A finishing orbital sander (1) includes a main body (2) and a base (12) provided below the main body. Provided between the main body and the base are a plurality of foot assemblies (22). Each assembly in turn includes a cylindrical or columnar foot (23) made of aluminum and a pair of rubber O-rings (25) at both ends of the cylindrical foot. Each foot additionally includes reduced diameter sections (24) at both ends, where the O-rings are disposed. The reduced diameter sections (24) are fitted in the O-rings and placed in recessed seats (26) provided in opposing surfaces of the main body (2) and the base (12), thus elastically supporting the aluminum feet (23) in the axial direction thereof. The axial dimension of each reduced diameter section (24) is made no longer than the thickness (i.e., the axial dimension) of the O-ring (25), so that the tip end of the reduced diameter section does not exceed or project from the axial outermost end of the O-ring. The foot assemblies (22) can effectively counteract vibration occurring in the axial direction of the feet (23) and reduce vertical vibration of the base (12) while facilitating a smooth orbital motion of the base.

This application claims priority on Japanese Patent Application No. 11-347847 filed on Dec. 7, 1999, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to sanders. More particularly, the present invention relates to a sander having a main body containing a motor and a base provided below the main body such that the rotation of the motor imparts an orbital motion to the base for sanding work pieces.
2. Description of the Related Art
A typical orbital sander includes a main body containing a motor with an output shaft protruding therefrom in the downward direction. Such a sander additionally includes a base eccentrically coupled to the output shaft such that the rotation of the motor and thus the output shaft imparts an orbital motion (i.e., an eccentric circular motion) to the base, thereby sanding workpiece surfaces when sanding paper is attached to the bottom surface of the base. Typically, such a sander also includes a plurality of feet disposed between the main body and the base for regulating the rotation of the base and for insulating vibration of the base, in particular vertical vibration that is cased by the orbital motion of the base. The majority of such vibration-insulating feet are made of one-piece or integral elastic bodies. Japanese Published Unexamined Utility Model Application No. 62-17857, however, discloses an orbital sander employing composite elastic feet. Each of these feet includes a main central cylinder or column made of a relatively hard elastic material and two other end cylinders made of an elastic material having lesser hardness, each affixed on each end of the main cylinder in order to provide an enhanced vibration insulating effect.
While this foot achieves its intended objective, it is not free from certain problems and inconveniences, thus leaving room for further improvement. As the above-described foot is made of elastic materials, its physical properties are subject to degradation due to heat buildup that occurs during the operation of the sander regardless of whether the foot is made of a combination of hard and less hard elastic materials. Such deterioration often results in a decrease in the vibration insulating effect and/or durability. In addition, the orbital motion of the base causes precession of the feet. The precession not only exerts a shear force and a bending stress on both ends of each foot (which are fixedly supported in the foot seats in the main body and the base), but it also causes wearing down of the foot, thus shortening the service life of the elastic feet.
In view of the above-identified problems, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a sander having effective vibration insulators of high durability to withstand heat and wear.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a sander with effective and low-cost vibration insulators.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sander with vibration insulators that facilitate dissipation of heat generated during operation thereof.
The above objects and other related objects are realized by the invention, which provides a sander comprising a main body containing a motor and a base provided below the main body. The based is driven by the motor to perform an orbital motion. The sander further comprises a plurality of foot seats provided in the main body and the base and at least one foot assembly disposed between the main body and the base. Each of the at least one foot assembly includes a metal foot having upper and lower end portions and an axis. Additionally, each of the at least one foot assembly further includes elastic bodies adapted to support the end portions in the foot seats in the axial direction of the foot. According to the sander, the at least one foot assembly can effectively counteract vibration occurring in the axial directions of the feet and reduce vertical vibration of the base while facilitating a smooth orbital motion of the base. The arrangement also reduces the effects of heat generated by the operation of the sander as well as wear of the elastic bodies, thus enhancing the durability of the at least one foot assembly.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the sander has four foot assemblies, with each foot including reduced diameter sections provided at the upper and lower end portions thereof. In addition, the elastic bodies include O-rings fitted around the reduced diameter sections in the foot seats. Advantageously, the O-rings provide desired elasticity at a relatively low cost, thus reducing the overall manufacturing cost of the sander.
According to another aspect of the present invention, each O-ring has a circular cross-section, whereas each foot has a cylindrical shape and each reduced diameter section also has a cylindrical shape which has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the remainder of the foot and which is coaxially formed on one of the upper and lower end portions of the foot.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, each O-ring has a greater axial dimension than that of each reduced diameter section, such that a free end of each reduced diameter section does not exceed or project from an outermost end of the O-ring.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, each foot is made of aluminum. A foot or feet made of aluminum are advantageous due its lightness, hardness, and heat radiation.
According to one feature of the present invention, each foot seat includes a recess sized and dimensioned so as to snugly accommodate an O-ring and a reduced diameter section.
According to another feature of the present invention, each O-ring is coaxially fitted around the reduced diameter portion in the foot seat, such that, when the sander is in use, the O-rings are subjected to compression but not to either shearing or bending.
Other general and more specific objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be evident from the drawings and descriptions which follow.

