A holster assembly for integral attachment to a garment of the type typically worn by individuals engaged in law enforcement and related activities. The holster assembly comprising a flexible backing member having an outer mountable surface for sewingly attaching thereto an intermediate backing member, which is capable of supporting and mounting thereon a pocket for receiving and accepting therein a rigid sleeve fitted interiorly with a Taser® device. The pocket is fabricated from a unified piece of material and shaped accordingly to distinctly define a frontal tapered member bounded by a right side member and a left side member integrally incorporating an outer extending flange. The pocket is further supported by and fitted with a base member connected along its leading edge to a bottom end of each side member, along a leading edge of the frontal tapered member, and to a lowermost portion of the intermediate backing member. A shortened sleeve strap is connected to a top end of the right side member, while a second end is connected to a portion of the rigid sleeve to assist in securing its position within the pocket. A lengthened strap member, which comprises an end mounted to the outer mountable surface and a second end temporally connected to an apex section of the outer mountable surface, slippingly engages over a lower handle portion of the Taser® device to further retain its position within the rigid sleeve.

As part of their official duties, law enforcement and security personnel must carry on themselves at all times many forms of official equipment for personal defense and restraint of apprehended persons. Typically, official equipment may comprise a collection of at least one lethal weapon in the form of a firearm, a set of handcuffs, pepper spray, nightstick, flashlight, radio, keys, gloves, and a whistle. Advancement in technology and public sentiment toward the use of deadly force by law enforcement officers and security personnel, however, has led to the development and use of a variety of non-lethal weapons, such as a Taser® device. Non-lethal weapons are largely complementary to existing lethal weapons and have not acted as a direct replacement therefor. The adaptation of the Taser® device in today's society largely adds to the present list of official equipment law enforcement personnel must carry during his or her undertaking of an official duty. Like a firearm, the Taser® device must be made readily accessible to a law enforcement officer whom is required to immediately act within his or her scope of official duties.
Individuals acting in their official capacity may commonly carry and hold the official equipment about and along their waistline by means of a belt or a similarly configured device. In order to provide for more secure containment of the official equipment, the belt may comprise an assortment of pouches and compartments specially configured for the equipment. The belt in this instance may supplementally serve in its recognized role or capacity to hold an individual's trousers about the waistline. Because of this dual purpose and recognizable functionality, these belts may become very heavy and discomforting to the wearer, particularly when it is loaded with official equipment. Because of the assortment of equipment one must carry and the weight associated therewith, the belt is typically fabricated from a heavy-weighted leather to ensure a more long durable life to its wearer.
As suggested above, the belt may comprise a number of individual pouches and compartments each being of a specific size and shape to adequately store the official equipment as exemplified above to ensure reliable accessibility thereto and mitigate risk of loss thereof. To make the official equipment generally more accessible to the wearer during his or her official duties, each pouch and compartment is preferably positioned about the belt's front and left and right sides. Placement of the pouches primarily on the front and left and right sides of the belt promotes an added benefit of comfort and safety during one's pursuit and undertaking of an official duty, such as sitting at a desk and driving an automobile.
The art recognizes that an individual involved in law enforcement and the like may have unique needs and requirements for holding and containing official equipment other than that of a belt described above, possibly to coincide with a specific duty or task associated with a particular job function or distribute the weight of the official equipment more about the wearer for increased comfort. Other supplementary devices serving in the capacity to store and contain official equipment about an individual may include a vest, a handbag, a shoulder bag, a waist bag, and a hip- or leg-mounted holster. Notwithstanding the viability of these supplementary devices for containing official equipment, each may comprise a unique advantage and disadvantage central to the aspect of concealment, wearer's comfort, and ability to gain quick and easy access to the official equipment during an emergency or in a crisis situation.
Vests come in a variety of shapes and forms to serve unique needs and requirements of an individual involved in law enforcement. A vest configured for wear underneath an outer garment like a shirt or jacket may further serve in concealing official equipment such as a firearm, while a vest configured for outer wear may promote convenience and ready access to the official equipment, but unduly compromising an often needed function of concealment. Regardless of the configuration, an added layer of clothing can promote a distinct disadvantage, particularly in hot weather, where a wearer's body temperature may unacceptably increase during engagement of a strenuous activity. To regulate body temperature, the wearer may be required to remove the vest temporarily from time to time, which may compromise its continued functionality and possibly increase risk of loss of the official equipment. In similar respects, particularly in cold weather, an individual may be required to wear a vest over a heavy winter coat or similar garment. The transition between outdoor and indoor environments may be a challenge especially if the official equipment stored within and on the vest needs to be accessible to the wearer at all times. Depending on the working conditions, a great number of outdoor to indoor and indoor to outdoor environmental transitions may be required during a typical workday, which consequently increases the number of times the vest must be repositioned about the wearer to sustain an acceptable level of climatic comfort.
A handbag, shoulder bag and waist bag each equally serve as adequate means for containing and storing official equipment required of law enforcement and security personnel. A handbag, for instance, may be configured for effective containment of the official equipment by comprising a variety of specially shaped compartments, but its use preoccupies a law enforcement officer's hand. Depending upon the circumstances, a law enforcement officer may be at a significant disadvantage if one or both hands are not free and available for use during an undertaking of an official duty. Additionally, since the handbag is not connected to the uniform in any physical manner, but to the individual, there may be an opportune moment for misplacement of the handbag during a momentary relief of duty.
Likewise, a shoulder bag may equally serve in the capacity to contain and carry the official equipment. However, since the shoulder bag is not integral to a law enforcement officer's uniform, it may also present an opportunity for misplacement. In further respects, straps or a harness assembly often associated with the shoulder bag by design may inadvertently catch passing objects or serve as effective means for grabbing the shoulder bag and retrieving the official equipment from a law enforcement officer by another, possibly by a perpetrator of a crime in pursuit. Moreover, the straps or the harness assembly may unacceptably serve as means for grabbing and leveraging down the law enforcement officer in an uncompromising position during a close combat situation. In either event, the availability of the official equipment for use by the law enforcement officer is unduly compromised and appreciably diminished during the line of duty.
A waist bag, like that of a shoulder bag, may equally serve in carrying and storing official equipment. However, a bag of this type may share the same location of the belt described above with its own number of compartments, which may lessen the overall effectiveness thereof for full and complete access to the official equipment or unacceptably increase the weight along and about the waistline. Like the positioning of compartments integrally attached to a belt, the waist bag will be positioned about the front or side waistline of an individual to permit convenient access to the official equipment and to enhance comfort during performance of an official task such as sitting and driving an automobile.
A holster may be regarded as the most common compartmental means for carrying official equipment by a law enforcement officer, but tends to be selectively directed for a specific use or application. The challenge is that the vast majority of traditional holsters are designed for carrying conventional firearms and not non-lethal weapons, notably a Taser® device. Their basic structure makes them useful for carrying a firearm in a manner that allows for quick access and retrieval thereof by the law enforcement officer. The most challenging aspect of holster use is balancing the need for securing and containing the firearm to prevent inadvertent misuse and providing quick and immediate access thereto during a crisis situation. Traditional holsters tend to be fabricated from a heavy-weighted leather, like that of the belt described above, and are worn and connected to an individual's hip or waistline, typically by means of a supplementary belt. Most individuals are either left- or right-hand dominant requiring placement of the firearm holster on the corresponding left or right side hip. Placement of the firearm holster about the hip, regardless of orientation, leaves little to no space for additional compartmental storage for other official equipment like that of the Taser® device. Nonetheless, the art recognizes that the holster may alternatively be placed and positioned about an individual's lower leg to retain compartmental storage about one's hip, as particularly described above, while permitting effective concealment of the firearm underneath a pant leg. As with this configuration, however, an individual's capacity or ability to effectively withdraw a lethal or non-lethal weapon during an emergency or in a crisis situation may appreciably diminish to an unacceptable level.
Accordingly, there remains a need for a holster assembly suited for integral attachment to a garment and comprises compartmental storage for secure containment of a holster sleeve and an accompanying non-lethal weapon, such as a Taser® device, about an individual that primarily affords convenient and immediate access thereto during an emergency or in a crisis situation, yet retains a level of comfort to the wearer and fulfills the ability to carry other forms of official equipment about the waistline, possibly by means of a belt integrally equipped with pouches and compartments or a waist bag.

