4,952,485; 4,956,269; 4,959,299; 4,966,835; 4,985,336, as well as in patent publications GB 1,560,240; GB 2,007,662; GB 2,032,914; GB 2,099,167; DE 2,842,063, DE 2,937,127; DE 3,636,824; DE 3,644,416, as well as the following European Patent Publications: 272,573; 335,319; 336,411; 346,899; 362,870; 365,252; 365,346; 373,382; 376,212; 377,463; 378,236; 384,670; 396,486; 401,612; 401,613.
DIR compounds are also disclosed in xe2x80x9cDeveloper-Inhibitor-Releasing (DIR) Couplers for Color Photography,xe2x80x9d C. R. Barr, J. R. Thirtle and P. W. Vittum in Photographic Science and Engineering, Vol. 13, p. 174 (1969), incorporated herein by reference.
It is also contemplated that the concepts of the present invention may be employed to obtain reflection color prints as described in Research Disclosure, November 1979, Item 18716, available from Kenneth Mason Publications, Ltd, Dudley Annex, 12a North Street, Emsworth, Hampshire PO10 7DQ, England, incorporated herein by reference. The emulsions and materials to form elements of the present invention, may be coated on pH adjusted support as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,994; with epoxy solvents (EP 0 164 961); with additional stabilizers (as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,346,165; 4,540,653; and 4,906,559); with ballasted chelating agents such as those in U.S. Pat. No. 4,994,359 to reduce sensitivity to polyvalent cations such as calcium; and with stain-reducing compounds such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,068,171 and 5,096,805. Other compounds useful in the elements of the invention are disclosed in Japanese Published Applications 83-09,959; 83-62,586; 90-072,629, 90-072,630; 90-072,632; 90-072,633; 90-072,634; 90-077,822; 90-078,229; 90-078,230; 90-079,336; 90-079,338; 90-079,690; 90-079,691; 90-080,487; 90-080,489; 90-080,490; 90-080,491; 90-080,492; 90-080,494; 90-085,928; 90-086,669; 90-086,670; 90-087,361; 90-087,362, 90-087,363; 90-087,364; 90-088,096; 90-088,097; 90-093,662; 90-093,663; 90-093,664; 90-093,665; 90-093,666; 90-093,668; 90-094,055; 90-094,056; 90-101,937; 90-103,409; 90-151,577.
The silver halide used in the photographic elements may be silver iodobromide, silver bromide, silver chloride, silver chlorobromide, silver chloroiodobromide, and the like. For example, the silver halide used in the photographic elements of the present invention may contain at least 90% silver chloride or more (for example, at least 95%, 98%, 99% or 100% silver chloride). In the case of such high chloride silver halide emulsions, some silver bromide may be present but typically substantially no silver iodide. Substantially no silver iodide means the iodide concentration would be no more than 1%, and preferably less than 0.5 or 0.1%. In particular, in such a case the possibility is also contemplated that the silver chloride could be treated with a bromide source to increase its sensitivity, although the bulk concentration of bromide in the resulting emulsion will typically be no more than about 2 to 2.5% and preferably between about 0.6 to 1.2% (the remainder being silver chloride). The foregoing % figures are mole %. In another embodiment the grain are silver lodobromide with no more than 10% iodide.
The type of silver halide grains preferably include polymorphic, tabular, cubic, and octahedral. The grain size of the silver halide may have any distribution known to be useful in photographic compositions, and may be either polydipersed or monodispersed.
Tabular grains are those with two parallel major faces each clearly larger than any remaining grain face and tabular grain emulsions are those in which the tabular grains account for at least 30 percent, more typically at least 50 percent, preferably  greater than 70 percent and optimally  greater than 90 percent of total grain projected area. The tabular grains can account for substantially all ( greater than 97 percent) of total grain projected area. The tabular grain emulsions can be high aspect ratio tabular grain emulsionsxe2x80x94i.e., ECD/t greater than 8, where ECD is the diameter of a circle having an area equal to grain projected area and t is tabular grain thickness; intermediate aspect ratio tabular grain emulsionsxe2x80x94i.e., ECD/t=5 to 8; or low aspect ratio tabular grain emulsionsxe2x80x94i.e., ECD/t=2 to 5. The emulsions typically exhibit high tabularity (T), where T (i.e., ECD/t2) greater than 25 and ECD and t are both measured in micrometers (mm). The tabular grains can be of any thickness compatible with achieving an aim average aspect ratio and/or average tabularity of the tabular grain emulsion. Preferably the tabular grains satisfying projected area requirements are those having thicknesses of  less than 0.3 mm, thin ( less than 0.2 mm) tabular grains being specifically preferred and ultra-thin ( less than 0.07 mm) tabular grains being contemplated for maximum tabular grain performance enhancements. When the native blue absorption of iodohalide tabular grains is relied upon for blue speed, thicker tabular grains, typically up to 0.5 mm in thickness, are contemplated.
High iodide tabular grain emulsions are illustrated by House U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,458, Maskasky U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,353 and Yagi et al EPO 0 410 410.
Tabular grains formed of silver halide(s) that form a face centered cubic (rock salt type) crystal lattice structure can have either {100} or {111} major faces. Emulsions containing {111} major face tabular grains, including those with controlled grain dispersities, halide distributions, twin plane spacing, edge structures and grain dislocations as well as adsorbed {111} grain face stabilizers, are illustrated in those references cited in Research Disclosure I, Section I.B.(3) (page 503).
The silver halide grains to be used in the invention may be prepared according to methods known in the art, such as those described in Research Disclosure I and James, The Theory of the Photographic Process. These include methods such as ammoniacal emulsion making, neutral or acidic emulsion making, and others known in the art. These methods generally involve mixing a water soluble silver salt with a water soluble halide salt in the presence of a protective colloid, and controlling the temperature, pAg, pH values, etc, at suitable values during formation of the silver halide by precipitation.
The silver halide to be used in the invention may be advantageously subjected to chemical sensitization with noble metal (for example, gold) sensitizers, middle chalcogen (for example, sulfur) sensitizers, reduction sensitizers and others known in the art. Compounds and techniques useful for chemical sensitization of silver halide are known in the art and described in Research Disclosure I and the references cited therein.
The photographic elements of the present invention, as is typical, provide the silver halide in the form of an emulsion. Photographic emulsions generally include a vehicle for coating the emulsion as a layer of a photographic element. Useful vehicles include both naturally occurring substances such as proteins, protein derivatives, cellulose derivatives (e.g., cellulose esters), gelatin (e.g., alkali-treated gelatin such as cattle bone or hide gelatin, or acid treated gelatin such as pigskin gelatin), gelatin derivatives (e.g., acetylated gelatin, phthalated gelatin, and the like), and others as described in Research Disclosure I. Also useful as vehicles or vehicle extenders are hydrophilic water-permeable colloids. These include synthetic polymeric peptizers, carriers, and/or binders such as poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinyl lactams), acrylamide polymers, polyvinyl acetals, polymers of alkyl and sulfoalkyl acrylates and methacrylates, hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetates, polyamides, polyvinyl pyridine, methacrylamide copolymers, and the like, as described in Research Disclosure I. The vehicle can be present in the emulsion in any amount useful in photographic emulsions. The emulsion can also include any of the addenda known to be useful in photographic emulsions. These include chemical sensitizers, such as active gelatin, sulfur, selenium, tellurium, gold, platinum, palladium, iridium, osmium, rhenium, phosphorous, or combinations thereof. Chemical sensitization is generally carried out at pAg levels of from 5 to 10, pH levels of from 5 to 8, and temperatures of from 30 to 80xc2x0 C., as described in Research Disclosure I, Section IV (pages 510-511) and the references cited therein.
The silver halide may be sensitized by sensitizing dyes by any method known in the art, such as described in Research Disclosure I. The dye may be added to an emulsion of the silver halide grains and a hydrophilic colloid at any time prior to (e.g., during or after chemical sensitization) or simultaneous with the coating of the emulsion on a photographic element. The dyes may, for example, be added as a solution in water or an alcohol. The dye/silver halide emulsion may be mixed with a dispersion of color image-forming coupler immediately before coating or in advance of coating (for example, 2 hours).
Photographic elements of the present invention are preferably imagewise exposed using any of the known techniques, including those described in Research Disclosure I, section XVI. This typically involves exposure to light in the visible region of the spectrum, and typically such exposure is of a live image through a lens, although exposure can also be exposure to a stored image (such as a computer stored image) by means of light emitting devices (such as light emitting diodes, CRT and the like).
Photographic elements comprising the composition of the invention can be processed in any of a number of well-known photographic processes utilizing any of a number of well-known processing compositions, described, for example, in Research Disclosure I, or in T. H. James, editor, The Theory of the Photographic Process, 4th Edition, Macmillan, New York, 1977. In the case of processing a negative working element, the element is treated with a color developer (that is, one which will form the colored image dyes with the color couplers), and then with a oxidizer and a solvent to remove silver and silver halide. In the case of processing a reversal color element, the element is first treated with a black and white developer (that is, a developer which does not form colored dyes with the coupler compounds) followed by a treatment to fog silver halide (usually chemical fogging or light fogging), followed by treatment with a color developer. Preferred color developing agents are p-phenylenediamines. Especially preferred are:
4-amino N,N-diethylaniline hydrochloride,
4-amino-3-methyl-N,N-diethylaniline hydrochloride,
4-amino-3-methyl-N-ethyl-N-(b-(methanesulfonamido)ethylaniline sesquisulfate hydrate,
4-amino-3-methyl-N-ethyl-N-(b-hydroxyethyl)aniline sulfate,
4-amino-3-xcex2-(methanesulfonamido)ethyl-N,N-diethylaniline hydrochloride and
4-amino-N-ethyl-N-(2-methoxyethyl)-m-toluidine di-p-toluene sulfonic acid.
Development is followed by bleach-fixing, to remove silver or silver halide, washing and drying.

