A method for linking data using permanent tokens is disclosed. The tokens may be used to link data pertaining to a consumer, a business, an address, an occupancy, or a household. The tokens are created in a central repository, which maintains an identification class for each entity. The identification class contains all available information concerning the entity. The tokens may be applied to a data storage system to allow real-time construction of a total customer view. The tokens may also be used to link the data storage system to a repository, such that the total customer view contains all available information concerning the customer. The total customer view may be used to formulate a response to customer input, such as a purchase or access to an Internet web page maintained by the data owner. By matching tokens instead of names and addresses, potential ambiguities and erroneous duplicates are eliminated. Data updates may be performed incrementally, and may be pushed from the repository to the data owner as new information is received.

The invention is directed to a system and method for linking data that pertains to like entities. In particular, the invention is directed to a system and method for linking data pertaining to consumers, businesses, addresses, occupancies, and households using permanent, universally unique tokens.
Virtually all businesses today find it necessary to keep computerized databases containing information about their customers. Such information can be used in a variety of ways, such as for billing, and for keeping consumers informed as to sales and new products. This information is typically stored electronically as a series of records in a computer database, each record pertaining to a particular customer. Records are logical constructs that may be implemented in a computer database in any number of ways well known in the art. The database used may be flat, relational, or may take any one of several other known forms. Each record in the database may contain various fields, such as the customer""s first name, last name, street address, city, state, and zip code. The records may also include more complex demographic data, such as the customer""s marital status, estimated income, hobbies, or purchasing history.
Businesses generally gather customer data from a multitude of sources. These sources may be internal, such as customer purchases, or external, such as data provided by information service providers. A number of information service providers maintain large databases with broad-based consumer information that can be sold or leased to businesses; for example, a catalog-based retail business may purchase a list of potential customers in a specific geographic area.
Because businesses use varying methods to collect customer data, they often find themselves with several large but entirely independent databases that contain redundant information about their customers. These businesses have no means by which to accurately link all of the information concerning a particular customer. One common example of this problem is a bank that maintains a database for checking and savings account holders, a separate database for credit card holders, and a separate database for investment clients. Another common example is a large retailer that has separate databases supporting each of its divisions or business lines, which may include, for example, automotive repair, home improvement, traditional retail sales, e-commerce, and optometry services.
Businesses with multiple, independent databases may find it particularly valuable to know who among their customers come to them for multiple services. For example, a bank may wish to offer an enhanced suite of banking services to a customer that maintains only $100 in his or her savings account, if the bank could also determine that this same individual maintains a $100,000 brokerage account. This information could also be valuable, for example, to take advantage of cross-selling opportunities and to assist the business in optimizing the mix of services to best serve its existing customer base.
Linking all available data concerning each customer would also allow each of the business""s divisions to have access to the most up-to-date information concerning each customer. For example, a customer may get married and relocate, then notify only one of the business""s divisions concerning the change. Suppose that Sue Smith, residing in Memphis, becomes Sue Thompson, residing in Minneapolis. If only one of the business""s data processing systems xe2x80x9cknowsxe2x80x9d about the change, the other systems would be unable to determine that xe2x80x9cnewxe2x80x9d customer Sue Thompson in Minneapolis is the same person as existing customer Sue Smith in Memphis.
One of the oldest methods used to combat this problem is simply to assign a number to every customer, and then perform matching, searching, and data manipulation operations using that number. Many companies that maintain large, internal customer databases have implemented this type of system. In theory, each customer number always stays the same for each customer, even when that customer changes his or her name or address. These numbers may be used internally, for example, for billing and for tracking packages shipped to that customer. The use of a customer identification number eliminates the potential ambiguities if, for example, the customer""s name and address were instead used as identifiers. Financial institutions in particular have used personal identification numbers (PINs) to unambiguously identify the proper customer to which each transaction pertains.
Customer number systems are inherently limited to certain applications. Customer identification number are not intended to manage a constantly changing, nationwide, comprehensive list of names and addresses. Companies maintaining these numbers are generally only interested in keeping up with their own customers. Thus the assignment process for such numbers is quite simplexe2x80x94when a customer approaches the company seeking to do business, a new number is assigned to that customer. The customer numbers are not the result of a broad-based process capable of managing the address and name history for a given customer. Also, the customer numbers are assigned based only on information presented to the business creating the numbers. The numbers are not assigned from a multi-sourced data repository that functions independently of the company""s day-to-day transactions. In short, the purpose of such numbers is simply transaction management, not universal data linkage. Such numbers are also not truly permanent, since they are typically retired by the company after a period of inactivity. Again, since the focus of the customer number assignment scheme is merely internal business transactions, there is no reason to permanently maintain a number for which no transactions are ongoing. These numbers cannot be used externally to link data because every company maintains a different set of customer numbers.
Although externally applied, universal numbering systems have not been used for consumers, they have been made publicly available for use with retail products. The universal product code (UPC) system, popularly known as xe2x80x9cbar codes,xe2x80x9d began in the early 1970""s when a need was seen in the grocery industry for a coding system that was common to all manufacturers. Today, the Uniform Code Council, Inc. (UCC) is responsible for assigning all bar codes for use with retail products, thereby maintaining a unique UPC number for every product regardless of the manufacturer. A database of these codes is made publicly available so that the codes can be used by everyone. Using this database, every retailer can track price and other information about each product sitting on its shelves. Today""s product distribution chains also rely heavily on the UPC system to track products and make determinations concerning logistics and distribution channels.
While the UPC system has been enormously successful, the system""s usefulness is limited. To obtain a UPC number for a new product, a manufacturer first applies for a UPC number, the product and number are added to the UCC database, and then the manufacturer applies the proper bar coding to its products before they are distributed. There is no scheme for assigning UPC numbers to pre-existing products, and no scheme for matching UPC numbers to the products they represent. Also, since each UPC number represents a single, distinct item packaged for retail sale, there is no scheme for identifying the various elements of a particular product to which a single UPC number is assigned. The UPC system thus could not be used to link various pre-existing data pertaining to consumers and addresses.
A final but vitally important issue raised by the use of any identification number system with respect to individuals is privacy. A company""s internal-only use of a customer identification number raises few privacy concerns. But the external use of a customer number or PIN with respect to an individual increases the risk that the individual""s private data may be easily shared in an unauthorized or illegal manner. The potential for misuse thus makes customer number systems unacceptable solutions for an information service provider seeking to develop an externally-distributed linking system for data pertaining to the entire United States consumer population.
Given the limitations of identification number systems, the only comprehensive method to eliminate duplicates and link (or xe2x80x9cintegratexe2x80x9d) customer data maintained on separate databases has historically been to rebuild the relevant databases from scratch. Since many such databases contain tens of millions of records, the cost of completely rebuilding the databases is often prohibitively expensive. In addition, these databases are constantly in flux as old customers leave, new customers take their place, and customer information changes; thus the rebuild procedure must be periodically repeated to keep all information reasonably current.
Businesses have traditionally turned to information service providers for data integration and duplicate elimination services. The information services industry has devoted enormous resources in recent years to developing various xe2x80x9cdedupingxe2x80x9d solutions. These solutions are performed after-the-fact, that is, after the instantiation of the duplicate entries within the data owner""s system. To determine if data records for Sue Smith in Memphis and Sue Thompson in Minneapolis pertain to the same person, a deduping routine may analyze a myriad of data fields; simply comparing names and addresses will fail to achieve a match. Even in the case where the name and address are the same, this may not indicate that the records pertain to the same individual, since, for example, the data may pertain to a father and his namesake son. The fact that many databases contain largely incomplete data makes this problem even more difficult to solve, and in many cases makes a complete solution impossible.
Although deduping routines are necessarily complex, they must also be performed with great speed. These routines are used to dedupe databases having tens of millions of records. With such large databases, the software subroutine that performs the deduping function may be called millions of times during a single deduping session. Thus these subroutines must be executed on very fast, expensive computer equipment that has the necessary power to complete the deduping routine in a reasonable amount of time. Because duplicate elimination is so resource-intensive, such tasks are today performed only by information service providers or data owners that have access to the massive computing power necessary to efficiently perform these routines.
In addition, deduping routines necessarily involve some guesswork. As explained above, duplicate elimination is based on the available data, which may be incomplete. The results of duplicate elimination routines are thus only as good as the available information. Because of the inherent ambiguities in name and address information, no system can eliminate 100% of the duplicates in a customer database; inevitably, the resulting database will contain instances of multiple records for the same customer, and multiple customers merged into one record as if they were a single customer.
Historically, the procedure by which an information service provider integrates a business""s databases has been time consuming and labor intensive. Since a wide variety of database formats are in use, the information service provider must first convert the database source files to a standard format for processing. The information service provider then runs one of the complex deduping programs as explained above. The data in the business""s databases may be augmented with external sources of information to improve the accuracy of the deduping routines. The resulting database file is then reformatted into the business""s database file format to complete the process. This entire procedure requires significant direct involvement by the information service provider""s technical personnel, which is an important factor in the cost of the service.
A significant limitation of this data integration method is that each time the service is requested, the entire process must be repeated. Data integration cannot be performed for a single record at a time, or for only those records that have been updated. This is because the data integration process depends upon the comparison of all of the data records against each other to establish groupings of similar records. Although matching links are usually created during the comparison process, those links are temporary and are lost once the process is complete. The links must be recreated from scratch each time the service is performed. It would be impossible to reuse these links since they are not unique across the universe of all possible customers, and are not maintained by the information services provider.
One of the most significant limitations of the current data integration method is that it cannot be performed in real time; the process is only performed in batch mode. Real-time data integration would be highly desirable since it would allow a retailer or other data owner to provide an immediate, customized response to input for a particular customer. For example, when a particular customer visits a retailer""s web site, it would be desirable to link all available information concerning that customer, and then display a web page that is particularly tailored to that customer""s interests and needs. Another application would be to provide customized coupons or sales information in response to the xe2x80x9cswipingxe2x80x9d of a particular customer""s credit card when a retail purchase is in progress.
