A method by which dental equipment, such as dental scalers, can be sanitized using a detergent or treating composition containing a surfactant and a solvent such as water is disclosed. The method involves taking the used dental equipment and contacting it with the treating composition, and subjecting both the equipment and composition to microwaves. The composition foams during microwaving and/or immerses the equipment such that microwave arcing is avoided, and such that the dental equipment is sanitized.

The invention generally relates to the field of cleaning compositions. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for cleaning, sanitizing and/or otherwise removing stains, odors, particulate matter and microbes from dental equipment surfaces by contacting the equipment with a cleaning composition and subjecting the equipment to microwaves. The composition is a liquid, gel, foam, or trigger-spray detergent composition. This method provides a convenient way in which dental equipment can be sanitized on-site, for example at a dentist""s office. The detergent composition comprises water, surfactant, and optionally, a bleaching agent such as a peroxide in a liquid or gel formulation.
Historically, dentists, orthodontists and other oral medical personnel routinely use a variety of dental equipment to practice dentistry on patients requiring an assortment of oral medical treatment. For example, forceps, scalpels, bone chisels, scalers, burs, drills and the like are used to perform periodic teeth cleaning operations on patients. In such cases, the dental equipment must be disinfected, and preferably sterilized, prior to use on a new patient. As used herein, the term xe2x80x9csanitizexe2x80x9d broadly encompasses both disinfecting and sterilization, whereas disinfecting and sterilizing each refer to different levels of microbe removal as described in detail hereinafter. Even equipment such as mirrors and amalgam condensers that are not particularly used to penetrate soft oral tissue, but nevertheless are contacted with tissue and the like when used during dental operations require disinfecting and/or sterilization prior to use on the next patient. Of the numerous pieces of dental equipment used, certain equipment such as scalpels, scalers, burs, and forceps, must be sterilized prior to re-use so as to prevent the transmission of disease from patient to patient.
Currently, dentists employ either heat, cold or chemical vapor disinfection and sterilization techniques for which relatively expensive equipment is required in addition to time-consuming procedures using such equipment to disinfect and/or sterilize the dental equipment. By way of example, private dental offices must employ personnel on overage of two to four hours per day just to disinfect and/or sterilize used dental equipment. This amount of time can vary depending upon the volume of patients treated during a given day. Moreover, governmental agencies in most countries require proper disinfection and/or sterilization of dental equipment, and dental offices are routinely inspected for compliance with the agency""s guidelines. In the U.S., for example, the Organizational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA), Public Health Service (CDC), and the American Dental Association (ADA) have relatively stringent guidelines on the sterilization/disinfection of dental equipment prior to use.
Unfortunately, conventional relatively inexpensive detergents used for washing tableware (i.e., glassware, china, silverware. plastic, etc.) or kitchenware in the home or institution are not particularly effective in obtaining disinfection, and particularly ineffective in obtaining sterilization of dental equipment. The particular requirements of cleansing tableware and leaving it in a sanitary, essentially stainless, residue-free state has indeed resulted in so many particular compositions that the body of art pertaining thereto is now recognized as quite distinct from other cleansing product art. Additionally, the body of art pertaining to fabric cleaning is immense and encompasses many formulations designed for stain removal, many including bleaches. However, dental offices simply cannot effectively sterilize and/or disinfect their used dental equipment with such detergent compositions if used alone.
Accordingly, there is a need for method by which dental equipment can be efficiently and effectively disinfected and/or sterilized without the use of relatively expensive equipment and time-consuming techniques. There is also a need for such a method which can be conveniently employed in small private dental offices and the like.
The invention provides a method by which dental equipment, such as dental scalers, can be sanitized using detergent or treating composition containing a surfactant and a solvent such as water. The method involves placing used dental equipment in a container and contacting it with the treating composition, and subjecting both the equipment and composition to microwaves. The composition foams during microwaving and/or immerses the equipment such that microwave arcing is avoided, and such that the dental equipment is sanitized, preferably to the point of sterilization.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a method of sanitizing dental equipment containing microbes is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the dental equipment with an effective amount of a treating composition containing a surfactant and a solvent which generates heat under microwave radiation; (b) subjecting the dental equipment and the treating composition to microwaves for an effective amount of time such that a sanitizing amount of the microbes are removed from the dental equipment.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a dental equipment sanitizing product is provided. The dental equipment sanitizing product comprises a treating composition containing a surfactant and a solvent which generates heat under microwave radiation. The product further includes instructions for using of the treating composition comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the dental equipment with the treating composition; and (b) subjecting the dental equipment and treating composition to microwaves for an effective amount of time such that a sanitizing amount of microbes are removed from the dental equipment.
All percentages and proportions herein are by weight, and all references cited are hereby incorporated by reference, unless otherwise specifically indicated.
Accordingly, it is an advantage of the invention to provide a method by which dental equipment can be efficiently and effectively sanitized without using excessive or insufficient amounts of a treating composition. This and other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims.
The method of the invention essentially includes the steps of contacting microbe-containing dental equipment with a treating composition and subjecting both the composition and equipment to microwaves. Preferably, the treating composition contains a solvent which generates heat upon exposure to microwaves and is generally responsible for killing the microbes on the dental equipment. The treating composition preferably also contains a surfactant which aides in the sanitization of the dental equipment.
By xe2x80x9ceffective amountxe2x80x9d, it is meant any amount capable of measurably removing microbes, tissue and other particulate matter from the surface of the dental equipment. In general, this amount may vary quite widely, but typically will include from about 5 ml to about 20 ml per piece of dental equipment, and essentially, an amount sufficient to at least partially immerse the equipment to be sanitized. By xe2x80x9csanitizing amountxe2x80x9d, it is meant an amount of microbe removal which amounts to at least about 50% removal of the microbes on the dental equipment, more preferably at least about 90% removal, and most preferably at least about 99.9% removal of the microbes. As used herein, the term xe2x80x9cdisinfectionxe2x80x9d means removal of at least about 90% of the microbes, and the term xe2x80x9csterilizationxe2x80x9d means removal of at least about 99.9% of the microbes. The term xe2x80x9cmicrobesxe2x80x9d means any type of germ, bacteria, virus, parasite, including but not limited to, spore (e.g., B. sutilis or C. sporogenes), yeast (e.g., C. albicans), anaerobes (e.g., P. gingivalis), proteins/bugs (e.g., plaque), gram (+) (e.g., S. mutans), gram (xe2x88x92) (e.g., E. coli) and fungi (A. meger).
The treating composition is preferably a detergent composition containing a solvent, surfactant. and optionally, a bleaching agent. The surfactant is present in an amount of from about 0.01% to about 50%, more preferably from about 1% to about 10%, most preferably from about 2% to about 5% by weight. In preferred embodiments of the method invention, the treating composition further comprises an ingredient selected from the group consisting of clay, polycarboxylate thickeners, baking soda, carbonates, phosphates, hydrobenzoic acid, dicarboxylic acid, siloxanes, perfumes, bleach catalysts, and mixtures thereof. The treating composition can be in a variety of forms including a liquid, gel or granules.
The dental equipment is preferably placed in a non-metal container into which the treating composition can be dispensed. It is important for the dental equipment to be totally immersed in the treating composition, or at least partially immersed such that the composition will be able to foam and substantially immerse the equipment with liquid and foam such that arcing does not occur during microwaving. A variety of containers can be used to help provide a place for the dental equipment to be placed and contacted with the treating composition. For example, a xe2x80x9cboat-shapedxe2x80x9d container having a false or grated bottom much like a broiling pan can be used such that the treating composition is placed in the false bottom and the dental equipment on top of the grating. Upon microwaving, the treating composition foams up from the grating so as to immerse the dental equipment to both sanitize the equipment and to prevent arcing. Other dispensing procedures can be used without departing from the scope of the invention so long as arcing is prevented during microwaving and such that a sanitizing amount of microbes are removed from the dental equipment.
The treating or detergent composition and dental equipment are subjected to microwaves for an effective amount of time to sanitize the equipment to a point that it is suitable for re-use on other patients. Typically an xe2x80x9ceffective amount of timexe2x80x9d is from about 30 seconds to about 5 minutes, preferably from about 30 seconds to about 3 minutes, and most preferably from about 1 minute to 2 minutes. During this effective amount of time, the treating composition foams as described above and delivers the treating composition to substantially all exposed surfaces of the equipment. Optionally, the dental equipment can be rinsed with fresh solvent once it is removed from the microwave and allowed to dry. The drying time can be enhanced by placing the sanitized dental equipment into a conventional oven. Thereafter, the sanitized dental equipment is stored in a sanitary fashion (e.g. handling the sanitized dental equipment with rubber gloves and storing it in sealable plastic bags or the like) before use on the next dental patient.
Preferred aspects of the treating composition described herein include having the bleaching agent selected from the group consisting of diacyl peroxide, a source of hydrogen peroxide and bleach activator, a source of hydrogen peroxide, a chlorine bleach, and mixtures thereof. Another highly preferred treating composition is a gel or liquid detergent composition comprising by weight: (a) from about 0.1% to about 60% of said bleaching agent which is selected from the group consisting of: i) diacyl peroxide having the general formula:
RC(O)OO(O)CR1
wherein R and R1 can be the same or different; ii) a source of hydrogen peroxide; iii) a source of hydrogen peroxide and a bleach activator; iv) a chlorine bleach; and v) mixtures thereof; (b) from 0% to about 95% of a solvent; (c) from 0.01% to about 50% of a surfactant; and (d) from 0% to about 7% of a thickener. Another highly preferred treating composition is a gel detergent composition comprising by weight: (a) from about 0.1% to about 10% of a diacyl peroxide having the general formula:
RC(O)OO(O)CR1
wherein R and R1 can be the same or different; (b) from 0.01% to about 50% of a surfactant; and (c) from 0% to about 7% of a thickener; the composition having a neat pH of from about 3 to about 10; and such that said diacyl peroxide remains undissolved in said composition.
Additionally, the immersion method and detergent compositions of the present invention can be used on articles and surfaces besides dental equipment. Such surfaces and articles include ceramics, plastics, dishware of all material types, dentifrice/denture apparatuses, baby bottles, wood, class, and other material types and all other articles which are capable of being immersed into a detergent solution inside a microwave oven.
Microwavesxe2x80x94By microwaving herein is meant exposing said surface treated with said compositions to microwave electromagnetic radiation. This is by any conventional means such as by placing the surface in a typical microwave such as used in homes and microwaving the surface for a sufficient time. Microwaves have an electromagnetic radiation wavelength of from about 1 cm to about 1 m, preferably from about 3 cm to about 30 cm, more preferably from about 11 cm to about 13 cm. See Aust. J. Chem., 1995, 48 [10], 1665-1692, Developments in Microwave-Assisted Organic Chemistry, by Strauss and Trainor.
Bleaching Agents
Suitable bleaching for use herein are listed below:

Diacyl Peroxide Bleaching Speciesxe2x80x94The composition of the present invention preferably contain diacyl peroxide of the general formula:
RC(O)OO(O)CR1
wherein R and R1 can be the same or different and are hydrocarbyls, preferably no more than one is a hydrocarbyl chain of longer than ten carbon atoms, more preferably at least one has an aromatic nucleus.
Examples of suitable diacyl peroxides are selected from the group consisting dibenzoyl peroxide, dianisoyl peroxide, benzoyl gluaryl peroxide, benzoyl succinyl peroxide, di-(2-methybenzoyl) peroxide, diphthaloyl peroxide, dinaphthoyl peroxide, substituted dinaphthoyl peroxide, and mixtures thereof, more preferably dibenzoyl peroxide, dicumyl peroxide, diphthaloyl peroxides and mixtures thereof. A particularly preferred diacyl peroxide is dibenzoyl peroxide.
Hydrogen Peroxide Sourcexe2x80x94The compositions of the present invention may comprise a source of oxygen bleach, preferably a source of hydrogen peroxide with or without a selected bleach activator. The source of hydrogen peroxide is typically any common hydrogen-peroxide releasing salt, such as sodium perborate or sodium percarbonate. Hydrogen peroxide sources are illustrated in detail in Kirk Othmer Review on Bleaching and include the various forms of sodium perborate and sodium percarbonate and modified forms. An xe2x80x9ceffective amountxe2x80x9d of a source of hydrogen peroxide is any amount capable of measurably improving stain removal (especially of tea and tomato stains) from the soiled surface compared to a hydrogen peroxide source-free composition when the soiled surface is washed by the consumer.
The preferred source of hydrogen peroxide used herein can be any convenient source, including hydrogen peroxide itself. For example, perborate, e.g., sodium perborate (any hydrate but preferably the mono- or tetra-hydrate), sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate or equivalent percarbonate salts, sodium pyrophosphate peroxy-hydrate, urea peroxyhydrate, or sodium peroxide can be used herein. Sodium perborate monohydrate and sodium percarbonate are particularly preferred. Mixtures of any convenient hydrogen peroxide sources can also be used.
Another source of hydrogen peroxide is enzymes. Examples include Lipoxidase, glucose oxidase, peroxidase, alcohol oxidases, and mixtures thereof.
Bleach Activatorsxe2x80x94Numerous conventional bleach activators are known. See for example activators referenced hereinabove in the background as well as U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,854, issued Apr. 10, 1990 to Mao et al, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,934. Nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (NOBS) or acyl lactam activators may be used, and mixtures thereof with TAED can also be used. See also U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,551 for other typical conventional bleach activators. Also known are amido-derived bleach activators of the formulae: R1N(R5)C(O)R2C(O)L or R1C(O)N(R5)R2C(O)L wherein R1 is an alkyl group containing from about 6 to about 12 carbon atoms, R2 is an alkylene containing from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, R5 is H or alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl containing from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and L is any suitable leaving group. Further illustration of bleach activators of the above formulae include (6-octanamidocaproyl)oxybenzenesulfonate, (6-nonanamidocaproyl)oxybenzenesulfonate, (6-decanamidocaproyl)oxybenzenesulfonate, and mixtures thereof as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,551. Another class of bleach activators comprises the benzoxazin-type activators disclosed by Hodge et al in U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,723, issued Oct. 30, 1990. Still another class of bleach activators includes acyl lactam activators such as octanoyl caprolactam, 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyl caprolactam, nonanoyl caprolactam, decanoyl caprolactam. undecenoyl caprolactam, octanoyl valerolactam, decanoyl valerolactam, undecenoyl valerolactam, nonanoyl valerolactam, 3,5,5-trimethyl-hexanoyl valerolactam, t-butylbenzoylcaprolactam, t-butylbenzoylvalerolactam and mixtures thereof. The present compositions can optionally comprise aryl benzoates, such as phenyl benzoate, and acety triethyl citrate.
Quaternary Substituted Bleach Activatorsxe2x80x94The present compositions can also comprise quaternary substituted bleach activators (QSBA). QSBA""s herein typically have the formula E-[Z]nxe2x80x94C(O)xe2x80x94L, wherein group E is referred to as the xe2x80x9cheadxe2x80x9d, group Z is referred to as the xe2x80x9cspacerxe2x80x9d (n is.0 or 1, i.e., this group may be present or absent, though its presence is generally preferred) and L is referred to as the xe2x80x9cleaving groupxe2x80x9d. These compounds generally contain at least one quaternary substituted nitrogen moiety, which can be contained in E, Z or L. More preferably, a single quaternary nitrogen is present and it is located in group E or group Z. In general, L is a leaving group, the pKa of the corresponding carbon acid (HL) of which can lie in the general range from about 5 to about 30, more preferably, from about 10 to about 20, depending upon the hydrophilicity of the QSBA. pKa""s of leaving groups are further defined in U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,301.
Preferred QSBA""s herein are water-soluble but have a tendency to partition to a definite extent into surfactant micelles, especially into micelles of nonionic surfactants.
Leaving groups and solubilizing tendencies of quaternary moieties which can be present in the QSBA""s are further illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,539,130, Sep. 3, 1985 incorporated by reference. This patent also illustrates QSBA""s in which the quaternary moiety is present in the leaving group L.
British Pat. 1,382,594, published Feb. 5, 1975, discloses a class of QSBA""s found suitable for use herein. In these compounds, Z is a poly(methylene) or oligo(methylene) moiety, i.e., the spacer is aliphatic, and the quaternary moiety is E. U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,426 issued Apr. 4, 1989 discloses another class of QSBA""s suitable for use herein. These compounds are quaternary ammonium carbonate esters wherein, with reference to the above formula, the moiety Z is attached to E via a carbon atom but is attached to the carbonyl moiety through a linking oxygen atom. These compounds are thus quaternary ammonium carbonate esters. The homologous compounds wherein the linking oxygen atom is absent from Z are likewise known and are useful herein. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,022 issued Mar. 3, 1992 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,904,406, issued Feb. 27, 1990. Additionally, QSBA""s are described in EP 552,812 A1 published Jul. 28, 1993, and in EP 540,090 A2, published May 5, 1993.
Chlorine Bleachxe2x80x94Any chlorine bleach typically known in the art is suitable for use herein. Preferred chlorine bleaches for use herein include sodium hypochlorite, lithium hypochlorite, calcium hyposhlorite, chlorinated trisodium phosphates, and mixtures thereof. For more about chlorine bleaches see Surfactant Science Series, Vol. 5, Part II, pages 520-26.
Other Ingredientsxe2x80x94Detersive ingredients or adjuncts optionally included in the instant compositions can include one or more materials for assisting or enhancing cleaning performance, treatment of the surface to be cleaned, or designed to improve the aesthetics or ease of manufacture of the compositions. Other adjuncts which can also be included in compositions of the invention at their conventional art-established levels, generally from 0% to about 20% of the composition, preferably at from about 0.1% to about 10%, include one or more processing aids, color speckles, dyes, fillers, bleach-compatible enzymes, germicides, alkalinity sources, hydrotropes, stabilizers, perfumes, solubilizing agents, carriers. In general, materials used for the production of detergent compositions herein are preferably checked for compatibility with the essential ingredients used herein.
Exemplary germicides suitable for use include triclosan, triclocarbon, hydrogen peroxide and other oxygen bleaches, para-chloro-meta-xylenol, iodine/iodophors, selected alcohols, chlorohexidine, phenols, phospholipids, thymol, eugeniol, geraniol, oil of lemon grass, and limonene. Additionally. certain quaternary surfactants may also show antimicrobial action and may be included as an adjunct germicide.
In the preferred embodiments, additional ingredients such as water-soluble silicates (useful to provide alkalinity and assist in controlling corrosion), dispersant polymers (which modify and inhibit crystal growth of calcium and/or magnesium salts), chelants (which control transition metals), builders such as citrate (which help control calcium and/or magnesium and may assist buffering action), and alkalis (to adjust pH) are present. Additional bleach-improving materials such as bleach catalysts may be added.
Solventxe2x80x94The solvent of the present invention is of the type in which the diacyl peroxide will dissolve. The preferred solvents are selected based upon the solubility parameter value of the diacyl peroxide employed. The solubility parameter value of a compound is available from literature sources such as Polymer Handbook. Values obtained by experiments are preferred. If the solubility parameter value is not available in the literature, the value can be calculated by using any of the methods described by Robert F. Fedor""s article xe2x80x9cA Method of Estimating Both the Solubility Parameters and Molar Volumes of Liquidsxe2x80x9d, Polymer Engineering and Science, February, 1974, Vol 14, No. 2. Once the solubility parameter value is obtained of the diacyl peroxide, solvents are selected having a solubility parameter which fall within the diacyl peroxide solubility parameter.
Said solvent is preferably selected from the group consisting of N-alkyl pyrrolidones, such as N-ethyl pyrrolidone, diacetone alcohol, long chain (greater than C6) alkyl ethers, cyclic alkyl ketones, and mixtures thereof. Amines, ethers and short chain (less than C6) primary and secondary alcohols are preferably not present. Without being limited by theory,. it is believed that the presence of these compounds may introduce stability problems. Thus, when diacyl peroxide and solvent are present in the compositions of this invention, it is further preferable that the amount of amine, ether, or primary or secondary alcohol be limited to no more than about 5%, preferably no more than about 3%, by weight of the composition.
Surfactantsxe2x80x94Nonlimiting examples of surfactants useful herein include the conventional C11-C18 alkyl benzene sulfonates (xe2x80x9cLASxe2x80x9d) and primary, branched-chain and random C10-C20 alkyl sulfates (xe2x80x9cASxe2x80x9d), the C10-C18 secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates of the formula CH3(CH2)x(CHOSO3-M+)CH3 and CH3(CH2)y(CHOSO3-M+)CH2CH3 where x and (y+1) are integers of at least about 7, preferably at least about 9, and M is a water-solubilizing cation, especially sodium, unsaturated sulfates such as oleyl sulfate, the C10-C18 alkyl alkoxy sulfates (xe2x80x9cAExSxe2x80x9d; especially EO 1-7 ethoxy sulfates), C10-C18 alkyl alkoxy carboxylates (especially the EO 1-5 ethoxycarboxylates), the C10-C18 glycerol ethers, the C10-C18 alkyl polyglycosides and their corresponding sulfated polyglycosides, and C12-C18 alpha-sulfonated fatty acid esters.
If desired, the conventional nonionic and amphoteric surfactants such as the C12-C18 alkyl ethoxylates (xe2x80x9cAExe2x80x9d) including the so-called narrow peaked alkyl ethoxylates and C6-C12 alkyl phenol alkoxylates (especially ethoxylates and mixed ethoxy/propoxy), C12-C18 betaines and sulfobetaines (xe2x80x9csultainesxe2x80x9d), and the like, can also be included in the overall compositions. The C10-C18 N-alkyl polyhydroxy fatty acid amides can also be used. Typical examples include the C12-C18 N-methylglucamides. See WO 9,206,154. Other sugar-derived surfactants include the N-alkoxy polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, such as C10-C18 N-(3-methoxypropyl) glucamide. The N-propyl through N-hexyl C12-C18 glucamides can be used for low sudsing. C10-C20 conventional soaps may also be used. If high sudsing is desired, the branched-chain C10-C16 soaps may be used. Mixtures of anionic and nonionic surfactants are especially useful. Other conventional useful surfactants are listed in standard texts.
Preferably, anionic surfactants are used herein. Without being limited by theory, it is believed that the use of anionic surfactants maximizes both cleaning performance and removal of residual bleach from the surface being treated.