Imaging materials containing novel benzothiazine dyes

Abstract: wherein;

Abstract: X represents a sulfoxide (Sxe2x95x90O), sulfone (SO2), carbonyl (Cxe2x95x90O) or dicyanovinyl (C(CN)2) group, and Y represents a sulfoxide (Sxe2x95x90O), sulfone (SO2), carbonyl (Cxe2x95x90O) or dicyanovinyl (C(CN)2) group, with the proviso that X and Y cannot both be carbonyl;

Abstract: L1, L2, and L3 represent methine groups, wherein the methine groups may combine to form a 5- or 6-membered ring when m is equal to or  greater than 1;

Abstract: m is 0, 1, 2, or 3;

Abstract: W is an aryl group; and


Apparatus is disclosed for forming a subassembly for use with an air conditioning unit. This subassembly is formed from a casing having a grille attached thereto. Means are provided for securing the grille to the casing from the interior of the casing with said securing means being not directly observable from a position exterior of the unit.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to means for securing a grille to an air conditioning unit. More specifically, this invention concerns a subassembly for allowing a grille to be attached to a casing from within the casing and with the means for securing the grille to the casing being hidden from view.
2. Prior Art
Air conditioning units which are commonly used for light commercial applications such as hotels, dormitories and office buildings often are of the type known as a packaged terminal air conditioner. These packaged terminal air conditioners extend through the wall of the enclosure and normally have a condensing section located in communication with ambient air for discharging heat energy. An evaporator section of the unit is provided in communication with the enclosure air for conditioning said air as it is drawn through the unit.
Room air conditioning units and other self-contained units are also used to condition the air for residences and small businesses. Room units may either be mounted in a window or extend through the wall such that a portion of the unit is located to communicate with ambient air. These units, both the packaged terminal air conditioner type and the room air type, are usually spaced along an exterior wall of the enclosure to be conditioned. The unit is so positioned such that the heat energy to be dissipated from the enclosure to be cooled may be discharged to the ambient air. By communicating the outdoor or condensing section of the air conditioning unit with ambient air heat absorbed by refrigerant in communication with the indoor air may be discharged to the outdoor air. Hence, it is the necessity for each of these units that ambient air be circulated in communication with the condenser to absorb heat energy being discharged from the air conditioning unit when it is operating to supply cooled air to an enclosure.
In any applications extending through a wall such as casement or packaged terminal air conditioning type units, the unit may be located in a building numerous floors in height. The installation of such a unit normally involves a casing being inserted through an opening constructed in the exterior wall, said casing being adapted to have attached thereto a grille for covering the spaced defined by the casing for the air flow to enter the unit. When these units are spaced from the ground it is particularly desirable that the grille be attached to the casing from inside the unit such that to repair and initial installation may both be accomplished from inside the building. Additionally, by the assembly being from within the unit it is possible to avoid, during construction of the building, the necessity for additional elevated work outside of the building for installation of air conditioning units.
Since the exterior surface of the unit is visible on the outside of the enclosure it also desirable to build a visually attractive unit. To accomplish this result, the invention as disclosed herein incorporates means for securing the grille to the casing without any screws or fasteners being visible from outside the building. Additionally, to aid in the attractive appearance of the unit, the grille is formed from aluminum which does not rust or discolor with exposure to the elements. The fastening means for securing the grille to the casing is within the unit, consequently, the potential of rusting screws being visible from the exterior of the unit is not present.

