An apparatus and process for producing meltblown fibers employs a coflowing primary cold air flow and secondary hot air flow in a meltblowing nozzle. The primary cold air flow provides the majority of the force used to attenuate the polymer stream into fibers, while a secondary hot air flow shrouds the die tip and prevents premature quenching.

Meltblown fibers are fibers formed by extruding a molten thermoplastic material through a plurality of fine, usually circular, die capillaries as molten threads or filaments into converging, usually hot and high velocity, gas (e.g. air) streams to attenuate the filaments of molten thermoplastic material and form fibers. During the meltblowing process, the diameter of the molten filaments are reduced by the drawing air to a desired size. Thereafter, the meltblown fibers are carried by the high velocity gas stream and are deposited on a collecting surface to form a web of randomly disbursed meltblown fibers. Such a process is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,849,241 to Buntin et al., 4,526,733 to Lau, and 5,160,746 to Dodge, II et al., all of which are hereby incorporated herein by this reference. Meltblown fibers may be continuous or discontinuous and are generally smaller than ten microns in average diameter.
In a conventional meltblowing process, molten polymer is provided to a die that is disposed between a pair of air plates that form a primary air nozzle. Standard meltblown equipment includes a die tip with a single row of capillaries along a knife edge. Typical die tips have approximately 30 capillary exit holes per linear inch of die width. The die tip is typically a 60.degree. wedge-shaped block converging at the knife edge at the point where the capillaries are located. The air plates in many known meltblowing nozzles are mounted in a recessed configuration such that the tip of the die is set back from the primary air nozzle. However, air plates in some nozzles are mounted in a flush configuration where the air plate ends are in the same horizontal plane as the die tip; in other nozzles the die tip is in a protruding or "stick-out" configuration so that the tip of the die extends past the ends of the air plates. Moreover, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,746 to Dodge II et al, more than one air flow stream can be provided for use in the nozzle.
In most known configurations of meltblowing nozzles, hot air is provided through the primary air nozzle formed on each side of the die tip. The hot air heats the die and thus prevents the die from freezing as the molten polymer exits and cools. In this way the die is prevented from becoming clogged with solidifying polymer. The hot air also draws, or attenuates, the melt into fibers.
Primary hot air flow rates typically range from about 20 to 24 standard cubic feet per minute per inch of die width (scfm/in).
Primary air pressure typically ranges from 5 to 10 pounds per square inch gauge (psig). Primary air temperature typically ranges from 450.degree. to 600.degree. Fahrenheit (F), but temperatures of 750.degree. F. are not uncommon. The particular temperature of the primary hot air flow will depend on the particular polymer being drawn as well as other characteristics desired in the meltblown web.
Expressed in terms of the amount of polymer material flowing per inch of the die per unit of time, polymer throughput is typically 0.5 to 1.25 grams per hole per minute (ghm). Thus, for a die having 30 holes per inch, polymer throughput is typically about 2 to 5 lbs/inch/hour (PIH).
Moreover, in order to form meltblown fibers from an input of about five pounds per inch per hour of the polymer melt, about one hundred pounds per inch per hour of hot air is required to draw or attenuate the melt into discrete fibers. This drawing air must be heated to a temperature on the order of 400-600.degree. F. in order to maintain proper heat to the die tip.
Because such high temperatures must be used, a substantial amount of heat must be removed from the fibers in order to quench (or solidify) the fibers leaving the die orifice. Cold gases, such as air, have been used to accelerate cooling and solidification of the meltblown fibers. In particular, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,068 to Milligan et al and U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,569 to Gubernick et al, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference, secondary air flowing in a cross-flow perpendicular, or 90.degree., direction relative to the direction of fiber elongation, has been used to quench meltblown fibers and produce smaller diameter fibers. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,701 to Allen et al, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, uses a cooler pressurized quench air that fills chamber 71 and results in faster cooling and solidification of the fibers. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,112,159 to Pall, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, a cold air flow is used to attenuate the fibers when it is desired to decrease the attenuation of the fibers.
Generally, in a typical meltblown process, the energy in the primary air is approximately seven times that required for the polymer stream, and the temperature range of the hot primary air will generally be 500.degree. F. to 550.degree. F. The conventional meltblown process has high energy demands because the polymer must be heated, the die tip must be kept heated, hot primary air flow attenuates the polymer to the desired diameter, and the hot attenuated fibers must be quenched. Thus, the meltblowing process is energy intensive, both in adding heat during fiber formation and in removing heat during fiber quenching.
Through the control of air and die tip temperatures, air pressure, and polymer feed rate, the diameter of the fiber formed during the meltblown process may be regulated. For example, typical meltblown polypropylene fibers have a diameter of 3 to 4 microns.
After cooling, the fibers are collected to form an integrated web. In particular, the fibers are collected on a forming web that comprises a moving mesh screen or belt located below the die tip. In order to provide enough space beneath the die tip for fiber forming, attenuation and cooling, forming distances of at least about 8 to 12 inches between the polymer die tip and the top of the mesh screen are required in the typical meltblowing process.
However, forming distances as low as 4 inches are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,526,733 to Lau (hereafter the '733 patent), which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. As described in Example 3 of the '733 patent, the shorter forming distances are achieved with attenuating air flows of at least 100.degree. F. cooler than the temperature of the molten polymer. For example, Lau discloses the use of attenuating air at 150.degree. F. for polypropylene melt at a temperature of 511.degree. F. to allow a forming distance between die tip and forming belt of 4 inches. The Lau patent incorporates passive air gaps 36 (shown in FIG. 4 of Lau) to insulate the die tip.
Zebra striping is a problem that sometimes results during high speed meltblowing line applications. Stripes may form in the cross machine direction, resulting from the flapping of the turbulent air jet. If the forming distance between the die and the forming fabrics can be decreased, Zebra striping will likewise be decreased. Uniformity will also improve due to the smaller scale turbulent structure in the primary air jet at low forming distances. As the forming distance increases, the primary air jet decays more and the formation becomes worse.


A method of and system for classifying a pattern wherein there is provided a node, the negative of a predetermined threshold signal is applied to the node, a plurality of digital signals in parallel, is provided the digital signals are converted to analog signals, the analog signals are applied to the node to provide a summation of the analog signals and the threshold signal on the node and a predetermined output is provided if the signal at the node is above a predetermined value. This provides the transfer of a weighted pattern to the threshold without addressing each threshold element individually.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method and system for computing the Hamming distance between two vectors in an N-dimensional space with binary components and to a method and system for comparing the Hamming distance with a preselected value and a method of changing the pre-selected value, if found to be too small, with a single digital command.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Architecture for a complete pattern classifier has been developed by Nestor Learning Systems and is set forth in "Neural Network Algorithms and Implementations" by Dean R. Collins et al., Texas Instruments Incorporated, "Pattern Class Degeneracy In An Unrestricted Storage Density Memory" by Christopher L. Scofield et al., Nestor, Inc., American Institute of Physics, 1988, pages 674 to 682, "Learning System Architectures Composed of Multiple Learning Modules" by Douglas L. Reilly et al., Nestor Inc., pages II-495 to II-503 and "Learning Systems Based on Multiple Neural Networks", copies of which are attached hereto and the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. However, though the mathematics for the Nestor architecture has been developed, there is no known prior art which implements this architecture in an integrated circuit. It is apparent that a full digital implementation of the mathematics embodying the Nestor architecture has the disadvantage that the Hamming distance must be computed with some type of digital adder, such as a counter, and many N clock cycles are required to compute the required sum, where N is the pattern space dimension which could be 100 or more. The requirement of the many N clock cycles results in the necessity of a relatively high clock rate of N times the pattern rate. Also, the number of components required is relatively large, therefore resulting in a relatively large chip and the concomitant relatively high power consumption. It is therefore apparent that an integrated circuit embodiment of the Nestor architecture which operates with relatively low power consumption, yet operates at sufficiently high speed to perform the classification logic, is highly desirable.

Analog implementation of a pattern classifier


A suture placement device includes a crook-shaped needle having a suture passage through which a suture thread passes; a suture opening in a tip portion of the needle, from which the suture thread exits the needle; and a bend in the needle including an open portion of the suture passage. The bend defines a suture capture zone in which the suture thread is separated from the needle. A shuttle includes a shuttle body and a shuttle hook. The shuttle hook is formed at a distal end of the shaft. The needle and the shuttle extend from the barrel, and the barrel includes a source of the suture thread and a rotating shaft or cable that causes the shuttle to traverse over the needle. A guide groove guides the shuttle over the needle. The shuttle hook engages the suture thread in the suture capture zone and draws the suture thread to the barrel.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a suture placement apparatus. More specifically, the invention relates to a suture placement apparatus for use in placing sutures in various sites in and around the heart.
2. Description of Related Art
In minimally invasive, valve replacement surgery, a plurality of independent suture loops is placed around the annulus of the valve. In the case of the mitral valve, this is the annulus between the left atrium and the left ventricle. Referring to FIG. 1, a sutured annulus 10 is depicted. The placement of suture threads 12 around an annulus 13 is achieved using known suturing techniques. Each suture thread loop is made using a curved needle with suture thread 12 attached. The needle may be gripped with a forceps or other means, introduced intercostally, threaded through annulus 3, and retrieved using the same forceps or another means. Suture thread 12 then is held using a positioner. This process is repeated around annulus 13 until all suture threads 12 are held in the positioner. There may be as many as twenty-four, individual suture thread loops.
An artificial valve has a flange with holes around its perimeter. A surgeon may thread each suture pair through a corresponding pair of holes, slides the valve over the sutures into position at the annulus, and ties the sutures to secure the valve. In order to achieve the desired accuracy and strength of suture placement, considerable time is spent in placing the sutures around the annulus and retrieving them.


