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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0063132 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jun. 30, 2010, the entire contents of which application is incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a device and a method for controlling a compressor of vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device and a method for controlling a compressor of vehicles which improves fuel efficiency by accumulating a cold air energy when a speed-reducing condition occurs and using the accumulated cold air energy when a release condition occurs. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Recently, countries tighten exhaust regulations and fuel efficiency regulations so as to retard progress of global warming and to prepare depletion of petroleum resources. In order to enhance fuel efficiency, improvement of auxiliary machinery including a powertrain is required. An air conditioning system including an air conditioner is one of such auxiliary machinery. [0006] Such the air conditioning system includes a compressor. The compressor selectively receives an engine torque transmitted through a pulley by engaging or disengaging operation of an electric clutch and compresses a cooling medium flowing in from an evaporator. After that, the compressor flows the cooling medium out to a condenser. Various types of compressors exist, and compressors of variable-capacity type are widely used for vehicles. [0007] According to the compressor of variable-capacity type, a pressure control valve changes pressure of the cooling medium based on a load, and thereby, an angle of an inclined plate can be controlled. If the angle of the inclined plate is changed, stroke of a piston changes, and accordingly, discharge flux of the cooling medium can also be controlled. [0008] A great amount of driving torque is required for operating the compressor. Particularly, since the compressor receives the driving torque by the pulley connected to a crankshaft of an engine through a belt, the compressor is operated according to an engine speed irrelevant to a target cooling performance. In addition, since occupants operate the air conditioning system for their comfort, the compressor may operate excessively and fuel efficiency may be deteriorated. These problems mainly occur when acceleration or deceleration. [0009] The information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] Various aspects of the present invention have been made in an effort to provide a device and a method for controlling a compressor of vehicles having advantages of improving fuel efficiency as a consequence that a cold air energy is accumulated by increasing an operation of the compressor when a speed-reducing condition occurs, and the accumulated cold air energy is used when a release condition occurs. [0011] A device for controlling a compressor of vehicles according to various aspects of the present invention may include a sensor module including a cabin temperature sensor detecting a cabin temperature of the vehicle, an outdoor temperature sensor detecting an outdoor temperature of the vehicle, an evaporator temperature sensor detecting a temperature of a cooling medium in an evaporator (evaporator temperature), a vehicle speed sensor detecting a vehicle speed, and a brake sensor detecting an operation of a brake pedal, an injector injecting a fuel for driving the vehicle, an air conditioning system including a condenser condensing and liquefying the cooling medium, an evaporator evaporating the liquefied cooling medium, the compressor compressing the cooling medium, a temperature control door controlling a temperature of an air flowed in a cabin of the vehicle, an intake door selectively flowing an inner air or an outer air in the cabin of the vehicle, and a blower blowing the air to the intake door, and a controller controlling operations of the injector and the air conditioning system, wherein the controller accumulates a cold air energy by increasing an operation of the compressor in a case that a speed-reducing condition occurs, and the air conditioning system uses the accumulated cold air energy by decreasing the operation of the compressor in a case that a release condition occurs. [0012] The controller may increase the operation of the compressor until the evaporator temperature reaches a first target temperature in a case that the speed-reducing condition occurs. [0013] The controller may control the temperature control door to raise the temperature of the air supplied to the cabin in a case that the evaporator temperature is lower than a second target temperature during increasing the operation of the compressor. [0014] The controller may decrease the operation of the compressor until the evaporator temperature is higher than or equal to an allowable temperature in a case that the release condition occurs. [0015] The controller may control the temperature control door to lower the temperature of the air supplied to the cabin in a case that the evaporator temperature is higher than a second target temperature during decreasing the operation of the compressor. [0016] Control of the temperature control door by the controller may include control of the intake door through which the inner air or the outer air selectively flows in the cabin and control of blowing speed of the blower. [0017] The controller may increase the operation of the compressor according to a target increasing rate of the operation of the compressor in a case that the evaporator temperature is higher than or equal to the allowable temperature. [0018] The controller may increase the operation of the compressor until the operation of the compressor reaches a target operation of the compressor. [0019] The controller may control the temperature control door to lower the temperature of the air supplied to the cabin in a case that the evaporator temperature is higher than the second target temperature during increasing the operation of the compressor. [0020] Control of the temperature control door by the controller may include control of the intake door through which the inner air or the outer air selectively flows in the cabin and control of blowing speed of the blower. [0021] A method for controlling a compressor of vehicles according to other aspects of the present invention may include a) determining whether a speed-reducing condition occurs, b) determining, in a case that the speed-reducing condition occurs, whether an evaporator temperature is higher than a first target temperature, c) increasing, in a case that the evaporator temperature is higher than the first target temperature, an operation of the compressor based on a difference between the evaporator temperature and the first target temperature, d) determining whether the evaporator temperature is lower than a second target temperature during increasing the operation of the compressor, and e) raising the temperature of the air supplied to the cabin by controlling the temperature control door in a case that the evaporator temperature is lower than the second target temperature. [0022] The speed-reducing condition may occur when a driving condition of an engine is a fuel cut state, or when a vehicle speed is faster than a predetermined vehicle speed and a brake is operated. [0023] The method may further include g) determining whether a release condition occurs, wherein the steps b) to e) are repeated in a case that the release condition does not occur at the step g). [0024] In a case that the evaporator temperature is lower than or equal to the first target temperature at the step b) or the release condition occurs at the step g), the method may further include h) determining whether the evaporator temperature is lower than an allowable temperature, i) decreasing, in a case that the evaporator temperature is lower than the allowable temperature, the operation of the compressor based on a difference between the evaporator temperature and the allowable temperature, j) determining whether the evaporator temperature is higher than the second target temperature, and k) lowering, in a case that the evaporator temperature is higher than the second target temperature, the temperature of the air supplied to the cabin by controlling the temperature control door, the intake door, and the blower. [0025] The intake door may be controlled based on a difference between a cabin temperature and an outdoor temperature or the outdoor temperature, and the blower may be controlled based on an inner air ratio at the step k). [0026] The steps h) to k) may be repeated, in a case that the evaporator temperature is lower than or equal to the second target temperature at the step j) or the step k) is performed. [0027] In a case that the evaporator temperature is higher than or equal to the allowable temperature at the step h), the method may further include l) increasing the operation of the compressor according to a target increasing rate of the operation of the compressor, m) determining whether the operation of the compressor is lower than a target operation of the compressor, n) determining, in a case that the operation of the compressor is lower than the target operation of the compressor, whether the evaporator temperature is higher than the second target temperature, and o) lowering, in a case that the evaporator temperature is higher than the second target temperature, the temperature of the air supplied to the cabin by controlling the temperature control door, the intake door, and the blower. [0028] The intake door may be controlled based on the difference between the cabin temperature and the outdoor temperature or the outdoor temperature, and the blower may be controlled based on the inner air ratio at the step o). [0029] The steps l) to o) may be repeated, in a case that the evaporator temperature is lower than or equal to the second target temperature at the step n) or the step o) is performed. [0030] Controlling the compressor may be finished when the operation of the compressor reaches the target operation of the compressor at the step m). [0031] The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have other features and advantages which will be apparent from or are set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and the following Detailed Description of the Invention, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0032] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary device for controlling a compressor of vehicles according to the present invention. [0033] FIG. 2 is a graph explaining the spirit of the present invention. [0034] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for controlling an exemplary compressor of vehicles according to the present invention. [0035] FIG. 4 is a graph showing an exemplary relation between an operation of a compressor and a temperature difference. [0036] FIG. 5 is a graph showing an inner air ratio according to a temperature difference. [0037] FIG. 6 is a graph showing a blower speed respectively at an outer air mode, a partial inner air mode, and an inner air mode. [0038] FIG. 7 is a graph showing an exemplary operation of a compressor to time. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0039] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the invention(s) will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that present description is not intended to limit the invention(s) to those exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the invention(s) is/are intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. [0040] As shown in FIG. 1 , a device for controlling a compressor of vehicles according to various embodiments of the present invention includes a sensor module 10 , a control portion 20 , an actuator 30 , an air conditioning system 40 , and an injector 50 . [0041] The sensor module 10 includes a cabin temperature sensor 11 , an outdoor temperature sensor 13 , an evaporator temperature sensor 15 , a vehicle speed sensor 17 , and a brake sensor 19 . Additionally, the sensor module 10 further includes sensors for shifting (e.g., a throttle position sensor, an engine speed sensor, and so on) and/or sensors for controlling an engine (e.g., an exhaust temperature sensor, an oxygen sensor, and so on). [0042] The cabin temperature sensor 11 detects a cabin temperature of the vehicle and transmits a signal corresponding thereto to the control portion 20 . [0043] The outdoor temperature sensor 13 detects an outer temperature of the vehicle and transmits a signal corresponding thereto to the control portion 20 . [0044] The evaporator temperature sensor 15 detects a temperature of a cooling medium passing through an evaporator and transmits a signal corresponding thereto to the control portion 20 . [0045] The vehicle speed sensor 17 detects a vehicle speed from a rotation speed of a wheel and transmits a signal corresponding thereto to the control portion 20 . [0046] The brake sensor 19 detects an operation of a brake pedal and transmits a signal corresponding thereto to the control portion 20 . [0047] The control portion 20 is electrically connected to the sensor module 10 so as to receive signals corresponding to values detected by the sensor module 10 , and controls the injector 50 and the air conditioning system 40 based on the signals. Various control units such as a transmission control unit controlling a transmission of the vehicle, an engine control unit controlling the engine, and an air conditioning system control unit controlling the air conditioning system 40 may be used in the vehicle, and the control portion 20 in this specification includes all the control units used in the vehicle. Particularly, it is to be understood that the control portion 20 includes all the control portions suitable to perform a method for controlling a compressor according to various embodiments of the present invention. [0048] The actuator 30 is electrically connected to the control portion 20 and operates the air conditioning system 40 and/or the injector 50 according to a control signal transmitted from the control portion 20 . A solenoid device may be used as the actuator 30 , and the control signal may be a duty signal applied to the solenoid device. [0049] The air conditioning system 40 includes all the devices used for warming, ventilating, and cooling the cabin of the vehicle. Concretely, the air conditioning system 40 includes a condenser 41 , an evaporator 43 , a compressor 45 , a temperature control door 47 , an intake door 48 , and a blower 49 . The air conditioning system 40 may include various components which are not described in this specification. [0050] The condenser 41 condenses and liquefies the cooling medium, the evaporator 43 evaporates the liquefied cooling medium, and the compressor 45 compresses the cooling medium. [0051] In addition, the temperature control door 47 controls a temperature of an air supplied to the cabin of the vehicle by mixing a warm air with a cool air, the intake door 48 controls an inner air, an outer air or a mixture of the inner and outer airs to flow in the cabin of the vehicle, the blower 49 blows the air toward the intake door. [0052] Such an air conditioning system 40 is well known to a person of an ordinary skill in the art, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. [0053] The injector 50 injects a fuel so as to drive the vehicle (particularly, the engine). [0054] 10 [0055] A solid line in FIG. 2 represents an operation (load) of the compressor and a fuel consumption according to the prior arts, and a dotted line represents an operation (load) of the compressor and a fuel consumption according to various embodiments of the present invention. [0056] If a speed-reducing condition of the vehicle (particularly, fuel cut condition) occurs, the fuel consumption is quickly reduced and the operation of the compressor is gradually reduced according to the conventional arts. On the contrary, if a release condition occurs, the fuel consumption is quickly increased and the operation of the compressor is maintained as a predetermined operation. [0057] According to the spirit of the present invention, fuel consumption is quickly reduced but the operation of the compressor is gradually reduced after being quickly increased if the speed-reducing condition of the vehicle occurs. That is, if the speed-reducing condition of the vehicle occurs, the operation of the compressor is increased so as to accumulate cold air energy. After that, if the release condition occurs, the fuel consumption is increased a little and the operation of the compressor is reduced quickly. That is, the air conditioning system 40 is operated by the cold air energy accumulated when the vehicle slows down. Therefore, fuel consumption for operating the air conditioning system 40 is reduced. [0058] Finally, if the accumulated cold air energy is used up, the fuel consumption and the operation of the compressor are controlled through the same way as the conventional art. [0059] A method for controlling a compressor for vehicles realizing the spirit of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 7 . [0060] As shown in FIG. 3 , in a state that the vehicle runs, the control portion 20 controls the cabin temperature of the vehicle at a step S 110 . At this state, the control portion 20 determines whether the speed-reducing condition occurs at a step S 120 . The speed-reducing condition occurs when a fuel cut state occurs or the brake pedal is operated in a state that the vehicle speed is faster than a predetermined vehicle speed. Herein, the occurrence of fuel cut state is decided by a signal corresponding to a fuel injection amount received from the injector 50 . On the contrary, it may be determined based on the signal transmitted to the sensor module 10 whether a predetermined occurrence condition of the fuel cut state is satisfied. Meanwhile, if the vehicle speed is lower than the predetermined vehicle speed, a regenerable kinetic energy is small. Therefore, if the operation of the compressor is increased, the fuel injection amount also increases. Therefore, it may be set that the speed-reducing condition for performing the method for controlling the compressor according to various embodiments of the present invention is satisfied only when the brake pedal operates in the state that the vehicle speed is faster than the predetermined vehicle speed. The predetermined vehicle speed may be 20-40 km/h. [0061] If the speed-reducing condition does not occur at the step S 120 , the control portion 20 continues the control of the cabin temperature at the step S 110 . [0062] If the speed-reducing condition occurs at the step S 120 , the control portion 20 determines whether the evaporator temperature is higher than a first target temperature at a step S 130 . Herein, the evaporator temperature represents a temperature of the cooling medium passing through the evaporator 43 . The first target temperature is a temperature (0-4° C.) where the evaporator begins to be frozen. The reason why the first target temperature is set as described above is to increase the operation of the compressor as much as possible before the evaporator is frozen. If the evaporator is frozen, heat-exchanging efficiency is lowered and fuel efficiency is actually deteriorated. [0063] If the evaporator temperature is lower than or equal to the first target temperature at the step S 130 , the operation of the compressor cannot be increased. Thus, the method according to various embodiments of the present invention proceeds to a step S 180 . [0064] If the evaporator temperature is higher than the first target temperature at the step S 130 , the control portion 20 increases the operation of the compressor at a step S 140 . The operation of the compressor, as shown in FIG. 4 , is increased based on a difference between the evaporator temperature and the first target temperature. That is, the increase amount of the operation according to the temperature difference is defined in a map. Herein, it is exemplary shown that the operation amount is proportional to the temperature difference, but the spirit of the present invention is not limited to this. [0065] Meanwhile, in a case that the operation of the compressor is increased, the control portion 20 may decide that a load of the vehicle increases and may increase a fuel injection amount of the injector 50 . Thereby, the fuel efficiency may be deteriorated. Therefore, in a case that the operation of the compressor is increased because of the occurrence of the speed-reducing condition, the increase of the fuel injection amount is prohibited. [0066] After that, the control portion 20 determines whether the evaporator temperature is lower than a second target temperature at a step S 150 . Generally, if the evaporator temperature is lowered, the temperature of the air supplied to the cabin is also lowered. Thereby, comfort of the cabin may be deteriorated. Therefore, if the evaporator temperature is lower than the second target temperature at the step S 150 , the control portion 20 controls the temperature control door 47 to compensate an excessive decrease in the cabin temperature at a step S 160 . That is, a cold air supplied to the cabin is warmed up by a heater or is mixed with a warm air passing through the heater such that the air with suitable temperature should be supplied to the cabin. Such a temperature control door 47 is controlled based on a difference between the temperature of the air supplied to the cabin at the step S 110 and a current temperature of the air supplied to the temperature control door 47 . After that, the control portion 20 proceeds to a step S 170 . [0067] If the evaporator temperature is higher than or equal to the second target temperature at the step S 150 , the control portion 20 does not control the temperature control door 47 but proceeds to the step S 170 . [0068] The control portion 20 determines whether the release condition occurs at the step S 170 . The release condition may be satisfied when the speed-reducing condition is not satisfied. If the release condition does not occur at the step S 170 , the control portion 20 continuously performs the steps S 130 to S 170 , repeatedly. That is, the control portion 20 continues to increase the operation of the compressor so as to accumulate the cold air energy. If the release condition occurs at the step S 170 , the control portion 20 proceeds to the step S 180 . In this case, since the release condition occurs, the control portion 20 uses the accumulated cold air energy. [0069] At the step S 180 , the control portion determines whether the evaporator temperature is lower than an allowable temperature. The allowable temperature means an evaporator temperature corresponding to the temperature of the air required for maintaining the comfort of the cabin. If the operation of the compressor is decreased after the release condition occurs, the temperature of the air supplied to the cabin is raised. At this time, the operation of the compressor should be increased so as to lower the temperature of the air supplied to the cabin. Therefore, the operation of the compressor is decreased until the evaporator temperature reaches the allowable temperature. Therefore, the evaporator temperature is higher than or equal to the allowable temperature at the step S 180 , the control portion 20 proceeds to a step S 220 . On the contrary, if the evaporator temperature is lower than the allowable temperature at the step S 180 , the control portion 20 decreases the operation of the compressor at a step S 190 . The operation of the compressor is decreased based on a difference between the evaporator temperature and the allowable temperature (refer to FIG. 4 ). [0070] After that, the control portion 20 determines whether the evaporator temperature is higher than the second target temperature at a step S 200 . If the operation of the compressor is decreased, the temperature of the air supplied to the cabin is raised. Therefore, if the evaporator temperature is higher than the second target temperature at the step S 200 , the control portion 20 controls the temperature control door 47 , the intake door 48 , and the blower 49 so as to suppress a rise of the temperature of the air supplied to the cabin at a step S 210 . That is, the temperature control door 47 is controlled based on the difference between the temperature of the air supplied to the cabin at the step S 110 and the current temperature of the air supplied to the temperature control door 47 . The intake door 48 , as shown in FIG. 5 , is controlled based on a difference between the cabin temperature and the outdoor temperature or the outdoor temperature. A speed of the blower 49 , as shown in FIG. 6 , is controlled based on an inner air ratio (a ratio of the inner air to the air supplied to the cabin). [0071] Explaining concretely, the temperature control door 47 is controlled to lower the temperature of the air supplied to the cabin. For this purpose, a ratio of the inner air and the outer air is controlled through the intake door 48 , and speeds of the inner air and the outer air are controlled through the blower 49 . [0072] If the evaporator temperature is lower than or equal to the second target temperature at the step S 200 , the control portion 20 continuously performs the steps S 180 to S 200 , repeatedly. [0073] Steps S 220 to S 250 are steps for preparing a normal operation of the compressor 45 after the accumulated cold air energy is used up. If the evaporator temperature is higher than or equal to the allowable temperature at the step S 180 , the temperature of the air supplied to the cabin is higher than that of the air required for maintaining the comfort of the cabin. In this case, the temperature of the air supplied to the cabin is lowered by raising the operation of the compressor to a target operation of the compressor and the cabin temperature control is performed normally. At this time, if the operation of the compressor is raised quickly, the injection amount of the fuel increases. Therefore, the operation of the compressor is gradually increased so as to prevent the fuel efficiency and the comfort from being deteriorated. [0074] For this purpose, the control portion 20 increases the operation of the compressor according to a target increasing rate of the operation of the compressor at the step S 220 . The target increasing rate of the operation of the compressor, as shown in FIG. 7 , is calculated according to a target position of the temperature control door 47 and a reference target increasing rate of the operation of the compressor. The target increasing rate of the operation of the compressor A rate is represented as a dotted line in a right graph in FIG. 7 . That is, assuming that a distance from a predetermined position of the temperature control door when the outdoor temperature is 0° C. to the target position of the temperature control door is α and a distance from the predetermined position of the temperature control door when the outdoor temperature is 0° C. to a minimum position of the temperature control door is β, the target increasing rate of the operation of the compressor A target is calculated from a following equation. [0000] A target =A rate *(α/β)   Eq. (a) [0075] The reference target increasing rate of the operation of the compressor A rate represents an increasing rate of the operation of the compressor used for increasing the operation of the compressor at a normal state. Since the operation of the compressor is increased according to the target increasing rate of the operation of the compressor A target that is lower than the reference target increasing rate of the operation of the compressor in various embodiments of the present invention, the operation of the compressor may be prevented from being increased quickly. Therefore, deterioration of the fuel efficiency may be prevented. [0076] After performing the step S 220 , the control portion 20 determines whether the operation of the compressor is lower than the target operation of the compressor at the step S 230 . That is, it is determined whether the operation of the compressor reaches the target operation of the compressor. If the operation of the compressor reaches the target operation of the compressor at the step S 230 , the control portion 20 finishes the method for controlling the compressor according to various embodiments of the present invention and returns to the step S 110 . If the operation of the compressor is lower than the target operation of the compressor at the step S 230 , the control portion 20 determines whether the evaporator temperature is higher than the second target temperature at the step S 240 . [0077] If the evaporator temperature is lower than or equal to the second target temperature at the step S 240 , the control portion 20 continuously performs the steps S 220 to S 240 , repeatedly. [0078] If the evaporator temperature is higher than the second target temperature at the step S 240 , the control portion 20 controls the temperature control door 47 , the intake door 48 , and the blower 49 so as to suppress the rise of the temperature of the air supplied to the cabin at the step S 250 . Since the step S 250 is the same as the step S 210 , a detailed description thereof will be omitted. [0079] As described above, a cold air energy may be accumulated according to the present invention by suppressing an increase in an injection amount of a fuel when decelerating and increasing an operation of a compressor. Since the cold air energy accumulated as described above is used when the deceleration is released, fuel efficiency may improve. [0080] Since the operation of the compressor is controlled such that the evaporator is lowered to a temperature where the evaporator begins to be frozen, accumulating efficiency of the cold air energy can be maximized. In addition, since the operation of the compressor is increased under the condition that the evaporator is not frozen, heat-exchanging efficiency may increase. [0081] Further, since the temperature control door is controlled such that a temperature of air supplied to a cabin is prevented from being lowered as the evaporator temperature is lowered, comfort of the cabin may be maintained. [0082] The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of the invention and their practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as well as various alternatives and modifications thereof It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

A method for controlling a compressor of vehicles improves fuel efficiency by accumulating a cold air energy when a speed-reducing condition occurs and using the accumulated cold air energy when a release condition occurs. A device for controlling a compressor of vehicles may include a sensor module including a cabin temperature sensor detecting a cabin temperature of the vehicle, an outdoor temperature sensor detecting an outdoor temperature of the vehicle, an evaporator temperature sensor detecting a temperature of a cooling medium in an evaporator (evaporator temperature), a vehicle speed sensor detecting a vehicle speed, and a brake sensor detecting an operation of a brake pedal, an injector injecting a fuel for driving the vehicle, an air conditioning system including a condenser condensing and liquefying the cooling medium, an evaporator evaporating the liquefied cooling medium, the compressor compressing the cooling medium, a temperature control door controlling a temperature of air flowing into a cabin of the vehicle, an intake door selectively distributing an inner air or an outer air into the cabin of the vehicle, and a blower blowing the air to the intake door, and a controller controlling operations of the injector and the air conditioning system, wherein the controller accumulates a cold air energy by increasing an operation of the compressor in a case that a speed-reducing condition occurs, and the air conditioning system uses the accumulated cold air energy by decreasing the operation of the compressor in a case that a release condition occurs.

RELATED APPLICATIONS This utility patent application claims the benefit under 35 United States Code §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/742,240 filed on Dec. 5, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND Some application developers desire to customize their applications to interoperate with certain widely-used existing applications such as: word-processing applications; email applications; and the like. In some instances, the application developer would like to provide a user interface that is customized for an application but that can still be easily modified or extended as the application changes. Today, the application developer hard codes this functionality into the application making it cumbersome to change and update. SUMMARY This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Metadata is defined to create customized user interface (UI) portions for an application. The metadata is created according to a metadata schema that defines mechanisms for data binding application data to the controls of the UI. The metadata may be XML-based and is interpreted and then rendered to implement a customized UI that also supports data binding between data and the UI controls. For example, an application developer can write a metadata file that defines basic as well as custom UI controls, properties of the controls, layout of the controls, and the like. Once created, the metadata is processed by a rendering engine to display the UI controls. An interpreter may be used to interpret the metadata file before it sent to the rendering engine. Neither the rendering engine nor the interpreter needs knowledge of the host application and provides support for arbitrary metadata driven UI. The metadata schema may include mechanisms to create custom controls for the UI; programmatically modify the UI controls by providing access to a code-behind assembly as well as support event handling for the UI controls. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary computing environment; FIG. 2 shows a user interface metadata system; FIGS. 3A and 3B show an example UI form that is described by a metadata file; FIG. 4 illustrates a process for using metadata to describe a UI form; and FIG. 5 show a process for rendering a UI form with associated metadata. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements, various embodiments will be described. In particular, FIG. 1 and the corresponding discussion are intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable computing environment in which embodiments may be implemented. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, data structures, and other types of structures that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Other computer system configurations may also be used, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. Distributed computing environments may also be used where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices. FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary computer environment 100 , which can be used to implement the techniques described herein. The computer environment 100 is only one example of a computing environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the computer and network architectures. Neither should the computer environment 100 be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the example computer environment 100 . Computer environment 100 includes a general-purpose computing device in the form of a computer 102 . The components of computer 102 can include, but are not limited to, one or more processors or processing units 104 , system memory 106 , and system bus 108 that couples various system components including processor 104 to system memory 106 . System bus 108 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, such architectures can include an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, a Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, an Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, a Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnects (PCI) bus also known as a Mezzanine bus, a PCI Express bus, a Universal Serial Bus (USB), a Secure Digital (SD) bus, or an IEEE 1394 , i.e., FireWire, bus. Computer 102 may include a variety of computer readable media. Such media can be any available media that is accessible by computer 102 and includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. System memory 106 includes computer readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 110 ; and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM) 112 or flash RAM. Basic input/output system (BIOS) 114 , containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within computer 102 , such as during start-up, is stored in ROM 112 or flash RAM. RAM 110 typically contains data and/or program modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presently operated on by processing unit 104 . Computer 102 may also include other removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer storage media. By way of example, FIG. 1 illustrates hard disk drive 116 for reading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media (not shown), magnetic disk drive 118 for reading from and writing to removable, non-volatile magnetic disk 120 (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and optical disk drive 122 for reading from and/or writing to a removable, non-volatile optical disk 124 such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or other optical media. Hard disk drive 116 , magnetic disk drive 118 , and optical disk drive 122 are each connected to system bus 108 by one or more data media interfaces 125 . Alternatively, hard disk drive 116 , magnetic disk drive 118 , and optical disk drive 122 can be connected to the system bus 108 by one or more interfaces (not shown). The disk drives and their associated computer-readable media provide non-volatile storage of computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for computer 102 . Although the example illustrates a hard disk 116 , removable magnetic disk 120 , and removable optical disk 124 , it is appreciated that other types of computer readable media which can store data that is accessible by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes or other magnetic storage devices, flash memory cards, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, random access memories (RAM), read only memories (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and the like, can also be utilized to implement the example computing system and environment. Any number of program modules can be stored on hard disk 116 , magnetic disk 120 , optical disk 124 , ROM 112 , and/or RAM 110 , including by way of example, operating system 126 (which in some embodiments include low and high priority I/O file systems and indexing systems described above), one or more application programs 128 , interpreter 192 , and rendering engine 192 . Each of such operating system 126 , one or more application programs 128 , a metadata interpreter 190 , a UI rendering engine 192 and metadata 133 (or some combination thereof) may implement all or part of the resident components. The metadata repository 133 includes information that allows the customization of UI elements on a UI that is associated with application programs 128 . For example, the metadata can include information that allows the customization of UI forms for UI 164 that is displayed on monitor 142 . The metadata repository 133 may include information for multiple applications on various coupled computing devices. A user can enter commands and information into computer 102 via input devices such as keyboard 134 and a pointing device 136 (e.g., a “mouse”). Other input devices 138 (not shown specifically) may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, serial port, scanner, and/or the like. These and other input devices are connected to processing unit 104 via input/output interfaces 140 that are coupled to system bus 108 , but may be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallel port, game port, or a universal serial bus (USB). Monitor 142 or other type of display device can also be connected to the system bus 108 via an interface, such as video adapter 144 . In addition to monitor 142 , other output peripheral devices can include components such as speakers (not shown) and printer 146 which can be connected to computer 102 via I/O interfaces 140 . Computer 102 can operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as remote computing device 148 . By way of example, remote computing device 148 can be a PC, portable computer, a server, a router, a network computer, a peer device or other common network node, and the like. Remote computing device 148 is illustrated as a portable computer that can include many or all of the elements and features described herein relative to computer 102 . Logical connections between computer 102 and remote computer 148 are depicted as a local area network (LAN) 150 and a general wide area network (WAN) 152 . Such networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and the Internet. When implemented in a LAN networking environment, computer 102 is connected to local network 150 via network interface or adapter 154 . When implemented in a WAN networking environment, computer 102 typically includes modem 156 or other means for establishing communications over wide network 152 . Modem 156 , which can be internal or external to computer 102 , can be connected to system bus 108 via I/O interfaces 140 or other appropriate mechanisms. The illustrated network connections are examples and that other means of establishing at least one communication link between computers 102 and 148 can be employed. In a networked environment, such as that illustrated with computing environment 100 , program modules depicted relative to computer 102 , or portions thereof, may be stored in a remote memory storage device. By way of example, remote application programs 158 reside on a memory device of remote computer 148 . For purposes of illustration, applications or programs and other executable program components such as the operating system are illustrated herein as discrete blocks, although it is recognized that such programs and components reside at various times in different storage components of computing device 102 , and are executed by at least one data processor of the computer. Various modules and techniques may be described herein in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. for performing particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Typically, the functionality of the program modules may be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments. An implementation of these modules and techniques may be stored on or transmitted across some form of computer readable media. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media may comprise “computer storage media” and “communications media.” “Computer storage media” includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by a computer. “Communication media” typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as carrier wave or other transport mechanism. Communication media also includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. As a non-limiting example only, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above are also included within the scope of computer readable media. FIG. 2 shows a user interface metadata system. As illustrated, system 200 includes metadata 210 , interpreter 220 , code-behind assembly 225 , rendering engine 230 that renders user interface 240 and back-end data source 250 . Initially, a developer, or some other user, specifies metadata 210 for a given UT Form. Generally, once the metadata has been created and specified, the interpreter 220 accesses the metadata and then passes the UI information to rendering engine 230 such that the UI 240 may be displayed to a user. Although interpreter 220 is illustrated separately from rendering engine 230 its functionality may be included within rendering engine 230 as illustrated by the dashed box surrounding the interpreter 220 and rendering engine 230 . Metadata 210 allows the developer to specify a set of events 215 for each control 241 - 243 that are included on the user interface 240 . The metadata 210 allows the UI forms developer to specify the controls to be added to the UI; define custom events on these added controls (or add events to the existing controls); and define the event-handlers via code in a code-behind assembly 225 for these new custom events (or modify existing custom-handlers by overriding the default behavior). An Object Model (OM) is exposed that allows the developer to read/modify properties of the controls on the form such that the event-handlers are defined in the code behind assembly 225 . The name and location of the code-behind assembly 225 is captured as part of the metadata 210 . According to one embodiment, the events mirror the typical events supported for the same type of control in a WINFORMS environment. In addition to the standard events that may be initially supported by a control, additional controls and custom events may be added through the metadata 210 . As illustrated, the rendering engine 230 receives the metadata defining the UI through interpreter 220 and renders the UI form 240 . According to one embodiment, rendering engine 230 renders the UT form either in an IBF task pane or a MICROSOFT OUTLOOK custom form. According to this embodiment, the rendering engine 230 creates a .NET control object correpsonding to the UT that is defined by the metadata 210 and that .NET control is hosted either in the IBF task pane or OUTLOOK custom form. In this embodiment, the rendering engine 230 parses the metadata that is supplied by interpreter 220 and instantiates the different controls (i.e. 241 - 243 ) that are described by metadata 210 and outputs a .NET control describing the UI form. According to one embodiment, the rendering engine 230 provides ten basic controls which the UI forms developer can use while designing a UI form using metadata These ten basic controls include: Panel; Label; LinkLabel; TextBox; Button; ListBox; ComboBox; RadioButton; CheckBox and an Image control. As discussed previously, custom control and events may also be created. Other basic controls may also be provided. Each control includes a wrapper class which wraps the control (i.e. a native WINFORM (.NET) control). The wrapper provides functionality for data binding and exposing control properties to the code behind assembly 225 through a programmatic object model (OM). The following is an exemplary wrapper class for a textbox control: internal class XamlTextBox : XamlControl, IXamlTextBox {   // Native winform (.NET) control   private TextBox textBox = null;   --- } The ‘IXamlTextBox’ interface exposes TextBox specific properties to the code behind file. An application developer can access a textbox control on the UI in the code behind using the ‘IXamlTextBox’ interface and read/write the control properties. The ‘XamlControl’ provides the base class for the controls rendered by the rendering engine 230 . internal class XamlControl : IXamlControl, IBindable {   // Native winform (.NET) control   protected Control Control = null; } The ‘IXamlControl’ interface exposes the control to the code behind file. An application developer can access properties of a control through this interface in the code behind assembly 225 . The ‘IBindable’ interface is used by the ‘Binder’ component to set control properties which are bound to properties in a data source. The ‘XamlControl’ class receives the pseudo XAML metadata (XML) defining the control and then it instantiates the native .NET WINFORM control (depending upon type) and sets the control properties specified in the metadata for the control. public XamlControl(XmlNode nodeXml, IControlParent parent, string type) {   this.Control = CreateControl(type);   ... } When the rendering engine 230 receives the pseudo XAML metadata defining a UI form it reads/parses the input XML and instantiates the wrapper classes for the controls passing in the metadata defining the control. According to one embodiment, the parsing is done in a depth first manner. Other methods may also be used. The wrapper class instantiates the native WINFORM (.NET) control and sets the control properties as defined in the metadata. A wrapper class for each control sets the control properties as specified in the metadata. The base ‘XamlControl’ class sets the properties which are common to every control (for e.g. Background, Foreground, Anchor, Font etc). The specific derived classes such as: ‘XamlTextBox’ handles the control (textbox) specific properties. If a particular control property is bound to a property in a data source, such as data source 250 , then the wrapper class passes the control, property name and binding expression to the ‘Binder,’ which then gets the property value from the data source and then sets the specific control property through the ‘IBindable’ interface. The wrapper class for each control also subscribes to the control events (SubscribeToEvents()) exposed by the pseudo XAML metadata. When an event on a control fires then the rendering engine 230 forwards the event to the event handler defined in the code behind assembly 225 . The wrapper class also calls a ‘GetChildControls()’ method which instantiates the child controls for the control. Event handlers 226 may be developed for control events occurring on the form. To handle a specific event on a control, the developer performs steps, including: developing a code behind assembly 225 which contains the event handler code; specifying the code behind assembly in the metadata; and specifying the event handler (method) name which handles a particular event for a control. According to one embodiment, to specify an event handler in the metadata for an event on a control the developer supplies the event handler method name present in the code behind assembly as the value of the attribute corresponding to the event on the control. The metadata 210 specifies that the “Click” event for the Button control is handled by the method “ButtonClick” which is present as a public method in the code behind assembly. According to one embodiment, the signature for the event handler is same as what it would be for that event on that particular control in case of .NET WINFORMS environment. For example, the event handler for the click event on a Button would have the following signature: public void ButtonClick(object sender, System.EventArgs e) { }. According to one embodiment, this is the same signature as the original button control which provides for programmer understanding and consistency. Rendering engine 230 loads the code behind assembly 225 when it parses the metadata 210 provided by interpreter 220 and instantiates the code behind class through reflection. The events that are exposed through the metadata on a control are subscribed to when that control is instantiated during parsing of the metadata. In one implementation the event handlers for control events bubble up the event to the “Page” level and then the event handler in the code behind assembly is called through reflection. More than one “code behind” assembly can be associated to a “page” or form. Providing more than one “code behind” assembly allows for multiple levels (multiple parties) of extensibility. Data may also be bound to one or more of the controls (e.g. controls 241 - 243 ) from a backend data source 250 . According to one embodiment, the binding expressions that bind data source 250 to one or more of the controls (e.g controls 241 - 243 ) are specified in the metadata. Each property of a control (i.e. controls 241 - 243 ) can be bound to data coming from a data source. Thus, the data source changes control properties that are associated with the controls when the data source 250 is changed. More than one data source may be bound. For example, control 1 ( 241 ) could be bound to one data source while control 2 ( 242 ) is bound to a different data source. According to one embodiment, there are two different types of data sources, including an object data source and an XML data source. An object data source is a .NET class residing in a .NET assembly which acts as a data source for controls on the UI. An XML Data Source acts as a source of XML data which is specified inline in the XAML metadata defining the UI. According to one embodiment, an object data source can be specified in the metadata in the following manner: <xaml:ObjectDataSource Name=“myDataSource” TypeName=“DataSourceNamespace.DataSourceClass, DataSourceAssembly”/>The “DataSourceClass” implements the “IBindData” and “INotifyPropertyChanged” interfaces. Exemplary embodiments of these interfaces are described below: public interface IBindData {   object GetData(string path); // gather data   bool SetData(string path, object val); // scatter data } In this embodiment, the “IBindData” interface allows to bind data between the data source and control properties (explained below) through the standard .NET event delegate model.   public interface INotifyPropertyChanged   {     event PropertyChangedEventHandler PropertyChanged;   }   public delegate void PropertyChangedEventHandler(object sender, PropertyChangedEventArgs e);   public class PropertyChangedEventArgs : System.EventArgs   {     public virtual string PropertyName {get; }   } The “INotifyPropertyChanged” interface allows the data source to signal any changes that happen on the data source so that the UI properties which are bound to that data source can be updated. The data source raises the “PropertyChanged” event whenever a property in the data source changes. The relevant properties on the UI are then updated whenever this event fires. Once the data sources are specified in the metadata then any property of a control can be bound to data coming from a data source. To specify a binding for a control property the developer supplies a binding expression as the value of the attribute corresponding to that property. For example, to bind the “Text” property of a text box, the developer can specify a binding expression in the metadata 210 as follows: <xaml:TextBox Name=“textBox1” Top=“40” Left=“8” Width=“200”Text=“{Binding Source=DataSourceName, Path=CustomerName, Mode=TwoWay}” Anchor=“Top,Left,Right”/>The expression Text=“{Binding Source=DataSourceName, Path=CustomerName, Mode=TwoWay}” is a binding expression for the ‘Text’ property. The ‘Source’ clause refers to a data source defined in the metadata. This could be an Object data Source or XML Data Source. In case of Object Data Source the value of the ‘Path’ clause is passed to the data source's “GetData(string path)” method when retrieving the value for the bound property. For an XML Data source the ‘Path’ clause is an Xpath expression in this embodiment, which selects a particular node/attribute in the XML data whose value would be the bound to the control property. The ‘Mode’ clause indicates ‘OneWay’ or ‘TwoWay’ binding. If the data flows from the data source to controls on the UI then the binding is ‘OneWay’ but if UI property changes are also propagated back to the data source then the binding is ‘TwoWay’. The ‘UpdateSourceTrigger’ is an enumeration which specifies when (what event) to signal the data source that a UI property has changed and the changed property value needs to be propagated to the data source. By default, in this embodiment, the value for this clause is ‘PropertyChanged’ which means that when a bound property changes then it is signaled to the data source. According to one embodiment, this only takes effect in case of ‘TwoWay’ binding. The ‘ItemsSource’ attribute of a List Control allows binding of the items in the list to a collection of objects coming from a data source. When the ‘ItemsSource’ property is bound then the data source returns a .NET collection implementing the ‘System.Collections.IEnumerable’ interface. The ‘DisplayMemberPath’ attribute of the List Control specfies the property of the .NET object(s) which form the collection whose value is used as the display text for the item in the list control. If the ‘DisplayMemberPath’ is null then the default ‘ToString()’ method is called on the .NET object and the string returned is used as the display text. For example, suppose the data source returns a collection of ‘Customer’ objects which are shown in the list control then the ‘Customer’ object may have a ‘Name’ property whose value is to be used as the display text in the list control. In this case the ‘DisplayMemberPath’ is set to ‘Name.’ Similarly ‘SelectedValuePath’ is set to the property of the .NET object(s) forming the collection whose value is returned by the ‘SelectedValue’ property of the list control when a particular item is selected in the list control. For example, suppose that the ‘Customer’ object has a ‘CustomerID’ property whose value is returned by the ‘SelectedValue’ property when the ‘SelectedValuePath’ property of the list control is set to ‘CustomerID.’ If no ‘SelectedValuePath’ attribute is provided then the whole object (‘Customer’ object) is returned by the ‘SelectedValue’ property of the list control. In case of a XML Data Source, the binding expression for ‘ItemsSource’ attribute of a list control returns a list of XML nodes. For example, assume that the following is an XML data source: <XmlDataSource Name=“BookData”>   <Books xmlns=“”>     <Book ISBN=“0-7356-0562-9” Stock=“in”>       <Title>XML in Action</Title>       <Summary>XML Web Technology</Summary>     </Book>     <Book ISBN=“0-7356-1370-2” Stock=“in”>       <Title>Programming Microsoft Windows With C#</Title>     <Summary>C# Programming using the .NET Framework     </Summary>     </Book>     <Book ISBN=“0-7356-1288-9” Stock=“out”>       <Title>Inside C#</Title>       <Summary>C# Language Programming</Summary>     </Book>     <Book ISBN=“0-7356-1377-X” Stock=“in”>       <Title>Introducing Microsoft .NET</Title>       <Summary>Overview of .NET Technology</Summary>     </Book>     <Book ISBN=“0-7356-1448-2” Stock=“out”>       <Title>Microsoft C# Language Specifications</Title>       <Summary>The C# language definition</Summary>     </Book>   </Books> </XmlDataSource> The binding expression for the ‘ItemsSource’ property of a list which shows the list of books is: <ListBox ItemsSource=“{Binding Source=BookData, Path=/Books/Book}”/> The ‘Path’ clause in the above binding expression is actually an Xpath expression which returns a list of nodes which are populated in the list control from the XML Data Source. The ‘DisplayMemberPath’ attribute of the list control should be an Xpath (in case of XmlDataSource) which selects the node/attribute whose value is to be used as the display text in the list control. For example, if the UI forms developer wants to display the ‘Title’ for each book in the list control, then the user's XML would look like: <ListBox ItemsSource=“{Binding Source=BookData, Path=/Books/Book}” DisplayMemberPath=“Title”/> Similarly, the ‘SelectedValuePath’ attribute of the list control points to the node/attribute of the list item whose value is returned by the ‘SelectedValue’ attribute of the list. For example, suppose that the UI forms developer wants to return the ‘ISBN’ value for a book in the ‘SelectedValue’ property of the list control when a particular book is selected in the list, then the ‘SelectedValuePath’ attribute may be an Xpath pointing to the ‘ISBN’ attribute of the book item. <ListBox ItemsSource=“{Binding Source=BookData, Path=/Books/Book}” DisplayMemberPath=“Title” SelectedValuePath=“@ISBN”/> Controls utilizing data binding implement the ‘IBindable’ interface as illustrated below: public interface IBindable {   object GetBoundValue(string propName);   void SetBoundValue(string propName, object val); } When the UI form 240 is initially rendered then for every bound property the ‘GetData(string path)’ method of the relevant data source (specified in the binding expression) is called passing in the value of the ‘Path’ clause in the binding expression as an argument. This method returns a value of type ‘object.’ Next, the ‘SetBoundValue(string propName, object value)’ is called on the control whose property is bound passing in the name of the bound property and the ‘value’ returned by the data source. The control has the responsibility for understanding the ‘value’ object and interpreting it to update the bound property. Besides the initial rendering of the UI form whenever the data source changes the data source signals the binder of a change in data source (INotifyPropertyChanged). The binder finds out which control properties are bound to the changed data source and updates those properties. In the case of ‘TwoWay’ binding then whenever a bound UI property changes on the UI form then the binder is notified and the binder then propagates the changed property value back to the data source. As discussed briefly above, the rendering engine 230 also provides a generic framework for hosting custom built controls. According to one embodiment, the framework supports custom .NET winform controls. According to one embodiment, any custom controls derive from the class: ‘System.Windows.Forms.UserControl.’ Each custom control has a default contructor and also implements the ICustomControl interface and the ‘IBindable’ interface so that it can participate in data binding. The following is an exemplary ‘ICustomControl’ interface: public interface ICustomControl {   void SetControlProperty(string propName, string propValue);   event ControlEventFiredHandler ControlEventFired; } public delegate void ControlEventFiredHandler(object sender, ControlEventFiredArgs e); public class ControlEventFiredArgs : System.EventArgs {   public string EventName {get;}   public object Sender { get; }   public object EventArgs {get;} } The ‘SetControlProperty(string propName, string propValue)’ method is used by the rendering engine 230 to set custom properties for the control. For each custom property which the custom control exposes and which is not included in the basic properties of a control (e.g. Width, Height, Top, Left etc) the rendering engine 230 calls the ‘SetControlProperty’ method on the custom control and it is up to the custom control to understand and interpret the ‘string’ property value that is specified in the metadata which would be passed to the ‘SetControlProperty’ method. The ‘ControlEventFired’ event is raised by the custom control when a custom event exposed by the control fires. This is to signal the rendering engine 230 that an event has fired on the custom control and the rendering engine needs to call the event handler (if any) for that event in the code behind assembly 225 . The rendering engine does not know at compile time what are the events (and event signatures) supported by the custom control. As such, the rendering engine 230 requires the custom control to notify it when a custom event fires on the custom control. The custom control creates an instance of the ‘ControlEventFiredArgs’ class and passes it to the ‘ControlEventFired’ event which is received by the rendering engine 230 . The ‘ControlEventFiredArgs’ contains information about the name of the event which fired, sender and event arguments which need to be passed to the event handler for that event. Once the rendering engine 230 has this information it can call the event handler for that event specified in the code behind assembly 225 . According to one embodiment, the custom controls reside in a .NET assembly at run time. The custom control assembly in the metadata may be specified in the following way: <xaml:Mapping XmlNamespace=“urn-Mendocino/CustomControls” ClrNamespace=“CustomControlNamespace” Assembly=“CustomControlAssembly, Version=1.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=null”/> The ‘Mapping’ element is a processing directive rather than an XML element. Other ways of specifying the custom control assembly may also be utilized. A custom control can be specified in the metadata through the following exemplary metadata: <custom:CustomControl xmlns:custom=“urn-Mendocino/CustomControls” Top=“0” Left=“0” Height=“100” Width=“100” . . . /> In this embodiment, the rendering engine 230 instantiates the custom control through reflection and first set the basic properties of a control like Height, Width, Top, Left, and the like and then for other properties (custom properties) the rendering engine 230 calls the ‘SetControlProperty()’ method on the custom control. A mechanism within the metadata schema allows the UI forms developer to access the UI controls and their properties in the code behind assembly. The code behind class implements the ‘IPageCodeBehind’ interface which is described below: public interface IPageCodeBehind {   string Name { get; set; }   IPageControlCollection PageControls { get; set; }   object Application { get; set; }   object Mediator {get; set; }   object ReturnValue { get; set; } } The ‘PageControls’ property is populated by the rendering engine 230 when it renders the UI form and instantiates the controls. The ‘Application’ property represents the host application (i.e. OUTLOOK) in which the UI forms are being rendered. According to one embodiment, the ‘Mediator’ property allows the code behind developer to execute IBF actions defined in metadata. ‘ReturnValue’ is a variable which can be set by the code behind developer which is passed back to the caller who renders the form. This is used in case of modal dialogs to pass back a value from the dialog to the caller. The following is an exemplary ‘IPageControlCollection’ interface: public interface IPageControlCollection : ICollection, IEnumerable {   IXamlControl this[string name] { get; } } The ‘IXamlControl’ interface exposes the properties for a control on the form. public interface IXamlControl {   // Properties...   string Name { get;set; }   int Top { get;set; }   int Left { get;set; }   Color Background { get;set; }   bool IsEnabled { get;set; }   int Height { get;set; }   int Width { get;set; }   // Other properties //... } This allows the UI forms developer to access a control on the form in the following way: MessageBox.Show(this.PageControls[“myButton”].Text); The ‘IXamiControl’ interface exposes the basic properties of a control that are common to every control. To access specific properties for a control (e.g. IsChecked for a CheckBox control) the developer can cast the ‘IXamlControl’ object to the specific control interface, such as: ‘IXamlCheckBox’, ‘IXamlTextBox’, and the like. ((IXamlCheckBox)this.PageControls[“myCheckBox”]).IsChecked The following is an exemplary ‘IXamlCheckBox’ interface that derives from the ‘IXamlControl’ interface: public interface IXamlCheckBox : IXamlControl {   // CheckBox specific properties...   ContentAlignment TextAlignment  {get; set;}   bool IsChecked     {get; set;} } Similarly specific interfaces for the controls are exposed which allow the UI forms developer to access control specific properties. According to one embodiment, the rendering engine 230 generates the same .NET control from the metadata describing the UI form irrespective of whether the UI form is hosted in an IBF task pane, an OUTLOOK custom form or a dialog. The following scenarios provide example of how the .NET control may be hosted. According to one embodiment, the IBF task pane supports hosting any .NET control which implements the ‘IRegion’ interface. The rendering framework contains a blank (empty) .NET control which implements the ‘IRegion’ interface and which hosts the .NET control generated by the UI rendering engine from the UI metadata. To display a metadata defined UI form in the IBF task pane the ‘MSIBF.UI.ShowRegion’ custom operation is used which displays the blank .NET host control part of the UI rendering framework. The input passed to this ‘MSIBF.UI.ShowRegion’ operation is the metadata defining the UI form which is to be hosted in the IBF task pane. The MSIBF.UI.ShowRegion’ operation instantiates the blank host .NET control and passes the metadata defining the UI form as ‘Data’ to the blank host .NET control. The host control calls the rendering engine 230 passing in the metadata defining the UI form and which returns a .NET control describing the UI form and which is then added to the host control resulting in the display of the UI form in the IBF task pane. According to another embodiment, to host a .NET control describing a UI form in an OUTLOOK an ActiveX container control capable of hosting .NET controls is added to the OUTLOOK form and then the .NET control is added describing the UI form as a child control of the container control. The ActiveX container control is a part of the UI Rendering framework. According to one embodiment, Forms 2.0 hosts the ActiveX containter which hosts the .NET WinForms control described by metdata. Metadata defined forms may also be created in modal .NET Winform dialogs. In this embodiment, program code, such as that contained within an addin calls the rendering engine 230 passing in the XAML metadata defining a form and the rendering engine 230 passes back the .NET control generated from the XAML metadata which can then be hosted either in the IBF task pane, OUTLOOK Custom Form or a dialog. The addin instantiates an instance of the ‘RenderEngine’ class which implements the ‘IRenderEngine’ interface: public interface IRenderEngine {   IXamlPage CreateXamlForm(XmlNode pageXml); } The caller can call the ‘CreateXamlForm’ method passing in the XAML metadata describing the form. The rendering engine 230 instantiates the necessary controls and pass back an object (‘IXamIPage’) which represents the ‘xaml’ form. public interface IXamlPage {   string Name { get; }   Control NativeControl { get; }   IPageControlCollection Controls { get; }   object ReturnValue { get; } } In this embodiment, the ‘NativeControl’ property above represents the .NET control describing the metadata UI form which can be hosted either in the IBF task pane, OUTLOOK custom form or a dialog. The ‘ReturnValue’ property is a variable which can be set from the code behind file and would be used to return a value from a modal dialog. FIGS. 3A and 3B show an example UI form that is described by a metadata file. Referring to FIG. 3A , UI form 300 includes label 305 , page 310 , panel 315 , text box 320 , check box 325 , link 330 , button 335 , list box 340 and radio button list 345 . FIG. 3B shows an exemplary UI metadata file 360 that may be used to define the UI form 300 as illustrated in FIG. 3A . The example UI metadata file 360 illustrates that the properties of a control are specified by the attributes of the corresponding XML node. According to one embodiment, most properties have a default value and do not need to be specifically specified. As illustrated in FIG. 3B , indicator 362 shows the description of the panel 310 ; indicator 364 shows the description of the label 305 ; indicator 366 shows the description of textbox 320 ; indicator 368 shows the description of checkbox 325 ; indicator 370 shows the description of button 335 ; indicator 372 shows the description of link 330 ; indicator 374 shows the description of the list box 340 and indicator 376 shows the description of the radio button list 345 . FIG. 4 illustrates a process for using metadata to describe a UI form. After a start operation, the process moves to operation 410 where the metadata file is defined. As discussed above, the metadata within the file describes the UI and includes information on the controls, the data binding, and other relevant information relating to the user interface. Moving to operation 420 , the metadata file is stored. According to one embodiment, the metadata file is stored on a computer-readable medium, such as a hard drive. The metadata file may be stored locally and/or remotely from the computing device displaying the related UI. Transitioning to operation 430 , the metadata file is accessed. According to one embodiment, the metadata file is accessed by a rendering engine. Alternatively, as discussed above, an interpreter may be used to access the metadata file. Flowing to operation 440 , zero or more data sources may be bound to one or more of the controls defined for the UI through the metadata. Moving to operation 450 , the metadata is interpreted and then rendered to display the UI. Each control of the UI form is rendered on the UI (see FIG. 5 and related discussion). The process then moves to an end operation and returns to processing other actions. FIG. 5 show a process for rendering a UI form with associated metadata. After a start operation, the process moves to operation 510 where a control is instantiated. The control is instantiated based on the type of control (i.e. label, text box, and the like). Flowing to operation 520 , the base properties of the control are set. For example, the properties such as the top, left, height, width, and the like are set. Moving to operation 530 the control properties are set. The control properties that are set depend on the type of control. Next, at operation 540 , the control events that are specified within the metadata are subscribed to. Flowing to operation 550 any child controls for the control are instantiated. The process then moves to an end operation and returns to processing other actions. The following is an exemplary schema which may be used for defining a UI form using metadata.   <?xml version=“1.0” encoding=“utf-8” ?> <xs:schema targetNamespace=“urn-Mendocino/xaml”    elementFormDefault=“qualified”    xmlns:xaml=“urn-Mendocino/xaml”    xmlns:xs=“http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema”   <xs:complexType name=“ControlType”>     <xs:attributeGroup ref=“xaml:ControlTypeAttributes” />   </xs:complexType>    <xs:complexType name=“ParentControlType”>     <xs:complexContent>       <xs:extension base=“xaml:ControlType”>         <xs:sequence>   <xs:element ref=“xaml:Control” minOccurs=“0” maxOccurs=“unbounded”/>         </xs:sequence>       </xs:extension>     </xs:complexContent>  </xs:complexType>  <xs:complexType name=“PageType”>     <xs:complexContent>       <xs:extension base=“xaml:ParentControlType”>         <xs:sequence>           <xs:element ref=“xaml:ObjectDataSource”         minOccurs=“0” maxOccurs=“unbounded” />           <xs:element ref=“xaml:XmlDataSource”         minOccurs=“0” maxOccurs=“unbounded” />         </xs:sequence>     <!-- Events -->     <xs:attribute name=“Load” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />     <!-- Code Behind Assembly -->     <xs:attribute name=“Assembly” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />     <xs:attribute name=“TypeName” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />     </xs:extension>     </xs:complexContent>   </xs:complexType> <xs:complexType name=“ObjectDataSourceType”>     <xs:attribute name=“Name” type=“xs:string” use=“required” />     <!-- Data source class -->     <xs:attribute name=“TypeName” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />     <xs:attribute name=“Parameters” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” /> </xs:complexType>   <!-- Inline XML data source-->   <xs:complexType name=“XmlDataSourceType”>     <xs:sequence>       <xs:any processContents=“skip” />     </xs:sequence>     <xs:attribute name=“Name” type=“xs:string” use=“required” />   </xs:complexType> <xs:complexType name=“PanelType”>     <xs:complexContent>       <xs:extension base=“xaml:ParentControlType”>       </xs:extension>     </xs:complexContent> </xs:complexType> <xs:complexType name=“LabelType”>     <xs:complexContent>       <xs:extension base=“xaml:ControlType”>     <xs:attribute name=“TextAlignment” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />       </xs:extension>     </xs:complexContent> </xs:complexType> <xs:complexType name=“TextBoxType”>     <xs:complexContent>       <xs:extension base=“xaml:ControlType”>   <xs:attribute name=“TextAlignment” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />   <xs:attribute name=“MaxLength” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />   <xs:attribute name=“MinLines” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />   <xs:attribute name=“Wrap” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />       </xs:extension>     </xs:complexContent> </xs:complexType> <xs:complexType name=“ButtonType”>     <xs:complexContent>       <xs:extension base=“xaml:ControlType”>   <xs:attribute name=“TextAlignment” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />       </xs:extension>     </xs:complexContent> </xs:complexType> <xs:complexType name=“LinkLabelType”>     <xs:complexContent>       <xs:extension base=“xaml:ControlType”>   <xs:attribute name=“TextAlignment” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />   <xs:attribute name=“LinkBehavior” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />       </xs:extension>     </xs:complexContent> </xs:complexType>  <xs:complexType name=“ImageType”>   <xs:complexContent>     <xs:extension base=“xaml:ControlType”>      <xs:attribute name=“Source” type=“xs:string” use=“required” />     </xs:extension>   </xs:complexContent>  </xs:complexType>  <xs:complexType name=“CheckBoxType”>     <xs:complexContent>      <xs:extension base=“xaml:ControlType”>   <xs:attribute name=“TextAlignment” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />   <xs:attribute name=“IsChecked” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” /         <!-- Events -->   <xs:attribute name=“IsCheckedChanged” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />       </xs:extension>     </xs:complexContent>  </xs:complexType> <!-- List Control Type -->  <xs:complexType name=“ListControlType”>     <xs:complexContent>       <xs:extension base=“xaml:ControlType”> <xs:attribute name=“DisplayMemberPath” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” /> <xs:attribute name=“SelectedValuePath” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” /> <xs:attribute name=“SelectedValue” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” /> <xs:attribute name=“ItemsSource” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” /> <xs:attribute name=“SelectedIndex” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />         <!-- Events -->   <xs:attribute name=“SelectionChanged” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />   <!--         <xs:sequence>         <xs:element ref=“xaml:ListControlItem”       minOccurs=“0” maxOccurs=“unbounded” />         </xs:sequence>         -->       </xs:extension>     </xs:complexContent>  </xs:complexType>  <!-- <xs:element name=“ListControl” type=“xaml:ListControlType” abstract=“true” /> -->  <xs:simpleType name=“ListControlItemType”>     <xs:restriction base=“xs:string”>     </xs:restriction>  </xs:simpleType>  <xs:element name=“ListControlItem” type=“xaml:ListControlItemType” abstract=“true” />  <xs:element name=“ListBoxItem” type=“xaml:ListControlItemType” substitutionGroup=“xaml:ListControlItem” />  <xs:element name=“ComboBoxItem” type=“xaml:ListControlItemType” substitutionGroup=“xaml:ListControlItem” />  <xs:element name=“RadioButton” type=“xaml:ListControlItemType” substitutionGroup=“xaml:ListControlItem” />  <xs:complexType name=“ListBoxType”>     <xs:complexContent>       <xs:extension base=“xaml:ListControlType”>         <xs:sequence>           <xs:element ref=“xaml:ListBoxItem” minOccurs=“0” maxOccurs=“unbounded” />         </xs:sequence>         <xs:attribute name=“SelectionMode” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />       </xs:extension>     </xs:complexContent>  </xs:complexType>  <xs:complexType name=“ComboBoxType”>     <xs:complexContent>       <xs:extension base=“xaml:ListControlType”>         <xs:sequence>           <xs:element ref=“xaml:ComboBoxItem” minOccurs=“0” maxOccurs=“unbounded” />         </xs:sequence>         <xs:attribute name=“DropDownStyle” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />       </xs:extension>     </xs:complexContent>  </xs:complexType>  <xs:complexType name=“RadioButtonListType”>     <xs:complexContent>       <xs:extension base=“xaml:ListControlType”>         <xs:sequence>           <xs:element ref=“xaml:RadioButton” minOccurs=“0” maxOccurs=“unbounded” />         </xs:sequence>       </xs:extension>     </xs:complexContent>  </xs:complexType>  <!-- UI Elements -->  <xs:element name=“Control” type=“xaml:ControlType” abstract=“true” />  <xs:element name=“Page” type=“xaml:PageType” substitutionGroup=“xaml:Control” />  <xs:element name=“ObjectDataSource” type=“xaml:ObjectDataSourceType” />  <xs:element name=“XmlDataSource” type=“xaml:XmlDataSourceType” />  <xs:element name=“Panel” type=“xaml:PanelType” substitutionGroup=“xaml:Control” />  <xs:element name=“ListBox” type=“xaml:ListBoxType” substitutionGroup=“xaml:Control” />  <xs:element name=“ComboBox” type=“xaml:ComboBoxType” substitutionGroup=“xaml:Control” />  <xs:element name=“RadioButtonList” type=“xaml:RadioButtonListType” substitutionGroup=“xaml:Control” />  <xs:element name=“Label” type=“xaml:LabelType” substitutionGroup=“xaml:Control” />  <xs:element name=“TextBox” type=“xaml:TextBoxType” substitutionGroup=“xaml:Control” />  <xs:element name=“Button” type=“xaml:ButtonType” substitutionGroup=“xaml:Control” />  <xs:element name=“CheckBox” type=“xaml:CheckBoxType” substitutionGroup=“xaml:Control” />  <xs:element name=“Image” type=“xaml:ImageType” substitutionGroup=“xaml:Control” />  <xs:element name=“LinkLabel” type=“xaml:LinkLabelType” substitutionGroup=“xaml:Control” />  <!-- Control attributes -->  <!-- Since all attribute values could actually be binding expressions therefore the type for each attributeis xs:string -->  <xs:attributeGroup name=“ControlTypeAttributes”>     <!-- Properties -->     <!-- Top and Left can be made required attributes but it's ok to         have them as optional -->   <xs:attribute name=“Top” type=“xs:string” default=“0” use=“optional” />   <xs:attribute name=“Left” type=“xs:string” default=“0” use=“optional” />   <xs:attribute name=“Width” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />   <xs:attribute name=“Height” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />   <xs:attribute name=“Anchor” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />     <!-- Here we could have specfied an enumeration of Anchor values but since this could also be a binding expression we have to leave it as a simple string -->    <xs:attribute name=“Background” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />    <xs:attribute name=“Foreground” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />    <xs:attribute name=“FontFamily” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />     <xs:attribute name=“FontSize” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />     <xs:attribute name=“FontStyle” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />     <xs:attribute name=“Name” type=“xs:string” use=“required” />     <xs:attribute name=“Tag” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />     <xs:attribute name=“TabIndex” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />     <xs:attribute name=“IsEnabled” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />     <xs:attribute name=“Visibility” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />     <xs:attribute name=“ToolTip” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />     <xs:attribute name=“Text” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />     <!-- Events -->     <xs:attribute name=“Click” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />     <xs:attribute name=“GotFocus” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />     <xs:attribute name=“LostFocus” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />     <xs:attribute name=“KeyUp” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />     <xs:attribute name=“KeyDown” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />     <xs:attribute name=“MouseUp” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />     <xs:attribute name=“MouseDown” type=“xs:string” use=“optional” />    <xs:attribute name=“TextChanged” type=“xs:string” use=“optional”/>  </xs:attributeGroup>     </xs:schema> The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

Metadata is used to create customized user interface (UI) portions for an application. The metadata may be XML-based and can be interpreted and then rendered to implement a customized UI that also supports data binding between data and the UI controls. Once created, the metadata is processed by a rendering engine to display the UI controls. An interpreter may be used to interpret the metadata file before it is sent to the rendering engine. Neither the rendering engine nor the interpreter needs knowledge of the host application and provides support for arbitrary metadata driven UI. The metadata schema may include mechanisms to create custom controls for the UI; programmatically modify the UI controls by providing access to a code-behind assembly as well as support event handling for the UI controls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for detecting a state of imminent cardiac arrhythmia, wherein detection of the state of imminent arrhythmia is made by using nerve signals from the autonomic nerves innervating the heart, and for administering appropriate anti-arrhythmia therapy upon detection of the state of imminent cardiac arrhythmia. 2. Description of the Prior Art In the control of a device for heart therapy, such as a pacemaker, it is known to use signals providing a measure of the body's work load, in addition to utilization of the parameters in the ECG signal generated by the heart itself. These signals can be obtained when one or more load-related physiological variables, such as pH, oxygen saturation in blood etc., is/are detected with sensors. In more advanced devices for heart therapy, in which the device is able to provide many kinds of treatment depending on the condition of the heart, control of the device can also be exercised by utilization of other signals indicative of whether such conditions are either present, or are in the process of becoming established (incipient). Signals of these kinds can be related to hemodynamic conditions, e.g. blood pressure in the right ventricle. A sudden drop in pressure, combined with a very fast heart rate, could be indicative of, e.g., fibrillation in the heart. In particular, control can be exercised through signals containing information related to the autonomic nervous system (ANS). In addition to being indicative of established heart conditions, these signals can also improve the possibility of detecting impending changes in the heart's condition so that prophylactic treatment can be started, e.g. to prevent the development of tachyarrhythmias, fibrillation in particular. The autonomic nervous system innervates the heart by means of two sub-systems, the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system respectively. The sub-systems will henceforth usually be referred to simply as the "sympathetic nerve" and "vagus nerve", unless otherwise specified. Increased signal activity in the sympathetic nerve increases heart activity, and increased signal activity in the vagus nerve reduces heart activity. Both systems normally balance each other when the body is at rest. European Application 0 532 144 discloses a system for ANS control of a device for heart therapy. The device can also include a nerve stimulator, in addition to a conventional device for electrical heart therapy. In order to achieve a control signal related to the ANS, activity is detected in the sympathetic nerve by measurement of the regional, effective rise in impedance in the right ventricle. After the measurement signal is processed, the rise in impedance can be used as the control signal for the therapy device. Control could also be exercised through collaboration with one or more of the signals indicative of the body's work load, as noted above. In the device according to European Application 0 532 144, the activity of the sympathetic nerve or the activity of the nerve signal is indirectly sensed by measurement of this activity in the form of its effect on the heart via some appropriate parameter. When the activity of the nerve signal is measured indirectly, the measurement becomes dependent on the ability of the measurement parameter to simulate the activity. If the patient suffers from some heart disease, which in particular may occur among patients in need of a heart therapy implant, this is not the case, and measurement in the heart will not then supply correct information about the activity of the nerve signal. In addition to indirect measurement of the activity of the sympathetic nerve according to European Application 0 532 144, stimulation of the vagus nerve, more particularly its endocardiac ends, during impending tachyarrythmia has also been proposed (Max Schaldach "Electrotherapy of the Heart", 1992, Springer Verlag, Heidelberg, pp. 210-214). In other electromedical therapy, e.g. the treatment of epilepsy, it is known to directly stimulate a nerve, more particularly the vagus nerve, by means of an implantable pulse generator. One such system having a helical electrode applied to the vagus nerve in the neck area is described in an article by Tarver et al.: "Clinical Experience with a Helical Bipolar Stimulating Lead", Pace, Vol. 15, October, Part II 1992, pp. 1545-1566. This system, however, only stimulates the nerve, and the pulse generator is controlled by means of an extracorporeally applied magnet. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for detecting a state of imminent cardiac arrhythmia, and for administering appropriate anti-arrhythmia therapy which avoids the above-discussed disadvantages of known devices and methods. The above object is achieved in accordance with the principles of the present invention in a method and apparatus for detecting a state of imminent cardiac arrhythmia in response to activity in a nerve signal conveying information from the autonomic nerve system to the heart, by sensing neural activity of at least one of the sympathetic and vagus nerves using a sensor body placed in an extracardiac position for directly sensing such neural activity, with the sensed signal being supplied to a comparator which has a threshold value that defines a condition for the presence of arrhythmia. The comparator emits an imminent arrhythmia-indicating output signal depending on whether the sensor signal, representing the neural activity, meets the condition established by the comparator threshold. The sensor body may be placed for directly sensing the aforementioned neural activity in direct contact with the sympathetic and possibly vagus nerves. The invention is described in greater detail with reference to an embodiment as disclosed in the attached drawings of a device according to the invention for heart therapy as applied in the above-described AICD defibrillator system. For illustrative--not restrictive--reasons, the device according to the invention will henceforth be designated in this description as a "nerve-stimulating heart defibrillator" or a "nerve-heart defibrillator" whose task is to terminate fibrillation in the heart. It is to be understood that also other tachyarrhythmias, such as impending but as yet unestablished fibrillation treated with ATP or cardioversion according to conventional techniques, can be treated and that the designation "nerve-heart defibrillator" in this context is a term only employed for explanatory purposes. Although the nerve-heart stimulator is explained and described herein in conjunction with a AICD-type defibrillator system, it is further understood that the nerve-heart stimulator can be employed independently without all the parts in the described defibrillator system. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a defibrillator system, embodying a nerve-heart defibrillator according to the invention. FIG. 2 shows an example of a vagus nerve stimulator in the nerve-heart defibrillator. FIG. 3 shows illustrative examples of patterns of vagus nerve stimulation pulses generated in accordance with the invention. FIG. 4 shows an example of the structure of a nerve electrode suitable for use in accordance with the invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a further embodiment of a defibrillator system, embodying a nerve-heart defibrillator according to the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an example of a defibrillation system using the nerve-heart defibrillator according to the invention, in which defibrillator implant is generally referenced 1. The implant 1 has an enclosure which may consist of e.g. a titanium capsule 3. The implant 1 includes a detection unit 5, a pacemaker unit 7, which can emit stimulation pulses to the heart both in the case of bradycardia and in the case of tachycardia, a nerve-heart defibrillation unit 9, an electrical defibrillation unit 11, a control unit 13, a diagnosis unit 15 and a telemetry unit 17. The different units in the implant 1 communicate internally via a databus 19. The implant 1 communicates with an external programmer 21 via the telemetry unit 17, whereby communications primarily include the transmission of programming data to the implant 1 and transmission of diagnostic data, e.g. about different events in the heart, sensor signals and ECG signals, from the diagnostic unit 15. The implant 1 is connected to a heart 25 via an electrode lead system 23 of attendant electrodes for emitting pacing as well as defibrillation pulses (including pulses with somewhat less energy than the level required for defibrillation, e.g. cardioversion pulses) to the heart 25 and for picking of signals indicative of the heart's condition. It should be noted that FIG. 1 is only schematic, and the signals designating the heart's condition also encompass sensor signals obtained from the sensing of heart-related physiological variables elsewhere in the, body, e.g. hemodynamics (pressure/flow) in the vascular system. As shown (enlarged) in FIG. 5, a blood pressure-sensing body 28 can be arranged, for example, in the patient's neck area around a blood vessel 29 (neck artery or vein), whereby the sensing body 28 may consist of a ring-shaped (possibly suturable) holder 30 and a sensing device on the inside of the holder device in the form of a pressure-sensitive cuff 31. The sensing body 28 supplies hemodynamic signals indicative of a blood pressure to the detection unit 5. The implant 1 is also in connection with the sympathetic nerve 26 (a plus sign designates an activating effect on heart activity) and the vagus nerve 27 (a minus sign designates an inhibitory effect on heart activity) via the system 23 of electrodes and electrode leads in order to emit nerve-stimulating pulses to the vagus nerve 27 and blocking current to the sympathetic nerve 26 and for picking up heart-related nerve signals therefrom. The defibrillator implant 1 accordingly includes, in addition to the nerve-heart defibrillator unit 9 described below, circuitry for performing the functions found in a modern defibrillator (AICD) of the type noted above. Thus, the heart's condition is monitored in the detection unit 5 by means of an IECG-monitoring device 51 and (in the embodiment of FIG. 5) hemodynamic signal monitor. Heart-related nerve signals are also monitored in the detection unit 5 in a nerve signal-monitoring device or neurosensor 53. Such a sensor 53 may be formed by a comparator with a threshold value defining a condition for the presence of an arrhythmia. If sensed nervous activity meets the condition, the comparator issues an imminent arrhythmia-indicating output signal. Thus normal sinus rhythm and abnormal conditions in the heart, the latter possibly being bradycardia, hemodynamically unstable tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation requiring treatment, as well as nerve (sympathetic) signal activity indicating that the above conditions are established or impending, are detected in the detection unit 5. Data from the detection unit 5 are sent to the control unit 13 which, depending on the data, orders a requisite therapy, such as tachycardia-terminating heart stimulation, and also sends a command signal to at least one of the units 7, 9 and 11. In the case of a determination that tachycardia-terminating stimulation is need, the command signal is sent to the pacemaker unit 7. Except for the nerve-heart defibrillator unit 9 and parts of the detection unit 5 (the neurosensor 53 in particular), the above-described components and functions are conventional in nature, as noted above. They will henceforth thus only be considered to the extent they relate to the nerve-heart stimulator unit 9, which will now be described, and the neurosensor 53, to be described subsequently, in the following description. The nerve-heart stimulator unit includes a current generator 91 for nerve stimulation and is capable of supplying nerve-activating pulsed current with a balanced average current level, e.g. with a frequency range of 20 to 50 Hz, a pulse amplitude of 0-9 V and a pulse width of 0.1-1 ms, from a nerve stimulator 910, in addition to nerve-blocking direct current/high-frequency current, to be discussed subsequently. The unit 9 further includes a time control unit 92 which is capable of supplying control information to the current generator 91 regarding e.g., which activating and blocking pulses, pulse sequences and continuous output signals should be delivered via the electrode system 23 from the unit 9 to the sympathetic nerve 26 and vagus nerve 27, respectively, and also when the pulses are to be emitted. It should also be noted that the pulses supplied from the unit 9 may additionally include other suitable forms of pulses, such as dual diphasic pulses and alternatingly biphasic pulses separated by a pulse interval. The operating parameters of the current generator 91 and of the time control unit 92 are, like other parameters in the implant 1, programmable via the telemetry unit 17. Therapy supplied from the unit 9 can be supplied, repeatedly if need be, over a period of time, e.g. 5 to 10 seconds, suitable to the therapy. The time control unit 92 is shown, merely for illustrative purposes, as a separate unit in the unit 9. It can naturally be an integrated part of the current generator 91. FIG. 2 shows an example of the nerve stimulator 910, which emits pulsed current for activating nerve stimulation, in the current generator 91. A voltage source 911 with a variable voltage V is connectable, via a switch 912, to a capacitor 913 with capacitance C. The capacitor 913 is also connectable, via the switch 912, to a capacitor 915, also with capacitance C. The capacitor 915 is connectable, via a switch 914, to an electrode output terminal 917. The nerve stimulator 910 can assume two states, a first state when the two switches 912 and 914 (both of which are controlled in parallel by the time control unit 92) assume the position marked in a FIG. 2, and a second state when the two switches 912 and 914 assume the position marked b. In the second state, the capacitors 913 and 915 are connected in series, whereupon the capacitor 913, which is charged to voltage V from the voltage source 911, is discharged via the capacitor 915 and the electrode output terminals 916 and 917. In the first state, the capacitor 913 is connected to the voltage source 911 by the switch 912, whereupon the capacitor 915 is also discharged via the electrode output terminals 916 and 917 and the patient. Control of events is exercised by the time control unit 92. The capacitance C for the capacitors 913 and 915 may, e.g., be 100 μF. Examples of pulses emitted by the unit 9 are shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows the output signal over time t between the electrode output terminals 916 and 917 in FIG. 2. The pulse width t1 may be 0.5 ms, and the pulse interval t2 may be 50 ms (20 Hz) in moderate stimulation. In maximum stimulation, t2 is reduced to about 20 ms (50 Hz). The amplitude of the output voltage V is not affected as long as the output voltage V is above a threshold for stimulation of all fibers in the nerve. The threshold is electrode-related and amounts to about 5 volts for the electrode used here and described below. An electrode (to be described below for the vagus nerve in conjunction with FIG. 4) in the system 23 and electrode cable for the respective nerve to be stimulated can consist of one or more flexible electrical conductors made of, e.g., MP35, each conductor being enclosed in electrical insulation made of, e.g., silicone rubber. The collective silicone rubber insulation on the conductors serves as the electrode cable's outer sheath. The electrode is devised for bipolar stimulation and has a first sub-electrode for the cathode and a second sub-electrode for the anode. The sub-electrodes can be devised as cuffs, rings, helices or the like with e.g. platinum, and other electrically conducting metals and/or polymers, as well as carbon fibers/meshes as electrode material in contact with the nerve and an electrically insulating and mechanically resilient sheath of silicone rubber around the electrode material. The silicone rubber is pre-tensioned to some degree so that electrode, after implantation, retains mechanical and electrical contact with the nerve. The electrode can also be provided with suturing appliances and a device for mechanically relieving the load on the sub-electrodes, e.g. silicone rubber anchoring around the nerve with tensile relief for the conductors of the sub-electrodes. The electrode may also be anchored, with a constructively adapted design, in a blood vessel, preferably a venous vessel, immediately adjacent to the nerve. A construction which is similar in all essential respects to the construction described for the stimulation electrodes can also be used for the sensor electrode employed for sensing heart-related activity in the sympathetic nerve. The vagus nerve could also be used, but the description relates to the sympathetic nerve as an example, whereby the nerve signals are sent to the nerve signal monitoring device 53 in the detection unit 5. The sensor electrode for the sympathetic nerve 26 can simultaneously serve as the stimulation electrode for the sympathetic nerve 26. FIG. 4 shows an example of the construction principles for a cylindrical nerve electrode used herein and applicable to a nerve. FIG. 4 shows the vagus nerve 27 and an electrode 24, consisting of a sub-electrode 241 arranged distal to the heart and a sub-electrode 242 arranged proximal to the heart 25, arranged thereon. The arrow in FIG. 4 points toward the heart 25. The sub-electrodes 241 and 242 are for activating stimulation and are connected via conductors in the system 23 (FIG. 1) to the plus output terminal 916 and the minus output terminal 917, respectively, of the nerve stimulator 910. In case that the sub-electrode 24 leads to an anodic block, the result is that the main direction of nerve impulses is toward the heart 25. As previously noted, the current generator 91 can also emit a current for blocking the sympathetic nerve 26, in addition to emitting the described pulses from the nerve stimulator 910 for activating the vagus nerve 27. One such blocking current can be achieved by additionally arranging, in the current generator 91, a pole-reversed nerve stimulator 910, described in FIG. 2, so the sub-electrode 242 becomes positive and so the sub-electrode 24 negative. Here, the frequency of the emitted blocking pulses should range from 200 to 500 Hz so the action potential in the nerve never has time to drop. Another way to achieve a nerve blockage is to provide the current generator 91 with a direct current generator for emitting a direct current which can be applied to the sympathetic nerve 26 as a direct current from the plus pole of the direct current generator for e.g. a few seconds. Also, instead of a direct current a square wave provided by a square wave generator can be employed. Stimulation and any sensor electrodes for the sympathetic nerve and the vagus nerve are preferably implanted in the patient's neck area. For the vagus nerve 27, the preferred implantation site is in the neck area by or near the right middle portion of the external carotid artery. For the sympathetic nerve, the preferred implantation site, as regards stimulation, is the ganglion stellatum, whereby an electrode adapted to use with this thickened part of the nerve is employed. The nerve-heart defibrillator described herein and including the unit 9 therefore achieves defibrillation of the heart 25 by delivering an activating current to the vagus nerve 27 and a blocking current to the sympathetic nerve 26 from the block 9 in response to one or more fibrillation conditions detected by the units 51, 52 and 53 in the detection unit 5. If the fibrillation persists, despite this treatment (which can be repeated if necessary) from the nerve-heart defibrillator unit 9, the control unit 13 can order collaboration with other parts of the defibrillator implant 1 which are relevant to the persistent fibrillation condition, so that one or more electrical defibrillation shocks are emitted by the block 11 for electrical defibrillation. It should be noted that the nerve-heart stimulator unit 9 according to the invention in the defibrillator implant 1 is also capable of treating, as previously noted, impending but as yet unestablished fibrillation conditions (or other refractory tachyarrythmia) by prophylactically applying an activating current to the vagus nerve 27 and a blocking current to the sympathetic nerve 26, as described above. The nerve signal monitoring device 53 contributes to improved monitoring by the detection unit 5 as regards tachyarrhythmias. The device 53 is, e.g., arranged to be able to observe changes in the signal patterns of the autonomic nervous system generated by e.g. myocardial ischemia, a condition which often precedes a tachyarrythmia. When the signal patterns are registered with an electrode as described herein (FIG. 4) and these patterns are processed (e.g. compared to patterns which are present under normal conditions), changes can be detected in sufficient time before dangerous tachyarrythmia becomes established. One example of the course in treatment with the nerve-heart defibrillator unit 9, utilizing the neurosensor 53 and collaborating with other units in the defibrillator implant 1, is provided below. As soon as the detector unit 5 detects impending fibrillation or some other dangerous, impending tachyrhythmia (e.g. a change in the activity of the autonomic nervous system), treatment from the unit 9 can be started in the form of light activation of the vagus nerve 27 for 5 seconds. If the detector unit 5 detects a return to a normal state of the heart 25, treatment is terminated. If the detector unit 5 continues to detect an abnormal condition for the heart 25, treatment will continue, supplemented with blocking of the sympathetic nerve, preferably at the ganglion stellatum, for a few seconds. If heart activity drops below a given rate because of the current delivered to the vagus nerve and the sympathetic nerve, the pacemaker block 7 automatically begins stimulating the heart 25 in order to maintain or restore its sinus rhythm. Treatment is terminated if the detector 5 now shows that the heart 25 has returned to a normal state. If this is not the case, the electrical defibrillator block 11 can be activated in order to shock the heart 25 in the conventional way. Although the nerve-heart stimulator unit 9 has been described in the context of a conventional implant which also comprises many other units, the described example clearly only shows some of the therapy possibilities of the nerve-heart defibrillator 9 and shall not be interpreted as any restriction on its use. The nerve-heart stimulator unit 9 can alternatively, in treatment of supraventricular arrhythmias, only include the parts which stimulate the vagus nerve. In the treatment of supraventricular arrhythmias, the nerve-heart stimulator does not necessarily have to be implanted in the patient's body. It can also be used extracorporeally, e.g. for temporary use with appropriately situated external and internal nerve electrodes. Although modifications and changes may be suggested by those skilled in the art, it is the intention of the inventors to embody within the patent warranted hereon all changes and modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of their contribution to the art.

A device for detecting a state of imminent cardiac arrhythmia, relative to a normal state for a heart, in response to activity in nerve signals conveying information from the autonomic nerve system to the heart, contains a sensor body for sensing neural activity, a comparator with a threshold value forming a condition for the presence of an arrhythmia, the comparator emitting an arrhythmia-indicating output signal depending on whether neural activity meets the condition, and the sensor body being placeable in an extracardiac position for at least one of the sympathetic and vagus nerves. The sensor body directly senses activity in the nerve at that location in direct contact with the nerve. An implanted blood pressure sensing cuff also can be provided which generates signals indicative of blood pressure which can be evaluated in combination with the nerve signals for identifying the state of imminent cardiac arrhythmia.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application relates to and claims priority from U.S. Prov. Ser. No. 61/877,370 filed Sep. 13, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated fully by reference. FIGURE SELECTED FOR PUBLICATION [0002] FIG. 1 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] 1. Field of the Invention [0004] The present invention relates to multi-functional compacts for cosmetics and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to a parallelepiped-type (generally 6-sided-type) multi-functional compact with a magnifying mirror in which the compact has upper and lower housing portions that open in a clam-like manner about a hinge, wherein the upper portion houses the magnifying mirror and the lower portion houses one or more cosmetic products. [0005] For illustration purposes, the present invention is described herein as embodied in compacts for cosmetics, it being understood, however, that its broader aspects the invention is not limited thereto but may also be embodied in compacts for containing other types of materials. [0006] 2. Description of the Related Art [0007] Compacts are commonly referred to as portable containers for housing many cosmetics materials, including face powders, foundations, eye shadows, blushes, and some lipsticks and mascaras. Conventional compacts include a base formed as a tray with one or more upwardly open recesses for holding the cosmetic material in compressed or like stable condition, and a cover for overlying the base and enclosing the tray to prevent the contents from drying out, becoming contaminated, spilling, or soiling outside objects. One or more brushes, pads such as powder puffs or other implements for applying the cosmetics may also be placed within the compact between the base and cover. [0008] Typically, the base and cover are molded of plastic or formed of metal, and are hinged together along one side of the compact, a manually operable latch being provided on the other side to hold them in closed position. The compact is dimensioned to be held in the hand, and may be square, rectangular, oval, circular, or of other regular or irregular shape. To apply the contained cosmetics, the user opens the compact, draws an applying implement (or a finger) across the cosmetic material held in a recess of the base tray to pick up some of the material, and conveys it on the implement to the appropriate facial area. [0009] Generally, a compact comprises a flat non-magnifying portable mirror which allows a user, particularly, a woman, views his/her face while making up the face indoors or outdoors, and thereby has a small size to be easily carried by the user within a handbag, a suitcase, or a pocket of a garment. Conventionally, a mirror is provided within the inwardly facing surface of the cover so as to be visible by a user when the compact is open and the user is applying the cosmetic material to the face. Thus, the user can easily and accurately apply the cosmetic when no external mirror is available. The disposition of the mirror within the compact cover is an important feature of convenience in that it enables the user to hold and position both the exposed body of cosmetic material and the mirror in one hand while employing the other hand to manipulate the applicator. [0010] When a user needs to view partial areas of his/her face, such as the eyebrows, while magnifying the partial areas of the face during making up the face, the user wants to use a convex mirror. However, the conventional convex mirrors are produced at high costs, and are provided separately—typically with a separate handle, wall mount or counter-support mount, thus increasing the production costs of such items and rendering them unusable in ‘compact form.’ Typically it is known that conventional compact mirror cases and/or the cases of a variety of makeup compacts, such as pressed powder compacts, powder blusher compacts, cake mascara compacts, and eyeshadow compacts. [0011] Moreover, because the conventional compact mirror cases and the conventional cases of the variety of makeup compacts are small-sized to be easily carried by users and are typically equipped with plane mirrors, the users only view their faces on the limited reflection surfaces of the plane mirrors. Thus, the conventional compact mirror cases and the conventional cases of the variety of makeup compacts are not multifunctional. [0012] In conventional compacts containing mirrors, the plane mirrors installed have limited sizes of reflection surfaces, thus forcing a user to place the mirror at a position relatively far away from his/her face when the user needs to view his/her entire face reflected on the mirror. However, the user cannot clearly view the face since the image of the face focused on the mirror is too small. [0013] Thus, when the user paints and/or powders partial areas of his/her face, such as the eye rims, the eyebrows or the lips, the user needs to view the partial areas of the face on the mirror while magnifying the partial areas to carefully make up the partial areas. In such a case, the user must repeatedly and alternately place the mirror at positions close to a partial area of the face to clearly view the partial area to be painted or powdered and at positions relative far away from the face to view the entire face to check the painted or powdered partial area with the other areas of the face, or alternatively divert their gaze to a conventional magnifying mirror-in a wall, counter, or floor mount type. The conventional compact mirror cases and the conventional cases of the variety of makeup compacts are thus inconvenient to use. [0014] Also, it is often desirable to package a compact in a manner enabling retail customers to view the contained cosmetic material at the point of sale without exposing the material to contamination such as can occur if a compact is opened at a store by a prospective purchaser. Accordingly, the compact may be sealed in a transparent plastic film, e.g., in a blister package, with the cover opened to lie flat with the base so that the contents of the compact are clearly visible through the blister film. [0015] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved multi-functional, multilayered cosmetic compact case that overcomes the detriments seen in the known prior compact cases. There is a further need for an improved multi-functional, multilayered cosmetic compact case having a dual-layer base construction with a pull out side drawer including only a single magnifying mirror and a lie flat hinge assembly. There is also a need for an improved multi-functional, multilayered cosmetic compact case that has multiple compartments or wells for housing a plurality of products, and having a secure snap-fit mechanism for securely closing the compact when not in use. ASPECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0016] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, provided is a compact for holding cosmetic products comprising a base having a first product housing region for housing one or more cosmetic products, a cover hingedly connected to the base, and a side drawer slidably mounted in the base, wherein the side drawer comprises a second product housing region, wherein the cover has an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein the cover carries an inwardly-facing mirror removably mounted on the inner surface by a removable frame member. The compact according to the invention has a cover carrying a detent that engages a protrusion positioned on the base to secure the base and the cover in a closed position, wherein the detent comprises at least one rib formed integrally with the cover to lock the cover in a closed position when the cover is moved from an open position into the closed position. Preferably, the minor is a single magnifying mirror and the compact has a generally square configuration. The cover has an extended closure member with a recess for engaging a corresponding protrusion on the base for securing the compact in a closed position. Also, the first and/or second product housing regions may comprise more than one rectangular or other shaped product wells. Also preferably, at least one of the cover portion and the base portion is made of a material selected from a transparent plastic, an opaque plastic, a metal, a wood, a composite, a polymer, or a ceramic. Optionally, the cover may comprise a window through which the cosmetic product can be viewed when the cover and the base are in a closed position. [0017] In another embodiment of the invention provided is a compact comprising a case body having an inner frame to form a fitting groove to hold a first product well for containing a first cosmetic product, a cover having an inner mirror frame to form a fitting groove to hold a mirror, and a hinge assembly for movably interconnecting the cover to the case body, the hinge assembly coupled at both ends thereof to hinge shafts of the case body to form a hinged joint around which the cover is opened or closed relative to the case body. Preferably, at least one of the cover portion and the base portion is made of a material selected from a transparent plastic, an opaque plastic, a metal, a wood, a composite, a polymer, or a ceramic. Also, the case body is preferably provided at each side thereof with a hinge holder each spaced apart from one another to define a space between the hinge holders, with hinge shafts provided on inside surfaces of the hinge holders extending toward each other and inserted into both ends of a hinge hole formed in the upper housing member, and forming a hinge joint around which the cover portion is opened or closed relative to the base portion. [0018] The present invention provides a compact for holding cosmetics in a square shape, including one or more wells for cosmetics and/or tools for application of same. The compact according to the present invention preferably opens and closes in a clam-like manner having a hinge assembly at the back end thereof and preferably a snap-fit closure at the front end thereof. Optionally, rectangle shapes having square-like corners may also be used. The cosmetic container according to the present invention preferably has only one magnifying mirror recessed in the top cover or upper housing portion. Depending on the product, e.g., eye, lip or face make-up, multiple product wells or areas may be used, but not more than one simple magnifying mirror. Preferably, the singular magnifying mirror has a magnification strength of approximately 2-3 times the normal. Of course, lesser or greater strength mirrors may also be used in conjunction with the present invention. Room exists left in the upper portion to expand to a greater strength mirror. The simple mirror compact assembly and system improves upon complicated prior systems that include interchangeable mirrors or multiple mirrors, which make manufacturing and distribution very difficult and expensive. Modification of the compact from the prior complex multi-mirror systems to a simple compact with a singular mirror allows for greater flexibility with respect to the choice of cosmetic products provided. Preferably, in one embodiment of the cosmetic compact according to the present invention provides a square single layer compact, for example, for use with blush or wet foundation. [0019] In another embodiment of the cosmetic compact according to the present invention provides a dual (or double) layer cosmetic compact case bottom or lower portion having a pull-out drawer position therein for housing additional cosmetic product(s), for example, for use with concealing foundation with an applicator sponge. [0020] In yet another embodiment of the cosmetic compact according to the present invention provides a square single layer compact having multiple product wells therein (i.e., 2, 3 or more smaller rectangular wells), for example, for use with 2-color eyebrow or 2 color concealer pack, or 3 shades of eye shadow, or even 4 or more. [0021] In another embodiment of the cosmetic compact according to the present invention provides a dual (or double) layer cosmetic compact case bottom or lower portion having a pull-out drawer position therein for housing additional cosmetic product(s) each of the layers having multiple product wells therein (i.e., 2, 3 or more smaller rectangular wells), for example, for use with 2-color eyebrow or 2 color concealer pack, or 3 shades of eye shadow, or even 4 or more. [0022] As shown and described herein, the cosmetic compact according to the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a deep base closure to facilitate a longer top (male/female) closure. Preferably, the compact is configured in a square shape with slightly rounded edges to prevent cracking, although other rectangular-base shapes may be used. Within the base or lower portion of the cosmetic compact, there is provided a semi-permanently attached cosmetic well for housing a cosmetic product. There is also provided a deep internal return system within the upper well or frame of the compact to allow for the upper magnifying mirror having a slight concave configuration and a mirror frame. Preferably, there is provided an extended top closure portion on the upper housing portion for secure closing of the upper portion with the lower portion in view of the extra deep mirror portion and product base or lower housing portion. Preferably, the inner frames for securing the mirror and product wells appear invisible to allow for securing the magnifying mirror and/or product wells as well as making rounded edges still appear square. There is provided a cut out hinge system that allows for clam-like opening and closing of the cosmetic compact according to the invention. Preferably, the lower interior frame aligns the product well with the compact's upper portion. Also preferably, a pull out side drawer is provided for housing additional cosmetic product(s). This is an improvement over the existing compacts in that rather than a bottom drawer, which is very difficult and cumbersome to use while applying makeup, a side drawer provides simple and convenient access to the product positioned therein. Such a drawer will have a square shape finish such that its corners will match the corners of the upper and lower housing portions of the compact to essentially hide the drawer therein. [0023] Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a new and improved cosmetic material container of the type comprising a compact. A particular object is to provide such a container providing a size or area of inwardly-facing simple mirror on the cover of the compact providing a significant mirror-magnification to allow efficient and accurate make-up application. Another object is to provide an improved multi-functional, multilayered cosmetic compact case having a dual-layer base construction with a pull out side drawer including only a single magnifying mirror, a lie flat hinge assembly, multiple compartments or wells for housing a plurality of products, and a secure snap-fit mechanism for securely closing the compact when not in use. [0024] To these and other ends, the present invention broadly contemplates the provision of a compact for holding cosmetics or the like, including a base for containing a quantity of cosmetic material, and a cover hingedly connected to the base and having an extended area with an inner surface and an outer surface, disposed in a first portion of the extended area, and an inwardly-facing magnifying mirror, mounted on the inner surface. As a further feature of the invention, in currently preferred embodiments, the cover carries a latch mechanism that engages a receiving portion on a second lower housing portion or base to retain the cover in a closed position. The detent may comprise at least one rib formed integrally with the cover or lower housing portion or base. [0025] The present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a multifunctional compact mirror case, of which an upper case body seats, in a frame seating well thereof, a mirror frame having upper and lower portions, and in which the upper surface and a lower surface are concave and convex to form a concave lens part and a convex lens part, or convex or concave to form a convex lens part and a concave lens part, respectively, thus allowing a user to use a concave mirror function formed by both the concave lens part, and which allows the user to view his/her face on the upper plane mirror when the lid is open from the case body. This is thus efficiently used by the user outdoors while traveling, such as traveling on business, or indoors, such as in an office room. In the compact according to the invention, a transparent window may optionally be provided in the cover to enable point-of-purchase viewing of the contents of the compact with the compact in a closed position, while a replaceable mirror, initially underlying the cosmetic product, for example, leaves the window unobstructed, can be readily installed upon first use of the compact. A magnifying mirror use in combination with the construction is the most commonly envisioned use of the present invention, but nothing herein will so limit the invention to that most common use. [0026] To achieve the above objects, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a multi-functional and/or multi-layered cosmetic compact mirror case, comprising a base having a first product housing region for housing one or more cosmetic products, a cover hingedly connected to the base, and a side drawer slidably mounted in the base, wherein the side drawer comprises a second product housing region, wherein the cover has an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein the cover carries an inwardly-facing mirror removably mounted on the inner surface by a removable frame member. [0027] The compact described herein provides improved magnification with simplified design and fewer components. These characteristics are particularly advantageous in a variety of compacts for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, having a dual-layer base construction with a pull out side drawer including only a single magnifying mirror, having a lie flat hinge assembly, having multiple compartments or wells for housing a plurality of products, and having a secure snap-fit mechanism for securely closing the compact when not in use. [0028] It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a compact that addresses the concerns and deficiencies in prior designs, and which is still functional, practical and aesthetically pleasing. [0029] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same elements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0030] A further understanding of the present invention can be obtained by reference to a preferred embodiment set forth in the illustrations of the accompanying drawings. Although the illustrated preferred embodiment is merely exemplary of methods, structures and compositions for carrying out the present invention, both the organization and method of the invention, in general, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, may be more easily understood by reference to the drawings and the following description. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of this invention, which is set forth with particularity in the claims as appended or as subsequently amended, but merely to clarify and exemplify the invention. [0031] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following drawings in which: [0032] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a dual-layer cosmetic compact depicted in an open configuration in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0033] FIG. 2A shows a bottom plan view of the cosmetic compact shown in FIG. 1 depicted in a closed configuration according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0034] FIG. 2B shows a front plan view of the cosmetic compact shown in FIG. 1 depicted in a closed configuration according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0035] FIG. 2C shows a back plan view of the cosmetic compact shown in FIG. 1 depicted in a closed configuration according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0036] FIG. 3 shows a top right front perspective view of the cosmetic compact shown in FIG. 1 depicted in a closed configuration according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0037] FIG. 4 shows a front plan view of the cosmetic compact shown in FIG. 1 depicted in a closed configuration according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0038] FIG. 5 shows a left side plan view of the cosmetic compact shown in FIG. 1 depicted in a closed configuration according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0039] FIG. 6 shows a right side plan view of the cosmetic compact shown in FIG. 1 depicted in a closed configuration according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0040] FIG. 7 shows a back plan view of the cosmetic compact shown in FIG. 1 depicted in a closed configuration according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0041] FIG. 8 shows a bottom right front perspective view of the cosmetic compact shown in FIG. 1 depicted in a closed configuration according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0042] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a single-layer cosmetic compact depicted in an open configuration in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention; [0043] FIG. 10A shows a bottom plan view of the cosmetic compact shown in FIG. 9 depicted in a closed configuration according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; [0044] FIG. 10B shows a front plan view of the cosmetic compact shown in FIG. 9 depicted in a closed configuration according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; [0045] FIG. 10C shows a back plan view of the cosmetic compact shown in FIG. 9 depicted in a closed configuration according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; [0046] FIG. 11 shows a top right front perspective view of the cosmetic compact shown in FIG. 9 depicted in a closed configuration according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; [0047] FIG. 12 shows a front plan view of the cosmetic compact shown in FIG. 9 depicted in a closed configuration according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; [0048] FIG. 13 shows a left side plan view of the cosmetic compact shown in FIG. 9 depicted in a closed configuration according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; [0049] FIG. 14 shows a right side plan view of the cosmetic compact shown in FIG. 9 depicted in a closed configuration according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; [0050] FIG. 15 shows a back plan view of the cosmetic compact shown in FIG. 9 depicted in a closed configuration according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and [0051] FIG. 16 shows a bottom right front perspective view of the cosmetic compact shown in FIG. 9 depicted in a closed configuration according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0052] As required, a detailed illustrative embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein. However, techniques, systems, compositions and operating structures in accordance with the present invention may be embodied in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, forms and modes, some of which may be quite different from those in the disclosed embodiment. Consequently, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative, yet in that regard, they are deemed to afford the best embodiment for purposes of disclosure and to provide a basis for the claims herein which define the scope of the present invention. [0053] Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such as top, bottom, up, down, over, above, below, etc., or motional terms, such as forward, back, sideways, transverse, etc. may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. [0054] Referring first to FIG. 1 , shown is a perspective view of the multi-layer or dual-layer compact 100 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, depicted in an open configuration. As illustrated, compact 100 is of a generally square (or rectangular) plan configuration, dimensioned to be held in a user's hand, for holding a cosmetic material such as powder, blush, mascara, foundation, or the like, for application to the face. The compact 100 includes a base 11 preferably formed or provided with a side drawer 13 that houses a product well or housing region 14 , and a cover 5 is hingedly connected to the base 11 and has an extended area 8 with opposed inner and outer surfaces, i.e., surfaces respectively facing toward and away from the interior of the compact 100 when the cover 5 is in closed position overlying the base 11 . The cover 5 may optionally carry a transparent window (not shown) disposed in the top surface 19 of the cover 5 to enable a prospective end user to view the color (shade) of the contained cosmetic, e.g. at a point-of-purchase display, without opening the compact, and an inwardly facing magnifying mirror 6 , mounted in the inner frame 9 on the inner surface of the cover 5 . More particularly, in the compact of FIGS. 1-8 the base 11 and cover 5 are of identical square (or rectangular) plan diameter (though they may differ in depth), interconnected along one edge portion by a hinge assembly 10 and provided on an opposite edge portion with a latch assembly (comprising cover extended portion 8 having a recess or detent, and base closure portion 1 having a protrusion 15 ) for securing the cover 5 in closed position on the base 11 . The hinge and latch may be entirely conventional in structure, function and location. [0055] The base 11 and cover 5 are substantially rigid and are self-sustaining in shape. They may be fabricated in a generally conventional manner of materials conventionally used for such purposes, such as, transparent plastic, opaque plastic, metal, wood, composite, polymer, and ceramic. Conveniently, the cover 5 is a molded element, with an optional aperture in which a window (itself typically a molded transparent plastic member) is fixedly assembled so as to constitute an effectively integral part of the cover for enclosing the cosmetic-containing interior of the compact. The base is also an element molded of opaque plastic. Optionally, such a window may comprise a two-way mirror (i.e., substantially reflective in a first direction and substantially transparent in a second direction. [0056] In accordance with the invention, the cosmetic-holding well or portion 3 of the base 11 may include a molded plastic element or inner frame 17 fixedly mounted, for example, by snap fitting in the interior of the base 11 to define well 3 , opening upwardly within the interior of the compact, for holding a quantity of cosmetic material or other product. Alternatively, the base 11 may be a single-piece base which has no holding well 3 but rather is capable to hold the cosmetic material. Also, since the compact is ordinarily carried by a user with the cover member 5 closed and latched over the base member 11 so as to enclose the contained cosmetics, the compact 100 must be opened to expose the cosmetic-holding recess 3 to allow access to the cosmetic material. Thus, the user then removes a portion of a the contained cosmetic material with, for example, an applicator tool (e.g., a powder puff or like pad, brush or other implement), or a finger, and applies the cosmetic to his/her face. To facilitate such operation, the hinge assembly 10 permits the cover 5 to move, in opening, through an angle of at least about 90° relative to the base 11 . Preferably, however, the cover 5 is movable to a full-open position at an angle of 180° relative to the base 11 . [0057] The cover 5 , as seen in FIGS. 1-8 , preferably has the shape of a shallow square inverted pan with a planar lip or edge flange extending inwardly (i.e., toward the interior of the compact 100 ) entirely around the circumference of the cover 5 . Thus, the cover 5 may be considered to have a recessed planar inner surface facing the interior of the compact 100 . The inwardly facing mirror 6 occupies substantially the entire area of the inner surface of the cover 5 . The proximate edges of the mirror 6 lie along a line parallel to the width of the cover 5 . It will be appreciated that these specific features of configuration and arrangement are merely illustrative and are nonlimiting. Advantageously, one or more ribs may be molded into the extended portion 8 of the cover 5 to engage and lock the cover 5 with the base 11 in a closed position. [0058] For the initial use of the compact 100 , the user unlatches and opens the compact 100 , exposing the interior of the cover 5 and base 11 as shown in FIG. 1 . In a generally extended position, the reflective surface of the magnifying mirror 6 faces inwardly so that substantially the entire inner surface area of the cover 5 of compact 100 becomes a usable mirror. That is to say, once cover 5 has been rotated into an extended position, the area of the mirror 6 is viewable to constitute the mirror area available for use in applying the contained cosmetic. While the mirror 6 is preferably a magnifying mirror, it may nonetheless be, for example, an ordinary (non-magnifying) mirror. [0059] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, provided is compact 100 comprising a base 11 having a first product housing region 3 for housing one or more cosmetic products, a cover 5 hingedly connected to the base 11 , and a side drawer 13 slidably mounted in the base 11 , wherein the side drawer 13 comprises a second product housing region 14 , wherein the cover 5 has an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein the cover 5 carries an inwardly-facing mirror 6 removably mounted on the inner surface by a removable frame member 9 . The cover 5 of compact 100 according to the invention has a detent that engages a protrusion 15 positioned on the base 11 to secure the base 11 and the cover 5 in a closed position, wherein the detent optionally comprises at least one rib formed integrally with the cover 5 to lock the cover 5 in a closed position when the cover 5 is moved from an open position into the closed position. [0060] Preferably, the mirror 6 is a single magnifying mirror and the compact 100 has a generally square configuration. The cover 5 has an extended closure member 8 with a recess for engaging a corresponding protrusion 15 on the base 11 for securing the compact 100 in a closed position. Also, the first and/or second product housing regions 3 / 14 may comprise more than one rectangular or other shaped product wells. Also preferably, at least one of the cover portion 5 and the base portion 11 is made of a material selected from a transparent plastic, an opaque plastic, a metal, a wood, a composite, a polymer, or a ceramic. Optionally, the cover 5 may comprise a window through which the cosmetic product can be viewed when the cover 5 and the base 11 are in a closed position. [0061] As can be seen in FIGS. 2A-2C , which show bottom, front and side plan views of the compact shown in FIG. 1 in a closed configuration according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, side drawer portion 13 is preferably of a size and shape consistent with the size and shape of the base 11 . Alternatively, more than one side drawer 13 may be used, either vertically one on top of the other, or horizontally side by side with each other. Preferably, side drawer 13 has ends 12 for ease in opening and closing drawer 13 during use. [0062] Turning next to FIGS. 3-8 , shown are various views of the compact 100 shown in FIG. 1 in a closed configuration according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen, cover 5 and base 11 are preferably consistent in size and shape. It is preferred that the overall shape of the compact 100 is square but that each cover corner 7 and base corner 2 are rounded and matching for easy and safe handling of the compact 100 . [0063] Referring now to FIGS. 9-10 , shown is a perspective view of a single-layer compact 110 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, depicted in an open configuration. As illustrated, alternative compact 110 is also of a generally square (or rectangular) plan configuration, dimensioned to be held in a user's hand, for holding a cosmetic material such as powder, blush, mascara, foundation, or the like, for application to the face. The compact 110 includes a base 11 preferably formed or provided with a product well or housing region 3 , and a cover 5 that is hingedly connected to the base 11 . As with compact 100 , the alternative compact 110 has an extended area 8 with opposed inner and outer surfaces, i.e., surfaces respectively facing toward and away from the interior of the compact 110 when the cover 5 is in closed position overlying the base 11 . The cover 5 may optionally carry a transparent window (not shown) disposed in the top surface 19 of the cover 5 , and an inwardly facing magnifying mirror 6 , mounted in the inner frame 9 on the inner surface of the cover 5 . More particularly, in the compact of FIGS. 9-16 the base 11 and cover 5 are of identical square (or rectangular) plan diameter (though they may differ in depth), interconnected along one edge portion by a hinge assembly 10 and provided on an opposite edge portion with a latch assembly (comprising cover extended portion 8 having a recess or detent, and base closure portion 1 having a protrusion 15 ) for securing the cover 5 in closed position on the base 11 . The hinge and latch may be entirely conventional in structure, function and location. [0064] In this alternative embodiment of the present invention provided is a compact 110 comprising a case body 11 having an inner frame 17 to form a fitting groove to hold a first product well 3 for containing a first cosmetic product, a cover 5 having an inner mirror frame 9 to form a fitting groove to hold a mirror 6 , and a hinge assembly 10 for movably interconnecting the cover 5 to the case body 11 . The hinge assembly 10 is preferably coupled at both ends thereof to hinge shafts 4 of the case body 11 to form a hinged joint around which the cover 5 is opened or closed relative to the case body 11 . Preferably, at least one of the cover portion 5 and the base portion 11 of compact 110 is made of a material selected from a transparent plastic, an opaque plastic, a metal, a wood, a composite, a polymer, or a ceramic. Also, the case body 11 is preferably provided at each side thereof with a hinge holder each spaced apart from one another to define a space between the hinge holders, with hinge shafts 4 provided on inside surfaces of the hinge holders extending toward each other and inserted into both ends of a hinge hole formed in the upper housing member, and forming a hinge joint around which the cover portion 5 is opened or closed relative to the base portion 11 . [0065] Lastly, referring to FIGS. 11-16 show various views of the compact 110 shown in FIG. 9 but in a closed configuration according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen, cover 5 and base 11 of the alternative compact 110 are preferably consistent in size and shape. It is preferred that the overall shape of the compact 110 is square but that each cover corner 7 and base corner 2 are rounded and matching for easy and safe handling of the compact 110 . [0066] In yet a further alternative and adaptive system (not shown in the drawings) a lip makeup assembly is provided, in the form of a lipstick tube (rectangular or circular container for lipstick cosmetic makeup), one side may be provided with a magnifying mirror as discussed herein. Such a magnifying mirror on the side of a lipstick tube assembly may be on the lipstick cap-cover portion of such a system or alternatively on the holding-non-cap-cover portion of such a system. Preferably, and while not departing from the scope of the present invention, the magnifying mirror would be on the cover-cap portion of the lipstick tube assembly so that a user may position the cover-cap portion with one hand, while applying the lipstick cosmetic using the other hand (holding the non-cap-cover portion. This embodiment is not shown in the figures, but one of skill in the art will readily appreciate the same without need to refer to a drawing. In another alternative lip cosmetic embodiment, a rectangular lipstick cosmetic cover is formed as a parallel piped, having a magnifying mirror on one side extending substantially all of one side and substantially flush therewith for convenience (but not limited thereto). LISTING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS [0000] 1 base closure portion 2 base corner or lower housing portion corner 3 first product well or portion 4 hinge rod 5 upper housing portion or cover 6 magnifying mirror 7 cover corner or upper housing portion corner 8 extended top closure 9 mirror inner frame 10 hinge assembly 11 lower housing portion or base 12 drawer end portion 13 side drawer 14 second product well or portion 15 latch or protrusion 16 product inner frame 17 product inner frame 18 bottom surface 19 top surface 20 product well outline 21 mirror outline 100 dual-layer cosmetic compact 110 single-layer cosmetic compact [0090] In the claims, means or step-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described or suggested herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Thus, for example, although a nail, a screw, and a bolt may not be structural equivalents in that a nail relies on friction between a wooden part and a cylindrical surface, a screw's helical surface positively engages the wooden part, and a bolt's head and nut compress opposite sides of a wooden part, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail, a screw, and a bolt may be readily understood by those skilled in the art as equivalent structures. [0091] Having described at least one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, and to provide the best mode of practicing the invention presently contemplated by the inventor, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely exemplary and that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes, modifications, and adaptations may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the invention may comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. The scope of the invention, therefore, shall be defined solely by the appended claims. [0092] Further, while there is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of this invention, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction, dimensional relationships, and operation shown and described. Various modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled hi the art and may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Such changes might involve alternative materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms, functions, operational features or the like, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the spirit and the principles of the invention. It should be appreciated that the present invention is capable of being embodied in other forms without departing from its essential characteristics.