Holster assembly for integral attachment to a garment


A forming fabric including a sheet contact layer of woven material and a base layer formed of a layer of spiral turns formed by a spirally-wound material strip, the material strip having a width which is smaller in width than the forming fabric, the longitudinal axis of the spiral turns making an angle with said machine direction of the fabric. The sheet contact layer and the base layer are laminated to one another to form a single fabric.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the papermaking arts. More specifically, the present invention relates to forming fabrics for the forming section of a paper machine.
2. Description of the Prior Art
During the papermaking process, a cellulosic fibrous web is formed by depositing a fibrous slurry, that is, an aqueous dispersion of cellulose fibers, onto a moving forming fabric in the forming section of a paper machine. A large amount of water is drained from the slurry through the forming fabric, leaving the cellulosic fibrous web on the surface of the forming fabric.
The newly formed cellulosic fibrous web proceeds from the forming section to a press section, which includes a series of press nips. The cellulosic fibrous web passes through the press nips supported by a press fabric, or, as is often the case, between two such press fabrics. In the press nips, the cellulosic fibrous web is subjected to compressive forces which squeeze water therefrom, and which adhere the cellulosic fibers in the web to one another to turn the cellulosic fibrous web into a paper sheet. The water is accepted by the press fabric or fabrics and, ideally, does not return to the paper sheet.
The paper sheet finally proceeds to a dryer section, which includes at least one series of rotatable dryer drums or cylinders, which are internally heated by steam. The newly formed paper sheet is directed in a serpentine path sequentially around each in the series of drums by a dryer fabric, which holds the paper sheet closely against the surfaces of the drums. The heated drums reduce the water content of the paper sheet to a desirable level through evaporation.
It should be appreciated that the forming, press and dryer fabrics all take the form of endless loops on the paper machine and function in the manner of conveyors. It should further be appreciated that paper manufacture is a continuous process, which proceeds at considerable speeds. That is to say, the fibrous slurry is continuously deposited onto the forming fabric in the forming section, while a newly manufactured paper sheet is continuously wound onto rolls after it exits from the dryer section.
Among others, the properties of surface smoothness, absorbency, strength, softness, and aesthetic appearance are important for many products when used for their intended purpose.
Papers and tissue towel can be produced using a variety of processes. Conventional manufacturing machines include a delivery of the suspension of cellulosic fiber onto one or between two forming fabrics. This partially dewatered sheet is then transferred to a press fabric, which dewaters the sheet further as it transfers the sheet to the surface of a large dryer. The fully dried sheet is removed from the dryer surface and wound onto rolls for further processing.
An alternative process employs a through air drying (TAD) unit either replacing the press fabric above with another woven fabric which transfers the sheet from the forming fabric to the through air drying fabric. It is this fabric, which transfers the sheet to a TAD cylinder where hot air is blown through the wet cellulosic sheet, simultaneously drying the sheet and enhancing sheet bulk and softness.
Woven fabrics take many different forms. For example, they may be woven endless, or flat woven and subsequently rendered into endless form with a seam.
The present invention relates specifically to the forming fabrics used in the forming section. Forming fabrics play a critical role during the paper manufacturing process. One of their functions, as implied above, is to form and convey the paper product being manufactured to the press section or next papermaking operation.
The upper surface of the forming fabric, to which the cellulosic fibrous web is applied, should be as smooth as possible in order to assure the formation of a smooth, unmarked sheet. Quality requirements for forming require a high level of uniformity to prevent objectionable drainage marks.
Of equal importance, however, forming fabrics also need to address water removal and sheet formation issues. That is, forming fabrics are designed to allow water to pass through (i.e. control the rate of drainage) while at the same time prevent fiber and other solids from passing through with the water. If drainage occurs too rapidly or too slowly, the sheet quality and machine efficiency suffers. To control drainage, the space within the forming fabric for the water to drain, commonly referred to as void volume, must be properly designed.
Contemporary forming fabrics are produced in a wide variety of styles designed to meet the requirements of the paper machines on which they are installed for the paper grades being manufactured. Generally, they comprise a base fabric that is usually woven from monofilament yarns and may be single-layered or multi-layered. The yarns are typically extruded from any one of several synthetic polymeric resins, such as polyamide and polyester resins, metal or other material suitable for this purpose and known by those of ordinary skill in the paper machine clothing arts.
The design of forming fabrics typically involves a compromise between the desired fiber support and fabric stability. A fine fabric having small diameter yarns and a high number of yarns in both the MD and CD directions may provide the desired paper surface and fiber support properties, but such design may lack the desired stability resulting in a short fabric life. By contrast a coarse fabric having larger diameter yarns and few of them may provide stability and long life at the expense of fiber support and the potential for marking. To minimize the design tradeoff and optimize both support and stability, multi-layer fabrics were developed. For example, in double and triple layer fabrics, the forming side is designed for fiber support while the wear side is designed for strength, stability, drainage, and wear resistance.
In addition, triple layer designs allow the forming surface of the fabric to be woven independently of the wear surface. Because of this independence, triple layer designs can provide a high level of fiber support and an optimum internal void volume. Thus, triple layers may provide significant improvement in drainage over single and double layer designs.
Currently known triple layer fabrics typically consist of two fabrics, the forming layer and the wear layer, held together by binding yarns. The binding is extremely important to the overall integrity of the fabric. One problem with triple layer fabrics has been relative slippage between the two layers, which breaks down the fabric over time. In addition, the binding yarns can disrupt the structure of the forming layer resulting in marking of the paper. See e.g., Osterberg (U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,303), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
In order to further improve the integrity of the fabric and sheet support, triple layer fabrics were created incorporating binder pairs. These pairs of binders are incorporated into the structure in a variety of weave patterns and picking sequences. See e.g., Seabrook et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,627) and Ward (U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,195), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Another problem inherent to papermaking fabrics is wear caused by abrasion between the fabric and the various surfaces of the papermaking machine on which the fabric is installed. As mentioned above, the fabric is installed as a continuous belt, which is rotated through the papermaking machine at considerable speeds. This constant high-speed motion causes significant wear, which necessitates frequent and costly replacement of the fabrics.
Further, the current methods for the production of laminate forming fabrics are cumbersome, time consuming, and very expensive. Moreover, to effectuate a smooth surface as desired often complex and intricate seaming or joining is necessary. In such an instance the machine directions (MD) yarns of a flat woven fabric are rewoven back into the fabric at each end to effectuate a continuous layer. This is time consuming, expensive and can be a weak part of the fabric. Further, this area is prone to damaging or marking the paper.
Since forming, press, and dryer fabrics all need to be made at a variety of lengths and widths, alternative methods are sought to expedite manufacture of these products.
For example, most press fabrics today are woven endless, or in a continuous loop. This requires more expensive and different size weaving looms, some as wide as 32 meters.
In response to this need to produce press fabrics in a variety of lengths and widths more quickly and efficiently, press fabrics have been produced in recent years using a spiral technique disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,656 to Rexfelt et al., the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,656 shows a base fabric comprising at least one layer composed of a spirally wound strip of woven fabric having a width which is smaller than the width of the base fabric. The base fabric is endless in the longitudinal, or machine, direction. Lengthwise threads of the spirally wound strip make an angle with the longitudinal direction of the press fabric. The strip of woven fabric may be flat-woven on a loom, which is narrower than those typically used in the production of paper machine clothing.
The base fabric comprises a plurality of spirally wound and joined turns of the relatively narrow woven fabric strip. The fabric strip is woven from lengthwise (warp) and crosswise (filling) yarns. Adjacent turns of the spirally wound fabric strip may be abutted against one another, and the helically continuous seam so produced may be closed by sewing, stitching, melting, welding (e.g. ultrasonic) or gluing. Alternatively, adjacent longitudinal edge portions of adjoining spiral turns may be arranged overlappingly, so long as the edges have a reduced thickness, so as not to give rise to an increased thickness in the area of the overlap. Further, the spacing between lengthwise yarns may be increased at the edges of the strip, so that, when adjoining spiral turns are arranged overlappingly, there may be an unchanged spacing between lengthwise threads in the area of the overlap.
In any case, a woven base fabric, taking the form of an endless loop and having an inner surface, a longitudinal (machine) direction and a transverse (cross-machine) direction, is the result. The lateral edges of the woven base fabric are then trimmed to render them parallel to its longitudinal (machine) direction. The angle between the machine direction of the woven base fabric and the helically continuous seam may be relatively small, that is, typically less than 10°. By the same token, the lengthwise (warp) yarns of the woven fabric strip make the same relatively small angle with the longitudinal (machine) direction of the woven base fabric. Similarly, the crosswise (filling) yarns of the woven fabric strip, being perpendicular to the lengthwise (warp) yarns, make the same relatively small angle with the transverse (cross-machine) direction of the woven base fabric. In short, neither the lengthwise (warp) nor the crosswise (filling) yarns of the woven fabric strip align with the longitudinal (machine) or transverse (cross-machine) directions of the woven base fabric.
In the method shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,656, the woven fabric strip is wound around two parallel rolls to assemble the woven base fabric. It will be recognized that endless base fabrics in a variety of lengths and widths may be provided by spirally winding a relatively narrow piece of woven fabric strip around the two parallel rolls, the length of a particular endless base fabric being determined by the length of each spiral turn of the woven fabric strip, and the width being determined by the number of spiral turns of the woven fabric strip. The prior necessity of weaving complete base fabrics of specified lengths and widths to order may thereby be avoided. Instead, a loom as narrow as 20 inches (0.5 meters) could be used to produce a woven fabric strip, but, for reasons of practicality, a conventional textile loom having a width of from 40 to 60 inches (1.0 to 1.5 meters) may be preferred.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,656 also shows a fabric comprising a base fabric having two layers, each composed of a spirally wound strip of woven fabric. Both layers take the form of an endless loop, one being inside the endless loop formed by the other. Preferably, the spirally wound strip of woven fabric in one layer spirals in a direction opposite to that of the strip of woven fabric in the other layer. That is to say, more specifically, the spirally wound strip in one layer defines a right-handed spiral, while that in the other layer defines a left-handed spiral. In such a structure, the lengthwise (warp) yarns of the woven fabric strip in each of the two layers make relatively small angles with the longitudinal (machine) direction of the woven base fabric, and the lengthwise (warp) yarns of the woven fabric strip in one layer make an angle with the lengthwise (warp) yarns of the woven fabric strip in the other layer. Similarly, the crosswise (filling) yarns of the woven fabric strip in each of the two layers make relatively small angles with the transverse (cross-machine) direction of the woven base fabric, and the crosswise (filling) yarns of the woven fabric strip in one layer make an angle with the crosswise (filling) yarns of the woven fabric strip in the other layer. In short, neither the lengthwise (warp) nor the crosswise (filling) yarns of the woven fabric strip in either layer align with the longitudinal (machine) or transverse (cross-machine) directions of the base fabric. Further, neither the lengthwise (warp) nor the crosswise (filling) yarns of the woven fabric strip in either layer align with those of the other.
Since the Rexfelt '656 fabric is the base for a press fabric, the two or more layers are held together, or laminated through the use of needled batt fibers. Batt fiber is not used as a component of a fabric in the forming section of a paper machine.
Accordingly, there is a need to produce a cost effective and efficient means of producing a forming fabric having both a smooth contact surface, effective drainage, and sufficient fabric support.

