Seamless, sleeve-shaped dry and wet lithographic printing members that can be recycled after use include a strong, durable, hollow cylinder or sleeve that is attached to the plate mandrel or cylinder jacket of an offset printing press or platemaking apparatus. In one version, the sleeve is surrounded by a photopolymer, which is itself surrounded by a mask coating opaque to radiation that is actinic with respect to the photopolymer. Subsequently, the imaged construction is exposed to actinic radiation, and the unexposed photopolymer, along with the overlying mask, is removed by ordinary chemical means. In another version, a thermally transferable material surrounds a cylinder, and is itself surrounded by a withdrawal layer. Exposure of the thermally transferable layer to laser radiation adheres the transferable layer to the cylinder, and the adhered layer exhibits an affinity for fountain solution and/or ink opposite to that exhibited by the cylinder. The withdrawal layer is then peeled away, leaving exposed portions adhered to the cylinder.

A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to digital printing apparatus and methods, and more particularly to lithographic printing members for use with laser-discharge imaging devices.
B. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,737, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, discloses a variety of lithographic plate configurations for use with imaging apparatus that operate by laser discharge. These include "wet" plates that utilize fountain solution during printing, and "dry" plates to which ink is applied directly.
All of the disclosed plate constructions incorporate materials that enhance the ablative efficiency of the laser beam. This avoids a shortcoming characteristic of prior systems, which employ plate substances that do not heat rapidly or absorb significant amounts of radiation and, consequently, do not ablate (i.e., decompose into gases and volatile fragments) unless they are irradiated for relatively long intervals and/or receive high-power pulses. The disclosed plate materials are all solid and durable, preferably of polymeric composition, enabling them to withstand the rigors of commercial printing and exhibit adequate useful lifespans.
In one disclosed embodiment, the plate construction includes a first layer and a substrate underlying the first layer, the substrate being characterized by efficient absorption of infrared ("IR") radiation, and the first layer and substrate having different affinities for ink or an ink-abhesive fluid. Laser radiation is absorbed by the substrate, and ablates the substrate surface in contact with the first layer; this action disrupts the anchorage of the substrate to the overlying first layer, which is then easily removed at the points of exposure. The result of removal is an image spot whose affinity for ink or the ink-abhesive fluid differs from that of the unexposed first layer.
In a variation of this embodiment, the first layer, rather than the substrate, absorbs IR radiation. In this case the substrate serves a support function and provides contrasting affinity characteristics.
In both of these two-ply plate types, a single layer serves two separate functions, namely, absorption of IR radiation and interaction with ink or an ink-abhesive fluid. In a second embodiment, these functions are performed by two separate layers. The first, topmost layer is chosen for its affinity for (or repulsion of) ink or an ink-abhesive fluid. Underlying the first layer is a second layer, which absorbs IR radiation. A strong, durable substrate underlies the second layer, and is characterized by an affinity for (or repulsion of) ink or an ink-abhesive fluid opposite to that of the first layer. Exposure of the plate to a laser pulse ablates the absorbing second layer, weakening the topmost layer as well. As a result of ablation of the second layer, the weakened surface layer is no longer anchored to an underlying layer, and is easily removed. The disrupted topmost layer (and any debris remaining from destruction of the absorptive second layer) is removed in a post-imaging cleaning step. This, once again, creates an image spot having an affinity for ink or an ink-abhesive fluid differing from that of the unexposed first layer.
An alternative to the foregoing constructions that provides improved performance in some circumstances is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,705 and hereby incorporated by reference. The '705 patent introduces a "secondary" ablation layer that volatilizes in response to heat generated by ablation of one or more overlying layers. In a typical construction, a radiation-absorbing layer underlies a surface coating chosen for its interaction with ink and/or fountain solution. The secondary ablation layer is located beneath the absorbing layer, and may be anchored to a substrate having superior mechanical properties. It may be preferable in some instances to introduce an additional layer between the secondary ablation layer and the substrate to enhance adhesion therebetween.
Most plate constructions currently in use are imaged by means of imagewise photoexposure, followed by standard photochemical development. A recent variation of this approach, exemplified by the Polychrome CTX material, utilizes constructions based on a substrate, a layer of photohardenable material, and a surface layer that contains conventional silver halide grains. Imagewise exposure of the first layer (e.g., by an imaging laser) to radiation to which it, but not the photopolymer is sensitive, followed by chemical development, results in a mask that bears the image pattern and overlies the as-yet unexposed photopolymer. The construction is then subjected to radiation to which the photopolymer is sensitive. The exposed portions of the mask prevent passage of actinic radiation to the photopolymer, while radiation passes freely through unexposed regions, resulting in an imagewise exposure of the photopolymer that is negative with respect to the initial mask exposure, and which anchors the photopolymer to the substrate. The mask and unexposed photopolymer are then removed. See, e.g., What's New(s) in Graphic Communications, Sept.-Oct. 1993, p. 4.
A variant of this approach to imaging is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,756, which discusses plates that include a base layer, a layer of photohardenable material, and a surface layer of photosensitive marking material containing particles that migrate in response to light and electricity. The surface is exposed to an imagewise pattern of light under conditions that cause particle migration, rendering an otherwise opaque layer largely transparent. The construction is then exposed to radiation that cures the photohardenable material. That radiation penetrates only the areas of the surface layer that have been rendered transparent by the previous imagewise exposure, resulting in imagewise anchorage of the photohardenable layer to the base layer. The remaining photohardenable material, along with the marking layer, is then removed.
Any of the foregoing types of plate can be secured to the plate cylinder of a lithographic press for direct, on-press imaging, after which printing may commence. This configuration requires mechanical clamping mechanisms, and inevitably results in an angular "void" segment occupying the space between the top and bottom margins of the plate. The void prevents printing of a continuous, unbroken image along a web or strip of material, as is necessary for the production of decorative items such as wallpaper. Furthermore, the existence of this segment presupposes precise alignment and control assemblies to ensure proper registration of the plate image with the margins of the substrate to be printed.
The need for elaborate attachment measures arises from the traditional methods of imaging lithographic plates. These tend to be fabricated on graphic-arts production equipment, utilizing coaters and other application devices that operate most readily on flat sheets, after which the image is applied photographically. Imposing a photographic image onto a receptor ordinarily requires a flat receptor surface, as does the succeeding chemical development.
Once the impressions on an imaged lithographic plate have become worn or indistinct, the plate can no longer be used and is discarded. This practice can have unfortunate environmental and economic consequences, particularly in the case of plates that include hazardous materials. Recycling is expensive because of the difficulty of separating and recovering the different plate constituents; the plate must, in general be reconstructed entirely.

Seamless offset lithographic printing members for use with laser-discharge imaging apparatus


An aluminum alloy composite sheet is described for use in brazing. It includes an aluminum alloy core sheet clad on at least one face thereof with a sheet of aluminum or aluminum alloys including those containing magnesium. The composite sheet is useful for brazing when the cladding is coated with a mixture of (i) metal particles, e.g. silicon, capable of forming a eutectic alloy with aluminum and (ii) brazing flux, e.g. a potassium fluoro-aluminate. To be effective for brazing, the magnesium must be present in such quantity that at the time of brazing, the surface being brazed contains less than 0.1% by weight magnesium.

This invention relates to a novel aluminum brazing sheet and a brazing method utilizing such sheet.
It is common practice to join aluminum components by disposing an aluminum brazing alloy between or adjacent the component surfaces to be joined, and heating the brazing alloy and the joining surfaces in appropriately assembled fashion to a temperature (brazing temperature) at which the brazing alloy melts while the components remain unmelted. Upon subsequent cooling, the brazing alloy forms a filet or joint that bonds the joining surfaces of the components. For assured selective melting of only the brazing alloy in the heating step, it is commonly preferred that the melting point of the brazing alloy be at least 30 to 40.degree. C. lower than that of the metal of the components. An example of a typical aluminum brazing alloy is an aluminum-silicon eutectic composition, which starts to melt at about 577.degree. C.
A brazing sheet is commonly prepared by cladding a core aluminum alloy sheet on one of both faces with a sheet of the aluminum brazing alloy. The core alloy is typically an aluminum alloy containing magnesium, e.g. AA 6951, X800, etc. but strong alloys such as AA 6061 are preferred. The typical brazing alloy for the cladding contains about 7.5 to 15% silicon, and usually contains about 12% silicon. This high silicon alloy is relatively expensive to produce and scrap recovery procedures are difficult and expensive.
It is the object of the present invention to produce a brazing sheet which is less expensive to produce and much easier to recover as scrap than is traditional brazing sheet. Another object of the invention is to make a strong brazing sheet using AA6061 as the core material.


