A device for positioning a cable end and an associated connector during inductive heat soldering of the connector to the cable includes a housing having a pair of terminals connectable to a source of radio frequency (RF) current. A connector positioning section positions the connector so that a heating portion of the connector is disposed in a heating region. An electrical conductor assembly is operable to electrically connect the pair of terminals when the pair of terminals are connected to the RF current source. The conductor assembly includes a first electrically conductive contact bar immovably connected to one of the terminals. A second electrically conductive contact bar is slidable between a first position wherein the first contact bar is electrically disconnected from the other of the terminals, and a second position wherein the first contact bar is electrically connected to the other of the pair of terminals. The first and second contact bars cooperate to define the heating region when the second contact bar is in the second position. A clamp assembly attached to the housing is operable to releasably hold the cable when the heating portion of the connector is disposed in the heating region.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of positioning devices, and more particularly, to a device for positioning a cable end and an associated connector during inductive heat soldering of the cable to the connector.
2. Prior Art
An electrical connector having a bore or channel for receiving a cable end therein is generally terminated to the cable by crimping or soldering. In a known method of soldering an electrical connector to a cable, the connector includes a solder preform disposed at a selected location along the bore. With the cable end situated in the bore, a portion of the connector including the solder preform is heated in an inductive heating process to melt the solder preform, whereby the solder reflows around the cable end and, upon cooling, provides a secure electrical connection between the cable and connector.
The inductive heating process utilizes a self-regulating temperature source which, when energized by a constant amplitude, high frequency alternating current, generates thermal energy and achieves a resulting constant temperature. Such a temperature can be selected to be just higher than the ideal temperature at which solder melts. The self-regulating temperature source is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,256,945; 4,623,401; 4,659,912; 4,695,713; 4,701,587; 4,717,814; and 4,745,264, which are incorporated herein by reference. The self-regulating temperature source employs a substrate of copper or copper alloy or other conductive material of low electrical resistivity, negligible magnetic permeability and high thermal conductivity. Deposited on one surface thereof is a thin layer of thermally conductive magnetic material such as iron, nickel or a nickel-iron alloy having a much higher electrical resistance and magnetic permeability than the substrate material. When a radio frequency current is passed through a conductor in close proximity to such a two layer structure, thermal energy is generated in the magnetic surface layer until the temperature of the surface layer approaches the Curie temperature of the magnetic material. As the Curie temperature is approached, declining magnetic permeability of the surface layer causes a reduction in thermal energy generation until, at the Curie temperature, thermal energy generation ceases. At the same time, the thermally conductive substrate drains thermal energy from the surface layer, which tends to reduce the temperature of the substrate and increase its magnetic permeability, thereby increasing thermal energy generation so as to offset thermal losses to the substrate. By carefully selecting the particular magnetic material and conductive material and the thicknesses thereof, one can construct a self-regulating heat source which maintains a certain maximum temperature at a given current frequency. The maximum temperature is selected to be slightly above the solder melting temperature so as to achieve solder reflow while preventing excessive heat generation which could harm delicate electrical components.
In order to solder a connector to a cable using the inductive heating process, the connector and cable must be held in respective alignment while a portion of the connector is exposed to a high-frequency current field. Standard connectors are fairly small, and it is difficult to hold the connector and cable in alignment and to precisely target a heating portion of the connector with the high-frequency current field. The heating portion of the connector is generally at the cable receiving end of the connector. Prior art devices for positioning the connector have utilized an end face of the connector opposite from the cable receiving end as a locating surface of the connector in order to provide good access to the heating portion. A problem with these devices is that a different locator must be used for a right-angled connector than for a straight connector. Also, it is often desirable to produce short lengths of U-shaped jumper cable having a connector attached at each end. After a connector is attached to one end, the attached connector can interfere with positioning members of a holding device and prevent proper positioning of a connector to be attached to the other end of the cable. A simple device is needed which can readily position a cable end and an associated straight or angled connector during inductive heat soldering of the connector to the cable, and which will enable a connector to be soldered to both ends of a short U-shaped jumper cable.

Device for positioning cable and connector during soldering


To provide a user friendly electrotherapy device not large in space taken and not requiring a human operator or special treatment time, the electrotherapy device uses as a skin adhering charge carrying pad a soft kneaded material comprising a silicone rubber as a binder in which a fine powder of mugwort charcoal etc. is mixed and kneaded well. The ratio of mixture of the powder of charcoal with respect to the silicone rubber is preferably at least 5 wt %. This skin adhering charge carrying pad is superior in the sustainability of the charge. Many reports of good results have been obtained by just continuously adhering pads to suitable locations of the body in accordance with the symptoms.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrotherapy device suited for providing therapy adhered to the skin.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the past, there has been known an electrotherapy device applying a weak current of a high potential to a seated body and repeating this over several days so as to treat arthritis, backaches, aching shoulders, languidity, fatigue, chills, poor blood circulation, and other chronic symptoms of unknown cause. There is little scientific or theoretical explanation of why application of an alternating current of a high potential (several thousand volts) "cures".
Everyone suffers from one of the chronic symptoms characteristic of middle and old age where this type of chronic pain or hardship persists. This being said, the extent of suffering of a person is not something judged objectively, but can only be understood by the statements of the person in question, so frequently tends to be ignored. Further, if the person in question pays too much attention to it, the reliability of his or her statements becomes questionable and conversely delays the determination of the cause. Accordingly, for this type of symptom, the general treatment is first applied and the result then examined. As such treatment, there are electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, heat and hot spring therapy, "shiatsu" finger-pressure therapy, acupuncture and moxibustion, vibration therapy, and other physical therapy.
It is well known that the voltage and potential of the body fluids play an important role in the tissue, organs, cellular level, and nervous system of the human body. Electrical factors are highly involved in ensuring the autonomous homeostasis of the body.
The afore-mentioned electrotherapy, however, applies too unnaturally high a potential (several thousand volts) from the outside to substantially the entire body in an unlimited manner and therefore is nothing more than a kind of electric shock treatment. Repeated exposure to a high potential over several days, while painless to the person in question, must be said to rather be an extreme measure and may do much more harm than good.
From this standpoint, the present inventor engaged in intensive studies to find a new type of electrotherapy and as a result found that it is necessary to limit the area treated (diseased area or pressure point) such as seen in shiatsu therapy and acupuncture and moxibustion and that it is suitable to give some sort of electrical stimulus to such an area treated. The problem is to "give . . . electrical stimulus". For example, giving voltage or a current to the area treated, while the therapeutic significance is unknown, resembles local electric shock acting forcibly from the outside.
In view of this problem, the present inventor found that even patients complaining about such chronic symptoms of unknown cause can be said to be merely suffering from a slight collapse of their autonomic balance and arrived at the idea that it was sufficient to induce an autonomic recovery from this unbalance (unclear point). Accordingly, what should be done to the body from the outside is to "sustain" the procedure of "guiding" the treated area.

Electrotherapy device, band with skin adhering charge carrying pads, and charging device


Systems and methods for real-time account access, allowing access to accounts (such as deposit, credit, or debit accounts) through network processing infrastructures such as Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). In some embodiments, consumers and/or merchants are able to effect transaction requests against accounts, using a pseudo-identifier or other identifier, and without the need to provide an account number or card number. In other embodiments, payment networks are able to route and process transaction requests against accounts, without having a card number or account number. In other embodiments, account processing systems are able to determine an appropriate account based on transaction requests that do not contain card numbers or account numbers.

Network processing infrastructures, such as EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) network processing, are used to process payments from traditional credit or debit card transactions. EFT enables quick provisioning of account information and other related information for purchases and other purposes. For example, when a cardholding customer seeks to purchase an item at a store, the customer will generally hand her card to the merchant and the merchant will swipe the card through a magnetic stripe machine to read the card information, including the card number. Card numbers are typically 13-19 digits long, and uniquely identify the user's credit or debit account.
After the card number is received by the merchant, the merchant sends the card number, along with other information associated with the transaction, such as price, date, time, location, cardholder name, to a payment network. The payment network will typically route that information to the appropriate card issuer based on the card number. The first digits typically identify the "issuer," that is, the entity, such as a company, that issued the card. So, for example, a card number beginning with a '4,' e.g., 4000 1234 5678 9012, will typically identify VISA as the card provider/issuer. Each issuer typically has a numeric identifier that is associated with and represents their cards.
The appropriate issuer, for example, a credit or charge card company, will then typically consult its records to determine the appropriate account and verify whether that account contains sufficient funds or credit to make a transaction (e.g., a purchase). The result of this determination will typically be returned to inform the merchant whether the user is able to purchase the item. The entire process, from the original capturing of the card data to the response providing funds verification may happen in a relatively short period of time. In some situations, this process happens in real-time or in near real-time.
However, in some situations, a card number for accessing a customer's account is not available. For example, if a customer decides to pay by check, the merchant must capture the RTN (Routing Transit Number) for the bank that issued the check and the customer's personal account number. The merchant must then use a system such as the Automated Clearing House (ACH) to process the payment. ACH typically operates in batches and thus the process to authorize a purchase can take much longer than a card-based transaction. Thus, using ACH increases the amount of time for the merchant to acquire the funds promised. ACH use further includes a possibility of accepting payments that are later found to be uncollectable (also known as a "bounced check").
In other situations, a customer may not wish to provide his account details to the merchant, for reasons of privacy or otherwise. This can cause issues in payment acceptance because a user will typically need to provide his payment card information. Without this information, the merchant is typically unable to accept payment.
Still in other situations, such as with commercial accounts, there is no card number that can be used to effect purchases. Thus, commercial purchases may need to rely on the ACH system to make purchases, which (as mentioned before) Is slow, costly, and inefficient.
It would thus be desirable to provide for improved systems and methods for processing transactions to accounts using existing network processing infrastructure with real-time or near real-time access. It would also be desirable for these systems and methods to support routing, processing, settling, and reporting of payment transactions. Advantages of such systems and methods include increased speed for transaction processing, reliable account management and accounting, and/or a drop in uncollectable accounts. Further advantages will be recognized by one skilled in the art after considering the remainder of the disclosure.