Prior-art systems to provide a customized response to customer input are based on the matching of internal customer numbers. For example, some grocery stores distribute xe2x80x9cmemberxe2x80x9d cards containing bar codes to identify a particular customer. When the customer presents his or her member card at the check-out line, the card""s bar code is scanned to determine the customer""s identification number. The grocer""s data processing system then automatically consults its buying history database in order to print coupons that are tailored to that customer""s particular buying habits.
Record-at-a-time processing based on internal customer numbers has several important limitations. First, this system only works for established customers for whom a number has already been assigned. If a new customer enters the store, that customer must be issued a member card (and corresponding customer identification number) before the system will recognize the customer. Initially, the grocer would know nothing about this customer. In addition, this system""s use of customer identification numbers would make it unacceptable for use externally, due to the individual privacy concerns discussed above.
Still another limitation of traditional data integration methods is that they provide no means by which a business can remotely and automatically update or xe2x80x9cenhancexe2x80x9d the data it maintains for each customer when the data concerning that customer changes. The traditional, batch-mode method of providing update or enhancement data is laborious, and may require several weeks from start to finish. First, the company requesting data enhancement is required to build an xe2x80x9cextract filexe2x80x9d containing an entry for each record in its customer database. This extract file is stored on a computer-readable medium, such as magnetic tape, which is then shipped to the information service provider for enhancement. Since a wide variety of database formats are in use, the information service provider must first convert the extract file to the information service provider""s internal format for processing. Using this standardized version of the extract file, the information service provider then executes a software application that compares the information in the company""s database against all of the information that the information service provider maintains. The update or enhancement data is then overlaid onto the company""s standardized extract file.
An important limitation of this data update and enhancement method is that the business""s database must be rebuilt even when it only requires an update to a small portion of the data. For example, a retailer may desire to update the addresses in its customer database once per month. Most customers will not have changed their address within each one-month period; the traditional update method, however, would require the retailer to completely rebuild the database to catch those few customers who have moved.
For all of these reasons, it would be desirable to develop an unambiguous data-linking system that will improve data integration, update, and enhancement; will perform record-at-a-time, real-time data linking; and may be used externally without raising privacy concerns.
The present invention is directed to a system and method for using permanent xe2x80x9ctokensxe2x80x9d to create an unambiguous linking scheme to match related data. Tokens may be implemented as unique numbers that are used to tag all data pertaining to a particular entity. These tokens are created by an information services provider, and may be distributed externally for the use of its customers. Unlike the customer identification numbers discussed above, the creation of tokens is not dependent upon a customer approaching the data owner. The information services provider that creates the tokens may maintain databases with information pertaining to the entire United States population, and constantly monitors the population for changes of address, name, status, and other demographic data in order to keep the list of tokens current. New tokens are assigned as new entities are identified.
To maintain the uniqueness of each token, the tokens are created only by a single central repository operated by the information services provider. Temporary tokens may be created initially when a new entity is encountered, so that the information services provider may collect additional data to confirm that the supposed new entity is not already in the database. Once the information services provider confirms that the entity is actually new, however, a permanent token will be assigned that will be used to link data pertaining to that entity for all time. Because even the information service provider""s information will not be complete, it may be necessary to periodically perform token maintenance in the form of combining two or more tokens into a single token, or splitting a single token into two different tokens. This process may be performed simply by publishing a list of consolidated and split tokens that is transmitted to all token users. This maintenance method makes unnecessary the complete reprocessing of a database to keep tokens current.
Because the tokens are created at a central repository that is maintained by an information services provider, ambiguities may be resolved far more effectively than in prior art systems. The central repository may create an identification class that contains all available data pertaining to each entity for which information is maintained. The purpose of the identification class is to link all available data concerning a particular entity using the appropriate token. Even though much of this information may never be distributed, it may still be used in the matching process to assure that the correct token is assigned to a customer""s data in response to a data integration, update, or enhancement request. The identification class may include name aliases, common name misspellings, last name change history, address history, street aliases, and other relevant information useful for matching purposes. The identification-class structure enables far more accurate matching and xe2x80x9cdedupingxe2x80x9d than previously possible; for example, by using known name aliases, the central repository may recognize that a customer""s separate database records for xe2x80x9cSue C. Smith,xe2x80x9d xe2x80x9cCarol Smith,xe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cSue Thompsonxe2x80x9d each actually refer to the same person, and would accurately assign a single token to link all relevant information about this person.
Since the tokens are permanent and are universally unique, they are not limited to use by a particular data provider, or to a particular matching session; instead, the tokens are specifically intended for external distribution to any owner of relevant data, and will never expire. Once a data owner receives the tokens and matches them to its existing data, the tokens can be used to rapidly compare, match, search, and integrate data from multiple internal databases, either in batch mode or real time, using as few as one record at a time.
Different types of tokens may be used to link data relevant to, for example, customers, businesses, addresses, households, and occupancies. An occupancy token links information about a customer or business and the address at which that particular customer resides at a particular time. A household token links information about all persons who are determined to share a household. The definition of what constitutes a xe2x80x9chouseholdxe2x80x9d may vary from one application to another; therefore, there may be multiple types of household tokens in use simultaneously. A series of linked address tokens can further be used to maintain an individual""s address history. Using an address history, ambiguities caused by name similarity between individuals may be more easily resolved, and the correct token will be tagged to that individual""s data despite a change in address.
As noted above, prior art xe2x80x9cdedupingxe2x80x9d routines are complex, resource-intensive, and, because they are limited to the available data, cannot perform with 100% accuracy. With the present invention, however, adding new data to a data processing system is as simple as matching tokens against one another. Token matching is a computationally simple process that can be performed as the data is added to the data processing system in real time. Because no inadvertent duplicates are added to the database during data update or enhancement, periodic efforts to remove duplicates are unnecessary.
The present invention also uses tokens to greatly simplify the process of data integration where multiple databases are maintained. When all known information about a particular entity is required, the data owner need only search each database for information that is linked by the token associated with the entity of interest. There is no need to perform complex matching algorithms designed to determine whether, for example, two customers about whom information is maintained on separate databases are in fact the same individual. The tokens thus enable the data owner to treat each of its physically remote databases as if they were a single xe2x80x9cvirtualxe2x80x9d database in which all information about a particular entity is readily accessible.
The use of tokens for linking data also significantly reduces the privacy concerns related to data enhancement, data integration, and related data processing. Once the appropriate tokens are matched to the data owner""s data, update and enhancement requests may be transmitted to an information services provider as simply a list of tokens. The tokens themselves contain no information concerning the data to which they pertain. Thus anyone who clandestinely intercepts such a transmission would be unable to extract any private data from the transmission. In addition, since the tokens are merely data links, and not PINs or customer identification numbers, there is no increased individual-privacy risk associated with the external use of the tokens.
The tokens further allow real-time, record-at-a-time linking for the immediate collection of all relevant data in response to customer input. By collecting all data for a particular customer, the data owner is able to construct a xe2x80x9ctotal customer viewxe2x80x9d that may be used, for example, to customize the interaction between the data owner and its customer. If multiple databases must be consulted to retrieve all relevant customer data, then each database need only be searched for data linked to the relevant token. The data owner can use the tokens to link all of its own data, or can link with data maintained by an information services provider to immediately enhance its data pertaining to a particular customer. Because the linking process is performed just at the moment when the customer input is received, the data retrieved will be the most recently updated customer information available. The linkage between the data owner""s database and information provider""s database may be by OLTP (on-line transactional processing) using the linking tokens. This linkage may also be used to perform xe2x80x9ctrigger notification.xe2x80x9d Trigger notification is the automatic triggering of update messages to every linked database when new information is received about a particular entity. Using tokens, trigger notification may taken place almost instantaneously, allowing, for example, every division of a large retailer to take advantage of the latest information received from a customer.
Another advantage of the record-at-a-time processing is that data may be xe2x80x9cpushedxe2x80x9d from the information services provider to its customers. For example, the information services provider may learn that a particular individual""s name has changed. This change can be xe2x80x9cpushedxe2x80x9d to a customer""s database automatically through the use of a message that contains the new information and the token used to link all data pertaining to this individual. Because the update process requires only the matching of tokens, the process may be performed automatically without direct intervention by either the information services provider or its customer.
One concern that arises in connection with an information service provider""s external distribution of data is the inadvertent distribution of one company""s data to that company""s competitor. For example, company A may wish to link its data using tokens. The information service provider may already have information in its matching database about company A""s customers that was obtained from company B, company A""s competitor. The information services provider must be able to assure company B that its private data will not be distributed to company A. The use of tokens in the present invention, however, makes this xe2x80x9cscreeningxe2x80x9d process automatic. The information services provider may use the data of both companies as part of its internal token creation and linkage processes. But by returning only the information received from a company along with the linked tokens, the company receiving the tokens does not obtain anyone""s data but its own. Because the tokens themselves reveal no private company information, there is no requirement to implement a separate xe2x80x9cscreeningxe2x80x9d function. Also, because the information service provider uses all available data to generate and link tokens, the correct tokens may still be distributed to companies with incomplete or partially inaccurate data.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a data processing system using permanent tokens.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a data processing system using tokens that are universally unique.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide for the integration of data across multiple internal databases using tokens.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide for automatic duplicate elimination on a database using tokens.
It is another object of the present invention to provide for data update and enhancement using tokens.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide real-time, record-at-a-time processing of data using tokens.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide linkage capability for the creation of a total customer view from physically separate databases in real time using tokens.
It is still another object of the present invention to create a customized response to customer input in real time using tokens.
It is still another object of the present invention to perform trigger notification using tokens.
It is still another object of the present invention to automatically push update data from a central repository to a customer database using tokens.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments in conjunction with the appended drawings as briefly described following.