A thermoplastic resin composition comprises the following components (A) and (B):. component (A): 10 to 90% by weight polyphenylene ether resin, PA0 component (B): 90 to 10% by weight unsaturated copolymer resin obtained by copolymerizing at least one .alpha.-olefin having 2 to 12 carbon atoms and a diene compound having 4 to 15 carbon atoms, and containing 0.01 to 50 mol % of diene compound. This resin composition has excellent resistance to organic solvents and superior mechanical properties.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a thermoplastic resin composition having excellent resistance to organic solvents and mechanical strength. Particularly, the present invention relates to a resin composition which is produced by mixing a polyphenylene ether resin with an unsaturated copolymer resin composed of an .alpha.-olefin and a diene so as to decrease reductions in impact resistance, which, in general, easily occur in incompatible resin mixtures, while barely reducing heat resistance and mechanical strength, both of which are characteristics of polyphenylene ether resins, and the moldability and resistance to organic solvents, both of which are characteristics of polyolefin resins. The resin composition is used as a molding material satisfying high quality requirements for structural members or the like of automobiles and electrical products.
2. Description of the Related Art
Although polyphenylene resins are useful as molding material resins because they have excellent thermal, mechanical and electrical properties, they have disadvantages with respect to processability, resistance to organic solvents and impact resistance and are thus limited in application range. A method of overcoming these disadvantages is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,383,435 in which the moldability is improved by mixing another resin, e.g., a styrene copolymer. However, this method cannot improve the resistance to organic solvents at all.
On the other hand, various blends with polyolefins having excellent resistance to organic solvents have been investigated, and a blend of polyolefin and a polyphenylene ether resin has been proposed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 42-7069. However, none of the blends sufficiently satisfy the high levels of mechanical strength required in industrial fields. In addition, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 53-71158, 54-88960 and 59-100159 disclose methods of adding, for example, a block copolymer of styrene and butadiene or a hydrogenation product thereof to a mixture of polyphenylene ether resin and polyolefin for the purpose of improving the compatibility therebetween. However, in these methods, since only small amounts of polyolefin are mixed, the polyphenylene ether resins form a substantially continuous phase, and the resistance to organic solvents possessed by the polyolefins is not sufficiently exhibited. Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 58-103557 and 60-76547 disclose compositions containing a polyphenylene ether resin, at least 20% by weight of polyolefin and a compatibilizing agent such as a diblock copolymer composed of an alkenyl aromatic compound and a conjugated diene, or a hydrogenation product thereof. Although the tensile properties and impact resistance of the compositions are improved, the rigidity and heat resistance thereof do not sufficiently satisfy the required levels.
One of the inventors previously found that a propylene-dialkenylbenzene copolymer which was modified with a styrene monomer and which was obtained by polymerizing, in the presence of a radical polymerization initiator, a styrene monomer with a crystalline propylene-dialkenylbenzene copolymer which was obtained by copolymerizing propylene as a main component and a small amount of alkenylbenzene compound is effective as a modifier for the affinity of a composition containing polyphenylene ether and polypropylene resins. The propylene-dialkenylbenzene copolymer is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-170647.
However, the propylene-dialkenybenzene copolymer modified with a styrene monomer and obtained by copolymerization with a styrene monomer under conditions for radical polymerization is unsatisfactory in the addition effect of styrene. If styrene is added in an amount sufficient for an affinity modifier, although the impact strength is improved, there is the problem that the rigidity, particularly high-temperature rigidity, is reduced due to an increase in the polystyrene component. There is thus a demand for further improving the copolymer.


