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1. Method for maintaining the upper respiratory passages of the human opened through a compressed air rail, characterized in that the respiratory passage is subjected to the pressure of the atmosphere and the extra corporal region of the respiratory passage is subjected to an artificial under pressure, wherein the difference between the inner atmospheric pressure and the outer under pressure is maintained constant. 2. Breathing therapy apparatus characterized by a pressure stable hollow body, wherein the hollow body surrounds the human body under maintaining free the natural breathing opening and wherein the pressure stable hollow body forms an under pressure chamber (7) at least in the extra corporal region of the respiratory passage, wherein under pressure chamber (7) is connected to a suction pump (3) through a suction hose (2). 3. Breathing therapy apparatus according to claim 2 characterized in that the pressure stable hollow body is formed as a cap (1), wherein the cap surrounds with its edge the front neck region starting, from the chin at the two sides of the lower jaw, the sides of the neck and tie area of the collar bone along up the upper end of the breast bone and is formed such that the cap covers the skin region bordered by the edge of the cap in a dome shape and with a distance to the skin. 4. Breathing therapy apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the pressure stable cap (1) is made of a material, which is pressure stable in a direction perpendicular to the body surface and is such flexible in surface direction that motions of the head are permissible. 5. Breathing therapy apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the pressure stable cap (1) comprises a preferably integrated under construction out of stabilizing skeleton braces (4) and an elastic skin 5 disposed above the skeleton braces (4), wherein the elastic skin comprises rubber or another elastomer. 6. Breathing therapy apparatus according to claim 2. |
Tyrosyl-trna syntiiase variants |
Tyrosyl-tRNA synthetases having a modified amino acid sequence whereby unnatural amino acids can be more efficiently incorporated than original natural amino acids. More specifically, tyrosyl-tRNA synthetases having been modified at the amino acid(s) at the 37- and/or 195-positions. A method of modifying tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase characterized in that the position of an amino acid to be modified is determined based on the 3-D structure of a tyrosyl-AMP and of tyrosyl synthetase complex and an amino acid to which this enzyme binds. |
1. Tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase having modified amino acid sequence capable of incorporating unnatural tyrosine analogue substituted at position 3 more efficiently than original natural tyrosine by modifying the amino acid sequence of the tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase. 2. The tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase according to claim 1, wherein an amino acid of tyrosine analogue substituted at position 3 is 3-halogen substituted tyrosine. 3. The tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase according to claim 2, wherein the halogen is iodine. 4. The tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase according to claim 1, wherein, on the basis of a tertiary structure of the tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase, two or more amino acids where the enzyme thought to recognize tyrosine or tyrosyl-AMP are modified with other amino acids. 5. The tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase according to claim 4, wherein the modified positions of amino acids are at least positions corresponding in the three dimensional structure to tyrosine at position 37 and glutamine at position 195 of the tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase derived from Escherichia coli. 6. The tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase according to claim 5, wherein the position corresponding to tyrosine at position 37 in three dimensional structure of the tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase derived from Escherichia coli is valine, leucine, isoleucine or alanine, and the position corresponding to glutamine at position 195 is alanine, cysteine, serine or asparagine. 7. The tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase according to claim 1, wherein the tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase is derived from bacteria. 8. The tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase according to claim 7, wherein the bacterium is Escherichia coli. 9. A method for modifying an amino acid sequence of tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase, characterized in that an amino acid at a position where the tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase attaches to tyrosine or a tyrosyl-AMP is determined on the basis of three dimensional structure and the amino acid at the position is modified with another amino acid when producing the tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase having the modified amino acid sequence whereby unnatural tyrosine analogue substituted at position 3 can be more efficiently incorporated than original natural tyrosine by modifying the amino acid sequence of the tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase. 10. The method for modifying the amino acid sequence of the tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase according to claim 9, wherein the modified amino acids are two or more. 11. A method for producing a protein containing unnatural tyrosine analogue by a protein production system using the tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase having the modified amino acid sequences according to claim 1. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the protein production system is an intracellular protein translation system. 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the protein production system is a cell-free translation system. 14. A cell transformed by a gene encoding the tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase having the modified amino acid sequence according to claim 1. 15. The cell according to claim 14, wherein the cell is a prokaryotic cell. 16. The cell according to claim 14, wherein the cell is a eukaryotic cell. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>Variant proteins have been produced where a certain amino acid residue of a protein is substituted with an amino acid other than 20 canonical amino acids (referred to as an unnatural amino acid hereinafter) involved in typical protein synthesis. It has been advocated that the protein which contains unnatural amino acids is referred to as the alloprotein (Koide et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 85:6237-41, 1988). It makes finer and systematic modification possible that the certain residue can be also replaced by the unnatural amino acid, compared to the cases where the replacements occur among 20 types of natural amino acids. Also, the amino acid with characteristic fluorescent property, the amino acid of which structure can be optically controlled, the amino acid with a reaction group applicable as a optic crosslinker, and the like have been introduced into the proteins. There are some techniques to produce the alloproteins. Koide et al. made Escherichia coli incorporate an unnatural amino acid added to medium, which was used instead of one certain type of the canonical amino acids to produce the alloprotein. However, only 20 types together with canonical amino acids and unnatural amino acids can be used in this technique (Koide et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 85:6237-41, 1988). Alternatively, the alloprotein is produced by adding the suppressor tRNA which has been aminoacylated beforehand in a separate system to a cell-free translation system (Noren et al., Science, 244:182-8, 1989). The disadvantage of this method includes a necessity to prepare aminoacyl-tRNA in a large amount. In order to prepare the protein comprising 21 types of amino acids including the unnatural amino acid in the larger amount, it is necessary to construct an artificial genetic code system in which the tRNA attaching the unnatural amino acid is aminoacylated by its cognate aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aaRS) in the system where the translation reaction is conducted. The aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase is an enzyme which specifically attaches the amino acid to the tRNA, and 20 types occur corresponding to respective 20 types of canonical amino acids for each biological species excluding some exceptions. In a cell, these enzymes determine the type of the amino acid assigned to the genetic code where basically one type of such an aaRS exists for every amino acid. For instance, tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrRS) which is one of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aaRS) discriminates tRNA for tyrosine from the other tRNA for the other amino acids, and makes it attach to only tyrosine but not the other amino acids. In the meanwhile, Wang et al. expressed TyrRS variants derived from Methanococcus janasii modified so as to attach O-methyltyrosine specifically and amber suppressor tRNA engineered by the modification of tyrosine tRNA derived from the same organism, in E. coli (Wang et al., Science, 292:498-500, 2001). This TyrRS and tyrosine tRNA from Methanococcus janasii do not react with tRNA and aaRS from E. coli , respectively. Thus, it has been reported that O-methyltyrosine is incorporated specifically corresponding to an amber codon in this study. In order to construct such an artificial genetic code system, it is critical that a pair of aaRS and tRNA which does not react with aaRS from the host is found and that the aaRS variant which reacts specifically with the unnatural amino acid is developed. As the aaRS which reacts specifically with the unnatural amino acid, only TyrRS modification specific for O-methyltyrosine mentioned above has been known so far. As tyrosine analogues substituted at position 3, there are DOPA involved in intercellular signal transduction, 3-iodotyrosine capable of becoming a target site of site-specific labeling in the protein, and the like. These have been known as the unnatural amino acids which exert physiological activity. Therefore, it is desired to obtain TyrRS specific for the tyrosine analogues substituted at position 3. No TyrRS variant has been known so far, which incorporates such tyrosine analogues substituted at position 3 more efficiently than tyrosine. The TyrRS variant was reported at an academic meeting, which incorporates the tyrosine analogues substituted at position 3 more efficiently than the wild-type TyrRS. However, since this variant incorporates tyrosine and the tyrosine analogue at a similar efficiency, it is inappropriate for inserting only the unnatural amino acid in the certain site of the protein. |
<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a photo, substitute for a drawing, showing the results of aminoacylation activity where the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase variants of the invention were assayed by the same method as acidic polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. FIG. 2 shows amber suppression in a wheat germ cell-free translation system. Translation products labeled with 14 C-leucine were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The amber suppression was observed only when both TyrRS-VC variant and suppressor tRNA were present. A symbol, amb is mRNA in which the 32nd codon was replaced by the amber codon, and sup tRNA is the amber suppressor tRNA derived from tRNA Tyr from E. coli. FIG. 3 shows charts of liquid chromatography in LC-MS analysis of translation products in the wheat germ cell-free translation system in which iodotyrosine, TyrRS-VC variant specific for iodotyrosine and the suppressor tRNA were included. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"? K3 and K9 are lysylendopeptidase digested fragments of Ras protein, respectively. They were found to be Ser 17-Lys 42 fragment and Thr 148-Lys 167 fragment by mass spectrometry. The upper and lower panels show the analysis of the translation products of mRNA comprising no amber codon and mRNA in which 32nd codon is the amber codon, respectively. A fragment (K3-IY32) having a mass corresponding to the fragment where one tyrosine residue of the K3 fragment was replaced by iodotyrosine was found in the analysis of the product of the amber suppression (lower panel). |
Device for the dynamic weighing of postal items |
The device for dynamically weighing postal items (P) comprises a plate (1) floatingly mounted on a weight sensor, and a conveyor belt mounted on the plate to move the postal items in a longitudinal direction (D) of the conveyor. The conveyor has two parallel conveyor belts (2C, 3C) which extend along the conveyor direction between a conveyor inlet (E) and a conveyor outlet (S), and between which the postal items are pinched and moved in series on edge. The two conveyors belts are engaged on a pair of first elastically deformable finned wheels (2A, 3A) disposed at the inlet (E) of the conveyor and being aligned perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, and on a pair of second elastically deformable finned wheels (2B, 3B) disposed at the outlet (S) of the conveyor and being aligned perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, and the operation of the weight sensor is based on the electromagnetic principle of flux compensation. |
1. A device for dynamically weighting postal items (P), the device comprising a plate (1) floatingly mounted on a weight sensor, and a conveyor belt mounted on the plate to move postal items in a longitudinal conveyor direction (D), the conveyor comprising tow parallel conveyor belts (2C, 3C) extending along the conveyor direction between a conveyor inlet (E) and a conveyor outlet (S), with the postal items being pinched therebetween and being moved in series standing on their edges, the device being characterized in that the two conveyors belts are engaged on a pair of first elastically deformable finned wheels (2A, 3A) disposed a the inlet (E) of the conveyor and aligned perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, and on a pair of second elastically deformable finned wheels (2B, 3B) disposed at the outlet (S) of the conveyor and aligned perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, and in that the operation of the weight sensor is based on the electromagnetic principle of flux compensation. 2. The device of claim 1, including a fifth elastically deformable finned wheel (5) disposed between the first finned wheels and the second finned wheels to pinch the tow conveyor belts against a reference plate (4) extending in the longitudinal direction. 3. The device according to claim 2, in which the first and second finned wheels are of diameter smaller than the diameter of the fifth finned wheel. 4. The device according to claim 2, including a detector cell (7) exposed between the first finned wheels and the fifth fined wheel in order to detect postal items passing along the longitudinal direction, the signals (S1) from the cell being used for controlling the weight sensor. 5. A postal sorting machine including a device according to claim 1. |
Aerosol formulations of delta tetrahydrocannabinol |
The application discloses an aerosol formulation comprising Δ8 Tetrahydrocannabinol for use as a medicine, and the use of Δ8 Tetrahydrocannabinol to treat a condition selected from pain, appetite loss, multiple sclerosis and asthma. |
1. Use of Δ8 Tetrahydrocannabinol in the manufacture of an aerosol formulation for medicinal administration to a patient from an aerosol delivery device. 2. Use as claimed in claim 1, in which the patient is suffering from a condition selected from pain, nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, multiple sclerosis and asthma. 3. Use as claimed in claim 2, in which the patient is a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy, and the condition is selected from pain, nausea, vomiting and appetite loss. 4. Use as claimed in claim 2, in which the condition is pain associated with phantom limb syndrome. 5. Use as claimed in claim 2, in which the condition is appetite loss associated with anorexia nervosa. 6. Use as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the aerosol formulation is for administration to the lungs of the patient. 7. Use as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the aerosol formulation is for administration to the buccal or nasal mucosa of the patient. 8. An aerosol delivery device containing an aerosol formulation comprising Δ8 Tetrahydrocannabinol. 9. A device as claimed in claim 8, which is a metered dose inhaler and in which the aerosol formulation further comprises a propellant. 10. A device as claimed in claim 9, in which the propellant is selected from 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane. 11. A device as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, in which the aerosol formulation further comprises ethanol as a solvent. 12. An aerosol formulation for use in an aerosol delivery device, which comprises Δ8 Tetrahydrocannabinol. 13. An aerosol formulation as claimed in claim 12, which further comprises a propellant. 14. An aerosol formulation as claimed in claim 13, in which the propellant is selected from 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane. 15. An aerosol formulation as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, which further comprises ethanol as a solvent. 16. A method of treating a mammal suffering from a condition indicating treatment with a Δ8 Tetrahydrocannabinol, which comprises administering an aerosolized aerosol formulation containing a therapeutically effective amount of Δ8 Tetrahydrocannabinol to the mammal. 17. A method as claimed in claim 16, in which the mammal is suffering from a condition selected from pain, nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, multiple sclerosis and asthma. 18. A method as claimed in claim 17, in which the mammal is a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy, and the condition is selected from pain, nausea, vomiting and appetite loss. 19. A method as claimed in claim 17, in which the condition is pain associated with phantom limb syndrome. 20. A method as claimed in claim 17, in which the condition is appetite loss associated with anorexia nervosa. 21. A method as claimed in claim in 16, in which the aerosolized aerosol formulation is administered to the lungs of the mammal. 22. A method as claimed in claim in 16, in which the aerosolized aerosol formulation is administered to the buccal or nasal mucosa of the mammal. |
<SOH> FIELD OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The invention is directed to the therapeutic use of Δ 8 Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 8 THC). In particular, the invention provides Δ 8 THC formulations suitable for administration to the buccal or nasal mucosa or the pulmonary airways. Such Δ 8 THC formulations are useful for the reduction, elimination or prevention of pain associated with any medical condition; the stimulation of appetite; the reduction, elimination or prevention of nausea; the reduction, elimination or prevention of vomiting (antiemetic properties); the relaxation of muscle tissue (e.g., for the treatment of multiple sclerosis). |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE RELATED ART <EOH>Currently there is much interest in the possible medical use of Cannabis or its natural constituents. In Great Britain, for example, two House of Lords reports from 1999 and 2001 have both recommended further investigation as to whether the anecdotal (i.e., not scientifically proved) reports from certain patients with multiple sclerosis and other long term painful or debilitating diseases have a genuine basis. Cannabis use is centuries old, particularly in China and India, although the abuse (mostly in the West) is of more recent origin and dates back only about 100 years. There have been many arguments as to the dangers of Cannabis and its addictive potential, however a general consensus seems to be growing that it is probably no worse than tobacco in terms of addiction although there is a potential for longer term psychosis if large doses are taken for the immediate “high”. The common method of taking Cannabis is smoking, but this gives rise to similar bad effects on the lung from tars and other components as for tobacco. Currently there are three approaches to the investigation of possible medical uses for cannabinoids (the name for the group of “active” molecules in Cannabis ). One is to try to standardize an extract from a plant or mixtures of plants. Much of the current work both in the UK and US is based on the use of a “ Cannabis Oil” extracted from plants. This contains a mixture of natural molecules, some of which are at present not characterized. The extract must be standardized which is difficult to achieve even in rigorously controlled growing conditions and it is very difficult if not impossible to purify the active constituents away from plant materials such waxes, sterols etc. The second is to try to develop new synthetic molecules based on the structures of the natural cannabinoids hopefully without some of the possible psychotropic side effects. The synthesis of new molecules is being investigated by a number of academic centers but is extremely costly to complete and bring to market. The generally accepted cost to carry out all the chemistry, pharmacology, clinical trials etc. to bring a new drug to market is usually quoted at about $300 million and this by no means guarantees success. The third is to synthesize synthetic equivalents of some of the natural cannabinoid molecules. The main active constituent of Cannabis is now known to be THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) with two other major components Cannabidiol and Cannabinol depending on the plant used and the growing conditions. There are then many other minor components some of which have been identified and some of which have not. These structures are shown below. A major problem associated with the medicinal use of cannabinoids entails the method for administering said cannabinoids. Smoking Cannabis leaves or resin for medical use would not be acceptable in many countries e.g., UK, as it is not standardized, difficult to control the dosage and would result in similar tars etc., depositing in the lung as from tobacco smoking. There are some current trials using capsules of Cannabis extracts or its synthetic components but these are known to be less than desirable as cannabinoids are rapidly metabolised in the body when given orally into the stomach (so called “First Pass Metabolism”) and large doses are needed to get possible active molecules into the blood stream in adequate amounts. This leaves large amounts of metabolites, some of which must have clinical activity of some sort and may well give rise to some of the unwanted side effects. Others are using a standardized extract given under the tongue in the mouth where the active components are absorbed directly into the veins in the mouth so avoiding the “First Pass Metabolism”, they use a specially formulated spray to dose the drug. Still others have tried similar approaches. While mixtures of active molecules were produced, it was impossible to remove all the associated plant material, which was of a waxy nature. This would make them unsuitable for administration directly into the lungs as the removal of waxy material from the lungs would be problematic and may well lead to a build up of wax in the lung with all the long term problems and dangers this may involve. One possible approach to the problem entails the possibility of using chemically synthesized molecules or mixtures of the naturally occurring cannabinoids. This is because there is some limited toxicity data already available on such compounds. For example, Abrahamov, et al., ( Life Sciences 56: 2097-2102, -1995 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,928) have shown promising results using a synthetic version of the THC in children with cancer where the incidence of nausea was greatly reduced with no significant side effects. This molecule is called Δ 8 THC in comparison the naturally occurring Δ 9 THC, which as mentioned earlier, is the main naturally occurring active constituent of Cannabis. The structures are shown below and the two molecules can be seen to differ only by the position of a double bond from 8 to 9. Δ 8 THC is reportedly easier to synthesize the Δ 9 THC. It exists as an oil at ambient temperature. The literature has many anecdotal references to possible medicinal uses of Cannabis, for example: Relief of Pain (post operatively, Oncological, Phantom Limb etc), Multiple Sclerosis, Anti-nausea, Appetite. Stimulation, Asthma etc. Pain relief in terminal oncology is now widely accepted to be the main concern of the physician and the main component of this is morphine normally given as delayed release tablets (or by injection or infusion). In the terminal stages of the disease, it often becomes difficult for the patient to swallow, either due to GI tract obstruction or an associated nausea caused by the disease or by some of the anti-cancer treatments, and so an aerosol treatment directly into the lungs might well be of significant value. The present invention addresses such problems associated with medicinal cannabinoid administration by providing an aerosol formulation where the principle active medicament is Δ 8 Tetrahydrocannabinol. |