In a clock and data recovery circuit and method, the clock and data recovery circuit comprises a clock signal generator for generating N clock signals, each clock signal having phase difference of 360/N×K from each other, wherein the N denotes an integer and the K denotes an integer from 0 to N−1, a phase selector for generating an I+2th clock signal out of the N clock signals as a recovered clock signal if an Ith clock signal is on a first state and an I+1th clock signal is on a second state when logic level transition of a received data is detected, wherein the I denotes an integer from 1 to N, and a recovered data generator for generating a recovered data synchronized with the recovered clock signal by using the received data in response to the recovered clock signal output from the phase selector.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a clock and data recovery circuit and method capable of generating clock signals that are synchronized with received data.
2. Description of the Related Art
Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an interface standard for data transmission between a computer and its peripheral devices. For data communication between a computer and a peripheral device according to the USB interface standard, there are several requirements. For example, a computer and a peripheral device must have a USB transmission unit and a USB receiving unit therein, respectively. Also, a clock signal is not transmitted between the USB transmission unit and the USB receiving unit. Instead, only Non-Return-to-Zero (NRZ) or Non-Return-to-Zero-Inverted (NRZI) data is transmitted between the USB transmission unit and the USB receiving unit. Accordingly, a clock signal is recovered in the USB receiving unit using the received data.
Generally, the USB transmission unit and the USB receiving unit use the same clock signal, so the clock signal used by the USB transmission unit usually has the same frequency as the clock signal used by the USB receiving unit but has a different phase. Typically, the USB receiving unit has a clock and data recovery circuit for recovering the clock signal having the same frequency and phase as the clock signal used by the USB transmission unit, and generates a recovered clock signal that is synchronized with the received data.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a clock and data recovery circuit, in accordance with the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional clock and data recovery circuit comprises a phase detector 10, a bi-directional shift register 12, a phase selector 14, a clock generator 16 and a multi-phase clock generator 18.
The phase detector 10 generates a down signal DN when received data RDATA leads a recovered clock signal RCCK in phase, and generates an up signal UP when the received data lags the recovered clock signal RCCK in phase, after comparing the phases of the received data RDATA and the recovered clock signal RCCK. The bi-directional shift register 12 counts down in response to the down signal DN and counts up in response to the up signal UP, and generates a control signal CON. The phase selector 14 selects one clock signal from a plurality of clock signals P1, P2, P3, . . . , Pn output from the multi-phase clock generator 18, and outputs the selected clock signal as a recovered clock signal RCCK. The clock generator 16 generates a receiving clock signal RXCK. The multi-phase clock generator 18 receives the receiving clock signal RXCK, and generates n clock signals P1, P2, P3, . . . , Pn which have the same frequency and different phases from each other by as much as 360/N×K, wherein K is an integer between zero to N−1. If, N is 8, 8 clock signals are generated from the multi-phase clock generator 18, and the generated clock signals have phase differences from each other by as much as 45 degrees, so that the 8 clock signals have phases 0, 45, 90, 135, 180, 225, 270 and 315 degrees, respectively. The receiving clock signal RXCK generated by the clock generator 16 has the same frequency as a clock signal which is used in the USB transmission unit (not shown), for transmitting the received data RDATA.
FIG. 2 is a timing diagram showing the operation of the clock and data recovery circuit shown in FIG. 1.
First, the phase detector 10 compares the respective phases of the received data RDATA and the recovered clock signal RCCK. If an initial value of a control signal CON output from the bi-directional shift register is 1 and the phase selector 14 selects a clock signal CK0, the recovered clock signal RCCK is the clock signal CK0. Accordingly, at this time, the phase detector 10 generates an up signal UP because the received data lags the recovered clock signal in phase. Then, the bi-directional shift register 12 counts up and increments the value of the control signal to 2. The phase selector 14 generates a clock signal CK45 as the recovered clock signal RCCK in response to the incremented control signal CON having the value 2. The phase detector 10 again compares the phases of the received data RDATA and the recovered clock signal RCCK, and generates the up signal UP because the received data RDATA lags the recovered clock signal RCCK in phase. Then, the bi-directional shift register counts up and the value of the control signal CON increments to 3. Then, the phase selector 14 generates a clock signal CK90 as the recovered clock signal in response to the control signal CON. The phase detector 10 compares the phases of the received data RDATA and the recovered clock signal RCCK, and generates a down signal DN because the received data RDATA leads the recovered clock signal RCCK in phase. Then, the bi-directional shift register 12 counts down and decrements the value of the control signal CON to be 2.
In the manner described above, the clock and data recovery circuit shown in FIG. 1 generates the recovered clock signal in synchronization with the received data, and the clock signal CK45 and the clock signal CK90 are alternately generated as the recovered clock signal RCCK.
Accordingly, the clock and data recovery circuit in accordance with the conventional art is limited in that it does not generate the recovered clock signal RCCK in precise synchronization with the received data RDATA. Also, the conventional art is limited in that it requires a maximum of N clock periods in order to generate the recovered clock signal RCCK in relative synchronization with the received data.
If the N is set to a small number to synchronize the received data RDATA with the recovered clock signal RCCK within a short period, the phase difference between the received data RDATA and the recovered clock signal RCCK becomes greater even though the received data RDATA and the recovered clock signal RCCK are synchronized.

Clock and data recovery circuit and method


The illuminated tongue depressor includes a handle having a battery-operated light source and a depressor blade selectively coupled with or uncoupled from the handle for discard and replacement. The blade includes a length extending longitudinally between a proximal end and a distal end and laterally between opposite sides, and includes upper and lower surfaces, a peripheral edge between the upper and lower surfaces defining a relatively thin blade thickness, a root adjacent the proximal end of the blade, a tip at the distal end of the blade, and a light conducting material between the upper and lower surfaces and extending along the blade from the root to at least a portion of the peripheral edge at the tip of the blade. A light directing configuration formed on the distal end directs the light transmitted by the light conducting material toward the area to be examined and includes an elevated portion at the tip and a support leg on both sides thereof for contacting the patient's tongue during use to maintain the elevated portion above the portion of the tongue immediately in front of the tip. The handle includes a movable arm and associated contact forming a switch which is automatically closed energizing the light source when the blade is moved into a coupled position, and automatically opened deenergizing the light source when the blade is moved to an uncoupled position.

The present invention relates generally to medical devices and pertains, more specifically, to a diagnostic spatula known more familiarly as a tongue depressor. In particular, the invention provides an improved tongue depressor which more effectively directs light to the area to be inspected aiding such inspection and facilitating examination.
Tongue depressors have been in use routinely in the examination of patients for a very long time. Despite efforts to develop and manufacture tongue depressors of other materials, by far the most commonly used tongue depressors are those constructed of wood. Suggestions for substituting a synthetic resin material for wood have been made but wood is still the preferred material and large numbers of wooden tongue depressors are consumed annually. In order to adequately inspect a patient's mouth and throat, the examiner normally must hold a light source in one hand while using the other hand to hold and manipulate the tongue depressor against the patient's tongue.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,599 discloses an illuminating tongue depressor which avoids the need for a separately held light source thereby allowing a one-hand operation for illuminated inspection of the particular area being examined. The tongue depressor includes a handle having a battery-operated light source and a depressor blade selectively coupled with or uncoupled from the handle for discard and replacement. The blade is constructed of a light-conducting synthetic resin material formed with a lateral arch along the axis of the blade to resist bending along the length thereof. The blade also includes a light-receiving surface at the proximal end thereof and a light-directing configuration at the distal end thereof for directing light conducted from the light source and projected from the distal end to a defined area to be inspected during use of the depressor in the examination of a patient. However, it has been found that, during use, as the depressor is pushed against the soft tissue of the patient's tongue, the light-directing configuration at the distal end becomes positioned in a recess of the tongue formed by the yielding of the tongue surface under the pressure of the depressor end. As a result, the light-directing configuration at the distal end is positioned slightly below the top surface of the tongue immediately adjacent the light-directing configuration. Consequently, the tongue portion in front of the distal end blocks the light emitted from the light-directing configuration thus interfering with the illumination of the area to be examined.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,344,419 and 4,996,976 disclose other forms of tongue depressors having a handle, a blade and an illuminating means attached to the blade for illuminating the region of a throat to be examined. These depressors include an illumination means, such as a lens or optical fibers, formed on the top surface of the blade to assist in directing the light. In both the '419 and the '976 references, the outermost portion of each blade, closest the area to be examined, is also used to transmit light. However, this outermost portion of the depressor is generally flat and, therefore, will often be positioned below the surface of the tongue preventing the effective utilization of the outermost illuminating edge of the blade.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,723,661 to Hull and U.S. Pat. No. 3,734,084 to Ousterhout disclose examples of conventional tongue depressors used to assist in the examination of a patient. The tongue depressor disclosed in the Hull patent includes a concave portion at one end which faces downwardly against the patient's tongue during use. The concave portion provides strength and rigidity to the depressor while conforming to the shape of the tongue thereby decreasing any slippage of the depressor. The tongue depressor disclosed in the Ousterhout patent includes a blade having a lower tongue-engaging surface including a longitudinally extending central groove for receiving an endotracheal tube. However, these tongue depressors do not include a light illuminating and directing portion to illuminate the particular area being examined. Therefore, these depressors require a separate additional light source and a means for effectively directing the light onto the inspection area of the patient.
Thus, there is a need for a simple and effective tongue depressor for providing sufficient tongue depression while simultaneously and effectively illuminating the particular area to be examined.