A conductive composition containing at least zinc oxide whiskers. The conductive composition can be used to provide a conductive resing composition and a conductive coating composition, which have various uses, particularly in conductive layers, conductive supports or protective layers of electrophotographic photosensitive members.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a conductive composition, and more particularly, to a conductive composition which is an organic composition such as a conductive resin composition and a coating composition. Still more particularly, it relates to a conductive resin composition used in the form of a compound, paste, molded product, putty or the like, particularly in the field concerning semiconductors, covering a vast range including materials used for packaging, storage and transportation for the purpose of preventing electrostatic destruction, floorings used for prevention of electrostatic charging or removing electrostatic charges, shielding materials used for preventing electromagnetic wave hindrance, wire coating compositions used for preventing corona discharge deterioration, and synthetic resin thermisters.
This invention also relates to a highly conductive resin composition, which is used in the form of a paste, putty, coating composition, compound, pellets, molded product, sheet, film or the like and applied in the field covering a wide range, particularly in the field in which both a high conductivity and a high plasticity are required, including circuit wiring, take-out of electrodes, electrical contacts, plastic electrodes, conductive coating compositions, conductive films, surface heater elements, conductive plastics, conductive rubbers, conductive tires, connecter gaskets, electromagnetic shielding materials, antistatic materials, and wire coating compositions for preventing corona discharge.
This invention further relates to a method of making a conductive resin composition useful for forming a conductive resin film, and more particularly to a method of making a conductive resin composition that can be formed into a sheet, film, paste, coating composition or the like and used in antistatic materials or conductive coating compositions used for electrostatic coating.
This invention still further relates to a conductive composition utilized in an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and more particularly to a conductive composition used to obtain an improved conductive layer, conductive support or protective layer.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As materials or fillers compounded into a resin to impart the resin an electrical conductivity, metals such as silver, copper, aluminum, nickel, palladium and iron, metallic compounds such as silicon carbide, tin oxide, indium oxide and zinc oxide, and non-metals such as carbon are used in a crystal or amorphous and flaky, powdery or fibrous form. To obtain high and stable conductive compositions using these fillers, it is important for these fillers to be uniformly dispersed in a resin. For this end, the above powdery or flaky materials have been required to be, for example, pulverized to have finer particles, or made to have a smaller thickness, respectively, and the fibrous materials, to be made to have smaller diameter. However, particularly in the instance of metallic fillers, the fillers are affected by moisture or oxygen in the course of the above treatment or storage to give an oxide film produced on the surface, so that it is often difficult to obtain the desired electrical conductivity even if they are dispersed in a good state. Other compounds may similarly be often adversely affected by hydrolysis. In the instance of chemically stable compounds or fibrous materials, only a small effect can be obtained in taking the means for making them finer, e.g., in carrying out pulverization or the like. This requires a special mans for making them finer and also results in an increase in treatment cost. For these reasons, there is a limit in making particle size smaller or making materials finer in a preferable state, for the purpose of their dispersion in resins, so that materials with relatively course size have had to be used as they are. This consequently causes separation of resin from the filler after they have been compounded, tending to give a heterogeneously dispersed state and also often resulting in difficulty in long-term maintenance of electrical conductivity. In particular, it has often occurred that no desired electrical conductivity can be attained unless the materials are charged in a large amount.
On the other hand, it is also well known to use particulate, flaky or fibrous conductive or non-conductive fillers of various types whose surfaces are coated with conductive materials comprising a metal or a metal oxide such as indium oxide or tin oxide.
In regard to the conventional conductive resin compositions, they have so a large amount of filler component that the resulting resin composition necessarily has a small amount of resin component, resulting in a deterioration of various excellent properties inherent in resine. Such deterioration includes a lowering of mechanical strength, a lowering of flexibility, an increase in the density of a composition, a difficulty in molding, a decrease in glossiness, and an increase in cost because of the use of a large amount of expensive fillers.
In regard to the conductive coating compositions, the addition of a large amount of the metallic conductive materials such as copper, aluminum, iron and nickel brings about a lowering of the mechanical properties of coatings, and also the copper, aluminum, iron, etc. have had the disadvantages such that the electrical conductivity is lowered because of the formation of an oxide layer on the surface and the coatings are deteriorated because of copper or iron oxides. Now, inexpensive and highly stable carbon black has been hitherto used, but ths is accompanied with the disadvantage that hues are limited.
To discuss next the electrophotographic photosensitive member, it is fundamentally comprised of a support and provided thereon a photosensitive layer. The support more takes the form of a cylinder than the form of a sheet. This is because the jointless construction of the cylinder is advantageous for the continuous repeated application of charging, exposure, developing, fixing and destaticizing in the electrophotographic process.
In recent years, development has been remarkably made on electrophotographic printers that employ laser beams. Used as the electrophotographic photosensitive member used in laser beam printers are inorganic photosensitive members comprising selenium, cadmium sulfide or amorphous silicon and organic photosensitive members comprising polyvinyl carbazole, oxadiazole or phthalocyanine.
As laser beam sources, argon or helium-neon gas lasers have been hitherto used, but semiconductor lasers are recently used for the purpose of making apparatus more compact, more lightweight and more inexpensive. Taking account of the copying speed, resolution, and lifetime of the semiconductor laser, a reversal development system is also proposed in which a toner is adhered on the exposed area having a low potential.
However, because of the wavelength of the semiconductive laser, which is in the infrared region of from 700 to 850 nm, the above photosensitive member has so a low light-sensitivity in this wavelength region that this has been undesirable from a practical viewpoint. Now, several sensitizing methods are proposed. Known as the most effective method is to provide a functionally separated photosensitive layer comprising a lamination of a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer. The charge generation layer should preferably be a thin film because a greater part of the amount of exposure is absorbed in the charge generation layer to produce a large number carriers and also because the carriers thus produced must be injected into the charge transport layer without the recombination and trapping. Thus, from the viewpoints of the copying speed, resolution and lifetime of the semiconductive laser, the reversal development system in which a toner is adhered on the exposed area having a low potential is now prevailingly used.
In instances in which the semiconductor laser is used as a light source, however, no problem arises in line images such as letters or the like, but interference bands appear in halftone solid images. This is caused by the charge generation layer which is formed of a thin film as mentioned above, where the light that should have been absorbed in this layer is not absorbed in its entirety and reflects in part on the surface of the support, resulting in interference between this reflected light and the light reflected on the surface of the photosensitive layer.
Incidentally, in instances in which the material for the support comprises an insulating material such as paper or plastics, a conductive film must be formed on the support so that the charges can be immediately let off. In instances in which the support comprises a metal such as aluminum, copper, zinc, tin, stainless steel, brass or chromium, the conductive film may not be formed but, when an ordinary development system is taken, electrical failure of the photosensitive layer, or irregularities, scratches or defects on the conductive support come out as white dots in solid black on an image. When the reversal development system is taken, they come out as black dots in solid white on an image. These are great problems in both cases.
Now, to solve these problems, it is effective to provide a resin layer between the support and photosensitive layer. This resin layer must be a layer with an electrically sufficiently low resistivity, and should preferably be a resin layer having an electrical conductivity, which is usually called a conductive layer. The conductive layer is required to be not attacked by a solvent used in a coating solution for a coating formed thereon, and methods are known in which a cationic, anionic or nonionic electrolyte, or a polymeric electrolyte such as a quaternary ammonium salt or sulfonate is added in a hydrophilic resin or alcohophilic resin such as polyvinyl alcohol, ethyl cellulose, casein, gelatin or starch (for example, Japanese Patent Publications No. 56-54531 and No. 58-1772, Japanese Laid-open Applications No. 57-138990 and No. 59-121343). This layer, though depending on the degree of the irregularities, scratches or defects of the support, is not effective when it is a thin film, and thus required to be a film with a thickness of not less than 5 .mu.m.
It is also important for the electrophotographic photosensitive member to have moisture resistance, durability, and cleaning resistance. It is also important for its electrical resistance not to be affected by changes in use environments, in particular, changes in humidity. Under conditions of a low humidity of 10.degree. C./20% in winter seasons, it may follow that the electrical resistance increases to cause fog in the case of the ordinary developing system and cause a lowering of image density in the case of the reversal development system. On the other hand, under conditions of a high humidity of 30.degree. C./80% in rainy seasons, the electrical resistance may decrease to tend to cause the injection of charges from the support, resulting in the appearance of white dots in solid black on an image in the case of the ordinary development system, and black dots in solid white on an image in the case of the reversal development system.
To cope with the changes in use environment, a method is proposed in which the photosensitive member is heated with a heater built in the photosensitive member to effect dehumidification (for example, Japanese Laid-open Applications No. 55-96975 and No. 58-31344). This method, however, brings about an increase of an electric power and an increase in the apparatus cost, and is not preferred.
Incidentally, in the course of electrophotographic process, the photosensitive member is usually repeatedly used, so that charge deterioration, exposure deterioration, ozone deterioration, scratches due to toner, etc. may occur in the vicinity of the surface of the photosensitive member, resulting in an impairment of the lifetime of the photosensitive member. Now, a method is available in which a protective layer is further provided on the photosensitive layer. This protective layer is proposed to comprise polyester resin, urethane resin, polyvinyl butyral resin, phenol resin, cellulose acetate, a styrene/maleic anhydride copolymer, a polyamide, or the like (for example, Japanese Patent Publications No. 51-15748, No. 52-24414, No. 56-34860 and No. 56-53756). This method, however, can not be said to be satisfactory from the viewpoints of adhesion to photosensitive layers, scratches, durability such as slide resistance, environment resistance stability, etc.
As properties required in the conductive layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, it is also important for it not to be affected by changes in use environment, in particular, changes in humidity, as having been discussed in the above. When the conductive layer based on ion conduction is used, under conditions of a low humidity of 10.degree. C./20% in winter seasons, it may follow that the electrical resistance increases to cause fog in the case of the ordinary developing system and cause a lowering of image density in the case of the reversal development system. On the other hand, under conditions of a high humidity of 30.degree. C./80% in rainy seasons, the electrical resistance may decrease to tend to cause the injection of charges from the support, resulting in the appearance of white dots in solid black on an image in the case of the ordinary development system, and black dots in solid white on an image in the case of the reversal development system.
To cope with this, proposed are a method in which a metal deposit film or metallic coating is applied or a metallic foil is wrapped around as a conductive layer that has no humidity dependence and may not bring about neither an increase in the electrical resistance nor the interference bands even if the film thickness is made larger (for example, Japanese Laid-open Application No. 55-124152), a method in which a metallic powder of nickel, copper, silver, aluminum or the like is dispersed in a binder resin (for example, Japanese Laid-open Application No. 56-158339), a method in which carbon black is dispersed in a binder resin (for example, Japanese Laid-open Applications No. 50-25303 and No. 52-113735), and a method in which ZnO doped with Al or In, TiO.sub.2 doped with Ta, SnO.sub.2 doped with Sb or Nb, or ZnO, TiO, TiO.sub.2, SnO.sub.2, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, In.sub.2 O.sub.3, SiO.sub.2, MgO, or a composite metal oxide of any of these is dispersed in a binder resin (for example, Japanese Laid-open Applications No. 55-146453, No. 56- 143443, No. 58-217941 and No. 59-84257).
Also proposed is a method in which a conductive support comprising an insulating material such as paper or plastics filled with carbon or fiber of a metal such as aluminum, copper, brass, stainless steel or zinc (for example, Japanese Laid-open Applications No. 56-66854, No. 59-15600 and No. 59-97151).
In the instance in which the metal deposit film is applied, the method has the disadvantages that a batch system must be employed and moreover gas generates from the support, or it takes a long time to attain a film thickness without pin holes.
In the instance in which the metallic coating is applied, the method has the disadvantages that a primer treatment is required and it is difficult to maintain and control a plating bath.
In the instance in which the metallic foil is wrapped around, the method has the disadvantage that it is difficult to wrap around it with a good precision, using an endless metallic foil so that no joint area may be formed.
In the instance in which ZnO doped with Al or In, TiO.sub.2 doped with Ta, SnO.sub.2 doped with Sb or Nb, or ZnO, TiO, TiO.sub.2, SnO.sub.2, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, In.sub.2 O.sub.3, SiO.sub.2, MgO, or a composite metal oxide of any of these is dispersed in a binder resin, a conductive layer having superiority as to environment dependence can be obtained. The method, however, has the disadvantages that since the above metallic powders or metallic oxides are insoluble to the binder resin and solvent in a coating solution and are in a bulky form and also the electrical conductivity is based on electron conduction, an area locally having a different resistance may be formed and no stable conductive layer may be obtained unless they are added in a large amount, and that because of their specific gravity which is as large as 3 to 8 they tend to be sedimented when they are dispersed in the coating solution, so that the operability becomes poor and no stable conductive layer can be obtained.
In the instance in which the material is filled with carbon, there are the disadvantages that the photosensitive member has the nature of injecting free carriers into the photosensitive layer, an area locally having a different resistance may be formed and no stable conductive layer may be obtained unless it is added in a large amount, and the thixotropy is so high that operability can be achieved with difficulty.
In the instance in which the material is filled with metallic fiber, there can be obtained a superior mechanical strength, slidability and electrical conductivity in the longitudinal direction. However, the method has the disadvantages that no stable mechanical strength, slidability and electrical conductivity can be obtained in the film thickness direction unless it is added in a large amount, and the adhesion can be little improved even if it is added in a large amount.
Incidentally, whiskers are meant to be beard-like single crystals, and refer to single crystals having a length not less than several times the average diameter. Linear-fibrous whiskers of potassium titanate, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, etc. are known in the art, and those to which electrical conductivity has been imparted are commercially available. Of these, a method in which a plastics filled with whiskers of potassium titanate is used in a conductive support is proposed in Japanese Laid-open Application No. 59-97152. Like the metallic fiber, there can be obtained a superior mechanical strength, slidability and electrical conductivity in the longitudinal direction because of the linear-fibrous form of the whiskers, but no stable mechanical strength, slidability and electrical conductivity can be obtained in the film thickness direction unless it is added in a large amount, and the adhesion can be little improved even if it is added in a large amount.
In regard to the electrophotographic photosensitive member employing the protective layer, a method is proposed in which a protective layer comprising fine powder of fluorine resin, silicone resin, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate or the like dispersed in a binder resin is used so that the durability such as slide resistance can be improved (for example, Japanese Laid-open Applications No. 52-117134, No. 55-25059, No. 56-25746 and No. 59-220743). The method disclosed in these can achieve a superior durability but has the disadvantages that the electrical resistance is so high that it remains as residual potential to cause fog in the case of the ordinary development system, and bring about a lowering of image density in the case of the reversal development system, and also that methods of preparing photosensitive members may be limited because of the materials insoluble to solvents.
For the purpose of not causing the fog as a result of an increase in residual potential, a method is also proposed in which a Lewis acid such as 2,4-dinitrobenzoic acid, phthalic anhydride, 2,6-dinitro-p-benzoquinone or p-bromanil is added in the protective layer so that a relatively slight trap may be formed without trapping of charges at the interface between the protective layer and photosensitive layer (for example, Japanese Laid-open Applications No. 53-133444 and No. 55-157748). There, however, may arise the problem that the durability such as scratch resistance and slide resistance are lowered.
Hence, an excessively low resistance of the protective layer results in the movement of charges in the lateral direction to cause a lowering of electrostatic charge potential. On the other hand, an excessively high resistance results in the accumulation of charges to increase residual potential, so that it is necessary to control the resistance of the protective layer to a suitable value and also make the resistance stable to the changes in use environment such as temperature and humidity. In addition, the protective layer must have a film thickness which is relatively thin to the extent that it may not substantially affect the resolution of the photosensitive layer, and also must be excellent in the durability such as scratch resistance and slide resistance.
Now, proposed is a method in which a protective layer comprising a metallic oxide dispersed in a binder resin (for example, Japanese Laid-open Applications No. 57-30846, No. 58-121044 and No. 59-223445). This method can obtain a photosensitive member free from charge accumulation accompanying repeated use and stable even to the changes in use environment. Since, however, the metallic oxide contained in the binder resin is insoluble to the binder resin and solvent and is in a bulky form, the optical characteristics may differ depending on the state of dispersion thereof even when it is contained in the protective layer in a constant amount. For example, the presence in the protective layer, of relatively large particles or of agglomerates because of non-uniform state of dispersion results in a lowering of the transparency of the protective layer to cause a lowering of the light-sensitivity of the photosensitive member and a lowering of image quality.
Incidentally, as previously mentioned, whiskers are meant to be beard-like single crystals, and refer to single crystals having a length not less than several times the average diameter. Linear-fibrous whiskers of potassium titanate, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, etc. are known in the art, and those to which electrical conductivity has been imparted are also commercially available. These can achieve a superior mechanical strength, slidability and electrical conductivity in the longitudinal direction, but no stable mechanical strength, slidability and electrical conductivity can be obtained in the diameter direction, i.e., the film thickness direction unless it is added in a large amount. If for that reason they are added in a large amount, the sensitivity of the photosensitive layer may be lowered because of a lowering of the transparency of the protective layer and moreover the adhesion can be little improved even if it is added in a large amount.