A multi-functional, multi-layer compact for cosmetics, including a base for holding cosmetic material and a cover hingedly connected to the base in clam-shell manner with an inwardly facing mirror mounted in a portion of the cover so as to provide a convex magnifying lens. The compact mirror case provides a convex mirror function. In the multifunctional compact mirror of the invention, the plane mirror is set in a mirror frame within an upper housing and facing opposite the cosmetic product. The upper housing or cover is coupled to the lower portion or base at a hinged joint and has a fastener to secure the upper and lower housing portions in a closed position. Preferably, the multi-functional compact of the invention is also multi-layered having one or more side drawers positioned therein for housing additional cosmetic products. In addition, each product well or area may comprise multiple rectangular wells or areas to increase the variety of cosmetics available for use in a single compact.

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This disclosure relates to the engineering of phototrophic microorganisms for conversion of alkanes into high-value products. In particular, this disclosure relates to the production of alcohols such as butanols from methane using recombinant phototrophic organisms such as cyanobacteria. BACKGROUND [0002] The increasing reserves of natural gas combined with its availability in different geographical locations have generated a great interest in development of processes for its economical transformation into energy-dense liquid transportation fuel and products. Methane is the principal component of natural gas and thus development of economical and sustainable strategies for utilization of methane is of significance. A well-recognized process is oxidative transformation of methane into methanol. Partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas followed by the Fischer-Tropsch chemistry is a well established chemical transformation process. However, it involves multiple components which results in high capital costs and the conversion efficiency is generally poor. This limits its utility only in geographical locations with large natural gas reserves. [0003] Although methanotrophs belonging to alpha- and gamma-proteobacteria are known to utilize methane as a sole source of carbon and energy, there are many challenges in the use of methanotrophs based bioprocess technology for production of high-value products from methane. These organisms obtain the necessary energy for metabolic activities including the initial oxidation of methane by converting a large amount of methane into CO 2 which results in loss of methane and generation of greenhouse gas. Therefore, there are great challenges in leveraging these organisms for commercial applications to convert natural gas into products useful in petrochemical, material and energy industries. SUMMARY [0004] Provided herein are recombinant phototrophic microorganisms, comprising one or more alkane oxidation genes whose expression results in oxidation of alkanes and assimilation of the resulting products into the central metabolic pathways in phototrophic organisms such as cyanobacteria. The one or more alkane oxidation genes can be an alkane monooxygenase, an alcohol dehydrogenase or an aldehyde assimilatory gene. The recombinant photosynthetic organism converts the entire feed of alkane into the targeted product because it uses sunlight to provide energy and oxygen needed for oxidation of alkanes. Having the ability to couple oxidation of alkanes such as methane with sunlight in the recombinant phototrophic organism and energy can allow molecules of interest (e.g., butanol) to be produced biologically from natural gas in an efficient and cost effective manner. Because the recombinant phototrophic organism converts alkanes into metabolic products that are natively part of central metabolic pathway of all living organisms, the recombinant photosynthetic microorganisms or organisms provided herein can be further genetically modified with previously known polypeptides in the art whose expression converts metabolites from central metabolic pathways into several molecules including, but not limited to, amino acids, alcohols, dicarboxylic acids, fatty acids, energy-dense molecules and other molecules useful in petrochemical, material and energy industries efficiently and at high levels. Production processes involving phototrophic microorganisms are carried out under moderate conditions, use simpler and potentially more selective reactions, and have the potential to be operationally implemented at different scales for economical production of energy-dense transportation fuels at different geographical locations. [0005] In one aspect, provided herein is a recombinant phototrophic microorganism, comprising one or more genes encoding a methane monooxygenase (MMO). The MMO can be a particulate MMO, and the one or more genes can comprise coding sequences for polypeptides having the amino acid sequences of Methylococcus capsulatus Bath PmoA, PmoB, and PmoC. The MMO can be a soluble MMO and the one or more genes can comprise coding sequences for an MmoX polypeptide; an MmoY polypeptide, an MmoB polypeptide, an MmoZ polypeptide, an MmoD, and an MmoC polypeptide. The expression of said one or more genes in the recombinant microorganism can result in the production of methanol; ethanol; propanol, or n-butanol, when the microorganism is grown in the presence of light and O 2 in a medium comprising methane, ethane, propane or butane, respectively. [0006] The recombinant microorganism can further include a methanol dehydrogenase or a human class I alcohol dehydrogenase; a hexulose-6-phosphate synthase and a 6-phosphate-3-hexuloisomerase; and recombinant genes encoding an acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase polypeptide; a 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase polypeptide; a 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydratase (crotonase) polypeptide; an aldehyde/alcohol dehydrogenase polypeptide; and a trans-enoyl-CoA reductase polypeptide. Expression of these genes in the microorganism can result in the production of n-butanol when the microorganism is grown in the presence of light and 02 in a medium comprising methane. [0007] In another aspect, also provided herein is a recombinant phototrophic microorganism, comprising one or more genes encoding a methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) or a human class I alcohol dehydrogenase. The one or more genes can be a gene encoding a human class I ADH1A, ADH1B, and ADH1C alcohol dehydrogenase. The recombinant microorganism can be a strain of cyanobacterium or algae, e.g., a Synechocystis species. The one or more genes can comprise a gene encoding a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of an NAD-dependent MDH from methylotrophic Bacillus methanolicus . The recombinant microorganism can further include a gene encoding a hexulose-6-phosphate synthase (HPS) and a gene encoding a 6-phosphate-3-hexuloisomerase (PHI), and be capable of growth in media containing 2% (v/v) methanol. In addition to a gene encoding a hexulose-6-phosphate synthase and a gene encoding a 6-phosphate-3-hexuloisomerase, such a recombinant microorganism can further include recombinant genes encoding an acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase polypeptide; a 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase polypeptide; a 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydratase (crotonase) polypeptide; an aldehyde/alcohol dehydrogenase polypeptide; and a trans-enoyl-CoA reductase polypeptide. Expression of such genes in the microorganism can result in the production of n-butanol when the microorganism is grown in the presence of light and O 2 in a medium comprising methanol. [0008] In another aspect, also provided herein is a recombinant phototrophic microorganism, comprising one or more genes encoding a hexulose-6-phosphate synthase (HPS) or a 6-phosphate-3-hexuloisomerase (PHI). At least one of the HPS and PHI genes can encode a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of an HPS or PHI from Methylococcus capsulatus, Bacillus methanolicus , or Pyrococcus horikoshii . The recombinant phototrophic microorganism can be capable of growth in media containing 15 mM formaldehyde. The rate of growth of the microorganism in media containing 15 mM formaldehyde can be about 88% or more, relative to the rate of growth of the microorganism in corresponding media containing no added formaldehyde. The amount of formaldehyde in supernatant from media in which the microorganism has been cultured can be about 4-fold less than the amount of formaldehyde in supernatant from media in which isogenic control cells have been cultured. The recombinant microorganism can further comprise a gene encoding a phosphoribulokinase, and/or can further comprise one or more genes encoding a phosphoribulokinase; a transketolase, a transaldolase, and/or a sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphatase. The microorganism can be a strain of cyanobacterium or alga, such as a Synechocystis species. [0009] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, and from the claims. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 is a bar graph showing the optical density of Synechocystis cultures at 0 days and at 7 days of growth after 7 days of growth at 30° C. in media containing different concentrations of methanol. Optical density was monitored by measuring absorbance at 730 nm. WT=wild type Synechocystis strain lacking MDH and ACT genes; BM-mdh= Synechocystis strain expressing MDH gene; BM-mdh-act Synechocystis strain expressing MDH and ACT genes. [0011] FIG. 2 is a bar graph showing the formaldehyde concentration (as measured by absorbance at 412 nm) in supernatants of Synechocystis cultures after 1 day of growth at 30° C. in media containing formaldehyde. C=no cells; WT=wild type Synechocystis cells; MSI=cells of a recombinant Synechocystis strain expressing Methylococcus capsulatus HPS and PHI genes. DESCRIPTION OF THE SEQUENCE LISTING [0012] [0000] Genbank No. Species SEQ ID NO: GI: 53804130 Methylococcus capsulatus 1 GI: 7188931 Methylosinus trichosporium 2 GI: 427190913 Methylohalobius crimeensis 3 GI 357403888 Methylomicrobium alcaliphilum 4 GI: 402774099 Methylocystis sp. 5 GI: 223717937 Methylococcaceae bacterium 6 GI: 224967033 Methylomarinum vadi 7 GI: 7188938 Methylocystis sp. 8 GI: 7188933 Methylosinus trichosporium 9 GI: 83308654 uncultured bacterium 10 GI: 189219600 Methylacidiphilum infernorum 11 GI: 83308708 Methylocapsa acidiphila 12 GI:53804139 Methylococcus capsulatus 13 GI 7188932 Methylosinus trichosporium 14 GI 189219602 Methylacidiphilum infernorum 15 GI 83308706 Methylocapsa acidiphila 16 GI 357403887 Methylomicrobium alcaliphilum 17 GI 402774098 Methylocystis sp. 18 GI 6013166 Methylocystis sp. 19 GI 53758445 Methylococcus capsulatus 20 GI 73745618 Methylosinus trichosporium 21 GI 89572582 Methylomicrobium japanense 22 GI 74381909 Methylocella silvestris 23 GI 5102756 Methylosinus trichosporium 24 GI 88656492 Methylosinus sporium 25 GI 6013167 Methylocystis sp. 26 GI 53804675 Methylococcus capsulatus 27 GI 306921972 Methylovulum miyakonense 28 GI 73745619 Methylosinus trichosporium 29 GI 2098696 Methylocystis sp. 30 GI 88656493 Methylosinus sporium 31 GI 6013168 Methylocystis sp. 32 GI 6002406 Methylomonas sp. 33 GI 7770068 Methylococcus capsulatus 34 GI 89572584 Methylomicrobium japanense 35 GI 53804674 Methylococcus capsulatus 36 GI 306921973 Methylovulum miyakonense 37 GI 73745620 Methylosinus trichosporium 38 GI 88656494 Methylosinus sporium 39 GI 6013169 Methylocystis sp. 40 GI 7770067 Methylococcus capsulatus 41 GI 53804672 Methylococcus capsulatus 42 GI 19855848 Methylococcus capsulatus 43 GI 306921974 Methylovulum miyakonense 44 GI 73745621 Methylosinus trichosporium 45 GI 88656496 Methylosinus sporium 46 GI 6013171 Methylocystis sp. 47 GI 21362649 Methylosinus trichosporium 48 GI 18266834 Methylococcus capsulatus 49 GI 245216 Methylosinus trichosporium 50 GI 7770065 Methylococcus capsulatus 51 GI 53804670 Methylococcus capsulatus 52 GI 73745623 Methylosinus trichosporium 53 GI 88656495 Methylosinus sporium 54 GI 141050 Methylococcus capsulatus 55 GI 21362648 Methylosinus trichosporium 56 GI 53804671 Methylococcus capsulatus 57 GI 53758432 Methylococcus capsulatus 58 GI 74381913 Methylocella silvestris 59 GI 462590 Bacillus methanolicus 60 GI 41057056 Bacillus methanolicus 61 GI 387585284 Bacillus methanolicus 62 GI 143175 Bacillus sp. 63 GI 22654852 Bacillus methanolicus 64 GI 4501929 Homo sapiens 65 GI 50960621 Homo sapiens 66 GI 34577061 Homo sapiens 67 GI 4501933 Homo sapiens 68 GI 53802837 Methylococcus capsulatus 69 GI 170781838 Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. 70 GI 53756598 Methylococcus capsulatus str. 71 GI 169156406 Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. 72 GI 49482799 Staphylococcus aureus subsp. 73 GI 15923560 Staphylococcus aureus subsp. 74 GI 56416177 Salmonella enterica subsp. 75 GI 56415567 Salmonella enterica subsp. 76 GI 89089643 Bacillus sp. 77 GI 40074227 Bacillus methanolicus 78 GI 333985721 Methylomonas methanica 79 GI 53756597 Methylococcus capsulatus str. 80 GI 390191152 Desulfurococcus fermentans 81 GI 327400808 Archaeoglobus veneficus 82 GI 373906366 Methanoplanus limicola 83 GI 544229974 Lactobacillus brevis 84 GI 410600419 Methanobacterium sp. 85 GI 18976592 Pyrococcus furiosus 86 GI 20905670 Methanosarcina mazei 87 GI 124363810 Methanocorpusculum labreanum 88 GI 124363357 Methanocorpusculum labreanum 89 GI 351717933 Methylomicrobium alcaliphilum 90 GI 18892157 Methylomicrobium alcaliphilum 91 GI 387585261 Bacillus methanolicus 92 GI 387587408 Bacillus methanolicus 93 GI 14591680 Pyrococcus horikoshii 94 GI 387587407 Bacillus methanolicus 95 DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0013] This document provides methods and materials to metabolically engineer photosynthetic organisms such as cyanobacteria, such that oxidation of alkanes is coupled with energy derived from sunlight for cost-effective biological conversion of such alkanes into high-value products (e.g., butanol). The ability of the engineered microorganism to utilize sunlight as the source of energy for metabolic activities provides a method to convert the entire feed of alkane into targeted product while ability of the recombinant phototrophic organism to provide photosynthetically produced oxygen from water as an in situ generated substrate for the activation of alkane reduces the equipment cost. [0014] This document provides methods and materials for using recombinant phototrophic organisms (e.g., cyanobacteria such as a Synechocystis species) designed to express a polypeptide having alkane monooxygenase activity that is localized to either the cytoplasmic membrane or in soluble form that converts alkanes into their respective alcohols (e.g., methane into methanol) or both i.e., a recombinant organism can carry both forms of alkane monooxygenase activity. As described herein, polypeptides (e.g., polypeptides having enzymatic activity) can be designed to include a membrane-targeting sequence that allows the polypeptide to be localized to a membrane. Similarly, a polypeptide having alcohol dehydrogenase activity can be expressed that converts alcohols into their respective aldehydes (e.g., methanol to formaldehyde), and a polypeptide having aldehyde assimilation activity that converts an aldehyde into a metabolite of central metabolic pathways (e.g., formaldehyde into 3-phosphoglycerate). The ability of the engineered phototrophic organisms to convert alkanes such as methane into intermediates of a central metabolic pathway allows one to produce any products including, but not limited to, amino acids, alcohols, dicarboxylic acids, fatty acids, and energy-dense molecules from the alkanes efficiently and at high levels. [0015] As used herein, the term recombinant microorganism refers to a microorganism, the genome of which has been augmented by at least one incorporated DNA sequence. Such DNA sequences include but are not limited to genes that are not naturally present, DNA sequences that are not normally transcribed into RNA or translated into a protein (“expressed”), and other genes or DNA sequences which one desires to introduce into the non-recombinant microorganism. It will be appreciated that typically the genome of a recombinant microorganism described herein is augmented through the stable introduction of one or more recombinant genes that are not originally resident in the microorganism that is the recipient of the DNA. However, it is within the scope of the invention to isolate a DNA segment from a given microorganism, and to subsequently introduce one or more additional copies of that DNA back into the same microorganism, e.g., to enhance production of the product of a gene or alter the expression pattern of a gene. In some instances, the introduced DNA will modify or even replace an endogenous gene or DNA sequence by, e.g., homologous recombination or site-directed mutagenesis. [0016] The term “recombinant gene” refers to a gene or DNA sequence that is introduced into a recipient microorganism, regardless of whether the same or a similar gene may already be present in such a microorganism. “Introduced,” or “augmented” in this context, is known in the art to mean introduced or augmented by the hand of man. Thus, a recombinant gene may be a DNA sequence from another species, or may be a DNA sequence that originated from or is present in the same species, but has been incorporated into a microorganism by genetic engineering methods to form a recombinant microorganism. It will be appreciated that a recombinant gene that is introduced into a microorganism can be identical to a DNA sequence that is normally present in the microorganism being transformed, and is introduced to provide one or more additional copies of the DNA to thereby permit overexpression or modified expression of the gene product of that DNA. Recombinant genes typically encode one or more polypeptides. [0017] It will be appreciated that functional homologs of the said polypeptides are also suitable for use in generation of the said recombinant microorganism. A functional homolog is a polypeptide that has sequence similarity to a reference polypeptide, and that carries out one or more of the biochemical or physiological function(s) of the reference polypeptide. A functional homolog and the reference polypeptide may be natural occurring polypeptides, and the sequence similarity may be due to convergent or divergent evolutionary events. As such, functional homologs are sometimes designated in the literature as homologs, or orthologs, or paralogs. Variants of a naturally occurring functional homolog, such as polypeptides encoded by mutants of a wild type coding sequence, may themselves be functional homologs. Functional homologs can also be created via site-directed mutagenesis of the coding sequence for a polypeptide, or by combining domains from the coding sequences for different naturally-occurring polypeptides (“domain swapping”). Functional homologs can also be created via site-directed mutagenesis of the coding sequence for a naturally occurring polypeptide, or by combining domains from the coding sequences for different naturally-occurring polypeptides (“domain swapping”). Techniques for modifying genes encoding functional polypeptides described herein are known and include, inter alia, directed evolution techniques, site-directed mutagenesis techniques and random mutagenesis techniques, and can be useful to increase specific activity of a polypeptide, alter substrate specificity, alter expression levels, alter subcellular location, or modify polypeptide:polypeptide interactions in a desired manner. Such modified polypeptides are considered functional homologs. The term “functional homolog” is sometimes applied to the nucleic acid that encodes a functionally homologous polypeptide. [0018] Functional homologs can be identified by analysis of nucleotide and polypeptide sequence alignments. For example, performing a query on a database of nucleotide or polypeptide sequences can identify homologs of the said polypeptides such as alkane monooxygenase. Sequence analysis can involve BLAST, Reciprocal BLAST, or PSI-BLAST analysis of nonredundant databases using an alkane monooxygenase polypeptide amino acid sequence as the reference sequence. Amino acid sequence is, in some instances, deduced from the nucleotide sequence. Those polypeptides in the database that have greater than 40% sequence identity are candidates for further evaluation for suitability as a polypeptide representing specific function described in this invention. Amino acid sequence similarity allows for conservative amino acid substitutions, such as substitution of one hydrophobic residue for another or substitution of one polar residue for another. If desired, manual inspection of such candidates can be carried out in order to narrow the number of candidates to be further evaluated. Manual inspection can be performed by selecting those candidates that appear to have domains present in the said polypeptides, e.g., conserved functional domains. [0019] Conserved regions can be identified by locating a region within the primary amino acid sequence of the said polypeptide that is a repeated sequence, forms some secondary structure (e.g., helices and beta sheets), establishes positively or negatively charged domains, or represents a protein motif or domain. See, e.g., the Pfam web site describing consensus sequences for a variety of protein motifs and domains on the World Wide Web at sanger.ac.uk/Software/Pfam/ and pfam.janelia.org/. A description of the information included at the Pfam database is described in Sonnhammer et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 26:320-322 (1998); Sonnhammer et al., Proteins, 28:405-420 (1997); and Bateman et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 27:260-262 (1999). Conserved regions also can be determined by aligning sequences of the same or related polypeptides from closely related species. Closely related species preferably are from the same family. In some embodiments, alignment of sequences from two different species is adequate. [0020] Typically, polypeptides that exhibit at least about 40% amino acid sequence identity are useful to identify conserved regions. Conserved regions of related polypeptides exhibit at least 45% amino acid sequence identity (e.g., at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90% amino acid sequence identity). In some embodiments, a conserved region exhibits at least 92%, 94%, 96%, 98%, or 99% amino acid sequence identity. [0021] It will be appreciated that functional homologs of the polypeptides described below are also suitable for use in generation of a recombinant microorganism in which functional expression of the said polypeptides enables the recombinant microorganism to utilize alkane as a sole source of carbon and energy. Alkane Oxidation Polypeptides [0022] Alkanes can be oxidized by a number of enzymes including methane monooxygenase (MMO), alkene monooxygenase and cytochrome P450s. There are two known forms of MMO: a cytoplasmic membrane localized form known as particulate MMO (pMMO) (EC 1.14.18.3) and a cytoplasmic soluble form known as soluble MMO (sMMO) (EC 1.14.13.25). Both MMOs are able to break the C—H bonds present in alkanes, although their structure, subunit composition and catalytic mechanism are different. Most methanotrophs contain only pMMO but some also have both pMMO and sMMO. [0023] pMMOs are generally more selective in their ability to react with various substrates whereas sMMOs generally are able to react with a broader range of substrates. sMMOs typically can utilize hydrocarbons up to C8 as substrates, including aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons. pMMO is composed of three polypeptides (PmoA, PmoB and PmoC) and the active form of the enzyme is in a (αβγ) 3 configuration. The nucleic acids encoding pMMO subunits typically are part of a conserved operon among methanotrophs. Some methanotrophs contain a single copy of the operon whereas others contain multiple copies. Multiple pmo operon clusters in a single methanotroph often encode divergent pMMO enzymes that have varying reaction rates for oxidation of methane into methanol. [0024] It have been suggested that the active site of pMMO may contain either diiron, tricopper or dicopper centers depending on the methanotrophic organism. Recent crystal structures of certain pMMOs indicate that a dicopper center in the soluble cupridoxin domains in PmoB is involved in methane hydroxylation. The soluble domain of PmoB expressed in E. coli can catalyze propylene epoxidation and methane oxidation. PmoA and PmoC also contain metals (zinc in PmoA and PmoC subunits from Methylococcus capsulatus Bath and iron in PmoA and PmoC subunits from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b). [0025] Methanotrophs have developed specialized mechanisms to mobilize and acquire copper from their environment for pMMO function. A small chromopeptide known as methanobactin is involved in copper delivery to pMMO. Thus, in some embodiments, the open reading frames in the methanobactin biosynthetic gene cluster can be codon optimized for a desired phototrophic microorganism, and the optimized sequences introduced into and expressed in that microorganism, thereby facilitating copper acquisition for pMMO activity. Although the involvement of copper in function of pMMO has been universally recognized, not all methanotrophs appear to have methanobactin. This suggests that alternate systems can be utilized to acquire and deliver copper to pMMO. [0026] PmoA is one of the three polypeptides of pMMO and has been suggested to be involved in stabilization of pMMO as well as a role in electron transfer from electron carrier to the active site. Examples of the pmoA sequences can be found under the following GenBank accession numbers: YP — 114235.1 (GI: 53804130), AAA87220.2 (GI: 7188931), BAM71040.1 (GI: 427190913), YP — 004915812.1 (GI: 357403888), YP — 006593636.1 (GI: 402774099), BAH22845.1 (GI: 223717937), BAF62077.2 (GI: 224967033). [0027] PmoB is another of the three polypeptides of pMMO. This polypeptide contains the active center where actual methane hydroxylation takes place. Various pmoB sequences can be found under the following GenBank accession numbers: AAF37897.1 (GI: 7188938), AAF37894.1 (GI: 7188933), CAJ01562.1 (GI: 83308654), YP — 001940241.1 (GI: 189219600), CAJ01618.1 (GI: 83308708), YP — 114234.1 (GI: 53804139). [0028] PmoC is the third of the three polypeptides of pMMO. It has been suggested that PmoC is involved in stabilization of pMMO as well as having a role with electron transfer. Various pmoC sequences can be found under the following GenBank accession numbers: AAF37893.1 (GI: 7188932), YP — 001940243.1 (GI: 189219602), CAJ01616.1 (GI: 83308706), YP — 004915811.1 (GI: 357403887), YP — 006593635.1 (GI: 402774098). [0029] sMMO (EC 1.14.13.25) is a multi-component enzyme containing a hydroxylase component, a reductase component and a regulatory component. The hydroxylase component is composed of three subunits in a (αβγ) 2 configuration. The catalytic site of sMMO resides on a subunit of the hydroxylase component and contains a carboxylate-bridged diiron center. The reductase component contains an FAD and [2Fe-2S] ferredoxin domains and provides electrons to hydroxylase by oxidizing NADH to NAD + . The regulatory component has been suggested to be involved in regulation of electron flow from the reductase component to the hydroxylase component. [0030] Coding sequences for sMMO are organized in a conserved cluster and contain the following genetic loci: mmoX (encodes a subunit of hydroxylase component), mmoY (encodes β subunit of hydroxylase component), mmoB (encodes regulatory component), mmoZ (encodes γ subunit of hydroxylase component), mmoD (encodes a polypeptide of unknown function), and mmoC (encodes the reductase component). [0031] The MmoX polypeptide is one of the subunits of the hydroxylase component of sMMO. It contains the active center which lies in a four-helix bundle. Examples of the mmoX sequences can be found under the following GenBank accession numbers: AAF01268.1 (GI: 6013166), AAU92736.1 (GI: 53758445), AAZ81968.1 (GI: 73745618), BAE86875.1 (GI: 89572582), CAJ26291.1 (GI: 74381909), CAA39068.2 (GI: 5102756). [0032] The MmoY polypeptide is another of the subunits of the hydroxylase component of sMMO. Various mmoY sequences can be found under the following GenBank accession numbers: ABD46893.1 (GI: 88656492), AAF01269.1 (GI: 6013167), YP — 113660.1 (GI: 53804675), BAJ17646.1 (GI: 306921972), AAZ81969.1 (GI: 73745619), AAC45290.1(GI: 2098696). [0033] The MmoB polypeptide is the regulatory component. It regulates transfer of electrons from component C to the hydroxylase component. Various mmoB sequences can be found under the following GenBank accession numbers: ABD46894.1 (GI: 88656493), AAF01270.1 (GI: 6013168), BAA84759.1 (GI: 6002406), AAF04158.2 (GI: 7770068), BAE86877.1 (GI: 89572584), YP — 113661.1 (GI: 53804674), BAJ17647.1 (GI: 306921973), AAZ81970.1 (GI: 73745620). [0034] The MmoZ polypeptide is the third of the subunits of the hydroxylase component of sMMO. Various mmoZ sequences can be found under the following GenBank accession numbers: ABD46895.1 (GI: 88656494), AAF01271.1 (GI: 6013169), AAF04157.2 (GI: 7770067), YP — 113663.1 (GI: 53804672), P11987.4 (GI: 19855848), BAJ17648.1 (GI: 306921974), AAZ81971.1 (GI: 73745621). [0035] The MmoC polypeptide is the reductase component. It contains FAD and a [2Fe-2S] cluster and is involved in transfer of electrons from NADH to the hydroxylase component. Various mmoC sequences can be found under the following GenBank accession numbers: ABD46897.1 (GI: 88656496), AAF01273.1 (GI: 6013171), Q53563.1 (GI: 21362649), P22868.2 (GI: 18266834), AAB21393.1 (GI: 245216), AAB62391.2 (GI: 7770065), YP — 113665.1 (GI: 53804670), AAZ81973.1 (GI: 73745623). [0036] The MmoD polypeptide is suggested to be involved in regulation of sMMO by sensing the availability of copper. Various mmoD sequences can be found under the following GenBank accession numbers: ABD46896.1 (GI: 88656495), P22867.1 (GI: 141050), Q53562.1 (GI: 21362648), YP — 113664.1 (GI: 53804671), AAU92723.1 (GI: 53758432), CAJ26295.1 (GI: 74381913). Methanol Dehydrogenase [0037] Conversion of methanol into formaldehyde can be accomplished by methanol dehydrogenase (MDH). Multiple classes of methanol dehydrogenases are known including pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) dependent MDH found in the Gram negative methanotrophs and methylotrophs, NAD-dependent MDH in methylotrophic Bacillus strains, and class I alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in human and other animals. In methylotrophic yeast, oxidation of methanol is carried out by alcohol oxidase along with catalase in peroxisomes. Alcohol oxidase consists of eight identical subunits with each subunit containing one FAD as prosthetic group. PQQ-MDH is localized in periplasm and contains two subunits forming α 2 β 2 structure. The entire biosynthetic pathway for synthesis of PQQ and MDH subunits is part of a large cluster containing at least 10 genes. [0038] Methylotrophic Bacillus strains contain an NAD-dependent MDH enzyme which consists of 10 subunits of an identical polypeptide. Class I ADH is another diverse group of enzymes that can catalyze conversion of methanol into formaldehyde using NAD as cofactor. Human class I ADH enzymes can exist in either the homodimer or the heterodimer form of α, β, and γ subunits encoded by ADH1A, ADH1B and ADH1C genes. [0039] Methanol dehydrogenase or alcohol dehydrogenase genes encode polypeptides that convert methanol into formaldehyde. Various mdh or adh sequences can be found under the following GenBank accession numbers: P31005.3 (GI: 462590), NP — 957659.1 (GI: 41057056), EIJ77618.1 (GI: 387585284), AAA22593.1 (GI: 143175). Additional polypeptides that provide a regulatory function can also be included if desired. Sequences for such polypeptides can be found under the following GenBank accession numbers: AAM98772.1 (GI: 22654852) Various class I adh sequences can be found under the following GenBank accession numbers: NP — 000658.1 (GI: 4501929), AAH74738.1 (GI: 50960621), NP — 000659.2 (GI: 34577061), NP — 000660.1 (GI: 4501933). Assimilation of Formaldehyde [0040] Assimilation of formaldehyde in methanotrophic and methylotrophic organisms is accomplished primarily by two pathways: the serine pathway and the RuMP pathway. In the serine pathway, formaldehyde reacts with glycine to form serine. It goes through a series of cyclic reactions leading to the production of 3-phosphoglycerate. The net balance of serine cycle is the fixation of two molecules of formaldehyde and 1 molecule of CO 2 into 1 molecule of 3-phosphoglycerate using 2 molecules each of ATP and NAD(P)H. [0041] In the RuMP pathway, formaldehyde is condensed with D-ribulose 5-phosphate by hexulose-6-phosphate synthase (HPS) to form hexulose 6-phosphate which is then isomerized by 6-phosphate-3-hexuloisomerase (PHI) to form D-fructose 6-phosphate. The product of PHI is fed into the central metabolic pathway via the reductive pentose phosphate pathway. HPS and PHI are mostly unique to methanotrophs. The overall reaction is the fixation of three molecules of formaldehyde into 1 molecule of 3-phosphoglycerate using 1 molecule of ATP. [0042] Various hps sequences can be found under the following GenBank accession numbers: YP — 115430.1 (GI: 53802837), YP — 001710170.1 (GI: 170781838), AAU90889.1 (GI: 53756598), CAQ01554.1 (GI: 169156406), YP — 040023.1 (GI: 49482799), NP — 371094.1 (GI: 15923560), YP — 153252.1 (GI: 56416177), YP — 152642.1 (GI: 56415567), EAR68750.1 (GI: 89089643), AAR39392.1 (GI: 40074227). [0043] Various phi sequences can be found under the following GenBank accession numbers: YP — 004514931.1 (GI: 333985721), AAU90888.1 (GI: 53756597), AFL66208.1 (GI: 390191152), YP — 004341647.1 (GI: 327400808), EHQ34470.1 (GI: 373906366), ERK43186.1 (GI: 544229974), EKQ54947.1 (GI: 410600419). [0044] In some cases, HPS and PHI enzymatic activities are present in a single polypeptide. Various hps-phi sequences can be found under the following GenBank accession numbers: NP — 577949.1 (GI: 18976592), AAM30911.1 (GI: 20905670), ABN07618.1 (GI: 124363810), ABN07165.1 (GI: 124363357), CCE23598.1 (GI: 351717933), AAL80344.1 (GI: 18892157). [0045] The RuMP pathway is energetically more efficient compared to the serine pathway. This is also reflected in the growth yield experimentally established for organisms utilizing either RuMP pathway (˜0.55 CDW/g methanol) or serine pathway (˜0.4 g CDW/g methanol). Most methanotrophs contain separate genes for HPS and PHI, however, Archaeon Pyrococcus horikoshii contains a single gene encoding both functions. Genes [0046] A gene encoding a polypeptide described herein comprises the coding sequence for that polypeptide, operably linked in sense orientation to one or more regulatory regions suitable for expressing the polypeptide. Because many microorganisms are known to encode multiple proteins of a pathway in a polycistronic unit, multiple polypeptides can be expressed under the control of a single regulatory region for those microorganisms, if desired. A coding sequence and a regulatory region are considered to be operably linked when the regulatory region and coding sequence are positioned so that the regulatory region is effective for regulating transcription or translation of the sequence. Typically, the translation initiation site of the translational reading frame of the coding sequence is positioned between one and about fifty nucleotides downstream of the regulatory region for a monocistronic gene. [0047] “Regulatory region” refers to a nucleic acid having nucleotide sequences that influence transcription or translation initiation and rate, and stability and/or mobility of a transcription or translation product. Regulatory regions include, without limitation, promoter sequences, enhancer sequences, response elements, protein recognition sites, inducible elements, protein binding sequences, 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs), transcriptional start sites, termination sequences, polyadenylation sequences, introns, and combinations thereof. A regulatory region typically comprises at least a core (basal) promoter. A regulatory region also may include at least one control element, such as an enhancer sequence, an upstream element or an upstream activation region (UAR). [0048] The choice of regulatory regions to be included depends upon several factors, including, but not limited to, efficiency, selectability, inducibility, desired expression level, and preferential expression during certain culture stages. It is a routine matter for one of skill in the art to modulate the expression of a coding sequence by appropriately selecting and positioning regulatory regions relative to the coding sequence. It will be understood that more than one regulatory region may be present, e.g., introns, enhancers, upstream activation regions, transcription terminators, and inducible elements. [0049] It will be appreciated that it may be desirable to remove or replace certain regulatory regions in order to increase expression levels. For example, it may be desirable to remove regions of genes encoding sMMO polypeptides so that expression of these polypeptides is not under the control of the presence of copper and that it can be expressed simultaneously with membrane localized pMMO polypeptides. [0050] One or more genes can be combined in a recombinant nucleic acid construct in “modules” useful for a discrete aspect of generation of recombinant phototrophic organism. Combining a plurality of genes in a module, particularly a polycistronic module, facilitates the use of the module in a variety of species. For example, an alkane oxidation gene cluster, an alcohol dehydrogenase gene and an aldehyde assimilatory gene can be combined in a polycistronic module such that, after insertion of a suitable regulatory region, the module can be introduced into a wide variety of industrial microorganisms. In addition to genes useful for oxidation of alkanes and its assimilation into the central metabolic pathways, a recombinant construct typically also contains an origin of replication, and one or more selectable markers for maintenance of the construct in appropriate species. [0051] It will be appreciated that because of the degeneracy of the genetic code, a number of nucleic acids can encode a particular polypeptide; i.e., for many amino acids, there is more than one nucleotide triplet that serves as the codon for the amino acid. Thus, codons in the coding sequence for a given polypeptide can be modified such that optimal expression in a particular microorganism is obtained, using appropriate codon bias tables for that microorganism, and codon-optimized nucleic acids are typically used when the polypeptide to be expressed is heterologous for that microorganism. In some cases, it is desirable to inhibit one or more functions of an endogenous polypeptide. For example, it may be desirable to inhibit or reduce conversion of ribulose 5-monophosphate to ribulose 1-5-bisphosphate using recombinant techniques. In such cases, a nucleic acid that inhibits or suppresses expression of a protein involved in conversion may be included in a recombinant construct that is then transformed into the strain. [0052] Microorganisms [0053] A number of prokaryotes and eukaryotes are suitable for use in constructing the recombinant microorganisms described herein, e.g., cyanobacteria and algae, such as oxygenic phototrophic cyanobacteria and algae. In some embodiments, non-phototrophic organisms such as yeast and fungi can also be used to express the polypeptide to achieve the oxidation of alkanes. Typically, a species and strain selected for oxidation of alkanes is first analysed to determine which needed genes are endogenous to the strain and which needed genes are not present. Genes for which an endogenous counterpart is not present in the strain are assembled in one or more recombinant constructs, which are then transformed into the strain in order to supply the missing function(s). Genes for which an endogenous counterpart is present in the strain can, if desired, be modified as described above or supplemented with one or more recombinant genes in order to enhance flux in the strain through particular pathways or particular steps. [0054] Examples of algae that can be engineered to include one or more polypeptides designed to oxidize alkanes into central metabolic pathway intermediates include, without limitation, green algae (Chlorophyceae), red algae (Rhodophyceae), and dinoflagellates (Dinophyta). In some embodiments, a suitable alga is from a genus of Chlorophyta such as Chlamydomonas, Dunaliella, Scenedesmus, Chlorella, Prototheca, Botryococcus, Haematococcus, Isochrysis, Tetraselmis, Skeletonema, Thalassiosira, Phaeodactylum, Chaetoceros, Cylindrotheca, Bellerochea, Actinocyclus, Nitzchia, Cyclotella, Isochrysis, Pseudoisochrysis, Dicrateria, Monochrysis, Tetraselmis, Pyramimonas, Micromonas, Chroomonas, Cryptomonas, Rhodomonas, Olisthodiscus , and Carteria. [0055] Examples of photosynthetic organisms such as cyanobacteria that can be engineered to include one or more polypeptides designed to oxidize alkanes into central metabolic pathway intermediates include, without limitation, cyanobacteria from a genus such as Chamaesiphon, Chroococcus, Cyanobacterium, Cyanobium, Dactylococcopsis, Gloeobacter, Gloeocapsa, Gloeothece, Microcystis, Prochlorococcus, Prochloron, Synechococcus, Synechocystis, Chroococcidiopsis, Cyanocystis, Dermocarpella, Myxosarcina, Pleurocapsis, Stanieria, Xenococcus, Arthrospira, Borzia, Crinalium, Geitlerinema, Halospirulina, Leptolyngbya, Limnothrix, Lyngbya, Microcoleus, Oscillatoria, Planktothrix, Prochlorothrix, Pseudanabaena, Spirulina, Starria, Symploca, Trichodesmium, Tychonema, Anabaena, Anabaenopsis, Aphanizomenon, Calothrix, Cyanospira, Cylindrospermopsis, Cylindrospermum, Nodularia, Nostoc, Chlorogloeopsis, Fischerella, Geitleria, Nostochopsis, Iyengariella, Stigonema, Rivularia, Scytonema , and Tolypothri. [0056] For example, cyanobacteria such as members of a Synechocystis species can be engineered to include one or more polypeptides designed to convert alkanes such as methane into methanol by functional expression of methane monooxygenase. The resulting methanol is converted into formaldehyde by the functional expression of methanol dehydrogenase. The resulting formaldehyde is then assimilated into 3-phosphoglycerate by the functional expression of formaldehyde assimilating polypeptides. It will be appreciated that 3-phosphoglycerate is a naturally occurring metabolite of central metabolic pathways found in all living organisms. Thus, the ability of the recombinant phototrophic organism to convert methane into a common metabolite of central metabolic pathways allows one to generate molecules of interest using the known arts of recombinant DNA technology. Such molecules, without limitation, may include amino acids, alcohols, dicarboxylic acids and any molecules currently useful in the chemical, material and energy industries. [0057] Phototrophic microorganisms expressing recombinant genes described herein can be engineered such that methanol rather than methane can be the substrate for conversion into end products. For example, a recombinant phototrophic microorganism can be made that expresses MDH, HPS and PHI polypeptides and produces metabolic pathway intermediates such as acetyl CoA and 3-phosphoglycerate. When such a microorganism also expresses genes encoding enzymes that convert these intermediates into n-butanol, growing the microorganism on media containing methanol results in the production of n-butanol. Such a microorganism can be an oxygenic phototroph or an anoxygenic phototroph. Methods of Producing N-Butanol [0058] Recombinant hosts described herein can be used in methods to produce n-butanol, methanol or other desired products. For example, the method can include growing the recombinant microorganism in a culture medium under conditions in which MMO, MDH and/or formaldehyde assimilation genes are expressed. Typically, the recombinant microorganism is grown in a fermentor at a defined temperature(s) for a desired period of time. Depending on the particular microorganism used in the method, other recombinant genes such as genes for conversion of acetyl CoA to n-butanol may also be present and expressed. Levels of substrates, intermediates and/or final products can be determined by extracting samples from the culture media for analysis. [0059] A number of different liquid media are suitable for growing recombinant phototrophic organisms in order to produce products such as n-butanol. For example, recombinant Synechocystis cells can be grown in shake flasks with constant shaking (120 rpm) in a minimal medium containing 1.5 g/L NaNO 3 , 0.04 g/L K 2 HPO 4 , 0.075 g/L MgSO 4 .7H 2 O, 0.036 g/L CaCl 2 .2H 2 O, 0.006 g/L Citric acid, 0.006 g/L Ferric ammonium citrate, 0.001 g/L EDTA (disodium salt), 0.02 g/L Na 2 CO 3 and 1 ml/L trace metal mix. Trace metal mix contains 2.86 g/L H 3 BO 3 , 1.81 g/L, MnCl 2 .4H 2 O, 0.222 g/L ZnSO 4 .7H 2 O, 0.39 g/L NaMoO 4 .2H 2 O, 0.079 g/L CuSO 4 .5H 2 O and 0.0494 g/L Co(NO 3 ) 2 .6H 2 O. [0060] Cells typically are grown in fermentation vessels under illumination, e.g., illuminated with cool white fluorescent light at a light intensity of about 20 μmol of photons m −2 s −1 at a temperature of about 32° C. The light intensity can be from about 1 to about 200 μmol of photons m −2 s −1 , e.g., from about 20 to about 30 μmol of photons m −2 s −1 . Once cells are in the logarithmic phase, methane is fed into the vessel, the vessel is sealed air-tight, and cell growth is continued under the same culture conditions. The amount of methane converted into butanol is determined by measuring the cell density and the butanol concentration in the vessel at various times during culture. Similarly, when methanol is the substrate, the amount of methanol converted into butanol is determined by measuring the cell density and the butanol concentration in the vessel at various times during culture. In those embodiments in which methanol is the desired end product, the amount of methane converted into methanol is determined by measuring the cell density and the methanol concentration in the vessel at various times during culture. [0061] The recombinant microorganism may be grown in a fed batch or continuous process. In the continuous mode, methane or methanol is fed into the vessel after cells have reached logarithmic phase, at a rate constant at which the cells are able to convert the substrate into intermediates and to produce the final n-butanol product. Separation of Final Product [0062] After the recombinant microorganism has been grown in culture for the desired period of time, the product of interest can then be recovered from the culture using various techniques. For example, n-butanol can be separated from the headspace of a fermentation vessel using distillation or pervaporation using various membranes, gas stripping, or a combination of these techniques. If n-butanol production is carried out in continuous mode, the butanol product is continuously removed by the use of extraction methods. [0063] Purified n-butanol can then be provided to the transportation fuel industry for drop-in use in a gasoline blend. N-butanol is compatible with existing storage and distribution infrastructure, can be blended at high capacity with gasoline, and possesses fuel characteristics that are often superior to other types of biofuel. Because of these features, n-butanol can be used with minimal modifications and cost to the existing infrastructure of storage and distribution. The purified product can also be used in chemical conversion processes to make butylene, which can be used to produce specialty and commodity products as well as C12/C16 hydrocarbons for use in jet fuel. [0064] Purified methanol can also be provided to the transportation fuel industry for drop-in use in a gasoline blend, or can be used in chemical conversion processes to make various industrial chemicals. EXAMPLES [0065] The invention will be further described in the following examples, which do not limit the scope of the invention described in the claims. Example 1 Expression of Methane Monooxygenase in a Phototrophic Microorganism [0066] Expression of methane monooxygenase in a phototrophic microorganism is accomplished via introduction of coding sequences for polypeptide subunits for either pMMO or sMMO. A number of pMMO and sMMO sequences are available from different methanotrophic organisms. For example, nucleic acids encoding the pmoCAB gene cluster (MCA1796, MCA1797 and MCA1798) or the sMMO gene cluster (MCA1194, MCA1195, MCA1196, MCA1198, MCA1199 and MCA1200) from Methylococcus capsulatus Bath can be operably linked to suitable promoters and introduced into Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (hereafter Synechocystis ) to create a recombinant phototropic microorganism expressing a functional MMO. Given the different GC percent, codon utilization and differences in the regulatory sequences involved in expression and stability of messenger RNA, codon optimized genes are used for expression in Synechocystis and other phototropic microorganisms. Typically, such codon optimized genes are operably linked to a strong constitutive promoter. [0067] MMO genes are transcribed polycistronically in Methylococcus capsulatus Bath. Therefore, these gene clusters can be assembled as polycistronic units and stably integrated in the genome of the phototrophic microorganism or can be maintained on a stably replicated plasmid. In other cases, the coding sequence for each MMO polypeptide subunit is expressed monocistronically. The use of monocistronic nucleic acids allows one to drive expression of each gene by a suitable promoter and ribosome binding site, and thus to manipulate expression of each gene individually. [0068] The amino-terminal 32 residues of the PmoB polypeptide contain a signal peptide and in some cases it may be desirable to replace the Methylococcus signal peptide with, for example, a Synechocystis signal peptide for more efficient targeting to membranes. The initial assembly of MMO polypeptide coding sequences usually is carried out in E. coli such that the sequences can be targeted into the phototrophic microorganism at a single locus as previously described. [0069] Typically, a nucleic acid construct carrying MMO coding sequences also includes an antibiotic cassette for selection of transformants carrying the MMO coding sequences. Additional coding sequences, such as coding sequences for methanobactin biosynthesis, may also be included in the recombinant construct. The recombinant construct typically is introduced into the phototrophic microorganism by transformation and targeted to a neutral site via double homologous recombination. [0070] For Synechocystis , after colonies of transformants expressing mmo genes are obtained, the presence of these genes is confirmed by isolating genomic DNA and performing polymerase chain reaction using gene specific primers. Synechocystis can be restreaked as necessary in order to obtain isogenic lines with respect to introduced mmo genes. The steady state transcript level of each mmo gene can be determined by isolating total RNA and measuring expression of each mmo gene by real time polymerase chain reaction. Functional expression of MMO polypeptides can be determined using polyclonal antibodies against each subunit of MMOs to quantitatively measure the amount of MMO subunits in Synechocystis. [0071] The enzymatic activity of MMO in the recombinant organism is measured using either methane or propylene as substrate and using gas chromatography as previously described. Because it is known that the enzymatic activity of pMMO and sMMO can be dependent on the presence of copper, the recombinant strains are grown in the presence of different concentrations of copper, and MMO activity is measured as described above. In some embodiments, coding sequences for MMO polypeptides are operably linked to copper regulated promoters so that MMO expression is coordinated with copper availability. Copper regulated promoters include those driving expression of plastocyanin and Cyt c553, two electron carriers that can carry electrons from the cytochrome bf complex to photosystem I. Example 2 Identification of MMO Accessory Genes by Complementation of Recombinant Synechocystis [0072] It may be useful to express additional polypeptides in a recombinant phototroph. To identify such proteins, a reverse approach involving complementation studies can be used to establish functional expression of MMOs in Synechocystis . For this, a recombinant Synechocystis strain is generated that expresses pMMO or sMMO polypeptides, methanol dehydrogenase polypeptides and two polypeptides that assimilate formaldehyde into 3-phosphoglycerate. The recombinant microorganism can utilize methanol as a sole source of carbon and energy. The microorganism can then be used to carry out complementation studies to identify methanotroph genes that facilitate assembly and function of MMOs in Synechocystis. [0073] The complementation assay utilizes genomic DNA isolated from Methylococcus capsulatus Bath. Genomic DNA is partially digested with Sau3A1 to generate fragments of ˜5 kb which are then cloned in a BamH1-digested plasmid that stably replicates in Synechocystis . The resulting library is transformed into the Synechocystis strain described above. Transformed cells are then selected on solid media plates for their ability to utilize methane as a sole source of carbon and energy. The Sau3A1 insert that is present in those colonies having increased methane utilization relative to a control organism is sequenced. The coding sequence(s) found in the insert can be codon optimized for Synechocystis and their effect on methane utilization determined. Any such coding sequences that confer increased methane utilization can then be introduced and expressed in a Synechocystis strain containing coding sequences for MMO polypeptides. MMO activity in the resulting strain is measured by functional assays as described previously, as well as by ability of the engineered strain to grow on methane as a sole source of energy and carbon. Example 3 Expression of Methanol Dehydrogenase [0074] Conversion of methanol into formaldehyde in a phototrophic microorganism can be accomplished by the expression of NAD-dependent MDH or class I ADH from humans. NAD-dependent MDHs do not require a specialized cofactor. Alternatively, MDHs from methanotrophs can be used. However, methanotroph MDHs utilize a specialized cofactor PQQ, and the expression of PQQ-MDH polypeptides and regulation of PQQ-MDH activity involves about 10 genes. Suitable NAD-dependent MDHs include those from methylotrophic Bacillus methanolicus. [0075] Coding sequences are codon-optimized, synthesized, and expressed in Synechocystis behind a strong constitutive promoter and enzymatic function of MDH in the recombinant Synechocystis is measured using crude extracts and/or intact cells as previously described. It may be useful to express additional polypeptides. For example, regulation of Bacillus methanolicus MDH activity involves an activator protein, and it may be desirable to introduce and express coding sequences for the activator protein from Bacillus methanolicus in Synechocystis . Similarly, class I ADH enzymes from human exist in homodimeric or heterodimeric form and each form has different kinetic properties for different alcohols. Coding sequences (ADH1A, ADH1B and ADH1C) encoding class I ADH polypeptides, either as homodimeric or heterodimeric forms, can be expressed in various combinations and thereby identify suitable enzyme systems for specific oxidation of methanol in Synechocystis. Example 4 Formaldehyde Assimilation by Recombinant Synechocystis [0076] Formaldehyde in an engineered Synechocystis strain can be assimilated into central metabolic pathways via enzymes of the ribulose monophosphate pathway. Sequences encoding suitable RuMP pathway polypeptides include: i) hps and phi genes from Methylococcus capsulatus Bath; ii) hps and phi genes from Bacillus methanolicus ; and iii) hps and phi genes from Pyrococcus horikoshii . In the first two cases, each polypeptide is encoded by a separate sequence, whereas a single coding sequence encodes both polypeptides in the third case. These sequences can be codon-optimized, synthesized and expressed in Synechocystis behind a strong constitutive promoter. After suitable expression is established by real time polymerase chain reaction and LC-MS, enzymatic activity in the engineered Synechocystis strain is measured as previously described. Example 5 Ribulose Bisphosphate and Ribulose Monophosphate Regeneration [0077] Synechocystis contains a highly active reductive pentose phosphate pathway. It plays a central role in coupling light energy to CO 2 fixation by regenerating ribulose bisphosphate for carboxylation reaction and channeling the fixed carbon to central metabolic pathways. In order to establish efficient assimilation of formaldehyde and capture of CO 2 in the recombinant Synechocystis , regeneration of both ribulose monophosphate and ribulose bisphosphate is balanced by the reductive pentose phosphate pathway. This is achieved first by biochemical studies using a Synechocystis strain expressing hps and phi genes to determine if the assimilation of formaldehyde is limited by the availability of ribulose monophosphate. This is carried out by incubation of intact cells with different concentrations of ribulose monophosphate. If it is determined that the rate of formaldehyde assimilation is limited by the availability of ribulose monophosphate then a coding sequence for phosphoribulokinase, an enzyme that converts ribulose monophosphate into ribulose bisphosphate, can be introduced and expressed in Synechocystis to achieve balanced regeneration of ribulose monophosphate and ribulose bisphosphate. The level of expression from the phosphoribulokinase coding sequence can be controlled by the type of promoter used to drive transcription, e.g., using a weak promoter, or using a copper regulated promoter. In Synechocystis , suitable copper regulated promoters include those driving expression of plastocyanin and Cyt c553, two electron carriers that can carry electrons from the cytochrome bf complex to photosystem I. [0078] Similarly, a suitable level of expression can be determined for other enzymes involved in the reductive pentose phosphate pathway, including transketolase, transaldolase, and sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphatase, in order to achieve balanced regeneration of ribulose monophosphate and ribulose bisphosphate. If it is determined that certain enzymes involved in regeneration of ribulose monophosphate are limiting in recombinant organism, then a functionally homologous polypeptide from another cyanobacterial strain can be introduced into and expressed to overcome that limitation. Example 6 Production of n-Butanol from Metabolic Pathway Intermediates [0079] Recombinant phototrophic microorganisms can be generated that convert intermediates of the central metabolic pathways into a useful product (e.g. butanol). For example, nucleic acids encoding enzymes involved in the conversion of acetyl-CoA into n-butanol can expressed in a recombinant Synechocystis microorganism. Sequences suitable for introduction and expression in Synechocystis include the atoB gene from E. coli ; hbd, crt and adhE2 genes from Clostridium acetobutylicum ; and the ter gene from Treponema denticola . These sequences are codon optimized, introduced into and overexpressed in Synechocystis in order to confer the capability of producing n-butanol from acetyl-CoA. Example 7 Biosynthesis of n-Butanol from Methane [0080] A phototrophic microorganism can be produced that includes recombinant genes encoding and expressing: pMMO and/or sMMO polypeptides; an NAD-dependent MDH polypeptide and/or a human class I ADH polypeptide; an HPS polypeptide; an PHI polypeptide; an acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase polypeptide; a 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase polypeptide; a crotonase polypeptide; an aldehyde/alcohol dehydrogenase polypeptide; and a trans-enoyl-CoA reductase polypeptide. For example, a Synechocystis microorganism can contain codon optimized sequences encoding: pMMO and/or sMMO polypeptides described above, an NAD-dependent MDH polypeptide or a human class I ADH1A, ADH1B and/or ADH1C polypeptide described above; an HPS polypeptide described above; an PHI polypeptide described above; an acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase polypeptide described above; a 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase polypeptide described above; a crotonase polypeptide described above; an aldehyde/alcohol dehydrogenase polypeptide described above; and a trans-enoyl-CoA reductase polypeptide described above. [0081] In some embodiments, such a microorganism further includes genes encoding peptides of the methanobactin gene cluster and/or one or more of the following polypeptides: phosphoribulokinase; transketolase, transaldolase, and sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphatase. A Synechocystis strain containing such recombinant genes can convert methane into a useful product (e.g. n-butanol). Example 8 Recombinant Synechocystis Strains Capable of Oxidizing Methanol [0082] Genes coding for alcohol dehydrogenase were obtained from Bacillus methanolicus MGA3 (locus: MGA3 — 17392; GI:387585261) and Homo sapiens [ADH1A (P07327.2); ADH1B (P00325.2), and ADH1C (NP — 000660.1)]. An additional gene that acts as activator to methanol dehydrogenase in Bacillus methanolicus MGA3 (EIJ83380.1) was also obtained. They were codon-optimized for Synechocystis and synthesized. Two restriction sites (NdeI and HpaI) were introduced in each gene to facilitate cloning and subsequent recombination in Synechocystis . These genes were cloned behind the psbA2 promoter using the NdeI and HpaI sites and then introduced into a neutral locus in Synechocystis . Such neutral loci in Synechocystis are known in art and combinations of these loci can be used for this purpose if desired. A chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene was also introduced into Synechocystis for selection of the recombinant strain using chloramphenicol as the selection agent. Genes that confer resistance to kanamycin, gentamicin, spectinomycin, or other similar antibiotics to which Synechocystis is sensitive can also be used for selection of recombinant strains. [0083] A total of eight different isogenic recombinant Synechocystis strains were generated (see Table 1). Since the functional form of alcohol dehydrogenase in Homo sapiens can be either a homodimer or a heterodimer, some of the recombinant Synechocystis strains have two adh genes. The presence of the desired alcohol dehydrogenase gene(s) was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction assay, and expression was confirmed by RT-PCR. [0084] Alcohol dehydrogenase enzymatic activity in the recombinant Synechocystis was measured using crude extracts and/or intact cells. Crude extract was isolated by first treating the Synechocystis cells with lysozyme in a buffer containing 50 mM Tris, PH 8.0, 10% glycerol, 0.1% Triton X-100 and incubating at 37° C. for 30 min. The treated cells were harvested by centrifugation at 4000×g for 5 min at 4° C. and resuspended in a buffer containing 50 mM Tris, PH 8.0, 10% glycerol, 0.1% Triton X-100 and protease inhibitor cocktail (Sigma). Cells were lysed by sonication using a Misonix S3000 Sonicator (power setting: 3 for a 4-5 cycles with each cycle lasting for 20 seconds). The crude extracts was clarified by centrifugation at 12,000×g for 5 min at 4° C. and the clarified supernatant containing was used to measure methanol dehydrogenase activity at 340 nm following NAD + reduction in a reaction mixture containing 500 mM (˜2%) methanol, 100 mM glycine-KOH buffer (pH 9.5), 5 mM MgSO 4 , 5 mM 2-mercaptoethanol, 1 mM NAD + and 10 μl of extract. The methanol dehydrogenase activity observed in the recombinant Synechocystis extracts is shown in Table 1. The results indicate that methanol dehydrogenase activity was observed in all strains except for MGC0460. Extracts of many of the strains also exhibited activity with ethanol, propanol or butanol as the substrate. [0000] TABLE 1 Recombinant Synechocystis containing alcohol dehydrogenase genes Specific Activity (nmol Strain Name Gene NADPH/min/mg protein) MGC0416 MDH 0.0042 MGC0440 MDH and ACT 0.0021 MGC0428 ADH1A 0.0075 MGC0443 ADH1B 0.0034 MGC0452 ADH1C 0.0047 MGC0448 ADH1A and ADH1B 0.0028 MGC0460 ADH1A and ADH1C 0.0000 MGC0461 ADH1B and ADH1C 0.0039 [0085] The effect of dehydrogenase expression on growth of recombinant Synechocystis strains was determined by measuring the optical density at 730 nm of strains cultured at 30° C. under a 30 μE m −2 s −1 light regimen and ambient air on media containing din the presence of light and ambient air in media containing different concentrations of methanol. The medium contained 1.5 g/L NaNO 3 , 0.04 g/L K 2 HPO 4 , 0.075 g/L MgSO 4 .7H 2 O, 0.036 g/L CaCl 2 .2H 2 O, 0.006 g/L Citric acid, 0.006 g/L Ferric ammonium citrate, 0.001 g/L EDTA (disodium salt), 0.02 g/L Na 2 CO 3 and 1 ml/L trace metal mix. Trace metal mix contained 2.86 g/L H 3 BO 3 , 1.81 g/L, MnCl 2 .4H 2 O, 0.222 g/L ZnSO 4 .7H 2 O, 0.39 g/L NaMoO 4 .2H 2 O, 0.079 g/L CuSO 4 .5H 2 O and 0.0494 g/L Co(NO 3 ) 2 .6H 2 O. [0086] Results are shown in FIG. 1 , and indicate that recombinant Synechocystis strains containing and expressing an MDH, or MDH and ACT, can grow on media containing up to 2% methanol, despite the likely accumulation in the media of formaldehyde, the product of the dehydrogenase activity. Example 9 A Recombinant Synechocystis Strain Capable of Assimilating Formaldehyde [0087] Genes coding for 3-Hexulose-6-phosphate synthase (HPS) were obtained from Methylococcus capsulatus Bath (locus: MCA3043; GI:53756598), Bacillus methanolicus MGA3 (locus: MGA3 — 15306; GI:387587408) and Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3 (locus: PH1938; GI:14591680); and phospho-3-hexuloisomerase (PHI) from Methylococcus capsulatus Bath (locus: MCA3044; GI:53756597), Bacillus methanolicus MGA3 (locus: MGA3 — 15301; GI:387587407) and Pyrococcus horikoshii (locus: PH1938; GI:14591680). They were codon-optimized for expression in Synechocystis and synthesized. Two restriction sites (NdeI and HpaI) were introduced in each gene to facilitate cloning and subsequent recombination in Synechocystis . These genes were cloned behind the psbA2 promoter using the NdeI and HpaI sites and then introduced into a neutral locus in Synechocystis . A chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene was also introduced into Synechocystis for selection of the recombinant strain using chloramphenicol as the selection agent. [0088] Three different isogenic recombinant Synechocystis strains are generated, one containing HPS and PHI sequences from Methylococcus capsulatus Bath, one containing HPS and PHI sequences from Bacillus methanolicus , and one containing HPS and PHI sequences from Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3. The presence of the desired HPS and PHI genes is confirmed by polymerase chain reaction assay, and expression is confirmed by RT-PCR. [0089] Enzymatic activity in the recombinant Synechocystis strains was measured using crude extracts and/or intact cells. Crude extracts were prepared as described in Example 8. HPS and PHI activities were measured by following NADP reduction at 340 nm in a 1 ml reaction mixture containing 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer pH 7.0, 5 mM magnesium chloride, 1 unit each of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (Sigma) and glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (Sigma), 0.4 mM NADP, 2.5 units of phosphoriboisomerase (Sigma), and 100 μl extract. After temperature equilibration to 30° C., 5 mM ribose-5-phosphate was added. After 1 min of further preincubation, the reaction was started by the addition of 5 mM formaldehyde. The specific activity of the Methylococcus HPS and PHI enzymes in Synechocystis crude extracts was 1086 nmol NADPH/min/mg protein. The results also indicated that expression of the HPS and PHI genes from Methylococcus capsulatus Bath conferred more formaldehyde assimilation activity on Synechocystis crude extracts than did the genes from Pyrococcus or Bacillus. [0090] The effect of HPS and PHI expression on growth of wild type and recombinant Synechocystis strains was determined by measuring the growth of the MSI strain under a a 30 μE m −2 s −1 light regimen and in the presence of ambient air on media containing different concentrations of formaldehyde. The results are shown in Table 2, and indicate that wild type growth is inhibited at 5 mM formaldehyde whereas a Synechocystis strain expressing Methylococcus HPS and PHI can grow at concentrations up to 15 mM formaldehyde. The results in Table 2 also indicate that the rate of growth of recombinant Synechocystis cells in media containing 5 to 15 mM formaldehyde is about 88% to about 100% of the rate observed for recombinant Synechocystis cells grown in media having no added formaldehyde. [0000] TABLE 2 Growth of wild type and recombinant Synechocystis strains in the presence of different concentrations of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde OD730 OD730 after 6 days concentration after 6 days Recombinant (mM) Wild Type cells Synechocystis cells 0 1.316 1.292 5 0.728 1.244 10 0.064 1.136 15 0.06 1.288 20 0.096 0.032 [0091] The amount of formaldehyde present in the culture supernatant of a Synechocystis strain expressing HPS and PHI was determined after growth for 1 day at 30° C. in media containing from various concentrations of formaldehyde, from 20 μM to 200 μM. The amount of formaldehyde in the supernatant was measured using a colorimetric assay based on the Hantzsch reaction. Nash, Biochem. J. 55: 416-421 (1953). The results are shown in FIG. 2 , and indicate that formaldehyde in culture supernatants from Synechocystis cells expressing HPS and PHI is depleted to a much greater extent than in the supernatant from wild type control Synechocystis cells that lack these two genes. The amount of formaldehyde in supernatant from Synechocystis cells expressing HPS and PHI is about 4-fold less than the amount in supernatant from the isogenic wild type Synechocystis cells.

This disclosure relates to the engineering of phototrophic microorganisms for conversion of alkanes into higher-value products. Recombinant phototrophic organisms such as cyanobacteria can be engineered, optionally in a modular format, to express enzymes involved in converting methane to methanol, methanol to formaldehyde, formaldehyde to central metabolic pathway intermediates, and such intermediates to n-butanol.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/581,018, filed 16 Oct. 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,116,225 which application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/110,257 filed 31 Oct. 2008, each of which application is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference thereto. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Technical Field The invention relates to data transmission. More particularly, the invention relates to channel bandwidth estimating methods on hybrid technology wireless links. 2. Description of the Prior Art Peak and sustainable data rates achievable in mobile broadband radio access networks have evolved by three orders of magnitude over the last decade. In many cases, three generations of radio technologies co-exist in the same geography, presenting data rates from few kbps to few hundred kbps to few mbps, all supported by same mobile device and same radio access network. In addition to static attributes that differentiate three generations of radio access technologies, such as fundamental channelization characteristics of radio interfaces, dynamic variations introduced by multi-user loading and changing propagation conditions can make the per-user perceived bandwidth vary substantially very quickly. These dynamic variations pose challenges to any application that relies on accurate channel estimation for bandwidth and data rate calculations, particularly if the task needs to be performed at the TCP/IP level. Accurate bandwidth and data rate calculations are needed for such scenarios as streaming video, voice over IP (VOIP), quality of service (QoS) enforcement, network characterization, network tuning, load estimation, and network optimization. Prior art approaches to bandwidth estimation include such techniques as straight averaging, in which a determination is made of bytes received over a particular time interval. Such approaches use packet trains, where an a priori known packet sequence is sent, i.e. both the sender and the receiver know about this packet sequence. One disadvantage of sending a priori packet trains is that such technique is fundamentally disruptive to the network because it takes time to make the measurement, i.e. it does not provide a real-time value of available bandwidth, and because it adds overhead to network bandwidth by consuming such bandwidth during packet train network transit time. It would be advantageous to provide a solution to the problem of accurately estimating channel bandwidth. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the invention provides a bandwidth estimation algorithm. A primary objective of the algorithm is to detect peak and/or average per-user bandwidth of data communication networks, such as narrowband and broadband wide-area radio access networks. The estimation can be performed at the TCP/IP layer with no lower layer (PHY, MAC, etc.) information assumed to be available. However, the bandwidth estimation algorithm can be applied to anywhere bandwidth needs to be estimated as well, such as DSL, cable networks, or satellite systems. In particular, a bandwidth estimation algorithm on shared links detects peaks and/or average per-user bandwidth. Estimating is performed at the transport or IP layer with no assistance from lower layer (PHY, MAC, etc.) and the techniques can be used for any of adjusting the level of video optimization to the available bandwidth; driving QoS decisions at the transmitter based on available bandwidth; improving QoS enforcement during transitions among hybrid technologies on a wireless links; and correcting estimates on devices delivering bursty payload. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates the phenomena of dynamic variations in the inter-packet arrival times; FIG. 2 shows that dynamic packet variations can happen in any scenario in which the sender needs to send packets to a receiver; FIG. 3 is a flow chart that describes the general flow of the logic in a channel bandwidth estimation mechanism according to the invention; and FIG. 4 is a block schematic diagram of a machine in the exemplary form of a computer system within which a set of instructions may be programmed to cause the machine to execute the logic steps of FIG. 3 according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 illustrates the phenomena of dynamic variations in the inter-packet arrival times. As can be seen from FIG. 1 , the packet arrival pattern and the packet sender pattern are not always correlated. In particular, in the EVDO family and the HSPA family, the most dominant mobile broadband networks today, the users share a ‘big fat pipe’ model, or a ‘large shared channel’ model, of a radio channel in time-divided manner, as opposed to dedicated radio channels for each user. The architecture shown in FIG. 1 is typical of the environment in which the invention here disclosed may be practiced and those skilled in the art will appreciate both how to implement such an environment and the many variations available in constructing such an environment. For example, while FIGS. 1 and 2 show an architecture in which unidirectional bandwidth estimation may be made from a server to a client (or from a client to a server), those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention is applicable to bandwidth estimation bidirectionally as well, e.g. from a client to a server and from a server to a client. FIG. 1 illustrates the usage scenario for sending packets through a radio access network. However, dynamic packet variations can happen in any scenario in which the sender needs to send packets to a receiver, as illustrated in the FIG. 2 . A common approach toward bandwidth estimation taken by many applications and algorithms involves accumulating received bytes over time, using some pre-determined criteria, and deriving the perceived bandwidth. This approach works well when the radio channel is dedicated or semi-dedicated. Examples of such radio access network (RAN) technologies include 1xRTT, GRPS, and EDGE. However, when such solutions are applied in shared channel cases, as shown in FIG. 2 , those calculations can yield incorrect estimations. Depending on specific criteria, such as accumulation period and packet types used for those calculations, these estimates can vary from being below the long-term temporal average to values above the peak instantaneous theoretical throughput. For example, if the instantaneous bandwidth is calculated by dividing the total number of bytes by the accumulation period, and if a number of packets arrive at the same time within a very short period, then the reported bandwidth can be inaccurately characterized as very high. This then has a detrimental impact on such things as the TCP layer send window and the QoS enforcement policy. In the invention presented here, these drawbacks are avoided. A key contribution of the invention is the ability to detect a burst of packets delivered to a client device by the radio channel and to use that burst to calculate a bandwidth estimate sample. Several such samples are then used to compute a filtered average, which then becomes the reportable bandwidth estimate. A key assumption for this algorithm is that the algorithm is operating in the TCP/IP layer, either in application (user) space or kernel space, and that the underlying radio modem drivers delivers packets in a temporally correlated pattern relative to that of the actual arrival of constituent payload over the radio interface. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations on this approach are possible within the confines of the invention herein. Algorithm FIG. 3 is a flow chart that describes the general flow of the logic of the channel bandwidth estimation algorithm according to a presently preferred embodiment of the invention. An embodiment of the algorithm goes through the following steps for every packet that is received, as denoted in FIG. 3 : 1. A new packet is received. The timestamp of the packet is noted. 2. Calculate the inter-arrival time, which is the elapsed time between the timestamp noted for a previously received packet and the current packet. 3. Calculate the minimum inter-burst time, which must be re-calculated for every packet that arrives. Inter-burst time is defined as the time between bursts of packets, and the minimum inter-burst is the time that is used to determine if the inter-arrival time between packets is sufficiently long to determine two respective packets are not part of the same burst but are related to separate bursts for the purpose of bandwidth estimation. The calculation of the minimum inter-burst time is a function of the current average of packet inter-arrival times, the average number of packets in a burst at the sender, and a pair of configurable rails (a set of configurable parameters) for maximum and minimum values. In one embodiment of the invention, for purposes of calculating the minimum inter-burst time, the minimum inter-burst time is directly proportional to the average inter-arrival time. In another implementation of this function, the minimum inter-burst time is three times the average inter-arrival time. Other approaches may be used as well, as will be appreciated by the skilled person when practicing the herein disclosed invention. The minimum inter-burst time is useful for detecting different bursts, as well as for adapting to changing channel conditions and in particular different radio interfaces. For example, HSDPA typically has 50-100 ms inter-burst time and 1-5 ms inter-arrival time, while 1X RTT typically has 150 ms inter-burst time and 60-80 ms inter-arrival time. By using the inter-arrival of the packets, which can be measured, and calculating the minimum inter-burst time in this way, the algorithm can automatically adapt to the use of HSDPA or 1XRTT in a hands-off approach without having to specify the network in use and without having to manually set parameters. 4. Check the inter-arrival time to see if it is greater than a minimum configurable value and less than a configurable upper limit, and also check to see if the packet length is greater than a configurable minimum packet size. If all conditions are satisfied, then go to step 5 . Otherwise, skip step 5 and go to step 6. 5. Calculate the average packet inter-arrival time. The calculation of the average packet inter-arrival time can be a moving average and/or a weighted average. 6. Determine how many back-to-back, closely spaced packet arrivals the algorithm should be able to tolerate. Two packets are considered closely spaced if their inter-arrival time falls below a configurable minimum inter-arrival time. High-speed network packets arrive on the order of few tens of milliseconds on average, which justifies occasional back-to-back zero ms inter-arrivals. Therefore, the algorithm tolerates a number of back-to-back closely spaced packet arrivals. However, due to the nature of underlying OS and device drivers, packets are not always delivered with the same relative inter-arrival pattern as that of their actual arrival patterns over the air interface. For this reason, an upper bound is set on the tolerable number of closely spaced packet arrivals within a packet burst. However, narrowband networks are in the several tens of milliseconds to the few hundred milliseconds range. Therefore, the algorithm is adaptive and can recalculate this upper bound every time a packet arrives. 7. Check to see if the inter-arrival time is less than a configurable minimum. If it is, the packet is closely spaced; go to step 8 . Otherwise, go to step 9 . 8. Adjust the count of closely spaced packets. Go to step 10 . 9. Reset the count of closely spaced packets. Go to step 10 . 10. Check the following for criteria, all of which have to be true for the current packet to be part of a packet burst for use in the bandwidth calculation: The inter-arrival time is less than the minimum inter-burst time calculated in Step 3 . The number of back-to-back closely spaced packets counted in steps 7 through 9 is less than the tolerable number computed in Step 6 . The number of packets accumulated in the current burst is less than a configured maximum. The size of this packet is greater than a configured minimum. Techniques, such as multiplexing data entry from multiple application layer connections served through a gateway server, may be applied to create packet sizes greater than a configured minimum. Multiplexing of data can thus lead to better bandwidth estimates without having to discard a significant number of samples. If all these conditions are true, then go to step 11 . Otherwise, go to step 14 . 11. Check to see if burst tracking is currently on. If tracking is on, go to step 13 . Otherwise, go to step 12 . 12. Start burst tracking. Go to step 13 . 13. Update burst tracking counters. Go to step 19 . 14. Check to see if burst tracking is currently on. If tracking is on, go to step 15 . Otherwise, go to step 19 . 15. Check to see if the tracking duration, i.e. the elapsed time between the first and last packet of the burst, is greater than a configurable minimum tracking duration, and the number of packets within the burst is greater than a configurable minimum number of packets. If both conditions are true, go to step 18 . Otherwise go to step 16 . 16. Estimate the bandwidth for this burst by dividing the number of accumulated bytes by the tracking duration. The bandwidth value is checked whether it falls within the minimum and maximum bandwidth values. This sample is added to a running set of previous samples. The running set is of configurable length. 17. Estimate the average reportable bandwidth value, from the running set of previous bandwidth samples. The average can be a weighted average, with fixed coefficients or variable coefficients. 18. Stop burst tracking. Update the appropriate counters. 19. Wait for another packet to arrive. Configuration A presently preferred embodiment of the herein disclosed bandwidth estimation algorithm introduces the following configuration parameters. These attributes are parameterized to give flexibility to fine-tune the system into an optimal operating point that is robust across a variety of radio access networks and loading conditions. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that some or all of these parameters may comprise part of an implementation of the invention, that the designation given these parameters is arbitrary, that the default values are not mandatory (hence, the fact that they are configurable) and that other parameters not described below may be used in connection with the invention as well. bw4_min_iat This configurable parameter specifies a minimum threshold for the inter-arrival time between two consecutive packets. The purpose of this parameter is to detect closely spaced inter-arrival times between consecutive packets resulting from client side context switching. Default value: 0 ms bw4_min_iat_count This configurable parameter specifies an upper limit for the number of consecutive packets that have inter-arrival times less than or equal to bw4_min_iat. If the upper limit is reached, the most recently arrived packet stops the packet burst tracking process. Default value: 1 (allows two consecutive packets of bw4_min_iat time between them). bw4_max_iat This configurable parameter specifies the maximum threshold for inter-arrival time between two consecutive packets. The purpose is to detect long inter-arrival time resulting from “no sending time,” e.g. a web-browsing user clicks a link and waits for two minutes before clicking another link. Default value: 100 ms bw4_max_pkts This configurable parameter specifies the maximum number of valid packets after which the current packet trace is stopped for calculating bandwidth, and a new trace is potentially started. Default value: 10 bw4_min_pkts This configurable parameter specifies the minimum number of valid packets needed in a packet trace for a valid bandwidth calculation. If this minimum is met, when other criteria/conditions flag an end to a packet trace, a bandwidth calculation is made on that packet trace. Default value: 3 bw4_min_pkt_size This configurable parameter specifies the minimum number of bytes needed inside a packet to qualify that packet as a valid packet for bandwidth estimation purpose. The purpose is to use only packets of reasonable size for bandwidth calculation. Default value: 512 bytes Applications The output of the above-described algorithm is a metric that is useful for many purposes. Thus, the estimated value can be fed into various entities on the sender side, among others, for example to identify the transmit rate to apply. The metric can also be used for various other applications such as, for example, load estimation. In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the metric is used to provide a transmit rate value. The metric may also be used, for example, for video content optimization, for example it may be used as a parameter that dynamically alters compression levels and image quality, based upon bandwidth. The metric may be collected and stored as historical information and used to prepare reports that a system manager can review to understand bandwidth use patterns in a network. Thus, the metric produced by the invention is useful for reporting such things, for example, as traffic usage patterns, instantaneous values, trends over time, hot times of day, hot times of week, if there was a failure in the system, the effect a failure had on the system, and other diagnostic information. For the purpose of delivering prioritized traffic over a single connection to/from the user device, traffic may be separated into multiple parallel channels. The channel estimation techniques described herein can be applied in connection with link bandwidth sharing. The metric can also be used in connection with throttling, i.e. setting up thresholds for different application flows, and for enhancing quality of service (QoS) across different application flows. The metric can also be used for setting a priority for a particular application or to find the bandwidth available for a particular user who is in a particular sector. In connection with load estimation, the load considered need not be the entire mobile network. The invention may be used to localize the load to a particular antenna, for example. That gives great advantage to the application, because however the bandwidth information is used, it is not necessarily for the entire network, e.g. it can be for an individual user. Further, for load estimation there are various levels of granularity from atomic, which would be the individual user, to system-wide. The metric also allows an operator to troubleshoot the network. For example, an operator can measure the bandwidth for a five-minute period, or send packets for five minutes, and then measure how much is actually sent to determine the bandwidth. However, there may be some interval of time in between where the conditions over the network are changing. This change is captured in real-time, using the metric developed using the invention herein, at a granular interval that tells an operator what happened between these five minutes. The invention allows for operator adjustable parameters, such as optimization levels based on various bandwidth conditions. Typically, the end-user or consumer end-user has no direct visibility into these parameters. For example, in connection with a video optimization product the operator may notice that available bandwidth is 200 kilobits per second. In this example, the operator has the option to set parameters which, in effect, tell the system “If you see available bandwidth is 200 kilobits per second, set the video rate to be this level.” Thus, the operator can define, for example, low, medium, and high levels of bandwidth use. The user, on the other hand, may then have the option to select low, medium, or high, but low, medium, and high are dynamically changed based on the available bandwidth that the server determines is the available bandwidth. Therefore, the meaning of low, medium, and high to the user is dynamically adjusted in response to bandwidth estimation and, optionally, based upon operator determined thresholds. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention is applicable to all wireless technologies, starting from 2G, 2.5G, 3G, 4G, variations such CDMA, WCDMA, Edge technology, HSPA, and even non-wireless mediums. Thus, the invention may be used in connection with bandwidth estimation on any shared medium, e.g. cable bandwidth estimation. For example, in transitioning from one technology to another, e.g. from Edge to 3G, bandwidth needs change, and the algorithm herein likewise adapts to such changing bandwidth in those conditions. Computer Implementation FIG. 4 is a block schematic diagram of a machine in the exemplary form of a computer system 1600 within which a set of instructions may be programmed to cause the machine to execute the logic steps of FIG. 3 according to the invention. In alternative embodiments, the machine may comprise a network router, a network switch, a network bridge, personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a Web appliance or any machine capable of executing a sequence of instructions that specify actions to be taken by that machine. The computer system 1600 includes a processor 1602 , a main memory 1604 and a static memory 1606 , which communicate with each other via a bus 1608 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the processor may comprise one or more individual processors which may be situated in the same location or in disparate locations. The computer system 1600 may further include a display unit 1610 , for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT). The computer system 1600 also includes an alphanumeric input device 1612 , for example, a keyboard; a cursor control device 1614 , for example, a mouse; a disk drive unit 1616 , a signal generation device 1618 , for example, a speaker, and a network interface device 1620 . The disk drive unit 1616 includes a machine-readable medium 1624 on which is stored a set of executable instructions, i.e. software, 1626 embodying any one, or all, of the methodologies described herein below. The software 1626 is also shown to reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 1604 and/or within the processor 1602 . The software 1626 may further be transmitted or received over a network 1628 , 1630 by means of a network interface device 1620 . In contrast to the system 1600 discussed above, a different embodiment uses logic circuitry instead of computer-executed instructions to implement processing entities. Depending upon the particular requirements of the application in the areas of speed, expense, tooling costs, and the like, this logic may be implemented by constructing an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having thousands of tiny integrated transistors. Such an ASIC may be implemented with CMOS (complimentary metal oxide semiconductor), TTL (transistor-transistor logic), VLSI (very large systems integration), or another suitable construction. Other alternatives include a digital signal processing chip (DSP), discrete circuitry (such as resistors, capacitors, diodes, inductors, and transistors), field programmable gate array (FPGA), programmable logic array (PLA), programmable logic device (PLD), and the like. It is to be understood that embodiments may be used as or to support software programs or software modules executed upon some form of processing core (such as the CPU of a computer) or otherwise implemented or realized upon or within a machine or computer readable medium. A machine-readable medium includes any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine, e.g. a computer. For example, a machine readable medium includes read-only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; flash memory devices; electrical, optical, acoustical or other form of propagated signals, for example, carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.; or any other type of media suitable for storing or transmitting information. Challenges As network speeds reach another order of magnitude (approaching 10 Mbps), measuring bandwidth accurately using inter-packet arrival time becomes challenging. Primarily, this has to do with device operating systems delivering packets with zero-millisecond clusters. Microsecond accuracy is needed to measure speeds at this rate. Another emerging issue is the OFDM based RANs that are likely to exhibit less ‘bursty’ patterns and more ‘smoothed’ pattern of packet arrivals. The invention is considered sufficiently robust to meet each and every one of these challenges. Although the invention is described herein with reference to the preferred embodiment, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other applications may be substituted for those set forth herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention should only be limited by the Claims included below.