To simplify the creation and handling of an information library which is associated with a number of modules from which a device is put together in accordance with a prescribed configuration structure, a method for checking the completeness and consistency of the information library is provided. Accordingly, the information library comprises a number of information packets, each of which contains an information core and a meta-statement which defines the association between the information packet and at least one module a context library is prescribed which comprises a number of context units, each context unit of which contains a reference to a combination of modules which requires the presence of the information packet, and the information library is checked for completeness and consistency by testing whether each configuration of modules which is valid in accordance with the configuration structure and each affected context unit which refers to a combination contained in the configuration have at least one corresponding information packet available which, in accordance with its meta-statement, is compatible with the configuration and is defined as being associated with the combination.

Typically, a complex technical device, such as a magnetic resonance (MR) tomography, is configured to be of modular design. This is understood to mean that the whole device can be put together from a multiplicity of individual modules, e.g. solenoids, receivers, amplifiers, treatment table etc. For each of these modules, specified above basically according to type, there are normally a plurality of variants or embodiments, e.g. various designs of treatment table, various solenoids etc., from which to select in the course of the design of a specific exemplar of the device. As such, a module is normally itself put together in turn from other modules or sub-modules. By way of example, the treatment table may comprise the modules for a chassis, a height adjustment, a support etc., with each of these modules again being able to have a plurality of variants available for selection. In addition, workflows which need to be implemented in order to set, maintain or operate the device may also be of modular structure. As such, a module may therefore contain an apparatus component, or else a software component or a workflow.
The device of the type described above may not exist in a single well-defined design. Rather, a multiplicity of different configurations of the device may exist in accordance or in line with a respective particular selection of modules. An inclusive number of all of the configurations may be represented by a "configuration structure". The configuration structure contains the reciprocal dependencies of the modules, which modules may be subunits of a "super-ordinate" module, for example. In addition, the configuration structure specifies which module or modules in a configuration may require the presence of a particular further module or modules or which module may not be able to be combined with a particular further module or modules in a configuration. A selection of modules which corresponds to the configuration structure is called a "valid" configuration. Normally, only such a valid configuration produces a working device.
Typically, a particular stock of information may need to be provided in connection with a technical device. Such stock of information includes, by way of example, documentation for the device, such as technical manuals, user manuals, programming instructions etc. However, the stock of information required in connection with the technical device may also comprise, by way of example, a parameter collection for setting the parameters of the device, configuration files, driver software or the like.
Conventionally, the information associated with the device, e.g. the manual or the parameter collection, is created individually for every configuration of the device. With the multiplicity of possible configurations for a complex technical device, such as for the MR tomography cited at the outset, matching the information to every possible configuration individually on account of the associated complexity associated may become difficult. Alternatively, in connection with a technical device, information typically provided may be equally valid for a multiplicity of configurations for the device, e.g. in the form of a universal manual which covers all possible configurations of the device equally. However, when the device is highly complex or there are a large number of configuration options, the information provided may become less manageable.
Accordingly, one approach is to select the associated information for a complex technical device of modular design dynamically, i.e. in automated fashion, from an information library which stores a stock of information covering all configurations, for each specific configuration of the device. However, a problem arises in that the information library which needs to be associated with a complex device is typically so extensive, becoming barely comprehensible or controllable any longer. Another factor contributing to this problem, in particular, is that the modular design of the device means that often a multiplicity of different experts create respective information for a sub-region of the device and put this information into the information library. Any errors or omissions which exist within the information library are therefore sometimes not identified or are identified only at an undesirably late stage.

Method for checking the completeness and consistency of an information library


A jack configuration, which may be characterized as a half scissor jack, which achieves the objects of simplifying manufacture by reducing component parts and limiting overall size of the jack while providing the requisite load bearing and height variation characteristics appropriate to the intended vehicle lifting and which furthermore reduces the potential for a torsional deflection in the base channel. Torsional deflection is reduced by creating a box section in the base channel, preferably by providing a channel bracket structure that spans the base channel to maintain the spacing of the side walls of that component.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a jack for lifting automobiles and other vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved construction of a jack to reduce distortion or deflection of the components thereof in use.
2. Description of the Related Art
A portable jack is typically stored in a vehicle to enable the driver to lift a portion of the vehicle to effect emergency repairs, such as change a tire.
A popular jack configuration is known as the pantographic jack. Pantographic jacks typically have four arms hinged in a parallelogram at four joints. One joint is located on a base of the jack, another joint is positioned at a load rest vertically above the base. Two other free floating points are located on a horizontal diagonal at opposite corners of the parallelogram formed by the four arms. When the free floating points are joined together in a horizontal plane for example by means of a drive screw, the arms are extended more vertically to thereby lift the load rest with respect to the base and the vehicle part disposed on the load support. Thus the relative position of the free floating joints is controlled by a drive screw or thread shaft which lengths them together. Typically, one of the free floating joints has a threaded annulus or nut which moves axially along the length of the drive screw in response to rotation of the screw. The other free floating point has a bearing in which the screw turns without changing its axial position with respect to that joint.
Modern automobile design has placed an increasing emphasis on efficient use of space. Thus, jack manufacturers have focused attention on reducing the amount of trunk space required for jack storage. Steps have also been taken to simplify the component parts of the jack and reduce the number of component parts to reduce material and assembly costs and to simplify manufacture.
A so-called Half Scissor Jack has been developed and addresses some of the issues noted above. Typically, a Half Scissor Jack consists of a base, a load rest, a base channel, and a lift channel. These components are usually metal stampings with the base component and the lift component being typically "U"-shaped in cross-section.
The inventor has recognized that when such a Half Scissor Jack is used to raise and support a vehicle, the jack can experience a great deal of torsional deflection through the base channel. This creates the potential for an unstable condition of the jack which can cause the vehicle to fall off the jack.


Chain link material having a coating thereon for use in fences and other various applications are formed with knuckled ends so as to improve the appearance thereof. The knuckled ends of the coated chain link fence are formed by knuckler assemblies held on either side of the coated chain link material as it moves through a weaving machine. The knuckling assemblies are moveable into and out of contact with the cut ends of coated wires woven into the chain link material, and include rotatable bend elements which contact an extended length of and bend the cut ends without cutting, marring or scraping the coating.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to chain link fabrication, and more particularly, to an improved knuckler for a chain link fence weaving machine.
2. Description of Related Art
Chain link fence weaving machines are well known in the art. Companies such as BMCI, Inc., dba as Bergandi Machinery Company of South El Monte, Calif. manufacture and sell chain link weaving machines, such as their HR 80 automatic weaving machine. In machines, such as this Bergandi Machine, two strands of wire from two large coils of wire are continuously fed onto a forming mechanism (weaving blade), so that two needles at a time are formed into a picket in an intercoiled manner and then woven in a trough weaving mechanism to form continuous links of chain link.
After being woven together, the just woven picket is cut off at the ends, and a wire fabric of open construction is formed having sharp, cut ends, the formed wire fabric is then indexed through the machine to a point along the top thereof where selvage is performed. This selvage is accomplished by turret knucklers which form knuckles by bending over the sharpened ends thereof, or other turret mechanisms to twist the ends and form sharp barbs thereon.
The barbed or knuckled ends formed on the chain link fabric are then utilized as the top and bottom of the fabric when the fence is mounted on poles, or the open wire fabric may be used in furniture, in land fill, mines, rock control, soil retention, or other areas.
For some usage, chain link may be provided with a decorative or protective coating, such as a paint or a plastic, such as polyvinylchloride (PVC). However, it has been found that when forming the knuckled ends on such coated or painted chain link fabric, the known turret knucklers will cut the coating, or scrap off the paint on the fabric, thus defeating the original intent of adding the coating. Therefore, there exists the need in the art for a knuckler for forming knuckled ends on coated chain link fabric which does not cut, mar or scrap off the coating.