Apparatus for securing a grille to an air conditioning unit

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A pivoting joint assembly that includes a first portion formed with a first aperture and a second portion formed with a second aperture, the first and second apertures being alignable. A recess is formed about the second aperture. There is a shaft insertable through the first and second apertures. A bearing surface is formed adjacent one end of the shaft and a retaining member is releasably mountable to the other end of the shaft. A spacing member is insertable between the first and second portions to separate the portions to an extent such that the bearing surface of the shaft engages and retains the first portion on the shaft and the retaining member mounted to the shaft is positioned within the recess of the second portion to define a second bearing surface that engages and retains the second portion on the shaft. The first and second portions are releasably and rotatably locked together for rotation with respect to each other about an axis defined by the shaft.

Joint assemblies are well known in mechanical systems. Many joint assemblies are designed to permit pivotal movement of the connected components with respect to each other. Examples of prior art joint assemblies include:
U.S. Pat. No. 2,704,681 to Fischer PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 4,561,797 to Aldridge PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,907 to Patton PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 4,308,419 to Fredriksson PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 1,903,863 to Hayden PA1 a first portion formed with a first aperture; PA1 a second portion formed with a second aperture, said first and second apertures being alignable; PA1 a recess formed about the second aperture; PA1 a shaft insertable through the first and second apertures; PA1 bearing means formed adjacent one end of the shaft; PA1 a retaining member releasably mountable to the other end of the shaft; PA1 a spacing member insertable between the first and second portions to separate the portions to an extent such that the bearing means of the shaft engages and retains the first portion on the shaft and the retaining member mounted to the shaft is positioned within the recess of the second portion to define a second bearing means that engages and retains the second portion on the shaft to releasably and rotatably lock together the first and second portions for rotation with respect to each other about an axis defined by the shaft.
Joint assemblies find particular application in lifting loads. Once lifted and supported, it is desirable to be able to manoeuvre the load by rotation or pivoting of the joint assembly. It is important to have a joint assembly that is reliable and sufficiently robust to safely handle very heavy loads. It is also preferable that the joint assembly be of relatively simple construction so that it can be easily broken down for maintenance and repair.


A speaker module relates to the technical field of electroacoustic products, and comprises a lower module casing, an upper module casing and a steel sheet which are successively combined together. A speaker monomer is contained in a space enclosed by the lower module casing, the upper module casing and the steel sheet. The speaker monomer, the upper module casing and the steel sheet together enclose a front sound cavity of the module. The front sound cavity is in communication with a sound outlet hole of the module, and the sound outlet hole is located on a side part of the speaker monomer. A sheet is adhered inside the steel sheet, the thickness of the sheet being about 0.1 mm˜0.2 mm and the material of the sheet being a soundproof material.

The present invention relates to the technical field of electro-acoustic products, and more particularly, to a speaker module.
A speaker module as an important acoustic component in a portable electronic device is an energy transducer for converting an acousto-electric signal into an acoustic signal. The speaker module generally comprises a housing in which a single speaker piece is accommodated. The single speaker piece comprises a vibrating system and a magnetic circuit system. The vibrating system comprises a diaphragm and a voice coil which are jointed together. The magnetic circuit system comprises a washer, a magnet and a basin frame which are jointed together in sequence. The single speaker piece separates an inner cavity of the entire module into two cavities, i.e., a front acoustic cavity and a rear acoustic cavity. The front acoustic cavity is communicated with a sound aperture of the module. Sound emitted from the single speaker piece enters the front acoustic cavity and is emitted from the sound aperture. As the portable electronic device is designed to be thinner and smaller, the speaker module emitting sound laterally has to be designed to be thinner because the height thereof is limited by the overall thickness of the portable electronic device. In order to ensure that the module has better acoustic performance, the volume of the front acoustic cavity of the module becomes the key to the improvement of the acoustic performance of the module. For example, with respect to a module mounted in a thinner electronic device, a distance from an upper end surface of a single speaker piece to an outer surface of a module housing is only 0.64 mm, and at this height, to avoid resonance occurring in the front acoustic cavity, the front acoustic cavity located at the upper part of the single speaker piece can only be sealed with a 0.2 mm thick steel sheet. Because the thickness of the steel sheet is relatively small, the volume of the front acoustic cavity is increased, thereby leading to poor medium and high frequency performances of the module and further reducing the overall acoustic performance of the module.

Thin speaker module with a front acoustic cavity


A pickup apparatus for use in an electronic stringed instrument. This apparatus has a differential amplifier which eliminates noise included in a pickup signal output from an electromagnetic pickup and outputs the resultant pickup signal. This pickup signal is added with a predetermined effect by an effect adding section. The tone parameter of the effect-added pickup signal is changed by an external manipulation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pickup apparatus which converts the vibration of a string of a stringed instrument into an output electric signal.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional pickup apparatus as disclosed in Published Unexamined Japanese Utility Model Application No. 52-118623 has been proposed. This pickup apparatus comprises a casing and a plurality of pickup sections. Pickup signals from the individual pickup sections are supplied to respective preamplifiers provided outside the pickup apparatus for amplification. The amplified pickup signals are sent to a mixing device and an effect circuit. If the effect circuit is a distortion circuit, for example, it produces a signal with a distortion characteristic to the pickup signals. The distorted signal is added to the original pickup signal from the associated pickup section (pickup signal without any effect added thereto), and the resultant signal is sent to an amplifier for amplification. Loudspeakers are driven on the basis of the amplified signal from this amplifier to generate a musical sound having an effect added by the effect circuit.
Since the conventional pickup apparatus simply has pickups arranged in the casing, it is necessary to provide an effect circuit inside or outside the body of a musical instrument and electrically connect it to the pickups. As a result, lead lines which electrically connect the pickups to the effect circuit run around inside or outside the instrument body, complicating the wiring. In addition, the long lead lines may easily pickup external noise, reducing the tone quality.
As a solution to this shortcoming, there has been proposed a pickup apparatus having a pickup and an effect circuit incorporated in the casing of this pickup, as disclosed in Published Unexamined Japanese Utility Model Application No. 57-43498. This pickup apparatus can overcome at least the problem of external noise originating from the presence of the long lead lines to connecting the pickup to the effect circuit. If the pickup is of an electromagnetic type in the pickup apparatus, the presence of coils causes a pickup signal having noise, such as inductive hum, to be output from the pickup. Consequently, the effect circuit inevitably adds an effect to the pickup signal carrying such noise, thus deteriorating the quality of a musical tone generated on the basis of the effect-added pickup signal.
Prior art pickup apparatus includes a single-coil-sound system and a hum-backing system. The former type pickup apparatus comprises a single pickup having a coil wound around a magnet, and presents a characteristic of good extension of treble and clear timbre. The latter type pickup apparatus comprises two pickups which have series-connected coils wound on a pair of magnets, respectively. Thus, permits noise to be eliminated by the phase difference between the outputs of the coils and provides a characteristic that facilitates picking up of bass components and presents a soft tone quality.
Since the single-coil-sound type pickup apparatus and the hum-backing type pickup apparatus have different characteristics, there has been proposed a pickup apparatus which ensure the proper selection between the single-coil-sound system and hum-backing system in order to make use of these characteristics in accordance with the music to be played (see Published Examined Japanese Utility Model Application No. 57-44393).
This pickup apparatus includes a pair of pickups each having a coil wound around its associated magnet, and a changeover switch connected between these coils, the switch being provided outside the pickup apparatus, e.g., on the body of a guitar.
When the switch is turned off in the above arrangement, both coils are connected in series, so that the pickup apparatus acts as the hum-backing system. When the switch is turned on, both ends of one of the pickups are grounded, and the other pickup alone functions, whereby the pickup apparatus acts as the single-coil-sound system. The ON/OFF operation of the change-over switch during a musical performance can provides both the characteristic of the single-coil-sound type pickup apparatus and that of the hum-backing type.
According to this conventional pickup apparatus, since the changeover switch for selecting between the single-coil-sound system and the hum-backing system is provided outside the pickup apparatus, lead lines which connect the switch to the coils run around in the instrument body and thus can easily pick up external noise. deteriorating the tone quality. Further, a preamplifier for amplifying the output signals from the coils should be provided separately, so that lead lines for connecting the pickups to the preamplifier should inevitably extend around in the instrument body, further increasing noise.
As a solution to this problem, there has been proposed a pickup apparatus as disclosed in Published Examined Japanese Utility Model Application No. 63-18066, which has a pickup provided integrally with a preamplifier that processes the output signal of the pickup, thus preventing lead lines from unnecessarily running around to connect the pickup and preamplifier, thus reducing noise.
If this apparatus is so designed as to ensure switching between single-coil-sound system and the hum-backing system in accordance with a music to be played, as described above, the changeover switch needs to be provided outside the pickup apparatus. Although this apparatus can prevent the occurrence of the noise originating from the lead lines connecting the pickups and the preamplifier, it cannot prevent the generation of noise originating from the lead lines connected to the changeover switch.