Unique modular construction for use as a forming fabric in papermaking or tissue or nonwovens


A reamer includes a cutting tip mounted in the circumferential wall of the base body of the cutting head of the reamer, and at least one guide bead located in a groove formed in the base body and extending in the longitudinal direction of the base body. The guide bead has a contact surface containing at least regionwise a diamond material.

The invention relates to a reamer, in particular to a single-cutter reamer having a base body in the circumferential wall of which, a cutting tip and at least one guide bead, received in a groove extending in the longitudinal direction of the base body, are mounted. Single-cutter reamers of the described type are used for machining bore surfaces in workpieces. For obtaining a bore with optimal surface qualities and very precise bore dimensions, a relative rotation between the workpiecee and a tool, the reamer, is effected, and the reamer is introduced into the bore of the workpiece. By rotation of the tool, chips are cut of the bore wall with the cutting edge of the cutting tip, which cutting edge has an orbit that is larger then the orbit of the outermost surface of the guide bead of the reamer. The reamer is guided inside the bore by a least one, preferably two guide beads. Because the cutting tip exerts a cutting force on the bore wall, the guide beads apply a corresponding supporting force. The resulting friction between the guide beads and the bore wall leads to build-up of the material of the machined bore wall on the guide beads, especially in the regions of the guide bead that contact the bore wall under high pressure. Because of the build-up of material on the guide beads, the once established diameter cannot be maintained. Because of this, a reliable guiding of the tool inside the bore cannot be assured any more, and fluctuations, which lead to a non-round bore with reduced surface qualities, take place.
Accordingly, the object of the invention is a reamer having an extremely long service life due to a reduced build-up of material on the guide beads.

Mapal Fabrik fur Prazisionswerkzeuge Dr. Kress KG


A method of controlling the energization of a heating device for the regeneration of a particle filter disposed in the exhaust duct of an internal combustion engine, particularly a Diesel engine, wherein a measure for the soot charge state of the particle filter the exhaust gas back pressure is determined while the engine is preferably idling, the exhaust gas recirculation is switched off, and predetermined conditions are present in the exhaust gas duct upstream of the particle filter, and then an exhaust gas back pressure signal is compared with a threshold value indicating a soot charge sufficient for the initiation of a regeneration of the particle filter and the heating device is enabled for the initiation of the regeneration procedure if the exhaust gas back pressure signal is greater than the threshold value.

This invention resides in a method of controlling a heating device for the regeneration of a particle filter arranged in the exhaust duct of an internal combustion engine such as a Diesel engine, wherein the exhaust gas back pressure caused by the particle filter is determined as an indication for the soot charge state of the particle filter.
For the reduction of the emission of particles, particularly the emission of soot during operation of Diesel engines, so-called Diesel particle filters are installed in the exhaust duct of the Diesel engine such that the exhaust gas is conducted through the filter body of these particle filters. During this process, particles contained in the exhaust gas are deposited on the upstream surface of the filter body, particularly soot particles. Starting with a new particle filter without any soot deposits increasing amounts of soot are deposited on the upstream surface of the filter body over a period of operation. In order to ensure that the sufficient exhaust gas can flow through the filter over an extended period, the soot removed from the exhaust gas and deposited on the particle filter must be removed from time to time. The removal of the soot from the particle filter is also called regeneration of the filter.
For the regeneration of such a particle filter the soot deposited on the filter is burnt off. The removal of this soot deposited on the upstream filter surface occurs automatically when the temperature of the exhaust gas reaching the surface of the particle filter is higher than the ignition temperature of the soot. In a Diesel engine, this is the case if it is operated over a certain time under a certain load, for example, in a passenger vehicle during high speed Autobahn travel. However, in order to ensure regeneration and consequently the intended operation of a particle filter also under engine load conditions when the exhaust gas temperature is below the ignition temperature of the soot, methods have been developed by which the particle filter can be regenerated depending on the soot charge state of the particle filter. Then the soot is burnt off by the generation of additional thermal energy for example, by thermoelectric heating elements or by a burner or an oxygen control which results in increased exhaust gas temperatures. In order to provide for a predetermined regeneration of the particle filter by burning off the soot, a certain amount of soot must have been collected on the upstream surface of the particle filter. If the amount of soot collected on the filter surface is too small, the soot may be burnt off only incompletely. And if the amount of soot collected on the filter surface is too large, the particle filter may be damaged during soot burn off.
For this reason, in a known method this exhaust gas back pressure in the exhaust duct ahead of the particle filter is determined since the exhaust gas back pressure is a measure for the charge state of the particle filter. With increasing soot charge of the particle filter the exhaust gas back pressure increases. However, the back pressure developing in this part of the exhaust gas duct is not only dependent on the charge state of the particle filter, but also on other engine operating values, for example, the engine load at the point in time when the exhaust gas back pressure is measured. In motor vehicles in which this method is used, therefore for determining the charge state of the particle filter, not only the exhaust gas back pressure is measured, but also the operating state of the engine and particularly engine load values such as the combustion air flow supplied to the engine and engine speed are taken into consideration. With these and additional values the exhaust gas pressure is evaluated for the determination of the charge state of particle filter while eliminating the fault values which are included in the exhaust gas back pressure signal but which are not usable for the determination of the charge state of the particle filter. In this regard, such a method, if used for example in connection with a motor vehicle or in connection with construction machinery powered by a Diesel engine, must include several data intersections for determining the required values and evaluating them. Even if the establishment of the intersections should not be particularly problematic in connection with a new vehicle design it is in general an exclusion criterion to install in an existing motor vehicle. A Diesel particle filter must be regenerated after certain periods of operation if this is to be done at reasonable expense. The same applies to construction machinery.
Based on the state of the art as discussed above it is the object of the present invention to provide a method of installing a heating device of a particle filter wherein the soot charge state of the filter can be sufficiently accurately determined without the need for several intersections for supplying certain engine operating condition values.

Method of controlling a heating device of a particle filter


The invention relates to a method and device for operating an electric machine (10) for outputting a predefined torque and a predefined rotational speed, comprising the following steps: providing (420) a first and a second operating mode for the operation of the electric machine (10); detecting (430) a temperature of the electric machine (10); and operating the electric machine (10) in the first operating mode (440) if the detected temperature falls below a threshold value, and operating the electric machine (10) in the second operating mode (450) if the detected temperature corresponds with the threshold value or exceeds same. During the operation of the electric machine (10) in the second operating mode (450), with the resulting output of the predefined torque and the predefined rotational speed, the magnetic stator flux of the electric machine (10) is reduced compared with the magnetic stator flux of the electric machine (10) during the operation of the electric machine (10) in the first operating mode (440), with the resulting output of the predefined torque and the predefined rotational speed.

The invention relates to a method and a device for operating an electric machine for outputting a predetermined torque and a predetermined rotational speed. The invention furthermore relates to a logic unit, a drive train having a corresponding logic unit and a vehicle having a corresponding drive train and a computer program and a machine-readable storage medium.
An electric drive, in particular an electric machine, heats up during operation. To enable an electric machine to output a torque and rotate, magnets are incorporated in an electric machine, in particular in the rotor. The material properties of magnets are temperature-dependent. The greater the temperature of the magnets, the smaller the permissible opposing magnetic field load. If the permissible opposing magnetic field load is exceeded by an applied opposing magnetic field, the magnets demagnetize irreversibly. With at least partially demagnetized magnets, an electric machine no longer delivers the specified power or it fails completely if the magnets are demagnetized. During operation of an electric machine, the magnets are exposed to an opposing magnetic field. So long as this is smaller than the permissible opposing magnetic field load, the magnets are not damaged. With an increasing load on the electric machine, both motoric and generatoric, and therefore associated increasing phase currents through the electric machine, the opposing magnetic field forming within the electric machine becomes greater. Very high phase current amplitudes within the electric machine are produced temporarily when making the so-called active short circuit of the electric machine. To this end, the three phases, for example, of an electric machine are connected by the inverter to a common potential, in particular the negative potential of a battery. An electric machine is switched to the active short circuit if a fault is present in the electric drive system, so that the electric machine is brought into a safe state. Graphs which represent the torque of the electric machine over its rotational speed and plot the value of the corresponding current amplitudes when making an active short circuit show that the highest phase current amplitudes within the electric machine form if the active short circuit is made in the generatoric vertex. The greatest opposing magnetic field within the electric machine forms accordingly at this operating point, which loads the magnets. For reliable operation of an electric machine, it must be possible to make the active short circuit at any time. To prevent damage or a defect in the electric machine in the event of a fault, it must therefore be ensured that the generated opposing magnetic field is always smaller than the permissible opposing magnetic field load. Since the permissible opposing magnetic field load decreases with the increase in temperature, the operating range of the electric machine must be restricted when the temperature increases. To this end, the torque to be output was hitherto limited when the temperature of the electric machine increased. Consequently, the current amplitudes generated when making an active short circuit and the generated opposing magnetic field are lower than at low temperatures. Reliable operation of the electric machine is thus ensured over a large temperature range. However, the disadvantage with this is that the torque which can be output is limited at higher temperatures. If such a drive is incorporated in a vehicle, the implication for the driver of a vehicle is that the acceleration of the vehicle varies subject to the temperature of the electric machine.
In the prior art, the field load occurring when making the active short circuit therefore determines the rotor limit temperature and thereby also has a direct influence on the achievable continuous performance or continuous capacity with regard to the torque or power of the electric machine. In addition to limiting the torque which can be output, the cooling of the rotor can be improved to lower the magnet temperature, e.g. by active liquid cooling of the motor shaft. Alternatively, the machine can also be configured to be overdimensioned in order to slow down the heating of the rotor. Another solution is the use of magnetic material with a higher content of heavy rare earths, which have a lower tendency to demagnetize.
Solutions are therefore required which at least minimize the restriction of the operating range of an electric machine subject to the temperature, in particular the limiting of the torque to be output, in particular without implementing structural changes to the machine or the configuration thereof. The achievable continuous torque and the achievable continuous power of the electric machine are advantageously increased.