Knuckling apparatus for a chain link fence weaving machine


Functionally enhanced shrink-wrap materials having protective coatings composed of mixtures of a water-compatibilized, modified polyolefin resins (Component A) and a mixture of a water-compatibilized acrylic resin (Component B) and a water-compatibilized polyurethane resin (Component C) wherein said mixture contains from approximately 100% to 50% by weight Component B and from approximately 50% to 0% by weight of Component C are provided. Moreover, methods and materials are disclosed for providing protective shrink-wrap covering with enhanced, long-term durability and improved resistance to chemical contamination, biological agents, radiation, pollutants, physical stress and structural deformation among other environmental factors are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to functionally enhanced shrink-wrap coverings and structures made therefrom with improved resistance to harsh conditions, such as environmental, chemical, physical, radioactive and thermal exposure. Specifically, the present invention relates to functionally enhanced shrink-wrap materials having protective coatings used to protect a wide range of consumer, industrial and military articles in addition to articles made entirely from shrink-wrap materials such as temporary buildings and structures.
The constant exposure to naturally occurring and man-made sources of environmental stress ultimately leads to the decay and eventual decomposition of nearly any substance. The material""s physical and chemical properties and the nature of the environmental stress will determine the length of the decay process. For example, silicate structures such as the Great Sphinx in the Valley of the Kings has withstood centuries of extreme environmental exposure. Yet, this seemingly impermeable structure of stone has decayed significantly from its original grandeur. Furthermore, the delicate materials used to fashion the Sphinx""s ornate decorative facade have long since been destroyed by the sun, wind, rain and temperature extremes of the Upper Nile Valley.
Modern man-made devices and machines such as aircraft, boats, military and civilian vehicles, and consumer products including electronics (articles), just to name a few, are made from diverse materials having a wide range of durability. Moreover, the widely varying types of environmental exposure these devices must endure can adversely affect even the most robust materials. For example, delicate aircraft fuselages and other airframe structural components are often shipped from a manufacturing plant to an assembly facility thousands of miles away. In route to the assembly facility these delicate aircraft parts may be exposed to the freezing rains and snow of the North Western United States, the scorching heat and sandstorms of the Mojave Desert followed by the pelting briny spray, extreme heat and tortuous winds of the Pacific Ocean. In addition to surviving these dramatic environmental extremes, this valuable shipment of vulnerable aircraft parts must also withstand the abuse of countless freight handlers, deck hands and longshoreman. Therefore, it is essential that this precious cargo be protected from such sustained abuse in order to assure its safe arrival at the final destination.
One of the most successful techniques designed to protect precious cargo from the environmental damage and physical abuses associated with shipping and storage has been the development of shrink-wrapping. Shrink-wrapping, in general, is a process by which an article is first enclosed in a sealed plastic material that then heated causing the shrink-wrap, or shrink-film, to contract forming a tight fitting covering over the article. The shrink-wrap itself can be constructed of numerous materials and in a variety of ways. Shrink-wraps can be single or multi-layered and they may be reinforced with either metallic or non-metallic fabrics. However, regardless of the material used, it is the external surface of the shrink-wrap that must withstand the brunt of environmental exposure. Once this outer covering is damaged, the integrity of the article encapsulated therein is compromised.
One of the most daunting challenges facing the protective covering industry has been to produce a shrink-wrap material or system capable of withstanding long-term exposure to environmental and physical stress. When presently available shrink-wrap materials are properly applied, a protective covering sufficient to last approximately two years under most conditions can be achieved. However, if the shrink-wrap is exposed to environmental extremes such as wind, extreme heat and cold, moisture, or intense UV radiation, this two-year period may be significantly shortened. Moreover, other factors such as chemical contamination, biological agents, radiation, pollutants, physical stress and structural deformation can exacerbate environmental factors leading to an even more rapid decay process.
Consequently, once the shrink-wrap covering is damaged, the article must be either be removed from the original shrink-wrap and a new shrink-wrap covering applied, or another shrink-wrap covering must be applied over the damaged one. In either case, the application of a new shrink-wrap covering significantly increases the cost associated with long-term storage. Furthermore, if the original covering must be removed prior to applying a new one, there is an increased potential of damaging the protected item. Efforts have been made to increase the durability and life span of currently available shrink-wrap materials.
Moderate increases in the durability and life span of shrink-wrap materials can be achieved by modifying the base formula of the shrink-wrap material itself. For example, solar exposure induced brittleness of the shrink-wrap covering can be minimized by the addition of ultraviolet (UV) light absorbing compounds and UV light and heat reflecting pigments. Ethylene vinyl acetate can be added to increase the shrink-wrap""s flexibility thus preventing cracking and tearing in low temperature environments. Dyes can be added to the base formula providing the shrink-wrap with additional resistance to UV exposure and radiation. However, these additives have not significantly increased the useful life of shrink-wrap materials beyond two years.
One modification to the base formula that has improved the durability of shrink-wrap material in some applications is the addition of carbon black. Carbon black is a highly toxic form of elemental carbon that is used to increase the hardness of rubber and other polymers. When added to the base formula of shrink-wrap materials the final product has an increased resistance to chemical attack and UV radiation. However, the addition of carbon black results in a shrink-wrap covering that absorbs and retains tremendous amounts of heat. If exposed to the sun for any significant period, the interior of the shrink-wrapped article can reach temperatures high enough to melt plastic and destroy delicate electrons including microprocessors. Consequently, carbon black has extremely limited usefulness in the formulation of shrink-wrap materials.
Another approach to increasing the durability of shrink-wraps involves various types of covering applied to the shrank surfaces. The most basic covering is a protective tarp draped over the article and secured against the shrink-wrap surface. However, this approach has met with limited success, and in some cases has proved detrimental accelerating the shrink-wrap""s decay. Tarps which are merely placed over the shrank surface do not provide significant protection from humidity, airborne pollutants or chemical aerosols. Furthermore, the tarps will often continually shift during transport abrading the shrink-wrap""s surface causing the shrink-wrap material to tear and pull away from the article it was designed to protect. Therefore, coverings such as tarps, which are not integrated into the shrink-wrap material itself, lack versatility and do not significantly extend the shrink-wrap""s useful life.
Another approach to providing protective coverings to commercial shrink-film would be to apply conventional resin based paints. However, the application of these coatings is fraught with difficulties and would require extensive pretreatment of the shrink-wrap surface to ensure adherence of the topcoat. If the topcoat is applied to an untreated surface they may, peel and blister shortly after application affording little or no protection to the shrunken surface. Therefore, it would be necessary to pre-treat the surface of the plastic shrink-wrap to enhance its receptiveness to conventional coating compounds such as paint.
Generally, there are two categories of plastic surface pretreatment techniques: physical treatments and chemical methods. Physical treatments include corona discharge, flame treatments plasma discharge and UV radiation. Corona discharge requires massive energy expenditures to generate sufficient voltage to alter the plastic""s surface texture. Flame treatments are inherently hazardous and can irreparably damage the shrink-wrap""s surface unless used cautiously. Plasma discharge and UV radiation pretreatment are equally unpopular due to the expense and difficulty in application. Consequently, these physical methods of surface pretreatment are seldom used and are of limited commercial value.
Traditional chemical pretreatment protocols required the use of highly toxic and environmentally damaging reagents such as 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCE) which was used to degrease and swell the plastic""s surface prior to applying the coating. However, recently, the use of TCE has been subjected to severe limitations by the Environmental Protection Agency requiring shrink-wrap installers to switch to the use of water-soluble detergents. Unlike TCE, these water-soluble processes do not swell or etch the shrink-wrap""s surface to the degree required to assure the complete adhesion of the polymer topcoat. Therefore coatings applied following pretreatment procedures using water-soluble detergents blister, crack, and peal away from the shrink-wrapped surface. Consequently, top coats applied to the shrink-wrap""s plastic surface pretreated with water-soluble detergents fail to extend the useful life of the shrink-wrap cover.
Moreover, coating procedures that may rely on resin-coating compounds that are viscous and water insoluble would require substantial dilution with organic solvents prior to application. During the application and drying processes, large amounts of toxic organic solvent vapors will be released which could potentially contaminate the atmosphere or saturate the immediate application environment creating a significant risk of fire or explosion. Consequently, expensive and sophisticated air handling systems would be needed to reduce atmospheric contamination and prevent the potentially explosive auto-ignition of the volatile vapors.
Therefore, there remains a need for functionally enhanced shrink-wrap coverings, which resists deterioration caused by long term exposure to environmental, chemical, physical, radiation and thermal sources of stress.
It is an object of the present invention to provide functionally enhanced shrink-wrap coverings, which resists deterioration caused by long term exposure to environmental, chemical, physical, radiation and thermal sources of stress.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a stable, highly protective long-term shrink-wrap material suitable for protecting articles including, but not limited to, aircraft, boats, military and civil vehicles, consumer goods, foodstuffs and buildings.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a stable, highly protective long-term shrink-wrap material suitable for use as a protective structure or habitat.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a coating for shrink-wrap coverings that extends the useful protection period of existing shrink-wrap materials.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method of coating shrink-wrap coverings using a water-soluble, environmentally safe material that extends the useful protection period and storage life of existing shrink-wrap materials resulting in functionally enhanced shrink-wrap materials.
The present invention provides functionally enhanced, extended life, long-term shrink-wrap materials. The unexpectedly long-lived functionally enhanced shrink-wrap materials of the present invention are formed by applying recently developed water-based primer compositions made using water-compatibilized polyolefin resins modified with an xcex1, xcex2 unsaturated carboxylic acid, a water compatibilized acrylic resin, and a water compatibilized polyurethane to the surface of conventional shrink-wrap materials. The protective coating is applied to the surface of the shrunken material significantly enhancing the useful life of the shrink-wrap affording prolonged protection to articles encased therein. Non-limiting examples of articles which can be encased within the shrink-wrap material of the present invention include aircraft, boats, military and civilian vehicles, construction equipment, consumer goods, electronics and foodstuffs.
The present invention accomplishes these and other objectives by applying protective coatings to shrink-wrap materials. The coating compounds used in association with the teachings of the present invention are generally less toxic, safer to handle, easier to apply and/or less damaging to the environment than other compounds. Furthermore, the methods of the present invention do not require the use of hazardous, complex or expensive methods nor do they employ potentially toxic compounds to pre-treat the surface of the shrink-wrap covering.
Moreover, the present invention provides functionally enhanced shrink-wrap coverings having protective coatings that are versatile, resilient, environmentally safe and durable. Furthermore, the methods and materials of the present invention can be used to significantly increase the useful life of most currently available shrink-wrap materials.
Further objects and advantages of the methods and compositions of the present invention which utilize functionally enhanced shrink-wrap coverings for providing articles encased therein with long-term protection from extreme environmental exposure, as well as a better understanding thereof, will be afforded to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the drawing.