Data linking system and method using tokens


A composition for treating psoriasis, mycosis fungoides or alopecia comprising bis-(2-chloroethyl)methylamine or an HX salt and the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient HOCH2CH2OCH2CH2OR79, wherein R79 is a linear alkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms.

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a malignancy of the T-helper (CD4+) cells of the immune system. CTCL, also known as mycosis fungoides (MF), is a cancer of the white blood cells that primarily affects the skin and only secondarily affects other sites. This disease involves the uncontrolled proliferation of T-lymphocytes known as T-helper cells, so named because of their role in the immune response. T-helper cells are characterized by the presence of a protein receptor on their surface called CD4. Accordingly, T-helper cells are said to be CD4+
The proliferation of T-helper cells results in the penetration, or infiltration, of these abnormal cells into the epidermal layer of the skin. The skin reacts with slightly scaling lesions that itch, although the sites of greatest infiltration do not necessarily correspond to the sites of the lesions. The lesions are most often located on the trunk, but can be present on any part of the body. In the most common course of the disease, the patchy lesions progress to palpable plaques that are deeper red and have more defined edges. As the disease worsens, skin tumors develop that are often mushroom-shaped, hence the name mycosis fungoides. Finally, the cancer progresses to extracutanous involvement, often in the lymph nodes or the viscera.
CTCL is a rare disease, with an annual incidence of about 0.29 cases per 100,000 persons in the United States. It is about half as common in Eastern Europe. However, this discrepancy may be attributed to a differing physician awareness of the disease rather than a true difference in occurrence. In the Unites States, there are about 500-600 new cases a year and about 100-200 deaths. CTCL is usually seen in older adults; the median age at diagnosis is 55-60 years. It strikes twice as many men as women. The average life expectancy at diagnosis is 7-10 years, even without treatment.
The most common side effect for treatments applied to the skin is skin hypersensitivity to the drug. There is a need for improved compositions and methods for skin diseases that avoid or minimize skin hypersensitivity to the drug.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Stabilized compositions of volatile alkylating agents and methods of using thereof


Shielded sockets for microprocessors and fabrication of shielded sockets by overmolding and plating techniques are described. In an example, a socket for a packaged semiconductor device includes a plastic housing having walls surrounding a cavity. A plurality of contact strips is disposed in the cavity and supported by one or more of the walls of the plastic housing. Each of the plurality of contact strips includes a plurality of contacts. Each of the plurality of contacts includes a vertical region overmolded with plastic, a contact portion, and a J-lead portion. The plastic is coated with a metal layer.

A central processing unit (CPU) socket or CPU slot is a mechanical component that provides mechanical and electrical connections between a microprocessor and a printed circuit board (PCB). This allows the CPU to be replaced without soldering.
Common sockets have retention clips that apply a constant force, which must be overcome when a device is inserted. For chips with a large number of pins, either zero insertion force (ZIF) sockets or land grid array (LGA) sockets are used instead. These designs apply a compression force once either a handle (for ZIF type) or a surface plate (LGA type) is put into place. The surface plate may be referred to as an integrated loading mechanism (ILM). The designs provide superior mechanical retention while avoiding the risk of bending pins when inserting the chip into the socket.
CPU sockets are used in desktop and server computers. As they allow easy swapping of components, they are also used for prototyping new circuits. Laptops typically use surface mount CPUs, which need less space than a socketed part.
A conventional CPU socket is made of plastic, a lever or latch, and metal contacts for each of the pins or lands on the CPU. Many packages are keyed to ensure the proper insertion of the CPU. CPUs with a pin grid array (PGA) package are inserted into the socket and the latch is closed. CPUs with an LGA package are inserted into the socket, the latch plate is flipped into position atop the CPU, and the lever is lowered and locked into place, pressing the CPU's contacts firmly against the socket's lands and ensuring a good connection, as well as increased mechanical stability.
However, improvements are needed in the field of integrated circuit (IC) socket technology, particular for high end microprocessor applications.

Shielded sockets for microprocessors and fabrication thereof by overmolding and plating


A putting training system for practicing putting outdoors on a putting green or indoors on a carpeted surface comprising of a circular toroid putting target which by design has the ability to distinguish between a correctly or incorrectly struck putt with the rule that all putts should be struck hard enough force to leave the golf ball approximately seventeen inches past the hole if the hole was not there. The training aid target is a visually realistic, 360 degree, three dimensional depiction of a real hole on a putting green. This is accomplished by distinguishing the color of the outer half of the target from the inner half of the target. By coloring the outer half of the training aid target green and the inner half of the target black, one sees relatively the same view as a real hole when viewed from a distance.