Method and device for operating an electric machine for outputting a predefined torque and a predefined rotational speed


A forced-air-cooled engine has a main blow-out opening provided to a back plate of a cooling fan cover at a position facing a cylinder part for blowing out cooling air for cooling a cylinder part and a secondary blow-out opening provided to the back plate at a position opposite to the main blow-out opening in regard to the crankshaft center for cooling a part of a crankcase part, wherein a cooling air guide cover is equipped which is composed of a cylinder air-guide cover part which guides air blown out from the main blow-out opening to flow to cool the cylinder part and cylinder head, and a top cover part which guides air blown out from the secondary blow-out opening to flow along a side face of the crankcase part to cool there and then flow into midstream of the cooling air flow blown out from the main blow-out opening and cooling the cylinder part and cylinder head.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a forced-air-cooled engine composed of a cylinder block integrated with a crankcase, which is a single block integrating a crankcase part and a cylinder part that extends aslant from the crankcase part, particularly to a cooling air guide cover for distributing the cooling air effectively to improve cooling of the engine.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a single cylinder, forced-air-cooled engine, with the air energized by the cooling fan attached to an end of the crankshaft being blown out from the opening of the fan cover, the air is guided to the cylinder and cylinder head having a plurality of cooling fins around their outer surfaces to flow through the spaces between the fins to cool the cylinder and cylinder head.
In Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2003-56408 an inclined cylinder type engine having a crankcase-integrated cylinder block is disclosed, with the cylinder block being composed of a crankcase part and a cylinder part cast in one piece. In this engine, in addition to a cylinder air-guide cover (air cover), a first exhaust air guide and a second exhaust air guide are provided for guiding the cooling air after cooling the cylinder to the carburetor to heat it in order to prevent occurrence of congelation in the carburetor.
However, the cylinder air-guide cover and exhaust air guide cover only the cylinder and cylinder head and do not cover the crankcase part to guide cooling air, and the crankcase part is cooled by natural cooling by the ambient air.
Another example of an inclined cylinder type, forced-air-cooled engine is shown in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, a cylinder block 3 is a cast unit with a cylinder part 7 and a crankcase part 3A cast integrally, the cylinder part 7 extending aslant from the crankcase part 3A. A cylinder head 101 is attached on top of the cylinder part 7. A valve drive mechanism is provided on the cylinder head and covered by a cylinder head cover.
Reference numeral 103 is an exhaust outlet of the cylinder head 101, 104 is an ignition plug, 105 is a cylinder air-guide cover, 106 is a fuel hose connecting a fuel tank (not shown in the drawing) to a fuel filter (not shown in the drawing). Reference numeral 3a indicates a root part of the cylinder part 7 (connection part of the cylinder part to the crankcase part). Reference numeral 4 is an output shaft of a crankshaft, a cooling fan (not shown in the drawing) being attached to the end opposite to the output shaft 4 (front side) of the crankshaft. A fan cover covering the cooling fan is provided in its back plate with a secondary blow-out opening 1b and a main blow-out opening (not visible in the drawing) for blowing out air energized by the cooling fan. Cooling air 5 blown out from the main blow-out opening hits the cylinder part and cylinder head and is guided by the cylinder air-guide cover to flow through spaces between cooling fins thereof to cool them and flow out into ambient air. Cooling air 6 blown out from the secondary blow-out opening 1b hits a part 3b of a side wall of the crankcase part 3A, cools the part 3b of the crankcase part 3A, and diffuses into the ambient air. Therefore, the crankcase part is cooled only locally, and most of the crankcase part is left to be cooled naturally by the ambient air. As mentioned above, in an engine of this kind, priority is put on cooling the cylinder and cylinder head, and generally positive cooling of the crankcase part is not considered, although in the case of the example a part of the crankcase part is cooled by hitting the cooling air blown out from the secondary blow-out opening.
In engines of this kind, lube oil is accumulated inside the crankcase part 3A and splash lubrication is adopted, that is, the lube oil in the crankcase part 3A is splashed by means of a projecting portion provided to the connecting rod, and oil cooler is not provided. Cooling of lube oil is usually left to natural cooling via the crankcase part.
However, the amount of heat generated increases and the surface from which to release heat decreases as engines of this kind are small sized and high powered, so lube oil temperature tends to become higher. Particularly, under a high temperature environment, the temperature of lube oil rises excessively and durability of the engine is deteriorated. Further, in recent years, many component parts made of plastic material are used for weight saving, for facilitating manufacturing, and for cost saving, so it is required to lower the temperature of the surface of the engine as far as possible to evade an excessive temperature rise of these parts.
In engines of this kind, a fuel hose connecting a fuel tank mounted on top of the engine to a fuel filter mounted in a lower part of the engine often passes a space behind the cylinder part downstream of the cooling air flow. In this case, the fuel hose is heated by the cooling air increased in temperature by cooling the engine, and vapor lock tends to occur in the fuel hose. To prevent this, a heat shield plate is often provided between the fuel hose and the cylinder part. The fuel hose is usually made of elastic material and it shakes due to vibration and/or shaking of the engine, so it often happens that the fuel hose contact with adjacent parts relatively increased in temperature by the exhausting cooling air and damaged. When the fuel hose is damaged, fuel leaks and fire may occur. As a means to fix a fuel hose, Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Application discloses a groove of semi-circular cross section for receiving the fuel hose on the end face of the crankcase part and cover the fuel hose by a hose cover.
However, with this art, it is not easy to form a groove of semi-circular cross section on the end face of the crankcase part.

Forced-air-cooled engine equipped with cooling air guide cover


A method and a device for detecting faulty functioning of actuators in the air system on internal combustion engines, an actuator being operated using at least two control states, one after the other, at least one sensor, whose output signal is a function of the excursion state of the actuator, reading out the output signal of this sensor being undertaken, and an assessment of the function of the controlled actuator being undertaken from the response of this output signal to the change of the control of the actuator, during the control of the actuator, at least the control of those other actuators included in the air system being kept constant as well as additional control signals for operating the internal combustion engine, which have an influence on the output signal of the sensor.

A plurality of mechanical actuators is used in motor vehicles, using which different operating parameters of the vehicle may be influenced. In order to ensure their performance reliability, these actuators have to be able to be checked. However, based on the increasing complexity of systems and components used in vehicles, a great depth of diagnostics is required for this. Fuel injection systems as well as the air system and the exhaust system of a vehicle without a doubt constitute a diagnosis area of concentration in this regard.
Malfunctions of actuators in the air system on internal combustion engines frequently lead, in an unrecognized manner, to an undesired performance reduction, increased fuel consumption, an overproportional increase in pollutant emissions as well as an increase in the wear of various assemblies during the operation of the internal combustion engine. In individual cases, the internal combustion engine may fail altogether. For this reason, methods are required for safely diagnosing possibly undetected malfunctions of actuators in the air system. This necessity comes about also with a view as to rising labor costs as well as the increasing complexity of assemblies used in motor vehicles which, when a fault in an individual assembly is not detected, may possibly have to be entirely replaced. Actuators in the air system of an internal combustion engine are located at various places and in different ways they influence the method of functioning of the entire system, this influence, as a rule, taking place in a manner not decoupled from the influence of other actuators in the air system. It is this circumstance that additionally complicates the search for faults with respect to malfunctions of actuators in the air system. At this time, and for that reason, reliable methods are not available for the detection of a defective, sticking or not completely closing actuator in the air system. Such actuators are located, for example, at the control flap (RKL), in the form of an exhaust gas recirculating valve (AGR), a swirl flap (EKAS) or for operating a turbocharger (VTG and WG). The actuators installed there may be restricted in their performance reliability or may fail completely, in the course of their operating life, for instance, by rusting or by wear.
Methods for diagnosing such functioning disturbances are based, these days, only on a simple motion test, in which the respective actuator is opened all the way and is subsequently closed again all the way. If possible, this motion test is supplemented by sight inspection, for a proper judgment of which, however, a good deal of experience is required if statements are to be made that go beyond the mere reaching of the end positions. A further possibility for fault analysis, during such a motion test, is in judging the noise emitted in each case by the internal combustion engine, for which, however, a lot of experience is also required, a subjective component always remaining, which the assessing person is never able to exclude. Indirect methods for assessing the functioning of actuators in particular, that is, for instance, noise analysis, always take place on the overall system, in this context, that is, a functional disturbance of an actuator to be analyzed, will have different effects as a function of the operating conditions under which the internal combustion engine is being operated, whereby in an analysis carried out in such a way, ambiguities may possibly remain which additionally make the fault diagnosis more difficult. It is possible, in particular, that a fault, that is to be diagnosed, is able to have different effects under different operating conditions, and this may lead to a wrong diagnosis.