The present invention is useful for providing articles with a versatile, resilient long-term functionally enhanced shrink-wrap material covering that will protect the article encased therein from exposure to environmental, chemical, physical, radiation and thermal sources of stress. Moreover, the present invention can also be used to provide long-term and temporary structures that are useful for storage and habitation.
Shrink-wrap coverings currently used to protect items during shipping, handling and storage are known by those skilled in the art to have a maximum useful life of approximately two years when subjected to environmental, chemical, physical, radiation and thermal stress. Moreover, it is known by those skilled in the art that efforts to extend the two-year life span of existing shrink-wrap materials through the use of additives to the base formulas or coatings applied either to the pre-shrunk or post-shrunk shrinkable materials have been largely unsuccessful.
However, the present inventor has surprisingly determined that the combination of new water-based paint compositions consisting of water compatibilized modified polyolefin, acrylic and polyurethane resins can be used to provide shrink-wrap materials with protective coatings that significantly enhance water resistance, humidity penetration resistance, and petroleum based solvent resistance. Moreover, these functionally enhanced shrink-wrap materials of the present invention provide long-term protection to the products, materials, and devices (articles) encased therein from all forms of environmental exposure. Furthermore, the functionally enhanced shrink-wrap materials of the present invention can be manufactured using significantly less toxic compounds and methods that are more environmentally safe and less hazardous than those methods presently known.
In one embodiment of the present invention suitable protective coating compounds include, but are not limited to, those compounds described and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,767,188 (the xe2x80x9c""188 patentxe2x80x9d) issued Jul. 16, 1998 to Kamikuri, et al., the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The water-based paint compositions of the ""188 patent are essentially composed of three components. Component A is a polyolefin resin that has been water compatibilized using and amine compound. The compatibilized polyolefin resin is modified with an xcex1,xcex2-unsaturated carboxylic acid, has a saponification value of between approximately 10 to 60 mg KOH per gram of resin and from approximate 0 to 30% by weight chlorine. The modified polyolefin resins have a mean molecular weight between approximately 4,000 and 30,000. The polyolefin component may also include a surfactant such as, but not limited to non-ionic surfactants and/or anionic surfactants. The concentration of surfactant is generally kept at or below 2.5% in order to maximize the polyolefin resin""s water resistance.
Component B is a water compatibilized acrylic resin having a glass-transition point between approximately xe2x88x9250xc2x0 C. to +20xc2x0 C. Glass transition points less than xe2x88x9250xc2x0 C. reduce the coating""s impact resistance whereas glass-transition points over +20xc2x0 C. generally result in a tacky finish. Functional groups, including, but not limited to carboxyl groups, carbonyl groups, epoxy groups, and hydroxyl groups can easily be added to the acrylic component. These added functional groups, especially when used in conjunction with curing agents, significantly increase the coatings"" resistance to petroleum-based solvents and alcohols.
The third and final component, Component C, is composed of polyurethane resins having a break elongation in the range of approximately 200% to 600% at 20xc2x0 C. Resins having break elongation points less than 200% result in decreased impact resistance while those having break elongation points exceeding 600% are noticeably tacky. Examples of commercially available water compatibilized polyurethane resins that may be used in accordance with the teachings of the present invention include, but are not limited to, Takelac W610 (trade name, Takeda Chemical Industries; break elongation 320%), Takelac W710 (trade name, Takeda Chemical Industries; break elongation 510%), U-coat UX-4300 (trade name, Sanyo Chemical Industries; break elongation 400%), U-coat UX-4560 (trade name, Sanyo Chemical Industries, break elongation 270%) Spensol L-52 (trade names, Dainippon Ink and Chemicals; break elongation 480%) Neorec R960 (trade name, xe2x80x9cZenekarejinzuxe2x80x9d; break elongation 200%), and Olester UD100N (trade name, Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals; break elongation 250%).
For many applications it is desirable to combine water-soluble curing agents (Component D) with water-based coatings of the present invention. Curing agents can significantly reduce surface tackiness while only partially reducing flexibility by cross-linking with the functional groups found on the modified resins of the present invention. The exact combination of desired properties can be carefully regulated by combining the appropriate curing compounds with the coating components of the present invention. Suitable curing agents will react with the functional groups in the water-compatibilized acrylic resin to form a cured coating film and include water-soluble or water-dispersible water-based curing agents such as oxazoline type curing agents, amine type curing agents, epoxy type curing agents and/or amino resins can be employed.
Examples of acrylic resin (Component B) optional functional groups and curing agents include, but are not limited to: (1) Carboxyl groups and an oxazoline type curing agent; (2) Carboxyl groups and an epoxy type curing agent; (3) Carbonyl groups and an amine type curing agent; (4) Epoxy groups and an amine type curing agent; (5) Hydroxyl groups and an amino resin. Furthermore, carboxyl groups present in modified polyolefin resins or carboxyl and hydroxyl groups found on the modified polyurethane resins also participate in cross-linking reactions. The optional functional groups of the polyurethane polymers of the present invention may be present in the range of approximately 500 to 2000 g/equivalent.
Suitable oxaline type curing agents include Epocross K-1000 series and Epocross K-2000 series (all trade names of Nippon Shokubai; acrylic resins in aqueous dispersion containing oxazoline groups); examples of water-compatibilized polyamine compounds include Aquatote 8535 (trade name, Rhone-Poulenc; modified polyamidoamine with an amino value of 102), Fujicure FX-S913 (trade name, Fuji Chemical Industries; modified aliphatic polyamine type curing agent with an amino value of 210), and Polimento KX-CK-200 (trade name, Nippon Shokubai; amino-modified acrylic resin with an amino value of 1900). Hydrazine type cross-linking agents include, hydrazides of dibasic acids such as succinic acid dihydrazide, adipic acid dihydrazide, sebacic acid dihydrazide and isophthalic acid dihydrazide, aliphatic dihydrazine compounds such as ethylene-1,2-dihydrazine, propylene-1,3-dihydrazine and butylene-1,4-dihydrazine, etc., and 1,3-bis(hydrazinocarboethyl)-5-isopropylhydrantoin.
Aqueous dispersions of carbonyl-group-containing acrylic resins compounded with hydrazine compounds are also available commercially, and can be employed to advantage. Examples of these include the Acronal series (Products of Mitsubishi Petrochemical and Takeda Badische Urethane Industries, Ltd.)
The aforementioned epoxy type curing agents are compounds containing at least two epoxy groups per molecule, and include Novolak type epoxy resins and hydrogenated forms thereof and bisphenol A type epoxy resins synthesized from polyvalent phenol compounds, glycidyl ether type epoxy-group-containing compounds synthesized from polyvalent alcohols, glycidyl ester type epoxy-group-containing compounds synthesized from polyvalent carboxylic acids, and epoxyethyl type or cyclic oxirane type multifunctional epoxy type compounds synthesized by oxidizing unsaturated double bonds with peroxide compounds.
Suitable amino resins include compounds in which methylol groups obtained by adding formaldehyde to melamine, guanine or urea are etherified by an alcohol or other methods known in the arts. Specific commercially available examples of the aforementioned amino resins include, but are not limited to, Cymel 300, Cymel 303 and Cymel 327 (all trade names of Mitsui Cyanamid), and xe2x80x9cNikarakkuxe2x80x9d Nicalac MW-30, Nicalac MW-22 and Nicalac MW-24 (all trade names of Sanwa Chemical KK)
For optimum performance, the curing agent concentration should be adjusted to contain approximately 0.2-3.0 mole/mole, and preferably 0.5-2.0 mole/mole, relative to the number of functional groups in Components (A)-(C) which can react with the curing agent. Additional examples and details can be found in the ""188 patent.
In one embodiment of the present invention these protective coating compounds are used applied to the surface of previously shrank, shrink-wrap coverings to form the functionally enhanced shrink-wrap materials of the present invention. Traditional shrink-wrap material is applied to the exterior of a device, machine, instrument or other article and shank to fit tightly against the surface using methods known to those skilled in the art including, but not limited to, heat. If the shrank surface has been exposed to environmental contamination such as dirt, grease, smog or other forms of contamination it may require washing prior to applying the protective coatings of the present invention. If washing is required, a relatively mild process using an aqueous based detergent solution is preferred. The detergent used may be an ordinary neutral household detergent or an environmentally compatible substance, such as but not limited to Simple Green(copyright) (Seal Beach, Calif.). After the covering has been cleaned of dirt, debris and grease soluble in the detergent used, it is rinsed once with normal tap water followed by a de-ionized rinse. The surface is then thoroughly dried using heated forced air (approximately 60xc2x0 C.) or allowed to dry through unassisted evaporation.
Typically, shrink-wrap materials (shrinkable materials) are made from polymers that may contain a variety of specialized ingredients which enhance the polymer""s stability, contractility, tolerance for ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, resistance to biological attack and humidity, to name but a few. Examples of base polymers used to fabricate shrink-wrap materials include, but are not limited to, polypropylene, polyamide, polybutylene terephalate, polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, ethylene stryrene interpolymers, polystyrene, acetyl, elastomers, polyvinyldiene chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, polysulfone, polycarbonate, cellulose-based, acetates, thermoplastic elastomer, polyethylene terephthalate, styrenic, polyesters, polyurethane, acrylates, polyphenylene oxide, polyolefins and polypropylene.
The protective coating materials of the present invention are then applied to the surface using any technique that is best suited for the particular surface geometry. Examples of application techniques include, but are not limited to spraying, brushing, fogging, rolling, and dipping. In one embodiment of the present invention the protective coating is composed of a mixture containing from approximately 20% to 70% by weight Component A, and from approximately 30% to 75% of a mixture of Component B plus Component C wherein the mixture contains from approximately 100 to 50% by weight Component B and from approximately 50% to 0% by weight of Component C. Component B. In another embodiment of the present invention the protective coating Component B is substituted with functional groups reactive with a forth ingredient, Component D.
The functionally enhanced shrink-wraps covering of the present invention may be include one or more other ingredients either integrated into the shrink-film itself, or mixed with the protective coating materials, such as, but not limited to organic solvents, UV absorbing agents, photostablizers, infrared absorbing or reflecting agents, leveling agents, flow-regulating agents, anti-foaming agents, plasticizers, pigments, inks, dyes, conductive pigments, pigment dispersants, curing agents, drying agents, catalysts, fire retardant, and biocidal agents.
In another embodiment of the present invention the functionally enhanced shrink-wraps of the present invention may be provided with natural or synthetic absorbent, non-abrasive fabric liners such as, but not limited to cotton, silk, wool, animal fur, plant fibers, polyester fibers (Dacron(copyright), E.I. Dupont de Nemours and Co.), nylon, and others. Additionally, the functionally enhanced shrink-wrap material of the present invention may also have impact resistant shock absorbing materials bonded to the shrinkable film article-contacting surface. Suitable shock absorbing materials include, but are not limited to expanded, cellular polystyrene (Styrofoam(copyright) the Dow Chemical Co.), air filled cushions, and other impact resistant materials.
In another embodiment of the present invention the coating compounds are applied to shrink-wrap covers prior to shrinking.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention the coating compounds are applied to shrink-wrap covers whereby the shrink-wrap covers are shrank simultaneously with the coating process.
In another embodiment of the present invention the coating compounds of the present invention are applied to shrink-wrap coverings such that a base coat or primer layer is formed. After a suitable period, at least one additional coating may be applied to this base coat, or primer layer. In this embodiment, the present invention serves as a base coat, or primer layer, intended to afford extended, long term protection to the shrink-wrap material and also as a receptive surface for the second coating compound.
In another embodiment of the present invention the protective coating materials of the present invention are applied to the shrinkable material at a thickness of between approximately 1 millimeter to 1000 millimeters, preferably between approximately 3 millimeters to 40 millimeters, more preferably between approximately 5 millimeters and 20 millimeters.