Conductive resin composition containing zinc oxide whiskers having a tetrapod structure

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A device for draining hydraulic brake fluid which leaks from the wheel cylinder of drum brakes in a hydraulic brake system for a motor vehicle which includes a catch basin disposed below the wheel cylinder on the drum brakes for collecting the leaking fluid with an exit tube connected to the bottom of the catch basin, the tube extending from the catch basin to the exterior of the drum brakes so that the leaking fluid is conducted from the catch basin through the tube and falls harmlessly on the ground thereby avoiding contamination of the surfaces of the brake shoes and drum.

In a typical hydraulic brake system, the brake shoes contained in the brake drum of a conventional motor vehicle are actuated by hydraulic wheel cylinders contained therein. After years of repeated use, the seals in the hydraulic wheel cylinders wear and eventually permit the egress of brake fluid into the brake drum area. Leaking brake fluid will contaminate the surface of the brake shoes and drums reducing the efficiency of the entire braking system and creating a hazardous condition. However, if leaking brake fluid can be diverted outside the brake drum area, contamination of the brake shoes and drums will be prevented.
Our search did not uncover a reference teaching the use of a fluid leak diverter in combination with a brake. However, the following references may be germane to the patentability of the present invention:
U.S. Pat. No. 2,829,004 Roosa PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 3,304,950 Hubert PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 3,473,553 Collins
All of the references cited involve the use of catch basins for containment of fluids but none is similar structurally or conceptually to the present invention.

Automobile wheel cylinder leak damage prevention


In a microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition apparatus for forming a functional deposited film on a substrate which comprises a substantially enclosed film-forming chamber comprising a circumferential wall having an end portion thereof hermetically provided with a microwave introducing window to which a waveguide extending from a microwave power source is connected, said film-forming chamber having a discharge space for causing plasma discharge of resulting in forming a deposited film on a substrate, said substrate being positioned on a substrate holder arranged in said film-forming chamber and said film-forming chamber being provided with means for supplying a film-forming raw material gas into said discharge space and means for evacuating said film-forming chamber, the improvement which comprises a dielectric sheet being movably placed on the surface of said microwave introducing window situated in said film-forming chamber in a state that said dielectric sheet is face to face contacted with said surface of the microwave introducing window.

There have been proposed a number of amorphous semiconductor deposited films such as amorphous silicon semiconductor deposited films containing hydrogen atoms or/and halogen atoms, amorphous silicon carbide semiconductor deposited films containing hydrogen atoms or/and halogen atoms, amorphous silicon nitride semiconductor deposited films containing hydrogen atoms or/and halogen atoms, amorphous silicon germanide semiconductor deposited films containing hydrogen atoms or/and halogen atoms, amorphous germanium semiconductor deposited films containing hydrogen atoms or/and halogen atoms, etc. which are usable as element members for semiconductor devices, electrophoto-graphic photosensitive devices, image input line sensors, image pickup devices, photovoltaic devices, other various electronic elements and optical elements. Some of these amorphous semiconductor films have been practically used.
For the formation of these amorphous semiconductor films, a plasma CVD method by glow discharge in a reaction gas with the use of a high-frequency (RF) to cause formation of a deposited film on a substrate of glass, quartz, heat-resistant synthetic resin, aluminum, stainless steel, etc. has been evaluated as being the most desirable (this method will be hereinafter referred to as "RF glow discharge decomposition method") .
Various apparatus have been proposed for practicing said RF glow discharge decomposition method. However, there are unsolved problems for the RF glow discharge decomposition method that film deposition rate is low; gas utilization efficiency is low; the gas pressure upon forming a deposited film is required to be high and because of this, a raw material gas is liable to polymerize within a vapor phase when fine particles are caused; maintenance of the apparatus is not easy; and the product eventually becomes costly.
In recent years, a MW-PCVD method has been noticed on the industrial scale as a new film-forming method which can eliminate those problems of the RF glow discharge decomposition method and which can be replaced said method.
For instance, a ECR microwave plasma CVD method and an apparatus therefor are disclosed in Journal of Non-Crystal-line Solids, Vol. 77 & 78, 813-816 (1985). Further, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 186849/1985, there is disclosed a MW-PCVD apparatus having an internal reaction space formed by a plurality of cylindrical substrates being arranged so as to circumscribe a microwave introducing means which can heighten the utilization efficiency of a raw material gas.
The known MW-PCVD apparatus has such a constitution as shown in a schematic vertical section view of FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 4, the apparatus comprises a film-forming chamber 401 comprising a circumferential wall having an end portion thereof hermatically provided with a microwave introducing window (microwave transmissive window) 402 made of a dielectric material such as alumina ceramics, quartz, etc. to which a waveguide 403 extending from a microwave power source 411 through an isolator (not shown) is connected, a microwave power meter 410 and a stub tuner 409. The film-forming chamber 401 has a discharge space (reaction space) 406 and a plurality of rotatable cylindrical substrate holders 407 therein. On each of said substrate holders 407, there is placed a cylindrical substrate 405 on which a film is to be formed. Said plurality of rotatable cylindrical substrate holders 407 are concentrically arranged in the film-forming chamber 401 so as to circumscribe the discharge space 406. Each of the rotatable cylindrical substrate holders 407 contains an electric heater 407' for heating the substrate 405 placed thereon. Each of the rotatable cylindrical substrate holders 407 is supported by a rotary shaft 408 connected to a drive motor (not shown). Numeral reference 404 stands for an exhaust pipe for evacuating the film-forming chamber which is connected through a main vacuum valve (not shown) to a vacuum pump (not shown). The film-forming chamber 401 is provided with means for supplying a film-forming raw material gas into the film-forming chamber 401 (not shown).
The film-forming chamber 401 is so designed as to start discharge by self-exciting discharge without using a discharge trigger or the like, and it has a cavity resonator structure capable of resonating with an oscillation frequency of a microwave power source.
The formation of a deposited film by using the apparatus shown in FIG. 4 is carried out as follows.
The inside of the film-forming chamber 401 is evacuated through the exhaust pipe 404, and the heater 407' is actuated to heat each of the substrates 405 to a predetermined temperature and it is maintained at this temperature. Concurrently, the substrates 405 are rotated by the drive motors respectively at a desired constant speed. Then, in the case of forming an amorphous silicon deposited film, raw material gases such as silane gas and hydrogen gas are fed through the gas supply means into the film-forming chamber 401. At the same time, a microwave having a frequency of 500 MHz or more, preferably, 2.45 GHz is caused from the microwave power source 411. The microwave is supplied through the waveguide 403 and the microwave introducing window 402 into the film-forming chamber 401. Thus, the raw material gases thus introduced into the film-forming chamber 401 are excited and decomposed with the action the microwave energy to cause neutral radicals, ions, electrons, etc. Then, these are reacted with each other to form a deposited film on each of the substrates 405.
For the conventional MW-PCVD apparatus, there are problems that films are unavoidably deposited on the surface of the microwave introducing window 402 which is situated in the film-forming chamber as film formation proceeds, and along with this the quantity of a microwave energy applied into the film-forming chamber is gradually changed to cause negative effects such as insufficient decomposition of a raw material gas, reduction in the film deposition rate, reduction in the utilization efficiency of the raw material gas, etc. In addition, said films deposited on the surface of the microwave introducing window are sometimes removed in fine particles which get into a film to be deposited on the substrate and as a result, the resulting film becomes such that is accompanied with defects. In order to avoid occurrence of these problems, it is required to periodically clean the microwave introducing window or to periodically replace it by a new one. In this connection, the product unavoidably becomes costly.
Particularly, in the case of preparing an electrophotographic photosensitive device, since its light receiving layer is usually such that has a thickness of, for example, 20 to 40 .mu.m, it takes a long period of time for the formation thereof even at a high deposition rate in any case. Because of this, a relatively large amount of films is deposited on the surface of the microwave introduced during the film forming process and the quantity of a microwave energy applied is changed accordingly. In the case when the film-forming process is repeated. As a result, the resulting layer assumes to have such electric characteristics as varied in the thickness direction. Further in the above case, the microwave introducing window is markedly heated because, in addition to receiving a radiant heat caused by plasma generated in the discharge space, absorption of microwave by said films deposited on the surface of the microwave introducing window, when said films are accordingly heated. This situation is less problematic when said films are thin. But it is problematic when they are thick since the quantity of microwave absorbed by them becomes significantly large and said films are heated to an elevated temperature to case phase change such as crystallization within them. In this case, the quantity of a microwave energy to be applied into the film-forming chamber is largely varied to make the state of discharge to be caused in the discharge space unstable and as a result, as above described, the resulting layer becomes such that is accompanied with defects. In addition, the microwave introducing window is sometimes damaged because of being overheated.
In view of the above, there is an increased demand to make an effective improvement to eliminate the foregoing problems on the conventional MW-PCVD apparatus and to provide a desirable MW-PCVD apparatus which enables one to stably and repeatedly produce a functional deposited film while utilizing various advantages of the MW-PCVD film-forming method.

Microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition process using a microwave window and movable, dielectric sheet


Solubilizates containing a water-insoluble substance, an aqueous phase and a solubilizer, wherein the solubilizer comprises (i) an alk(en)yl oligoglycoside; and (ii) a polyol component, are described. Methods of solubilizing water-insoluble substances with combinations of alk(en)yl oligoglycosides and polyol components are also described.