Sanding apparatus with an improved vibration insulating mechanism


In a 100BASE-T4 protocol network, the "carrier.sub.-- status" signal associated with an incoming packet on a PMA of a given port of a Clause 27 repeater is obviated and a direct connection between PMAs and a Clause 27 repeater in the network is eliminated by transmitting synthetic preamble signals over the PMA-Repeater Data Interface to the Clause 27 repeater corresponding to the given port at an early time prior to the time that the actual preamble information of the packet is transmitted over that data interface. Receipt of the synthetic preamble signals causes the repeater to awaken and to repeat the synthetic preamble signals to other ports of the repeater. In turn, the other ports become quiet in anticipation of data to be repeated from the given port to the other ports of the repeater.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to integrated circuit technology and to integrated circuit use in data communications technology. More particularly, the present invention relates to data communications technology utilizing packet-type signaling systems. Applications of the present invention will be particularly suited to data communications protocols such as 100BASE-T4 Ethernet.
2. The Prior Art
Many modern data communications systems utilize data packet technology. Packet-based systems present particular challenges for designers of methods which can detect and correct for erroneous conditions. In packet-based data communications, data signals or symbols are collected into groups rather than being transmitted continuously. These groups are commonly known as packets or frames. Data transmitted and received in a packet-based system will be sent and received as a series of packets rather than as a continuous signal. This obviates the need to establish a direct and continuous connection between the transmitter and receiver, allowing greater flexibility in network design.
In order to preserve data addressing and integrity, as well as to allow data communications receivers to implement functions such as alignment and recovery, it is common practice in the art to encapsulate data being sent in a packet form: for a given group of data, signals or symbols designating the start of a packet are added before the data signals or symbols; signals or symbols designating the end of a packet are added after the data signals or symbols. Therefore, a packet will typically include data signals or symbols "surrounded" by non-data signals or symbols. Packets, then, will be comprised of both data components or elements and non-data components or elements.
The pre-data packet components or elements (comprised of non-data signals or symbols) are typically used (among other functions) to designate the presence of the following data, and are commonly known as "preambles". Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the term "preamble" used in this context is intended to be inclusive; as such, it includes other common terms for pre-data packet components or elements, such as: start-of-stream delimiter (SSD), start-of-frame delimiter (SFD), and start-of-stream (SOS), for example. End of packet delimiters are commonly referred to as EPDs or EOPs (end-of-packet). The inventive concepts herein, as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, are equally effective and applicable to preambles (pre-data packet components or elements) of any length or type.
Accordingly, the packet-type geometry may be designated: EQU <PREAMBLE><DATA><EPD>
It is well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art that both the preamble and the EPD may be used to carry important non-data information about the packet, such as timing, length, and error status, among others. Thus, a key function of receiving devices is the reception and use of these non-data packet elements.
It is also well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art that communication protocols define the form and use of preambles and EPDs; this allows a wide variety of communications equipment to communicate effectively. One of the major protocols used in the current development of Fast Ethernet technology is designated 100BASE-T4 Ethernet (or T4), defined by a Supplement to IEEE Standard 802.3u-1995, hereby incorporated herein by reference as if set forth fully herein. The T4 protocol calls for the transmission of data at an effective rate of 100Mbits/sec. In order to maintain reliability of transmission over the conventional twisted pair medium, the 100BASE-T4 protocol requires that the transmission and reception be implemented over three pairs of twisted pair wires; this reduces the data transmission rate to one-third of 100 Mbits/sec, or approximately 33 MHz. The transmission rate is still further reduced by encoding the data according to the 8B6T protocol shown in FIG. 1. The 8B6T coding scheme maps data octets (8 bits, or 1 byte) of binary (1,0) data into ternary symbols (+,0,-). Each byte of data is mapped to a pattern of six ternary symbols, called a 6T code group. The 6T code groups are fanned out to the three independent serial transmission channels. The ternary symbol transmission rate, then, is six-eighths (6/8) of the channel data rate (about 33 Mb/s), or precisely 25 MHz. As will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, the reduction in symbolic rate greatly improves potential data communications reliability over the multiple twisted pair medium.
FIG. 2 depicts a diagram of a type 100BASE-T4 physical layer device (PHY) relationship to the ISO Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model and the IEEE 802.3 CSMA/CD LAN Model as described by Supplement to IEEE Standard 802.3u-1995 referred to above. In the diagram, the "MEDIUM" refers to the physical medium over which data is transmitted, in this case, four twisted pairs of wires. The "MDI" is a Medium Dependent Interface--an interface between the specific medium used (MEDIUM) and the Physical Layer Device (PHY). The PHY may include a Physical Medium Attachment (PMA), a Physical Coding Sublayer (PCS) and a Media Independent Interface (MII) along with an optional auto-negotiation (AUTONEG) function.
Physical level communication between PHY entities in a T4 network takes place over four twisted pairs. FIG. 3 shows a typical T4 connection between a first Node "A" or PHY entity and a second Node "B" or PHY entity of a T4 network wired in the optional repeater configuration with twisted pair crossovers as shown. Referring to FIG. 3, the four twisted pairs include two pairs used for bidirectional communications and designated at Node "A" as Bl--D3 and Bl--D4 as well as a pair used exclusively for A to B communication (TX--D1) and a pair used exclusively for B to A communication (Rx--D2).
The Physical Coding Sublayer (PCS) serves the function of coupling an Mll to a PMA as shown in FIG. 2. The PCS Transmit function accepts data nibbles (4-bit data segments) from the Mll. The PCS Transmit function encodes these nibbles using an 8B6T coding scheme and passes the resulting ternary symbols to the PMA. In the reverse direction, the PMA conveys received ternary symbols to the PCS Receive function. The PCS Receive function decodes them into octets, and then passes the octets one nibble at a time up to the Mll. The PCS also contains a PCS Carrier Sense function, a PCS Error Sense function, a PCS Collision Presence function, and a management interface.
FIG. 4 shows in block diagram form the division of responsibilities between the PCS, PMA and MDI layers. The MDI is shown at the right of FIG. 4 and the Mll is shown at the left of FIG. 4.
Ethernet transceivers designed to the 100BASE-T4 standard will necessarily include means for 8B6T encoding/decoding and recovery of the clock-data channels. The data will be encoded, fanned into the three transmission channels (3 of the 4 twisted pairs), and transmitted across the twisted pairs. At the receiving end, the data will be recovered from the three received channels, decoded, and sent into the receiving device.
In packet-based data communications systems, signals do not travel in continuous streams. Rather, data travels in small groups (of from about 64 to about 1500 bytes in the 100BASE-T4 Ethernet system), called packets or frames. Packets, then, are the basic unit of such data communications systems; all encoding, decoding and alignment functions are based on the packet geometry.
In order to delineate and signal the arrival and departure of packets, one or more preamble fields and closing fields are typically appended to each packet. The preamble and closing fields have known characteristics which can signal the receiving devices. As is known to those of ordinary skill in the art, it is through the reception of these signals that the decoding and alignment functions can be effectively implemented.
The T4 protocol defines the packet preambles to be used in a 100BASE-T4 system, and their order of usage. These frame elements are denoted as SOSA, SOSB, P3, and P4. SOSA is defined as the succession of six ternary symbols {+1, -1, +1, -1, +1, -1} (also denoted "+-+-+-"), which is the result of the 8B6T encoding of the constant "sosa" (start of signal A). SOSB is defined as the succession of six ternary symbols {+1, -1, +1, -1, -1, +1} (or "+-+--+"), which is the result of 8B6T encoding of the constant "sosb" (start of signal B). P3 is defined as the succession of two ternary symbols {+1, -1} (or "+-"). P4 is the succession of four ternary symbols {+1, -1, +1, -1} (or "+-+-").
FIG. 5 shows the 100BASE-T4 standard usage for these preamble elements. The RX--D2 receive pair preamble contains (in order of reception) two successive SOSA frame elements and an SOSB frame element. The Bl--D4 receive pair preamble contains (in order of reception) a P3 frame element, two successive SOSA frame elements, and an SOSB frame element. The Bl--D3 receive pair preamble contains (in order of reception) a P4 frame element, an SOSA frame element, and an SOSB frame element.
It is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art that the SOSB frame element is the key element for a 100BASE-T4 receiver. It is the SOSB frame element that signifies the transition between preamble and data; thus, it is the unique point at which the data streams can be aligned and/or decoded.
Those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that speed of data throughput is critical to packet-based data communications systems. Systemic features which unnecessarily take time to perform degrade overall systems performance and should be eliminated where feasible.
A typical packet-based data communications system comprises any number of elements, but a common element which many such systems include is the star topology repeater or hub.
FIG. 6 depicts a simplified version of such a "hub" in a star topology for a local area network (LAN). Many LANs consist of nothing more than a series of devices connected to one another through such a hub. The simple network of FIG. 6 includes a hub repeater at the center of a star topology and connected to nodes A, B, C and D of the network.
Repeaters (hubs) for use in T4 networks are defined in Clause 27 "Repeater for 100 Mb/s baseband networks" of Supplement to IEEE Standard 802.3u1995, referred to above. The purpose of the repeater is to provide a simple, inexpensive, and flexible means of coupling two or more segments of a LAN.
FIG. 7 depicts the 100 BASE -T4 repeater set relationship to the OSI reference model for a Clause 27 repeater under IEEE 802.3. In essence the repeater function may communicate with the respective PCS elements in PMA elements of the PHY elements of two or more network elements. For a "dumb" repeater which simply repeats what it is told, it is best to have the repeater communicate directly with the PMA and avoid data translation tasks to convert PMA signals to PCS signals and vice versa. Accordingly, the fastest "dumb" repeaters communicate directly between PMA elements of network devices.
FIG. 8 depicts in block diagram form the operative elements connecting the Medium Dependent Interface (MDI) with the PMA service interface of a 100 BASE-T4 device. As can be seen in FIG. 8, incoming signals on the RX--D2 receive pair are passed to a PMA carrier sense function 14 which detects the presence of a packet signal and, upon such detection, asserts the "carrier--status" signal. When carrier--status is set to "ON", this means that a packet is in the process of being received--when it is "OFF", this means that the system is between the receipt of packets.
In practice, manufacturers of Ethernet products which implement the specification set forth in the Supplement to IEEE Standard 802.3u - 1995 do so by manufacturing semiconductor devices or chips which implement functions such as a media interface adapter, a repeater, etc. One purpose of the IEEE Standard is to clarify and specify the signals that such devices should generate so that they will work together.
In circuits which are integrated onto a semiconductor chip, the number of connectors to off-chip circuits, sometimes referred to as "pins", is often limited. The number of pins may be limited due to the size of the chip, due to the added expense of packaging the chip so as to have an increased number of pins, or due to a requirement for downward compatibility with a previous product. In each of these cases, it is desirable to provide the same functions using fewer pins, or to provide more functions using the same number of pins.
In the prior art, it is necessary to devote a separate pin of both a media interface adapter chip and a repeater chip to communication of the carrier--status signal. In the Clause 27 repeater this signal is referred to as "scarrier--present (X)" referring to a signal received from the PMA of a device on port "X" of the repeater over a specific electrical connection other than the PMA-Repeater Data Interface 10 (FIG. 7). A purpose of this signal is to give the repeater client the earliest reliable indication of activity on the underlying medium so that (1) the circuitry can "wake up" so as to be fully functional by the time the data portion of the packet is received and (2) the repeater can know that the PMA associated with a particular port is active and thus signal the other ports of this condition so that activity on these other ports does not start until the packet has been handled--this avoids collisions during the repeat function of re-sending the signal received on port x to the other ports of the repeater.
The 100BASE-T4 protocol requires that the receiver function pass the SOSB frame element only when the data streams are fully aligned. Thus, the data streams will be received at the interface only after the SOSB frame element is: (1) detected by the receiver function, indicating alignment; and, (2) sent to the interface by the receiver function.
As will be known to those of ordinary skill in the art, an important element of modern high-speed data communications is reducing the amount of time required to implement non-data functions such as alignment and decoding. Therefore, those of ordinary skill in the design of Ethernet data communication devices are acutely aware of the potential for time "lag" between data packets. In the 100BASE-T4 system, the time it takes to transmit/receive one bit of data, called bit time, is 10 ns. Since it takes six (6) ternary symbols to send a SOSB, then the total time required to send an SOSB is 24 bit time, or 240 ns.
In the prior art, the receive function waits until the SOSB is detected before sending the SOSB to the interface. Thus, the data cannot be sent until at least 240 ns after the SOSB is detected by the receiver. While this is acceptable when the carrier--status signal is available, it is unacceptable in the absence of the carrier--status signal.
Accordingly, under prior art schemes, if the carrier--status signal is not passed to the repeater, by the time that the <DATA>portion of the packet arrives at the repeater over the PMA-Repeater Data Interface 10, the repeater will likely not be sufficiently "awake" and the other ports of the repeater may be active causing unnecessary data collisions and unnecessary slowing of the operation of the network under busy conditions. It is thus desirable to have an alternative method of signalling the repeater that one of its ports is active at the earliest opportunity without depending on the carrier--status signal.