A curable silicone dental impression composition is presented, preferably comprising a polyorganohydrogensiloxane having at least one silicon-bonded hydrogen atom; a silicone polymer having at least alkenyl groups; a vinyl siloxane/platinum/palladium catalyst complex; and inorganic fillers and other additives known in the art. The catalyst in accordance with the present invention is a complex of 1,3-divinyltetramethyldisiloxane and hexachloroplatinic acid doped with palladium, and prevents outgassing of hydrogen. The final catalyst complex has a platinum content in the range from about 1.1%-1.2% platinum and 500-600 ppm palladium.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a catalyst for use with dental impression compositions for the preparation of the oral tissue models required for the preparation of dental prostheses such as crowns, inlays or dentures. In particular, the invention relates to a catalyst composition comprising a vinyl siloxane/platinum/palladium complex. Such complex is easy to prepare, and minimizes the outgassing that characterizes prior art compositions for forming silicone dental impression materials.
2. Relevant Art
Dental impression materials are used to accurately form an impression of the shape, size, and relative locations of both hard and soft tissues within the mouth. Typically, a gypsum slurry is then used to form a model from the impression. Elastically deformable impression materials are used so that upon removal of the impression from within the mouth, their deformation, if any, is restored to the original form. However, it is equally important that the material resist further deformation or shrinkage, in order to provide an accurate model. Commonly used impression materials include agar, alginates, polysulfide rubbers, polyether rubbers, silicone rubbers, and the like. However, room-temperature vulcanization (RTV) silicone rubbers have become the impression material of choice, as they are essentially tasteless and odorless, cure quickly, and have both excellent elasticity and dimensional stability.
RTV silicone rubber is classified as either condensation or addition type. Each is generally formed from a two component curable silicone prepolymer system, comprising a silicone polymer base with a crosslinking agent and a metal and/or peroxide catalyst. Condensation type silicone rubbers are formed from a curable silicone prepolymer composition comprising a first silicone polymer base component, generally consisting of a hydroxy dimethyl polysiloxane having terminal or pendant hydroxyl groups, and a second component comprising a crosslinking agent generally consisting of a silicic acid ester, for example an alkyl orthosilicate such as tetraethyl orthosilicate, and an organic tin catalyst. However, such a system is disadvantageous in that it still has an offensive odor due to the liquid catalyst, and the elastomer evolves volatile by-products during the condensation reaction, such as alcohols. Furthermore, the presence of unreacted alkyl silicate causes the impression to undergo a gradually increasing dimensional change upon setting due to hydrolysis and post-condensation reactions.
RTV addition-curing silicone rubbers, on the other hand, are formed from a curable silicone prepolymer composition comprising a first silicone polymer base component generally consisting of a hydrogen polymethylsiloxane having at least one terminal or pendant hydrogen, and a second component comprising a vinyl polymethylsiloxane crosslinking agent and a platinum catalyst. These addition-cure silicone rubbers have marked advantages over the prior art silicone impression materials. Such silicone impression materials undergo a linear shrinkage in the order of only about 0.1%, i.e., about one-fourth to one-tenth or less of that of the conventional silicone impression materials twenty-four hours after the impression has been taken. Accordingly, it is possible to prepare a model having a high dimensional accuracy. The prepolymer composition is tasteless and odorless, and furthermore can be mixed and kneaded in equal amounts as the silicone components have approximately the same viscosity. Addition-cure silicone rubbers therefore have excellent dental performance and workability.
However, the liberation of small quantities of hydrogen gas from RTV addition cured polyvinylsiloxane elastomers, due to the platinum-catalyzed addition reaction between the silicone hydrogen bond and an unsaturated carbon-carbon bond, is a recognized problem. The evolution of the hydrogen gas results in the formation of pores in the stone cast formed from the impression, producing an undesirable pitted surface. A number of attempts have been made to suppress or otherwise minimize pore formation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,273,902 to Tomioka discloses using 0.5 ppm or more of finely divided palladium and/or a finely divided palladium alloy containing 10% by weight or more of palladium, without inhibiting the addition reaction. Various other elemental metals are also cited, including platinum, but are stated to be inferior to palladium and fail to eliminate the undesirable pores in the surface of the resulting model. As shown below, addition of palladium metal is in fact ineffective for preventing formation of all bubbles.
In an attempt to overcome the drawbacks of Tomioka, U.S. Pat. No. 5,684,060 to Konings et al. discloses addition of inorganic, organic, or organometallic compounds of palladium to the prepolymer system in order to prevent outgassing. While apparently more effective than palladium metal, the palladium compounds are still in addition to the platinum complexes used to catalyze the addition reaction.
Other attempts to control outgassing include coating the formed dental impression with a finely divided palladium before pouring the gypsum, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,667 to Hamer. U.S. Pat. No. 5,086,148 to Jochum further discloses the addition of metal powders or metal-coated silica or calcium carbonate to absorb hydrogen in polyether-type RTV addition-cure impression compositions, which may not be applicable to silicone compositions. Use of palladium metal-containing zeolites is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,359,565 to Puppe.
None of these applications discloses an effective catalyst further useful for the prevention of outgassing. Accordingly, there remains a need for catalysts for silicone dental impression materials that are active, and help prevent outgassing during the hydrosilylation reaction.

Catalyst and composition for silicone dental impression materials


A liquid crystal display (300) includes a liquid crystal panel (310) having a plurality of pixels P(i,j) arranged in a matrix, a brightness identification unit (343) configured for identifying a brightness of an image element to be displayed by at least one pixel, a polarity analyzing unit (344) configured for analyzing a result of the identification, and a data circuit (330). The polarity analyzing unit is also configured for generating a composed binary signal having a first binary portion the same as the primary display signal and an additive second binary portion. The data circuit is configured to provide a data voltage to drive the pixel according to the signal. A value of the data voltage is determined by a first binary portion of the composed binary signal, and a polarity of the pixel is determined by the second binary portion of the composed binary signal.

LCDs are widely used in various information products, such as notebooks, personal digital assistants, video cameras, and the like. A conventional LCD utilizes liquid crystal molecules to control light transmission in each pixel of the LCD. In general, the conventional LCD employs an inversion system, such as a frame inversion system, for example, to drive the liquid crystal molecules.
FIG. 3 illustrates a series of polarity patterns of the pixels of a conventional LCD which employs the frame inversion system. In order to simplify the following explanation, only a 4-by-4 sub-matrix of pixels of the LCD is shown. As shown in FIG. 3, polarities of all the pixels are the same in each frame period, and the polarity of each pixel is inverted to an opposite polarity in a subsequent frame period. For example, the polarities of all the pixels are positive in the Nth frame period, and are inverted to be negative in the (N+1)th frame period.
By employing the frame inversion system, the LCD can be protected from what is known as "burn in" where continual operation of the video signal causes damage to the LCD. However, because the polarities of all the pixels are the same in each frame period, and are simultaneously inverted in the subsequent frame period, a user may perceive that an image displayed by the LCD is skipping during the inversion of the polarities of the pixels. Thereby, a so-called flicker phenomenon is generated in the LCD, and the display quality of the LCD is unsatisfactory.
From the foregoing, it should be appreciated that there is a need for an LCD to overcome the "burn-in" effect. To this end, there is a need for an LCD to overcome the so-called flicker phenomenon.

Liquid crystal display having polarity analyzing unit for determining polarities pixels thereof


A mold split insert for use in a molding stack assembly, and in particular a preform mold neck ring insert for use in an injection molding stack assembly for making bottle mold preforms. The split insert comprises a body with a molding surface configured thereon. The split insert also includes a coolant channel configured in the body with a partition arranged therein. The partition dividing a portion of the coolant channel into a first and a second branch. A transfer coolant channel is configured between the branches.