A bandwidth estimation algorithm on shared links detects peaks and/or average per-user bandwidth. Estimating is performed at the transport or IP layer with no assistance from lower layer (PHY, MAC, etc.) and the techniques can be used for any of adjusting the level of video optimization to the available bandwidth; driving QoS decisions at the transmitter based on available bandwidth; improving QoS enforcement during transitions among hybrid technologies on a wireless links; and correcting estimates on devices delivering bursty payload.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 824,247, filed Aug. 12, 1977. BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to variable ratio frictional drive gears of the kind comprising basically two axially spaced torus discs or rotors, one serving as an input and the other an output, between which there is a set of circumferentially spaced drive rollers in frictional rolling contact with part toroidal surfaces on the discs, each roller being rotatably mounted in a bearing structure which can tilt about an axis at right angles to the axis of rotation of each roller so as to vary the distances from the gear axis at which the roller engages the two discs respectively, thus varying the drive ratio of the gear. The angle of tilt of the roller bearing structure as it controls the drive ratio of the gear, is called the ratio angle. One way of changing the ratio angle is to provide means to apply a force to each of the roller bearing structures to move it generally tangentially with respect to the gear axis, and by allowing the rollers then to steer themselves towards a different ratio angle. The rollers are each mounted in their bearing structures in such a way that they are inclined at an angle to a plane perpendicular to the gear axis. This angle is called the caster angle. Gears of this general construction are referred to as gears with tangentially controlled roller bearing structures. Such a drive gear will for convenience herein be described as being of the kind specified. This invention is particularly, though not exclusively, concerned with gears in which the plane of each roller, normal to the axis of rotation of the roller and passing through the points of contact of the roller with the two opposed torus discs, contains the axis about which the roller tilts, being tangential to the torus centre circle (i.e. the locus of the centre of the circle revolved to generate the torus) as distinct from gears in which the same plane for each roller is closer to the main axis of rotation of the gear. The input must rotate in the direction in which it tends to drag each roller against the control force which controls the tangential position of the rollers. The caster angle must be such that each roller tilt axis is inclined away from the input disc in the direction of movement of the disc. This criterion arises out of the fact that stable operation at any given ratio angle occurs when the axis of rotation of each roller passes through the gear axis. Unless the caster angle is as just described, tangential displacement of a roller (by virtue of an increase or decrease in the load on the gear or in controlling fluid pressure) will result in the torus discs producing a steering force on the roller which will tilt the roller in the direction opposite to that which is required to move the roller axis back to intersect the gear axis, so that the roller will be moved away from, instead of towards, its new stable position. In general, the larger the caster angle, the more stably the rollers tend to maintain their ratio angles and consequently the more reliably the apparatus operates. This is of particular importance when the apparatus is run at very high rotational speeds, perhaps up to 20,000 revolutions per minute, though there are operating conditions in which maximising the caster angle is not so important. There have, in the past, been many attempts to achieve ease of adjustment of the rollers with reliable operation of the apparatus, that is with minimum wear and maximum power transmission from the input to the output, and while many of them are satisfactory, most have some short comings, being, particularly, not well suited for all operating conditions, though good in some. It is the object of this invention to provide a transmission system of the kind specified in which the efficiency is maximised for a wide range of operating conditions. According to the invention there is provided a transmission system of the kind specified wherein the means for moving each of the roller bearing structures generally tangentially of the gear axis is arranged to apply a force to said structure, said force being in a direction non-parallel with respect to the plane which is perpendicular to the gear axis, there being means for accommodating effective movement of the roller bearing axes relatively to the gear axis, in a direction parallel to the gear axis. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a transmission system constructed in accordance with the invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the rotors and rollers as seen in the direction of the arrow 2 in FIG. 1 and partly in cross-section, FIG. 3 is a fragmentary and diagrammatic view of an alternative construction, and FIG.4 is a fragmentary view of a further alternative form. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The transmission system is principally designed for use in driving aircraft accessories and in particular an alternator. The alternator is driven from an aircraft main engine but is required to be rotated at constant speed. The transmission is therefore designed for variable input speed, but constant output speed. It is however, to be understood that transmission incorporating the invention as herein defined can be used in transmission of this sort with other operating characteristics including constant input and variable output speed and variable input as well as output speeds. Referring first to FIG. 1, the general layout of the transmission is illustrated. The system includes a variable ratio drive unit having three rotors 10, 11, 12 which have respective part toroidal surfaces 10a, 11a, and 12a and 12b respectively. The rotor 12, is situated mid-way between the rotors 10 and 11, and is provided with its part toroidal surfaces 12a, 12b, on opposite axially presented sides thereof. The rotor 10 has its part toroidal surface 10a presented towards the surface 12a, and similarly the surface 11a of the rotor 11 is presented towards the surface 12b of the central rotor 12. The rotors 10, 11 are input rotors and the rotor 12 is an output rotor. However, the system will operate perfectly satisfactorily with the rotors 10, 11 as output and the input is the rotor 12. Situated between the rotors 10, 12 and 11, 12 are respective sets of flat rollers 13, 14. These are rotatable in a manner which will be described and are for this purpose carried in respective bearings 15, 16. The rollers are shown in FIG. 1 in positions in which they engage the respective surfaces 10a, 12a, and 11a, 12b, at different distances from the axis of rotation of the rotors 10, 11, 12. Such axis is identified at 17. The rotors 10, 11, are carried non-rotatably upon a hollow shaft 18. This is supported on suitable fixed structure 22 by means of bearings 19, 20 situated near its opposite ends respectively. The input rotor 10 has on its external periphery, gear teeth 23, engaging with a gear ring 24, on a hollow stepped shaft 25. This hollow stepped shaft is mounted for rotation about an axis 26, parallel with the axis 17. Connecting the hollow stepped shaft 25, with a surrounding sleeve 27, is a clutch 28. The sleeve 27, has gear teeth 29, meshing with a gear (not shown) which drives auxiliary equipment which forms no part of this invention. The output rotor 12 has external gear teeth 30 and this represents the output of the drive unit. Driving the shaft 18, through gear teeth 34, thereon is a gear wheel 35, which is carried on a further hollow sleeve 36. Between the sleeve 36, and an input shaft 37, with, at one end, dogs 38, is a coupling incorporating an intermediate slidable sleeve 39, and an element 40, which is arranged to melt and allow the sleeve 39 and hence the shaft 37 to move under the influence of springs 31 in the event of this part of the system reaching a temperature in excess of a predetermined value, to disconnect the input drive from the system. This forms the subject of co-pending British Patent Application No. 33909/76. To load the rotors 10, 11, 12, and the rollers 13, 14 so as to maintain frictional contact between them, there is an end load device within a housing 41, secured by screws 42, to the rotor 11, at the side thereof remote from its part toroidal surface 11a. Defined within the space between the rotor 11, and the housing 41, are cavities 43, 44, for hydraulic fluid. Within the cavities are respective pistons 45, 46, mounted on the shaft 18. In the end of the shaft 18 is a rotary fluid joint 21 engaged in the fixed structure 22. Furthermore in this end of the shaft 18, are drillings 47, 48 for supply and exhaust of fluid to the cavities 43, 44. The passage 48 communicates with the joint 21 for supplying high pressure fluid fed at one side of each of the pistons 45 and 46. At the other side of the pistons 45 and 46 lower fluid pressure is fed from one of the two drillings 47 which are symmetrical for balance of the shaft. This end load device is the subject of co-pending British/Patent Application No. 33906/76. FIG. 2, shows, on an enlarged scale, portions of the rotors 10, 11 and 12, and their respective surfaces 10a, 11a, 12a, and 12b. Also illustrated are two rollers 13 and 14. It is, however, to be understood that there are, in this example, three sets of the rollers 13, 14, each roller arranged as will be described and in each set being equally spaced apart by 120 degrees. The bearings 15, 16 are carried in bearing structures 60, 61 which are mounted in a portion 49 of the fixed structure 22 of the system. In FIG. 2 is shown one pair of rollers controlled by respective control cylinders 50, 51 mounted in the portion 49. Each control cylinder contains a piston 52, 53 and has hydraulic supply passages indicated generally at 54, and 55, in the portion 49. The hydraulic supply is the same as that in the rotary joint 21 leading to the end loading device adjacent to the rotor 11. The portion 49, also carries forked arms, two pairs of which are indicated in the drawing identified by numerals 56, 57, 58 and 59. The forked arms 56, 57 are associated with the control cylinders 50 and 51 respectively to control the rollers 13 and 14 respectively, as will be described. The forked arms 58 and 59 however, are each associated with another pair of the rollers (which are not illustrated). The roller bearings 15, 16 are as previously described, mounted in bearing supports 60, 61 respectively. One end of each support structure 60, 61 is provided with a spherical end 62, 63, engaging in the piston 52, 53 respectively to provide articulated joints. The other end of each support 60, 61 has a cylindrical spigot 64, 65 extending lengthwise of the bearing support and engaging in the fork of the forked arm 56, 57 respectively. In operation of this transmission system, with variable speed input the system automatically compensates for input speed change, this being achieved through the alteration in the ration angle of the rollers to provide constant speed at the output. The inclination of the rollers as seen in FIG. 1, regulates the ratio of the speed of the input rotors 10, 11 to the speed of the output rotor 12. As illustrated in full lines, rotation of the input rotors 10, 11 at a given speed will cause rotation of the output rotor 12, at a slower speed than said given speed. As indicated in dotted lines the opposite ratio characteristic can be achieved if the point of contact between the rollers on the input rotors 10, 11 is outside that on the surfaces 12a, 12b of the output rotor 12, If, however, the rollers engage the surfaces 10a, 11a, 12a and 12b at the same radial distance on each surface from the axis 17 of the shaft 18, the input and output rollers 10, 11, 12 will all rotate at the same speed. This represents a drive ratio of 1:1 between the input and the output of the system. It is, however, necessary for stable running that the axis of each of the rollers 13, 14 must intersect the gear axis 17 which is the axis of the shaft 18. To change the ratio the rollers are moved tangentially and they will then steer to new ratio angle positions in which they are again stable, that is where they intersect with the gear axis as specified above. To achieve the ratio change the control cylinders 50, 51, containing their pistons 52, 53 are actuated. These are shown in FIG. 2 to be arranged to move the bearing supports 60, 61 in general directions which are non-parallel or inclined at acute angles with respect to a plane indicated at 66, which is perpendicular to the gear axis 17, the latter being the axis of rotation of the shaft 18, and of the rotors 10, 11, 12. The inclination of the axes of the pistons and cylinders 52, 50, and 53, 51 are opposite to one another in each adjacent pair, as indicated in FIG. 2. Actuation of these pistons and control cylinders therefore move the axes of the rollers 13, 14, in directions which are substantially tangential with respect to the points of contact of the rollers, with respective part toroidal surfaces 10a, 11a, 12a and 12b. Such generally tangential movement of the rollers is accompanied by steering of the rollers about the centres of the spherical ends 62, 63 in order that the rollers may take up positions in which their rotational axes again intersect with the axis 17. It is, however, necessary to provide for change in the positions of the roller axes in a direction lengthwise of the axis 17, and this is accomplished by movement of the spigots 64, 65 in the forked arms 56, 57 respectively. The spigots 64, 65 are furthermore of cylindrical form so that, with the spherical ends, they permit angular movement of the bearing supports 60, 61 with respect to said arms. In making such provision for movement of the bearing supports in direction lengthwise of the axis 17, the inclination of the bearing supports with respect to the plane 66 changes. This inclination is the caster angle and consequently the caster angle will change as the ratio of speeds between the input and output rotors changes. Preferably, the higher the rotational speed induced in the output rotor 12, the greater the caster angle should be, for improved stability in the system at high rotational speeds. which may be of the order of 20,000 revolutions per minute. In an alternative example shown in FIG. 3, the forked arms do not provide for sliding movement of the spigots so that the positions of the roller axes do not change axially with respect to the shaft axis 17. In such cases it it necessary to provide for axial sliding movement of rotors 70, 72, that is at least one of the input rotors 70 or output rotor 72. Such movement occurs in a direction lengthwise of the axis 17, about which these rotors rotate. End loading of the rotor 72 is provided by applying hydraulic fluid in a chamber 73 behind that rotor 72, to react against a plate 74. Hydraulic fluid enters this chamber through a passage 75 in a hub 76 mounted in a bearing 77. The passage 75 has a wider end in which the end of a fixed pipe 78 is slidably engaged. The rotor 70 has a hub 79 mounted in a bearing 80. The bearings 77,80 are concentric. The whole assembly of the rotors 70, 72, plate 74, rollers 69 is movable axially so that the varying distance between the rotors, as the rollers are adjusted can be accommodated, as indicated by the arrow 81. In another form shown in FIG. 4, the bearing supports are supported only at their ends at which the pistons are provided, the spherical ends 62. 63 being substituted by cylindrical end 82. With this arrangement the bearing support 83 can move only about an axis lengthwise and co-planar with the piston axis. Again the rotors are arranged to move axially.

A transmission system including two axially spaced torus discs or rotors, one serving as an input and the other as an output and between which there is a set of circumferentially spaced drive rollers in frictional rolling contact with part toroidal surfaces on the discs, each roller being mounted in a bearing structure which can tilt about an axis at right angles to the axis of rotation of each roller to vary the distances from the gear axis at which the roller engages the two discs respectively to vary the ratio of the gear, means being provided for moving each roller bearing structure generally tangentially of the gear axis, and arranged to apply a force to said structure in a direction non-parallel with respect to the plane which is perpendicular to the gear axis and there being means for accommodating the effective movement of the roller bearing axes relatively to the gear axis in a direction parallel to the gear axis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION U.S. Pat. No. 4,672,501 entitled "Circuit Breaker and Protective Relay Unit" describes the use of a digital circuit interrupter employing a microprocessor in combination with ROM and RAM memory elements to provide both relaying as well as protection function to an electrical distribution system. The microprocessor contained within the trip circuit is sensitive to temperatures above ambient that may be sustained for several hours resulting in possible inaccuracy in the microprocessor operation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,371 entitled "Circuit Breaker Comprising an Electronic Trip Device" describes the use of a pair of thermistor units located at separate locations within the circuit breaker enclosure to obtain an average value of the ambient temperature. There are instances when the ambient temperature in the vicinity of the trip unit remains at a moderate level while the temperature of the connection with the circuit breaker load lugs increases to a near point of combustion of the circuit breaker plastic case and cover material. Such a condition is caused by the loosening of the load lugs that connect with the protected industrial circuit. The resistance at the point of connection increases to cause a corresponding increase in the power dissipated at the loosened connection. The increased resistance in turn limits the current sensed by the microprocessor so that local temperatures can far exceed the ambient temperature in the vicinity of the microprocessor resulting in eventual combustion, as describe above. It would be advantageous to continually sense the temperature at the load lug connection with the electrical distribution system that contains industrial equipment and interrupt the circuit current to protect the circuit interrupter in the event the connection becomes loosened. One purpose of the invention is to provide a simple sensing element in the vicinity of the load lugs to detect any loosening of the load lugs and to cause the trip unit to respond accordingly. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An electronic circuit interrupter is protected against thermal damage upon loosening of the lug connectors that connect the circuit interrupter with the load circuit. Thermistor elements are attached to the lugs that connect the circuit interrupter trip unit with each phase of an industrial power delivery circuit. A supplemental logic circuit determines the occurrence of a loose lug connection and initiates circuit interruption when the temperature sensed exceeds a predetermined value. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a circuit interrupter that includes the lug protection circuit according to the invention; FIG. 2 is schematic representation the electronic trip circuit contained within the circuit interrupter of FIG. 1; and FIG. 3 is an enlarged diagrammatic representation of the components within the thermal logic circuit connecting with the electronic trip circuit of FIG. 1. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A circuit breaker 10, shown in FIG. 1 includes a molded plastic case 11 to which a molded plastic cover 12 containing the circuit breaker operating handle 14 is fixedly attached. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,077 entitled "Molded Case Circuit Breaker Multipole Crossbar Assembly" the circuit breaker includes an intermediate cover 13 for field installation of selected circuit breaker accessories such as indicated at 18, 19. One such circuit breaker accessory is found within U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,303 entitled "Bell Alarm Accessory Arrangement for Molded Case Circuit Interrupter". The electronic trip unit 17 and rating plug 16 are also enclosed within the circuit breaker cover 12 and are accessed by means of the intermediate cover 13. Three load straps or lugs 15 (terminal means) extend from the load side of the circuit breaker case 11 for connection with the electrical equipment that are connected within the protected electrical distribution circuit. Connection with the electric circuit is made by means of corresponding line lugs (not shown) that extend from the opposite line side of the case 11. In accordance with the invention, thermal sensing elements such as varistors 15A are attached to the load straps 15 and operate in the manner to be discussed below to prevent damage to the circuit breaker in the event the load lug bolt connectors (threaded fasteners) become loose. The electric trip circuit 12 contained within the cover 12 of the circuit breaker 10 is shown in FIG. 2 and operates as shown within the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,672,501. As described therein, the circuit breaker trip unit 17 connects with current transformers 20-23 and potential transformers 24-26. The electrical input is transmitted through multiplexers 27, 28, 31 and sample and hold amplifiers 29, 30 to an A/D converter 33 by means of conductor 52. Circuit protection and control is achieved by utilization of a data bus 34 which is interconnected with an output control 37, transceiver 41, and RAM 35. As described within the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,672,501 the shunt trip unit contained within the output control circuit operates to articulate the circuit breaker operating mechanism (not shown) to interrupt the circuit current. The ROM 38, microprocessor 40, nonvolatile memory 36 and display 39 operate to insure complete overall circuit protection. Operating power to the trip unit power supply 45 is provided by the current transformers from the associated electrical distribution system over conductor 53 when the associated electrical distribution system is operational. In accordance with the invention thermal protection is provided to the circuit breaker case 11, cover 12 and internal components (not shown) by means of the thermal protection circuit 42 TPC that connects with the output control 37 over conductor 43 and with the power supply 45 over conductors 44 and 46. The operation of the thermal protection circuit 42 is best seen by now referring to FIG. 3. A reference voltage obtained from the power supply 45 over conductor 44 is provided to the thermistors 15A of FIG. 1 designated 47, 48, 49 for each load strap 15 within each phase of the protected circuit. The voltage is selected to produce a 200 k-ohms resistance at each of the varistors under normal ambient conditions and with the load lugs (not shown) in tight connection with the load straps 15. Load resistors R1, R2, R3 are connected to the outputs of the thermistors 47, 48, 49 respectively to provide a stable output voltage for each phase which is transmitted over conductor 46 to the power supply 45 to complete the circuit. Rectifier diodes D1, D2, D3 (logic circuit) connect with the output control 37 over conductor 43 to provide voltage input to the flux shifter contained within the output control to articulate the circuit breaker operating mechanism to interrupt circuit current in the manner described earlier. The normal operating temperature resistance of 200 ohms seen by the varistors, decreases in proportion to the temperature sensed at the load straps 15 (FIG. 1) due to the negative coefficient of resistance inherent within the thermistors 47, 48, 49. Each thermistor defined in excess of one hundred thousand ohms resistance under quiescent ambient temperature conditions and less than one hundred thousand ohms under over-temperature conditions. The total resistance across the load resistors, R1, R2, R3 is reduced to approximately 15 k-ohms when the varistor temperature is at 85 degrees C. and the resulting voltage is in the order of 1.4 volts. The diodes remain non-conductive until the voltage across the diodes reaches a value of approximately 0.7 volts whereby the diodes become forward biased to transmit sufficient voltage to the required to actuate the flux shifter contained within the output control 37 to interrupt the circuit current. A thermal protective circuit has herein been described whereby the occurrence of a loose load lug connection is transferred electrically to the circuit breaker flux shifter unit to articulate the circuit breaker operating mechanism to interrupt circuit current before incurring thermal damage to the circuit breaker enclosure and internal components.

An electronic circuit interrupter is protected against thermal damage upon loosening of the lug connectors that connect the circuit interrupter with the load circuit. Thermal sensing elements attached to the lugs connect with the circuit interrupter trip unit to initiate circuit interruption when the temperature sensed exceeds a predetermined value.

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This patent application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/964,726, filed Oct. 15, 2004, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(a) of European Patent Application No. 03 405 742.2 filed on Oct. 16, 2003. The entirety of each of these patent applications is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The presence of circulatory extracellular DNA in the peripheral blood is a well established phenomenon. In this context, it has been shown that in the case of a pregnant woman extracellular fetal DNA is present in the maternal circulation and can be detected in maternal plasma or serum. Studies have shown that this circulatory fetal genetic material can be used for the very reliable determination, e.g. by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) technology, of fetal genetic loci which are completely absent from the maternal genome. Examples of such fetal genetic loci are the fetal RhD gene in pregnancies at risk for HDN (hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn) or fetal Y chromosome-specific sequences in pregnancies at risk for an X chromosome-linked disorder e.g. hemophilia or fragile X syndrome. [0003] The determination of other, more complex fetal genetic loci (e.g. chromosomal aberrations such as aneuploidies or chromosomal aberrations associated with Down's syndrome, or hereditary Mendelian genetic disorders and, respectively, genetic markers associated therewith, such as single gene disorders, e.g. cystic fibrosis or the hemoglobinopathies) is, however, more problematic. The reason for this difficulty is that the major proportion (generally>90%) of the extracellular DNA in the maternal circulation is derived from the mother. This vast bulk of maternal circulatory extracellular DNA renders it difficult, if not impossible, to determine fetal genetic alternations such as those involved in chromosomal aberrations (e.g. aneuploidies) or hereditary Mendelian genetic disorders (e.g. cystic fibrosis or the hemoglobinopathies) from the small amount of circulatory extracellular fetal DNA. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] An examination of circulatory extracellular fetal DNA and circulatory extracellular maternal DNA in maternal plasma has now shown that, surprisingly, the majority of the circulatory extracellular fetal DNA has a relatively small size of approximately 500 base pairs or less, whereas the majority of circulatory extracellular maternal DNA in maternal plasma has a size greater than approximately 500 base pairs. Indeed, in certain instances the circulatory DNA material which is smaller than approximately 500 base pairs appears to be almost entirely fetal. Circulatory extracellular fetal DNA in the maternal circulation has thus been found to be smaller in size (approximately 500 base pairs or less) than circulatory extracellular maternal DNA (greater than approximately 500 base pairs). [0005] This surprising finding forms the basis of the present invention according to which separation of circulatory extracellular DNA fragments which are smaller than approximately 500 base pairs provides a possibility to enrich for fetal DNA sequences from the vast bulk of circulatory extracellular maternal DNA. [0006] This selective enrichment, which is based on size discrimination of circulatory DNA fragments of approximately 500 base pairs or less, leads to a fraction which is largely constituted by fetal extracellular DNA. This permits the analysis of fetal genetic traits including those involved in chromosomal aberrations (e.g. aneuploidies or chromosomal aberrations associated with Down's syndrome) or hereditary Mendelian genetic disorders and, respectively, genetic markers associated therewith (e.g. single gene disorders such as cystic fibrosis or the hemoglobinopathies), the determination of which had, as mentioned above, so far proved difficult, if not impossible. Size separation of extracellular fetal DNA in the maternal circulation thus facilitates the non-invasive detection of fetal genetic traits, including paternally inherited polymorphisms which permit paternity testing. [0007] Clinical Chemistry, 1999, Vol. 45(9), pages 1570-1572 and The Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, February 2003 (O.sub.2-2003), Vol. 43(1), pages 10-15 describe a sample of blood plasma of a pregnant woman in which extracellular fetal DNA of less than 500 base pairs is enriched by PCR, is separated by gel electrophoresis and fetal male DNA (fetal Y-chromosome-specific sequence) is detected. [0008] The present invention provides: a fraction of a sample of the blood plasma or serum (which preferably is substantially cell-free) of a pregnant woman in which, as the result of said sample having been submitted to a size separation, the extracellular DNA present therein substantially consists of DNA comprising 500 base pairs or less; the use of such sample-fraction for the non-invasive detection of fetal genetic traits; and a process for performing non-invasive detection of fetal genetic traits which comprises subjecting a sample of the blood plasma or serum of a pregnant woman to a size separation so as to obtain a fraction of said sample in which the extracellular DNA present therein substantially consists of DNA comprising 500 base pairs or less, and determining in said sample-fraction the fetal genetic trait(s) to be detected. [0009] Said serum or plasma sample is preferably substantially cell-free, and this can be achieved by known methods such as, for example, centrifugation or sterile filtration. [0010] The size separation of the extracellular DNA in said serum or plasma sample can be brought about by a variety of methods, including but not limited to: chromatography or electrophoresis such as chromatography on agarose or polyacrylamide gels, ion-pair reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (IP RP HPLC, see Hecker K H, Green S M, Kobayashi K, J. Biochem. Biophys. Methods 2000 Nov. 20; 46(1-2): 83-93), capillary electrophoresis in a self-coating, low-viscosity polymer matrix (see Du M, Flanagan J H Jr, Lin B, Ma Y, Electrophoresis 2003 September; 24 (18): 3147-53), selective extraction in microfabricated electrophoresis devices (see Lin R, Burke D T, Burn M A, J. Chromatogr. A. 2003 Aug. 29; 1010(2): 255-68), microchip electrophoresis on reduced viscosity polymer matrices (see Xu F, Jabasini M, Liu S, Baba Y, Analyst. 2003 June; 128(6): 589-92), adsorptive membrane chromatography (see Teeters M A, Conrardy S E, Thomas B L, Root T W, Lightfoot E N, J. Chromatogr. A. 2003 Mar. 7; 989(1): 165-73) and the like; density gradient centrifugation (see Raptis L, Menard H A, J. Clin. Invest. 1980 December; 66(6): 1391-9); and methods utilising nanotechnological means such as microfabricated entropic trap arrays (see Han J, Craighead H G, Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 74, No. 2, Jan. 15, 2002) and the like. [0011] The sample-fraction thus obtained not only permits the subsequent determination of fetal genetic traits which had already been easily detectable in a conventional manner such as the fetal RhD gene in pregnancies at risk for HDN (hemolytic disease of the fetus and the newborn), or fetal Y chromosome-specific sequences in pregnancies at risk for an X chromosome-linked disorder such as hemophilia, fragile X syndrome or the like, but also the determination of other, more complex fetal genetic loci, including but not limited to: chromosomal aberrations (e.g aneuploidies or Down's syndrome) or hereditary Mendelian genetic disorders and, respectively, genetic markers associated therewith (e.g. single gene disorders such as cystic fibrosis or the hemoglobinopathies); and fetal genetic traits which may be decisive when paternity is to be determined. [0012] Such determination of fetal genetic traits can be effected by methods such as, for example, PCR (polymerase chain reaction) technology, ligase chain reaction, probe hybridization techniques, nucleic acid arrays (so-called “DNA chips”) and the like. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0013] The following Examples further illustrate the invention but are not to be construed as limitating its scope in any way. Example 1 Detection of Male Fetal DNA in Maternal Plasma by Real-Time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) After Size Fractionation of DNA by Agarose Gel Electrophoresis [0000] Materials and Methods [0014] Subjects and Sample Processing [0015] Seven women pregnant in the third trimester with a male fetus were recruited for this study. 16-18 ml blood samples were collected into EDTA tubes. 6-9 ml of plasma were obtained after centrifugation at 1600 g for 10 minutes and a second centrifugation of the supernatant at 16000 g for 10 minutes. [0016] DNA Isolation [0017] DNA from 5-7 ml plasma was extracted using the QIAgen Maxi kit, according to the manufacturers' protocol. DNA was eluted in a volume of 1.5 ml. [0018] DNA Precipitation 1. To the plasma DNA were added: 1/10 volume NaAc (3M, pH 5.2), 2 volumes absolute ethanol, MgCl.sub.2 to a final concentration of 0.01 M and Glycogen to a final concentration of 50.mu.g/ml. The solution was thoroughly mixed by vortexing. 2. The solution was stored overnight at −70.degree. C. 3. The DNA was recovered by centrifugation at 20000 g for 30 minutes at 4.degree. C. 4. The supernatant was carefully removed and the pellet washed with 500.mu.170% ethanol. 5. The pellet was air dried and dissolved in 35.mu.l distilled water. [0024] DNA Separation 1. A 1% agarose Gel (Invitrogen, Cat No: 15510-027) was prepared for DNA electrophoresis. 2. 28.mu.l DNA solution were loaded on the gel. 3. The gel was electrophoresed at 80 Volt for 1 hour. 4. The Gel was cut into pieces corresponding to specific DNA sizes according to the DNA size markers (New England Biolabs, 100 bp ladder and Lamda Hind III digest). The DNA sizes contained by the specific gel fragments were: 90-300 bases, 300-500 bases, 500-1000 bases, 1.0-1.5 kilobases (“kb”), 1.5-23 kb and >23 kb. 5. The DNA was purified from the agarose gel pieces using the QIAEX II Gel Extraction kit (Qiagen, Cat No. 20021) and eluted in 35.mu.l Tris-HCl (pH 8.0, 10 mM). [0030] Real-Time PCR [0031] Sequences from the Y chromosome (SRY) and from chromosome 12 (GAPDH gene) were amplified with the Applied Biosystems (ABI) 7000 Sequence Detection System by real-time quantitative PCR to quantify amounts of fetal and total DNA in the size-separated fractions. The TaqMan system for SRY consisted of the amplification primers SRY_Fwd: TCC TCA AAA GAA ACC GTG CAT (SEQ ID NO: 1) and SRY_Rev: AGA TTA ATG GTT GCT AAG GAC TGG AT (SEQ ID NO: 2) and a FAM labeled TaqMan MGB (Minor Groove Binder) probe SRY_MGB: TCC CCA CAA CCT CTT (SEQ ID NO: 3). The TaqMan System for the GAPDH gene consisted of the following primers and probe: GAPDH_Fwd: CCC CAC ACA CAT GCA CTT ACC (SEQ ID NO: 4), GAPDH_Rev: CCT AGT CCC AGG GCT TTG ATT (SEQ ID NO: 5) and GAPDH_MGB: TAG GAA GGA CAG GCA AC (SEQ ID NO: 6). [0032] TaqMan amplification reactions were set up in a total reaction volume of 25.mu.l, containing 6.mu.l of the sample DNA solution, 300 nM of each primer (HPLC purified, Mycrosynth, Switzerland) and 200 nM of each probe (ABI) at 1.times. concentration of the Universal PCR reaction mix (ABI). Each sample was analyzed in duplicate for each of the two amplification systems. A standard curve containing known amounts of genomic DNA was run in parallel with each analysis. [0033] Thermal cycling was performed according to the following protocol: an initial incubation at 50.degree. C. for 2 minutes to permit Amp Erase activity, 10 minutes at 95.degree. C. for activation of AmpliTaq Gold, and 40 cycles of 1 minute at 60.degree. C. and 15 seconds at 95.degree. C. [0034] Amplification data collected by the 7000 Sequence Detection System was quantified using the slope of the standard curve as calculated by the sequence detection software and the results of a standard DNA solution used in the dilution curve with similar DNA copy numbers as the sample reactions as a reference sample for copy number calculations. [0000] Results [0035] Table 1 shows that in the five pregnancies examined, DNA fragments originating from the fetus were almost completely of sizes smaller than 500 base pairs with around 70% being of fetal origin for sizes smaller than 300 bases. [0036] These results demonstrate that free DNA of fetal origin circulating in the maternal circulation can be specifically enriched by size separation of the total free DNA in the maternal blood. Depending on the downstream application the DNA size chosen for the enrichment of fetal DNA will be smaller than 300 or smaller than 500 bases. TABLE 1 % of fetal DNA % of maternal DNA Size of DNA in each fragment in each fragment <0.3 kb 73.2 (22.22-87.06) 26.8 (12.94-77.78) 0.3-0.5 kb 18.95 (6.43-31.42) 81.05 (68.58-93.57) 0.5-1 kb 2.81 (0.00-7.75) 97.19 (92.25-100) 1.0-1.5 kB 0.00 (0.00-12.50) 100 (87.5-100) 1.5-23 kb 0.00 (0.00-8.40) 100 (100-100) The abbreviation “kb” appearing in the first column of this table stands for 1000 base pairs, and the figures given in its second and the third column are the median values of the percentages and, in brackets, the ranges. Example 2 Detection of Fetal DNA After Agarose Gel Electrophoresis by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) of Microsatellite Markers, also Called “Short Tandem Repeats” (STRs) [0000] Materials and Methods [0037] Subjects and Samples [0038] 18 ml blood samples from pregnant women and 9 ml blood from their partners were collected into EDTA tubes and plasma separated by centrifugation as described in Example 1. The maternal buffy coat (i.e. the white colored top layer of the cell pellet obtained after the first centrifugation of 1600 g for 10 min.) was washed twice with PBS. [0039] DNA Isolation [0040] DNA from the plasma was extracted using a modification of the High Pure DNA template kit from Roche, the whole sample was passed through the filter usually used for 200.mu.l using a vacuum. The DNA was eluted in a volume of 50.mu.l elution buffer. [0041] Paternal DNA was extracted from 400.mu.l paternal whole blood, using the High Pure DNA template kit, and eluted into 100.mu.l. Maternal DNA was isolated from the buffy coat, using the High Pure DNA template kit, and eluted into 100.mu.l. [0042] DNA Separation [0043] The DNA was size-separated by electrophoresis on an agarose gel and purified as described in Example 1. [0044] PCR Specific for Short Tandem Repeats [0045] From the fraction of sizes smaller than 500 bases, sequences from tetranucleotide repeat markers on Chromosome 21 were amplified in a multiplex PCR reaction as described in Li et al. Clinical Chemistry 49, No. 4, 2003. Because of the low concentration of plasma DNA, the fetal DNA in maternal plasma was examined by using a semi-nested PCR protocol. [0046] The maternal and paternal pairs were genotyped using total genomic DNA to monitor microsatellite markers on chromosome 21. [0047] The STR markers used were: D211 S11; D21S1270; D21S1432; and D21S1435 [0052] The resulting DNA fragments were then size separated by capillary electrophoresis on a sequencer, and the peak areas representing each allele for a specific marker were measured by the software. [0053] Results TABLE 2 Detection of fetal alleles specific for the microsatellite marker (Short Tandem Repeat) D21S11 on chromosome 21 Maternal Fetal alleles alleles detected detected (D21S11) (D21S11) Maternal genomic 232 bp N/A DNA 234 bp Total extracellulear 232 bp No fetal DNA (unseparated) 234 bp alleles detectable Size-separated 232 bp 228 bp extracellular DNA 234 bp 232 bp (<300 bp) Size-separated 232 bp 228 bp extracellular DNA 234 bp 232 bp (300-500 bp) [0054] Only in the size-separated fractions (<300 bp and 300-500 bp) could the fetal alleles for D21S11 be detected, namely the paternally inherited 228 bp allele and the maternally inherited 232 bp allele, i.e., one allele from each parent. [0055] Discussion [0056] Analysis of the STR fragments can allow for the detection of paternal alleles that are distinct in length from the maternal repeat sequences, and by calculating the ratios between the peak areas it can be possible to identify patterns that are not consistent with a normal fetal karyotype. The identification of paternal allele sizes of STRs in the maternal circulation can allow the detection of certain chromosomal aberrations non-invasively. Also paternity testing can be accomplished prenatal in a non-invasive manner.

Blood plasma of pregnant women contains fetal and (generally>90%) maternal circulatory extracellular DNA. Most of said fetal DNA contains .Itoreq.500 base pairs, said maternal DNA having a greater size. Separation of circulatory extracellular DNA of .Itoreq.500 base pairs results in separation of fetal from maternal DNA. A fraction of a blood plasma or serum sample of a pregnant woman containing, due to size separation (e.g. by chromatography, density gradient centrifugation or nanotechnological methods), extracellular DNA substantially comprising .Itoreq.500 base pairs is useful for non-invasive detection of fetal genetic traits (including the fetal RhD gene in pregnancies at risk for HDN; fetal Y chromosome-specific sequences in pregnancies at risk for X chromosome-linked disorders; chromosomal aberrations; hereditary Mendelian genetic disorders and corresponding genetic markers; and traits decisive for paternity determination) by e.g. PCR, ligand chain reaction or probe hybridization techniques, or nucleic acid arrays.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magnifier for a sewing machine which can be easily mounted on the sewing machine, for which lenses of various magnifications can be used, and in which angle adjustment in horizontal and vertical directions can be implemented at a higher level of flexibility along a line of sight of an operator. 2. Description of the Related Art In general, in use of home-use sewing machines, at a preparatory stage of operation a thread is always passed through a needle hole of the machine. Most of the sewing machines currently in use are equipped with a needle threader device for the needle hole. However, sewing machines that are not equipped with such a needle threader device are available, for which a thread must be manually passed through the needle hole. Therefore, in order to support a threading operation, a magnifier (a lens) that can be mounted on the sewing machine is useful. The magnifier is also useful to decide by visual observation whether the thread has been securely passed through the needle hole of the sewing machine needle. Further, there is also a case where the magnifier is necessary when exchanging a sewing machine needle or a tool such as a cloth presser, and cleaning of waste thread and the like in the surrounding of a needle plate. Such magnifiers that can be mounted on the sewing machine have been disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H11-267388, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-18168, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-open No. H07-9279, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,822,088. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is general that operators of sewing machines have different eyesight and fields of view. Therefore, the magnifiers disclosed in that can be mounted on the sewing machine have been disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H11-267388, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-18168, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-open No. H07-9279, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,822,088 are not satisfactory for the operators, although a position or an angle of the lens can be changed to some extent. According to the magnifier disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,822,088, although a degree of freedom for adjustment of a position or an angle of the lens is high, a structure of the magnifier is complex, and the device is a relatively large type. Particularly, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,822,088, because the device is a large type, there is a sufficient risk that the device becomes an interference with the intrinsic machine sewing operation. Therefore, an object (a technical problem to be solved) of the present invention is to provide a magnifier for a sewing machine in which adjustment of a horizontal position and a vertical position of the lens becomes easy in an extremely simple structure. In order to solve the above problem, as a result of intensive studies carried out, the present inventor has provided a magnifier for a sewing machine as a first implementation mode of the present invention. The magnifier for a sewing machine is mounted on a sewing machine main body and magnifies a view of a front end of a needle which is mounted on a needle bar front end that moves vertically and a vicinity of a cloth presser. The magnifier includes: a supporting arm part, at one end of which a lens holding part having a holding unit that detachably holds a lens is provided, and at the other end of which a mounting part for mounting the magnifier on the sewing machine main body is provided; and a lens main body that is constituted by a connected part which is detachable to the lens holding part, and a lens part which is formed continuously to the connected part. To the lens holding part of the supporting arm part as well as the lens main body, a turning control unit is provided which controls a turning angle of the lens main body within a predetermined range. The turning control unit controls a turning angle of the lens main body that is mounted on the lens holding part, within a predetermined range. A second implementation mode of the present invention provides the magnifier for a sewing machine according to the first implementation mode, in which the turning control unit has a control member formed on a side of the lens holding part, and the connected part of the lens main body has a control groove part in which the control member is loosely inserted. With this arrangement, the above problem is solved. A third implementation mode of the present invention provides the magnifier for a sewing machine according to the first implementation mode, in which the turning control unit has a protrusion part which is formed on an outer peripheral part of the connected part of the lens main body, and which controls turning of the lens main body by contacting the lens holding part. With this arrangement, the above problem is solved. A fourth implementation mode of the present invention provides the magnifier for a sewing machine according to the first implementation mode, in which the range of turning the lens main body by the turning control unit is a range within which the state of the lens part transforms to a vertical state from a horizontal state. With this arrangement, the above problem is solved. A fifth implementation mode of the present invention provides the magnifier for a sewing machine according to the first or second implementation mode, in which a fitted groove part which is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the mounting part and a fitting elastic plate piece which is provided on a face plate of the sewing machine main body are rotatably fitted and connected together, and the supporting arm part is turnable on a horizontal surface. According to the present invention, in a lens holding part of a supporting arm part, a lens body having a detachable connected part that is turnable to a horizontal axis is mounted on a lens holding part. The lens holding part includes a holding unit that holds the lens main body. The supporting arm part and the lens main body are provided with a turning control unit that controls a turning angle of the lens main body in a predetermined range. The control range of the turning control unit is set in advance so that a position of a sewing machine needle and a position of a needle bar on which the sewing machine needle is mounted do not interfere with each other. With this arrangement, it becomes possible to achieve the object of magnifying a view of a front end of the needle which is mounted on a front end of a downward-moving needle bar mounted on a sewing machine main body and magnifying the view of a vicinity of a cloth presser. Moreover, it becomes possible to prevent a beginner operator from an accident such as injury due to breaking of the needle during a sewing operation, and also it becomes possible to secure safety. The lens main body is set turnable to the horizontal axis in the lens holding part of the supporting arm part. Therefore, the lens main body can be set to a predetermined angle to the horizontal axis. By setting an inclination angle which is optimum for the operator, a threading operation of the needle hole becomes easy. Further, the supporting arm part and the lens main body are in a detachable structure. Therefore, in starting the sewing operation, an ordinary operation space of the sewing machine can be secured by detaching the lens main body from the supporting arm part. Because the holding unit can detachably mount the lens, a lens that includes a connected part which is adapted to the holding unit can be freely exchanged. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a state in which a magnifier of the present invention is mounted on a sewing machine main body, FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of a part (Q 1 ) in FIG. 1A , and FIG. 1C is an enlarged sectional view taken along an arrowed line Y 1 -Y 1 in FIG. 1B ; FIG. 2A is a plan view of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the present invention; FIG. 3A is an enlarged sectional view of a part (Q 2 ) in FIG. 2A , and FIG. 3B is an enlarged sectional view showing a state where a supporting arm part and a lens main body of the part (Q 2 ) in FIG. 2A are separated from each other; FIG. 4A is a plan view of a lens main body, FIG. 4B is a sectional view taken along an arrow line Y 2 -Y 2 in FIG. 4A , and FIG. 4C is a sectional view taken along an arrow line Y 3 -Y 3 in FIG. 4A ; FIG. 5A is a main-part vertical sectional side view showing a state in which the lens main body which is mounted on the supporting arm turns, FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of a state in which the lens main body is vertical in the part (Q 3 ) in FIG. 5A , FIG. 5C is an enlarged view of a state in which the lens main body is inclined in the part (Q 3 ) in FIG. 5A , and FIG. 5D is an enlarged view of a state in which the lens main body is horizontal in the part (Q 3 ) in FIG. 5A ; FIG. 6A is a main-part vertical sectional side view showing a state in which a lens main body, which is mounted on a supporting arm in another embodiment of a turning control unit turns, FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of a state in which the lens main body is vertical in the part (Q 3 ) in FIG. 6A , FIG. 6C is an enlarged view of a state in which the lens main body is inclined in a part δ in FIG. 6A , and FIG. 6D is an enlarged view of a state in which the lens main body is horizontal in a part (Q 4 ) in FIG. 6A ; FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a state in which a magnifier of the present invention is about to be mounted on a sewing machine face plate, FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of a part (Q 5 ) in FIG. 7A , and FIG. 7C is a sectional view along an arrow line Y 4 -Y 4 in FIG. 7B ; FIG. 8A is a partially cut side view of a state in which a sewing machine needle which is positioned near a needle plate is visually observed through the magnifier, FIG. 8B is a partially cut side view of a state in which the sewing machine needle which moved to a higher position is visually observed through the magnifier; and FIG. 8C is an enlarged view of a state in which a thread is passed through a needle hole of the sewing machine needle via the lens main body; and FIG. 9A is a partially-omitted plan view of a state of confirming a state in which the thread has passed through the sewing machine needle by positioning the magnifier in front of the sewing machine, FIG. 9B is a front end view of the sewing machine needle that is viewed from the lens main body in FIG. 9A , FIG. 9C is a partially-omitted plan view of a state of confirming a state in which the thread is passed through the sewing machine needle by positioning the magnifier in an inclined direction to the front of the sewing machine, and FIG. 9D is a front end view of the sewing machine needle that is viewed from the lens main body in FIG. 9C . DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B , the present invention is configured by a supporting arm part A, and a lens main body B. The supporting arm part A is configured by a lens holding part 2 and a mounting part 3 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B . The lens main body B is configured by a lens part 5 , and a connected part 6 (see FIGS. 2B, 4A to 4C , etc.). The supporting arm part A is formed by a thin plate metal material, and is configured planarly by a straight line arm piece 11 and an inclined arm piece 12 . The inclined arm piece 12 is formed to have an appropriate inclination angle on a horizontal surface, to the straight line arm piece 11 (see FIGS. 1B, 2A, and 2B ). The lens holding part 2 is formed at one end side in a longitudinal direction of the inclined arm piece 12 of the supporting arm part A, and the mounting part 3 is formed at the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the inclined arm piece 12 (see FIGS. 2A and 2B ). Specifically, the lens holding part 2 is provided in the inclined arm piece 12 of the supporting arm part A, and the mounting part 3 is provided in a vertical shape at an end part position of the straight line arm piece 11 (see FIGS. 1B, 2B, and 7A to 7C ). The lens holding part 2 is configured so that the connected part 6 of the lens main body B is detachably connected to the lens holding part 2 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B ). A concrete structure of the lens holding part 2 is that a holding frame 21 is formed, and the holding frame 21 is configured by a main frame piece 21 a , a first side piece 21 b , and a second side piece 21 c (see FIGS. 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B ). The main frame piece 21 a is a plate piece in approximately a rectangular shape, and is formed in an inclined shape outward and upward from an end part of the inclined arm piece 12 of the supporting arm part A (see FIGS. 2B, 5A to 5D , etc.). At both ends in a longitudinal direction of the main frame piece 21 a , the first side piece 21 b and the second side piece 21 c are bent to form right angles (including approximately right angles) with the main frame piece 21 a (see FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B ). An axis through-hole 21 d is formed in the first side piece 21 b of the holding frame 21 , and a circular seat plate 21 e is formed at an inner surface side of the second side piece 21 c. A holding unit 4 is provided in the lens holding part 2 . The holding unit 4 is configured mainly by a holding axis 41 , a knob 42 , and an elastic member 43 (see FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B ). The holding axis 41 is formed with a conical pressing front end part 41 a at one end in an axial direction, and a pivot supporting pin 41 b is inserted into the other end in the axial direction. The knob 42 is coupled to a holding axis 41 via the pivot supporting pin 41 b. The knob 42 consists of a lever part 42 a and two sandwiching pieces 42 b (see FIGS. 1B, 2B , etc.). The lever part 42 a is formed in approximately a triangular shape. Each sandwiching piece 42 b is formed in approximately a semicircular shape or approximately a U shape, and both sides in a width direction are formed as flat surfaces (see FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B ). The sandwiching pieces 42 b are forked portions that are opposite to each other in a parallel state (see FIGS. 2A and 2B ). The other end in an axial direction of the holding axis 41 is arranged between the sandwiching pieces 42 b , and the knob 42 and the holding axis 41 are pivotally coupled by the pivot supporting pin 41 b (see FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B ). The knob 42 can turn relative to the holding axis 41 about the pivot supporting pin 41 b (see FIGS. 2A, 3A and, 3 B). When a state in which the lever part 42 a and the sandwiching pieces 42 b are arranged in a vertical direction (see FIGS. 2A, 3A , and 3 B) is defined as a vertical direction of the knob 42 , mounting positions of the pivot supporting pin 41 b in the sandwiching pieces 42 b are coupled eccentrically to either side of a vertical direction line of the sandwiching pieces 42 b (see FIGS. 3A and 3B ). Outer peripheral side surfaces of the sandwiching pieces 42 b are formed in arc shapes, and contact the outer surface sides of the first side piece 21 b of the holding frame 21 (see FIGS. 2A, 3A, and 3B ). For the elastic member 43 , a coil spring is actually used (see FIGS. 2B, 3A, and 3B ). The holding axis 41 pierces through the elastic member 43 that is the coil spring (see FIGS. 3A and 3B ). The pressing front end part 41 a of the holding axis 41 is loosely inserted into the axis through-hole 21 d of the first side piece 21 b so as to enter an inner side (an inner part side surrounded by the main frame piece 21 a , the first side piece 21 b , and the second side piece 21 c ) of the holding frame 21 (see FIGS. 2B, 3A, and 3B ). The knob 42 is turned approximately 180 degrees about the pivot supporting pin 41 b , so that the holding axis 41 moves in an axial direction to enter and exit the axis through-hole 21 d (see FIGS. 3A and 3B ). A washer 44 is mounted at a pressing front end part 41 a side of the holding axis 41 , and the washer 44 is fixed by a guard ring 45 . The elastic member 43 is arranged between the first side piece 21 b of the holding frame 21 and the washer 44 (see FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B ). The washer 44 and the pressing front end part 41 a of the holding axis 41 are always elastically biased toward a second side piece 21 c by the elastic member 43 . The knob 42 is reciprocally turned by 180 degrees about the pivot supporting pin 41 b , so that the holding axis 41 reciprocally moves in the axis through-hole 21 d (see FIGS. 3A and 3B ). The mounting part 3 has a fitted groove part 32 formed near an upper end of a pillar axis part 31 (see FIGS. 1B, 2A, 2B, and 7A to 7C ). The mounting part 3 is mounted in a fitted state on a mounted part C which is formed on a face plate 81 of the sewing machine main body 8 (see FIGS. 7A to 7C ). The mounted part C is configured by holding pieces 82 and a fitting elastic plate piece 83 . Specifically, two holding pieces 82 are formed at an inner surface side of the face plate 81 , and the fitting elastic plate piece 83 is mounted between the holding pieces 82 (see FIGS. 7A to 7 C). A fitting bent part 83 a is formed in the fitting elastic plate piece 83 , and the supporting arm part A can be mounted on the face plate 81 by fitting with the fitted groove part 32 of the pillar axis part 31 (see FIG. 7C ). Accordingly, the supporting arm part A can turn on the horizontal surface centered around the pillar axis part 31 (see FIGS. 9A and 9C ). An operation piece 13 is formed at an intermediate portion of the supporting arm part A. The operation piece 13 is formed in approximately a circular shape, which is easily nipped by operator fingers (see FIGS. 1B, 2A, and 2B ). The lens main body B is integrally formed by a synthetic resin such as plastics and an acrylic resin, and is configured by the lens part 5 and the connected part 6 (see FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 4A to 4C ). The lens part 5 is formed in a rectangular shape having arc-shaped corners. The connected part 6 is detachably mounted on the lens holding part 2 of the supporting arm part A via the holding unit 4 . The connected part 6 continues to protrude outward from one end side in a longitudinal direction of the lens part 5 , and is formed by a cylinder part 61 and an insertion groove part 62 (see FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B ). The cylinder part 61 has an axis core hole 61 a formed at a diameter center position. The insertion groove part 62 is formed orthogonally to an axial direction of the cylinder part 61 (see FIG. 2D ). The insertion groove part 62 has a groove width that allows the second side piece 21 c configuring the lens holding part 2 of the supporting arm part A to be inserted into the insertion groove part 62 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B ). The pressing front end part 41 a of the holding axis 41 of the holding unit 4 can be inserted into an opening at the outer side of the axis core hole 61 a . The circular seat plate 21 e that is formed on the second side piece 21 c of the holding frame 21 is inserted into the axis core hole 61 a of the insertion groove part 62 (see FIGS. 1B, 3A, and 3B ). Next, a process of mounting the lens main body B on the lens holding part 2 of the supporting arm part A will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B . First, the knob 42 of the lens holding part 2 of the supporting arm part A is turned, and the holding axis 41 is pulled outside holding frame 21 by a maximum extent (see FIG. 3B ). In this state, the connected part 6 of the lens main body B is arranged between the pressing front end part 41 a of the holding axis 41 in the holding frame 21 and the second side piece 21 c . At this time, the axial direction of the cylinder part 61 coincides with a line shape that connects the pressing front end part 41 a of the holding axis 41 and the second side piece 21 c . The second side piece 21 c is inserted into the insertion groove part 62 of the cylinder part 61 , and the circular seat plate 21 e is inserted into the axis core hole 61 a (see FIG. 3A ). When the knob 42 is turned by 180 degrees, the holding axis 41 moves at an inner side of the holding frame 21 and also toward a second side piece 21 c side, by the elastic force of the elastic member 43 . Accordingly, the pressing front end part 41 a of the holding axis 41 is inserted into the opening of the axis core hole 61 a of the cylinder part 61 . A portion between the opening of the axis core hole 61 a at an outer end side of the cylinder part 61 and the insertion groove part 62 is held between the pressing front end part 41 a of the holding axis 41 and the second side piece 21 c on the basis of elastic pressure (see FIG. 3A ). In this way, the lens main body B becomes turnable about a horizontal axis L of the supporting arm part A, by the lens holding part 2 of the supporting arm part A and the holding unit 4 (see FIGS. 1B, 1C, 2A, 5A to 5D , etc.). Further, by elastic bias force of the elastic member 43 , a portion between an outer end in an axial direction of the cylinder part 61 and the insertion groove part 62 is held on the basis of elastic pressure. Therefore, the lens part 5 of the lens main body B can be stopped at an arbitrary position, and can maintain a stopped state. That is, the operator can use the lens part 5 at a desired inclination angle. When the lens main body B is separated from the supporting arm part A, the knob 42 is turned by 180 degrees in a state in which the lens main body B is mounted. Then, the holding axis 41 that depresses the outer end opening of the cylinder part 61 of the lens main body B is pulled to the outside of the holding frame 21 . In this way, the cylinder part 61 of the lens main body B is released from the state of being held by the holding unit 4 , and can be separated from the supporting arm part A. Next, a turning control unit 7 will be described. The turning control unit 7 plays a role of controlling the turning of the lens main body B relative to the supporting arm part A. The operator turns the lens main body B about the horizontal axis L within a turning range of the lens main body B controlled by the turning control unit 7 , and sets the lens main body B at an inclination angle at which the operator can most easily confirm the operation state (see FIGS. 1A, and 5A to 5D ). Specifically, by setting the turning range of the lens part 5 of the lens main body B, set by the turning control unit 7 , in a range in which the orientation of the lens part 5 can be changed between pendent and horizontal states, the lens main body B is stopped at a position most proper for the operator. In this way, the operation of passing a thread n through a needle hole 84 a of a sewing machine needle 84 is facilitated, or a sewing state is confirmed. By controlling the turning range of the lens main body B, the turning control unit 7 also plays a role of preventing the lens part 5 from being too close to a position of the sewing machine needle 84 by exceeding the hanging state, and interfering with the position of the sewing machine needle 84 . There are a plurality of embodiments of the turning control unit 7 . As a first embodiment, the turning control unit 7 is configured by a control pin 71 and a control groove 72 (see FIGS. 1C, 2B, 3A, 3B, 5A to 5D , etc.). The control pin 71 is formed to protrude to an inner side of the main frame piece 21 a of the holding frame 21 of the supporting arm part A (see FIGS. 10, 2B, 3A, 3B , and 5 A to 5 D). The control groove 72 is formed at an intermediate position of the cylinder part 61 of the lens main body B. The control groove 72 is formed at an angle θ 1 in a predetermined range along a circumferential direction of the cylinder part 61 (see FIGS. 1C and 4C ). The lens main body B can be turned by an angle θ 2 relative to the angle θ 1 of the control groove 72 (see FIGS. 1C and 5A to 5D ). Specifically, both terminals in the circumferential direction of the control groove 72 are taken as a first terminal part 72 a and a second terminal part 72 b . An angle formed by the first terminal part 72 a and the second terminal part 72 b is θ 1 . When the angle θ 1 is 90 degrees, a turning range θ 2 of the lens main body B is 90 degrees to the horizontal axis L (see FIGS. 1C and 5A to 5D ). A state in which the control pin 71 that is inserted into the control groove 72 contacts the first terminal part 72 a is set so that the lens main body B becomes in a hanging shape (see FIG. 5B ). A state in which the control pin 71 contacts the second terminal part 72 b of the control groove 72 is set so that the lens part 5 becomes in a horizontal shape (see FIG. 5D ). By setting the lens main body B in this way, the lens main body B can turn and change the orientation between the pendent and the horizontal states (see FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5D ). Further, when the lens part 5 becomes in an inclined shape, the control pin 71 does not contact the first terminal part 72 a or the second terminal part 72 b of the control groove 72 , and the control pin 71 can be positioned between the first terminal part 72 a and the second terminal part 72 b (see FIG. 5C ). Next, as a second embodiment of the turning control unit 7 , a first protrusion 73 a and a second protrusion 73 b are provided on an outer periphery of the cylinder part 61 (see FIGS. 6A to 6D ). The first protrusion 73 a and the second protrusion 73 b are portions that are formed to protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder part 61 . When the cylinder part 61 turns, the cylinder part 61 contacts the main frame piece 21 a of the holding frame 21 . In the contact state, the cylinder part 61 cannot turn in the same direction any more. The first protrusion 73 a and the second protrusion 73 b play a role of a stopper in this way. The first protrusion 73 a and the second protrusion 73 b are set so that when the lens part 5 of the lens main body B becomes in a hanging state, the first protrusion 73 a contacts the main frame piece 21 a of the holding frame 21 of the supporting arm part A (see FIG. 6B ), and when the lens part 5 becomes in a horizontal state, the second protrusion 73 b contacts the main frame piece 21 a (see FIG. 6B ). In this way, by only providing the first protrusion 73 a and the second protrusion 73 b in the cylinder part 61 of the lens main body B, the control pin 71 is not necessary in the supporting arm part A, and the turning control unit 7 can be set in a simple configuration. Next, a detailed using method of the present invention will be described. The supporting arm part A is mounted on the face plate 81 of the sewing machine main body 8 via the mounting part 3 . The operator selects the lens main body B of magnification that fits the eyesight of the operator among a plurality of lens main bodies, and mounts the lens main body B on the supporting arm part A. The inclination angle of the lens part 5 is set to be aligned with an operator eye height position (see FIGS. 6A to 6D ) In particular, a height position of the sewing machine needle 84 changes depending on a situation. By appropriately changing the inclination angle of the lens part 5 according to the height of the sewing machine needle 84 (see FIGS. 8A and 8B ), it becomes possible to identify a position of the needle hole 84 a of the sewing machine needle 84 by magnifying the view of the position (see FIG. 8C ). In the present invention, in many cases, the lens main body B is positioned at a front side of the sewing machine main body 8 (see FIGS. 9A and 9B ). However, by setting the lens main body B at a slightly inclined position relative to a front surface of the sewing machine main body 8 as required, and magnifying and viewing the needle hole 84 a of the sewing machine needle 84 , it is also possible to confirm whether the thread n is correctly passed through the needle hole 84 a (see FIGS. 9C and 9D ). By using the present invention in this way, the invention is effective not only for the operation of passing the thread n through the needle hole 84 a , but also for the exchange operation of the sewing machine needle 84 or a cloth presser 85 , and the like. In the second implementation mode, the turning control unit is configured so that a control member is formed at the lens holding part side and that a control groove part into which the control member is loosely inserted is formed in the connected part of the lens main body. With this arrangement, a turning angle can be regulated in an extremely simple configuration. Particularly, by using a pin material in an axis shape as the control member, a turning control unit in a simple structure can be provided. In the third implementation mode, the turning control unit is configured by only forming a protrusion part in the lens holding part in the outer peripheral part of the connected part of the lens main body. With this arrangement, no processing is necessary at the lens holding part side. A turning control unit can be configured extremely simply. In the fourth implementation mode, a turning range of the lens main body by the turning control unit is set as a range in which the lens part becomes in a vertical state from a horizontal state. With this arrangement, the lens main body can be prevented from interfering with other portions of the sewing machine main body. Specifically, because the turning of the lens main body stops at a position in a vertical shape, the lens main body can be prevented from contacting the needle which is mounted on the needle bar. Further, because the turning stops when the lens main body is in a horizontal shape, it is possible to prevent blocking of an operation button and the like that are provided in the sewing machine main body. Further, the lens part is set to a range in which the lens part becomes in a horizontal shape to a vertical shape. Therefore, within this range, the lens part is at a position where it is easiest to view a portion of the needle hole of a needle front end that becomes a target, and it is easy to set a proper turning angle. In the fifth implementation mode, the groove part which is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the mounting part and the fitting elastic plate piece which is provided on the face plate of the sewing machine main body are fitted and connected. The supporting arm part is set turnable on the horizontal surface. Therefore, the magnifier of the present invention can be mounted on the sewing machine main body extremely easily and promptly, and work efficiency of a whole sewing operation improves.

The invention provides a magnifier for a sewing machine that is mounted on a sewing machine main body and magnifies a view of a front end of a needle which is mounted on a needle bar front end that moves vertically and a vicinity of a cloth presser. The magnifier includes: a supporting arm part A, at one end of which a lens holding part 2 having a holding unit 4 that detachably holds a lens is provided, and at the other end of which a mounting part 3 for mounting the magnifier on the sewing machine main body is provided; and a lens main body B that is constituted by connected part 6 which is detachable to the lens holding part 2 , and a lens part 5 which is formed continuously to the connected part 6 . To the lens holding part 2 of the supporting arm part A as well as the lens main body B, a turning control unit 7 is provided which controls a turning angle of the lens main body B in a predetermined range, and the turning control unit 7 controls a turning angle of the lens main body B that is mounted on the lens holding part 2 , in a predetermined range.

The present Application for Patent is a divisional of patent application Ser. No. 10/032,957 entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PARTITIONING MEMORY IN A TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICE” filed Oct. 26, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,502,817, and assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is related generally to telecommunication and, more specifically, to a technique for partitioning memory to conserve power in telecommunication devices. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Wireless telecommunication devices are evolving to contain increased functionality and complexity. This increased functionality often brings together functions that have been traditionally been provided by different devices such as cell phones and personal digital assistants (PDA). The combination of these functions typically require increased processor capability as well as increased power requirements. The requirement for additional processing capability to add functionality and minimize latency is especially important when the information must be processed in real time, as for example in cell phones. Having more processing capability and in turn higher power consumption, is especially problematic in wireless communication systems where it is inconvenient to connect to power sources. Wireless communication systems generally must contain their own source of power, which often is in the form of a battery. Users typically need the ability to operate such systems for longer periods of time without the need to recharge or swap batteries or even connect to line power. However, such longer operating times normally require an increase in battery size, which leads to undesirable effects such as heavier batteries, increased expense, and environmental concerns regarding disposal of used batteries. To meet the needs of increased processing power within wireless communication devices, additional processors requiring more memory and power were added to devices. A general purpose processor handles most system tasks and a modem computing subsystem handles tasks related to handling mobile station requirements. Mobile station modem binary software images (i.e., contents of memory) are programmed at the time of manufacture into read-only memory (ROM) as a single contiguous binary image. The modem computing subsystem directly executes the memory image from ROM, which results in slower execution than images executed from memories with faster access times, such as random access memory (RAM). At system boot time (e.g., when the wireless device is powered-up), read-write and zero-initialized data are copied to RAM prior to execution of code by the modem computing subsystem. No part of the over-the-air standards as implemented in the software binary image can be executed prior to completion of system boot and initiation of the operating system. All system memory must be completely powered-up prior to mobile station modem operation of the over-the-air standard. This approach results in wasting significant amounts of power because the modem computer subsystem had to be powered up even when not in use. Therefore, it can be appreciated that there is a significant need for a system and method to minimize power consumption in a wireless communication system while increasing the speed and functionality of the device for the user. The present invention provides this and other advantages that will be apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying figures. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is embodied in a method and apparatus for partitioning and downloading executable memory images in low-powered computing devices comprised of multiple processors and a mobile station modem. In one embodiment, the system comprises a communications-related personal digital assistant (PDA) that contains two computer subsystems. The general computing subsystem handles tasks generally related to a PDA as well as gating independently the clock that activates the modem computer subsystem and one or more shared memory modules. The modem computing subsystem handles tasks associated with a mobile station modem. The system is able to conserve power by not clocking the modem computer system and the shared memory during times when the modem function is not needed. The shared memory modules are loaded with a binary memory image for use by the modem computer subsystem from a nonvolatile memory by the general computing subsystem. In another embodiment, the system boots the general computing subsystem, which contains a nonvolatile memory, boots the modem computing subsystem when it is desired to monitor a paging channel, and disables the modem computing system to conserve power when it is no longer desired to monitor the paging channel. This embodiment may enable the modem computing system by providing a clock to the first shared memory module, loading the shared memory module with a binary memory image based on information stored in the nonvolatile memory, providing a clock to activate the modem computing subsystem, and vectoring the processor so that it executes instructions from the binary memory image stored on the shared memory module. The modem computing subsystem may be deactivated to save power when the modem function is not necessary. Additionally, a second shared memory may be activated and used only when the modem computing system needs to manage a traffic channel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top-level block diagram of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of exemplary interfaces of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a detailed functional block diagram of the system. FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the processing steps of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention permits the independent activation and deactivation of portions of a low-powered telecommunication and computing device that are only required in the course of transmitting and receiving data. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention is implemented using a wireless modem station operating in conjunction with a personal digital assistant (PDA). The combination device may be referred to as a mobile unit, cellular telephone, communicator, or the like. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the present invention is not limited to a specific form of mobile communication device, nor is it limited to a particular over-the-air standard. The present invention is embodied in a system 100 , which is illustrated in the block diagram of FIG. 1 . The system 100 includes a general computing subsystem 102 and a modem computing subsystem 104 , which will be described in greater detail below. The general computing subsystem 102 provides control lines 106 that are used to activate, synchronize, and deactivate the modem computing subsystem 104 . Both the general computing subsystem 102 and the modem computing subsystem 104 may alternately assert or remove a clock signal to a shared memory modules Bank I 108 and Bank II 110 in the course of activating modem functions. The shared memory modules 108 - 110 are loaded by the general computing subsystem 102 and contain an executable binary memory image for use by the modem computing subsystem 104 . The executable binary memory image comprises instructions and data that the processor of the modem computing subsystem 104 will execute and manipulate. A bus 112 is used to load and access the shared memory module 108 , and a bus 114 is used to load and access the shared memory module 110 . The general computing subsystem 102 generates clock signals BNK I CLK 116 and BNK II CLK 118 , respectively to control the operation of the memory modules 108 - 110 , respectively. Similarly, the modem computing subsystem 104 generates clock signals BNK I CLK 120 and BNK II CLK 122 to control operation of the memory modules 108 - 110 , respectively. The operation of the clock signals 116 - 122 to control the memory modules 108 - 110 is discussed in greater detail below. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of exemplary interfaces of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that each of the interfaces of system 100 may be directed to the general computing subsystem 102 and the modem computing subsystem 104 either operating together or alone depending on how the functionality of each the interface is used and when the functionality is needed. In one embodiment interfaces that are needed to operate the PDA in general are classified as a PDA peripherals 220 and interfaces that are only needed during operation of the modem computing subsystem 104 are classified as modem peripherals 244 . The system 100 , which typically embodies the functions of both a computing device, such as a PDA and a wireless communicator, includes a transceiver and antenna 128 to allow transmission and reception of data, such as audio communications, between the system 100 and a remote location, such as a cell site controller (not shown). The remote location may host data and communications services such as voice, data, email and internet connections. The operation of the wireless voice and data communications is well known in the art and need not be described herein except as it relates specifically to the present invention. Preferably, system 100 comprises a power management device 130 that comprises a rechargeable battery and that provides a power supply. System 100 operates in different operational modes with each operational mode having a different level of power consumption, including “Fully Active” wherein the PDA is active and a voice call is in progress, “PDA Active” wherein the PDA is active and the modem and modem functions are asleep, “Phone Active” wherein the PDA is asleep and a voice call is in progress, “Sleep” wherein the PDA is asleep, no voice call, and slotted paging mode is active, and “Deep Sleep” wherein the PDA is asleep and the phone is off. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a “voice” call can comprehend the functionality of an active traffic channel (including data traffic), and that in the slotted paging mode the modem processor periodically listens to transmissions from a base station to determine if there is an incoming call. It can be readily seen that other combinations of functionality and power consumption are possible. The power management device 130 also may include a sleep timer to awaken the system 100 after a predefined time interval. The system comprises human interfaces for providing information to and receiving information from users. Visual indicators such as a serial liquid crystal display (LCD) 132 , a color liquid crystal display 134 , and light-emitting diodes (not shown) are used to rapidly convey information to the user. Tactile receptors such as a touch screen 130 and keypad 138 allow the user to enter data and commands and to manually respond to system queries. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that other display types and input devices may be used acceptably. Audio input and output, provided by headset/mic 140 and stereo digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 142 , allow for two-way communication, as well as command input by using voice recognition, and aural responses to user input. Ideally, the human interfaces and physical system design will be presented in a pleasing and ergonomic fashion so as to provide for ease-of-use of the device. Interfaces are provided to allow for expandability, such as a multimedia card (MMC) slot 144 , and one or more memory expansion slots 146 . Communication between the system 100 and other computers or devices can be accomplished via a serial port 150 , which is preferably a universal serial bus (USB) transceiver. JTAG-type (Joint Test Action Group) boundary scan testing may also be provided. FIG. 3 is a detailed functional block diagram according to the invention. The general computing subsystem 102 and the modem computing subsystem 104 are controlled by a general system microprocessor 202 and a modem subsystem processor 204 , respectively. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the term “processor” is intended to encompass any processing device, alone or in combination with other devices, that is capable of operating the telecommunication system. This includes microprocessors, embedded controllers, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), state machines, dedicated discrete hardware, and the like. The present invention is not limited by the specific hardware component selected to implement the processors 202 and 204 . The general computing subsystem 102 comprises a power management unit (PMU) 205 that receives as an input an external reset signal. This signal may be derived from a power-up circuit, an external reset button, or a sleep timer. The PMU 205 provides a clock to the general subsystem processor 102 as well as bank arbitration blocks 206 and 208 of the shared memory modules 108 and 110 , respectively. The PMU 205 may be programmed by and provide status data to the general computing subsystem processor 202 via a general computing subsystem bus 209 . Subsystem bus 209 may include a power bus, a control signal bus, and a status signal bus in addition to a data bus. However, for the sake of clarity the various buses are illustrated in FIG. 3 as the subsystem bus 209 . The subsystem bus 209 allows the general computing subsystem processor 202 to receive and send data to nonvolatile memory 222 and static RAM (SRAM) 224 , to control registers 216 , to the shared memory modules Bank I 108 and Bank II 110 , and to PDA peripherals 220 . A busmaster 211 provides additional logic for bus interface control logic as well as electrical buffering of signals on subsystem bus 209 . To conserve power and offload processing requirements of the general computing subsystem processor 202 , a DMA (direct memory access) channel is provided to transfer data without processor intervention. DMA technology is well known in the art and need not be discussed here. A DMA/microprocessor memory interface 210 , DRAM controller 212 , and MMC DMA Controller 214 are provided to allow direct memory access of the shared memory modules 108 and 110 by the general subsystem processor 202 and the PDA peripherals 220 via the memory interface bridge 218 . The MMC DMA Controller 214 may be configured as the DMA master and the DRAM controller 212 and MMC DMA Controller 214 are configured as slaves. The DMA/microprocessor memory interface 210 also serves to allow proper access to the nonvolatile memory 222 and SRAM 224 by the general computing subsystem processor 102 . In typical embodiments nonvolatile memory 222 is a memory such as flash ram that is preprogrammed with boot code, operating instructions, and data for both the general computing subsystem processor 202 and the modem computing subsystem processor 204 . A portion of the memory contents of nonvolatile memory 222 may optionally be stored and accessed according to well known data compression techniques for the purpose of reducing the amount of nonvolatile memory required. The data and instructions required for the operation of the modem computing subsystem processor 204 are copied from nonvolatile memory 222 and stored in SRAM 224 , which has lower access times than that of a nonvolatile memory thus permitting faster execution by the modem computing subsystem processor 204 . The modem computing subsystem 104 comprises a clock/power control unit 230 that provides clocks 120 - 122 to the bank arbitration blocks 206 and 208 of the shared memory modules 108 - 110 , respectively, and provides a clock 250 and a reset line 252 to the modem subsystem processor 204 . The clock/power control unit 230 is used to conserve power by gating (i.e., shutting off) the clock 250 to the modem subsystem processor 204 and the clocks 116 - 122 to the shared memory modules 108 - 110 , respectively, during times when these modules are not needed for operation of the modem portion of the system 100 . When the modem system processor 204 is needed in one embodiment, clock 250 will be applied to the modem subsystem processor 204 , and clock 116 from the general computing subsystem 102 is applied so that the Bank I shared memory module 110 may be loaded by the general computing subsystem 102 . The clock 116 is maintained so as to allow the data stored in the module 110 to be refreshed. The modem computing subsystem 104 may access the module 110 by asserting clock 120 . The modem computing subsystem 104 may access the Bank II shared memory module 112 by asserting clock 122 , which maybe used to keep the data stored in module 112 refreshed after the data is stored therein by the general modem computing subsystem 102 . The general modem computing subsystem 102 may access the module 112 by asserting clock 118 . The general computing subsystem 102 uses the control registers 216 to signal a clock/power control unit 230 to supply the clocks 120 - 122 to the shared memory module 108 so that the boot code for modem computing subsystem 104 may be stored and retained in the shared memory module 108 . The control registers 216 also are used to reset and start the modem computing subsystem processor 204 , which will then access the boot code in the shared memory module 108 . In one embodiment, the modem subsystem processor 204 communicates with the general computing subsystem processor 202 via shared memory modules 108 - 110 by using locations in memory to store information about the status and mode of operation of the modem computing subsystem 104 . The general computing subsystem processor 102 polls the status information and signals the clock/power control unit 230 to assert and remove the clocks 120 - 122 , as well as to load portions of the shared memory modules 108 - 110 . Alternatively, the modem subsystem processor 204 may signal the general computing subsystem processor 202 using, by way of example, a vectored interrupt method to instruct the general computing subsystem processor 202 to, for example, load a portion of the shared memory modules 108 - 110 . A subsystem bus 240 allows the modem computing subsystem processor 204 to receive and send data to control registers 242 , to the shared memory modules 108 - 110 , and to modem peripherals 244 . The subsystem bus 240 may include a power bus, a control signal bus, and a status signal bus in addition to a data bus. However, for the sake of clarity the various buses as the subsystem bus 240 . A busmaster 246 provides additional logic for bus interface control logic as well as electrical buffering of signals on subsystem bus 240 . To conserve power and offload processing requirements of the modem computing subsystem processor 204 , a DMA channel is provided to transfer data without processor intervention. A DMA Controller/microprocessor memory interface 260 is provided to allow direct memory access of the shared memory modules 108 - 110 by the modem subsystem processor 204 and the modem peripherals 244 via a memory interface bridge 262 . The modem computing subsystem 104 uses the control registers 242 to signal the clock/power control unit 230 to supply clock pulses via clock 120 to the shared memory module 110 so that the modem operational software image for modem computing subsystem 104 may be stored and retained in the shared memory module 110 . This will typically occur prior to the modem computing subsystem 104 leaving the slotted paging mode and entering the traffic mode. The control registers 216 also are used to signal the clock/power control unit 230 via signal 226 to remove the clock 122 from the shared memory module 110 when the modem computing subsystem 300 reverts to the slotted paging mode from the traffic mode. The shared memory modules 108 - 110 each comprise one or more dynamic RAMS 280 and 282 , respectively, so that power is conserved when the memory is not clocked. As an additional benefit, the cost of the DRAM is less than that required for static RAM. The shared module 108 is used for storing the boot code of the modem subsystem processor 204 and the software necessary for operating the modem computing subsystem 104 when the wireless device is operating in the slotted paging mode. The shared memory module 110 is used for storing the software necessary for operating the modem computing subsystem 104 when the wireless device is operating in the traffic mode. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other shared memory modules may be used to further partition the memory image so that the additional memory banks need only be activated during certain modes that would be associated with the code stored in the additional banks. The bank arbitration blocks 206 and 208 each receive clocks (i.e., the clocks 116 - 122 ) from the general computing subsystem 102 and the modem computing subsystem 104 because the subsystem processors (i.e., the general subsystem processor 202 and the modem subsystem processor 204 ) are not necessarily synchronized, the bank arbitration blocks 206 - 208 must be capable of handling the protocols of memory requests from systems having unrelated clocks. The arbitration blocks 206 and 208 each must not only handle unrelated clocks, but also be capable of handling simultaneous and nearly simultaneous requests from both subsystems. The arbitration blocks 206 and 208 receive the requests via the memory interface bridges 218 and 262 , resolve any contention between the subsystems, synchronize the local clocks to the subsystem having priority, and respond via the appropriate memory interface bridge to the subsystem having priority. Such arbitration techniques are well known in the art and need not be described in greater detail herein. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a low-powered telecommunication and computing device according to the present invention. These steps are performed by the device as it is powered up and enters various modes. Specifically, in step 300 , a general computing subsystem reset occurs either upon applying power to the system 100 , or at anytime when requested. The general computing subsystem reset may be applied during any step described herein, although this capability has been omitted from the flowchart of FIG. 4 for the sake of clarity. After reset, the general computing subsystem 102 boots in step 302 . To conserve power, in step 304 all unnecessary clocks are disabled, including the clocks (e.g., the clocks 120 - 122 and the clock 250 ) in the modem computing subsystem 104 . The modem computing subsystem 104 is placed in a reset mode in step 306 . In step 308 , the general computing subsystem 102 applies a clock (i.e., the clock 118 ) to shared memory module 110 . A software memory image necessary for the operation of the modem computing subsystem 104 to boot and enter and maintain the slotted paging mode is loaded into the shared memory module 108 in step 310 . The modem computing subsystem 104 is released from reset in step 312 , and then boots in step 314 using instructions and data from the memory image stored in the shared memory module 108 . The modem computing subsystem 104 enters the slotted paging mode in step 316 and monitors the paging channel until, in decision 318 , a request for traffic is detected (for incoming requests) or posted (for outgoing requests). Upon such a request, in step 320 , the general computing subsystem 102 applies the clock 116 to the shared memory module 110 . A software memory image necessary for the modem computing subsystem 104 to operate a traffic channel for voice, data, or SMS is loaded into the shared memory module 110 in step 322 . When the memory image is loaded, in step 324 the modem subsystem processor 204 accesses the contents of the shared memory module 110 for code and data necessary to facilitate a traffic channel. In decision 326 , the modem subsystem processor 204 determines whether traffic is present and, if so continues in step 324 , else continues on to step 328 , where the clocks to the shared memory module 110 are removed and the modem computing subsystem 104 then returns to step 316 where the slotted paging mode is again reentered. Thus, the system 100 provides increased computing and data processing capability while controlling circuitry to reduce power consumption. It is to be understood that even though various embodiments and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, the above disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, yet remain within the broad principles of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is to be limited only by the appended claims.

An apparatus and method are disclosed for partitioning and downloading executable memory images in low-powered computing devices comprised of multiple processors and a mobile station modem. The general computing subsystem 102 handles tasks generally related to a personal digital assistant (PDA) as well as activating the modem computer subsystem 104 and one or more shared memory modules 108 - 110 . The modem computing subsystem 104 handles tasks associated with a mobile station modem. Power is conserved by not clocking the modem computer system 104 and the shared memory 108 - 110 during times when modem functions are not needed. The shared memory modules 108 - 110 are loaded with a binary memory image for use by the modem computer subsystem 104 from a memory 222 under control of the general computing subsystem 102 . When needed, the modem computing subsystem 104 is activated to monitor a paging channel, and disabled when it is no longer desired to monitor the paging channel. Additionally, a second shared memory 110 may be activated and used only when the modem computing system 104 needs to manage a traffic channel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to railway hopper cars and more specifically to operating mechanisms for locking and unlocking the side discharge doors of a hopper. 2. Description of the Prior Art Patents pertinent to the present invention are U.S. Pat. No. 2,369,725, Feb. 20, 1945; U.S. Pat. No. 2,388,075, Oct. 30, 1945; U.S. Pat. No. 2,534,626, Dec. 19, 1950; U.S. Pat. No. 2,692,788, Oct. 26, 1954; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,885,846, May 27, 1975. The present invention is an improvement over the aforementioned patents. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present door lock mechanism is particularly suitable for use on center sill side dump hopper cars with longitudinal doors. The doors are located on opposite sides of the car and can be closed with respect to the discharge openings from which material is dumped outwardly from a pair of hoppers supported on the car. In the preferred embodiment, two longitudinally disposed hoppers each include two sets of side operating doors which are actuated for release by the present invention. The lock mechanism consists of a center longitudinal actuating member or operating rod that is supported along the center line of the car on the car underframe. The operating rod or actuating member is attached to a suitable linkage mechanism at one end of the car near one of the car trucks. This linkage mechanism is designed to engage a cam device located between the rails or adjacent thereto which induces a pulling action on the actuating member as the car moves along the track. The other end of the actuating member is secured to a spring device to assure that the rod will return to its original position after opening of the side discharge doors in response to the track mounted cam device. In the present invention the actuating member or operating rod is attached to four cam lock mechanisms which are supported on the underframe and each pair of doors includes two of these cam lock mechanisms. Each cam lock mechanism consists of a bell crank which transfers the longitudinal pull of the actuating member to the cam locks which are pivoted on the center line of the car and secured to the underframe by means of brackets. Each pair of the doors has connected thereto, four transversely extending tension members or transverse tension rods which pass through the cam locks and are disposed in longitudinally spaced relation. Each of the cam locks includes cam members or engageable portions which engage teeth provided on the tension rods to fixedly secure the rods in locking engagement with the cam locks when the doors are in the closed position. The outer ends of the tension rods include ring straps that pass through a ring connection that is fixedly secured to each discharge door and thus provides a somewhat universal connection between the operating tension rods and the doors. The opposite ends of the tension rod have stop plates to prevent accidental separation from the cam locks. The transverse tension rods are of sufficient length to allow full swing of the doors without the rods leaving the cam locks. The connection between each of the bell cranks and the cam locks is a flexible chain which pulls the locks open during the operation of the longitudinal operating rod but permits the locks to be reset while the tension rods and discharge doors are in the open position. Suitable spring means at one end of the car are connected to the longitudinal operating rod which continually urges it to the locked position. The portion of the operating rod or actuating member that passes over the cam lock consists of a flat strap with a slot that guides the strap over the cam lock pivot. On each side of the flat strap are protruding bosses or cams that engage pins on the cam lock when in the closed and locked positions. These bosses or cams prevent accidental release of the cam locks while the car is in route to its destination. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a railway hopper car having an improved door operating mechanism; FIG. 2 is a plan view of the railway car of FIG. 1 showing portions of the hoppers broken away to illustrate the invention; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the railway car and door operating mechanism; FIG. 5 is a detailed plan view of a cam lock mechanism and its operating relation to the side doors of the car; FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the door operating mechanism and cam lock arrangement in an open position. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The railway hopper car 10 includes a car body 11, side walls 12 and end walls 13. The side walls 12 include longitudinally extending side sills 12'. The hopper car 10 includes a pair of hoppers 15, which each includes side slope sheets 14, adapted to direct material downwardly and outwardly of the hoppers 15. The hopper car 10 includes a conventional underframe 16 comprising a center sill 17 and cross bearer supports 18 spaced suitably along the length of the car 10. Wheel trucks 19 support the car 10 on suitable railway tracks. Each of the hoppers include an inverted V-shaped longitudinal cap 20 at the upper ends of the downwardly diverging slope sheets 14. Slope sheets 14 terminate in a discharge opening 21 for directing material sideways outwardly from the hopper car. Each hopper includes a pair of discharge doors 22 for closing each discharge opening 21. The discharge doors 22 are provided at their upper ends with hinge brackets 23 which are suitably connected to hinge brackets 24 supported on the side sill 12' by means of hinge pivots 25. Each of the doors 22 includes a lower Z-shaped longitudinally extended support angle 26 which is connected to door panels or plates 27. The hinge ends of the doors 22 are also supported by means of longitudinal reinforcing angles 28. As best shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6, door operating mechanisms 29 are provided for each of the doors 22. Each oppositely opening pair of doors 22 is provided with two operating mechanisms 29. Each mechanism 29 includes a pair of longitudinally spaced tension rods 30 which extend transversely of the car in opposite directions. Each tension rod 30 is connected to a door by means of a ring strap 31 provided on the rod and engaging a ring 32 connected to the door 22. Each of the rods is provided with a number of teeth or serrations 33 spaced longitudinally along the rod. Each of the rods 30 is suitably supported on a guide 34 which extends downwardly from the cross bearer supports 18. As best shown in FIGS. 3 & 4, suitably spaced U-shaped brackets 35 are also connected to the underneath side of cross bearer supports 18 along the centerline of car 10. Each of the operating mechanisms 29 comprises a cam lock 36 consisting of upper and lower spaced plate members 37. Each cam lock 36 includes a pivot pin 38 which, as best shown in FIG. 3, is suitably supported on the U-shaped bracket 35. The cam lock 36 includes vertical cam elements or plates 39 which project outwardly in opposite directions. Each cam element 39 is provided with an opening 40 through which the tension rods 30 extend and slide. The openings 40 provide cam surfaces or teeth-engaging portions 41 which, as best shown in FIG. 5, securely engage the serrations 33 of tension rods 30 to firmly lock the doors 22 in the closed position. The cam elements 39 also include downwardly projecting lock pins 42, as best shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6. The ends of the cam elements 39 have suitably connected thereto springs 43, which in turn are anchored on the U-shaped bracket 35 to constantly urge cam lock 36 to the position shown in FIG. 5 wherein the tension rods 30 may be engaged and locked in position. Each of the tension rods 30 has at its inward end a stop plate 65 to prevent over-extension of the rods 30 relative to the cam locks 36. A longitudinal actuating member or operating rod 44, as best shown in FIG. 2, is positioned below the car body. The longitudinal actuating member 44 comprises a plurality of spaced plates 45, each in the region of a cam lock 36, and includes a plurality of interconnecting links 46 pivotedly connected to the plates 45. As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each of the plates 45 includes a flat head portion 47 provided with a slot 48 through which the pin 38 extends and permits longitudinal movement of the actuating member 44 relative to each of the cam locks 36. The flat head portion 47 also includes on opposite sides thereof, bosses or cams 49 and 50 which, as indicated in FIG. 5, are in engagement with the lock pins 42 to prevent rotation and disengagement of the cam locks 36. Each of the cam locks 36 is actuated by means of a bell crank 51, as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. As best shown in FIG. 4, each bell crank 51 is pivotally secured by pin 54 to the car body by means of a bracket 52 and a support plate 53, in turn connected to the cross bearer support 18. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a pivot pin 55 connects each bell crank 51 to a link 46 and a pivot connection 56 connects a chain 57 to the bell crank 51. The chain 57 is connected by means of a ring 57' to one of the cam elements 39 of each of the cam locks 36. Referring now to FIG. 2, the bell crank 51 at one end of the car is connected to the link 46 which in turn is connected to a lever 58 suitably supported on the underneath side of the car by means of a vertical pivot 59. The lever 58 is rotated about the pivot 59 by means of a transverse link 60 which in turn is connected to a cam lever 61 suitably supported for pivotal movement about a vertical axis as indicated by pivot member 62 supported on the car body. Thus, movement of the link 60 in response to rotation of the cam lever 61 provides for tension movement of the link 46 to actuate the end bell crank 51, in turn providing for longitudinal movement of the longitudinal actuating member 44. Cam lever 61 includes cam engaging surface 63. A cam 64 is positioned suitably beneath the car adjacent to the track and operatively engages cam engaging surface 63 of cam lever 61 as the car passes along the track, whereupon the material within the car is dumped. Referring again to FIG. 2, the other end of the longitudinal actuating member 44 has one of its flat plate portions 45 suitably connected to a spring 66, in turn anchored on a transverse member 67 suitably supported on the underneath side of the car, the said spring 66 continually urging the plate 45 and actuating member 44 to a position wherein the cam locks 36 are in their locked position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. THE OPERATION As best shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the doors 22 of the car 10 are in a closed and locked position during transit. In this position, the tension rods 30 are in fixed engagement with the cam locks 36 in that the serrations or teeth 33 are firmly engaged by the cam elements 39, the teeth-engaging portions 41 preventing outward movement of the tension rods 30. The actuating member 44 is indicated as having the right ends of its slots 48 in fixed engagement with the pins 38 since the actuating member 44 is urged into this position by means of the spring 66 connected to the cross member 67. In this position, it is noted that the lock pins 42 are in an engagement with the sides of the cams or bosses 49 and 50 so that rotation of the cam locks 36 is not possible and the rods 30 are firmly locked against outward movement. As the car now passes in the region of the cam 64, cam engaging surface 63 of cam lever 61 engages the cam 64 pushing the link 60 transversely which pivots the lever 58, thereupon pivoting the end bell crank 51 in clockwise direction. As the end bell crank 51 pivots, the links 46 of actuating member 44 are moved to the right, in turn causing the other bell cranks 51 to pivot and pull on the chains 57, in turn pivoting the cam locks 36. As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the flat heads 47 are moved to the right and the cams 49 and 50 are displaced to one side of the lock pins 42, allowing the cam locks 36 to pivot in a counter-clockwise direction. Teeth-engaging portions 41 are moved out of engagement with serrations 33 of tension rods 30 so that the weight of the material on the doors 22 moves the tension rods 30 outwardly, and the doors 22 are easily swung to an open position. In the event of mishap during this movement, the ends of the tension rods 30 are provided with stop plates 65 so that the doors 22 are limited in their outward movement. The open position of the tension rods 30 and the cam locks 36 is shown in FIG. 6. After the load has been dumped, vehicle operators on the side of the roadbed, or suitable door closing devices, merely swing the doors 22 back to their closed position. As the doors 22 swing inwardly the rods 30 move transversely inward. As the serrations 33 of tension rods 30 move in through the openings 40, they become engaged by means of teeth-engaging portions 41 and again are locked firmly in the position shown in FIG. 5. By virtue of the flexible connection 57 of the bell cranks 51 to the cam locks 36 the cam locks are free now to achieve the aforementioned locked position. Locking engagement is assured since springs 66 and 43 continually urge actuating member 40 and cam locks 36 to their locked position, and the hopper car is again ready for transport to another destination.