Method and apparatus for using synthetic preamable signals to awaken repeater


A cosmetic unit comprising two different applicators each with a stem, each of the applicators dipping into a respective reservoir; each reservoir having an externally threaded neck on which to screw a coupling member; and the two reservoirs being releasably attachable to each other via a coupling sleeve by means of the coupling members which are screwed on and which simultaneously serve as a closure cap. The coupling members in the form of screw caps are non-rotarily attachable to the coupling sleeve by an axial serration and axially tightly attachable thereto by a beaded section engaging with a locking groove.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a cosmetic unit comprising two different applicators each with a stem, each of the applicators dipping into a respective reservoir; each reservoir having an externally threaded neck on which to screw a coupling member; and the two reservoirs being releasably attachable to each other via a coupling sleeve by means of the coupling members which are screwed on and which simultaneously serve as a closure cap.
2. Background Art
A cosmetic unit of the generic type is known from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/919 909. In the cosmetic unit of the species, the coupling members are externally threaded and can be screwed on the internal thread of the coupling sleeve for a connection to be produced. Owing to the combination of threads of the neck and the respective coupling member on the one hand and of the coupling members and the coupling sleeve on the other, a situation may arrive, in which a thread is unscrewed that had definitely not been intended to be operated, rendering the handling not quite satisfactory.
DE 197 33 290 A1 teaches a cosmetic applicator unit which comprises a brush as a first applicator and a wooden cosmetic pencil as a second applicator. The two applicators are tightly joined to each other and the junction is covered by a metal decoration sleeve. This solution may be very attractive, however it is rather costly, because special filling machines are needed for pouring a cosmetic such as nail enamel or mascara, and because the metal sleeve is expensive to manufacture and finish.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,742 A teaches a similar unit with a mascara brush provided on a first side and a mascara remover applicator on a second side. Via a plug type connection, this second applicator is joined to a coupling member where the brush is inserted.
It has also been disclosed to combine a nail enamel brush with a mascara applicator, it being possible to screw the respective reservoirs in an internally threaded connecting sleeve. U.S. Pat. No. 3,690,777 describes a similar design.
As in case of the prior art cosmetic unit of the generic type, it is an object of the invention to enable cosmetic compounds, for instance mascara, to be filled by conventional machines or inlets and to enable a consumer to use and combine the two units individually or, upon purchase, to suit them to personal wishes and requirements.
It is another object of the invention to increase the strength of the individual connections of the various components and to improve the handling thereof.
According to the invention, this object is attained in that the coupling members in the form of screw caps are non-rotatably attachable to the coupling sleeve by axial projections on the coupling sleeve corresponding to longitudinal flutings on the coupling member and that they are axially tightly attachable thereto by beaded sections engaging with locking grooves.
In keeping with a preferred embodiment, a recess is provided on the free edge of the coupling members to facilitate locking engagegment with the coupling sleeve.
By advantage, the recesses of the coupling sleeve and a corresponding section of the coupling members are slightly conical.
The fluting on the outside of the coupling members also serve to ease handling upon use as a screw cap as well as producing the non-rotary connection upon cooperation with corresponding longitudinal projections on the inside of the recess of the coupling sleeve.
In keeping with a favorable embodiment, the coupling sleeve has a central dividing wall that passes into the cylindrical wall of the coupling sleeve via sections of reduced width.
Provision may further be made for the coupling members to have a recess that extends axially from the external edge of the coupling members as far as into the vicinity of the locking groove.
Details of the invention will become apparent from the description of a preferred exemplary embodiment, taken in conjunction with the drawing:


A method of reducing wrinkles in fabric is disclosed wherein the method comprises the steps of:

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the use of an emulsion polymerized acrylated polyether modified polydimethylsiloxane as a wrinkle reducing additive for aqueous and non-aqueous based formulations useful for fabric care applications. More specifically, these acrylated silicones form a stable silicone-in-water emulsion that contains a highly cross-linked matrix, which, when spray applied to fabric substrates, releases wrinkles and deposits a continuous film. This film, upon drying, prevents wrinkles from reforming and improves tactile properties.
2. Description of Related Art
Emulsions of polymers derived from hydrophilic acrylated siloxanes offer important properties, such as hydrophilicity and rewettability, while maintaining other xe2x80x9csiliconexe2x80x9d characteristics, such as improved aesthetics and tactile properties.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,714,287 discloses that the removal of stains during laundering of organic textiles is facilitated and superior hand is imparted in the fabric by applying thereto a combination of from 10 to 99 percent by weight of a polymethylsiloxane and from 1 to 90 percent by weight of a polymeric, unsaturated, water-soluble carboxylic acid. This composition is said to work especially well in combination with aminoplast crease resistance textile resins. A typical formulation is 45 percent by weight of dihydroxyl dimethylolethylene urea resin, 27.5 percent by weight of a polydimethylsiloxane of 50,000 cs. viscosity and 27.5 percent by weight of polymethacrylic acid.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,153,640 discloses a process for the production of modified polymers, preferably in organic solvents, by radical-initiated polymerization of (Ia) 70 to 99.9 parts by weight of esters of the formula CH2xe2x95x90C(R)xe2x80x94COORxe2x80x2(Ia) in which R is xe2x80x94H or xe2x80x94CH3 and Rxe2x80x2 are 1 to 18 C-alkyl radicals, at least 50% by weight of the esters of (Ia) being those in which Rxe2x80x2 are 1 to 4 C-alkyl radicals, (Ib) 0.1 to 20 parts by weight of xcfx89-hydroxyalkyl esters of acrylic, methacrylic, maleic and/or fumaric esters, the said dicarboxylic acids are possibly etherified on the second carboxylic group with 1 to 12 C-atoms containing alcohols and (Ic) 0 to 10 parts by weight of other unsaturated monomers, the sum of (Ia), (Ib) and (Ic) amounting to 100 parts by weight, in the presence of (II) 5 to 40 parts by weight of terminal blocked alkyl-hydrogen polysiloxanes, the alkyl radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, with a viscosity of 20 to 1000 cP at 20xc2x0 C., the ratio of alkyl radicals to hydrogen atoms thereof being from 13:1 to 1:1, in which ratios the terminal groups are not included. Organic solvents containing the obtained modified polymers and usual curing agents for alkyl-hydrogen polysiloxanes are said to be useful for treating fibrous material to give water-tight and water-repellent effects.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,464,506 discloses a graft polymer dispersion suitable for finishing textiles and comprising water, a dispersing auxiliary and a polymeric product produced by subjecting to free radical polymerization a composition comprising
(A) an organopolysiloxane containing vinyl groups,
(B) an organopolysiloxane containing Sixe2x80x94H groups, and
(C) a polymerizable vinyl monomer, some of the organopolysiloxane components being linked via polymerized units of the vinyl monomer and some of the Sixe2x80x94H groups of the Sixe2x80x94H-organopolysiloxane being modified by mono-addition of the vinyl monomer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,180 discloses that softness and elastic resilience can be imparted to a fabric material treated with a fabric finishing agent that is an aqueous emulsion of a copolymer obtained by the emulsion polymerization, in an aqueous emulsion of an organopolysiloxane having radical-polymerizable groups, e.g., vinyl groups, or mercapto-substituted hydrocarbon groups, e.g., 3-mercaptopropyl groups, as the polymerization medium of an acrylic or methacrylic monomer, e.g., alkyl acrylates and methacrylates, in a specified amount relative to the amount of the organopolysiloxane. The acrylic or methacrylic monomer may be partly replaced with a polyfunctional monomer, e.g., acrylic and methacrylic acids, N-methylol acrylamide, glycidyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and the like, and/or a monomer of the third class, e.g., styrene and acrylonitrile. The emulsion may be further admixed with an organohydrogen polysiloxane as a crosslinking agent and a catalyst for the crosslinking reaction.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,489 discloses a silicone emulsion prepared by emulsion polymerizing a hydroxyl endblocked polydiorganosiloxane oligomer with a combination of a siloxane or siloxane precursor containing unsaturated hydrocarbon groups and a functional silicone selected from the group consisting of organosilicon hydrides and mercaptoalkylsilanes or siloxanes, or with an acryl or methacryl functional siloxane. When the emulsion of the copolymer produced is combined with a photoinitiator, the copolymer can be crosslinked by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. When the water is removed, an elastomer results. The emulsion can be used to produce coatings and sealants.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,638 discloses an organopolysiloxane/acrylate ester copolymer emulsion composition prepared by forming a water-based emulsion of an alkenyl-containing organopolysiloxane containing no more than 5,000 parts per million of organosiloxane oligomer which has xe2x89xa620 silicon atoms in its molecule and copolymerizing the emulsion with an acrylate ester monomer.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,237 discloses reacting amino groups of an organopolysiloxane with an acrylic acid or ester compound to provide a fiber-treating composition that is said to be almost completely free of yellowing while having excellent softness and smoothness.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,241 discloses a polyester-fiber-treatment agent that can impart smoothness and flexibility to polyester fiber at the same time that it also equips the polyester fiber with nonflammability. The treatment agent for the polyester fiber is based on an organosilicon compound that contains an organic group comprising a bromine-containing organic group bonded to silicon via carbon where the organosilicon compound has a bromine content of at least 5 weight percent.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,532,023 and 5,798,107 disclose a wrinkle reducing composition for use on fabrics, particularly clothing. The composition comprises a wrinkle reducing active, which is made up of an effective amount of silicone and an effective amount of film-forming polymer, and a liquid carrier. The composition is substantially free of starch, modified starch, and mixtures thereof, and results in a Loss Modulus Difference of greater than about 3.3xc3x97107 Pascal on fabric. The composition can be incorporated into a spray dispenser that can create an article of manufacture that can facilitate treatment of fabric with the wrinkle reducing composition. The wrinkle reducing actives in the composition can be determined through Dynamic Mechanical Analysis using a 100% cotton broadcloth swatch and a fixed volume of a sample of wrinkle reducing active.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,433 describes a water repellent for fibers, comprising an acrylsilicone graft copolymer that is prepared by a radical copolymerization reaction of an organopolysiloxane compound containing one radical polymerizable group with radical polymerizable monomers including an acrylate, a methacrylate or a mixture thereof as a main member.
Acrylated polysiloxanes copolymerized with organic acrylates and emulsions thereof are known wherein the siloxane and acrylate have been applied to a substrate and are polymerized directly onto a surface. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,635,546 discloses a curable composition, having utility for threadlocking engageable members of a threaded mechanical fastener, comprising: a reactive silicone (meth)acrylate emulsified in an aqueous medium, optionally further comprising a polymerizable non-silicone (meth)acrylate monomer or oligomer; and a microencapsulated peroxy initiator which is initiatingly effective for cure of the reactive silicone (meth)acrylate. The curable composition may be usefully employed for adhesively bonding engageable structural parts, by applying the aqueous emulsion of the reactive silicone (meth)acrylate, containing a microencapsulated peroxy initiator, to at least a portion of an engagement surface of a matable part that is matably engageable with a complimentary engagement structure, to yield an emulsion-coated engagement surface, drying the emulsion-coated engagement surface to form a dried coating thereon; and thereafter engaging the surface having the dried coating thereon, with the complimentary engagement structure, to release the microencapsulated peroxy initiator and bond the matable part and complimentary engagement structure.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,968,404 and 6,001,343 disclose a stable, aqueous odor-absorbing and wrinkle controlling composition, preferably for use on inanimate surfaces, especially fabrics. The composition comprises from about 0.1% to about 20%, by weight of the composition, of solubilized, water-soluble, uncomplexed cyclodextrin and an effective amount of at least one ingredient to improve the performance of the composition selected from the group consisting of (1) cyclodextrin compatible surfactant; (2) cyclodextrin compatible antimicrobial active; and (3) mixtures thereof The composition also comprises a wrinkle control agent which is fabric lubricant, shape retention polymer, hydrophilic plasticizer, lithium salt, or mixtures thereof Hydrophilic perfume improves acceptance. Optionally, the composition can contain low molecular weight polyols; metallic salts to help control odor; a humectant, etc. The composition is essentially free of any material that would soil or stain fabric. The composition is preferably applied as small particle size droplets, especially from spray containers. The cyclodextrin/surfactant combination, either alone, or in combination with the other ingredients, is said to provide improved antimicrobial activity.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,201,093 discloses water-soluble, i.e., easily dispersible, amino-functional polyorganosiloxanes obtained by radical polymerization of vinyl compounds containing amino or ammonium groups onto polyorganosiloxanes which contain at least one mercapto group. They are said to be suitable as textile finishing aids, surfactants and emulsifiers.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,207,782 discloses emulsions and dispersions of polymers formed from acrylated hydrophilic polysiloxanes and their copolymers with acrylate/methacrylate comonomers wherein the polymer is formed in a solvent via radically catalyzed polymerization. Such a polymer is said to have utility in personal care applications, as well as textile finishes and coating formulations.
WO 2000008249 discloses wrinkle reducing compositions that comprise an adhesive block or graft silicone polymer, water, and xe2x89xa65% if a solubilizing agent, such as an anionic and/or nonionic surfactant.
JP 09217282 A2 discloses graft organosiloxane conditioners that are obtained by grafting alkyl (meth)acrylate esters, unsaturated carboxylic acids, and other vinyl compounds on organosiloxane compounds in aqueous emulsion. Polymerizing vinylphenylmethyldimethoxysilane with octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane in aqueous dispersion and grafting the resulting organosiloxane with acrylic acid, butyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, and styrene gave a polymer emulsion said to be useful as a fabric conditioner.
The disclosures of the foregoing are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety
The present invention relates to the use of an emulsion polymerized acrylated polyether modified polydimethylsiloxane as a wrinkle reducing additive for aqueous and non-aqueous based formulations useful for fabric care applications.
More particularly, the present invention is directed to a method of reducing wrinkles in fabric comprising the steps of
A) forming a coating of a carrier and a polymer on a fabric surface, wherein the polymer comprises a polymerized acrylated or methacrylated siloxane having a general formula:
{R3SiO1/2}m{O1/2Si(R2)O1/2}n{SiO3/2R}o{SiO4/2}p
wherein
R is selected from R1 and P;
each R1, which can be the same of different, is a monovalent hydrocarbon group;
each P is R3[(CbH2bO)zCOCR4xe2x95x90CH2]g;
R3 is a polyvalent organic moiety;
g is a valency of R3;
R4 is hydrogen or methyl;
b is 2 to 4;
z is 1 to 1000;
m+n+p+o is equal to 1 to 100;
at least one R is P;
n is 1 to 100;
n/o is less than 10:1;
n/p is less than 10:1;
and m is 0 to 10;
B) smoothing the fabric surface; and
C) removing the carrier from the fabric surface.
The present invention utilizes radically polymerized acrylates/methacrylates of polyether modified polysiloxanes and their copolymers with organic acrylates, as well as emulsions including these polymers. The siloxanes have siloxane backbones with pendant polyether functionality which polyethers are encapped with an acrylate or methacrylate functionality. The backbone may be linear, branched, or cyclic. These acrylated siloxanes then are polymerized in a solvent to form an emulsion of the latex.
The acrylated or methacrylated siloxanes can be represented by the formula:
{R3SiO1/2}m{O1/2Si(R2)O1/2}n{SiO3/2R}o{SiO4/2}pxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(I)
wherein R is selected from R1 and P wherein each R1 can be the same or different and each is a monovalent hydrocarbon group, each P is R3{(CbH2bO)zCOCR4xe2x95x90CH2}g and R3 is a polyvalent organic moiety which may be a hydroxy substituted alkylene; g is a valency of R3; R4 is hydrogen or methyl; b is 2 to 4, preferably, 2 to 3; z is 1 to 1000, preferably 3 to 30; and m+n+p+o is equal to 1 to 100, preferably 2 to 20; at least one R is P; n is 1 to 100; n/o is less than 10:1; n/p is less than 10:1; and m is 0 to 10.
Preferably the acrylated or methacrylated siloxane is of the formula:
QR12Si{OSiR12}x{Oxe2x80x94SiR1P}yOSiR12Qxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(II)
wherein x and y can be 0 or an integer, preferably each x and y are from 0 to 100, most preferably 0 to 25; Q can be R1 or P, with the proviso that the average acrylate functionality is  greater than 1 unsaturated group per molecule. In a preferred embodiment, y is 0 and Q is P.
Preferably, R is a C1-C4 alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl, e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, phenyl, naphthyl, tolyl, xylyl, ethyl phenyl, and the like. More preferably, R is methyl, ethyl, phenyl, or ethyl phenyl. R may preferably include heteroatom substituents that are nonreactive with acrylates.
P can be branched with several polyether branches originating from the alkyl bridge to the silicon atom. For example, P can be an alkoxylated trimethylol propane monoallyl ether that has been hydrosilated onto the siloxane backbone and esterified. Other polyvalent precursors for P, which can be hydrosilated, alkoxylated, and esterified are glycerol monoallyl ether, pentaerythritol allyl ether, trisopropanol amine allyl ether, and the like. In a preferred embodiment, g is 1 and R3 is a linear C2-C5 alkylene, e.g., methylene, ethylene, propylene, butylene, pentylene, and isomers of the foregoint, most preferably C2-C3, e.g., ethylene, propylene, and isopropylene.
Not all polyethers in P need be the same. Preferable P structures have ethylene oxide (b=2) contents of greater than 80% by weight of the alkylene oxide (CbH2bO) content. More preferably, all of the alkylene oxide chain is ethylene oxide.
The acrylates of Formula I are derived from the polyether polysiloxane copolymers wherein the polyethers are attached to the siloxane backbone through a non-hydrolyzable Sixe2x80x94C bond. Moreover, the polyethers should be uncapped so that the hydroxyl group can be (trans)esterified with the acrylate. These polyether polysiloxanes are commercially available.
The esterification is catalyzed with a Brxc3x8nsted acid if the acid is the starting acrylate. If an ester is used, an acid or base can be used to catalyze the transesterification.
The acrylated silicone copolymers are polymerized to form polymers (latexes), or if desired, copolymers of Formula I with other comonomers (e.g., other esters). The polymerization can be conducted in various solvents, catalysts, and temperatures as are known in the art for polymerizing acrylates. The polymerization should not be conducted on a surface to form a film. Rather, polymerization in a solvent permits production of a crosslinked latex gel that has broader utility than film forming. The emulsion can contain up to 90 wt %, preferably less than 50 wt %, of the polymer in solvent. Suitable solvents include polar solvents, e.g., water and alcohol, and non-polar solvents, such as many hydrocarbons or low molecular weight cyclic or linear polydimethylsiloxanes. Preferably, such polydimethylsiloxanes should have a viscosity of less than 100 cSt at 25xc2x0 C.
Any organic acrylate or methacrylate can be employed in forming the copolymers with the compound of Formula I. Thus, for example, acrylic acid and methacrylic acid or their derivatives, such as esters, nitrites, and amides, can be employed. The esters are preferred. Specific examples of the acrylates that can be utilized include methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, amyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, cyclohexyl acrylate, vinyl acrylate, allyl acrylate, hydroxyethyl acrylate, perfluoroethyl acrylate, isobornyl acrylate, phenoxyethyl acrylate, tetraethylene glycol diacrylate, tripropylene glycol diacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, and the like. A single acrylate or various combinations of acrylates can be employed in making the copolymers.
Copolymers of the acrylates/methacrylates of the polyether modified polysiloxanes with the organic acrylates can consist of 1 to 99% by weight of the polysiloxanes, preferably 20-90%, and more preferably 50-80% of the polysiloxane.
It is also an objective of the present invention to produce emulsions comprising the polymerized acrylates/methacrylates polyether polysiloxanes copolymers and/or their copolymers with organic acrylates (i.e., latexes), which upon evaporation of water form films with good tactile properties and good integrity. These emulsions can, in fact, be dispersions of the latex.
One particular method to prepare such emulsions comprises:
1. Dispersing an acrylate/methacrylate of polyether polysiloxane copolymers, as defined by Formula I, with or without a separate organic acrylate, using 5-50% by weight of the siloxane, emulsifiers selected from nonionic surfactants, such as alkylaryl-polyoxyethylene adducts and alkyl ethoxylates, or anionic surfactants, such as carboxylates, sulfates, sulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonates, and alkyl phosphates, to form a stable emulsion containing 10-50% of the dispersed siloxane phase, which can be further stabilized by addition of common thickeners, such as xanthan or guar gum, gelatin, and cellulose derivatives.
2. Adding a free-radical catalyst selected from the group of water soluble or oil soluble peroxides, such as hydrogen peroxide, ammonium persulfate, or potassium persulfate; various organic peroxy catalysts, such as dialkyl peroxides, e.g., diisopropyl peroxide, dilauryl peroxide, di-t-butyl peroxide, or dicumyl peroxide; alkyl hydrogen peroxides, such as t-butyl hydrogen peroxide, t-amyl hydrogen peroxide, or cumyl hydrogen peroxide; diacyl peroxides, such as acetyl peroxide, lauroyl peroxide, or benzoyl peroxide; peroxy esters, such as ethyl peroxybenzoate; or the azo compounds, such as 2-azobis(isobutyronitrile); to the emulsion.
3. Heating the emulsion to or above the temperature necessary for initiating the radical reaction, typically about 40 to about 100xc2x0 C., depending on the catalyst, for about one to about ten hours, or until the unsaturated groups are consumed.
Alternatively, water-in-oil emulsions, particularly water in polysiloxane emulsions, are prepared by combining water, an anionic surfactant, e.g., sodium dodecyl sulfate, and a free radical catalyst in the aqueous phase and adding the acrylated/methacrylated polyether polysiloxane copolymer, followed by the polysiloxane, and the silicone surfactant to the agitated aqueous phase. The HLB of the anionic surfactant should be relatively high, i.e., above about 15, and the HLB of the silicone surfactant should be between about 4 and 9. Examples of suitable silicone surfactants include, but are not limited to, SILWET L-7622 and SILWET FZ 2108 (available from OSi Specialties, a Crompton Corp. business). The preformed emulsion is heated to at least about 80-90xc2x0 C. for about 2 to 4 hours. The copolymer should be present at 20-60 wt % of the emulsion and the internal aqueous phase should be present at 5-25 wt % of the emulsion. The polysiloxane should be present at 25-75 wt % of the emulsion. The amount of surfactants will be determined for each case, as necessary.
In a typical application, the acrylated silicone copolymer emulsion was dispersed in an appropriate carrier typically from 0.01% w/w to 50% w/w with 0.1% w/w to 5% w/w being more preferred.
Water is the preferred carrier for most applications, but other carriers, such as alcohol, e.g., methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, and the like, are also useful in the present invention. The typical level of the liquid carrier is from 99.99% w/w to 50% w/w with 99.9% to 95% w/w being more preferred. The use of an organic carrier offers the added benefit of helping the fabric to dry faster.
A spray dispenser (sprayer) is preferably used to facilitate the treatment of fabrics or substrates, both natural and synthetic, and which can include cotton, linen, wool, silk, rayon, polyester, or blends thereof.
In a typical application, fabric swatches are secured to a backboard and the wrinkle reducing agent, dispersed in an appropriate carrier, is uniformly applied to the fabric substrate from a distance of eight inches. The application is conducted so that up to about 50% by weight of the fabric is wetted with the solution, preferably from about 10% by weight to about 30% by weight. The bottom corners of the fabric are held taut for ten seconds, then allowed to air dry under ambient conditions.
Wrinkle reduction evaluations are carried out under standardized lighting conditions. Two fluorescent 4 ft. type F96 CW (cool white) preheat rapid start lights without baffles were hung 8 feet from the floor and directly over the viewing area and were the only source of light for the viewing board. Observations were made standing directly in front of the specimen, 4 feet away from the viewing board. The degree of wrinkle reduction was made by comparison to an untreated swatch of the same fabric, using a rating assignment of 0=wrinkle free, 1=slightly wrinkled, 2=moderately wrinkled, and 3=heavily wrinkled (same as control).
The advantages and the important features of the present invention will be more apparent from the following examples.