This invention relates to the game of golf, specifically to a putting training aid designed to teach golfers the proper speed for which a correctly struck putt is hit, alignment and visual focus while practicing the most important aspect of the game of golf, putting.
Golf is a difficult and challenging game for which many inventors have created training aids to help golfers develop different aspects of the game. To be proficient at the game and its many different shots and techniques, training aids have been developed to teach proper form, alignment and method of striking a golf ball.
Putting is the most important and difficult part of the game, accounting for half the strokes (36) in a par round (72), with two putts per hole and eighteen holes per round.
Putting is a great test of skill and requires regular, high quality practice sessions with a device that visually represents an actual hole as realistically as possible and has the same xe2x80x9cactionxe2x80x9d as a real hole with the golf ball being able to roll around the rim of the target and either stay in the target or rim around and out of the target. Golfers typically practice putting where ever they can find a suitable surface either outdoors or indoors. In many cases, a carpeted surface indoors must suffice for practicing putting for reasons of inclement weather, time constraints or convenience. In these and similar cases, the golfer has a need for a three dimensional representation of the hole in the form of a putting target that provides direct feedback on both the line and speed for which a properly struck putt is hit.
For many years it has been widely known that a properly struck putt should roll approximately seventeen inches past the hole if the hole was not there. This definition is based on the research of Dave Pelz, a professional golf teacher and Ex-NASA Physicist who authored the book entitled xe2x80x9cPutt Like The Pro""sxe2x80x9d, published by HarperPerenial in 1991. This distance is approximate, depending on specific grass types and environmental conditions. It may vary either shorter or longer; however the seventeen inch dimension is the best distance for overall conditions.
An actual hole on a putting green is bored into the ground by a special tool with a depth indicator to a measured distance. A white plastic cup is then inserted into the hole approximately xc2xc inch below the surface of the green. This leaves a ring of rich black top soil directly below the surface of the green and directly above the white plastic insert. When visualizing a hole on a putting green, one sees the front half of the hole as being green and the back half of the hole as being a black xc2xc inch band approximately 180 degrees around and beneath the surface. As a rule, many people aim at this black line at the back of the hole as a reference target while putting.
Heretofore, many inventors have created conventional practice putting targets or training devices which attempt to simulate a hole but lack the ability to visually represent an actual hole on a putting green in three dimensions and also lack the utility to distinguish between a correctly or incorrectly struck putt. Some devices reduce the diameter of the hole in an attempt to refine the accuracy of the line for which a putt must be hit, while others are mechanically or electrically complicated, visually unrealistic and expensive to manufacture.
The emphasis on the need to visually represent a hole as it actually looks is extremely important. This point was exemplified by the granting of Peabody et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,583, which is a plastic coated photograph depicting an actual hole from eye level taken ten feet away. This patent clearly shows a black ring at the back of the hole and a green front surface. The object of this design was to putt the golf ball over the photograph hole but there is no mechanism of indicating if the golf ball was struck with the correct force or with insufficient or excess force.
Kehoe U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,560 took this depiction of a hole to the next level with a thin, flexible, six inch in diameter disk with a four inch representation of a hole. He then has an adhesive back material line that is placed behind the target seventeen inches and perpendicular to the putting line. The object being to teach the golfer to strike a golf ball with the correct force by having the putt roll through the center of the target and have it come to rest on the line. This target is an unrealistic representation and does not depict what a real hole looks like in three dimensions. It lacks the main gratification of golf, to putt a golf ball into a hole and has no xe2x80x9cactionsxe2x80x9d characteristics like rimming around as with a real hole.
Another example of a conventional putting target is Mueller et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,808. This design defines a large number of putting targets available on the market consisting of a putting ring with a sloped outer diameter to xe2x80x9callow ease of entry into the targetxe2x80x9d. The inner diameter is perpendicular to the putting surface and is designed to xe2x80x9cretain on line putts even if they are struck with excess forcexe2x80x9d. This design does not have the utility to distinguish between a putt struck with excess force and a putt struck with insufficient force. These targets are also visually unrealistic and do not depict a three dimensional hole as on an actual putting green.
Dimanno et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,404 takes this conventional design one step further by making his target symmetrical with two sloped surfaces connecting the inner diameter to the outer diameter of the target. This target is created to be tossable, but still is designed to allow ease of entry of a golf ball into the target and retention of the golf ball even if the putt is struck with excess force and has no means for distinguishing a correctly struck putt from an incorrectly struck putt. He also has no means of visually representing the target in three dimensions by correctly depicting a real hole.
Moreover, the prior art taken as a whole, vast as it is, neither teaches nor suggests a device that captures a golf ball within the target when stroked with the correct tempo and ensuing force, while preventing putts stroked with to slow a tempo and insufficient ensuing force from entering the target and allowing putts stroked with to fast a tempo and excessive ensuing force to roll through the target. Also, none of the targets found in the prior art provide a visually realistic three dimensional representation of a real hole on a putting green. These and other functional utilities will be apparent upon studying the description of the invention.
It is thus an object of this invention to provide a process for practicing the most important aspect of the game of golf, putting.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a simple and inexpensive putting training system which teaches proper putting technique and helps refine ones putting skills.
It is yet a further object of this invention to provide the golfer with a putting training aid to teach proper force for which a correctly stroked putt is struck, allowing distinction between correctly stroked putts, putts stroked with insufficient force and putts stroked with excess force.
It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a training aid to help develop proper putting stroke tempo for which a correctly stroked putt is struck by providing direct feedback to indicate too slow a tempo, too fast a tempo or the proper tempo of a correct putting stroke;
It is yet a further object of this invention to provide the golfer with a visual, 360 degree around, three dimensional representation of an actual hole on a putting green.
It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a xe2x80x9cDot Focus Systemxe2x80x9d to teach golfers proper eye focus while putting and after the putt has been struck.
It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a symmetrical putting target to be tossed to save both time and energy while practicing putting and to help build eye-hand coordination and judgment of distance with each varying toss of the target.
It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a putting training target which can be easily and effortlessly picked up without bending over.
It is also a further object of this invention to provide a putting training target for a game similar to miniature golf which is played indoors in hallways or large areas of carpeted surfaces with each toss of the target being a new hole, eighteen tosses being a full round and each stroke being added up with the lowest score being the winner.
It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a putting training target which is easily stored in places such as ones back pocket, golf bag and desk drawer to be easily retrieved for practicing in the office, at home, on vacation or on the golf course practice green when it is too crowded with golfers or on the first tee is time constraints dictate.
These and other objects are accomplished by a Copyrighted Tips and Drills direction guide, a Dot Focus System and a 360 degree, three dimensional, symmetrical depiction of an actual hole in the form of a training aid target comprising of a solid circular rubber ring for use in practicing the game of golf, an outer diameter, an inner diameter and a circular cross section, wherein the body of the device is symmetrical about its horizontal axis. The outer half of the circular ring being green and the inner half of the circular ring being black to provide an accurate three dimensional view, 360 degrees around of an actual hole on a putting green. The device, by its design, has the ability to distinguish between a putt stroked with the correct tempo and ensuing force, a putt stroked with too slow a tempo and ensuing force and a putt stroked with too fast a tempo and ensuing force and provides direct feedback to the golfer on his or her accuracy with respect to their putting stroke tempo. The Dot Focus System, which consists of a green adhesive backed dot, is placed on the putting surface and a golf ball is then placed upon this dot. As the golfer is aiming at this accurate depiction of a hole and aligns his body and stroke accordingly, he then focuses on the golf ball and nothing more. The beginning of the putting stroke is a smooth drawing back of the putter with a slow metered tempo, 1xe2x80x94. The next step in the putting stroke is a smooth forward motion of the head of the putter on the putting line with a consistent tempo and good follow through, 2xe2x80x94. Throughout the entire putting stroke, one concentrates entirely on the golf ball and spot where the golf ball once was. This ensures that the golfers head has remained down and that square, smooth contact with the golf ball has been made with the correct tempo and putting line. After all golf balls have been putted, instead of retrieving ones golf balls, one simply rests the head of the putter on the target and draws back the club. Thus the target, with its circular cross section, automatically rolls over and is caught on the head of the putter, eliminating the need to bend over to pick up the target since back pain is a common complaint of most golfers and seniors. One then simply grabs the target from the head of the putter and tosses it to a new location of varying distance. This varying distance improves eye-hand coordination and distance judgment which is a major aspect of putting in itself.
1 Putting training aid target
2 Outer surface
3 Inner surface
4 Golf ball
5 Putter
6 Putting surface
7 Putting line
8 Dot marker
9 Circular cross section
10 Front edge
11 Back edge


A security feature for an identification document and method for making it provide layers of security, including, for example, tamper evidence, optically variable effects, and personalized information that links the security information to the document and its bearer. The feature is made by printing a first material representing first information on a core layer of the document. This first material at least partially overlaps the core layer. One example is Xerographic printing of information about the ID document applicant and the applicant's photo. The process also applies a second material representing second information adjacent to the first material. One example is ink jet printing of personal information with a UV curable ink in the form of a relief pattern on the core layer. Finally, the process applies a laminate layer over the core layer. The laminate layer covers the first and second materials. The first and second materials adhere differently to the laminate and core layers such that removal of the laminate layer from the core layer causes a separation of the first and second materials. The relief pattern is made to give the document a tactile feel as well as create optically variable effects.