As commonly known, a mold split insert is used in a complementary pair thereof for molding portions (e.g. threads, lugs, rings, and other laterally projecting features) of a molded article that would otherwise be entrapped therein. In particular, a portion of the molding surface is split, usually in half, between the complementary pair of split inserts, and wherein a step of de-molding the molded article is accomplished by separating the complementary split inserts.
Without specific limitation, it is known to use split inserts in a molding stack assembly for the production of injection molded preform of the type that are subsequently blow molded into plastic bottles. In such a stack assembly, the split inserts are commonly known as neck ring inserts because of their role in forming a neck portion of the molded article.
A typical injection mold for the production of plastic preforms includes one or more molding cavities. Each molding cavity is generally configured within a stack assembly of mold inserts. In the injection mold the stack assembly is typically arranged in a mold shoe that includes a set of water cooled plates and a hot runner. The hot runner distributes a flow of injected plastic melt that is received from an injection unit of a molding machine into the molding cavities.
With reference to FIG. 1, a section along a portion of an injection mold 1 illustrates a typical molding insert stack assembly 50 that is arranged within a mold shoe. The molding insert stack assembly 50 includes a neck ring insert pair 52, a mold cavity insert 54, a gate insert 56, a locking ring 58, and a core insert 60, that are configured to cooperate in providing a molding cavity 61 along a set of molding surfaces disposed thereon. The mold shoe includes a cavity plate 62, a core plate 64, a stripper plate 66, and a slide pair 68. Of course, there are many other styles of injection molding insert stack assemblies 50. For instance, it is not unusual to configure the molding insert stack assembly 50 without a locking ring, and wherein the core insert is configured to include the features of the locking ring.
In more detail, the cavity insert 54 is arranged within a complementarily configured bore within the cavity plate 62, while the gate insert 56 is arranged within a bore configured in a top portion of the cavity insert 54. The cavity plate 62 includes coolant channels 72, 74 for connecting coolant channels 55, 57 configured around the cavity and gate inserts 54, 56 with a coolant source and sink (not shown). As can be seen, a substantial portion of an outside surface of the molding cavity 61, corresponding to a body and an end portion of the preform, is provided along the molding surface portions 90, 92 disposed on the cavity and gate inserts 54, 56, respectively.
Similarly, the core insert 60 is arranged on a front surface of the core plate 64, and is retained thereon by the locking ring 58. The core plate 64 also includes coolant channels 76, 77, 78 for connecting a coolant channel configured within the core insert 60 with the coolant source and sink (not shown). The core coolant channel is provided between an inside surface of a bore that is configured along a substantial length of the core insert 60 and a core cooling tube 80 that is arranged therein. Alternatively, a flow partition may be used to divide the core coolant channel into interconnected channels as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,171 to Blank et al. granted on Feb. 18, 1986. As can be seen, the inside surface of the molding cavity 61, corresponding to an inside surface of the preform, is provided along the molding surface portion 91 disposed along the core insert 60. Likewise, the top surface of the molding cavity 61, corresponding to a top portion of the preform, is provided along the molding surface portion 94 disposed on the locking ring 58.
Arranged between the cavity and core inserts 54, 60 is the neck ring insert pair 52. As can be seen, the remaining portion of the outside surface of the molding cavity 61, corresponding to a neck portion of the preform, is provided along the molding surface portion 96 disposed along the inside surfaces of the neck ring insert pair 52. The neck ring insert pair 52 includes a pair of complementary neck ring inserts that are mounted on adjacent slides of the slide pair 68. The slide pair 68 is slidably mounted on a top surface of the stripper plate 66. The stripper plate 66 is arranged on the top surface of the core plate 64, and includes apertures for the locking ring and core inserts 58, 60. As commonly known, and as, for example, generally described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,799,962 to Mai et al, granted on Oct. 5, 2004, the stripper plate 66 is configured to be extensible relative to the core plate 61, when the mold in arranged in an open configuration, whereby the slide pair 68, and the complementary neck ring inserts mounted thereon, can be laterally driven, via a cam arrangement (not shown), for the release of the molded preform from the molding cavity 61. The slide pair 68 also includes an inlet and an outlet coolant channel 70 (only one of which is shown) for connecting a coolant channel 17 configured within each neck ring insert with the coolant source and sink (not shown).
The typical neck ring insert has a body that includes a pair of projecting portions 4 that extend from a top and a bottom face of a generally rectangular flange portion 5. An outer portion of the projecting portions are typically configured as a male taper for cooperating with a complementary female taper on the adjacent cavity, locking ring or core inserts 54, 58, 60 for aligning the neck ring insert pair therewith. Of course, other means are commonly known for aligning the neck ring inserts with the adjacent inserts, such as transposing the male and female tapers of adjacent inserts, the use of taper locks and the like. The flange and projecting portions are typically configured on an integral body composed of a hard durable material such as a tool steel, or a stainless steel.
The neck ring coolant channels 17 are typically formed (e.g. drilling) in the flange portion 5 of each neck ring insert in a simple configuration that includes two intersecting cylindrical channels in a central portion thereof. The foregoing cooling arrangement provides for a cooling of the flange portion 5 which in turns cools the projecting portion 4 and the molding surface disposed thereon through conduction.
However, with increasingly aggressive molding cycles, and the resultant reductions in mold cooling time, a temperature gradient may be imparted around the molding surface that can be a source of certain defects in the molded preform. In particular, an effect of the inhomogeneous cooling can manifest as a localized 'sink mark' (i.e. small depressions) in a relatively thick-walled preform feature (e.g. preform support ledge 98, or pilfer proof band 99) in angular positions that are in proximity to a mating interface between the neck ring inserts where the cooling is at a minimum (i.e. the molding surface is at a maximum distance to the coolant channel 17).
Alternatives to the aforementioned neck ring cooling configuration are provided with reference to U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,567 ('567) to Gellert granted on Feb. 4, 1997, or to United States Pat. RE38,396 ('396) to Gellert granted Jan. 27, 2004. In particular, these references describe neck ring inserts that include a coolant channel configuration that includes an effective channel that extends peripherally around a molding surface portion.
The '567 patent describes a neck ring half with an enclosed coolant channel configuration that includes a curved inner channel that extends around a curved inner molding surface disposed thereon. While the reference is completely silent as to a means by which to construct the neck ring insert pair, it is clear that the formation of the coolant channel configuration therein would preclude the use of conventional metal machining methods.
The '396 patent describes a method of making a neck ring insert that includes the steps of forming a inner cylindrical part, which fits in an outer flange part, wherein the inner part is made by casting rather than conventional machining methods. The inner part has a generally cylindrical outer surface with grooves therein to partially form inner portions of two coolant channels. Each coolant channel extends around the curved inner surface of one of the neck ring inserts. The outer flange part includes an opening therethrough having an inner surface which fits around the outer surface of the inner cylindrical part and having respective inlets and outlets configured therein extending to the coolant channels. The outer flange part and the inner cylindrical parts are formed separately and then brazed together. The integrally joined inner and outer parts are then cut in half along the central longitudinal axis to form the complementary neck ring insert pair.
While the foregoing examples of neck ring inserts include a coolant channel configuration that may mitigate the problem of inhomogeneous cooling around the molding surface, they are also complicated and costly to manufacture. Accordingly, there is a need for a coolant channel configuration for use in split inserts that not only provides for a substantially homogenous cooling of at least a portion of the molding surface disposed thereon but that is also relatively simple and more economical to manufacture.


A spoon holder device has a seat, an adhesive layer adhered on a bottom portion of the seat, and a curved clamp plate disposed on a top portion of the seat. One end of the curved clamp plate is attached to the seat. A plurality of block rods are disposed on the curved clamp plate in parallel. A spacing is defined between the seat and the curved clamp plate.

The present invention relates to a spoon holder device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a spoon holder device which can hold a spoon stably.
A powdered milk spoon is often burried in milk powders. The user may use fingers to find the powdered milk spoon. However, the fingers of the user may contaminate the milk powders. If the powdered milk spoon is placed outside a powdered milk can, the powdered milk spoon will be contaminated by the dust.


An electromagnetic and pilot-operated proportional valve with a valve slide unit (12) mounted in a valve housing (10) so as to be movable along an axial direction, which unit can be driven by an electromagnetic actuator assembly (16) provided at one axial end for the pilot-operated opening of a useful fluid inlet and/or outlet (24) of the valve housing as a response to energisation of a stationary coil (20) of the actuator assembly and interacts with mechanical force storage means (48, 50), more particularly is held in an unenergised stable axial position in the valve housing by said means, wherein the valve slide unit having a closure section (22) extending radially from one body section (30) of the valve slide unit (12) for sealing interaction with the useful fluid inlet or outlet (24) formed on a circumferential inner wall of the housing (10) interacts axially at one end, by means of the preferably cylindrical and/or coaxially extending body section (22), with a stationary guide section (40) of the valve housing to form an axial sliding bearing (62) and, at the other end, is mounted with radial play (56), wherein preferably ring-shaped sealing means (32) seal a circumferential section of the body section with radial play to the circumferential inner wall of the valve housing.