One example of a group of surfactants suitable for use herein are those selected from the group consisting of alkyl ether sulfate, long chain (greater than about C7) alkyl ethoxylate, linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS), alkyl (ether) carboxylates, alkyl polyglucaside (APG), and mixtures thereof.
Thickenersxe2x80x94Thickeners for use herein can be selected from clay, polycarboxylates, such as Polygel(copyright), gums, carboxymethyl cellulose, polyacrylates, and mixtures thereof. The preferred clay type herein has a double-layer structure. The clay may be naturally occurring, e.g., Bentonites, or artificially made, e.g., Laponite(copyright). Laponite(copyright) is supplied by Southern Clay Products, Inc. See The Chemistry and Physics of Clays, Grimshaw, 4th ed., 1971, pages 138-155, Wiley-Interscience.
Bleach catalystsxe2x80x94If desired, detergent compositions herein may additionally incorporate a catalyst or accelerator to further improve bleaching or starchy soil removal. Any suitable bleach catalyst can be used. The compositions will comprise from about 0.0001% to about 0.1% by weight of bleach catalyst.
Typical bleach catalysts comprise a transition-metal complex, for example one wherein the metal coordinating ligands are quite resistant to labilization and which does not deposit metal oxides or hydroxides to any appreciable extent under the conditions of cleaning herein. Such catalyst compounds often have features of naturally occurring compounds such as enzymes but are principally provided synthetically. Highly preferred accelerators include, for example, the cobalt 3+ catalysts, especially {Co(NH3)5Cl}2+ or equivalents thereof with various alternate donor ligands. Such complexes include those formerly disclosed for use in laundry compositions in U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,410 to Diakun et al, issued Mar. 7, 1989. The active species thereof is believed to be {Co(NH3)5(OOH)}2+ and is disclosed in J. Chem. Soc. Faraday Trans., 1994, Vol. 90, 1105-1114. Alternate catalysts or accelerators are the noncobalt transition metal complexes disclosed in this reference, especially those based on Mo(VI), Ti(IV), W(VI), V(V) and Cr(VI) although alternate oxidation states and metals may also be used. Such catalysts include manganese-based catalysts disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,621, U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,594; U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,416; U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,606; and EP Nos. 549,271 A1, 549,272 A1, 544,440 A2, and 544,490 A1; preferred examples of these catalysts include MnIV2(xcexc-O)3(TACN)2-(PF6)2, MnIII2(xcexc-O)1(xcexc-OAc)2(TACN)2(ClO4)2, MnIV4(xcexc-O)6(TACN)4(ClO4)4, MnIIIMnIV4-(xcexc-O)1(xcexc-OAc)2-(TACN)2-(ClO4)3, MnIV-(TACN)-(OCH3)3(PF6), and mixtures thereof wherein TACN is trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane or an equivalent macrocycle; though alternate metal-coordinating ligands as well as mononuclear complexes are also possible and monometallic as well as di- and polymetallic complexes and complexes of alternate metals such as iron or ruthenium are all within the present scope. Other metal-based bleach catalysts include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,430,243 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,611. The use of manganese with various complex ligands to enhance bleaching is also reported in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,728,455; 5,284,944; 5,246,612; 5,256,779; 5,280,117; 5,274,147; 5,153,161; and 5,227,084.
Transition metals may be precomplexed or complexed in-situ with suitable donor ligands selected in function of the choice of metal, its oxidation state and the denticity of the ligands. Other complexes which may be included herein are those of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/210,186, filed Mar. 17, 1994. Other suitable transition metals in said transition-metal-containing bleach catalysts include iron, cobalt, ruthenium, rhodium, iridium, and copper.
Buildersxe2x80x94Detergent builders can optionally be included in the compositions herein to assist in controlling mineral hardness. Inorganic as well as organic builders can be used. Builders are typically used in fabric laundering compositions to assist in the removal of particulate soils.
The level of builder can vary widely depending upon the end use of the composition and its desired physical form. When present, the compositions will typically comprise at least about 1% builder. Liquid formulations typically comprise from about 5% to about 50%, more typically about 5% to about 30%, by weight, of detergent builder. Lower or higher levels of builder, however, are not meant to be excluded.
Inorganic or P-containing detergent builders include, but are not limited to, the alkali metal, ammonium and alkanolammonium salts of polyphosphates (exemplified by the tripolyphosphates, pyrophosphates, and glassy polymeric meta- phosphates), phosphonates, phytic acid, silicates, carbonates (including bicarbonates and sesquicarbonates), sulphates, and aluminosilicates.
Examples of silicate builders are the alkali metal silicates, particularly those having a SiO2:Na2O ratio in the range 1.6:1 to 3.2:1 and layered silicates, such as the layered sodium silicates described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,839, issued May 12, 1987 to H. P. Rieck. NaSKS-6 is the trademark for a crystalline layered silicate marketed by Hoechst (commonly abbreviated herein as xe2x80x9cSKS-6xe2x80x9d). NaSKS-6 can be prepared by methods such as those described in German DE-A-3,417,649 and DE-A-3,742,043. Other layered silicates, such as those having the general formula NaMSixO2x+1.yH2O wherein M is sodium or hydrogen, x is a number from 1.9 to 4, preferably 2, and y is a number from 0 to 20 can be used herein. Various other layered silicates from Hoechst include NaSKS-5, NaSKS-7 and NaSKS-11, as the alpha, beta and gamma forms.
Examples of carbonate builders are the alkaline earth and alkali metal carbonates as disclosed in German Patent Application No. 2,321,001 published on Nov. 15, 1973.
Aluminosilicate builders may be useful in the present invention. Aluminosilicate builders include those having the empirical formula:
Mz(zAlO2)y].xH2O
wherein z and y are integers of at least 6, the molar ratio of z to y is in the range from 1.0 to about 0.5, and x is an integer from about 15 to about 264.
Useful aluminosilicate ion exchange materials are commercially available. A method for producing aluminosilicate ion exchange materials is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,985,669, Krummel, et al, issued Oct. 12, 1976. Preferred synthetic crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange materials useful herein are available under the designations Zeolite A, Zeolite P (B), Zeolite MAP and Zeolite X. In an especially preferred embodiment, the crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange material has the formula:
Na12[(AlO2)12(SiO2)12]xH2O
wherein x is from about 20 to about 30, especially about 27. This material is known as Zeolite A. Dehydrated zeolites (x=0-10) may also be used herein. Preferably, the aluminosilicate has a particle size of about 0.1-10 microns in diameter.
Organic detergent builders suitable for the purposes of the present invention include, but are not restricted to, a wide variety of polycarboxylate compounds. As used herein, xe2x80x9cpolycarboxylatexe2x80x9d refers to compounds having a plurality of carboxylate groups, preferably at least 3 carboxylates. Polycarboxylate builder can generally be added to the composition in acid form, but can also be added in the form of a neutralized salt. When utilized in salt form, alkali metals, such as sodium, potassium, and lithium, or alkanolammonium salts are preferred.
Included among the polycarboxylate builders are a variety of categories of useful materials. One important category of polycarboxylate builders encompasses the ether polycarboxylates, including oxydisuccinate, as disclosed in Berg, U.S. Pat. No. 3,128,287, issued Apr. 7, 1964, and Lamberti et al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,635,830, issued Jan. 18, 1972. See also xe2x80x9cTMS/TDSxe2x80x9d builders of U.S. Pat. No. 4,663,071, issued to Bush et al, on May 5, 1987. Suitable ether polycarboxylates also include cyclic compounds, particularly alicyclic compounds, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,923,679; 3,835,163; 4,158,635; 4,120,874 and 4,102,903.
Other useful detergency builders include the ether hydroxypolycarboxylates, copolymers of maleic anhydride with ethylene or vinyl methyl ether, 1,3,5-trihydroxy benzene-2,4,6-trisulphonic acid, and carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid, the various alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts of polyacetic acids such as ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid and nitrilotriacetic acid, as well as polycarboxylates such as mellitic acid, succinic acid, oxydisuccinic acid, polymaleic acid, benzene 1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid, carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid, and soluble salts thereof.
Citrate builders, e.g., citric acid and soluble salts thereof (particularly sodium salt), are polycarboxylate builders of importance for liquid detergent formulations due to their availability from renewable resources and their biodegradability. Oxydisuccinates are also especially useful in such compositions and combinations.
Also suitable in the compositions of the present invention are the 3,3-dicarboxy-4-oxa-1,6-hexanedioates and the related compounds disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,984, Bush, issued Jan. 28, 1986. Laurylsuccinates are the preferred builders of this group, and are described in European Patent Application 86200690.5/0,200,263, published Nov. 5, 1986.
Other suitable polycarboxylates are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,144,226, Crutchfield et al, issued Mar. 13, 1979 and in U.S. Pat. No. 3,308,067, Diehl, issued Mar. 7, 1967. See also Diehl U.S. Pat. No. 3,723,322.
Fatty acids, e.g., C12-C18 monocarboxylic acids, can also be incorporated into the compositions alone, or in combination with the aforesaid builders, especially citrate and/or the succinate builders, to provide additional builder activity.
Various alkali metal phosphates such as the well-known sodium tripolyphosphates, sodium pyrophosphate and sodium orthophosphate can be used.
Phosphonate builders such as ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate and other known phosphonates (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,159,581; 3,213,030; 3,422,021; 3,400,148 and 3,422,137) can also be used.
Enzymesxe2x80x94Suitable enzymes include proteases, amylases, lipases, cellulases, peroxidases, and mixtures thereof of any suitable origin, such as vegetable, animal, bacterial, fungal and yeast origin. Preferred selections are influenced by factors such as pH-activity and/or stability optima, thermostability, and stability to active bleach, detergents, builders and the like. In this respect bacterial or fungal enzymes are preferred, such as bacterial amylases and proteases and fungal cellulases.
Enzymesxe2x80x94are normally incorporated into detergent or detergent additive compositions at levels sufficient to provide a xe2x80x9ccleaning-effective amountxe2x80x9d. The term xe2x80x9ccleaning effective amountxe2x80x9d refers to any amount capable of producing a cleaning, stain removal, soil removal, whitening, deodorizing, or freshness improving effect on surfaces such as dishware and the like. In practical terms for current commercial preparations, the compositions herein may comprise from 0.001% to 5%, preferably 0.01%-1% by weight of a commercial enzyme preparation. Protease enzymes are usually present in such commercial preparations at levels sufficient to provide from 0.005 to 0.1 Anson units (AU) of activity per gram of composition.
The preparation of protease enzyme and analogous enzymes is described in GB 1,243,784 to Novo. Other suitable proteases include ALCALASE(copyright) and SAVINASE(copyright) from Novo and MAXATASE(copyright) from International Bio-Synthetics, Inc., The Netherlands; as well as Protease A as disclosed in EP 130,756 A, Jan. 9, 1985 and Protease B as disclosed in EP 303,761 A, Apr. 28, 1987 and EP 130,756 A, Jan. 9, 1985. See also a high pH protease from Bacillus sp. NCIMB 40338 described in WO 9318140 A to Novo. Enzymatic detergents comprising protease, one or more other enzymes, and a reversible protease inhibitor are described in WO 9203529 A to Novo. Other preferred proteases include those of WO 9510591 A to Procter and Gamble. When desired, a protease having decreased adsorption and increased hydrolysis is available as described in WO 9507791 to Procter and Gamble. A recombinant trypsin-like protease for detergents suitable herein is described in WO 9425583 to Novo.