System and method of cooling |
The invention provides a cooling fluid heat exchange unit including: a primary heat exchange unit including a closed circuit for circulation primary circuit fluid; and a secondary heat unit adapted to provide cooled air in communication with the primary heat exchange unit. The closed circuit for the cooling fluid as it passes through the primary heat exchange unit ensures that the cooling fluid is prevented from exposure to the atmosphere, and in particular, to the air forced through the heat exchange unit. |
1-21. (canceled) 22. A fluid cooling heat exchange unit including: a primary heat exchange unit including a closed circuit for fluid; an air cooler located upstream of said primary heat exchange unit; and a fan arrangement operable to force air through said air cooler and said primary heat exchange unit, wherein said air cooler includes a moisture absorbent material that is, in use, maintained moist such that air forced through said air cooler is cooled by the action of evaporation prior to being forced over a portion of the closed circuit in the primary heat exchange unit. 23. A fluid cooling heat exchange unit according to claim 22 including a plurality of air inlets and outlets with the fan arrangement disposed therebetween and operable to draw air in through the plurality of inlets and force air out through the plurality of outlets. 24. A fluid cooling heat exchange unit according to claim 23 wherein a plurality of air coolers are located over said plurality of air inlets such that air drawn through said air coolers by the fan arrangement is cooled prior to being drawn or forced over the primary heat exchanger, the air subsequently being discharged through the plurality of air outlets. 25. A fluid cooling heat exchange unit according to claim 22 wherein the fluid passes through the primary heat exchange unit in thermally conductive tubing. 26. fluid cooling heat exchange unit according to claim 22 wherein the absorbent material is moistened with water. 27. A fluid cooling heat exchange unit according to claim 26 wherein the water used to moisten the absorbent material is separate from the fluid to be cooled. 28. A fluid cooling heat exchange unit according to claim 22 wherein the moisture absorbent material includes a plurality of fluted apertures where the apertures are less than 7 mm in diameter. 29. A fluid cooling heat exchange unit according to claim 22 wherein the fluid to be cooled is water. 30. A fluid cooling heat exchange unit according to claim 22 wherein the cooling fluid is ammonia. 31. A fluid cooling heat exchange unit according to claim 22 wherein the cooled air emitted from the air cooler is substantially free of fluid in a liquid state. 32. A fluid cooling heat exchange unit according to claim 22 wherein the air cooler and the primary heat exchange unit are separated by a distance along the path of air flow from the cooler to the primary heat exchange unit to reduce the likelihood of fluid in a liquid state passing from the air cooler and impinging upon the primary heat exchange unit. 33. A water cooling heat exchange unit according to claim 22 wherein the water passes through the primary heat exchange unit in thermally conductive tubing. 34. A water cooling heat exchange unit according to claim 22 wherein the absorbent material is moistened with water. 35. A water cooling heat exchange unit according to claim 34 wherein the water used to moisten the absorbent material is separate from the cooling water. 36. A water cooling heat exchange unit according to claim 22 wherein the cooling water is treated with chemicals to prevent corrosion and/or rust of metallic parts. 37. A method of cooling fluid in a fluid cooling heat exchange unit, the method including the steps of: passing cooling fluid of a cooling system through a primary heat exchanger having a closed fluid circuit such that the fluid is contained; placing an air cooler upstream of the primary heat exchanger; and causing a flow of air through said air cooler and over a portion of the closed fluid circuit wherein said air cooler includes a moisture absorbent material that is, in use, maintained moist such that the air is cooled by vaporising fluid. 38. A method of converting a cooling system incorporating a first heat exchange unit including a fluid cooling heat exchange unit where the fluid is exposed to air drawn through the heat exchange unit by replacing said first heat exchange unit with a second heat exchange unit including a primary heat exchanger and an air cooler including a moisture absorbent material that is, in use, maintained moist such that air forced through the air cooler is cooled by the action of vaporisation where the fluid in the primary heat exchange unit is contained and prevented from exposure to air forced through the air cooler and then subsequently passed through the second heat exchange unit, the method including of steps of: disconnecting the first heat exchange unit cooling fluid inlet and outlet connection; reconnecting the fluid inlet and outlet to the corresponding connection points of the second heat exchange unit; and operating the cooling system. 39. A cooling system having a fluid cooling heat exchange unit including: a primary heat exchange unit including a closed circuit for cooling fluid; an air cooler including a moisture absorbent material that is maintained moist for cooling air by evaporation said air cooler located upstream of said primary heat exchange unit; and a fan arrangement operable to force air through said air cooler and said primary heat exchange unit, wherein air forced through said air cooler is cooled prior to being forced over a portion of said closed circuit in said primary heat exchange unit. 40. A cooling system having a fluid cooling heat exchange unit including: a primary heat exchange unit including a closed circuit for circulating fluid; and a secondary heat exchange unit including a moisture absorbent material that is, in use, maintained moist, the secondary heat exchange unit adapted to provide air cooled by the action of evaporation in communication with said primary heat exchange unit. 41. A water cooling heat exchange unit including: a primary heat exchange unit including a closed circuit for containing cooling water; an air cooler located upstream of said primary heat exchange unit; and a fan arrangement operable to force air through said air cooler and said primary heat exchange unit, wherein said air cooler includes a moisture absorbent material that is, in use, maintained moist such that air forced through said air cooler is cooled by the action of evaporation prior to being forced over a portion of the closed circuit in the primary heat exchange unit thus cooling the water contained therein. 42. A water cooling heat exchange unit according to claim 41 including a plurality of air inlets and outlets with the fan arrangement disposed therebetween and operable to draw air in through the plurality of inlets and force air out through the plurality of outlets. 43. A water cooling heat exchange unit according to claim 42 wherein a plurality of air coolers are located over said plurality of air inlets such that air drawn through said air coolers by the fan arrangement is cooled prior to being drawn or forced over the primary heat exchanger, the air subsequently being discharged through the plurality of air outlets. 44. A method of cooling water in a water cooling heat exchange unit, the method including the steps of: passing cooling water of a cooling system through a primary heat exchanger having a closed water circuit such that the water is contained; placing an air cooler upstream of the primary heat exchanger; and causing a flow of air through said air cooler and over a portion of the closed water circuit wherein said air cooler includes a moisture absorbent material that is, in use, maintained moist such that the air is cooled by vaporising the fluid. 45. A method of converting a cooling system incorporating a first heat exchange unit including a water cooling heat exchange unit where the water is exposed to air drawn through the heat exchange unit by replacing said first heat exchange unit with a second heat exchange unit including a primary heat exchanger and an air cooler including a moisture absorbent material that is, in use, maintained moist such that air forced through the air cooler is cooled by the action of vaporisation where the water in the primary heat exchange unit is contained and prevented from exposure to air forced through the air cooler and then subsequently passed through the second heat exchange unit, the method including of steps of: disconnecting the first heat exchange unit cooling water inlet and outlet connection; reconnecting the water inlet and outlet to the corresponding connection points of the second heat exchange unit; and operating the cooling system. 46. A cooling system having a water cooling heat exchange unit including: a primary heat exchange unit including a closed circuit for cooling water; an air cooler including a moisture absorbent material that is maintained moist for cooling air by evaporation said air cooler located upstream of said primary heat exchange unit; and a fan arrangement operable to force air through said air cooler and said primary heat exchange unit, wherein air forced through said air cooler is cooled prior to being forced over a portion of said closed circuit in said primary heat exchange unit. 47. A cooling system having a water cooling heat exchange unit including: a primary heat exchange unit including a closed circuit for circulating water; and a secondary heat exchange unit including a moisture absorbent material that is, in use, maintained moist, the secondary heat exchange unit adapted to provide air cooled by the action of evaporation in communication with said primary heat exchange unit. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Areas occupied by people generally require some form of heating and/or cooling in order to maintain the area at a reasonable temperature. In some instances, statutory or contractual arrangements require an area or premises to be maintained within certain temperature limits. Accordingly, heating and cooling systems have developed over time and exist in most modern premises in order to maintain the temperature in those premises within predetermined temperature limits. Heating and cooling large areas such as office buildings usually requires a significant capital investment in the plant and equipment that effects the heating and/or cooling. In warm climates, cooling systems incorporating a cooling tower have become a popular type of system for the cooling of large buildings. In this type of system, a refrigerant gas is used to cool air as it passes through a first heat exchange unit (evaporator) and having absorbed energy from the air, the refrigerant gas is passed to a second heat exchange unit (condenser) wherein heat is extracted from the refrigerant gas. The second heat exchange unit is supplied with water to effect cooling of the refrigerant gas and having absorbed energy, the water is generally transferred to a third heat exchange unit (cooling tower) in order to cool the water in preparation for further use. Whilst this type of system is commonly used for large office buildings, cooling towers unfortunately provide an environment conducive to the generation and distribution of a bacterium known as legionella pneumophilia . The bacterium becomes airborne and subsequent inhalation by people in the vicinity of a cooling tower may lead to the development of a disease commonly referred to Legionnaires' Disease. The bacterium was first identified in Philadelphia, USA in July 1976 and since that time, infection in both sporadic and epidemic forms has occurred in Australia and many overseas countries. Epidemiological investigations have generally failed to identify the precise source of infection, however, cooling towers and water distribution systems are generally recognised as the most likely source. Legionnaires' Disease typically manifests itself as severe pneumonia with patients presenting early symptoms of malaise, muscle pains, headache and fever. Patients become increasingly short of breath and the respiratory symptoms progress to pneumonia, often culminating in respiratory failure. The development of Legionnaires' Disease is usually associated with mental confusion and delirium, vomiting and renal failure. The disease generally has an incubation period of 2 to 10 days and whilst the fatality rate from confirmed Legionnaires' Disease in Australia has decreased over the past six years, fatalities still occur. Legionnaires' Disease was proclaimed a Notifiable Disease in Australia in 1979 and all cases must be notified by health professionals to the relevant Heath Department upon detection. Having recognised the propensity for cooling towers to generate and distribute the legionella pneumophilia bacterium, various approaches have been implemented to minimise the likelihood that a tower can form and distribute the bacterium. In particular, treatment of cooling tower water with corrosion inhibitors, surfactants, biocides and other chemicals is frequently proposed in order to reduce microbial growth. Generally, a broad spectrum biocide is recommended for the water treatment process in order to reduce total microbial load in cooling tower water. However, in the dynamic environment of a cooling tower system, the performance of chemicals is different from that in controlled laboratory trials. For example, cooling tower water is subjected to temperature changes and varying flow velocities at different locations in the system. Many other parameters including pH level, conductivity, total dissolved solids, suspended matter and the biological mass within the system can also vary over time. As a result, the efficacy of water treatment with a broad spectrum biocide cannot be predetermined for any particular environment and as such, ongoing sampling of cooling tower water is required to ensure that microbial growth has been limited to an acceptable level in addition to any chemical treatment. Apart from the cost of the biocides, the requirement for ongoing sampling has the effect of significantly increasing the maintenance cost for a cooling tower system. The use of ozone has also been proposed and has been successfully used in some instances to reduce microbial growth. Although ozone is an unstable chemical, it is a powerful oxidising biocide and must be produced on-site by means of an ozone generator and used immediately for water treatment. Ozone disinfection is relatively new for the control of bacterial levels in cooling tower waters and it is generally recognised that care must be exercised to maintain the generators in accordance with manufacturers' recommendations thus ensuring optimum efficiency. Apart from the significant capital investment required for an ozone generator, there remains some doubt as to the efficacy of this type of system for preventing microbial growth and the spread of Legionnaires' Disease. The use of ultraviolet light has also been proposed for the reduction of bacterial levels in cooling tower water. With these types of systems, the cooling tower water is exposed to ultraviolet radiation of a sufficient intensity to eliminate bacterium in the water. It is important to ensure that the water is exposed to a sufficient level of ultraviolet radiation intensity for the system to be effective. Sensors are generally used to monitor the intensity of the ultraviolet radiation and any reduction in efficacy as detected by the sensors generally provides an indication that maintenance is required. Ultraviolet radiation has no effect on the pH, odour or chemical composition of cooling tower water. However, the colour, tepidity and chemical composition of the water can interfere with ultraviolet radiation transmission and as such, determination of the ultraviolet absorbency of the water to be treated prior to installing ultraviolet equipment is usually advisable. Bacteria may be protected by tepidity, clumping or the presence of slime and accordingly, appropriate water filtration is usually recommended in conjunction with ultraviolet radiation systems. Despite implementing such a system to destroy bacterium, the ultraviolet damage to bacterium can be significantly reversed by enzyme repair mechanisms such as those which operate in darkness and on subsequent exposure to bright light (photoreactivation). Once again, the installation of an ultraviolet radiation system involves a significant capital expenditure and is not an attractive option given that the efficacy of these systems is still currently questionable. Various other proprietary devices have been proposed for the treatment of water including systems that expose the treated water to electromagnetic and electrostatic fields. There is a lack of conclusive scientific evidence to demonstrate that these proprietary devices have any significant effect on the microbial load in treated water. Survival and growth of the legionella bacteria in controlled laboratory field trials is currently being conducted for these systems. Whilst filtration systems present the simplest method available for the reduction of microbial matter in water, a full-flow filtration plant that will remove fine particles is generally not practicable for most existing systems due to space and weight restrictions. Additionally, such filtration systems have associated installation and operational costs that generally render this approach economically infeasible. In any event, with any type of filtration system, there is necessarily an ongoing maintenance cost for backflushing and replacement of filters. Irrespective of the water treatment systems currently in use, ongoing maintenance in the form of water sampling cannot be avoided and necessarily increases the ongoing maintenance cost for the operation of a cooling system incorporating a cooling tower. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cooling system and method of cooling for systems that, under normal working conditions, eliminates the possibility of the cooling system generating airborne bacterium known as legionella pneumophilia. A secondary object of the invention is to provide a cooling system and method of cooling for systems that enables existing cooling systems that could generate airborne bacterium known as legionella pneumophilia to be modified to eliminate any possibility of the system, under normal working conditions, generating such airborne bacterium. Any discussion of documents, act, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in Australia in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application. |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In one aspect, the present invention provides a cooling fluid heat exchange unit including: a primary heat exchange unit including a closed circuit for cooling fluid; an air cooler located upstream of the primary heat exchange unit; and a fan arrangement operable to force air through the cooler and the primary heat exchange unit, wherein said air cooler includes a moisture absorbent material that is, in use, maintained moist such that air forced through the cooler is cooled by the action of evaporation prior to being forced over a portion of the closed circuit in the primary heat exchange unit. The closed circuit for the cooling fluid as it passes through the primary heat exchange unit ensures that the cooling fluid is prevented from exposure to the atmosphere, and in particular, to the air forced through the heat exchange unit. This separation removes the risk of the generation and distribution of the legionella bacterium. In practice, the closed circuit is likely to form part of a loop within a cooling system where the cooling fluid is transported from a location where the fluid is used to absorb thermal energy and subsequently transported to the heat exchange unit in order for the cooling fluid to release the absorbed thermal energy. In a preferred embodiment, the cooled air emitted from the air cooler is substantially free of fluid in a liquid state. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the air cooler and the primary heat exchange unit are separated by a distance along the path of air flow from the cooler to the primary heat exchange unit to reduce the likelihood of fluid in a liquid state passing from the air cooler and impinging upon the primary heat exchange unit. Preferably, the heat exchange unit includes a plurality of air inlets and outlets with the fan arrangement disposed therebetween and operable to draw air in through the plurality of inlets and force air out through the plurality of outlets. The air cooler may be located over the plurality of air inlets such that air drawn through the air cooler by the fan arrangement is cooled prior to being drawn or forced over the primary heat exchanger and subsequently through the plurality of air outlets. Where the cooling fluid is water, the cooling water preferably passes through the primary heat exchanger in thermally conductive tubing, such as copper tubing, with drawn air passing over the tubing and removing thermal energy from the water passing through that tubing. The air cooler preferably includes a water absorbent material similar to that used in evaporative cooling applications and may include wood fibre or cooling pad material such as that distributed under the trade mark “CELDEK”. The moistened water absorbent material cools air passing through the material by the action of evaporation. This effect is used generally in evaporative cooling systems and water, separate from the cooling fluid, may be supplied to the water absorbent material using apparatus similar to that in current evaporative cooling systems. The use of water for the air cooler that is separate to the cooling water passed through the primary heat exchanger does not pose any risk of generating or distributing the legionella bacterium as the air cooler water temperature does not rise to a sufficient temperature to present such a risk. Generally, pads of water absorbent material would be located substantially vertically over the air inlets of the heat exchange unit and water would be applied to an upper portion of the water absorbent pads and would migrate through and moisten the entire pad. In the event that water is applied to the absorbent material paid at a rate faster than evaporation therefrom, a holding tank may be suspended below the material pads in order to collect water run-off. Any water run-off collected in a tank may be reused by pumping that water back to the upper portion of the material pads for reapplication thereto. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a water absorbent material pad including a plurality of fluted apertures of a size less than 7 mm is used as part of the air cooler. Ordinarily in evaporative cooling applications, a water absorbent material pad with a plurality of 7 mm fluted apertures is used. However, in this embodiment of the invention, use of a pad with fluted apertures of a size less than the standard size of 7 mm has been found to provide a more efficient cooling effect. This particular embodiment also uses variable pitch fans for drawing air through the primary heat exchanger and through the air cooler pads. As a result of the increased efficiency resulting from the use of a pad with fluted apertures less than 7 mm, the overall pad size may be reduced whilst still achieving the same cooling effect that of a pad with standard sized fluted apertures. A reduction in the overall size of an air cooler pad may be significant for installations where a conversion from an existing cooling tower arrangement is required and there is limited physical space in which to install a new cooling fluid heat exchange unit. In another embodiment, the cooling fluid comprises highly concentrated ammonia with a primary heat exchange unit comprising stainless steel or aluminium tubing effecting passage of the ammonia through the heat exchange unit. In this particular embodiment, the ammonia enters the primary heat exchange unit in a gaseous state and upon having thermal energy removed, the ammonia is emitted in a liquid state. Whilst ammonia has previously been used as a cooling fluid, it has only been feasible for extremely large installations. As a result of the improved cooling efficiency from use of an air cooling stage, an effective and economically feasible cooling fluid heat exchange unit using ammonia as the cooling fluid may be produced for smaller installations. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of cooling fluid in a cooling fluid heat exchange unit, the method including the steps of: passing cooling fluid of a cooling system through a primary heat exchanger having a closed fluid circuit such that the cooling fluid is contained; placing an air cooler upstream of the primary heat exchanger; and causing a flow of air through the air cooler and over a portion of the closed fluid circuit wherein said air cooler includes a moisture absorbent material that is, in use, maintained moist such that the air is cooled by vaporising fluid. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cooling fluid heat exchange unit of the present invention is manufactured in a range of heat exchanging capacities such that a heat exchanger according to the present invention may be used to replace an existing cooling tower of a similar heat exchanging capacity. In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method of converting a cooling system incorporating a first heat exchange unit including a fluid cooling heat exchange unit where the fluid is exposed to air drawn through the heat exchange unit by replacing said first heat exchange unit with a second heat exchange unit including a primary heat exchanger and an air cooler including a moisture absorbent material that is, in use, maintained moist such that air forced through the air cooler is cooled by the action of vaporisation where the fluid in the primary heat exchange unit is contained and prevented from exposure to air forced through the air cooler and then subsequently passed through the second heat exchange unit, the method including of steps of: disconnecting the first heat exchange unit cooling fluid inlet and outlet connection; reconnecting the fluid inlet and outlet to the corresponding connection points of the second heat exchange unit; and operating the cooling system. In most conversions, it is likely that the first heat exchange unit will be removed to provide room for the second heat exchange unit although it is not essential. In a further aspect, the present invention provides a cooling system having a fluid cooling heat exchange unit including: a primary heat exchange unit including a closed circuit for cooling fluid; an air cooler including a moisture absorbent material that is maintained moist for cooling air by evaporation said air cooler located upstream of said primary heat exchange unit; and a fan arrangement operable to force air through said air cooler and said primary heat exchange unit, wherein air forced through said air cooler is cooled prior to being forced over a portion of said closed circuit in said primary heat exchange unit. In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a cooling system having a fluid cooling heat exchange unit including: a primary heat exchange unit including a closed circuit for circulating fluid; and a secondary heat exchange unit including a moisture absorbent material that is, in use, maintained moist, the secondary heat exchange unit adapted to provide air cooled by the action of evaporation in communication with said primary heat exchange unit. Throughout this specification the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. |
Screen printing apparatus |
A screen printing apparatus for and method of printing deposits of material onto a workpiece (3), the apparatus comprising: an inspection station (1) for determining a positional relationship of features on upper and lower surfaces of the workpiece, the inspection station comprising: an imaging system for determining a positional relationship of features on upper and lower surfaces of the workpiece, the imaging system comprising at least two spaced imaging units (15, 17) for imaging features on an upper surface of the workpiece, at least two spaced imaging units (19, 21) for imaging features on a lower surface of the workpiece, and a processing unit for determining a positional relationship of the imaged features on the upper and lower surfaces of the workpiece; and a printing station (5) for printing deposits of material onto the workpiece, the printing station comprising: a workpiece support assembly (41) comprising a workpiece support member (43) for supporting the workpiece at a printing zone; a printing screen (5) disposed above the workpiece support member; a transport mechanism (27) for transporting the workpiece to the printing zone; and an alignment system for aligning the upper surface of the supported workpiece and the printing screen in relation to one another, the alignment system comprising at least two spaced workpiece imaging units (49, 51) for imaging features on a lower surface of the workpiece, and an alignment stage for moving the workpiece support member and the printing screen in relation to one another such as to align the upper surface of the workpiece and the printing screen in relation to one another by reference to positions of the imaged features on the lower surface of the workpiece as imaged at the printing zone and the positional relationship of the imaged features on the upper and lower surfaces of the workpiece as determined at the inspection zone. |
1. A screen printing apparatus for printing deposits of material onto a workpiece, comprising: an inspection station for determining a positional relationship of features on upper and lower surfaces of the workpiece, the inspection station comprising: an imaging system for determining a positional relationship of features on upper and lower surfaces of the workpiece, the imaging system comprising at least two spaced imaging units for imaging features on an upper surface of the workpiece, at least two spaced imaging units for imaging features on a lower surface of the workpiece, and a processing unit for determining a positional relationship of the imaged features on the upper and lower surfaces of the workpiece; and a printing station for printing deposits of material onto the workpiece, the printing station comprising: a workpiece support assembly comprising a workpiece support member for supporting the workpiece at a printing zone; a printing screen disposed above the workpiece support member; a transport mechanism for transporting the workpiece to the printing zone; and an alignment system for aligning the upper surface of the supported workpiece and the printing screen in relation to one another, the alignment system comprising at least two spaced workpiece imaging units for imaging features on a lower surface of the workpiece, and an alignment stage for moving the workpiece support member and the printing screen in relation to one another such as to align the upper surface of the workpiece and the printing screen in relation to one another by reference to positions of the imaged features on the lower surface of the workpiece as imaged at the printing zone and the positional relationship of the imaged features on the upper and lower surfaces of the workpiece as determined at the inspection zone. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the workpiece support member includes at least one recess for receiving at least one component on the lower surface of the workpiece. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the workpiece support member comprises a support plate on which the workpiece is in use supported. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the workpiece support assembly further comprises a vertical stage for raising and lowering the workpiece support member and the printing screen in relation to one another. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the vertical stage is operable to position the workpiece support member and the printing screen in relation to one another between a workpiece-receiving configuration in which the workpiece can be received above the workpiece support member, a workpiece-alignment configuration in which the supported workpiece can be aligned relative to the printing screen, and a workpiece-clamping configuration in which the workpiece is clamped. 6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the vertical stage is configured to raise and lower the workpiece support member in relation to the printing screen. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the alignment system further comprises at least two spaced screen imaging units for imaging features on a lower surface of the printing screen, and the alignment stage is configured to align the workpiece support member and the printing screen in relation to one another by reference to positions of the imaged features on the lower surface of the printing screen. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the alignment stage is configured to move the workpiece support member in relation to the printing screen. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the maximum spacing between the supported workpiece and the printing screen is less than about 20 mm. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the spacing is less than about 10 mm. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the spacing is less than about 5 mm. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the spacing is less than about 3 mm. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the spacing is less than about 2 mm. 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transport mechanism of the printing station comprises a belt feed unit. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the belt feed unit of the transport mechanism of the printing station comprises first and second belt drives for engaging opposed lateral edges of the workpiece. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the belt drives are configured to engage a lower surface of the workpiece. 17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inspection station is disposed in-line upstream of the printing station. 18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inspection station further comprises: a transport mechanism for transporting the workpiece to an inspection zone. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the transport mechanism of the inspection station comprises a belt feed unit. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the belt feed unit of the transport mechanism of the inspection station comprises first and second belt drives for engaging opposed lateral edges of the workpiece. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the belt drives are configured to engage a lower surface of the workpiece. 22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the imaging units comprise camera units. 23. A method of screen printing deposits of material onto a workpiece, comprising the steps of: supporting the workpiece at an inspection zone; imaging at least two spaced features on an upper surface of the workpiece and at least two spaced features on a lower surface of the workpiece; determining a positional relationship of the imaged features on the upper and lower surfaces of the workpiece; supporting the workpiece on a workpiece support member at printing zone beneath a printing screen; imaging at least two spaced features on a lower surface of the supported workpiece at the printing zone; and moving the workpiece support member and the printing screen in relation to one another by reference to positions of the imaged features on the lower surface of the workpiece as imaged at the printing zone and the positional relationship of the imaged features on the upper and lower surfaces of the workpiece as determined at the inspection zone such as to align the upper surface of the workpiece and the printing screen in relation to one another. 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising the steps of: imaging at least two spaced features on a lower surface of the printing screen at the printing zone; and moving the workpiece support member and the printing screen in relation to one another by reference to the imaged features on the lower surface of the printing screen such as to align the workpiece support member and the printing screen in relation to one another. 25. The method of claim 23, wherein any or each step of moving the workpiece support member and the printing screen in relation to one another comprises the step of: one or both of translating and rotating at least one of the workpiece support member and the printing screen. 26. The method of claim 23, wherein the workpiece support member and the printing screen are movable in relation to one another between a workpiece-receiving configuration in which the workpiece can be received above the workpiece support member, a workpiece-alignment configuration in which the supported workpiece can be aligned relative to the printing screen, and a workpiece-clamping configuration in which the workpiece is clamped. 27. The method of claim 23, wherein any or each step of moving the workpiece support member and the printing screen in relation to one another comprises the step of: moving the workpiece support member in relation to the printing screen. 28. The method of claim 23, wherein the maximum spacing between the supported workpiece and the printing screen is less than about 20 mm. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the spacing is less than about 10 mm. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the spacing is less than about 5 mm. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the spacing is less than about 3 mm. 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the spacing is less than about 2 mm. 33. An inspection station for determining a positional relationship of features on upper and lower surfaces of a workpiece, comprising: an imaging system for determining a positional relationship of features on upper and lower surfaces of the workpiece, the imaging system comprising at least two spaced imaging units for imaging features on an upper surface of the workpiece, at least two spaced imaging units for imaging features on a lower surface of the workpiece, and a processing unit for determining a positional relationship of the imaged features on the upper and lower surfaces of the workpiece. 34. The inspection station of claim 33, further comprising: a transport mechanism for transporting the workpiece to an inspection zone. 35. The inspection station of claim 34, wherein the transport mechanism comprises a belt feed unit. 36. The inspection station of claim 35, wherein the belt feed unit comprises first and second belt drives for engaging opposed lateral edges of the workpiece. 37. The inspection station of claim 36, wherein the belt drives are configured to engage a lower surface of the workpiece. 38. The inspection station of claim 33, wherein the imaging units comprise camera units. 39. A screen printing apparatus incorporating the inspection station of claim 33. 40. A method of determining a positional relationship of features on upper and lower surfaces of a workpiece, comprising the steps of: supporting the workpiece at an inspection zone; imaging at least two spaced features on an upper surface of the workpiece and at least two spaced features on a lower surface of the workpiece; and determining a positional relationship of the imaged features on the upper and lower surfaces of the workpiece. 41. The method of claim 40, further comprising the step of: transporting the workpiece to an inspection zone. 42. A printing station for printing deposits of material onto a workpiece, comprising: a workpiece support assembly comprising a workpiece support member for supporting the workpiece at a printing zone; a printing screen disposed above the workpiece support member; a transport mechanism for transporting the workpiece to the printing zone; and an alignment system for aligning an upper surface of the supported workpiece and the printing screen in relation to one another, the alignment system comprising at least two spaced workpiece imaging units for imaging features on a lower surface of the workpiece, and an alignment stage for moving the workpiece support member and the printing screen in relation to one another such as to align the upper surface of the workpiece and the printing screen in relation to one another by reference to positions of the imaged features on the lower surface of the workpiece as imaged at the printing zone and a previously-determined positional relationship of imaged features on the upper and lower surfaces of the workpiece. 43. The printing station of claim 42, wherein the workpiece support member includes at least one recess for receiving at least one component on the lower surface of the workpiece. 44. The printing station of claim 42, wherein the workpiece support member comprises a support plate on which the workpiece is in use supported. 45. The printing station of claim 42, wherein the workpiece support assembly further comprises a vertical stage for raising and lowering the workpiece support member and the printing screen in relation to one another. 46. The printing station of claim 45, wherein the vertical stage is operable to position the workpiece support member and the printing screen in relation to one another between a workpiece-receiving configuration in which the workpiece can be received above the workpiece support member, a workpiece-alignment configuration in which the supported workpiece can be aligned relative to the printing screen, and a workpiece-clamping configuration in which the workpiece is clamped. 47. The printing station of claim 45, wherein the vertical stage is configured to raise and lower the workpiece support member in relation to the printing screen. 48. The printing station of claim 42, wherein the alignment system further comprises at least two spaced screen imaging units for imaging features on a lower surface of the printing screen, and the alignment stage is configured to align the workpiece support member and the printing screen in relation to one another by reference to positions of the imaged features on the lower surface of the printing screen. 49. The printing station of claim 42, wherein the alignment stage is configured to move the workpiece support member in relation to the printing screen. 50. The printing station of claim 42, wherein the maximum spacing between the supported workpiece and the printing screen is less than about 20 mm. 51. The printing station of claim 50, wherein the spacing is less than about 10 mm. 52. The printing station of claim 51, wherein the spacing is less than about 5 mm. 53. The printing station of claim 52, wherein the spacing is less than about 3 mm. 54. The printing station of claim 53, wherein the spacing is less than about 2 mm. 55. The printing station of claim 42, wherein the transport mechanism comprises a belt feed unit. 56. The printing station of claim 55, wherein the belt feed unit comprises first and second belt drives for engaging opposed lateral edges of the workpiece. 57. The printing station of claim 56, wherein the belt drives are configured to engage a lower surface of the workpiece. 58. The printing station of claim 42, wherein the imaging units comprise camera units. 59. A screen printing apparatus incorporating the printing station of claim 42. |