The present invention relates to an electromagnetically and pilot-operated proportional valve.
Such a device is generally known in the form of conventional electromagnet valves, such as those developed and produced by the applicant, for example, and usually has a valve slide which is operated by an electromagnetic actuator assembly, the valve slide then opening or closing a fluid flow path to be (proportionally) controlled by the valve in the provided manner. In particular, it is known to dispose openings to be opened or to be closed in an accordingly controlled manner in a circumferential area of a valve housing (which is usually oblong in an axial direction), a valve slide guided on the inside of the valve housing then interacting with the openings and (partially or entirely) opening the inlet or outlet for the useful fluid according to its position (which is electromagnetically influenced by the actuator assembly).
In said generic and known technology, the valve slide is usually directly driven by the electromagnetic actuator assembly (more precisely: by armature means guided so as to be movable relative to stationary coil means and in response to an energization of said coil means), which act on the front side at one end of the valve slide unit.
However, such a direct control is often impractical or is not technically feasible, in particular in connection with high pressures in the useful fluid, the valve slide (valve slide unit) of such a way valve thus being operated by means of a so-called pilot control and therefore indirectly by the effect of the electromagnetic actuator assembly.
This technology is known as such and is used, in particular, for the pilot control of generic valves in the automotive or utility vehicle context, but is not limited to such a use. A pilot fluid is controlled by means of the electromagnetic actuator assembly, the pilot fluid then acting on the valve slide unit via a suitable pressure or engagement surface, the valve slide unit thus being able to open the inlet or outlet for the useful fluid in a controlled manner. In particular, the actuator assembly controls a differential pressure of the pilot fluid, wherein a restoring force of energy storage means acts against said differential pressure.
Such a pilot control technology, which usually acts on one axial end of the valve slide unit in the known state of the art, already requires design effort, in particular with respect to the bearing of the valve slide unit in the valve housing along the valve lift to be undergone by the valve slide unit; it is of particular importance to prevent a wedging or jamming which potentially impedes the functioning.
The bearing of the valve slide unit is made more complex by a conceivable embodiment of the valve slide unit driven (in a pilot-controlled manner) by the electromagnetic actuator technology if the valve slide unit is to be moved in both axial directions in a pilot-controlled manner—therefore in opposite directions depending on the control—usually starting from a (de-energized) stable axial central position in the valve housing.
Such a bearing of a valve slide unit by means of conventional means would lead to bearing redundancies because of the (sliding) bearing to be provided at both axial ends of the valve slide unit and at the radial circumference in relation to a surrounding valve housing, wherein said bearing redundancies either severely limit the options of a control or dimensioning of such a unit or even make it impossible to realize certain design options (such as a bidirectionally switchable pilot-control fluid guiding through the valve slide unit).


A reflective film includes interior layers arranged to selectively reflect light by constructive or destructive interference, the layers extending from a first zone to a second zone of the film. The film has a first thickness and the interior layers provide a first reflective characteristic in the first zone; the film has a second thickness and the interior layers provide a second reflective characteristic in the second zone. The difference between the first and second reflective characteristics is not substantially attributable to any difference between the first and second thicknesses, which difference may be zero. Rather, the difference in the reflective characteristics is substantially attributable to reduced birefringence of at least some of the interior layers in one zone relative to the other zone. The film may also incorporate absorbing agents to assist in the manufacture or processing of the film. Related methods and articles are also disclosed.

Multilayer optical films, i.e., films that contain a multiplicity of distinct layers of different refractive index and of suitable thicknesses to selectively reflect and transmit light as a result of constructive and destructive interference of light reflected at the interfaces between the layers, are known. In some cases, such films are formed by vacuum depositing alternating layers of a high refractive index inorganic material, such as titanium dioxide, and a low refractive index inorganic material, such as silicon dioxide, onto a glass substrate or other rigid substrate.
In other cases, such films are formed by coextruding different organic polymer materials in an alternating layer arrangement through a die, cooling the extrudate to form a cast web, and stretching the cast web in order to thin the web to a suitable final thickness. In some cases the stretching may also be carried out in such a way as to cause one or both of the alternating polymer materials to become birefringent, i.e., wherein a given material has a refractive index for light polarized along one direction that differs from a refractive index for light polarized along a different direction. This birefringence may result in the finished film having a large refractive index mismatch between adjacent layers along a first in-plane direction (sometimes referred to as an x-axis), and a substantial refractive index match between adjacent layers along a second in-plane direction (sometimes referred to as a y-axis), whereupon normally incident light polarized along the first direction is highly reflected and normally incident light polarized along the second direction is highly transmitted. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,610,729 (Rogers), U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,305 (Rogers et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,486,949 (Schrenk et al.). The birefringence may also result in a refractive index difference between adjacent layers along an out-of-plane direction (i.e., along an axis perpendicular to the film) that differs significantly from a refractive index difference between adjacent layers along one or both in-plane directions. An example of this latter situation is a film having substantially the same large refractive index mismatch between adjacent layers along both orthogonal in-plane directions (x and y), such that normally incident light of any polarization is highly reflected, but where the refractive indices of adjacent layers along the out-of-plane direction (z) are substantially matched, such that the reflectivity of the interfaces for so-called "p-polarized" light (light polarized in the plane of incidence) is substantially constant. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,774 (Jonza et al.). Jonza et al. teach, among other things, how a z-axis mismatch in refractive index between adjacent microlayers, more briefly termed the z-index mismatch or Δnz, can be tailored to allow the construction of multilayer stacks for which the Brewster angle—the angle at which reflectance of p-polarized light at an interface goes to zero—is very large or is nonexistent. This in turn allows for the construction of multilayer mirrors and polarizers whose interfacial reflectivity for p-polarized light decreases slowly with increasing angle of incidence, or is independent of angle of incidence, or increases with angle of incidence away from the normal direction. As a result, multilayer films having high reflectivity for both s-polarized light (light polarized perpendicular to the plane of incidence) and p-polarized light for any incident direction in the case of mirrors, and for the selected direction in the case of polarizers, over a wide bandwidth, can be achieved.
It is also known to impart a pattern to multilayer optical films to form indicia. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,894 (Jonza et al.) "Clear to Colored Security Film", U.S. Pat. No. 6,531,230 (Weber et al.) "Color Shifting Film", and U.S. Pat. No. 6,788,463 (Merrill et al.) "Post-Formable Multilayer Optical Films and Methods of Forming" Pressure is selectively applied to the film, such as with an embossing die, to thin the film in selected areas or zones to produce the desired pattern. The selective thinning, which may produce a thickness reduction greater than 5% or greater than approximately 10%, is effective throughout the thickness of the film in the selected areas, such that the stack of optically thin layers ("microlayers") internal to the film, which microlayers are responsible for the observed reflective and transmissive characteristics, is also thinned in the selected areas relative to neighboring areas of the film. This thinning of the microlayers shifts any reflection bands associated with the microlayers to shorter wavelengths as a result of the shortened optical path length difference through the microlayers. The shift in the reflection band is manifested to the observer as a difference in reflected or transmitted color between the embossed and unembossed areas, so that the pattern is readily perceived.
For example, the '463 Merrill et al. patent describes an embossed color shifting security film in which a multilayer polymer film containing 418 internal microlayers (two packets of 209 microlayers each) was embossed in selected regions. Before embossing, and in unembossed areas after embossing, the microlayers had refractive indices and thicknesses that produced a reflection band whose short wavelength band edge shifted with incidence angle (viewing angle) from 720 nm at normal incidence, to 640 nm at 45 degree viewing, to an even shorter wavelength at 60 degree viewing, corresponding to a clear appearance at normal, to cyan at 45 degrees, to a brilliant cyan at 60 degrees. In these unembossed areas the film had a thickness of 3.4 mils, i.e., 0.0034 inches. The film was then embossed between a roll at 149 degrees C. and a pre-heated embossing plate to thin the film down to about 3.0 mils in the selected areas. The embossed areas exhibited a bright gold color at normal incidence, indicative of a band edge shift from 720 nm to shorter wavelengths. The observed color in the embossed areas changed to cyan or deeper blue at oblique viewing angles.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Internally patterned multilayer optical films using spatially selective birefringence reduction


Methods and apparatus for a dual-fiber ferrule are disclosed. A hole having a preferably elliptical shape and a size suitable for receiving two bare optical fibers is formed along the axis of symmetry of a retaining member. The elliptically-shaped hole determines the angular position of the center of fiber cores of the optical fibers within the retaining member. The dual-fiber ferrule can be used for forming improved optical connectors. A registration feature on the retaining member of the dual-fiber ferrule used in such connectors allows for passive alignment of the optical fibers of one connector with the fibers of another connector when forming an optical link. The optical link includes two such dual-fiber ferrules and a dual-fiber mating sleeve having a feature for engaging the registration feature of each retaining member. In a further aspect, the dual-fiber ferrule can be used for forming improved photonics packages containing two photonics devices, each of which are in optical communication with one of the optical fibers.