Amylases suitable herein, especially for, but not limited to automatic dishwashing purposes, include, for example, xcex1-amylases described in GB 1,296,839 to Novo; RAPIDASE(copyright), International Bio-Synthetics, Inc. and TERMAMYL(copyright), Novo. FUNGAMYL(copyright) from Novo is especially useful. Engineering of enzymes for improved stability, e.g., oxidative stability, is known. See, for example J. Biological Chem., Vol. 260, No. 11, June 1985, pp 6518-6521 Preferred amylases include (a) an amylase according to the hereinbefore incorporated WO 9402597, Novo, Feb. 3, 1994. Other amylases include variants having additional modification in the immediate parent as described in WO 9510603 A and are available from the assignee, Novo, as DURAMYL(copyright). Other particularly preferred oxidative stability enhanced amylase include those described in WO 9418314 to Genencor International and WO 9402597 to Novo.
Cellulases usable herein include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,307, Barbesgoard et al, Mar. 6, 1984. Suitable cellulases are also disclosed in GB-A-2.075.028; GB-A-2.095.275 and DE-OS-2.247.832. CAREZYME(copyright) (Novo) is especially useful. See also WO 9117243 to Novo.
Suitable lipase enzymes for detergent usage include those produced by microorganisms of the Pseudomonas group, such as Pseudomonas stutzeri ATCC 19.154, as disclosed in GB 1,372,034. See also lipases in Japanese Patent Application 53,20487, laid open Feb. 24, 1978. Other suitable commercial lipases include Amano-CES, lipases ex Chromobacter viscosum, e.g. Chromobacter viscosum var. lipolyticum NRRLB 3673 from Toyo Jozo Co., Tagata, Japan; Chromobacter viscosum lipases from U.S. Biochemical Corp., U.S.A. and Disoynth Co., The Netherlands, and lipases ex Pseudomonas gladioli. LIPOLASE(copyright) enzyme derived from Humicola lanuginosa and commercially available from Novo, see also EP 341,947, is a preferred lipase for use herein. Lipase and amylase variants stabilized against peroxidase enzymes are described in WO 9414951 A to Novo. See also WO 9205249 and RD 94359044.
Cutinase enzymes suitable for use herein are described in WO 8809367 A to Genencor.
Peroxidase enzymes may be used in combination with oxygen sources, e.g., percarbonate, perborate, hydrogen peroxide, etc., for xe2x80x9csolution bleachingxe2x80x9d or prevention of transfer of dyes or pigments removed from surfaces during the wash to other surfaces present in the wash solution. Known peroxidases include horseradish peroxidase, ligninase, and haloperoxidases such as chloro- or bromo-peroxidase. Peroxidase-containing detergent compositions are disclosed in WO 89099813 A, Oct. 19, 1989 to Novo and WO 8909813 A to Novo.
A range of enzyme materials and means for their incorporation into synthetic detergent compositions is also disclosed in WO 9307263 A and WO 9307260 A to Genencor International, WO 8908694 A to Novo, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,553,139, Jan. 5, 1971 to McCarty et al. Enzymes are further disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,101,457, Place et al, Jul. 18, 1978, and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,219, Hughes, Mar. 26, 1985. Enzyme materials useful for liquid detergent formulations, and their incorporation into such formulations, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,868, Hora et al, Apr. 14, 1981. Enzymes for use in detergents can be stabilized by various techniques. Enzyme stabilization techniques are disclosed and exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 3,600,319, Aug. 17, 1971, Gedge et al, EP 199,405 and EP 200,586, Oct. 29, 1986, Venegas. Enzyme stabilization systems are also described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,519,570. A useful Bacillus, sp. AC13 giving proteases, xylanases and cellulases, is described in WO 9401532 A to Novo.
Enzyme Stabilizing Systemxe2x80x94Enzyme-containing, including but not limited to, liquid compositions, herein may comprise from about 0.001% to about 10%, preferably from about 0.005% to about 8%, most preferably from about 0.01% to about 6%, by weight of an enzyme stabilizing system. Such stabilizing systems can, for example, comprise calcium ion, boric acid, propylene glycol, short chain carboxylic acids, boronic acids, and mixtures thereof, and are designed to address different stabilization problems depending on the type and physical form of the detergent composition. See Severson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,537,706 for a review of Borate stabilizers.
Stabilizing systems may further comprise from 0 to about 10%, preferably from about 0.01% to about 6% by weight, of chlorine bleach scavengers, added to prevent chlorine bleach species present in many water supplies from attacking and inactivating the enzymes, especially under alkaline conditions. Suitable chlorine scavenger anions are widely known and readily available, and, if used, can be salts containing ammonium cations with sulfite, bisulfite, thiosulfite, thiosulfate, iodide, etc. Antioxidants such as carbamate, ascorbate, etc., organic amines such as ethylenediaminetetracetic acid (EDTA) or alkali metal salt thereof, monoethanolamine (MEA), and mixtures thereof can likewise be used. Other conventional scavengers such as bisulfate, nitrate, chloride, sources of hydrogen peroxide such as sodium perborate tetrahydrate, sodium perborate monohydrate and sodium percarbonate, as well as phosphate, condensed phosphate, acetate, benzoate, citrate, formate, lactate, malate, tartrate, salicylate, etc., and mixtures thereof can be used if desired.
Material Care Agentsxe2x80x94The present compositions may optionally contain as corrosion inhibitors and/or anti-tarnish aids one or more material care agents such as silicates. Material Care Agents are preferred especially in countries where electroplated nickel silver and sterling silver are common in domestic flatware, or when aluminium protection is a concern and the composition is low in silicate. Material care agents include bismuth salts, transition metal salts such as those of manganese, certain types of paraffin, triazoles, pyrazoles, thiols, mercaptans, aluminium fatty acid salts, and mixtures thereof and are preferably incorporated at low levels, e.g., from about 0.01% to about 5% of the composition. A preferred paraffin oil is a predominantly branched aliphatic hydrocarbon comprising from about 20 to about 50, more preferably from about 25 to about 45, carbon atoms with a ratio of cyclic to noncyclic hydrocarbons of about 32 to 68 sold by Wintershall, Salzbergen, Germany as WINOG 70(copyright). Bi(NO3)3 may be added. Other corrosion inhibitors are illustrated by benzotriazole, thiols including thionaphtol and thioanthranol, and finely divided aluminium fatty acid salts. All such materials will generally be used judiciously so as to avoid producing spots or films on glassware or compromising the bleaching action of the compositions. For this reason, it may be preferred to formulate without mercaptan anti-tarnishes which are quite strongly bleach-reactive or common fatty carboxylic acids which precipitate with calcium.
Chelating Agentsxe2x80x94The detergent compositions herein may also optionally contain one or more iron and/or manganese chelating agents. Such chelating agents can be selected from the group consisting of amino carboxylates, amino phosphonates, polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents and mixtures therein, all as hereinafter defined.
Amino carboxylates useful as optional chelating agents include ethylenediaminetetracetates, N-hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetates, nitrilo- triacetates, ethylenediamine tetraproprionates, triethylenetetra-amine-hexacetates, diethylenetriaminepentaacetates, and ethanoldiglycines, alkali metal, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts therein and mixtures therein.
Polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents are also useful in the compositions herein. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,812,044, issued May 21, 1974, to Connor et al. Preferred compounds of this type in acid form are dihydroxydisulfobenzenes such as 1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-disulfobenzene. A preferred biodegradable chelator for use herein is ethylenediamine disuccinate (xe2x80x9cEDDSxe2x80x9d), especially the [S,S] isomer as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,233, Nov. 3, 1987, to Hartman and Perkins.
If utilized, these chelating agents will generally comprise from about 0. 1% to about 10% by weight of the detergent compositions herein. More preferably, if utilized, the chelating agents will comprise from about 0. 1% to about 3.0% by weight of such compositions.
Polymeric Dispersing Agentsxe2x80x94Polymeric dispersing agents can advantageously be utilized at levels from about 0.1% to about 7%, by weight, in the compositions herein, especially in the presence of zeolite and/or layered silicate builders. Suitable polymeric dispersing agents include polymeric polycarboxylates and polyethylene glycols, although others known in the art can also be used. It is believed, though it is not intended to be limited by theory, that polymeric dispersing agents enhance overall detergent builder performance, when used in combination with other builders (including lower molecular weight polycarboxylates) by crystal growth inhibition, particulate soil release peptization, and anti-redeposition.
Product/Instructionsxe2x80x94This invention also encompasses the inclusion of instructions on the use of a product located on or in with the package or with other forms of advertising associated with the sale or use of the product. The instructions may be included in any manner typically used by consumer product manufacturing or supply companies. Examples include providing instructions on a label attached to the container holding the dental equipment; on a sheet either attached to the container or accompanying it when purchased; or in advertisements, demonstrations, and/or other written or oral instructions which may by connected to the purchase or use of a product containing a substrate and the treating composition.
Specifically the instructions will include a description of the use of the treating composition and microbe-containing dental equipment in connection with microwaving. The instructions, for instance, may additionally include information relating to the length of microwaving time; the recommended settings on the microwave; the recommended positioning of the dental equipment, container and the like, or whether soaking or rubbing is appropriate; the recommended amount of water, if any, to apply to the surface before and after treatment; other recommended treatment to accompany the microwave application.
Processxe2x80x94Methods for producing diacyl peroxide particles for use in the compositions herein wherein an abrasive particle is desired may include any particle making process commonly known in the art, including shear mixing. The diacyl particles for use herein can range in size from sub-micron (0.1) to about 100 microns. A preferred range is from about 1 to about 20 microns. Another process for making particles follows:
Process Descriptionxe2x80x94The diacyl peroxide raw material particles are dissolved in an appropriate solvent (n-ethylpyrrolidone) and added to the rest of the formulation (primarily water, surfactant and thickener) with stirring. This procedure results in the in situ precipitation of the diacyl peroxide particles, resulting in a dispersion of small homogeneous particles ranging in size of from about 1 to about 20 microns. Optionally, commercially available diacyl peroxide raw material particles can be used which have particle sizes on the order of 800 microns or more, although these are not preferred.
Procedure for preparation of in situ particles: Laponite (33 g, 6% active) is dispersed in tap water (10 g) with stirring. Sodium Alkylethoxy sulfate (14 g, 70% active) is stirred into the Laponite dispersion and Sodium bicarbonate (1 g, 100% active) is added. In a separate container, Benzoyl peroxide (2 g, 75% active) isdissolved in N-ethylpyrrolidone (10 g, 100% active) with stirring. This benzoyl peroxide solution is then poured into the Laponite and surfactant solution with stirring. The mixture immediately turns cloudy and results in a homogeneous dispersion of 10-50 micron benzoyl peroxide particles.