Sheathed microduct system |
A conduit system is described. The conduit system primarily includes at least one cable (203), such as but not limited to a power and/or communication cable, at least one microduct (202), and a sheath (201) or binder over the cable/microduct bundle holding them in abutting engagement with one another. The conduit system can be installed by itself or into a larger conventional conduit system. Additional cables can then be easily and inexpensively introduced into the microduct as the need arises, for example, during network expansion. |
1. A conduit system, comprising: at least one cable; at least one microduct, wherein at least a portion of an external surface of the microduct substantially abuts at least a portion of an external surface of the at least one cable, wherein the at least one microduct is adapted to receive at least one other cable; and a continuous sheath substantially enveloping the external surfaces of the at least one cable and the at least one microduct. 2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the cable is selected from the group consisting of communications cable, power cable, and combinations thereof. 3. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the at least one microduct has a cross-sectional diameter in the range of about 5 to about 13 millimeters. 4. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the at least one microduct is comprised of polyethylene. 5. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the at least one microduct is comprised of high density polyethylene. 6. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the sheath is comprised of polyethylene. 7. The invention according to claim 1, further comprising a lubricous material applied to at least a portion of an external surface of the sheath. 8. The invention according to claim 1, wherein there are at least two microducts, wherein at least a portion of an external surface of the at least two microducts substantially abut at least a portion of an external surface of the at least one cable. 9. The invention according to claim 8, wherein the external surface of one of the at least two microducts substantially abuts the external surface of the other one of the at least two microducts. 10. The invention according to claim 8, wherein the external surface of one of the at least two microducts does not abut the external surface of the other one of the at least two microducts. 11. The invention according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of microducts, wherein at least a portion of an external surface of plurality of microducts substantially abut at least a portion of an external surface of the at least one cable. 12. The invention according to claim 11, wherein the external surface of one of the plurality of microducts substantially abuts the external surface of at least one other of the plurality of microducts. 13. A conduit system, comprising: at least one cable; at least one microduct, wherein at least a portion of an external surface of the microduct substantially abuts at least a portion of an external surface of the at least one cable, wherein the at least one microduct is adapted to receive at least one other cable; and an elongated member wound around at least a portion of the external surfaces of the at least one cable and the at least one microduct. 14. The invention according to claim 13, wherein the cable is selected from the group consisting of communications cable, power cable, and combinations thereof. 15. The invention according to claim 13, wherein the at least one microduct has a cross-sectional diameter in the range of about 5 to about 13 millimeters. 16. The invention according to claim 13, wherein the at least one microduct is comprised of polyethylene. 17. The invention according to claim 13, wherein the at least one microduct is comprised of high density polyethylene. 18. The invention according to claim 13, wherein the member is comprised of polyethylene. 19. The invention according to claim 13, further comprising a lubricous material applied to at least a portion of an external surface of the member. 20. The invention according to claim 13, wherein there are at least two microducts, wherein at least a portion of an external surface of the at least two microducts substantially abut at least a portion of an external surface of the at least one cable. 21. The invention according to claim 20, wherein the external surface of one of the at least two microducts substantially abuts the external surface of the other one of the at least two microducts. 22. The invention according to claim 20, wherein the external surface of one of the at least two microducts does not abut the external surface of the other one of the at least two microducts. 23. The invention according to claim 13, wherein there are a plurality of microducts, wherein at least a portion of an external surface of plurality of microducts substantially abut at least a portion of an external surface of the at least one cable. 24. The invention according to claim 23, wherein the external surface of one of the plurality of microducts substantially abuts the external surface of at least one other of the plurality of microducts. 25. A method of forming a conduit system, comprising: providing at least one cable; providing at least one microduct, wherein the at least one microduct is adapted to receive at least one other cable; providing a continuous sheath; bringing at least a portion of an external surface of the microduct and at least a portion of an external surface of the at least one cable into abutting engagement; and substantially enveloping the external surfaces of the at least one cable and the at least one microduct with the sheath. 26. The invention according to claim 25, wherein the cable is selected from the group consisting of communications cable, power cable, and combinations thereof. 27. The invention according to claim 25, wherein the at least one microduct has a cross-sectional diameter in the range of about 5 to about 13 millimeters. 28. The invention according to claim 25, wherein the at least one microduct is comprised of polyethylene. 29. The invention according to claim 25, wherein the at least one microduct is comprised of high density polyethylene. 30. The invention according to claim 25, wherein the sheath is comprised of polyethylene. 31. The invention according to claim 25, further comprising applying a lubricous material to at least a portion of an external surface of the sheath. 32. The invention according to claim 25, wherein there are at least two microducts, wherein at least a portion of an external surface of the at least two microducts substantially abut at least a portion of an external surface of the at least one cable. 33. The invention according to claim 32, wherein the external surface of one of the at least two microducts substantially abuts the external surface of the other one of the at least two microducts. 34. The invention according to claim 32, wherein the external surface of one of the at least two microducts does not abut the external surface of the other one of the at least two microducts. 35. The invention according to claim 25, wherein there are a plurality of microducts, wherein at least a portion of an external surface of plurality of microducts substantially abut at least a portion of an external surface of the at least one cable. 36. The invention according to claim 35, wherein the external surface of one of the plurality of microducts substantially abuts the external surface of at least one other of the plurality of microducts. 37. A method of forming a conduit system, comprising: providing at least one cable; providing at least one microduct, wherein the at least one microduct is adapted to receive at least one other cable; providing an elongated member; bringing at least a portion of an external surface of the microduct and at least a portion of an external surface of the at least one cable into abutting engagement; and winding the member around at least a portion of the external surfaces of the at least one cable and the at least one microduct. 38. The invention according to claim 37, wherein the cable is selected from the group consisting of communications cable, power cable, and combinations thereof. 39. The invention according to claim 37, wherein the at least one microduct has a cross-sectional diameter in the range of about 5 to about 13 millimeters. 40. The invention according to claim 37, wherein the at least one microduct is comprised of polyethylene. 41. The invention according to claim 37, wherein the at least one microduct is comprised of high density polyethylene. 42. The invention according to claim 37, wherein the member is comprised of polyethylene. 43. The invention according to claim 37, further comprising applying a lubricous material to at least a portion of an external surface of the member. 44. The invention according to claim 37, wherein there are at least two microducts, wherein at least a portion of an external surface of the at least two microducts substantially abut at least a portion of an external surface of the at least one cable. 45. The invention according to claim 44, wherein the external surface of one of the at least two microducts substantially abuts the external surface of the other one of the at least two microducts. 46. The invention according to claim 44, wherein the external surface of one of the at least two microducts does not abut the external surface of the other one of the at least two microducts. 47. The invention according to claim 37, wherein there are a plurality of microducts, wherein at least a portion of an external surface of plurality of microducts substantially abut at least a portion of an external surface of the at least one cable. 48. The invention according to claim 47, wherein the external surface of one of the plurality of microducts substantially abuts the external surface of at least one other of the plurality of microducts. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Presently, there is a large pre-existing network of conduits, typically comprised of either polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which contain various types of cables (e.g., power and communication) that enable an individual or business at one location to easily and freely communicate and exchange information over long distances with an individual or business at a remote location. These conduit routes typically consist of either ducts of various sizes directly buried in the ground, or relatively smaller cross-sectional diameter conduits (sub-ducts) which have been pulled into relatively larger cross-sectional diameter ducts. Optionally, even smaller cross-sectional diameter ducts may then be introduced into these sub-ducts. These very small ducts are popularly known as microducts, and typically have a cross-sectional diameter of about 5 to about 13 millimeters. Additionally, in recent years aerial ducts have been deployed for this same purpose. The communications industry (e.g., telephone) in the past has generally used a single communications cable inside of an existing conduit to carry voice, data, video, and other specialized information or circuitry from one point to another point. Once the single cable is installed in the duct or conduit, very little opportunity exists to expand the network should the need arise, which it typically does. Even if removal of the cable is physically possible, there is generally no way of re-routing the communications traffic on the existing cable to ensure that service is not interrupted during the removal process and installation of the new cable. It is generally not cost effective to remove the existing cable to expand the network, as once the cable is removed, it is generally not re-useable. In the past, just one conduit would typically be buried in the ground. Once the conduit was utilized, the communications provider would then have to obtain the necessary construction permits and construct a new conduit route at a substantial cost. Several methods have been attempted to add additional cables over an existing cable in the same conduit with very limited success. Typically, heat would build up and damage either the new cable being installed or in most cases damage the existing cable. These different methods also consisted of trying to blow a pull rope through the duct with the existing cable. The pull rope would generally get tangled around the existing cable and never appear at the access point. If the installer were able to get the pull rope through to the access point, there was no guarantee that he or she would be able to pull the actual pull rope through or get the cable installed without damaging either the new or existing cable. Some progress has been made in using air to blow in a second cable over the existing cable. In this manner there is less chance of damage, but generally the installation lengths are dramatically reduced, which would require either more splice points or more access points along the proposed route, leading to a different set of concerns. The nature of the communications industry is such that many different network providers will be required to share a finite amount of pre-existing conduit space. Currently, there does not exist a very practical way of achieving this result. Therefore, there exists a need for a conduit system that provides a method for allowing various cables to be independently received into and routed through their own discrete conduit so as to allow for the easy and inexpensive future expansion of a network without the difficulty and expense of installing additional conduits at a later time. |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, a conduit system is provided, comprising: (1) at least one cable; (2) at least one microduct, wherein at least a portion of an external surface of the microduct substantially abuts at least a portion of an external surface of the at least one cable, wherein the at least one microduct is adapted to receive at least one other cable; and (3) a continuous sheath substantially enveloping the external surfaces of the at least one cable and the at least one microduct. In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, a conduit system is provided, comprising: (1) at least one cable; (2) at least one microduct, wherein at least a portion of an external surface of the microduct substantially abuts at least a portion of an external surface of the at least one cable, wherein the at least one microduct is adapted to receive at least one other cable; and (3) an elongated member wound around at least a portion of the external surfaces of the at least one cable and the at least one microduct. In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, a method of forming a conduit system is provided, comprising: (1) providing at least one cable; (2) providing at least one microduct, wherein the at least one microduct is adapted to receive at least one other cable; (3) providing a continuous sheath; (4) bringing at least a portion of an external surface of the microduct and at least a portion of an external surface of the at least one cable into abutting engagement; and (5) substantially enveloping the external surfaces of the at least one cable and the at least one microduct with the sheath. In accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a method of forming a conduit system is provided, comprising: (1) providing at least one cable; (2) providing at least one microduct, wherein the at least one microduct is adapted to receive at least one other cable; (3) providing an elongated member; (4) bringing at least a portion of an external surface of the microduct and at least a portion of an external surface of the at least one cable into abutting engagement; and (5) winding the member around at least a portion of the external surfaces of the at least one cable and the at least one microduct. A more complete appreciation of the present invention and its scope can be obtained from the following detailed description of the invention, the drawings and the appended claims. |
Isochoric volumeter |
The invention concerns an apparatus and a method for continuous measuring volumetric flow rates or volume changes in a material that undergoes physical, chemical-physical and/or chemical processes. The apparatus is constructed with a reference chamber which is connected to a test chamber, and means for maintaining a selected pressure in the reference chamber, as well as means for regulating the temperature in the reference chamber. |
1. A method for continuous measurement of volume changes in materials that are subjected to physical, physical-chemical and/or chemical reactions with an apparatus including a test chamber and a reference chamber, the chambers being mutually connected, and wherein means for detecting the pressure in a liquid placed in the reference chamber is provided in the reference chamber, and means for temperature regulation and temperature detection are furthermore provided in the reference chamber, wherein the pressures in the reference chamber and the test chamber are known, wherein the temperature is measured in a reference liquid contained in the reference chamber, and wherein temperature changes of the reference liquid in the reference chamber are correlated with corresponding volume changes of a specimen contained in the test chamber. 2. A method for continuous measurement of volume flow rates from or to materials that are subjected to physical, physical-chemical and/or chemical reactions with an apparatus including a test chamber and a reference chamber, the chambers being mutually connected, and wherein means for detecting the pressure in a liquid placed in the reference chamber is provided in the reference chamber, and means for temperature regulation and temperature detection in the liquid placed in the reference chamber are furthermore provided, wherein the pressures in the reference chamber and the test chamber are known, wherein the temperature is measured in a reference liquid contained in the reference chamber, and wherein temperature changes of the reference liquid in the reference chamber are correlated with corresponding volume flow rates of a specimen liquid between a test chamber and the surroundings for the test chamber, and wherein the specimen liquid is contained in the test chamber and/or the surroundings. 3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the volume flow rates are of one or more of the following types of flow: laminar flow, turbulent flow, capillary flow, diffusion, and/or osmosis. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the pressure in the reference chamber and in the test chamber are maintained at one and the same level, wherein the pressure in the reference chamber and in the test chamber is regulated by regulating the temperature in the reference chamber, and wherein a change in volume of a specimen in the test chamber is reflected by a change in temperature in the reference chamber so that a reduction in volume of the specimen in the test chamber is reflected in a rise in temperature in the reference chamber, and an increased volume of the specimen in the test chamber is reflected in a drop of temperature in the reference chamber. 5. A method according to claim 2 wherein the pressure in the reference chamber and the test chamber are maintained at one and the same level, wherein the pressure in the reference chamber and in the test chamber is regulated by regulating the temperature of the liquid in the reference chamber, and wherein a volume flow rate of specimen liquid to or from the test chamber is reflected in a change in temperature in the test chamber so that a volume flow rate of specimen liquid in the test chamber is reflected in a rise in temperature in the reference chamber, and a volume flow rate of specimen liquid to the test chamber is reflected in a drop of temperature in the reference chamber. 6. An apparatus for continuous measurement of volume flow rates or volume changes in materials that undergo physical, physical-chemical and/or chemical reactions, wherein the apparatus includes a test chamber and a reference chamber that are mutually connected, wherein a specimen is arranged in the test chamber during measurements, and test chamber, reference chamber and their mutual connection are filled with a liquid, and where wherein the pressure in the test chamber during measurements is the same as the pressure in the reference chamber, wherein the reference chamber is provided with a pressure transducer for measuring the pressure in the reference chamber, and wherein the reference chamber is also provided with a temperature regulator intended for regulating the temperature of the liquid in the reference chamber, and wherein the reference chamber is also provided with means for detecting temperature changes in the liquid in the reference chamber. 