Identification documents (hereafter "ID documents") play a critical role in today's society. One example of an ID document is an identification card ("ID card"). ID documents are used on a daily basis—to prove identity, to verify age, to access a secure area, to evidence driving privileges, to cash a check, and so on. Airplane passengers are required to show an ID document during check in, security screening and prior to boarding their flight. In addition, because we live in an ever-evolving cashless society, ID documents are used to make payments, access an automated teller machine (ATM), debit an account, or make a payment, etc.
For the purposes of this disclosure, ID documents are broadly defined herein, and include, e.g., credit cards, bank cards, phone cards, passports, driver's licenses, network access cards, employee badges, debit cards, security cards, smart cards (e.g., cards that include one more semiconductor chips, such as memory devices, microprocessors, and microcontrollers), contact cards, contactless cards, proximity cards (e.g., radio frequency (RFID) cards), visas, immigration documentation, national ID cards, citizenship cards, social security cards, security badges, certificates, identification cards or documents, voter registration cards, police ID cards, border crossing cards, legal instruments, security clearance badges and cards, gun permits, gift certificates or cards, membership cards or badges, etc., etc. Also, the terms "document," "card," "badge" and "documentation" are used interchangeably throughout this patent application.).
Many types of identification cards and documents, such as driving licenses, national or government identification cards, bank cards, credit cards, controlled access cards and smart cards, carry certain items of information which relate to the identity of the bearer. Examples of such information include name, address, birth date, signature and photographic image; the cards or documents may in addition carry other variable data (i.e., data specific to a particular card or document, for example an employee number) and invariant data (i.e., data common to a large number of cards, for example the name of an employer). All of the cards described above will be generically referred to as "ID documents".
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a front view and cross-sectional view (taken along the A-A line), respectively, of an identification (ID) document 10. In FIG. 1, the ID document 10 includes a photographic image 12, a bar code 14 (which may contain information specific to the person whose image appears in photographic image 12 and/or information that is the same from ID document to ID document), variable personal information 16, such as an address, signature, and/or birthdate, and biometric information 18 associated with the person whose image appears in photographic image 12 (e.g., a fingerprint, a facial image or template, or iris or retinal template), a magnetic stripe (which, for example, can be on a side of the ID document that is opposite the side with the photographic image), and various security features, such as a security pattern (for example, a printed pattern comprising a tightly printed pattern of finely divided printed and unprinted areas in close proximity to each other, such as a fine-line printed security pattern as is used in the printing of banknote paper, stock certificates, and the like).
Referring to FIG. 2, the ID document 10 comprises a pre-printed core 20 (also referred to as a substrate). In many applications, the core can be a light-colored, opaque material (e.g., TESLIN (available from PPG Industries), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material, polyester, polycarbonate, etc.). The core 20 is laminated with a transparent material, such as clear PVC or polyester material 22, which, by way of example, can be about 1-5 mil thick. The composite of the core 20 and clear laminate material 22 form a so-called "card blank" 25 that can be up to about 30 mils thick. Information 26a-c is printed on the card blank 25 using a method such as Laser Xerography or Dye Diffusion Thermal Transfer ("D2T2") printing (e.g., as described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,066,594, which is incorporated hereto by reference in its entirety.) The information 26a-c can, for example, comprise variable information (e.g., bearer information) and an indicium or indicia, such as the invariant or nonvarying information common to a large number of identification documents, for example the name and logo of the organization issuing the documents. The information 26a-c may be formed by any known process capable of forming the indicium on the specific core material used.
To protect the information that is printed, an additional layer of transparent overlaminate 24 can be coupled to the card blank and printed information. Illustrative examples of usable materials for overlaminates include biaxially oriented polyester or other optically clear durable plastic film.
"Laminate" and "overlaminate" include, but are not limited to film and sheet products. Laminates used in documents include substantially transparent polymers. Examples of laminates used in documents include polyester, polycarbonate, polystyrene, cellulose ester, polyolefin, polysulfone, and polyamide. Laminates can be made using either an amorphous or biaxially oriented polymer. The laminate can comprise a plurality of separate laminate layers, for example a boundary layer and/or a film layer.
The degree of transparency of the laminate can, for example, be dictated by the information contained within the identification document, the particular colors and/or security features used, etc. The thickness of the laminate layers can vary and is typically about 1-20 mils. Lamination of any laminate layer(s) to any other layer of material (e.g., a core layer) can be accomplished using a lamination process.
In ID documents, a laminate can provide a protective covering for the printed substrates and provides a level of protection against unauthorized tampering (e.g., a laminate would have to be removed to alter the printed information and then subsequently replaced after the alteration.). Various lamination processes are disclosed in assignee's U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,783,024, 6,007,660, 6,066,594, and 6,159,327. Other lamination processes are disclosed, e.g., in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,283,188 and 6,003,581. A co-extruded lamination technology described in this document also appears in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/692,463. Each of these U.S. patents and applications is herein incorporated by reference.
The material(s) from which a laminate is made may be transparent, but need not be. Laminates can include synthetic resin-impregnated or coated base materials composed of successive layers of material, bonded together via heat, pressure, and/or adhesive. Laminates also includes security laminates, such as a transparent laminate material with proprietary security technology features and processes, which protects documents of value from counterfeiting, data alteration, photo substitution, duplication (including color photocopying), and simulation by use of materials and technologies that are commonly available. Laminates also can include thermosetting materials, such as epoxy.
In a typical ID document, one or more laminate layers are joined together with the substrate, possibly including other security devices, such as holograms, integrated circuits, optical memory, RFID tag, etc. to form a complete document. These laminate layers are designed to enhance the durability and security of the identification documents. From the standpoint of durability, the laminate should increase the document's ability to withstand wear and tear experienced in the field, including heat and humidity that can compromise the integrity of the document structure.
From the standpoint of security, an identification document should be difficult to tamper with and/or provide clear evidence of tampering. In particular, the various layers of the document, including the laminate, should be difficult to separate or intrude into without severely damaging the document and marring the information contained in it.
This document describes novel security features for ID documents and methods for making these features and the documents that include them. Embodiments of these security features provide one or more layers of security, including: 1. variable (e.g., personal) information that links the feature to information on the card and its bearer; 2. optically variable effects that are difficult to reproduce; 3. a unique tactile feel on the surface of the document; 4. obvious tamper evidence and/or intrusion detection; and 5. use of ink formulations that enhance security, such as optical variance, fluorescence, invisible inks (e.g., UV or IR inks), etc.
One aspect of the invention is a method of making an identification document comprising applying a first material representing first information on a core layer of the document, the first material at least partially overlapping the core layer; applying a second material representing second information at least partially adjacent to the first material; and applying a laminate layer over the core layer. The laminate layer covers the first and second materials. The first and second materials adhere differently to the laminate and core layers such that removal of the laminate layer from the core layer causes a separation of the first and second materials. The second material represents the second information in a relief pattern having a varying surface height relative to a surface of the core such that the document has a tactile feel.
In one embodiment of the method, a manufacturing process prints a first material depicting first information on a core layer of the document. This first material at least partially overlaps the core layer. One example of this first printing stage is Xerographic printing of the bearer's information and photo. The process then applies a second material representing second information at least partially overlapping the first material, and cures the second material. One example is ink jet printing of personal information with a UV curable ink in the form of a relief pattern on the core layer. Finally, the process applies a laminate layer over the core layer. The laminate layer covers the first and second materials. The first and second materials adhere differently to the laminate and core layers such that removal of the laminate layer from the core layer causes a separation of the first and second materials.
Another aspect of the invention is a security feature for an identification document comprising a first material representing first information applied to a core layer of the document, a second material representing second information adjacent to the first material, and a laminate layer applied over the core layer. The laminate layer covers the first and second materials, and the first and second materials adhere differently to the laminate and core layers such that removal of the laminate layer from the core layer causes a separation of the first and second materials. The second material represents the second information in a relief pattern having a varying surface height relative to a surface of the core such that the feature has a tactile feel.
Additional aspects of the invention include ID documents and methods for making the ID documents and parts of ID documents.
Of course, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, with emphasis rather being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate like elements or steps. Further, throughout this application, certain indicia, information, identification documents, data, etc., may be shown as having a particular cross sectional shape (e.g., rectangular) but that is provided by way of example and illustration only and is not limiting, nor is the shape intended to represent the actual resultant cross sectional shape that occurs during manufacturing of identification documents.