Solubilizers are used in the preparation of aqueous and aqueous-alcoholic pseudosolutions (xe2x80x9csolubilizatesxe2x80x9d) of water-insoluble substances with oil-like behavior such as, for example, essential oils or vitamins, etc. The dissolution of these substances is attributable to their solubility being greater in the surfactant micelles than in the aqueous phase. This means that above all surfactants capable of forming micelles even in low concentrations appear to be particularly suitable as solubilizers [Parf. Kosm. 65, 679 (1984)]. However, surfactants such as these always contain alkylene oxide chains which is not always desirable from the marketing perspective.
It is pointed out in this connection that the use of alkyl glucosides as emulsifiers for a range of applications is already prior art. The emulsifying and dispersing properties of polyglycerol poly-12-hydroxystearates are the subject of DE-A1 4420516 and DE-A1-19643062. Mixtures of alkyl glucosides and polyglycerol poly-12-hydroxystearates and their use as emulsifiers are described in DE-A1 19533539. However, the formation of emulsions follows a different mechanism than solubilization. Accordingly, there is nothing in the suitability of a substance as an emulsifier to suggest that it would also have solubilizing properties.
The problem addressed by the present invention was therefore to provide new solubilizers for the preparation of solubilizates which would not contain any alkylene oxide and which would provide performance results at least comparable with those of known products.
The present invention includes the use of mixtures of glycosides and polyol esters as solubilizers for the production of solubilizates.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to the use of detergent mixtures containing
(a) alkyl and/or alkenyl oligoglycosides and
(b) polyol polyhydroxy-12-stearates
as solubilizers for the production of clear solubilizates.
It has surprisingly been found that mixtures of alkyl and/or alkenyl oligoglycosides and polyol polyhydroxystearates adapted to one another can be cold-mixed with water in any ratio and, in addition, also have excellent solubilizing properties. Accordingly, it is now possible in accordance with the new teaching of the invention to formulate clear pseudosolutions containing essential oils or vitamins which, hitherto, could not be obtained by other methods. This discovery is also surprising because the polyol polyhydroxystearates, although having interfacially active properties, are still mainly lipophilic in character and, accordingly, are immiscible with water in any ratio.
Alkyl and/or Alkenyl Olipoalycosides
Alkyl and alkenyl oligoglycosides which form component (a) are known nonionic surfactants which correspond to formula (I):
R1Oxe2x80x94[G]pxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(I)
where R1 is an alkyl and/or alkenyl group containing 4 to 22 carbon atoms, G is a sugar unit containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms and p is a number of 1 to 10. They may be obtained by the relevant methods of preparative organic chemistry. The overviews presented by Bierman et al. in Starch/Stxc3xa4rke 45, 281(1993), by B. Salka in Cosm. Toil. 108, 89 (1993) and by J. Kahre in Sxc3x96FW-Journal No. 8, 598 (1995) are cited as representative of the extensive literature available on this subject.
The alkyl and/or alkenyl oligoglycosides may be derived from aldoses or ketoses containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms, preferably glucose. Accordingly, the preferred alkyl and/or alkenyl oligoglycosides are alkyl and/or alkenyl oligoglucosides. The index p in general formula (I) indicates the degree of oligomerization (DP), i.e. the distribution of mono- and oligoglycosides, and is a number of 1 to 10. Whereas p in a given compound must always be an integer and, above all, may assume a value of 1 to 6, the value p for a certain alkyl oligoglycoside is an analytically determined calculated quantity which is generally a broken number. Alkyl and/or alkenyl oligoglycosides having an average degree of oligomerization p of 1.1 to 3.0 are preferably used. Alkyl and/or alkenyl oligoglycosides having a degree of oligomerization of less than 1.7 and, more particularly, between 1.2 and 1.4 are preferred from the applicational point of view. The alkyl or alkenyl radical R1 may be derived from primary alcohols containing 4 to 11 and preferably 8 to 10 carbon atoms. Typical examples are butanol, caproic alcohol, caprylic alcohol, capric alcohol and undecyl alcohol and the technical mixtures thereof obtained, for example, in the hydrogenation of technical fatty acid methyl esters or in the hydrogenation of aldehydes from Roelen""s oxosynthesis. Alkyl oligoglucosides having a chain length of C8 to C10 (DP=1 to 3), which are obtained as first runnings in the separation of technical C8-18 coconut oil fatty alcohol by distillation and which may contain less than 6% by weight of C12 alcohol as an im-purity, and also alkyl oligoglucosides based on technical C9/11 oxoalcohols (DP=1 to 3) are preferred. In addition, the alkyl or alkenyl radical R1 may also be derived from primary alcohols containing 12 to 22 and preferably 12 to 14 carbon atoms. Typical examples are lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, palmitoleyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, isostearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, elaidyl alcohol, petroselinyl alcohol, arachyl alcohol, gadoleyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, erucyl alcohol, brassidyl alcohol and technical mixtures thereof which may be obtained as described above. Alkyl oligoglucosides based on hydrogenated C12/14 coconut oil fatty alcohol having a DP of 1 to 3 are preferred.
Polyol poly-12-hydroxystearates
The polyol poly-12-hydroxystearates which form component (b) are known substances which are marketed by Henkel KGaA of Dxc3xcsseldorf, FRG, for example under the name of xe2x80x9cDehymuls(copyright) PGPHxe2x80x9d. Reference is also made in this connection to International patent application WO 95/34528 (Henkel). The polyol component of the emulsifiers may be derived from substances which contain at least 2, preferably 3 to 12 and more preferably 3 to 8 hydroxyl groups and 2 to 12 carbon atoms. Typical examples are
(a) glycerol and polyglycerol;
(b) alkylene glycols such as, for example, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol;
(c) methylol compounds such as, in particular, trimethylol ethane, trimethylol propane, trimethylol butane, pentaerythritol and dipentaerythritol;
(d) alkyl oligoglucosides containing 1 to 22, preferably 1 to 8 and more preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl group such as, for example, methyl and butyl glucoside;
(e) sugar alcohols containing 5 to 12 carbon atoms such as, for example, sorbitol or mannitol,
(f) sugars containing 5 to 12 carbon atoms such as, for example, glucose or sucrose;
(g) amino sugars such as, for example, glucamine.
Among the emulsifiers suitable for use in accordance with the invention, reaction products based on polyglycerol are particularly important by virtue of their excellent applicational properties. It has proved to be of particular advantage to use selected polyglycerols which have the following homolog distribution (the preferred ranges are shown in brackets):
Components (a) and (b) may be mixed in a ratio of 10:90 to 90:10, preferably 25:75 to 75:25 and more preferably 40:60 to 60:40. A mixture of alkyl glucosides and polyglycerol poly-12-hydroxystearate in a ratio by weight of 1:1, which is commercially obtainable as Eumulgin(copyright) VL75, is particularly preferred. The solubilizers can make up from 1 to 25% by weight and preferably from 5 to 15% by weight of the final formulations.
Essential Oils
The substances with oil-like properties which can be solubilized as described above include, for example, the essential oils. These are understood by the expert to be perfuming substances which are obtained from plants, plant parts or even spices by physical, preferably distillation-based, process steps. Essential oils can be distinguished from the known fatty oils by a simple test: they do not leave any fatty stains behind on paper. These substances are complex mixtures of partly readily volatile alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, lactones, sulfur- and nitrogen-containing compounds and hydrocarbons; most of the odor-determining constituents of essential oils are terpenes and sesquiterpenes. Typical examples of suitable essential oils are the extracts of blossoms (lavender, rose, jasmine, neroli), stems and leaves (geranium, patchouli, petitgrain), fruits (anise, coriander, caraway, juniper), fruit peel (bergamot, lemon, orange), roots (nutmeg, angelica, celery, cardamon, costus, iris, calmus), woods (pinewood, sandalwood, guaiac wood, cedarwood, rosewood), herbs and grasses (tarragon, lemon grass, sage, thyme), needles and branches (spruce, fir, pine, dwarf pine), resins and balsams (galbanum, elemi, benzoin, myrrh, olibanum, opoponax). Suitable synthetic or semisynthetic perfume oils are Ambroxan, eugenol, isoeugenol, citronellal, hydroxycitronellal, geranoil, citronellol, geranyl acetate, citral, ionone and methyl ionone.
Vitamins
Besides the essential oils, vitamins can also be solubilized by the mixtures of alkyl glycosides and polyglycerol esters. Typical examples are vitamins of the A group (retinol, 3,4-dehydroretinol), the B group (thiamine chloride hydrochloride, riboflavin, pyridoxine, pyridoxamine, pyridoxal, cyanocobalamin, biotin, folic acid, nicotinic acid, nicotinic acid amide, pantothenic acid), the C group (ascorbic acid), the D group (calciferol, ergocalciferol, colecalciferol) and the E group (tocopherols, tocopherol acetates). The essential oils and vitamins may be used in quantities of 0.1 to 10% by weight and preferably in quantities of 0.5 to 1% by weight, based on the solubilizates.
Auxiliaries and Additives
The solubilizates may be purely aqueous although they may also be made up as aqueous-alcoholic formulations using ethanol or isopropyl alcohol. Although the mixing ratio with water is not critical, 60 to 70% by weight alcoholic solutions are preferred and may be used, for example together with suitable skin care ingredients, as lotions for impregnating refreshing towels and as deodorant formulations, aftershaves, eau-de-toilettes and the like.
The solubilizates may also contain mild surfactants, oil components, superfatting agents, stabilizers, consistency factors, thickeners, polymers, silicone compounds, biogenic agents, antidandruff agents, film formers, preservatives, hydrotropes, solubilizers, UV filters, insect repellents, self-tanning agents, dyes and the like as further auxiliaries and additives.
Typical examples of suitable mild surfactants, i.e. surfactants with particular dermatological compatibility, are fatty alcohol polyglycol ether sulfates, monoglyceride sulfates, mono- and/or dialkyl sulfosuccinates, fatty acid isethionates, fatty acid sarcosinates, fatty acid taurides, fatty acid glutamates, ether carboxylic acids, alkyl oligoglucosides, fatty acid glucamides, alkylamidobetaines and/or protein fatty acid condensates, preferably based on wheat proteins.