Two-way fiber optic communications links are often implemented using separate fibers for the transmitted and received data signals. Using separate fibers may result in reduced noise and crosstalk in comparison with using a single fiber for handling both signals.
Typically, a conventional duplex connector consisting of two independent connectors joined by a plastic housing is used for making optical connections in such two-fiber systems. Each of the connectors comprising the conventional duplex connector is coupled to one of the optical fibers. Each of such fibers is separately cabled, and the two optical fibers are usually connected to separate transmitter and detector devices.
Each of the connectors forming the duplex connector includes a cylindrical ferrule, typically ceramic, which receives the optical fiber in a single hole running along the axis of symmetry of the ferrule, i.e., the center of the ferrule. Locating the hole through the center of the ferrule aids in fabricating the ferrule with the sub-micron tolerances required for single mode fiber alignment.
It would be preferable to hold two fibers in a single ferrule. Such a ferrule would facilitate using a single connector, rather than two joined connectors, for duplex fiber handling. Since the cost of the conventional duplex connector described above is about equal to that of two separate simplex connectors, using a single connector for this service would provide a significant cost savings. The manufacturing techniques used for forming conventional single-fiber ferrules, i.e., forming a single hole at the center of the ferrule, cannot be used, however, for forming two holes positioned with the accuracy required for single-mode fiber alignment.
Thus, a ferrule suitable for receiving two optical fibers, methods for its manufacture, and photonics connectors and packages incorporating such a ferrule would be desirable.

Methods and arrangements for duplex fiber handling


Golf balls with at least one component, e.g., golf ball covers, cores, and intermediate layers, formed from engineering thermoplastic vulcanizates (“ETPV”) that have improved heat resistance, abrasion resistance, and impact strength.

While the U.S.G.A. regulates five specifications for the purposes of maintaining golf ball consistency, golf ball manufacturers constantly strive to improve alternative characteristics of the ball (i.e., spin, feel, durability, distance, sound, visibility, etc.). This is typically accomplished by altering the type of materials utilized and/or improving construction of the balls. For example, the proper choice of the materials for the cover(s) and core(s) are important in achieving certain distance, durability, and playability properties, including resilience and compression. Other important factors controlling golf ball performance include, but are not limited to, cover thickness and hardness, core stiffness (typically measured as compression), ball size, and surface configuration.
In fact, one of the principal properties driving performance of a golf ball is resilience. Resilience is generally defined as the ability of a strained body, by virtue of high yield strength and low elastic modulus, to recover its size and form following deformation. Simply stated, resilience is a measure of energy retained to the energy lost when the ball is impacted with the club. Golf balls function partly as a result of their ability to transfer kinetic energy of a moving golf club head to the golf ball and this ability is directly related to the modulus of elasticity of the various polymeric compounds that make up the components of the golf ball (in addition to the material properties of the golf club). However, because the modulus of elasticity varies with temperature, high and low temperatures will typically effect the performance of the golf ball. The coefficient of restitution (COR), which is the ratio of the outbound or rebound velocity to the incoming or inbound velocity, may be used, at least in part, as an indicator of performance at various temperatures.
For practical purposes, the optimum temperature for maximum driving distance and a "soft" feel is about 59° F. to about 95° F. Depending on the season and the climate, golf balls can be well below this optimum temperature range. Generally, the higher the temperature within a given range, the higher the modulus of elasticity, and, conversely, the lower the temperature, the lower the modulus of elasticity. In other words, as the temperature drops, golf balls generally become stiff and usually cannot be driven as far as when they are warm. In fact, golf balls stored in an unheated area may have a ball temperature of 32° F. or less, which may have a dramatic effect on the driving distance and feel of the golf ball.
One way to avoid playing with a golf ball that has a temperature outside of the optimum range is to manufacture the golf ball with a qualitative temperature indicator. Examples of golf balls having such temperature indicators are disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0109329. Another way to compensate for non-optimum ball temperatures is to use a portable golf ball warmer, such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,373. Still another attempt at reducing the effect of non-optimal temperatures on driving distance and golf ball feel is to use a golf club that compensates for various changes in stiffness of a golf ball. U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,818 discloses a golf club head having temperature-variable impact properties using a shape memory alloy that becomes stiffer at higher temperatures and more elastic at lower playing temperatures. While these methods allow a player to use a golf ball in non-optimal playing conditions and may allow the golfer to achieve adequate distance, they require special equipment to do so. And, because COR is generally a function of the composition of the components of the golf ball, it would be advantageous to find a particular material or blend of materials that provides desirable COR and, thus, desirable performance at non-optimal temperatures.
In addition, as indicated above, compression is another important property involved in the overall performance of a golf ball. The compression of a ball will influence the sound or "click" produced when the ball is properly hit. Similarly, compression can effect the "feel" of the ball (i.e., hard or soft responsive feel), particularly in chipping and putting. Moreover, while compression of itself has little bearing on the distance performance of a ball, compression can affect the playability of the ball on striking.
The degree of compression of a ball against the club face and the softness of the cover strongly influences the resultant spin rate. For example, a softer cover will typically produce a higher spin rate than a harder cover whereas a harder core will produce a higher spin rate than a softer core because, at impact, a hard core serves to compress the cover of the ball against the face of the club to a much greater degree than a soft core. In contrast, when a softer core is used, the cover is under much less compressive stress than when a harder core is used resulting in less intimate contact with the clubface and lower spin rates. Thus, it would be advantageous to find the right combination of materials for use in a golf ball to deliver optimal compression.
Furthermore, cover hardness and thickness are important in producing the distance, playability and durability properties of a golf ball. As mentioned above, cover hardness directly affects the resilience and thus distance characteristics of a ball. All things being equal, harder covers produce higher resilience. This is because soft materials detract from resilience by absorbing some of the impact energy as the material is compressed on striking. Therefore, it would be advantageous to also achieve an optimal combination of layer hardness and thickness for use in golf balls.
For example, ionomeric resins have been used to achieve durability in golf balls. However, some of the advantages gained in increased durability have been offset to some degree by decreases in playability due to the hardness of the material. As a result, a great deal of research continues in order to develop golf ball components exhibiting not only the improved impact resistance and carrying distance properties produced by the "hard" ionomeric resins, but also the playability (i.e., "spin", "feel", etc.) characteristics previously associated with the "soft" balata covers, properties still desired by the more skilled golfer. In addition, various golf ball compositions with purported improved light stability and durability have been disclosed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,458,307 is directed to thermoplastic cover materials with a reported improvement in light stability, cut resistance, and abrasion resistance. U.S. Pat. No. 6,369,125 relates to crosslinkable thermoplastic compositions that can be melted and reformed and also have improved scuff and cut resistance over conventional balata covers. However, like ionomeric resins, these materials have fallen short in several respects in achieving optimal performance characteristics.
In addition to the properties discussed above, there remains a need in the art to overcome the deficiencies of prior art materials with respect to degradation at elevated temperatures. For example, wrinkling of the golf ball component may occur at about 50° C. In fact, even the most advanced light stable polyurethane and polyurea compositions have been shown to be susceptible to heat degradation during additional processing steps, e.g., coating and marking, and upon storage in non-optimal temperatures. Several manufacturers have attempted to compensate for any golf ball cover degradation upon application of heat by using coatings having contraction and expansion properties. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,943 is directed to a coating having a higher heat resistance than the cover material to prevent shallowing of dimples or dulling of dimple edges upon the coating application. However, these efforts obviously require an additional step or processing time.
In sum, while past efforts by manufacturers compensate for many problems associated with golf play during non-optimal conditions, no method of material has addressed all of the problems at once. In addition, most of the methods used to compensate for extreme temperature conditions involve the use of a special indicator, club, or warmer. Therefore, there remains a continuing need for novel compositions that solve temperature-related problems of conventionally-formed golf balls and golf clubs, e.g., resiliency and material degradation at non-optimal temperatures. In particular, it would be advantageous to provide a composition using materials that provides heat resistance and impact strength, as well as improved resiliency, to golf ball and club components formed therefrom.

Use of engineering thermoplastic vulcanizates for golf ball layers


A method detects and mitigates harm caused by electromagnetic interference (EMI) to digital transmissions within an electronic circuit. One or more processors check for an initial transmission error during an initial digital transmission between a digital transmitter and a digital receiver on an electronic circuit. In response to detecting the initial transmission error, the processor(s) receive electromagnetic interference (EMI) detection signals from one or more EMI detectors. In response to determining that the EMI detection signals represent an EMI level that exceeds a predetermined value, the processor(s) identify an EMI anomaly source on the electronic circuit and adjusts the EMI anomaly source until the EMI level has been reduced to a nominal level. A copy of the initial digital transmission is then resent from the digital transmitter to the digital receiver. If no transmission error reoccurs, then the EMI anomaly source is kept in the adjusted state.