ID document structure with pattern coating providing variable security features


A delivery system and method for delivering soluble dietary fibers in a chewable tablet form which is palatable and demonstrates a high degree of consumer acceptability.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a delivery system for dietary fibers and more particularly to a delivery system for soluble dietary fiber supplements preferably in the form of a safe, chewable tablet, lozenge, wafer, cookie or the like which is comprised in part of a relatively low viscosity, non-gelling and organoleptically pleasing dietary fiber component.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Unlike other nutrients, dietary fiber is not a single substance, but is a term used to identify plant polysaccharides and lignins that are not hydrolyzed by the endogenous secretions of the human digestive system. Thus, they reach the colon intact. Plant components which make up dietary fiber include, among others: structural polysaccharides (cellulose and hemicellulose), nonstructural polysaccharides (pectines, B-glucans, gums and mucilages) and structural nonpolysaccharides (lignin). Dietary fibers are commonly characterized by their water solubility and their relative susceptibility to microbial degradation into fermentable and nonfermentable fiber fractions. In general, pectines, gums and mucilages are water soluble, while lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose are water insoluble.
Dietary fibers by definition reach the colon intact and thus generally escape digestion and absorption in the small intestines; however, such fibers are susceptible to varying degrees of microbial fermentation or degradation in the colon. Such degradation results in the production of carbon dioxide, hydrogen, methane, and various short chain fatty acids.
For much of the twentieth century the common notion among clinicians and nutritionists was that fiber was roughage or the like comprised of indigestible cell walls. Except for providing bulk for normal bowel function, such fiber was considered to be of no nutritional value. Accordingly, many food scientists directed their efforts toward enhancing the purity of food by removing dietary fiber.
However, during the last few decades, stimulated principally by epidemiological observations revealing differences in disease patterns between populations, researchers began to accumulated a large body of evidence linking a low fiber western diet with the incidence of numerous chronic diseases. Numerous laboratory and clinical investigations have also confirmed various risk factors associated with low fiber diets and the protective nature of high fiber diets.
The association of high dietary fiber intake with lower risk or improvement in several chronic diseases has led to recommendations to increase dietary fiber consumption to 20-35 grams per day. Because of these recommendations and the mounting recognition of health benefits of high fiber diets, health care professionals have aggressively attempted to encourage individuals to consume high fiber diets that are rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains. Regrettably, many of the most popular foods, and particularly those most popular in western diets, are low in dietary fiber. Thus, for those consuming an affluent xe2x80x9crefined western dietxe2x80x9d, satisfying these recommendations is a difficult task. Accordingly, despite the recommendations advocating high fiber diets, the intake of dietary fiber has not significantly increased. Recent consumption surveys reveal that average dietary intake of fiber remains at approximately 10-12 grams per day.
As a result, a variety of dietary fiber supplements have been marketed for increasing the consumption of dietary fiber. Unfortunately, however, such supplements have achieved limited consumer acceptance. Much of the dissatisfaction arises because of the physical organoleptic and other characteristics of the fiber components which make up the great majority of dietary fiber supplements currently available. Common dietary fiber supplements are comprised of fiber components such as psyllium (sold under the trademark Metamucil or Fiberall), methylcellulose (sold under the trademark Citrucel) and polycarbophil or calcium polycarbophil (sold under the trademark Fiber Con). These generally have a significant affinity for water. Thus, when exposed to water or other fluids prior to or during ingestion, or when progressing through the digestive system, these components tend to swell quickly and produce highly viscous fluids and gels. For instance, when hydrated, psyllium fiber produces an unacceptably gummy, chewy product. This has led directly to increased safety risk such as choking, obstruction and the like, both during and after ingestion. In fact, scientific literature has reported obstructions (esophageal and small bowel) requiring medical attention from the consumption of both insoluble and soluble fiber supplements.
To minimize this problem, it is recommended that present fiber supplements be ingested while consuming a large quantity of liquids (a minimum of eight ounces of fluid) or that smaller quantities of the supplement be ingested. In fact, the FDA""s Tentative Final Monograph for Laxatives specifies that a full glass (8 ounces) of liquid be taken with each dose of certain fiber supplements. Typically, dietary fiber supplements are ingested in the form of swallowable tablets, reconstitutable powders or wafers. Swallowable tablets, because of the above safety concerns, are limited to tablets of one gram or less and more typically 0.5 grams or less. This, however, leads to two areas of consumer dissatisfaction: the need to ingest a large amount of liquid per dose as well the need for a large number of doses to get a meaningful amount of fiber.
Fiber supplements in the form of a reconstitutable powder have also met with limited consumer acceptance due principally to mouth feel of the product (the texture and grittiness), gelling due to viscosity buildup, visual appearance, the relatively large amounts of liquid required for mixing and consumption and limited palatability. The inconvenience of reconstituting and ingesting the product outside the home and the necessity for cleanup also encumbers lifestyle and results in poor compliance. As an alternative, fibers supplements are often offered as wafers or as swallowable tablets as described above.
To overcome some of the problems identified above, the prior art teaches the encapsulation or pre-coating of dietary fiber supplements delivered as swallowable tablets. Although this somewhat improves certain of the organoleptic properties by masking undesirable flavors and texture and delays hydration until it passes through the oral cavity, the limitations resulting from the relatively small swallowable tablets continue to exist. The prior art also describes attempts to mask the fibrous mouth feel of current fiber supplements by concealing the dietary fiber in wafers, baked goods, granola-type products, power bars, cookies, cereals and snack foods. While this technology has achieved some degree of success, it often requires the inclusion of ingredients high in fat, carbohydrates and calories and low in dietary fiber. Thus, consumers wishing to restrict their caloric intake are often reluctant to utilize such products. Further, the level of dietary fiber that can be incorporated into other foods without adversely affecting the taste and mouth feel is quite limited. In general, the upper limit is about 5% by weight.
Still further, the prior art teaches the use of fine powders of dietary fibers, excipient and or dispersing agents to reduce the formation of fibrous clumps or xe2x80x9cfish eyesxe2x80x9d during rehydration. In comparison to coarser powders, the fine powders of dietary fibers tend to be less gritty upon reconstitution.
According, there is a need for a dietary fiber supplement which addresses the problems in the prior art and provides a dietary fiber supplement and a delivery system for a dietary fiber which does not pose safety concerns resulting from viscosity buildup or gelling and which is palatable, aesthetically pleasing and exhibits characteristics which enable it to be delivered as a chewable tablet or lozenge without the choking, obstruction or other safety concerns.
In contrast to the prior art, the present invention provides a dietary fiber supplement, and more particularly, a dietary fiber supplement delivery system which enables relatively large doses of fiber to be ingested with dissolution and substantial hydration in the oral cavity without experiencing safety concerns and while providing a palatable and organoleptically pleasing product. More specifically, the present invention relates to the discovery of a subset of soluble dietary fibers which do not significantly increase in viscosity or gel when exposed to water or other liquids, yet possess the desirable organoleptic characteristics and the ability to function as a dietary fiber. This particular subset of soluble dietary fibers exhibits characteristics which enable the same to be delivered as a chewable tablet, wafer or lozenge having excellent texture, mouth feel and palatability and which can be delivered without experiencing the choking, obstruction or other safety concerns commonly associated with dietary fiber supplements currently existing in the art. The dietary fiber supplement of the present invention is designed to be chewed or dissolved slowly and then swallowed without experiencing such safety concerns or unpleasant organoleptic or other properties.
Further, the dietary fiber supplement of the present invention is organoleptically pleasing and does not require the addition of masking agents or coating techniques to improve its taste and mouth feel. Further, it does not require delaying hydration until it passes out of the oral cavity as is required with some present supplements. Accordingly, this subset of materials results in improved consumer acceptance and compliance. This in turn encourages and enables the long term consumption of fiber supplements for those individuals who will benefit from such increase in fiber intake.
Preferably the dietary fiber supplement in accordance with the present invention is comprised of a subset or category of fiber supplements which, when exposed to water or other fluid, do not result in significant buildup of viscosity or gelling. These fiber components are sometimes referred to herein as xe2x80x9cnon-gelling low viscosity fiber componentsxe2x80x9d or simply as xe2x80x9clow viscosity fiber componentsxe2x80x9d. More specifically, the category of materials that are applicable to the present invention are those materials which when exposed to water or other liquid result in a solution which does not gel and exhibits a viscosity significantly less than the viscosity of similar solutions of currently available dietary fiber supplements. Such materials also preferably exhibit organoleptically pleasing properties and palatability. Although a variety of dietary fiber components may exhibit these properties, the preferred embodiment contemplates a dietary fiber component comprised of inulin or fructooligosacchaides (FOS) either individually or in combination. In accordance with the present invention, such component is delivered in a chewable form as a chewable tablet, lozenge, wafer, cookie or the like (hereinafter referred to as a xe2x80x9cchewable tabletxe2x80x9d) ranging in size from one-half gram to as much as ten grams. Preferably the chewable tablet comprises at least 10% by weight of the dietary fiber component, more preferably, at least 30% by weight and most preferably at least 50% by weight.
The present invention also relates to a dietary fiber delivery method for a human subject which involves preparing a chewable tablet or wafer of the type described above and then chewing and swallowing the tablet. This may be accomplished with or without water.
Most significantly, the present invention provides a delivery system for fiber supplementation in a chewable form which can deliver large quantities of fiber, particularly in the range of 3-5 grams, in a single chewable tablet which unexpectedly is quite palatable and demonstrates a high degree of consumer acceptability. Notwithstanding the size of the chewable tablet or wafer, it provides a pleasing mouth feel which dissolves rapidly due to the presence of the soluble fiber used in this invention. The present invention thus avoids the unpleasant gritty or gummy textures associated with chewable fiber supplements of the prior art.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel, safe, advantageous, user friendly, convenient, highly acceptable mechanism for the delivery of dietary fibers in a form and in quantities previously unavailable.
Another object is to provide a chewable delivery system comprised of one or more soluble dietary fibers which are to be masticated (or slowly dissolved) in the oral cavity with substantial hydration and swallowed upon complete disintegration without experiencing the safety concerns and unpleasant organoleptic properties of presently available fiber supplements.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a chewable tablet for the administration of physiologically active soluble fibers or resistant starches while avoiding the safety concerns and other consumer disadvantages associated with such fibers.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a delivery system for a dietary fiber supplement which does not gel and which encourages long-term compliance and consumption.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a dietary fiber supplement in a form which exhibits a relatively low viscosity when exposed to water or other liquids.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the description of the preferred embodiment.