Functionally enhanced protective shrink-wrap coverings and methods for their manufacture and use


A coated optical fiber includes an optical fiber; and a primary coating encapsulating the optical fiber, the primary coating having an in-situ modulus of about 0.12 MPa or less at a thickness of about 32.5 μm, a Young's modulus as a cured film of about 0.7 MPa or less, and a Tg of about −22° C. or below, wherein the primary coating is the cured reaction product of a primary curable composition having a gel-time ratio relative to C1 of less than about 2.

Optical fibers typically have a glass core and cladding and two coatings. The coating's function is two-fold: to protect the optical fiber from mechanical damage and to preserve the ability of the optical fiber to transport light. The primary coating is applied directly to the glass core and cladding, it is typically a low modulus soft, cushioning material. The secondary coating is applied over the primary coating and is typically a high modulus material that functions as a tough protective layer that protects the fiber from environmental exposure and mechanical damage.
Optical fiber has acquired an increasingly important role in the field of telecommunications, frequently replacing existing copper wires. This trend has had a significant impact in all areas of telecommunications, greatly increasing the amount of data that is transmitted. Further increase in the use of optical fiber is foreseen, especially in metro and fiber-to-the-home applications, as local fiber networks are pushed to deliver an ever-increasing volume of audio, video, and data signals to residential and commercial customers.
As the demand for optical fibers has increased, so has the desire to improve the processes used to make them. One common trend in the optical fiber industry has been the desire to draw optical fibers at increased speeds, thereby increasing the throughput of optical fiber manufacturing plants. However, the draw speed can be rate-limited by the step of curing the conventional polymeric coatings used to protect the fiber. One sign that a coating is applied to an optical fiber at a rate exceeding the coating's maximum draw speed is the presence of defects in the cured coating. There remains a need for optical fiber coatings that can be fully cured at higher draw speeds using standard optical fiber coating curing processes.

Primary coatings for optical fibers having short gel times


Scalable structured data store operations can include logging a number of detected corrupted records within a scalable structured data store, repairing the number of corrupted records within a number of nodes of the scalable structured data store, and predicting hardware failure based on the logged number of corrupted records.

A data store (e.g., scalable structured data store, etc.) can be used to save data records at a number of nodes. The data records can include backup information for an information technology (IT) system. The backup information can be retrieved to restore information of corrupted records within the IT system. Data corruption of the saved data records within the data store can be a challenging problem for an IT manager. Data corruption within the data store can be left un-detected if the data is not used and/or retrieved. If data corruption of the data is left un-detected, there can be errors and failures if it becomes necessary to retrieve the corrupted data.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A partition structure includes two partition members each of which has two edges formed on a side and an engaging assembly including a first engaging member, a second engaging member and at least one locking member. The first engaging member has two first L-shaped wing portions extending from two sides thereof and a convex portion formed on a middle and having at least one opening slot. The second engaging member has two second L-shaped wing portions extending from two sides thereof and a concave portion formed on a middle. The locking member is fixed to the concave portion. The two first L-shaped wing portions and the two second L-shaped wing portions correspondingly overlap each of the two edges, respectively, the convex portion and the concave portion are engaged with each other, and the locking member is correspondingly engaged with the opening slot.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a partition structure, in particular, a partition structure having an engaging assembly.
2. Description of Prior Art
An assembling type partition structure primarily uses partitions to form a space. The space is an exhibition zone, personal zone or private zone. A traditional assembling type partition structure, such as TWM 301326, entitled "QUICK COMPARTMENT COMBINATIONS CONSTRUCTED," primarily comprises a plurality of partitions, column bodies and butting assemblies disposed above the partitions. The butting assembly includes male and female butting members. The male and female butting members are fixed on the partitions or the column bodies, respectively, such that each of the partitions and each of the column bodies are engaged with each other via the male and female butting members, so as to form a separated space.
However, the male butting member has a convex portion, the female butting member has a concave portion, and the engagement of each of the partitions and each of the column bodies is achieved by the engagement of the convex portion of the male butting member and the concave portion of the female butting member, such that the contact between the partition and the column body is not stable enough, and the positioning between the partitions is not reliable enough. Further, the partitions easily vibrate while being inadvertently crashed or pushed by users, such that the assembling type partition structure is disassembled, so as to generate danger.
In view of this, it is an improved target for endeavor of Applicant to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art by hard research and application of doctrines.