Method and device for detecting malfunctions of actuators in the air system on internal combustion engines


Nucleic acid molecules and multimeric proteins capable of binding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF traps are disclosed which are therapeutically useful for treating VEGF-associated conditions and diseases, and are specifically designed for local administration to specific organs, tissues, and/or cells.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention encompasses fusion polypeptides capable of binding vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), VEGF family members, and splice variants with specifically desirable characteristics, as well as therapeutic methods of use.
2. Brief Summary of the Invention
In a first aspect, the invention features an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a fusion polypeptide comprising receptor components R1-R2-F, wherein R1 is vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) receptor component Ig domain 2 of Flt-1 (Flt1D2), R2 is VEGF receptor component Ig domain 3 of Flk-1 (Flk1D3) (also known as KDR), and F is a fusion component.
In a related second aspect, the invention features a VEGF-binding fusion polypeptide comprising VEGF receptor components R1-R2-F, wherein R1, R2, and F are as defined above. The components may be connected directly to each other or connected via one or more spacer sequences. In a preferred embodiment, R1 and R2 are the only receptor components present. In a specific embodiment, the VEGF-binding fusion polypeptide is amino acids 27-129 (R1) and 130-231 (R2) of SEQ ID NO:8, or a variant thereof.
The fusion component F is selected from the group consisting of a multimerizing component, a serum protein, or a molecule capable of binding a serum protein. In a preferred embodiment, F is a multimerizing component capable of interacting with a multimerizing component on another fusion polypeptide to form a multimeric structure, e.g., a dimer or trimer. Most preferably, the F is selected from the group consisting of (i) a multimerizing component comprising a cleavable region (C-region), (ii) a truncated multimerizing component, (iii) an amino acid sequence between 1 to about 200 amino acids in length having at least one cysteine residue, (iv) a leucine zipper, (v) a helix loop motif and (vi) a coil-coil motif. Preferably, the multimerizing component is an immunoglobulin domain. In one embodiment, F is a full-length or truncated immunoglobulin domain consisting of amino acids 232-458, 232-457, or 352-458 of SEQ ID NO:8.
The receptor components may be arranged in different orders, for example, R1R2F; R2R1F; R1FR2; R2FR1; FR1R2; FR2R1, etc. The components of the fusion polypeptide may be connected directly to each other, or connected via a spacer sequence.
In a third aspect, the invention features a multimeric VEGF-binding protein, comprising two or more fusion polypeptides of the invention (also called a VEGF "trap"). A VEGF trap composed of two fusion polypeptides having at least one truncated multimerizing component is termed a "truncated mini-trap." The multimeric VEGF-binding protein of the invention is capable of binding VEGF with an affinity (Kd) of at least 1×10−10 M, preferably at least 1×10−11 M, even more preferably at least 1×10−12 M, as measured by BIACORE™ based assays.
The C-region may be created in the multimerizing component by insertion, deletion, or mutation, such that an enzymatically or chemically cleavable site is created. The C-region may be created in any multimerizing component and at any position within; preferably, the C-region is created in a full-length Fc domain, or a fragment thereof, or a CH3 domain. The C-region may be a site cleavable by an enzyme, such as, thrombin, ficin, pepsin, matrilysin, or prolidase or cleavable chemically by, for example, formic acid or CuCl2.
In all embodiments of the VEGF-binding fusion polypeptides of the invention (including full length VEGF-binding fusion polypeptides, truncated VEGF-binding fusion polypeptides, etc.), a signal sequence (S) may be included at the beginning (or N-terminus) of the fusion polypeptide of the invention. The signal sequence may be native to the cell, recombinant, or synthetic.
The components of the fusion polypeptide may be connected directly to each other or be connected via spacers. In specific embodiments, one or more receptor and/or fusion partner components of the fusion polypeptide are connected directly to each other without spacers. In other embodiments, one or more receptor and/or fusion partner components are connected with spacers.
In a fourth aspect, the invention encompasses vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecules of the invention, including expression vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecule operatively linked to an expression control sequence. In a fifth aspect, the invention encompasses host-vector systems for the production of a fusion polypeptide which comprise the expression vector, in a suitable host cell; host-vector systems wherein the suitable host cell is a bacterial, yeast, insect, mammalian cell; an E. Coli cell, or a COS or CHO cell. Additional encompassed in a sixth aspect are VEGF-binding fusion polypeptides of the invention modified by acetylation or pegylation, and other post-translational modifications resulting from expression in a mammalian cell line. Methods for acetylating or pegylating a protein are well known in the art. In specific embodiments, the fusion polypeptide of the invention expressed in a mammalian cell line such as a CHO cell comprises amino acids 27-457 of SEQ ID NO:8 and is glycosylated at Asn residues 62, 94, 149, 222 and 308.
In a related seventh aspect, the invention features a method of producing a VEGF-binding fusion polypeptides of the invention, comprising culturing a host cell transfected with a vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence of the invention, under conditions suitable for expression of the protein from the host cell, and recovering the fusion polypeptides so produced.
The VEGF-binding fusion polypeptides of the invention are therapeutically useful for treating any disease or condition which is improved, ameliorated, or inhibited by removal, inhibition, or reduction of VEGF. A non-exhaustive list of specific conditions improved by inhibition or reduction of VEGF include, for example, undesirable plasma leakage or vascular permeability, undesirable blood vessel growth, e.g., such as in a tumor, edema associated with inflammatory disorders such as psoriasis or arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis; asthma; generalized edema associated with burns; ascites and pleural effusion associated with tumors, inflammation or trauma; chronic airway inflammation; asthma; capillary leak syndrome; sepsis; kidney disease associated with increased leakage of protein; pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and eye disorders such as age related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. The VEGF mini-trap is particularly useful in treatment of eye disorders, and as an adjuvant to eye surgeries, including glaucoma surgery; and the treatment of intra-ocular tumors, such as for example, uveal melanoma, retinoblastoma, via intravitreal delivery.
Accordingly, in an eighth aspect, the invention features a therapeutic method for the treatment of a VEGF-related disease or condition, comprising administering a VEGF-binding fusion polypeptide of the invention to a subject suffering from a VEGF-related disease or condition. Although any mammal can be treated by the therapeutic methods of the invention, the subject is preferably a human patient suffering from or at risk of suffering from a condition or disease which can be improved, ameliorated, inhibited or treated with a VEGF-binding fusion polypeptide of the invention.
In a ninth aspect, the invention features pharmaceutical compositions comprising a VEGF-binding fusion polypeptide of the invention with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Such pharmaceutical compositions may comprise a dimeric fusion polypeptide trap, or nucleic acids encoding the fusion polypeptide. The mini-traps of the invention find specific uses in conditions in which a VEGF inhibitor with reduced serum half life (e.g., faster clearance), and/or increased tissue penetration due to smaller size is desirable. Specific applications for the VEGF mini-trap include, for example, diseases where local administration to a specific tissue or cell is desirable. Examples of such a condition or disease are ocular diseases of the eye.
Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a review of the ensuing detailed description.

VEGF-binding fusion proteins and nucleic acids encoding the same


A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array having a plurality of memory cells coupled between a plurality of word lines and a plurality of bit line pairs, a bit line selection circuit configured to transmit data between a selected bit line pair and a local input/output line pair in response to a column selection signal, a local global input/output gate circuit configured to transmit data between the local input/output line pair and a global input/output line pair in response to a local global input/output selection signal, and a controller configured to drive the word lines, output the column selection signal having a first voltage level to the bit line selection circuit, and output the local global input/output selection signal having a second voltage level that is lower than the first voltage level to the local global input/output gate circuit, in response to an external address signal and an external command.

1. Field
Embodiments relate to a semiconductor memory device and, more particularly, to a semiconductor memory device having a data input/output circuit to prevent damage to a bit line during a data masking operation.
2. Description of Related Art
Semiconductor memory devices can permit a data masking operation to be performed to prevent undesired data from being read or written. In general, if the data masking operation is activated during a write operation, a controller of the semiconductor memory device blocks a data transmission control signal that controls an input/output driver driving a global input/output line, but a column selection signal and a local global input/output control signal are nevertheless output, which may damage bit lines of the device during the data masking operation.

Semiconductor memory device capable of preventing damage to a bitline during a data masking operation


Systems, methods and computer program products create an equivalent circuit of electric and/or electronic circuit components, by identifying groups of components and hierarchically modeling aggregate interactions among the groups of components, to create increasingly higher level circuit models, until the equivalent circuit for the components is produced. Hierarchical modeling is provided by defining global components that reflect aggregate parameters of the groups of components and modeling the aggregate interaction among the groups of components as interactions among the global components. Moreover, next higher level global components also are defined that reflect aggregate parameters of at least some of the global components, and the aggregate interaction among the groups of components is modeled as interactions among the next higher level global components. The groups of components may be remote from one another and the hierarchical modeling includes hierarchical modeling of aggregate parasitic couplings among the groups of components.