A door lock mechanism for hopper cars includes a longitudinally extending operating rod actuated by a linkage means tripped by a track side cam. The rod in turn actuates cam locks by means of bell cranks which cause the locks to rotate and release transverse tension rods connected to doors for opening the same. The cam locks include cams engageable with teeth on the tension rods for securely locking the doors in a closed position. The operating rod also includes cam means effectively engaging the cam locks to positively lock the same in a closed position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 08/812,467, filed Mar. 6, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,924, which is a continuation in part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/599,324, filed Feb. 9, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,892 which in turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/386,505, filed Feb. 9, 1995, (now abandoned). BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to well production control systems, and more particularly, to a computer controlled gas lift system. 2. Prior Art In the operation of hydrocarbon production wells, gas lift apparati are occasionally employed to stimulate movement of fluid uphole. The operation ranges from simply pumping high pressure gas downhole to force fluids uphole to pumping additional fluids into the production fluid lowering the specific gravity thereof and thus increasing the "interest" of the fluid in migrating toward the surface. Gas lift apparati are also periodically employed when, a mixture of oil and water collects in the bottom of a gas well casing and tubing in the region of the producing formation and obstructs the flow of gases to the surface. In a "gas lift" well completion, high pressure gas from an external source is injected into the well in order to lift the borehole fluids collected in the well tubing to the surface to "clear" the well and allow the free flow of production fluids to the surface. This injection of gas into the well requires the operation of a valve controlling that injection gas flow known as a gas lift valve. Gas lift valves are conventionally normally closed restricting the flow of injection gas from the casing into the tubing and are opened to allow the flow of injection gas in response to either a preselected pressure condition or control from the surface. Generally such surface controlled valves are hydraulically operated. By controlling the flow of a hydraulic fluid from the surface, a poppet valve is actuated to control the flow of fluid into the gas lift valve. The valve is moved from a closed to an open position for as long as necessary to effect the flow of the lift gas. Such valves are also position instable. That is, upon interruption of the hydraulic control pressure, the gas lift valve returns to its normally closed configuration. A difficulty inherent in the use of single gas lift valves which are either full open or closed is that gas lift production completions are a closed fluid system which are highly elastic in nature due to the compressibility of the fluids and the frequently great depth of the wells. Prior art flow control valves for downhole applications, such as single gas lift valves per area, include the disadvantage of not providing a substantial amount of control over the exact amount of gas entering the well. This is because the valve is either open or closed and cannot be regulated. Hydraulically actuated downhole flow control valves also include certain inherent disadvantages as a result of their long hydraulic control lines which result in a delay in the application of control signals to a downhole device. In addition, the use of hydraulic fluids to control valves will not allow transmission of telemetry data from downhole monitors to controls at the surface. Boyle et al patented a system capable of adjusting the orifice size of the valve through a range of values, thus providing a broader control over the amount of gas being injected into the system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,717 to Boyle et al discloses a variable orifice valve for gas lift systems. The system allows for adjustment of the flow through a particular valve body thereby allowing tailoring of the flow rate and alleviation of some of the previous problems in the art. The variable orifice valve allows greater control over the quantity and rate of injection of fluids into the well. In particular, more precise control over the flow of injection gas into a dual lift gas lift well completion allows continuous control of the injection pressure into both strings of tubing from a common annulus. This permits control of production pressures and flow rates within the well and results in more efficient production from the well. The '717 patent solved many of the aforementioned problems with its variable orifice valve. Variable opening however provides some of its own inherent drawbacks such as lack of reliability of "openness" over time. More particularly, scale and other debris can build up and prevent movement more easily on orifice closures which are responsive to small increment movements and, in general, are only moved or adjusted by such small increments. Thus when conditions change downhole over time the variable orifice valve may be unable to comply with the changing conditions and would need to be replaced. Another adjustable gas lift valve is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,483,988. The disclosure teaches a system having several parts or features but particularly includes an adjustable flow gas lift valve which includes a flow port and a plurality of differently sized nozzles selectively alignable with the port. Sensory devices are employed to maintain information about the state of the valve assembly. The variable nozzles are located on the actuator and, therefore, can be rotated into alignment with the orifice port to regulate the amount of gas flowing therethrough as desired. Fully open/fully closed valves provide a large relative movement and tend to jar loose any buildup so that valve serviceability is maintained for a longer period of time. Therefore, these valves have a significant service life advantage over the more "advanced" variable opening valves. Also, where a plurality of these valves are employed in a given area, the closing of some (or opening) does not subject the individual valves to the same torsional forces because all flow is not pitted against a single structure. Thus opening or closing of the valves does not lead to excessive wear of valve components. The industry is in need of a system that experiences the benefit of variable orifice valves while concurrently benefitting from the serviceability of fully open/fully closed valves. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-discussed and other drawbacks and deficiencies of the prior art are overcome or alleviated by the adjustable flow gas lift valve of the invention. In accordance with the invention, computer control and sensory information are combined with a series per unit area of fully open/fully closed gas lift valves to provide for intelligent downhole gas lift systems. Several embodiments of valve systems are set forth herein which provide adjustable control of the amount of gas injected into the tubing string and are responsive to downhole sensory data, processing and instructions. In the first embodiment, a housing encloses an electrical motor which is paired with a resolver attached to a ball screw which is used to move a ported sleeve into various positions within the housing. Ports are present on the sleeve and at least one opening is employed on the housing of the tool. Thus, by aligning different numbers of ports in the sleeve with the main annulus opening, the amount of gas entering the tubing string is adjustable and controllable. A second embodiment of the invention employs the elements of the first embodiment, however, also employs a multiported housing (as opposed to the single annulus opening of the first embodiment) having variously sized ports to provide even greater adjustability of the amount of flow of gas into the tubing string. In other respects, the embodiment operates as does the first embodiment. The third embodiment of the invention employs an electric motor attached to a high pressure hydraulic pump. The pump discharges into an expandable bladder which is disposed adjacent several holes or slots in the housing, which slots lead to the casing annulus. As pressure increases in a chamber defined by the bladder, more of the holes or slots, or a larger percentage of the holes and slots, are blocked by the expanded bladder. By decreasing the pressure within the bladder the bladder will shrink and allow pressure from the annulus to move through the slots or holes. In the fourth embodiment of the invention, fluid movement from the annulus to the tubing is electrically controlled by a motor operating a piston moving within a cylinder having ports to the annulus. Each port includes a seat and a check ball to seal the port, the check ball being displaceable (unseatable) by the movement of the piston within the cylinder. More specifically, as the piston moves along the cylinder it will contact an increasing number of check balls and unseat them from their respective seats thus allowing a proportionate amount of fluid from the annulus to flow into the tubing. This embodiment also includes a matching seat machined to compliment the piston such that if the valve is to be completely sealed, the piston may be moved into contact with the matching seat thus preventing all flow. A fifth embodiment of the invention employs at least a plurality of commercially available, conventional fully open/fully closed valves per unit area This arrangement allows for control of the amount of fluid passing into the production fluid in a given area by allowing the operator to selectively open one or more of the plurality of valves located either annularly at a point in the tubing or staggered but closely to the same point. In other words there are clusters of nozzles where a single nozzle would have been in the prior art. It will be understood that the term operator is intended to mean an actual human or a computer processor either downhole or at the surface. The system allows incremental increase in flow rate. A sixth embodiment is a variation on the fifth embodiment in that the basic premise of employing at least a plurality of individually fully operable/fully closeable valves is retained, however, each of the valves in this embodiment are of different sizes so that single valves or combinations thereof may be opened and closed to provide more control over the amount of fluid moving into the production tubing. A seventh embodiment provides a helical valve body which rotatably opens or closes a helical flow path. An eighth embodiment provides a flow control system in a side pocket mandrel to allow communication between the primary wellbore and the well annulus. The above-discussed and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several FIGURES: FIG. 1 is a sectional illustration of a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the invention; FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the fifth embodiment of the invention having a multiplicity of valves of like dimensions; FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of FIG. 5 taken along lines 6--6; FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a sixth embodiment of the invention having a multiplicity of different sized valves; FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of FIG. 7 taken along section line 8--8; FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention employing a helical valve structure; FIG. 10 is a cut away view of the body of the tool in which the valve structure of FIG. 9 is placed; and FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the side pocket mandrel embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic illustration of the first embodiment of the invention is illustrated in cross-section. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the entire device is intended to be attached to the outside of the tubing string and has relatively small dimensions. The invention is powered by electric line 10 connected to an electric motor 12 (and controlled by a downhole processor) having a resolver 14. The motor turns ball screw 18 through gear box 16 which provides axial movement of the sleeve discussed hereunder. Shaft 20 of ball screw 18 is preferably isolated from motor 12 by o-ring 22 which is mounted in housing 24. Housing 24 defines sleeve chamber 26 within which ported sleeve 28 is axially movable. A top section of sleeve 28, indicated as box thread 30 includes a pitch complimentary to ball screw 18 and is threaded thereon. Therefore, upon rotational actuation of ball screw 18, ported sleeve 28 is axially movable within chamber 16 of housing 24. Upon such movement of ported sleeve 28 individual ports 32 thereof are selectively alignable with main annulus opening 34, thus allowing fluid to flow from the annulus into chamber 26. Fluid pressure inside chamber 26 will unseat check valve 36 and flow therepast through tubing access opening 38 and into its desired destination of the production string (not shown). One of skill in the art will appreciate that check valve 36 is energized by spring 40 to maintain it in the closed position. This prevents fluid flowing within the tubing accessed by tubing access opening 38 from contaminating the gas lift valve or the annulus. In the interest of maintaining the electric motor and the ball screw free from production fluid and other debris chamber 26 includes o-rings 42 and 44 which seal against ported sleeve 28. Ported sleeve 28 is most preferably constructed from solid rod in which thread 30 is cut and an axial opening is drilled partially into the rod providing through passage for the ports 32. The solid portion of the rod left after machining is body seal 46. One of skill in the art will appreciate that in FIG. 1 the ported sleeve has been separated along the center line of the drawing to illustrate sleeve 28 in two positions i.e., partially activated and closed off. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in actuality body seal 46 is contiguous with the mirror (but moved over) image thereof on the other side of the drawing. In the second embodiment of the invention, referring to FIG. 2, only the major differences from the embodiment of FIG. 1 will be described. It should be noted that the embodiment of FIG. 2 provides even more control over the amount of flow of gas from the annulus to the production tubing string by providing individual ports on the ported sleeve of differing sizes and by employing a series of differently dimensioned ports through the housing to the annulus instead of employing a single annulus opening. Thus, by aligning desired ports of the ported sleeve with desired ports in the annulus opening a large degree of control is provided regarding the amount of gas (or other fluid) from the annulus which will pass through to the tubing string. Referring to FIG. 2, individual ports are identified by individual numerals due to their different sizes and to more clearly illustrate that fact. Port 50 is the largest port, ports 52, 54 and 56 become progressively smaller. Each of these ports are complimentary in size to ports 50', 52', 54' and 56' of the housing. Selective alignment among the ported sleeve ports and housing ports provides control over flow rate. The sleeve ports are arranged to be alignable in such a way that a smaller inner port is always aligned with a larger outer port unless the tool is completely open. This is to reduce erosional problems in the tool due to high flow rates through the valve. The inner sleeve is constructed from a higher resistance material and is therefore in a better position to handle the high flow. Referring to FIG. 3, a third embodiment of the invention is illustrated in schematic form. Generally speaking, this embodiment depends upon an expandable bladder and a reservoir which is pressurizable to force fluid into the bladder thus expanding the same. Upon expanding the bladder, flow ports into the housing are blocked. When the flow ports are blocked, gas pressure from the annulus cannot reach the interior of the tubing. In particular, the invention includes a housing 60, interior chamber 62 wherein downhole electronics 64 are located and are attached to electric motor 66, pump 68 and reservoir 70. Bladder 72 is sealingly connected to the conduit 74 of the pump 68 such that upon command from downhole control line 76 to electronics 64 an electric motor 66 is actuated and turns pump 68, thus pumping fluid from reservoir 70 through conduit 74 into bladder 72, the bladder 72 expands in size and contacts the interior surface of chamber 62 thus blocking flow ports 78 which extend through housing 60. It will be understood that the more pressure in the bladder, the more force will be exerted against the ports and the less gas will flow. Flow ports 78 provide access to annulus gas pressure and extend to chamber 62. The ports 78 may be holes or slots as desired or as dictated by particular downhole conditions. Another part of chamber 62 is indicated as flow barrel 80 and it is this portion of the chamber which communicates between ports 78 and a reverse flow check valve 82 positioned within housing 60. The reverse flow check valve 82 is a commercially available part and does not require further discussion. Upon deflation of bladder 72, ports 78 are opened and gas pressure from the annulus (not shown) will flow into flow barrel 80, push reverse flow check valve off seat 84 allowing the pressure of the gas to expand around the reverse flow check valve 82 and through flow ports 86 to the end of housing 60 where access opening 88 to the production tubing is provided. It should be understood that the housing of the invention in embodiment 3 may be made up to the tubing or adapted in a wireline retrievable version to a side pocket mandrel. In general, the pump of the invention may be merely a piston moving within a cylinder wherein as the piston extends toward the cylinder head the fluid is forced into the bladder end when the piston moves away from the cylinder head the bladder will, by elasticity, force the fluid back into the cylinder. It is not necessary for the pump to act as a conventional pump does in forcing more and more pressure since the movement of the bladder is not required to be substantial. Rather, the bladder need move only a small amount in order to seal off ports 78. The pump may simply move fluid out of the reservoir with extension of the piston and allow fluid into the reservoir with a retraction of the piston. It should also be understood that the pump may be of a conventional variety and will function equivalently to the simple pumping action just described. Referring to FIG. 4, a fourth embodiment of the invention is disclosed is schematic form which uses a similar housing to that of embodiment 3, however, provides an alternate seal method for the ports. In this embodiment, downhole control line 90 extends from the surface to housing 92 wherein electronics and motor 94 are disposed and connected via a connecting rod 96 to piston 98. In order to maintain the motor and electronics free of fluids, piston ring 100 is supplied around piston 98. It should be noted at this point that piston 98 has a crowned section 102 which is machined to be complimentary to a matching seat 104 such that, if desired, the piston may be extended until it is seated in the matching seat which prevents any movement of fluid therepast. In operation the gas lift valve is adjustable due to a plurality of ports 106 having machined seats 108 and complimentary check balls 110 which seat therein and seal the port. The balls are seated in such a manner that they protrude into the path of piston 98 within flow tube/cylinder 112. Upon movement of piston 98, contact with the check balls 110 will unseat them from seats 108 thus allowing fluid from the annulus (not shown) to flow through ports 106 past check balls 110 and into a flow tube/cylinder 112. It will be understood by one of skill in the art that the number of size of ports and check balls is preadjustable as well as their orientation such that when the piston moves a certain amount a controlled amount of fluid is allowed into the system. The amount of flow through the valve can be accurately maintained. Once fluid from the annulus has reached the flow tube/cylinder 112 it presses past reverse flow check valve 114 in the same manner as the prior embodiment. Since in other respects this embodiment is identical to that of embodiment 3 no further discussion hereof is required. Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, another alternate embodiment of the invention is provided which allows for control over the amount of fluid provided to the production tubing. From this embodiment several conventional fully opened or fully closed valves 120 are actuatable at will either hydraulically or electrically from the surface or by downhole processor so the control over the amount of fluid entering the flow tube can be maintained. By opening 1, 2, 3 or 4 of the valves at any given time flow into the tube can be controlled to 25, 50, 75 or 100 percent of the allowable amount of gas. Since the valves are traditional on/off valves they are readily commercially available, easy to operate and provide a substantial service life. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the general concept of the embodiments from FIGS. 5 and 6 is repeated, however, each of the fully opened/fully closed valves 130, 132, 134 and 136 are of different sizes thus providing even more control over the precise amount of fluid entering the tube. For example, and for purposes of argument, let valve 130 equal 10, valve 132 equal 20, valve 134 equal 30 and valve 136 equal 40 units per minute flow rate, then if valve 130 is opened alone ten units will flow, however, if valve 130 and 132 are opened together 30 units would flow whereas 132 opened alone would allow 20 units to flow, etc. It should be clear that any number of the valves can be opened together and all of them can be opened independently. This provides a great range of control over adjustability of the amount of fluid passing into the tube, yet, relies upon fully opened/fully closed valves which are easily commercially available and have been time tested by the industry. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a helical valve is employed to variable control the inflow of gas into the production tube. FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the valve member itself is illustrated; FIG. 10 places the valve member in context with the rest of the tool. Referring to FIG. 9, helical valve body 150 is illustrated to include seat face 152 which is in the most preferred embodiment a polished face. One of skill in the art will appreciate that face 152 is visible four times in the drawing but represents only one structure. In FIG. 10, valve body 150 is illustrated in conjunction with the rest of the tool. The tool is in quarter cut-away form to illustrate the mating surface 154 against which face 152 abuts when the valve is closed. Upon moving(rotating) body 152 the distance between mating surface 154 and face 152 is varied. A larger distance translates to an increased flow rate and a smaller distance indicates a restricted flow. As one of skill in the art will appreciate, fluid flowing through the valve of the invention follows a helical path between surface 154 and face 152. The tool of FIGS. 9 and 10 is actuated either longitudinally or rotationally by any conventional downhole movement device such as a hydraulic or electric downhole piston or motor assembly, a magnetic propulsion device, a racheting device, etc. The valve flow path through the space created between surface 154 and face 152 can be either a constant one or one of varying dimension depending on how the helical structure is defined. For example, the amount of space in the flow path can be X at the larger end of the valve body and X+N at the narrower end of the valve body or that space may remain substantially constant along the path. In general, as one of skill in the art will appreciate, the flow path in this valve system will be of a generally rectangular cross section. In order to automate the valve system of the invention sensors are installed at the interfacing sections of the valve structure so that both flow and openness of the valve can be measured. The valve of the invention is also preferably associated with a sensor or sensor array capable of providing information about the fluid pressure below the valve and that above the valve to allow a downhole processor, or even an uphole processor to monitor the "health" of the valve. Communication capability is also provided to allow the tool to send information to and receive instructions from the processor or from other tools. Referring now to FIG. 11, a remotely controlled fluid/gas control system is shown and includes a side pocket mandrel 190 having a primary bore 192 and a side bore 194. Located within side bore 194 is a removable flow control assembly in accordance with the present invention. This flow control assembly includes a locking device 196 which is attached to a telescopic section 198 followed by a gas regulator section 200, a fluid regulator section 202, a gear section 204 and motor 206. Associate with motor 206 is an electronics control module 208. Three spaced seal sections 210, 212 and 214 retain the flow control assembly within the side bore or side pocket 194. Upon actuation by electronics module 208, control signals are sent to motor 206 which in turn actuates gears 204 and moves gas regulator section 200 and fluid regulator section 202 in a linear manner upwardly or downwardly or in a rotary manner within the side pocket 194. This movement (linear in the drawing) will position either the gas regulator section 200 or the fluid regulator section 202 on either side of an inlet port 216. Preferably, electronics control module 208 is powered and/or data signals are sent thereto via an inductive coupler 218 which is connected via a suitable electrical pressure fitting 220 to the TEC cable 192 of the type discussed above. A pressure transducer 224 senses pressure in the side pocket 194 and communicates the sensed pressure to the electronics control module 208 (which is analogous to downhole module 22 as set forth in U.S. Ser. No. 08/599,324 previously incorporated herein by reference). A pressure relief port is provided to side pocket 194 in the area surrounding electronics module 208. The flow control assembly shown in FIG. 11 provides for regulation of liquid and/or gas flow from the wellbore to the tubing/casing annulus or vice versa. Flow control is exercised by separate fluid and gas flow regulator subsystems within the device. Encoded data/control signals are supplied either externally from the surface or subsurface via a data control path 222 and/or internally via the interaction of the pressure sensors 224 (which are located either upstream or downstream in the tubing conduit and in the annulus) and/or other appropriate sensors together with the on-board microprocessor 208 in a manner discussed above with regard to FIGS. 6 and 7 of U.S. Ser. No. 08/599,324 previously incorporated herein by reference. The flow control assembly of this invention provides for two unique and distinct subsystems, a respective fluid and gas flow stream regulation. These subsystems are pressure/fluid isolated and are contained with the flow control assembly. Each of the systems is constructed for the specific respective requirements of flow control and resistance to damage, both of which are uniquely different to the two control mediums. Axial reciprocation of the two subsystems, by means of the motor 206 and gear assembly 204 as well as the telescopic section 198 permits positioning of the appropriate fluid or gas flow subsystem in conjunction with the single fluid/gas passages into and out of the side pocket mandrel 190 which serves as the mounting/control platform for the valve system downhole. Both the fluid and gas flow subsystems allow for fixed or adjustable flow rate mechanisms. The external sensing and control signal inputs are supplied in a preferred embodiment via the encapsulated, insulated single or multiconductor wire 222 which is electrically connected to the inductive coupler system 218 (or alternatively to a mechanical, capacitive or optical connector), the two halves of which are mounted in the lower portion of the side pocket 194 of mandrel 190, and the lower portion of a regulating valve assembly respectively. Internal inputs are supplied from the side pocket 194 and/or the flow control assembly. All signal inputs (both external and internal) are supplied to the on-board computerized controller 208 for all processing and distributive control. In addition to processing of offboard inputs, an ability for on-board storage and manipulation of encoded electronic operational "models" constitutes one application of the present invention providing for autonomous optimization of many parameters, including supply gas utilization, fluid production, annulus to tubing flow and the like. The remotely controlled fluid/gas control system of this invention eliminates known prior art designs for gas lift valves which forces fluid flow through gas regulator systems. This results in prolonged life and eliminates premature failure due to fluid flow off the gas regulation system. Still another feature of this invention is the ability to provide separately adjustable flow rate control of both gas and liquid in the single valve. Also, remote actuation, control and/or adjustment of downhole flow regulator is provided by this invention. Still another feature of this invention is the selected implementation of two devices within one side pocket mandrel by axial manipulation/displacement as described above. Still another feature of this invention is the use of a motor driven, inductively coupled device in a side pocket. The device of this invention reduces total quantity of circulating devices in a gas lift well by prolonging circulating mechanism life. As mentioned, an important feature of this invention is the use of a microprocessor 208 in conjunction with a downhole gas lift/regulation device as well as the use of a microprocessor in conjunction with a downhole liquid flow control device. All of the gas lift valves discussed herein are controllable by conventional means, however, it is highly desirable and preferable for the invention to have each of the valves controlled downhole by providing a series of sensors downhole to determine a plurality of parameters including exactly what fluid flow rate is required to be to correct whatever deviation the production tube is experiencing from optimal. These downhole sensors are most preferably connected to a downhole processing unit so that decisions may be made entirely downhole without the intervention of surface personnel. This is not to say that surface personnel are incapable of intervening in downhole operations since the downhole processor of the invention would certainly be connected to the surface via any known communication system which would allow information to be transferred to the surface and instructions transferred downhole if desired. In the absence of those instructions the gas lift valves of the invention would preferably set themselves based upon sensor input (see FIGS. 6 and 7 for schematic diagrams of the computer/sensor system employable with any of the embodiments of this invention). This is also most preferably connected to a complex communication and instruction system among different wells and remote areas alike. Further discussion of intelligent downhole tools may be found in Application Ser. No. 08/599,324 filed Feb. 9, 1996, which is a continuation-in-part of Application Ser. No. 08/386,505 filed Feb. 9, 1995, now abandoned, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.

Computer control and sensory information are combined with gas lift valve having a plurality of individual openings which are openable or closeable individually to provide varying flow rates of the lift gas. Each of the openings is controlled and is sensitive to downhole sensors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a composite radio apparatus including two radio systems, and more particularly to a composite radio apparatus for carrying out a diversity operation in the respective radio systems. Moreover, the invention relates to a diversity switching method in the composite radio apparatus. [0002] In a radio communication, there has been employed a diversity technique in order to cope with fluctuation in the receiving signal power. According to the diversity technique, a plurality of antennas are connected to a radio apparatus such as a radio base station or a mobile terminal, so that it is switched into an antenna receiving a high receiving signal power depending on the fluctuation in the received power which is caused by fading to perform the communication, and the received radio wave signals are synthesized. In particular, there has been widely used an antenna switching type diversity receiving method which can be implemented with a simple circuit structure at a low cost. [0003] [0003]FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the schematic structure of a radio apparatus capable of carrying out a diversity reception. In FIG. 5, an antenna changeover switch 52 serves to switch a first antenna 53 and a second antenna 54 and to connect them to the input/output section (not shown) of a radio system 51 . The antenna changeover switch 52 is switched in response to switching signals 55 a and 55 b sent from an antenna switching control circuit 55 . The control signal 55 a and the control signal 55 b have an inversion relationship and serve to connect the first antenna 53 and the radio system 51 , and the second antenna 54 and the radio system 51 separately. The reason why the separate control signals are sent is that it might be necessary to set a rise time and a fall time for a time sharing slot individually in respect of the characteristic of the radio system. In this respect, another antenna changeover switch, which will be described below, has the same possibility. Separate control signals are sent, respectively. The radio apparatus in FIG. 5 switches the antenna changeover switch 52 in response to the control signals 55 a and 55 b and always carries out a receipt while retrieving the first antenna 53 or the second antenna 54 which has a higher received signal level in the case in which the diversity operation is to be executed. [0004] In a composite radio apparatus having two radio systems employing the diversity receiving method, the diversity operation can be carried out by using a common antenna. [0005] [0005]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the schematic structure of a composite radio apparatus having two radio systems capable of carrying out the diversity reception. The composite radio apparatus in FIG. 6 includes a first radio system 61 and a second radio system 62 which carry out different radio communications, and a first antenna 65 and a second antenna 66 are switched and connected to input-output sections (not shown) of the first radio system 61 and the second radio system 62 by means of a system changeover switch 63 and an antenna changeover switch 64 . The system changeover switch 63 is switched in response to control signals 1 a and 1 b sent from a system switching control circuit 67 and the antenna changeover switch 64 is switched in response to control signals 2 a and 2 b sent from an antenna switching control circuit 68 . [0006] The control signal 1 a serves to select the first radio system 61 and the control signal 1 b serves to select the second radio system 62 . More specifically, the control signal 1 a is set to be H and the control signal 1 b is set to be L in the case that the first radio system 61 is to be selected, whereas the control signal 1 a is set to be L and the control signal 1 b is set to be H in the case in that the second radio system 62 is to be selected. Moreover, the control signal 2 a serves to select the first antenna 65 and the control signal 2 b serves to select the second antenna 66 . More specifically, the first antenna 65 is selected when the control signal 2 a is H and the control signal 2 b is L, whereas the second antenna 66 is selected when the control signal 2 a is L and the control signal 2 b is H. [0007] Next, the operation of the composite ratio machine in FIG. 6 will be described. First of all, the system changeover switch 63 is switched to the radio system side to be used in response to the control signals 1 a and 1 b in order to select the ratio system for carrying out the diversity reception. In the case that the diversity operation is to be carried out in this state, the antenna changeover switch 64 is switched in response to the control signals 2 a and 2 b and a receipt is always performed while retrieving the first antenna 65 or the second antenna 66 which has a higher received signal level. [0008] [0008]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the state of the control signals 1 a , 1 b , 2 a and 2 b in the case in which the radio system is switched and the antenna is changed over in the composite radio apparatus of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 shows a time sharing operation in a transmitting slot T 1 and a receiving slot R 1 in the case in which the first radio system 61 is being operated, and the first antenna 65 is selected at time of a transmission and the second antenna 66 is selected at time of a receipt. More specifically, in the transmitting slot T 1 , the control signal 1 a is set to be H, the control signal 1 b is set to be L, the control signal 2 a is set to be H and the control signal 2 b is set to be L so that the first antenna 65 is selected. In the receiving slot R 1 , moreover, the control signal 1 a is set to be H, the control signal 1 b is set to be L, the control signal 2 a is set to be L and the control signal 2 b is set to be H so that the second antenna 66 is selected. [0009] However, the conventional composite radio apparatus is provided with the antenna changeover switch 64 for switching the antenna for the diversity operation and the system changeover switch 63 for radio system switching, and a transmitted/received signal is sent through the two switches including the antenna changeover switch 64 and the system changeover switch 63 . Therefore, there is a problem in that a receiving sensitivity is deteriorated due to an increase in a loss corresponding to one switch and a transmitted output is reduced at time of a transmission. [0010] Moreover, it is necessary to separately control the switching operations of the system changeover switch 63 and the antenna changeover switch 64 . For this reason, there is also a problem in that four control signals for the switching are required. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0011] The invention has been made to solve the conventional problems and has an object to provide a composite radio apparatus comprising two radio systems and two antennas to be shared for the diversity operation of the two radio systems and capable of reducing a loss in the switching of the antenna and the radio system. Moreover, the invention has another object to provide a diversity switching method capable of reducing a loss in the switching of the antenna and the radio system in the composite radio apparatus. [0012] The invention provides a composite radio apparatus having two radio systems, comprising two antennas to be shared for a diversity operation of the two radio systems, and two antenna changeover switches for switching the two antennas, wherein the two antenna changeover switches serve to directly connect the two antennas to respective input/output sections of the two radio systems. [0013] According to the composite radio apparatus, one switch is passed in a path formed by the antenna and the respective radio systems. Therefore, it is possible to reduce a loss caused by the passage through two switches in the conventional art. Moreover, switching control can easily be carried out. [0014] In the composite radio apparatus according to the invention, the two antenna changeover switches are operated such that one of the antenna changeover switches connects one of the two antennas to the input/output section of one of the two radio systems when the other antenna changeover switch connects the other antenna to the input/output section of the other radio system. [0015] By the execution of such switching, when one of the antennas is connected to one of the radio systems and is thus used, the same antenna is not connected to the other radio system. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an influence such as a reduction in a transmitted signal from being caused by a fluctuation in a load impedance. [0016] In the composite radio apparatus according to the invention, one of the antenna changeover switches serves to connect, by switching, the two antennas to either of the radio systems which is being operated. [0017] By the execution of such switching, it is possible to easily carry out the switching control of the antenna corresponding to a control system which is being operated or is to be operated. [0018] The composite radio apparatus according to the invention further comprises a matching circuit corresponding to the radio system between at least one of the antenna changeover switches and the input/output section of the radio system. [0019] According to the composite radio apparatus, also in the case in which frequencies to be used for the two radio systems included in the composite radio apparatus are different from each other, it is possible to reduce a loss caused by the mismatching of an impedance through the connection switching. [0020] The invention provides a diversity switching method in a composite radio apparatus comprising two radio systems and two antennas to be shared in a diversity operation of the two radio systems, wherein one of the two antennas is directly switched and connected to an input/output section of one of the radio systems which is carrying out the diversity operation and the other antenna is directly switched and connected to an input/output section of the other radio system. [0021] According to the diversity switching method, it is possible to reduce a loss caused by the antenna switching through a simplified control method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0022] [0022]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the schematic structure of a composite radio apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention; [0023] [0023]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the schematic structure of the composite radio apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention; [0024] [0024]FIG. 3 is a table showing the relationship between control signals corresponding to a radio system to be used and an antenna; [0025] [0025]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the state of the control signal in the composite radio apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention; [0026] [0026]FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the schematic structure of a radio apparatus capable of carrying out a diversity reception; [0027] [0027]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the schematic structure of a conventional composite radio apparatus having two radio systems which can carry out the diversity reception; and [0028] [0028]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the state of a control signal in the conventional composite radio apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0029] An embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [0030] [0030]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the schematic structure of a composite radio apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention. The composite radio apparatus in FIG. 1 has a first radio system 11 and a second radio system 12 which carry out different radio communications, and a first antenna 15 and a second antenna 16 which are shared for the first radio system and the second radio system. The first antenna 15 and the second antenna 16 are directly switched and connected to an input/output section (not shown) of the first radio system by means of an antenna changeover switch 13 for the first radio system, and are directly switched and connected to the second radio system 12 by means of an antenna changeover switch 14 for the second radio system. [0031] The antenna changeover switch 13 for the first radio system and the antenna changeover switch 14 for the second radio system are switched in response to a control signal 10 a of a first switching control circuit 17 and a control signal 10 b of a second switching control circuit 18 . The antenna changeover switch 13 for the first radio system connects the first antenna 15 to the first radio system 11 by switching when the control signal 10 a is H and the control signal 10 b is L, and connects the second antenna 16 to the first radio system 11 by switching when the control signal 10 a is L and the control signal 10 b is H. Moreover, the antenna changeover switch 14 for the second radio system connects the second antenna 16 to the second radio system 12 by switching when the control signal 10 a is H and the control signal 10 b is L, and connects the first antenna 16 to the second radio system 12 by switching when the control signal 10 a is L and the control signal 10 b is H. [0032] The control signal 10 a and the control signal 10 b have an inversion relationship with each other when the switching control of the antenna changeover switch 13 for the first radio system and the antenna changeover switch 14 for the second radio system is carried out. Therefore, the first switching control circuit 17 and the second switching control circuit 18 may be collected into one switching control circuit and the control signals 10 a and 10 b having the inversion relationship with each other may be output. [0033] [0033]FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the control signals corresponding to the antenna to be connected to the radio system which is used. As shown in FIG. 3, during the use of the first radio system 12 , the control signal 10 a is set to be H and the control signal 10 b is set to be L when the first antenna 15 is to be selected, and the control signal 10 a is set to be L and the control signal 10 b is set to be H when the second antenna 16 is to be selected. During the use of the second radio system, moreover, the control signal 10 a is set to be L and the control signal 10 b is set to be H when the first antenna 15 is to be selected, and the control signal 10 a is set to be H and the control signal 10 b is set to be L when the second antenna 16 is to be selected. [0034] When one of the antennas is connected to one of the radio systems for use, a load impedance fluctuates so that a transmitted signal is reduced if the same antenna is connected to the other radio system. For example, in the case in which the control signal 10 a is set to be H, the control signal 10 b is set to be L and the first antenna 15 is connected to the first radio system during the use of the first radio system 12 , the above problem arises when the first antenna 15 is also connected to the second radio system. In the composite radio apparatus in FIG. 1, however, if the control signal 10 a is set to be H and the control signal 10 b is set to be L, the second antenna 16 is connected to the second radio system 12 and the first antenna 15 is disconnected from the second radio system 12 so that the above problem does not arise. [0035] Next, the operation of the composite radio apparatus in FIG. 1 will be described by taking, as an example, a switching operation in transmitting and receiving timings in a radio system using a time sharing method. FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the states of the control signals 10 a and 10 b in a transmitting slot T 1 and a receiving slot R 1 in the time sharing method. FIG. 4A shows a state obtained when the first radio system 11 is used and FIG. 4B shows a state obtained when the second radio system 12 is used, and both the drawings show the case in which the first antenna 15 is selected at time of a transmission and the second antenna 16 is selected at time of a receipt. [0036] When the control signals 10 a and 10 b are brought into the state shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the radio system to be used and the first antenna are connected to each other in the transmitting slot T 1 and the radio system to be used and the second antenna are connected to each other in the receiving slot R 1 during both the use of the first radio system 11 and the use of the second radio system 12 . [0037] In the composite radio apparatus shown in FIG. 1, in the case in which frequencies to be used by the two radio systems are different from each other, the mismatching of an impedance might be caused by the connection switching of the radio system through the antenna switching circuit, resulting in an increase in a loss. [0038] [0038]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the schematic structure of a composite radio apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention, in which the mismatching of an impedance is not caused also when frequencies to be used by two radio systems included in the composite radio apparatus are different from each other. The composite radio apparatus of FIG. 2 is the same as the composite radio apparatus in FIG. 1 except that a first matching circuit 21 is provided between a first radio system 11 and an antenna changeover switch 13 for a first radio system and a second matching circuit 22 is provided between a second radio system 12 and an antenna changeover switch 14 for a second radio system. [0039] The first matching circuit 21 serves to carry out frequency matching corresponding to a frequency to be used by the first radio system 11 and the second matching circuit 22 serves to carry out frequency matching corresponding to a frequency to be used by the second radio system 11 . By thus providing the matching circuits 21 and 22 corresponding to the frequencies to be used by the respective radio systems between the radio system and the antenna changeover switch, it is possible to reduce a loss caused by the mismatching of the impedance also when the frequencies to be used by the two radio systems are different from each other. [0040] While the first matching circuit 21 and the second matching circuit 22 are provided in FIG. 2, only one of them may be provided. In that case, a first antenna 15 and a second antenna 16 are set to correspond to a frequency to be used by the radio system on the side where the matching circuit is not provided. [0041] As described above, according to the invention, it is possible to provide a composite radio apparatus capable of reducing a loss in the switching of the antenna and the radio system. Moreover, it is possible to provide a diversity switching method capable of reducing a loss in the switching of the antenna and the radio system in the composite radio apparatus. [0042] According to the invention, furthermore, the matching circuits corresponding to the frequencies to be used by the respective radio systems are provided between each of the radio systems and the antenna changeover switch. Also in the case in which the frequencies to be used by the two radio systems constituting the composite radio apparatus are different from each other, consequently, it is possible to reduce a loss caused by the mismatching of an impedance in a diversity operation sharing the antenna.

A composite radio apparatus having two radio systems, comprises two antennas to be shared for a diversity operation of the two radio systems, and two antenna changeover switches for switching the two antennas, wherein the two antenna changeover switches serve to directly connect the two antennas to respective input/output sections of the two radio systems. In the composite radio apparatus according to the invention, the two antenna changeover switches are operated such that one of the antenna changeover switches connects one of the two antennas to the input/output section of one of the two radio systems when the other antenna changeover switch connects the other antenna to the input/output section of the other radio system.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relations to a method of layout design of integrated circuit, specifically, to about doing a routing defined modification for standard cells, so as to make the layout optimization. BACKGROUND OF THE Invention In the semiconductor manufacturing process, the design of integrated circuit, especially, to application-specific integrated circuit (abbreviated as ASIC), generally, the steps are as follows: firstly, producing a netlist, and then system partitioning and prelayout simulation are successively followed. Next, a floorplanning to arrange the blocks of the netlist on the chip is performed . Thereafter, placing the standard cell in a block. Then perform routing to make connection between cells and blocks. Finally, extracting the resistance and capacitance of the connection, and postlayout simulation to check the design works are carried out. The standard cells includes logic gate, such as NAND, OR, NAND, NOR, AND, XOR and NOT or sequential device, flip-flop, latches, register and so on. After performing simulation for qualified approval, the manufacturing department is then implemented the physical processes in accordance with the layout design. Generally, to place a standard cell, for example for an inverter, three via pitch distance is demanded. A width of two via pitches is not enough to accommodate such an inverter. A NAND gate with two inputs and one output requires about four via pitches. A NOR gate requires a space almost equivalent to a NAND gate. It is because the pitch width of connection line for standard cells is based on the definition of via-to-via between connection level according to the current design rule. Please refer to FIG. 1, a schematic diagram shows a design of via-to-via about 0.15 μm feature length process. The metal via width w1 is 0.22 μm. The surround area to via hole with board width w 2 , w 3 are about 0.05 μm and 0.01 μm, respectively. A space s1 between metal board is about 0.24 μm. And thus a pitch of via-to-via is about 0.56 μm. However, a width needed for a inverter is about 1.18 μm according to the design rule. Consequently, if an inverter is placed into a space of two via itches for saving the planar area of wafer. The poly-gate has to form by having about 45° turning angle so as to accommodate the spacing issue. Whereas, for deep sub-micron technology with device feature length of about 0.15 μm, 0.13 μm or beyond, the poly-gate with turning angle is not being allowed. A similar problem is encountered for NAND gate layout. A two-inputs NAND gate, needs a width of about 1.77 μm. As a consequent, the routing rule according to prior art, of about four via pitches i.e., 2.24 μm is necessary to fit such a NAND gate. An extra planar area cost cannot be saved. The layout for standard cells in accordance with the aforementioned prior art is failed to save some extra planar area. However, as is known skilled in the art, the NAND gate, NOR gate, and inverter together are occupied about 70 to 80% of the components for a typical logic circuit using basic standard cells. Thus, the better of the layout design will decide what a degree of the integrity of IC may be, or the chip size while the same amount of devices are placed. An object of the invention is thus to provide a method which utilize the planar area of a chip fully. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a novel routing definition so as to improve the non-compact layout issues. The present invention is to provide a routing rule method. The method comprises following steps. At beginning, a statistical analysis is carried out to analyze the standard cells used times in a design plane. The most frequency used types in standard cells is then used as bases for a greatest common divisor (GCD) calculation. The GCD value acquired is then as a routing pitch criterion, which is a distance of contact hole-to-contact hole, or says the standard cell width. According to the present invention the cross-point between the margins of standard cells along the cell height and the connection lines can be function as substrate contact to increase the cell reliability and BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 shows a conventional routing pitch according via to via. FIG. 2 shows a synoptic layout diagram of an inverter according to the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a synoptic layout diagram of a NAND gate according to the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a contact-hole pitch according to the present invention. FIG. 5 shows a substrate contact array provides the standard cells below and above its position for common contact-hole use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As forgoing design rule for standard cells according to prior art depicted is restricted, currently, by the design rule bases on the metal via pitch, which will result in wasting more planar areas of a chip. The present invention disclosed a method for routing pitch definition, which can solve aforementioned issue. For very deep sub-micron design, the feature length of device of 0.15 μm, 0.13 μm or beyond, the inventor found that the core cells are almost abutment with the routing metal layers of five or six, or more. However, dominant factor to the chip size determine should be the size of the core cell but not the connection line pitch. FIG. 2 shows an inverter gate is composed of a PMOS transistor 100 and a NMOS transistor 110 has a width W 1 of about 1.18 μm and a cell high H 1 of about 4.32 μm for 0.15 μm process technology. The width W 1 is measured from a contact hole 115 through a polygate to another contact hole 115 . For NAND gate and the same process technology, as shown in FIG. 3, includes two PMOS transistors 120 in parallel (contact holes in between two polygates 122 ) and two NMOS transistors 130 (without contact holes in between two polygates. The core cell size of a NAND gate is thus determined by the total size of two PMOS transistors. The size of a NAND gate is about 1.77 μm wider than the inverter. However, the height of NAND cell, however, is about 4.32 μm, the same as the inverter. A NOR gate occupied area is of about the same as that of a NAND gate. The NOR gate has two PMOS transistors in series, and two NMOS transistors in parallel. The core cell size of a NOR gate is thus determined by the size of two NMOS transistors which have about 1.77 μm in width and 4.32 μm in height. As is in aforementioned prior art, the NOR gate and the NAND gate together with inverter gate are usually the most portion of the standard cells. The more compact the layout to the NOR gate, the NAND gate and the inverter gate, as a consequent, will better the layout design. The inventor proposes thus a newly routing definition by using a greatest common divisor (GCD) of about 0.59 μm among them as a base unit. Using the GCD not only provides the close packed to the NOR, NAND and inverter, but also provides the D-flip-flop with most compact design, wherein a D-flip-flop is composed of NAND gates and NOR gates which is about 17 times the GCD in width, that is 0.59 μm×17=10.03 um. Thus, using the contact-hole pitch as a routing criterion would be the most appropriate. According to the preferred embodiment, the contact-hole pitch is 0.59 μm, as shown in FIG. 4, includes ½×contact hole width 50+a board width which enclosures the contact hole+spacing 70+another board width+½×contact hole width 50=½×0.18+0.085+0.24+0.085+½×0.18=0.59 (μm), The spacing 70 is a distance between active regions (please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 . Above data information is using a NAND gate of two-inputs and one out as an exemplification. The routing rule can be used in three-inputs, or four inputs NAND gate. For example, the former requires 4×0.59 μm spacing, and the latter requires 5×0.59 μm=2.95 μm. The concept of the present invention can be summary as follows: For an inverter of one input terminal, it requires two contact-hole pitches, and an NAND gate of three inputs, requires three contact-hole pitches. Similarly, for a NAND gate with three inputs, a width of four pitches is generally demanded. Using the value of a GCD of the standard cells, in addition to compact the standard cells during layout, furthermore, the contact holes in the layout can be designed as a symmetry substrate contact array. Please see FIG. 5, the synoptic layout diagram, the substrate contacts are located at each cross point of connection line and a margin 147 of the standard cells along the cell height direction. Noted that in the figure, only the positions of standard cells instead of standard cells thereof are shown. The substrate contacts provide common contacts for the standard cells below and above thereof. Still referring to FIG. 5, the substrate contacts provide the standard cells 150 (above substrate contact 170 B) and the standard cells 160 (below substrate contact 170 B) for common power connection terminal or common ground terminal use. The designer can then connect the substrate contacts depending on the routing requirement. Similarly, the substrate contacts 170 A are provided for standard cells 150 and the standard cells above to use (not shown). The substrate contacts 170 C are provided for standard cells 160 and the standard cells below (not shown) use. No extra area is required. The substrate contact concept thus saves the planar areas and increases the reliability. The benefits of this invention are: (1) The pitch of contact hole to contact hole as routing pitch unit can provide compact layout requirement. (2) The routing pitch is based on the GCD of contact holes of the standard cells used. As a result, while altering the feature sizes of standard cells, it can thus very ease to modify the routing pitch according to the method of the present invention. (3) Since the substrate contacts provided by both substrate cells about and below thereof, and thus the reliability is significantly increased. As is understood by a person skilled in the art, the foregoing preferred embodiment of the present o invention is an illustration of the present invention rather than limiting thereon. It is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structure.

A novel routing rule definition for standard cells placement is disclosed. The method comprises following steps. At beginning, a statistical analysis is carried out to analyze the frequency of standard cells used in a design plane. The most frequency used types in standard cells is then used as bases for a greatest common divisor (GCD) calculation. The GCD value acquired is then as a routing pitch criterion, which is a distance of contact hole-to-contact hole, or says the standard cell width.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/170,342, filed on Apr. 17, 2009, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to laminating and printing machine rollers, and more particularly to an arrangement to prevent uneven nip force along the web due to reaction forces bending the rollers apart. BACKGROUND Deflection rollers are used in many printing and laminating machines. The journal ends of the shaft of the paired cylinders are mounted in journal bearings. The bearings on one or both of the cylinders are attached to a moveable arm to move the cylinders into and out of contact with each other and to set the pressure applied to the web at the nip point. The frictional driving force on the web produces an equal reaction force on the cylinders. Since the cylinder shafts are fixed at the ends, this reaction force produces a torque that increases proportional to the distance from the fixed end points, becoming greatest toward the middle and tending to causing a bend of the roller cylinders that can result in uneven nip pressure across the web. If no compensation is made to counter the roller bending, the web will be stretched at the edges more than in the center, creating a risk of tearing or wrinkling. The uneven pressure caused by the bending can also result in non-uniform transfer of ink or creases in the lamination. There have been many techniques developed to compensate for the torque and reduce the bending. In heavier roller assemblies, mid-point or intermediate bearings for the shaft inside the roller cylinder may have an adjustable eccentric collar to produce a counterforce at the bearings, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,261,740 and 4,637,109. Another known technique is to pre-set a counter torque on the shaft by adjustable angle journal boxes for the shafts, for example by changing the angle of the bearings by way of adjustment screws in the bearing sleeve, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,294. The torque can also be applied by an eccentric bearing. Another technique has been the use of crowned roller surfaces, where the elastic cover of the roller tapers from a higher crown in the center section to a reduced diameter toward the ends. The term “crown” is usually used to denote the shape or diameter profile of the roller necessary to compensate for deflection in order to maintain a uniform nip pressure distribution. Since roller deflection is dependant upon the roll dimensions, the elastic material, and the load applied, the crowning profile is generally matched to a particular roller configuration and constant operating loads. Common profiles can be roughly approximated using a 70 degree cosine curve to approximate the bending curve of a simple beam under uniform load. In heavier loads, rollers with long lengths may start with a longer profile up to a 90 degree cosine curve. Even after approximating the profile, however, the crown is usually adjusted by experimenting with nip impression paper to get the finished crown. Since the crown profile is selected to optimize uniform pressure under a fixed set of conditions, changing the nip pressure for any reason is likely to reduce the uniformity. With relatively long slender rolls as often used in laminating machinery and some printers, it may be useful or necessary to increase the nip pressure depending upon the thickness of the laminating films or other web materials and the selected operating speed. Consequently, it would be useful to have a convenient method and versatile apparatus that can compensate for these pressure variations over a wide range of conditions. BRIEF SUMMARY In a pair of roller cylinders supported at each end thereof by a journal bearing attached to moveable arms for moving the cylinders into and out of contact with each other and setting the internal nip force (the pressure at the nip point), a cam and lever mechanism is provided to apply an adjustable torque to the journal bearing to produce a bending moment in the cylinders that is counter to the internal bending moment produced by the rolling contact of the cylinders. The external bending moment is proportionally adjusted when increasing or decreasing an external nip force applied to the cam and lever mechanism. The lever arm on which the cam is mounted has selectable attachment holes to increase or decrease the effective length of leverage. The bending moment can be easily set up in the static condition to accommodate variations in the thickness of the web and to then make adjustments to the internal nip force or pressure at operating speeds while maintaining the nip pressure uniformity across the roller nip axis. A device is disclosed for providing a moment loading to one roller of a pair of nip rollers to counteract the bending moment created by a nip force between the rollers, the one roller being rotatably supported by a journal bearing at each end thereof. The device includes a lever mechanism for imparting translational and torsional movement to the journal bearing with respect to a frame. A device is disclosed for providing a moment loading to one roller of a pair of nip rollers to counteract the bending moment created by a nip force between the rollers, the one roller being rotatably supported by a journal bearing assembly at each end thereof, the journal bearing assembly being movable with respect to a frame. The device includes a mounting arm having a journal end and a lever end, a connecting arm supported by the frame such that the connecting arm is movable in a direction substantially perpendicularly to the frame, and a lever arm pivotable about an axle supported at one end by the connecting arm and at an opposite end by the mounting arm proximal to the lever end. The journal bearing assembly is connected to the mounting arm proximal to the journal end so as to be translationally and rotationally moveable via the journal end of the mounting arm. A roller cam is rotatably supported by a first portion of the lever arm and a pull rod is supported by a second portion of the lever arm, the first and second portions of the lever arm being disposed on opposite sides of the lever arm with respect to the axle. When a force is applied to the pull rod in one direction, the lever arm forces the roller cam against the frame, thereby urging the lever end of the mounting arm away from the frame such that the journal end of the mounting arm imparts a torque to the journal bearing to increase the nip force between the rollers. A method is disclosed for providing a moment loading to a pair of nip rollers that is equal and opposite to the bending moment created by the nip force between two rollers, each roller being supported at the ends thereof by journal bearings movable with respect to a frame. The method includes applying a torque to the journal bearings supporting a first one of the rollers. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a nip roller and an apparatus for controlling the roller nip force and moment loading according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an elevation partial section view of a nip roller and apparatus as in FIG. 1 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 shows a nip roller device 10 applied to a simple two cylinder roller system. It should be understood that web processing machinery such as printing and laminating machines many have multiple sets of rollers, some of which are pairs and others of ganged cylinders in different arrangements. For easy of understanding this invention, the device 10 is depicted as used on a sample roller pair. For purposes of this description, one of the cylinders 20 is referred to as a top cylinder and the other as a bottom cylinder 120 , although the orientation need not always be vertical. The cylinders 20 , 120 are typically hollow. Note also that FIG. 1 shows the rear side of a laminator machine frame 12 at one end of the roller pair. The drawing should be understood to have a similar configuration on the frame 12 at the other end of the rollers. Force and torque are applied to the top cylinder 20 by actuating a bottom pull rod 32 connected via a cam and lever mechanism 22 to journal bearing assemblies 50 at either end of the cylinder 20 . In most instances, the bottom cylinder 120 will be held in a fixed position during operation of the top cylinder 20 by locking a top pull rod 132 , which is connected via a cam and lever mechanism 122 to journal bearing assemblies 150 . The static nip force and any nip force adjustments made when the web is running is usually provided through the pull rod 32 . Although not depicted, it should be understood that the forces applied to the pull rods 32 , 132 can be produced by hydraulic or other mechanical means. The forces applied by the pull rods 32 , 132 at the ends of the cylinders 20 , 120 is sometimes referred to as the external nip force. The reaction to the external nip force across the nip axis of the cylinders 20 , 120 is then referred to as the internal nip force. When the web is stopped, the internal nip force and external nip force are static. Once the web is in motion, these opposing forces increase due to reaction to the friction of the moving web. The effect of the static nip force applied at the ends of the cylinders 20 , 120 and the friction component across the nip axis is well known to produce a bending moment in the shafts of the cylinders 20 , 120 that tends to move the cylinders 20 , 120 apart toward the middle of the nip axis. This reduced pressure in the center can cause the edges of a film web to stretch or tear, or can cause creases in the film. The device 10 solves this problem by changing the angle of the journal bearings using pull rods connected to moveable arms on which the journal bearings are mounted by a cam and lever arm arrangement. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the hollow cylinders 20 , 120 are supported not by internal shafts but by the journal bearing assemblies 50 , 150 , respectively. Each journal bearing 50 , 150 includes a journal bearing sleeve 52 , 152 and a journal bearing 54 , 154 disposed inside an end of its respective hollow cylinder 20 , 120 . The end of each bearing 54 , 154 has a short journal-like shaft that extends to the sleeve 52 , 152 holding the bearing 54 , 154 . Alternatively, the system could use a more typical setup in which an internal shaft runs the length of each hollow cylinder 20 , 120 , the internal shafts having journal ends that are mounted in or to journal bearings supported by journal sleeves at the ends of the hollow cylinders 20 , 120 . In either configuration, journal ends of the cylinder 20 , 120 are mounted in or to journal bearings 54 , 154 and bearing sleeves 52 , 152 forming bearing assemblies 50 , 150 that are attached to a lever end of movable mounting arms 48 , 148 . Force to move the cylinders 20 , 120 into and out of contact with each other and to set the static pressure at the nip point (the junction between the two roller cylinders 20 , 120 ) is provided through pull rods 32 , 132 connected to the respective mounting arms 48 , 148 . In a conventional set up of this type, the pull rods 32 , 132 would be at a fixed connection to the moveable arms 48 , 148 so as to apply a straight line force to the arms 48 , 148 . In the present invention, however, the pull rods 32 , 132 are connected to the respective moveable arms 48 , 148 by a lever mechanism 22 , 122 , which is essentially a cam and lever arm arrangement described in more detail below, that can be used to apply a selectable torque on the journal bearing assemblies 50 , 150 that in turn produces a bending moment on the cylinder shafts 20 , 120 . The following description of the structure of the device 10 will be done with respect to only the hollow cylinder 20 , it being understood than an identical mechanism exists with respect to the hollow cylinder 120 , as shown in the figures, with each reference numeral being identical except for being in the 100 series. The lever mechanism 22 operates to apply leverage between the frame 12 and the mounting arm 48 . A bracket 40 includes an undercut groove 44 a extending along the bracket 40 substantially perpendicularly to the frame 12 . A short connecting arm 42 extends substantially parallel to the frame 12 . The arm 42 includes a tongue 44 h for slidingly mating with the groove 44 a in the bracket 40 so as to permit the arm 42 to slide generally toward and away from the frame 12 while remaining substantially parallel to the frame 12 . The mating between the tongue 44 a and groove 44 b allows for sufficient play that the arm 42 can skew or deviate slightly from parallel to the frame 12 while still being generally constrained to move in a direction toward and away from the frame 12 . An axle 36 interconnects the connecting arm 42 with a lever end of the mounting arm 48 , the lever end being at an opposite end of the mounting arm 48 from the journal end. A lever arm 24 is pivotably supported on the axle 36 between the connecting arm 42 and the mounting arm 48 . The lever arm 24 extends in both directions from the axle 36 . In one direction, a first portion of the lever arm 24 rotatably supports a roller cam 34 that engages the frame 12 . In the other direction, a second portion of the lever arm 24 includes several spaced adjustment holes 26 along its length for receiving a pin 28 . A pull rod yolk 30 , connected to and actuated by the pull rod 32 , spans the second portion of the lever arm 24 . The pin 28 connects the pull rod yolk 30 to the lever arm 24 via the holes 26 to enable the pull rod 32 to cause the lever arm 24 to pivot about the axle 36 with respect to the frame 12 . In operation, the lever mechanism 22 is used to apply torque to the journal bearing assembly 50 to increase the internal roller nip force as required to maintain adequate tension across the entire film being guided through the roller pair 20 , 120 . When an outward (tensile) external nip force is applied to the pull rod 30 , the pull rod yolk 32 and pin 28 in turn apply a pivoting force to the lever arm 24 , causing the lever arm 24 to pivot in a first direction about the axle 36 . The pivoting of the lever arm 24 forces the roller cam 34 against the frame, thereby causing an outward reaction force to be applied to the axle 36 to force the axle 36 in a direction away from the frame 12 . The outward movement of the axle 36 concomitantly moves the connecting arm 42 and the lever end of the mounting arm 48 away from the frame 12 . The tongue and groove connection 44 a , 44 b constrains the direction of movement of the connecting arm 42 and has sufficient rigidity to balance against the torque to be applied to the bearing assembly 50 . The length of the connecting arm 42 is preferably kept as short as possible to minimize the amount of torque that must be carried by the tongue and groove connection 44 a , 44 b . The journal end of the mounting arm 48 is constrained against movement away from the frame 12 due to its rigid connection to the bearing assembly 50 . Therefore, the journal end of the mounting arm 48 remains translationally fixed with respect to the frame 12 while the lever end, driven by the force applied via the axle 26 , is moved away from the frame 12 , thereby creating a torque on the bearing assembly 50 . The torque on the bearing assembly 50 , and specifically on the bearing housing 52 , is passed to the bearing 54 , which causes a torque or bending moment to be applied to the end of the hollow cylinder 20 to create the desired internal nip force. The ratio between the external nip force applied to the pull rod 32 and the internal nip force generated by the bending moment on the roller cylinder 20 can be controlled by adjusting various parameters. In one variation, a shorter mounting arm 48 applies more torque to the bearing assembly 50 per unit movement of the axle 36 away from the frame, and a longer mounting arm 48 applies less torque. In another variation, the pin 28 connecting between the pull rod yolk 30 and the lever arm 24 can be located in one of a number of adjustment holes 26 , wherein an adjustment hole farther from the axle 36 provides for a higher ratio of internal-to-external nip force and an adjustment hole closer to the axle 36 provides for a lower ratio of internal-to-external nip force. Using the device 10 , when an increased tensile force is applied to the bottom pull rod 32 , the top cylinder 20 receives both a vertical force and a torque which are transferred from the bearing assembly 50 through the journal sleeve 52 and the bearing 54 to the end of the cylinder shaft 20 . The bottom cylinder 120 reacts to the increased tensile force applied to the top pull rod 132 in a similar manner. The vertical component of the increased force to the top cylinder 20 produces a reaction force against the bottom cylinder 120 and thus against the top pull rod 132 , which in turn in turn produces a torque in the bottom cylinder bearing assembly 150 that transfers though the sleeve 152 and the bearing 154 to the journal end of the bottom cylinder 120 . These torque forces at the journal ends produce a bending moment in the cylinder shafts 20 , 120 that can cancel out the opposite natural bending moment of the rollers 20 , 120 and maintain uniform pressure along the nip point axis. It should be clear from the above description that this cam and lever arm arrangement allows much easier adjustment of the counter bending moment than having to adjust set screws or eccentric collars or the like, and allows for adjustment to be made while the web is running. The bending moment change is proportional to the nip pressure change. The ability to change the lever arm effective length also allows a range selection of nip pressure to bending moment ratios. This allows a machine such as a film laminator to be more versatile in that it can accommodate a wide range of crowned or uncrowned rollers and web thickness, and operate effectively through a variable range of processing speeds and nip pressures.

A device to provide a moment loading to one roller of a pair of nip rollers to counteract the bending moment created by a nip force between the rollers, the one roller being rotatably supported by a journal bearing at each end thereof, the device comprising a lever mechanism for imparting translational and torsional movement to the journal bearing with respect to a frame.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/607,975, filed Sep. 8, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to an electrically variable transmission having two motor/generators, two planetary gear sets, and five torque transfer devices arranged to provide improved launch, performance and gradeability. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Internal combustion engines, particularly those of the reciprocating piston type, currently propel most vehicles. Such engines are relatively efficient, compact, lightweight, and inexpensive mechanisms by which to convert highly concentrated energy in the form of fuel into useful mechanical power. A novel transmission system, which can be used with internal combustion engines and which can reduce fuel consumption and emissions, may be of great benefit to the public. [0004] Typically, a vehicle is propelled by such an engine, which is started from a cold state by a small electric motor and relatively small electric storage batteries, then quickly placed under the loads from propulsion and accessory equipment. Such an engine is also operated through a wide range of speeds and a wide range of loads and typically at an average of approximately a fifth of its maximum power. [0005] A vehicle transmission typically delivers mechanical power from an engine to the remainder of a drive system, such as fixed final drive gearing, axles and wheels. A typical mechanical transmission allows some freedom in engine operation, usually through alternate selection of five or six different drive ratios, a neutral selection that allows the engine to operate accessories with the vehicle stationary, and clutches or a torque converter for smooth transitions between driving ratios and to start the vehicle from rest with the engine turning. Transmission gear selection typically allows power from the engine to be delivered to the rest of the drive system with a ratio of torque multiplication and speed reduction, with a ratio of torque reduction and speed multiplication known as overdrive, or with a reverse ratio. [0006] An electric generator can transform mechanical power from the engine into electrical power, and an electric motor can transform that electric power back into mechanical power at different torques and speeds for the remainder of the vehicle drive system. This arrangement allows a continuous variation in the ratio of torque and speed between the engine and the remainder of the drive system, within the limits of the electric machinery. An electric storage battery used as a source of power for propulsion may be added to this arrangement, forming a series hybrid electric drive system. [0007] The series hybrid system allows the engine to operate with some independence from the torque, speed and power required to propel a vehicle, so the engine may be controlled for improved emissions and efficiency. This system allows the electric machine attached to the engine to act as a motor to start the engine. This system also allows the electric machine attached to the remainder of the drive train to act as a generator, recovering energy from slowing the vehicle into the battery by regenerative braking. A series electric drive suffers from the weight and cost of sufficient electric machinery to transform all of the engine power from mechanical to electrical in the generator and from electrical to mechanical in the drive motor, and from the useful energy lost in these conversions. [0008] A power-split transmission can use what is commonly understood to be “differential gearing” to achieve a continuously variable torque and speed ratio between input and output. An electrically variable transmission can use differential gearing to send a fraction of its transmitted power through a pair of electric motor/generators. The remainder of its power flows through another, parallel path that is all mechanical and direct, of fixed ratio, or alternatively selectable. [0009] One form of differential gearing is a planetary gear set. Planetary gearing is usually the preferred embodiment employed in differentially geared inventions, with the advantages of compactness and different torque and speed ratios among all members of the planetary gear set. However, it is possible to construct this invention without planetary gears, as by using bevel gears or other gears in an arrangement where the rotational speed of at least one element of a gear set is always a weighted average of speeds of two other elements. [0010] A hybrid electric vehicle transmission system also includes one or more electric energy storage devices. The typical device is a chemical electric storage battery, but capacitive or mechanical devices, such as an electrically driven flywheel, may also be included. Electric energy storage allows the mechanical output power from the transmission system to the vehicle to vary from the mechanical input power from the engine to the transmission system. The battery or other device also allows for engine starting with the transmission system and for regenerative vehicle braking. [0011] An electrically variable transmission in a vehicle can simply transmit mechanical power from an engine input to a final drive output. To do so, the electric power produced by one motor/generator balances the electrical losses and the electric power consumed by the other motor/generator. A hybrid electrically variable transmission system in a vehicle includes an electrical storage battery, so the electric power generated by one motor/generator can be greater than or less than the electric power consumed by the other. Electric power from the battery can sometimes allow both motor/generators to act as motors, especially to assist the engine with vehicle acceleration. Both motors can sometimes act as generators to recharge the battery, especially in regenerative vehicle braking. [0012] A successful substitute for the series hybrid transmission is the two-range, input-split and compound-split electrically variable transmission now produced for transit buses, as described in U.S. Pat. No 5,931,757, issued Aug. 3, 1999 to Michael R. Schmidt, and commonly assigned with the present application. Such a transmission utilizes an input means to receive power from the vehicle engine and a power output means to deliver power to drive the vehicle. First and second motor/generators are connected to an energy storage device, such as a battery, so that the energy storage device can accept power from, and supply power to, the first and second motor/generators. A control unit regulates power flow among the energy storage device and the motor/generators as well as between the first and second motor/generators. [0013] Operation in first or second variable-speed-ratio modes of operation may be selectively achieved by using clutches in the nature of first and second torque transfer devices. In the first mode, an input-power-split speed ratio range is formed by the application of the first clutch, and the output speed of the transmission is proportional to the speed of one motor/generator. In the second mode, a compound-power-split speed ratio range is formed by the application of the second clutch, and the output speed of the transmission is not proportional to the speeds of either of the motor/generators, but is an algebraic linear combination of the speeds of the two motor/generators. Operation at a fixed transmission speed ratio may be selectively achieved by the application of both of the clutches. Operation of the transmission in a neutral mode may be selectively achieved by releasing both clutches, decoupling the engine and both electric motor/generators from the transmission output. [0014] The two-range, input-split and compound-split electrically variable transmission may be constructed with two sets of planetary gearing or with three sets of planetary gearing. In addition, some embodiments may utilize three torque transfer devices—two to select the operational mode desired of the transmission and the third selectively to disconnect the transmission from the engine. In other embodiments, all three torque transfer devices may be utilized to select the desired operational mode. [0015] U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,658, issued Mar. 4, 2003 to Holmes et al and commonly assigned with the present application, discloses an electrically variable transmission utilizing two planetary gear sets, two motor/generators and two clutches to provide input split, compound split, neutral and reverse modes of operation. Both planetary gear sets may be simple, or one may be individually compounded. An electrical control member regulates power flow among an energy storage device and the two motor/generators. This transmission provides two ranges or modes of electrically variable transmission (EVT) operation, selectively providing an input-power-split speed ratio range and a compound-power-split speed ratio range. One fixed speed ratio can also be selectively achieved. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0016] The present invention provides an electrically variable transmission having two motor/generators, two differential gear sets such as planetary gear sets, and five torque transfer devices arranged to provide improved launch, performance and gradeability, and enabling five fixed speed ratios. “Gradeability” is a vehicle's ability to climb a grade at a given speed. [0017] A fixed speed ratio is an operating condition in which the mechanical power input to the transmission is transmitted mechanically to output, and no power flow is necessary through the motor/generators. An electrically variable transmission that may selectively achieve several fixed speed ratios for operation near full engine power can be smaller and lighter for a given maximum capacity. Fixed ratio operation may also result in lower fuel consumption when operating under conditions where engine speed can approach its optimum without using the motor/generators. [0018] The invention also provides a new and novel electrically variable transmission, as above, that can be manufactured at a significant cost reduction relative to prior known electrically variable transmissions. The present invention may achieve this through the use of additional clutches to provide fixed speed ratios and therefore allow smaller electrical components, and the use of only two planetary gear sets, the minimum for a compound power split arrangement. [0019] These and other aspects of the invention, as well as the advantages thereof over existing and prior art forms, which will be apparent in view of the following detailed specification, are accomplished by means hereinafter described and claimed. [0020] By way of a general introductory description, an electrically variable transmission embodying the concepts of the present invention has an input member to receive power from an engine and an output member to deliver power to the drive members that propel the vehicle. There are first and second motor/generators as well as first and second planetary gear sets. Each planetary gear set has an inner gear member and an outer gear member that meshingly engages a plurality of planet gear members rotatably mounted on a carrier. The input member is continuously connected to one member (preferably a ring gear) of the first planetary gear set, and the output member is continuously connected to one member (preferably a carrier) of the second planetary gear set. One motor/generator is continuously connected to another member (preferably a sun gear) in the first planetary gear set as well as being selectively connected to a member (preferably a ring gear) of the second planetary gear set. The second motor/generator is continuously connected to the remaining member (preferably a sun gear) of the second planetary gear set, and is selectively connected to the remaining member (preferably a carrier) of the first planetary gear set. [0021] Preferably, the first planetary gear set is a compound planetary gear set, and the second planetary gear set is a simple planetary gear set. [0022] A first torque transfer device (CB 12 R) selectively grounds the ring gear of the second planetary gear set, and a second torque transfer device (C 234 ) selectively connects the ring gear of the second planetary gear set to the sun gear of the first planetary gear set as well as to the rotor of one motor/generator. [0023] A third torque transfer device (CA) selectively connects the carrier of the first planetary gear set to ground. [0024] A fourth torque transfer device (CB) selectively connects the carrier of the first planetary gear set to the sun gear of the second planetary gear set. [0025] A fifth torque transfer device (C 13 ) selectively connects the ring gear of the first planetary gear set with the sun gear of the second planetary gear set. [0026] Preferably, the first, third and fifth torque transfer devices are engaged during launch so that the first and second planetary gear sets operate in underdrive to increase torque output to the output member. [0027] The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0028] FIG. 1 is a schematic lever diagram representing one preferred form of an electrically variable transmission embodying the concepts of the present invention; [0029] FIG. 2 is a partial schematic lever diagram illustrating only those torque transmitting mechanisms which are engaged during battery-only launch in the lever diagram of FIG. 1 to illustrate torque multiplication; and [0030] FIG. 3 is a chart illustrating clutching engagements for fixed speed ratio operation of the transmission represented by the lever diagram of FIG. 1 . DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0031] An electromechanical transmission is described in commonly assigned U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 60/590,427, entitled “Electrically Variable Transmission with Selective Fixed Ratio Operation,” by Holmes et al., filed Jul. 22, 2004, and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. [0032] With reference to the lever diagram of FIG. 1 , a preferred embodiment of the improved electrically variable transmission is designated generally by the numeral 10 . Transmission 10 is designed to receive at least a portion of its driving power from an engine 12 . The engine 12 has an output shaft that may also serve as the forward input member of a transient torque damper (not shown). Transient torque dampers are well known in this art, but irrespective of the particular transient torque damper employed, the output member thereof serves as the input member 18 of the transmission 10 . [0033] In the embodiment depicted, the engine 12 may be a fossil fuel engine, such as a diesel engine which is readily adapted to provide its available power output typically delivered at a constant number of revolutions per minute (RPM). [0034] Irrespective of the means by which the engine 12 is connected to the transmission input member 18 , the transmission input member 18 is operatively connected to a compound planetary gear set 20 in the transmission 10 . [0035] The transmission 10 utilizes two differential gear sets, preferably in the nature of planetary gear sets. The first planetary gear set 20 is a planetary gear set. It employs an outer gear member 22 , typically designated as the ring gear, which circumscribes an inner gear member 24 , typically designated as the sun gear. A carrier 26 rotatably supports a plurality of planet gears such that one set of planet gears meshingly engages the outer, ring gear member 22 and another set of planet gears meshingly engages the inner, sun gear member 24 of the first planetary gear set 20 . The input member 18 is secured to the ring gear member 22 of the first planetary gear set 20 . [0036] The second planetary gear set 32 is a simple planetary gear set, and also has an outer gear member 34 , often also designated as the ring gear, that circumscribes an inner gear member 36 , also often designated as the sun gear. A plurality of planet gears are also rotatably mounted in a carrier 40 such that each planet gear member simultaneously, and meshingly, engages both the outer, ring gear member 34 and the inner, sun gear member 36 of the second planetary gear set 32 . [0037] The preferred embodiment 10 also incorporates first and second motor/generators 46 and 48 , respectively. The stator of the first motor/generator 46 is secured to the transmission housing 54 . The rotor of the first motor/generator 46 is secured the inner, sun gear 24 of the first planetary gear set 20 . [0038] The stator of the second motor/generator 48 is also secured to the transmission housing 54 . The rotor of them second motor/generator 48 is secured to the sun gear 36 of the second planetary gear set 32 . [0039] The two planetary gear sets 20 and 32 as well as the two motor/generators 46 and 48 may be coaxially oriented. This configuration assures that the overall envelope—i.e., the circumferential dimension—of the transmission 10 may be minimized. [0040] The ring gear 34 of the second planetary gear set 32 is selectively grounded to the housing 54 , as by a first clutch means in the nature of a torque transfer device 62 (CB 12 R). That is, the grounded ring gear 34 is selectively secured against rotation by an operative connection to the non-rotatable housing 54 . The ring gear 34 of the second planetary gear set 32 is also selectively connected to the sun gear 24 of the first planetary gear set 20 , as by a second clutch means in the nature of a torque transfer device 64 (C 234 ). The first and second torque transfer devices 62 and 64 are employed to assist in the selection of the operational modes of the hybrid transmission 10 . [0041] A third torque transfer device 65 (CA) selectively connects the carrier 26 with the transmission housing 54 . [0042] A fourth torque transfer device 67 (CB) selectively connects the carrier 26 to the sun gear 36 . A fifth torque transfer device 68 (C 13 ) selectively connects the ring gear 22 with the sun gear 36 . [0043] The output drive member 70 of the transmission 10 is secured to the carrier 40 of the second planetary gear set 32 , for transmitting power to the final drive 72 . [0044] Returning now to the description of the power sources, it should be apparent from the foregoing description, and with particular reference to FIG. 1 , that the transmission 10 selectively receives power from the engine 12 . As described in the above-referenced U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 60/590,427, the hybrid transmission also receives power from an electric power source. The electric power source may be one or more batteries. Other electric power sources, such as fuel cells, that have the ability to provide, or store, and dispense electric power may be used in place of batteries without altering the concepts of the present invention. [0045] The electric power source communicates with an electrical control unit (ECU) by electrical transfer conductors. The ECU communicates with the first motor/generator 46 and the second motor/generator 48 via electrical transfer conductors. [0046] FIG. 2 is a partial lever diagram illustrating only those torque transfer devices which are engaged during battery-only launch (in forward or reverse) for the transmission 10 of FIG. 1 in order to illustrate torque multiplication. Lever diagrams are commonly used to represent planetary gear arrangements, as described in SAE paper 810102, “The Lever Analogy: A New Tool in Transmission Analysis”, Feb. 23, 1981. [0047] As shown in FIG. 2 , in battery-only launch, the torque transfer devices 62 , 65 and 68 are engaged. In this configuration the lever associated with the first planetary gear set 20 operates in underdrive mode and multiples the torque of motor/generator 46 . This torque is represented by the following formula: T(R)=T(A)*(R 1 /S 1 ), where T(R 1 ) is the torque at ring gear 22 , T(A) is the torque of motor/generator 56 , and R 1 /S 1 is the ring gear/sun gear tooth ratio of the planetary gear set 20 . This torque T(A) is transmitted to the sun gear 36 via the torque transfer device 68 . Hence, the total torque at the sun gear 36 is T(S 2 )=(T(A)*(R 1 /S 1 )+T(B)), where T(A) is the torque of motor/generator 56 , R 1 /S 1 is the ring gear/sun gear tooth ratio of the planetary gear set 20 , and T(B) is the torque of motor/generator 48 . [0048] The lever associated with the second planetary gear set 32 multiplies the torque of the sun gear 36 because it is operating in underdrive. The output torque is therefore: T(OUT)=(T(A)*(R 1 /S 1 )+T(B))*(1+R 2 /S 2 ), where T(A) is the torque of motor/generator 56 , R 1 /S 1 is the ring gear/sun gear tooth ratio of the planetary gear set 20 , T(B) is the torque of motor/generator 48 , and R 2 /S 2 is the ring gear/sun gear tooth ratio of the planetary gear set 32 . [0049] Therefore, both levers work in underdrive mode, and hence deliver a higher value of output torque than the total torque input by the motor/generators 46 and 48 . This higher value of output torque results in improved launch, performance and gradeability. The launch direction can be switched from reverse to forward, and vice versa, by simply reversing the motor direction. [0050] FIG. 3 shows a chart illustrating clutching engagements for fixed speed ratio operation of the transmission represented by the lever diagram of FIG. 1 . For example, in the first fixed speed ratio the torque transfer devices 68 and 62 are engaged, and in the fifth fixed forward speed ratio the torque transfer devices 65 , 64 and 67 are engaged. [0051] While only the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed, it is to be understood that the concepts of the present invention are susceptible to numerous changes apparent to one skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not to be limited to the details shown and described but is intended to include all variations and modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims.

The present invention provides an electrically variable transmission having two motor/generators, two differential gear sets such as planetary gear sets, and five torque transfer devices arranged to provide improved launch, performance and gradeability, and enabling five fixed speed ratios. An input member is continuously connected to one member (preferably a ring gear) of the first planetary gear set, and an output member is continuously connected to one member (preferably a carrier) of the second planetary gear set. One motor/generator is continuously connected to another member (preferably a sun gear) in the first planetary gear set as well as being selectively connected to a member (preferably a ring gear) of the second planetary gear set. The second motor/generator is continuously connected to the remaining member (preferably a sun gear) of the second planetary gear set, and is selectively connected to the remaining member (preferably a carrier) of the first planetary gear set.

RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/218,989, filed Aug. 14, 2002, now pending. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to pharmaceutical formulations, and more particularly to formulations containing cannabinoids for administration via a pump action spray. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] It has long been known to introduce drugs into the systemic circulation system via a contiguous mucous membrane to increase onset of activity, potency etc. [0004] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,560,625 disclose aerosol formulations for introducing an alkoxybenzamide into the systemic circulatory system. Two different types of aerosol formulations are disclosed: a) fluorinated hydrocarbon type comprising 2% by weight alkoxybenzamide, 18% ethanol, and 80% propellant; and b) nebuliser type comprising 0.5% by weight alkoxybenzamide, a mixed solvent system comprising 10.3% ethanol and 31.4% propylene glycol and 57.8% deionised water. [0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3 , 560 , 625 identifies a problem in finding a suitable solvent system to produce an aerosol spray for inhalation of the ortho-ethoxybenzamide, due to the fact that whilst ethanol was undoubtedly the best solvent, a mixture containing more than 18% of ethanol by weight produced an unpleasant oral reaction which more than counterbalanced the efficacy of the oral route. [0008] When the present applicant set out to produce spray formulations for a botanical drug substance comprising one or more cannabinoids they were aware that the highly lipophylic nature of the cannabinoids could present problems in formulating the active component(s). [0009] The present applicant first sought to develop a formulation for oromucosal, preferably sublingual, delivery in a pressurised aerosol or spray form, as disclosed in international patent application PCT/GB01/01027. Their initial focus was on propellant driven systems with HFC-123a and HFC-227 but these proved to be unsuitable as solvents for the cannabinoids. The formulations comprised synthetic A9-THC in amounts from 0.164 to 0.7% wt/wt, with ethanol as the primary solvent in amounts up to 20.51% by weight. One particular composition comprised 0.164% synthetic Δ9-THC, 4.992% ethanol, 4.992% propylene glycol and 89.582% p134a (propellant). [0010] The applicant found that even at ethanol levels of 20% by volume of the total formulation volume they were unable to dissolve sufficient levels of A9-THC in a standard spray dose to meet clinical needs, because of the cannabinoids poor solubility in the propellant. They also found that the ethanol level could not be increased, as the delivery characteristics of the device nozzle altered substantially when the lower volatility solvents were increased above a critical ratio. The HFC-123a and HFC-227 propellant sprays delivered a maximum of 7 mg/ml, whereas initial clinical studies suggested the formulations would be required to contain up to 50 mg cannabinoids/ml. [0011] Thus, the present applicants focussed on self-emulsifying drug delivery systems, as are discussed in detail in a review article European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics 50 (2000) 179-188, which concluded that the poor aqueous solubility of many chemical entities represents a real challenge for the design of appropriate formulations aimed at enhancing oral bioavailability. [0012] In their co-pending International application PCT/GB02/00620 the applicant discloses a wide range of cannabinoid-containing formulations containing at least one self-emulsifying agent. The inclusion of at least one self-emulsifying agent was thought necessary to get the formulation to adhere to the mucosal surface in order to achieve sufficient absorption of the cannabinoids. One particular formulation comprised 2% by wt glycerol mono-oleate, 5% CBME of G1 cannabis to give THC, 5% CBME of G5 cannabis to give CBD, 44% ethanol BP and 44% propylene glycol. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0013] Surprisingly, the applicant has found that they do not absolutely require the presence of a self-emulsifying agent in a liquid formulation to achieve a satisfactory dosage level by oromucosal, and specifically sub-lingual or buccal, application. [0014] Indeed, contrary to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 3,560,625 and the European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics 50 (2000) 179-188, they have been able to produce a simple and effective vehicle for delivering a lipophilic medicament in a liquid spray. [0015] According to a specific aspect of the present invention there is provided a pharmaceutical formulation consisting essentially of one or more cannabinoids, ethanol and propylene glycol. [0016] Preferably the one or more cannabinoids are present in the form of at least one extract from at least one cannabis plant. The cannabis plant(s) preferably include at least one cannabis chemovar. Most preferably the plant extract will be a botanical drug substance (BDS), as defined herein. [0017] Optionally, the formulation may additionally contain a flavour, such as, for example, peppermint oil. [0018] The formulation may also contain, in addition to the cannabinoid(s), a further active agent, which is preferably an opiate, for example morphine. Thus, it is contemplated to provide a formulation consisting essentially of one or more cannabinoids, ethanol, propylene glycol and an opiate, preferably morphine. [0019] A typical liquid pharmaceutical formulation according to this specific aspect of the invention, given by way of example and not intended to be limiting to the invention, may contain in a 1 ml vol: THC 25-50 mg/ml, preferably 25 mg/ml (based on amount of cannabinoid in a botanical drug substance), CBD 25-50 mg/ml, preferably 25 mg/ml (based on amount of cannabinoid in a botanical drug substance), propylene glycol 0.5 ml/ml, peppermint oil 0.0005 ml/ml, and ethanol (anhydrous) qs to 1 ml. [0020] Other preferred formulations include a “high THC” formulation comprising in a 1 ml vol: THC 25 mg/ml (based on amount of cannabinoid in a botanical drug substance), propylene glycol 0.5 ml/ml, peppermint oil 0.0005 ml/ml, and ethanol (anhydrous) qs to 1 ml; and a “high CBD” formulation comprising in a 1 ml vol: CBD 25 mg/ml (based on amount of cannabinoid in a botanical drug substance), propylene glycol 0.5 ml/ml, peppermint oil 0.0005 ml/ml, and ethanol (anhydrous) qs to 1 ml. [0021] In these formulations the cannabinoids are added as botanical drug substances derived from cannabis plants, quoted amounts of cannabinoids correspond to total amount (weight) of cannabinoid present in 1 ml of the final formulation. The skilled reader will appreciate that the total amount of BDS which must be added in order to achieve the desired amount of cannabinoid in the final formulation will be dependent on the concentration of cannabinoid present in the BDS, which will vary between different batches of BDS. [0022] The finding that such a simple combination of one or more cannabinoids, ethanol and propylene glycol can be used effectively in a pump action spray was unexpected. [0023] The applicant has found that, where the solvent/co-solvent system is ethanol/propylene glycol and the lipophilic medicament comprises one or more cannabinoids in the form of a botanical drug substance (BDS), the limits in which the solvent/co-solvent will work effectively are quite narrow, as discussed below. [0024] More broadly speaking, and according to a general aspect of the invention, there is provided a liquid pharmaceutical formulation, for use in administration of a lipophilic medicament via a mucosal surface, comprising at least one lipophilic medicament, a solvent and a co-solvent, wherein the total amount of solvent and co-solvent present in the formulation is greater than 55% wt/wt of the formulation and the formulation is absent of a self-emulsifying agent and/or a fluorinated propellant. [0025] Preferably the amount of solvent/co-solvent is greater than 80%, more preferably in the order 90-98%. [0026] Preferably the formulation has a water content of less than 5%. [0027] Preferably the formulation does not contain any type of propellant. [0028] The formulation also lacks any self-emulsifying agent. Self-emulsifying agents are defined herein as an agent which will form an emulsion when presented with an alternate phase with a minimum energy requirement. In contrast, an emulsifying agent, as opposed to a self-emulsifying agent, is one requiring additional energy to form an emulsion. Generally a self-emulsifying agent will be a soluble soap, a salt or a sulphated alcohol, especially a non-ionic surfactant or a quaternary compound. Exemplary self-emulsifying agents include, but are not limited to, glyceryl mono oleate (esp. SE grade), glyceryl monostearate (esp. SE grade), macrogols (polyethylene glycols), and polyoxyhydrogenated castor oils e.g. cremophor. [0029] The formulation may additionally comprise a flavouring. The preferred flavouring is peppermint oil, preferably in an amount by volume of up to 0.1%, typically 0.05% v/v. [0030] Preferably the solvent is selected from C1-C4 alcohols. The preferred solvent is ethanol. [0031] Preferably the co-solvent is a solvent which allows a lower amount of the “primary” solvent to be used. In combination with the “primary” solvent it should solubilise the lipophylic medicament sufficiently that a medically useful amount of the lipophylic medicament is solubilised. A medically useful amount will vary with the medicament, but for cannabinoids will be an amount of at least 1.0 mg/0.1 ml of solvent/co-solvent. [0032] Preferred co-solvents are selected from glycols, sugar alcohols, carbonate esters and chlorinated hydrocarbons. [0033] The glycols are preferably selected from propylene glycol and glycerol, with propylene glycol being most preferred. The carbonate ester is preferably propylene carbonate. [0034] The most preferred combination is ethanol as the solvent and propylene glycol as the co-solvent. [0035] The preparation of liquid formulations for oropharangeal delivery of cannabinoids poses a number of problems. First, it is necessary to deliver at least 1.0 mg, more preferably at least 2.5 mg and even more preferably at least 5 mg of cannabinoids per 0.1 ml of liquid formulation to achieve a therapeutic effect in a unit dose. In this regard a patient may require up to 120 mg cannabinoid/day, on average around 40 mg/day to be taken in a maximum of six doses. [0036] In the case of a sublingual or buccal delivery, this means delivering this quantity of the active ingredient in an amount of formulation which will not be swallowed by the patient, if the active ingredient is to be absorbed transmucosally. [0037] Whilst such amounts can be achieved by dissolving the cannabinoid in ethanol as the solvent, high concentrations of ethanol provoke a stinging sensation and are beyond the limit of tolerability. [0038] There is thus a need to use a co-solvent in order to reduce the amount of ethanol, whilst still enabling sufficient quantities of cannabinoid to be solubilised. [0039] The applicant has discovered that the choice of co-solvent is limited. Preferred co-solvents should have a solubilizing effect sufficient to allow enough cannabinoid to be solubilised in a unit dose, namely at least 1.0 mg/0.1 ml of formulation, and which allows the amount of solvent present to be reduced to a level which is within the limits of patient tolerability. Particularly suitable co-solvents which fulfil these criteria are propylene glycol and glycerol. [0040] In a preferred embodiment the total amount of solvent and co-solvent present in the formulation, is greater than about 65% w/w, more preferably greater than about 70% w/w, more preferably greater than about 75% w/w, more preferably greater than about 80% w/w, more preferably greater than about 85% w/w of the formulation. Most preferably the total amount of solvent and co-solvent present in the formulation is in the range from about 80% w/w to about 98% w/w of the formulation. [0041] In a preferred embodiment the formulations according to the invention are liquid formulation administered via a pump-action spray. Pump-action sprays are characterised in requiring the application of external pressure for actuation, for example external manual, mechanical or electrically initiated pressure. This is in contrast to pressurized systems, e.g. propellant-driven aerosol sprays, where actuation is typically achieved by controlled release of pressure e.g. by controlled opening of a valve. [0042] Pump-action sprays are found to be particularly beneficial when it comes to delivering cannabinoids. Indeed, previously people have focussed their attention on solvent systems including a propellant. [0043] Whilst it has been recognised that there are disadvantages with such systems, including the speed of delivery, those skilled in the art have tried to address this by slowing the propellant or by altering the nozzle. The applicants have found that by using a pump spray with their formulations they are able to produce a spray in which the particles have a mean aerodynamic particle size of between 15 and 45 microns, more particularly between 20 and 40 microns and an average of about 33 microns. These contrast with particles having a mean aerodynamic particle size of between 5 and 10 microns when delivered using a pressurised system. [0044] In fact, comparative tests by the applicant have shown such a pump-action spray system to have advantages in being able to deliver the active components to a larger surface area within the target area. This is illustrated with reference to the accompanying Example 3. [0045] The variation in particle distribution and sprayed area has been demonstrated by direct experiment. A formulation as described in the accompanying Example 4 was filled into a pump action spray assembly (Valois vial type VP7100 actuated). The same formulation was filled into a pressurised container powered by HFA 134a. [0046] Both containers were discharged at a distance of 50 mm from a sheet of thin paper held at right angles to the direction of travel of the jet. The pattern of spray produced in both cases by discharge of 100 μl was then visualised against the light. In both cases the pattern of discharge was circular and measurements were as follows: [0000] Mean Diameter (mm) Mean Area (mm 2 ) Pump Action Spray 23 425.5 Pressurised Spray 16 201.1 [0047] The pressurised spray produced pooling of liquid at the centre of the area. The pump action spray gave a more even spray pattern and less “bounce back”. There was also a significantly greater area covered by the pump action spray. The conditions under which this test was carried out are relevant to the in-practice use of the device. A wider area of buccal mucosa can be reached by the pump action spray compared with the pressurised spray. [0048] For pump spray applications the solvent/co-solvent combination must have a viscosity within the viscosity range defined by the preferred solvent/co-solvent combination. Thus it should be a viscosity ranging between that for an ethanol/propylene glycol combination where the ethanol/propylene glycol are present in the relative proportions by volume of 60/40 and 40/60, more preferably still 55/45 to 45/55 and most preferably about 50/50. [0049] The viscosity of the resulting formulation when packaged for delivery by pump action through a mechanical pump such as, for example, a VP7 actuator valve (Valois), allows the resulting aerosol to deliver a spray having a mean aerodynamic particle size of from 20-40 microns, more preferably 25-35 and most preferably with an average particle size of from 30-35 microns. This maximises contact with the target mucosal membrane for sublingual/buccal delivery. [0050] Preferably the formulations according to the general and specific aspects of the invention comprises as the lipophilic medicament one or more cannabinoids. [0051] Preferably the lipophilic medicament is at least one extract from at least one cannabis plant. The cannabis plant(s) preferably include at least one cannabis chemovar. Most preferably the plant extract will be a botanical drug substance (BDS), as defined herein. [0052] A “plant extract” is an extract from a plant material as defined in the Guidance for Industry Botanical Drug Products Draft Guidance, August 2000, US Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. [0053] “Plant material” is defined as a plant or plant part (e.g. bark, wood, leaves, stems, roots, flowers, fruits, seeds, berries or parts thereof) as well as exudates. [0054] The term “ Cannabis plant(s)” encompasses wild type Cannabis sativa and also variants thereof, including cannabis chemovars which naturally contain different amounts of the individual cannabinoids, Cannabis sativa subspecies indica including the variants var. indica and var. kafiristanica, Cannabis indica and also plants which are the result of genetic crosses, self-crosses or hybrids thereof. The term “ Cannabis plant material” is to be interpreted accordingly as encompassing plant material derived from one or more cannabis plants. For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby stated that “cannabis plant material” includes dried cannabis biomass. [0055] In the context of this application the terms “ cannabis extract” or “extract from a cannabis plant”, which are used interchangeably, encompass “Botanical Drug Substances” derived from cannabis plant material. A Botanical Drug Substance is defined in the Guidance for Industry Botanical Drug Products Draft Guidance, August 2000, US Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Center for Drug Evaluation and Research as: “A drug substance derived from one or more plants, algae, or macroscopic fungi. It is prepared from botanical raw materials by one or more of the following processes: pulverisation, decoction, expression, aqueous extraction, ethanolic extraction, or other similar processes.” A botanical drug substance does not include a highly purified or chemically modified substance derived from natural sources. Thus, in the case of cannabis, “botanical drug substances” derived from cannabis plants do not include highly purified, Pharmacopoeial grade cannabinoids. [0056] “ Cannabis based medicine extracts (CBMEs)”, such as the CBMEs prepared using processes described in the accompanying examples, are classified as “botanical drug substances”, according to the definition given in the Guidance for Industry Botanical Drug Products Draft Guidance, August 2000, US Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. [0057] “Botanical drug substances” derived from cannabis plants include primary extracts prepared by such processes as, for example, maceration, percolation, extraction with solvents such as C1 to C5 alcohols (e.g. ethanol), Norflurane (HFA134a), HFA227 and liquid carbon dioxide under sub-critical or super-critical conditions. The primary extract may be further purified for example by super-critical or sub-critical solvent extraction, vaporisation or chromatography. When solvents such as those listed above are used, the resultant extract contains non-specific lipid-soluble material. This can be removed by a variety of processes including “winterisation”, which involves chilling to −20° C. followed by filtration to remove waxy ballast, extraction with liquid carbon dioxide and by distillation. [0058] In the case where the cannabinoids are provided as a BDS, the BDS is preferably obtained by CO 2 extraction, under sub-critical or super-critical conditions, followed by a secondary extraction, e.g. an ethanolic precipitation, to remove a substantial proportion of waxes and other ballast. This is because the ballast includes wax esters and glycerides, unsatutrated fatty acid residues, terpenes, carotenes, and flavenoids which are not very soluble in the chosen solvent/co-solvent, particularly the preferred co-solvent, propylene glycol, and will precipitate out. Most preferably the BDS is produced by a process comprising decarboxylation, extraction with liquid carbon dioxide and then a further extraction to remove significant amounts of ballast. Most preferably the ballast is substantially removed by an ethanolic precipitation. [0059] Most preferably, cannabis plant material is heated to a defined temperature for a defined period of time in order to decarboxylate cannabinoid acids to free cannabinoids prior to extraction of the BDS. [0060] Preferred “botanical drug substances” include those which are obtainable by using any of the methods or processes specifically disclosed herein for preparing extracts from cannabis plant material. The extracts are preferably substantially free of waxes and other non-specific lipid soluble material but preferably contain substantially all of the cannabinoids naturally present in the plant, most preferably in substantially the same ratios in which they occur in the intact cannabis plant. [0061] Botanical drug substances are formulated into “Botanical Drug Products” which are defined in the Guidance for Industry Botanical Drug Products Draft Guidance, August 2000, US Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Center for Drug Evaluation and Research as: “A botanical product that is intended for use as a drug; a drug product that is prepared from a botanical drug substance.” [0062] “ Cannabis plants” includes wild type Cannabis sativa and variants thereof, including cannabis chemovars which naturally contain different amounts of the individual cannabinoids. [0063] The term “cannabinoids” also encompasses highly purified, Pharmacopoeial Grade substances, which may be obtained by purification from a natural source or via synthetic means. Thus, the formulations according to the invention may be used for delivery of extracts of cannabis plants and also individual cannabinoids, or synthetic analogues thereof, whether or not derived from cannabis plants, and also combinations of cannabinoids. [0064] Preferred cannabinoids include, but are not limited to, tetrahydrocannabinoids, their precursors, alkyl (particularly propyl) analogues, cannabidiols, their precursors, alkyl (particularly propyl) analogues, and cannabinol. In a preferred embodiment the formulations may comprise any cannabinoids selected from tetrahydrocannabinol, Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Δ 8 -tetrahydrocannabinol, Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol propyl analogue (THCV), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidiol propyl analogue (CBDV), cannabinol (CBN), cannabichromene, cannabichromene propyl analogue and cannabigerol, or any combination of two or more of these cannabinoids. THCV and CBDV (propyl analogues of THC and [0065] CBD, respectively) are known cannabinoids which are predominantly expressed in particular Cannabis plant varieties and it has been found that THCV has qualitative advantageous properties compared with THC and CBD respectively. Subjects taking THCV report that the mood enhancement produced by THCV is less disturbing than that produced by THC. It also produces a less severe hangover. [0066] Most preferably the formulations will contain THC and/or CBD. [0067] In a preferred embodiment the formulations may contain specific, pre-defined ratios by weight of different cannbinoids, e.g. specific ratios of CBD to THC, or tetrahydrocannabinovarin (THCV) to cannabidivarin (CBDV), or THCV to THC. Certain specific ratios of cannabinoids have been found to be clinically useful in the treatment or management of specific diseases or medical conditions. In particular, certain of such formulations have been found to be particularly useful in the field of pain relief and appetite stimulation. [0068] It has particularly been observed by the present applicant that combinations of specific cannabinoids are more beneficial than any one of the individual cannabinoids alone. Preferred embodiments are those formulations in which the amount of CBD is in a greater amount by weight than the amount of THC. Such formulations are designated as “reverse-ratio” formulations and are novel and unusual since, in the various varieties of medicinal and recreational Cannabis plant available world-wide, CBD is the minor cannabinoid component compared to THC. In other embodiments THC and CBD or THCV and CBDV are present in approximately equal amounts or THC or THCV are the major component and may be up to 95.5% of the total cannabinoids present. [0069] Preferred formulations contain THC and CBD in defined ratios by weight. The most preferred formulations contain THC and CBD in a ratio by weight in the range from 0.9:1.1 to 1.1:0.9 THC:CBD, even more preferably the THC:CBD ratio is substantially 1:1. Other preferred formulations contain the following ratios by weight of THC and CBD:—greater than or equal to 19:1 THC:CBD, greater than or equal to 19:1 CBD:THC, 4.5:1 THC:CBD, 1:4 THC:CBD and 1:2.7 THC:CBD. For formulations wherein the THC:CBD ratio is substantially 1:1 it is preferred that the formulation includes about 2.5 g/ml of each of THC and CBD. [0070] Cannabis has been used medicinally for many years, and in Victorian times was a widely used component of prescription medicines. It was used as a hypnotic sedative for the treatment of “hysteria, delirium, epilepsy, nervous insomnia, migraine, pain and dysmenorrhoea”. The use of cannabis continued until the middle of the twentieth century, and its usefulness as a prescription medicine is now being re-evaluated. The discovery of specific cannabinoid receptors and new methods of administration have made it possible to extend the use of cannabis -based medicines to historic and novel indications. [0071] The recreational use of cannabis prompted legislation which resulted in the prohibition of its use. Historically, cannabis was regarded by many physicians as unique; having the ability to counteract pain resistant to opioid analgesics, in conditions such as spinal cord injury, and other forms of neuropathic pain including pain and spasm in multiple sclerosis. [0072] In the United States and Caribbean, cannabis grown for recreational use has been selected so that it contains a high content of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), at the expense of other cannabinoids. In the Merck Index (1996) other cannabinoids known to occur in cannabis such as cannabidiol and cannabinol were regarded as inactive substances. Although cannabidiol was formerly regarded as an inactive constituent there is emerging evidence that it has pharmacological activity, which is different from that of THC in several respects. The therapeutic effects of cannabis cannot be satisfactorily explained just in terms of one or the other “active” constituents. [0073] It has been shown that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) alone produces a lower degree of pain relief than the same quantity of THC given as an extract of cannabis. The pharmacological basis underlying this phenomenon has been investigated. In some cases, THC and cannabidiol (CBD) have pharmacological properties of opposite effect in the same preclinical tests, and the same effect in others. For example, in some clinical studies and from anecdotal reports there is a perception that CBD modifies the psychoactive effects of THC. This spectrum of activity of the two cannabinoids may help to explain some of the therapeutic benefits of cannabis grown in different regions of the world. It also points to useful effects arising from combinations of THC and CBD. These have been investigated by the applicant. Table 1 below shows the difference in pharmacological properties of the two cannabinoids. [0000] TABLE 1 Effect THC THCV CBD CBDV Reference CB 1 (Brain receptors) ++ ± Pertwee et al, 1998 CB 2 (Peripheral + − receptors) CNS Effects Anticonvulsant † −− ++ Carlini et al, 1973 Antimetrazol − − GW Data Anti-electroshock − ++ GW data Muscle Relaxant −− ++ Petro, 1980 Antinociceptive ++ + GW data Catalepsy ++ ++ GW data Psychoactive ++ − GW data Antipsychotic − ++ Zuardi et al, 1991 Neuroprotective + ++ Hampson A J et al, antioxidant activity* ++ − 1998 Antiemetic + + Sedation (reduced Zuardi et al, spontaneous activity) ++ 1991 Appetite stimulation ++ Appetite suppression − ++ Anxiolytic GW data Cardiovascular Effects Bradycardia − + Smiley et al, 1976 Tachycardia + − Hypertension § + − Hypotension § − + Adams et al, 1977 Anti-inflammatory ± ± Brown, 1998 Immunomodulatory/ anti-inflammatory activity Raw Paw Oedema Test − ++ GW data Cox 1 GW data Cox 2 GW data TNFα Antagonism + + ++ ++ Glaucoma ++ + * Effect is CB1 receptor independent. † THC is pro convulsant § THC has a biphasic effect on blood pressure; in naïve patients it may produce postural hypotension and it has also been reported to produce hypertension on prolonged usage. [0074] From these pharmacological characteristics and from direct experiments carried out by the applicant it has been shown, surprisingly, that combinations of THC and CBD in varying proportions are particularly useful in the treatment of certain therapeutic conditions. It has further been found clinically that the toxicity of a mixture of THC and CBD is less than that of THC alone. [0075] Accordingly, the invention provides pharmaceutical formulations, having all the essential features described above, which comprise cannabinoids as the active agents and which have specific ratios of CBD to THC, which have been found to be clinically useful in the treatment or management of specific diseases or medical conditions. [0076] In a further aspect the invention also relates to pharmaceutical formulations having all the essential features defined above, and which have specific ratios of tetrahydrocannabinovarin (THCV) or cannabidivarin (CBDV). THCV and CBDV (propyl analogues of THC and CBD, respectively) are known cannabinoids which are predominantly expressed in particular Cannabis plant varieties and it has been found that THCV has qualitative advantageous properties compared with THC and CBD respectively. Subjects taking THCV report that the mood enhancement produced by THCV is less disturbing than that produced by THC. It also produces a less severe hangover. [0077] The invention still further relates to pharmaceutical formulations, having all the essential features as defined above, which have specific ratios of THCV to THC. Such formulations have been found to be particularly useful in the field of pain relief and appetite stimulation. [0078] It has particularly been observed by the present applicants that the combinations of the specific cannabinoids are more beneficial than any one of the individual cannabinoids alone. Preferred embodiments are those formulations in which the amount of CBD is in a greater amount by weight than the amount of THC. Such formulations are designated as “reverse-ratio” formulations and are novel and unusual since, in the various varieties of medicinal and recreational Cannabis plant available world-wide, CBD is the minor cannabinoid component compared to THC. In other embodiments THC and CBD or THCV and CBDV are present in approximately equal amounts or THC or THCV are the major component and may be up to 95.5% of the total cannabinoids present. [0079] Particularly preferred ratios of cannabinoids and the target medical conditions for which they are suitable are shown in Table 2 below. Other preferred ratios of THC:CBD, THCV:CBDV and THC:TCHV and preferred therapeutic uses of such formulations are set out in the accompanying claims. [0000] TABLE 2 Target Therapeutic Groups for Different Ratios of Cannabinoid Product group Ratio THC:CBD Target Therapeutic Area High THC >95:5  Cancer pain, migraine, appetite stimulation Even ratio  50:50 Multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, peripheral neuropathy, other neurogenic pain. Reverse/Broad ratio CBD <25:75 Rheumatoid arthritis, Inflammatory bowel diseases. High CBD  <5:95 Psychotic disorders (schizophrenia), Epilepsy & movement disorders Stroke, head injury, Disease modification in RA and other inflammatory conditions Appetite suppression [0080] Formulations containing specific, defined ratios of cannabinoids may be formulated from pure cannabinoids in combination with pharmaceutical carriers and excipients which are well-known to those skilled in the art. Pharmaceutical grade “pure” cannabinoids may be purchased from commercial suppliers, for example CBD and THC can be purchased from Sigma-Aldrich Company Ltd, Fancy Road, Poole Dorset, BH12 4QH, or may be chemically synthesised. Alternatively, cannabinoids may be extracted from Cannabis plants using techniques well-known to those skilled in the art. [0081] In preferred embodiments of the invention the formulations comprise extracts of one or more varieties of whole Cannabis plants, particularly Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica or plants which are the result of genetic crosses, self-crosses or hybrids thereof. The precise cannabinoid content of any particular cannabis variety may be qualitatively and quantitatively determined using methods well known to those skilled in the art, such as TLC or HPLC. Thus, one may chose a Cannabis variety from which to prepare an extract which will produce the desired ratio of CBD to THC or CBDV to THCV or THCV to THC. Alternatively, extracts from two of more different varieties may be mixed or blended to produce a material with the preferred cannabinoid ratio for formulating into a pharmaceutical formulation. [0082] The preparation of convenient ratios of THC- and CBD-containing medicines is made possible by the cultivation of specific chemovars of cannabis. These chemovars (plants distinguished by the cannabinoids produced, rather than the morphological characteristics of the plant) can be been bred by a variety of plant breeding techniques which will be familiar to a person skilled in the art. Propagation of the plants by cuttings for production material ensures that the genotype is fixed and that each crop of plants contains the cannabinoids in substantially the same ratio. [0083] Furthermore, it has been found that by a process of horticultural selection, other chemovars expressing their cannabinoid content as predominantly tetrahydrocannabinovarin (THCV) or cannabidivarin (CBDV) can also be achieved. [0084] Horticulturally, it is convenient to grow chemovars producing THC, THCV, CBD and CBDV as the predominant cannabinoid from cuttings. This ensures that the genotype in each crop is identical and the qualitative formulation (the proportion of each cannabinoid in the biomass) is the same. From these chemovars, extracts can be prepared by the similar method of extraction. Convenient methods of preparing primary extracts include maceration, percolation, extraction with solvents such as C1 to C5 alcohols (ethanol), Norflurane (HFA134a), HFA227 and liquid carbon dioxide under pressure. The primary extract may be further purified for example by supercritical or subcritical extraction, vaporisation and chromatography. When solvents such as those listed above are used, the resultant extract contains non-specific lipid-soluble material or “ballast”. This can be removed by a variety of processes including chilling to −20° C. followed by filtration to remove waxy ballast, extraction with liquid carbon dioxide and by distillation. Preferred plant cultivation and extract preparation methods are shown in the Examples. The resulting extract is suitable for incorporation into pharmaceutical preparations. [0085] There are a number of therapeutic conditions which may be treated effectively by cannabis, including, for example, cancer pain, migraine, appetite stimulation, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, peripheral neuropathy, other neurogenic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, psychotic disorders (schizophrenia), epilepsy & movement disorders, stroke, head injury, appetite suppression. The proportion of different cannabinoids in a given formulation determines the specific therapeutic conditions which are best treated (as summarised in Table 2, and stated in the accompanying claims). [0086] The principles of formulation suitable for administration of cannabis extracts and cannabinoids can also be applied to other medicaments such as alkaloids, bases and acids. The requirements are that, if the medicament is insoluble in saliva, it should be solubilised and/or brought into the appropriate unionised form by addition of buffering salts and pH adjustment. [0087] Other lipophilic medicaments which may be included in the general formulations of the invention may include, but are not limited to, morphine, pethidine, codeine, methadone, diamorphine, fentanyl, alfentanil, buprenorphine, temazepam, lipophilic analgesics and drugs of abuse. The term “drugs of abuse” encompasses compounds which may produce dependence in a human subject, typically such compounds will be analgesics, usually opiates or synthetic derivatives thereof. [0088] The formulation is preferably packaged in a glass vial. It is preferably filled to a slight over-pressure in an inert atmosphere e.g. nitrogen to prevent/slow oxidative breakdown of the cannabinoids, and is contained in a form such that ingress of light is prevented, thereby preventing photochemical degradation of the cannabinoids. This is most effectively achieved using an amber vial, since the applicant has determined that it is UV and light in the blue spectrum, typically in the wavelength range 200-500 nm, that is responsible for photodegradation. [0089] The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the following experimental data and exemplary formulations, together with the accompanying Figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0090] FIGS. 1 a and 1 b illustrate mean plasma concentrations of cannabinoids CBD, THC and 11-hydroxy THC following administration of high CBD ( FIG. 1 a ) and high THC ( FIG. 1 b ) cannabis extracts to human subjects. [0091] FIG. 2 illustrates mean plasma concentrations of cannabinoids CBD, THC and 11-hydroxy THC following administration of a cannabis extract containing a 1:1 ratio of THC:CBD to a human subject. [0092] FIG. 3 illustrates cross-sectional area of aerosol plume vs % propylene glycol in propylene glycol/ethanol liquid spray formulations. [0093] FIG. 4 illustrates viscosity as a function of propylene glycol content in propylene glycol/ethanol liquid spray formulations. [0094] FIG. 5 illustrates cross-sectional area of aerosol plume vs viscosity for propylene glycol/ethanol liquid spray formulations. [0095] FIGS. 6 and 6 a show results of HPLC analysis of samples drawn from stored, light exposed solutions of THC, before and after charcoal treatment. [0096] FIGS. 7 and 7 a show results of HPLC analysis of samples drawn from stored, light exposed solutions of CBD, before and after charcoal treatment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Development of Pump-Action Spray Formulations [0097] Initially the applicant looked at cannabinoid uptake in patients by applying drops sublingually (BDS dissolved in a mixture of a glycerol/propylene glycol and ethanol) THC 5 mg/ml, CBD 5mg/ml and THC/CBD 5 mg/ml plus 5 mg/ml. [0098] The results are noted in Table 3 below: [0000] TABLE 3   Initial absorption: 20 min T max: approx 2 hours C max: 6 ng/ml THC, 2 ng/ml CBD AUC 0-12: approx l6 ng · h/mlTHC, 8 ng · h/mlCBD following a dose of approx 20 mg of each cannabinoids Plasma levels after 6 hours were about 1 ng/ml THC and 0.5 ng/ml CBD [0099] The proportion of 11 hydroxy tetrahydro cannabinol to THC (AUC 0-12) was about 1.9 indicating a significant amount of oral ingestion may have occurred. [0100] On moving to a pump action sublingual spray (following problems solubilising cannabinoids with hydroflurocabon propellant systems) the applicant obtained the results noted in Table 4. The solvent system comprised 50:50 ethanol to propylene glycol (v/v ratio) with THC 25 mg/ml; CBD 50 mg/ml and THC/CBD 25 mg/ml plus 50 mg/ml respectively. [0000] TABLE 4   Initial absorption: 60 min T max: approx 3 hours C max: 6 ng/ml THC, 8 ng/ml CBD AUC 0-12: approx 16 ng · h/ml THC, 22 ng · h/ml CBD following a dose of approx 21 mg of THC and 35 mg CBD Plasma levels after 6 hours were about 1 ng/ml THC and 1 ng/ml CBD [0101] The proportion of 11 hydroxy tetrahydro cannabinol to THC (AUC 0-12) was about 1.6. The profile for each cannabinoid was similar irrespective of the formulation (THC, CBD, THC plus CBD). [0102] After accounting for the different dosages, whilst the extent of absorption was comparable to the drops, the rate of absorption was slower and the proportion metabolised reduced. [0103] Despite the slower rate of absorption the pump spray mechanism and the ethanol/propylene glycol carrier system provided the opportunity to administer sufficient cannabinoids, in a flexible dose form with accuracy and advantageously with reduced metabolism. [0104] The data obtained is illustrated in FIGS. 1 a, 1 b and 2 , which show the mean plasma concentrations for the formulations identified with reference to Tables 3 and 4. [0105] That effective delivery of the cannabinoids can be achieved in a vehicle consisting of ethanol and propylene glycol is illustrated by the plasma levels shown in FIGS. 1 a, 1 b and 2 . These show, respectively, formulations containing the high THC and high CBD formulations in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b. Similarly, the effectiveness of a defined ratio formulation THC:CBD 1:1 is illustrated in FIG. 2 . [0106] Significantly the ethanol/propylene glycol system was found to only work with a pump action spray within quite narrow limits. [0107] The findings giving rise to the development of pump spray formulations, as exemplified in formulations 1-4 below, are set out below: EXAMPLE 1 Significance of Particle Size [0108] Applicant observed that the propellant aerosols that were developed suffered from “bounce back” and this appeared to be a function of delivery speed and particle size. [0109] Applicant determined that, in contrast to the propellant driven system, a pump spray could deliver an aerosol plume in which the particle size could be controlled to generate a particle size of between 20 and 40 microns (thus maximising the amount of material hitting the sublingual/buccal mucosa and thus the amount of cannabinoids that can be absorbed). To produce particles of the appropriate size the viscosity of the formulation needed to be carefully controlled. If the formulation was too viscous droplet formation was hindered, a jet formed and the valve blocked; If the formulation was not viscous enough they got excessive nebulisation, a plume of broad cross sectional area formed, and the spray was no longer directed solely onto the sublingual/buccal mucosa. This could result in the formulation pooling and some of the formulation being swallowed. In both cases the result is unsatisfactory. [0110] In fact, it turned out that for the solvent of preferred choice, ethanol, and the co-solvent of preferred choice, propylene glycol, the working range was fairly narrow as demonstrated below: [0111] The viscosity of different combinations of ethanol/propylene glycol were studied and their spray performance with a vp7/100 valve (Valois) compared. The results are tabulated in Table 5 below: [0000] TABLE 5 Relative viscosity Propylene glycol/ethanol (run time in sec) Spray performance 100/0  442 Jet formed 80/20 160 Jet formed 60/40 80 Some jetting 50/50 62 Good aerosol plume 40/60 44 Good aerosol plume 20/80 26 Good aerosol plume  0/100 16 Good aerosol plume [0112] From this data it appeared that addition of propylene glycol at greater than 60/40 would not be acceptable. These result, when read alongside U.S. Pat. No. 3,560,625, could have suggested that the said solvent/co-solvent combination would be no good. However, applicant found that patients could tolerate ethanol levels of this order when presented in the given formulations. [0113] The effect of viscosity on aerosol plume was quantified by spraying the various formulations at a standard distance of 0.5 cm onto disclosing paper. The distance represents the typical distance between the nozzle of the pump action spray unit and the sub lingual cavity in normal use. The paper was photocopied and the image of the plume excised and weighed to give a relative cross sectional area. The relative value was then converted into a real cross sectional area by dividing this value by the weight per cm 2 of the photocopier paper (determined by weighing a known area of paper). The results are given in Table 6 below: [0000] TABLE 6 Area of cross section Propylene glycol/ethanol of spray plume 100/0   3.5 cm 2 80/20 14.2 cm 2 60/40 17.9 cm 2 50/50 20.7 cm 2 40/60 29.4 cm 2 20/80 54.4 cm 2  0/100 93.8 cm 2 This data is illustrated in FIG. 3 . [0114] Additionally plots of viscosity of mixtures of ethanol and propylene glycol content FIG. 4 and plume cross section as a function of viscosity FIG. 5 are given. [0115] The figures emphasise the dramatic and undesirable changes in properties which occur outside the narrow range of ethanol/propylene glycol wt/wt of 60/40 and 40/60, and more particularly still 55/45 to 45/55, most preferably about 50/50. [0116] Other factors are also significant in ensuring the combination is used in a narrow range. Increasing the ethanol levels beyond 60 vol % gives rise to irritation and at propylene glycol levels approaching 60% and as low as 55%, in the case of BDS, non polar derivatives present in the BDS begin to precipitate out on prolonged ambient storage. [0117] Other co-solvents which might be used would be expected to have similar limitations. The more viscous the co-solvent the greater the problem of producing a plume forming spray, and the more polar, the greater the risk that precipitation will be exacerbated. [0118] However, because the combination of ethanol/propylene glycol is able to dissolve up to 50 mg/ml (i.e. therapeutically desirable levels of cannabinoids), is non irritating, pharmaceutically acceptable, and the propylene glycol also acts as a penetration enhancer maximising bioavailability of the cannabinoids it is particularly advantageous. [0119] The mean particle size of the preferred compositions have been shown to be 33 μm when tested using a Malvern Marsteriser. The droplets, which are considerably greater than 5 μm, therefore minimise the risk of inhalation of aerosol. EXAMPLE 2 Effect of Water When The Cannabinoids Are Present In A BDS. [0120] The presence of greater than 5% water in the formulation was shown to cause precipitation of the BDS as illustrated by the investigation described in Table 7 below: [0000] TABLE 7 Sequential addition of water was made to 5 ml 25 mg/ml THC and 5 ml 25 mg/ml CBD in an ethanol/propylene glycol formulate (50/50). Approx final solvent ratio % Vol of water Final vol Water/propylene added ml vol ml glycol/ethanol observation 0 5 0/50/50 Solution 0.05 5.05 1/49.5/49.5 Ppt forms but re dissolves on mixing 0.21 5.26 5/47.5/47.5 Ppt forms. Solution remains cloudy after mixing Indeed because of this observation the use of anhydrous ethanol is preferred. Example formulations (non-limiting) according to the invention are as follows: [0000] COMPOSITION 1 (General) FUNC- COMPONENT AMOUNT PER UNIT (1 ml) TION Active Active THC (BDS) 25-50 mg/ml CBD (BDS) 25-50 mg/ml Excipient Propylene Glycol  0.5 ml/ml Co solvent Peppermint oil 0.0005 ml/ml  Flavour Ethanol (anhydrous) qs to 1 ml Solvent [0000] COMPOSITION 2 (High THC) COMPONENT AMOUNT PER UNIT (1 ml) FUNCTION Active THC (BDS) 25 mg/ml Active Excipient Propylene Glycol 0.5 ml/ml Co solvent Peppermint oil 0.0005 ml/ml   Flavour Ethanol (anhydrous) qs to 1 ml Solvent [0000] COMPOSITION 3 (High CBD) COMPONENT AMOUNT PER UNIT (1 ml) FUNCTION Active CBD (BDS) 25 mg/ml Active Excipient Propylene Glycol 0.5 ml/ml Co solvent Peppermint oil 0.0005 ml/ml   Flavour Ethanol (anhydrous) qs to 1 ml Solvent [0000] COMPOSITION 4 (THC/CBD substantially 1:1) COMPONENT AMOUNT PER UNIT (1 ml) FUNCTION Active THC (BDS) 25 mg/ml Active CBD (BDS) 25 mg/ml Active Excipient Propylene Glycol 0.5 ml/ml Co solvent Peppermint oil 0.0005 ml/ml   Flavour Ethanol (anhydrous) qs to 1 ml Solvent EXAMPLE 3 [0121] The following example illustrates the application of liquid spray formulations to the buccal mucosae and the blood levels produced by buccal absorption in comparison with sublingual administration. [0122] The following liquid formulations suitable for buccal administration contain self-emulsifying agents, and hence do not fall within the scope of the present invention. Nevertheless, the general principles illustrated by use of these compositions applies equally to the delivery formulations according to the invention. Solutions were produced by dissolving (at a temperature not exceeding 50° C.) the following ingredients (quantitative details are expressed as parts by weight):— [0000] A B C D E Glyceryl monostearate 2 — 2 — 2 (self-emulsifying) Glyceryl monooleate — 2 — 2 — (self-emulsifying) Cremophor RH40 20 30 30 20 30 CBME-G1 to give THC 5 10 — — — CBME-G5 to give CBD — — 5 10 — CBME-G1 and G5 to — — — — 10 each give THC & CBD α-Tocopherol 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 Ascorbyl palmitate 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 Ethanol BP to produce 100 100 100 100 100 [0123] Cannabis Based Medicine Extract (CBME) is an extract of cannabis which may be prepared by, for example, percolation with liquid carbon dioxide, with the removal of ballast by cooling a concentrated ethanolic solution to a temperature of −20° C. and removing precipitated inert plant constituents by filtration or centrifugation. [0124] The product formed by mixing these ingredients is dispensed in 6 ml quantities into a glass vial and closed with a pump action spray. In use, the dose is discharged through a break-up button or conventional design. Proprietary devices that are suitable for this purpose are Type VP7 produced by Valois, but similar designs are available from other manufacturers. The vial may be enclosed in secondary packaging to allow the spray to be directed to a particular area of buccal mucosa. Alternatively, a proprietary button with an extension may be used to direct the spray to a preferred area of buccal mucosa. [0125] Each 1 ml of product contains 50-100 mg of Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and/or cannabidiol (CBD). Each actuation of the pump delivers a spray which can be directed to the buccal mucosae. In the above formulations CBMEs of known cannabinoid strength are used. CBME-G1 is an extract from a high THC-yielding strain of cannabis, and CBME-G5 is from a high CBD-yielding variety. It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that purified cannabinoids, and extracts containing the cannabinoids, can be made formulated as described above by quantitative adjustment. [0126] Although solutions of CBME in ethanol alone can be used as a spray, the quantity of cannabinoid that can be delivered is limited by the aggressive nature of pure ethanol in high concentration as a solvent. This limits the amount that can be applied to the mucosae without producing discomfort to the patient. When a group of patients received THC or CBD in a solution of the type described above, directing the spray either sublingually or against the buccal mucosa, the patients uniformly reported a stinging sensation with the sublingual application, but mild or no discomfort when the same solution was sprayed onto the buccal mucosa. Spraying small quantities of this type of formulation onto the buccal mucosa does not appreciably stimulate the swallowing reflex. This provides greater dwell time for the formulation to be in contact with the buccal surface. [0127] Formulations were administered to a group of 13 human subjects so that they received 4 mg THC, 4 mg of CBD or placebo (vehicle alone) via a sublingual tablet, sublingual pump-action spray or buccal route. [0128] Absorption [area under the absorption curve (AUC)] of cannabinoid and primary metabolite were determined in samples of blood taken after dosing. The following Table 8 gives these as normalised mean values. [0000] TABLE 8 Route of Administration PAS sublingual Sublingual tablet Oropharyngeal Analyte in Plasma AUC AUC AUC THC 2158.1 1648.4 1575 11-OH THC 3097.6 3560.5 2601.1 CBD 912 886.1 858 [0129] These results show that the total amounts of cannabinoid absorbed by sublingual and buccal (oropharyngeal) routes are similar but that there is a substantial (approximately 25%) reduction in the amount of 11-hydroxy (11-OH) metabolite detected after oropharyngeal (buccal) administration. This finding is not inconsistent with reduced swallowing (and subsequent reduced hepatic) metabolism of the buccal formulation. [0130] It is known that the 11-hydroxy metabolite of THC (11-OH THC) is possibly more psychoactive than the parent compound. It is therefore desirable to minimise the amount of this metabolite during administration, and this is likely to be achieved by using a formulation and method of application which reduces the amount of a buccal or sublingual dose that is swallowed. The pump action spray appears to offer a simple means of reducing the amount of material that is swallowed and metabolised by absorption from the intestinal tract below the level of the oropharynx. EXAMPLE 4 Growing of Medicinal Cannabis [0131] Plants are grown as clones from germinated seed, under glass at a temperature of 25° C.±1.5° C. for 3 weeks in 24 hour daylight; this keeps the plants in a vegetative state. Flowering is induced by exposure to 12 hour day length for 8-9 weeks. [0132] No artificial pesticides, herbicides, insecticides or fumigants are used. Plants are grown organically, with biological control of insect pests. [0133] The essential steps in production from seed accession to dried Medicinal Cannabis are summarised as follows: EXAMPLE 5 Determination of Cannabinoid Content In Plants And Extracts Identity By TLC a) Materials And Methods [0000] Equipment Application device capable of delivering an accurately controlled volume of solution i.e., 1 μl capillary pipette or micro litre syringe. [0135] TLC development tank with lid [0136] Hot air blower [0137] Silica gel G TLC plates (SIL N-HR/UV254), 200 μm layer with fluorescent indicator on polyester support. [0138] Dipping tank for visualisation reagent. Mobile phase 80% petroleum ether 60:80/20% Diethyl ether. Visualisation reagent 0.1% w/v aqueous Fast Blue B (100 mg in 100 ml de-ionised water). An optional method is to scan at UV 254 and 365 nm. b) Sample Preparation [0142] i) Herbal raw material [0143] Approximately 200 mg of finely ground, dried cannabis is weighed into a 10 ml volumetric flask. Make up to volume using methanol:chloroform (9:1) extraction solvent. [0144] Extract by ultrasound for 15 minutes. Decant supernatant and use directly for chromatography. [0145] ii) Herbal drug Extract [0146] Approximately 50 mg of extract is weighed into a 25 ml volumetric flask. Make up to volume using methanol solvent. Shake vigorously to dissolve and then use directly for chromatography. c) Standards [0000] 0.1 mg/ml delta-9-THC in methanol. [0148] 0.1 mg/ml CBD in methanol. [0149] The standard solutions are stored frozen at −20° C. between uses and are used for up to 12 months after initial preparation. d) Test Solutions And Method [0150] Apply to points separated by a minimum of 10 mm. [0151] i) either 5 μl of herb extract or 1 μl of herbal extract solution as appropriate, [0152] ii) 10 μl of 0.1 mg/ml delta-9-THC in methanol standard solution, [0153] 10 μl of 0.1 mg/ml CBD in methanol standard solution. [0154] Elute the TLC plate through a distance of 8 cm, then remove the plate. Allow solvent to evaporate from the plate and then repeat the elution for a second time (double development). [0155] The plate is briefly immersed in the Fast Blue B reagent until the characteristic re/orange colour of cannabinoids begins to develop. The plate is removed and allowed to dry under ambient conditions in the dark. [0156] A permanent record of the result is made either by reproduction of the image by digital scanner(preferred option) or by noting spot positions and colours on a tracing paper. Assay THC, THCA, CBD, CBDA And CBN By HPLC a) Materials And Methods [0000] Equipment: HP 1100 HPLC with diode array detector and autosampler. The equipment is set up and operated in accordance with in-house standard operating procedures (SOPlab037) HPLC column Discovery C8 5 μm, 15×0.46 cm plus Kingsorb ODS2 precolumn 5 μm 3×0.46 cm. Mobile Phase Acetonotrile:methanol:0.25% aqueous acetic acid (16:7:6 by volume) Column Operating 25° C. Temperature Flow Rate 1.0 ml/min Injection Volume 10 μl Run time 25 mins Detection Neutral and acid cannabinoids 220 nm (band width 16 nm) [0166] Reference wavelength 400 nm/bandwidth 16 nm [0167] Slit 4 nm [0168] Acid cannabinoids are routinely monitored at 310 nm (band width 16 nm) for qualitative confirmatory and identification purposes only. Data capture HP Chemistation with Version A7.01 software b) Sample Preparation [0170] Approximately 40 mg of Cannabis Based Medicinal Extract is dissolved in 25 ml methanol and this solution is diluted to 1 to 10 in methanol. This dilution is used for chromatography. [0171] 0.5 ml of the fill solution, contained within the Pump Action Sublingual Spray unit, is sampled by glass pipette. The solution is diluted into a 25 ml flask and made to the mark with methanol. 200 μl of this solution is diluted with 800 μl of methanol. [0172] Herb or resin samples are prepared by taking a 100 mg sample and treating this with 5 or 10 ml of Methanol/Chloroform (9/1 w/v). The dispersion is sonicated in a sealed tube for 10 minutes, allowed to cool and an aliquot is centrifuged and suitably diluted with methanol prior to chromatography. c) Standards [0000] External standardisation is used for this method. Dilution of stock standards of THC, CBD and CBN in methanol or ethanol are made to give final working standards of approximately accurately 0.1 mg/ml. The working standards are stored at −20° C. and are used for up to 12 months after initial preparation. Injection of each standard is made in triplicate prior to the injection of any test solution. At suitable intervals during the processing of test solutions, repeat injections of standards are made. In the absence of reliable CBDA and THCA standards, these compounds are analysed using respectively the CBD and THC standard response factors. The elution order has been determined as CBD, CBDA, CBN, THC and THCA. Other cannabinoids are detected using this method and may be identified and determined as necessary. d) Test Solutions [0000] Diluted test solutions are made up in methanol and should contain analytes in the linear working range of 0.02-0.2 mg/ml. e) Chromatography Acceptance Criteria: [0000] The following acceptance criteria are applied to the results of each sequence as they have been found to result in adequate resolution of all analytes (including the two most closely eluting analytes CBD and CBDA) [0178] i) Retention time windows for each analyte: CBD 5.4-5.9 minutes CBN 7.9-8.7 minutes THC 9.6-10.6 minutes [0182] ii) Peak shape (symmetry factor according to BP method) CBD <1.30 CBN <1.25 THC <1.35 [0186] iii) A number of modifications to the standard method have been developed to deal with those samples which contain late eluting impurity peaks e.g., method CBD2A extends the run time to 50 minutes. All solutions should be clarified by centrifugation before being transferred into autosampler vials sealed with teflon faced septum seal and cap. [0187] iv) The precolumn is critical to the quality of the chromatography and should be changed when the back pressure rises above 71 bar and/or acceptance criteria regarding retention time and resolution, fall outside their specified limits. f) Data Processing [0000] Cannabinoids can be subdivided into neutral and acidic—the qualitative identification can be performed using the DAD dual wavelength mode. Acidic cannabinoids absorb strongly in the region of 220 nm-310 nm. Neutral cannabinoids only absorb strongly in the region of 220 nm. Routinely, only the data recorded at 220 nm is used for quantitative analysis. The DAD can also be set up to take UV spectral scans of each peak, which can then be stored in a spectral library and used for identification purposes. Data processing for quantitation utilises batch processing software on the Hewlett Packard Chemstation. a) Sample Chromatograms [0000] HPLC sample chromatograms for THC and CBD Herbal Drug extracts are provided in the accompanying Figures. EXAMPLE 6 Preparation of the Herbal Drug Extract [0193] A flow chart showing the process of manufacture of extract from the High-THC and High-CBD chemovars is given below: [0194] The resulting extract is referred to as a Cannabis Based Medicine Extract and is also classified as a Botanic Drug Substance, according to the US Food and Drug Administration Guidance for Industry Botanical Drug Products. EXAMPLE 7 [0195] High THC cannabis was grown under glass at a mean temperature of 21+2° C., RH 50-60%. Herb was harvested and dried at ambient room temperature at a RH of 40-45% in the dark. When dry, the leaf and flower head were stripped from stem and this dried biomass is referred to as “medicinal cannabis”. [0196] Medicinal cannabis was reduced to a coarse powder (particles passing through a 3 mm mesh) and packed into the chamber of a Supercritical Fluid Extractor. Packing density was 0.3 and liquid carbon dioxide at a pressure of 600 bar was passed through the mass at a temperature of 35° C. Supercritical extraction is carried out for 4 hours and the extract was recovered by stepwise decompression into a collection vessel. The resulting green-brown oily resinous extract is further purified. When dissolved in ethanol BP (2 parts) and subjected to a temperature of −20° C. for 24 hours a deposit (consisting of fat-soluble, waxy material) was thrown out of solution and was removed by filtration. Solvent was removed at low pressure in a rotary evaporator. The resulting extract is a soft extract which contains approximately 60% THC and approximately 6% of other cannabinoids of which 1-2% is cannabidiol and the remainder is minor cannabinoids including cannabinol. Quantitative yield was 9% w/w based on weight of dry medicinal cannabis. [0197] A high CBD chemovar was similarly treated and yielded an extract containing approximately 60% CBD with up to 4% tetrahydrocannabinol, within a total of other cannabinoids of 6%. Extracts were made using THCV and CBDV chemovars using the general method described above. [0198] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that other combinations of temperature and pressure (e.g. in the range +10° C. to 35° C. and 60-600 bar) can be used to prepare extracts under supercritical and subcritical conditions. EXAMPLE 8 The Effects of Light On the Stability of the Alcoholic Solutions of THC, CBD Or THCV [0199] The following example includes data to support the packaging of liquid dosage forms in amber glass, to provide some protection from the degradative effects of light on cannabinoids. [0200] Further credence is also given to the selection of the lowest possible storage temperature for the solutions containing cannabinoid active ingredients. Background And Overview [0201] Light is known to be an initiator of degradation reactions in many substances, including cannabinoids. This knowledge has been used in the selection of the packaging for liquid formulations, amber glass being widely used in pharmaceutical presentations as a light exclusive barrier. [0202] Experiments were set up to follow the effects of white light on the stability of methanolic solutions of THC, CBD or THCV. Following preliminary knowledge that light of different wavelengths may have differing effects on compound stability (viz. tretinoin is stable only in red light or darkness), samples were wrapped in coloured acetate films or in light exclusive foil. A concurrent experiment used charcoal treated CBME to study the effects of the removal of plant pigments on the degradation process. Materials And Methods [0203] Cannabinoids : 1 mg/ml solutions of CBME were made up in AR methanol. Methanolic solutions of CBME (100 mg/ml) were passed through charcoal columns (Biotage Flash 12AC 7.5 cm cartridges, b/no. 2730125) and were then diluted to 1 mg/ml. Solutions were stored in soda-glass vials, which were tightly screw capped and oversealed with stretch film. Tubes were wrapped in coloured acetate films as follows: Red, Yellow, Green, and Cyan [0205] Solutions were also filled into the amber glass U-save vials; these were sealed with a septum and oversealed. One tube of each series of samples was tightly wrapped in aluminium foil in order to completely exclude light. This served as a “dark” control to monitor the contribution of ambient temperature to the degradation behaviour. All of the above tubes were placed in a box fitted with 2×40 watt white Osram fluorescent tubes. The walls of the box were lined with reflective foil and the internal temperature was monitored at frequent intervals. [0206] A further tube of each series was stored at −20° C. to act as a pseudo to the reference sample; in addition, one tube was exposed directly to light without protection. Samples were withdrawn for chromatographic analysis at intervals up to 112 days following the start of the study. The study was designated AS01201/AX282. [0207] Samples of the test solutions were withdrawn and diluted as appropriate for HPLC and TLC analysis. HPLC was carried out in accordance with TM GE.004.V1 (SOPam058). TLC was performed on layers on Silica gel (MN Si1G/UV) in accordance with TM GE.002.V 1 (SOPam056). [0000] Two further TLC systems were utilised in order to separate degradation products: [0208] a) Si1G/UV, stationary phase, hexane/acetone 8/2 v/v mobile phase b) RPC18 stationary phase, acetonitrile/methanol/0.25% aqueous acetic acid 16/7/6 by volume Visualisation of cannabinoids was by Fast Blue B salt. Results And Discussion HPLC Quantitative Analysis [0210] The results from the HPLC analysis of samples drawn from the stored, light exposed solutions, are plotted and presented as FIGS. 6 and 6 a (THC before and after charcoal treatment), and FIGS. 7 and 7 a (CBD before and after charcoal treatment). [0211] It can be seen from FIGS. 6 and 6 a that there are significant improvements to the stability of THC in all solutions, except those stored in the dark (at ambient temperature) and at −20° C. (and hence which are not under photochemical stress). Even storage in amber glass shows an improvement when un-treated extract is compared with charcoal treated extract. This, however, may reflect in an improvement of the thermal stability of the charcoal treated extract. [0212] FIGS. 7 and 7 a present similar data for CBD containing extracts, from which it can be seen that this cannabinoid is significantly more sensitive to the effects of light than is THC. In the absence of charcoal, all exposures, except in amber glass, light excluded (foil) and −20° storage, had degraded to non-detectable levels of CBD before 40 days. This improved to figures of between 42 and 62 days following charcoal treatment. Amber glass protected CBD showed an improvement from ˜38% residual compound at 112 days without charcoal clean up, to approximately 64% at the same time after charcoal treatment. There was also an improvement in the stability of CBD in light excluded solution after charcoal treatment. This can only reflect a reduction in either thermo-oxidative degradation, or a residual photochemical degradation initiated by light (and/or air) during CBME and solution preparation. Thin Layer Chromatography Qualitative Analysis [0213] The evaluation of the light degraded solutions using thin layer chromatography, used both the existing normal phase system (i.e. Silica stationary phase and hexane/diethyl ether as mobile phase) and two additional systems, capable of resolving more polar or polymeric products formed during the degradation processes. [0214] Thus, chromatography using the hexane/diethyl ether system, showed that for THC by day 112, there was a reduction in the intensity of the THC and secondary CBD spots with all of the colour filtered lights (data not shown). At the same time, there was an increase in the intensity of Fast Blue B staining material running at, or close to, the origin. Foil protected solution exhibited none of these effects. Conclusions And Recommendations [0215] Cannabinoids are known to be degraded by a number of natural challenges, viz. light, heat, oxygen, enzymes etc. It is most likely that in an extract of herbal plant material, which has not been subjected to extensive clean-up procedures, that some of these processes may still be able to continue. Paradoxically, it is also likely that the removal of cannabinoids from the presence of any protection agents within the plant tissue, may render the extract more likely to suffer from particular degradation pathways. [0216] Packaging into amber glass vials, conducting formulation manufacture in amber filtered light, and the storage of plant extracts and pharmaceutical formulations at temperatures as low as possible compatible with manufacturing and distribution requirements and patient compliance eliminates, or at least reduces, the effect of light on degradation of cannabinoids. These actions dramatically improved the storage stability of both plant extracts and finished products. [0217] It was interesting to note that CBD appeared to be markedly less stable than THC, when subjected to photochemical stress. This is the opposite of the finding for the relative thermo-oxidative stabilities, in which THC is the less stable. This seems to indicate that, although polymeric degradation products may be the common result of both photochemical and thermo-oxidative degradation, the exact details of the mechanism are not identical for the two processes. Among the conclusions that can be drawn are the following: 1] The choice of amber glass for the packaging of the dose solutions provides improved stability, but minor improvements can be made by additional light exclusion measures. 2] The drying process and subsequent extraction and formulation of cannabis extracts should indeed be carried out in low intensity, amber filtered light. 3] Consideration should be given to the blanketing of extracts under an inert atmosphere (e.g. Nitrogen). 4] Clean-up of cannabis extracts by simple charcoal filtration after winterisation, may yield substantial improvements to product shelf-life. [0223] Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims. [0224] All references disclosed herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The invention relates to pharmaceutical formulations, and more particularly to formulations containing cannabinoids for administration via a pump action spray. In particular, the invention relates to pharmaceutical formulations, for use in administration of lipophilic medicaments via mucosal surfaces, comprising: at least one lipophilic medicament, a solvent and a co-solvent, wherein the total amount of solvent and co-solvent present in the formulation is greater than 55% wt/wt of the formulation and the formulation is absent of a self emulsifying agent and/or a fluorinated propellant.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to magnetic core storage memory systems and more particularly to a magnetic core storage memory system wherein the memory cores are bonded flat to specially designed carrier planes. These carrier planes are then stacked, forming a three dimensional array which is wired with X and Y drive lines and with either a combined sense/inhibit line or separate sense and inhibit lines. 2. Description of Prior Art The rectangular hysteresis loop properties of magnetic cores are widely known and employed for fabricating binary storage devices. A basic core storage device consists of a matrix of toroidal cores arranged in rows and columns. All cores in a given row are wired by a common conductor to provide a single turn winding through each core. Similarly, all cores in a given column are wired by a common conductor. The two sets of conductors are referred to as the X and Y drive lines. To store a binary 1 in a selected core of a typical storage device, the X and Y drive lines which coincide at the selected core are each energized with a current of half the magnitude necessary to set the core to the one state. All of the other cores common to the energized X and Y drive lines are disturbed but not set to the one state since each is subjected to a magnetomotive force of half the value necessary to set it to the one state. To read the binary digit stored in a selected core, the X and Y drive lines which coincide at the selected core are each energized with half the current required to change the state of the selected core but in a direction opposite to that for storing a binary digit 1. If the selected core is storing a binary digit 0, it is not disturbed by the coincident currents. However, if a binary digit 1 is stored in the selected core, the state of the core is shifted from one stable state to its other stable state. The change is then sensed by a third line commonly referred to as a sense line. A single matrix of magnetic cores may be employed to store or read only one binary digit at a time since only one set of X and Y drive lines may be energized at the same time. Accordingly, to provide a magnetic core storage device capable of handling groups of binary digits simultaneously or in parallel, a plurality of such magnetic core matrices often called core planes must be provided, one for each binary digit of a group to be stored or read out simultaneously or in parallel. Such a group is hereby defined to be a word of memory. In such a three-dimensional arrangement for parallel storing and reading a group of binary digits, the corresponding X and Y drive lines of each core plane are connected in series and to corresponding X and Y current drivers. The separate sense line provided in each plane senses the magnetic flux in its plane of the selected core as it is shifted from one state to the other upon reading out a binary digit 1 stored therein. To store a group of digits in the same memory location or group of cores, one in each plane, currents are passed through the X and Y drive lines in directions opposite the current directions for reading. However, the coincident currents through the corresponding cores of each plane in the three-dimensional array would switch all cores to the one state. To inhibit the storage of a binary digit 1 in the cores of selected planes, an inhibit winding is provided in each plane through which current is selectively driven in a direction opposite to either one of the coincident currents in the X and Y lines. The method of packaging the memory described is commonly referred to as the stacked array. This method has been largely supplanted by the planar array and the folded planar array. The planar array and the folded planar array are arranged so that each core plane is capable of handling groups of binary digits simultaneously or in parallel. To describe its arrangement in other terms, the core plane is designed to contain complete sets of words; the words being composed of bits, with a bit being defined as a single core. The planar array or folded planar array core plane is, therefore, required to be designed with a specified word length in mind. Each time a new word length is desired a new design of core plane must be employed. If the memory capacity is to be increased, additional core planes are added. The stacked array or the cubic approach, as it is sometimes referred to, lends itself to more economical inventory maintenance for a manufacturer of core memories by utilizing common core planes as building blocks. The manufacturer is able to design a single core plane. Each time a memory with a different word length is needed, a number of core planes equivalent to the number of bits in the specified word need be provided. However, as industry adopted the logic card approach to design of electronic products, the stacked array became obsolete. The stacked array geometry did not lend itself to the dimensional constraints of the logic card. Another reason for its obsolescence was the fact that the geometry of the planar and folded planar arrays resulted in a more efficient stringing or wiring process. More cores can be wired in a planar array with each pass of the needle used in the stringing operation than with a stacked array. Since stringing is one of the most costly aspects of core memory fabrication, industry was clearly predisposed towards the planar array, notwithstanding the dimensional constraints established by the logic card approach to packaging electronic products. Increased densities were achieved with the planar array by manipulating the core angle relative to the drive lines. The folded planar array further increased the effective density by utilizing the volume around the core arrays. Both the stacked array and the planar method of packaging core memories utilize cores which are placed perpendicular to the core carrier surface. These cores are arranged in their desired position by means of a core loading plate. The process of loading cores so they are perpendicular to the core carrier surface causes a high incidence of damage or stress to the cores during the core loading or transferring cycles, the result of which is a lower manufacturing yield. The cubic magnetic core storage memory system of the present invention places cores flat to the core carrier surface, thereby reducing the damaging effects of present methods of core loading. The memory system of this invention allows increased word lengths without redesign of the core plane by simply increasing the quantity of core planes for any module or array. The present invention results in an increased effective density of memory elements over planar techniques. Just as the logic card method of packaging electronics dictated the use of planar techniques over the use of the stacked array, the geometry of the integrated circuit modules of today are dictating a new geometry for core memory systems. The present invention is of the same geometric configuration as that of the integrated circuit module. The stacked array and the planar techniques do not lend themselves to the integrated circuit geometry, since the height of a stacked array is much greater than that of typical integrated circuit packages while the height of a planar array is much less. The stringing of the present invention is far more economical than with any of the present memory configurations. One of the reasons for the increased economy is due to the fact that the cores are not placed at 40°-45° to the axis of the X drive line and Y drive line. Therefore, when stringing these lines the stringing needle has a larger aperture target because it will see the full inside diameter of each core. This results in fewer instances where the needle hits the core rather than the core aperture. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a magnetic core storage memory system which utilizes magnetic cores bonded flat against carrier planes. The carrier planes loaded with cores defines a core plane. In the preferred embodiment, core planes are stacked so that the axis of each core in any given core plane coincides with the axis of a core in the core planes above and the core planes below. Each carrier plane has a series of aligned rows of apertures. The apertures of each carrier plane are spaced fixed distances apart. These fixed distances between apertures for any given carrier plane are the same as the fixed distances between apertures for any other carrier plane. The magnetic cores are bonded to the periphery of the apertures so that the axis of any given core coincides with the axis of its aperture. The stack of core planes are threaded to form a magnetic core storage memory system. A wire is threaded parallel to the axis of a core from the top of the stack through the stack to the bottom of the stack. The wire is then threaded from the bottom to the top of the stack and so forth along an entire row of the stack. In the preferred embodiment this wire is either the X or the Y drive line of the memory system. This wire may, however, be utilized as the sense/inhibit line. In a similar manner another wire is threaded along an entire column of the stack. A column is defined as a series of aligned apertures at an angle to a series of aligned rows of apertures. In the preferred embodiment a column is perpendicular to a row. This other wire is either the Y or X, or sense/inhibit line of the memory system, depending upon how the first wire was defined. A third line is threaded diagonally through the memory system so that the number of binary digits of a group of binary digits or, stated differently, the number of bits in a word of memory is defined by the number of core planes in the stack. The word of memory is geometrically represented by a vertical line through the memory system. This third line is preferably defined as the sense/inhibit line, but may also be the X or Y drive line, depending upon how the first two lines were defined. The threaded memory system is mechanically held together by the threaded wires. The periphery of the core planes may also be mechanically bonded together to provide added rigidity. Electrically, the memory system leads may be terminated by conventional techniques. The system may then be hermetically sealed and potted or may be held in a suitable mechanical jig or frame and mounted appropriately for the environment in which it is to be used. To allow ease in threading the diagonal line, second apertures which, for ease of reference, will be referred to as blivit apertures, are employed. These blivit apertures are adjacent to the first apertures and in communication with them. Their purpose is to provide a straight diagonal channel or tunnel through the stack. The diagonally disposed wire can then be threaded straight through the stack without need for time consuming weaving of the diagonally disposed wire. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1. Odd Core Carrier Plane FIG. 2. Even Core Carrier Plane FIG. 3. Odd Core Carrier Plane with Memory Cores in Place FIG. 4. Even Core Carrier Plane with Memory Cores in Place FIG. 5. Stacking Arrangement of Memory Planes FIG. 6. Construction and Sense Wiring Technique FIG. 7. Construction and X Wiring Technique FIG. 8. Construction and Y Wiring Technique FIG. 9. Sense/Inhibit "O" Wiring Diagram FIG. 10. Sense/Inhibit "1" Wiring Diagram FIG. 11. Y Coordinate Wiring Concept FIG. 12. X Coordinate Wiring Concept FIG. 13. Sizing Detail FIG. 14. Sizing Table FIG. 15. Odd Core Carrier Plane with Memory Cores in place on both sides DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the figures, there is illustrated at 10, in FIG. 1, an odd carrier plane. The odd carrier plane 10 is the substrate to which toroidal magnetic cores are bonded in a flat position as illustrated at 11 in FIG. 3. Magnetic cores of the character contemplated herein are well known in the memory and magnetic switching art and exhibit substantially rectangular hysteresis characteristics. The odd carrier plane 10 is fabricated from berylium copper with an approximate thickness of 2/1000 of an inch; although a carrier plane of any thickness would provide an operative memory system as contemplated by this invention. Thinner material, however, results in a more compact memory system. The principals of this invention are also applicable to other arrangements than that illustrated by the core plane 12 in FIG. 3. For example, cores may be bonded to applicable rows and columns on both sides of carrier plane 10. The odd carrier plane 10 contains a plurality of apertures 13A x ,y,z in FIG. 1. These apertures 13A x ,y,z will be individually referred to with reference to an x,y,z coordinate system. FIG. 1 illustrates these coordinates. An aperture with an x coordinate of 1, a y coordinate of 2, and a z coordinate of 3 would be referred to as aperture 13A 1 ,2,3. A generalized expression for any aperture would be 13A x ,y,z. Each aperture 13A x ,y,z has adjacent to it and in communication with it a blivit aperture 14B x ,y,z in FIG. 1. For reference purposes the x coordinate shall define rows and the y coordinate shall define columns. The z coordinate shall define core carrier planes 12. The blivit 14B 1 ,y,z in row 1 in FIG. 1 is aligned in a direction opposite to the alignment of the blivit 14B 2 ,y,z in row 2 in FIG. 1 and the blivit 14B 3 ,y,z is aligned in opposition to the blivit 14B 2 ,y,z in row 2 in FIG. 1 and so forth throughout N rows of an odd carrier plane 10. The number of rows and columns in any odd carrier plane 10 is dependent upon the number of binary digits of memory desired for each core plane 12. The product of the columns and rows of any core plane defines the number of binary digits of memory available in that core plane as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. To provide a magnetic core storage device capable of handling groups of binary digits simultaneously or in parallel (words), a plurality of core planes 12 must be provided, one for each binary digit of a group or word to be stored or read out in parallel. An even carrier plane 15, in FIG. 2, is provided as a second carrier plane type in the preferred embodiment. The odd carrier planes 10 and the even carrier planes 15 are alternately stacked along the z coordinate to form an array 16, in FIG. 5. The even carrier plane 15 is identical to the odd carrier plane 10 except for the disposition of blivits 14B x ,y,2 with relation to the blivits 14B x ,y,1 in each of the corresponding rows of the odd carrier plane 10. The blivits 14B x ,y,2 in even carrier plane 15 are in opposed relationship to the blivits 14B x ,y,1 in the odd carrier plane 15 where the odd carrier plane 15 is defined as occupying position 1 on the z coordinate and the even carrier plane is defined as occupying position 2 on the z coordinate. The opposed relationship is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5. A core plane 12 is illustrated in FIG. 3. A core plane is an odd carrier plane 10 or an even carrier plane 15 loaded with toroidal memory cores 11. The cores 11 are placed over and in registry with apertures 13A x ,y,z. The longitudinal axis of memory cores 11 is in alignment with and parallel to the axis of apertures 13A x ,y,z. The cores 11 are bonded to the odd carrier planes 10 and the even carrier planes 15 by any suitable means. The preferred embodiment uses an epoxy. The epoxy must be of a resilient nature to allow for the inherent expansion of the memory cores 11 upon energization of the cores 11. Such an epoxy is readily available in the commercial market. Only every row of an odd carrier plane 10 in FIG. 3 has a memory core 11 affixed to all of the apertures 13A x ,y,z. Each row that has cores 11 affixed to any aperture 13A x ,y,z has cores 11 affixed to every aperture 13A x ,y,z in that row. A row either has cores 11 affixed to all the apertures 13A x ,y,z in that row or a row does not have any cores affixed to any of the apertures 13A x ,y,z. FIG. 4 illustrates the layout of the memory cores 11 on an even carrier plane 15. The layout differs from the layout of the cores 11 on an odd carrier plane 10 only in that for every row as defined by the x coordinate that has a core 11 affixed to it on an odd carrier plane 10, the corresponding row on the even carrier plane 15 does not have any memory cores 11 affixed in registry with apertures 14A x ,y,z. The converse is also true that for an odd carrier plane 10, every row which has no cores affixed, the corresponding row on the even carrier plane 15 does have memory cores 11 affixed. FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a stack of core planes 12 which forms a memory array 16. An array 16 consists of N layers of odd carrier planes 10 and even carrier planes 15 arranged so that odd carrier planes 10 and even carrier planes 15 alternate along the z coordinate throughout the stack. The stack may have as a first plane along the z coordinate either an odd carrier plane 10 or an even carrier plane 15. The only requirement in this respect is that the odd carrier planes 10 and the carrier planes 15 alternate throughout the stack. Each core plane 12 is aligned in the array so that their respective x and y coordinates are in substantial alignment one over the other. As a result, the axis of apertures 13A 1 ,1,1 through 13A n ,n,1 substantially coincides with the axis of apertures 13A 1 ,1,n through 13A n ,n,n, respectively. Along a z coordinate drawn from 13A 1 ,n,1 to 13A 1 ,n,n in FIG. 5, there would be encountered a core 11; an odd carrier plane 10; no core 11; an even carrier plane 15; a core 11; an odd carrier plane 10; and so forth. The core planes 12 are mechanically held together to form the array 16 only by the threading of the X drive line 8, the Y drive line 9 and the sense/inhibit line 7, as illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7 & 8. Conventional core memory design utilizes cores 11 which are affixed on edge to a substrate such as the odd carrier planes 10 and the even carrier planes 15 of this invention. The cores are bonded to the substrate, usually with a silicon adhesive. Multiple layers of substrate with cores 11 affixed thereto are stacked to form an array. Each layer of the array must be mechanically linked to the other layer to form the array by a linkage method other than simply by the threaded X drive line 8, the Y drive line 9 and the sense/inhibit line 7. It is readily apparent that conventionally designed core memory occupies a greater volume per memory core 11 than with the design of the present invention. One of the drawbacks to core memories has been the relatively large size of the core memory as compared to the semi-conductor memory. The present invention reduced the volume that a conventional stacked core memory occupies by up to 90 percent. It also uses the volume available to the planar type of memory more efficiently increasing the core density per utlized board area by up to a factor of 10. The conventionally designed core memory which affixes the cores 11 edgewise to the substrate subjects the magnetic cores 11 to stresses which the present invention does not impose. During the manufacturing process when the cores 11 are loaded onto a substrate in an edgewise position, there is a force component exerted on the core 11 in a direction transverse to an axis through its center. The core 11 is very vulnerable to breakage from these transverse forces. The present invention does not impose these transverse forces during manufacturing. A force is exerted in a direction parallel to the core's 11 axis. The core 11 is far less vulnerable to breakage from forces exerted in this direction. The present invention, therefore, provides a product which has a higher yield during the manufacturing cycle than conventionally designed core memories. FIG. 6 illustrates the diagonal interleaving of the sense/inhibit line 7 in the array 16. The purpose of the blivit apertures 14B x ,y,z is to allow the diagonally interleaved sense/inhibit line 7 to be threaded in a straight line. The array 16 is assembled and held in a jig during fabrication. The array 16 is then threaded with the X drive lines 8, the Y drive lines 9 and the sense/inhibit line 7. For purposes of reducing the volume of the array 16 each core plane 12 is adjacent to and contiguous with the next core plane 12 in the array 16. It would be possible to thread the lines 7, 8, 9 prior to bringing the core planes in contiguous relation to one another. With this method, lines 7, 8, 9 could be threaded in other than a straight line. The core planes 12 could then be brought into contiguous relation to one another. The purpose of having the axis of the corresponding apertures 13A x ,y,z in various core planes 12 substantially in alignment with one another is to create ease in wiring the array 16 with the lines which pass through the array perpendicular to the array. However, if the core planes 12 are offset from one another the perpendicular lines can still be threaded through the array. The diagonal line can then be threaded in an even more efficient manner than before, since the diagonal wiring window is enlarged. The blivit apertures 14B x ,y,z extend outward from the periphery of the aperture 13A x ,y,z a distance great enough to allow the sense/inhibit line 7 to pass through the array 16 at an angle. The angle to the array 16 of the sense/inhibit line 7 depends upon the spacing of the apertures 13A x ,y,z. The path of a sense/inhibit line 7 through the array 16 is from 13A 1 ,1,1 to 13A 1 ,2,2 to 13A 1 ,3,3 to 13A 1 ,n,n. There are many sense/inhibit lines in the array 16. The above path, however, illustrates the diagonal nature of the path which the sense/inhibit line 7 takes throughout the array 16. An illustration of the interrelationship of the blivit apertures 14B x ,y,z to the sense/inhibit line 7 and to the path of that line 7 through the array 16 is shown by following the path of a typical sense/inhibit line through an array 16. Starting at 14B 1 ,1,1, the line 7 passes through core 11 then through aperture 13A 1 ,1,1 at an angle so that the line 7 passes into blivit 14B 1 ,1,1. The sense/inhibit line 7 then passes through empty space above aperture 13A 1 ,2,2 and passes through aperture 13A 1 ,2,2 and blivit 14B 1 ,2,2. The line then penetrates a core 11 and enters aperture 13A 1 ,3,3 and passes through empty space where there is no core above aperture 13A 1 ,4,4 and so forth throughout the N layers of the array 16. As previously mentioned, each core plane 12 of the preferred embodiment of the array 16 is stacked prior to threading the lines 7,8,9. A jig is used to hold the stack together during the threading process. Upon completion of the threading process the jig is removed and the array is a completed assembly being mechanically held together by the lines 7,8 9. The lines 7, 8, 9 may be terminated by conventional means. The entire memory array 16 may be mounted and encased by conventional means to protect it from vibration and from exposure to the environment. One method is to hermetically seal the memory stack in potting type material. A further purpose of the blivit 14B x ,y,z is to provide clearance for the sense/inhibit line 7 during threading so that the insulation on that winding 7 is not scraped off during threading by contact with the odd and even carrier planes 10, 15. FIG. 7 illustrates the path of an X drive line 8 through the array 16. FIG. 8 illustrates the path of the Y drive line 9 through the array 16. The apertures 13A x ,y,z are of a diamter which is greater than the inside diameter of the memory core 11. This helps to prevent the insulation from scraping off on the X and Y drive lines 8, 9 during theading of the array. These windings are pulled against the rounded less abrasive edge of the core 11 rather than the sharp cutting edge of the odd and even carrier planes 10, 15. The electrical and geometric definition of a word or group of binary digits throughout an array 16 of the present invention is the same as in a stacked or a planar array. However, any designated bit location in the words of memory contained in the array 16 is defined by a diagonal line 19 through the array 16, as illustrated in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 illustrates various diagonal slices 17 through an array 16. The array is schematically illustrated in FIG. 9 by a stack of building block type cubes 18. Each cube 18 represents a core 11 on a segment of a carrier plane 10,15 as illustrated by the core details of FIG. 9. Each diagonal slice 17 represents a plurality of separate binary bits of the same respective location in various words of memory as illustrated in FIG. 9. The routes of two typical sense/inhibit lines are schematically shown in FIG. 9 by line 7. FIGS. 9 through 14 are schematic drawings of a typical cubic magnetic core storage memory system of the present invention. FIG. 10, like FIG. 9, presents the routing of a sense/inhibit line 7 through the array 16. It, however, presents a sense/inhibit line 7 which commences and terminates in a different slice 17 than that illustrated in FIG. 9. In like manner, each slice 17 of the array 16 will be threaded with a sense/inhibit line as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 11 schematically illustrates the Y coordinate wiring concept. FIG. 12 schematically illustrates the X coordinate wiring concept. FIG. 13 in conjunction with FIG. 14 depicts various memory system configuration possibilities of the present invention. Although the preferred embodiment uses odd and even carrier planes 10,15, cores may be placed on odd or even carrier planes so that only odd carrier planes 10 or even carrier planes 15 need be used. For example, cores may be placed on odd carrier planes as described for the preferred embodiment. Additional cores may then be placed on the side of the odd carrier plane which is opposite to the side which has the cores as shown in FIG. 15 affixed to it in the preferred embodiment. These cores would be placed in substantial alignment with the axis of the apertures in the rows of apertures which do not have cores affixed to them in the preferred embodiment. The resultant core plane would, therefore, have a core affixed around the periphery of every aperture in the core plane. One-half would be on one side of the core plane and the other one-half of the cores would be on the other side. The core planes could be stacked and wired as described for the preferred embodiment to allow for an increased word size. In a like manner, all even planes could be used to make an array. The advantages of the present invention over the existing technology are manifold. The placement of the cores 11 flat to the core carrier surface reduces the damaging effects of loading cores penpendicular to the surface. The memory system of the present invention allows increased word lengths without redesign of the core plane by simply increasing the quantity of core planes for any module or array. Increased densities over planar techniques are achieved. The cubic core memory system described herein is of a geometry compatible to that of the integrated circuit packaging. The stringing of the present invention is far more economical than with any other technique. One of the reasons for the increased economy is due to the fact that the cores are not placed at 40°-45° to the axis of the X drive line and Y drive line. Therefore, when stringing these lines the stringing needle has a larger target because it will see the full inside diameter of each core. This results in fewer instances where the needle hits the core rather than the core aperture.

A cubic magnetic core storage memory system which results in increased packing density of the core elements and more economical construction. Memory cores are bonded flat to carrier planes. The carrier planes are then stacked, forming a three dimensional array which is wired with X, Y and sense/inhibit lines. A parallel group (word) of binary digits is geometrically defined by a vertical line drawn through memory cores on the common intersection between an X and a Y coordinate wire on the successive carrier planes of the three dimensional array.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the control of internal combustion engines. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus to control a variable displacement internal combustion engine. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Regulatory conditions in the automotive market have led to an increasing demand to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions in current vehicles. These regulatory conditions must be balanced with the demands of a consumer for high performance and quick response from a vehicle. Variable displacement internal combustion engines (ICEs) provide for improved fuel economy and torque on demand by operating on the principal of cylinder deactivation. During operating conditions that require high output torque, every cylinder of a variable displacement ICE is supplied with fuel and air (also spark, in the case of a gasoline ICE) to provide torque for the ICE. During operating conditions at low speed, low load, and/or other inefficient conditions for a fully displaced ICE, cylinders may be deactivated to improve fuel economy for the variable displacement ICE and vehicle. For example, in the operation of a vehicle equipped with an eight cylinder variable displacement ICE, fuel economy will be improved if the ICE is operated with only four cylinders during low torque operating conditions by reducing throttling losses. Throttling losses, also known as pumping losses, are the extra work that an ICE must perform when the air filling the cylinder is restricted by a throttle plate during partial loads. The ICE must therefore pump air from the relatively low pressure of an intake manifold through the cylinders and out to the atmosphere. The cylinders that are deactivated will not allow air flow through their intake and exhaust valves, reducing pumping losses by allowing the active cylinders to operate at a higher intake manifold pressure. In past variable displacement ICEs, the switching or cycling between the partial displacement mode and the full displacement mode was problematic. Frequent cycling between the two operating modes negates fuel economy benefits and affects the driveability of a vehicle having a variable displacement ICE. The operator's driving habits will affect the number of times a variable displacement ICE will cycle between the partial and the full displacement operating modes, and the fuel economy benefits of a variable displacement ICE. Frequent cycling will also impact component life in a variable displacement ICE. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a method and apparatus for the control of cylinder deactivation in a variable displacement engine. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, an eight-cylinder internal combustion engine (ICE) may be operated as a four-cylinder engine by deactivating four cylinders. The cylinder deactivation occurs as a function of the load, as determined from engine vacuum or engine torque, required by the vehicle and driver behavior. According to the present invention, the activation and deactivation thresholds that are dependent on the magnitude and frequency of calculated torque requests are adaptively modified to eliminate busyness or unnecessary switching between an activated and deactivated state for the variable displacement ICE. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic drawing of the control system of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the initialization of variables used by the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic drawing of the vehicle control system 10 of the present invention. The control system 10 includes a variable displacement ICE 12 having fuel injectors 14 and spark plugs 16 (in the case of a gasoline engine) controlled by an engine or powertrain controller 18 . The ICE 12 crankshaft 21 speed and position are detected by a speed and position detector 20 that generates a signal such as a pulse train to the engine or powertrain controller 18 . The ICE 12 may comprise a gasoline ICE, or any other ICE known in the art. An intake manifold 22 provides air to the cylinders 24 of the ICE 10 , the cylinders having valves 25 . The valves 25 are further coupled to an actuation apparatus 27 such as used in an overhead valve or overhead cam engine configuration that may be physically coupled and decoupled to the valves 25 to shut off air flow through the cylinders 24 . An air flow sensor 26 and manifold air pressure (MAP) sensor 28 detect the air flow and air pressure within the intake manifold 22 and generate signals to the powertrain controller 18 . The airflow sensor 26 is preferably a hot wire anemometer and the MAP sensor 28 is preferably a strain gauge. An electronic throttle 30 having a throttle plate controlled by an electronic throttle controller 32 controls the amount of air entering the intake manifold 22 . The electronic throttle 30 may utilize any known electric motor or actuation technology in the art including, but not limited to, DC motors, AC motors, permanent magnet brushless motors, and reluctance motors. The electronic throttle controller 32 includes power circuitry to modulate the electronic throttle 30 and circuitry to receive position and speed input from the electronic throttle 30 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, an absolute rotary encoder is coupled to the electronic throttle 30 to provide speed and position information to the electronic throttle controller 32 . In alternate embodiments of the present invention, a potentiometer may be used to provide speed and position information for the electronic throttle 30 . The electronic throttle controller 32 further includes communication circuitry such as a serial link or automotive communication network interface to communicate with the powertrain controller 18 over an automotive communications network 33 . In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the electronic throttle controller 32 may be fully integrated into the powertrain controller 18 to eliminate the need for a physically separate electronic throttle controller. A brake pedal 36 in the vehicle is equipped with a brake pedal sensor 38 to determine the braking frequency and/or amount of pressure generated by an operator of the vehicle on the brake pedal 36 . The brake pedal sensor 38 generates a signal to the powertrain controller 18 to determine a braking condition for the vehicle. A braking condition will indicate a low torque/low demand condition for the variable displacement ICE 12 . An accelerator pedal 40 in the vehicle is equipped with a pedal position sensor 42 to sense the position and rate of change of the accelerator pedal 40 . The pedal position sensor 42 signal is also communicated to the powertrain controller 18 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the brake pedal sensor 38 is a strain gauge and the pedal position sensor 42 is an absolute rotary encoder. The present invention addresses the problems of busyness or high frequency switching between a partial displacement and a full displacement of the variable displacement ICE 10 . In past variable displacement ICEs, the switching or cycling between the partial displacement mode and the full displacement mode was problematic. Frequent cycling between the two operating modes negates fuel economy benefits and effects the drivability of a vehicle having a variable displacement ICE. Frequent cycling will also impact component life in a variable displacement ICE. The switching thresholds are calibrated on an engine dynamometer, but no two vehicles are the same and the variable displacement ICE 10 will behave differently under different environmental conditions. Referring to FIG. 2 , an initialization method of the present invention is illustrated. Upon engine start, Block 130 is executed, initializing the variables used by the adaptive threshold logic as follows: the variable Running_on_all_cylinders is set to TRUE, the variable First_pass_reac is set to FALSE, the variable First_pass_deac is set to TRUE, and the variable Time_in_deac is set to zero. Referring to FIG. 3 , the adaptive threshold logic of the present invention is executed following the completion of the standard threshold detection logic described in U.S. Ser. No. 10/104,111, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The method begins at block 100 , which determines whether the system is Running_on_all_cylinders. If block 100 is false, then the ICE 12 is operating in the “deactivated” or partially displaced operating mode and block 102 is executed. If block 100 is true, then the ICE 12 is operating in the “reactivated” or fully displaced operating mode and block 116 is executed. At block 102 , the variable Time_in_deac, representing the time spent in a deactivated mode, is incremented by the sampling rate of the present method (Ts) in the controller 18 . Following block 102 , block 104 is executed to determine whether this is the first pass/execution of the method since the ICE 12 entered a deactivated mode. If block 104 is false, block 124 is executed and the method is exited; otherwise, if block 104 is true, block 106 is executed. At block 106 , the variable Time_between_deacs, representing the time between deactivations, is calculated as the difference between the current time as read from a hardware timer/clock in the ECU, and the time of the last deactivation. Following block 106 , block 108 is executed and the variable last deac_time, representing the last deactivation time, is set to the run_time from the controller 18 hardware. Following block 108 , block 109 is executed, block 109 sets the flags First_pass_reac to TRUE and First_pass_deac to FALSE so as to be able to detect the first pass or execution of the method after the ICE 12 enters the reactivated mode. Following block 109 , block 110 is executed to determine if the Time_between_deacs is less than a calibrated threshold, Deac_time_deac_thresh. If block 110 is false, block 124 is executed and the method is exited; otherwise, block 112 is executed. In block 112 the variable Deactivation_threshold, representing the torque value or vacuum level at which the standard threshold detection logic switches from fully displaced mode to partially displaced mode, is decremented by the precalibrated amount Deactivation_delta_cal. The calibration variable, Deactivation − delta_cal, is set as a compromise. If set relatively large, the system will not readily enter a deactivated mode the next time the logic checks to see if ICE 12 should be in a deactivated mode. If set relatively small, the standard detection logic will once again set ICE 12 in a deactivated mode for too short of a time. The result is a rapid switching from a fully displaced operating mode to a partially displaced or deactivated operating mode. Should this occur, the method of FIG. 4 would once again decrease the threshold and make it even more difficult to enter a deactivated mode. This would continue until the ICE 12 no longer switched rapidly between fully displaced and partially displaced operating modes. Following block 112 , block 114 is executed, restricting the final threshold to be between some calibrated minimum and maximum values. After block 114 is executed, block 124 is executed and the method is exited. Returning to the start of the method of FIG. 3 , if block 100 is true, then the ICE 12 is in a reactivated mode and block 116 is executed. Block 116 determines if this is the first pass or execution of the present method since the ICE 12 entered a reactivated mode. If false, block 124 is executed and the method is exited. Block 116 determines if the flag First_pass_reac is true, indicating that this is the first time the ICE 12 has been reactivated to operate in a fully displaced mode. If block 116 is true, then block 118 is executed. Block 118 determines if the output of block 102 (Time_in_deac) is greater than a calibrated variable, Deac_time_inc_thresh. If block 118 is false, block 124 is executed and the method is exited; otherwise, if block 118 is true, block 120 is executed. At block 120 , the variable Deac_threshold is incremented by the calibration variable Reactivation_delta_cal. This calibration value is set to be a relatively small fraction of the calibration variable Deactivation_delta_cal_used in block 112 . The purpose of block 120 is to make it less difficult to enter the deactivated mode after each time that a deactivated mode was successfully maintained for a long period of time. The Reactivation_delta_cal in block 118 inhibits block 112 from making it difficult to enter a deactivated mode by providing a mechanism, such that if a deactivated mode is entered for a suitably long time, it is slightly easier to enter the deactivated mode. Blocks 112 and 120 counterbalance each other so that the minimum or maximum threshold limits of block 114 would only be achieved under extremely rare conditions. After block 120 , block 122 is executed, block 123 sets the flags First_pass_reac to false and First_pass_deac to true, so as to be able to detect the first pass or execution of the method after the ICE 12 enters the deactivated mode. Following block 120 , block 122 is executed. At block 122 the variable Time_in_deac is reset to zero, in preparation for the next deactivated event. Following block 122 , block 114 is executed restricting the final threshold value, Deac_torq_threshold, to be between some calibrated minimum and maximum values. After block 114 is executed, block 124 is executed and the method is exited. While this invention has been described in terms of some specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that other forms can readily be adapted by one skilled in the art. Accordingly, the scope of this invention is to be considered limited only by the following claims.

An engine control system in a vehicle including a variable displacement internal combustion engine, a controller for controlling the displacement of the variable displacement internal combustion engine, where the controller adaptively determines a torque threshold used to switch the variable displacement internal combustion engine between a partially displaced operating mode and a fully displaced operating mode.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application relates to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/287,510 filed on Dec. 17, 2010, and incorporates this application by reference in their entirety. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE [0003] As described in my above-noted U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/576,923, which is herein incorporated by referent in its entirety, a shear blade 189 (referring to the reference characters in the aforesaid patent application and in FIG. 1 of the present disclosure), preferably a carbide blade, has an elongate sharp shear edge 191 . The shear blade is removably mounted in a recess 199 in a shear blade carrier 185 and is held in place by bolts (not shown in FIG. 1 ) received in openings 195 , 197 . The shear blade edge 191 is exceedingly sharp. However, after shearing thousands or even tens of thousands of books, the cutting edge may become dull and would require replacement. Because access to the bolts holding the blade in place was from below, it was difficult for a technician to access these bolts to effect changing of the blade. In addition, the sharpness of the shear edge 191 , posed a safety problem for the technician as he removed the blade from the book shear. Thus, there was a need to provide easier access to the bolts securing of the blade to the blade carriage and there was a need to protect the technician from the sharp edge both during both installation of a new blade and removal of a used blade. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE [0004] A replaceable shear blade for a book trimming apparatus is disclosed. The book trimming apparatus comprises a shear carriage having the replaceable shear blade mounted thereon. The shear blade has a sharp cutting edge for shearing a book between an anvil and the cutting edge. The shear blade is removably mounted with respect to the shear carriage for replacement of the shear blade by a plurality of fasteners accessible from above. A removable sheath encloses the cutting edge. At least one removable handle is secured to the shear blade so that the shear blade and the sheath may be handled as a unit, with this handle being grippable from above the shear carriage for installation of the shear blade on the shear carriage, and with the handle and the sheath being removable from the shear blade upon installation of the shear blade on the shear carriage. [0005] A method of installing a shear blade in a book shear is disclosed. This method involves fitting a sheath around a cutting edge of the shear blade so as to protect the cutting edge during installation. Then, the shear blade is installed in a recess in a shear carriage such that a rear face of the shear blade is in engagement with a rear shoulder of the shear carriage. The shear blade body is secured to the shear carriage by means of a plurality of fasteners accessible from above. Then, the sheath is removed from the shear blade. [0006] Other objects and features of the disclosure will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] FIG. 1 is a view similar to FIG. 17 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/576,923 illustrating a shear blade installed in a shear assembly for trimming a perfect bound book between the shear blade and an anvil; [0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective top view of a book shear assembly similar to the shear assembly shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the system for the installation and removal of the shear blade while the cutting edge of the shear blade is enclosed in a sheath to protect the technician changing the blade and to protect the blade, and illustrating that the fasteners holding the blade are accessible from above; [0009] FIG. 3A is a vertical sectional view taken along line 3 - 3 of FIG. 2 illustrating the system for the installation and removal of the shear blade while the cutting edge of the shear blade is enclosed in a sheath to protect the cutting edge and the technician changing the blade and illustrating that the fasteners holding the blade are accessible from above; [0010] FIG. 3B is a view similar to FIG. 3A illustrating in cross section an eccentric adjustment fastener installed in the replaceable blade body for aiding in positioning the blade body and the blade carried thereby relative to the blade carrier and relative to the anvil against which the book it to be sheared; [0011] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view on an enlarged scale of the replaceable shear blade and its sheath; and [0012] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of an eccentric adjustment fastener installed in an eccentric hole in the replaceable blade body for aiding in positioning the replaceable blade. [0013] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawing. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0014] Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1 , a book trimming station is indicated in its entirety by reference character 61 . This book trimming station is similar to the book trimming station disclosed in the above-discussed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/576,923, filed on Oct. 9, 2009, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Reference should be made to this '923 application for a full description of the trimming station 61 . In this disclosure, some of the more salient features of the trimming station will be disclosed in order to specifically describe certain features that may be important to the understanding of the present disclosure. However, reference nevertheless should be made to the above-noted '923 application for a more complete description. It will be understood that reference characters below number 500 refer to structure described in the above-noted '923 U.S. patent application and that reference characters above 500 refer to newly disclosed subject matter described herein. However, it will be understood that the subject matter described in the above-noted '923 application is not prior art with respect to the instant application just because it was first disclosed in the above-noted application. [0015] As shown in FIG. 2 , trimming station 61 includes a book clamp 135 and a book shear 137 mounted on a frame bed 133 . The book clamp 135 clamps a book B, as shown in FIG. 15 of the above identified application, between a stationary, fixed anvil 139 and a movable clamp member 155 by means of clamp motor 145 and its drive. The details of the clamp drive and motor are fully disclosed in the above-noted patent application. Further, shear 137 includes a shear carriage 185 mounting a shear blade 189 . The shear carriage and shear blade are movable by a shear motor 175 and its associated drive between a retracted position in which the cutting edge 191 of shear blade 189 is clear of a book clamped on anvil 139 by book clamp 135 and a shearing position in which the shear blade shears through such book. [0016] Blade 189 is preferably a carbide blade having a sharp shearing or cutting edge 191 . In order to shear books, this shearing edge must be exceedingly sharp. Because the preferred blade is a carbide blade, it remains sharp so that it may shear thousands and perhaps tens of thousands of books. However, the cutting edge will eventually become dull and need to be changed. The number of books that blade 189 may shear before its cutting edge 191 dulls is somewhat dependent on the paper used for the book block and the covers of the books being printed and sheared. It will be understood that some paper stocks may be somewhat more abrasive than other papers and that the more abrasive papers may cause more wear on the blade. Also, such carbide blades are fragile and may be subject to breakage or nicking of the cutting edge for a variety of reasons. Accordingly, it may be necessary to change blade 189 from time to time so as to insure that the shear 137 satisfactorily shears the books. [0017] As shown in FIG. 17 of in the above-noted patent application, the shear blade 189 is removably secured to the shear blade assembly 187 by bolts (not shown in FIG. 17). The shear blade assembly 187 has a plurality (e. g., four) of elongate slots 195 that extend generally perpendicular to blade edge 191 . These elongate slots in the blade assembly cooperate with mating elongate slots 197 in the blade carrier 185 and receive bolts (not shown). These elongate slots and the bolts permit the shear blade assembly 187 to be precisely positioned within the shear blade carrier 185 so that the cutting edge 191 of blade 189 uniformly contacts the book along the width of the book side to be sheared. The blade is firmly held in place relative to blade carrier 185 when the bolts (again, not shown in FIG. 17 of the above-noted application) in slots 195 , 197 are tightened. However, it was necessary for the technician changing the blade to access these bolts from below to loosen these bolts so that an old blade may be removed. It was also necessary for the technician to access these bolts from below to tighten these bolts upon the installation of a new blade. This either required two technicians to change the blade or required a technician positioned below the blade carriage to reach between the anvil and the cutting edge 191 of blade 189 to access the bolts. This exposed cutting edge posed a hazard to the technician both on installing and removing the blade. In addition, because the preferred blade 189 was a carbide blade, it was subject to breaking or nicking upon installation. [0018] In accordance with the present disclosure, an improved blade installation and removal procedure is disclosed in which the bolts 502 securing the blade in place on the blade carriage 185 are accessible from above and in which the cutting edge 191 of the blade 189 is protected within a sheath S, as shown in FIGS. 2-4 , as the blade assembly is installed or removed. This sheath S is preferably made of a suitable plastic material, such as High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), or other suitable plastic or other frangible. [0019] Referring to FIG. 4 , a replaceable shear blade assembly, as generally indicated at 501 , is shown. This replaceable shear blade assembly comprises a blade body 503 , preferably of a suitable carbon steel material or the like, to which a carbide blade insert 505 is adhered by a suitable adhesive as is well known in the art. Preferably, blade insert 505 is of a suitable carbide material, such as a tungsten carbide material commercially available from Alliance Knife Co. of Germany, which is inlaid or bonded to the carbon steel blade body 503 . Blade insert 505 has a sharp cutting edge 507 facing forward toward anvil 139 . As shown best in FIG. 4 , blade insert 505 has a flat, planar top horizontal surface 509 that is generally co-planar with the top surface 511 of blade body 503 when the blade body is installed in blade carriage 185 . Further, blade insert 507 and blade body 503 have a wedge-shaped or inclined lower surface 513 angling upwardly toward cutting edge 507 to form the cutting edge. It will be understood that as cutting edge 507 shears through a book B held between the clamp member 155 and anvil 139 , this angled lower surface pushes the sheared margin of the book downwardly away from the underside of the blade insert and the blade body. [0020] As previously noted, the cutting edge 507 of blade insert 505 is preferably enclosed or protected by a plastic sheath S, as shown in FIGS. 2-4 . This sheath S has an upper surface 515 , a front, vertical portion 517 disposed in front of cutting edge 507 , and a lower portion 519 underlying the blade insert so that the full length of the cutting edge is enclosed within the sheath. It will be appreciated that the lower portion 519 of the sheath may be formed so as to resiliently grip the lower surface 513 of the blade body 503 so as to aid in holding the sheath in its protective position as the blade is shipped and as the blade is handled at the installation site. [0021] As indicated at 521 in FIG. 4 , the upper surface 515 of sheath S has a pair of spaced holes therein for receiving a threaded stud 523 protruding from a respective handle 525 , where the stud is received in a respective threaded hole 527 in the upper face of blade body 503 so as to secure the handles to the blade body and to hold the sheath in position on blade assembly 501 . Handles 525 allow the technician to readily handle the replaceable blade (which may weigh several pounds) during installation and removal of the blade from the blade carriage, and the technician is protected from the sharp cutting edge 507 by the sheath S. [0022] Blade body 503 has a plurality of circular bolt holes 529 (five such bolt holes are shown) in the rear portion of the blade body. These bolt holes 529 are aligned with threaded bolt holes 531 in blade mounting body 203 , which is similar to body 203 described in the afore-mentioned '923 application. The bolt holes 529 are preferably countersunk so that when bolts or fasteners 533 (as shown in FIG. 3 ) are inserted from above the heads of the bolts are below the upper surface of the blade body. The shanks of these fasteners threadably engage their respective threaded hole 531 in blade mounting body 203 . As shown in FIG. 3 . In addition, two spaced eccentric holes 537 are provided in blade body 503 for receiving a respective eccentric, adjustable fastener, as generally indicated at 539 . [0023] Blade body 503 is received in a recess 541 provided in blade mounting body 203 . It will be understood that the eccentric fasteners 539 may be used to accurately position the blade assembly 501 within recess 541 so that a rear edge 543 of blade body 503 is in abutting relation with a forward facing shoulder 545 of recess 541 in blade mounting body 203 , as shown in FIG. 3 . It will be understood that rear edge 543 is parallel to the shear surface of anvil 139 such that when rear edge 543 is in abutting relation with shoulder 545 , cutting edge 507 is substantially parallel to the cutting surface of anvil 139 . However, it may be desired to use the adjustable eccentric fasteners 539 to precisely adjust the blade edge 507 to be parallel to the cutting surface or cutting stick 217 of anvil 139 . With the blade body 503 so positioned in recess 541 , bolts 533 are tightened, the blade assembly 501 is secured in position relative to body 203 . [0024] In accordance with the present disclosure, in order to install blade assembly 501 in shear carriage 185 , the clamp jaw 155 is moved to a retracted position clear of anvil 139 and shear carriage 185 is advanced to approximately its position shown in FIG. 2 or 3 such that the blade assembly 501 is clear from above. Assuming that no blade assembly is installed on blade carriage 185 , the new blade assembly is removed from its shipping container (not shown). Preferably, sheath S is shipped with each new blade assembly and the sheath is installed over the cutting edge 507 of blade insert 505 so as to protect the blade during shipping. While handles 525 may be shipped installed on the blade assembly, it may be preferable that the handles are removed from the new blade assembly within its shipping container or box. If that is the case, before the blade assembly is removed from its shipping container, the handles 525 are installed by inserting handle studs 523 (which are preferably installed on the handles) through holes 521 in sheath S and are threadably engaged in holes 527 in blade body 503 . With the handles 525 so installed, sheath S is fixedly held in place on blade assembly 501 in such manner that it cannot be inadvertently dislodged from the blade insert 505 during installation of the blade assembly. In this manner, cutting edge 507 remains covered during installation of the blade until the sheath S is removed. It will be further appreciated that the handles 525 allow the technician to readily hold the blade assembly as it is positioned within recess 541 in blade mounting body 203 . [0025] As previously noted, eccentric fasteners 539 are inserted in eccentric holes 537 in blade mounting body 203 so as to insure that blade body 503 is properly positioned within recess 541 with its rear wall 543 in firm engagement with shoulder 545 of the blade mounting body 203 . As noted, this insures that cutting edge 507 is parallel to the cutting surface of anvil 139 . In addition, recess 541 may be provided with side walls 547 of recess 541 (as shown in FIG. 2 ) which abut corresponding side walls 549 (see FIG. 4 ) of blade mounting body 203 so as to effectively prevent side-to-side shifting or movement of blade assembly 501 with respect to the blade mounting body 203 . [0026] Once blade assembly 501 has been so installed on blade carriage 185 (and more precisely has been installed in recess 541 of blade mounting body 203 ), handles 525 may be unscrewed so as to remove the handles and their respective studs 523 from blade mounting body 503 . Then, sheath S may be slipped off blade insert 505 so as to expose cutting edge 507 and the sheath is removed from the trimming station. Alternatively, sheath S may remain in place and the shear carriage 185 may be extended toward anvil 139 so that the cutting edge 507 may forcefully shear the front, vertical portion 517 of the sheath between the cutting edge and the anvil so that a portion of the sheath below a shear line approximately halfway down the sheath portion 517 so that the sheared portion will drop into the waste chute of the book trimming station 61 . Then, as the shear carriage is moved toward its retracted position, the rear edge of the top portion 515 of sheath S will engage the clamp surface 170 of clamp bar 155 . Because the sheath is no longer held in position by handles 525 , this retraction of the shear carriage will sweep the remaining upper portion 515 of the sheath from the blade assembly and this upper portion will also be discarded into the waste chute. In this manner, the cutting edge 507 is not exposed at any time during the installation of the blade assembly 501 . [0027] In order to remove the blade assembly 501 , the above-described process is reversed. Specifically, to remove the blade assembly the clamp bar 155 is moved to a retracted position, such as shown in FIG. 2 so that the blade assembly and the fasteners 529 and 539 are accessible from above. Then, a new sheath S is positioned around the cutting edge 507 , as shown in FIG. 3 , and handles 525 are installed so that the handle studs 523 are inserted through holes 521 in the upper portion 515 of the sheath and are threadably engaged in holes 527 in the blade mounting body 503 . Then fasteners 529 and 539 may be then removed from above and the entire blade assembly and the sheath may be removed from the shear carriage from above as a unit. Again, except during installation of sheath S on cutting edge 507 , the cutting edge is enclosed by and protected by the sheath during removal of the blade assembly. [0028] As indicated at 209 in FIG. 3 , the rear edge of mounting body 203 is in camming engagement with cam 209 so that the position of cutting edge 507 of blade assembly 501 may be accurately adjusted toward and away from anvil 139 . As described in the afore-mentioned '923 application, cam 209 may be adjusted by means of a cam actuation screw 215 . [0029] As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the broad scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

A replaceable shear blade for a book trimming apparatus, the latter comprising a shear carriage having the replaceable shear blade mounted thereon. The shear blade has a sharp cutting edge for shearing a book between an anvil and the cutting edge. The shear blade is removably mounted with respect to the shear carriage for replacement of the shear blade, where the shear blade is removably secured relative to the shear carriage by a plurality of fasteners accessible from above. A removable sheath encloses the cutting edge. At least one removable handle is secured to the shear blade so that the shear blade and the sheath may be handled as a unit, with this handle being grippable from above for installation of the shear blade on the shear carriage, and with the handle and the sheath being removable from the shear blade upon installation of the shear blade on the shear carriage. A method of installation and removal of the shear blade is also disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Technical Field The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for rapidly changing constituent components and reducing change over waste in the extrusion process of manufacturing synthetic fiber. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved system for proportioning, mixing and distributing components, such as color pigments, with a base polymer to selectively deliver flow streams of a wide range of colors or other characteristics to spinneret extrusion holes. 2. Discussion of the Prior Art Synthetic fibers are produced by pumping fluid polymer through an assembly called a spin pack consisting of a series of component plates that collectively filter, distribute and finally extrude the fibers through fine holes into a collection area. Multi-component fibers (i.e., fibers consisting of more than one type of polymer) are extruded from spin packs having one or more distribution plates having slots, channels and capillaries arranged to deliver the polymer from one, or a few, inlets to the hundreds of extrusion holes. Exemplary of such spin pack assemblies are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,074 (Hills) consisting of, in order, an upstream top or inlet plate, a filter screen support plate, a metering plate that communicates filtered melt to an etched distribution plate that in turn disperses the melt laterally to multiple extrusion through-holes formed in a final downstream spinneret plate. The addition of coloring pigments or dyes to the polymer melt has been generally performed outside and upstream of the spin pack with the cost-inefficient result that the entire pack has to be cleaned or flushed between each change in fiber color. Representative of this longstanding approach is U.S. Pat. No. 2,070,194 (Bartunek, et al) disclosing a system characterized by premixing separate batches of cellulosic solutions with a plurality of primary colors, pumping selected proportions of the various colored solutions into a common mixing tank to produce a desired fiber color, and then pumping the mixed solution to a filament forming machine. An alternative approach, exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,650 (Hagen et al) pumps three or more streams of differently colored premixed polymer to a program plate directly upstream of the spinneret. The program plate blocks, meters or permits free flow of each of the streams into the active backholes. Color or component combinations are controlled by flows permitted to reach each backhole, but the program plate must be replaced to change the characteristics of the fiber or yarns produced and this creates delays and expense. Moreover, no effort is made to actively mix the color combinations beyond the merging of flows. The delivery of metered amounts of separated polymeric components to spinneret nozzles to extrude combined multi-component fibers, particularly trilobal fibers having abutting sheaths and cores of different characteristics, is illustrated by U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,614 (Hagen) but again no teaching of the utility of, or procedure for, homogeneously mixing the separate components is provided. Instead the molten polymer is merged into a single capillary communicating directly with the extruding orifice. The known prior art nowhere presents a technique nor an apparatus for selectively combining and mixing constituent fiber components, such as pigments or precolored polymer streams, immediately upstream of the spinneret in a continuous flow process. Such a procedure would reduce processing interruptions, expenses and waste by minimizing the residence time and consequently the constituent material required to effect a transition from a fiber of one selected characteristic to another. OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for producing instant mixture changes in spin pack synthetic fiber manufacturing. It is also an object of this invention to minimize residence time of mixed polymers in a spin pack. It is another object of the present invention to provide spin pack mixer plates that mix constituent components with core melt in close proximity to the spinneret orifices. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a spin pack that locates mixing of components together, mixing of components with core melt, and distribution of mixed melt to spinneret orifices all at the same level in the spin pack immediately upstream of the spinneret. It is yet another object of the present invention to produce mixing of fiber components together and mixing of additive components with core melt using no moving parts, instead using boundary layer effects resulting from adjacently criss-crossing flow paths. The aforesaid objects are achieved individually and in combination, and it is not intended that the invention be construed as requiring that two or more of said objects be combined. In accordance with the present invention a spin pack is provided with adjacently disposed upstream and downstream mix plates located between an upstream screen support plate and a downstream spinneret plate. The adjacent sides of the mix plates have channels defined in partial registry one with the other to form therebetween a plurality of criss-crossing distribution flow paths each alternating from one plate to the other at the criss-cross or crossover points in a basketweave or similar configuration. Mixing of components together, such as pigments and mixed pigments with core melt, and pigmented melt with pigmented melt is achieved by the boundary layer interactions occurring at the flow path crossovers. The basketweave-like design creates 180° rotations of each flow path between crossovers, thereby alternating the flow sides making boundary layer contact at successive crossovers to produce more efficient and quicker mixing. The number of crossovers is varied to control the degree and type of mixing consistent with fiber effects desired. The present invention permits the proportioning and mixing of a few colors to produce a complete array of end product colors, and the close proximity of the mixing process to the spinneret minimizes the cleaning, flushing time and waste involved in a change over. The above and still further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon considering the following detailed description of specific embodiments thereof, particularly when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers in the various figures are utilized to designate like components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partially broken prospective view of a spin pack assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the spin pack assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a top view in plan of the top plate of the spin pack assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a bottom view in plan of the top plate of the spin pack assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a top view in plan of the screen support plate of the spin pack assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a bottom view in a plan of the screen support plate of the spin pack assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a top view in plan of the filter screen of the spin pack assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a top view in plan of the first or upstream distribution and mix plate of the spin pack assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 9 is a bottom view in plan of the first or upstream distribution and mix plate of the spin pack assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is a top view in plan of the second or downstream distribution and mix plate of the spin pack assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 11 is a bottom view in plan of the second distribution and mix plate of the spin pack assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 12 is a top view in plan of the spinneret plate of the spin pack assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of pigment flow through mixer channels formed between the first and second mix plates of FIGS. 8-11. FIG. 14 is a section view taken along lines 14--14 of FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is a section view taken along lines 15--15 of FIG. 13. FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the adjacently opposed faces of a portion of the mixer patterns and distribution conduits of the mix plates of FIGS. 8-11. FIG. 17 is a diagram of a portion of the mixer pattern of FIG. 16 indicating the nature of the registry of the adjacently opposed faces. FIG. 18 is a diagram of the flow pattern through the mixer pattern and distribution conduit of FIG. 16. FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the opposed faces of a portion of a mixer pattern having four input streams. FIG. 20 is a diagram of the mixer pattern of FIG. 19 indicating the nature of the registry of the adjacently opposed faces. FIG. 21 is a diagram of a portion of a mixer pattern including adjacent flow patterns in side to side coplanar boundary contact. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring specifically to FIG. 1-12 of the accompanying drawings, a spin pack 10 is assembled from five stacked plates, held in successive juxtaposition. These plates, in order from top or upstream side to bottom or downstream side are a top plate 12, a screen support plate 14, a first upstream distribution and mix plate 16, a second downstream distribution and mix plate 18 and a spinneret plate 20. Plates 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 are secured tightly together, for example by bolts extending from spinneret plate 20 through appropriately aligned bolt holes 24 formed in each plate and secured by nuts upstream of top plate 12. Three inlet ports 28, 30 and 32 are formed near one end of the upstream surface 34 of the top plate 12, separated from each other sufficiently to allow metering pumps 36, 38 and 40, respectively, to be uninterferingly connected thereto. Passageways 42, 44 and 46 extend through plate 12 between upstream ports 28, 30 and 32, respectively, and the downstream surface 48 of top plate 12, converging into a single component outlet port 50. An additional inlet port 52 on the upstream surface 34 of top plate 12 is separated from ports 28, 30 and 32 sufficiently to allow a base polymer pump 54 to be uninterferingly connected thereto. A recess or cavity 56 formed in the downstream surface 48 of top plate 12 flares or diverges in a downstream direction. Cavity 58 has a rectangular shaped outlet 58 at downstream surface 48 and a somewhat smaller axially aligned rectangular base surface 60 located between downstream surface 48 and upstream surface 34. A passageway 62 communicates through plate 12 between base polymer inlet port 52 and an output port 64 at surface 60 of cavity 56. A shallow rectangular recess or cavity 65, similarly sized and aligned with the base 58 of flared rectangular cavity 56 in top plate 12, is formed in the upstream surface 66 of screen support plate 14. Cavity 65 is sized to receive a removable filter screen 67. Four spaced polymer supply slots 68, 70, 72 and 74, aligned perpendicular to the long sides of cavity 65 and spanning most of the width of cavity 65 extend through screen support plate 14 from cavity 65 to downstream surface 76. An inlet port 78 on the upstream surface 66 of screen support plate 14 is aligned and communicates with component outlet port 50 on the downstream surface 48 of top plate 12. Passageway 80 (FIG. 1) extends from inlet port 78 through screen support plate 14 to an outlet port 82 located on downstream surface 76. A series of shallow channels are formed on the downstream surface 96 of first mix plate 16 that mate with similar channels formed in adjacently opposed surface 97, the upstream surface of second mix plate 18. Distribution and mix plates 16 and 18 are preferably thin stainless steel plates photochemically etched or otherwise formed to produce conduits for the flow of additive components and polymer in an interactive pattern to mix the components uniformly with the base polymer and then to distribute the mixture to the extruding spinneret. Alternatively, the conduits or channels could be defined in the adjacently opposed plate faces by laser engraving, EDM or any other suitable means. Some of the channels on the two surfaces are in complete registry to form passageways to conduct and distribute additive components and base polymer, while other opposed or facing sets of channels are in partial registry only. The partially registered channels form mixing zones at their crossing intersections to blend the incompletely mixed additive component stream input through passageway 80 and to mix the resultant combined components with base polymer to produce selected fiber characteristics. First or upstream mix plate 16 has eight polymer supply through-holes 84-91 arranged in two spaced linear rows such that through-holes 84 and 85 align in registry with the opposite ends of throughslot 68 in screen support plate 14, through-holes 86 and 87 align in like registry with opposite ends of throughslot 70, through-holes 88 and 89 align in like registry with opposite ends of slot 72 and through-holes 90 and 91 align in like registry with the ends of slot 74. Separate sets of individual partitioned polymer-additive component mixer channels 94 are formed in the downstream surface 96 of first mix plate 16, each in communication with one of polymer supply through-holes 84-91. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 the additive components are color pigments and mixer channels 94 are polymer pigment mixer channels, although additive components contributing fiber characteristics of any sort could be metered into the spin pack to create selected fiber mixtures. The upstream surface 97 of second mix plate 18 has sets of partitioned polymer-pigment mixer channels 99 in partial registry with channel sets 94 but generally aligned perpendicular to the channels of sets 94 in a criss-cross pattern such that registry and thus communication is effected at the opposite ends of opposed channels and at intersecting cross-overs located at about midlength forming individual polymer-pigment mixing zones. Distribution channels 101, having four divergent legs 103, are defined adjacent polymer-pigment mixer sets 94 on surface 96. Similar channels 105 and legs 107 are defined in surface 97 in complete registry with channels 101 and legs 103. Legs 107 terminate in through-holes 108 communicating through second mix plate 18 in registry with spinneret extrusion nozzles 109 passing through spinneret plate 20. A pigment inlet port 110 at upstream surface 92 of first mix plate 16 is in registry with pigment outlet port 82 at downstream surface 76 of screen support plate 14 and communicates via short passageway 111 with a row of short diagonal parallel pigment mixer channels 113 defined in downstream surface 96. The last of these channels, the one furthest from pigment inlet passageway 111, communicates with each of the polymer supply through-holes 84-91 and hence with mixer channels 94, via a pigment supply channel 115, formed in downstream surface 96. Upstream surface 97 of second mix plate 18 has a row of short diagonal parallel pigment mixer channels 117 defined in partial registry with the row of pigment mixer channels 113 in first mix plate 16. The direction of diagonal mixer channels 117 is generally perpendicular to mixer channels 113 and registry is effected at the channel ends and at intersecting cross-overs preferably located midway between ends. A pigment supply channel 119 is defined in second mix plate 18 in registry with supply channel 115 of first mix plate 16. FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 show how the first row or series of pigment mixer channels 113 at the downstream side of first mix plate 16 aligns and interacts with second series 117 on the facing or upstream side of second mix plate 18 to form two flow paths. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the pigment from metering pumps 36, 38 and 40, (for instance yellow, cyan and magenta pigments, the subtractive primary or secondary colors) are proportioned so that when mixed they form a selected color and intensity. The three resulting pigment streams converge from passages 42, 44 and 46, respectively, at port 50 (FIGS. 3 and 4) and partially mix as they flow through passageway 80 (FIG. 1) in screen support plate 14 and into passageway 111 (FIGS. 9 and 13-15). The use of the three subtractive primary input colors permits a wide spectrum of compound or mixed colors to be created by proper proportionings, especially if combined with black and/or white pigments, but fewer or more input pigments of various colors could also be used. The flow separates into upper channel 113a of series 113 in first mix plate 16 and lower channel 117a of series 117 in second mix plate 18. The downstream end of channel 113a overlaps and communicates with the upstream end of channel 117b. Similarly the downstream end of channel 117a overlaps and communicates with the upstream end of channel 113b. At each such overlap the flow is redirected to a channel defined in the opposed plate. How is thus directed along two paths, a first path beginning in channel 113a and continuing along channels 117b, 113c, 117d and so on, and a second path along channels 117a, 113b, 117c, 113d and so on, creating a basketweave configuration between the two paths. The two paths intersectingly criss-cross one another midway along each channel creating confluent mixing zones where boundary layer interaction produces further blending of the pigments. More specifically, turbulent shear develops along the surface intersections of the two flows destabilizing the generally laminar patterns and producing diffusing or mixing eddies projecting from each flow into the other. Each time the paths switch from one plate to the other, the flow is inverted so that opposite sides of the flow paths are brought into boundary layer contact on each successive cross-over, thereby enhancing the overall mixing effect. The two paths reconverge after traversing the combined rows of channels 113 and 117 and the mixed pigment flows through a conduit formed between first and second mix plates 16 and 18, respectively, by the registered alignment of channels 115 and 119, (FIGS. 9 and 10) to the eight sets of partially registered mixer channels 94 and 99. Base polymer metered by pump 54 (FIG. 2) flows through port 52, passageway 62 (FIG. 3), port 64 (FIG. 4) into cavity 56 and through filter screen 67 (FIG. 2), slots 68-74 and finally flows into through-holes 84-91 (FIG. 10) and enters the partially registered mixer channels 94 and 99 (FIGS. 9 and 10) where blending with the mixed pigment by successive alternating boundary layer interaction occurs. The last, or downstream, channels in each of the eight sets communicates with distribution conduits formed by the registry of channels 101 and 105. The color blended polymer flows outward through divergent distribution legs formed by the registry of legs 103 and 107 and hence to through-holes 108 and into the spinning orifices or nozzles 109 in spinneret plate 20 (FIG. 12) where selectively colored fibers are extruded. In one effective embodiment of the present invention at least 80% by volume of the extruded mixture is the base polymer with color pigments or other components contributing properties to the final fiber composing the remaining 20% or less by volume. FIGS. 16-18 show the geometry and flow pattern created by the partially registered sets of mixer channels 94 and 99 on the adjacent surfaces of upstream and downstream mix plates 16 and 18 respectively. Mixed pigment flowing through conduit 115/119 converges with base polymer at through-hole 90 where flow is split into first upstream mixer channel 94a and first downstream mixer channel 99a. These two channels intersectingly criss-cross each other at 121 near their midlengths at a generally orthogonal orientation to each other, and boundary layer interaction effects partial blending of the two streams. The downstream end 123 of channel 94a, the end most distant from through-hole 90, is registered with the upstream or near end 125 of channel 99b, and flow is consequently directed into channel 99b. Similarly the downstream end 127 of channel 99a is registered with the upstream end 129 of channel 94b and the pigment-polymer blend flows into channel 94b. Channels 94b and 99b cross each other at about the midpoints of the channels, again in generally orthogonal orientation, creating a second boundary layer interaction blending zone 131. The downstream end 133 of channel 99b is registered with an upstream extension 135 of channel 94b, and flow from channels 94a and 99b converges with flow from channels 99a and 94b in the middle portion 137 of channel 94b. Flow from the two streams is generally parallel in middle portion 137 resulting in somewhat reduced boundary layer mixing. Channel 99c has a generally right angle shape with an upstream leg 139 in registry with the portion of channel 94b just downstream of middle portion 137. Converged flow from middle portion 137 is split into a first path extending downstream along channel 99c and a second path continuing downstream along channel 94b. The downstream end 139 of channel 99c is in registry with the upstream end 141 of channel 94c, and flow is directed into channel 94c. Similarly the downstream end 143 of channel 94b is in registry with the upstream end 145 of channel 99d, and pigment-polymer flows into channel 99d which crosses channel 94c in generally orthogonal orientation to form a mixing zone 147. The downstream end 149 of channel 94c is in registry with the upstream end 151 of channel 99c into which flow is directed. Similarly the downstream end 153 of channel 99d is in registry with the upstream end 155 of channel 94d and flow continues along this path. Channels 99c and 94d cross one another in a generally orthogonal orientation to form another mixing zone 159. Flow from channels 94d and 99c merge together in registry to form a final mixing zone 161 from which the blended pigment and base polymer flows into distribution conduit 101/105. The flow, as depicted diagrammatically in FIG. 18, is split initially at input through-hole 90 into a first path designated A along channels 94a, 99b and into 94b and a second path B along channels 99a and 94b, mixing with the flow along path A at the two intersecting cross-overs of the paths. Path A converges with path B midway down channel 94b to briefly form a partially blended single path C. Path C splits in the downstream portion of channel 94b with first path D flowing along channels 94b, 99c, 94c into 94e and a second flow path E along 94b, 99d and 94d, mixing with flow D at two additional cross-over intersections. Flow paths D and E converge as a blend of pigment and polymer at the upstream end of the distribution conduit formed by channels 101 and 105. The pigmented polymer is then distributed to spinneret orifices for extrusion as selectively pigmented fiber. Alternatively, the number of fluid flows to be mixed or blended together is not limited to simply two criss-crossing confluent paths but can be extended and expanded as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 to any number of paths, each interacting with the others at cross-over intersections and mixing according to the boundary layers in contact. Components enter the opposed plate surface mixing pattern through four input channels 170-173 with each of the inner inputs 171 and 172 splitting into upper and lower paths, outer input channel 170 assuming an initially upper path and outer input channel 173 assuming an initially lower path. Sets of parallel diagonal channels 176 defined in the lower plate lower surface extend generally perpendicular to sets of parallel diagonal channels 178 in the upper plate upper surface with registry occurring at the cross-over points 180 of the channels and at the lateral extremes of the two patterns 182. The mixed fluid reconverges at output channel 184. In each of the preceding embodiments, flow between channels formed in adjacently opposed faces of the two mix plates results in 180° inversions of the fluid flow. Thus mixing is obtained by repeated boundary layer interactions occurring between alternating upper and lower surfaces of the flow streams. It will be appreciated from the context of this disclosure that the terms "mix", "mixing", "mixture", etc., when related to the polymer and/or additive component flows means a blending or amalgamation of the flowing materials resulting in spun fibers consisting of intermixed, rather than side by side, components. This intermixing, it should be emphasized, is not restricted to blending color pigments into a base polymer. Any flowable additive component can be metered into a spin pack according to the present invention for mixture with a base polymer. Additional mix plates can be included to permit virtually unlimited numbers and orientations of flow interactions and the geometry of the mix plate pattern can be varied to produce any number or type of boundary layer interactions, including coplanar confluence of flow patterns as illustrated in FIG. 21. From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides a method and apparatus that permits the selective and controllable mixing of additive components and base polymer in an inexpensive spin pack at a location in the synthetic fiber manufacturing process very close to the final spinneret extrusion point. This minimizes the amount and residence time of mixed polymer in the spin pack to allow a wide range of nearly instantaneous changes to be made with little disruptive and costly material waste or cleaning and flushing of equipment. Having described preferred embodiments of a new and improved mixer spin pack according to the present invention, it is believed that other modifications, variations and changes will be suggested to persons skilled in the art in view of the teachings contained herein and that all such variations, modifications and changes fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

A multiplate spin pack receives metered molten polymer and metered amounts of additive components selectively proportioned to produce desired characteristics in extruded fiber. The additive components are mixed together and blended with the polymer by passage through a pattern of mixer channels formed in opposed faces of spin pack mix plates immediately upstream of the spinning orifices of a spinneret. Mixing is produced by splitting the fluids into multiple paths and repeatedly converging the paths into boundary layer contact. Short flow paths of mixed polymer minimizes time and waste in change over procedures.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention pertains generally to hand tools, and more particularly to hand tools that are operated using one hand. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Hand tools having two pivotally connected handles for moving jaws that a user operates with one hand are well known in the art. The basic tool has three parts: a unitary first member having a first handle on one end and a first jaw on the other, a unitary second member having a second handle on one end and a second jaw on the other, and an axle pivotally connecting the two together. Scissors and sheet metal snips are examples of such hand tools operated by one hand. In certain applications the mechanical advantage offered by the leverage of such a three part hand tool is insufficient making it difficult or impossible to achieve the desired result with one hand. For example, cutting a thick gauge of sheet metal with a simple sheet metal snip can require more hand pressure than the user can deliver, particularly when the cutting must be performed over a protracted period of time. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate side elevation views of a prior art hand tool 500 shown in open and closed positions. The hand tool shown is generally referred to as an aviation snip. A second set of levers between the handles and the jaws compounds the force created by a person squeezing the handles when the force is transmitted to the jaws. This allows the user to cut thicker materials that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to cut with the strength of one hand. Hand tool 500 has a first jaw member 502 having a first end 504 , an opposite second end 506 , and an intermediate portion 508 . Hand tool 500 also has a second jaw member 510 having a first end 512 , an opposite second end 514 , and an intermediate portion 516 . Intermediate portion 516 of second jaw member 510 is pivotally connected to intermediate portion 508 of first jaw member 502 at a first pivot P 1 . Hand tool 500 also has a first handle member 518 having a first end 520 , an opposite second end 522 , and an intermediate portion 524 . Intermediate portion 524 of first handle member 518 is pivotally connected to second end 514 of second jaw member 510 at a second pivot P 2 . Hand tool 500 also has a second handle member 526 having a first end 528 , an opposite second end 530 , and an intermediate portion 532 . Intermediate portion 532 of second handle member 526 is pivotally connected to second end 506 of first jaw member 502 at a third pivot P 3 . First end 520 of first handle member 518 is pivotally connected to first end 528 of second handle member 526 at a seventh pivot P 7 . It is noted that pivot P 7 is disposed between pivot P 1 and pivots P 2 and P 3 . Or put another way, when viewed as shown with pivot P 1 the uppermost pivot, pivot P 7 is below pivot P 1 and above pivots P 2 and P 3 . Hand tool 500 also includes a torsion spring 534 which biases first handle member 518 and second handle member 526 apart so that hand tool 500 resides in the open position of FIG. 1 . A pivoting lock 536 cooperates with a shaft located at P 2 to lock hand tool 500 in the closed position. The first jaw member 502 and second jaw member 510 are shaped and dimensioned so that they combine to form an aviation snip. They cross over each other as the hand tool is closed providing a cutting action such as in scissors. It is further noted that hand tool 500 is designed to be operated using only one hand. While a simple metal shear may be satisfactory for certain applications where the material to be cut is relatively thin, and while a compound metal shear of the type shown as hand tool 500 above may be satisfactory for other applications where the material to be cut is somewhat thicker, it would be advantageous to have available yet another metal shear having even greater mechanical advantage for cutting material with one hand that could not be cut with either a simple or compound shear such as those shown in the prior art. Furthermore, such a metal shear having a greater mechanical advantage could also be used over a longer period of time by one hand to cut materials that could be cut by either of the other prior art devices for the short term. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a hand tool that has an increased mechanical advantage. The hand tool of the present invention includes additional pivots and lever arms that increase the mechanical advantage of the hand tool. This is accomplished by adding center members between the jaw members and handle members of prior art hand tools. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a hand tool includes first and second jaw members which are pivotally connected at their intermediate portions. First and second center members are pivotally connected at their intermediate portions to the ends of the first and second jaw members, and the ends of the first and second center members are pivotally connected. First and second handle members are pivotally connected at their intermediate portions to the opposite ends of the first and second center members, and the ends of the first and second handle portions are pivotally connected. In all, the hand tool of the present invention includes six members that are connected at seven pivot points. The jaws of the present invention can be adapted to perform a variety of tasks such as cutting sheet metal, cutting vegetation, and other uses. Other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a prior art hand tool shown in the open position; FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the prior art hand tool shown in the closed position; FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a hand tool in accordance with the present invention shown in the open position; FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the hand tool of the present invention shown in the closed position; and FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate side elevation views of a hand tool 20 in accordance with the present invention shown in the open and closed positions, respectively. Hand tool 20 includes a first jaw member 22 having a first end 24 , an opposite second end 26 , and an intermediate portion 28 . Hand tool 20 also has a second jaw member 30 having a first end 32 , an opposite second end 34 , and an intermediate portion 36 . Intermediate portion 36 of second jaw member 30 is pivotally connected to intermediate portion 28 of first jaw member 22 at a first pivot P 1 . Hand tool 20 also has a first center member 38 having a first end 40 , an opposite second end 42 , and an intermediate portion 44 . Intermediate portion 44 of first center member 38 is pivotally connected to second end 34 of second jaw 30 member at a second pivot P 2 . Hand tool 20 also has a second center member 46 having a first end 48 , an opposite second end 50 , and an intermediate portion 52 . Intermediate portion 52 of second center member 46 is pivotally connected to second end 26 of first jaw member 22 at a third pivot P 3 . First end 40 of first center member 38 is pivotally connected to first end 48 of second center member 46 at a fourth pivot P 4 . Fourth pivot P 4 is disposed between first pivot P 1 and second and third pivots P 2 and P 3 . That is, in the shown view, pivot P 4 is below pivot P 1 and above pivots P 2 and P 3 . Hand tool 20 also has a first handle member 54 having a first end 56 , an opposite second end 58 , and an intermediate portion 60 . Intermediate portion 60 of first handle member 54 is pivotally connected to second end 42 of first center member 38 at a fifth pivot P 5 . Hand tool 20 also has a second handle member 62 having a first end 64 , an opposite second end 66 , and an intermediate portion 68 . Intermediate portion 68 of second handle member 62 is pivotally connected to second end 50 of second center member 46 at a sixth pivot P 6 . First end 56 of first handle member 54 is pivotally connected to first end 64 of second handle member 62 at a seventh pivot P 7 . Seventh pivot P 7 is disposed between (1) second and third pivots P 2 and P 3 , and (2) fifth and sixth pivots P 5 and P 6 . Stop pins 70 limit the open distance first and second handle member 54 and 62 can move from each other. Hand tool 20 also includes a torsion spring 55 which biases first handle member 54 and second handle member 62 apart so that hand tool 20 resides in the open position of FIG. 3 . In the shown embodiment, first jaw member 22 and second jaw member 30 are shaped and dimensioned so that they combine to form the particular form of a sheet metal snip known as an aviation snip. However, it may be appreciated that hand tools 20 having the same structural arrangement of pivots and levers may be used for other purposes. One such hand tool 20 is depicted in FIG. 5 and the discussion pertaining thereto. As with prior art hand tool 500 , hand tool 20 is designed to be operated using only one hand. It is noted that the addition of first and second center members 38 and 46 only adds slightly to the overall length of hand tool 20 when compared to the prior art hand tool 500 of FIGS. 1-2 . But the mechanical advantage MA of hand tool 20 is significantly increased over that of prior art hand tool 500 . The mechanic advantage MA of hand tool 20 is more than twice as great as the mechanical advantage MA of prior art hand tool 500 . FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, first jaw member 22 and second jaw member 30 are shaped and dimensioned so that they combine to form a pruning shear. It may be appreciated that other embodiments of first jaw member 22 and second jaw member 30 are also possible to perform other types of work. The preferred embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations, dimensional variations, and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve an equivalent result, all of which are intended to be embraced within the scope of the appended claims.