Partition structure having engaging assembly


A method for superplastically forming a preform to manufacture a structural assembly with a contoured configuration is provided. The preform includes first and second structural members in a stacked configuration, with at least one additional peripheral member abutting the stack and joined thereto by a friction welded butt joint. In some cases, the preform defines dissimilar forming characteristics throughout, such as variations in material or thickness according to the amount of superplastic forming to be performed in each portion of the preform.

1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to superplastically formed structural assemblies and, more particularly, to the superplastic forming of an assembly using a friction welded preform.
2) Description of Related Art
Under certain conditions, some materials can be plastically deformed without rupture well beyond their normal limits. This property, called superplasticity, is exhibited by certain metals and alloys within limited ranges of temperature and strain rate. For example, titanium and its alloys are superplastic in the temperature range from about 1450-1850° F. (785-1010° C.). Superplastic forming (SPF) is a technique for expanding or stretching metal that relies on superplasticity. Expansion can and often does exceed 100% and often exceeds 1000%. During one typical superplastic forming process, a preform or blank is placed into a shaping die and heated to a sufficiently high temperature within the superplasticity range of the material to soften the material. Pressurized heated gas is then injected against the material, thereby causing the preform to be urged against the die. Alternatively, the preform can be urged into a desired shape using other methods, such as by using a die. Such superplastic forming methods are further described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,117,970; 5,410,132; 5,420,400; 5,700,995; 5,705,794; 5,914,064; 6,337,471; 6,537,682; and 6,568,582, and U.S. application Ser. No. 10/781,419, each of which is incorporated by reference.
Superplastic forming can be performed with certain materials that exhibit superplastic properties within limited ranges of temperature and strain rate. Thus, a preform or blank that is to be superplastic formed must typically be made of a material that is capable of undergoing superplastic forming. However, even if the material is made of a superplastically formable material, cracks or other defects can occur during forming in portions of the preform where the forming characteristics have been compromised. For example, fusion weld joints can become rough or thickened when subjected to superplastic forming and, therefore, any such joints that are subjected to superplastic forming may require post-forming hand working to finish the surface. This adds cost and time to the manufacturing process.
During one conventional superplastic forming operation, a pack is formed of two or more titanium sheets that are stacked and joined by diffusion bonding, e.g., about a periphery of the sheets. With the pack heated, pressurized gas can be injected between the sheets to inflate the pack and thereby superplastically form the sheets. While this operation has proven effective for forming titanium packs, other materials cannot be easily formed in this manner. For example, aluminum does not have the same diffusion bonding characteristics as titanium, and cannot easily be bonded sufficiently for superplastic forming. Further, conventional weld joints formed through the aluminum sheets are typically not capable of undergoing extensive superplastic forming and therefore can fail during the forming operation, e.g., by delamination of the two sheets.
Thus, there exists a need for an improved preform and associated method for superplastically forming structural assemblies. The method should be compatible with aluminum, and should be capable of sufficiently bonding members for superplastic forming.

Superplastically forming of friction welded structural assemblies


An elastic connecting support for arrangement between a combustion engine and an air filter of a handheld work apparatus is disclosed. The connecting support has a first channel for largely fuel-free air and a second channel for a fuel/air mixture. The connecting support is realized as a single piece, and has, on a first side, an engine connecting flange, at which the first and second channel end, for connection to the combustion engine. The first channel has a first peripheral wall and the second channel has a second peripheral wall. The first peripheral wall and the second peripheral wall are arranged at a distance in relation to each other in a longitudinal section of the connecting support. The channels extend from the first side to a second side of the connecting support. On the second side, the first channel and the second channel end at a common connecting flange.

US 2005/0045138 discloses a connecting support, having a first channel for largely fuel-free air, and having a second channel for fuel/air mixture, which is arranged between a combustion engine and an air filter. The channels extend from a first side of the connecting support that faces toward the combustion engine to a second side of the connecting support that is assigned to the air filter. The two channels are routed, as separate channels, out from an engine connecting flange. Consequently, the elasticity of the connecting support is sufficiently great, when the connecting support is in the installed state, to permit relative movement between the combustion motor and the air filter, without thereby incurring damage. The two channels must be connected individually, on the second side of the connecting support, to the respective components of the handheld work apparatus to which the connecting support is to be connected.


A trailer is provided with a bed and a slidably adjustable axle assembly. The bed includes a frame with left and right, inverted U-shaped channels. The axle assembly includes left and right rails upon which the channels are slidably mounted. Pins extend through the channels, but not through the rails, to limit sliding movement of the bed relative to the axle assembly. The pins are inserted into the channels with a twist lock action under spring bias. Lock members are provided to prevent accidental removal of a pin from the channel during travel.

Trailers having sliding axles are known. For example, over the road semi trucks with a tractor and trailer often have a sliding axle assembly for the trailer which can be adjusted depending upon the weight of the load in the trailer. Such sliding axle assemblies have a channel on the trailer which slides over a rail on the axle and is secured in a selected position by a plurality of pins extending through the channel and rail on each side of the axle assembly. The pins typically are hydraulically actuated so as to be simultaneously pulled out of engagement from the channels and frames before the trailer is slid on the axle assembly. Once the desired axle position is reached, the pins are hydraulically re-inserted through the channels and rails to lock the trailer and axle assembly in the selected position. Linkage extends between the pins for simultaneous actuation. The hydraulics and linkages adds to the complexity and cost of such sliding axles.
Therefore, a primary objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved trailer having a simplified sliding axle assembly.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a trailer with a sliding axle assembly which can be quickly and easily adjusted.
A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a trailer with a sliding axle and having manually set stoppers or pins to limit the movement of the trailer bed relative to the axle.
A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a trailer with a sliding axle wherein the stopper pins extend only through the channel for abutment by the ends of the axle rails.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a sliding axle trailer which can be adjusted in six inch increments.
Yet another objective of the present invention is the provision of a trailer with a sliding axle having pins which are spring biased to preclude accidental disengagement of the pins.
A further objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved trailer for towing behind a vehicle having a flat panel connected to the front of the trailer bed which is moveable between a raised wind deflector travel position and a lowered ramp or loading position for moving objects to and from the bed.
Still another objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved trailer for towing behind a vehicle having a bed with a recessed spare tire compartment beneath the floor of the bed.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved trailer for towing behind a vehicle having longitudinally extending slots to receive tie down straps to anchor an object to the bed.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a method of adjusting an axle assembly on a trailer by setting a brake on the trailer, and moving a tow vehicle hooked to the trailer forwardly or rearwardly so that the trailer bed slides along axle rails until a forward or rearward end of the rails engages a stopper extending through a channel on the bottom of the bed.
A further objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved trailer having a slidable axle which is economical to manufacture and durable in use.
These another objectives will become apparent from the following description of the invention.


The invention provides a novel lithium-ion battery electrolyte which is produced by adding an aluminate ester compound as a plasticizer in a solid polymer electrolyte. The lithium-ion battery solid polymer electrolyte of the present invention comprises a lithium ion source, an organic polymer compound, and one or more kinds of aluminate ester compounds represented by the general formula