Simulation has long been used in the design and manufacture of microelectronic circuits and systems. Present day Ultra-Large Scale Integration (ULSI) devices may include up to hundreds of thousands, millions or more passive electric components and/or active electronic components in a microelectronic device, such as an integrated circuit chip, which are interconnected on the chip to perform a particular function. The large capital investment that generally is needed to fabricate microelectronic devices and the potential difficulty in reworking microelectronic devices which do not operate as planned, may increase the need to simulate circuit performance before manufacture.
Accordingly, many circuit simulators have been developed and marketed. Circuit simulators are typically software based, and are designed to accept a description of the circuit which defines the circuit topology and element values. Each element in the circuit is typically specified by an element line containing the element name, connected nodes, and electrical parameter values. Simulators typically simulate circuits which contain passive (electric) components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, mutual inductors, interconnects, voltage sources and current sources, and active (electronic) components such as diodes, bipolar junction transistors (BJT), junction field effect transistors (JFET) and metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFET). The simulator can typically be configured to generate a resistive-inductive-capacitive (RLC) equivalent circuit of the microelectronic device and to perform DC analysis, AC small signal analysis and/or transient analysis.
As the feature size of integrated circuits continues to shrink, and operating speeds increase, the characterization of the parasitic effects among the passive and active components may become difficult. For example, technology improvements for integrated circuits can continually decrease minimal feature sizes such that the task of modeling short-range parasitic interconnect couplings may become increasingly complex. The same technology improvements can facilitate larger integrated circuits/systems that are realized via component-based design methods to cope with design complexity and time-to-market constraints. The parasitics and the component based methods may make it desirable to model couplings between large portions of an integrated circuit chip for which the individual interconnect-to-interconnect couplings may be largely insignificant but the collective effect of all couplings may be important. Hierarchical models for interconnect parasitics therefore may become desirable for such systems.
At the lowest levels of modeling detail, hierarchical approaches have been used for interconnect parasitic extraction via a fast multipole method and a hierarchical refinement method. See, Greengard, The Rapid Evaluation of Potential Fields in Particle Systems, The MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass., 1987, and Nabors et al., FastCap: A Multipole Accelerated 3-D Capacitance Extraction Program, IEEE Trans. CAD, Vol. 10, No. 11, November 1991, pp. 1447–1459, respectively. These strategies can reduce the extraction complexity, usually to order linear in the number of source objects in the system. Conceptually this complexity reduction is made possible by representing the collective couplings/interactions between groups of conductors. Unfortunately, this hierarchy may be destroyed when the RLC equivalent circuit models are created for simulation.
More specifically, to map the extraction models to equivalent circuits, the far away coupling terms are typically discarded, or treated as couplings to ground. However, with the increasing dominance of coupling capacitance, and the emergence of on-chip inductance, modeling and design management of electromagnetic interactions between interconnects may become increasingly important. Even though the individual couplings between interconnect segments in adjacent components can be inconsequential, the composite couplings between the collective interconnects in each component can have a significant impact on performance. In addition, truncation of far field couplings to localize parasitic couplings can cause instabilities in the localized models. See, for example, Beattie et al., IC Analyses Including Extracted Inductance Models, 36th Design Automation Conference (DAC), June 1999.
In some cases design rules and rigid design practices can be enforced so that simpler models and analyses can be applied for final design verification. However, even in such cases, some understanding of the exact solution and the actual electromagnetic couplings, may be desired to validate the design rules.

Systems, methods and computer program products for creating hierarchical equivalent circuit models


A method of pipelining an error detection algorithm on an n-bit data word stored in a memory whereby the n-bit data word is first divided into segments. Then, each of the segments of the n-bit data word is read out from memory. Upon receiving a first of the segments, a portion of the error detection algorithm is computed using the first segment to produce a first error check result. Then a next one of the segments of the data word is received, upon which a next portion of the error detection algorithm is computed using the next segment and a most recently calculated check result of a computation of a prior portion of the error detection algorithm. This produces a revised error check result. If necessary, the above-described steps are repeated until all of the segments of the data word have been processed, wherein the revised error check result computed for the last segment is an error detection syndrome for the complete data word.

The invention relates generally to a DRAM memories and, more specifically, to a fault tolerant design for such memories.
In the past large digital memories have been implemented using large arrays one bit DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memories), i.e., DRAM made up of a very large number of single bit cells. More recently, DRAM made up of 4-bit cells has become popular and the prices of such devices have dropped sufficiently to make their use in systems requiring very RAM or cache storage more practical. However, the 4-bit DRAM has characteristics that are different from the single bit DRAM. For example, one cannot simply write directly to a single bit location in one of the 4-bit cells within the DRAM chip but rather must write to all four locations in the cell. These differences have produced some issue regarding how to utilize the 4-bit DRAM in existing system designs.

Method and apparatus for pipelining an error detection algorithm on an n-bit word stored in memory


In accordance with the present invention, there are provided improved methods for the preparation of maleimide monomers. This new method for the synthesis of maleimides is clearly superior to those documented in the prior art. Furthermore, the invention method utilizes materials with reduced toxicity, thus the overall process has a minimal impact on the environment. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that certain amine salts can be successfully used to replace the polar, aprotic solvents cited in the prior art for the cyclodehydration of maleamic acids. The use of these salts provides competitive reaction times and product yields relative to results obtained with the polar, aprotic solvents. These salts have the advantage of having no vapor pressure and, therefore, have no possibility to co-distill with the water produced by the cyclodehydration reaction. Furthermore, such salts can be tailored to have desirable solubility characteristics (i.e., soluble in the refluxing azeotropic solvent, but insoluble at room temperature) that permit their easy removal from the reaction product. Such salts are not destroyed during the cyclodehydration reaction and, therefore, can be efficiently recycled again and again.

Maleimides are considered to be high performance reactive monomers. The most useful members of this family are the bismaleimides (i.e., reactive monomers containing two maleimide functional groups per molecule). The maleimide function is very reactive and can be cured homogeneously via free radical or anionic mechanisms to yield a polymer linked through succinimide residues. The maleimide group is also a potent dienophile and is capable of reacting via a Diel's Alder mechanism with suitable dienes (or diene precursors such as benzocyclobutenes) to yield polymeric materials. The carbon-carbon double bond in the maleimide group is considered to be very electron deficient and has been observed to form perfectly alternating copolymers via a charge transfer mechanism with electron rich monomers (e.g., cyclo-olefins and vinyl ethers). Furthermore, aliphatic maleimide compounds have recently been shown to be capable of uncatalyzed photopolymerization. Finally, the maleimide group is a very useful reactant in the "ene reaction" and thus bismaleimdes can be used as vulcanizing agents for polyunsaturated polyolefins and rubbers.
The synthesis of maleimide compounds is typically accomplished in two steps. The first step involves the generation of an N-substituted maleamic acid by the direct reaction of a primary amine and maleic anhydride. The second step is the cyclodehydration of the maleamic acid to form the maleimide functional group. The overall scheme for the preparation of maleimide compounds is shown in scheme 1. ##STR1##
The formation of the maleamic acid is very facile and can usually be accomplished in quantitative yield. It is advisable, however, that the amine be slowly added to a solution containing a stoichiometric excess of the maleic anhydride (this precaution avoids the potential "Michael addition" of the amine across the carbon-carbon double bond of the maleamic acid).
Cyclodehydration of maleamic acid can be accomplished in a number of ways. For example, the use of a chemical dehydrating agent, such as acetic anhydride in the presence of sodium acetate, has been a well established method for accomplishing this second synthetic step (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,444,536). This method has been acceptable for the generation of technical grade versions of many aromatic maleimide compounds. It fails, however, when applied to the preparation of aliphatic maleimide compounds, and is not preferred for the preparation of high purity aromatic maleimides.
Another chemical dehydrating agent, N,N'-Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), in combination with an isomerizing alcohol, has been used to effect cyclodehydration of amic acids to maleimides (see Martin, et al., U.S. Statutory Invention Registration H424, 1988). This method can be used to efficiently make both aliphatic and aromatic maleimides. Unfortunately, the DCC dehydrating agent is very expensive and is also a severe contact allergen for human skin.
Direct thermal cyclodehydration of maleamic acid can be accomplished by heating to a temperature in the neighborhood of 200EC. Unfortunately, this approach is impractical because polymerization of the resulting maleimide would be impossible to avoid under such extreme conditions. Thermal cyclodehydration can be accomplished at lower temperatures by the use of azeotropic distillation in the presence of an acid catalyst. The use of an azeotropic solvent permits the efficient removal of the water co-product as it forms, thereby driving the reaction toward the desired maleimide.
Suitable azeotropic solvents include cyclohexane, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, cumene, chlorobenzene, butylbenzene, diethylbenzene, mesitylene, and the like. Toluene is considered to be the most desirable of these since it boils at 110EC at atmospheric pressure and is generally an adequate solvent for the amic acid at reflux temperatures. Cylcohexane, as well as the other aliphatic solvents mentioned above, are all much weaker solvents and are usually incapable of dissolving the amic acid. Benzene, which has a lower boiling point than toluene, is considered to be a human carcinogen and is therefore undesirable in any industrial process. The other aromatic solvents noted above have higher normal-atmospheric-pressure boiling points than toluene and thus might be expected to allow for reduced reaction times. However, the higher boiling points of these solvents also can promote thermal isomerization of the maleamic acid to the more thermodynamically stable trans (fumaramic acid) structure, as shown in scheme 2. ##STR2## Dehydration of the fumaramic acid to a polyamide, instead of the desired maleimide, represents a serious side reaction that limits the usefulness of the higher boiling azeotropic solvents (see, for example Coleman, et al., Journal of Organic Chemistry, 24:135 (1959)). It would, of course, be possible to use any of the higher boiling solvents as a reaction medium under diminished pressure in order to conduct the reaction at a lower temperature.
Even with the use of toluene as the azeotropic dehydration solvent, poor yields and impractically long reaction times typically result. A significant improvement in both the yield and reaction time can be realized by the incorporation of a polar, aprotic solvent into the reaction mixture. Several polar, aprotic solvents, including dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, acetonitrile, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethylsulfoxide and sulfolane have been claimed to be useful (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,484,948 and 5,371,236, incorporated herein by reference). The most useful of the polar, aprotic solvents is dimethylformamide. Presumably, the presence of the polar aprotic solvent facilitates the reaction by increasing the polarity of the reaction medium. The maleimides of both aromatic and aliphatic amines can be obtained in good yield through the use of these polar, aprotic co-solvents in combination with an azeotropic solvent.
The use of polar aprotic co-solvents does, however, present some problems. These solvents are completely miscible with the azeotropic solvents, making them difficult to remove from the reaction mixture. In addition, polar aprotic solvents generally have high boiling points, requiring higher temperatures and longer evaporation times (than would be required for the azeotropic solvent by itself) for complete removal during work-up of the maleimide product. An exception, acetonitrile, which does have a low boiling point, is impractical because it co-distills without phase separating from the water generated by the dehydration reaction, and cannot therefore remain in the reaction mixture throughout the process. The use of longer and higher temperature evaporation conditions increases the risk of polymerization of the maleimide product.
Polar, aprotic solvents could be removed through aqueous washings, but doing so would create a hazardous and potentially environmentally damaging waste stream. The polar, aprotic solvents, in addition to their own inherent toxicity, are noted for their ability to carry toxic solutes directly into the bloodstream upon contact with human skin. Furthermore, dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide are subject to hydrolysis and are therefore partially destroyed during the cyclodehydration reaction.
There is, therefore, a need in the art for a viable substitute for the polar, aprotic solvent-containing media used in the thermal cyclodehydration of maleamic acids for the synthesis of maleimides. This and other needs are addressed by the present invention, as will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of the specification and appended claims.