Pickup apparatus for detecting string vibration free from external inductive noise


An SRAM array is disclosed. The SRAM array includes a plurality of SRAM cells. In one embodiment, the SRAM cells are 6-T SRAM cells that further includes a voltage bias device. The voltage bias device raises the voltage level of a low voltage rail Vss such that the plurality of SRAM cells are connected to a raised low voltage rail.

The present invention relates to integrated circuits, and more particularly, to a SRAM array having reduced bitline leakage current.
Metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) static random access memory (SRAM) arrays are comprised of an array of SRAM cells. The SRAM cells are read, erased, and written to by means of bitlines (BL) and wordlines (WL). In one common design, the SRAM cells consist of load elements in a flip-flop configuration, together with two select transistors.
FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of a six-transistor (6T) SRAM cell 101 that is commonly and widely used in SRAM memory arrays. The SRAM cell 101 is known in the art as a 6T SRAM cell. The SRAM cell 101 includes N-type MOS (NMOS) transistors N1 and N2 (hereinafter transistors N1 and N2) coupled between VSS (typically ground) and nodes A and B, respectively. Nodes A and B are further coupled to VDD by pull-up P-type MOS (PMOS) transistors P1 and P2 (hereinafter transistors P1 and P2), respectively. Node A is further coupled to the gates of transistors P2 and N2 and node B is similarly coupled to the gates of transistors P1 and N1.
Information is stored in SRAM cell 101 in the form of voltage levels in the flip-flop formed by the two cross-coupled inverters formed by transistors P1, N1 and P2, N2, respectively. In particular, when node A is at a logic low state (the voltage of node A being approximately equal to VSS), transistor P2 is on (in a low resistance state or conducting) and transistor N2 is off (in a high resistance state or non conducting). When transistor P2 is on and transistor N2 is off, node B is at a logic high state (the voltage of node B is pulled up to approximately VDD). Further, when node B is at a logic high state, transistor P1 is off and transistor N1 is on. When transistor P1 is off and transistor N1 is on, node A is at a logic low state (the voltage of node A is pulled down to approximately VSS). In this manner, SRAM cell 101 remains in a latched state.
Nodes A and B are further coupled to a xe2x80x9cbitlinexe2x80x9d and a xe2x80x9cbitline-notxe2x80x9d by NMOS select transistors N3 and N4 (hereinafter transistors N3 and N4), respectively. The gates of transistors N3 and N4 are coupled to a word line to enable read and write operations, as those skilled in the art will understand.
A read operation is performed by turning on the word line and allowing one side of the SRAM cell to start pulling down on one line of the bitline pair. For example, if node A is low and the word line is pulled high, then a current will flow through select transistor N3 and transistor N1 to ground or Vss.
When node A is low and the word line is low, the SRAM cell 101 has a leakage current 103 that flows from the bitline through the select transistor N3 and transistor N1 down to ground or Vss.
As the size of the SRAM cells decreases, the amount of read current produced by the SRAM cell also decreases, particularly as the supply voltage Vcc is lowered as technology advances. As the amount of read current decreases, the leakage current becomes larger relative to the read current, thereby making it more difficult to accurately read the SRAM cell. Thus, it is desirable to lower the amount of leakage current from each SRAM cell.
One method of solving this problem is to reduce the number of SRAM cells per bitline, thereby reducing the overall amount of leakage current. However, this increases the amount of overhead devices such as sense amplifiers, column multiplexer circuitry, etc. for a given number of SRAM cells.
Another approach is to increase the channel length of the transistors in the SRAM cell. However, this increases the SRAM cell size. Furthermore, effect of this approach is limited, as the transistor devices get smaller.


A method for monitoring a multi-layered system below a surface comprising a slow layer and a fast layer; the method comprising: transmitting one or more seismic waves from one or more seismic sources through the multi-layered system; receiving signals emanating from the multi-layered system in response to the one or more seismic waves with one or more receivers located a distance from the one or more seismic sources; identifying one or more critically refracted compressional (CRC) waves amongst the signals; and inferring information about a change in the slow layer based on the one or more CRC waves; wherein the CRC wave is a refracted wave which has traveled along an interface between the fast layer and an adjacent layer.