In recent years, the need to further enhance the performance and reduce the size of electronic products has become stronger than ever before, and with this trend, the need for a smaller, lighter, higher capacity, and a higher energy density device has also been increasing in the field of materials for batteries that provide energy for such electronic products. Therefore, various research and development has taken place. To meet such needs, solid electrolytes have been attracting attention in recent years as new ionic conductors which are expected to replace conventional electrolytic solutions, and applying solid electrolytes to electrochemical devices such as all-solid primary batteries, secondary batteries, and capacitors has been tried. Electrochemical devices using conventional electrolytic solutions have safety and reliability problems because of solution leakage and solute seeping. Extensive studies are under way on so-called polymer electrolytes which use a polymer compound as the electrolyte in order to overcome the shortcomings associated with conventional electrolytic solutions. Polymer electrolytes are flexible and are able to conform to deformation caused by a mechanical impact or a change in electrode volume that occurs in relation to an ion-electron exchange reaction taking place between the electrode and the electrolyte. As an example of such a polymer electrolyte, U.S. Pat. No. 4,303,748 proposes a solid electrolyte produced by dissolving an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt in polyalkylene oxide, but this solid electrolyte decreases in productivity as it takes time to dissolve the salt, and also ionic conductivity is not sufficient and contact resistance with the electrode material is high. When the ionic conductivity is not sufficient, and the contact resistance is high, a sufficient charge/discharge current density cannot be obtained, and the range of applications of the electrolyte is limited because it cannot be used in applications where a large current is required.
To overcome the shortcoming of the above solid electrolyte, there have been proposed a variety of solid electrolytes, each produced by dissolving an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt in a polymer that has poly(metha)acrylate as the backbone and polyalkylene glycol chains as the side chains and/or crosslinking chains. One such polymer electrolyte is the solid electrolyte proposed in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. H03-73081, which is produced by dissolving an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt in an acryloyl-modified polyalkylene oxide, but this electrolyte still results in insufficient ionic conductivity and the mobility of cations that contribute to charging and discharging being low. When the ionic conductivity is not sufficient, and the mobility of cations is low, a sufficient charge/discharge current density cannot be obtained, and the range of applications of the electrolyte is limited because it cannot be used in applications where a large current is required, and because the movement of counter-anions may produce an undesirable secondary reaction, degrading the electrolyte as the charge/discharge cycle is repeated. To control the movement of ions that can contribute to charging and discharging in the polymer electrolyte composed principally of a ring-opening polymerization product of such alkylene oxide derivatives, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. H11-54151 and 2001-55441 each propose an electrolyte formed from a tri-functional boron compound such as a boroxin ring that captures the counter-anions of the metal salt. Further, to enhance the ionic conductivity, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 2001-155771, 2001-273925, 2002-158039, and 2002-334717 each propose an electrolyte formed from a compound containing boron. However, orthoboric acid or boron oxide is used as a boron-containing compound used to obtain such compounds, and water is produced by desorption during the reaction with the compound. Furthermore, the obtained compound can be easily hydrolyzed with water, making it extremely difficult to remove the produced water. As a result, the presence of water in the resulting compound is unavoidable, and this may present a problem when using the compound as the electrolyte base material. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 2001-72876 and 2001-72877 also propose an electrolyte formed from a compound containing boron, but borane is used as the source of boron used to obtain the compound. However, since borane, which is a compound represented by BnHm, is highly reactive and spontaneously flammable in air, it is difficult to handle the material during manufacturing of a boron-containing compound, and when it is used in a reaction with a compound having a polymerizable group, the polymerizable group may be damaged. To solve the problems associated with the use of such boron-containing compounds, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-201344 proposes to use a boric acid ester as a boron-containing compound and to manufacture a boric acid ester compound using a boric acid ester exchange reaction.

Solid polymer electrolyte for lithium ion battery and lithium ion battery

Abstract: where R1, R2, and R3 each independently represent a straight-chain or branched-chain lower alkyl group having one to eight carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having three to six carbon atoms, acryloyl, or methacryloyl; OA1, OA2, and OA3 each independently represent an oxyalkylene group having two to four carbon atoms; l represents a number from 1 to 100; and m and n each independently represent a number from 0 to 100.


The apparatus for cutting brick is an apparatus for cutting masonry material. The apparatus includes an assembly base, a lever operating assembly, an upper blade assembly, a lower blade assembly, and a table assembly. The lever operating assembly supports a system of levers allow an operator to apply a force which is ultimately applied to a pair of cutting chisels which cut the piece of masonry material. The apparatus may be comprised of two levers providing a force multiplier system. The upper chisel is moved by the lever operating system to separate the upper and lower chisel allowing material to be placed in the cutting apparatus, and to force the upper chisel towards the lower chisel to cut the material. The table assembly rests on resilient mounts. The table covers the lower chisel, but is lowered to expose the cutting edge of the chisel during a cutting operation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the shaping of masonry materials, and in particular to a manually operated apparatus and process for cutting bricks, tile or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
The use of relatively brittle materials, such as brick and tile, as decorative building materials is well known in the art. These materials are known as masonry materials. Masonry materials are generally supplied to the work site in standard shapes and sizes. During construction using these materials, it is a requirement that these building materials be cut into the shapes required to fit in a particular position in a project. Quite often there is a need to accurately cut large numbers of bricks to the same particular shape. In other cases tiles or bricks of a number of different shapes may be needed. A great deal of time may be consumed shaping materials on a construction site.
Often the exact shape needed is determined on the job site by masons or other construction workers of various skill levels. When materials are cut improperly, the need to repeat the shaping operation results in the waste of time and materials and increases the cost for completing a construction project.
The design of the apparatus used to cut bricks, tiles, and other brittle construction materials can contribute to efficiency on the construction site in a number of ways. Hydraulic press cutters, saws and mechanical cutters have been used to cut bricks, tile and other brittle materials to the desired shapes. Some of these devices are relatively expensive. Cost considerations can limit the number of cutting devices used on a work site, thus introducing inefficiencies in completing work. Logistical considerations involved with the supply of electrical power on a construction site can limit the placement and number of electrically powered cutting devices that can be made available on a job site. When the cutting devices are limited in number or placed inconveniently far from where shaped materials are being used, the resulting inefficiency of workflow may increase the time and cost required for a construction project.
Another consideration is the portability and compactness of the cutting device. If a cutting device is easily moved from one place to another and does not require large amounts of space when in use, the device can be located convenient to the place where masonry materials are used, resulting in increased efficiency and reduced time and cost to complete a project.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a cutting apparatus for cutting bricks, tiles, and other brittle construction materials which is compact, portable and manually operated. It is desirable that the apparatus be capable of making repeated cuts of materials to a given shape or dimension and that the apparatus be quickly adjustable to deliver different shapes or to accommodate the size and shape of bricks, tiles or other materials. It is also desirable that the apparatus be simple to operate.
French Patent 2,553,025, published on Apr. 12, 1985, describes a tile and brick cutting apparatus with a movable and a fixed cutting blade. The apparatus is distinguishable by the means provided for moving the upper blade.
Thus, a brick cutter solving the aforementioned problems is desired.


A cylinder liner for an internal combustion engine, especially a gasoline motor, in which a piston can move between a lower and an upper dead center in an axial direction K, and the cylinder liner has a thrust collar, by which the cylinder liner can be fixed in a housing of the internal combustion engine, and there is provided a recess at the cylinder head end, in which there is installed an insert ring with a height hR, while the thrust collar of the liner has a height hB which is between 65% and 100% or between 83% and 95% or 100% of the height hR of the insert ring.

Such a cylinder liner for an internal combustion engine is known from DE 1 900 922 B. The teaching of this document deals with providing a piston and cylinder liner arrangement in which, despite the presence of an enlarged annular space between piston and cylinder liner, an oil carbon deposit which might touch the inner wall of the cylinder is avoided precisely in this space. This is accomplished in that the inner wall of the cylinder liner has a diameter-reducing section at its end near the combustion chamber. This section is produced by an insert ring set into the cylinder liner, the insert ring being preferably made from the same material as the cylinder liner and being set firmly in the recess.
In WO 2004/022960 A1, a cylinder liner with a thrust collar is described, having a recess at the cylinder head side, in which an insert ring is installed. The insert ring is made from a more thermally stable material than the cylinder liner and serves to prevent deposits on the piston. At one upper end face of the insert ring there is provided a recess inside the outer wall, so as to prevent a direct flow of heat from the insert ring to the end face portion of the cylinder liner. The insulating action is provided by an air gap so configured, or by the use of ceramics.

Air gap insulation with a cylinder liner


Disclosed is a product package which includes a sleeve and at least on rigid end cap. The sleeve has longitudinally opposed first and second ends, the first end of the sleeve defining an opening and having at least two locking tabs extending therefrom. The first end of the sleeve also includes a tear strip positioned adjacent to the opening which has been formed using known techniques, such as, microperforation. Each locking tab includes a locking edge and is folded inwards into the opening. A rigid end cap is dimensioned to fit closely within the sleeve opening, the end cap including a rim that, when the end cap is inserted into the opening, engages the first end of the sleeve and prevents the end cap from being inserted further into the opening. The end cap also includes at least one channel for receiving the pair of locking tabs, the at least one channel having a ledge that engages the locking edge of each locking tab to prevent the end cap from being removed from the sleeve opening. The tear strip formed in the sleeve is adapted and configured such that pulling the tear strip allows the rigid end cap to be removed from the sleeve opening. The tear strip can also include a finger tab that is accessible to a user.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of product packaging, and in particular to product packages that have a locking end cap that is released by partial destruction of the package using a tear strip.
2. Background of the Related Art
Product packaging serves a number of different functions, including: protecting the packaged product from accidental damage, attractively displaying the packaged product and preventing theft or tampering. In addition, it is desirable for a package to be as inexpensive to manufacture as possible. Assignee's co-pending application, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/164,477 (filed on Jun. 6, 2002), U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,775 the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses one such improved design.
However, there is an ongoing need in the packaging industry for new package designs which can be more readily manufactured and require less material than conventional packaging and also provide tamper resistant features.