Emulsion polymerized acrylated silicone copolymer for wrinkle reduction

Abstract: wherein

Abstract: R is selected from R1 and P;

Abstract: R3 is a polyvalent organic moiety;

Abstract: g is a valency of R3;

Abstract: R4 is hydrogen or methyl;

Abstract: b is 2 to 4;

Abstract: z is 1 to 1000;

Abstract: m+n+p+o is equal to 1 to 100;

Abstract: at least one R is P;

Abstract: n is 1 to 100;

Abstract: n/o is less than 10:1;

Abstract: n/p is less than 10:1;

Abstract: and m is 0 to 10;

Abstract: B) smoothing the fabric surface; and


A method for monitoring and/or controlling the positioning and/or condition of a plasma in a plasma spectrometer, which comprises:    acquiring image data of the plasma through a video-camera (7), and    a) displaying on a display device (10) a plasma image from the acquired image data; and/or    b) storing the image data in a computer unit (9).

The present invention relates to a method for monitoring and/or controlling the status of a plasma in a plasma-spectrometer such as a plasma-optical emission spectrometer or atomic spectrometer (ICP-OES or ICP-MS), and to spectrometer for implementing such a method.
It is a very common practice to analyse a material sample, using so-called "plasma-optical emission spectrometer" such as in particular inductively coupled high frequency plasma-optical emission spectrometers (ICP-OES) or atomic spectrometers such as a mass-spectrometer, in particular inductively coupled high frequency plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS).
In all these devices, there is obtained a plasma of the material sample to be analysed and either the light generated by the plasma or the chemical species formed in the plasma are analysed through an optical emission spectrometer or a mass spectrometer.
The accuracy of the analysis is highly dependent upon the plasma status and its generation conditions.
By the plasma status there is meant plasma physical characteristics such as the plasma position, in particular relative to a spectrometer entrance slit, plasma shape and/or contour, plasma intensity and/or color and in particular the position of the most intense portion of the plasma as well as the fluctuations of those characteristics.
In particular, the plasma position and the plasma shape and/or contour are or great influence onto the analytical performances of the spectrometer.
As long as those parameters are stable, the same performance can be obtained. However, those parameters are influenced by the plasma torch structure and the gas feeding rate. It means that, when the spectrometer is different, even of the same type and even with the same feeding conditions, the plasma characteristics may largely vary.
Presently, operators have to look at the plasma in the torch box, standing in front of the instrument when the conditions have changed, and usually visually determine whether the plasma is in optimal condition or not.
Also, the stability of the plasma influences the accuracy of the analysis data. Some spectrometers are equipped with means for showing the position of the torch mount which are associated with a scale or used with the motorized plasma torch holder. However, the scale or the position of the motorized holder does not always indicate the position of the plasma. Moreover, the fluctuation of the plasma torch cannot be monitored from the holder position. Thus, even though analysis data fluctuation can be estimated as being caused by plasma fluctuation, there is no evidence to show it.
As already indicated, the plasma position with regard to the spectrometer entrance slit deeply influences the performance of the analysis. Since up to now, there is no existing means for determining the spectrometer entrance slit position with regard to the plasma position, there is no possibility in the review of the analysis results to consider the position of the observation.
The shape of the plasma is affected by the gas feed condition and the torch structure.
The plasma shape also influences the analytical performances. The feeding gas conditions are often stored as the measurement conditions for later analysis with the same conditions or for later data review. However, when the plasma torch is replaced, it may happen that due to small changes of the torch structure the gas conditions are changed for optimisation. Since no record of the plasma image at the optimised conditions exist, there is no way for reproducing the former plasma conditions.
Finally, when the operators detect some troubles with the plasma such as fluctuation of the position or of the shape or generation of strange sounds, it is almost impossible to explain the situation to the manufacturer in the absence of any plasma image.
Thus, the aim of the present invention is to provide a method for monitoring and/or controlling the status of a plasma in a plasma-optical emission spectrometer or mass spectrometer which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.
The invention also concerns a plasma-spectrometer which incorporates means to implement the plasma status monitoring and/or controlling method.
The above goals are achieved according to the invention by providing a method for monitoring and/or controlling the status of a plasma in a plasma-spectrometer, which comprises:    acquiring image data of the plasma; and            a) displaying an image of the plasma from the acquired image data on a display device, and/or        b) storing the image data in a computer unit.
The spectrometer may be an optical emission spectrometer (OES) or a mass spectrometer (MS) and in particular an inductively coupled high frequency plasma optical emission spectrometer or mass spectrometer.
In a preferred embodiment of the process of the invention, the plasma sound is also recorded and monitored through the monitoring device and/or stored as sound data in the computer central unit.
With the present invention, the status of the plasma, such as plasma position, plasma shape and contour, plasma intensity and/or color can be monitored and displayed on line on the same monitoring device such as a monitor screen of the computer unit. Alternatively or simultaneously, the plasma image data can be stored and processed in the memory of the computer unit along with measured data. Processing of image data may comprise obtaining intensity images, intensity contour, color contour, intensity outline and time base fluctuation of image data. Then, the image data and the measured data of the plasma can be easily reviewed later on. In addition, the plasma image data and plasma measured data can be sent to remote places so that the plasma can be monitored from a remote site.
This would be also the case for the recording of the plasma sound. The image data can also be processed through the computer unit for establishing an optimal data set. For example, the image data can be processed to get the most intense position within the plasma using the outline shape, and the intensity, the colour analysis and the light intensity analysis such as the contour of the plasma.
The method of the present invention allows an online continuous monitoring and/or storing of the analysis results. Therefore, the fluctuation of the plasma image characteristics based on the image analysis such as the most intense position fluctuation or the plasma shape fluctuation can be calculated and displayed and/or stored. Similarly, the plasma sound, once recorded, can be, if necessary processed for example to determine frequency distribution or the time domain frequency distribution changes.
All this information can be used by the operator either immediately to determine whether or not the plasma is in requisite conditions for normal analysis or later on to set up optimal plasma conditions.
When the spectrometer is an optical emission spectrometer, as it is well known, the plasma may be placed in two different orientations with regard to the spectrometer optical axis. These orientations are usually referred as radial plasma and axial plasma. Radial plasma means that the plasma is vertically oriented with regard to the spectrometer optical axis and is observed in a lateral direction by the spectrometer detector device. In other words, the optical axis of the spectrometer and in fact of the spectrometer detector device is perpendicular to the plasma orientation.
On the other hand, axial plasma means that the plasma is horizontally oriented and is observed by the spectrometer detector device in the axial direction. In other words, the plasma is axially oriented along the optical axis of the spectrometer detector device.
In the case of a radial plasma in which the plasma is vertically oriented with regard to the optical axis of the spectrometer, imaging of the plasma is effected in register with the optical axis, for example by placing a video-camera in alignment with the spectrometer optical axis. The plasma is then positioned at the focal point of the video-camera. In that case, the entrance slit of the detector device of the spectrometer is also viewed by the video-camera and can be imaged by the video-camera simultaneously with the plasma. In that later case, the entrance slit of the spectrometer detector device is focused at the plasma and is also placed at a focal point of the video-camera.
Preferably, for a better imaging, the entrance slit can be illuminated. The illumination of the entrance slit can be made from the outside or the inside, for example by using lamps inside or outside of the monochrometer of the spectrometer detector device.
With an axial plasma, imaging of the plasma is effected in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the spectrometer detector device.
In that case of course, an imaging of the entrance slit of the spectrometer detector device is obviously not possible.
This is in particular the case when the spectrometer is a mass-spectrometer wherein the chemical species generated in the plasma must entered the detector device.
As indicated previously, recording of the plasma sound can be made by a microphone disposed and fixed in the plasma enclosure. The microphone may be placed in any position within the enclosure wherein a good recording a the plasma sound can be obtained. In particular, the microphone may eventually be incorporated with the video-camera.
The invention also concerns a plasma spectrometer for implementing the above described method which comprises a video-camera fixed on an enclosure for the plasma, preferably an inductively coupled high frequency plasma, which is coupled to a display device and/or a computer unit for imaging the plasma and/or storing plasma image data.
Depending upon the fact that the plasma in the spectrometer would be a radial plasma or an axial plasma, the video camera would be axially or perpendicularly oriented with regard to the optical axis of the spectrometer. However, the camera optical axis is always perpendicular to the plasma axis. In the case of a radial plasma spectrometer and with the video-camera axially positioned on the optical axis of the spectrometer, there is then a possibility of imaging simultaneously the plasma and the entrance slit of the spectrometer.
Since in such a case the entrance slit and the plasma are placed in register positions, a slit image can, therefore, be observed and recorded. When the plasma is turned on, the slit position in the plasma can then be seen by superimposing the recorded image of the entrance slit on the monitored plasma image, thereby ensuring the analysis position in the plasma. Obviously, the superimposed images can also be recorded as analytical data for further data review.
The plasma position and the plasma shape influence the analytical performances of the spectrometer. As long as those parameters are stable, the same performances can be obtained. However, those parameters are influenced by the plasma torch structure and the gas feeding rate.
When the spectrometer is a different one, even of the same type, and even with the same feeding conditions, the plasma characteristics are not always similar. With the method and spectrometer according to the invention, image data of the plasma can be displayed and/or stored. This provides a possible comparison between two different plasma images or plasma image data. Therefore, after having recorded the best image or the best image data for the plasma and when the plasma torch is replaced or when other instruments are installed on the spectrometer, the new setting parameters can be obtained easily so that they reproduce the same plasma shape, contour, intensity and position according to the optimal image characteristics displayed or recorded.
The same holds true for the recording of the plasma sound.
Referring to FIG. 1, there is represented schematically an inductively coupled high frequency plasma-optical emission spectrometer according to the invention. The spectrometer as typically comprises a plasma generating device 1 and a detector device 2 comprising an entrance slit 3 optically coupled with a detector 4. The spectrometer represented on FIG. 1 is of the radial plasma type, that is the plasma generated in the plasma device 1 is oriented perpendicularly to the optical axis (OA) of the spectrometer detector device. As usual, the detector device is focused on the plasma 1. Typically, a relay lens 6 is placed between the plasma and the entrance slit 3 of the detector device 2. According to the invention, a video-camera 7 is fixed to the plasma device enclosure, so that the lens of the camera is aligned with the optical axis OA of the spectrometer detector device, so that the plasma 1 is at a focal point of the video-camera 7. With such a configuration, the video-camera 7 is able to image both the plasma and the entrance slit 3 of the spectrometer detector device 2.
In order to improve imaging of the entrance slit 3 of the spectrometer detector device 2, a lamp 5 may be placed either inside or outside of the detector device, in order to illuminate the entrance slit 3. Also, a microphone 8 is fixed to the enclosure of the plasma generating device 1 in a position allowing recording of the plasma sound. Both video-camera 7 and a microphone 8 are connected to a computer unit 9 and through this computer unit 9 to a display device 10 such as a monitoring screen. Possibly, the computer unit 9 may be connected to a local data network through lines 11.
The spectrometer just described allows to acquire image data and to display the image on the monitor as well as to process the image data through the computer unit 9. Image data can also be recorded and stored in the computer unit 9 where they can be retrieved and eventually processed when necessary along with a spectral or analytical data. These image data can also be transferred to other computers through the local network.
The just disclosed spectrometer allows to acquire image data both from the plasma and from the entrance slit 3 of the detector device 2 of the spectrometer.
There is represented on FIG. 2 an inductively coupled high frequency plasma-optical emission spectrometer of the axial type according to the invention.
This spectrometer of the axial type is essentially similar to the spectrometer described in connection with FIG. 1 except that the plasma generated by the plasma device 1 is axially oriented with regard to the optical axis OA of the spectrometer detector device 2 and the video-camera 7 is fixed on the enclosure of the plasma generating device 1 in a perpendicular direction to the optical axis of the spectrometer detector device 2. Of course, the video-camera 7 is placed in the enclosure so that the plasma is positioned at a focal point of the video-camera 7.
Obviously, with such a radial plasma spectrometer, the video camera is not able to image the spectrometer detector device entrance slit 3. Otherwise, this embodiment would function and perform as the embodiment of FIG. 1.
The axial position of the plasma in the embodiment of FIG. 2 allows replacing the optical emission spectrometer by a mass spectrometer. In that case, relay lens 6 as well as the entrance slit 3 would be replaced by the diaphragm of the mass spectrometer. Otherwise, functioning and results would be similar.