Gas and oil reservoirs usually can be found in sedimentary rocks, which generally represent a set of high and low velocity contacting layers. Reservoir surveillance during production is a key to meeting goals of reduced operating costs and maximized recovery. Time-lapse seismic methods are well known method for monitoring changes in the reservoir during production. Seismic velocity and density changes in a producing reservoir depend on rock type, fluid properties, and the depletion mechanism. Time-lapse seismic responses may be caused by changes in reservoir saturation, pore fluid pressure changes during fluid injection or depletion, fractures, and temperature changes.
Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is a general term used for increasing the amount of oil that can be extracted from a reservoir. EOR techniques include but are not limited to gas injection, thermal recovery (e.g. steam injection or steam flooding), and chemical injection. Areal field monitoring of EOR processes and other reservoir events has proven very successful as an aid to understanding the sometimes complex behavior of producing reservoirs. Seismic and other monitoring methods such as passive microseismic monitoring, satellite imagery and material balance calculations can all contribute to an integrated understanding of the reservoir changes.
A current method for providing a detailed picture of reservoir changes is surface seismic imaging, but there are difficulties associated with the method. An example of such a method is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,717,867 which is hereby incorporated by reference. In surface seismic imaging methods, data quality can have enormous variations from field to field for various reasons including statics (which can vary from season to season) and multiples and reverberations which can dominate primary energy. Generally, stacking of high fold data is necessary to overcome these problems, but often even this stacking does not give sufficient signal-to-noise-ratio for EOR monitoring. Another difficulty with surface seismic monitoring is its high cost, especially on land. To monitor a land EOR operation that extends over approximately 50 square kilometres with a resolution of approximately 20 meters requires a huge investment in seismic operations. Ultimately, this huge expense can be attributed to the high fold required to achieve acceptable signal-to-noise levels.
Time lapse refraction seismology was first suggested as an alternative method for measuring changes in carbonate reservoirs. See Tatanova, Maria, Bakulin, Andrey, Kashtan, Boris, Korneev, Valeri, (2007), "Head-wave monitoring with virtual sources", 77th Annual International Meeting, SEG, Expanded Abstracts, 2994-2998 (hereby incorporated by reference). According to this method, a seismic source is positioned somewhere above a reservoir (with higher compressional velocity than the surrounding rocks). The seismic source shoots into a geophone array and a crtitically refracted compressional (CRC) wave forms along the boundary of the reservoir and the overlying formation. The change in velocity of the head wave on the reservoir fluids and reservoir changes are easily detectable as time shifts in the seismic traces. One drawback of this method is that it requires a fast reservoir. Often the reservoir is a relatively slow rock surrounded by faster rocks and so this method cannot be used as it was originally conceived.
There is a need to develop a cost efficient method for monitoring a multi-layered system as it undergoes EOR operations and other reservoir changes.

Method for monitoring a multi-layered system


Method and apparatus for growing cell cultures consisting of a plurality of layers includes a chamber for submerging cells in a medium while supporting and binding them to a semi-permeable membrane. A stirrer is positioned within the chamber and continuously stirs the medium to constantly circulate it past the exposed surface of a semi-permeable membrane on one side of the cell culture and along the exposed surface of the cell culture growing on the membrane and remote from the membrane to transfer nutrients to both surfaces of the cell either directly or through the membrane without disrupting the cell culture on the membrane. Preferably, multi-layered cell cultures so grown while still adhered to the membrane and growing is then mounted in a partition separating a pair of chambers to provide substantially the sole passage from one chamber to the other by flow through the multi-layer culture while in the living state whereby the rate of penetration or degree of penetration of a culture being tested by the material being tested may be measured by measuring the quantity of material in one chamber versus the quantity of that material in the other chamber.

The most commonly used method for assessing the penetration of agents (e.g. drugs and pharmaceuticals) into living tissue is the multi-cellular spheroid. Multicellular spheroids are a conglomeration of up to 10.sup.6 animal cells which form small balls of tissue and are grown in a flask in which the media is stirred (spinner culture). Penetration of agents into such multi-cellular spheroids can be monitored by applying the agent for a period of time, then removing spheroids, sectioning and then microscopically examining them.
The use of the spheroid system the measuring penetration is effective, but has several significant limitations. The geometry of the diffusion or transport into spheroids is almost inverse of some situations encountered in nature, i.e. in many instances drugs diffuse radially outward from capillaries within tissue, while with the spheroids the agent diffuses from the outer or maximum surface area toward the center of the sphere. The main drawback of using spheroids to measure penetration of an agent is the requirement that the concentrations of the agent at different depths of penetration cannot be determined easily. Usually after a period of time has lapsed to allow penetration of the test agent the spheroids are removed from the incubating medium and quickly frozen, so they may then be section and evaluated. When the agent is fluorescent it is microscopically evaluated. If radio labeled (which is expensive and more difficult) a photographic emulsion is applied and then the section microscopically evaluated. The agent must bind to the cells to permit dissociation from the spheroid and analysis using flow cytometry. If the agents are not readily identifiable (i.e. colored, fluorescent or radio labeled) spheroids cannot be used.
In some other conventional techniques for producing cells, the cells are grown as a single cell layer on a plastic or glass surface e.g. in a petri dish and have one face directly facing the petri dish so that substantially all the growth occurs from the opposite face. Cells stop growing when they reach confluence or form a super-confluence and become senescent due to oxygen/nutrient deprivation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,490 issued Nov. 3, 1991 to Naughton et al. describes a three-dimensional cell culture system for culturing a variety of different cells and tissues in-vitro for extended periods of time by growing same on a pre-established stroma cell matrix.
In an article entitled "Three-Dimensional Histoculturez Origins and Applications in Cancer Research" by Hoffman published in Cancer Cells, March 1991, Volume 3 Number 3 a review of known techniques for growing three dimensional histocultures is presented and describes sponge-matrix cultures, Collagen-gel cultures, filter or mesh supported organ cultures and spheroids. The paper also reviews some studies of tumor cell migrations and invasion and drag sensitivity assays. None of these techniques is available for growing cell cultures in-vitro wherein the cell culture grown is at least 5 cells in thickness and wherein the so formed culture provides a relatively uniform thickness mat of cells which may then be used to investigate the effectiveness of applied reagents.
Currently, anti-cancer agents are mainly evaluated experimentally using in-vitro methods (cells growing in mono layers or in suspension cultures or spheroids) and in-vivo systems utilizing animals, i.e. to determine their activity in-vitro against cells in the mono layer culture. When an active agent is identified, the compound is transferred to in-vivo testing systems wherein it is administered to animals and the effect against tumors such as implated tumors is assessed. This transfer from in-vitro to in-vivo testing is generally quite problematic in that the animal physiology and the process of drug absorption, distribution, and the metabolism of the animal and various excretions often alter the behavior of the drugs from that predicted by the in-vitro studies.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,667,504 issued May 26, 1987 to Hobson; 5,183,760 issued Feb. 2, 1993 to Sweetana et al. and 5,198,109 issued Mar. 30, 1993 to Hanson et al. each disclose diffusion cells as means for testing the diffusion of chemicals through a membrane of cells. Similar systems to those disclosed in the patents are sold by Corning Costar corporation under the trademark COSTAR.
One of the major problems that is encountered in administering drugs to counteract a tumor growth, is the requirement of the drug to penetrate the tumor and there are few means available to assess such penetration.