Method for the preparation of maleimides


An electronic device including: a housing, a battery mounted within the housing, a power interface disposed to or within the housing and configured to receive power from an external power source wirelessly or through a wire, and a circuit configured to electrically connect the battery and the power interface. The circuit includes a first electrical path configured to supply a first part of a current supply from the power interface to the battery, and a second electrical path configured to supply a second part of the current supply from the power interface to the battery and connected to the battery in parallel to the first electrical path. The circuit is configured to selectively control the current supply to the battery via the second electrical path at least partially based on at least one of a charge level of the battery or a signal from a sensor disposed in the housing.

As the use of various portable electronic devices increases, interest in battery capability and battery charging schemes that influence capability and hours of use of the electronic device increases as well. Accordingly, an electronic device capable of wireless charging as well as wired charging has been recently provided, and interest in technology that can charge a battery at a high speed has increased.
In general, fast charging technology corresponds to technology that can charge a battery within a short time and uses a scheme for supplying a high current to the battery for fast charging.

Electronic device and method of charging a battery using a plurality of charging circuitry in the electronic device


A charging system includes a charging station having: a base underwater; a pole extending in an upper-lower direction; and a power supplying portion. An AUV includes: an underwater main body; a power receiving portion; a holding device including a pair of guide and holding portions, the pair of guide portions guides the pole to a holding position after the pole contacts the guide portions from a proceeding-direction, the holding portion holds the pole to be rotatable relative to the pole; a thrust generating apparatus generates in a horizontal direction; and a control device controls the thrust generating apparatus. A light emitter at one of the base and the underwater main body, and a light receiver is provided at the other. The control device controls the thrust so the underwater main body reaches a rotational position where the light receiver receives light emitted, the rotational position set relative to the pole.

An autonomous underwater vehicle (hereinafter may be referred to as an "AUV") sails under water for seabed work, seabed investigation, and the like by a built-in power source without requiring electric power supply from a mother ship. Charging systems capable of charging AUVs under water without lifting and recovering the AUVs to mother ships have been developed. According to such charging systems, the AUV approaches and is coupled to a charging station prepared under water and is charged. It is desirable that according to the charging system, the AUV can approach and be coupled to the charging station from any 360° direction in a stable posture even under the influence of tidal current or the like.
In recent years, a charging system configured such that an AUV can approach and be coupled to a charging station from any 360° direction has been proposed (see PTL 1, for example). Such charging system includes: a charging station suspended under water by a string-shaped body from a ship on the sea; and an AUV coupled to the charging station under water so as to be rotatable about the string-shaped body. The charging station includes a noncontact electricity supplying portion. When the ship on the sea tows the charging station, the charging station takes such a posture that the noncontact electricity supplying portion is located downstream of the string-shaped body in a water flow direction. On the other hand, the AUV includes a noncontact electricity receiving portion. When the charging station to which the AUV is coupled is towed, the AUV receives water flow to rotate about the string-shaped body and therefore takes such a posture that the noncontact electricity receiving portion is located downstream of the string-shaped body in the water flow direction. Thus, the direction of the charging station and the direction of the AUV are made to coincide with each other, and the noncontact electricity receiving portion of the AUV and the noncontact electricity supplying portion of the charging station are positioned such that electric power supply is realized.

Charging system for autonomous underwater vehicle and method of lifting and recovering autonomous underwater vehicle


The expression of APOBEC-1 in the liver of transgenic mice can cause liver dysplasia and liver tumors, and the expression of human APOBEC-1 in the intestine, stomach, or brain can cause obesity. Promiscuous editing of other mRNAs is correlated to these phenotypic changes. The instant invention discloses novel techniques for detecting aberrantly edited mRNAs, and hence, genes responsible for non-wild type phenotypes.

Apolipoprotein B occurs naturally in two forms, apo-B100 and apo-B48, both encoded by the same gene. Apo-B100, a 550 KD protein, is the major protein responsible for cholesterol transport in the blood and plays a crucial role in cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism. Apo-B100 is an integral component of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and intermediate density lipoproteins (IDL), and is the sole component of low density lipoprotein (LDL). Apo-B48, a 264 KD protein, is synthesized in the intestines of humans and rabbits and in the liver and intestines of rats and mice. In mice and rats, hepatic-derived apo-B48 is a component of VLDL; the total VLDL is a mixture of VLDL containing apo-B100 or apo-B48. Intestinally derived apo-B48 is secreted as an integral component of chylomicrons.
Apo-B48 is produced by a biological process in which the apoB primary transcript is postranslationally modified by a type of RNA processing known as RNA editing. The term RNA editing is used to describe the specific modification of mRNA (or the coding region of pre-RNA) that alters the genetic information encoded in the transcript.
Apolipoprotein B mRNA editing deaminates a specific cytidine (C.sup.6666) to create a uridine. This changes the codon at position 2153 from a genomically encoded CAA (glutamine) to an in-frame stop codon (UAA). Apolipoprotein B mRNA editing occurs in the small intestine of all mammals and in the liver of rats, mice, dogs, and horses.
Hepatic apo-B mRNA editing in the rat and mouse, both of which normally modify approximately 65% of the apoB mRNA, is developmentally and hormonally regulated. Editing activity is regulated by growth hormone, thyroxine, cortisol, fasting, and diet. Apolipoprotein B mRNA editing also demonstrates developmental regulation in the human intestine. Human fetal intestine at 11 weeks of gestation predominantly produces apo-B100, whereas at 16 weeks of gestation, both apo-B100 and apo-B48 are secreted in roughly equal proportions. In the adult intestine, only apo-B48 is secreted.
A specific 11 nucleotide "mooring" sequence in apoB mRNA occurring 5 nucleotides downstream from C.sup.6666 is critical for editing in vitro. When the mooring sequence is inserted into another location on apoB or non-apoB cDNA, the resulting chimeric RNA is edited in vitro (Driscoll et al. Mol. Cell. Biol. 13: 7288-7294 (1993); Backus et al. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1217: 65-73 (1994); Shah et al. J. Biol. Chem. 266: 16301-16304 (1991); Backus et al. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1219: 1-14 (1994)).
Several proteins appear to be necessary for apoB mRNA editing in vitro. One of these proteins has been cloned from a rat intestinal library (Teng et al. Science 260: 1816-1819 (1993)). This 27 kD protein, which deaminates cytidine.sup.6666 in apoB mRNA, has been designated APOBEC-1 (apoB mRNA-editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide #1) (Davidson et al. RNA 1:3 (1995)). The major functional domains of this RNA editing polypeptide are highly conserved in the cloned homologues of rat APOBEC-1 from human (Hadjiagapiou et al. Nucleic Acids Res. 22: 1874-1879 (1994); Lau et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 91: 8522-8526 (1994)), rabbit (Yamanaka et al. J. Biol. Chem. 269: 21725-21734 (1994)), and mouse (Nakamuta et al. J. Biol. Chem. 270: 13042-13056 (1995)).
Transgenic mice and rabbits expressing APOBEC-1 have been generated (Yamanaka etal. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 92: 8483-8487 (1995)). The transgenic mice and rabbits had liver dysplasia, and many developed hepatocellular carcinomas.
Comparison of gene expression in different tissues or under different conditions can be performed using the technique of differential mRNA display (Liang and Pardee, Science 257: 967-971 (1992)), also termed differential display reverse transcriptase PCR. In this technique, two or more RNA populations (e.g., RNA preparations from different tissues) are made into cDNA using reverse transcriptase and a set of oligonucleotide primers, one being anchored to the polyadenylate tail of a subset of mRNAs by, for example, the two nucleotide sequence CA, the other being short and arbitrary in sequence so that it anneals at different positions relative to the first primer. The resulting cDNA is amplified by PCR, using a 5' primer of arbitrary base sequence, chosen to anneal at positions randomly distributed in distance from the poly(A) tail. The resulting amplified DNA sequences can be separated by gel electrophosis. An amplified DNA band can be subcloned into a vector, or can be sequenced, for example, by using extended primers for futher amplification (Wang and Feuerstein, Biotechniques 18: 448-452 (1995)), ligation linked PCR (Reeves et al. Biotechniques 18: 18-20 (1995)).
Recent studies have provided some insight into the genetic basis for obesity. A mouse obesity gene, ob, and its human homologue have been cloned and sequenced (Zhang et al. Nature 372: 425-432 (1994)). Mutation in ob results in profound obesity and type II diabetes as part of a syndrome that resembles morbid obesity in humans (Friedman et al. Genomics 11: 1054-1062 (1991). Halaas et al. (Science 269: 543-546 (1995); Pelleymounter et al. (Science 269: 540-543(1995)); and Campfield et al. (Science 269: 546-549(1995)) described the weight-reducing effects of the plasma protein OB (leptin) encoded by the obese gene. A transmembrane receptor for OB protein has been cloned (Tartaglia et al. Cell 83: 1263 (1995)). Mice with mutations in the diabetes gene db have a phenotype similar to mice having mutations in ob. Chua et al. (Science 271: 994-996(1996)) have demonstrated by genetic mapping and genomic analysis, that mouse db, rat fatty (a homologue of db), and the gene encoding OB-R are the same gene.