Because of the association between high dietary fiber intake and improved health benefits, the general consensus and recommendations from health care professionals is to increase the consumption of dietary fiber. Because many diets, and in particular affluent western diets,. fail to provide sufficient fiber intake, fiber supplements are highly recommended. Depending upon the particular individual""s medical and health status and diet, it is anticipated that the adult daily fiber supplement could range from 1-20 grams and more probably from 3-15 grams. Presently available fiber supplements are generally administered from 1-6 times per day in unit dosages of 0.5-3 grams.
In accordance with the present invention, a dietary fiber supplement delivery system is provided in which dramatically increased quantities of fiber supplements can be administered and ingested without danger of choking, internal obstruction or other safety concerns. Preferably, the system includes a chewable tablet comprised principally of a low viscosity dietary fiber component which when exposed to water or other liquid exhibits a relatively low viscosity (hereinafter sometimes referred to as xe2x80x9clow viscosity fiber componentxe2x80x9d), but which still functions as a dietary fiber and provides highly desirable organoleptic and other properties.
The low viscosity fiber components useful in the present invention are those dietary fiber components which exhibit relatively low viscosity buildup when exposed to water or other fluids. More specifically, the dietary fiber components exhibiting the reduced viscosity property of the present invention are those fiber components which when combined with water to form a 10% by weight solution of the component exhibit a viscosity at 25xc2x0 C. which is preferably less than 100 centipoise (cps), more preferably less than 25 cps and most preferably less than 5 cps.
Although it is contemplated that a variety of fiber components would meet this low viscosity requirement, the preferred embodiment contemplates that such component would be either inulin or a fructooligosaccharide (FOS). Inulin or FOS can be provided either individually or in combination and is preferably delivered as a chewable tablet. It can also be provided as a powder to be reconstituted with water, if desired. Inulin is comprised of fructofuranose polymers (oligomer and polymers of fructose) of varying chain lengths with a DP (degree of polymerization) ranging from 2 to 60 monomeric fructose units linked to a terminal glucose molecule. More preferably, inulin of the present invention has a DP of 2-20 and mostly preferably a DP of less than 10. FOS is a mixture of the smaller fructan polymer fractions with a DP of 2 to 8. Thus, the molecules of FOS have 2 to 8 fructose units linked to a terminal glucose molecule. FOS can be commercially produced by the partial enzymatic hydrolysis of inulin or enzymatically synthesized from sucrose. Inulin or FOS offer functional physical and organoleptic advantages over other nondigestible polysaccharides which make up what are currently considered as dietary fibers or resistant starches. These functional, organoleptic and aesthetic properties provide significant advantages to the present invention which do not exist with respect to present dietary fiber supplements. In contrast to currently available fiber supplements, inulin and FOS comprise relatively small polymers which at anticipated levels of fiber do not build viscosity, swell or gel. Additionally, inulin and FOS are slightly sweet and have a pleasing taste and texture.
The inulin material used in the practice of this invention may be obtained from a variety of commercially available sources. Economically obtainable amounts are found in a series of plants, such as Jerusalem artichoke tubers and dahlia tubers, and also in chicory roots. It is known to obtain inulin from these sources by hot water extraction and drying, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,732. Inulin can also be prepared by pressing processes known in the art such as are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,422,346.
The non-gelling and reduced viscosity property of the inulin, FOS and other dietary fiber components applicable to the present invention is to some extent directly related to the molecule size and thus the molecular weight of the particular polysaccharide. Inulin is a mixture of fructose polymers of varying chain lengths ranging from 2 to 60 monomers with a molecular weight of less than 11,000 and with a typical molecular weight of about 5,000. Fructooligosaccharides with chain lengths ranging from 2 to 8 fructose monomers have a molecular weight of less than about 1,500. The molecular weight of currently available dietary fibers typically exceed 100,000. For example, the molecular weight of guar is greater than 200,000, the molecular weight of tragacanth exceeds 800,000, and the molecular weight of pectin ranges from 40,000 to 400,000. The molecular weight of the low viscosity fiber component molecules in accordance with the present invention is preferably less than 40,000, more preferably less than 25,000 and most preferably less than about 5,000.
During hydration, a gram of either inulin or FOS binds less than two grams of water. In contrast, conventional dietary fiber components bind significant quantities of water. For example, one gram of xanthin will bind approximately 18.5 grams of water, one gram of carrageenan will bind approximately 32.9 grams of water, one gram of guar will bind approximately 24.9 grams of water, one gram of pectin will bind between 5 to 56.2 grams of water and one gram of karaya will bind approximately 12.5 grams of water. Accordingly, the water binding property of the low viscosity fiber component in accordance with the present invention is that one gram of the fiber component will preferably bind less than 10 grams of water, more preferably less than 5 grams of water and most preferable less than 3 grams of water.
Both the molecular weight property and the water absorbing capacity of a dietary fiber component are further related to the ability of that component to form a viscous solution when exposed to water. Typically, a 2% by weight H2O solution of tragacanth exhibits a viscosity of approximately 1,000 cps, a 2% by weight H2O solution of guar exhibits viscosity of about 25,000 cps, a 2% by weight H2O solution of karaya exhibits a viscosity of approximately 8,000 cps and a 2% by weight H2O solution of xanthin exhibits a viscosity of about 4,000 cps. In comparison, even a 10% by weight H2O solution of inulin and FOS exhibit relatively low viscosities on the order of about 2 cps. This is to be further compared with 10% by weight H2O solutions of native dietary fiber such as gum arabic, which exhibits a viscosity of about 20 cps, and arabinogalactan, which exhibits a viscosity of about 3 cps. Although arabic is a relatively large molecule with a molecular weight of up to 600,000, it is a globular rather than a linear molecule which resists hydration and thus exhibits a relatively low viscosity. The low viscosity fiber component in accordance with the present invention preferably comprises a component which when combined with water to form a 10% by weight H2O solution of such component exhibits a viscosity at 25xc2x0 C. of preferably less than 100, more preferably less than 25, and most preferably less than 5 cps.
The discussion of the preferred embodiment has been with respect to inulin and FOS which exhibit the desired properties of reduced viscosity in their natural, unprocessed form. However, the present invention also contemplates that various existing high molecular weight, nondigestible polysaccharides currently available as dietary fiber supplements may be processed to reduce their viscosity, gelling and other undesirable properties, and thus function in accordance with the present invention. Two examples are guar and various resistant starches.
Guar is a high molecular weight polysaccharide which at low concentrations forms viscous solution and gels. Prior art has shown, however, that through controlled hydrolysis, the average molecular weight of guar can be significantly reduced. This reduction in polymer size can significantly alter it viscosity building and gelling characteristics. For example, it is known that Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd produces a hydrolyzed guar through controlled enzymatic hydrolysis which produces an average molecular weight guar approximately one tenth that of the starting material. This hydrolysis improves the organoleptic properties of the resulting material and significantly reduces the viscosity and gelling characteristics. The viscosity of a solution of this hydrolyzed guar may be as much as 2,000 times or more lower than a similar solution of the native guar. Accordingly, it is contemplated that the low viscosity fiber component of the present invention, in addition to comprising inulin or FOS, may also comprise nondigestible polysaccharides which have been hydrolyzed or otherwise processed to reduce the viscosity of a solution of such material in accordance with the levels specified above.
Starch is a plant""s storage form for glucose. Native dietary starch is a complex carbohydrate consisting of either straight (amylose: alpha-1,4 glucosidic bonds) or branched (amylopectin: alpha-1,4 and alpha-1,6 glucosidic bonds) chain monomers of glucose. For most of these complex polysaccharides, enzymatic hydrolysis occurs in the mouth, stomach and small intestines when ingested. Resistant starch is that fraction of dietary starch that escapes hydrolysis and enters the colon where it is subject to fermentation by the colonic flora. Accordingly, resistant starches are polysaccharides which are not digested by the human enzymes within the oral cavity and the gastrointestinal tract and thus are considered to be dietary fiber. Accordingly, it is contemplated that the non-gelling and low viscosity fiber component in accordance with the present invention may comprise resistant starches to the extent that the viscosity and other requirements described above are met.
Accordingly, the principle component of the dietary fiber supplement in accordance with the present invention is a non-gelling, low viscosity fiber component most commonly comprising a polysaccharide or complex carbohydrate exhibiting the properties described above.
One of the novel delivery forms of such low viscosity fiber component is in a chewable form such as a chewable tablet which is capable of delivering supplemental quantities of dietary fibers from 0.5 to as much as 6.0 grams or more per dose. Preferably, the chewable tablet in accordance with the present invention is greater than 0.5 grams, more preferably greater than one gram and most preferably greater than two grams.
The manufacture of chewable tablets in accordance with the present invention utilizes tableting procedures and practices commonly known in the art and employed to produce tablets. Accordingly, the process of producing the chewable tablets in accordance with the present invention follows procedures known in the art. Further, except for the selection of the appropriate low viscosity fiber component, the formulation may be widely varied to attain the product attributes (flavor, aroma, color, texture and physical characteristics) and provide for appropriate and desired delivery of nutrients.
In general, the chewable tablet in accordance with the present invention is prepared by the dry blending of the desired ingredients to assure homogeneity in an appropriate blender (V, ribbon, paddle or plow), followed by compressing the mixture into a tablet possessing the preferred physical characteristics. To insure a final tablet of proper chewable consistency and/or facilitate tablet dissolution, etc., excipients such as microcrystalline cellulose, sugar alcohol (sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol) and sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose) may be added either individually or in combination in any desired ratio. Further, to increase the nutritional value of the chewable tablet, the addition of various vitamins and/or minerals or combinations thereof may be included. These additives can increase the utility of the fiber supplement and be a particularly convenient mechanism for addressing a particular individual""s nutritional needs. Still, further, to assure taste acceptability of the tablet, flavor additives, either individually or in combination, may be included. To improve the aesthetics of the tablets, the inclusion of coloring agents in any desired ratio may be used. Lubricants/release agents such as stearic acid, magnesium stearate or polyethylene glycol may also be included either individually or in combination to facilitate tablet ejection from the mold.
The tablet of the present invention can also include calcium so as to achieve the known benefits of the combination of calcium and dietary fiber.
Although it is contemplated that the chewable tablet in accordance with the present invention can be comprised almost exclusively (i.e. up to 99% or 100%) of the low viscosity fiber component, it is more likely that one or more of the above or other additives may be included to meet a particular nutritional, organoleptic or other goal. Accordingly, it is contemplated that the chewable tablet in accordance with the present invention will be comprised of at least about 10% by weight of the low viscosity component. More preferably, the chewable tablet is intended to comprise at least 30% by weight up. to at least 50% by weight of the low viscosity component. Most preferably, the tablet comprises 30% to 60% by weight of the low viscosity fiber component.
The present invention further relates to methods of reducing serum cholesterol in humans. These methods comprise orally administering to a human in need of cholesterol reduction a safe and effective amount of a chewable tablet of the present invention. Preferably, the tablets are administered in 3-5 gram tablets 3-4 times daily.
In addition to providing the low viscosity fiber component as a chewable tablet, it is also contemplated that the low viscosity fiber component may be administered in powder form to be added with water or other fluid and reconstituted prior to ingestion.
Having described the details of the low viscosity fiber component and its administration in the form of a chewable tablet, the following examples demonstrate the present invention. All ingredient percentages refer to a measurement by weight.