7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein test chamber and the reference chamber are mutually connected with a tube, preferably a capillary tube, so that a largely thermal separation of the liquid in the reference chamber and in the test chamber is achieved, and so that a pressure connection between the reference chamber and the test chamber is ensured. 8. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the pressure in the test chamber and in the reference chamber, respectively, are regulated by changing the temperature of the liquid in the reference chamber. 9. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the specimen liquid in the test chamber is the same liquid as the reference liquid in the reference chamber, and wherein the liquids have the possibility of pressure equalization between the specimen liquid and the reference liquid, and wherein the liquids also have the possibility of exchanging the liquids between the test chamber and the reference chamber, respectively. 10. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the specimen liquid in the test chamber is different from the reference liquid in the reference chamber, and wherein there is the possibility of pressure equalization between the specimen liquid and the reference liquid, though means have been arranged for preventing mixing of the liquids in the test chamber and the reference chamber, respectively. 11. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein a membrane is provided between the liquids in the test chamber and the reference chamber, respectively, wherein the membrane has a flexibility that ensures sufficient possibility for pressure equalisation between the liquids in the test chamber and the reference chamber, and wherein the membrane also has a tightness that ensures sufficient prevention of mixing the liquid in the test chamber and the reference chamber, respectively. 12. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein one or more of the parameters measurement range, pressure level, solubility limit and time constant for the apparatus may be adapted to specific applications of measurement and use by establishing given measures for one or more of the terms: volume of the test chamber, volume of the reference chamber, the shape of the reference chamber, and the measuring range of the pressure transducer. 13. Use of an apparatus according to claim 6 for measuring volume changes by physical and/or chemical and/or physical/chemical reactions, e.g. by measuring chemical shrinkage in cement-based materials, furthermore e.g. for measuring chemical shrinkage in dense binder phases in high-strength concrete, for determining hydrating kinetics in the materials. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>The present invention concerns an apparatus for continuous measurement of volume flow rates or volume changes in materials that undergo physical, physical-chemical and/or chemical reactions. Furthermore, the invention concerns a method for this continuous measurement. Measuring the so-called chemical shrinkage of cement systems during hydration plays a central role, particularly by a research-related description of the hydrating kinetics of Portland cement. Within the last decades, concrete technologic developments have formed the basis of a new concept: high quality concrete (High-Performance-Concrete). Where in conventional concrete typically a water/cement ratio (w/c-ratio) in the range 0.40-0.60 has been used, modern super-plasticizing additives have today enabled production of low-viscosity concretes which—with simultaneous addition of up to 20% micro silica—have a w/c ratio of 0.20-0.30. This new concept means that today one is working with binder phases with extremely low permeability; this development has given rise to completely new requirements to the measuring technique used in research. During hydration of Portland cement, which mainly consists of the clinker minerals 3CaOSiO 2 , 2CaOSiO 2 , 3CaOAl 2 O 3 , and 4CaOAl 2 O 3 Fe 2 O 3 , a number of hydrates are formed, influencing the properties of the formed binder phase in different ways. For all hydrating reactions it is the case that the reaction products formed have a smaller volume than the transformed reactants. This means that hydrating reactions are connected with a reduction in volume, a chemical shrinkage. For Portland cement, the chemical shrinkage during hydration is typically of the magnitude 6 cm 3 per 100 g transformed cement. The size of this chemical shrinkage in particular depends on which hydrate types are formed during hydration. A continuous measuring of the chemical shrinkage during the hydration of the cement system therefore contain essential information about the properties of the cement, about the course and character of the hydrate formation, and through this reflects the influence of different operating conditions during the hydration reaction. |
Apparatus and method for in situ measuring of evaporation from a surface |
The present invention concerns a method for in situ measuring of evaporation from a surface and an apparatus for measuring the evaporation from a surface. The apparatus comprises an evaporation surface made of a porous, hydrophilic material, which surface is connected to a reservoir. The method describes how to use the apparatus according to the invention. |
1. Apparatus for in situ measuring of evaporation of a substance from a surface, wherein the apparatus has an evaporation surface of a well-defined area and consisting of a hydrophilic, porous material; and in that the evaporation surface is in open connection with a reservoir containing the same substance as the one evaporating from the surface. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir is a capillary tube and in that the apparatus is provided with a calibrated scale on which the amount of evaporation from the surface can be directly read. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein color is added to the substance in the tube and in that the capillary tube is either sealed at one end, in which case the seal is broken before use, or open at the end which faces away from the evaporation surface, in which case the capillary tube is filled before use. 4. Apparatus according to claims 1, wherein the evaporation surface and the capillary tube are provided on a heat-conducting base plate. 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the base plate is an aluminum plate or a synthetic plate with aluminium coating on the side intended for intimate, thermal contact with the surface. 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the porous, hydrophilic material has been selected from one of the following groups: gypsum, felt, fibre materials and/or sintered ceramic materials. 7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the scale on the apparatus has been calibrated to show an integrated evaporation loss of the substance from the evaporation surface of the apparatus. 8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the capillary tube is integrated into the base plate. 9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base plate is made of a flexible, heat-conducting material. 10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is provided with means for electronic data collection including in particular the time-varying and/or integrated evaporation loss and means for electronic communication with external units. 11. Method for in situ measuring of evaporation of a substance from a surface according to which the evaporation is measured with an apparatus according to claim 1, in which the sealed end of the capillary tube is broken or alternatively the capillary tube is filled prior to use; the evaporation surface is brought into intimate thermal contact with the surface, so that the evaporation conditions for the surface and the evaporation conditions for the evaporation surface on the apparatus are the same, which makes it possible to read the total evaporation from the surface on the capillary tube. 12. Method according to claim 1, wherein the surface is of a cement-based material and the capillary tube is calibrated to register the evaporation loss from a cement-based surface whereby the correlated, integrated evaporation loss from the surface of the cement-based material is registered. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>The present invention concerns a method for in situ measuring of evaporation from a surface and an apparatus for measuring the evaporation from a surface. Curing technology concerns, among other things, adjustment and control of temperature and humidity conditions in hardening constructions and elements of concrete. The curing technology comprises further e.g. measurement/adjustment/control of moisture conditions in the early hardening phase of the concrete in order to achieve an optimal development of properties in the hardening concrete (“moisture curing”). During the latest decades, the development within concrete technology has formed the basis of a new concept: High-Performance Concrete. Typically, a water/cement ratio (w/c ratio) in the range of 0.40-0.60 is used for conventional concrete, but today's superplasticizers have made it possible to manufacture relatively fluid concrete with a w/c ratio of 0.20-0.30 when up to 20% silica fume is added. With these extremely dense concretes, concrete strengths of 200-400 MPa can be achieved industrially, whereas in comparison, conventional concrete typically has concrete strengths of 30-50 MPa. Danish concrete research has had a central role in the theoretical and experimental development of this new concept and several Danish companies are today involved in the industrial implementation of High-Performance Concrete in targeted special productions. In curing technology terms the concept High-Performance Concrete means that the requirements for optimal and controlled moisture curing during hardening are significantly increased. At low w/c ratios, even modest losses of water in the early hardening phase may be detrimental to the subsequent hardening and property development of concrete. In the field of High-Performance Concrete, it can be expected that the coming years will witness a growing need for simple, operational methods for the measurement/adjustment/control of the moisture curing conditions of concrete in the manufacturing process. |
Novel survivin interacting protein tpr1 |
Survivin Interacting Protein 1 and polynucleotides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing TPR1 polypeptides and polynucleotides in diagnostic assays. |
1. A TPR1 polypeptide selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1; (b) a polypeptide comprising a polypeptide sequence having at least 95% identity to the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:2; c) a polypeptide having at least 95% identity to the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:2; d) the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 and (e) fragments and variants of such polypeptides in (a) to (d), said TPR1 ligand of (a) to (d) having the ability to bind specifically to the PHP1 receptor having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:9 or a variant thereof. 2. The polypeptide of claim 1 comprising the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. 3. The polypeptide of claim 1 which is the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. 4. A polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence having at least 95% identity to the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; (b) a polynucleotide having at least 95% identity to the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:1; (c) a polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence having at least 95% identity to the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:2; (d) a polynucleotide having a polynucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence having at least 95% identity to the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:2; (e) a polynucleotide with a nucleotide sequence of at least 100 nucleotides obtained by screening a library under stringent hybridization conditions with a labeled probe having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a fragment thereof having at least 15 nucleotides; (f) a polynucleotide which is the RNA equivalent of a polynucleotide of (a) to (e); (g) a polynucleotide sequence complementary to said polynucleotide of any one of (a) to (f), and (h) polynucleotides that are variants or fragments of the polynucleotides of any one of (a) to (g) or that are complementary to above mentioned polynucleotides, over the entire length thereof. 5. A polynucleotide of claim 4 selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polynucleotide comprising the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:1; (b) the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:1; (c) a polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2; and (d) a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2. 6. An expression system comprising a polynucleotide capable of producing a polypeptide of claim 1 when said expression vector is present in a compatible host cell. 7. A recombinant host cell comprising the expression vector of claim 6 or a membrane thereof expressing the polypeptide coded for by said vector. 8. A process for producing a TPR1 polypeptide comprising the step of culturing a host cell as defined in claim 7 under conditions sufficient for the production of said polypeptide and recovering the polypeptide from the culture medium. 9. A fusion protein consisting of the Immunoglobulin Fc-region and a polypeptide claim 1. 10. An antibody immunospecific for the polypeptide of claim 1. 11. A method for screening to identify compounds that stimulate or inhibit the function or level of the polypeptide of claim 1 comprising a method selected from the group consisting of: (a) measuring or, detecting, quantitatively or qualitatively, the binding of a candidate compound to the polypeptide (or to the cells or membranes expressing the polypeptide) or a fusion protein thereof by means of a label directly or indirectly associated with the candidate compound; (b) measuring the competition of binding of a candidate compound to the polypeptide (or to the cells or membranes expressing the polypeptide) or a fusion protein thereof in the presence of a labeled competitior; (c) testing whether the candidate compound results in a signal generated by activation or inhibition of the polypeptide, using detection systems appropriate to the cells or cell membranes expressing the polypeptide; (d) mixing a candidate compound with a solution containing a polypeptide of claim 1, to form a mixture, measuring activity of the polypeptide in the mixture, and comparing the activity of the mixture to a control mixture which contains no candidate compound; or (e) detecting the effect of a candidate compound on the production of mRNA encoding said polypeptide or said polypeptide in cells, using for instance, an ELISA assay, and (f) producing said compound according to biotechnological or chemical standard techniques. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The drug discovery process is currently undergoing a fundamental revolution as it embraces “functional genomics”, that is, high throughput genome- or gene-based biology. This approach as a means to identify genes and gene products as therapeutic targets is rapidly superseding earlier approaches based on “positional cloning”. A phenotype, that is a biological function or genetic disease, would be identified and this would then be tracked back to the responsible gene, based on its genetic map position. Functional genomics relies heavily on high-throughput DNA sequencing technologies and the various tools of bioinformatics to identify gene sequences of potential interest from the many molecular biology databases now available. There is a continuing need to identify and characterise further genes and their related polypeptides/proteins, as targets for drug discovery. Recent advances in this area are mainly driven by applying advanced screening systems with focus to the function of newly identified proteins. Interesting application for this type of screens are whithin the field of tumor apoptosis. Apoptosis of tumor cells can be blocked e.g. by mutations in crucial genes like those frequently found in the well known p53 tumor suppressor protein. Another mechanism that blocks apoptosis is caused by the protein family of “inhibitors of apoptosis” (IAPs), reviewed by Deveraux and Reed (Genes & Development 1999). One member of this family is encoded by the Survivin gene. The strongest evidence for an IAP involvement in cancer is seen for Survivin (see review of Altieri and Marchisio, Laboratory Investigation 1999). Although not observed in adult differentiated tissue, Survivin becomes prominently expressed in transformed cell lines and in all of the most common human cancers of lung, colon, pancreas, prostate and breast, in vivo. Survivin is also found in approximately 50% of high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (centroblastic, immunoblastic), but not in low-grade lymphomas (lymphocytic). Survivin inhibits caspase activity and apoptosis induced by Fas (CD95), Bax, Caspases , and anti-cancer drugs. In addition, Survivin is upregulated 40-fold at G2/M phase of the cell cycle and binds to mitotic spindles (micro-tubules), although its role at the spindle is still unclear. There might be a connected control of apoptosis and mitotic spindle checkpoint by Survivin. Disruption of Survivin-microtubule interactions results in loss of Survivin's anti-apoptosis function and increased caspase-3 activity. Survivin may counteract a default induction of apoptosis in G2/M phase. The overexpression of Survivin in cancer may overcome this apoptotic checkpoint and favour aberrant progression of transformed cells through mitosis (Fengzhi et al., Nature 1998). In this repect it is important to note that it was recently shown that Survivin initiates procaspase 3/p21 complex formation as a result of interaction with Cdk4 to resist Fas-mediated cell death (Suzuki et. al., Oncogene 2000). Survivin may therefore be implicated in the known tumor-cell-escape from the immune system. The other biochemical mechanisms, besides its inhibitory binding to Caspases , by which Survivin might mediate its anti-apoptotic activity are currently unclear. Therefore it is one aspect of this invention that and new ligands that interacts with Survivin has been identified. TPR1 is a 270-kD coiled-coil protein localized to intranuclear filaments of the nuclear pore complex. The mechanism by which TPR1 contributes to the structure and function of the nuclear pore is currently unknown [Bangs-P et al.: J. Cell Biol., 1998, 28; 143 (7): 1801-12]. Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are extremely elaborate structures that mediate the bidirectional movement of macromolecules between the nucleus and cytoplasm. The current view of NPC organization features a massive symmetrical framework that is embedded in the double membranes of the nuclear envelope. The mechanisms of assembly and the nature of NPC structural intermediates are still poorly understood. In cells undergoing mitosis, the nuclear envelope is disassembled and its components, including NPC subunits, are dispersed throughout the mitotic cytoplasm. At the end of mitosis, all of these components are reutilized to form nuclear envelopes in the two daughter cells. Most interestingly in a cancer context, TPR1 was previously identified as the product of a gene involved in oncogenic activation since the amino-terminal TPR1 150-250 amino acids appear in oncogenic fusions with the kinase domains of the met, trk, and raf protooncogenes. Thus, the met oncogene was found to be activated by a genomic rearrangement that generates a hybrid protein containing TPR1 sequences at its amino terminus fused directly to the met (hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor) receptor tyrosine kinase domain. The resultant p65TPR1-Met hybrid protein possesses tyrosine kinase activity and is constitutively phosphorylated on tyrosine in vivo and transforms fibroblasts in culture [Rodrigues and Park: Oncogene, 1994 July; 9(7): 2019-27]. |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention relates to Survivin interacting protein TPR1, in particular TPR1 polypeptides and TPR1 polynucleotides, recombinant materials and methods for their production. Such polypeptides and polynucleotides are of interest in relation to methods of treatment of certain diseases, because they are natural ligands for Survivin. As pointed out this molecule has a prominent role in anti-apoptotic activity. The Yeast-two-Hybrid (Y2H) technology has been used to discover proteins that interact with Survivin. Such proteins are candidates that are involved in survival or mitotic signaling mediated by Survivin. The full length Survivin protein was used as a bait. This way the cDNA coding for the nuclear core complex protein TPR1 was identified as coding for an Survivin-interacting partner protein Survivin becomes prominently expressed in most common human cancers of lung, liver, colon, stomach, skin, pancreas, prostate, ovary and breast, in vivo. Survivin is also found in approximately 50% of high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas thus the interaction with the newly described molecule of this invention TPR1 offers an attractive option to interfere with this diseases therefore they are hereinafter referred to as “diseases of the invention”. In a further aspect, the invention relates to methods for identifying agonists and antagonists (e.g., inhibitors) using the materials provided by the invention, and treating conditions associated with TPR1 activity with the identified compounds. In a still further aspect, the invention relates to diagnostic assays for detecting diseases associated with inappropriate TPR1 activity or levels. The functional importance of the ligand Survivin interaction remains to be examined and could point out a possible involvement of Survivin in nuclear pore complex formation, stabilization, asembly or reassembly in, after or during mitosis. TPR1 may be involved in the mediation of a Survivin-controlled survival signal of (e.g. tumor) cells which may result in resistance of these cells against apoptotic signals, e.g. chemotherapeutic agents or physiological death signals as such of immune cells. TPR1 may also be implicated in basic mitotic processes and thereby being linked to mitotic functions mediated via Survivin. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"? |