Screening methods to detect mRNA targets of editing enzymes


An insulating cover for a cushioning material for providing a barrier against heat and flame, the insulating cover comprising at least one layer of aluminum film or ceramic fabric, at least one layer of fire-blocking material, and at least one layer of adhesive, wherein the insulating cover is flexible so as to conform to and move with an underlying cushioning material. The insulating cover may be positioned between a cushion and the protective fabric of an aircraft passenger seat.

Vehicle seats, such as aircraft seats, typically include a frame defining seat back and bottom portions for supporting the seat occupant. To provide comfort to the seat occupant, at least the back and bottom portions are typically covered with some type of resilient cushioning material, such as foam and like materials. To protect the foam against wear and damage, the cushioning material is typically covered with a robust fabric that moves with and contours to the shape of the foam. The fabric covering may also function to maintain the cushioning material in place and may be patterned or colored to provide decoration to the seat.
For safety and fire prevention, it is not uncommon for the fabric covering to be made from or treated with a flame-retardant material in order to decrease the flammability of the covering and the cushioning material beneath it. However, conventionally treated fabrics are not able to adequately insulate the underlying cushioning materials from radiant heat flux resulting from a fire within the passenger compartment. As a result, cushioning materials exposed to sufficient heat flux can cause the materials to ignite and/or release smoke and fumes. The contribution of heat, flame and smoke density to the cabin atmosphere from additional burning materials increases the rate at which the fire spreads and decreases the time in which passengers have to escape.
Federal Air regulation 25.853(d) details testing requirements for determining the acceptability of materials utilized in aircraft interiors. Regulation 25.853(d) includes two separate tests: (1) the OSU Rate of Heat Release Test, and; (2) the Smoke Density Test. The OSU Rate of Heat Release Test involves exposing aircraft interior cabin materials to incident radiation heat flux, and measuring the rate at which a burning item releases heat. The OSU test can be used to determine at what temperature certain interior materials will ignite, thus starting a fire or contributing to the spreading of an existing fire. The second test, the Smoke Density Test, is used to measure and observe the relative amounts or density of smoke produced when a material is burned. This test is also useful in determining the smoke contribution of a burning material to the aircraft cabin atmosphere and the decrease in visibility that occupants will encounter in exiting the passenger compartment during a fire.
Conventional materials often have difficulty in meeting the requirements of these tests. Generally, foams and other flammable materials used in cushions and protective pads on aircraft seats and other furniture and partitions do not perform well in one or both of these tests unless the material itself has been treated with or constructed from flame retardant additives.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an insulating layer between a flammable material and high temperatures in a passenger compartment, thus protecting the material and decreasing its hazard potential. Further, it would be desirable to provide a layered insulating cover for flammable cushioning materials to shield the materials from heat flux that could cause the materials to ignite and/or contribute smoke to the cabin environment. A desirable insulating cover would be flexible so as not to reduce the comfort of the cushioning material, and would obviate the need to treat or construct the cushioning material using flame-retardant additives or materials.

Insulating cover for flammable cushioning materials


A device for holding a plurality of skewered kabobs on a barbecue grill is disclosed. The device comprises a bottom section having side members for retaining the ends of transverse skewers and a cover section which holds the skewers in place during the cooking process. Both bottom and cover sections have supporting leg members so that the device can be turned over during the cooking process.

A popular food item which is preferably prepared over an open fire or barbecue is commonly called a kabob. Such a dish generally comprises small pieces of marinated meat stuck on a skewer and often alternated with pieces of onion, tomato, mushrooms, etc. Heretofore, the skewers used for kabobs were relatively long and required some form of fixture to support or hold them as the kabob was roasted or broiled.
An object of the present invention is to provide a device for holding a plurality of relatively short kabob skewers and to maintain them at an optimum distance from heat producing barbecue or grille.
Another object of the invention is to provide a holding device for a plurality of kabobs that can be easily turned so as to provide uniform cooking or roasting of the kabob pieces.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a multiple kabob holder that is easy to load and unload and yet holds each kabob skewer firmly in place during the cooking process.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a multiple kabob holder that is particularly well suited for ease and economy of manufacture.


A disposable plastic lid is formed with a vent hole. A filter formed of a hydrophobic material such as polytetrafluoraethylene is mounted over the vent hole. The pore size of the filter material is selected to allow for the free passage of air and to inhibit or block the passage of liquids such as water.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to a lid or cover for a container and relates in particular to a vented, watertight plastic lid of the type commonly used to cover and seal beverage containers such as disposable coffee cups.
2. Description of Prior Developments
Disposable lids for food and drink containers are typically vacuum formed from a thin sheet of thermoplastic material such as styrene plastic. Radiant heat is applied to soften the plastic material as a vacuum draws the material over one or more lid molds. When cooled, the lids are trimmed, die cut and vented. A punch is used to puncture a vent hole of about 0.020 inch in the top central region of each lid.
Such container lids or covers have been in use for many years and are commonly used to cover paper or plastic containers such as hot and cold disposable beverage cups, as well as disposable food containers such as soup bowls and the like. Although these lids generally perform satisfactorily, a long-standing leakage problem has been associated with the presence of venting holes. That is, beverage lids are typically formed with a small puncture hole for allowing communication between the ambient atmosphere and a volume of air trapped between the top surface of the liquid (or other material held within the container) and the interior or underside of the lid.
This venting and communication between the interior of the lidded container and the outside ambient atmosphere prevents the formation of a pressure above or below ambient pressure inside the container when hot liquids are being contained. The vent also facilitates the mounting of the lid on the container by relieving the initial compression of the air trapped within the container due to sealing of the lid over and within the container.
A particularly bothersome problem arises with conventional vented lids sealed over beverage containers filled with a hot drink such as coffee or tea. When the sealed container is placed in a paper bag, one or more paper towels or napkins are often placed on the lid in expectation of leakage through the vent hole.
As the bag is carried about, the hot contents of the container are splashed around thereby causing some of the liquid to escape through the vent. Over time, the napkins or towels provided over the lid become saturated and liquid begins to flow to the bottom of the paper bag. If the bag becomes soggy, it can weaken and tear under the load of the liquid in the container.
The result is often a messy spill wherein the lid is forced off the container upon impact with the ground. Any other contents of the soggy bag are typically soaked and spoiled. In the case of a hot coffee spill, clothing, furniture, carpeting, car interiors and any other surrounding surface, may be stained. Moreover, hot coffee and the like can cause scalding as it is ejected out of the container upon impact.
Accordingly, a need exists for a vented container lid which allows for the venting of air into and out of a sealed container yet which prevents the leakage of liquids through the vent.
A further need exists for such a lid which is economical to produce so as to promote its disposability.
Another needs exists for a disposable vented container lid which is particularly adapted For sealing hot beverages within disposable containers such as Styrofoam and cardboard cups and which prevents the hot contents from escaping through a vent formed in the lid.
Still another need exists for such a vented lid which prevents leakage, scalding and staining by hot liquids stored in disposable beverage containers.