An apparatus and method for treatment of waste water effluent includes a main conduit connected to a source of waste water, and a removable filter positioned within the main conduit, the filter having a light weight particulate material for filtration of the effluent. A drain field for filtration treatment of waste water effluent includes a source of waste water effluent, a main conduit in fluid connection with the source of waste water, and at least one in-line filter positioned within the main conduit, the filter having a light weight particulate material. The drain field may include at least one extension conduit connected in fluid communication with the main conduit and extending substantially upwardly therefrom, the extension conduit having a removable cap and a sensor to thereby generate a signal when water in the extension conduit reaches a predetermined level.

The present invention relates to the field of treatment of septic tank effluent prior to disposal and, more particularly, to in-line filters for treatment of the effluent.
Conventional drainage fields for land application of septic tank sewage effluent are constructed by digging trenches on land adjoining the septic tank. Filtering beds are created in these trenches by depositing a layer of filtering material in the bottom of the trenches. Conventional filtering material is rock, crushed stone gravel, sand, or a combination thereof. A network of perforated pipe is connected to the septic tank and laid in the trenches on top of the filter bed. Such systems normally operate by gravity flow, however, it is common practice to connect a pump to the septic tank to aid in moving the sewage effluent from the septic tank and through the drainage field, particularly where required by the lay of the land. The sewage effluent is distributed through the network of perforated pipes and trickles onto and through the filter bed, where its nutrient content is reduced by microbial action. After passing through the filtering material, the sewage effluent is absorbed by the soil surrounding and underlying the trench.
Standard practices, however, suffer from severe disadvantages. For example, conventional drainage fields for septic tanks require the transportation of heavy materials, such as the stone, rock gravel or sand required for installing filtration beds. In addition, conventional drainage fields generally operate for years, however, they must be dug up and replaced when they become clogged or otherwise stop functioning as designed. Replacement of the drainage field costs essentially as much as installing a completely new field, and perhaps more.
With the foregoing in mind, the present invention advantageously provides in-line filters for providing treatment for septic tank effluent. The in-line filters may be positioned to treat the effluent before it reaches a conventional drainage field, or may be employed in series as a replacement for the conventional drainage field.
The invention discloses an in-line filtration system for treatment of waste water effluent preferably from a septic tank. A main conduit is connected to a source of waste water, and a filter is positioned within the main conduit. The filter is preferably removable and comprises light weight particulate material, which may preferably be expanded polystyrene, or rubber chips such as from ground tires. The filtering particles are contained in a water permeable sleeve, preferably a mesh, the filter having a handle or other member for aiding in removing the filter from the system.
The system may include an extension conduit connected with the main conduit and extending substantially upwardly therefrom. The extension conduit has a removable cap for providing interior access to the system, such as for removing and replacing filters. The cap comprises a sensor for generating a signal when water in the extension conduit reaches a predetermined level. The sensor may be mechanical or electronic.
The system may additionally include a plurality of filters positioned within the main conduit, the filters comprising light weight particulate material substantially graded in size so as to include relatively larger particles positioned upstream and relatively smaller particles positioned downstream for providing enhanced filtration treatment for the waste water effluent.
The invention also includes a drain field for filtration treatment of waste water effluent, preferably from a septic tank. The drain field comprises a source of waste water effluent, a main conduit connected to the source of waste water, and a plurality of in-line filters positioned within the main conduit, the plurality comprising light weight particulate material to thereby provide filtration treatment for the waste water effluent. The plurality of filters is removable from the system to thereby allow for washing of the filters, or replacement with new filters. The plurality of filters comprises a retrieval member for aiding in removal of the filters, a handle being a preferred retrieval member. The drain field includes at least one extension conduit connected in fluid communication with the main conduit and extending substantially upwardly therefrom. The extension conduit has a removable cap for providing interior access to the system. The cap comprises a mechanical or electronic sensor for generating a signal when water in the extension conduit reaches a predetermined level.
In addition, a method aspect of the invention includes the step of filtering the effluent through a conduit disposed with a removable filter comprising a plurality of filtering particles of light weight material. The conduit of the method may include substantially vertical portions.
Accordingly, the present invention provides various advantages over prior art systems. The invention allows increased filtration of the waste water effluent in less land area. The system provides for progressive filtration before the waste water effluent reaches a conventional drain field, thereby extending the useful life of the drain field. The invention provides for signaling to indicate possible clogging of the system. The system provides easily removable filters, for washing or replacement of the filters. The filters may be made in various sizes to accommodate small and large capacity septic tank waste water treatment systems, and the filters are made of low cost, recycled media.

In-line filtration system for treatment of septic tank effluent