Suitable oil components are, for example, Guerbet alcohols based on fatty alcohols containing 6 to 18 and preferably 8 to 10 carbon atoms, esters of linear C6-22 fatty acids with linear C6-22 fatty alcohols, esters of branched C6-13 carboxylic acids with linear C6-22 fatty alcohols, esters of linear C6-22 fatty acids with branched alcohols, more especially 2-ethyl hexanol, esters of linear and/or branched fatty acids with polyhydric alcohols (for example propylene glycol, dimer diol or trimer triol) and/or Guerbet alcohols, triglycerides based on C6-10 fatty acids, liquid mono-/di-/triglyceride mixtures based on C6-18 fatty acids, esters of C6-22 fatty alcohols and/or Guerbet alcohols with aromatic carboxylic acids, more especially benzoic acid, esters of C2-12 dicarboxylic acids with linear or branched alcohols containing 1 to 22 carbon atoms or polyols containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms and 2 to 6 hydroxyl groups, vegetable oils, branched primary alcohols, substituted cycloyhexanes, linear C6-22 fatty alcohol carbonates, Guerbet carbonates, esters of benzoic acid with linear and/or branched C6-22 alcohols (for example Finsolv(copyright) TN), dialkyl ethers, ring opening products of epoxidized fatty acid esters with polyols, silicone oils and/or aliphatic or naphthenic hydrocarbons.
The superfatting agents used may be such substances as, for example, lanolin and lecithin and polyethoxylated or acylated lanolin and lecithin derivatives, polyol fatty acid esters, monoglycerides and fatty acid alkanolamides, the latter also serving as foam stabilizers.
Suitable consistency factors are, above all, fatty alcohols containing 12 to 22 and preferably 16 to 18 carbon atoms and, in addition, partial glycerides. A combination of these consistency factors with alkyl oligoglucosides and/or fatty acid-N-methyl glucamides of the same chain length and/or polyglycerol poly-12-hydroxystearates is preferred. Suitable thickeners are, for example, polysaccharides, more particularly xanthan gum, guar guar, agar agar, alginates and tyloses, carboxymethyl cellulose and hydroxyethyl cellulose, relatively high molecular weight polyethylene glycol monoesters and diesters of fatty acids, polyacrylates (for example Carbopols(copyright) [Goodrich] or Synthalens(copyright) [Sigma]), polyacrylamides, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl pyrrolidone, surfactants such as, for example, ethoxylated fatty acid glycerides, esters of fatty acids with polyols such as, for example, pentaerythritol or trimethylol propane, narrow-range fatty alcohol ethoxylates or alkyl oligoglucosides and electrolytes, such as sodium chloride and ammonium chloride.
Suitable cationic polymers are, for example, cationic cellulose derivatives such as, for example, the quaternized hydroxyethyl cellulose available under the name of Polymer JR 400(copyright) from Amerchol, cationic starch, copolymers of diallyl ammonium salts and acrylamides, quaternized vinyl pyrrolidone/vinyl imidazole polymers such as, for example, Luviquat(copyright) (BASF), condensation products of polyglycols and amines, quaternized collagen polypeptides such as, for example, Lauryldimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Collagen (Lamequat(copyright)L Grunau), quaternized wheat polypeptides, polyethyleneimine, cationic silicone polymers such as, for example, Amodimethicone, copolymers of adipic acid and dimethyl aminohydroxypropyl diethylenetriamine (Cartaretine(copyright), Sandoz), copolymers of acrylic acid with dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride (Merquat(copyright) 550, Chemviron), polyaminopolyamides as described, for example, in FR-A 225840 and crosslinked water-soluble polymers thereof, cationic chitin derivatives such as, for example, quaternized chitosan, optionally in microcrystalline distribution, condensation products of dihaloalkyls such as, for example, dibromobutane with bis-dialkylamines such as, for example, bis-dimethylamino-1,3-propane, cationic guar gum such as, for example, Jaguar(copyright) CBS, Jaguar(copyright)) C-17, Jaguar(copyright) C-16 of Celanese, quaternized ammonium salt polymers such as, for example, Mirapol(copyright) A-15, Mirapol(copyright) AD-1, Mirapol(copyright) AZ-1 of Miranol.
Suitable anionic, zwitterionic, amphoteric and nonionic polymers are, for example, vinyl acetate/crotonic acid copolymers, vinyl pyrrolidone/vinyl acrylate copolymers, vinyl acetate/butyl maleate/isobornyl acrylate copolymers, methyl vinylether/maleic anhydride copolymers and esters thereof, uncrosslinked and polyol-crosslinked polyacrylic acids, acrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium chloride/acrylate copolymers, octylacrylamide/methyl methacrylate/tert.-butylaminoethyl methacrylate/2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate copolymers, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl pyrrolidone/vinyl acetate copolymers, vinyl pyrrolidone/dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate/vinyl caprolactam terpolymers and optionally derivatized cellulose ethers and silicones.
Suitable silicone compounds are, for example, dimethyl polysiloxanes, methyl phenyl polysiloxanes, cyclic silicones and amino-, fatty acid-, alcohol-, polyether-, epoxy-, fluorine- and/or alkyl-modifled silicone compounds which may be both liquid and resin-like at room temperature. Typical examples of fats are glycerides while suitable waxes are inter alia beeswax, carnauba wax, candelilla wax, montan wax, paraffin wax or microwaxes, optionally in combination with hydrophilic waxes, for example cetostearyl alcohol, or partial glycerides. Suitable stabilizers are metal salts of fatty acids such as, for example, magnesium, aluminium and/or zinc stearate. Biogenic agents in the context of the invention are, for example, tocopherol, tocopherol acetate, tocopherol palmitate, ascorbic acid, deoxyribonucleic acid, retinol, bisabolol, allantoin, phytantriol, panthenol, AHA acids, amino acids, ceramides, pseudoceramides, essential oils, plant extracts and vitamin complexes. Suitable antidandruff agents are climbazol, octopirox and zinc pyrithione. Typical film formers are, for example, chitosan, microcrystalline chitosan, quaternized chitosan, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl pyrrolidone/vinyl acetate copolymers, polymers of the acrylic acid series, quaternary cellulose derivatives, collagen, hyaluronic acid and salts thereof and similar compounds. Montmorillonites, clay minerals, Pemulen and alkyl-modified Carbopol types (Goodrich) may be used as swelling agents for aqueous phases.
UV filters in the context of the invention are organic substances which are capable of absorbing ultraviolet radiation and of releasing the energy absorbed in the form of longer-wave radiation, for example heat. UV-B filters can be oil-soluble or water-soluble. The following are examples of oil-soluble substances:
3-benzylidene camphor and derivatives thereof, for example 3-(4-methylbenzylidene)-camphor;
4-aminobenzoic acid derivatives, preferably 4-(dimethylaminoibenzoic acid-2-ethylhexyl ester, 4-(dimethylamino)-benzoic acid-2-octyl ester and 4-(dimethylaminoybenzoic acid amyl ester;
esters of cinnamic acid, preferably 4-methoxycinnamic acid-2-ethylhexyl ester, 4-methoxycinnamic acid isopentyl ester, 2-cyano-3-phenylcinnamic acid-2-ethylhexyl ester (Octocrylene);
esters of salicylic acid, preferably salicylic acid-2-ethylhexyl ester, salicylic acid-4-isopropylbenzyl ester, salicylic acid homomenthyl ester;
derivatives of benzophenone, preferably 2-hydroxy4-methoxybenzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy4xe2x80x2-methylbenzophenone, 2,2xe2x80x2-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone;
esters of benzalmalonic acid, preferably 4-methoxybenzalmalonic acid di-2-ethylhexyl ester;
triazine derivatives such as, for example, 2,4,6-trianilino-(p-carbo-2xe2x80x2-ethyl-1xe2x80x2-hexyloxy)-1,3,5-triazine and Octyl Triazone;
propane-1,3-diones such as, for example, 1-(4-tert.butylphenyl greater than 3-(4xe2x80x2-methoxyphenylypropane-1,3-dione;
Suitable water-soluble substances are
2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid and alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, alkylammonium, alkanolammonium and glucammonium salts thereof;
sulfonic acid derivatives of benzophehones, preferably 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfonic acid and salts thereof;
sulfonic acid derivatives of 3-benzylidene camphor such as, for example, 4-(2-oxo-3-bornylidenemethyl)-benzene sulfonic acid and 2-methyl-5-(2-oxo-3-bornylidene)-sulfonic acid and salts thereof.
Typical UV-A filters are, in particular, derivatives of benzoyl methane such as, for example, 1-(4xe2x80x2-tert.butylphenyl)-3-(4xe2x80x2-methoxyphenyl)-propane-1,3-dione or 1-phenyl-3-(4xe2x80x2-isopropylphenyl)-propane-1,3-dione. The UV-A and UV-B filters may of course also be used in the form of mixtures. Besides the soluble substances mentioned, insoluble pigments, i.e. finely dispersed metal oxides or salts, for example titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide, aluminium oxide, cerium oxide, zirconium oxide, silicates (talcum), barium sulfate. and zinc stearate, may also be used for this purpose. The particles should have a mean diameter of less than 100 nm, preferably between 5 and 50. nm and more preferably between 15 and 30 nm. They may be spherical in shape although ellipsoidal particles or other non-spherical particles may also be used. Besides the two groups of primary UV filters mentioned above, secondary UV filters of the antioxidant type may also be used. Secondary UV filters of the antioxidant type interrupt the photochemical reaction chain which is initiated when UV rays penetrate into the skin. Typical examples are Superoxid-Dismutase, tocopherols (vitamin E) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Other suitable UV filters can be found in P. Finkel""s review in Sxc3x96FW-Journal 122, 543 (1996).
In addition, hydrotropes such as, for example, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol or polyols may be used to improve flow behavior. Suitable polyols preferably contain 2 to 15 carbon atoms and at least two hydroxyl groups. Typical examples are
glycerol;
alkylene glycols such as, for example, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, hexylene glycol and polyethylene glycols having an average molecular weight of 100 to 1,000 dalton;
technical oligoglycerol mixtures with a degree of self-condensation of 1.5 to 10 such as, for example, technical diglycerol mixtures with a diglycerol content of 40 to 50% by weight;
methylol compounds such as, in particular, trimethylol ethane, trimethylol propane, trimethylol butane, pentaerythritol and dipentaerythritol;
lower alkyl glucosides, particularly those containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, for example methyl and butyl glucoside;
sugar alcohols containing 5 to 12 carbon atoms such as, for example, sorbitol or mannitol;
sugars containing 5 to 12 carbon atoms such as, for example, glucose or sucrose and
aminosugars such as, for example, glucamine.
Suitable preservatives are, for example, phenoxyethanol, formalde-hyde solution, parabens, pentanediol or sorbic acid. Suitable insect repellents are N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, pentane-1,2-diol or Insect Repellent 3535. A suitable self-tanning agent is dihydroxyacetone.
Suitable dyes are any of the substances suitable and approved for cosmetic purposes as listed, for example, in the publication xe2x80x9cKosmetische Fxc3xa4rbemittelxe2x80x9d of the Farbstoffkommission der Deutschen Forschungs-gemeinschaft, Verlag Chemie, Weinheim, 1984, pages 81 to 106, These dyes are normally used in concentrations of 0.001 to 0.1% by weight, based on the mixture as a whole.