A hand tool for use by one hand provides double compound leverage of the force exerted on the handles to the jaws. This is achieved by adding additional pivots and lever arms between the handles and the jaws. The jaws may take the form of a sheet metal snip or a pruning shear.

BACKGROUND [0001] 1. Technical Field [0002] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus such as a facsimile machine or a printer, and more particularly, to a recording apparatus including a drier for accelerating the drying of a recordable medium. [0003] 2. Related Art [0004] Hereinafter, a printer will be described as an example of a recording apparatus. In particular, as described in Japanese Patent No. 3075329, there is provided a printer for heating a recording sheet by a heater, evaporating moisture included in the recording sheet, and exhausting air including moisture by an exhauster. JP-A-2002-292841 discloses a printer including a drier for drying an ink landing on a sheet by ejecting hot air onto the sheet. [0005] Even when the heater and the exhauster are included in order to accelerate the drying of the sheet as in the printer described in Japanese Patent No. 3075329 or even when hot air is ejected onto the sheet as in the printer described in JP-A-2002-292841, turbulence (turbulent flow) of air stream occurs at the periphery of the sheet. If the turbulent flow occurs at an end of the sheet, floating (curling) of the end of the sheet occurs and thus recording quality may deteriorate. Such a technical problem is not sufficiently considered in the existing printers including the printers of Japanese Patent No. 3075329 and JP-A-2002-292841. SUMMARY [0006] An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that suitable recording quality is attained by preventing turbulence of air stream from occurring at an end of a sheet and preventing the end of the sheet from floating (curling). [0007] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a recording apparatus including: a recording unit for performing recording on a recordable medium; a transportation unit transporting the recordable medium; and a drier accelerating the drying of the recordable medium by ejecting gas onto the recordable medium, wherein the drier is configured such that the ejection range of the gas in a direction perpendicular to the transportation direction of the recordable medium is changeable. [0008] According to the present aspect, since the recording device includes the drier accelerating the drying of the recordable medium by ejecting the gas onto the recordable medium and the drier is configured such that the ejection range of the gas in the direction (hereinafter, referred to as “the width direction of the recordable medium”) perpendicular to the transportation direction of the recordable medium is changeable, the ejection range can be adjusted according to the width of the recordable medium. [0009] That is, for example, if the ejection range is large with respect to the width of the recordable medium, turbulent flow occurring in the side end of the recordable medium and thus the side end is apt to float (curl). However, since the ejection range can be adjusted according to the width of the recordable medium, it is possible to prevent the side end of the recordable medium from floating (curling) by the turbulent flow. In addition, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the heated recordable medium from being reduced by the turbulent flow. [0010] The drier forms air stream from the center to the side end of the recordable medium in the direction perpendicular to the transportation direction of the recordable medium. [0011] By this configuration, since the drier forms the air stream from the center to the side end of the recordable medium in the direction perpendicular to the transportation direction of the recordable medium, the gas escapes outwardly straight. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently prevent the side end of the recordable medium from floating (curling) by the gas ejected from the drier. [0012] In addition, after the gas is ejected onto the recordable medium, it is possible to reduce the distance of the gas moved to the outside of the recordable medium. Accordingly, when moisture is emitted from the recordable medium, it is possible to rapidly separate air including moisture from the recordable sheet, to suppress air including moisture from being moved to the downstream side even when the recordable sheet is transported at a high speed, and to prevent the recording unit (for example, an ink jet recording head) or the peripheral configuration thereof from bedewing with certainty. [0013] In an air ejection port of the drier, a shutter member covering both sides of an ejection port in the direction perpendicular to the transportation direction may be displaceably provided in the direction perpendicular to the transportation direction, and the shutter member may be displaced such that the ejection range is changed. [0014] By this configuration, since the shutter member which is displaceable in the width of the recordable medium is displaced such that the ejection range is changed, it is possible to configure the drier, in which the ejection range is changed, with low cost. [0015] The drier may include a plurality of blast sources in the direction perpendicular to the transportation direction, and at least some of the plurality of blast sources may be displaced in the direction perpendicular to the transportation direction such that the ejection range is changed. [0016] By this configuration, since the plurality of blast sources is included, at least some of the blast sources are displaceable in the width direction of the recordable medium. Since the blast sources are displaced such that the ejection range is changed, it is possible to adjust the gas ejection strength of the blast sources. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the side end of the recordable medium from floating with more certainty, that is by setting the gas ejection strength from the blast sources disposed at the end of the recordable medium in the width direction to be strong. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference represent like elements. [0018] FIG. 1A is a side view showing the main portions of a printer according to a first embodiment of the invention and FIG. 1B is a plan view thereof. [0019] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a drier (first embodiment). [0020] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a drier (second embodiment). [0021] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a drier (third embodiment). [0022] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a drier (fourth embodiment). [0023] FIG. 6A is a side view showing the main portions of the printer according to the first embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 6B is a side view showing the main portions of a printer according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS [0024] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1A is a side view showing the main portions of an ink jet printer (hereinafter, referred to as a “printer”) 1 as a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention, FIG. 1B is a plan view thereof, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a drier 12 A (first embodiment), FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a drier 12 B according to another embodiment (second embodiment), FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a drier 12 C according to another embodiment (third embodiment), FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a drier 12 D according to another embodiment (fourth embodiment), FIG. 6A is a side view showing the main portions of the printer 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 6B is a side view showing the main portions of a printer 1 ′ in which a transportation unit is replaced with another embodiment. [0025] In addition, hereinafter, a direction (a vertical direction of FIG. 1B and a horizontal direction of FIGS. 2 to 5 ) perpendicular to a sheet transportation direction (a horizontal direction of FIGS. 1A and 1B ) is referred to as a “sheet width direction”, for convenience of description. First Embodiment [0026] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 . [0027] The printer 1 according to the present embodiment is a so-called line head type high-throughput ink jet printer including an ink jet type recording head (recording unit) 10 with a length covering a sheet width, and ejects inks from the recording head 10 while moving a recording sheet P as an example of a recordable medium in a sheet transportation direction so as to execute recording, without reciprocally moving an ink ejecting head in the sheet width direction. [0028] In more detail, the printer 1 has a gate roller 7 on the upstream side of a transportation unit 2 . By the gate roller 7 , skew is eliminated before feeding the recording sheet P to the transportation unit 2 and the recording sheet P is then fed to the transportation unit 2 disposed on the downstream side. [0029] A transportation belt 3 which forms a transportation surface for transporting the recording sheet P and the transportation unit 2 including a plurality of rollers (a driving roller 4 and driven rollers 5 and 6 ), around which the transportation belt 3 is wound, are provided on the downstream side of the gate roller 7 . The transportation belt 3 has a plurality of suction holes 3 a . The recording sheet P is sucked by a suction device 8 through the suction holes 3 a (in a direction denoted by an arrow of FIG. 1A ), and is transported in a transportation direction with certainty. [0030] The recording head 10 for ejecting inks is provided at a position facing the transportation surface of the transportation belt 3 . In the recording head 10 , a plurality of heads 10 a is arranged in a zigzag shape in the sheet width direction. In each of the heads 10 a , ink nozzles (not shown) of respective colors such as yellow, magenta, cyan and black are arranged so as to be shifted from each other in each of the colors in the transportation direction of the recording sheet P. The inks are supplied from ink tanks (not shown) of the respective colors to the ink nozzles (not shown) through ink supply tubes (not shown). [0031] A necessary amount of ink droplets is ejected from the ink ejecting nozzles such that minute ink dots are formed on the recording sheet P. This operation is performed with respect to the respective colors and thus recording is completed by once passing the recording paper P sucked to the transportation belt 3 . [0032] Next, the drier 12 A is provided in the vicinity of the upstream side of the recording head 10 . The drier 12 A, which includes a blast fan 18 and a heater 19 , introduces outdoor air into the apparatus, heats the outdoor air to hot air (dried air), and sends the hot air to the inside of a case 13 through a taking-in port 16 of the case 13 as shown in FIG. 2 . [0033] The hot air is ejected from an ejection port 17 a formed in the lower portion of the case 13 toward the recording sheet P so as to increase the temperature of the recording sheet P and evaporate residual moisture such that the drying after the inks are ejected is accelerated. In FIG. 2 , the arrows denote the flow directions of the hot air in the respective portions. [0034] Blades 20 functioning as a shielding member are provided on the transportation-direction upstream and downstream sides of the ejection port 17 a . By the blades 20 , the hot air ejected from the ejection port 17 a is shielded so as not to be leaked in the sheet transportation direction and more particularly to the side (downstream side) of the recording head 10 . [0035] Accordingly, air including moisture emitted from the recording sheet P is not moved to the side of the recording head 10 or the movement thereof is reduced so as to prevent the recording head 10 or the peripheral configuration thereof from bedewing. If air including moisture flows in an opposite direction (upstream direction) of the recording head 10 , the moisture may be absorbed by the recording sheet P again, but such a problem can be prevented. [0036] A deflector 15 for spreading the received hot air in the sheet width direction is provided in the case 13 , and a plurality of louvers (louver boards) 14 A for regulating the ejection direction of the hot air is provided on the lower side thereof along the sheet width direction. An angle (hereinafter, referred to as an “inclined angle”) between the board surface of each of the louvers 14 A and the recording surface of the recording sheet P is substantially set to 90° such that the hot air is linearly ejected from the ejection port 17 a onto the recording surface of the recording sheet P. [0037] The drier 12 A includes exhaust ports 17 b in both ends thereof in the sheet width direction, in addition to the ejection port 17 a . The flow rate of the hot air ejected from the ejection port 17 a may be easily adjusted (reduced) by the exhaust ports 17 b . In addition, a throttle (not shown) for adjusting the size of the opening of each of the exhaust ports 17 b is provided such that the flow rate of the hot air ejected from the ejection port 17 a can be adjusted with higher accuracy. [0038] In addition, since the exhaust ports 17 b disposed outside the sheet side end of the recording sheet P which are supposed to be used with a largest sheet width (are disposed outside the transportation belt 3 ) and are opened toward the outer direction of the sheet side end, it is possible to prevent turbulent flow of the hot air exhausted from the exhaust ports 17 b from occurring at the peripheral end of the sheet and thereby prevent the sheet side end from floating (curling) by the turbulent flow. [0039] Next, movable plates (shutter) 21 for covering the ejection port 17 a are provided on both sides of the ejection port 17 a in the sheet width direction. The movable plates 21 are slidably provided in the sheet width direction, and the hot air ejection range from the ejection port 17 a can be adjusted according to the width dimension of the recording sheet P. [0040] That is, if the width of the recording sheet P is large, the movable plates 21 are moved in the outer direction and, if the width is small, the movable plates 21 are moved in the center direction, such that the adequate hot air ejection range suitable for the width of the recording sheet P can be set. For example, the hot air ejection range may correspond to the width of the recording paper P. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the turbulent flow of the hot air from occurring in a region deviating from the end of the sheet and to prevent the sheet side end from floating (curling) by the turbulent flow with certainty. In addition, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the preheated sheet (the recording sheet P is heated before recording) from being lowered by the turbulent flow. [0041] Although one hot air drier 12 A (ejection port 17 a ) is included in the above-described first embodiment, a plurality of hot air driers may be disposed on the sheet transportation direction such that the drying is accelerated by the plurality of hot air driers 12 A (ejection ports 17 a ). In this case, the blade 20 interposed between two hot air driers 12 A (ejection ports 17 a ) may be omitted. Second Embodiment [0042] Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3 . In addition, in the following embodiments including the present embodiment, the same configurations as the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. [0043] In the drier 12 B according to the present embodiment, the inclined angles of louvers 14 B are set to be reduced (lie down to the paper) from the center to the end of the sheet width direction, and air stream is formed from the center to the side end of the sheet in the sheet width direction as denoted by arrows on the paper. Accordingly, air ejected from the drier 12 B escapes from the sheet side end outwardly straight. Thus, it is possible to prevent turbulent flow from occurring in the sheet side end and to prevent the sheet side end from floating (curling). [0044] Since air stream is formed from the center to the side end of the sheet width direction, it is possible to reduce the distance of the hot air from the sheet end outward direction after ejecting the hot air onto the recording sheet P. Accordingly, it is possible to rapidly separate air including moisture, which is emitted from the recording sheet P, from the recording sheet P, to suppress air including moisture from being moved to the downstream side; that is, the side of the recording head 10 even when the recording sheet P is transported at a high speed, and to prevent the recording head 10 or the peripheral configuration thereof from bedewing with certainty. Third Embodiment [0045] Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4 . The hot air drier 12 C shown in FIG. 4 includes an edge regulating plate 22 for pressing the side end of a sheet. The edge regulating plate 22 is slidably provided in the sheet width direction, and an edge regulation position can be adjusted according to the width of the recording sheet P. Accordingly, even when the turbulent flow of hot air is generated in a region deviated from the end of the sheet, it is possible to prevent the sheet side end from floating (curling) by the turbulent flow with certainty. In addition, the edge regulating plate 22 is applicable to the above-described first and second embodiments or the following other embodiments. Fourth Embodiment [0046] Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5 . The hot air drier 12 D shown in FIG. 5 includes a plurality of hot air units 23 and 24 as a blast source. Each of the hot air units individually includes a blast fan 18 and a heater 19 , and can set the temperature of hot air and an ejection speed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the sheet side end from floating by setting the flow rate of the hot air from the hot air units 24 disposed at both ends of the sheet width direction to be slightly high. [0047] The hot air unit 23 is fixedly provided at the center of the sheet width direction, and the hot air units 24 disposed at both ends of the sheet width direction are slidably provided in the sheet width direction. That is, since the hot air ejection range from the ejection port 17 a can be adjusted according to the width of the recording sheet P, it is possible to prevent the turbulent flow of the hot air from occurring in a region deviating from the end of the sheet and to prevent the sheet side end from floating (curling) by the turbulent flow with certainty. [0048] In addition, even when all the hot air units are fixedly provided, it is possible to prevent the sheet side end from floating by setting the flow rate of the hot air of the hot air units of both ends to be slightly high. Fifth Embodiment [0049] Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6 . FIG. 6A shows the printer 1 according to the above-described first embodiment and FIG. 6B shows a printer 1 ′ according to the present embodiment in which the transportation unit 2 is replaced with another embodiment (transportation unit 2 ′). [0050] In FIG. 6A , the hot air ejected from the ejection port 17 a of the drier 12 A is prevented from being leaked to the upstream side and the downstream side of the transportation direction by the blade 20 . However, if the hot air is leaked to the downstream side of the transportation direction and thus the turbulent flow is formed between the recording head 10 and the drier 12 A, the front end of the recording sheet P floats as denoted by a reference numeral Ps and collides with the recording head 10 such that the recording surface is contaminated. [0051] Accordingly, in the transportation unit 2 ′ according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B , a plurality of suction units 8 A and 8 B is disposed along the transportation direction, and the sheet suction force of the downstream suction unit 8 B is set to be stronger than the sheet suction force of the upstream suction unit 8 A. [0052] The sheet suction of the downstream suction unit 8 B is configured to be immediately performed after passing the drier 12 A. Accordingly, even when the turbulent flow is formed between the recording head 10 and the drier 12 A, it is possible to prevent the front end of the recording sheet P from floating by the turbulent flow and colliding with the recording head 10 and to prevent the recording surface from being polluted. By decreasing the sheet suction just below the drier 12 A, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the temperature of the recording sheet P and to prevent the drying effect of the drier 12 A from being lowered. [0053] The above-described embodiments are portions of the embodiments of the invention, and the range of the invention is not limited thereto. Embodiments obtained by property combining the characteristic configurations of the embodiments may be employed.

Provided is a recording apparatus including: a recording unit for performing recording on a recordable medium; a transportation unit for transporting the recordable medium; and a drier for accelerating the drying of the recordable medium by ejecting gas to the recordable medium, wherein the drier is configured such that the ejection range of the gas in a direction perpendicular to the transportation direction of the recordable medium is changeable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/190,090, filed Nov. 12, 1998, which is a divisional application of U.S. patent application 08/816,559, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/448,442, now abandoned. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The invention is directed to one-leaf or two-leaf sliding doors, swinging doors or pocket doors with an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic drive, in particular, for vehicles. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] A swinging/sliding door with an electric drive is known, for example, from DE-C 36 30 229 which discloses a two-leaf door in which each leaf has an upper and a lower guide rail in which at least one roller engages. The vertically extending rotational axis of the rollers is swivelable about a vertically extending door post pipe, this swiveling movement causing the door to open outward. [0006] Since the electric drive can carry current only when the door is actuated, a dead-center mechanism is required for locking the door so as to ensure that the closed door cannot be opened by manipulation. [0007] As another consequence of this dead-center mechanism, the door is only locked when it has been moved completely into the final closing position, so that any failure of the drive or any obstacle preventing the door from being closed completely will allow the door to open, e.g., as a result of the vibrations of the moving vehicle. On the other hand, the dead-center mechanism must also be adjusted precisely which, under heavy-duty operating conditions and during large differences in temperature, is difficult and accordingly disadvantageous. [0008] The use of the door post pipe which is associated with each door leaf and is located at the edge of the door opening in the region of the lateral closing edge is another great disadvantage. When the door is open, this door post pipe can be covered only with difficulty and, even then, not completely. In the process of closing the door, the door post pipe in the region of the lateral closing edge poses the most serious kind of risk, especially for children and older, frail persons seeking a handhold. [0009] Problems also occur in alignment because the door post pipe must be fitted and aligned in the floor region as well as in the roof region. There is no need to demonstrate in particular such problems which occur in all three axial directions. [0010] Swinging/sliding doors with a pneumatic or hydraulic drive in which the door leaves are guided in a swivelable manner by means of a slide so as to be longitudinally displaceable at a stationary circular supporting pipe have also been known from Austrian Patent document 188 323. The corresponding guide rails for the opening out movement and for longitudinal guidance are arranged on the vehicle side in the region of the upper edge and lower edge of the door. Suitable guide rollers are provided at the door leaf. [0011] The drive is effected via a cylinder-piston unit, and various lever mechanisms and scissor mechanisms have been suggested for reducing installation width. In the closed state, these doors are locked in the region of the lateral closing edge by a mechanism arranged in that location so that they remain closed while the vehicle is in motion in the event of a drop in pressure in the drive, but also because the normal operating pressure is not sufficient to prevent the door from opening in a reliable manner. It is not possible to achieve an operating pressure sufficient for this purpose in an economical manner due to the required wall thickness of the pipes and tubes. [0012] The lock projecting beyond the free profile of the door at the height of the door handle in the region of the lateral closing edge poses a source of risk on a par with the door post pipe in the construction mentioned above. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0013] Therefore, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a one-leaf or two-leaf door of one of the types mentioned above which does not have their disadvantages and which is easy and simple to install and remove and in which, in particular, alignment is also simplified. Moreover, the lateral closing edge should be unencumbered by obstacles and objects or built-in elements posing a risk of pinching. [0014] In accordance with the present invention, the sliding door arrangement including at least one door leaf mounted in a door frame has a drive for moving the at least one door leaf. The at least one door leaf has a lateral closing edge and a running surface at the lateral closing edge. The door frame has a counter-support surface, wherein, in a closed position of the at least one door leaf, the running surface is located essentially immediately below the counter-support surface. [0015] In a development of the invention, a door support in the form of a roller arranged at the door frame is provided in the region of the lateral closing edge of the door above the conventional height of a handle and preferably near the upper edge of the door so that it is covered by the covering of the door drive. The axis of this roller extends substantially horizontally and lies normal to the movement direction of the door in the final closing region and cooperates with the supporting surface of the door which comes to rest under the roller. [0016] Surprisingly, this brings about a substantial improvement in the stability of the door in the closed state, since any attempt to open the door, whether on the part of passengers or as a result of pressure shocks caused by wind resistance, results in a lifting of the door in the region of the lateral closing edge. The support effectively counters this lifting and accordingly prevents the door from being lifted out and opened. [0017] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a spindle is provided at one end with a freewheel and a releasable brake or clutch preventing the rotation of the stationary part of the freewheel. [0018] As a result of this construction, a self-adjusting, continuous locking of doors is achieved which dispenses with the dead-center mechanism, the locking at the lateral closing edge, and the undesirable door post. [0019] The actual hanging of the door can be effected in different ways corresponding to the prior art and depends on whether the door has one or two leaves, on whether it is a sliding door, swinging/sliding door or a pocket door as well as on the type of drive provided. [0020] The release of the brake or clutch during the opening movement is preferably effected electrically also when a pneumatic or hydraulic drive is used, since this allows a simpler control and a smoother opening than pneumatic or hydraulic actuation. [0021] In two-leaf doors, not only is the door movement synchronized by the spindle drive, but the transmission of movement forces for a door leaf is also effected via the spindle when the actual door drive acts on a door leaf. That is, the movement of this door leaf in this case sets the spindle in rotation via the nut connected with the door leaf, this rotation being transmitted to the other door leaf via its nut in such a way that both leaves open and close synchronously since, as was mentioned above, the spindle is constructed symmetrically with respect to the center of the door so as to be right-handed along half its length and left-handed along the other half. [0022] Of course, a linear drive can also act on an independent nut arranged on the spindle so that both door leaves are moved by means of the spindle. This is also the case in a drive producing a rotational movement in the spindle, e.g., an electric motor which sets the spindle in rotation via a toothed belt or a toothed wheel gear unit. [0023] Another advantage which can be achieved with the invention consists in the advantageous arrangement of a pneumatic piston-cylinder unit above the door. The length of the piston corresponds to roughly half the width of the door, that is, it corresponds to a door leaf. Since it acts on the door leaf to which it is adjacent, it can act directly on this leaf or on a projection arranged at this leaf without a rod linkage or scissor mechanism. The door leaf located below the pneumatic piston-cylinder unit is moved via the spindle without taking up substantial space. [0024] The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the drawing and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING [0025] In the drawing: [0026] [0026]FIG. 1 shows an interior view of a door according to the invention without its covering; [0027] [0027]FIG. 2 shows a section along line II-II of FIG. 1; [0028] [0028]FIG. 3 shows an enlarged sectional view of the upper part of FIG. 2; [0029] [0029]FIG. 4 shows the end remote of the drive of the spindle; [0030] [0030]FIG. 5 shows a detailed sectional view of the end shown in FIG. 4; [0031] [0031]FIG. 6 is an enlarged top view showing the support; [0032] [0032]FIG. 7 shows an interior plan view of the support; [0033] [0033]FIG. 8 shows another variant of a door according to the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0034] The door according to the invention which is shown in FIG. 1 has two door leaves 1 , 2 , each of which is fastened at a rail 4 so as to be moveable by means of a slide 3 . The drive itself, including the spindle, is not shown in this drawing. [0035] [0035]FIG. 2 shows a view of the door along section II-II of FIG. 1. The rail 4 , around which the slide 3 is supported in a swivelable manner, can be seen in section in the upper region of the door. The door 2 is shown in the closed position flush with the vehicle body and also in the opened out or (outward) position as indicated by the thin section shown in the upper region. [0036] The door itself is guided in the upper region by guide rollers 5 which run in a rail 6 and in the lower region by deflectable rollers 7 and associated guide rails 8 in the door. [0037] The entire region of the lateral closing edges 9 located between the guide rollers and rails is free of structural elements which could pose a risk of a user being pinched. [0038] [0038]FIG. 3 shows an enlarged plan view of the drive region according to FIG. 2. The drawing shows the actual drive motor 10 which sets a spindle 12 in rotation via a toothed belt or V-belt 11 . A nut 21 is connected in a stationary manner with each door 1 , 2 and slide 3 associated therewith, this nut 21 being moved axially by the rotation of the spindle 12 resulting in an opening and closing of the door. The synchronizing of the two doors is brought about by a symmetrical construction of the spindle threads with respect to the plane of symmetry of the door. [0039] [0039]FIG. 4 shows the end of the spindle 12 remote from the drive 10 in a plan view corresponding to FIG. 1, wherein the rail 4 is located in front of this spindle 12 . An emergency actuating device 13 , which can be released by the clutch or brake of the freewheel, is only schematically shown in FIG. 4. [0040] In order to release the brake for emergency actuation and accordingly enable manual opening, an actuating rod 14 must be displaced to the right, with reference to the drawing, against the force of a spring 29 , which is effected manually by means of a Bowden cable 15 or, in normal operation, by releasing the electromagnetic clutch. [0041] The support arranged in the upper door region for stabilizing the position of the door in the closed state is also shown in FIG. 4 and in enlarged scale in FIG. 7 with reference to door 2 . A substantially horizontal running surface 17 is arranged at the door 2 at the lateral closing edge. In the closed state of the door, this running surface 17 cooperates with a roller 18 which comes to rest above the running surface 17 and is supported thereon. [0042] The roller 18 is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis 19 whose position is shown more clearly particularly in FIG. 6, although FIG. 6 refers to door 2 . Towards the end of the closing process, the door moves substantially in the direction of line 20 . The axis 19 of the roller 18 extends normal to the final closing direction 20 . [0043] With reference to FIG. 4 again, it will be seen clearly that the door is constructed in a freely supported manner in the region of the lateral closing edge. For this reason, any attempt to open it causes torque to be produced about an axis extending approximately horizontally and normal to the plane of the door resulting in a turning of the door approximately about its suspension at the slide 3 . This turning causes the door to be lifted in the region of the lateral closing edge 9 . This lifting is effectively prevented by the support 17 , 18 , whose vertical position has no influence on its action. Accordingly, it is possible to arrange the support at a height where there is no danger of a passenger being pinched or risk of substantial soiling during operation. This height region is preferably located near the upper edge of the door so that the support is also covered by the covering of the door drive. [0044] [0044]FIG. 5 shows an embodiment example of a freewheel, including brake, which can be used according to the invention. The plan view shows the end of the spindle 12 remote of the drive 10 , including the nut 21 connected with the door via the slide 3 , in the open position of the door. [0045] The end of the spindle 12 is supported in a receptacle 22 also having a conventional freewheel 23 . When the receptacle 22 is held so as to be fixed with respect to relative rotation, the freewheel 23 enables a rotating movement of the spindle 12 in the direction corresponding to the closing of the doors 1 , 2 . [0046] In order to open the doors, i.e., to rotate the spindle in the opposite direction, it is necessary to release the receptacle 22 so that it can rotate along with the spindle 12 . This is effected in the following manner: the receptacle 22 is connected in a stationary manner or integral with a shaft 24 which is supported so as to be rotatable relative to the body of the vehicle and is connected with a clutch disk 25 having clutch linings 26 at either end side. [0047] Counter-disks 27 , 28 are constructed on both sides of the clutch disk 25 considered axially. These counter-disks 27 , 28 are fixed with respect to rotation relative to the vehicle body and are displaceable axially relative to the shaft 24 . When the rod 14 is displaced toward the right, as indicated by its two positions, the two clutch disks 27 , 28 are released axially by swiveling a cam so that the disk 25 which is located between the two counter disks 27 , 28 and connected with the shaft 24 is likewise released. This allows the receptacle 22 to rotate along with the spindle 12 in the opening direction. [0048] This releasing is effected automatically by the door drive every time the door is opened or manually in case of emergency by means of the Bowden cable 15 . Depending upon the user's attitude regarding safety precautions, the brake can either be applied again following manual actuation or can be held in the open position by means of a lever mechanism which is not shown in the drawing. In one case, proper closing and continued operation of the doors is enabled. In the other case, it is possible to determine misuse and to take countermeasures. [0049] The special arrangement of the freewheel and brake results in a final closing position region in which the door is secured against unwanted opening instead of the fixed final closing position determined by the dead center point. This results in a substantial simplification in assembly because, for example, there is no longer any need to allow for rubber seals of varying width. [0050] The embodiment according to FIG. 8 shows a variant in a plan view similar to FIG. 1, although in this instance the actual door drive acts pneumatically, via a cylinder-piston unit 30 , on a shoulder 31 which is connected in a stationary manner with the door leaf 1 . In the example shown in the drawing, this shoulder is the nut 21 arranged on the spindle 12 . [0051] When the door leaf 1 is moved, this nut sets the spindle 12 in rotation so that the nut 32 connected with the door leaf 2 causes the door leaf 2 to move synchronously in a mirror-inverted manner with respect to door leaf 1 . [0052] The left end of the spindle 12 , with reference to FIG. 8, carries a freewheel 23 and a brake or clutch 24 - 28 as is shown in detail in FIG. 5. [0053] The door according to the invention is not limited to the example shown. For instance, it is possible to construct the drive of the spindle in a different manner, e.g., by means of a toothed wheel gear unit or, space permitting, by means of a motor flanged coaxially to the spindle. [0054] If the issue is one only of unauthorized opening by the user, the support 17 , 18 can be constructed differently, e.g., by means of two supporting surfaces which are a slight distance apart in the normal state and can be suitably lubricated under certain circumstances in order to reduce wear. [0055] However, it is also possible to provide two supporting or running surfaces 17 at the door, one of which lies below the support roller, as is shown, while the other comes to rest substantially directly above the support roller, so that the slide 3 and the supporting rail 4 are relieved of loading in the closed state of the door. Of course, it is also possible to provide the roller at the door and to provide the supporting surface(s) at the body of the vehicle. [0056] Another construction of the invention with respect to the releasable freewheel consists in arranging the latter coaxially to the spindle 12 . Should there be insufficient space adjacent to the door opening, it will be an easy task for the person skilled in the art to arrange the freewheel, including the releasable brake, at an incline at the top within the spindle 12 as seen from the body side similar to the door drive 10 shown in the drawing and to produce a working connection by means of a V-belt or toothed belt, toothed wheel gear unit, chain or the like. Apart from reducing overall length, this also has the advantage that the spindle 12 can be supported in a stationary manner at both sides and that the brake can also be taken into account per se during assembly since the working connection is capable of compensating for assembly errors and oblique axial positions and the like. [0057] The brake can be constructed so as to produce a frictional engagement (friction clutch) or a positive engagement (toothed clutch). [0058] If a linear drive is used, it may be constructed pneumatically as was already mentioned, but can, of course, also be constructed hydraulically or electrically. It can act on one of the door leaves or on the spindle via an independent nut. [0059] In doors which slide exclusively without an opening out movement, e.g., pocket doors which are pushed into a pocket between the outer wall and inner wall of the vehicle when opened, a linear drive can be arranged in a particularly simple manner since it need not participate in a swinging movement. [0060] The spindle itself can have various profiles, e.g., the conventional trapezoidal profile. However, spline spindles are particularly preferred. [0061] Any device permitting rotation of the spindle 12 in the direction corresponding to the closing direction of the door even when the stationary part of the freewheel is fixed, but which prevents a rotation in the opposite direction, can be used as freewheel. When the stationary part is fixed against rotation, the spindle can rotate in any direction. [0062] While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail to illustrate the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

A sliding door arrangement with at least one door leaf mounted in a door frame includes a drive for moving the at least one door leaf. The at least one door leaf has a lateral closing edge and a running surface at the lateral closing edge. The door frame has a counter-support surface, wherein, in a closed position of the at least one door leaf, the running surface is located essentially immediately below the counter-support surface and the counter-support surface rests on the running surface for preventing lifting of the door leaf.

TECHNICAL FIELD The technical field generally relates to the handling of gas turbine engines during their packaging in a container. BACKGROUND Oftentimes, small gas turbine engines are individually put in containers at a manufacturing or maintenance plant before being shipped elsewhere or stored. The gas turbine engines are moved within the plant on engine transport devices. They are then transferred to a fixed structure sometimes referred to as a “shipping post”. The shipping post holds the engine while one or more technicians perform some tasks on the engine. This procedure, however, often require numerous transfers from the shipping post to other supporting devices in order for the various packaging tasks to be accomplished. These transfers are time-consuming and accordingly, often result in a loss of productivity. Room for improvements exists. SUMMARY In one aspect, the present concept provides a method for handing a gas turbine engine during packaging, the method comprising: receiving the engine at a handling apparatus pivotally secured to the floor; removably connecting the engine to the handling apparatus; pivoting the engine while supported on the handling apparatus; lowering the engine into a container; and then removably connecting the engine to the container. In another aspect, the present concept provides a method for handing a gas turbine engine prior from being set in a container, the method comprising: removably connecting the engine to a rigid support of a handling apparatus, the apparatus being rotatable around a substantially vertical axis; disconnecting the engine from a structure holding the engine immediately before the handling apparatus; rotating the engine around the vertical axis of the apparatus; and then lowering the engine into the container. In a further aspect, the present concept provides a method of packaging a gas turbine engine into a container, the method comprising: receiving the engine at a handling apparatus pivotally secured to the floor; transferring the engine to the handling apparatus; performing at least one packaging task on the engine and raising the engine at least once while the engine is continuously supported by the handling apparatus; and then transferring the engine directly into the container. Further details of these and other aspects of the improvements will be apparent from the detailed description and figures included below. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Reference is now made to the accompanying figures depicting aspects of the improved method, in which: FIG. 1 is a semi-schematic side view of an example of an apparatus for handling a gas turbine engine in accordance with the improved method; FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an example of an engine being transferred from an engine transport device to an handling apparatus; FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 , showing the engine being moved vertically on the handling apparatus; FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 , showing the engine being pivoted so as to be right above a corresponding container; and FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 , showing the engine being lowered into the container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 shows an example of an apparatus 10 for handling a gas turbine engine during packaging. The gas turbine engines to be used with this apparatus 10 are relatively small in size. However, it could be designed to handle larger engines as well. The illustrated apparatus 10 is only one of many possible designs and accordingly, the method described herein is not limited for use with the handling apparatus 10 as shown. It should be noted that the word “packaging” is a generic word designating the various tasks required to put an engine in a container, and may include the transfer of the engine from an engine transport device to the handling apparatus 10 . These tasks can include, for example, draining fluids used in the engine during a bench test, installing plugs to cover openings, securing wires together, etc. A wide range of other tasks can be done as well. Once in the container, the engine can be, for instance, shipped elsewhere or stored while in the container. The engine in the container can be a fully-assembled engine or an engine in which some parts will be assembled later. Also, the word “handling” is a generic word designating the various steps of moving the engine during packaging. The apparatus 10 shown as an example in FIG. 1 has a base 12 secured to the floor or to a similar solid structure. The base 12 can be in the form of a plate bolted to the floor. It holds a turntable 14 having a substantially vertical pivot axis. The turntable 14 has one end secured to the base 12 and other end that is attached to the bottom end 16 a of a substantially vertical post 16 by means of a sleeve 18 . The post 16 is rotatable around the vertical pivot axis. The apparatus 10 also comprises a substantially horizontal side arm 20 projecting from the post 16 . In the illustrated embodiment, the side arm 20 projects from the upper end of the post 16 . The connection between the post 16 and the side arm 20 can be made in a number of ways. In the illustrated example, the connection includes a sleeve 22 rigidly attached over the upper end 16 b of the post 16 . The side arm 20 is welded or otherwise attached to the sleeve 22 . A hoist 24 is provided on the side arm 20 . The hoist 24 can include, for instance, a pneumatic motor mechanically connected to a reel supporting a chain or a sling. The illustrated example includes a sling 26 . Gas turbine engines often have two opposite integrated side plates by which the engine can be connected to another structure. The handling apparatus 10 comprises a rigid side support 30 having one end in sliding engagement with the post 16 and an opposite end that can be removably connected to one of the side plates of the engine through an engine mount. The support 30 is said to be rigid, which means that the support 30 is normally rigidly holding the engine in the same position. This facilitates the tasks of the technician or technicians. This does not exclude the possibility of having an adjustable support in which the orientation of the engine can be changed in accordance with one or more degrees of freedom. The connection of the side support 30 with the post 16 can include a flange 32 or another element that is operatively connected to the post 16 . In the illustrated example, the flange 32 of the side support 30 is slidably connected to a vertically-extending slot (not shown) on the side of the post 16 . The slot, the side arm 20 and the support 30 are in registry with each other. The support 30 is held by the sling 26 of the hoist 24 , which sling has a free end attached to a hook or a hole provided on the support 30 . If desired, the post 16 can be provided with a plurality of spaced-apart horizontal holes 40 crossing the vertically-extending slot on the post 16 . One or more pins can then be inserted below the support 30 to prevent the engine when one is connected to the support 30 , from falling towards the floor in case of a failure of the hoist 24 or any of the parts to which it is connected. A brake 42 can be used next to the base 12 to prevent the turntable 14 , and thus all the other elements connected thereto, from rotating when that is not required. In the illustrated example, the brake 42 includes an actuator with a piston having an end engaging the bottom side of a disk 14 a on the pivotable side of the turntable 14 . The actuator of the brake 42 can be electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, etc. FIGS. 2 to 5 show an example of a gas turbine engine being handled in accordance with the improved method. FIG. 2 shows an engine 50 being brought to an handling apparatus 10 using an engine transport device 52 . The side of the engine 50 is removably connected to the support 30 , using bolts for instance or another removable connector. Once connected to the apparatus 10 , the engine 50 can be disconnected from the engine transport device 52 and the engine transport device 52 is moved away from the vicinity of the apparatus 10 . The technician or technicians can then perform the tasks required to prepare the engine 50 . The height of the engine 50 with reference to the floor can be changed, if and whenever required, as shown in FIG. 3 . FIG. 4 shows the engine 50 immediately before being lowered into a corresponding container 60 opened at the top thereof. The container 60 is essentially a box designed to facilitate the handling of the engine 50 during shipping and prevent damage thereto, including during storage. The internal frame 62 of the container 60 can be designed to hold the engine 50 so as to prevent any movement thereof. It should be noted that the container 60 is only schematically illustrated in the figures and that a container may be designed with movable lids allowing the engine 50 to be completely encased in the container 60 . The container 60 is positioned on a side of the apparatus 10 , such as that slide that is opposite the workspace provided for technician or technicians. The post 16 is then pivoted around the axis of the turntable 14 until the engine 50 be right above the desired location in the container 60 . FIG. 5 shows the engine 50 after being lowered into the container 60 . The engine 50 can then be bolted or otherwise secured to the frame 62 inside the container 60 . The engine 50 is detached from the support 30 afterwards. As can be appreciated, the new method of handling an engine minimises the transfer of the engine 50 to a bear minimum. The handling of the engine 50 is then more easy and efficient. The above description is meant to be exemplary only, and one skilled in the art will recognize that changes can be made to what is described above without departing from the scope of the appended claims. For example, the hoist can be manually powered or powered using an electric or hydraulic motor. The hoist motor, if any, and its reel do not necessarily need to be provided on a side arm. It can be provided on the post itself, for instance, and the sling or chain can then reach the proper location on the side arm using one or more pulleys. Alternatively, the hoist can be in the form of a screw inside the post and engaged to a follower designed to move the support up or down. A side arm can then be omitted. The slot along the post and which receives the edge of the support can be replaced by an equivalent system, such as a slot in the support and which engages a vertical flange projecting on the side of the post, a carriage with rolls engaged around the post, etc. The brake at the bottom of the apparatus can include pins or similar fasteners to be inserted in corresponding holes so as to prevent the apparatus from rotating. Although it has been suggested in the detailed description that the engine be connected inside the container before disconnecting it from the support of the apparatus, thereby maintaining a constant attachment with a rigid structure at all time, it is possible to design the container so as to temporally support the engine while it is disconnected from the support and prior to connecting it to the container. Although the post is said to be vertical or substantially vertical, it can define a certain angle with the vertical. Similarly, a side arm connected to the post must not necessarily be horizontal and can define a certain angle with the horizontal. It is possible to have a portion of the support of the apparatus being detachable from the rest of the apparatus. This way, the detachable portion can remain with the engine in the container. The engine transport device may be different than that shown in FIG. 2 . Still other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of a review of this disclosure, and such modifications are intended to fall within the appended claims.

The method is used for handing a gas turbine engine during packaging. The method comprises receiving the engine at a handling apparatus pivotally secured to the floor, removably connecting the engine to the handling apparatus, pivoting the engine while supported on the handling apparatus, lowering the engine into a container, and then removably connecting the engine to the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to methods for preparing aryl compounds having a multiplicity of nitro groups attached. More specifically, this invention relates to a method for the preparation of hexanitrobenzene. 2. Description of the Prior Art Hexanitrobenzene is of great interest to those concerned with explosives. Aryl compounds with large numbers of nitro groups on the rings are well known to be explosives. A typical example is trinitrotoluene which is more commonly known simply as TNT. Orlova reports a method for preparing hexanitrobenzene in "Chemistry and Technology of High Energy Explosive Substances," Khimia (1973). However, the authors of this specification were unable to duplicate the results of the Russian author. Accordingly, the authors of this specification, after a considerable amount of experimentation, developed the hereinafter disclosed method for the preparation of hexanitrobenzene. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, hexanitrobenzene is prepared by reacting pentanitroaniline with H 2 O 2 in H 2 SO 4 at a temperature in the range from 25° to 30° C. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Hexanitrobenzene may be prepared by carrying out the procedure set forth in the following specific example. EXAMPLE Pentanitroaniline (1.0 g) is dissolved in 50 mL of fuming H 2 SO 4 (20%S0 3 ). After cooling to 5° C., 5 mL of 98% H 2 O 2 is slowly added, keeping the temperature below 30° C. The solution, protected by a drying tube, is stirred at 25°-30° C. for 24 hours and at 0° C. for 1 hour. The precipitated product is removed by filtration through a sintered glass funnel and washed with concentrated H 2 SO 4 (additional product is obtained by extraction of the filtrate with methylene chloride; the extracts should be worked up immediately and not stored). It is dissolved in pure, dry, warm chloroform and the solution is decanted through a short column of anhydrous MgSO 4 . The filtrate after concentration at 25° C. to a volume of 10 mL and chilling at 0° C. for several hours, deposits small, chunky, pale yellow prisms of hexanitrobenzene: 0.63 g (58%); mp 240°-265° C. dec; concentration of the filtrate gives 0.14 g of additional product, mp 195°-245° C. The first crop on sublimation gives very pale yellow prisms: mp 246°-262° C. (lit: mp 240°-258° C.) (moisture must be excluded during the isolation operations); 13 C NMR (CD 2 Cl 2 )δ 138.7 relative to tetramethylsilane=O (lit. 139.0 ); IR (KBr) 1560, 1320, 887 cm 1 ; mass spectrum, strong m/e at 348 with very little fragmentation. Anal. Calcd for C 6 N 6 O 12 : C, 20.70; N, 24.14. Found: C, 20.67; H, 0.00; N, 23.74. In carrying out the foregoing procedure, 100% H 2 SO 4 may be used in lieu of the fuming H 2 SO 4 specified. Also the times of reaction (24 hours at 25°-30° C.) is not critical. The reaction time may be varied from as little as 5 to 6 hours up to an infinite amount of time. The 1 hour reaction time at 0° C. is not necessary. The hexanitrobenzene precipitates out during the reaction carried on at 25°-30° C. Hexanitrobenzene may be utilized as an explosive in the same manner that other solid, crystalline explosive materials are utilized.

Hexanitrobenzene is prepared by oxidizing the amine group of pentanitroaniline with H 2 O 2 in H 2 SO 4 . The compound is a high density explosive.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application claims priority from German Patent Application No. 10 2004 035 771.4 dated Jul. 23, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to an apparatus at a carding machine, for example but not exclusively, a carding machine having a cylinder which has a cylindrical, clothed wall surface and at least two radial cylinder ends, and having at least one clothed and/or unclothed machine element located opposite the cylinder clothing at a spacing therefrom and two stationary side screens, on which there are mounted holding devices for work elements, for example sliding bends, stationary carding elements, cylinder coverings, which in use are subjected to heat. [0003] The effective spacing of the tips of a clothing from a machine element located opposite the clothing is called a carding nip. The said machine element can also have a clothing but could, instead, be formed by an encasing segment having a guide surface. The carding nip is decisive for the carding quality. The size (width) of the carding nip is a fundamental machine parameter, which influences both the technology (the fibre processing) and also the running characteristics of the machine. The carding nip is set as narrow as is possible (it is measured in tenths of a millimetre) without running the risk of a “collision” between the work elements. In order to ensure that the fibres are processed evenly, the nip must be as uniform as possible over the entire working width of the machine. [0004] The carding nip is especially influenced, on the one hand, by the machine settings and, on the other hand, by the condition of the clothing. The most important carding nip in a carding machine having a revolving card top is located in the main carding zone, that is to say between the cylinder and the revolving card top unit. At least one of the clothings bounding the work spacing is in motion, usually both. In order to increase the production of the carding machine, endeavours are made to make the speed of rotation or velocity of the moving elements, in use, as high as fibre processing technology will allow. The work spacing changes as a function of the operational conditions, the change occurring in the radial direction (starting from the axis of rotation) of the cylinder. [0005] In carding, larger amounts of fibre material are increasingly being processed per unit time, which results in higher speeds for the work elements and higher installed capacities. Increasing fibre material throughflow (production) leads to increased generation of heat as a result of the mechanical work, even when the work surface remains constant. At the same time, however, the technological result of carding (web uniformity, degree of cleaning, reduction of neps etc.) is being continually improved, leading to more work surfaces in carding engagement and to closer settings of those work surfaces with respect to the cylinder (drum). The proportion of synthetic fibres being processed is continually increasing, with more heat, compared with cotton, being produced as a result of friction from contact with the work surfaces of the machine. The work elements of high-performance carding machines today are fully enclosed on all sides in order to meet the high safety standards, to prevent emission of particles into the spinning room environment and to minimise the maintenance requirement of the machines. Gratings or even open material-guiding surfaces, which allow an exchange of air, belong to the past. As a result of the circumstances mentioned, there is a marked increase in the input of heat into the machine whereas there is a marked decrease in the heat removed by means of convection. The resulting increase in the heating of high-performance carding machines results in greater thermoelastic deformations, which, because of the unequal temperature field distribution, influence the set spacings of the work surfaces: the spacings between the cylinder and the card top, doffer, fixed card tops and separating-off locations decrease. In extreme cases, the nip set between the work surfaces can be completely used up as a result of thermal expansion so that components in relative motion collide, causing major damage to the high-performance carding machine concerned. Additionally, it is especially possible for the generation of heat in the work region of the carding machine to result in different thermal expansions when the temperature differences between the components are too large. [0006] In a known apparatus (EP 0 446 796 A), all parts influencing the work spacing (for example, the cylinder and the card top bars) are preferably fabricated from a material having a high elasticity modulus in order to reduce sagging over the working width. Such a material is, for example, steel or fibre-reinforced plastics material. The material selected has to ensure the desired dimensional accuracy of the part (in the case of the manufacturing procedure in question) and has to be able to maintain that in use. The material should accordingly exhibit less thermal expansion and/or greater thermal conductivity so that heat losses which occur (which are unavoidable at high production rates) do not result in disruptive deformation of the work elements. In the case of the known apparatus, the thermal expansion of the co-operating components influencing the work spacing, namely that of the cylinder (drum) and of the card top bars, is equal and homogeneous, because the components are made of the same material. Even though the material should exhibit less thermal expansion, the carding nip is reduced in undesirable manner—albeit to a small extent—which results in problems ranging from reduced carding quality to disruptions in operation. In addition, it is disadvantageous that widening of the cylinder as a result of centrifugal force cannot be reduced or avoided by the known measures. [0007] It is an aim of the invention to provide an apparatus of the kind mentioned at the beginning that avoids or mitigates the mentioned disadvantages and that especially makes possible a carding nip or work spacing, between the cylinder clothing and the clothed and/or not clothed counterpart element, that remains constant or virtually constant when heat is generated. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The invention provides a carding machine having a carding nip and a plurality of machine elements that influence the carding nip, in which at least first and second machine elements influencing the carding nip are constructed to have thermal expansion characteristics which are such that when the first and second machine elements are subjected to heat generated in operation of the carding machine, the carding nip remains substantially constant. [0009] In one preferred embodiment, the machine comprises first and second elements influencing the carding nip which are so constructed that, when subjected to heat generated in operation, they undergo no thermal expansion. In another preferred embodiment, at least one of said machine elements undergoes negative thermal expansion when subjected to heat in use. In a further preferred embodiment, at least one of said machine elements undergoes positive thermal expansion when subjected to heat in use. [0010] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, the parts influencing the carding nip (work spacing) (for example, the cylinder, the carding bars and the holding elements for the carding bars) are so constructed that they exhibit no, or virtually no, thermal expansion under the heat of operation. As a result, the carding nip does not change. In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, at least one part influencing the carding nip exhibits negative thermal expansion (contraction) so that a change in the carding nip caused, for example, by positive thermal expansion of a part influencing the carding nip is compensated. This is especially the case when the carding-nip-influencing carrying elements provided with clothings are located opposite one another and one carrying element, for example the cylinder, undergoes positive expansion as a result of heating and the other carrying element, for example the carding bars (card top bars), in contrast undergoes negative expansion, that is to say contracts and, to a certain extent, recedes. In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, at least one part influencing the carding nip exhibits positive thermal expansion (widening) so that a change in the carding nip caused, for example, by positive thermal expansion of a part influencing the carding nip is likewise compensated. This is especially the case when the carding-nip-influencing carrying elements are arranged next to one another and one carrying element, for example the cylinder, undergoes positive expansion as a result of heating and the other carrying element, for example the flexible bends, likewise undergoes positive expansion, that is to say becomes wider and as a result raises the card top bars relative to the cylinder. According to all three aspects of the invention, the carding nip remains the same or virtually the same in use. [0011] Advantageously, a part influencing the carding nip, for example a flexible bend, is so constructed that it exhibits positive thermal expansion in use. Preferably, a part influencing the carding nip, for example a card top bar, is so constructed that it exhibits negative thermal expansion in use. Advantageously, the positive thermal expansion of a part influencing the carding nip is compensated by the negative thermal expansion of the corresponding counterpart element. Preferably, a part influencing the carding nip is so constructed that it exhibits no thermal expansion in use. Preferably, the carding nip is influenced by the cylinder and the at least one carding element. Advantageously, the carding nip is influenced by the holding device for the at least one carding element. Preferably, the holding device for the at least one carding element is formed by at least one element of the side part. Advantageously, the side part consists of a side screen and at least one guide element (flexible bend). Preferably, the side part consists of a side screen and at least one extension bend. Advantageously, the clothed machine elements are revolving card tops. Preferably, the clothed machine elements are stationary card tops. Advantageously, the cylinder is made, at least in part, of steel. Steel ensures the stability of the cylinder and has relatively high resistance to bending. Preferably, the cylinder is made, at least in part, of aluminium. Aluminium likewise ensures the stability of the cylinder and has a relatively low specific weight. Preferably, the material for the parts influencing the carding nip is, at least in part, a carbon fibre-reinforced plastics material (CFRP). Carbon has a density of 1.45 g/cm 3 . The basic material comprises carbon fibres. The latter can be produced from plastics filaments, which are heated in the absence of air and consequently “carbonised”. For example, they have a diameter of 0.007 mm. These fibres are embedded in a carrier substance (matrix) of synthetic resins. The forces acting on carbon fibres are taken up by the fibres substantially only in the line of force flux. The fibres are therefore mainly laid in parallel. If bending and torsional stresses do not come from just one direction, individual layers of fibres are advantageously placed on top of one another in different orientations. Preferably, the thermal expansion coefficient of the carbon fibre reinforced plastics material (CFRP) is adjustable. Zero adjustment means no change and negative adjustment results in contraction so that no thermal expansion or negative thermal expansion of the component(s) is produced. By that means, the materials of the cylinder and, for example, the side parts are so matched to one another that, under the heat acting on the parts influencing the carding nip in use, the carding nip remains constant. Advantageously, the cylinder of the carding machine comprises a metal cylinder and at least one circular cylindrical sheath made of carbon fibre reinforced plastics material (CFRP) surrounding the cylinder. Preferably, the flexible bend and/or the extension bend is/are made at least in part of carbon fibre reinforced plastics material (CFRP). Advantageously, the flexible bend and/or the extension bend is provided with a support (layer) of carbon fibre reinforced plastics material (CFRP). Preferably, the cylinder is made of a metallic material, for example steel, and the flexible bend and/or the extension bend is/are made at least in part of carbon fibre reinforced plastics material (CFRP). Advantageously, the card tops, for example revolving and/or stationary card tops, are made at least in part of carbon fibre reinforced plastics material (CFRP). Preferably, the side screen is made at least in part of carbon fibre reinforced plastics material (CFRP). Advantageously, at least one metal cylinder and at least one circular cylindrical sheath made of carbon fibre reinforced plastics material (CFRP) surrounding the cylinder are provided. Preferably, the metal cylinder and the sheath are mutually biased at room temperature and at operating temperature. Advantageously, the metal cylinder is subjected to compressive stresses and the sheath is subjected to tensile stresses in the circumferential direction. Preferably, the reinforcement fibres of CFRP in the sheath are oriented in the circumferential direction of the cylinder. As a result, widening of the cylinder as a result of centrifugal force is especially advantageously reduced or avoided, especially at high speeds of rotation. Advantageously, the cylinder is enclosed. Preferably, the removal of heat from the cylinder is different to that from the side parts. Advantageously, the roller is a licker-in of a flat card or roller card. Preferably, the roller is the doffer of a flat card or roller card. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a carding machine with an apparatus according to the invention; [0013] FIG. 2 shows card top bars of the revolving card top of the carding machine of FIG. 1 and portions of a slideway, of the flexible bend, of the side screen and of the cylinder, and also the carding nip between the clothings of the card top bars and the cylinder clothing; [0014] FIGS. 3 a, 3 b show sections through a roller comprising a metal cylinder and a circular cylindrical sheath made of carbon fibre reinforced plastics material surrounding the cylinder, in a front view ( FIG. 3 a ) and side view ( FIG. 3 b ); [0015] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic section through a slideway along the line I-I in FIG. 2 together with flexible bends and side screens; [0016] FIG. 5 is a side view of a part of a side screen and flexible bend, cylinder, extension bend, stationary carding element and revolving card top bars; [0017] FIG. 6 is a side view of a flexible bend according to the invention; [0018] FIG. 7 is a side view of an extension bend according to the invention in the pre-carding zone; and [0019] FIG. 7 a shows the carding nip between the clothing of a stationary carding element according to the invention and the cylinder clothing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0020] FIG. 1 shows a carding machine, for example a TC 03 carding machine made by Trützschler GmbH & Co. KG of Mönchengladbach, Germany, having a feed roller 1 , feed table 2 , lickers-in 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , cylinder 4 , doffer 5 , stripper roller 6 , nip rollers 7 , 8 , web-guiding element 9 , web funnel 10 , draw-off rollers 11 , 12 , revolving card top 13 having card-top-deflecting rollers 13 a , 13 b and card top bars 14 , can 15 and can coiler 16 . Curved arrows denote the directions of rotation of the rollers. Reference letter M denotes the centre (axis) of the cylinder 4 . Reference numeral 4 a denotes the clothing and reference numeral 4 b denotes the direction of rotation of the cylinder 4 . Reference letter B denotes the direction of rotation of the revolving card top 13 at the carding location and reference letter C denotes the direction in which the card top bars 14 are moved on the reverse side. Reference numerals 23 ′, 23 ″ denote stationary carding elements and reference numeral 39 denotes a cover underneath the cylinder 4 . Arrow A denotes the work direction. [0021] In accordance with FIG. 2 , on each side of the carding machine, a flexible bend 17 having several adjustment screws is fixed laterally to the side screen 19 a, 19 b (see FIG. 4 ). The flexible bend 17 has a convex outer surface 17 a and an underside 17 b. On top of the flexible bend 17 there is a slideway 20 , for example made of low-friction plastics material, which has a convex outer surface 20 a and a concave inner surface 20 b . The concave inner surface 20 b rests on top of the convex outer surface 17 a and is able to slide thereon in the direction of arrows D, E. Each card top bar consists of a rear part 14 a and a carrying member 14 b . Each card top bar 14 has, at each of its two ends, a card top head, each of which comprises two steel pins 14 1 , 14 2 . Those portions of the steel pins 14 1 , 14 2 that extend out beyond the end faces of the carrying member 14 b slide on the convex outer surface 20 a of the slideway 20 in the direction of the arrow B. A clothing 18 is attached to the underside of the carrying member 14 b . Reference numeral 21 denotes the circle of tips of the card top clothings 18 . The cylinder 4 has on its circumference a cylinder clothing 4 a , for example a sawtooth clothing. Reference numeral 22 denotes the circle of the tips of the cylinder clothing 4 a . The spacing (carding nip) between the circle of tips 21 and the circle of tips 22 is denoted by reference letter a and is, for example, 3/1000″. The spacing between the convex outer surface 20 a and the circle of tips 22 is denoted by reference letter b. The spacing between the convex outer surface 20 a and the circle of tips 21 is denoted by reference letter c. The radius of the convex outer surface 20 a is denoted by reference letter r 1 and the radius of the circle of tips 22 is denoted by reference letter r 2 . The radii r 1 and r 2 intersect at the centre point M of the cylinder 4 . Reference numeral 19 denotes the side screen. [0022] The high-speed roller shown in FIGS. 3 a , 3 b for a fibre-processing machine, for example a cylinder 4 of a carding machine, consists of a hollow cylindrical roller body 30 and two roller ends 31 a , 31 b at the end faces. The roller ends 31 a , 31 b advantageously are made of metal, for example steel or aluminium. Reference numeral 32 denotes a spoke, reference numeral 33 a hub and reference numeral 34 an end flange. The roller body 30 consists of an internal steel cylinder 35 and an external hardened CFRP sheath 36 . The CFRP sheath 36 has the shape of a thin-walled hollow cylinder. At operating temperature, in the biased state, compressive stresses are present in the circumferential direction in the cylindrical wall region of the steel cylinder 35 and tensile stresses in the cylindrical CFRP sheath 36 . In use, because of the centrifugal force to which the steel cylinder 35 is subjected, the compressive stresses are reduced. The thermal expansion coefficient of the cylinder material is much greater than the thermal expansion coefficient of the carbon fibre reinforced plastics material in the direction of the reinforcement fibres; for example, the thermal expansion coefficient α of steel is between 11×10 −6 1/K and 17×10 −6 1/K and that of CFRP in the fibre direction is about zero, especially between −2×10 −6 1/K and +2×10 −6 1/K. When subjected to heat in use, the internal diameter of the CFRP sheath 36 accordingly changes only very slightly, whereas the thermal expansion of the steel cylinder 35 is considerable. The thermal expansion of the CFRP-sheathed steel cylinder 35 is consequently less than the thermal expansion of a cylinder having an all-steel wall. [0023] A roller according to the invention, comprising a metal cylinder and a composite fibre sheath, is lighter in comparison to an all-steel or all-aluminium roller, has a reduced mass inertia and exhibits linear thermal expansion which is adjustable (down to negative values) as a result of constructively arranged fibre orientation. The advantages of the roller according to the invention in use, which result from the properties of the material, are, for example, substantially improved braking values, savings in terms of drive units, energy savings, higher production rates, wider working widths and vibration-free running. [0024] Density, specific rigidity and specific strength—the table that follows lists the density, modulus of elasticity and strength of the materials in comparison with one another: Density Modulus of elasticity Strength Material (g/cm 3 ) (N/mm 2 ) (MPa) St 52 7.8 210 000 400 Al 2.7  70 000 350 CFRP 1.3 75 000 to 180 000 1500 GFRP* 1.9 20 000 to 40 000  1250 *Glass fibre-reinforced plastics material [0025] In the direction of the fibres, CFRP has considerable advantages compared to steel (the latter being represented by St 52 in the above table). The individual fibres made up into a tube in the course of a winding process determine the anisotropic (directionally dependent) behaviour of such a tube. [0026] FIG. 4 shows part of the cylinder 4 together with the cylindrical surface 4 f of its wall 4 e and the cylinder ends 4 c, 4 d (radial supporting elements). The surface 4 f is provided with a clothing 4 a , which in this example is provided in the form of wire with sawteeth. The sawtooth wire is drawn onto the cylinder 4 , that is to say is wound around the cylinder 4 in tightly adjacent turns between side flanges (not shown), in order to form a cylindrical work surface provided with tips. Fibres should be processed as evenly as possible on the work surface (clothing). The carding work is performed between the clothings 18 and 4 a located opposite one another and is substantially influenced by the position of one clothing with respect to the other and by the clothing spacing a between the tips of the teeth of the two clothings 18 and 4 a . The working width of the cylinder 4 is a determining factor for all other work elements of the carding machine, especially for the revolving card tops 14 or stationary card tops 23 ′, 23 ″ ( FIG. 1 ), which together with the cylinder 4 card the fibres evenly over the entire working width. In order to be able to perform even carding work over the entire working width, the settings of the work elements (including those of additional elements) must be maintained over that working width. The cylinder 4 itself can, however, be deformed as a result of the drawing-on of the clothing wire, as a result of centrifugal force or as a result of heat produced by the carding process. The shaft 25 of the cylinder 4 is mounted in positions (not shown) located on the stationary machine frame 24 a , 24 b . The diameter, for example 1250 mm, of the cylindrical surface 4 f , that is to say twice the radius r 3 , is an important dimension of the machine and becomes larger in use as a result of the heat of work. The side screens 19 a , 19 b are fastened to the two machine frames 24 a and 24 b , respectively. The flexible bends 17 a and 17 b are fastened to the side screens 19 a and 19 b , respectively. [0027] When heat is produced in use in the carding nip a between the clothings 18 (or in the carding nip d between the clothings 23 ′) and the cylinder clothing 4 a as a result of carding work, especially in the case of a high production rate and/or the processing of synthetic fibres or of cotton/synthetic fibre blends, the cylinder wall 4 e undergoes expansion, that is to say the radius r 3 increases and the carding nip a (se FIG. 2 ) or d (see FIG. 7 a ) decreases. The heat is directed via the cylinder wall 4 e into the radial carrying elements, the cylinder ends 4 c and 4 d. The cylinder ends 4 c , 4 d likewise undergo expansion as a result thereof, that is to say the radius increases. The cylinder 4 is almost entirely encased (enclosed) on all sides—in a radial direction by the elements 14 , 23 , 39 (see FIG. 1 ) and to the two sides of the carding machine by the elements 17 a , 17 b , 19 a , 19 b , 24 a , 24 b . As a result, scarcely any heat is radiated from the cylinder 4 to the outside (to the atmosphere). Nevertheless, the heat of the cylinder ends 4 c, 4 d of large surface area is especially conveyed by means of radiation to the side screens 19 a , 19 b of large surface area to a considerable extent, from where the heat is radiated out to the colder atmosphere. As a result of that radiation, the expansion of the side screens 19 a, 19 b is less than that of the cylinder ends 4 c , 4 d , which results in a reduction in the carding nip a ( FIG. 2 a ) and in the carding nip d ( FIG. 7 a ) that ranges from undesirable (in terms of the result of carding) to hazardous. The carding elements (card top bars 14 ) are mounted on the flexible bends 17 a , 17 b and the fixed carding elements 23 ′, 23 ″ are mounted on the extension bends, which are in turn fixed to the side screens 19 a , 19 b . In the event of heating, the lifting of the flexible bends 17 a , 17 b —and, as a result, of the clothings 18 of the card top bars 14 —increases less, compared to the expansion of the radius r 3 of the cylinder wall 4 e —and, as a result, of the clothing 4 a of the cylinder 4 —, which results in narrowing of the carding nip a. The cylinder wall 4 e and the cylinder ends 4 c , 4 d are made of steel, for example St 37, having a linear thermal expansion coefficient of 11.5×10 −6 [1/° K]. In order then to compensate for the relative differences in the expansion of the cylinder ends 4 c , 4 d and the cylinder wall 4 e , on the one hand, and the side screens 19 a , 19 b (as a result of impeded radiation into the atmosphere because of encasing of the cylinder 4 and free radiation into the atmosphere from the side screens), the rear parts 14 a and carrying members 14 b of the card top bars are made of carbon fibre reinforced plastics material (CFRP) whose thermal expansion coefficient has been negatively adjusted. By that means, even though the expansion of the cylinder 4 remains the same because of a lack of removal of heat as a result of encasing, the card top bars 14 undergo contraction. As a result, undesirable reduction in the carding nip a and d due to thermal influences is avoided. [0028] In the embodiment of FIG. 5 , three non-moving stationary carding elements 23 a , 23 b , 23 c and non-clothed cylinder-encasing elements 25 a , 25 b , 25 c are provided between the licker-in 3 and the card-top-deflecting roller 13 a . In accordance with FIG. 7 a , the stationary carding elements 23 have a clothing 23 ′, which is located opposite the cylinder clothing 4 a . Reference letter d denotes the carding nip between the clothing 23 ′ and the cylinder clothing 4 a . The stationary carding elements 23 , by means of screws 26 a , and the cover elements 25 (by means of screws which are not shown) are mounted on an extension bend 27 a (the extension bend 27 a on only one side of the carding machine is shown in FIG. 3 ), which is in turn fastened by means of screws 28 1 to 28 3 to the card screen 19 a and 19 b (only 19 a is shown in FIG. 5 ) on each side of the carding machine. The flexible bends 17 a , 17 b (only 17 a is shown in FIG. 5 ) are fastened to the side screens 19 a and 19 b , respectively, by means of screws 29 1 , 29 2 (see FIG. 6 ). [0029] FIGS. 6 and 7 show, as separate components, the flexible bend 17 a and the extension bend 26 a , respectively. The flexible bend 17 a is made, for example, of GGG 30 grey cast iron, and the extension bend is made, for example, of GG 20 grey cast iron. On the convexly curved periphery of the flexible bend there is fixed a coating 37 and on that of the extension bend 26 a there is fixed a coating 38 , the two coatings 37 , 39 being made of CFRP having positively adjusted thermal expansion coefficients. [0030] The cylinder 4 is made, for example, of steel. In order to counteract, in use, the undesirable narrowing of the carding nips a ( FIG. 2 ) and d ( FIG. 7 a ), the flexible bends 17 a , 17 b and the extension bends 26 , 26 b are respectively provided with the coating 37 ( FIG. 6 ) and 38 ( FIG. 7 ) of carbon fibre reinforced plastics material (CFRP) whose thermal expansion coefficient has been positively adjusted. As a result, even though the expansion of the cylinder 4 is unchanged, the flexible bends 17 a , 17 b and extension bends 26 a , 26 b arranged to the sides of the cylinder 4 undergo expansion, as a result of which the card top bars 14 and stationary carding segments 23 , respectively, are lifted up so that the undesirable reduction in the carding nip a and d, respectively, is avoided. [0031] The arrangement of the flexible bends 17 a , 17 b and extension bends 26 a , 26 b shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 can advantageously be combined with the arrangement of the cylinder 4 shown in FIGS. 3 a , 3 b . In that combination, the flexible bends 17 a , 17 b and extension bends 26 a , 26 b are made at least sometimes of CFRP having a positively adjusted thermal expansion coefficient and the sheath 36 of the cylinder 4 (see FIGS. 3 a , 3 b ) is made of CFRP having a negatively adjusted thermal expansion coefficient. Where appropriate, CFRP having a thermal expansion coefficient of zero can also be selected, depending on the material of the cylinder 4 . By that means, as a result of suitable adjustment of the thermal expansion coefficients, a desired dimensional accuracy can be achieved and maintained as intended for the parts influencing the carding nip a and d in use when heat is generated. [0032] In order to compensate for the relative differences in the expansion of the cylinder ends 4 c , 4 d and the cylinder wall 4 e , on the one hand, and the side screens 19 a , 19 b (as a result of impeded radiation into the atmosphere because of encasing of the cylinder 4 and free radiation into the atmosphere from the side screens), the sheath 36 is, in accordance with a further arrangement, made of carbon fibre reinforced plastics material (CFRP) whose thermal expansion coefficient has been negatively adjusted. By that means, expansion of the cylinder 4 because of a lack of removal of heat as a result of encasing is reduced or avoided. As a result, undesirable reduction in the carding nip a or d due to thermal influences is avoided. [0033] Although the foregoing invention has been described in detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of understanding, it will be obvious that changes and modifications may be practised within the scope of the appended claims.

A carding machine has a number of rollers including a cylinder and having at least one clothed and/or unclothed machine element located opposite the cylinder at a spacing therefrom. The machine may have further elements influencing the carding nip. In order to make possible a carding nip between the cylinder and the clothed and/or unclothed counterpart element that remains constant or virtually constant when heat is generated, the parts influencing the carding nip are so construed that they have thermal expansion characteristics which are such that, when subjected to the heat acting on them in use, the carding nip remains substantially constant.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority under 35 USC §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/132,942, filed Jun. 24, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The field of the invention is directed to novel genetically modified organisms and uses thereof. In particular, the field of the invention is directed to novel genetically modified mice and uses of such mice to assess the immunogenic potential of human therapeutic antigens and to predict immune responses. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART [0003] VaxDesign Corporation, located at 12612 Challenger Parkway, Suite 365, Orlando, Fla. 32826 (vaxdesign.com), is a biotechnology company that develops high-throughput in vitro assays of the human immune system that are designed to be functionally equivalent to the human immune system, and are intended to be used to predict human responses to pharmaceuticals and vaccines. [0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,596,541, issued Jul. 22, 2003, describes the replacement, in whole or in part, in a non-human eukaryotic cell, the endogenous immunoglobulin variable region gene locus with an homologous or orthologous human immunoglobulin variable gene locus. This replacement utilizes the methodology described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,586,251, issued Jul. 1, 2003, which, briefly, describes a method for genetically modifying an endogenous gene or chromosomal locus of interest in isolated eukaryotic cells, comprising: a) obtaining a large cloned genomic fragment greater than 20 kb containing a DNA sequence of interest; b) using bacterial homologous recombination to genetically modify the large cloned genomic fragment of (a) to create a large targeting vector for use in eukaryotic cells (LTVEC), such LTVEC having homology arms which total greater than 20 kb; c) introducing the LTVEC of (b) into the isolated eukaryotic cells to modify by homologous recombination the endogenous gene or chromosomal locus in the cells; and d) using a quantitative assay to detect modification of allele (MOA) in the eukaryotic cells of (c) to identify those eukaryotic cells in which the endogenous gene or chromosomal locus has been genetically modified. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0005] Many drugs that appear to be efficacious in animal models ultimately fail in human clinical trials. Failure may be due to toxicity, lack of efficacy in humans, immune response to the therapeutic agent, or a combination of these reasons. Much effort has been directed to finding in vitro and preclinical in vivo assays and models to more accurately assess the likelihood of success of a therapeutic agent before millions of dollars are invested in human clinical trials. One particular area of interest is in designing in vitro and in vivo models to help predict the immunogenicity of a therapeutic agent. Interestingly, there are instances where immunogenicity is desirable (i.e. vaccine development) as well as instances when it is undesirable (i.e. immune response resulting in neutralization of a therapeutic agents, for example, neutralization of a protein). [0006] The major histocompatability complex (MHC) is a large genomic region or gene family found in most vertebrates. It is the most gene-dense region of the mammalian genome and plays an important role in the immune system, autoimmunity, and reproductive success. The proteins encoded by the MHC are expressed on the surface of cells and display both self antigens and non-self antigens to T cells that have the capacity to kill or coordinate the killing of pathogens, infected or malfunctioning cells. [0007] In humans, the 3.6 Mb MHC region is located on chromosome 6 and contains 140 genes. About half of these genes have known immunological functions. The MHC region is divided into three subgroups called MHC class I, MHC class II, and MHC class III. The MHC class I region encodes heterodimeric peptide-binding proteins, as well as antigen-processing molecules such as TAP and Tapasin. The MHC class II region encodes heterodimeric peptide-binding proteins and proteins that modulate antigen loading onto MHC class II proteins in the lysosomal compartment such as MHC class II DM, MHC class II DQ, MHC class II DR, and MHC class II DP. The MHC class III region encodes for other immune components, such as complement components (e.g., C2, C4, factor B) and some that encode cytokines (e.g., TNF-α) and also hsp. [0008] The best-known genes in the MHC region are the subset that encodes cell-surface antigen-presenting proteins. In humans, these genes are referred to as human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes. The most intensely studied HLA genes are the nine so-called classical MHC genes: HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, HLA-DPA1, HLA-DPB1, HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQB1, HLA-DRA, and HLA-DRB1. The A, B, and C genes belong to MHC class I, whereas the six D genes belong to MHC class II. [0009] One of the most striking features of the MHC, particularly in humans, is its allelic diversity, especially among the nine classical genes. In humans, HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-DRB1 have roughly 250, 500, and 300 known alleles, respectively. [0010] It is well established in the literature that an individual's HLA class II alleles impact that individual's response to various antigenic stimuli. For example, Johnson, A. H., et al., (2004, Infect Immun 72(5):2762-2771) report that human leukocyte antigen class II alleles influence levels of antibodies to the Plasmodium falciparum asexual-stage apical membrane antigen 1 but not to merozite surface antigen 2 and merozite surface protein 1, and Poland, G. A., et al., (2001, Vaccine 20(3-4):430-438) report on the identification of an association between HLA class II alleles and low antibody levels after measles immunization. [0011] There are in vitro systems that aim to address the issue of immunogenicity and an individual's response to particular antigens. For example, VaxDesign Corporation (12612 Challenger Parkway, Suite 365, Orlando, Fla. 32826), has technology which is attempting to mimic the human immune system with in vitro assays designed to predict human responses to pharmaceuticals and vaccines. However, in vitro systems, while useful, are generally thought to fall short of the prediction that could be possible using an appropriate in vivo model. [0012] Therefore, it is an object of the subject invention to provide an in vivo model system that is capable of more accurately predicting human response to antigen by integrating the diversity of the human MHC class II region into the mouse genome. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0013] Applicants describe, for the first time, a novel in vivo murine model system, termed “MuResponse”, which utilizes a panel of genetically modified mice to predict the immune response human subjects may have to an antigen. The MuResponse system is designed such that each MuResponse mouse in the panel has been genetically modified to contain the human HLA class II genetic locus that corresponds to a particular human subpopulation having a same or similar locus. For example, it has been estimated that approximately 80% of the Caucasian population falls into ˜11 representative loci combinations. The MuResponse C panel of mice has been engineered to encompass the loci covering all of these combinations present in the Caucasian population. Similarly, the MuResponse Af , MuResponse As , MuResponse H encompass the most common loci in African Americans, Asians and Hispanics, respectively. Thus, by testing an antigen in the appropriate MuResponse panel of mice, it becomes possible to predict which HLA class II genotypes are more or less likely to mount an immune response to the antigen. In the case of vaccines, an increased immune response would indicate that a particular HLA class II genotype subpopulation is more likely to benefit from the vaccination then an HLA class II genotype subpopulation that exhibits a reduced or absent immune response. Conversely, if the MuResponse panel of mice exposed to an antigen, for example a protein-based therapeutic, revealed that mice with a certain HLA class II genotype mount an immune response, but others did not, one could target drug treatment to the corresponding human subpopulation that did not mount the response, thus avoiding the cost and safety issues associated with treating patients with a drug from which they will not derive a benefit and which could cause them harm. This would also serve to help design clinical trials such that subjects whose HLA class II genotype predicts an immune response would be excluded from the trial, thus saving millions of clinical trial costs and providing results that more accurately represent efficacy. [0014] Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention is a genetically modified mouse, wherein such genetic modification is replacement of the mouse H-2 class II locus with a human HLA class II locus. [0015] A second aspect of the invention is the genetically modified mouse of aspect one which is useful for determining the immune response a human population may have to an antigen. [0016] A third aspect of the invention is the genetically modified mouse of aspect one, wherein the human HLA class II locus is selected from Caucasian, African American, Asian or Hispanic human populations. [0017] A fourth aspect of the invention is the genetically modified mouse of aspect three wherein the human HLA class II locus is selected from a subpopulation of a Caucasian, African American, Asian or Hispanic population. [0018] A fifth aspect of the invention is the method for determining the immune response a Caucasian, African American, Asian or Hispanic subject may have to an antigen comprising administering the antigen to a mouse of aspect four and observing whether an immune response occurs in the mouse. [0019] A sixth aspect of the invention is a genetically modified mouse, wherein such genetic modification is accomplished by injecting the nucleus from a human AMP cell into an enucleated mouse ES cell or blastocyst cell and allowing the resulting cell or blastocyst to develop into the genetically modified mouse. [0020] A seventh aspect of the invention is the genetically modified mouse of aspect six wherein the HLA class II haplotype of the human AMP cell is determined prior to injection into the ES cell or blastocyst cell. [0021] An eighth aspect of the invention is the genetically modified mouse of aspect seven wherein the human HLA class II haplotype is selected from a subpopulation of a Caucasian, African American, Asian or Hispanic population. [0022] A ninth aspect of the invention is the method for determining the immune response a Caucasian, African American, Asian or Hispanic subject may have to an antigen comprising administering the antigen to a mouse of aspect eight and observing whether an immune response occurs in the mouse. [0023] A tenth aspect of the invention is the method of determining the likelihood a human subject will have an immune response to an antigen comprising a) determining the HLA class II genotype of the human subject; b) administering the antigen to a genetically modified mouse having the same/similar HLA class II haplotype as the human subject; and c) observing whether an immune response occurs in the mouse when it is exposed to the antigen. [0024] Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the accompanying description, examples and the claims. The contents of all references, pending patent applications and published patents, cited throughout this application are hereby expressly incorporated by reference. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. DEFINITIONS [0025] As used herein, the term “targeting vector” is a DNA construct that contains sequences “homologous” to endogenous chromosomal nucleic acid sequences flanking a desired genetic modification(s). The flanking homology sequences, referred to as “homology arms”, direct the targeting vector to a specific chromosomal location within the genome by virtue of the homology that exists between the homology arms and the corresponding endogenous sequence and introduce the desired genetic modification by a process referred to as “homologous recombination”. [0026] As used herein, the term “homologous” means two or more nucleic acid sequences that are either identical or similar enough that they are able to hybridize to each other or undergo intermolecular exchange. [0027] As used herein, the term “gene targeting” is the modification of an endogenous chromosomal locus by the insertion into, deletion of, or replacement of the endogenous sequence via homologous recombination using a targeting vector. [0028] As used herein, the term “gene knockout” is a genetic modification resulting from the disruption of the genetic information encoded in a chromosomal locus. [0029] As used herein, the term “gene knockin” is a genetic modification resulting from the replacement of the genetic information encoded in a chromosomal locus with a different DNA sequence. [0030] As used herein, the term “knockout organism” is an organism in which a significant proportion of the organism's cells harbor a gene knockout. [0031] As used herein, the term “knockin organism” is an organism in which a significant proportion of the organism's cells harbor a gene knockin. [0032] As used herein, the term “marker” or a “selectable marker” is a selection marker that allows for the isolation of rare transfected cells expressing the marker from the majority of treated cells in the population. Such marker's gene's include, but are not limited to, neomycin phosphotransferase and hygromycin B phosphotransferase, or fluorescing proteins such as GFP. [0033] As used herein, the term “ES cell” is an embryonic stem cell. This cell is usually derived from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst-stage embryo. [0034] As used herein, the term “ES cell clone” is a subpopulation of cells derived from a single cell of the ES cell population following introduction of DNA and subsequent selection. [0035] As used herein, the term “flanking DNA” is a segment of DNA that is collinear with and adjacent to a particular point of reference. [0036] As used herein, the term “non-human organism” is an organism that is not normally accepted by the public as being human. [0037] As used herein, the term “Orthologous” sequence refers to a sequence from one species that is the functional equivalent of that sequence in another species. [0038] As used herein, the term “genetically modified” means a DNA molecule which has been manipulated such that is contains nucleotide sequences that are not normally found in that DNA molecule. For example, manipulating mouse DNA molecules such that they contain human nucleotide sequences. [0039] A “transgenic mammal” as used herein refers to an animal containing one or more cells bearing genetic information, received, directly or indirectly, by deliberate genetic manipulation at the subcellular level, such as by microinjection or transfection with recombinant DNA, or infection with recombinant virus. [0040] The term “germ cell-line transgenic animal” refers to a transgenic animal in which the genetic information was introduced into a germ line cell, thereby conferring the ability to transfer the information to offspring. If such offspring in fact possess the transgene, they too are transgenic mammals. [0041] As used herein, the term “MuResponse” means a panel of genetically modified mice in which each mouse's DNA has been manipulated such that it contains a particular human MHC class II region. A MuResponse panel may be constructed for any desired population. For example, the MuResponse C panel of mice has been engineered to encompass the loci covering all of the human MHC class II allele combinations present in the Caucasian population. Similarly, the MuResponse Af , MuResponse As , MuResponse H encompass the most common human MHC class II allele combinations in African Americas, Asians and Hispanics, respectively. [0042] As used herein, the term “human HLA class II locus”, “human HLA class II region” or “human HLA class II genotype” means the segment of human DNA encoding the genes for HLA-DPA1, HLA-DPB1, HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQB1, HLA-DRA, and HLA-DRB1. [0043] As used herein, the term “mouse H-2 class II locus”, “mouse H-2 class II region” or “mouse H-2 class II genotype” means the segment of mouse DNA encoding the genes for H-2-A, and H-2-E. The mouse H-2 locus is on mouse chromosome 17. [0044] As defined herein “isolated” refers to material removed from its original environment and is thus altered “by the hand of man” from its natural state. [0045] As defined herein, a “gene” is the segment of DNA involved in producing a polypeptide chain; it includes regions preceding and following the coding region, as well as intervening sequences (introns) between individual coding segments (exons). [0046] As used herein, the term “protein marker” means any protein molecule characteristic of the plasma membrane of a cell or in some cases of a specific cell type. [0047] As used herein, “enriched” means to selectively concentrate or to increase the amount of one or more materials by elimination of the unwanted materials or selection and separation of desirable materials from a mixture (i.e. separate cells with specific cell markers from a heterogeneous cell population in which not all cells in the population express the marker). [0048] As used herein, the term “therapeutic protein” includes a wide range of biologically active proteins including, but not limited to, growth factors, enzymes, hormones, cytokines, inhibitors of cytokines, blood clotting factors, peptide growth and differentiation factors. [0049] The term “transplantation” as used herein refers to the administration of a composition comprising cells that are either in an undifferentiated, partially differentiated, or fully differentiated form, or a combination thereof, into a human or other animal. [0050] As used herein, the terms “a” or “an” means one or more; at least one. [0051] “Treatment,” “treat,” or “treating,” as used herein covers any treatment of a disease or condition of a mammal, particularly a human, and includes: (a) preventing the disease or condition from occurring in a subject which may be predisposed to the disease or condition but has not yet been diagnosed as having it; (b) inhibiting the disease or condition, i.e., arresting its development; (c) relieving and or ameliorating the disease or condition, i.e., causing regression of the disease or condition; or (d) curing the disease or condition, i.e., stopping its development or progression. The population of subjects treated by the methods of the invention includes subjects suffering from the undesirable condition or disease, as well as subjects at risk for development of the condition or disease. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0052] In accordance with the present invention there may be employed conventional molecular biology, microbiology, and recombinant DNA techniques within the skill of the art. Such techniques are explained fully in the literature. See, e.g., Sambrook et al, 2001, “Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual”; Ausubel, ed., 1994, “Current Protocols in Molecular Biology” Volumes I-III; Celis, ed., 1994, “Cell Biology: A Laboratory Handbook” Volumes I-III; Coligan, ed., 1994, “Current Protocols in Immunology” Volumes I-III; Gait ed., 1984, “Oligonucleotide Synthesis”; Hames & Higgins eds., 1985, “Nucleic Acid Hybridization”; Hames & Higgins, eds., 1984,“Transcription And Translation”; Freshney, ed., 1986, “Animal Cell Culture”; IRL Press, 1986, “Immobilized Cells And Enzymes”; Perbal, 1984, “A Practical Guide To Molecular Cloning.” [0053] Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either both of those included limits are also included in the invention. [0054] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described. [0055] It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “and” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. [0056] Generation of Genetically Modified (MuResponse) Mice [0057] A. Human HLA class II loci representative of major human subpopulations—Table 1 sets for the 11 most common MHC class II gene haplotypes found in Caucasians. [0000] TABLE 1 11 Most Common DR-DQ Haplotypes in Caucasian Americans (C = Caucasian) MuResponse C DR DR-DQ DR DQ Panelist # Serotype Haplotype B1 A1 B1 Frequency (%) C1 DR1 DR1-DQ5 0101 0101 0501 9.1 C2 DR3 DR3-DQ2 0301 0501 0201 13.1 C3 DR4 DR4-DQ7 0401 0300 0301 5.4 C4 DR4 DR4-DQ7 0401 0300 0302 5.0 C5 DR4 DR4-DQ8 0404 0300 0392 3.9 C6 DR7 DR7-DQ2 0701 0201 0202 11.1 C7 DR7 DR7-DQ9 0701 0201 0303 3.7 C8 DR10 DR10-DQ5 1101 0505 0301 5.6 C9 DR13 DR13-DQ6 1301 0103 0603 5.6 C10 DR13 DR13-DQ6 1302 0102 0604 3.4 C11 DR15 DR15-DQ6 1501 0102 0602 14.2 [0058] B. Generation of targeting vectors—Gene targeting by means of homologous recombination between homologous exogenous DNA and endogenous chromosomal sequences has proven to be an extremely valuable way to create deletions, insertions, design mutations, correct gene mutations, introduce transgenes, or make other genetic modifications in mice. Current methods involve using standard targeting vectors, with regions of homology to endogenous DNA typically totaling less than 10-20 kb, to introduce the desired genetic modification into mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells, followed by the injection of the altered ES cells into mouse embryos to transmit these engineered genetic modifications into the mouse germline (Smithies et al., Nature, 317:230-234, 1985; Thomas et al., Cell, 51:503-512, 1987; Koller et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 86:8927-8931, 1989; Kuhn et al., Science, 254:707-710, 1991; Thomas et al., Nature, 346:847-850, 1990; Schwartzberg et al., Science, 246:799-803, 1989; Doetschman et al., Nature, 330:576-578, 1987; Thomson et al., Cell, 5:313-321, 1989; DeChiara et al., Nature, 345:78-80, 1990; U.S. Pat. No. 5,789,215, issued Aug. 4, 1998 in the name of GenPharm International). In addition, particularly well-suited methodologies are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,586,251 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,596,541. [0059] In addition to ES cells, pluripotent stem cells derived from the late epiblast of mouse embryos, called Epiblast stem cells, (see Brons, I.G.M., et al., Nature 2007, 448(12):191-197; Tesar, P.J., et al, Nature 2007, 448(12):196-199) are also suitable for use in creating the MuResponse mice of the invention, as are the AEC R , ADC R and AMP R cells described in U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/205,235, filed Jan. 20, 2009, or any cell which has been reprogrammed to pluripotency, such cells generally referred to as iPCs or induced pluripotent cells. Any of the above methodologies and cells are useful for creating the MuResponse mice of the invention. All of the aforementioned references are incorporated herein in their entirety. [0060] C. Identification of correctly targeted non-human cells used in the methods—Skilled artisans are familiar with techniques used to identify correctly targeted non-human cells. For example, detecting the rare cells in which the standard targeting vectors have correctly targeted and modified the desired endogenous gene(s) or chromosomal locus(loci) requires sequence information outside of the homologous targeting sequences contained within the targeting vector. Assays for successful targeting involve standard Southern blotting or long PCR (Cheng, et al., Nature, 369:684-5, 1994; Foord and Rose, PCR Methods Appl, 3:S149-61, 1994; Ponce and Micol, Nucleic Acids Res, 20:623, 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,436,149 issued to Takara Shuzo Co., Ltd.) from sequences outside the targeting vector and spanning an entire homology arm; thus, because of size considerations that limit these methods, the size of the homology arms are restricted to less than 10-20 kb in total (Joyner, The Practical Approach Series, 293, 1999). In addition, particularly well-suited methodologies for identifying correctly targeted non-human cells are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,586,251 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,596,541 (Such approaches can include but are not limited to: (a) quantitative PCR using TaqMan™. (Lie and Petropoulos, Curr Opin Biotechnol, 9:43-8, 1998); (b) quantitative MOA assay using molecular beacons (Tan, et al., Chemistry, 6:1107-11, 2000) (c) fluorescence in situ hybridization FISH (Laan, et al., Hum Genet, 96:275-80, 1995) or comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) (Forozan, et al., Trends Genet, 13:405-9, 1997; Thompson and Gray, J Cell Biochem Suppl, 139-43, 1993; Houldsworth and Chaganti, Am J Pathol, 145:1253-60, 1994); (d) isothermic DNA amplification (Lizardi, et al., Nat Genet, 19:225-32, 1998; Mitra and Church, Nucleic Acids Res, 27:e34, 1999); and (e) quantitative hybridization to an immobilized probe(s) (Southern, J. Mol. Biol. 98: 503, 1975; Kafatos F C; Jones C W; Efstratiadis A, Nucleic Acids Res 7(6):1541-52, 1979). All of the aforementioned references are incorporated herein in their entirety. [0061] D. Microinjection of nuclei isolated from amnion-derived multipotent progenitor (AMP) cells into enucleated mouse ES and/or blastocyst cells—In one embodiment of the invention, using standard technologies, nuclei obtained from AMP cells (see U.S. Publication No. 2006-0222634 and U.S. Publication No. 2007-0231297 for a description of AMP cells, each reference being incorporated herein in its entirety) are injected into enucleated mouse ES cells and/or blastocyst cells to generate MuResponse mice. Prior to removal of the nuclei from the AMP cells, the cells may be tested to determine their HLA class II haplotype so that representative haplotype from all of the desired human subpopulations are identified. Once the donor AMP cell haplotypes are established, the nuclei are removed from the AMP cells and injected into the EC cell or blastocysts cells. The panel of mice generated therefrom will then encompass all major human HLA class II haplotypes for the desired subpopulation of the panel being constructed (i.e. MuResponse C , MuResponse Af , MuResponse As , MuResponse H , etc.). Nuclei from any of the other cells described above are suitable for microinjection as well. [0062] E. Implantation of targeted non-human cells or ES cells containing AMP cell or other cell nuclei into mice—The MuResponse mice can be generated by several different techniques including standard blastocyst injection technology or aggregation techniques (Robertson, Practical Approach Series, 254, 1987; Wood, et al., Nature, 365:87-9, 1993; Joyner, The Practical Approach Series, 293, 1999), tetraploid blastocyst injection (Wang, et al., Mech Dev, 62:137-45, 1997), or nuclear transfer and cloning (Wakayama, et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 96:14984-9, 1999). ES cells derived from other organisms such as rabbits (Wang, et al., Mech Dev, 62:137-45, 1997; Schoonjans, et al., Mol Reprod Dev, 45:439-43, 1996) or chickens (Pain, et al., Development, 122:2339-48, 1996) or other species should also be amenable to genetic modification(s) using the methods of the invention. 2. Modified protoplasts can be used to generate genetically modified plants (for example see U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,689 “Zea mays plants and transgenic Zea mays plants regenerated from protoplasts or protoplast-derived cells”, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,508,189 “Regeneration of plants from cultured guard cell protoplasts” and references therein). 3. Nuclear transfer from modified eukaryotic cells to oocytes to generate cloned organisms with modified allele (Wakayama, et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 96:14984-9, 1999; Baguisi, et al., Nat Biotechnol, 17:456-61, 1999; Wilmut, et al., Reprod Fertil Dev, 10:639-43, 1998; Wilmut, et al., Nature, 385:810-3, 1997; Wakayama, et al., Nat Genet, 24:108-9, 2000; Wakayama, et al., Nature, 394:369-74, 1998; Rideout, et al., Nat Genet, 24:109-10, 2000; Campbell, et al., Nature, 380:64-6, 1996). 4. Cell-fusion to transfer the modified allele to another cell, including transfer of engineered chromosome(s), and uses of such cell(s) to generate organisms carrying the modified allele or engineered chromosome(s) (Kuroiwa, et al., Nat Biotechnol, 18:1086-1090, 2000). [0063] F. Uses of MuResponse Mouse Panel—The novel in vivo murine model system, termed “MuResponse”, utilizes a panel of genetically modified mice to predict the immune response human subjects may have to an antigen. Such genetic modification my be effected by the direct modification of the mouse genome as described throughout the specification, or may be effected by microinjection of isolated nuclei from AMP cells or other desired cells into enucleated cells such as enucleated mouse ES cells. The MuResponse system is designed such that each MuResponse mouse in the panel has been genetically modified to contain the human HLA class II genetic locus that corresponds to a particular human subpopulation having a same or similar locus. The MuResponse C panel of mice has been engineered to encompass the loci covering all of the combinations present in the Caucasian population. Similarly, the MuResponse Af , MuResponse As , MuResponse H encompass the most common loci in African Americans, Asians and Hispanics, respectively. Thus, by testing an antigen in the appropriate MuResponse panel of mice, it becomes possible to predict which HLA class II genotypes are more or less likely to mount an immune response to the antigen. In the case of vaccines, an increased immune response would indicate that a particular HLA class II genotype subpopulation is more likely to benefit from the vaccination than an HLA class II genotype subpopulation that exhibits a reduced or absent immune response. Conversely, if the MuResponse panel of mice exposed to a antigen, for example a protein-based therapeutic, revealed that certain HLA class II genotype mount an immune response, but others did not, one could target drug treatment to the corresponding human subpopulation that did not mount the response, thus avoiding the cost and safety issues associated with treating patients with a drug from which they will not derive a benefit and which could cause them harm. This would also serve to help design clinical trials such that subjects whose HLA class II genotype predicts an immune response would be excluded from the trial, thus saving millions of clinical trial costs and provide results that more accurately represent efficacy. [0064] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. Any equivalent embodiments are intended to be within the scope of this invention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. [0065] Throughout the specification various publications have been referred to. It is intended that each publication be incorporated by reference in its entirety into this specification.