Telecommunications and data communications switching apparatus and method |
To perform non-blocking cross connections in a high data rate switch operative for switching a synchronous data stream where the data is arranged in groups, the bits of the data groups are spread into subsets of one or more bits and the subsets switched individually across lower bit rate switches. At the destination the subsets are recombined. The bit spreader and recombiner may be arranged on the switch card or at the source and destination interfaces respectively. A protection switch can provide 1:N protection and an XOR function can be incorporated with the protection switch to provide 1:N protection without signalling from the destination interface to the source interface. |
1-9: (Canceled) 10: An apparatus for switching a synchronous data stream between a first interface and a second interface, the synchronous data stream having data bits divided into groups of data, comprising: a) a bit spreader for splitting the groups of data into a plurality of data subsets; b) a plurality of switches each for switching one of the plurality of data subsets into switched subsets; c) a bit recombiner for recombining the switched subsets to reform the group; d) a protection switch for providing an alternative switching path for a data subset between the first and second interfaces in the event of failure of one of the plurality of switches; and e) an exclusive OR (XOR) function at each of the bit spreader and the bit recombiner, the XOR function at the bit spreader receiving, as data inputs, the bits of the data subsets and outputting an XOR function of the input bits to the protection switch, the XOR function at the bit combiner receiving, as a first input, the data bits switched by the protection switch and, as further inputs, the data bits switched by all but a failed one of the plurality of switches, the XOR function generating, as an output, the switched bits of the data bits passed to the failed one switch. 11: The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the groups of bits are divided into data subsets each having a single bit, and wherein a number of the switches in the plurality of switches equals a number of bits in each group. 12: The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the bit spreader is arranged at the first interface, and wherein the bit recombiner is arranged at the second interface. 13: The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of switches each comprises a separate switch card. 14: The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the synchronous data stream comprises a synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) bit stream. 15: The apparatus according to claim 10, comprising at least one further interface, wherein the plurality of switches is operative to switch the data subsets among any of the first interface, the second interface and the at least one further interface. 16: The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the bit spreader includes a bit recombiner for recombining data subsets received from another interface, and wherein the recombiner includes a bit spreader for dividing the bit groups from the second interface to said another interface across the plurality of switches. 17: A method of switching a synchronous data stream from a first interface to a second interface, the synchronous data stream comprising data bits arranged in groups of data, comprising the steps of: a) splitting the groups of data into a plurality of subsets of data; b) switching each of the subsets of data separately into switched subsets; c) recombining the switched subsets; and d) switching a lost data subset via a protective switch by i) at the first interface, performing an exclusive OR (XOR) function on the bits of the data subsets to provide an XOR output, and switching the XOR output via the protective switch, and ii) at the second interface, on detection of loss of one of the data subsets, performing an XOR function with the XOR output and the remaining switched data subsets to recreate the lost data subset. 18: The method according to claim 17, wherein the subsets of data each comprises at least one data bit. |
Software driver code usage |
A method of providing a device with software driver code for operating the device with an accessory when operably coupled thereto. The method includes storing said software driver code on said accessory (404). On operably coupling said accessory to said device (406), either: said software driver code is exchanged from the accessory via a communication means to the device (416) or said software drivercode stored in said accessory is operated in situ on said accessory (408). An accessory, a communication device and a communication system are also provided. In this manner, a device is no longer required to maintain enough available memory in which to store the software drivers for a number of potential accessories. |
1. A method of providing a device with software driver code for operating the device with an accessory when operably coupled thereto, the method comprising the steps of: storing said software driver code on said accessory; exchanging said software driver code from the accessory via a communication means to the device, on operably coupling said accessory to said device, for operating the accessory from the device; and storing temporarily said software driver code on said device for a period of time. 2. The method of providing a device with software driver code according to claim 1, wherein the step of exchanging includes the step of: downloading said software driver code from said accessory; or uploading said software driver code to said device. 3. The method of providing a device with software driver code according to claim 1, wherein the step of exchanging includes the step of: operably coupling said device to said accessory using a wired interface, for example a USB interface or an RS232 serial interface. 4. The method of providing a device with software driver code according to claim 1, wherein the step of exchanging includes the step of: operably coupling said device to said accessory using a radio frequency interface or an infrared interface. 5. The method of providing a device with software driver code according to claim 1, when the software driver code is to be exchanged to a memory element of the device, the method further comprising the step of: checking a status of said memory element on operably coupling said device to said accessory in order to determine whether a software driver code exchange is required. 6. The method of providing a device with software driver code according to claim 5, the method further comprising the step of: exchanging software driver code to said device prior to operating said accessory. 7. The method of providing a device with software driver code according to claim 1, the method further comprising, in relation to the step of exchanging, the step of: performing an error detection and/or error checking operation of the exchanged software driver code. 8. The method of providing a device with software driver code according to claim 1, the method further comprising the steps of: identifying said accessory by an identification code; and confirming that said software driver code needs to be exchanged in response to said identified identification code. 9. The method of providing a device with software driver code according to claim 1, the method further comprising the steps of: retaining the latest exchanged software driver code in said device for a period of time after disconnection of said accessory; or erasing said software driver code in said device after disconnection of said accessory. 10. The method of providing a device with software driver code according to claim 9, wherein the step of erasing includes the step of: erasing said software driver code a period of time after disconnection of the accessory from the device. 11. The method of providing a device with software driver code according to claim 10, wherein the period of time is user definable or pre-determined and/or dependent upon at least one of the following: type of device, type of accessory, or amount of software driver code to be exchanged. 12. A communication device, adapted to operate the steps of method claim 1. 13. The communication device according to claim 12, wherein the device is one of: a cellular phone, a portable or mobile radio, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, a wirelessly networked PC. 14. A storage medium storing processor-implementable instructions for controlling one or more processors to carry out the method of claim 1. 15. A communication device for operable coupling to an accessory by communication means wherein said accessory includes a memory element storing software driver code for operating said accessory when operably coupled to said communication device, the communication device characterised by a memory element storing software driver code for a temporary period of time following exchange of said software driver code from the accessory via said communication means to the communication device. 16. The communication device according to claim 15, wherein said communication means is a wired interface, for example a USB interface or an RS232 serial interface, adapted to exchange said software driver code between said accessory and said communication device. 17. The communication device according to claim 15, wherein said communication means is an infrared link or a radio frequency link for exchanging said software driver code from said memory element of said accessory to said communication device. 18. The communication device according to claims 15, the communication device further comprising: software driver code error detection and/or error correction means for detecting and/or correcting any errors in the exchange of software driver code between said communication device and said accessory. 19. The communication device according to claim 15, the communication device further comprising: self-checking means for confirming said software driver code of said accessory is required by said communication device to operate with said accessory, prior to exchanging said software driver code. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In the field of fixed and wireless communication technology, there is an ever-increasing demand for more functionality to be provided to subscriber equipment. Furthermore, there is an increasing demand by subscribers to personalise the functionality of their subscriber equipment to meet their individual (or group) needs. Particularly in the context of personalising subscriber equipment, there has been a desire in the field of fixed and wireless communication technology to download software to subscriber equipment. Hence, with the evolution of mobile (as well as fixed) Internet access, in conjunction with the rapid development of data packet transfer technologies in the radio frequency domain, substantial software downloads, to facilitate terminal adaptation and personalisation, is fast becoming a reality. In the context of the present invention, the term “download” is to be understood as meaning taking information off, or receiving information from, another device. In contrast, the term “upload” is to be understood as meaning putting information on, or transmitting information to, another device. It is known that software download from a server (or content provider) can be initiated in a number of ways. Such downloads may include entire software applications and software patches to remedy specific technical faults that have been identified following an initial release of software code. Software downloads may also be content specific in that it is accessed on a demand basis from a content provider and may therefore appear to be general internet information, such as e-commerce messages, web pages, etc. Furthermore, it is known that software can be provided in the form of code on an adjunct “plug-in” memory expansion cards or SIM cards for use within subscriber equipment. In the next generation of mobile communication systems, such as the universal system for mobile communication (UMTS), mobile subscriber units will be able to access the internet directly via packet switched bearers across both an air-interface and in a wireline or optical network. It is envisaged that such subscriber equipment will be capable of operating with numerous accessories, for example MP3 players, wireless headsets, short message service (SMS) keypads, digital cameras, remote controls. Furthermore, it is envisaged that services in the future will be de-coupled from the communication network. This implies that the roles of network operators, service providers and manufacturers can be clearly distinguished and supported independently by unrelated parties. Therefore, in theory, download of either software or content can be acquired from any accessible source. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the unregulated nature of the internet, although desirable, leads to a very insecure network in which a subscriber can inadvertently compromise its own subscriber equipment functionality by downloading incompatible or deliberately malicious code. In the former instance, contemporaneous operation of downloaded code with existing software/firmware within the subscriber unit may inadvertently cause unit failure. The same scenario applies to any downloading of code to enable a subscriber unit to operate with a particular accessory. Therefore, there are inherent risks associated with both the augmentation in the number of software applications and accessories supported by the subscriber equipment and the update or replacement of code from, generally, non-vetted data repositories over a non-secure communication resource, such as the internet. In the area of third generation wireless communications, a means of providing automatic secure transfer of applications, applets and content has been put forward in the Mobile Execution Environment (MEXE) proposal in the 3 rd generation partnership project (3GPP T2). In the MExE proposal, an authentication mechanism is based on the CCITT X.509 digital certificate scheme that allows a subscriber unit and server to authenticate each other effectively. A standalone encryption mechanism is used to provide privacy for downloaded software (or content). The current MEXE approach for secured software/content download is to sign the software/content with a digital certificate that is authorised by a Trust Certificate Authority. The Certificate will uniquely identify the server to authenticate to the subscriber that the downloaded software/content comes from the trusted server; such a scenario exists where, for example, the server belongs to a handset manufacturer. Therefore, Certificates essentially contain a digital signature, unique to the equipment, and an encryption key for subsequent use in decoding data packets (or the like) that are transferred between the subscriber unit and a server. Hence, the over-riding current philosophy being applied to address the inherent problems associated with the demand for ever-more software downloads, is to certify the software/code providers. Clearly, such a philosophy focuses equipment/device manufacturers on the provision of increased memory capabilities of the particular equipment/device. Such increased memory capabilities are deemed essential to handle each of the various software applications and accessories that a user of the equipment/device is expected to be interested in. Associated with the aforementioned devices is the concept of software drivers. These software drivers typically take the form of software code that is stored in the particular device to facilitate the running and operation of particular software algorithms in the device. Furthermore, many current electronic devices are generally configured with the ability to connect a variety of accessories, in order to enhance the device's functionality to its user. The aforementioned driver storage approach has a number of disadvantages. Firstly, the device is required to maintain enough memory in which to store the code for all of the software drivers. The inventor of the present invention has recognised that, if it was not necessary for the device to store all the software driver codes, the corresponding memory could be used for either: other applications, or it could be left out, thereby reducing the costs involved with producing the device as well as potentially reducing the size of the device. A second problem with the present arrangement of storing the code for all software drivers in the communication device is that a particular accessory may not be fully developed when the device is ready to be sold. In order for the software driver for the accessory to be installed in the device, delivery of the device will have to be delayed until the software driver is available. Alternatively the device can be sold without the software driver, and if necessary have the software driver installed at a later date. This can be inconvenient for the owner of the device, as it requires the owner of the device to arrange for the software driver to be installed, in order for the user to be able to use the accessory. A yet further problem arises when software driver upgrades are required, or enhanced accessories are bought onto the market place. In such a situation, each and every communication device needs to be able to support future enhancements, or be re-programmed with the necessary software driver or software driver upgrade. Thus there exists a need in the field of the present invention for an improved arrangement to provide software driver code to a device wherein the above-mentioned disadvantages associated with prior art approaches may be alleviated. |
<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a subscriber unit adapted to support the inventive concepts of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a device-accessory arrangement prior to a software driver code exchange, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 shows a device-accessory arrangement highlighting the memory change after a software driver code exchange operation, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a device utilising software driver code stored in an accessory, in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"? |
Closure |
A closure (1) for a beverage container may have a base cap (2) for securing to the container and a detachable over-cap (3) for protecting a valve member (10) providing an outlet through which a beverage can be dispensed. The over-cap (3) has an array of holes (21) providing airways through the over-cap (3) to prevent choking if the over-cap (3) is accidentally swallowed and lodges in the throat in any orientation. The holes (21) are arranged to permit through flow of air in any orientation of the over-cap (3). The over-cap (3) may also be provided with ribs (14) or channels providing airways to allow flow of air around the outside of the cap (3) if swallowed and lodging in the throat. |