Method for sanitizing dental equipment using microwaves


An elevator overspeed system designed to work as a governor includes a first switch responsive to an overspeed condition and a second, remotely located switch responsive to said first switch. An overspeed elevator control procedure is initiated when one of the first or second switches are tripped. The first switch is automatically re-set after the second switch is tripped. The second switch is manually re-set to re-start the elevator system in normal operation mode.

Conventional elevator safety equipment includes an overspeed governor for impeding elevator car movement when a predetermined speed is exceeded. Overspeed governors include a switch that opens when the elevator reaches a predetermined overspeed such as 110% of rated speed. When the switch opens, power is removed from the machine motor and brake. A braking mechanism, actuated in response to movement of the elevator car by motion transmission means, impedes the elevator car. The switch remains open, and the elevator remains inoperable, until the switch is manually re-set.
Typical governor designs include a sheave coupled to a rope attached to the elevator car, whereby the sheave moves in response to rope movement indicative of elevator car movement. The sheave drives a shaft or spindle coupled to an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism may be a set of flyballs or flyweights adapted to extend radially when a predetermined level of centrifugal force is applied to them. Radial extension of the flyballs or flyweights causes them to contact an overspeed switch When the overspeed switch is actuated, power to the motor and motor brake is cut, thereby causing the motor brake to apply a braking force on the motor shaft. If the elevator car continues to increase in speed, a tripping assembly is triggered by the fly weights. The tripping assembly actuates a mechanism to brake the governor rope. Braking of the governor rope causes the Safeties to be engaged and thereby stop the car.
Because the overspeed switch remains open until it is manually re-set, the elevator machine and brake power are not restored and the elevator system remains inoperable. In conventional elevator systems having machine rooms the switch to be re-set is conveniently accessible in the machine room by a technician. Typically, the governor is located in an overhead machine room.
In more recently developed "machine room-less" elevator systems, where the conventional machine room is eliminated, the governor and various other components are located in the hoistway. With the governor in the hoistway, the task of accessing and re-setting a governor overspeed switch is time-consuming, complicated, and costly. Although a solution may be to provide a special door or hatch to access a governor in a hoistway, such a solution adds cost and space requirements.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an overspeed switching system that operates safely and reliably, while reducing time and cost of restoring an elevator to operation after the overspeed switch has been tripped. These objects and others are achieved by the present invention.
The present invention is directed to an overspeed switch system for an elevator where a first switch located in the governor is tripped in response to detected overspeed, and the tripping of the first switch causes a second, remotely located switch to be tripped, whereby when either or both switches are open, power to the elevator system is shut down. The first switch is provided with automatic re-set means, while the second switch is manually re-set in an easily accessible, remote location such as a control panel in a landing.

Remote storage and reset of elevator overspeed switch


A lawn sprinkler comprises a connection pipe, and a spray angle adjustment structure mounted at one end of the connection pipe and formed of a circular distribution member, an adjustment member and a control member. The control member is actuated to turn by the adjustment member such that one or more of a series of arcuate rims of the control member block one or more of a series of arcuate through holes of the circular distribution member, thereby resulting in the sprinkling of water in various patterns.

Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
The present invention relates generally to a lawn sprinkler nozzle, and more particularly to a lawn sprinkler nozzle comprising a spray-angle adjustment structure.
The conventional lawn sprinkler nozzle is generally provided with a structure enabling the nozzle to spray in various patterns at a fixed angle. Such conventional lawn sprinkler nozzle as described above is therefore limited in function in that it is incapable of cost-effective irrigation in terms of water consumption.
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a lawn sprinkler nozzle capable of various spray-angle adjustments.
In keeping with the principle of the present invention, the foregoing objective of the present invention is attained by a lawn sprinkler comprising a connection pipe and a spray-angle adjustment structure mounted at one end of the connection pipe which is connected at the other end to a water supply source. The spray-angle adjustment structure comprises a circular distribution member, a control member, and an adjustment member. The circular distribution member is fixedly fastened in the one end of the connection pipe and is provided with a series of arcuate through holes which are concentric and different in distance from the circular center of the circular distribution member. The circular distribution member is located between the control member and the adjustment member. The control member is located beneath the circular distribution member and is provided with a series of arcuate rims. The control member is actuated by the adjustment member to turn in such a way that a specific arcuate through hole of the circular distribution member is blocked by a specific arcuate rim of the control member, thereby resulting in a specific spray angle.
The features and the advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood upon a thoughtful deliberation of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Lawn sprinkler nozzle provided with means to adjust spray angle thereof


A graphene base transistor with reduced collector area comprising an electron injection region, an electron collection region, and a base region wherein the base region comprises one or more sheets of graphene and wherein the base region is intermediate the electron injection region and the electron collection region and forms electrical interfaces therewith. A method of making a graphene base transistor with reduced collector area comprising forming an electron injection region, forming an electron collection region, and forming a base region wherein the base region comprises one or more sheets of graphene and wherein the base region is intermediate the electron injection region and the electron collection region and forms electrical interfaces therewith.