The present disclosure relates to the field of electronic circuits, and specifically to electronic circuits that are vulnerable to damage from electromagnetic interference and electrostatic discharge sources. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to mitigating harm to digital transmissions within electronic circuits caused by electromagnetic interference and electrostatic discharge sources.
Electronic circuits are vulnerable to disruption of normal operation as well as permanent damage from electromagnetic sources and electrostatic discharge sources.
An electromagnetic source produces electromagnetic energy that can damage hardware and/or alter transmitted data. For example, an electromagnetic interference (EMI) can cause transistors to flip ("on" to "off" and vice versa), thus changing the operation of execution units, altering data stored in memory, etc. Furthermore, electromagnetic energy can change bits being transmitted, especially on a high frequency bus, by altering the characteristic of the bits during transmission.
An electrostatic discharge source imposes an electrostatic discharge (ESD) on a circuit. This can cause semiconductors to flip (switch from "on" to "off" and vice versa) and/or can damage the semiconductors by overloading their circuits. Furthermore, an electrostatic discharge can alter bits being transmitted by altering the characteristic of the bits while being transmitted.

Mitigation of EMI/ESD-caused transmission errors on an electronic circuit

International Business Machines Corporation


Lubricant compositions and processes for producing such lubricant compositions. More specifically, low viscosity lubricant compositions for the working surface of an extrusion die during the processing of plastics that require lubricants to render them processable, such as polyvinyl chloride, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride and copolymers thereof. The lubricant composition may include up to about 70% by weight of at least one metal salt while maintaining a melt viscosity low enough to process on conventional finishing equipment such as prill towers or pastillating equipment.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to lubricant compositions and to processes for producing such lubricant compositions. More specifically, the invention pertains to low viscosity lubricant compositions for the working surface of an extrusion die. The lubricants are particularly useful in the processing of plastics that require lubricants to render them processable, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) and copolymers thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
For many years, plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) and polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) have been widely employed for various uses, including the fabrication of tubing and rigid pressurized piping. Of these materials, polyvinyl chloride is particularly desirable for forming rigid tubing and piping articles because of its low cost and beneficial properties, such as exceptional corrosion resistance to acids, corrosive liquids and gases. PVC tubing also exhibits smooth interior walls for unimpeded flow and reduced sediment buildup. It is non-contaminating, provides fast and reliable solvent-welded connections, offers good pressure-bearing capability, and provides ease of handling and installation. Although PVC is a very versatile polymer exhibiting such desirable properties, PVC base resin is also relatively hard and brittle and is very difficult to process with manufacturing equipment such as extruders, injection molders or other equipment used to process PVC compounds, such as prillers, flakers and pastillators. Accordingly, proper compounding and good lubricant balance are very important in obtaining good machine and end product properties.
It has been known in the art to use lubricant systems as extrusion aids to facilitate the processing of plastics such as PVC, CPVC and PVDC. Lubricants are materials that control the melting point in an extruder/molder to achieve the best processing characteristics and physical properties. Such lubricants may be external, internal or external/internal. External lubricants provide good release from metal surfaces and lubricate between the individual PVC particles and the metal surface. They are normally non-polar molecules, such as alkanes, and are usually paraffin waxes, mineral oils or polyethylene. External lubricants are normally incompatible with PVC, delay fusion and help the PVC slip over the hot melt surfaces of dies, barrels and screws without sticking and contribute to the gloss on the end product surface. They eventually migrate to the melt surface of the PVC, providing lubrication between the polymer and the metal surfaces of the extrusion equipment and are used primarily for processing of rigid PVC in applications where clarity is not a critical factor. External lubricants are prevailingly waxes, with the most conventional being paraffin waxes. Paraffin waxes are waxes that are separated from crude oil during the production of light lubricating oils. They are clear, odor free and can be refined for food contact.
Internal lubricants provide lubrication at the molecular level between resin particles and reduce the melt viscosity by improving inter-particulate flow when the PVC or other thermoplastic is in molten form. They are normally polar molecules, are usually fatty acids, fatty acid esters or metal esters of fatty acids and are very compatible with PVC. They lower melt viscosity, reduce internal friction and promote fusion. External/internal lubricants provide both external and internal lubrication depending on the combination of chemical groups contained. These have chemical groups of both lubricant types and generally have long hydrocarbon chains, along with amide, alcohol, acids and ester groups. Common types used in PVC are fatty acid amides and oxidized polyethylenes. Some of these materials will lubricate as an external lubricant before melting and as internal lubricants after melting. Others will do the reverse. Each of these lubricants should be characterized for its type of lubrication in a given PVC compound.
The purpose of lubrication is to achieve the full properties of a plastic and a melt that will extrude or mold without problems, at an economical cost. It has been found that highly effective lubricant compositions generally consist of a combination of at least one wax component, such as hydrocarbon waxes, alpha-olefin waxes and polyethylene waxes, and at least one fatty acid component or at least one metal salt of a fatty acid. However, it has also been found that known lubricant compositions blending waxes and such fatty acids or metal salts of fatty acids, undesirably increase the viscosity of the lubricant composition, rendering the lubricant difficult to process and finish on manufacturing equipment. Accordingly, a lower viscosity alternative is desired.
The present invention provides a solution to this need in the art. It has been unexpectedly found that the incorporation of an oxidized, low viscosity byproduct wax component reduces melt viscosity, allowing higher levels of a metal stearate to be incorporated, thereby producing an improved low viscosity lubricant composition. Particularly, the invention provides a multi-component lubricant composition comprising at least one oxidized, low viscosity wax and at least one metal salt, which metal salt comprises at least about 30% by weight of the lubricant composition. In the related art, U.S. Pat. No. 4,544,694, teaches a lubricant composition that is different than the present invention. In particular, their lubricant composition fails to include the oxidized, low viscosity byproduct wax component of the invention and they fail to teach a lubricant composition having the low viscosities taught herein.
The oxidized, low viscosity byproduct wax has a melt viscosity of less than or equal to about 100 centipoise at 140° C., an acid number of from about 7 to about 24 mg KOH/gram. Together with the metal salt component, the lubricant composition has a viscosity of less than about 450 cps at 140° C. Byproduct waxes from the polymerization of high density polyethylene are known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 5,728,754, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Incorporation of the oxidized, low viscosity wax into the blend permits levels of metal salt of about 70% or more while maintaining a melt viscosity low enough to process on conventional finishing equipment. Particularly, the lubricant composition can be used to provide internal and external lubrication when processing PVC compounds. Internally, it provides good melt blending and low processing temperatures, i.e. reduced shear heat, and externally it prevents the PVC compound from sticking to the metal surfaces of the processing equipment such as extruders, injection molders, prill towers, pastillating equipment, or other equipment used to process PVC compounds.

Multicomponent lubricant composition for processing rigid vinyl chloride polymers


A method of registering a real-time image feed from an imaging device inserted into a steerable catheter using a navigation system is provided. The method includes inserting the imaging device into a working channel of the steerable catheter and generating a real-time image feed of one or more reference points, wherein the orientation of the reference points is known. The method further includes orienting a handle of the steerable catheter to a neutral position, displaying the real-time image feed on a display of the navigation system, and registering the real-time image feed to the steerable catheter by rotating the displayed image so that the reference points in the real-time image feed are matched to the known orientation of the reference points.

The invention relates generally to medical devices and particularly to apparatuses and methods associated with a range of image guided medical procedures for detecting, sampling, staging and/or treating target tissues in the lungs of a patient.
Image guided surgery (IGS), also known as image guided intervention (IGI), enhances a physician's ability to locate instruments within anatomy during a medical procedure. IGS can include 2-dimensional (2D), 3-dimensional (3D), and 4-dimensional (4D) applications. The fourth dimension of IGS can include multiple parameters either individually or together such as time, motion, electrical signals, pressure, airflow, blood flow, respiration, heartbeat, and other patient measured parameters.
Although significant improvements have been made in these fields, a need remains for improved medical devices and procedures for visualizing, accessing, locating, real-time confirming while sampling and manipulating a target tissue.

Apparatuses and methods for registering a real-time image feed from an imaging device to a steerable catheter


A blowoff valve assembly includes a diaphragm separating a refrigerant connection from an ambient port open to the atmosphere. The refrigerant connection is preferably connected to air conditioning system such that the diaphragm is in contact with refrigerant from the system. The diaphragm is deflectable based on the pressure of the refrigerant and is operatively connected to a switch. When pressure of the refrigerant drops to a predetermined level, the diaphragm deflects to activate the switch. Additionally, the assembly also includes a detonable squib that explodes and ruptures the diaphragm, allowing the refrigerant to flow from the refrigerant connection to the atmosphere. Additional features, such as sensors for detecting refrigerant outside of the system, a collision subsystem, and an associated controller are also disclosed.