Solubilizers containing alk(en)yl oligoglycosides and polyol components, and methods of solubilizing using the same


A closed loop dispensing system for use on a liquid container such as a bottle or the like for dispensing the liquid contents from the bottle. The outlet opening of the bottle is closed by a throat plug having a valve positioned therein which is open when the container cap is mounted on the container, but which automatically closes when the cap is removed from the container. An inlet opening is provided in the container insert so that liquid may be drawn therethrough. A closure cap is mounted on the bottle and has a dispensing tube extending therefrom for dispensing liquid from the container to a mixing machine or the like. A check valve is associated with the cap for preventing backflow from the dispensing tube to the container and for permitting liquid flow from the container to the dispensing tube in response to suction being applied to the dispensing tube. A precise discharge metering orifice is provided in the valve body as a substitution for proportioners which are normally located downstream of the dispensing system. A valve permits ambient air to enter the interior of the container as liquid is drawn therefrom. The valve prevents the flow of liquid therethrough.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a closed loop dispensing system and more particularly to a dispensing system for dispensing corrosive liquid chemicals or dangerous medical liquid products which are typically drawn from the upper end of a container, such as a bottle or the like, to a mixing machine or the like. In the instant invention, the container is inverted with the liquid product being drawn from the lower end thereof by vacuum or by gravity flow.
2. Description of the Related Art
Corrosive liquid chemicals and dangerous medical liquid products are typically contained in a container such as a bottle or the like and are frequently dispensed therefrom to a mixing machine. Normally, a cap is placed on the bottle with a dip tube extending therefrom downwardly into the interior of the bottle for drawing the liquid upwardly thereinto. Normally, a dispensing tube extends from the cap to a mixing machine or some other piece of equipment which creates suction in the dispensing tube to draw the liquid from the interior of the bottle. In some prior art devices, when the suction or vacuum is removed from the dispensing tube, backflow may occur. Further, when the cap is removed from the bottle, backflow from the dispensing tube may also occur. Additionally, when the cap is removed from the bottle, liquid residue in the bottle may spill therefrom. Additionally, the conventional prior art systems normally do not prevent the re-use of the bottle which is prohibited in some cases. Yet another disadvantage of the prior art is that a reliable and efficient venting means for the bottle is not normally provided for relieving vacuum pressure from within the bottle. The system of the co-pending application solved the problems associated with the prior art devices or systems.
While the system of the co-pending application works extremely well when the container is in its normal upright condition, the system may not perfectly function when the container of the co-pending application is inverted. When the container or bottle of the co-pending application is inverted, the liquid in the container is drawn or discharged from the normal upper end of the container but which is the lower end of the container in the inverted position. In such a position, the venting membrane, which would normally permit ambient air to replace the liquid in the container as the liquid is discharged from the container, may become "clogged" due to the liquid coming into contact therewith and crystallizing thereon. If air is not permitted to enter the container as the liquid is drawn therefrom, a partial vacuum is created in the upper end of the inverted container which will interfere with the discharge of the liquid therefrom.


A system for human-digital media interaction tracking. One example system includes a database that stores information regarding a user's activity history for various different cognitive tasks, and a computing device that receives user behavior information indicating usage by a user of an interactive software program, the interactive software program associated with at least one of the cognitive tasks. The computing device, in response to the receipt of user behavior information indicating usage by the user of the interactive software program, updates the database information regarding the user's activity history for the at least one of the cognitive tasks.

Digital media, including interactive software and accompanying hardware, has become the preferred form of communication and entertainment for many people. People log in, make phone calls, and interact with digitally-based media on a daily basis. Digital media has become the dominant mode by which people seek entertainment, communicate and gain information about the world. Many people choose to read materials hosted online instead of paper-based documents like newspapers and book. E-mail has become more popular than the postal service for letter-writing. Cell phones have replaced the ground-line phone as the preferred means of quick communication. Video games have become a mainstream entertainment medium, expanding beyond the demographic of children and young adults. So called "casual" video games, often available on mobile phones or free on the Internet, are used extensively by an older demographic of users than traditional video games. Digital video and music, which are seemingly passive experiences, are delivered and consumed via on-demand digital access and distribution.
The human brain and mind evolves and adapts to the experiences and environment in which it is exposed. Neuroplasticity and neurogenesis demonstrate that the evolution of the human brain continues throughout an individual's life. Exposure to and use of the different types of digital media stimulates brain function in many ways, regardless of the intentions of the makers of digital media. Specific cognitive tasks, traits and functions are processed in localized regions of the brain, which may be stimulated by interaction with digital media. For example "Surfing the web" or "texting friends" requires cognitive work, and may stimulate areas of the brain required to perform the cognitive tasks associated with executive function, language processing, fine motor skills, and working memory. Another example of cognitive work performed while interacting with digital media is playing video games. Research shows that video games affect certain brain processes and may improve cognitive development (Green, C. Shawn & Daphne Bavelier, Action Video Game Modifies Visual Selective Attention. NATURE 2003 May 29; 423:534-7.) If video games stimulate certain aspects of the brain because of the cognitive functions required for playing them, then it could be inferred that other digital mediums would also stimulate brain processes.
While digital media is becoming a growing part of individuals' lives, there is no comprehensive tracking of individuals' interactions with digital media and mapping of the effects of using digital media on individuals' brains and behaviors. Currently, there are products that track the usage of specific forms of digital media. For example, there are products that track how much a particular website is used, and use this to help websites advertise. Cell phone companies also track the usage of cell phones by subjects for pricing purposes. None of these existing products measure and analyze the potential effects of using these types of digital media on an individuals' cognitive function and development. Additionally, these products do not evaluate the behavioral implications of digital media usage.
Recent research by neuroscientists has suggested the possibility of improving cognition through external stimulus. Called "neuroplasticity," neuroscientists have determined that the brain acts like a muscle, and cognitive "exercise" can stimulate cognitive improvement. Research shows that external stimulus such as physical exercise or interaction with digital media can stimulate brain activity in areas of the brain associated with cognition and improve cognitive development even after the brain stops developing due to age. (Draganski B et al. Neuroplasticity: Changes in grey matter induced by training. NATURE 2004 Jan. 22; 427:311-2)
Coinciding with this recent research are growing demands from the aging US and world population who have become cognizant of the decline in cognitive health that often accompanies aging. Concerns such as loss of memory, decreased cognition, and mental illness associated with aging like Alzheimer's disease have fueled a growing market demand for products that help with maintaining and improving cognitive health.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Human-digital media interaction tracking


A balanced oncotic pressure fluid suitable as a dialysate in the treatment of patients suffering from loss of kidney function. The solution comprises on the basis of 1 liter of solution about 200-300 mEq sodium, about 145-215 mEq chloride, about 55-85 mEq bicarbonate or acetate or lactate, and about 2-10% by weight dextran, the ratio of sodium to chloride being about 1.4:1. An example of the above solution contains about 224 mEq sodium, about 164 mEq chloride, about 72 mEq acetate, about 6% by weight dextran, about 2% dextrose, about 7 mg zinc gluconate, about 2 mEq potassium, about 3 mEq calcium, and about 2 mEq magnesium.