This disclosure describes a semiconductor transistor device having a graphene base transistor with reduced collector area, and method for fabrication. The graphene base transistor with reduced collector area comprises an electron injection region (the first region), an electron collection region (the third region), and a base region (second region) with the base region consisting of one or more sheets of graphene known as the base graphene material layer region that is intermediate the first and third regions and forms electrical interfaces therewith. The first region comprises an emitter region, and the second region comprises a base region, with typically the emitter region electrically contacting the base region and forming the emitter/base interface. The base region is typically also in electrical contact with the third region material and forms the base/collector interface.

Graphene base transistor with reduced collector area

The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


The invention discloses the use of a smilagenin in the treatment of cognitive dysfunction and similar conditions. Methods of treatment, and pharmaceutical compositions are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to smilagenin and its use in treating cognitive dysfunction and allied conditions; and to compositions for use in such treatments. The invention is also concerned with the treatment of conditions that are characterized by a deficiency in the number or function of membrane-bound receptors. In the following, the present invention will be described principally with reference to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type (SDAT), where deficiencies in a number of receptor types have been demonstrated. However, it is to be understood that the present invention relates generally to the treatment of conditions attributable to intrinsic pathological conditions and/or exposure to adverse environmental conditions these conditions being characterized by a deficiency in the number or function of membrane-bound receptors or a deficiency in transmission at the junctions between neurons or at the junctions of neurons and effector cells.
Conditions of the type mentioned above include Parkinson's disease, Lewi body dementia, postural hypertension, autism, chronic fatigue syndrome, Myasthenia Gravis, Lambert Eaton disease, diseases and problems associated with Gulf War Syndrome, occupational exposure to organophosphorus compounds and problems associated with aging.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type (SDAT) are grave and growing problems in all societies where, because of an increase in life expectancy and control of adventitious disease, the demographic profile is increasingly extending towards a more aged population. Agents which can treat, or help in the management of, AD/SDAT are urgently required.
Age-associated memory impairment (AAMI) is a characteristic of older patients who, while being psychologically and physically normal, complain of memory loss. It is a poorly defined syndrome, but agents which are effective in treatment of AD/SDAT may also be of value in these patients.
Research into AD/SDAT is being carried out by traditional and conventional medical research methods and disciplines. In conventional medicine, there are several approaches to the treatment of AD/SDAT. It is known that the biochemical processes subserving memory in the cerebral cortex are (at least in part) cholinergically-mediated. Those skilled in the art will know that "cholinergically mediated" mechanisms may be directly attributable to acetylcholine acting on receptors, and these are direct effects. Other, clinically useful effects may also be caused by modulation of release of acetylcholine from pre-synaptic nerve endings or inhibition of enzymes that destroy acetylcholine. These modulating factors may be exerted through neurones where the mediator is non-cholinergic; these are referred to as indirect effects. Some attempts at treatment have focussed on the role of other mediators such as 5-hydroxytryptamine, which is a mediator in other areas of brain, such as the mid-brain nuclei. However, since fibres from these areas are projected forward into the cerebral cortex where the primary transmitter is acetylcholine, attention has focussed on the management of this mediator in the search for appropriate therapeutic agents.
Cholinergic strategies for the treatment of AD/SDAT have been directed at several points along the pathway of formation, synaptic release and removal of released acetylcholine.
One approach involves treatment with high doses of lecithin and other precursors of acetylcholine. This is of limited use in producing sustained improvements in cognitive performance.
Another approach involves the use of vegetable drugs such as Polygalae root extract, which has been shown to enhance choline-acetylcholine transferase (CAT) activity and nerve growth factor (NGF) secretion in brain. Oral administration of NGF has no effect on central nervous system neurons because it is a high molecular weight protein that cannot pass through the blood-brain barrier. However, agents which can pass through the blood-brain barrier and have a stimulating effect on NGF synthesis in the central nervous system have been proposed for the improvement of memory-related behavior.
The results of a third clinical approach, which uses cholinesterase inhibitors such as tacrine hydrochloride, have been marginally more positive than the above. Substances obtained from plants used in Chinese and Western medicine, for example huperzine, galanthamine, and physostigmine have all been shown to be of some—although limited—benefit in the treatment of AD/SDAT in clinical studies and also in laboratory models. All of these substances are inhibitors of acetylcholine esterase (AChE). In patients with AD/SDAT, there may be reduced synthesis of acetylcholine (ACh), reduced efficiency in release of ACh from presynaptic stores, and a decrease in the number or function of postsynaptic (M3) receptors. Reductions in pre-synaptic M2 receptors have also been shown. The beneficial effect of AChE inhibitors is attributed to enhancement of acetylcholine levels at synapses in brain by slowing down the destruction of released transmitter.
Compositions which modulate cholinergic function are known to affect memory and recall. For example, nicotine stimulates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and the short lived memory enhancing effects of cigarette smoking are thought to be due to the effect of nicotine. Scopolamine, an antagonist of acetylcholine, will produce amnesia and impaired cognitive function manifesting in psychomotor tests as a prolongation of simple reaction times, possibly as a result of impaired attention, and is used for this purpose as an adjunctive analgesic treatment. The amnesic effect of scopolamine can be antagonized by nicotine.
There are two families of nicotinic receptor subtypes (α and β), and each includes four subgroups which differ in ligand specificity. The role of nicotinic receptors in the CNS is not well understood at the molecular level. It is possible that agents binding to nicotinic receptors may modify the rate of turnover at muscarinic receptor sites in brain. Nicotinic receptors are ligand-gated ion channels, and their activation causes a rapid (millisecond) increase in cellular permeability to Na+ and Ca++, depolarisation and excitation.
Another class of cholinergic receptors can be stimulated by muscarine. Such muscarinic (M) receptors are G protein-coupled receptors. Responses of muscarinic receptors are slower; they may be excitatory or inhibitory. They are not necessarily linked to changes in ion permeability. Five types of muscarinic receptors have been detected by cholinergic receptor cloning, and are designated as m1–m5. Pharmacological effects are associated with four of the cloned receptors and they are designated as M1–M4 based on pharmacological specificity.
Using specific receptor proteins and monoclonal antibodies, it has been possible to further localize muscarinic receptors in brain as m1 (postsynaptic) and m2 (presynaptic). In heart, M2 receptors are postsynaptic. Presynaptic muscarinic receptors are thought to be inhibitory, the binding of ACh to these receptors attenuating the release of further ACh to provide a negative feedback mechanism for ACh release. Selective M2 receptor antagonists which are preferentially distributed to the brain may therefore be useful in treating Alzheimer's disease.
It is known that, in disease states such as AD/SDAT, there is general neuronal loss and deficits in cholinergic nerve function. It has been speculated that the high affinity nicotinic binding sites in the remaining cholinergic neurons might be converted to low affinity binding sites in treating such diseases, thereby sustaining transmitter release. By lowering the affinity of the nicotinic binding sites, a quick desensitising process is avoided.
Agonist activation at nicotinic receptors in brain has rapid onset and offset. A decreased affinity of the nicotinic receptors will reduce the desensitisation process. Schwarz R. D. et al (J. Neuro Chem 42, (1984), 1495–8) have shown that nicotine binding sites are presynaptically located on cholinergic (and also 5-hydroxytryptaminergic and catecholaminergic) axon terminals. A change in high affinity binding sites on AD/SDAT may also induce a change in the modulatory effect the nicotinic binding sites may have on other transmitter systems.
Presynaptic cholinergic mechanisms are also under inhibitory control by GABAergic neurons and this inhibition is thought to be intensified in AD/SDAT. Removal or reduction of this inhibition intensifies presynaptic cortical cholinergic activity and enhances cognitive processing.
The interactions of interneuronal fibres innervated by nicotine (reducing binding affinity), and dis-inhibition of GABAergic fibres both have a presynaptic locus.
This is a simplistic model of central transmission, but provides a framework for understanding the attempts which have been made to increase the effective concentration of acetylcholine in central synapses. This further illustrates the concept of direct and indirect action. There are disadvantages attaching to the three conventional therapeutic approaches to AD/SDAT treatment mentioned above: ACh precursor supplementation, agonist replacement and acetylcholine esterase inhibition. These treatments may result in a short-term increase in the availability of ACh which may activate feedback mechanisms resulting in the desensitisation of postsynaptic receptors. On theoretical grounds, long term benefits would not be predicted and when treatment is interrupted, any benefits in management of AD/SDAT and AAMI disappear and the condition may even be aggravated.
It has been shown that a compound with M1 agonist and M2/M3 antagonist activity improved cognitive performance in SDAT patients (Sramak et al, Life Sciences vol. 2, No. 3, 195–202, 1997). However, this compound causes unacceptable cholinergic side effects, such as fatigue, diarrhea and nausea.
A more radical approach to AD/SDAT and AAMI aims to increase the number of postsynaptic (M1) receptors, in brain. It is known from Chinese Patent No. CN1096031A, that sarsasapogenin (SaG) can up-regulate M1 cholinergic receptors and also down-regulate (i.e. move towards normal levels of) β-adrenergic receptors, the number of which may be pathologically-raised in AD/SDAT.
Patent applications have been published which claim the usefulness of a number of steroid sapogenins having spirostane, furo-spirostane, spirosolane or solanidine structures in the treatment of diseases including SDAT. Two patent publications are of particular relevance here: Chinese patent publication No CN1096031A claims the use of the spirostane sapogenin, sarsasapogenin, in the treatment of SDAT. The disclosure in this document, however, is brief. The other document of relevance is patent publication DE 4303214A1 which claims the use of a very wide range of saponins and sapogenins in the treatment of a whole range of diseases that the inventors consider to be of viral origin. This disclosure is however of dubious value in that it is well recognized that there is no infective element to a very large number of the conditions that are characterized by deficient synaptic transmission and thus the basic premise of the alleged invention is flawed. In addition they present no data of any kind that allows one skilled in the art to be able select a preferred compound from the large number that are claimed.
The inventors have found that smilagenin (SMI) exhibits the ability to regulate receptors. In particular, this compound has been found to increase the number of M2 receptors in the brain. Thus, according to one aspect of the invention, there is provided the use of smilagenin in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a condition characterized by a deficiency in postsynaptic membrane-bound receptor number or function.
Those skilled in the art will be aware of the relationship between saponins and their sapogenins, and that the latter tend to be fat-soluble whereas the saponins tend to be water-soluble. Sapogenins are therefore better able to cross the blood-brain barrier. The skilled man will also be aware of the epimerisation of certain sapogenins under conditions of acid hydrolysis.
The sapogenin of interest in this invention has the following formula:

With reference to this general formula, smilagenin has the A/B ring conformation as cis and the stereochemical configuration at the C25 methyl group is R. The hydroxyl group on the spirostane ring is in the 3β-OH position.
Smilagenin occurs naturally in a range of plant species, notably from the genera Smilax, Asparagus, Anemarrhena, Yucca and Agave. The species presently of greatest interest include Smilax regelii Kilip & Morton—commonly known as Honduran sarsaparilla, Smilax aristolochiaefolia Miller—commonly known as Mexican sarsaparilla; Smilax ornata Hooker—commonly known as Jamaican sarsaparilla; Smilax aspera—commonly known as Spanish sarsaparilla; Smilax glabra Roxburgh; Smilax febrifuga—Kunth—commonly known as Ecuadorian or Peruvian sarsaparilla, Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge; Yucca schidigera Roezl ex Ortgies; and Yucca brevifolia Engelm.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition having cognitive function enhancing properties which comprises an effective amount of smilagenin.
In another aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition having cognitive function enhancing properties which comprises an effective amount of smilagenin in the form of an extract derived from a plant of the genus Smilax, Asparagus, Anemarrhena, Yucca or Agave.
It will be appreciated that the invention embraces within its scope the use of the compositions defined above. Thus, according to a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a method of enhancing cognitive function which comprises administering to a human or animal an effective dosage of a composition of the invention.
The invention also provides a method of enhancing cognitive function in a human or non-human animal, which comprises administering an effective dose of smilagenin.
As used herein, the term "cognitive function" refers to functions such as thinking, reasoning, remembering, imagining and learning.
In identifying compounds that would have use in the treatment of SDAT and other diseases characterized by reductions in receptor numbers or synaptic transmission, the inventors have given consideration to the need to identify compounds that would have the desired effect but would be devoid of any oestrogenic effects, as these would be unacceptable, particularly in male patients. A number of the compounds claimed to have activity in patent application DE 4303214A1 have marked oestrogenic activity and are therefore unacceptable. Smilagenin, however, does not display oestrogenic activity. In addition this compound was tested at other steroid receptors and was found to have no activity at any of the following receptors:
Progesterone
Glucocorticoid
Testosterone
Smilagenin has also been tested for activity in a number of in-vitro assays. The assays/experiments that were considered of key importance in determining possible activity in the elevation of membrane bound receptor numbers were as follows:
1. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with the a DNA fragment coding for a muscarinic receptor. The cell line used for the majority of the experiments was a cell line expressing the m2 receptor.
2. The effects of muscarinic receptor expression in cultured cell lines of neuronal origin were investigated.
3. Cultured cardiac muscle cells obtained from neonatal Sprague Dawley rats. The cardiac muscle cells express muscarinic receptors, typically m2. The level of these receptors fails on prolonged culture and the effects of compounds of interest in preventing the fall in receptor numbers was investigated.
The methods and the results of these experiments are now described in turn.
1 CHO Cell Line Experiments
The effects of various compounds on the expression of m2 receptors on CHO cells transfected with DNA for the m2 receptor were investigated. Receptor numbers were assayed using tritiated QNB binding and subtracting non-specific binding. Compounds were dissolved in DMSO and DMSO was used as a control. Compounds were tested at a range of final concentrations. Compounds were also tested in the presence and absence of tamoxifen to try to distinguish an oestrogen receptor mediated mechanism. The results are summarized in the Table 2 below, where the compound used in the invention appears in bold, and data on other sapogenins is given for comparative purposes:
TABLE 2Effects of smilagenin on the expressionof m2 receptors on CHO cellsEffect on receptorexpression - given as %increase compared toMolar concentration ofcontrol (negative values inCompoundcompoundbrackets)Sarsasapogenin10−53410−6(14)Anzurogenin D10−52210−6(26)Sisalgenin10−5NS10−6NSSmilagenin10−55710−618Diosgenin10−5NS10−6NSRuscogenin10−5(22)10−6NSTigogenin10−5NS10−6NSNS = No significant effect
Thus the experiments indicate that smilagenin was able to increase the number of muscarinic receptors expressed on the surface of CHO cells cultured in-vitro. The effect was not antagonized by tamoxifen, indicating that the mechanism involved did not involve the oestrogen receptor.
2 Effects of Smilagenin on Cell Survival
Other in vitro assays have been employed to establish the effects of smilagenin. In particular various neuroblastoma cell lines including SKN-SN and SH-SY5Y cells as well as phaechromoacytoma cell lines have been cultured in vitro in the presence of β-amyloid fragments or serum depletion. A number of techniques to demonstrate the effectiveness of the compounds in protecting the cultured cells were investigated. These techniques included Trypan blue exclusion, chemiluminescence and release of lactate dehydrogenase. Of most interest was the observation that incubation of cells, in particular PC12 cells, with β-amyloid reduced the number of muscarinic receptors measured using radio-labeled ligand binding techniques. This reduction in receptor numbers was found to be ameliorated by smilagenin.
3 Effects of Smilagenin on Cultured Cardiac Muscle Cells.
Cardiac muscle cells were isolated from the ventricular muscle of neonatal Sprague Dawley rats using standard techniques. Cells were cultured in vitro and muscarinic receptor numbers expressed on cell surfaces membrane fragments after homogenization of cells harvested at various time points were estimated using specific binding of tritiated QNB. Preliminary experiments demonstrated that the number of receptors expressed tended to decline after 10 days of culture. The experiments were therefore designed to investigate the effects of the various compounds in inhibiting this decline in receptor numbers.
The results of these experiments are summarized in Table 3, where the compound used in the invention appears in bold, and data on other sapogenins is given for comparative purposes:
TABLE 3Effects of various compounds on muscarinicreceptor expression on cultured cardiac muscle cellsConcentration of compound causing a significantincrease in number of receptors expressed onneonatal cardiac muscle after 10 days in vitroCompoundcultureDiosgeninNSAnzurogenin D10−6MRuscogeninNSSarsasapogenin10−5MTigogeninNSAstragaloside10−5MSmilagenin10−6MNS = No significant effect
It is speculated here that the effect of the active compound claimed in this patent may operate through an effect on G protein and that the effects on receptor numbers are secondary to an effect on G-protein. When a membrane bound G-protein linked receptor is stimulated two basic sets of events are initiated: the effecter response; and the internalization of the receptor. The subsequent processing of the receptor to the state where it is again in a form on the cell surface or other membrane surface where it can interact with another receptor ligand appears to be subject to a number of factors. A number of these factors or mechanisms appear to be G-protein linked. There is evidence that activation of m3 receptors may have an effect on G-protein expression or levels. It is speculated that the actions of the compounds described in this patent may due to an interaction in the processes of receptor regeneration, G-protein linkage or G-protein homeostasis.
An alternative hypothesis is that the compounds are increasing the synthesis or release or a decreased rate of degradation of neurotropic factors such as brain derived growth factor and/or nerve growth factor. These effects on growth factors might be due to an effect of the compound on a cytosolic or nuclear receptor or the binding of a compound to a promoter region with a consequent effect directly on the rate of production of mRNA for the growth factor or as a consequence of increasing the production of another material factor such as G-protein or finally the effects may be secondary to an effect on receptor or G-protein procession.
The increased expression and/or abnormal processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) is associated with the formation of amyloid plaques and cerebrovascular amyloid deposits which are the major morphological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. Of particular interest are the processes regulating the proteolytic cleavage of APP into amyloidogenic and nonamyloidogenic fragments. The cleavage of APP by the enzyme α-secretase within the β-amyloid sequence of the protein results in the formation of a non amyloidogenic C-Terminal fragment, and the soluble APPsα fragment; this latter fragment has been shown to have neurotropic and neuroprotective activity as well as to enhance memory in mice when injected intra-cerebro-ventrically (ICV). In contrast, processing of APP by β-secretase exposes the N-terminus of β-amyloid which is released by γ-secretase cleavage at the variable C-terminus. The resulting β-amyloid peptides, which contain 39–43 amino acids, have been shown to be neurotoxic and to accumulate in plaques which interfere with inter-neurone connections.
A number of studies have shown that stimulation of the protein-kinase (PKC) linked muscarinic M1 and M3 receptors results in an increase in α-secretase activity. As a consequence processing of APP to APPsα with its neuroprotective effects is increased. In parallel, processing of APP by β- and γ-secretase is decreased and there is a consequential reduction of β-amyloid. Other transmitters such as nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) as well as bradykinin and vasopressin may have similar effects in increasing the proportion of APP processed to APPsα. There may be a number of factors involved in the effects of NGF which may include binding of the factor to the tyrosine kinase receptor (TrkA) and the stimulation of phospholipase Cγ with subsequent phosphorylation and activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and increase in relative activity of α-secretase.
Any treatment which increases activity of protein-kinase C selectively in brain might therefore be expected to be of use in the management of Alzheimer's disease. Until recently agonists selective at the M1 receptor have not been available. Non-selective agonists would be expected to stimulate pre-synaptic M2 receptors which cause negative feedback and hence would further severely impair muscarinic transmission. Selective agonists at the M1 receptor are now becoming available (talsaclidine) and such agents are under investigation for the treatment of AD. There is however, a substantial risk that, as with the chronic administration of any receptor agonist, the clinical benefits seen will be severely limited in terms of the size of benefit by reducing receptor numbers or reducing sensitivity and in terms of side effects due to lack of receptor specificity. Thus compounds as described in this invention, which selectively increase muscarinic M1 receptor numbers, with little or no effect on muscarinic M2 receptor numbers in the brain would be expected to be devoid of the problems seen with a muscarinic agonist and hence have particular utility. Indeed the benefits may be seen in three parts as follows.
1. A selective increase in M1 receptor numbers leading to increased synaptic transmission. Chronic administration of a selective agonist will, at best, have no adverse effect on transmission;
2. Secondary to the increased receptor numbers, an increase stimulation of PKC with a consequential increase in α-secretase activity, leading to:                2.1 A reduced production of β-amyloid and a consequent reduction of plaque formation and neuronal loss;        2.2 An increase in APPsα and a consequent improvement in cerebral function as witnessed by an improvement in short and long term memory.
Smilagenin is represented in the drawings by the abbreviation SMI.
Referring to FIG. 1, a diagrammatic representation of the function of smilagenin is shown. It is believed that smilagenin acts primarily on cell nuclei; the invention is not, however, limited to any particular mode of action. The observed increase in muscarinic receptor number consequential upon administration of smilagenin is interpreted as leading to increased expression of muscarinic receptor protein. The possible link between the secretases and β-amyloid protein formation (discussed above) is indicated in the drawing.
The following Examples are provided to illustrate the invention in a non-limiting manner.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A modular frame assembly and modules are provided. The modular frame assembly includes a motherboard, module connectors and an opening in the motherboard for allowing direct connection of first and second modules. The first modules have plugs that extend through the plane of the motherboard, allowing the size of the opening to be minimized. The second modules have a wide external connector portion that allows for high density interconnection on the rear of the frame. Each of the modules may be provided with a plurality of connectors.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to modular equipment in general and more particularly to modular equipment frames and the modules installed therein.
2. Description of Related Art
Modular frames are intended to accept modules that perform a variety of different functions. In the broadcast video market these functions include distribution of audio and video signals, and conversion of audio and video signals between different standards. A modular frame should be able to handle a variety of different signal types as well as the connector/cabling schemes used for the transmission of these signals.
In modular frames available today, there are three main architectures in use, fixed back-plane, mid-plane back-plane, and transition module based architecture. In a fixed back-plane architecture the modular frame has a fixed back-plane through which all connections are made. The modules mate to the frame through connectors mounted on one side of the back-plane, and all external connections (typically BNC connectors) are made through input/output (I/O) connectors mounted on the opposite side of the back-plane. Examples of this frame type are commercially available as Grass Valley Group SMS8000 series, Grass Valley Groupxe2x80x948900 series, and the Leitchxe2x80x946800 series. Fixed back-plane frames can have extremely high I/O density. Such frames can also be designed to facilitate the servicing of all active components from the front of the frame, and can provide a great deal of interconnect between modules. The major drawback of the fixed back-plane architecture frames is that the interconnect is inflexible. Connector type is predetermined by the design of the frame and may not be appropriate for all signals for all possible module types. Expensive adapters may be required to handle some signal formats.
In a mid-plane architecture approach the modular frame has a fixed mid-plane to which all connections are made. Modules plug into both the front of the frame and the rear of the frame. The rear modules contain connectors for making all external connections. Such an architecture does not offer as high of an I/O density as the fixed back-plane approach. Due to the ability to customize the connectors on the rear modules, however, it does provide for a wider range of I/O formats then the fixed back-plane approach. Since all I/O must pass through the mid-plane, signal integrity is compromised for high bandwidth signals. This problem can be solved by using active circuitry on the rear module to buffer the signal, but results in compromising serviceability of the system. An example of a modular frame with a mid-plane architecture is available commercially as the Leitch DigiBus(copyright) system.
In a transition module architecture the modular frame has a small motherboard. Each module consists of two pieces. A passive rear adapter that carries all of the connectors for external I/O and a front module that has all of the active circuitry for the module. The rear adapter mates to the motherboard from which it picks up power. The front module couples with a connector mounted on the rear adapter. An example of a modular frame with transition module architecture is available commercially as the Grass Valley Max 9000 series. This architecture allows for very flexible I/O, supporting HDTV and most other signaling formats. It also allows easy servicing of all active components from the front of the frame. However, prior implementations of this architecture do not provide for extensive interconnect between modules, and the I/O density is limited.
The present invention is directed to a modular equipment frame and modules tailored for the broadcast video market. The frame architecture maximizes connector I/O density on the rear of the frame, supports a wide range of I/O formats, provides a great deal of high speed signal interconnection between modules and allows for quick and easy servicing of all active components from the front of the frame. The frame of the present invention comprises a support structure, a motherboard having a transmission portion having a first face, and a second face. There are a first plurality of module connectors coupled to at least one of the first face and the second face. The motherboard defines a plurality of openings that extend through the motherboard from the first face to the second face. There is preferably a second plurality of module connectors coupled to the other of the first face and the second face opposite. The connectors are preferably coupled through a common connection on the transmission portion of the motherboard.
A first module of the present invention includes a body portion, an extension coupled with a first end of the body portion, a plug coupled to the extension, and an electrical connector coupled to the first end of the body portion adjacent the extension. A second module of the invention includes a body portion, an extension coupled with a first end of the body portion, an electrical connector coupled to the extension, a socket coupled to the first end of the body portion adjacent the extension, and an external connection portion coupled with the body portion and dimensioned wider than the body portion.