Blowoff valve assemblies with integrated pressure switches are well known in the prior art. An example of such an assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,153,396 (the '396 patent) to Cummings.
The assembly of the '396 patent includes a diaphragm which separates a refrigerant connection for connection to a refrigerant from an ambient port open to atmosphere. The diaphragm senses the pressure of the refrigerant. A switch is operatively connected to the diaphragm and is closed when the pressure of the refrigerant is at a standard level. As pressure of the refrigerant increases to a predetermined lower threshold, the switch opens to shut down a compressor in an attempt to stop the increase in pressure of the refrigerant. However, if the pressure of the refrigerant increase further to a predetermined upper threshold, an array of pins, positioned around the diaphragm, will puncture the diaphragm. The diaphragm then ruptures, allowing the refrigerant to ventilate from the refrigerant connection to the ambient port.
Although the assembly of the '396 patent may be effective apparatus to ventilate refrigerant from an air conditioning system in response to a high pressure condition, there remains an opportunity for an assembly for detecting a leak of a refrigerant and quickly ventilating the refrigerant to atmosphere.

Blowoff valve assembly with integrated pressure switch


A portable barrier apparatus is disclosed in this specification defining a multi-sectioned barrier for protection against wind and sand in various outdoor environments. Additionally the barrier may be assembled and used as a child or pet restraint enclosure, a privacy barrier, or a temporary personal effect storage site. The apparatus includes a connected plurality of flexible barrier panel members which may be supported in an upright manner with a plurality of pole members. The apparatus further includes a back pack or similar device for transporting the barrier in an undeployed configuration. The invention provides that the back pack can be independently utilized away from the barrier. The invention further provides an accessory enclosure structure which is attachable to the barrier.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of the present invention relates generally to improvements in portable environmental barriers, and more particularly to a portable screen that can be easily carried by a user in a compact backpack configuration. Portable screen barriers are particularly useful in outdoor environments to provide protection from blowing dirt, sand, and other debris. When used as a wind barrier, these devices are especially useful in beach environments, where wind blown sand and other debris may be a nuisance. Alternative uses for the portable environmental barrier of the present invention include a child or pet restraint enclosure, a privacy barrier, and a temporary equipment and personal effect storage site.
2. Brief Discussion of the Prior Art
The use of portable screen apparatuses in various environments is known in the prior art. In an outdoor environment, the use of environmental screens is desirable to prevent wind-blown dirt, sand, and other debris from contacting the user thereof or otherwise being deposited on or near the user. Additionally, environmental screens may desirably provide a degree of privacy to a user or group of users. Prior art environmental screens may be large fixed screens typically in the form of walls or fences. While such fixed screens are effective in providing protection against the wind and blowing objects, they are of course expensive, stationary structures which are impossible to transport. As a result, for those who find themselves outdoors on windy days either move to the shelter of a fixed wind fence or else suffer the discomfort and inconvenience of wind and blowing dirt and sand.
Prior art portable environmental screens are generally multiple paneled screens vertically supported by poles inserted into the soil. U.S. Pat. No. 4,778,090 to Facchina discloses a portable barrier device which can be carried as a "back pack." The Facchina device simply includes a pair of straps attached to a body panel that can be used to position the device on the back of the user. No detachable back pack portion is disclosed as being separable from the wind barrier panels in Facchina.

Portable environmental barrier apparatus


In one illustrative example, a wireless device receives a communication policy from a private network. The communication policy includes allowable service provider identifiers (e.g. domain names, realms) corresponding to allowable service providers. The wireless device stores these identifiers in its memory. When roaming, the wireless device encounters a wireless network (“hotspot”) and receives via the wireless network one or more reachable service provider identifiers corresponding to one or more reachable service providers. In a work mode of operation, the wireless device allows a connection to the wireless network based on a match between one of the allowable and reachable service provider identifiers, but otherwise disallows the connection. The communication policy may additionally or alternatively include device types for P2P networks, and/or allowable private network identifiers (e.g. ESSIDs), and/or allowable hotspot aggregator service identifiers or names, for use in the work mode.

1. Field Of The Technology
The present disclosure relates generally to techniques in devices which are configured for wireless communications, and more particularly to techniques far use in controlling connections to wireless networks for such devices.
2. Description Of The Related Art
A wireless communication device, such as a portable wireless telephony device or smartphone, may be configured to communicate in wireless communication networks. For example, such a device may communicate via access points (APs) of wireless local area networks (WLANs) in accordance with IEEE 802.11 standards or the like. The device may communicate in WLANs which are private WLANs of an enterprise or public WLANs such as hotspots. Such a device may additionally communicate using peer-to-peer communication techniques, for example, being certified as a "Wi-Fi Direct" device in accordance with the Wi-Fi Peer-To-Peer (P2P) Technical specification.
There is a need for efficiently controlling connectivity to such wireless networks in these and similar environments.

Methods and apparatus for use in controlling connections to wireless networks


The present document relates to oscillator circuits and a method. An oscillator circuit generates an oscillating voltage signal, wherein the crystal has a first electrode and a second electrode. The oscillator circuit has a power source with a supply terminal and a reference terminal. The oscillator circuit has a switching circuit arranged between the power source and the crystal. The switching circuit, in a start-up phase, alternately connects the supply terminal of the power source to the first and second electrode of the crystal such that an amplitude of the oscillating voltage signal is increased.

The Pierce oscillator is a frequently used electronic circuit that produces a periodic, oscillating signal. Typical application scenarios include RF applications or clock generators for generating clock signals in integrated circuits. The Pierce oscillator typically comprises an active element (such as an inverter), two capacitors, and a quartz crystal. However, there are still limitations and drawbacks of this frequently used oscillator architecture. For example, the two capacitors require a substantial amount of circuit area, the active element increases the overall power consumption of the oscillator, and the Pierce oscillator is sensitive towards parasitic capacitances over the quartz crystal.
Moreover, during start-up, the Pierce oscillator behaves like a linear circuit with the inverter acting as a transconductance, and it will start-up from noise. This takes a long time and is not very energy efficient. In particular, during start-up, the Pierce oscillator may consume a lot of energy relative to the energy that is eventually stored in the crystal. When Pierce oscillators are implemented in BLE circuits, the energy consumption related to start-up of the crystal oscillator may even be in the order of 10% of the total energy consumption.


A fin assembly includes a fin base, a fin tip rotatably connected with the fin base, and means for selectively locking the fin tip in a chosen configuration. A vehicle includes a body defining a cavity therein and defining an opening through a wall thereof, a fin control mechanism disposed within the cavity, and a fin base having an axle extending through the opening and engaged with the fin control mechanism. The vehicle further comprises a fin tip rotatably connected with the fin base, and means for selectively locking the fin tip in a chosen configuration. A method for configuring a fin assembly on a vehicle includes providing a fin tip rotatably connected with a fin base being operably coupled with the vehicle and selectively locking the fin tip in a first position relative to the fin base.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus and method for selectively locking a fin assembly in a chosen configuration. In one aspect, the invention relates to an apparatus and method for selectively locking a fin assembly in a folded configuration.
2. Description of the Related Art
Airborne and sea-going vehicles are often used to deliver a payload to a target location or to carry the payload over a desired area. For example, rockets, missiles, torpedoes, and other projectiles may be used in combat situations to deliver explosive warheads, kinetic energy penetrators, or other payloads to destroy or disable the target. Surveillance vehicles may carry a payload designed to sense certain conditions surrounding the vehicle, such as objects on the ground or weather conditions.
Such vehicles may include a plurality of fins for controlling their trajectories during flight. As the vehicle travels through the air or water, the attitude of the fins is adjusted to change the flight path of the vehicle. In the interest of space economy, however, it is generally desirable for the vehicle to be stored with its fins folded prior to its deployment. For example, a projectile's fins may be folded so that the diameter of the firing tube from which the projectile is deployed may be smaller than otherwise required. Accordingly, a mechanism is needed to hold each of the fins in the folded configuration and to release each of the fins so that they may unfold into an operational configuration.
Conventional fins may be retained in their folded configuration by some type of mechanism external to the projectile, such as a wire, a band, or a hook. In many cases, the mechanism is released from the projectile body after the fins are unfolded, thus presenting a potential debris problem for the surrounding environment. Further, some launch tubes employ additional fin restraint devices that are ejected after the projectile leaves the launch tube. These restraint devices also pose problems for the surrounding environment, as they may impact the launch platform or other surrounding equipment.
The present invention is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing, the effects of one or more of the problems set forth above.

Apparatus and method for selectivity locking a fin assembly


A lock cylinder includes a cylinder housing with a upper pin hole set and a replacing opening, a cylinder body with a lower pin hole set, a upper locking pin set, a second locking pin set and a clip member. The cylinder body is movably disposed inside the cylinder housing. The upper locking pin set is disposed inside the upper pin hole set for engaging the cylinder housing and the cylinder body. The second locking pin set is disposed inside the lower pin hole set for disengaging the cylinder housing from the cylinder body. The clip member constrains the cylinder body from sliding on the cylinder housing in a first position, and does not constrains the cylinder body from sliding on the cylinder housing in a second position. The cylinder body slides to a replacing position for replacing the second locking pin set via the replacing opening.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lock cylinder, and more particularly, to a lock cylinder capable of changing a key member.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Generally speaking, a lock cylinder is used for matching a key member, so that a user inserts a key member into a key slot on the lock cylinder for rotating the lock cylinder, so as to unlock/lock the door. However, the conventional lock cylinder can only match one single key member, and thus it is required to change whole mechanisms of the lock cylinder in case the user needs to change the key member due to practical demands. As a result, it results in inconvenience of the lock cylinder in use and does not facilitate implementation of the lock cylinder in market.