System for growing multi-layered cell cultures


A closed loop control system for a laser which is used in an instrument which may be an optical time domain reflectometer. The system uses the output light of the laser and the light from a fiber to which the laser light is connected to initially set the bias and pulse current amplitudes to the laser and adjust the gain of the receiver which is part of the control system. The control system also responds to light from the fiber to continuously control the pulse current amplitude and receiver gain so that the amplitude of the electrical signal representative of that light is kept within the operating range of the receiver electronics.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a system for controlling the power of a laser used in connection with optical fiber and more particularly to such a system which automatically controls the power output of the laser to ensure maximum dynamic range for various fault conditions and also automatically compensates for changes in laser characteristics arising as a result of changes in temperature and aging.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Providers of telecommunications transmission services are increasingly making use of optical fiber. There already exists today several networks which provide long distance data and/or voice services over such fiber. The fiber is usually buried in the ground. Lasers are used in connection with such services for not only providing the signal(s) to be transmitted on such fibers but also for testing the fibers.
One such testing use is for determining the length and attenuation of a reel of optical fiber. Another such use is in an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) for determining if a fault such as a break has occurred on the fiber and the location of the fault. A more detailed discussion of the use of lasers in reflectometers as well as various prior art embodiments therefor may be obtained by referring to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,606,632; 4,674,872; 4,708,471; 4,732,469 and 4,737,026.
As can well be appreciated buried fiber can accidentally be cut by digging. In some instances the persons doing the digging may not even know that they have cut the fiber. It is important therefore for the telecommunications service provider to be able to easily determine if a fault such as a break has occurred on the fiber and the location of the fault.
At present the service provider is usually first notified of a fault on the fiber and then must send a technician with an OTDR to the office nearest to the fault. The technician connects the OTDR to the fiber through a fiber optic connector and then proceeds to control the power of the laser in the OTDR in an attempt to locate the fault. The time it takes to locate the distance that the fault is from the office and the accuracy with which that measurement is made depends to a great extent on the skill of the technician. It is, however, desirable to have an OTDR which can be directly and permanently connected to optical fiber. It is further desirable that such an OTDR be capable of automatically compensating for changes in laser characteristics. It is also further desirable that when such an OTDR determines that a fault has occurred that it automatically and accurately provides the location of the fault from the office where it is located.
For such an OTDR the location of the fault from the office no longer depends on the skill of the technician. In addition, such an OTDR can be connected to the fiber in an unattended office as a technician is no longer needed to adjust the OTDR. The occurrence of a fault can then be signaled to a remote manned site. A technician can then be sent to the office signaling the fault. All that the technician has to do is read the output of the OTDR to find the location of the fault. The laser power control of the present invention allows for an OTDR which meets the above requirements.


An improved electric power plant (10) includes a water turbine (30) and a drive wheel (34) contained within a housing (22) for converting hydraulic energy to electrical energy. The housing (22) includes openings (90) and (102) for connecting the power plant (10) to a water line (12) or to a sewer line (18) for operating the turbine (30) in either an undershoot or overshoot condition. A plurality of reversible vanes (94) are removably attached to the perimeter of the water turbine (30) for operating the turbine in either an undershoot or overshoot condition. A bypass line (16) extends from the inlet pipe to the housing (22) to the outlet pipe to provide a means for repairing the power plant (10) without interrupting water or sanitary sewer service. The main electrical generator (70) is energized through a belt (72) driven by its engagement with the drive wheel (34). Ultraviolet ray lights (78) and an ozone generator (80) are included within the housing (22) to eliminate bacteria and to reduce odors. A plurality of the power plants (10) may be connected to a central power distribution center (14) for the storage and distribution of the electricity generated by this plant.

Electrical energy is an essential form of energy for meeting the energy demands of an industrialized society. Electrical energy may be generated from converting other available sources of energy to electricity, such as geothermal energy, hydraulic energy, solar energy, nuclear energy and the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal and oil. The particular energy source best suited for powering an electrical generating unit is dependent upon a number of factors, including the availability of a dependable supply of such energy at a reasonable price, the existing state of technology for converting this energy to electrical energy, the economics in converting this source of energy into electrical energy, as well as health safety and environmental considerations. Hydroelectric power generating stations have long been attractive for producing electrical energy, and it offers many advantages over other energy sources for generating electricity. However, hydroelectric power installations have generally been available only in those geographical areas where there is a sufficient headwater site.
Another type of hydroelectric power installation which is well known in the art is the generation of electricity from water or oil flowing through a pipeline. U.S. Pat. No. 4,122,381 discloses one such type of hydroelectric power station for the generation and storage of electrical energy for residential use. U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,024, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Generating Electricity from the Flow of Fluids Through a Well" discloses another type of hydroelectric power station, a fluid driven motor positioned in a pipeline to drive a generator for producing electricity to heat the fluid in the pipe to prevent its freezing.
The hydroelectric power installations presently known include complex designed water turbines. The water turbines utilized in such prior art devices are not well suited for use in either a water system or sanitary sewer line where water or sewage services cannot be interrupted for regularly scheduled or emergency repairs.
A need has thus arisen for an improved hydroelectric power station for commercial or residential use in water lines and sanitary sewer lines which provides a clean and efficient means for generating electrical energy from the untapped hydraulic energy from water pipelines, sanitary sewer lines and the like.

Apparatus for converting hydraulic energy to electrical energy


A scanner capable of operating independent of an attached computer so that scans of text and images can be instantly stored on media. In one embodiment of the present invention, a zip drive or CD burner receives information directly from the scanner so that information is stored instantly upon scanning without the need to operate a separate computer or deal with separate steps of scanning, sorting, and then recording onto media. While a computer, scanner, and media recording device are generally necessary to scan office documents, for example, the present invention can operate independently of all of them without the hassle of networking and communication interface problems.