The invention is directed to novel genetically modified organisms and uses thereof. In particular, the invention is directed to novel genetically modified mice and uses of such mice to assess the immunogenic potential of human therapeutic antigens and to predict immune responses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operation system, for transmission devices on a network, which manages information inherent to the operation system, and control and monitoring information for the transmission devices, by using a database of MIB (Management Information Base) management process, and to an alarm monitoring method therefor. The MIB is a set of management objects which are units of management information for a network management function. 2. Related Arts Recently, for the operation system, in addition to the implementation of control and monitoring for a plurality of transmission devices, a need has been noted for a real-time process and operational reliability for the control and monitoring of the transmission devices on the network. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a network. In FIG. 8, a station terminal 200a for a subscriber A and a station terminal 200b for a subscriber B are connected together by a relay transmission path 300. A plurality of network centers 400, which serve as relay terminals, are provided along the relay transmission path 300. Each of the station terminals 200a and 200b includes a switch 202; a terminal device 201, which serves as an interface between a subscriber line and the switch; a multiplexer 203 for multiplexing a plurality of lines; and a cross connector 204 for connecting and switching the transmission paths. The network center 400 includes a multiplexer 401 and across connector 402. A transmission device according to the present invention comprises the above described mulitplexers 203 and 401 and the cross connectors 204 and 402. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of a operation system for transmission device (OPS). In FIG. 9, a plurality of transmission devices 401, 402 . . . and n located in the network 400, for example, are controlled by an operation system (OPS) 100. In the operation system 100, as will be described later, alarm notifications transmitted by the transmission devices are processed by a CPU 101, operation processing means, in accordance with an alarm monitoring program stored in a memory 102. The alarm notifications transmitted by the transmission devices are entered in a database 103. The processing results obtained by the CPU 101 are displayed on a display 104, and may be printed by a printer (not shown). The operation system 100 is provided for the station terminals 200 and network centers 400. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the alarm monitoring program. As is shown in FIG. 10, the program is composed of four layers: a GUI (Graphical User Interface) process, a MIB management process, a manager process, and a communication control process. The GUI process is a process for interfacing with a user, and includes a control process for controlling the transmission devices and a supervision process for supervising the transmission devices. The MIB management process uses a database to manage a set of objects, which are information units to be managed in the GUI process. The manager process serves as an interface between the MIB management process and the transmission devices. The communication control process is a process for controlling the physical communication functions of the transmission devices. These processes are managed by an operating system (OS). FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an operational concept for a conventional operation system. In FIG. 11, a MIB management process 01 includes a control reception thread 02, control threads 03 and 04, a database (DB) 05, a response reception thread 06 and a notification thread 07. A thread is a processing unit in a process which is performed. A notification thread queue 08 is provided in the memory 102 as an area where a notification message from the response reception thread 06 is enqueued when the notification thread 07 is in the operating state (BUSY). In this specification, term `enqueue` means add an element(message) to a queue`. Control processes 09 and 10 and a monitoring process 11 are GUI processes in FIG. 10, at a higher level than the MIB management process 01. The results obtained by the monitoring process 11 are displayed as a monitoring screen 16 on the display 104. A manager process 12 serves as an interface for controlling and monitoring a plurality of transmission devices. In FIGS. 12 through 16 are shown operation sequences of the conventional operation system. In FIG. 12 is represented an example where the transmission device detects a change in its state and transmits an autonomous alarm notification. In FIG. 12, the response reception thread 06 receives the autonomous alarm notification (1) from the manager process 12 and transmits it to the notification thread 07, which is in a standby state (IDLE). Upon the receipt of the autonomous alarm notification (1), the notification thread 07 is set to the operating state (BUSY) and enters the autonomous alarm notification (1) in the database DB 05. When the notification thread 07 receives a setup response (1), it transmits the autonomous alarm notification (1) to the monitoring process 11, and returns to the standby state (IDLE). FIG. 13 represents an example where an autonomous alarm notification is transmitted by a plurality of transmission devices. The response reception thread 06 receives an autonomous alarm notification (2) from the manager process 12, and transmits it to the notification thread 07 in the standby state. Upon the receipt of the autonomous alarm notification (2), the notification thread 07 is set to the operating state (BUSY), and enters the autonomous alarm notification (2) in the database DB 05. When the notification thread 07 receives a setup response (2), it transmits the autonomous alarm notification (2) to the monitoring process 11. At this time, the response reception thread 06 may receive the autonomous alarm notifications (3) and (4) from the manager process 12 before it transmits the autonomous alarm notification (2) to the monitoring process 11. In this case, since the notification thread 07 is in the operating state (BUSY), the autonomous alarm notifications (3) and (4) are sequentially enqueued in the notification thread queue 08. When the notification thread 07 has transmitted the autonomous alarm notification (2), it dequeues an autonomous alarm notification (3) from the notification thread queue 08. In this specification, term `dequeue` means `take out an element (message) from a queue`. As well as for the autonomous alarm notification (2), the notification thread 07 enters the autonomous alarm notification (3) in the database DB 05, and transmits it to the monitoring process 11. The notification thread 07 performs the same process for the autonomous alarm notification (4), and returns to the standby state (IDLE). FIG. 14 represents an example where the alarm state of the transmission device is acquired by the performance of the monitoring process 11. In this case, much time and many procedures are required to directly access the transmission device (i.e., to shift down to the communication control process in FIG. 10) in order to obtain its alarm state. Therefore, for simplification, the autonomous alarm notification is read which has been entered in the database DB 05 during the MIB management process, explained while referring to FIGS. 12 and 13. Specifically, when the control reception thread 02 receives an alarm re-transmission request from the monitoring process 11, it transmits it to the control thread 03, which is in the standby state (IDLE). Upon the receipt of the alarm re-transmission request, the control thread 03 is set to the operating state (BUSY), reads all the autonomous alarm notifications from the database DB 05, and transmits them as alarm re-notifications to the monitoring process 11. In FIG. 14, the alarm re-notifications (1), (2), . . . and (5) correspond to the autonomous alarm notifications (1), (2), . . . and (5). Finally, the control thread 03 transmits an alarm re-transmission response to the monitor process 11, and returns to the standby state (IDLE). FIG. 15 represents an example where an autonomous alarm notification is output during the transmission of the alarm re-notification. The control reception process 02 receives an alarm re-notification request from the monitoring process 11 and transmits it to the control thread 03, which is in the standby state (IDLE). Upon the receipt of the alarm re-notification request, the control thread 03 is set to the operating state (BUSY), reads all the autonomous notifications from the database DB 05, and transmits them as alarm re-notifications to the monitoring process 11 in the same manner as in FIG. 14. Finally, the control thread 03 transmits an alarm re-transmission response to the monitoring process 11. As is shown in FIG. 15, before the control thread 03 transmits the alarm re-notification (5) to the monitoring process 11, the response reception thread 06 receives the autonomous alarm notification (5) from the manager process 12 and transmits it to the notification thread 07. Then, the notification thread 07 enters the autonomous alarm notification (5) in the database DB 05, and transmits it to the monitoring process 11. Following this, the alarm re-notification (5) is transmitted to the monitoring process 11. Therefore, as will be described later, the processing order for a new autonomous alarm notification and for an alarm re-notification corresponding to the preceding autonomous alarm notification is inverted. In FIG. 16, the control reception thread 02 receives an alarm re-transmission request from the monitoring process 11, and returns a control thread BUSY error to the monitoring process 11. Such a conventional operation system, however, has the following problems. First, in FIG. 13, when an autonomous alarm notification is frequently transmitted by the manager process 12, the process performed by the notification thread 07 can not catch up with it because of the time required to access the database DB 05, so that the autonomous alarm notification can not be transmitted to the monitoring process 11 in real time. In addition, in FIG. 15, if, during the alarm re-transmission, the monitoring process 11 receives the autonomous alarm notification from the notification thread 07 before the process 11 receives all the alarm re-notifications from the control thread 03, the processing order for the alarm re-notification and for the autonomous alarm notification is inverted. Specifically, the autonomous alarm notification output during the transmission of the alarm re-notification, is an alarm to provide notification of the occurrence of a new obstacle in the transmission device. When the alarm re-notification is information for providing notification of the recovery from an obstacle previously, these two notifications may be inverted and transmitted to the monitoring process 11, so that the monitoring process 11 will be notified that the new obstacle has been removed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To resolve the above problems, it is one object of the present invention to provide operation system for monitoring transmission devices and a method for monitoring the transmission devices in the operation system, wherein during the normal operation of a monitoring process, an autonomous alarm notification can be received in real time, and during an alarm re-transmission an alarm re-notification and an autonomous alarm notification can also be processed as a time series, and an alarm monitoring method therefor. To achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, the operation system comprises: a memory storing an alarm monitoring program including, a manager process for receiving a first autonomous alarm notification transmitted from the transmission devices, a MIB management process for transmitting the first autonomous alarm notification transmitted from the manager process and storing the first autonomous alarm notification to a database, and a monitoring process for receiving the first autonomous alarm notification transmitted from the MIB management process and monitoring the first autonomous alarm notification, and the MIB management process further including, a re-transmission thread for storing the first autonomous alarm notification in the database; and a response reception thread for receiving the first autonomous alarm notification transmitted from the manager process and for transmitting the first autonomous alarm notification to the re-transmission thread and the monitoring process; and a processor for executing the alarm monitoring program. With this arrangement, the autonomous alarm notification received from the response reception thread can be processed in real time. The operation system of the present invention further includes a re-transmission thread queue in the MIB management process for queuing the autonomous alarm notifications transmitted from the response reception thread. When the response reception thread receives a second autonomous alarm notification before the first autonomous alarm notification is stored in the database, the response reception thread transmits the second autonomous alarm notification to the monitoring process and enqueues the second autonomous alarm notification to the re-transmission thread queue. After the first autonomous alarm notification is stored in the database, the re-transmission thread dequeues the second autonomous alarm notification from the re-transmission thread queue, and stores the second autonomous alarm notification in the database. As a result, a plurality of autonomous alarm notifications received from the response reception thread can be processed in real time, and separately from the autonomous alarm notification processing in the monitoring process, the autonomous alarm notifications can be sequentially entered in the database. According to the operation system of the present invention, when the monitoring process transmits an alarm re-transmission request notification to the response reception thread to read out the autonomous alarm notification stored in the database, the response reception thread transmits an alarm re-transmission start notification to the monitoring process and the re-transmission thread, the re-transmission thread reads out the autonomous alarm notification stored in the database and transmits the autonomous alarm notification as an alarm re-notification to the monitoring process. The memory of the operation system of the present invention further includes a re-transmission buffer storing the autonomous alarm notification, when the monitoring process receives the autonomous alarm notification transmitted from the response reception thread before receiving the alarm re-notification corresponding the autonomous alarm notification; and after receiving the alarm re-notification, the monitoring process reads out the third autonomous alarm notification from the re-transmission buffer. As is described above, since the autonomous alarm notification received during the alarm re-transmission is processed after the alarm re-notification has been processed, the alarm re-notification and the autonomous alarm notification can be processed as a time series. The memory of the operation system of the present invention further includes a re-transmission flag which is set when the monitoring process receives the alarm re-transmission start notification; and the autonomous alarm notification received by the monitoring process is stored in the re-transmission buffer while the re-transmission flag is set, and after reading out the autonomous alarm notification from the re-transmission buffer by the monitoring process, the re-transmission flag is reset. Since in this operation system the autonomous alarm notification received during the alarm re-notification is processed after the alarm re-notification has been processed, the alarm re-notification and the autonomous alarm notification can be processed as a time series. In addition, the memory of the operation system of the present invention further includes an alarm notification synchronous flag corresponding to each the alarm re-notification, which is set when the monitoring process receives the alarm re-notification or the autonomous alarm notification corresponding to the alarm re-notification, and when the monitoring process receives the alarm re-notification after the corresponding alarm notification synchronous flag is set by receiving the autonomous alarm notification, the monitoring process abandons the alarm re-notification. When the autonomous alarm notification is received from the response reception thread by the monitoring process, the autonomous alarm notification is processed, regardless of whether the corresponding alarm notification synchronous flag has been set or reset. When the corresponding flag has been reset, it is set. In the operation system of the present invention, the autonomous alarm notification received during the alarm re-transmission is processed in real time. The flag corresponding to the autonomous alarm notification is set and the alarm re-notification corresponding to that flag is abandoned. Therefore, since an alarm re-notification which corresponds to the autonomous alarm notification received during the alarm re-transmission is not processed after the autonomous alarm notification has been processed, the autonomous alarm notification and the alarm re-notification will not be invertedly processed as a time series. In the operation system of the present invention, all alarm re-notifications are transmitted from the re-transmission thread to the monitoring process, and an autonomous alarm notification from the response reception thread is stored in the database by the re-transmission thread. The alarm re-transmission start notification may have a predetermined condition concerning the autonomous alarm notification stored in the database. In this case, the autonomous alarm notification corresponding to the predetermined condition is read out by the re-transmission thread. The above condition is, for example, a range condition for designating a range for an autonomous alarm notification, or an alarm condition for designating a type of autonomous alarm notification. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the operational concept of a operation system for transmission device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing operational sequence (1) of the operation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing operational sequence (2) of the operation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing operational sequence (3) of the operation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing operational sequence (4) of the operation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operational concept of a operation system according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the operational sequence of the operation system according to the second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the outline of a network; FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of the operation system; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an alarm monitoring program (OPS) in the operation system; FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation concept of a conventional operation system for transmission devices; FIG. 12 is a diagram showing operational sequence (1) of the conventional operation system; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing operational sequence (2) of the conventional operation system; FIG. 14 is a diagram showing operational sequence (3) of the conventional operation system; FIG. 15 is a diagram showing operational sequence (4) of the conventional operation system; and FIG. 16 is a diagram showing operational sequence (5) of the conventional operation system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described. The technical scope of this invention, however, is not limited to these embodiments. The same reference numerals are used throughout to denote corresponding or identical components in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the operational concept of an operation system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The arrangement of the operation system according to the embodiment is the same as that in FIG. 9. A CPU 101, which is the processing means, handles an alarm notification from a transmission device in accordance with an alarm monitoring program stored in a memory 102 in an operation system 100 in FIG. 9. The results obtained are presented on a display 104. The alarm notification is entered in a database 103. In FIG. 1, a MIB management process 01 in the alarm monitoring program of the operation system comprises a control reception thread 02, control threads 03 and 04, a database DB 05, a response reception thread 06 and a re-transmission thread 13. A re-transmission thread queue 14, provided in the memory 102 in FIG. 9, is an area in which messages from the response reception thread 06 are enqueued when a re-transmission thread 13 is in an operating state (BUSY). Control processes 09 and 10 and a monitoring process 11 are processes at higher levels than the MIB management process 01, as previously described. A re-transmission buffer 15 is provided in the memory 102 in FIG. 9 to hold the autonomous alarm notifications received from the response reception thread 06 while the monitoring process 11 is issuing an alarm re-transmission request. The results obtained by the monitoring process 11 are displayed as a monitoring screen 16 on the display 104. The monitoring process 11 further includes a re-transmission flag 17 to indicate whether an alarm is being re-transmitted. The re-transmission flag 17 is provided in the memory 102 in FIG. 9. The features of the arrangement in FIG. 1 are that the re-transmission thread 13 and the re-transmission thread queue 14 are provided in the MIB management process 01 of the operation system, and that the retransmission buffer 15 and the re-transmission flag 17 are provided for the monitoring process 11. In FIGS. 2 through 5 are shown operational sequences for the operation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 represents an example where a single autonomous alarm notification is transmitted. The response reception thread 06 receives an autonomous alarm notification (1) from a manager process 12, and broadcasts (simultaneous transmission of data to more than one destination) it to the monitoring process 11 and the re-transmission thread 13, which is in the standby state (IDLE). Therefore, the monitoring process 11 can receive the autonomous alarm notification (1) in real time without waiting until the autonomous alarm notification (1) is entered in the database DB 05. The re-transmission thread 13, which has received the autonomous alarm notification (1), is set to the operating state (BUSY) and enters the autonomous alarm notification (1) in the database DB 05, receives a setup response (1), and returns to the standby state (IDLE). FIG. 3 represents an example where a plurality of autonomous alarm notifications are transmitted. The response reception thread 06 receives an autonomous alarm notification (2) from the manager process 12, and broadcasts it to the monitoring process 11 and the re-transmission thread 13, which is in the standby state (IDLE). Upon the receipt of the autonomous alarm notification (2), the re-transmission thread 13 is set to the operating state (BUSY), and enters the autonomous alarm notification (2) in the database DB 05 and receives a setup response (2). At this time, before the autonomous alarm notification (2) is entered in the database DB 05, i.e., when the re-transmission thread 13 is in the operating state (BUSY), the response reception thread 06 receives autonomous alarm notifications (3) and (4) from the manager process 12, and then sequentially transmits them to the monitoring process 11 in real time and sequentially adds them to the re-transmission thread queue 14. As a result, even when autonomous alarm notifications are frequently transmitted by the manager process 12, they can always be transmitted to the monitoring process 11 in real time and in parallel to the entry of these notifications in the database DB 05, so that the processing speed can be improved. After the re-transmission thread 13 has set the autonomous alarm notification (2), it dequeues the autonomous alarm notification (3) from the re-transmission thread queue 14 and enters it in the database DB 05. The autonomous alarm notification (4) is dequeued and set in the same manner, and the re-transmission thread 13 thereafter returns to the standby state (IDLE). FIG. 4 represents an example where the alarm state of a transmission device is acquired from the monitoring process 11. In this embodiment, an alarm re-transmission request notification (corresponding to an alarm re-transmission request in the prior art) is transmitted from the monitoring process to the response reception thread 06. Upon the receipt of the alarm re-transmission request notification from the monitoring process 11, the response reception thread 06 broadcasts(simultaneous transmission of data to more than one destination) an alarm re-transmission start notification to the monitoring process 11 and the re-transmission thread 13, which is in the standby state (IDLE). Upon the receipt of the alarm re-transmission start notification, the re-transmission thread 13 is set to the operating state (BUSY), reads all the autonomous alarm notifications from the database DB 05 and sequentially transmits them to the monitoring process 11, and finally transmits an alarm re-transmission end notification and returns to the standby state (IDLE). In this embodiment, since the alarm re-transmission request notification is not transmitted to the control threads 03 and 04 in FIG. 11 or 16, even though they are in the operating state (BUSY) the re-transmission thread 13 initiates the processing in the same manner as for the autonomous alarm notification, so that an error response does not occur. FIG. 5 represents an example where an autonomous alarm notification is transmitted during the transmission of an alarm re-notification. In FIG. 5, as well as in FIG. 4, first, the response reception thread 06 receives the alarm re-transmission request notification from the monitoring process 11, and broadcasts the alarm re-transmission start notification to the monitoring process 11 and the re-transmission thread 13, which is in the standby state (IDLE). Upon the receipt of the alarm re-transmission start notification, the re-transmission thread 13 is set to the operating state (BUSY), reads all the autonomous alarm notifications from the database DB 05 and sequentially transmits them to the monitoring process 11, and finally transmits an alarm re-transmission end notification. At this time, before the alarm re-notification (5) is transmitted to the monitoring process 11, the response reception thread 06 receives the autonomous alarm notification (5) from the manager process 12. In this embodiment, then, the monitoring process 11 receives the alarm re-transmission start notification (1) and sets the re-transmission flag 17, as is shown in FIG. 5. When the autonomous alarm notification (5) is transmitted from the response reception thread 06 to the monitoring process 11 while the re-transmission flag 17 is set, the autonomous alarm notification (5) is temporarily held in the re-transmission buffer 15. After the transmission thread 13 has transmitted all the alarm re-notifications, and the monitoring process 11 has received an alarm re-transmission end notification, the monitoring process 11 reads out the autonomous alarm notification (5) from the re-transmission buffer 15 for monitoring it. The re-transmission flag 17 is thereafter reset. Therefore, even when the autonomous alarm notification is received while the alarm re-transmission is in progress, the reception order for the alarm re-notification (5) and the autonomous alarm notification (5) is not inverted, and the conventional problem can be resolved. In FIG. 5, the autonomous alarm notification (5) is enqueued to the re-transmission thread queue 14 in addition to the monitoring process 11 as described in FIG. 3. The re-transmission thread 13 dequeues the autonomous alarm notification (5) from the re-transmission thread queue 14 and enters it to the database 05, after the re-transmission thread transmits the alarm re-transmission end notification to the monitoring process 11. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operational concept of an operation system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the re-transmission buffer 15 and the re-transmission flag 17 in the first embodiment are replaced by an alarm notification synchronous flag 18. Specifically, a monitoring process 11 includes the alarm notification synchronous flag 18 for device IDs, class IDs and instance IDs of individual transmission devices, and adds, to an alarm re-transmission start notification, a range condition (e.g., a device ID, a class ID, an instance ID) and an alarm condition (e.g., the occurrence of or the recovery from an obstacle) so that the conditions can be arbitrarily set as needed. An arbitrary ID or a global ID, with which all the IDs can be designated, can be assigned for the device ID, the class ID and the instance ID. The alarm notification synchronous flag 18 is provided in the memory 102 in FIG. 9. The features of the arrangement in FIG. 6 are that the re-transmission buffer 15 and the re-transmission flag 17 in the monitoring process 11 in FIG. 1 are replaced, for each autonomous alarm notification, by the alarm notification synchronous flag 18 in order to process an autonomous alarm notification in real time, and that the range condition and the alarm condition are added to the alarm re-transmission request notification so that these conditions can be arbitrarily set to re-transmit only a required notification. FIG. 7 represents an operational sequence according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the monitoring process 11 sets an arbitrary range condition and an alarm condition for the alarm re-transmission request notification, and the alarm notification synchronous flags 18 corresponding to the range condition are reset. Assume that autonomous alarm notifications (3), (4) and (5) are set as the range condition in FIG. 7, and an alarm for giving notification of the recovery of the transmission device from the obstacle is set as the alarm condition, and that the autonomous alarm notifications which satisfy the alarm condition are alarm re-notifications (3) and (5), of the autonomous alarm notifications (3), (4) and (5). The response reception thread 06 receives, from the monitoring process 11, the alarm re-transmission request notification that includes the above described range and alarm conditions, and broadcasts the alarm re-transmission start notification to the monitoring process 11 and the re-transmission thread 13, which is in the standby state (IDLE). Upon the receipt of the alarm re-transmission start notification, the re-transmission thread 13 reads from the database DB 05 the autonomous alarm notifications corresponding to the range condition, i.e., the autonomous alarm notifications (3), (4) and (5). The re-transmission thread 13 sequentially re-transmits to the monitoring process 11 those autonomous alarm notifications which satisfy the alarm condition, i.e., the autonomous alarm notifications (3) and (5) in this embodiment, and finally transmits an alarm re-transmission end notification. When a corresponding alarm notification synchronous flag 18 is reset, upon the receipt of the alarm re-notification from the re-transmission thread 13, the monitoring process 11 displays it on the monitoring screen 16 and sets the corresponding flag 18. In FIG. 7, for example, the monitoring process 11 receives the alarm re-notification (3) and sets the corresponding alarm notification synchronous flag 18 (3). In addition, in FIG. 7, as well as in FIG. 5, the response reception thread 06 receives the autonomous alarm notification (5) from the manager process 12 before the alarm re-notification (5) is transmitted by the re-transmission thread 13. In the second embodiment, the autonomous alarm notification (5) is transmitted to the monitoring process 11 in real time and is displayed on the monitoring screen 16. At the same time, the monitoring process 11 sets a corresponding alarm notification synchronous flag 18 (5), as is shown in FIG. 7. Following this, the monitoring process 11 receives the alarm re-notification (5) from the re-transmission thread 13. Since, as previously described, the corresponding alarm notification synchronous flag 18 (5) is set, the monitoring process 11 abandons the received alarm re-notification. More specifically, when a corresponding alarm notification synchronous flag 18 is reset, the monitoring process 11 displays the received alarm re-notification on the monitoring screen 16 in real time and sets the corresponding flag 18. When a corresponding alarm notification synchronous flag 18 is set, it is assumed that an autonomous alarm notification has been received during the alarm re-transmission, and the alarm re-notification is abandoned. Furthermore, when the monitoring process 11 receives the autonomous alarm notification, it processes it in real time, regardless of whether the corresponding alarm notification synchronous flag 18 is set or reset, and sets the corresponding flag 18 if it is reset. Therefore, the autonomous alarm notification received during the alarm re-transmission can be processed in real time, and also, the order in which the alarm re-notification and the autonomous alarm notification are received will not be inverted. In addition, it can be assumed that, at the time of the receipt of the alarm re-transmission completion notification, the alarm notification synchronous flag 18 which is reset does not satisfy the alarm condition designated in the alarm re-transmission request notification. In FIG. 7, the autonomous alarm notification (5) is enqueued to the re-transmission thread queue 14 in addition to the monitoring process 11 as described in FIG. 3. The re-transmission thread 13 dequeues the autonomous alarm notification (5) from the re-transmission thread queue 14 and enters it to the database 05, after the re-transmission thread transmits the alarm re-transmission end notification to the monitoring process 11. As is described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a operation system for transmission device wherein the monitoring process can receive autonomous alarm notifications in real time during normal operations, and alarm re-notifications and autonomous alarm notifications can be processed as a time series, and to provide an alarm monitoring method therefor. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by foregoing description and all change which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

There is provided in accordance with the present invention an operation system for monitoring transmission devices, comprising: a memory storing an alarm monitoring program including, a manager process for receiving a first autonomous alarm notification transmitted from the transmission devices, a MIB management process for transmitting the first autonomous alarm notification transmitted from the manager process and storing the first autonomous alarm notification to a database, and a monitoring process for receiving the first autonomous alarm notification transmitted from the MIB management process and monitoring the first autonomous alarm notification, and the MIB management process further including, a re-transmission thread for storing the first autonomous alarm notification in the database; and a response reception thread for receiving the first autonomous alarm notification transmitted from the manager process and for transmitting the first autonomous alarm notification to the re-transmission thread and the monitoring process; and a processor for executing the alarm monitoring program.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates generally to handheld electronic devices and, more particularly, to a handheld electronic device that enables a user to establish a prioritized list of preferred networks to be used in roaming situations. The invention also relates to an improved method of establishing a prioritized list of preferred networks to be used by a handheld electronic device in roaming situations. 2. Description of the Related Art Numerous types of handheld electronic devices are known. Examples of such handheld electronic devices include, for instance, personal data assistants (PDAs), handheld computers, two-way pagers, cellular telephones, and the like. Such handheld electronic devices are generally intended to be portable and thus are relatively small. Many handheld electronic devices include and provide access to a wide range of integrated applications, including, without limitation, email, telephone, short message service (SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS), browser, calendar and address book applications, such that a user can easily manage information and communications from a single, integrated device. These applications are typically selectively accessible and executable through a user interface that allows a user to easily navigate among and within these applications. Many handheld electronic devices include wireless telephone and data (e.g., email, SMS, Internet) functionality. As is known in the art, wireless services, such as telephone and data services, are provided by way of an air interface involving radio frequency (RF) communications between wireless enabled equipment, such as a handheld electronic device described above, and one or more networks of land based radio transmitters or base stations. Each such network is commonly referred to as a public land mobile network (PLMN). PLMNs interconnect with other PLMNs and the public switched telephone network (PSTN) for telephone communications or with Internet service providers for data and Internet access. In order to use wireless communications functionality, a user must subscribe with a wireless service provider or operator. The subscription permits the user to utilize the PLMN operated by the service provider or operator (referred to as the “home PLMN”). As is known in the art, roaming is a service offered by PLMN operators which allows a subscriber to use his or her wireless enabled equipment while in the service area of another operator (and outside of the user's home PLMN). Roaming requires an agreement between operators of technologically compatible systems to permit customers of either operator to access the other's PLMN. Service providers or operators typically charge a higher per-minute fee for calls placed outside their home calling or coverage area (the area serviced by their PLMN). As is also known in the art, devices, such as handheld electronic devices, that include wireless functionality, such as telephone and data functionality, are provided with a subscriber identity module card (SIM card). A SIM card is a small printed circuit board that contains subscriber details, including data that identifies the user to the service provider, security information, and memory for a personal directory of numbers. In addition, the SIM card stores a pre-set, prioritized list of particular PLMNs to be used by the device in roaming situations. The particular PLMNs included in the list are normally based on the marketing preferences of a particular operator. However, as will be appreciated, different PLMNs have differing charges associated with them and offer different levels of reliability and service quality. Thus, a user may desire to use PLMNs other than those pre-stored in the SIM card and/or use PLMNs in a different order of priority than that specified in the SIM card based on issues of cost, reliability, and service quality, among others. Thus, there is a need for an improved handheld electronic device that enables a user to establish a prioritized list of preferred PLMNs to be used in roaming situations. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An improved handheld electronic device and an associated method enable a user to selectively establish a prioritized list of preferred PLMNs to be used in roaming situations. As a result, a user is able to select particular PLMNs based on issues of PLMN cost, reliability, and service quality, among others. These and other aspects of the invention are provided by a wirelessly enabled handheld electronic device including an input apparatus, a communications subsystem, a display, a processor, and a memory storing one or more applications executable by the processor. The one or more applications are adapted to display a listing of one or more known networks for which network information is stored in the memory, scan for one or more available networks, which are networks available for use in conducting wireless communications in the area in which the handheld electronic device is currently located, and display a listing of the available networks. The applications are also adapted to enable the entry of information relating to one or more manually entered networks. Furthermore, the applications are adapted to (1) enable the addition of one or more preferred networks to a preferred network list wherein the preferred networks are one or more of: (i) certain of the known networks selected from the listing of known networks, (ii) certain of the available networks selected from the listing of available networks, and (iii) the manually entered networks; (2) enable the assignment of a priority value to each of the preferred networks; and (3) utilize one or more of the preferred networks for performing wireless communications when the handheld electronic device is in a roaming situation, wherein the preferred networks are utilized in a priority order that is based on the priority value assigned to each of the preferred networks. The communications subsystem may include a SIM card, wherein the applications are further adapted to store the preferred network list in the SIM card. The preferred network list also preferably includes network information for each of said preferred networks, such as the MNC and MCC for each of the preferred networks. The handheld electronic device may also include a thumbwheel that may be used to scroll up and down for data selection purposes. Preferably, the preferred network list is displayed in a display order corresponding to the priority order. In one case, the priority value of a first one of the preferred networks is a highest priority, and the priority value of a second one of the preferred networks is a lowest priority, and the priority order is sequential beginning with the first one of the preferred networks and ending with the second one of the preferred networks. The applications may be further adapted to enable the movement of a selected one of the preferred networks on the display to create an altered display order, wherein the priority value assigned to one or more of the preferred networks is changed such that the priority order corresponds to the altered display order. In addition, the one or more applications may be further adapted to enable the deletion of a selected one of the preferred networks on the display to create an altered display order, wherein the priority value assigned to one or more of the preferred networks is changed such that the priority order corresponds to the altered display order. According to another aspect of the invention, a method of establishing a prioritized list of networks to be used by a handheld electronic device in roaming situations is provided. The method includes displaying a listing of one or more known networks upon request of a user of the handheld electronic device, with each of the known networks having network information stored by the handheld electronic device, scanning for one or more available networks upon request of the user, with each of the available networks being available for use in conducting wireless communications in an area in which the handheld electronic device is currently located, and displaying a listing of the available networks. The method further includes receiving information relating to one or more manually entered networks when input into the handheld electronic device by the user. Finally, the method includes adding one or more preferred networks to a preferred network list, the preferred networks being one or more of: (i) certain of the known networks selected from the listing of known networks, (ii) certain of the available networks selected from the listing of available networks, and (iii) the manually entered networks, and assigning a priority value to each of the preferred networks, wherein one or more of the preferred networks are utilized for performing wireless communications when the handheld electronic device is in a roaming situation in a priority order that is based on the priority value assigned to each of the preferred networks. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following Description of the Preferred Embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a front view of an improved handheld electronic device in accordance with the invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the handheld electronic device of FIG. 1 ; and FIGS. 3 through 20 are exemplary views of a portion of the display of the handheld electronic device of FIGS. 1 and 2 that illustrate a routine or routines for enabling a user to selectively establish a prioritized list of preferred PLMNs to be used in roaming situations according to the invention. Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the specification. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An improved handheld electronic device 4 in accordance with the invention is depicted generally in FIGS. 1 and 2 . The handheld electronic device 4 includes a housing 8 , a display 12 , an input apparatus 16 , and a processor 20 ( FIG. 2 ) which may be, without limitation, a microprocessor (μP). The processor 20 is responsive to inputs received from the input apparatus 16 and provides outputs to the display 12 . While for clarity of disclosure reference has been made herein to the exemplary display 12 for displaying various types of information, it will be appreciated that such information may be stored, printed on hard copy, be computer modified, or be combined with other data, and all such processing shall be deemed to fall within the terms “display” or “displaying” as employed herein. Examples of handheld electronic devices are included in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,452,588 and 6,489,950, which are incorporated by reference herein. The handheld electronic device 4 is of a type that includes a wireless telephone capability which, as will be described in greater detail below, enables a user to selectively establish a prioritized list of preferred PLMNs to be used in roaming situations in accordance with the invention. As used herein, the terms “phone” and “telephone” shall refer to any type of voice communication initiated and conducted over a wired and/or wireless network. As can be understood from FIG. 1 , the input apparatus 16 includes a keyboard 24 having a plurality of keys 26 , and a rotatable thumbwheel 28 . As used herein, the expression “key” and variations thereof shall refer broadly to any of a variety of input members such as buttons, switches, and the like without limitation. The keys 26 and the rotatable thumbwheel 28 are input members of the input apparatus 16 , and each of the input members has a function assigned thereto. As used herein, the expression “function” and variations thereof can refer to any type of process, task, procedure, routine, subroutine, function call, or other type of software or firmware operation that can be performed by the processor 20 of the handheld electronic device 4 . As is shown in FIG. 2 , the processor 20 is in electronic communication with memory 44 . Memory 44 can be any of a variety of types of internal and/or external storage media such as, without limitation, RAM, ROM, EPROM(s), EEPROM(s), and the like, that provide a storage register for data storage such as in the fashion of an internal storage area of a computer, and can be volatile memory or nonvolatile memory. The memory 44 further includes a number of applications executable by processor 20 for the processing of data. The applications can be in any of a variety of forms such as, without limitation, software, firmware, and the like, and the term “application” herein shall include one or more routines, subroutines, function calls or the like, alone or in combination. As is also shown in FIG. 2 , processor 20 is in electronic communication with communications subsystem 45 . Communications functions for handheld electronic device 4 , including data and voice communications (wireless telephone), are performed through communications subsystem 45 . Communications subsystem 45 includes a transmitter and a receiver (possibly combined in a single transceiver component), a SIM card, and one or more antennas. Other known components, such as a digital signal processor and a local oscillator, may also be part of communications subsystem 45 . The specific design and implementation of communications subsystem 45 is dependent upon the communications network in which handheld electronic device 4 is intended to operate. For example, handheld electronic device 4 may include a communications subsystem 45 designed to operate with the Mobiltex™, DataTAC™ or General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) mobile data communication networks and also designed to operate with any of a variety of voice communications networks, such as AMPS, TDMA, CDMA, PCS, GSM, and other suitable networks. Other types of data and voice networks, both separate and integrated, may also be utilized with handheld electronic device 4 . Together, processor 20 , memory 44 , and communications subsystem 45 may, along with other components (having various types of functionality), be referred to as a processing unit. In FIG. 1 , the display 12 is depicted as displaying a home screen 43 that includes a number of applications depicted as discrete icons 46 , including, without limitation, an icon representing a phone application 48 , an address book application 50 , a messaging application 52 which includes email, SMS and MMS applications, and a calendar application 54 . In FIG. 1 , the home screen 43 is currently active and would constitute a portion of an application. Other applications, such as phone application 48 , address book application 50 , messaging application 52 , and calendar application 54 can be initiated from the home screen 43 by providing an input through the input apparatus 16 , such as by rotating the thumbwheel 28 and providing a selection input by translating the thumbwheel 28 in the direction indicated by the arrow 29 in FIG. 1 . FIGS. 3 through 17 are exemplary depictions of display 12 of handheld electronic device 4 that illustrate a routine or routines performed by processor 20 for enabling a user to selectively establish a prioritized list of preferred PLMNs to be used in roaming situations according to the invention. By utilizing the invention, a user of handheld electronic device 4 is able to override the list of particular PLMNs to be used by the handheld electronic device 4 in roaming situations that is pre-stored in the SIM card forming a part of communications subsystem 45 by establishing and storing a user selected and prioritized list of PLMNs to be used by the handheld electronic device 4 in roaming situations. In the particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 through 17 , this list is called the “My Preferred Network List.” FIG. 3 is an exemplary depiction of display 12 showing an “Options-Network” screen 50 generated by an operating application of handheld electronic device 4 which provides a user with information and options relating to the PLMNs used or to be used by handheld electronic device 4 . As seen in FIG. 3 , menu 52 may be accessed from “Options-Network” screen 50 in a known manner using input apparatus 16 . Menu 52 includes an item 54 entitled “My Preferred Network List.” When a user desires to create a prioritized list of PLMNs to be used by handheld electronic device 4 in roaming situations according to the invention, the user first selects item 54 . When a user does so, a “Preferred Network List” screen 56 as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on display 12 . “Preferred Network List” screen 56 displays a prioritized listing 58 of PLMNs selected by the user as described herein to be used by handheld electronic device 4 in roaming situations. As seen in FIG. 4 , the listing 58 is initially empty. To add a PLMN to the listing 58 , the user accesses menu 60 in a known manner and selects item 62 entitled “Add Network.” Next, as seen in FIG. 6 , “Add Network” screen 64 is displayed to the user on display 12 . At this point, the user has three options to choose from for adding a PLMN to the listing 58 . Each option is described below. In the first option, a user can manually add a PLMN to the listing 58 by entering identifying information for the PLMN into the data fields provided on “Add Network” screen 64 using input apparatus 16 . In particular, to add a particular PLMN to the listing 58 , the user must enter the mobile network code (MNC) for the PLMN at field 66 , the mobile country code (MCC) for the PLMN at field 68 , and the priority the user wishes to assign to that PLMN at field 70 . The respective priorities assigned to the PLMNs listed on listing 58 determines the order in which the PLMNs are to be used by handheld electronic device 4 , if available, in roaming situations. In the second option, the user can add a PLMN to the listing 58 by selecting the PLMN from a group of “known networks” stored in memory 44 of handheld electronic device 4 (the MNC and MCC is stored for each such “known network”). To do so, the user accesses menu 72 in a known manner and selects item 74 entitled “Select From Known Networks.” Next, as seen in FIG. 8 , “Find” screen 76 is displayed on display 12 . “Find” screen 76 includes a listing 78 of all of the “known networks” stored by memory 44 of handheld electronic device 4 . A user may then identify for selection a particular PLMN from listing 78 by scrolling down listing 78 in a known manner using input apparatus 16 or by typing a portion of or all of the name of the PLMN using input apparatus 16 as shown in FIG. 9 . Once a particular PLMN has been identified, a user may then select the PLMN for inclusion in the listing 58 by accessing menu 80 in a known manner and selecting item 82 entitled “Select Network” as shown in FIG. 10 . When this is done, “Add Network” screen 64 is displayed on display 12 as shown in FIG. 11 , and information for the PLMN is automatically provided in fields 66 (MNC) and 68 (MCC), as well as field 84 , which is the name of the PLMN. The user must then enter information into field 70 using input apparatus 16 to establish the priority to be assigned to the PLMN. Once all of the information has been entered, the selected PLMN may be saved to the listing 58 by accessing menu 72 in a known manner and selecting item 86 entitled “Save” (which item was added to menu 72 because listing 58 is no longer empty; compare FIG. 7 ) as shown in FIG. 12 . As seen in FIG. 13 , when saved, the selected PLMN appears in listing 58 . When all the desired PLMNs have been added to and prioritized in the listing 58 , listing 58 may be saved to the SIM card forming part of communications subsystem 45 by accessing menu 60 in a known manner and selecting item 88 entitled “Save” (which item was added to menu 60 because listing 58 is no longer empty; compare FIG. 5 ) as seen in FIG. 14 . Note that, for illustrative purposes, FIG. 14 assumes that additional PLMNs have been added to the listing 58 , and thus the listing 58 shown in FIG. 14 includes additional PLMNs not shown in FIG. 13 . Once the listing 58 is saved to the SIM card, it, and not the pre-stored list described above, is used to determine which and in what order PLMNs are to be used by handheld electronic device 4 , if available, in roaming situations. In other words, listing 58 overrides the pre-stored list of PLMNs provided with the SIM card. In the third option, the user can add a PLMN to the listing 58 by selecting the PLMN from a group of “available networks,” which handheld electronic device 4 is able to locate from its current location using communications subsystem 45 and a known network scanning procedure. To do so, the user accesses menu 72 in a known manner and selects item 90 entitled “Select From Available Networks” as shown in FIG. 15 . Next, handheld electronic device 4 performs a scan to locate the current “available networks.” As seen in FIG. 16 , while this is being done, a dialog box 92 is displayed on display 12 to inform the user that the scan is taking place. Once the scan is completed, “Find” screen 76 as seen in FIG. 17 is displayed on display 12 and includes a listing 94 of all of the “available networks” located during the scanning procedure. The user may then select a particular PLMN for inclusion in the listing 58 and save the listing 58 to the SIM card in the manner described in connection with FIGS. 8 through 14 above. In one embodiment, “available networks” will consist of only “known networks” stored by memory 44 . Alternatively, any network located during the scan may be a “available network.” Again, once the listing 58 is saved to the SIM card, it, and not the pre-stored list provided in the SIM card described above, is used to determine which and in what order PLMNs are to be used by handheld electronic device 4 , if available, in roaming situations. According to an aspect of the invention, the user may easily reorder, and thus change the priority of, the PLMNs listed in listing 58 by selectively moving their location in listing 58 . Specifically, according to one embodiment, if a user wants to move a PLMN appearing on listing 58 (for example, the “ABA Network”), the user can, as shown in FIG. 18 , identify the PLMN to be moved on “Preferred Network List” screen 56 using the input apparatus in a known manner, access menu 60 therefrom, and select item 96 entitled “Move.” When this is done, the identified PLMN is highlighted as shown in FIG. 19 . The identified and highlighted PLMN may then be moved to another location on the listing 58 using input apparatus 16 , preferably, although not necessarily, by rotating thumbwheel 28 (alternatively, various keys, such as “up” and “down” arrow keys, may be used). Once the identified PLMN is in the desired location on listing 58 , its location may be confirmed using input apparatus 16 , preferably, although not necessarily, by pressing thumbwheel 28 , at which time the moved PLMN will no longer be highlighted. As seen in FIG. 20 , once the PLMN is moved, the PLMNs in listing 58 are automatically reordered and renumbered, meaning their assigned priority is changed, if necessary. If desired, the listing 58 as currently appearing in “Preferred Network List” screen 56 may then be saved to the SIM card (with the new assigned priorities) in the manner described in connection with FIGS. 8 through 14 . In addition to moving PLMNs listed in listing 58 , particular PLMNs may be deleted from listing 58 and/or stored information (the information in fields 66 , 68 , 70 and 84 ) for particular PLMNs may be displayed on display 12 by identifying the particular PLMN as described above and then selecting the appropriate item (“Delete” or “View”) in menu 60 shown in FIG. 18 . When a PLMN is deleted from listing 58 , the remaining PLMNs in listing 58 are automatically reordered and renumbered, meaning their assigned priority is changed, if necessary. Thus, the invention provides a handheld electronic device that enables a user to selectively establish a prioritized list of preferred PLMNs to be used in roaming situations. In this manner, a user is able to select and prioritize particular PLMNs based on issues of PLMN cost, reliability, and service quality, among others, thereby saving the user money and/or enhancing performance of the handheld electronic device. While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.

A handheld electronic device adapted to display a listing of known networks, scan for available networks, display a listing of the available networks and enable the entry of information relating to manually entered networks. In addition, the device is adapted to (1) enable the addition of preferred networks to a preferred network list wherein the preferred networks are one or more of: (i) certain of the known networks selected from the listing of known networks, (ii) certain of the available networks selected from the listing of available networks, and (iii) the manually entered networks; (2) enable the assignment of a priority value to each of the preferred networks; and (3) utilize the preferred networks for performing wireless communications when the device is in a roaming situation, wherein the preferred networks are utilized in a priority order that is based on the priority value assigned to each of the preferred networks.

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/681,228, hereby incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth in its entirety. FIELD [0002] This relates generally to coke ovens, and more particularly to the walls of coke ovens and to methods of replacing those walls. BACKGROUND [0003] Coke oven batteries include a number of horizontal coke ovens that range up to twenty feet or more in height and up to fifty feet in length. An oven is approximately eighteen inches wide. Individual ovens are laterally arranged in groups to form a battery. A coke oven has a chamber with opposite open ends closed by doors. Positioned on both sides of a coke oven chamber are heating walls. [0004] Internally of the heating walls are vertical heating flues in which combustion of air and gas takes place. The combustion produces heat which moves vertically through the flues. Heat is then supplied to the coking chambers from the adjacent heating flues through the heating walls. [0005] The heating walls are heated to an elevated temperature to carry out the coking process. The coke oven doors at both the pusher side and the coke side are closed when coal is being coked within the coke oven chambers. These doors are removed when the coke is pushed out of the ovens. Thermal expansion and contraction of the bricks, and normal wear due to pushing the coke out of the coking chamber, results in spalling, deterioration, and eventually disintegration of entire brick sections of the heating walls. [0006] One method of replacing the heating walls entails replacing one-by-one the old refractory brick with new refractory brick. The new bricks are laid in courses to form the new, replacement wall. Such a process is laborious, expensive, and time consuming, especially when an entire wall requires not just repair but wholesale replacement. [0007] It is desirable to provide a method of replacing coke oven walls which is not nearly so laborious, expensive, and time consuming. SUMMARY [0008] Accordingly, methods of replacing a damaged wall of a coke oven having a height h and a length I are provided. In one aspect, the method comprises removing the damaged wall from the coke oven, casting, outside of the oven, a replacement wall section having a length equal to the length I of the damaged coke oven wall and a height equal to the height h of the damaged coke oven wall, and positioning, inside the coke oven, the replacement wall section. [0009] In another aspect, the method comprises removing the damaged wall from the coke oven, casting, outside of the oven, a plurality of replacement wall sections, each replacement wall section having a length equal to the length I of the damaged coke oven wall and a height equal to a fraction of the height h of the damaged coke oven wall, and positioning, inside the coke oven, the plurality of replacement wall sections one on top of another, such that the plurality of replacement wall sections has a combined height equal to the height h of the damaged coke oven wall. [0010] The plurality of replacement wall sections can comprise a lower half section and an upper half section. [0011] In yet another aspect, the method comprises removing the damaged wall from the coke oven, casting, outside of the oven, a plurality of replacement wall sections, each replacement wall section having a length equal to a fraction of the length l of the damaged coke oven wall and a height equal to the height h of the damaged coke oven wall, and positioning, inside the coke oven, the plurality of replacement wall sections end to end, such that the plurality of replacement wall sections has a combined length equal to the length l of the damaged coke oven wall. [0012] The plurality of replacement wall sections can comprise a pusher side section, a middle section, and a coke side section. Abutting ones of the pusher side, middle, and coke side sections can be formed to have mating, interlocking ends. The replacement wall sections can be cast with air/gas passages and vertical flues therein. [0013] In still another aspect, a method of replacing a damaged wall of a coke oven comprises removing the damaged wall from the coke oven, casting, outside of the oven, a replacement wall section, providing first and second fixture plates, sandwiching the replacement wall section between the plates, lifting the replacement wall section by lifting the plates, positioning the plates and hence the replacement wall section inside the coke oven, and removing the plates from the replacement wall section. [0014] The method can further comprise providing a layer of rubber on each of the fixture plates for contacting the replacement wall section so as to avoid damage to the wall section during installation of the wall section in the oven. The method can further comprise providing rolling trucks secured to the fixture plates for rolling movement of the replacement wall section and plates in the oven during installation of the wall section in the oven. The method can further comprise interconnecting the rolling trucks and the fixture plates with hydraulic cylinders to facilitate leveling and load distribution of the fixture plates and hence replacement wall section during installation of the replacement wall section in the oven. The method can further comprise providing a computer and a controller in operable association with the hydraulic cylinders to automate leveling and load distribution of the fixture plates and hence replacement wall section during installation of the replacement wall section in the oven. The method can further comprise casting holes through the replacement wall section, and compressing the replacement wall section between the fixture plates by compression pins which pass through the holes in the wall section and connect the fixture plates. The replacement wall section can be installed in the oven through an open end of the oven or through an open roof of the oven. The method can further comprise casting mortar joints in at least one of upper and lower surfaces of the replacement wall section. The method can further comprise providing a vertically movable leveling bed adjacent the coke oven, and at least partially supporting the replacement wall section and fixture plates with the leveling bed as the replacement wall section is installed in the oven. The method can further comprising providing a frame, and interconnecting the leveling bed and the frame with hydraulic cylinders to facilitate vertical movement of the leveling bed during installation of the replacement wall section in the oven. The method can further comprise providing a computer and a controller in operable association with the hydraulic cylinders to automate vertical movement of the leveling bed during installation of the replacement wall section in the oven. [0015] In a further aspect, a fixture for installing a replacement wall section into a coke oven comprises a pair of plates for sandwiching the replacement wall section therebetween, rolling trucks for rolling movement of the replacement wall section and the plates during installation of the wall section in the oven, hydraulic cylinders interconnecting the plates and trucks, and a computer/controller in operable association with the hydraulic cylinders to automate leveling and load distribution of the fixture plates and hence the wall section during installation of the wall section in the oven. [0016] Each of the fixture plates can have a layer of rubber thereon for contacting the wall section so as to avoid damage to the wall section during installation of the wall section in the oven. Angle clips can be removably secured to bottoms of the plates to add support for the wall section during installation of the wall section in the oven. The upward facing surface of each of the angle clips can have a layer of rubber thereon for contacting a bottom of the wall section so as to avoid damage to the wall section during installation of the wall section in the oven. The fixture can further comprise a plurality of compression pin assemblies for securing the plates to the wall section. Each compression pin assembly can comprise a two-piece outer sleeve, and a two-piece inner pin. One portion of the two-piece inner pin can have a male threaded portion on one end which fits in a complimentary female threaded portion of the other portion of the two-piece inner pin. Beilville washers can be placed on the other end of the one portion of the two-piece inner pin, which can be threaded, and a nut can be placed on the other end of the one portion of the two-piece inner pin. The fixture plates can be a side plates, and can further comprise a pair of end plates removably secured to ends of the side plates. The side plates and the end plates can each have a layer of rubber thereon for contacting the wall section so as to avoid damage to the wall section during installation of the wall section in the oven. [0017] In yet a further aspect, a method of replacing a damaged portion of a wall of a coke oven, the coke oven wall having a height h and a length l, the damaged coke oven wall portion having a height h and a length l 1 , comprises removing the damaged wall portion from the coke oven, casting, outside of the oven, a replacement wall section having a length equal to the length l 1 of the damaged coke oven wall portion and a height equal to the height h of the damaged coke oven wall portion, and positioning, inside the coke oven, the replacement wall section. [0018] The replacement wall section can be cast with at least one vertical flue therein, for example from one to ten vertical flues therein, and l 1 can be equal to l or l 1 can be less than l. DRAWINGS [0019] FIG. 1 is a side view of apparatus for installing replacement oven wall sections, [0020] FIG. 2A is an exploded cross-sectional view taken along line 2 A- 2 A in FIG. 1 , [0021] FIG. 2B is an assembled view of the apparatus of FIG. 2A , [0022] FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a compression pin assembly used in the apparatus of FIGS. 1 , 2 A, and 2 B, [0023] FIGS. 4A-4C are successive steps in installing replacement oven wall sections, [0024] FIG. 5 is an alternative method to the one shown in FIGS. 4A-4C for installing replacement oven wall sections, [0025] FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of replacement oven wall sections, [0026] FIG. 7 is a side view of another alternative embodiment of replacement oven wall, and [0027] FIG. 8 is a side view of yet another alternative embodiment of replacement oven wall section. DESCRIPTION [0028] Referring first to FIGS. 1 , 2 A, and 2 B, illustrated is a replacement coke oven wall section 10 and a fixture or an apparatus 40 for installing the replacement wall section 10 into a coke oven 30 . The coke oven replacement wall section 10 is cast outside of the oven with, for example, a zero expansion pourable and castable refractory material or mix. A suitable pouring fixture or mold (not shown) can be used to cast the replacement wall section 10 , and can include a pair of side plates, a pair of end plates removably bolted to the side plates, and a bottom plate removably bolted to the side plates. The pouring fixture plates can reinforced with suitable support beams as required. Forms (not shown) can be positioned in the pouring fixture or mold so as to form the replacement wall section 10 with air/gas passages and/or vertical flues 12 therein. The replacement wall section 10 can also be formed to include mortar joints 14 in lower wall surface 16 , in upper wall surface 18 , or in lower and upper wall surfaces 16 , 18 , depending on the height of the replacement wall section 10 . The replacement wall section 10 can also be formed to include holes 20 for securing apparatus 40 to the wall section 10 for lifting and placement of the wall section 10 . Once thusly formed, the replacement wall section 10 is then positioned inside the coke oven 30 ( FIGS. 4A-C ) and mortared/grouted as required. [0029] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 , 2 A, 2 B, 4 A-C, and 5 , the replacement wall section 10 has a length which is equal to the length l of the damaged coke oven wall to be replaced, and a height which is equal to a fraction of the height h of the damaged coke oven wall to be replaced, for example, one-half of the height h of the damaged coke oven wall. Alternatively, the replacement wall section 10 has a length which is equal to the length l of the damaged coke oven wall, and a height which is equal to the height h of the damaged coke oven wall, as shown in FIG. 7 . Yet still alternatively, the replacement wall section 10 has a length which is equal to a fraction of the length l of the damaged coke oven wall, for example, roughly one-third of the length l of the damaged coke oven wall, and a height with is equal to the height h of the damaged coke oven wall, as shown in FIG. 6 . [0030] Referring back to FIGS. 1 , 2 A, and 2 B, the apparatus 40 for lifting the replacement wall section 10 and placing it in the oven 30 can comprise a pair of steel side plates 42 each of which can have a layer of rubber 44 on the inward facing surface of the plate 42 for contacting the sides of the replacement wall section 10 so as to avoid damage to the wall section during lifting and installation into the oven 30 . Each plate 42 can include one or more steel support beams 45 , for example I-beams, secured thereto to provide the required stiffness and strength for supporting the replacement wall 10 during installation, and to provide a travel platform, as will be described in more detail below. Lifting lugs 46 can be removably secured to the beams 45 for lifting the apparatus 40 and wall section 10 by, for example, cables 48 raised and lowered by a crane 50 ( FIGS. 4A-C ). The lifting lugs 46 can be removed so as not to interfere with the beams 45 functioning as a travel platform, as will be described in more detail below. Removable end plates 52 can be bolted to the ends of the side fixture plates 42 for further stiffness and strength, each of which, like side plates 42 , can have a layer of rubber 44 on the inward facing surface of the plate 52 for contacting the ends of the replacement wall section 10 so as to avoid damage to the wall section during lifting and installation into the oven 30 . Each side plate 42 can have removable angle clips 54 bolted to the bottom thereof to add support for the wall section 10 during lifting and installation. The upward facing surface of each of the clips 54 can have a layer of rubber 56 thereon for contacting the bottom of the replacement wall section 10 so as to avoid damage to the wall section during lifting and installation into the oven 30 . Once the wall section 10 is positioned correctly horizontally and before the wall section 10 is lowered to mate with the oven floor the angle clips 54 are removed to provide access to the bottom of the wall section 10 to grout it to the oven floor. [0031] Each side plate 42 can have self leveling transport truck assemblies 60 to assist during the installation of the wall section 10 into the oven chamber. The truck assemblies 60 can each comprise a wheel housing 62 housing a plurality of wheels 64 . Hydraulic cylinders 66 can be interconnected between the rolling trucks 60 and their respective fixture side plate 42 . For example, a hydraulic cylinder 66 can have its piston end 68 pivotally connected to the upper end of the truck wheel housing 62 at 70 , and its cylinder end 72 pivotally connected to a support 74 at 76 , which support 74 can be secured to beam 45 (or otherwise to side fixture plate 42 ). The axes of the pivot connections 70 , 76 of the hydraulic cylinders 66 to the truck assemblies 60 and beams 44 , respectively as illustrated can be perpendicular to one another to thereby help to distribute the load of the wall section 10 evenly. The hydraulic cylinders 66 can be computer controlled via a computer processor/controller 80 ( FIGS. 4A-C ) to ensure that uniform pressure is applied to the floor of the oven during installation of the replacement wall section 10 . In the event that multiple wall sections are stacked one atop another as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C , the truck assemblies 60 of the uppermost wall section 10 and apparatus 40 can run on the support beams 45 of the lowermost wall section 10 and apparatus 40 . [0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a two piece compression pin assembly 90 which can be used to secure the two fixture plates 42 to the replacement wall section 10 . The pins 90 pass through the holes 20 in the replacement wall section, which holes 20 can be purposely larger than the pin assembly 90 to make sure that the pin assembly 90 does not contact the wall section 10 . Each pin assembly 90 can comprise a two-piece outer sleeve 92 , 94 and a two-piece inner pin 96 , 98 . Pin portion 96 has male threaded portion 96 a which fits in complimentary female threaded portion 98 a of pin portion 98 . Bellville washers 100 are placed over the opposite threaded end 96 b of pin portion 96 to apply consistent pressure on each assembly and are tightened with nut 102 to apply pressure on the Bellville washers 100 . [0033] As shown in FIGS. 4A-4C , a leveling bed 110 can be used to aid installation of replacement wall section 10 into the coke oven 30 . Leveling bed 110 can be interconnected to a frame 112 with hydraulic cylinders 114 , for example four such hydraulic cylinders 114 . The hydraulic cylinders 114 can be computer controlled via the computer/controller 80 to ensure the correct elevation of the replacement wall 10 and fixture 40 , and to ensure equalized, uniform loading of same. The leveling bed 110 can also be used during changing the cable hook up during installation of the wall section, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A-C . [0034] Lastly, FIG. 5 shows installation of replacement wall sections 10 by being lowered through the top 120 of the oven 30 , which can be accomplished if the roof brick work is removed. [0035] The embodiments shown and described are merely for illustrative purposes only. The drawings and the description are not intended to limit in any way the scope of the claims. Those skilled in the art will appreciate various changes, modifications, and alternative embodiments. All such changes, modifications and embodiments are deemed to be embraced by the claims. For example, only a portion of the coke oven wall, rather than the entire coke oven wall, may require replacement. In that case, only the portion requiring replacement need be replaced by the method and/or apparatus herein. For example, often times only a relatively short length of coke oven wall at the pusher side and/or coke side of the oven is damaged requiring replacement. See, for example, FIG. 8 , which shows a coke oven wall 10 a having a damaged coke oven wall portion 10 having a height h (equal to the height of the coke oven wall 10 a ) and a length l 1 (equal to a portion of the length l of the coke oven wall 10 a ). Accordingly, the scope of the right to exclude shall be limited only by the following claims and their equivalents.

A method of replacing a damaged portion of a wall of a coke oven, the coke oven wall having a height h and a length l, the damaged coke oven wall portion having a height h and a length l 1 , comprises removing the damaged wall portion from the coke oven, casting, outside of the oven, a replacement wall section having a length equal to the length l 1 of the damaged coke oven wall portion and a height equal to the height h of the damaged coke oven wall portion, and positioning, inside the coke oven, the replacement wall section.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a Continuation In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/720,973 filed on Mar. 10, 2010 and is also a Continuation In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/560,771 filed on Jul. 27, 2012 and of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/848,526. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] This invention relates to compositions of matter and methods of digesting wood chips used in paper pulping processes. The digestion is often achieved by chemical, mechanical or combined means. Chemical pulping is currently dominated in pulping industry, and among Kraft pulping is the most used pulping process. Chemical digestion is a process in which cellulosic raw materials such as wood chips are treated with chemicals including alkaline and sulfide for Kraft pulping or sulfites/bisulfites for sulfite pulping, usually at high pressure and temperature for the purpose of removing impurities and producing pulp suitable for papermaking. The mixture of chemicals is predominantly in a liquid form and is sometimes referred to as white liquor in Kraft pulping, Wood chips which consist primarily of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and resins are broken down by digestion into a pulp of cellulose and hemicellulose fibers. The lignin and resins, which are undesirable in paper, are at least partially removed in the delignification stage of digestion. [0004] The digestion process can be enhanced by the presence of one or more surfactants in the white liquor in Kraft pulping. The surfactants reduce the surface tension at the interface between the white liquor and the wood chips. This reduced surface tension allows the chemicals in the white liquor to penetrate more deeply into the wood chips and thereby better digest. Unfortunately the optimal composition of white liquor impairs the effectiveness of the surfactants. Because white liquor has a high pH, it causes most surfactants to salt out of solution especially in high temperatures and pressures. This reduces the amount of surfactant effective on the wood chips. Reducing the amount of surfactant causes wood chunks (known as rejects) to survive the digestion process which imposes additional costs and quality control issues in subsequent papermaking stages. Attempting to overcome this problem by supersaturating the white liquor with surfactant has been shown to offer little improvement and is undesirably expensive. Similarly, lowering the temperature, pressure, or pH of the white liquor, also results in more rejects surviving digestion. [0005] Thus there is a clear need for, and utility in an improved method of digesting wood chips into paper pulp. The art described in this section is not intended to constitute an admission that any patent, publication or other information referred to herein is “prior art” with respect to this invention, unless specifically designated as such. In addition, this section should not be construed to mean that a search has been made or that no other pertinent information as defined in 37 C.F.R. §1.56(a) exists. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] At least one embodiment of the invention is directed towards a method for enhancing the penetration of cooking liquor into wood chips. The method comprises cooking wood chips in a cooking liquor to form a paper pulp and including at least one cross-linked glycerol-based polymer comprising additive in the cooking liquor. The method so enhances the penetration of pulping liquor into the chips that it reduces lignin such that the resulting pulp has a lower kappa number than if no polymer or if equal amounts of other glycerol based polymers were added to the liquor. The polymer may have a branched structure, the branched structure characterized as having at least three chain segments of the polymer joined at a single joining monomer of the polymer which has an alkoxylate group. At least one of the chain segments may comprise a lipophilic carbon bearing group and this chain segment is engaged to the joining monomer at a location other than the alkoxylate group of the joining monomer. The additive may be a cross-linked glycerol-based polymer having branched and cyclic structures according to the structure: [0000] [0000] wherein in, n, o, and p are each independently between 1 and 700 and, q and r are independently a number of 0 and integers of between 1-700, R and R′ are (CH 2 ) n and n can independently be 1 or 0, Z can be 0 or great than 0 and each R 1 is independently H, acyl, or a C1-C40 hydrocarbon group, which may be optionally substituted. [0007] The additive may consist essentially of a cross-linked lipohydrophilic polyglycerol solution and/or may be selected from the list of crosslinked lipohydrophilic crosslinked polyglycerols, crosslinked polyglycerol derivatives, and other crosslinked glycerol-based polymers and any combinations thereof. The glycerol-based polymers may be branched, hyperbranched, dendritic, cyclic and any combinations thereof. The additive may be added to the cooking liquor in an amount of less than 1% or in an amount of 0.05 to 0.001% based on the dried weight of the chips. The additive may reduce the amount of lignin in the produced paper pulp by at least at least 0.5%. [0008] The digestion process may be one selected from the list consisting of: Kraft digestion, sulfite pulping, oxygen pulping, semichemical pulping, mechanical pulping, thermal pulping, thermomechanical pulping, pulping designed for conversion into synthetic fibers such as dissolving grade pulps, and any combinations thereof. The cooking liquor may also comprise additional surfactant(s). [0009] The cross-linked glycerol-based polymers may be used by combining with anthraquinone, anthraquinone derivatives, quinone derivatives, polysulfide and the like and any combinations thereof. The cross-links may be formed by reaction between a glycerol-based polymer and diisocyanates, N,N-methylenebis(meth)acrylamide, polyethyleneglycol di(meth)acrylate, glycidyl(meth)acrylate, dialdehydes such as glyoxal, di- or tri-epoxy compounds such as glycerol diglycidyl ether and glycerol triglycidyl ether, dicarboxylic acids and anhydrides such as adipic acid, maleic acid, phthalic acid, maleic anhydride and succinic anhydride, phosphorus oxychloride, trimetaphosphates, dimethoxydimethsilane, tetraalkoxysilanes, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,2-dibromoethane, dichloroglycerols 2,4,6-trichloro-s-triazine, epichlorohydrin, and any combination thereof. The cross-linked glycerol-based polymers may comprise at least one of the structural units illustrated in FIG. 2 . The cross-linked glycerol-based polymers may comprise copolymers containing non-glycerol based structural units. The additive may consist essentially of a cross-linked polyglycerol solution. The cooking liquor may be white liquor. The crosslinked glycerol-based polymer may increase the pulping yield. [0010] At least one embodiment of the invention is directed towards a method for enhancing the penetration of cooking liquor into wood chips, the method comprising cooking wood chips in a cooking liquor to form a paper pulp and including at least one cross-linked lipohydrophilic glycerol-based polymer additive in the white liquor, wherein the polymer has a branched structure, the branched structure characterized as having at least three chain segments of the polymer joined at a single joining monomer of the polymer which has an alkoxylate group, and in which at least one of the chain segments comprises a lipophilic carbon bearing group and this chain segment is engaged to the joining monomer at a location other than the alkoxylate group of the joining monomer, the method so enhances the penetration of pulping liquor into the chips that it reduces lignin such that the resulting pulp has a lower kappa number than if no polymer or if equal amounts of other glycerol used polymers were added to the liquor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] A detailed description of the invention is hereafter described with specific reference being made to the drawings in which: [0012] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a cross-linked glycerol-based polymer. [0013] FIG. 2 is an illustration of basic structural units making up the glycerol-based polymer. [0014] FIG. 3 is an illustration of performance data represented in terms of the kappa number of fresh wood pulp digestion in the presence of the inventive composition. [0015] FIG. 4 is an illustration of performance data represented in terms of percentage of rejects of fresh wood pulp digestion in the presence of the inventive composition. [0016] FIG. 5 is an illustration of performance data represented in terms of the kappa number of aged wood pulp digestion in the presence of the inventive composition. [0017] FIG. 6 is an illustration of performance data represented in terms of percentage of rejects of aged wood pulp digestion in the presence of the inventive composition. [0018] For the purposes of this disclosure, like reference numerals in the figures shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated. The drawings are only an exemplification of the principles of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0019] The following definitions are provided to determine how terms used in this application, and in particular how the claims, are to be construed. The organization of the definitions is for convenience only and is not intended to limit my of the definitions to any particular category [0020] “Acyl” means a substituent having the general formula —C(O)R, wherein R is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl, any of which may be further substituted [0021] “Alkyl” means a linear, branched, or cyclic saturated hydrocarbon group, such as a methyl group, ethyl group, n-propyl group, isopropyl group, n-butyl group, isobutyl group, tert-butyl group, n-pentyl group, isopentyl group, n-hexyl group, isohexyl group, cyclopentyl group, cyclohexyl group, and the like. Alkyl groups may be optionally substituted. [0022] “Alkoxylate group” means the single bonded carbon and oxygen bearing group engaged to a glycerol monomer in a glycerol-based polyoxyalkylene polymer, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,728,265. [0023] “Branched” means a polymer having branch points that connect three or more chain segments. The degree of branding may be determined by 13 C NMR based on a known literature method described in Macromolecules, 1999, 32, 4240. As used herein, a branched polymer includes hyperbranched and dendritic polymers. [0024] “Cooking liquor” means any pulp bearing fluids such as solutions or liquors used in pulping processes, consisting but not limited a list of white liquor, black liquor, blown liquor, red liquor, any other spent liquor, solvents, water or any combination thereof. [0025] “Cyclic” means a polymer having cyclic or ring structures. The cyclic structure units can be formed by intramolecular cyclization or any other ways. [0026] “Degree of branching” or DB means the mole fraction of monomer units at the base of a chain branching away from the main polymer chain relative to a perfectly branched dendrimer, determined by 13 C NMR based on a known literature method described in Macromolecules, 1999, 32, 4240. Cyclic units or branched alkyl chains derived from fatty alcohols or fatty acids are not included in the degree of branching. In a perfect dendrimer the DB is 1 (or 100%). [0027] “Degree of cyclization” or DC means the mol fraction of cyclic structure units relative to the total monomer units in a polymer. The cyclic structure units can be formed by intramolecular cyclization of the polyols or any other ways to incorporate in the polyols. The cyclic structure units comprise basic structure units (V, VI and VII of FIG. 2 ) and the analogues thereof. The degree of cyclization may be determined by 13 C NMR. [0028] “Extractives” means wood extractives consisting of resin acids, fatty acids, sterols and sterol esters. [0029] “Glycerol-based polymers” means any polymers (including copolymers) containing repeating glycerol monomer units such as polyglycerols, polyglycerol derivatives, and a polymer consisting of glycerol monomer units and at least another monomer units to other multiple monomers units regardless of the sequence of monomers unit arrangements. In embodiments, glycerol-based polymers include alkylated, branched, cyclic polyglycerol esters. [0030] “Hyperbranched” means a polymer, which is highly branched with three-dimensional tree-like structures or dendritic architecture. [0031] “Interface” means the surface forming a boundary between the phase of wood chips and the phase of liquor undergoing digestion. Surfactants facilitate the delivery of digestion chemicals to the interface. [0032] “Kappa number” means a measurement of the degree of deli .reification that occurred during digestion as determined according to the principles and methodology defined in the scientific paper: Kappa Variability. Roundtable: Kappa Measurement, 1993 Pulping Conference Proceedings, by Fuller W. S., (1993), TAPPI Technical Paper. [0033] “Lipohydrophilic glycerol-based polymers” means glycerol-based polymers having lipophilic and hydrophilic functionalities, for example, lipohydrophilic polyglycerols resulting from lipophilic modification of polyglycerols (hydrophilic) in which at least a part of and up to all of the lipophilic character of the polymer results from a lipophilic carbon hearing group engaged to the polymer but not being an alkoxylate group, the lipophilic modification being one such as alkylation, and esterification modifications. [0034] “Papermaking process” means a method of making paper products from pulp comprising forming an aqueous cellulosic papermaking furnish, draining the furnish to form a sheet and drying the sheet. The steps of forming the papermaking furnish, draining and drying may be carried out in any conventional manner generally known to those skilled in the art. The papermaking process may also include a pulping stage, i.e. making pulp from a lignocellulosic raw material and bleaching stage, i.e. chemical treatment of the pulp for brightness improvement. [0035] “Substituted” means that any atom(s) such as one hydrogen on the designated atom or group is replaced with another atom(s) or group provided that the designated atom's normal valence is not exceeded. [0036] In the event that the above definitions or a description stated elsewhere in this application is inconsistent with a meaning (explicit or implicit) which is commonly used, in a dictionary, or stated in a source incorporated by reference into this application, the application and the claim terms in particular are understood to be construed according to the definition or description in this application, and not according to the common definition, dictionary definition, or the definition that was incorporated by reference. In light of the above, in the event that a term can only be understood if it is construed by a dictionary, if the term is defined by the Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 5th Edition, (2005), (Published by Wiley, John & Sons, Inc.) this definition shall control how the term is to be defined in the claims. [0037] In at least one embodiment, an additive is added to the liquor of a wood chip digestion process, which improves the pulp yield. The liquor may be white liquor, black liquor, blown liquor, red liquor, any other spent liquor, solvents, water or any combination thereof. The additive comprises at least one cross-linked glycerol based polymer. The crosslinked glycerol-based polymers may be produced by a crosslinking reaction with or without a catalyst. The glycerol-based polymers used may be polyglycerols, lipohydrophilic polyglycerols, any other glycerol-based polymer or any combination thereof. The cross-linked polymers may be added to the cooking liquor while in a solution or in a liquid carrier. The crosslinked polymers may be added or sprayed on the woodchips. [0038] The additive is compatible and stable both in high temperatures and when in the presence of a highly alkaline environment. The additive may be a solution and can be used in a number of digestion processes including Kraft digestion, sulfite pulping, oxygen pulping, semichemical pulping, mechanical pulping, thermal pulping, thermomechanical pulping, pulping designed for conversion into synthetic fibers (such as dissolving grade pulps), and any combination thereof. The cross-linked polymer may be at least in part cyclic and may be added to pulp slurry in the papermaking process. The pulp may comprise virgin wood cellulose fibers as well as bleached or unbleached Kraft, sulfite pulp or other chemical pulps, and groundwood (GW) or other mechanical pulps such as, for example, thermomechanical pulp (TMP). [0039] The cross-linked polymer is made up of two or more linked polymers containing repeating glycerol (and/or glycerol based) monomer units such as polyglycerols, polyglycerol derivatives, and polymers consisting of glycerol monomer units and at least one other monomer unit, regardless of the sequence of monomers unit arrangements. Suitably, other monomers may be polyols or hydrogen active compounds such as pentaerythrital, glycols, amines, etc. capable of reacting with glycerol or any polyglycerol structures. Some examples of monomer structural units that may be present in the polymer are illustrated in FIG. 2 . The glycerol based polymers may be linear, cyclic, and/or branched. [0040] In at least one embodiment the glycerol-based polymers are cross-linked without a crosslinking reagent, such as by a condensation reaction of expelling water between at least two polymer molecules, such as described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/488,526 and 13/560,771. In such cases Z in FIG. 1 would be 0. The self-crosslinking reaction may be done by a thermal condensation, a catalytic condensation or any combination thereof. [0041] In at least one embodiment the glycerol-based polymers are cross-linked by reaction with at least one crosslinking reagent, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,671,098 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,298,508. The crosslinking may be done by a thermal condensation, a catalytic condensation or any combination thereof. The crosslinking may occur between at least two polymer molecules through at least one crosslinking reagent. For example, a hydroxyl group on one of the polymer molecules reacts to a crosslinking reagent such as epichlorohydrin, and the attached crosslinking reagent on the polymer reacts to a hydroxyl group on another polymer molecule, to form a crosslinked polymer. For example, Z is at least 1 in FIG. 1 . Suitable crosslinking agents may include at least two reactive groups such as double bonds, aldehydes, epoxides, halides, and the like. For example, a cross-linking agent may have at least two double bonds, a double bond and a reactive group, or two reactive groups. Non-limiting examples of such agents are diisocyanates, N,N-methylenebis(meth)acrylamide, polyethyleneglycol di(meth)acrylate, glycidyl(meth)acrylate, dialdehydes such as glyoxal, di- or tri-epoxy compounds such as glycerol diglycidyl ether and glycerol triglycidyl ether, dicarboxylic acids and anhydrides such as adipic acid, maleic acid, phthalic acid, maleic anhydride and succinic anhydride, phosphorus oxychloride, trimetaphosphates, dimethoxydimethsilane, tetraalkoxysilanes, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,2-dibromoethane, dichloroglycerols 2,4,6-trichloro-s-triazine, epichlorohydrin, and any combination thereof. [0042] In at least embodiment any of the hydroxyl groups on the glycerol-based polymers can participate in the crosslinking reaction to form the crosslinked polymers. [0043] In the cross-linked polymers the ratio of cross linkages to basic repeating structural units may range from 0.000001:1 to 0.99999999:1. [0044] The glycerol-based polymers (including lipophilic modified polymers) used to produce the corresponding cross-linked polymers may be from commercially available suppliers, from syntheses according to known prior arts such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,637,774, 5,198,532 and 6,765,082 B2, U.S. published patent applications 2008/0306211 A1,and 2011/0092743, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/582,827, and/or from any combinations thereof. [0045] In at least one embodiment, the glycerol-based polymer may be modified with a lipophilic group, e.g., alkylated or esterified. Representative examples of alkylation of polyols are described in German patent application DE 10,307,172. A1, in Canadian patent CA 2,613,704 A1, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,228,416 and in a scientific paper of Polymer International, 2003, 52, 1600-1604 and the like. Representative examples of esterificaton of glycerol-based polyols are described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,023,388, U.S. published patent application 2006/02.86052 A1 and the like. The esterification may be carried out with or without a catalyst such as acid(s) or base(s). [0046] In at least one embodiment the (lipophilic and/or non-lipophilic) glycerol based polymers are a random/statistical collection of numerous types of gylcerol-based polymers. As a result, knowing exactly where and which R1 groups exist on the polymer chain is extremely difficult to determine precisely due to the complexity, random arrangement, and statistical distributions of the R1 groups along the polymer. Mechanistically all hydroxyl groups on the polyglycerol are reactive to esterification and alkylation though the terminal hydroxyl groups may be subject to steric based favorability. [0047] Glycerol based polymers having both lipophilic and hydrophilic portions are not in and of themselves new. They are at least somewhat mentioned in the polyoxyalkylene polymers described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,728,265. In these prior art polymers an alkyl group is located on an alkoxylate group stemming from one of the polyglycerols monomers. In the instant invention however the lipophilic character of the polymer results from a lipophilic carbon bearing group engaged to the polymer but not being located on an alkoxylate group. Furthermore this character is further enhanced by cross-linking of the polymers. As the subsequent data shows, this results in unexpectedly superior results. [0048] Without being limited to theory it is believed that one advantage of using lipohydrophilic glycerol based polymers that it has a particularly advantageous balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions, which are especially suited to the surface region of wood chips in a white liquor environment. This balance allows the additive to occupy just the right position relative to the wood chip surface and deliver greater amounts of digestion chemicals to the wood chips than other less balanced surfactants can. [0049] In addition, the branched nature and the resulting 3-dimensional distribution of the particular regions of the cross-linked glycerol-based polymers both allows them to better reside at the interface and to better deliver digestion chemicals to the wood chips. [0050] In at least one embodiment, the digestion aid is cross-linked glycerol-based polymers, including one or more of: polyglycerols, lipohydrophilic polyglycerols, polyglycerol derivatives, lipohydrophilic polyglycerol derivatives, other glycerol-based polymers consisting at least one glycerol monomer unit and at least another to multiple monomers units regardless of the arrangements of monomers units, other lipohydrophilic glycerol-based polymers consisting at least one glycerol monomer unit and at least another to multiple monomers units regardless of the arrangements of monomers units, and any combination thereof. [0051] In at least one embodiment, at least one of the glycerol-based polymers in a cross-linked network is linear, branched, hyperpbranched, dendritic, cyclic and any combinations thereof. In at least one embodiment, the network of cross-linked polymers comprises three or more glycerol-based polymers. In at least one embodiment at least one polymer chain has multiple cross-linkages to another polymer. These multiple cross linkages can join a polymer multiple times to another one polymer or to more than one other polymers. [0052] In at least one embodiment, the additive reduces the surface tension at the wood chip-white liquor interface substantially while it is within a dosage of only 0005-0.008 weight % of additive relative to the weight of the wood chips. [0053] In at least one embodiment, the additive lowers the surface tension of water from 71.9 Nm/g (in the absence of any additive) to 23.5-26.8 Nm/g. [0054] In at least one embodiment the additive solution reduces the kappa number of the resulting pulp. [0055] In at least one embodiment, the amount of additive needed is far less than of comparable surfactants as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,081,183. [0056] In at least one embodiment, the additive can be used with other additives including but not limited to anthraquinone, anthraquinone derivatives, quinone derivatives, polysulfide and the like. [0057] In at least one embodiment, the additive is an effective aid for deresination and delignification in improving wood chip cooking processes. EXAMPLES [0058] The foregoing may be better understood by reference to the following Examples, which are presented for purposes of illustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention: Example 1 Synthesis of a Glycerol-Based Polymer [0059] 100 Units (or using different amounts) of glycerol were added to a reaction vessel followed by 3.0 to 4.0% of active NaOH relative to the reaction mixture. This mixture was agitated and then gradually heated up to 240° C. under a particular low reactivity atmospheric environment of nitrogen flow rate of 0.2 to 4 mol of nitrogen gas per hour per mol of monomer. This temperature was sustained for at least three hours to achieve the desired polyglycerol composition (Table 1), while being agitated under a particular low reactivity atmospheric environment. An in-process polyglycerol sample was drawn before next step for the molecular weight/composition analysis/performance test. [0000] TABLE 1 Examples of Glycerol-Based Polymers Molecular Lactic acid weight weight by Degree of Sample ID (Daltons)* NMR** branching** PGI 6,100 15% 0.32 PGII 7,800 14% 0.34 Note: *Determined by borate aqueous SEC (size exclusion chromatography) method and calibrated with PEO/PEG standards; **determined by 13 C NMR which is consistent with HPLC results. Example 2 Synthesis of a Crosslinked Glycerol-Based Polymer [0060] Polyglycerol from the example 1 (PGI) was dissolved in water as 30-60% solution. To the polyglycerol solution was added 50% NaOH solution (1-15% relative to PGI) at room temperature. After mixing, epichlorohydrin (1-15% relative to PGI) was added, and the resulting reaction mixture was agitated at room temperature for hours until the desired crosslinked glycerol-based polymer formed. The molecular weight of the product was analyzed by SEC (Table 2, CLPG—crosslinked polyglycerol). [0000] TABLE 2 Examples of Crosslinked Glycerol-Based Polymers Polyglycerol Molecular weight Lactic acid weight Sample ID used (Daltons) by HPLC*** CLPG PGI 55,000* NA CLHPG PGII  18,000** 0.56% Note: *Determined by borate aqueous SEC (size exclusion chromatography) method and calibrated with PEO/PEG standards. **Weight average molecular weight determined by SEC method using PLgel Guard Mixed-D column and DMSO as mobile phase, and calibrated with polysaccharide standards. ***Determined by HPLC external standard quantification. Example 3 Synthesis of a Crosslinked Lipohydrophilic Glycerol-Based Polymer [0061] To the polyglycerol from the example 1 (PGII) was added H 2 SO 4 (10-22% relative to PGII) at 100-125° C., while agitation under a low reactivity atmospheric environment. The mixture was gradually heated up to 130° C.-150° C. and kept there for at least 30 minutes under a particular low reactivity atmospheric environment, to achieve the desired esterification, C10-C16 alcohols (1-15% relative to PGII) were added. The mixture was heated up to 150° C. and kept there under a particular low reactivity atmospheric environment for at least 30 minutes to achieve the desired alkylation. The resulting reaction mixture was stirred at 150° C. under a particular low reactivity atmospheric environment for at least 30 minutes to achieve the crosslinking to produce the desired end product. The product was dissolved in water (50%) (Table 2, CLHPG—crosslinked lipohydrophilic polyglycerol). During the whole process in-process samples were drawn every 30 minutes to 2 hours as needed to monitor the reaction progress and determine the composition as needed. Example 4 Kappa Number and Rejects [0062] Aged or fresh softwood chips from a midwestern mill were used. Cooking experiments were performed on 20 g of wood at 4:1 liquor to wood ratio, with 15% alkali and 25% sulfidity charge. The alkali was sourced from sodium hydroxide (70%) and sodium sulfide (30%). Weak black liquor (˜20% solids) was used to makeup liquid. Digester additives were added to the black liquor, which was mixed well and then combined with the white liquor. All cooks began at 55° C. and the temperature was quickly ramped to 170° C. for a total cooking time of 3 hours. After that, the cooking capsules were placed under cold running water for approximately 10 minutes. The contents were then transferred to cheesecloth and squeezed under warm water to remove the majority of cooking liquor. The pulp was then diluted with warm tap water to 800 mL and disintegrated in Waring blender for 30 seconds. The resulting slurry was transferred to cheesecloth and washed three times with 800 mL of warm tap water. The pulp was broken down by hand into small pieces and all rejects were removed manually. The resulting pulp was oven dried overnight and weighted. The pulp was allowed to dry in the CTH room for 4 days to an average consistency of 92%. Kappa numbers were determined using TAPPI test method T 236. [0063] The performance of crosslinked glycerol-based polymers was compared with a prior art alkyl polyalkylene glycol surfactant (DVP6O002) described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,081,183B2 (Tables 3 and 4, and FIGS. 3-6 ). [0000] TABLE 3 Digestion Performance with Aged Wood Chips Surfactant Rejects Sample ID wt % Kappa # wt % DVP6O002 0.025% 44.63 1.40% PGI 0.008% 47.63 1.50% CLPG 0.008% 39.61 0.20% [0000] TABLE 4 Digestion Performance with Fresh Wood Chips Surfactant Rejects Sample ID wt % Kappa # wt % DVP6O002 0.025% 37.98 0.57% CLHPG 0.008% 34.89 0.06% [0064] While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and described in detail herein specific preferred embodiments of the invention. The present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated. All patents, patent applications, scientific papers, and any other referenced materials mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Furthermore, the invention encompasses any possible combination of some or all of the various embodiments described herein and incorporated herein. [0065] Any ranges given either in absolute terms or in approximate terms are intended to encompass both, and any definitions used herein are intended to be clarifying and not limiting. All ranges and parameters disclosed herein are understood to encompass any and all subranges (including all fractional and whole values) subsumed therein, and every number between the endpoints. For example, a stated range of “1 to 10” should be considered to include any and all subranges between (and inclusive of) the minimum, value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more, (e.g. 1 to 6.1), end ending with a maximum value of 10 or less, (e.g. 2.3 to 9.4, 3 to 8, 4 to 7), and finally to each number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 contained within the range. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. [0066] The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this art. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims where the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to”. Those familiar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims. [0067] This completes the description of the preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.

The invention provides a method of improving the digestion of wood chips into pulp. The method involves: adding a cross-linked glycerol-based polymer additive to a solution used in the digestion process. This additive is unexpectedly effective at facilitating digestion. The branched and ether structure of the additive allows it to withstand the harsh nature of a high stress environment. In addition, it is more soluble in the harsh condition than other surfactants. The structure, resistance, and particular balance between hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions, causes the additive to increases the interaction between the wood chips and the digestion chemicals. This in turn reduces the costs, the amount of additive needed, and the amount of reject wood chunks that result from the digestion process.

[0001] The invention relates generally to a device that converts a pull start engine to a kick start engine starter. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Currently there are a number of solutions for the purpose of allowing a person the capability to easily starter a lawnmower or other pull start engine. Some of these solutions attempt to sell lawnmowers with push button starters, but these solutions fail to meet the needs of the market because high costs and the tendency to malfunction over time. Other solutions attempt to feature a key start lawn mower, but these solutions are similarly unable to meet the needs of the market because keys can be lost or broken off in an ignition. Still other solutions seek to sell pull start mowers with the claim that the mower is easy to start, but these solutions over time also begin to fail. [0003] Therefore, there currently exists a need in the market for a device that converts pull start engines to kick start engines that is easy to install and use. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] It would be advantageous to have a device for the purpose of allowing a user the capability to pull start a hand start lawnmower or other pull start engine with the assistance of the user's leg. Furthermore, it would also be advantageous to have a device that utilizes the pull cord of a hand start mower attached to a series of pulleys and a foot stirrup to start the motor. Still further, it would be advantageous to have a device with a universally adaptable kick start device for use on most push mowers or that can be transferred between different machines. Therefore, there currently exists a need in the market for a starting apparatus that is a universally adaptable kick start device for use on most push mowers that allows a user the capability to pull start a hand start lawnmower with the assistance of the user's leg or pull start without reaching down to retrieve the cord. [0005] In an example embodiment, the starter device converts a pull start mower to a kick start mower starter. The device has one starter handle rest and one small pulley fitted to the top of the support arm, there is also one stirrup connected to a stabilizing arm with small pulley at top. The device utilizes the pull cord that most engines are equipped with without adaptation. The pull cord is also available for use by hand without disengaging the start device. [0006] In an alternative embodiment, the device could be used to start gas engines on standby generators, boat motors, chainsaws, string trimmers, or other machines with pull start engines that are primarily on the ground when in use. [0007] In an example embodiment, the device is easy to connect to a handle bar and allows the hand cord to be kept available for use at all times with or without the device. This allows the device to connect to the handle mechanism of most lawnmowers on the market without modification. [0008] It is an advantage of the device to provide the ability to start a gasoline engine with the power of a user's legs and when the user lacks the power and/or speed in their arms. [0009] The device now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This device may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 . illustrates a perspective view of an example embodiment of a starter device or mechanism adapted for use on a gas start engine or mower; and [0011] FIG. 2 . illustrates another view of an example embodiment of the starter device or assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0012] Following are more detailed descriptions of various related concepts related to, and embodiments of, methods and apparatus according to the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that various aspects of the subject matter introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways, as the subject matter is not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specific implementation and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes. [0013] Referring now to the Figures, FIG. 1 . illustrates a perspective view of an example embodiment of the starter device or assembly 10 . The kick-starter assembly 10 has a fixed arm 18 and a movable arm 20 connected at pivot point 22 . The movable arm 20 has a stirrup 12 connected at the end opposite the pivot point 22 . The fixed arm 18 connects the handle or frame of a lawnmower (on the side of the pull cord) so that the kick-starter 10 is aligned as the pull-start cord is. A pull-start cord is woven through pulleys 16 a and 16 b so that the handle rests in start handle rest 14 . Movable arm 20 is aligned with fixed arm 18 in a resting position, and when in use pivots at pivot point 22 , by engaging the stirrup 12 . [0014] When a user desires to start a pull start engine, the user puts his foot in stirrup 12 and steps downwards. This action causes the movable arm 20 to pivot which pulls the pull-start cord to start an engine. Alternatively, a user may still pull the pull-start cord in the conventional manner without having to remove the kick-starter 10 and it provide the advantage of reaching the cord without bending down. [0015] Referring now to FIG. 2 , there is illustrated an alternative view of kick-starter 10 . Kick-starter 10 has a fixed arm 18 with a starter handle rest 14 on one end and a pivot point 22 at an opposite end. A movable arm 20 is connected to pivot point 22 at one end and has a stirrup 12 at an opposite end. Moveable arm 20 and fixed arm 18 each have a pulley 16 a , 16 b . A pull-start cord is woven through kick-starter 10 by resting cord over pulley 16 a , under pulley 16 b , and is contained in starter handle rest 14 . [0016] In an example embodiment, kick-starter 10 has two attachment points 24 a , 24 b to attach to the handle of a lawnmower. Attachment points (or pins) 24 a , 24 b are capable of attaching to a handle through existing screw holes, or with the use of brackets (not shown) or clamps. Attachment points 24 a , 24 b allow for easy attachment and removal of kick-starter 10 so it may be used on multiple machines. Kick-starter 10 also is capable of working with existing pull-start engine cords. [0017] A method is also taught herein for starting a gas powered mower or engine or motor that utilizes a starter assembly which converts a pull start engine to a kick start engine starter, while still maintaining the option to pull start the engine. The starter assembly is placed on the frame of the frame of the mower, for instance, which one starter handle rest and one small pulley fitted to the top of the support arm, there is also one stirrup connected to a stabilizing arm with small pulley at top. The existing pull cord that most engines are equipped with is used without adaptation. The pull cord is then routed through a series of pulleys and engages the foot stirrup, while the handle is mounted in a hand rest. The pull cord is also available for use by hand without disengaging the said device. [0018] Various related embodiments of the invention are also described in Appendix A, Which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The following patent is incorporated by reference in its entirety; U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,037. [0019] While the invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosures in this specification and the attached drawings.

A kick start engine starter assembly is provided herein, which is a universally adaptable kick start device for use on most push mowers and other pull-start engines, allows a user the capability to pull start a hand start lawnmower with the assistance of the user's leg.