Method for monitoring and/or controlling the status of a plasma in a plasma spectrometer and spectrometer for implementing such a method

Abstract: Application to inductively coupled high frequency plasma optical emission and mass spectrometers.


The invention relates to a partition wall for partitioning at least two regions in a cabin of a vehicle. The invention includes a partition comprising a body that may be moved into a first open position and into a second closed position and comprising a curtain rail, wherein the body is designed in the first position to cover an aisle that is adjacent to the partition, at least in some regions, by means of a curtain that has been affixed to the curtain rail.

Such a partition wall (hereinafter also referred to as "partition") makes it possible in the cabin of an aircraft to provide light-proof and/or visually blocking separation between cabin regions of various classes, for example first class, business class or economy/tourist class. Partitions are often installed beneath hatracks or overhead stowage compartments (OHSCs). If partitions are to be provided in cabin regions in which no overhead stowage compartments are arranged, the partitions are installed between the cabin floor and the cabin ceiling. Such partitions, which extend along the entire height of the cabin, are not only positioned in the lateral regions but also in the centre region. Moreover, partitions are not only used to separate various classes from each other, but in addition they also serve as attachment/accommodation regions for monitors, baby bassinets, small stowage compartments (so-called dog houses) and the like.
Since within the cabin of an aircraft, parallel to the direction of flight, there are aisles for example between the central and the lateral seats, which aisles essentially extend along the entire cabin and thus also through class dividers, normally partition curtains for covering the aisles are used, which curtains, in their closed state, for example in each case extend between a lateral and a central partition and which are guided in curtain rails. In this arrangement, the available movement space, at least of the upper edge of a curtain, is limited to the length of the curtain rail. The curtain rails may additionally comprise trim elements that visually close off a free space towards the cabin ceiling that is situated above it. Such trim elements are also referred to as "header panels" or "curtain headers". Depending on customer requirements, at times curtain rails without trim elements may be used in an aircraft cabin. If the curtain is to remain open, it is usually gathered on one side by means of press- or snap-fasteners or by means of magnets, and is held at an adjacent partition.

Partition wall with integrated curtain rail flap


An expandable grain tank is provided for covering the open end of a grain tank of an agricultural combine. The expandable tank includes a tarp and a support structure for raising and lowering the tarp. The support structure is configured with an upper frame, a plurality of expandable legs connected to the upper frame and the grain tank, and an actuator to expand and retract the expandable legs. The expandable tank is configured to be moved between a retracted position and an expanded position.

The present invention relates to an expandable grain tank for an agricultural combine harvester. In particular, the present invention relates to a grain tank with a self expandable cover/tank.
It has been known in the prior art relating to grain tanks/bins for use with agricultural combines to provide tank side wall extensions for such grain tanks which are manually raised from a lowered, storage position to an elevated or "harvest" grain-retaining position in order to increase the storage capacity of the grain tank and/or to prevent spillage of the heaped grain. Such tank wall extensions are held in the raised position by mechanical securing or fastening means. In the prior art arrangement, the tank wall extensions remained in the raised position until they were manually lowered by the operator by releasing the securing or fastening means which held the tank wall extensions in their raised vertical position.
In the prior art arrangement, when the grain tank extensions are in their raised position, they cause the grain tank with the raised extensions to have a vertical height greater than that which is practical for the transporting and storage limits of the combine. Hence, in the prior art arrangement when the grain tank is not in use and before transporting or storing the combine, the grain tank extensions should be folded down into a retracted position. However, these extensions are often heavy and awkward to open and close, due in part to such extensions having to be manually operated and offer no or little protection against weather conditions.
Accordingly, a need exists for an expandable grain tank that addresses the aforementioned problems and offers a protective cover when the grain tank is either full or empty.

Expandable grain tank for agricultural combines


An image display system utilizes primarily non-absorptive polarization components to polarize light illuminating an imaging device. The non-absorptive polarization components reduce cost and cooling requirements, increase durability, and permit the use of high powered light sources.

1) Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to the field of image display systems, and more particularly to image projectors employing liquid crystal light valves.
2) Description of the Related Art
Projection-type image display systems are widely known. Examples of such systems, and in particular systems using liquid crystal light valves, are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,532,763, 5,786,934, 6,224,215 and 6,234,634 the entirety of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. With reference to the following description, familiarity with conventional features of such systems will be assumed, so that only features bearing on the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 shows relevant portions of an exemplary liquid crystal display (LCD) projector 100. The LCD projector 100 is a single panel color LCD projector.
The LCD projector 100 comprises in relevant part: a lamp 102; a first integrator 104; a second integrator 105; a polarization conversion system (PCS) 106; a condenser lens 107; first through fourth dichoic color filters 108, 110, 112 and 114; first to third scanning prisms 116, 118 and 120; reflecting mirrors 122 and 124; pre-polarizer 126; polarizing beam splitter 128; LCD 130; analyzer 132; and projection lens 134.
The operation of the LCD projector 100 will now be explained. The LCD device 130 operates as a light valve or modulator and is adapted to receive an incident light and to impress a desired image upon the incident light which is then projected by the projection lens 134 onto a desired display area or screen. To produce a high quality image with a high contrast ratio, the LCD 130 requires that the incident light be substantially linearly polarized in a predefined direction. In the LCD projector 100, the LCD device 130 is preferably a reflective-type LCD device such as a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) device. The operation of reflective-type LCD devices is well known, and may be found, for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,023,309 and 6,052,165.
The exemplary LCD projector 100 shown in FIG. 1 employs a scrolling color system. In a scrolling color system, white light is split into constituent red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colored light beams. The colored light beams illuminate the LCD panel as spatially separated stripes of light. The stripes of light scroll across the LCD from top to bottom. As one color scrolls off the bottom of the LCD, it appears immediately again at the top. All three colors (R, G and B) are present on the LCD at all times.
To create the color image, the LCD is effectively addressed at three different places simultaneously. Data for a given color (e.g., green), is written to a row just after the passing of the previous color (e.g., blue). The (green) band of colored light then illuminates the pixel. The panel is addressed at three places and these address rows shift downward in sync with the illumination pattern. A more detailed explanation of the operation of the scrolling color architecture may be found in xe2x80x9cSingle Panel Reflective LCD Projector,xe2x80x9d J. A. Shimizu, Projection Displays V, Proceedings SPIE, Vol. 3634, pp. 197-206, (1999), the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.
Turning once again to FIG. 1, the lamp 102 produces a high intensity, generally unpolarized light. The integrator 104 receives the light from the lamp 102 and shapes and homogenizes the distribution of the light to produce a generally rectangular beam. The integrators 104 and 105 are typically each comprised of a lens array. The integrators 104 and 105 produce multiple secondary light source images in a focal plane, F.
The PCS 106 is located in the focal plane F of the integrators and serves to substantially linearly polarize the light incident thereon.
FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of an integrator 105, a PCS 106, and a condenser lens 107 that may be used in the LCD projector 100. The integrator 105 comprises a lens array. The PCS 106 comprises a polarizing beam splitter array 210 and a half wave plate 220. The polarizing beam splitter array 210 includes an alternating arrangement of polarizing beam splitters 212 and mirrors 214.
The PCS 106 is adapted to receive generally unpolarized light and to convert the generally unpolarized incident light into linearly polarized light, xe2x80x9cP.xe2x80x9d The polarized light may then be passed out through the condenser lens 107. In contrast to a standard absorbing polarizer, which passes only roughly 50% of light incident thereon having a desired polarization (e.g., xe2x80x9cPxe2x80x9d), and which absorbs roughly 50% of the light incident thereon having an undesired polarization (e.g., xe2x80x9cSxe2x80x9d), the PCS 106 typically passes a much higher percentage of incident light than a polarizer (e.g., 80% of incident light) and absorbs a small fraction of the light energy typically absorbed in an absorbing polarizer. Thus, the PCS 106 may be used to polarize light in high intensity applications (e.g., greater than about several hundred lumens) where a standard absorbing polarizer cannot be used because the absorbed light energy would destroy it. On the other hand, the extinction ratio (Tp/Ts) for the PCS 106 is typically substantially lower than that for an absorbing polarizer, meaning the output light has a lower degree of polarization. An extinction ratio for a typical PCS 106 is less than 10 (e.g., 8.25).
In addition to polarizing the received light beam, the combination of polarizing beam splitter 212, adjacent mirror 214, and half wave plate 220 in the PCS 106 roughly doubles the etendue, or optical size, of the light beam. That is, the PCS 106 roughly doubles the etendue of an illumination system into which it is incorporated.
A more detailed explanation of the operation of the PCS 106 may be found in xe2x80x9cUltra-High-Efficiency LC Projector Using a Polarized Light Illuminating System,xe2x80x9d Y. Itoh et al., 1997 Society of Information Display Digest, pp. 993-996 (1997), the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.
Turning again to FIG. 1, the substantially polarized light from the PCS 106 is passed through the dichoic color filters 108 and 110 to separate the polarized light into a plurality of different colored light beams (e.g., three, labeled xe2x80x9cR,xe2x80x9d xe2x80x9cG,xe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cBxe2x80x9d). Each of the colored light beams, red, green and blue, is provided to a corresponding rotating prism 116, 118, or 120, for scanning the color beam onto the LCD 130 in the scrolling color system. The dichoic color filters 112 and 114 direct the plurality of colored light beams to the pre-polarizer 126.
The pre-polarizer 126 increases the extinction ratio of the colored light beams incident thereon to provide very highly polarized light to the LCD 130. The pre-polarizer has in its plane both an absorbing direction and a non-absorbing direction, the absorbing direction being perpendicular to the non-absorbing direction. Light having a desired polarization xe2x80x9cPxe2x80x9d along the non-absorbing direction of the pre-polarizer 126 passes through the pre-polarizer 126 to the polarizing beam splitter 128, and the remaining light is generally absorbed by the polarizer. The polarizer, being a non-ideal device, has a finite extinction ratio, and thus a small amount of the colored light beams having the undesired xe2x80x9cSxe2x80x9d polarization passes through the device.
The substantially polarized colored light beams from the pre-polarizer 126 are supplied to the polarizing beam splitter 128. The polarizing beam splitter 128 directs the substantially polarized colored light beams to the LCD device 130. Meanwhile, a small remnant of the colored light beams having the undesired xe2x80x9cSxe2x80x9d polarization is directed away from the LCD device 130 by the beam splitter 128 (e.g., passes through the device).
As briefly described above, the LCD device 130 imparts desired image information on the substantially polarized colored beams by modulating the polarization of the incident light and reflecting the imaged light back to the polarizing beam splitter 128.
The polarizing beam splitter 128 directs the imaged light from the LCD device 130 having a desired polarization xe2x80x9cSxe2x80x9d to the analyzer 132, while directing reflected light from the LCD device 130 having an undesired polarization xe2x80x9cPxe2x80x9d away from the analyzer 132. The analyzer 132 further polarizes the imaged light incident thereon and provides the imaged light to the projection lens 134.
Finally, the projection lens 134 magnifies and projects the imaged light onto a desired display area or screen.
While this related art LCD projector is satisfactory for projecting an image, it has several limitations. The PCS is very costly and complicated to manufacture. Moreover, as explained above, the PCS doubles the etendue of the illumination system, roughly doubling the size of the LCD that is needed to capture the light beam. The PCS gets very hot and requires cooling, decreasing overall system durability. The pre-polarizer also requires active cooling to prolong its lifetime, further affecting system durability. Also, the PCS is not suitable for higher power light sources (e.g., much greater than 1000 watts) used for high intensity projectors (e.g., greater than 1000 lumens) as the amount of light energy absorbed by the PCS will cause the device to fail.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an image display system suitable for high power projectors, which is more durable, which has less stringent cooling requirements, and preferably which includes less complicated and costly polarizing elements. Other and further objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.
Therefore, in one aspect, the invention provides an image display system suitable for high intensity applications.
Accordingly, an image display system is provided having: an image display system, comprising: a light source emitting substantially unpolarized light; means for separating the substantially unpolarized light into a plurality of colored light beams; a polarizing element adapted to receive at least one of the colored light beams, to direct in a first direction a first portion of the one colored light beam having substantially a first polarization, and to direct in a second direction a second portion of the one colored light beam having substantially a second polarization; an imager adapted to impart image information on at least the one colored light beam; a projection lens adapted to project imaged light; and a polarizing beam splitter adapted to direct the first portion of the one colored light beam from the polarizing element to the imager, and to direct the imaged light from the imager to the projection lens.


A hand puller with a detachable handle includes a body, an axle, and a handle. The axle is passed and mounted onto the body, and a sheath opening is formed at an end of the handle for sheathing an edge of the axle, such that the handle can be turned by using the axle as an axial center, and a guide section is defined and formed at an external periphery of the sheath opening, and the body includes at least one stop portion protruded from a position proximate to the guide section of the handle. When the handle is turned by using the axle as the axial center, the guide section and the stop portion are slidably coupled to restrict a radial movement of the handle to prevent the handle from being separated from the axle along the radial direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hand puller structure, in particular to a hand puller with a detachable handle.
2. Description of the Related Art
R.O.C. Pat. No. M319128 entitled "Detachable rope puller" and R.O.C. Pat. No. M320543 entitled "Detachable rope puller (1)" disclose a rope puller structure with a detachable handle for preventing others to turn the handle to loosen a rope and also preventing others to untie and steal fastened goods easily.
However, the aforementioned detachable rope puller still has the following shortcomings:
1. In the aforementioned rope pullers, the handle includes a notch at a front end of the handle, such that the handle can be sheathed onto an axle of the rope puller through the notch. In addition, a limit element is installed at the handle for sealing the notch of the handle to prevent the handle from being separated from the axle when the handle is installed onto the axle. However, the additionally installed limit element not only causes a higher level of difficulty for assembling the rope puller, but also incurs a higher manufacturing cost of the rope puller.
2. In the aforementioned rope pullers, the limit element and the axle will abut against each other when a user turns the handle, and thus not only affecting the smooth rotation of the handle, but also causing deformations when the limit element is compressed excessively. As a result, the notch of the handle cannot be sealed by the limit element, and the handle may fall out easily.
3. If the aforementioned rope pullers are under no tension (or at a rope release status), the handle is used for propping a brake plate to release the axle, while the handle is being pressed by the brake plate at the same time to produce a deviation along the radial direction, and the smooth operation of the axle at the rope release status will be affected adversely by the deviated compression from the handle.


The use of terpenes for reducing the pheromone action on Lepidoptera and a method which allows terpenes to act on the habitat of the Lepidoptera are described.