Living in the information age, the amount of information available to the average person is abundant. Such an abundance of information requires organization in order to prevent clutter from accumulating. In the work environment, organization promotes productivity by permitting people to toil in a more proficient fashion. Paper filing systems have long been used as a method of organization. In a paper filing system of organization, cabinets, shelves, trays, carts, and folders are popular tools to categorize, file, and store items.
While the paper filing system offers benefits of organization, flaws also accompany such a system. Paper filing systems present the difficulty of retrieving files that have been stored. The process of retrieving files may take a long duration of time depending on if the file has been properly organized or if the file is currently in use by someone else in or outside the office/home. Also, filing documents in proper folders or cabinets takes a long time and often misfiling or loss of documents occurs. As a result, in searching for a particular document, a person may have to sift through loads of paper in search of a document or wait until the file to become available. Both incidents result in a waste of time. Another flaw of the paper filing system is that it can become costly; as such a system requires cabinets and an array of other tools to achieve organization. In addition to the cost, cabinets often take up much space, thus reducing the working space available.
Another traditional method of storing information is recording documents on to microfilm. Such a method transmits the original document to a copy in the form of a thin paper or photographic film, which may last for 500 years if stored in proper conditions. However, microfilm is accompanied by several disadvantages. A limitation of microfilm is that the film must be chemically treated before usage, which can become time costly. Also, microfilm retains little grayscale aptitude, which results in the viewer only being able to see a high contrast of black and white text documents and pictures. Due to the material in microfilm, the device creates poor paper copies, scratches easily, and requires a special storage environment to ensure prolonged existence.
With the vast innovation of computer technology, information is becoming gradually more stored in digital formats. Documents not previously created in a digital format, such as paper files, can easily be converted in Tagged Image File Format (TIFF), or comparable electronic file formats, such as Graphics Interchangeable Format (Off), Joint Bi-level Image Experts Group (JBIG), Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), or Acrobat's Portable Document Format (PDF). Paper files can be converted into digital format's such as these via a document scanner that sends the files to a computer interface, which a user may then view the files on a monitor or print the files onto paper.
The system of storing paper files in digital format is known as electronic filing. Such a system displays many benefits, considering the fact that computers operate at rapid speeds. Thus, searching, retrieving, as well as many other operations concerning files can be performed virtually instantly. Using an electronic filing system opens up space by eliminating the need for file cabinets. A plurality of documents may be stored on a disk, which makes filing quick and easy.
An important component in an electronic filing system is a document scanner. The scanner has become a popular electronic device to use alongside with personal computers for work, school, or leisure. In general, scanners obtain information from printed media in order that this media be read and stored in an array of computer applications. The science of the standard scanner is that the device has a light structure comprising of a lamp, mirrors, and lens placed in a certain configuration within a hollow space, and an assortment of photosensitive machinery. This structure produces electrical signals in ratio to the amount of light exposed. A flat glass usually sits on top of the hollow space and a document is fed into the system across the flat glass as the lamp is aimed at the document. Light bounces of the document and reflects back to the hollow space in the direction of the photosensitive machinery. An image is constructed and transported to a computer interface via cables and wires.
While scanners are extremely useful in electronic filing systems, they also posses some complicating faults. When the scanner constructs an image of a print document, this image is only stored within the device temporarily. In order to store the image permanently the image is transported to a personal computer, which is attached to the scanner through cables and wires. Thus, a scanner must be in close proximity of a computer-processing unit (CPU), such as a personal computer. Conventional scanners do not offer users the ability to place a scanning device in any particular location regardless if there is a computer present or not. Subsequently, the user's mobility is confined when using a conventional scanner in an electronic filing system.
An assortment of scanning devices has become available to use as part of an electronic filing system.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,525,788 issued to Robert K. Gottlieb on Jun. 25, 1985 shows a method and device for providing a scanner interface circuit, yet unlike the present invention, this device is for use with a universal multi-station document inserter and contains no disk writer within the unit.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,614 issued to Yamaoto, Keiji on Jul. 11, 1995 shows an electronic filing device that contains a scanner that scans documents and stores image information, yet unlike the present invention, this device only temporarily stores information. Thus information requires the use of a computer to transfer the information obtained to permanent storage.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,907 issued to Kent Pavey on Jun. 25, 1996, U.S. Pat. No. 5,974,177 issued to Radovan V. Krtolica on Oct. 26, 1999, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,181,993 issued to Rene F. A. Collard on Jan. 30, 2001 show devices that scan and distribute documents for storage, yet unlike the present invention, these devices utilize a network interface to operate.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,024 issued to Carl Knowles on Jul. 3, 1997 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,081,629011 Jun. 27, 2000 show handheld scanner devices, yet unlike the present invention, these devices provide access to the WWW and are designed for surfing the Internet.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,281 issued to Keith T. Knox on Aug. 4, 1998 shows a method, that unlike the present invention, is primarily concerning correcting the amount of light reflected by a document being processed by a scanning device.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,118,518 issued to Philip C. D. Hobbs on Sep. 12, 2000 shows a portable pocket 3-D scanner, yet unlike the present invention, this device stores a limited amount of files, and may only scan items of a small size.
Thus there is a need for a document scanner that does not need to be connected to a desktop personal computer, posses the capability of storing information files, and reduces the need for paper files, yet is still compatible to use with any personal computer if the need is present.

Scanner with built in mass storage device


An improved reusable protective enclosure system, comprising a protective housing and cap member for jars, bottles and similar receptacles of glass or other fragile material. Its main object is the construction of a housing that renders a vial or jar contained therein resistant from breakage if the housing is allowed to fall or suffers a sudden shock. Another object of the reusable protective enclosure system is the construction of an airtight enclosure, which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. Other advantages of the invention are that the inner receptacle be it made of glass or other fragile material, can be readily and repeatedly accessed, removed for sterilization or recycling and replaced for continued use.