Lock cylinder capable of changing a key member


A method of improving a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) resource release process for a medium access control (MAC) layer of a user equipment in a wireless communication system includes deactivating allocated SPS resources when receiving an SPS resource release command and transmitting a MAC control element including an SPS resource release confirmation for confirming SPS resource deactivation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and related communication device in a wireless communication system for improving a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) resource release process, and more particularly, to a method and related communication device for improving the reliability of acknowledgement responding to a SPS resource release command.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A long-term evolution (LTE) system, initiated by the third generation partnership project (3GPP), is now being regarded as a new radio interface and radio network architecture that provides a high data rate, low latency, packet optimization, and improved system capacity and coverage. In the LTE system, an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) includes a plurality of evolved Node-Bs (eNBs) and communicates with a plurality of mobile stations, also referred as user equipments (UEs). The radio protocol stacks of E-UTRAN is given including a radio resource control layer (RRC), a packet data convergence protocol layer (PDCP), a radio link control layer (RLC), a media access control layer (MAC), and a physical layer (PHY).
A dynamic scheduling function is used in MAC for utilizing shared channel (SCH) resources. When sharing resources between UEs, MAC in eNB dynamically allocates physical layer resources for the downlink (DL)-SCH and uplink (UL)-SCH depends on the traffic volume, the Quality of Service (QoS) requirements of each UE, and associated radio bearers. In order to utilize SCH resources more efficiently, a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) function is introduced in the LTE system and is used in MAC, for serving upper layer applications which generates semi-static size data periodically, e.g. VoIP services. The eNB activates SPS resource by sending a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) signaling. According to current specification, a UE reply for SPS resource activation is not necessary.
There are two error cases in SPS resource activation. One is false activation that the eNB activates SPS resource on a UE which is not a target UE, which may result in SPS resources interference when the same SPS resource is also activated on the target UE. Current specification defines virtual cyclic redundancy check (CRC) in PDCCH to prevent SPS resources interference caused by the harmful false activation. The other is failure activation that the eNB does not activate SPS resource on the target UE successfully. It is not a considerable concern since there is no potential interference between UEs. The eNB can find out the failure activation at the coming SPS resource and activate SPS resource again.
Similar to SPS resource activation, SPS resource release is also done by an explicit PDCCH signaling including an SPS cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI). According to previous specification, the eNB does not require waiting for a UE reply for SPS resource release. It is a different story for error cases of SPS resource release, however. One is false release that the eNB releases SPS resource on the UE by mistake, which does not result in harmful SPS resources interference and the eNB can activate SPS resource on the UE again if the eNB likes to do so. The other is failure release that the eNB transmits an SPS resource release command to the UE while the UE fails to receive the SPS resource release command and still uses SPS resources previously assigned. If the eNB reassigns SPS resources prematurely to another UE without waiting for any confirmation responding to the SPS resource release command from the UE, SPS resources interference between UEs may happen. For UL SPS, the UE keeps transmitting on revoked SPS resources and interferes with the transmission of another UE which currently owns SPS resources. For DL SPS, the UE keeps receiving on revoked SPS resources but cannot decode transport blocks correctly since the data is for another UE, and as a result, a corresponding negative-acknowledgement (NACK) transmitted by the UE probably collides with the ACK/NACK of the current owner.
Duo to poor reliability of the PDCCH signaling, the eNB is not confident that the UE indeed receives the PDCCH signaling of SPS resource release, and SPS resources interference caused by failure SPS resource release may happen. In order to prevent the potential interference, for UL case, the eNB reuses SPS resources after waiting and seeing nothing sent from the UE on the next UL SPS resource; and for DL case, the eNB reuses SPS resources after waiting and seeing no corresponding ACK/NACK sent from the UE with respect to the next DL SPS resource. The above solution is also called implicit release, which costs the eNB extra time on waiting.
For improving SPS resource release, the 3GPP further defines that the UE has to confirm DL SPS resource release by replying a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) ACK, which is more efficient than the eNB waiting and seeing if no data on the next SPS resource. The eNB sends an SPS resource release PDCCH signaling at subframe n which implicitly defined PUCCH resource at subframe (n+4) for the UE to response a PUCCH ACK if the release is successful, therefore, the eNB can safely reassign SPS resource to another UE. However, the PUCCH ACK is error-prone and its reliability is around 10−1˜10−2. Presently, the PUCCH ACK reply is only for DL SPS resource release. Whether the eNB can reuse SPS resources directly after receiving the PUCCH ACK is questionable.

Method and apparatus for improving a semi-persistent scheduling resource release process in a wireless communication system


A foundation assembly for use with expansive soils. The assembly includes a slab form, such as metal pan, for receiving poured concrete, a structural slab cast into the form, and structural members, e.g., piers, footing pads, and the like, contacting and/or extending into the soil. An elongate support member, e.g., a rectangular concrete beam, is positioned on an upper support surface of the structural members so as to contact a lower surface of the slab form. In this manner, the support member supports the slab form and structural slab and defines a void space between the soil and the slab form without the use of biodegradable materials.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to the construction of concrete walls, slabs, and other static structures, and, more particularly, to a concrete flooring assembly, and method of fabrication, for use with expansive soils that utilizes concrete support beams to create voids and to support the structural slab.
2. Relevant Background
Commercial and residential buildings are often built on foundations comprising vertical perimeter walls of poured concrete. Since the vertical foundation walls are structural members which support the building, they are usually several feet in depth and function as beams bridging between footers or piers resting on bedrock or stable soil. It is common practice in such buildings to provide a basement, or ground floor, wherein at least a portion of the basement walls include the vertical foundation walls and wherein the basement floor is a poured concrete slab resting on the soil enclosed by the foundation walls. Typically, the foundation is constructed by first excavating a pit for the basement and for the foundation footers. Then, forms are erected around the periphery of the pit and concrete for the foundation walls is poured into the forms.
A major problem with conventional construction in certain soil and climate conditions is that the location of the basement floor can be unstable due to movement of the underlying soil. Expansive soils are prevalent in many areas of the Unites States and other countries. These expansive soils can expand and contract considerably as a result of cyclical changes in moisture content and/or as a result of freezing and thawing cycles. The soil expansion and contraction problem can be especially severe when the floor is simply a slab of concrete poured onto the surface of the soil that forms the floor of the excavation pit. For example, certain dense clay soils tend to dry out after excavation and then later absorb water and swell. This swelling or expansion causes the slab to move relative to the foundation walls which can generate large forces that are sufficient to crack or break the slab. In general, because the foundation walls must support the building, they are supported by piers or pads on solid ground or bedrock or piers or pads on footings and therefore are very stable. However, when the basement floor is a relatively thin slab of concrete having a large surface area and resting on a large area of soil, it is highly vulnerable to movement due to expansion and contraction of the soil as water is absorbed and released by the soil. The relative motion between the slab and the walls can damage interior walls.
A variety of techniques have been implemented to control the effects of expansive soils on concrete foundations and structural slabs or floors. Generally, each of these techniques attempts to separate the foundation walls and structural slabs or flooring from the heaving soils or to at least absorb some of the expansive forces created by the moving soil. Unfortunately, these techniques have proven to be costly, to increase the complexity of fabricating concrete foundations and flooring, to cause long-term structural or safety problems, and to reduce spacing between the floor and ceiling.
For example, a common technique of protecting the foundation and slab from the expanding soil is to create a void space under the concrete slab. To create the void, cardboard forms or other degradable material forms are positioned under the form or pan used during pouring of the foundation walls and floor. With time, the material of the void form begins to deteriorate creating a void in which the soil can expand without moving the wall or floor. However, the degradation of the forms typically is accompanied by mold growth and the release of associated toxins, which can result in safety issues within the structure above the concrete foundation. Additionally, jobsite delays and inclement weather during initial construction can result in premature degradation of the cardboard void form and loss of the strength needed to support the curing concrete wall and floor.
Another technique has involved structurally supported wood floors to replace the concrete slab, but the wood product has tended to degrade in a similar fashion to the cardboard forms when exposed to moisture in the adjacent soil. More recently, raw steel components have been used to create voids spaces, but the expected life and reliability of the steel components is questionable in the moist environment below grade that is likely to cause rapid rusting.
There remains a need for an improved method and system for creating and protecting concrete foundation walls and structural slabs from the effects of expansive soils. Preferably, such a method and system would be relatively inexpensive to implement in the cost-sensitive construction industry and lend itself to the field conditions associated with excavating soil and forming. structures with concrete. Further, the method and system preferably would result in void spaces being created under structural slabs and allow removal of any degradable void forms after formation of the foundation wall and/or slab.

Structural slab and wall assembly for use with expansive soils