This invention relates to solutions suitable as the dialysate in both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis of persons suffering from kidney failure.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,993,750, issued to Fox, one of the present inventors, discloses improved resuscitation solutions for the treatment of trauma in humans. The hypertonic solutions of this patent comprise on the basis of 1 liter of solution about 200-300 mEq sodium, about 145-215 mEq chloride, and about 55-85 mEq bicarbonate or acetate or lactate, the sodium to chloride ratio being about 1.4 to 1. Optional ingredients which may be added to the solution include about 1.5-2.5 mEq magnesium, about 3.5-5.5 mEq potassium, up to about 5.5 mEq calcium, about 2.5-3.5 mEq phosphate, and up to about 5% by weight dextrose. These solutions provide the advantages of replacing lost sodium, reducing total water intake and edema, and simulating the sodium to chloride ratio and the electrolyte values of normal blood.
Many of the same considerations involved in formulating a balanced salt solution for treating trauma are also involved in formulating a balanced salt solution for treating kidney failure. In healthy individuals, the sodium content of the body, and hence extracellular volume, is determined by renal excretion of sodium. When the kidneys fail, the patient must be treated by kidney transplant, or else by hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
In hemodialysis, electrolyte and fluid imbalances are corrected by pumping the patient's blood through a device containing a semi-permeable membrane. Water, electrolytes, toxic substances and metabolites in the blood diffuse through the membrane into a solution of salts known as the dialysate. The toxic substances and metabolites are then washed away in the dialysate and the electrolyte values of the blood are restored to normal.
In peritoneal dialysis, a similar dialysate solution is pumped into the peritoneal cavity and surrounds the gut. The same process of diffusion and osmosis of water and toxic substances from the blood takes place through the wall of the gut into the dialysate. Electrolyte values are restored and the toxic substances are washed away in the dialysate.
Because crystalloids diffuse in both directions across the membrane, any electrolyte abnormality in the patient's blood will be corrected by the use of a solution containing normal concentrations of the important electrolytes. Desirably, the dialysate used for hemodialysis and for peritoneal dialysis simulates normal electrolyte values.
Examples of dialysates currently available are the Dianeal solutions sold by Travenol Laboratories, Deerfield, Illinois, which are described in the brochure "Dianeal (Peritoneal Dialysis Solution)" (June 1977).


Percutaneous implants fabricated from a core or substrate of a low modulus metal coated with blue to black zirconium oxide or zirconium nitride. The coating provides enhanced thrombogenicity, biocompatibility, blood compatibility, corrosion-resistance, friction and microfretting resistance, durability, and electrical insulation, where applicable. The coatings may be applied to low modulus metallic substrates by physical or chemical vapor deposition as well as other ion-beam assisted methods. Preferably, however, for optimizing attachment strength, the percutaneous implants are fabricated from zirconium or zirconium-containing alloys and the coatings are formed by oxidizing or nitriding through an in situ method that develops a coating from and on the metal surface of the percutaneous implant, without need for depositing a coating on the metal surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is of percutaneous implants of enhanced biocompatibility, blood compatibility, and corrosion resistance. More specifically, the invention implants are fabricated from relatively low modulus metals, such as zirconium or a zirconium-containing alloy, and are coated with blue to black zirconium oxide or zirconium nitride to provide enhanced blood compatibility, microfretting resistance, electrical insulation, and corrosion resistance where applicable.
2. Description of the Related Art
With advances in the technology for treating heart diseases, there has developed an increasing demand for sophisticated cardiovascular implants and surgical tools for use in cardiovascular surgery.
Certain cardiac treatment procedures require the use of pacemaker leads and other current-bearing leads that are usually coated with an insulative barrier that both electrically insulates and isolates the current-bearing core from body fluids. Currently, a typical pacemaker or other cardiovascular lead includes a central core of electrically conductive metal, usually cobalt-nickel alloy, coated with a polymeric insulative coating, usually polyurethane. However, polyurethane coatings eventually break down under the effect of body fluids and enzymes producing potentially harmful degradation products. Further, the polymer coating may crack or separate with time so that body fluids or adjacent wires come in contact with the electrical conductor and interfere with electrical signals. Further, the electrical conductor is then subject to corrosion due to body fluids.
In a typical defibrillator, a flexible silicone polymeric patch with a thinly coiled titanium, cobalt-nickel, or stainless steel wire is attached to the appropriate segment of heart muscle. A lead wire is attached to this coil for powering the coil to stimulate the heart muscle. The lead wire exits from the body to an external power source. The lead wire is frequently coated with polyurethane. Thus, this lead wire is both an electrical carrying device and a percutaneous device, in the sense that it penetrates the skin and exits from the body. However, it is coated with a relatively soft and fragile polymeric composition which provides limited protection to potential damage to lead sections carried outside the body. Thus, there is a need for a percutaneous lead that is crush resistant, biocompatible, and that provides suitable electrical conductance and insulation to isolate the electrical carrying lead from other lead wires and body tissue. Further, the lead should be resistant to chemical degradation in body fluids.

Zirconium oxide and zirconium nitride coated percutaneous devices


A board game has first and second playing areas, with the first playing area being a continuous path along the perimeter of the game board. The second playing area is located within the first playing area and includes spaces for forming words with the spaces having a surface for erasable markings of letters. The first and second playing areas have indicia printed thereon. The first playing area determines which letters to use to form words within the second playing area, and indicates the monetary values for using the indicated letters. The board game also includes a die that controls the movement of player pieces along the continuous path and which directs the players to use a spinner of the board game. Words may be formed within the second playing area and can be spelled forward, backward, vertically, horizontally or diagonally. The spinner provides a further random chance control.

There are a number of word games available wherein play money is used along with a set of dice or a spinner to form words within a board game. These prior art games have provided entertainment and educational experiences. The present invention, however, is concerned with improving upon these prior art board games by including limitations and other features which foster mental exercises in forming words within distinct topic categories.
Lee et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,807 discloses a board game for playing crossword puzzles having a first continuous playing path lying adjacent to the outer edges of the board, with a second continuous playing path directly adjacent to the first. The remaining area inside the board includes a playing surface in the format of a crossword puzzle. Words are formed within the larger remaining area inside the continuous playing paths by rolling a die to determine whether the word to be played on the crossword puzzle shall be across or downward. Once a word is formed within the crossword puzzle in a square, the player must guess a word from clues provided by a set of playing cards. Correctly guessing the word allows a player to attempt to add an additional word on the inner crossword puzzle area. Although this board game utilizes a combination of a set of dice and playing cards, it does not include the use of a spinner and is limited to the use of playing cards with clues of a crossword puzzle variety that restrict the choice of words to be formed.
The Wohl U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,031 discloses a board game with two sets of cards for determining the name of a famous person having the initials on the drawing cards. The Wohl '031 patent does not have a common word forming board within a continuous playing path.
There are other board games which utilize multiple board spaces and involve word formation. Exemplary of such games include the method of playing a word forming game of the Lewis U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,538, the random selection word game of the Cammarata U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,231, the word forming game of the Sturtz U.S. Patent No. 4,171,815, the board game apparatus of the Brzezinski et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,306,724, the board game apparatus of the Kreischer U.S. Pat. No. 4,055,347 and the word construction game of the Smith U.S. Pat. No. 3,396,972. Although these last-mentioned games are entertaining and interesting, they do not improve and enhance the players' vocabulary skills to the extent that the word formation board game of the present invention does.
For example, the board game apparatus of the Brzezinski et al. '724 patent discloses a word formation game having an outer continuous path and an inner area for the formation of words. The outer continuous path includes spaces for category, penalty and bonus cards. Further, the outer continuous path has a spinner mounted thereto which provides a random control choice. A throw of dice controls the movement of a player piece along the outer continuous path. The game also includes a timing device and a set of dice. The formation of the words are determined by the categories provided by the category cards and includes limitations such as the use of penalty cards, the restriction that words formed must incorporate at least one letter of a previously formed word, and the inability to form words without the use of tiles.
Accordingly, it is considered desirable to have a board game apparatus having a playing area with a surface for erasable marking of letters, such that the letters can be entered onto spaces and then wiped away after the game is over; a surface where word tiles and player identification pieces can be removably stuck to the surface and then later removed when the game is over, a die having the term "ZAP" printed on one side of the die directing the player to spin a spinning device and to follow the instructions provided by the spinning device, and the ability to form words in the inner playing area by placing the letters forward, backward, vertically, horizontally or diagonally.


A turbine shroud for use in a gas turbine engine includes a carrier, a blade track segment, and a load-distribution system. The carrier is arranged around a central axis of the turbine shroud. The blade track segment is configured to be supported by the carrier. The load-distribution system is positioned between the carrier and the blade track segment to distribute loads transmitted between the carrier and the blade track segment.

Gas turbine engines are used to power aircraft, watercraft, power generators, and the like. Gas turbine engines typically include a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine. The compressor compresses air drawn into the engine and delivers high pressure air to the combustor. In the combustor, fuel is mixed with the high pressure air and is ignited. Products of the combustion reaction in the combustor are directed into the turbine where work is extracted to drive the compressor and, sometimes, an output shaft, fan, or propeller. Left-over products of the combustion reaction are exhausted out of the turbine and may provide thrust in some applications.
Compressors and turbines typically include alternating stages of static vane assemblies and rotating wheel assemblies. The rotating wheel assemblies include disks carrying blades around their outer edges. When the rotating wheel assemblies turn, tips of the blades move along blade tracks included in static shrouds that are arranged around the rotating wheel assemblies.
Some shrouds are formed by a number of blade track segments arranged circumferentially adjacent to one another to form a hoop and an annular carrier arranged around the hoop of blade track segments. Such shrouds sometimes include components having different rates of thermal expansion which may cause the components to experience areas of localized stress during heating and cooling of the shroud.

Gas turbine engine with compliant layer for turbine shroud mounts

Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.


A screen control method is provided. The method includes: detecting, by a mobile terminal, a moving direction of the mobile terminal; detecting, by the mobile terminal, an orientation of a screen of the mobile terminal; receiving, by the mobile terminal, posture information sent by a wearable device, the posture information including a palm orientation of a user of the mobile terminal; sending, by the mobile terminal, a screen recognition instruction to smart glasses when each of the moving direction, the orientation of the screen, and the palm orientation is in a first direction; powering on the screen when screen recognition success information sent by the smart glasses is received; and powering off the screen when each of the moving direction, the orientation of the screen, and the palm orientation is in a second direction, the second direction being different from the first direction.

With the development of communication technology, mobile phones have been widely used by users in daily life. When a mobile phone is in a standby mode, a user may power off the screen to save power, and when the user uses the mobile phone again, the user usually needs to press a button on the mobile phone to turn on the screen.