This embodiment pertains to the general field of glass-lined enclosures and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a recyclable, reusable protective housing, which seals and protects an open-ended tubular member such as a glass vial or jar and the like.
The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also be inventions.
One of the most effective means of storing and transporting substances is the use of glass-lined containers. Recently, though, plastic has become the preferred material for many products that, in the past, were exclusively manufactured from glass, such as medicine vials, jars and bottles. The reasons for the replacement of glass by plastic are primarily that plastic weighs less and is less expensive and is easier to produce. Along with additional safety factors, such as less chance of breakage, it is no surprise that plastic has almost completely replaced glass containers.
The main industries that continue to rely upon glass for containers are the medical and natural remedy industries. While plastic jars have replaced glass jars and bottles in some applications, there is still a need for glass. This is particularly true for the storage and transport of certain medicines and natural remedies, extracts, oils and tinctures, such as those that are susceptible to contamination or may leach into plastic containers.
A major problem exists in that plastic containers have been shown to cause contamination of the contents therein. An increasingly large population of people now prefer glass containers due to concerns over the risk of leaching from bisphenol A and phthalates, two additives used in plastic containers. Plastic containers also allow certain, usually organic compounds, medications to be absorbed into the plastic surface of the container itself, which may reduce potency of medications stored therein. Such contamination of a plastic containers also prevents the possibility of reuse or recycling of the container.
The only solution to many of these problems has been to continue storing and transporting medications and natural remedies in glass containers. Unfortunately, a glass container is considered undesirable due to the risk that it may break.
If there were some way to continue using glass containers for medications and natural remedies, with all of the safety characteristics of plastic, for the above reasons glass-based containers would be preferred in many situations. Such a glass container would offer the benefits of modern plastic containers such as an airtight seal, without risk of over or under-tightening; easy opening even for the elderly and disabled; with essentially effortless, resealing; and the container would be entirely re-usable and recyclable and free from the risk of chemical leaching. Such a container would also be shockproof to reduce the risk of breakage, while being aesthetically pleasing as well as simple and reliable yet inexpensive to fabricate.
The following U.S. patents are generally related to features disclosed herein:
U.S. Pat. No.Issue DatePatentee5,695,090Dec. 9, 1997Burdick1,063,351Jun. 3, 1913Hyatt6,793,076Sep. 21, 2004Luo et al.5,699,922Dec. 23, 1997Harding4,746,017May 24, 1988Howard, et al4,300,612Nov. 17, 1981Schroeder, Jr. et al.3,982,716Sep. 28, 1976Trees3,604,584Sep. 14, 1971Shank, Jr.
The U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,090 discloses a removable insulating container, which grips a bottle such that the container is held snugly in place. The container uses a separate lower sleeve and an upper cap, which are mounted on a medicine bottle to substantially encase the medicine bottle. The container is fabricated from a multi-layer flexible material, which has an impact resistant outer layer and an inner layer, which forms an internal channel that grips the side of the medicine bottle. The proximal end of the lower sleeve extends past the bottom of the bottle to prevent it from impacting a surface should it be dropped.
The U.S. Pat. No. 1,063,351 relates to protective casings or enclosures for bottles and similar receptacles of glass or other fragile material and has for its main object the construction of a casing in such a way as to make a bottle contained therein immune from breakage if the casing is allowed to fall. Another object of the invention is the construction of a casing, which is both simple and inexpensive to manufacture. A further object of the invention is the construction of a casing in which is formed grooves or pockets, which may be used for the carrying of any desired articles such as thermometers etc.
The U.S. Pat. No. 6,793,076 discloses a glass bottle protective housing designed to protect a glass bottle in the event the bottle is subjected to an impact shock. The enclosure is provided with a leak-proof seal and is particularly adapted for protecting glass bottles containing toxic injectable medication. The enclosure, which is preferably made from a transparent plastic, consists of a lower bottle container which includes a base and a plurality of shock absorbers, which are located to allow a bottle label to be clearly visible, on the base is located at least one sensor cavity into which is inserted an enclosure leakage sensor consisting of either a water soluble sensor or an electronic sensor. Both of which provide an indication if a bottle leakage occurs. To complete the enclosure the container includes a threaded bottle container cap, which includes a plurality of cap shock absorbers.
The U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,922 discloses a container closure system including a plurality of equally circumferentially distributed pins extending outwardly from a tubular neck of the container near the opening. A detachable cap consisting of nested inner and outer cap members. The inner cap member is dimensioned to receive the container neck and includes a plurality of sidewall openings for receiving the pings. The outer cap member has a plurality of licking wedges disposed on its inner surface. The inner and outer cap members are assembled so as to permit mutual rotation. Thus, when the cap is emplaced over the open end of the container, the pins are received in the openings to thereby inhibit mutual rotation between the inner cap member and the container, thus sealing the inner glass member and providing access to its contents via a safety cap easy for adults and young adults to open but difficult or impossible for children to open.
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,746,017 discloses a protective safety container for encasing toxic drug filled glass vials is disclosed. The container includes a molded plastic body that is shaped to conform to the shape of a vial to be protected. A plurality of spaced longitudinal ribs are formed on the inner surface of the container body that act to engage the vial and hold it firmly in position, and also form a cushioning air space between the vial and the container. A molded plastic annular base is adapted to be snap fitted into the body such that the vial cannot be easily removed once it is secured within the container. Disposed in the top of the container is a small aperture having a frangible disk disposed therein. The disk may be removed so that a hypodermic needle may be inserted into a stopper in the vial to withdraw the vial's contents. The aperture is too small, however, to permit removal of the stopper itself. All of these features combine to provide a protective container for a glass vial.
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,300,612 discloses a solvent and shatter resistant protector for glass bottles containing hazardous materials. The protector is comprised of opaque or transparent polymeric material and conforms substantially to the shape of the container that is protected. The container protector is made up of top and bottom portions, each having respective cooperating means, such as a special threading arrangement, for separable engagement, which enables engagement to be maintained even in the event of shocks that are sufficient to damage the protected glass container.
The U.S. Pat. No. 3,982,716 discloses a holder for temporarily supporting a bottle containing hypodermically injected medication. The holder is magnetically attached to a supporting surface, and securely supports the bottle so that both hands of the user are free to manipulate a syringe to withdraw the proper dosage from the bottle.
The U.S. Pat. No. 3,604,584 discloses a method for protecting glass articles, such as jars and drinks bottles from abrasion by heat shrinking a thermoplastic material around a portion of the glass article.
For background purposes and as indicative of the art to which the invention relates reference may be made to the remaining cited patents:
U.S. Pat. No.Issue DatePatentee2,480,247Aug. 30, 1949Jamison et al.4,098,577Jul. 4, 1978Halpern4,114,75 Sep. 19, 1978Maloney, Jr.4,813,541Mar. 21, 1989Velasco et al.5,186,344Feb. 16, 1993Cook5,860,550Jan. 19, 1999Miller et al.6,112,579Sep. 5, 2000Tryba
In making protective enclosure systems for open-ended tubes, a superior result may be achieved by using glass tubular members manufactured to highly precise specifications. While doing this enables the enclosure to be precisely manufactured to the specification of the tubular member and to thus achieve a packaging solution that includes little to no relative movement of the tubular member within the enclosure. For some implementations, the use of high precision incurs a cost that is higher than desired. This is in turn decreases a market acceptance of the solution.
Further, some applications may prefer different shapes of tubular members as compared to a glass tube with a flat circular bottom. For some applications or users, it may be preferable to provide a glass tube having a rounded arcuate bottom. For the level of protection afforded by products in this category, changing size, material, and/or shape of the tube significantly affects the enclosure. Thus a different arrangement for certain types of tubular members may be necessitated by changes in the tube, and vice-versa.
What is needed are alternatives to a successful protective assembly design set forth in incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 8,251,221 including alternatives providing for a wider range of options that can have reduced associated manufacturing costs.

Reusable protective enclosure system for an open-ended tubular member


This invention provides a physiologically active substance having a strong dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitory activity. The physiologically active substance sulphostin is obtained by culturing a microorganism belonging to the genus Streptomyces and having an ability to produce the physiologically active substance sulphostin, producing and accumulating this substance in the cultures, and harvesting it from the cultures.

Some compounds such as Diprotin A and B (J. of Antibiotics, 37, 422-425 (1984)) have been known as physiologically active substances having the dipeptidylpeptidase IV inhibitory activity.
These compounds, however, are weak in their inhibitory activity against the above enzyme and are unsatisfactory for use as a physiologically active substance in the above medicinal and pharmaceutical preparations. Therefore, the advent of a novel compound which is suited for such uses has been waited.

Physiologically active substance sulphostin, process for producing the same, and use thereof

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