1. A closure for a beverage container, wherein the closure has an outlet that is operable to dispense a liquid from a container to which the closure is secured, and a removable cover for the outlet, the cover has an end wall that overlies the outlet and a skirt depending from the end wall, and is provided with at least one aperture wherein the aperture is provided in the skirt spaced from the end wall such that the cover protects the outlet from contamination and the aperture forms an airway to prevent choking if the cover is swallowed. 2. A closure according to claim 1 wherein the aperture is arranged to permit airflow through the cover in either of two mutually perpendicular directions. 3. A closure according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of apertures are provided spaced apart in a circumferential direction whereby one or more apertures is open in any orientation of the cover. 4. A closure according to claim 3 wherein the apertures produce an airflow of at least 8 litres/minute. 5. A closure according to claim 3 wherein eight apertures are provided, uniformly spaced apart in the circumferential direction. 6. A closure according to claim 1 wherein the aperture communicates with a recessed portion in the outer surface of the skirt that extends to the end wall. 7. A closure according to claim 1 wherein the cover comprises e at least one external formation that allows the flow of air around the outside of the cover if it is swallowed and becomes lodged in the throat. 8. A closure according to claim 7 wherein the formation comprises a groove in the skirt that extends from the end wall to the open end of the cover providing a channel in the outer surface of the skirt so that air can flow past the cover in both directions. 9. A closure according to claim 8 wherein the aperture communicates with a recessed portion in the outer surface of the skirt that extends to the end wall and the groove includes the recessed portion communicating with an aperture in the skirt. 10. A closure according to claim 9 wherein the external formation comprises a rib that projects outwardly from the skirt to space the skirt from a surface contacted by the rib providing air-ways on either side of the rib so that air can flow past the cover in both directions. 11. A closure according to claim 10 wherein multiple air-ways are formed extending axially from the end wall to the other, open end of the cover by a plurality of ribs projecting outwardly from the skirt and spaced apart in a circumferential direction. 12. A closure according to claim 10 wherein one aperture is provided between each pair of adjacent ribs. 13. A closure according to claim 11 wherein one aperture is provided between alternate pairs of adjacent ribs. 14. A closure according to claim 1 wherein the closure comprises a base cap provided with the outlet for securing to the container and the cover comprises an over-cap releasably secured to the base cap to cover the outlet. 15. A closure according to claim 14 wherein a lock ring is provided for initially securing the over-cap to the base cap and the over-cap is separable from the lock ring when the over-cap is first removed to consume the contents of the container. 16. A closure according to claim 15 wherein the over-cap is secured to the lock ring by frangible webs that rupture when the over-cap is rotated relative to the lock ring. 17. A closure according to claim 16 wherein the webs are spaced apart around the open end of the over-cap, and the lock ring and base cap have interengageable formations to prevent rotation of the lock ring relative to the base cap. 18. A closure according to claim 17 wherein the over-cap fits over the outlet in the base cap and the base cap has a stepped portion on which the over-cap is an interference fit to secure the over-cap when separated from the lock ring. 19. A closure according to claim 18 wherein the interference fit is a simple friction fit. 20. A closure according to claim 18 wherein the interference fit is a snap fit to retain positively the over-cap and provide a tactile indication to the user that the over-cap has been correctly secured. 21. A closure according to claim 20 wherein the over-cap is provided with an internal formation arranged to snap engage a groove in the stepped portion. 22. A closure according to claim 14 wherein the base cap has an internal screw thread co-operable with an external screw thread on a neck of the container for securing the closure to the container and allowing the closure to be removed if it is desired to empty or fill the container through an opening defined by the neck. 23. A closure according to claim 22 wherein a lock ring is provided for initially securing the base cap to the container and the base cap is separable from the lock ring when the base cap is first removed from the container. 24. A closure according to claim 23 wherein the base cap is secured to the lock ring by frangible webs that rupture when the base cap is rotated relative to the lock ring. 25. A closure according to claim 24 wherein the webs are spaced apart around the open end of the base cap, and the lock ring and container have interengageable formations to prevent rotation of the lock ring relative to the container. 26. A closure according to claim 14 wherein the outlet is provided in a head of a valve member movable between a first position in which the outlet is closed and a second position in which the outlet is open to allow the contents of the container to be consumed through the outlet with the base cap attached to the container. 27. A closure according to claim 26 wherein the aperture apertures in the skirt is spaced from the end wall so that, when the over-cap is fitted over the valve member, the aperture opens below the head of the valve member. 28. A closure according to claim 26 wherein the valve member prevents the over-cap being attached to the base cap when the outlet is open. 29. A closure according to claim 26, wherein the valve member is slidably mounted in a tubular upstand. 30. A closure according to claim 14 wherein the base cap and over-cap are mouldings of food-grade plastics, for example low density or high density polyethylene or polypropylene. 31. A closure according to claim 30 wherein the over-cap is made of clear plastics. 32. A closure according to claim 1 in which the aperture is D-Shaped in side view. 33. A closure according to claim 1 in which the aperture is rectangular shaped in plan view. 34. An over-cap for removably covering an outlet in a beverage container, wherein the over-cap has an end wall and a skirt depending therefrom, and is provided with at least one aperture wherein the aperture is provided in the skirt spaced from the end wall such that the cover protects the outlet from contamination and the aperture forms an airway to prevent choking if the cover is swallowed. 35. An over-cap according to claim 34 wherein the over-cap covers the outlet to protect the outlet from contamination and is removable when it is desired to consume the contents of the container. 36. An over-cap according to claim 34 wherein the outlet is formed in a base cap for securing to the container and the over-cap fits on the base cap to cover the outlet. 37. An over-cap according to claim 36 wherein the base cap and over-cap are initially secured together for assembly of a closure for fitting to the container with the over-cap being detachable from the base cap to expose the outlet when it is desired to consume the contents of the container. 38. An over-cap according to claim 37 wherein the base cap is releasably secured to the container so that the container can be emptied and/or filled with the closure removed. |
Mesh compression |
A method and apparatus for transmission and reception of three dimensional image data is disclosed where vertex data, together with information on the displacement of vertices is sent for reception and reconstruction of a three dimensional object using a surface subdivision process. The method employed is characterised by all displacements for vertices of a greater magnitude being sent, received and applied before all displacements for vertices of a lesser magnitude, so that premature termination of the process results in varying degrees of surface precision, but with image integrity. The transmission and reception process employs a SPHIT Tree applied to a three dimensional object rather than to a two dimensional surface (for which SPHIT Trees were created). The SPHIT Tree also eliminates the need for a sign digit for representing the direction of displacements of vertices. Data compression and decompression is used, employing the Arithmetic Coding data compression method. |
1. An apparatus for transmission of vertex position and displacement information for use in reconstructing a three dimensional surface by a surface subdivision process; said apparatus comprising; means to define co-ordinates of vertices In terms of their individual occurrence in the surface subdivision process; and means to transmit all more significant elements of the displacements before all lesser significance elements of the displacements. 2. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said displacements are defined as binary numbers, and wherein said more significant elements are binary digits of greater significance, and further comprising: means to select said displacements in descending order of magnitude; means to select each significant binary digit, used to represent the displacements, in descending order of significance; means to send, in order of magnitude of the respective displacements, the total number and the co-ordinates of each a vertex whose displacement has a most significant digit equal to the selected binary digit; and means to send the selected significant bits in the representation of the displacements, in descending order of the magnitude of the respective displacement, for each vertex which has previously been found to have a most significant digit equal to a previously selected significant binary digit. 3. (canceled) 4. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said means to transmit comprises means to compress data utilising Arithmetic Coding data compression means. 5. An apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said means to transmit comprises means to compress data utilising Arithmetic Coding data compression. 6. An apparatus, according to claim 1, comprising means to encode a SPHIT Tree, said SPHIT tree being characterised by being applied to a three dimensional object. 7. An apparatus, according to any one of claims 2, 4 and 5 comprising means to encode a SPHIT Tree, said SPHIT tree being characterised by being applied to a three dimensional object. 8. An apparatus, according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 4-6 comprising means to encode a SPHIT Tree, said SPHIT Tree being characterised by the absence of sign from each indication of displacement. 9. An apparatus for reception and reconstruction of a three dimensional image, said apparatus comprising: means to receive vertex position and displacement Information for use in reconstructing a three dimensional surface by a surface subdivision process; means to receive a definition of co-ordinates of vertices in terms of their individual occurrence In the surface subdivision process; and means to receive all more significant elements of the displacements before all lesser significant elements of the displacements. 10. An apparatus, according to claim 9, wherein said displacements are defined as binary numbers, and wherein said more significant elements are binary digits of greater significance and further comprising: means to receive, in order of magnitude of the respective displacements, the total number and the co-ordinates of each vertex whose displacement has a most significant digit equal to a selected binary digit, where said displacements have been selected, for transmission in descending order of magnitude and where each significant binary digit, used to represent the displacements, has been selected, for transmission, in descending order of significance; and means to receive the selected significant bits in the representation of the displacement, in descending order of the magnitude of the respective displacement, for each vertex which has previously been found to have a most significant digit equal to a previously selected significant binary digit. 11. (canceled) 12. An apparatus, according to claim 9 wherein said means to receive comprises means to decompress data utilising Arithmetic Coding data compression. 13. An apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said means to receive comprises means to decompress data utilising Arithmetic Coding data compression. 14. An apparatus, according to claim 9, comprising means to encode a SPHIT Tree, said SPHIT tree being characterised by being applied to a three dimensional object. 15. An apparatus, according to any one of the claims 10, 12 and 13, comprising means to decode a SPHIT Tree, said SPHIT tree being characterised by being applied to a three dimensional object. 16. An apparatus, according to any one of claims 9 10, and 12-14 including means to decode a SPHIT Tree, said SPHIT tree being characterised by the absence of indication of sign with each displacement. 17. A method for transmission of vertex position and displacement information for use In reconstructing a three dimensional surface by a surface subdivision process, said method including the steps of: defining co-ordinates of vertices in terms of their individual occurrence in the surface subdivision process; and transmitting all more significant elements of the displacements before all lesser significant elements of the displacements. 18. A method, according to claim 17, comprising the steps of: defining said displacements as binary numbers; providing that more significant elements are binary digits of greater significance; selecting said displacements in descending order of magnitude; selecting each significant binary digit, used to represent the displacements, in descending order of significance; sending, in order of magnitude of the respective displacements, the total number and the co ordinates of each vertex whose displacement has a most significant digit equal to the selected binary digit; and sending the selected significant bits in the representation of the displacement, in descending order of the magnitude of the respective displacement, for each vertex which has previously been found to have a most significant digit equal to a previously selected significant binary digit. 19. (canceled) 20. A method, according to claim 17, comprising the step of employing data compression for transmitted data which employs means suitable for use with Arithmetic Coding data compression. 21. A method, according to claim 18, comprising the step of employing data compression for transmitted data which employment of data compression comprises employing means suitable for use with Arithmetic Coding data compression. 22. A method, according to claim 17, comprising the step of encoding a SPHIT Tree, said SPHIT Tree being characterised by being applied to a three dimensional object. 23. A method, according to any one of claims 18, 20 and 21, comprising the step of encoding a SPHIT Tree, said SPHIT Tree being characterised by being applied to a three dimensional object. 24. A method, according to any one of claims 17, 18 and 20 to 22, comprising the step of encoding a SPHIT Tree, said SPHIT Tree being characterised by absence of indication of sign with each displacement. 25. A method for reception and reconstruction of a three dimensional image, said method comprising the steps of: receiving vertex position and displacement information for use in reconstructing a three dimensional surface by a surface subdivision process; receiving definition of the co-ordinates of vertices in terms of their individual occurrence in the surface subdivision process; and receiving and applying all more significant elements of the displacements before all lesser significant elements of the displacements. 26. A method, according to claim 25, comprising including the steps of: receiving definition of said displacements as binary numbers; providing that more significant elements are binary digits of greater significance; receiving, in order of magnitude of the respective displacements, the total number and the coordinates of each vertex whose displacement has a most significant digit equal to a selected binary digit, where said displacements have been selected, for transmission in descending order of magnitude and where each significant binary digit, used to represent the displacements, has been selected, for transmission, in descending order of significance; and receiving the selected significant bits in the representation of the displacement, in descending order of the magnitude of the respective displacement for each vertex which has previously been found to have a most significant digit equal to a previously selected significant binary digit. 27. (canceled) 28. A method, according to any one of claims 25 to 27, including claim 25 comprising the step of employing data decompression for received data said employment of data decompression comprising the employment of means applicable to Arithmetic Coding data compression. 29. A method, according to claim 28, comprising the step of employing data decompression for received data, wherein said employment of data decompression includes the employment of means applicable to Arithmetic Coding data compression. 30. A method, according to claim 25, comprising the step of decoding a SPHIT Tree, said SPHIT Tree being characterised by application to a three dimensional object. 31. A method, according to any one of claims 26, 28 and 29, comprising the step of decoding a SPHIT Tree, said SPHIT Tree being characterised by application to a three dimensional object. 32. A method, according to any one of claims 25, 26 and 28 to 30, including decoding a SPHIT Tree, said SPHIT Tree being characterised by absence of indication of sign with each displacement. 33. An apparatus, according to claim 7 wherein the SPHIT Tree is characterised by the absence of sign from each indication of displacement. 34. An apparatus for transmission of vertex position and displacement information for use in reconstructing a three dimensional surface by a surface subdivision process; said apparatus comprising; means to define co-ordinates of vertices in terms of their individual occurrence In the surface subdivision process; and means to transmit all more significant elements of the displacements before all lesser significance elements of the displacements; the displacements being defined as binary numbers, and said more significant elements being binary digits of greater significance, and further comprising: means to select said displacements in descending order of magnitude; means to select each significant binary digit, used to represent the displacements, in descending order of significance; means to send, in order of magnitude of the respective displacements, the total number and the co-ordinates of each a vertex whose displacement has a most significant digit equal to the selected binary digit and means to send the selected significant bits in the representation of the displacements, in descending order of the magnitude of the respective displacement, for each vertex which has previously been found to have a most significant digit equal to a previously selected significant binary digit, wherein any vertex can be displaced. 35. An apparatus, according to claim 15 wherein the SPHIT Tree is characterised by the absence of indication of sign with each displacement. 36. An apparatus for reception and reconstruction of a three dimensional image, said apparatus comprising: means to receive vertex position and displacement Information for use in reconstructing a three dimensional surface by a surface subdivision process; means to receive a definition of coordinates of vertices in terms of their individual occurrence in the surface subdivision process; and means to receive all more significant elements of the displacements before all lesser significant elements of the displacements, wherein said displacements are defined as binary numbers, and wherein said more significant elements are binary digits of greater significance and further comprising: means to receive, in order of magnitude of the respective displacements, the total number and the co-ordinates of each vertex whose displacement has a most significant digit equal to a selected binary digit, where said displacements have been selected, for transmission in descending order of magnitude and where each significant binary digit, used to represent the displacements, has been selected, for transmission, in descending order of significance; and means to receive the selected significant bits in the representation of the displacement, in descending order of the magnitude of the respective displacement, for each vertex which has previously been found to have a most significant digit equal to a previously selected significant binary digit, wherein any vertex can be displaced. 37. An apparatus, according to claim 23, wherein said SPHIT Tree is characterised by absence of indication of sign with each displacement. 38. A method for reception and reconstruction of a three dimensional image, said method comprising the steps of: receiving vertex position and displacement information for use in reconstructing a three dimensional surface by a surface subdivision process; receiving definition of the co-ordinates of vertices in terms of their individual occurrence in the surface subdivision process; and receiving and applying all more significant elements of the displacements before all lesser significant elements of the displacements comprising including the steps of: receiving definition of said displacements as binary numbers; providing that more significant elements are binary digits of greater significance; receiving, in order of magnitude of the respective displacements, the total number and the co-ordinates of each vertex whose displacement has a most significant digit equal to a selected binary digit, where said displacements have been selected, for transmission in descending order of magnitude and where each significant binary digit, used to represent the displacements, has been selected, for transmission, in descending order of significance; and receiving the selected significant bits in the representation of the displacement, in descending order of the magnitude of the respective displacement, for each vertex which has previously been found to have a most significant digit equal to a previously selected significant binary digit, wherein any vertex can be displaced. 39. A method, according to claim 31, wherein said SPHIT Tee being characterised by absence of indication of sign with each displacement. 40. A method for reception and reconstruction of a three dimensional image, said method comprising the steps of: receiving vertex position and displacement information for use in reconstructing a three dimensional surface by a surface subdivision process; receiving definition of the co-ordinates of vertices in terms of their Individual occurrence in the surface subdivision process; and receiving and applying all more significant elements of the displacements before all lesser significant elements of the displacements comprising including the steps of: receiving definition of said displacements as binary numbers; providing that more significant elements are binary digits of greater significance; receiving, in order of magnitude of the respective displacements, the total number and the co-ordinates of each vertex whose displacement has a most significant digit equal to a selected binary digit, where said displacements have been selected, for transmission in descending order of magnitude and where each significant binary digit, used to represent the displacements, has been selected, for transmission, in descending order of significance; and receiving the selected significant bits in the representation of the displacement, in descending order of the magnitude of the respective displacement, for each vertex which has previously been found to have a most significant digit equal to a previously selected significant binary digit, wherein any vertex can be displaced. |
Method and apparatus for laying a traffic calming surface |
The present application relates to methods for laying a traffic calming surface, in which molten material is deposited on the surface of a road or path and is then moulded so as to form a continuous, substantially sinusoidal profile which extends along the intended direction of travel. The profile can be formed by employing at least one pair of longitudinal rails which are positioned on the surface of the road so as to be spaced apart from each other and such that they are aligned with the intended direction of travel. The upper surface of the rails exhibits the required profile so that molten material deposited between the rails can be spread between the rails to form the required surface. |