The present invention relates to the use of terpenes for reducing the pheromone action on Lepidoptera, and to a method which allows terpenes to act on the habitat of the Lepidoptera.
The use of pheromones, in particular mixtures of components of sex pheromones, in the control of Lepidoptera, which comprise harmful insects such as grape moths, codling moths, summer fruit tortrix moths, oriental fruit moths, cotton bollworms, peach twig borers, clearwing moths and leafworms, belongs to the prior art.
Sex pheromones are sex attractants which are produced and secreted into the environment, in the case of Lepidoptera, by female or male animals which are ready to mate and attract male or female Lepidoptera of the same type.
Fundamentally, there are three different possibilities of using sex attractants in crop protection:
pheromone traps, equipped with synthetic sex attractant lures, are suspended in potential areas of attack. The capture of male moths in the traps furnishes proof of the occurrence of this pest. It is an important aid in integrated crop protection for determining a suitable date for control using conventional methods (monitoring technique).
by combination of an attractant with insecticidal active compounds. There is the possibility of adding insecticides to the lure or the trap or else of treating only the immediate surroundings of the trap. The largest part of the male moth population attracted from a wide range can thus be killed (capture technique). The biotope loading is reduced to a justifiable extent.
by the method of saturating the airspace with sex attractants or similarly acting substances. The male butterflies are interrupted from finding the females and thus the mating of the animals is prevented. In this case, a relatively large amount of the attractant is distributed uniformly in the airspace in the total area of the plant crop to be protected such that the males can sense the presence of the attractant everywhere and their normal orientation behavior is disturbed.
Even in this last-mentioned procedure for the use of sex attractants, only comparatively small amounts of the active compounds, which often only correspond to fragments of the customary doses of the classic insecticidal active compounds, are needed. (Birch (ed.): Pheromones North Holland Publ. Co. (1974)). What is concerned here is an extremely selective, nontoxic control method with the greatest possible protection of the nontarget organisms, in particular the useful animals. However, the natural sex attractants which are produced by the appropriate organs of the female animals are often accessible with difficulty synthetically.
In a method for the prognosis of the occurrence of Lobesia, the Lobesia sex attractant E7,Z9-dodecadienyl-1-acetate, applied as lures in traps, is used in viticulture as described in DE Patent 24 40 759. Specific control of the grape berry moth has been possible in practice since 1994 using the known sex attractant E7,Z9-dodecadienyl-1-acetate.
Laboratory and small-scale experiments for affecting Lobesia botrana males by the confusion technique using the original sex attractant, E7,Z9-dodecadienyl-1-acetate, and using similar substances, namely Z9-dodecenyl-1-acetate, E7-dodecenyl-1-acetate and E7,E9-dodecadienyl-1-acetate, have been carried out with varying success (ROEHRICH et al., Ann. Zool. Ecol. quim. 1979, p. 659 ff. and the sources indicated there, GUREVITZ and GOTHILF, Phytoparasitica 10 p. 140 (1982)).
DE-C 36 03 377 describes a mixture of Z9-dodecenyl-1-acetate and E7-dodecenyl-1-acetate for controlling Lobesia botrana.
It is common to all the methods described that pheromones are always used which attract the Lepidoptera.
Helmut Snoek in Duftstoffe, p. 36, Eigenverlag 1992, describes another route by confusing the insect female with ethereal oils so that it does not find the test plant necessary for laying eggs. On p. 39, however, Helmut Snoek comes to the conclusion that large-area monocrops cannot be effectively protected by aromatic products.
It was an object of the present invention to make available further methods for controlling Lepidoptera effectively. Surprisingly, it has been found that the pheromone action on Lepidoptera can be reduced using terpenes.
Terpenes suitable for the present invention are acyclic, monocyclic and bicyclic terpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes and mixtures thereof including E and Z isomers thereof or optical antipodes thereof.
Suitable acyclic terpenes include terpene hydrocarbons such as ocimene, myrcene, terpene alcohols such as geraniol, nerol, linalool, citronellol, nerolidol, prenol (dimethylallyl alcohol), tetrahydrolinalool, geranylgeraniol, 2,6-dimethylheptan-2-ol, terpene aldehydes such as citral, neral, citronellal, tetrahydrocitronellal (2,5,7,7-tetramethyloctanol), terpene ketones such as xcex1-ionone, xcex2-ionone, geranylacetone, phytol, isophytol, retinal and mixtures thereof.
Suitable monocyclic terpenes include monocyclic terpene hydrocarbons such as xcex1-terpinene, xcex3-terpinene, terpinolene, xcex1-phellandrene, xcex2-phellandrene, limonene, dipentene, monocyclic terpene alcohols such as menthol, xcex1-terpineol, 1,8-terpine, monocyclic terpene ketones such as menthone, pulegone, carvone and mixtures thereof.
Suitable bicyclic terpenes include the carane group with carane, carone and carvenone, the pinane group with pinane, xcex1-pinene and xcex2-pinene and the bornane group with bornane and camphor, and mixtures thereof.
Suitable sesquiterpenes include the acyclic sesquiterpenes such as farnesol, nerolidol, monocyclic sesquiterpenes such as bisabolene, bicyclic sesquiterpenes such as cadinene, xcex2-selinene, tricyclic sesquiterpenes such as xcex1-santalene, and mixtures thereof.
Suitable diterpenes include phytol, isophytol, retinal and mixtures thereof.
Those preferred are citral, nerolidol, prenol (dimethylallyl alcohol), tetrahydrolinalool, geranylgeraniol, 2,6-dimethylheptan-2-ol, neral, citronellal, tetrahydrocitronellal (2,5,7,7-tetramethyloctanol), geranylacetone, phytol, isophytol, retinal and mixtures thereof.
Those particularly preferred are citral, nerolidol, prenol (dimethylallyl alcohol), tetrahydrolinalool, geranylgeraniol, 2,6-dimethylheptan-2-ol, neral, citronellal, tetrahydrocitronellal (2,5,7,7-tetramethyloctanol), geranylacetone and mixtures thereof.
Those furthermore preferred are citral, neral, citronellal, tetrahydrocitronellal (2,5,7,7-tetramethyloctanol), geranylacetone and mixtures thereof.
In the context of the present invention, citral has proven to be very particularly effective.
Both liquid and solid preparations are suitable for formulation, according to the invention, of the terpenes. Suitable solvents are high-boiling, aromatic, aliphatic or cycloaliphatic compounds. Beside hydrocarbons, esters, ethers, silicone oils or ketones are particularly highly suitable. Typical representatives of these classes are, for example: xylene, methylnaphthalenes, liquid paraffins, cyclohexanone, ethyl glycol acetate, isophorone and dibutyl phthalate. These solvents can be used on their own or as mixtures with other components. Solutions in vegetable, animal or synthetic oils or fats and other evaporation-inhibiting solvents of low vapor pressure, eg. higher C10-C20-alkyl acetates or straight-chain or branched C1-C8-dialkyl phthalates, can furthermore be prepared for the purposes of prolonging the action.
The terpenes can furthermore also be used as a mixture with pheromones and related aromatic substances. Suitable pheromones are described, for example, in Heinrich Arn, List of Sex Pheromones of Lepidoptera and Related Attractants, Organisation Internationale de Lutte Biologique Section Regionale Ouest Palearctique, 1986.
Examples of suitable pheromones are Z9-dodecenyl-1-acetate, Z8-dodecenyl-1-acetate, E7-dodecenyl-1-acetate, E5-decenyl-1-acetate, E5-decen-1-ol, E7,Z9-dodecadienyl-1-acetate, Z11-tetradecenyl-1-acetate, Z9-tetradecenyl-1-acetate, Z8-tetradecenyl-1-acetate, E8,E10-dodecadien-1-ol, Z3,Z13-octadecadienyl-1-acetate and E2,Z13-octadecadienyl-1-acetate.
If pheromones and related substances are additionally used, E7,Z9-dodecadienyl-1-acetate, Z9-dodecenyl-1-acetate, E7-dodecenyl-1-acetate and mixtures thereof are preferred.
If pheromones and related substances are additionally used, mixing weight ratios of terpene:pheromone of from 100:1 to 1:100, preferably 100:2 to 1:50 and particularly preferably 100:5 to 1:10, very particularly preferably 100:10 to 1:1, have proven suitable.
For application of the terpenes, dispensers are used which release the active compound over a long period with a constant release rate. Many such systems have already been described in the literature and can be arranged in two categories:
1. matrix systems
2. reservoir systems.
In matrix systems, the active compound is dispersed homogeneously in a matrix. The release rate, due to this means of construction, is nonlinear, but decreases with time. In the case of the reservoir systems, the active compound is situated in a reservoir and is given off by diffusion through a wall of constant thickness. In contrast to the matrix systems, reservoir systems therefore have a more constant release rate and are superior in release characteristics and often also in the duration of release.
In the case of the matrix systems, the terpenes are bound in or on natural or synthetic solid carriers such as rubber, cork, cellulose, plastics, ground carbon, wood meal, silicates, pumice grit, calcined clay or similar solid carriers. Reservoir systems include special capsule formulations, plastic containers, capillaries or other vessels, the active compound being evaporated through films or narrow openings, particularly uniform scent concentrations being achieved over relatively long periods. Multilayer platelets made of plastic or cellulose, flakes, are also suitable.
Suitable plastic containers are described in DE-A 36 40 880 and EP-A 496 102 and EP-A 540 932.
The terpene content in formulations can vary within wide limits. Generally, the ratio of terpene : additive can be, for example, in the range from, for example, 10:1 to 1:103. In capsule formulations or other suitable containers, the terpene, for example, can be used in pure, undiluted form and its proportion by weight, based on the total formulation, can be very high and up to 90%. In general, however, very low active compound concentrations in the formulations are sufficient in order to exert the desired action on Lepidoptera. A quantitative ratio of terpene:additive of from 1:3 to 1:102 is preferred.
The terpenes can also be applied in comparatively high concentrations. For this method, formulations having poorly volatile additives which give off the terpenes over a sustained period are best suited, such as rubber, cellulose, wax, polymers or evaporation-inhibiting, poorly volatile oils or paraffins, and also formulations in capsules or other containers (capillaries) which give off the terpenes either through their wall or through narrow openings. The terpene concentration here is in general in the range from 1:1 to 1:103.

Terpenes for reducing the effect of pheromone on lepidoptera