A method for extracting fruit or vegetable juices, the steps comprising: grinding one of fruits and vegetables to obtain a mash; adding peel components to the mash; and juicing the mash.

The invention relates to a method of extracting fruit and vegetable juices, the fruit being reduced in order to produce mash, and the mash obtained from the reduced fruit being juiced.
A method of the above-mentioned type in which a naturally cloudy fruit or vegetable juice is to be obtained is known from European Patent Document EP 0 545 944 B1. According to this document, a mash obtained from reduced fruit is separated into flesh parts and juice in a solid-jacket screw-type centrifuge. The separation of insoluble fruit flesh parts by means of the solid-jacket screw-type centrifuge takes place immediately after the reduction of the fruit, and immediately thereafter, an inactivation takes place of pectolytic enzymes and polyphenol oxidases of the fruit by heating the juice draining out of the solid-jacket screw-type centrifuge.
As explicitly described in European Patent Document EP 0 545 944 B1, a mash is first obtained from the fruit by means of a grinding process. In a next process step, the mash is juiced (see FIG. 1). In this case, the physical structure of the mash plays an important role.
In addition to being extracted by means of solid-jacket screw-type centrifuges, juices can also be obtained by means of presses. The usable presses include discontinuously operating presses as well as belt and screw-type presses. For obtaining juice, screw-type presses are, however, used only to a limited extent. They are used more frequently in the field of the production of wine and fruit wine.
When obtaining juice, it is also possible to use full-liquefaction enzymes. In this case, the structure of the mash is impaired because, for reasons of taste, solids, such as stalks, cores and peels, are separated from the mash. This usually takes place by means of so-called finishers (for example, sieving machines; see FIG. 2). The structural impairment of the mash can at least largely be compensated by adding pressing aids (see FIG. 3). According to the state of the art, inorganic or organic substances are essentially used as pressing aids, which improve the physical structure of the mash. Rice husks, balm wood or perlites are used most frequently. However, these substances cause additional cost and therefore make the juice production more expensive. In addition, despite their partly natural origin, they represent a foreign substance, which is undesirable per se, in the respective natural fruit juice product.
Based on the above, it is an object of the invention to increase the quality of the mash when extracting fruit juice.
In contrast to the state of the art, according to the teaching of the present invention, peel components are added to another or a same mash before the juicing particularly after an optional separation of stalks and/or cores. This teaching is based on the idea of increasing the quality of the mash to be juiced by adding peel components. Peel components have no negative taste characteristics, but improve the structure of the mash. This applies essentially to any type of juicing.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the stalk, core and peel components are separated in a finisher from the mash obtained from the reduced fruit; then the peel components are separated from the remaining solids components and, before their juicing, are returned into the mash. This embodiment of the invention is also very suitable for a juice extraction in which enzymes or full liquefaction enzymes are used. In particular, the invention utilizes the recognition that, although for reasons of taste a separation of the stalks and cores from the mash is required, a separation of the peel components has no effect on the taste. The reason is that particularly the separation of the peel components results in a structural impairment of the mesh. This is prevented by returning the peel components. In contrast to the state of the art, it is even possible to eliminate the adding of other aids, which are not part of the fruit and cause additional costs.
The use of the invention for juicing by means of a solid-jacket screw-type centrifuge is particularly advantageous.
It is also particularly advantageous when peel components from the same mash or from another fruit mash occurring during another juicing are added to the mash to be juiced. Here also, it is particularly advantageous for the juicing to take place by means of a solid-jacket screw-type centrifuge.
It is also conceivable to intermediately store a portion of or all separated peel components and then add them to other fruit mashes. Thus, for example, when obtaining apple or pear juice, the peel components can be separated and then not be returned into the mash but, for obtaining a fruit juice from another type of fruit, be admixed to the mash made of this other type of fruit for improving the mash structure.
It is also conceivable to increase the fraction of peel components beyond the natural content of the original fruit and thereby improve the characteristics of the mashxe2x80x94for example, for obtaining a particularly high-quality and expensive juice.
It is also conceivable to optimize the effect of the peel components by a grindingxe2x80x94for example, finer or coarserxe2x80x94adapted to the characteristics of the original fruit.
It is also conceivable to subject the peel components to a thermal treatment before they are added to a mash. As a result, the structure of the peel components is strengthened and a durability is achieved simultaneously.
The separation of the peel components from the other solids can be carried out in a manner which is simple per se. Such a separation is known, for example, from the extraction of grape rape for producing grape seed oil. It therefore represents no technical difficulties to a person skilled in the art. However, a novelty of the present process is that, after the separation of the core and stalk components, the peel components are returned into the mash in order to improve its structure. The returning of the peels results in a clear improvement of the mash structure and therefore in an improved extraction of juice from the mash. Thus, full liquefaction as referred to above and in FIG. 3, can be utilized in the present invention without having to accept the disadvantage of impaired mash characteristicsxe2x80x94particularly the disadvantage of the poor juiceability of the mash.

Method for extracting fruit and vegetable juices