1-46. (canceled) 47. A method of laying a traffic calming surface, the method comprising the steps of: i) depositing molten material on a surface of a road or path; ii) molding the molten material such that an upper surface thereof has a predetermined profile which extends along an intended direction of travel. 48. A method as claimed in claim 47 wherein the profile is a continuous, substantially sinusoidal profile. 49. A method as claimed in claim 47 wherein the material is deposited between at least one pair of substantially longitudinal rails which are positioned on the surface of the road so as to be spaced apart from each other and such that they are substantially aligned with the intended direction of travel, and wherein upper surfaces of the rails have a predetermined profile which extends along respective lengths of said rails. 50. A method as claimed in claim 49 wherein the profile is a continuous, substantially sinusoidal profile. 51. A method as claimed in claim 49 wherein the rails are positioned on the ground so as to be mutually parallel. 52. A method as claimed in claim 47 wherein the material is molded by means of a moveable member which extends between the rails, and which is moved over the rails in contact with the molten material such that the upper surface of the material is molded to form the continuous sinusoidal profile. 53. A method as claimed in claim 52 wherein the moveable member defines or exhibits a substantially linear edge which extends between the pair of rails and comes into contact with the molten material as the moveable member is moved across the upper surface of the rails. 54. A method as claimed in claim 52 wherein the moveable member comprises a cylindrical drum. 55. A method as claimed in claim 52 wherein said moveable member is formed of metal. 56. A method as claimed in claim 55 wherein said moveable member is formed of steel. 57. A method as claimed in claim 52 wherein said moveable member is heated. 58. A method as claimed in claim 57 wherein said moveable member is heated to between 300° C. to 550° C. 59. A method as claimed in claim 52 wherein the molten material is deposited in front of the moveable member before the molten material is molded. 60. A method as claimed in claim 49 wherein the material is molded by tamping the molten material deposited between the at least one pair of rails, such that the upper surface of the material forms a continuous, substantially sinusoidal profile. 61. A method as claimed in claim 49 wherein the rails are secured to the surface of the road. 62. A method as claimed in claim 49 wherein the rails are formed of aluminum. 63. A method as claimed in claim 47 wherein the material is molded by means of a moveable member mounted on a rolling means, the moveable member exhibiting or defining a substantially linear edge which extends across a width or a part of the width of the deposited material wherein the rolling means has a non central axis of rotation such that as the moveable member progresses with the linear edge in contact with the molten material, it rises up and down so as to form a continuous substantially sinusoidal profile in the upper surface of said molten material. 64. A method as claimed in claim 63 wherein the rolling means comprises at least one pair of wheels. 65. A method as claimed in claim 47 wherein a molding member, the underside of which exhibits a continuous substantially sinusoidal profile, is pressed into the molten material after the molten material has been deposited on the ground. 66. A method as claimed in claim 48 wherein the wavelength of the resultant substantially sinusoidal profile is 0.28 m to 0.48 m. 67. A method as claimed in claim 66 wherein the wavelength of the resultant substantially sinusoidal profile is 0.3 m to 0.4 m. 68. A method as claimed in claim 67 wherein the wavelength of the resultant substantially sinusoidal profile is 0.35 m. 69. A method as claimed in claim 48 wherein the wavelength of the resultant substantially sinusoidal profile is approximately equal to the contact patch length of a tire. 70. A method as claimed in claim 47 wherein a peak to trough amplitude of the resultant traffic calming surface is 4 mm to 12 mm. 71. A method as claimed in claim 70 wherein the peak to trough amplitude of the resultant traffic calming surface is 6 mm to 7 mm. 72. A method as claimed in claim 47 wherein the resultant traffic calming surface has a length of 5 m to 20 m. 73. A method as claimed in claim 47 wherein the molten material comprises a polymer modified bitumen based compound. 74. A method as claimed in claim 73 wherein the molten material comprises a synthetic bitumen mixed with filler and aggregate. 75. A method as claimed in claim 74 wherein the molten material comprises binder resin, polymer and plasticizer. 76. A method as claimed in claim 47 wherein the molten material comprises concrete or grout. 77. A method of laying a traffic calming surface wherein molten material is accommodated within a vessel, the vessel having a opening at or near the lower end thereof so that the molten material can flow out of the vessel wherein the vessel is provided with a means to control the flow of material such that, in use, the material is deposited on the ground so as to form a traffic calming surface, the upper surface of which has a continuous, substantially sinusoidal profile. 78. An apparatus for use with a method of laying a traffic calming surface, the apparatus comprising at least one pair of longitudinal rails, the upper surface of which have a continuous, substantially sinusoidal profile which extends along the length thereof. 79. An apparatus as claimed in claim 78 wherein the rails are formed of metal. 80. An apparatus as claimed in claim 79 wherein the rails are formed of aluminum. 81. An apparatus as claimed in claim 78 wherein undersides of the rails are substantially flat thereby allowing the rails to be positioned on a planar surface. 82. A moveable member for spreading molten material on a road surface, the moveable member exhibiting or defining a substantially linear edge which comes into contact with said molten material wherein the moveable member is moved over the material and is arranged to create a continuous, substantially sinusoidal profile in an upper surface thereof. 83. A moveable member as claimed in claim 82 wherein the moveable member comprises a cylindrical drum. 84. A moveable member as claimed in claim 82 wherein said moveable member is formed of metal. 85. A moveable member as claimed in claim 82 wherein said moveable member is heated. 86. A moveable member as claimed in claim 85 wherein said moveable member is heated to between 300° C. to 550° C. 87. A moveable member as claimed in claim 82 wherein said moveable member is provided with a rolling means wherein the rolling means has a non central axis of rotation such that as the moveable member progresses with the linear edge in contact with the molten material, the moveable member rises up and down so as to form a continuous substantially sinusoidal profile in the upper surface of said molten material. 88. An apparatus for laying a traffic calming surface, comprising a means for molding molten material so as to form a continuous, substantially sinusoidal profile in an upper surface thereof. 89. An apparatus for laying a traffic calming surface, comprising: i) at least one pair of longitudinal rails, upper surfaces of which have a continuous, substantially sinusoidal profile which extends along a length of said rails wherein molten material is deposited between said rails; and ii) a moveable member which extends between the rails, and which is moved over the rails in contact with the molten material such that an upper surface of the material is molded to form a continuous, substantially sinusoidal profile. |
MACHINE FOR PACKAGING A PRODUCT WITH A PAMPHLET |
A packaging machine comprises a transfer device for inserting a product into a package and a circulating leaflet supply device comprising a plurality of tong-like holders which are sequentially disposed, each for receiving one leaflet and for bringing that leaflet into a region of the transfer device between the product and the package such that it can be inserted together with the product into the package. An opening unit with several stops, which can be actuated independently of each other, is disposed in the transport path of the holders for opening the holders to release the leaflet. The stops can be brought into an inoperative position in which the holders pass by the stops without releasing the leaflet. In this connection, the leaflet supply device comprises first holders to be opened by a first stop, and second holders to be opened by a second stop, and successive, sequential holders cooperate with and can be opened by different stops. |
1-10. (canceled) 11. A packaging machine for inserting a product and a leaflet into a package, the machine comprising: a transfer device cooperating with the product to insert the product into the package; a circulating leaflet supply device; first holders structured to grasp and hold one leaflet each, said first holders mounted to and moving along with said circulating leaflet supply device to dispose a leaflet between the product and the package in a region of said transfer device in such a manner that the leaflet can be inserted together with the product into the package; second holders structured to grasp and hold one leaflet each, said second holders mounted to and moving along with said circulating leaflet supply device to dispose a leaflet between the product and the package in a region of said transfer device in such a manner that the leaflet can be inserted together with the product into the package, each of said second holders neighboring one of said first holders on at least one side thereof; a first stop cooperating with said first holders to release the leaflet; means for actuating said first stop to move said first stop into an operative position disposed in a transport path of said first holders and into an inoperative position in which said first stop is removed from cooperation with said first holders; a second stop cooperating with said second holders to release the leaflet; and means for actuating said second stop to move said second stop into an operative position disposed in a transport path of said second holders and into an inoperative position in which said second stop is removed from cooperation with said second holders. 12. The packaging machine of claim 11, further comprising third holders structured to grasp and hold one leaflet each, said third holders mounted to and moving along with said circulating leaflet supply device to dispose a leaflet between the product and the package in a region of said transfer device in such a manner that the leaflet can be inserted together with the product into the package and also further comprising a third stop cooperating with said third holders to release the leaflet. 13. The packaging machine of claim 11, wherein said first stop and said second stop have a strip-shape and are disposed one above an other. 14. The packaging machine of claim 11, wherein said first stop actuating means comprises a first spring pretensioning said first stop into said inoperative position, said first stop actuating means moving said first stop into said operative position against pretension of said first spring, and wherein said second stop actuating means comprises a second spring pretensioning said second stop into said inoperative position, said second stop actuating means moving said second stop into said operative position against pretension of said second spring. 15. The packaging machine of claim 11, wherein each of said first holders comprises a first stop part for cooperation with said first stop and each of said second holders comprises a second stop part for cooperation with said second stop. 16. The packaging machine of claim 15, wherein said first stop part comprises at least one first roller which rolls on said first stop and said second stop part comprises at least one second roller which rolls on said second stop. 17. The packaging machine of claim 11, further comprising a first detector device for sensing an insertion motion of the product into the package and for issuing a corresponding insertion signal to a control device. 18. The packaging machine of claim 17, further comprising a second detector device which detects a position and structure of a next holder to be opened and which issues a corresponding holder signal to said control device. 19. The packaging machine of claim 18, wherein stops can be brought into operative positions in dependence on said insertion signal and said holder signal. 20. The packaging machine of claim 19, wherein said first detector device, said second detector device, said first stop, said second stop, said first stop actuating means, and said second stop actuating means can be adjusted as a unit in a transport direction of said leaflet supply device. |
Planar loudspeaker |
The invention relates to a planar loudspeaker comprising a light, thin soundboard (2) which may be energized to produce multiply-reflected bending waves, a surrounding frame (3) holding the soundboard (2) in an articulated, shear-resistant manner; at least one driver (6, 7, 9, 10) connected to the soundboard (2) to energize the soundboard (2); and at least one bridge (13, 16, 18, 20, 22, 25), rigidly connecting the at least one driver (6, 7, 9, 10) to the frame (3), wherein the bridge or at least one of the bridges (13, 16, 18, 20, 22, 25) is connected to the damping board (14). |
1. A planar loudspeaker comprising: a light, thin soundboard which may be energized to create reflected bending waves; a surrounding frame holding said soundboard in an articulated shear-resistant manner; at least one driver connected to said soundboard to energize said soundboard, and at least one bridge permanently connecting said at least one driver to said frame, wherein said bridge, is connected to a damping board. 2. The planar loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein said damping board has a rigid design. 3. The planar loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein said bridge is in the form of an air-permeable rigid frame. 4. The planar loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein said bridge is configured as an airtight flat-box cover. 5. The planar loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein said damping board has a smaller surface area than said soundboard. 6. The planar loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein the damping board is implemented using a light, flexurally rigid sandwich construction. 7. The planar loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein the connection points between said bridge and said damping board are located in the region of the node lines of the first two vibrational modes of said damping board. 8. The planar loudspeaker of claim 2, wherein said damping board itself is an integral component of said bridge. 9. The planar loudspeaker of claim 2, wherein said bridge comprises a prismatic rod, wherein the rod does not completely cover the area opposite the soundboard provided by the frame. 10. The planar loudspeaker of claim 2, wherein said bridge is in the form of a regular lattice. 11. The planar loudspeaker of claim 2, wherein said bridge is in the form of a perforated panel. 12. The planar loudspeaker of claim 2, wherein said bridge is elastically compliant and is an integral component of an airtight flat box, wherein all external components of this flat box are airtight as well as interconnected in an airtight manner. 13. The planar loudspeaker of claim 12, wherein said flat box includes a reflex port/bass reflex tube. 14. The planar loudspeaker of claim 12, wherein said bridge is in the form of a rigid panel and is connected to said damping board by a surrounding bridge crimp. 15. The planar loudspeaker of claims 12, wherein a chamber (28) is attached to said flat box. 16. The planar loudspeaker of claim 15, wherein the chamber (28) has a bass reflex port. 17. The planar loudspeaker of 15, wherein the chamber (28) is airtight. 18. The planar loudspeaker of claim 15, wherein the chamber (28) has a passive radiator (23). |
<SOH> 2. FIELD OF THE INVENTION. <EOH>This invention relates to the field of loudspeakers, and in particular to a planar loudspeaker comprising a light, thin soundboard that may be energized to produce multiple-reflected bending waves. A surrounding frame holds this board in an articulated manner, At least one driver is connected to and energizes the soundboard, and at least one bridge rigidly connects the at least one driver to the frame. |
<SOH> SUMMARY <EOH>A planar loudspeaker includes a bridge that is connected to a damping board. The bridge supports a driver and the damping board. The damping board is preferably rigid. The bridge resonance frequency may be tuned here by, for example, adjusting mass. Specifically, the bridge resonance may be determined by the ratio of the spring constant to the total bridge mass including all elements attached to it. Independently of the damping provided by the board surface of the damping board, the mass may be modified by changing the thickness or the density of the damping board in such a way that the radiative contribution of the damping board integrates in a positive manner into the acoustic spectrum of the multiresonance loudspeaker. In an example of an alternative approach, the bridge resonance frequency may be tuned by adjusting the spring. Independent of the damping provided by the board surface, the planar moment of inertia, and thus the spring constant, may, for example, be adjusted by modifying the cross-sectional profile of the bridge in such a way that the resonance zone of the bridge integrates in a positive manner into the acoustic spectrum of the multiresonance loudspeaker. In a preferred approach, at least one bridge is created in the form of an air-permeable rigid frame. The at least one bridge may, however, also be created in the form of an airtight flat box cover. The damping board preferably has a smaller area than the soundboard. In addition, a preferred approach implements the damping board using a light, extremely flexurally rigid sandwich construction. A sandwich construction of this type is known, for example, from EP 0 924 959. In addition, the connection points between the bridge(s) and damping board may be located in the region of the node lines for the first two vibrational modes of the damping board. The damping board itself may also be an integral component of the at least one bridge. The at least one bridge may be composed of a prismatic rod, wherein the bridge does not completely cover the area opposite the soundboard provided by the frame. In addition, the at least one bridge may be created in the form of a regular lattice and/or perforated panel. In another modification of the invention, the at least one bridge may be elastically compliant and an integral component of an airtight flat box in which all external components of this flat box are themselves airtight, as well as interconnected in an airtight manner. The flat box here may have a bass reflex port (or also a bass reflex tube). At least one bridge may be in the form of a rigid panel and be connected to the damping board by a surrounding bridge crimp. A chamber may also be attached to the flat box, wherein the chamber may also have a bass reflex port (or also a bass reflect tube). Alternatively, the chamber may also be airtight. In addition, the chamber may also have a passive radiator. In terms of its acoustic effect, the planar loudspeaker according to the invention may also be an asymmetric two-panel loudspeaker since the principal front soundboard facing the listener forms an acoustic multiresonance soundboard, while the smaller rear damping board facing away from the listener is, acoustically speaking, a rigid panel. The degree of damping here may be directly adjusted by the surface area of the damping board. The larger the board, the greater the damping. Additional enhancement of the low-frequency sound radiation by the planar loudspeaker may be achieved by designing the damping board as a rigid panel, thereby not only damping the bridge resonance vibration but also simultaneously contributing to sound radiation in the low-frequency range. In free multiresonance soundboards, the low-frequency range is always degraded by a dipole short circuit. The additional sound radiation partially compensates this dipole short circuit. A particular advantage of the asymmetrical two-panel loudspeaker relates to its simple driving technology. Whereas known monopole drivers (see DE 198 218 62) are composed of back-to-back single drivers, alternative side-by-side single drivers, or complex double voice-coil systems, a loudspeaker according to an aspect of the invention requires only at least one known conventional panel driver. If the frame supporting the bridge(s) and soundboard is acoustically open, then in response to a counter-acting pumping motion of the two panels, the compressed or decompressed air flows through the frame openings so as to equalize the pressure. If alternatively, however, the frame is sealed such that the soundboard and damping board create radiative surfaces of an otherwise closed flat box, then the two panels work in a counter-acting manner in the low-frequency range. The arrangement of the two panels then forms a “low-frequency monopole radiator,” that is, a breathing sphere with partially inactive zones. A preferred embodiment of such a flat-box arrangement ventilates the box in a controlled manner. To this end, one or more bass reflex ports are provided through which the interior air is able to exit in phase so as to obtain an improvement in the bass response. The ventilation of the flat box simultaneously avoids the negative effect of excessively rigid air compliance. In another preferred embodiment, the seal of the rigid damping board, located in the plane of the rear flat-box wall and originally not provided to effect sound radiation, may be in the form of an extended flat spring, thereby achieving an enlarged radiative surface along with an accompanying increase in radiative damping. This extended flat spring detunes the spring constant of the original bridge, a factor which must be considered during resonance tuning. An advantage of the invention includes the fact that a settling protection that exhibits almost no damaging dynamic side-effects is able to be realized with relatively little complexity and expense. In addition, the implementation according to the invention generates an additional acoustic radiation in an otherwise inadequately provided bass frequency range. Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims. |
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