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This invention relates to computer networks, and more particularly, to an improved user interface preferably for use in connection with a personal computer (e.g., local terminal) or the like while connected to a remote computer. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Remote terminals have been in widespread use for many years. Recently, with the move towards distributed computing, it has been more and more common to utilize a host computer, often a large mainframe computer, from a local terminal by accessing the host computer over a data network. The terminal, in many cases, is actually a personal computer (“PC”) which is programmed in such a manner as to communicate with the host computer. Often, the PC is programmed to emulate a terminal so that the host computer cannot distinguish it from a simple “dumb” terminal. [0003] One issue to be addressed by a designer of such systems is the relatively high data processing rates required to update the screen information downloaded from the host computer. In prior art systems, the programming to emulate a “dumb” terminal (the “terminal emulator”) accomplished such updates by comparing the old screen with the new screen downloaded from the host computer. [0004] The terminal emulator would then “repaint” the PC display, using defined display parameters. Most prior art systems use an industry termed “text-to-graphics conversion”, in which screens of textual data downloaded from the host computer are reformatted into information suitable for display as part of a graphical user interface (“GUI”). The GUI is much more user friendly and provides additional functionality as compared to screens of textual data. In addition, the GUI may be customized as the user desires. [0005] However, the above described comparison of the old screen with the new screen still requires significant bandwidth. Remote terminals that require character-based screen updating, for example, require information to be transmitted to the host computer upon each and every data entry by the user. Therefore, each data entry requires the transmission of such data, transmission from the host of the newly changed screen of information, comparison of the old and new screen information by the terminal emulator, and the repainting of the PC display. [0006] For example, if the user were entering a name in a “name” field, the above updating steps must occur for each character in the name that is entered. Such frequent updating consumes significant processing power. [0007] Another drawback of prior art systems is the high processing speeds required in using a mouse, a standard pointing device, in connection with a terminal emulator having a GUI display. The mouse inputs signals to move the cursor position among various fields in the display. Each time that the user clicks the mouse to cause a move on the screen, the terminal emulator program calculates the combination of keystrokes required to simulate such a move. The program then transmits each of those keystrokes to the host computer and downloads new screens of information in order to accomplish the movement on the screen. However, these calculations, transmissions, simulations, and displays again require significant processing power to accomplish. It is desirable to minimize the bandwidth required by the use of a pointing device in a terminal emulator program. [0008] In view of the above, it can be appreciated that there exists a need in the prior art for better techniques in terminal emulation to save on processing bandwidth requirements, while maintaining or improving on its advantages and user-friendly features. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The above and other problems of the prior art are overcome in accordance with the present invention which relates to a terminal emulator that more efficiently accomplishes screen updates, as well as more efficiently accomplishing cursor movement with a pointing device, such as a mouse. [0010] In accordance with the invention, the emulator divides the screens transmitted from the host computer into a plurality of objects, and monitors which objects have been affected by a newly input character. When the PC receives an updated screen, the emulator program compares only the object or objects affected by the newly input character, rather than comparing the entire screen. Then, the emulator repaints only the changed portion, or object, on the PC display. This improvement saves on bandwidth, since only portions of the painted screen, rather than the entire screen, need to be compared and regenerated. [0011] Another technical advance achieved in accordance with the present invention relates to a method of using a pointing device, in connection with a terminal emulator, that requires less processing power. Depending on where the user clicks the mouse, the emulator calculates the most efficient combination of keyboard strokes required to simulate the cursor movement. The emulator then transmits the keystroke information to the remote computer and receives updated screen information back, thereby enabling it to display the appropriate cursor movement to the user. [0012] The terminal emulator may calculate a keystroke combination that minimizes the required number of keystrokes to move the cursor from one point to another on the display. It may, for example, use a maximum number of “tab” steps, and then a few “backspace” steps, in order to simulate the cursor movement. This minimizing of keystrokes cuts down the required date processing rate, since fewer transmissions of keystroke and screen information are required. [0013] In summary, by dividing the screens into various objects and comparing and repainting only the changed objects in the display, and by programming the emulator to calculate the most efficient steps to move the cursor, data processing rate requirements are reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: [0015] [0015]FIG. 1 is a depiction of a small portion of an exemplary computer network; [0016] [0016]FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of the steps to be implemented by a local terminal, in order to practice an exemplary screen updating embodiment of the subject invention; [0017] [0017]FIG. 3 shows an exemplary screen layout; [0018] [0018]FIG. 4 shows an exemplary screen layout divided into the object elements of the subject invention; [0019] [0019]FIG. 5 depicts a pointing device cursor movement, more fully described later herein; and [0020] [0020]FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of the steps to be implemented by a local terminal, in order to practice the cursor movements of the subject invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0021] [0021]FIG. 1 shows a local area network 101 with a plurality of computers 102 through 105 connected thereto. The network 101 may be, for example, an Ethernet, or any other suitable local or wide area network. [0022] Computer 102 is designated as a remote host which runs applications software that is accessible from any of local terminals 103 to 105 , which may be implemented as PCs programmed to emulate “dumb” terminals. [0023] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,792,659 and 5,812,127, assigned to the same assignee as the present patent application, disclosed various techniques for recognizing the particular screen downloaded at the PC, utilizing a screen identification (“ID”) code. As the screens are recognized, they may be displayed to the user in various formats and with various defined attributes. [0024] [0024]FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of the novel method of the present invention, which can be implemented in any of a variety of programming languages to update the screens at the local terminal. [0025] Specifically, as the program enters start 201 , a screen of information is transmitted from the host computer to the local terminal at operational block 202 . The program recognizes, at decision block 203 , the screen (i.e., it recognizes whether the screen has a different layout or different fields, etc. from the previous screen) by using identification methods, such as those described in the commonly owned '659 or '127 patents referenced above. If it is a new image having a new screen ID, the program divides the screen into objects at operational block 204 . [0026] It is noted that the division of the screens into objects may be based on the input fields, as described in this embodiment, or on other division methods as would be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, each object could comprise a character position, or blocks of characters. Alternatively, the entire screen could be divided into an appropriate grid, where each square in the grid comprises an object. Any number of screen division techniques known in the art could be used at block 204 , as long as they suitably minimize the screen area needed to be compared and regenerated. [0027] Continuing with reference to FIG. 2, upon data entry by the user, the program monitors, at block 205 , which objects are affected by the new entry. It is understood that the invention is meant to cover various possible types of user input, such as characters or function keys. [0028] The local computer then transmits the new data information to the host computer at block 206 . Returning in the flow chart to block 202 , the host computer processes the information and downloads updated screen information to the local computer. Upon receiving the updated screens at the local terminal, the terminal emulator program recognizes the screen at block 203 . It then compares only the changed objects, rather than the entire screen, in the new and old screens at operational block 207 . The program then repaints only the changed objects in the PC display at block 208 , thereby reducing the amount of processing power required to compare and repaint the screens. [0029] [0029]FIG. 3 shows an example screen for a particular type of data record to be entered. The exemplary screen of FIG. 3 is entitled “Transaction Record” and includes 5 fields of data as shown. For example, fields 301 and 302 are indicated as “first name” and “last name”. The drawing of FIG. 3 is intended to represent the actual display of the screen after it is recognized by the local terminal emulator and displayed on the PC, as previously described therein. [0030] [0030]FIG. 4 shows the same screen as shown in FIG. 3, with blocks 401 - 406 comprising the above described objects into which the screen is divided. Each object comprises a data field, which may change upon data input by the user. The program monitors which objects are affected by data input. It then only needs to compare and recreate those affected objects for display, rather than the entire screen. [0031] [0031]FIG. 5 depicts an example of a cursor movement in connection with a GUI, utilizing another novel method of the present invention. The user uses a mouse to move the cursor from position 501 in one field to position 502 within another field. [0032] [0032]FIG. 6 shows the steps required for the terminal emulator to accomplish such cursor movement, in accordance with the present invention. Specifically, as the program enters start 601 , upon receiving a cursor movement signal, the program calculates, at operational block 602 , the optimum keystrokes or keystroke combination to use, to cause the necessary movement on the screen. As an example, the program may calculate the combination that requires the minimum number of keyboard strokes, thereby minimizing the data processing and transmissions of information required. [0033] In the screen layout of FIG. 5, the optimum keystrokes to move from points 501 to 502 includes 4 tab strokes to move from the first position in the “first name” field to the first position in the “acct no.” field. Assuming that the “address” field has a total length of 40 character positions, it would then require only 5 backspace strokes to reach point 502 in the “address” field. This keystroke combination results in a total number of 9 “steps” to move the cursor from point 501 to point 502 . [0034] Conventional techniques for accomplishing this same movement might require 4 tab strokes to reach the first position in the “address” field. It may then use 34 forward space strokes to reach point 502 , resulting in a total of 38 steps. In the above described preferred embodiment, the program utilizes a maximum number of large “steps” (e.g., tabs) and a minimum number of small “steps” (e.g., backspaces). Conventional techniques do not encompass this concept of optimizing the steps to use. [0035] Returning to FIG. 6, the program sends the first keystroke information to the host computer at block 603 , which then downloads updated screen information to the local PC at block 604 . If at decision block 605 there are remaining keystrokes to be executed, control is returned to block 603 , where the next keystroke information is sent to the host computer. Updated screen information is again received by the local terminal at bock 604 , and the loop continues until all of the calculated keystrokes have been executed. [0036] Blocks 602 - 605 comprise a method to simulate keystrokes and is, of course, transparent to the user. If at block 605 it is determined that the final keystroke has been simulated, the desired screen has been received at the local computer. The terminal emulator then displays that screen at block 605 , showing the desired cursor movement to the user. [0037] It is anticipated by the invention that various parameters for optimizing the simulated keystrokes may be defined. In other possible embodiments, various combinations of simulated keyboard movements and keycodes can be utilized in this technique. For example, the method may encompass combinations of control and escape keycodes. [0038] While the above describes the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications and/or additions may be implemented. Such modification and variations are intended to be covered by the following claims.

An enhanced user interface for a remote terminal is described. A terminal emulator program divides screens received at a local terminal into objects. The program monitors the objects affected by data inputs by the user. Upon receiving new screens of information from the host computer, the program compares and repaints only the affected objects, rather than the entire screen. In another technique, upon receiving signals from a pointing device to cause cursor movements, the program calculates the optimal keystrokes or combination of keystrokes required. It then simulates those keystrokes to accomplish the desired movement on the screen. Both techniques meet a demand for savings in processing bandwidth.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Technical Field of the Invention Specifically, though not exclusively, the device of the invention is usefully employed in the conserves industry for separating juice or pulp of fruit or vegetables from their skins, seeds and other waste. The device comprises a tubular strain, provided with an inlet for the produce to be treated, and a discharge outlet for the refuse generated during treatment, at the centre of which, extending from the inlet to the discharge outlet, is situated a rotatable shaft which can be rotated on command. The shaft radially bears a plurality of spatulas, each of which terminates very close to the surface of the strain and moves the produce to be treated centrifugally, pressing it against the strain; the refuse is also nudged towards the discharge outlet. The device also comprises a cover, surrounding the discharge shaft, which is provided with an outlet mouth for the extracted juice or pulp. 2. Prior Art The prior art teaches devices of this type; an example is described in Italian patent application no. 67132A/77. One of the disadvantages of known devices is that between strain and spatulas there exists a danger of crushing seeds and skins of produce, resulting in a freeing of bitter tastes which can affect the quality of the finished product. A further drawback is reduced productivity, that is, a reduced quantity of extracted product per unit of time in relation to power utilized and size of the device used. A further drawback is that the spatulas wear out quickly and have therefore to be frequently substituted. A still further drawback in known devices is that the strain, which is fine and slim, cannot be very long as it would deform, which leads to limited potential production of the device. A still further drawback in known devices is represented by the fact that the strain is subjected to considerable mechanical stress due to the large mass of produce rotating at high speed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The main aim of the present invention is to obviate the above-mentioned drawbacks in the known art by providing a device, constructionally simple and economical, which improves the quality of the extracted product, which is highly productive and which is subject, in relation to the quantity of produce treated, to only modest mechanical stress. An advantage of the invention is that it reduces costs and inoperative times for the substitution of the spatulas. A further advantage is that it eliminates the risk of crushing seeds and skins. A still further advantage is that it reduces mechanical stress, especially on the spatulas and the strain. A still further advantage of the invention is that the strains can be easily and rapidly dismounted from the device. A still further advantage of the invention is that differentiated peripheral velocities of treatment can be achieved, without changing the spatulas. These aims and advantages and others besides are all attained by the device in question, as it is set out in the accompanying claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will better emerge from the detailed description that follows, of some embodiments of the invention, illustrated in the form of non-limiting examples in the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned vertical elevation of a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a lateral view from the right of FIG. 1, with some parts removed better to evidence others; FIG. 3 is a detail of FIG. 1 in enlarged scale; FIG. 4 is an enlarged scale illustration of section according to line IV--IV of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a partially-sectioned vertical elevation of a second embodiment of the device; FIG. 6 is a partially-sectioned vertical elevation of a third embodiment of the device; FIG. 7 is an enlarged scale view of a detail of FIG. 6; FIG. 8 is an enlarge scale view of a section of a detail of FIG. 7, according to line VIII--VIII. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to the figures of the drawings, 1 denotes in its entirety a device for extracting juice or pulp from food produce which, in all embodiments, comprises a tubular strain 2 2' 2" provided with an inlet 3 for the produce to be treated and a discharge outlet 4 for the refuse produced during treatment. A casing 7 surrounds the strain 2 and is provided with an outlet 8 for the extracted product. A rotatable shaft 5 is situated between the inlet 3 and the discharge outlet 4, which shaft 5 bears a plurality of radial spatulas 6. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the spatulas 6 is mounted on the shaft 5 by means of a cylindrical joint 14 which allows the spatulas 6 to oscillate up to a predetermined degree with respect to the rotatable shaft 5. Each of the spatulas 6 terminates very close to the surface of the tubular strain 2 2' 2", and has a free zone 9 between the front face 6a of the spatula (with reference to the rotation direction thereof, indicated by an arrow 15 in the figures) and the peripheral extremity 6b. The free zone 9 is delimited, in the example, by a first surface 9a and a second surface 9b, said first surface 9a extending in breadth radially and said second surface 9b extending circumferentially. Each of the spatulas 6 comprises a main body 61, affording a slot 62, housing a plate 100 made of hard resistent material, such as tungsten carbide, high-speed steel or the like, which projects radially from the peripheral extremity of the main body 61. Each plate 100 is fixed to the main body 61, for example by means of rivets or welding. The plate 100 constitutes the peripheral extremity 6b of the spatula 6 and said first surface 9a; the peripheral extremity 6b of the spatula 6 also exhibits a posterior surface 110 inclined with respect to the strain. The peripheral extremity 6b of each of the spatulas 6 therefore is corner-shaped, formed by the first radial surface 9a and the inclined posterior surface 110; the angle of inclination alpha of the posterior surface 110 with respect to the strain is about 10 degrees. The device further comprises a radial shield 20 arranged immediately downstream of the inlet 3. The radial shield 20 is provided with peripheral blades 21, is solidly constrained to the rotatable shaft B and affords an annular peripheral passage zone 22 for the produce. Thus the produce can transit towards the spatulas 6 only through the passage zone 22. The strain exhibits holes 12, 12', 12" and 13, 13', 13" of progressively decreasing diameter going from the inlet 3 to the discharge outlet 4. A single strain 2 can be provided, in which a first portion 2a, close to the inlet 3, is provided with holes 12 having a greater diameter with respect to holes 13 of a second portion of the same strain 2, close to the discharge outlet 4. In this case, a scraper knife 23 is provided, arranged on the external surface of the strain and rotatable with respect thereto. The scraper knife 23 is supported by a pair of cogrings 24 set in rotation by means of pinions 26 and a small rotating shaft 26. The cogrings 24 are held in position by pivots 28 disposed parallel to an axis of rotation of said cogrings 24, and by idle pinions 29 arranged externally of the cogrings 24. One of the pivots 28 bears the scraper knife 23. This embodiment is not specifically illustrated but can easily be deduced from FIG. 1 (conserving the numbers of the various elements) by imagining portions 2a and 2b to be united to make a single strain 2 and the portions of the scraper knife 23 to be united to make a single scraper knife 23. In the first embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the tubular strain 2 is divided into two portions, 2a and 2b; the first portion 2a, close to the inlet 3, affords holes 12 having a greater diameter than the holes 13 of the second portion 2b, close to the discharge outlet 4. In this embodiment, the scraper knife 23 is divided into two portions and the pivot 28 supporting the scraper knife 23 can be rotated about its axis to bring the scraper knife 23 into a diametrically opposite position to the one illustrated, thus enabling the strain to be dismounted from the posterior portion (right) of the device. In a third embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7, 8, the strain 2", is divided into two coaxial portions 2a", 2b", of a same diameter and connected to each other by means of a radial flange 18". A fixed annular support 10" surrounds the strain 2" externally in the conjunction zone of the portions 2a" and 2b", that is at the flange 18' and coaxially thereto. The annular support 10" is solidly constrained to the casing 7 by means of tie bars 19". Also in this embodiment the strain 2" exhibits holes 12", 13", which progressively decrease or decrease step-by-step in diameter in a direction going from the inlet 3 to the discharge outlet 4. Two scraper knives 23", 23a", are alignedly arranged on the external surface of the strain 2", separated by the flange 18" and the annular support 10", and rotate with respect to the strain. The scraper knives 23" and 23a" are supported, each by an extremity, by a ring of a pair of cogrings 24" set in rotation, by means of pinions 25", by a single shaft 26". The cogs of the cogrings 24" are crossed by an annular discharge channel 40"; in this way the cogged couplings can be automatically and continuously cleaned. The annular support 10" is provided with a recess 11' which allows passage of said shaft 26". An idle support roller 30", 30a", is connected to the free end of each of the scraper knives 23", 23a". A notch 31" is made in the flange 18", which notch 31" extends radially from the external surface of the strain to a height which is slightly greater than the height of the scraper knife 23a", enabling easy withdrawal of the portion 2a" of the strain. In this embodiment too the strain could consist of a single part. In this case the two scraper knives 23" and 23a" are supported by the annular support encircling the strain and not by the flange, which obviously is no longer present. Several annular supports might be provided, coaxial and appropriately distanced one from a next. In a second embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 5, the strain 2' is divided into two coaxial parts 2a' and 2b', connected one to the other by means of a radial flange 18'. In the device illustrated in FIG. 5, the connection between the parts of the strain is achieved simply by pressing the relative flanges made on the two parts thereof one against the other. In this embodiment part 2b', which is arranged at the discharge outlet 4 end of the device, has a greater diameter than part 2a', which is arranged towards the inlet 3 end of the device. Evidently in this embodiment the spatulas 6 provided on part 2b' will be longer than the spatulas 6 on part 2a', in order that their extremities which are unconnected to the rotatable shaft 5 remain very close to the internal surface of the strain. In the interest of keeping all the spatulas 6 identical, with evident constructional and maintenance advantages, the greater height as mentioned above can be obtained by adjusting the distance of the fulcrum of the spatulas 6 with respect to the rotatable shaft 5 axis. In this embodiment too a fixed annular support 10' externally surrounds the strain 2' in the connection zone between its two parts 2a' and 2b', that is, at the flange 18' and coaxially thereto. The annular support is solidly constrained to the casing 7 by means of tie bars 19'. In this embodiment too the strain exhibits holes 12', 13', which are of progressively or step-by-step decreasing diameter, going from the inlet 3 to the discharge outlet 4. The holes of part 2a' have a greater diameter with respect to the holes of part 2b'. Two scraper knives 23' and 23a', are arranged on the external surface of the strain 2', separate from the flange 18' and the annular support 10' and rotating with respect to the strain. The scraper knives 23' and 23a', are supported, each by an extremity, by a ring of a pair of cogrings 24' rotated by means of pinions 25' by a single shaft 26'. In this embodiment too, the cogs of the cogrings 24' are crossed by an annular discharge channel 40'. The annular support 10' is provided with a recess 11' which affords passage of said shaft 26'. An idle support roller 30, 30a, is connected to the free end of each of the scraper knives 23', 23a'. This second embodiment of the device exhibits the further considerable advantage of imparting a greater peripheral velocity on the produce at the second portion of the strain. In this zone the produce is lighter and more fibrous and its mass is smaller as a large portion of the liquid has already exited through the holes of the first portion of the strain. In this way greater device productivity is obtained, thanks to the greater peripheral velocity impressed on the "lighter" part of the produce, while mechanical stress on the strain is not increased, as the "liquid and heavy" part of the produce, which is more easily expelled from the strain as it is full of liquids, rotates at a slower peripheral speed. The functioning of the device, similar to that of known devices, is as follows: the shaft is rotated so that the spatulas 6 rotate the produce imparting thereof a centrifugal effect, pressing it against the strain, causing it to exit through the holes; at the same time the motion of the spatulas 6 pushes the waste material towards the discharge outlet 4. The special characteristics of the extremities of the spatulas 6 improve the quality of the extracted product and favour optimal passage of the juice and pulp through the holes of the strain. Risk of strain blockage is considerably reduced, as the is risk of crushing seeds and skin. Tests have revealed that the load bearing on the spatulas 6 and the strain are also reduced. The above advantages are especially obtained where the angle of inclination alpha is comprised between 8 and 15 degrees. The use of a plate made of hard and resistant material means that the machine can be used at optimum productivity speed for a considerable length of time, independently of the shape of the plate itself. The presence of the radial shield 20, which forces the product to enter a circular peripheral crown whereat the centrifugal force imparted by the motion of the blades increases, so does the productivity of the device since the action of the blades is utilized over the entire circumference. The characteristics of the strain holes, apart from leading to an improvement in the final extracted product, contribute to high machine productivity as the product, in the zone where the holes have a greater diameter, exits more easily and with smaller energy expenditure without leading to a drop in product quality, since said zone is arranged near the inlet 3 of the device where the produce is more fluid. In tomato working, the presence of small holes in the terminal zone of the strain, where the product is dryer, considerably diminishes the risk of the peel and the seeds being crushed and passing through the strain; in this way the bitter-tasting substance, contained in the peel and seeds, does not pass through the strain and lower the quality of the product, The presence of the annular support 1 ends greater strength to the device as well as rendering it scarcely deformable. In particular, a strain of considerable length can be used, which will also be of a sufficient flexional resistance. This considerably improves the productivity of the device. The device can be simply and rapidly dismounted. It is especially easy to substitute the strain, an operation which occurs quite frequently during functioning of the device. The operation takes place with the device at a high temperature. In the third embodiment the scraper knives are first brought to the position of the notch 31" before the strain is removed (with movement from left to right, with reference to FIG. 7), passing it over the knives 23a" through the notch 31". Thanks to this procedure, the flange does not obstruct the removal of the strain. If the strain is made of more than one portion, only the portion near the discharge outlet 4 need be frequently substituted, as it is the portion most susceptible to blocking; thus maintenance times can be cut to a minimum. In the second embodiment the device is dismounted simply and quickly, especially portion 2b' of the strain, which is the portion which gets obstructed more easily and therefore has to be substituted more often. To dismount portion 2a' of the strain, which needs to be dismounted less frequently, a part of the rotor has to be dismounted. It is evident that the various characteristics described can be used as a group or in part, and can be variously combined according to the type of product being worked or the work performance required of the device.

The invention relates to a device for extracting juice or pulp from food produce. It is particularly useful in the food conserves industry for separating the juice or pulp of fruit and vegetables from the skins and seeds. A tubular strain, provided with an inlet and a discharge outlet for refuse by-products, has at its centre a shaft bearing a plurality of spatulas, each of which has an extremity set very close to a surface of the strain; each of the spatulas bears at its peripheral end a plate made of a hard material, which projects radially from the main body and delimit a free zone between the front face and the peripheral extremity of the spatula. The tubular strain exhibits holes which are of progressively or step-by-step diminishing diameter, going from the inlet to the discharge outlet, and also exhibits an annular support which surrounds the strain.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to Taiwan Patent Application No. 094216006 filed on Sep. 16, 2005. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a video integrated circuit and a video processing apparatus thereof; more particularly, relates to a video integrated circuit and a video processing apparatus thereof for processing and for displaying a plurality of video signals. [0004] 2. Descriptions of the Related Art [0005] The technology is progressing nowadays, the technology of processing image develops rapidly, and a video display apparatus is a product closely related to people's daily life. However, a conventional video display apparatus merely displaying a single image will be unable to match the need of receiving more information in a short time. For this reason, a video display apparatus offers picture-in-picture (PEP) display or picture-on-picture (POP) display is thus invented. [0006] A conventional video display apparatus for processing a plurality of images comprises a plurality of integrated circuits. For instance, when processing a plurality of inputting digital video signals and generating a corresponding image, many kinds of integrated circuits, such as a processor, a video output/input port unit, a motion picture experts group (MPEG) codec, an integrated drive electronics (IDE) controller, etc., are required for cooperative operation. Owing to the combination of the integrated circuits, the size of the product is large, the cost is too much, and the dimensions of the product cannot reach the product requirement of light-weight, thin, short, and small in the present day. Therefore, a video integrated circuit for processing a plurality of video signals with a single integrated circuit and a video processing apparatus thereof are urgently required. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] An object of this invention is to provide a video integrated circuit connected to a memory and a video display apparatus. The video integrated circuit comprises a processor, a video capture unit, a motion picture experts group (MPEG) codec, a memory control unit, and a video output unit. The video capture unit receives a plurality of digital video signals in response to a first signal from the processor and generates a processing signal. The MPEG codec receives and compresses the processing signal in response to a second signal from the processor. The memory control unit stores the processing signal in the memory in response to a third signal from the processor. The video output unit captures the processing signal from the memory via the memory control unit in response to a fourth signal from the processor and outputs the processing signal to the video display apparatus. The aforementioned first, second, third, fourth signals being accorded to the video capture unit, the MPEG codec, the memory control unit, and the video output unit are not limited to be the same signal. [0008] The video integrated circuit may be further connected to a video graphics array (VGA) display apparatus. More significantly, the video integrated circuit may further comprise a VGA encoder for encoding the processing signal from the video output unit and for outputting the encoded processing signal to the VGA display apparatus. [0009] The video integrated circuit may be further connected to a hardware storage device. More significantly, the video integrated circuit may further comprise an integrated drive electronics (IDE) controller for storing the processing signal in the hardware storage device in response to a fifth signal from the processor. [0010] The video integrated circuit may be further connected to a peripheral controller interface (PCD bus. More significantly, the video integrated circuit may further comprise a PCI unit for outputting the processing signal to the PCI bus in response to a sixth signal from the processor. [0011] The video integrated circuit may be further connected to a universal serial bus (USB) port. More significantly, the video integrated circuit may further comprise a USB unit for outputting the processing signal to the USB port in response to a seventh signal from the processor. [0012] The video integrated circuit may be further connected to an Ethernet physical layer. More significantly, the video integrated circuit may further comprise an Ethernet medium access control layer for outputting the processing signal to the Ethernet physical layer in response to an eighth signal from the processor. [0013] Another object of this invention is to provide a video processing apparatus connected to a memory and a video display apparatus. The video processing apparatus comprises a first video integrated circuit and a second integrated circuit. Each of the first video integrated circuit and the second integrated circuit comprises a processor, a video capture unit, a motion picture experts group (MPEG) codec, a memory control unit, a video output unit. The processor, the MPEG codec, and the memory control unit are the same as the aforementioned processor, MPEG codee, and memory control unit. The video capture unit comprises a first input node and a second input node. The video capture unit receives a plurality of digital video signals via the first input node in response to a first signal from the processor and generates a processing signal. The video output unit comprises a first output node and a second output node. The video output unit captures the processing signal from the memory via the memory control unit in response to a fourth signal from the processor and outputs the processing signal to the video display apparatus via the first output node. Wherein the second output node of the video output unit of the first integrated circuit is connected to the second input node of the video capture unit of the second integrated circuit, and the processing signal of the first video integrated circuit is transmitted to the second video integrated circuit. The signals being accorded to the aforementioned units are not limited to be the same signal as well. [0014] The detailed technology and preferred embodiments implemented for the subject invention are described in the following paragraphs accompanying the appended drawings for people skilled in this field to well appreciate the features of the claimed invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a video integrated circuit in accordance with the present invention; [0016] FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of a video integrated circuit in accordance with the present invention; and [0017] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a video processing apparatus in accordance with the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0018] A first embodiment of the present invention is a video integrated circuit 1 for processing a plurality of digital video signals and for outputting the processed plurality of digital signals to a display, as shown in FIG. 1 . [0019] The video integrated circuit 1 is electrically connected to a memory 101 and a video display apparatus 103 . The video integrated circuit 1 comprises a processor 105 , a video capture unit 107 , a motion picture experts group (MPEG) codec 109 , a memory control unit 111 , and a video output unit 113 . The processor 105 outputs signals via a line 161 and a bus 115 to other units of the video integrated circuit 1 . The video capture unit 107 receives a first signal 122 outputted from the processor 105 via the line 161 and the bus 115 , receives a plurality of digital video signals 102 in response to the first signal 122 , and generates a processing signal 104 . The processing signal 104 is then transmitted to the bus 115 . In this embodiment, the bus 115 is an advanced high performance bus (AHB), and the plurality of digital video signals 102 are four composite signals. [0020] After receiving a second signal 124 outputted from the processor 105 via the line 161 and the bus 115 , the MPEG codec 109 receives and compresses the processing signal 104 in response to the second signal 124 , wherein the MPEG codec performs the compression in an MPEG-4 format. After receiving a third signal 126 outputted from the processor 105 via the line 161 and the bus 115 , the memory control unit 111 stores the processing signal 104 in the memory 101 in response to the third signal 126 . The processing signal 104 is stored in the memory 101 thereby, and the memory 101 is a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM). When the processing signal 104 is needed to be captured, the processor 105 transmits a fourth signal 128 via the line 161 and the bus 115 to the video output unit 113 . The video output unit 113 requests the memory control unit 111 to capture the processing signal 104 from the memory 101 , and outputs the processing signal 104 to the video display apparatus 103 directly or via a LCD controller (not shown) for displaying an image. The video output unit 103 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a projector. [0021] The video integrated circuit 1 further connected to a video graphics array (VGA) display apparatus 117 . The video integrated circuit 1 further comprises a VGA encoder 119 for encoding the processing signal 104 from the video output unit 113 and for outputting the encoded processing signal to the VGA display apparatus 117 . Therefore, the video integrated circuit 1 may generate a VGA signal directly to a display apparatus. In this embodiment, the VGA display apparatus 117 is a television. [0022] The video integrated circuit 1 is further connected to a hardware storage device 121 . The video integrated circuit 1 further comprises an integrated drive electronics (IDE) controller 123 for storing the processing signal 104 generated by the video capture unit 107 in the hardware storage device 121 after receiving a fifth signal 130 from the processor 105 via the line 161 and the bus 115 . Since the hardware storage device 121 is able to store a great deal of data, the processing signal 104 would be preserved for a long time. The processing signal 140 is read from the hardware storage device 121 for displaying or for further processing when it is needed some day. [0023] The video integrated circuit 1 is further connected to a peripheral controller interface (PCI) bus 125 . The video integrated circuit 1 further comprises a PCI unit 127 for outputting the processing signal 104 generated by the video capture unit 107 to the PCI bus 125 in response to a sixth signal 132 after receiving the sixth signal 132 from the processor 105 via the line 161 and the bus 115 . The PCI bus 125 is a standard interface for data transmission of a computer, and the processing signal 104 may be transmitted to be displayed on the computer or further processed via the PCI bus 125 . [0024] The video integrated circuit 1 is further connected to a universal serial bus (USB) port 129 . The video integrated circuit 1 further comprises a USB unit 131 for outputting the processing signal 104 generated by the video capture unit 107 to the USB port 129 in response to a seventh signal 134 after receiving the seventh signal 134 from the processor 105 via the line 161 and the bus 115 . The USB port 129 is also an interface connected to a host, and the processing signal 104 may be transmitted to be displayed on the computer or further processed via the USB port 129 . [0025] The video integrated circuit 1 is further connected to an Ethernet physical layer 133 . The video integrated circuit 1 further comprises an Ethernet medium access control layer 135 for outputting the processing signal 104 generated by the video capture unit 107 to the Ethernet physical layer 133 in response to an eighth signal 136 after receiving the eighth signal 136 from the processor 105 via the line 161 and the bus 115 . The processing signal 104 may be transmitted to Internet via the Ethernet physical layer 133 . [0026] A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2 . A video integrated circuit 2 is also electrically connected to a memory 201 and a video display apparatus 203 . The video integrated circuit 2 also comprises a processor 205 , a video capture unit 207 , a MPEG codec 209 , a memory control unit 211 , a video output unit 213 , and a first bus 215 . The functions of the aforementioned units are the same as the functions of the corresponding units in the first embodiment, and are not depicts here. [0027] The video integrated circuit 2 differs from the video integrated circuit 1 in further comprising a second bus 239 and a bus bridge 241 , wherein the second bus 239 is an advanced peripheral bus (APB), and the bus bridge 241 is an AHB-APB bridge for connecting the first bus 215 and the second bus 239 . The second bus 239 is further connected to an I 2 C bus 243 , an IRDA interface 245 , a storage card interface 247 , a GPIO port 249 , an audio interface 251 , a keyboard/mouse interface 253 , a UART interface 255 , and an interrupt controller 257 . The second bus 239 transmits signals to the first bus 215 via the bus bridge 241 . Therefore, any signal generated by the processor 205 , the video capture unit 207 , the MPEG codec 209 , the memory control unit 211 , or the video output unit 213 may be transmitted via the aforementioned interfaces 243 , 245 , 247 , 249 , 251 , 253 , 255 , and 257 , and a user may inputs a control signal or a datum to the video integrated circuit 2 via the aforementioned interfaces 243 , 245 , 247 , 249 , 251 , 253 , 255 , and 257 . [0028] Both the video integrated circuit 1 and the video integrated circuit 2 receives four video signals, at least four images would be processed and displayed simultaneously thereby. The prior art requires many apparatuses for processing a plurality of video signals, and brings about a high cost and a large space necessity. The video integrated circuit of the present invention integrates the functions of many conventional integrated circuit chips on a single integrated circuit chip. The integration of the present invention decreases the area for the layout, and further saves the cost and minimizes the dimensions of the product. [0029] The present invention further provides a video processing apparatus, and the embodiment thereof is illustrated in FIG. 3 . The video processing apparatus 3 processes and controls a plurality of digital video signals and then displays the processed and controlled plurality of digital video signals to displays, such as a LCD, a TV, a monitor, a projector, etc. The video processing apparatus 3 enables a signal display to display a plurality of images at the same time. [0030] The video processing apparatus 3 comprises a first video integrated circuit 31 and a second video integrated circuit 33 . The units in the first video integrated circuit 31 and the second video integrated circuit 33 are identical to the video integrated circuits of the first embodiment and the second embodiment. The video capture unit 307 of the first video integrated circuit 31 and the second video integrated circuit 33 further comprises a first input node 361 and a second input node 363 . The first input node 361 is configured to receive a plurality of digital video signals 302 and to generate the aforementioned processing signal. The second input node 363 is connected to a video output unit 313 of a front end video integrated circuit. The video output unit 313 of the first video integrated circuit 31 and the second video integrated circuit 33 further comprises a first output node 365 and a second output node 367 . The first output node 365 outputs the processing signal to a video display apparatus 303 , and the second output node 367 is connected to the second input node 363 of the video capture unit 307 of a back end video integrated circuit. In this embodiment, the second output node 367 of the video output unit 313 of the first video integrated circuit 31 is connected to the second input node 363 of the video capture unit 307 of the second video integrated circuit 33 , and the processing signal of the first video integrated circuit 31 would be inputted into the second video integrated circuit 33 . [0031] If both the video integrated circuit 1 and the video integrated circuit 2 can process four video signals, then the first output node 365 and the second output node 367 of the video output unit 313 of the second video integrated circuit 33 can output eight images respectively, wherein four images of the eight images are generated from the digital video signal 302 of the first input node 361 of the video capture unit 307 of the first video integrated circuit 33 , and the other four images are generated from the digital video signal 304 of the first input node 361 of the video capture unit 307 of the first video integrated circuit 33 . The second video integrated circuit 33 enables the eight images to be displayed simultaneously on the video display apparatus 303 via the first output node 365 . [0032] Though the embodiment is illustrated with the video processing apparatus comprising two video integrated circuits, people skilled in this field may proceed with a variety of modifications having the video processing apparatus with more than two video integrated circuits. The video processing apparatus comprising four video integrated circuits, for example, may display sixteen images at the same time. [0033] The above disclosure is related to the detailed technical contents and inventive features of the subject invention. People skilled in this field may proceed with a variety of modifications and replacements based on the disclosures and suggestions of the invention as described without departing from the characteristics thereof. Nevertheless, although such modifications and replacements are not fully disclosed in the above descriptions, they have substantially been covered in the following claims as appended.

A video integrated circuit and a video processing apparatus thereof, connected to a memory and a video display apparatus, for processing and displaying a plurality of video signals are provided. The video integrated circuit and the video processing apparatus comprise a processor, a video capture unit, a motion picture experts group decoder, a memory control unit, and a video output unit. The video integrated circuit and the video processing apparatus generate a plurality of images corresponding to the plurality of video signals after processing. The video integrated circuit and the video processing apparatus displaying the plurality of images in one single chip decrease the cost and the size of products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention pertains to seats, and particularly relates to seats of the type employing a sheet metal contoured pan upon which a resilient foam cushion is assembled. Such seats are commonly employed on industrial equipment, tractors, riding lawnmowers and the like. In the past, seats of the above type are fabricated by supporting a foam cushion upon a sheet metal seat pan wherein the cushion lower surface closely conforms to the pan, and a retainer is utilized at the pan and cushion peripheries to mechanically assemble the cushion to the pan. The retainer is usually in the form of a pinch rim or bead of a U cross sectional configuration which receives the cushion cover and pan and mechanically holds these components in contiguous relationship. This mode of assembly is troublesome and expensive, and during use the retainer may work loose of the pan causing disassembly of the seat components. It is known to mold resilient cushions to a seat pan or support, and it is also known to extend the foam about the edge of the pan. For instance, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,893,476; 3,669,498; 3,833,260 and 4,103,966 disclose seat constructions wherein the cushion extends adjacent, and partially about, the pan periphery, but these seat constructions are of a molded type, and the cushion is not separately assembled to the pan. It is an object of the invention to provide a seat assembly utilizing a metal pan and a resilient foam cushion wherein the cushion is mechanically connected to the pan without requiring separate retainer or assembly structure. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a seat assembly utilizing a pan and a foam cushion wherein the cushion is self-connecting to the pan, and the seat assembly basically consists of only the pan and cushion, eliminating additional retainer assembly components. Another object of the invention is to provide a seat assembly employing a pan and flexible foam cushion wherein the cushion is of such configuration adjacent its periphery that the cushion "snaps on" the pan, and the cushion configuration includes a hook and lip configuration to produce the desired self-attachment function. Another object of the invention is to provide a resilient synthetic foam cushion of such configuration that the cushion is self-attachable to a seat pan by a "snap-on" connection. In the practice of the invention a contoured sheet metal pan includes a peripheral edge, and a synthetic foam cushion rests upon the upper surface of the pan to provide the seating surface. The cushion usually includes a cover, such as of vinyl. The cushion is provided with a peripheral region of foam which is shaped to extend about the pan periphery, and this cushion peripheral region is formed with a hook and lip configuration wherein the lip extends "inwardly" toward the pan and is so shaped as to closely embrace the pan peripheral edge. In this manner the cushion is "snapped on" the pan, and the cushion is maintained in its assembled relationship to the pan solely by the hook and lip shape of the cushion periphery itself. The peripheral region of the cushion is such that sufficient foam material exists at the hook and lip region to impart to the cushion peripheral region the necessary strength and resistance to deformation to permit the cushion to achieve a firm mechanical relationship to the pan. During assembly the cushion is stretched to distribute the cushion over the pan and permit the lip to be pushed over the pan edge, and the natural resiliency of the cushion material causes the cushion to closely conform to the upper surface and periphery of the pan. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The aforementioned objects and advantages of the invention will be appreciated from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein: FIG. 1 is an elevational, sectional view of a seat assembly in accord with the invention, FIG. 2 is an elevational, sectional view of a seat pan, per se, and FIG. 3 a perspective view of the underside of a seat assembly in accord with the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A seat assembly in accord with the concepts of the invention consists of two components, a sheet metal pan 10, and a resilient foam cushion 12. The pan 10 is formed in the desired configuration and will usually includes a bottom portion 14, a back portion 16, which often extends, at least partially, along the sides of the seat as at 18, and a front portion 20. The pan is provided with a peripheral edge 22, and as will be appreciated from FIG. 2, the configuration of the pan adjacent the edge will vary in accord with the portion of the pan to which the periphery is associated. For instance, the peripheral region 24 adjacent the back 16 is relatively planar, while the peripheral portion 24 at the pan front edge 26 is of a generally inverted U cross-sectional configuration. The pan upper surface 28 will directly engage the cushion, while the pan bottom surface often has brackets or weldments attached thereto, not shown, for affixing the pan to vehicle support structure. The pan is normally formed of sheet metal by a stamping and drawing process, but the pan could be formed of other materials, including rigid synthetic material compositions. The cushion 12 is basically formed of a synthetic foam, such as blown urethane, as is commonly employed in the vehicle seat art. Basically, the cushion is of a general configuration corresponding to the pan with which it will be used, and the cushion includes a lower surface 30 of a configuration complementary to the pan upper surface 28. The thickness of the cushion may vary throughout its form, ribs are often defined in the foam upper surface, and a vinyl cover 32 is bonded to the cushion upper surface, and for the purpose of this invention, the vinyl cover is considered as being integral with the cushion material and extends over the foam surface and peripheral region thereof. The cushion peripheral region 34 is formed with a hook portion 36 terminating in a lip 38. As will be appreciated from FIG. 1, the hook portion 36 extends over the peripheral regions of the pan 10, and accordingly, is of a configuration complementary to the pan peripheral configuration. The inner surface 40 of the hook portion is shaped to closely engage the pan peripheral portion, and accordingly, the cushion inner surface 30 will vary to conform to the variable shape of the pan peripheral region. The lip 38 extends "inwardly" from its associated hook portion 36 a sufficient distance to provide a groove 42 into which the pan peripheral edge 22 is received. The inward extension of the lip 38 is sufficient to prevent inadvertent release of the cover from the pan, and as will be appreciated from FIG. 2, the "thickness" dimension through the hook portion 36 between the groove 42 and the cushion cover is sufficient to fully pad the pan edge 22 and impart to the hook portion sufficient mechanical strength to permit the hook to maintain its shape even though the cushion may be under slight tension due to its being stretched and assembled to the pan. To assemble the cushion 12 to its pan the hook portion 36 is deformed slightly to "open" the groove 42, and the cushion is slipped over the pan periphery to receive the pan edge 22 into the cushion groove 42. Due to the complementary configuration between the pan and cushion peripheral regions, the cushion, once it has been "snapped on" the pan, there may be a slight tension in the cushion, but the same is not necessary to maintain proper assembly. Of course, due to the resilient nature of the foam forming the hook and lip configuration of the peripheral portion 34, the cushion will intimately "grip" the edge of the pan and a firm mechanical interconnection between the cushion and pan is achieved. If the cushion, or its cover, is damaged, and the cushion is to be replaced, the cushion lip 38 may be "pulled back" away from the pan periphery releasing the cushion from the pan, and a new cushion very quickly assembled to the pan. The invention permits assembly of the aforedescribed type of seat to be very readily accomplished with a minimum of components, and replacement of the cushion can be achieved by the vehicle owner without special skills. Of course, the density, strength and resiliency of the cushion material must be sufficient to produce the desired mechanical relationship between the cushion peripheral region and the pan periphery, and the fact that the peripheral region of the cushion extends over the pan throughout its form produces a very attractive seat. In its preferred form, the hook portion 36 and lip 38 extend continuously about the periphery of the cushion, and is associated continuously with the periphery of the pan. However, it is within the scope of the invention to include the formation of hook and lip portions at spaced locations about the cushion periphery to achieve the desired seat assembly. It is appreciated that various modifications to the inventive concepts may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention pertains to a seat utilizing a resilient synthetic foam cushion wherein the peripheral region of the cushion includes a hook and lip configuration snapping over the seat pan peripheral edge to permit self-assembly of the cushion to the seat pan without requiring additional assembly components.

FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention generally relates to coolant solutions used in automotive cooling systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to coolant solutions which inhibit corrosion in automotive cooling systems. BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Concentrated alcohol-based solutions are conventionally added to water in automotive cooling systems so as to provide anti-freeze protection. These water/alcohol heat transfer fluids are further inhibited from attack on the metal forming the automotive cooling systems by numerous corrosion-inhibiting additives. The use of inorganic sodium silicates as corrosion-inhibiting agents is well known. However, sodium silicates tend to gel when used in corrosion-inhibiting effective amounts in alcohol-based coolant solutions. This "gelation" of the corrosion-inhibiting inorganic sodium silicates is problematic since the corrosion-inhibiting effectiveness of the silicate is detrimentally affected. The art has thus attempted to solve the gelation problem by various additives which serve to counteract the tendency of inorganic sodium silicates to gel in alcohol-based antifreeze solutions as evidenced, for example, by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,149,985, 4,457,852 and 4,44460,478. The present invention is directed to minimizing (if not eliminating entirely) the tendency of inorganic sodium silicates to gel in alcohol-based antifreeze solutions while simultaneously offering maximum corrosion-inhibiting effectiveness. Broadly, therefore, the present invention is directed to novel anti-corrosion coolant solutions for automotive cooling systems which include a synergistic corrosion-inhibiting effective amount of a sodium silicate having an unusually low ratio of silica to sodium oxide. More specifically, the present invention is directed to alcohol-based liquid solutions for automotive cooling systems which include an anti-corrosive effective amount of (i) a sodium silicate corrosion inhibitor having a ratio of silica (SiO 2 ) to sodium oxide (Na 2 O) of greater than 1.0 to about 2.5 (preferably between about 1.8 and 2.2). The sodium silicate is typically employed in the alcohol-based liquid coolant system solutions of this invention in an amount sufficient to yield between about 0.01 to 0.2 wt. % silica (more preferably between 0.05 to about 0.06 wt. % silica) based on the total weight of the liquid solution. The solutions according to the present invention may contain other additives conventionally employed in anti-freeze concentrates. For example, inorganic salts (e.g., sodium phosphate) may be employed in minor amounts up to about 1.5 wt. % based on the total solution weight. While not wishing to be bound by particular theories, it is believed that by controlling the R value, it is also possible to reduce the corrosion of aluminum. By varying the SiO 2 to Na 2 O ratio (R), the corrosion rate is significantly minimized at an R of greater than about 1.0 to about 2.5, and most preferably about 1.8 to about 2.2. Commercial antifreeze/coolants generally have polarization resistance (R p ) values in the range of about 10 5 to 10 6 Ohms/cm 2 . The degree of polymerization of silicate may be a function R. Aqueous silicate structure theory has been discussed in Iler, The Chemistry of Silica, Chapter 2, John Wiley & Sons, N.Y., 1979, hereby incorporated by reference. At 1.0 R, the silicate of N=1 is essentially monomeric. The monomer provides very little corrosion protection. At 2.0 R, a silicate dimer may exist (N=2). At R values above 1.0 and below 2.0, a mixture of monomers and dimers may exist. This species forms a particularly stable film. At an R value of above 2.3 to about 3.0, the N value is 15. It is believed that a geodesic sphere containing SiO 2 groups forms. This geodesic sphere is a weak inhibitor. Further aspects and advantages of this invention will become clearer after careful consideration is given to the detailed description of the preferred exemplary embodiments thereof which follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plot of the corrosion potential (E corr ) data versus time for silicate solutions having a SiO 2 to Na 2 O ratio of 2.0 (curve A) and a SiO 2 to Na 2 O ratio of 2.5 (curve B). FIG. 2 is a plot of polarization resistance data versus R values for silicate solutions having a SiO 2 to Na 2 O ratio range of 1.0 to 3.3. FIG. 3 is a scanning electron photomicrograph, magnification 1000×, of the 1.8 R exposed sample following Electrochemical Impedance Spectra (EIS) and E corr measurements. FIG. 4 is a scanning electron photomicrograph, magnification 1000×, of the 1.0 R exposed sample following Electrochemical Impedance Spectra (EIS) and E corr measurements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will become clearer after careful consideration is given to the following nonlimiting examples. The present invention discloses a critical SiO 2 to Na 2 O ratio (R) of about 1.0 to about 2.5 which has a significant influence on the reaction of a silicate with aluminum. A good inhibitor system for aluminum must be able to maintain the Al 2 O 3 inner barrier layer and also form a tough outer layer that can withstand depassivating processes. Silicate forms a tough outer layer but the toughness appears to be dependent upon the ratio (R) value. The above-described silica to sodium oxide ratio appears to lay down protective films which appear to prevent the penetration of the oxide layer by chloride. Corrosion potential (E corr ) measurements and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) were used to study the silicate in the inhibition of aluminum. It has been found that silicate alone protects aluminum. Especially at unusually low ratios of silica to sodium oxide of between about 1.8 to 2.2, the protection was greatly enhanced as evidenced by the reduction of noise and the elevation of both E corr and the polarization resistance (R p ). While not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that unstable protective films are probably the cause of electrochemical noise. Thus, it follows that the elimination of or reduction of noise would indicate improvement in the protectiveness of a film. Therefore, noise reduction in the E corr versus time plot shown in FIG. 1 and EIS complements the elevation of E corr R as a tool in the improvement of inhibitor interaction with metal surfaces. Generally, silicates are manufactured by fusing silica with sodium carbonate using a silica to sodium oxide ratio (w/w) of about 3.2. This product is referred to as 3.2 R silicate. The 3.2 R glass is treated with appropriate amounts of caustic and dissolved in water to make the other silicates: 1.0 R, 1.8 R, 2.5 R and 3.2 R. The manufacture of lower ratio glasses is avoided because the high caustic content wears down the fusing vessels although 2.0 R glass may be prepared to be converted to 1.0 R. In the examples which follow, reagent grade sodium chloride and sodium metasilicate (having a ratio of SiO 2 to Na 2 O of 1.0, and henceforth referenced as "1.0 R") were used. The silicate with a SiO 2 /Na 2 O ratio of 1.8 was obtained commercially as a specially filtered solution containing 24.1% SiO 2 and 13.4% Na 2 O (referenced henceforth as "1.8 R"). Distilled water was employed to prepare all solutions, it being understood that, in practice, the corrosion inhibitors will be employed in an alcohol-based (e.g., ethylene glycol or propylene glycol) liquid concentrate solution which is then added by the consumer to the water in an automotive coolant system to achieve approximately a 50/50 blend of water and glycol so as to provide anti-freeze protection. In this connection, although the solutions that were tested were non-alcoholic aqueous solutions, the data is expected to be applicable to 50/50 alcohol/water solutions as well. The solutions that were evaluated in the following examples also contained 100 ppm of sodium chloride so as to enhance localized corrosion. That is, the sodium chloride was present in the solutions so as to evaluate the respective efficacy of the various additives in overcoming the corrosive aggressiveness of the chloride ion. Keithley Model 616 and 614 digital electrometers were used to measure the corrosion potentials which were recorded on a two channel Houston Instrument recorder. For electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), a Solartron 1255 frequency analyzer/EG&G PARC Model 273 Potentiostat/Galvanostat combination was used. The experiments were conducted using EG&G PARC Model 388 software and the modeling and graphics were carried out using Boukamp software as described in B. A. Boukamp, "Non-linear Least Squares Fit of AC-Impedance Measurements", Computer Aided Acquisition and Analysis of Corrosion Date, Electrochem. Soc., 146 (1985), hereby incorporated by reference). The test cells consisted of a 500 ml flat-bottomed beaker as described in S. T. Hirozawa, "Study of the Mechanism for the Inhibition of Localized Corrosion of Aluminum by Galvanostaircase Polarization", Corrosion Inhibition. NACE, pp. 105-112 (1988) and F. Mansfeld, Corrosion, 36, 301 (1981) (both of which are expressly incorporated hereinto by reference), with the exception being that the silver/silver polysulfide reference electrode was substituted for the SCE. The working electrode was 3003-H14 (UNS A93003) aluminum in sheet form whereas the counter electrode was a pair of ultrafine graphite rods. Circles having diameters of 1.5 cm were cut and prepared according to ASTM Practice G1 using 600 grit diamond slurry on a flat lapping machine by Metals Samples and used without further preparation. The specimens were mounted in flat specimen holders. The solutions were prepared in the cell and attached to the cell cover which had provisions for the electrodes and a thermocouple. Data recording began after the positive lead of the electrometer was connected to the working electrode, and the negative lead was connected to the reference electrode. The solution was continually stirred and heated until the solution temperature stabilized at 82.2° C. (180° F.) for fifteen (15) minutes (thereby simulating the temperature of an automotive coolant system), after which stirring was discontinued. The EI Spectra evaluation was begun 5.5 hours after the solution heater was turned on. EXAMPLE 1 A plot of E corr vs. time was prepared from the E corr data at 82.2° C. using the above procedures and appears as accompanying FIG. 1. As shown, the ratio of the 2.O R solution significantly reduced noise (curve A) as compared to the 2.5 R solution (curve B). In addition, it will be observed that the E corr data in FIG. 1 for the 2.O R solution was significantly elevated over the E corr data for the 2.5 R solution thereby indicating greater corrosion-inhibiting effectiveness. Electrical Impedance Spectra (EIS) were obtained for various R values. From these spectra the polarization resistance (R p ) was determined. The corrosion rate varies inversely with R p ; thus, the larger the R p value, the lower the corrosion rate. FIG. 2 is a plot of polarization resistance data versus R values for silicate solutions having a SiO 2 to Na 2 O ratio range of 1.0 to 3.3. FIG. 2 shows a significant maxima about 2.O R. The corrosion rate at this ratio is approximately 3 times lower than for the next closest data point (1.8 R). FIG. 3 is a scanning electron photomicrograph, magnification 1000×, of the 1.8 R exposed sample of aluminum following EIS and E corr measurements. The surface of the sample is smooth and free of pits. FIG. 4 is a similar electron photomicrograph to that shown in FIG. 3, however, for R=1.0, the sample has open pits and surface roughness caused by corrosion. Both FIGS. 3 and 4 confirm the electrical measurements. The E corr data, EIS and micrograph data demonstrate the effectiveness of a low ratio of SiO 2 to Na 2 O significantly reduces the corrosive effects on aluminum. Thus, while the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Non-corrosive anti-freeze solutions for automotive cooling systems include an anti-corrosive effective amount of a sodium silicate corrosion inhibitor. The sodium silicate has an unusually low ratio of silica to sodium oxide of greater than 1.0 to about 2.5. This relatively low ratio of silica to sodium oxide prevents gelation from occurring while maintaining maximum anti-corrosive effectiveness of alcohol-based solutions containing the same.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit of my copending U.S. provisional application Serial No. 60/160,894, filed Oct. 21, 1999. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Technical Field This invention relates to novel sterol esters of conjugated linoleic acids and a process for the production of the same by esterification of sterols and stanols with a conjugated linoleic acid. 2. Background It is known that the addition of plant sterol (phytosterol) to diets will reduce serum cholesterol levels. Such additives effect the reduction of serum cholesterol through the disruption of intestinal absorption of dietary cholesterol by displacing it from bile and micelli. Free sterols or stanols, though, are not optimum candidates for use in typical pharmaceutical or dietary dosage forms as cholesterol reducing agents due to their very high melting points 130 C. and low solubility in aqueous and oil media. As a result such compounds are preferred to be converted into their fatty esters for food applications, which reduce their melting points and solubility in oil. However, the fatty acids attached to sterol in the current commercial products are from vegetable oil such as sunflower, canola, or soybean oil. Those fatty acids provide no pharmaceutical or nutraceutical functions except increasing the total calories of the products. Conjugated fatty acids are known to have many health benefits such as reducing body fat, inhibiting tumor growth and reducing atherosclerosis. Such conjugated fatty acids are naturally found in beef and dairy fats in trace amounts (0.2-30 mg/g food). One such conjugated fatty acid is conjugated linoleic acid (octadecadienoic acid), hereinafter referred to as CLA. Cattle convert the linoleic acid in grass into CLA by their special digestive processes. However, since humans cannot produce such conjugated fatty acids, such additives to the human system must be through the diet. Thus the providing of CLA in a form to permit its use in dietetic foods would serve as a significant contribution to the field of dietetic foods since it would enable the recipient to receive a valuable additive since it is known that CLA is effective in increasing body protein or preventing the loss of body protein in a human, increasing food efficiency in humans and assists in reducing body fat. It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a novel ester composition consisting essentially of phytosterols including plant sterols/stanols and conjugated linoleic acids. Another object of this invention is to prepare sterol and stanol esters of CLA for their utilization in food and dietary supplement products. Another object of the present invention is to provide a process for the production of sterol esters of conjugated linoleic acids through transesterification and/or esterification. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, I have discovered that through the esterification of a sterol or stanol with a conjugated fatty acid, such as CLA, there is provided a compound which provides the advantages of both the conjugated fatty acid and the sterol or stanol. CLA is a liquid fatty acid with two conjugated double bonds, therefore, it can reduce the melting point of sterols and stanols dramatically. Indeed, the beta-sitosterol ester of CLA is liquid at ambient temperature while the current commercial products made of the fatty acids derived from vegetable oils are solid or semisolid. The sterol ester of CLA also provides a product having lower total calories than the blended product that provides the same doses of sterol and CLA. Such new products thus offer the combined benefits of sterols/stanols as a cholesterol control agent and CLA as an anticarcinogen and fat reducing agent. Such esters can be used as a supplement or ingredient in foods. In accordance with another embodiment of the present, sterol esters can be readily prepared through esterification of sterol or stanol with the conjugated fatty acid or by transesterification of sterol or stanol with of the conjugated fatty acid methyl ester. Transesterification is the preferred method to those skilled in the art. A better understanding of the present invention, its several aspects, and its advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein there is shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As used herein the term “sterol ester” includes both the plant sterol ester per se as well as the hydrogenated sterol products which are referred to as stanol and campestanol. Such compounds have the following general formula: Ac—CO—O—ST wherein Ac—CO is an acyl group from a conjugated fatty acid and O—ST is a steryl group derived from a sterol/stanol. The term “conjugated fatty acid” is intended to refer to conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) which in turn refers to a group of geometrical and positional isomers of linoleic acids including but not limited to 9,11-octadecadienoic acid, and 10-12 octadecadienoic acid. The cis-9, trans-11 isomer is the most dominant isomer of CLA in dairy products and is also the most biologically active form as known at present. The term “sterol” or “sterol/stanol” as used herein is intended to mean the sterol compound per se or its hydrogenated form including stanol and campestanol. The present invention is based upon my discovery that through the use of the conjugated fatty acid—CLA—in the esterification of a sterol there is obtained a product which is liquid at ambient temperature and which product has lower total calories and which product provides the combined benefits of cholesterol control agent and an anticarcinogen and fat reducing agent. The present invention provides a process for esterfying stanols or/and sterols with CLA. This esterification reaction may be accomplished either through the reaction of the sterol with CLA using a esterification catalyst such as sulphonic acids and tin chloride or though the reaction of the sterol with CLA methyl ester using a transesterification catalyst such as sodium methoxide and hydroxide. The results of those esterification reactions is a sterol ester of CLA or a stanol ester of CLA. While any stanol or sterol that is functionalized with a hydroxy group is suitable for transesterification and esterification by the processes as described herein, in one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention there is utilized a sterol/stanol selected form the group consisting of beta-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol and sitostanol. Other suitable sterols include but not limited to brassicasterol, avenasterol, alpha-spinasterol and ergosterol. It is understood that those sterols/stanols for esterifying may be used in pure form or mixed in certain ratios. Likewise while any isomer of a conjugated linoleic acid is suitable for esterification by the process as described herein, in one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention there is utilized a conjugated linoleic acid selected from the group consisting of cis-9, trans-11-conjugated linoleic acid and trans-10, cis 12-conjugated linoleic acid. The acid-catalyzed esterification reaction of sterol with CLA and base-catalyzed transesterification reaction of sterol with CLA methyl ester, respectively, are depicted below demonstrating the formation of a sterol ester of CLA per the present invention. As shown in the reaction mechanism on the left sterol is reacted with CLA in the presence of an acid catalyst to produce sterol ester of CLA. In the reaction mechanism on the right (which represents the preferred mechanism), sterol is reacted with CLA methyl ester to produce sterol ester of CLA in the presence of a base catalyst. R is defined as following alkyl or alkenyl groups: beta-Sitosterol: —CH(CH3)CH2CH2CH(C2H5)CH(CH3)2 Stigmasterol: —CH(CH3)CH═CHCH(C2H5)CH(CH3)2 Campesterol: —CH(CH3)CH═CHCH(CH3)CH(CH3)2 (no double bond at 5, 6) Brassicasterol: —CH(CH3)CH═CHCH2CH(CH3)2 Avenasterol: —CH(CH3)CH2CH2C(═CH—CH3)CH(CH3)2 (double bond at 5, 6 or 7, 8 only) alpha-Spinasterol: —CH(CH3)CH═CHCH2C(C2H5)CH(CH3)2(double bond at 7, 8) Ergosterol: —CH(CH3)CH═CHCH(CH3)CH(CH3)2 (double bonds at 5, 6 and 7, 8) A similar reaction system is carried out when the hydrogenated sterol such as stanol is the reactant. The molar ratios of the starting materials for the transesterification and esterification reactions are provided in stoichiometric levels. It is preferred that the CLA be present in at least 5-10% excess so as to react with all of the sterol or stanol. Any excess unreacted CLA is easily removed in the product work-up. The usage of esterification catalyst varies with the catalyst used and their uses are reviewed in Bailey's Industrial Oil and Fat Products, 4th edition, edited by Daniel Swern, Volume 2, PP 113-127. Since esterification involves high reaction temperature and low reaction rate, sterol ester of CLA are preferred to be prepared via transesterification. In carrying out the process of the present invention solvents such as ethers and short chain alkanes may be added to the reaction mixture to promote reaction. The reaction rate of transesterification increases at an elevated temperature. The typical reaction temperature ranges from 40 C. to about 250 C. The reaction period may vary widely, but as a general practice a reaction time in the range of about 4 to about 20 hours can be utilized. The reaction is normally carried out for a time which will permit the reaction to go to completion so that the sterol or stanol present is completly esterified. Normally the ester product is obtained in yields of greater than 95%. Following completing of the reactions, the resulting ester product can be isolated with or without organic solvent extraction after removing the catalyst such as by water washing. Typical solvents are low boiling point organic compounds including but not limited to diethyl or petroleum ethers, hexane, dichloromethance, chloroform, and toluene. The following examples are intended to be illustrative of the present invention and to teach one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. These examples are not intended to limit the invention in any way. EXAMPLE 1 To Prepare Sterol Esters from Conjugated Linoleic Acid Methyl Ester A commercial CLA methyl ester product was used in the synthesis, which contains 41% of cis 9, trans 11, 44% of trans 10, cis 12, and 10% of cis 10, cis 12 conjugated linoleic acids. 60 grams of plant sterols containing 40% beta-sitosterol, 20-30% campesterol and 10-30% dihydrobrassicasterol was mixed with 100 grams of CLA methyl ester. The mixture is solid at room temperature. After dried at 90-105 C. under about 20 mm Hg vacuum for about an hour, the mixture was cooled down to about 70 C., and 1.3 grams of 25% NaOCH3-Methanol solution was added. A vacuum of up to 20 mm Hg was applied slowly to remove the methanol produced. When no vigorous bubbles came out, the reaction was continued under a high vacuum up to 0.01 mm Hg and the temperature was raised gradually to 110 C. The reaction continued until no methanol was bubbling, then the mixture was cooled down to about 60 C. before breaking the vacuum with N 2 . 6 grams of warm water (40-50 C.) was added to destroy the catalyst. The mixture was stirred for about 1 minute until appearing homogenous and then centrifuged at 5000 G for 5 minutes. The top layer containing sterol esters was collected and washed with 12 g warm water. The mixture was then centrifuged to recover the top sterol ester layer. The sterol ester was then purified by vacuum distillation to remove moisture and residual methyl esters. The product is liquid at ambient temperature and has three melting peaks at 15, 37, and 58 C. as measured by DSC. EXAMPLE 2 To Prepare Sterol Esters from Conjugated Linoleic Acid CLA One™, a commercial CLA product available from Pharmanutrients, Inc. and which contains 75% of free fatty acid, was used in this synthesis. CLA One™ typically contains with 35% cis 9, trans 11 and 36% trans 10, cis 12-linoleic acids. 150 g of CLA One™ was mixed with 600 mL methanol and 12 mL concentrated sulfuric acid. The mixture was refluxed for 30 minutes to prepare the methyl esters of fatty acids. The product was washed twice with 100 mL 5% sodium chloride and with 2% potassium bicarbonate until nutral pH in the aqueous phase. The methyl esters of fatty acids were dried by heating at 90-105 C. under up to 20 mm Hg vacuum. One hundred grams of methyl ester produced as above was mixed with 60 g plant sterols that contains 40% beta-sitosterol, 20-30% campesterol and 10-30% dihydrobrassicasterol. The mixture was dried at 90-105 C. under up to 20 mm Hg vacuum for about an hour. After cooling the mixture down below 70 C., 0.5 grams of NaOCH3 powder was added to the reactant mixture as transesterification catalyst. Vacuum was applied slowly to remove the methanol produced so the reaction proceeded to the direction forming sterol esters. When vigorous bubbling ceased, the reaction was continued under a high vacuum up to 0.01 mm Hg and the temperature was raised gradually to 110 C. The reaction continued until no methanol was bubbling out. The mixture was cooled down to about 60 C. and nitrogen was introduced to break the vacuum. 6 grams of 50% citric acid aqueous solution was added to neutralize the transesterification catalyst. The mixture was stirred for about 6 minutes or until appearing homogenous and then centrifuged at 4000 G for 5-30 minutes. The top layer containing sterol esters was collected and washed twice with 12 g warm water. The mixture was then centrifuged at 4000 G for 5 minutes to recover the top sterol ester layer. The sterol ester was then purified by vacuum distillation to remove moisture and residual methyl esters. The specific examples herein disclosed are to be considered as being primarily illustrative. Various changes beyond those described will not doubt occur to those skilled in the art and such changes are to be understood as forming a part of this invention insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The inventive compositions are usable as a component in any number of food products or as a dietary supplement whereby the compositions may be delivered in a convenient form and the advantages thereof may be easily obtained.

Novel sterol/stanol esters of a conjugated fatty acid are provided through the esterification or transesterification of a sterol such as beta-sitosterol or a hydrogenated form thereof (stanol). Such novel esters exhibit the combined properties normally possess by the sterol/stanol compound and the conjugated fatty acid and as such are excellent additives for dietetic foods and supplements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a rotary compressor and more particularly to the type of rotary compressor having a rotating piston. 2. Description of the Prior Art Rotary pumps and compressors of the type having a rotating piston are well known in the art and generally comprise a housing defining a cylindrical chamber having an inlet and outlet and housing a cylindrical roller or piston of lesser diameter. The rolling piston is driven in rolling contact with the inside wall of the chamber and a retractable divider member extends outwardly from the chamber wall to sealingly engage the piston between the inlet and outlet opening and divide the chamber into an inlet or low pressure side and an exhaust or high pressure side. The rolling piston is driven about the inner wall of the chamber by an eccentric crank member on the axially disposed drive shaft of the compressor. For the most part, the eccentric crank is a solid member configured to force the rolling piston into compressive engagement with the chamber wall. However, in some instances, it is conceivable that a non-compressible material, such as liquid refrigerant, would enter the compressor chamber along with vapors to be compressed therein. This liquid material, being non-compressible, is quite apt to damage the compressor. It is known in pumps having similar rolling piston configurations as the compressor of the instant invention to have a yieldable (e.g. spring) crank arm or linkage forcing the rolling piston into compressive engagement. This permits the non-compressible material in the pumped fluid to pass through the pump without damage thereto. U.S. Pat. No. 2,460,617 discloses a pump of this nature. Further, it is recognized that the pumping capacity of a rotary pump can be regulated by adjusting the amount of eccentricity of the roller (e.g. from its full eccentric position in rolling contact against the inner wall of the pumping chamber providing maximum pumping capacity to a position of concentricity with the drive shaft wherein the pump would have no pumping capacity). However, such mechanical linkage involves a multiplicity of parts. U.S. Pat. No. 2,266,191 shows a mechanism in a rotary pump for adjusting the pump capacity. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a rotary compressor having a rolling piston resiliently urged into its normal operating position in rolling contact with the compressor chamber. The resilient forces are developed by a hydraulic arrangement within the eccentric crank members to resiliently force the rolling piston against the chamber wall, however, upon encountering a non-compressible material, the force on the hydraulic arrangement is such as to permit retraction of the rolling piston so it could pass thereover. Further, by completely relieving the hydraulic pressure on the crank mechanism, the capacity of the compressor can be reduced to zero. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The FIGURE is a cross sectional elevational schematic view of the rotary compressor according to the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the FIGURE, a rotary compressor 10 is schematically shown and is seen to comprise an outer housing 12 defining an interior cylindrical chamber 14 having an interior wall 15. A compressor head 16 is disposed over an opening 18 into the chamber 14 and defines an inlet port 20, an outlet or high pressure port 22 and a sleeve 24 having a divider member 26 received for reciprocal movement therein. Divider 26 extends from the sleeve to project radially into the chamber and ride on the surface of an eccentric rotating piston 28, to be described later, and divide the inner cylindrical chamber 14 into a suction side 30 and a discharge side 32. Outlet port 22 has disposed therein a check valve 34 permitting high pressure flow outwardly of the discharge side 32 of the compressor. A plate member 36 covers the ports 20, 22 in the compressor head and defines threaded apertures 38, 40 for fittings to refrigerant tubes (not shown) to route the vaporized refrigerant through the compressor 10. The rotating piston 28, as is well known in the art, comprises a cylindrical member 42 having a smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the cylindrical compressor chamber 14 so as to define the suction and discharge space 30, 32. Also, the axis of the cylindrical member 42 is eccentric to the axis of the chamber 14, and a drive shaft 44, concentric to the cylindrical chamber, drives the member 42 in substantially rolling contact between the inner surface 15 of the chamber and the outer surface of the member by an eccentric crank 46. In the instant invention, the eccentric crank 46 comprises a first crank member 48 integrally attached to the drive shaft 44 and in driving engagement with an internal cylindrical surface 50 of an inner race 52 of a roller bearing 54. The outer race 56 of the bearing 54 engages the cylindrical member 42. Roller bearings 43 are interposed between the inner and outer race to provide a rolling drive between the shaft 44 and the rolling piston 28 to minimize friction. Thus, it is seen that rotation of the drive shaft 44 and crank 46 will drive the member 42 in a rolling engagement with the inner wall 15 of the cylindrical chamber 14. As is further seen, the crank member 46 includes a second crank member 60 spatially separated from the first crank 46 with each crank member 46, 60 being substantially diametrically opposed. Crank 60 also has an arcuate face 62 in driving engagement with the inner face 50 of the inner race 52. The first crank member 46 defines a pair of parallel cavities 64 having sidewalls substantially parallel to the direction of the diametrically opposed position of the second crank member 60 and open on the face facing the second crank member. Each cavity 64 is in fluid flow communication through passages 66 in the crank member 46, to a common fluid passage 68 in the drive shaft 44. This passage 68 is supplied fluid under pressure, such as through an oil line 70 circulating the lubricating oil from an oil reservoir 72 via an oil pump 74 which can also be driven from a power source common to the compressor 10. The pressure in line 70 can be varied as through a pressure regulating valve 71. The second crank member 60 has a pair of integral finger-like parallel projections 78 extending therefrom and so sized and placed for each to be received within a respective opposing cavity 64 in the first crank member 46 and in generally close relationship therewith so as to act like hydraulic pistons under the influence of the fluid pressure within the cavities 46. Thus, under these conditions, the fluid pressure on the faces 80 of the projections 78 forces the second crank 60 into engagement with the face 50 of the inner race 52 which in turn forces the rolling piston 28 into rolling engagement with the inner face 15 of the cylindrical chamber 14. However, if any non-compressible material, such as liquid refrigerant, is returned to the suction side 30 of the compressor chamber 14, the force on the rolling piston 28 by such non-compressible material will exceed (by design) the hydraulic force on the second crank member 60 by the hydraulic pressure such that the pistons 78 will be permitted to slide into the cavities 64 in the first crank member 48 permitting the rolling piston 28 to roll over the non-compressible material without damage. To accommodate the necessary discharge of oil from the cavities 64 under such conditions without backflow through the pump 74, a pressure relief valve 82 is placed on an oil line 84 downstream thereof in communication with an oil return line 86 to the oil reservoir 72. It must be emphasized that the pressure on the pistons 78 must establish a sufficient force to maintain intimate rolling contact between the rolling piston 28 and the inner face 15 of the cylinder during the complete travel of the rolling piston. However, it is also apparent that by eliminating oil flow to the cavities 64, as through a bypass of the oil flow to the cavities, there is insufficent pressure on the hydraulic piston 28 to maintain the intimate rolling contact and, in effect, the rolling piston will continue to be driven by the drive shaft 44, however, there will be no compression of fluid within the compressor chamber 14. It should be herein pointed out that for the rolling piston 28 to roll over a non-compressible material, the inner race 52 will become lifted from the arcuate face of the first crank 48. Thus, to accommodate this, the arcuate dimension of the first crank 48 must be less than 180° (i.e. it cannot extend across the diameter of the inner race 52) to permit such relative movement between the race 52 and the first crank member 48. Under such conditions, the torque to the rolling piston 28 is delivered by the second crank 60 through the hydraulic pistons or projections 78. Also shown in the preferred embodiment is a second oil pressure line 88 directing oil to the sleeve 24 to maintain a force on the divider 26 slidingly housed therein to maintain it in intimate sealing contact with the surface of the rolling piston 28. However, it is also known that a spring or the high pressure refrigerant discharge from the compressor can also be used in this sleeve to maintain such sealing force. Thus, in a rolling piston rotary compressor, there is shown a means for hydraulically maintaining the rolling piston in compressive rolling contact with the internal cylindrical chamber to provide the desired compression of the fluid in the compressor chamber and also permitting unloading of the compressor while it continues to rotate. It is axiomatic that by varying the hydraulic pressure to the pistons, the discharge pressure of the compressor can be altered.

A rotary compressor 10 of the rolling piston type is shown wherein the rolling cylindrical piston 28 is forced into rolling contact with the cylindrical interior 15 of the compressor chamber by a hydraulic piston 78 and cylinder 64 arrangement providing a resilient force on the rolling piston 28 to permit non-compressible matter such as liquid refrigerant to be present in the compressor chamber and also, through means 82 for varying the hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangement, permit varying the compressor discharge pressure while the rolling piston is continuously driven.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/CH2011/000023, filed on Feb. 10, 2011, which claims priority from Swiss Patent Application No. 00331/10, filed on Mar. 10, 2010, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a filling device for filling an applicator with at least one fluid. More particularly the invention relates to a modular filling device which, depending on the requirements, allows an applicator to be filled from various types of containers. In accordance with a further aspect, the present invention relates to a set of at least one applicator holder and several container holders, wherein the container holders are designed to hold different types of container. PRIOR ART In various applications a mixture of two or more flowable components has to be produced and discharged at a predetermined mixing ratio. One example is the production of an adhesive for technical or medical applications, e.g. a fibrin-based medical adhesive. Another example is the production of a bone cement from several components using a monomer. There are also medicinal products which are produced by mixing two or more components but which cannot be stored in the mixed state. In this case it is desirable to initially store the components separately and only mix them immediately before their administration. Similar tasks also arise in the case of other pharmaceutical or chemical systems of two or more components which are not stable in the mixed state. From the prior art it is known to hold the components to be mixed in two reservoirs of an applicator, e.g. in the form of a double syringe, and to discharge them through a suitable mixing device. However, it is often problematical to store flowable substances in plastic applicators over a longer period of time, as on the one hand the substances can chemically react with the plastic, and on the other hand there is a risk that gases, more particularly oxygen in the air, can diffuse through the walls of the applicator and chemically modify the contents. This applies in particular to applications in the field of medicine where chemical purity is of special importance. It is therefore known to store the components to be mixed separately in vials, more particularly glass vials with a septum seal, i.e. in sterilisable glass bottles which are sealed at one end with a self-sealing membrane (known as a septum) that can be punctured in order to remove the components to be mixed from the vials into two separate reservoirs only shortly before application. For this, adapter-like devices are proposed in the prior art which enable the simultaneous filling of two reservoirs from two vials, e.g. the filling devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,610,033, U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,650. WO 2009/144085 also discloses a filling device of this type. Here, two vial holders for one vial each are connected with an applicator holder. An applicator can be inserted into the applicator holder along a fastening direction and can be connected to the applicator holder with Luer connections. The vial holders can be pushed or screwed into the container holders from the opposite side. The applicator can be filled from the vials through fluid connections in the applicator holder. This filling device only allows filling from vials, but not from other types of container. However, instead of in vials such components can also be held in other containers, e.g. in glass ampoules, i.e. hermetically sealed glass vessels which have to be broken open to remove their containers, or in tubes with a deformable wall area. It is also conceivable to store one of the components in a syringe, as long as the component in question is not too sensitive to ambient influences, and to only take them up in the actual applicator shortly before they are used. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with a first aspect the present invention provides a filling device allowing at least one reservoir of an applicator to be filled with a fluid from a container, wherein the device can be adapted to different types of container without essential changes to the design. A filling device for filling at least one reservoir of an applicator with a fluid from at least a first container is provided, the filling device comprising: a first container holder with a first holding area, which is designed to hold a first container on the first container holder, wherein the first container holder has a first outlet opening and a fluid channel between the first holding area and the first outlet opening in order to remove a first fluid from the first container through the first outlet opening; and an applicator holder with a fastening area which is designed to detachably fasten an applicator along a fastening direction onto the applicator holder, and wherein the applicator holder has a first inlet opening and a first fluid connection between the first inlet opening and the fastening area in order to take up the first fluid through the first inlet opening into a first reservoir of the applicator; and wherein the first container holder is configured to be connected to the applicator holder along a first connection direction in such a way that the first outlet opening and the first inlet opening are in communication with each other. In order to facilitate the container holders being able to be designed for very different types of container, e.g. for vials, tubes, syringes, ampoules etc., the first connection direction runs transversely (angled at an angle of more than 45°, preferably more than 60°, particularly preferably essentially perpendicular) to the fastening direction for the applicator. Seen from the applicator the container holder is thus laterally connected to the applicator holder. Preferably the applicator can be connected to the applicator holder along the fastening direction by means of a simple pushing movement, e.g. via a plug connection. More particularly the applicator can preferably be pushed onto or into the applicator holder. However, for fastening the applicator can carry out a more complex form of movement, e.g. combined pushing and turning, like in a bayonet fitting for example. The translatory part of the movement then defines the fastening direction. The connection of the applicator to the applicator holder is releasable in order to be able to separate the applicator from the applicator holder after filling and to discharge the fluid taken up in the applicator, e.g. by way of an accessory component that is configured to be attached to the applicator, such as a spray nozzle, a mixer etc. The first container holder is preferably also connectable to the applicator holder by means of a simple pushing movement in the first connection direction. Here too it is preferable that the first container holder is configured to be pushed onto or into the applicator holder. However, in this case as well a more complex movement can be envisaged for fastening, the translatory part of which then defines the first connection direction. The connection between the container holder and applicator holder can be detachable or non-detachable (without destruction). In the connected state the container holder and applicator holder preferably form an essentially rigid unit. There is therefore no flexible tube connection or suchlike between the container holder and the applicator holder which would make handling more difficult. Naturally the term “rigid unit” does not rule out the container holder or the applicator holder themselves having movable, even flexible parts, e.g. for opening the container. The term “rigid unit” should only indicate that the container holder and applicator are in a defined orientation relative to each other. The first container holder is in turn designed in such a way that the first container can be applied to the first container holder along a container guide direction which is transverse to the first connection direction and runs essentially anti-parallel to the fastening direction for the applicator when the applicator holder and the first container holder are connected to each other. After connecting the applicator holder to the container holder the filling device is thus preferably handled in the manner familiar to the user, in that the container is applied, e.g. pushed in, pushed onto, screwed in etc. to the filling device in the opposite direction to the applicator. The container can of course already be pre-mounted on the container holder so that for filling the applicator only the entire unit comprising the container holder and container has to be pushed onto the applicator holder. The container held on the first container holder can be, for example, a syringe with a syringe body with a movable plunger provided therein, a tube with a rigid distal connection area, e.g. in the form of a connecting piece with an external thread and a flexible side wall area, a vial with a closure that can be punctured, more particularly a glass vial with a septum seal, or an ampoule, e.g. a conventional glass ampoule with an ampoule body, tapered neck and ampoule tip that can be broken off. Other types of container are also conceivable, e.g. glass bottles with a screw connection etc. Depending on the container the container holder is designed accordingly. The envisaged purpose of use therefore implicitly also defines the structural design of the container holder within broad limits. Specifically the applicator holder can, in particular, be designed as follows: the applicator holder comprises a basic body with an upper side and an underside. The fastening area is arranged on the underside of the basic body and can in particular be produced in one piece with the basic body. The first fluid connection has a first inlet section extending from the inlet opening in the basic body essentially along the connection direction, and connected thereto a first outlet section leading to the fastening area, wherein the first outlet section runs at an angle to the first inlet section and extends in the direction of the underside. Preferably the first outlet section essentially extends perpendicularly to the first inlet section and, particularly preferably, runs essentially in the fastening direction. The basic body is preferably an essentially flat structure, from the underside of which the fastening area projects. Preferably the basic body is of a length in the first connection direction which is at least three times its thickness in the fastening direction. The width perpendicular to these two directions is preferably at least double the height. A basic body of this type allows a compact design. However, other forms of the basic body are of course also possible. The first container holder can preferably be pushed onto the basic body in the first connection direction in order to connect the first inlet opening with the first outlet opening so that in the mounted position the container holder at least partially surrounds the basic body. It can, however, also be pushed into the basic body for example. In order to assure a secure and simple fluid connection, the first basic body can at the end of the first inlet section have a first inlet connection piece extending in the first connection direction and forming the first inlet opening. This can then be pushed into the first outlet opening of the first container holder in a first connection direction, wherein the outlet opening in this case is designed to complement the inlet connection piece. In order to assure a seal between the first container holder and the applicator holder an O-ring can be pushed onto the inlet connection piece. Other sealing connections are of course also possible, such as tapered connections. In order to improve guiding of the container holder on the applicator holder and/or to establish a fixed orientation of the container holder relative to the applicator holder, the basic body can comprise at least one first guide element, e.g. in the form of an elongated lug or a peg, located at a distance from the first inlet connection piece and extending essentially parallel to the first inlet connection piece. A preferably complementary, hollow connection section of the first container holder can then be pushed onto the guide element. In this way the first container holder can be connected with the applicator holder in a defined orientation and is secured against twisting with regard to the applicator holder. Preferably two such guide elements are arranged on opposite sides of the inlet connection piece and engage accordingly in two hollow connection sections of the container holder. In order to fasten the applicator in the fastening area of the applicator holder, the fastening area can have a holding element, e.g. in the form of a ring, into which a distal end area of the applicator can be pushed and on which a catch structure, e.g. an engaging window, is formed in order to enter into a releasable snap-type connection with a corresponding catch element of the applicator, e.g. an engaging lug. Other types of fastening are of course conceivable, e.g. a normal Luer connection with or without a locking nut. While the invention also relates to a device for filling an applicator with just one reservoir, the filling device is preferably a device for filling an applicator with two or more parallel reservoirs, e.g. a double or multiple syringe, a cartridge with two or more reservoirs, two detachably connected single syringes etc. In this case the filling device can comprise (at least) a second container holder with a second holding area which is designed to hold a second container on the second container holder. The second container holder then in turn has a second outlet opening and a fluid channel between the second holding area and the first outlet opening in order to remove a second fluid from the second container. Accordingly the applicator holder then also has a second inlet opening and a second fluid connection between the second inlet opening and the fastening area in order to take up the second fluid through the second inlet opening into a second reservoir of the applicator. The second container holder can then be connected with the applicator holder along a second connection direction in such a way that the second outlet opening and the second inlet opening are in communication with each other in order to bring about a connection from the second holding area to the fastening area. The second connection direction is also transverse to the fastening direction for the applicator, preferably in a plane vertical to the fastening direction, particularly preferably antiparallel to the first connection direction. In the above specific embodiment with a basic body with an upper and underside and a fastening area arranged on the underside, the second fluid connection has a second inlet section essentially extending in the basic body along the second connection direction from the second inlet opening, and connected thereto a second outlet section leading to the fastening area, and the second outlet section runs at an angle to the second inlet section and extends in the direction of the underside. Preferably the first and the second outlet section run essentially parallel to each other and along the fastening direction. The first and the second inlet section preferably lie in a common plane and particularly preferably are collinear to each other, i.e. they are on the same imaginary straight line and point in opposite directions. In preferred specific embodiments the two container holders can each be pushed onto the applicator holder in order to connect the relevant inlet opening with the relevant outlet opening so that each of the container holders at least partially surrounds the applicator holder. Complementary connection elements can then be formed on the first and second container holder in order to connect the first and second container holder to each other in the mounted state. More particularly this can involve catch elements for a snap-type connection. Therefore, instead of, or in addition, to fixing the container holders on the applicator holder, in this embodiment the two container holders are fixed to each other and are therefore additionally held on the applicator holder. Especially if the second connection direction runs antiparallel to the first connection direction, the first and the second container holder can each have at least one catch element, which in the mounted state engages in the other container holder, more particularly can be moved into a hollow space thereof, bringing about a snap-type connection between the first and second container holder. Preferably the catch element of the second container holder is then arranged on a side of the applicator holder opposite the catch element of the first container holder. In a particularly compact and elegant embodiment, in the mounted state the first and second container completely cover the applicator holder towards a side facing away from the fastening area. In accordance with a further aspect, the present invention provides a modular filling system which allows an applicator to be filled as required from different types of container. Such a filling system comprises an applicator holder of the above-described type and two, three or more container holders designed for holding different types of containers. As indicated above, the container holders can already be pre-fitted with suitable containers. In other words the present invention provides a set, comprising a filling device of the above type and at least one further container holder, wherein the further container holder is designed for holding a different type of container from the first and/or second container holder. The set can also comprise a suitable applicator. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with the aid of the drawings, which are only for explanation purposes and must not be interpreted as being limiting. In the drawings: FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the filling system; FIG. 2 shows the filling system in FIG. 1 in a central longitudinal section; FIG. 3 shows a side view of a filling device in accordance with the invention; FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the filling device of FIG. 3 ; FIG. 5 shows a partial view of an enlarged cross-sectional view of the applicator holder of FIG. 2 with the applicator attached thereto; and FIG. 6 shows a cross-section through the filling device of FIG. 3 in plane VI-VI. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIGS. 1 and 2 a first exemplary embodiment of a filling system in accordance with the invention is illustrated. Here the system consists of an applicator 100 , an applicator holder 200 , a first container unit 300 , a second container unit 400 , a third container unit 500 and a fourth container unit 600 . The applicator 100 is designed as a double syringe. It has an applicator body 110 with two cylindrical, parallel, proximally open reservoirs 111 , 112 of the same or (in this case) different diameter and volume. At their distal ends the reservoirs open into two outlets 116 , 117 ( FIG. 5 ). A plunger 121 , 122 is inserted into each proximal open end of the reservoirs. The two plungers are connected to each other at their proximal ends to form one plunger unit. In this area there is an activation surface 123 for the thumb of a user. A holding flange 113 is for holding the applicator by means of the index and middle finger. To this extent the applicator can be used like a commercially available double syringe. The applicator holder 200 has a basic body 210 of an elongated, flat, essentially disk-shaped basic form, on the underside of which there is a fastening area 220 for the applicator 100 . The structure of the basic body 210 is best recognised from FIGS. 5 and 6 . The basic body 210 has two cylindrical inlet connection pieces 211 which are arranged opposite to each other collinearly on a common longitudinal axis of the basic body. Each of the inlet connection pieces has an axial hole, the open end of which forms an inlet opening 216 and which defines a first inlet section 214 of a fluid connection. The two inlet sections 214 therefore also run collinearly to each other. Each of the inlet sections 214 opens into an outlet section 215 , which runs perpendicularly to the inlet section 214 , the two outlet sections 215 running parallel to each other downwards and opening into the fastening area 220 . Parallel to each of the inlet connections 211 , on two sides of each inlet connection there are two guide elements in the form of guide pegs 213 , the free ends of which are angled outwards. The guide pegs project axially well beyond the inlet connection 211 . An O-ring 230 can be pushed onto each of the inlet connections 211 and in the mounted state is in sealing contact with a circumferential shoulder 212 . The fastening area 220 is designed as follows: each of the outlet sections 215 opens into a conically widening insertion area for the outlets 116 , 117 of the applicator 100 . The outlets 116 , 117 complement the insertion areas and can be inserted into these insertion areas. In order to hold the applicator 100 securely on the applicator holder 200 , close to its distal end, adjacent to the outlets 116 , 117 , the applicator has two webs with engaging lugs 115 on two opposite sides ( FIG. 5 ). The fastening area 220 comprises a cylindrical receiving element 221 which radially surrounds the insertion area and the webs with the engaging lugs 115 and on which two opposite snap-in openings are provided. When the applicator is pushed in, the engaging lugs 115 snap into the snap-in openings of the receiving element 221 . This connection between the applicator 100 and the applicator holder 200 essentially functionally corresponds with the connection between a syringe/cartridge and an accessory component described in WO 2007/109915. More particularly, the applicator 100 and the applicator holder 200 have retention means which are designed in accordance with this document. In order to release the applicator 100 from the applicator holder 200 after filling, the receiving element 221 is elastically deformable so that the snap connection between the engaging lugs 115 and the corresponding snap-in openings can be released again by pressing on a wall area of the receiving element 221 offset by approximately 90° to the snap-in openings in relation to the cylinder axis of the receiving element 221 . Through pressing the receiving element 221 is deformed in such a way that the snap-in openings are pushed radially outwards from the engaging lugs 115 and there disengage from the engaging lugs 115 . With regard to further details and further possible embodiments of the connection between the applicator and the applicator holder, reference is made to already cited WO 2007/109915, the contents of which are incorporated herein by way of reference for teaching such a connection. In order to be able to exert this pressure on the receiving element 221 specifically and simply, two press wings 223 which are opposite each other are formed on the basic element 210 . The lateral compression of the two press wings 233 is transmitted, offset to the snap-in openings, to the cylindrical receiving element 221 of the fastening area 220 and thereby results in the release of the snap-type connection between the applicator 100 and applicator holder 200 . A coding wing 114 on the applicator 100 and a corresponding coding wing 222 on the applicator holder 200 show the correct orientation of the applicator 100 when connecting it to the applicator holder 200 . In addition, the connections themselves are different in order to ensure that the applicator 100 can only be connected correctly orientated. The first container unit 300 comprises a container holder 310 with an upwardly directed holding area 320 on which a container in the form of a syringe 330 with a syringe body 331 and syringe plunger 332 is held (in this case by means of a conventional Luer lock connection). The container holder 310 has an outer wall, the form of which very roughly corresponds with a half ellipsoid cut along its short axes, which laterally opens towards the applicator holder. The outer wall defines an inner space, in to which, starting from one end of the half ellipsoid a connection area with an outlet opening 311 formed therein extends towards the applicator holder. On one side of the container holder 310 an engaging arm 312 , inwardly offset with regard to the outer wall, projects toward the applicator holder. At the free end of the engaging arm there is an engaging lug. A fluid channel angled about 90° connects the holding area 320 with the outlet opening 311 . The second container unit 400 also comprises a container holder 410 with holding area 420 directed upwards. Here the holding area is in the form of a sleeve 420 with an internal thread. A container in the form of a tube 430 with an external thread on a rigid cylindrical connection area is screwed into the holding area 420 . With the exception of the holding area 420 the container holder 410 is similar in structure to the container holder 310 and more particularly also comprises an outlet opening 411 , a fluid channel connecting the holding area 420 with the outlet opening 411 , and an engaging arm 412 . The third container unit 500 also comprises a container holder 510 with a holding area 520 directed upwards, which here is designed in the form of a cylindrical chimney with multiple cutouts. A vial 530 with a septum seal is pushed into the chimney. The vial lies loosely on a first flexible engaging arm 521 . By pressing down on the vial the first engaging arm 521 can be elastically pressed outwards via an angled surface formed thereon, and the vial can be brought into a storage position in which, at a distance from a puncturing element in the form of a hollow pin 523 , it is in contact with a second engaging arm 522 which extends further downwards than the first engaging arm 521 . In this storage position the first engaging arm 521 engages in a tapered section of the vial and thereby prevents the vial from being removed from the chimney. Through renewed downwards pressure with increased force on the vial the second engaging arm 522 can be pressed elastically outwards via an angled surface formed on it so that the vial reaches a removal position, in which the pin punctures the septum seal. The vial is then fixed in the removal position by the second flexible engaging arm 522 . In this way it is possible to store a container with a closure that can be punctured on the container holder without the closure being able to be accidentally punctured or the container able to fall out of the holder. In its lower section the container holder 510 is similar in structure to container holder 310 . The fourth container unit 600 again comprises a container holder 610 with an upwardly directed holding area 620 which in this case is designed as an elongated cylindrical chamber 621 with a moveable sealing plunger 622 therein. In the chamber 621 a glass ampoule is 630 is accommodated which through pressing on the plunger 622 can be pushed onto a ramp 623 in order to shear off the tip of the ampoule. Apart from this the container holder 610 is again similar in structure to the container holder 310 . In order to fill both reservoirs 111 , 112 the applicator 100 is attached to the applicator holder with the plunger 121 , 122 fully inserted. For this the applicator is pushed along a fastening direction B ( FIG. 5 ) into the fastening area 220 . The applicator can already be pre-mounted on the applicator holder by the manufacturer. A container unit is pushed onto each of the two opposite sides of the basic body 210 . In the example in FIGS. 3 and 4 these are the first container unit 300 which is pushed on along a first connection direction V 1 , and the second container unit 400 which is pushed on along a second connection direction V 2 . The connection directions V 1 and V 2 are antiparallel to each other, i.e. directed oppositely along the same axis, and perpendicular to the fastening direction B. When the container holders 310 , 410 are pushed on, they surround the basic body 210 from two opposite sides and cover its upper side completely ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ). Towards the bottom too the basic body is largely covered by both container holders in the areas outside the fastening area 220 . In the mounted state the two container holders are in contact with each other. The engaging arm 312 of the first container holder 310 projects into a push-in area 413 ( FIG. 1 ) in the interior of the second container holder 410 , whereas, inversely, the engaging arm 412 of the second container holder 410 projects into the interior of the first container holder 310 . Each of the engaging arms is fixed by its engaging lug in a corresponding recess on the inner side of the outer wall of the other container holder ( FIG. 6 ). In this position each of the inlet connections 211 projects into the corresponding outlet opening 311 , 411 of the relevant container holder and is sealed vis-à-vis the container holder by the corresponding O-ring 230 . In this way a continuous, externally sealed fluid connection is produced between the syringe 330 and the first reservoir 111 and between the tube 430 and the second reservoir 112 . The plunger unit 120 is then retracted in order to remove the fluids from the two containers 330 , 340 separately and simultaneously and to transfer them into the reservoirs 111 , 112 . Thanks to the compact design of the filling device with short channels only a small quantity of each fluid in the filling device is lost (low dead volume). By pressing on the press wings 223 the applicator 100 is now released from the filling device. An accessory component, e.g. a mixer or a sprayer, can then be connected to the applicator and the fluids can be discharged from the applicator through the accessory component. If a fluid is to be taken up into the applicator from a different type of container, instead of the first and/or second container unit 300 , 400 a different container unit, e.g. the third or fourth container unit 500 , 600 or a container unit with yet another type of container is simply fastened to the applicator holder. In this way the greatest possible freedom in selecting the containers to be used for the components is assured. For the sake of completeness some additions to the container holder 510 are set out below. Abstractly expressed the container holder 510 provides an example of an adapter-like device for removing a fluid from a container sealed with a closure that can be punctured, which allows the container to be stored on the device without accidentally opening the container. Such a device can be considered as a separate aspect of the present invention, which is independent of the other aspects described above. In accordance with this aspect a device for removing a fluid from at least one container sealed with a closure that can be punctured, more particularly a vial, is disclosed which comprises: a body in which an inlet opening and an outlet opening are formed which are connected by a fluid channel; a hollow needle-like puncturing element connected to the inlet opening in order to puncture the closure of the container, more particularly a septum seal when the container is in the removal position; and a container holder connected to the body in order to hold the container on the device. In order to also hold the container securely on the device before puncturing of the closure and to prevent accidental puncturing, the container holder has a first catch structure for fixing the container in a storage position in which the container is further from the basic body than in the removal position (and in which the closure is therefore not already punctured) by way of a releasable snap-type connection. Preferably the container is also fixed in the removal position, and for this the container holder then has a second catch structure to fix the container in the removal position by way of a snap-type connection. The catch structures can interact directly or indirectly with the container. Thus, for example, the container can be pushed directly into the container holder wherein the catch structures directly engage on a corresponding retention structure, e.g. a tapered section of the container, or the container can be held on a separate holder, which can be pushed into or onto the container holder, wherein the catch structures of the container holder interact with a corresponding retention structure of the holder. It is also conceivable that the container holder only has one single catch structure, while the container of the holder has two retention structures, wherein in the storage position the first of these retention structures interacts with the (single) catch structure, while in the removal position the second of these retention structures interacts with the catch structure. Each of the catch structures is preferably designed as follows: the container holder has a preferably at least partially cylindrical defining wall, which can have a single cutout or multiple cutouts. The first catch structure and the second catch structure each have a spring arm formed in the defining wall, at the free end of which an engaging lug is provided which extends into the interior of the defining wall. This makes for a simple and cost-effective manufacturing process. The catch structures are preferably offset with regard to the circumferential direction of the defining wall, e.g. next to each other or offset by approximately 180°, i.e. diametrically opposite each other in order to take up the smallest possible space while retaining the greatest possibly stability of the container holder. While the invention has been described above with the aid of an exemplary embodiment, the invention is not at all restricted to the above exemplary embodiment, and a large number of modifications are possible. Thus, instead of an applicator of the type set out here, other types of applicator can of course be used, e.g. an applicator as illustrated in WO 2009/144085 or WO 2007/109915. Conventional double syringes or individual syringes combined into a unit can also be used. Accordingly it is also possible to design the applicator connection in a different manner. More particularly, the distances between the outlets of the applicator can be selected differently as required, more particularly as greater than in the exemplary embodiments illustrated here. While the method of fastening the applicator to the applicator holder shown here is advantageous, another type of fastening between the filling device and the applicator can be selected, e.g. a conventional Luer connection. In other embodiments the applicator can only have one reservoir and accordingly only one single container holder is then present. A large number of further modifications are possible.

A modular filling device for filling at least a first reservoir ( 111 ) of an applicator ( 100 ) with a fluid is proposed. The filling device comprises a container holder ( 310 ) with a holding area ( 320 ) on which a container ( 330 ) is held. The applicator is mounted along a securing direction on an applicator holder ( 200 ). In order to permit the greatest possible flexibility in the choice of the container, the container holder ( 310 ) can be connected to the applicator holder ( 200 ) along a connecting direction that runs transversely with respect to the securing direction for the applicator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] A method of manufacturing a TFT panel, and more particularly, to a method of manufacturing a LTPS TFT OLED panel. [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004] In general, low temperature poly crystalline silicon thin film transistor (LTPS TFT) array manufacturing needs about six to nine photo-masks to process a photolithograph etching process, which is more complex than five photo-masks required to manufacture the hydrogenated amorphous silicon thin film transistor (α-Si:H TFT). In addition, the active matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) needs seven to ten photo-masks, because of the need to manufacture an LTPS TFT array and a pixel define layer (PDL). [0005] Please refer to FIG. 1 . FIG. 1 is schematic diagram of a traditional OLED TFT structure. In the prior art, a glass substructure 102 is provided, with an insulator layer 104 and amorphous silicon film (not shown) deposited on the glass substructure 102 . The amorphous silicon film then re-crystallizes to polycrystalline silicon after an excimer laser annealing (ELA) process. Then, an active layer 106 pattern is etched on the polycrystalline silicon, and a gate insulator layer 108 is deposited on the active layer 106 and the insulator layer 104 . [0006] Moreover, a gate metal 110 is etched by a metal etching process, a second mask, and a second PEP. The gate metal 100 is a self-alignment mask and the boron ion doping process proceeds on the active layer 106 , forming a source 103 and a drain 105 on the corresponding sides of the gate metal 110 . In the prior art, a capacitance (Cst) 113 is formed on a poly silicon lower panel 107 , the gate insulator layer 108 and a metal upper panel 111 by the above-mentioned first PEP and the second PEP individually. Then, an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) 112 is deposited on the glass substructure 102 to cover the gate metal 110 , the metal upper panel 111 , and the gate insulator layer 108 . The particle ILD and the gate insulator layer 108 of the source 103 and the drain 105 are then removed by a third photo-mask and a third PEP to define a corresponding via hole 115 . Furthermore, a metal forming process is performed utilizing a fourth photo-mask, and the fourth mask etches a data line and a drain metal on the via hole 115 of metal layer 114 for electrically contacting the source 103 and the drain 105 . A flat passivation layer 116 is forming on the metal layer 114 and the ILD 112 using a fifth photo-mask and a fifth PEP, and the passivation layer 116 on the metal layer 114 which electrically contacts the drain 105 is removed. An ITO transparent electrode film (not shown) is formed on the passivation layer 116 , and a sixth photo-mask and a sixth PEP are used to define a suitable shape for the transparent electrode 118 . Then, a pixel define layer (PDL) 120 is doped and is etched by a seven photo-mask and a seven PEP. Finally, a LED (not shown) is formed on the transparent electrode 118 to complete the traditional OLED panel 100 . [0007] In the prior art, seven photo-masks are needed to complete the above-mentioned OLED. The process is complex and the use of too many masks increases the cost and increases the misalignment, thereby decreasing the yield. That is why decreasing the number of the photo-masks is an important issue in the monitor manufacturing industry. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an AMOLED to solve the above-mentioned problems. [0009] The present invention provides an embodiment relating to a method of manufacturing an AMOLED panel. The method comprises providing a substrate, forming a TFT on the substrate, forming an inter-layer insulator layer, forming a plurality of via holes, forming a metal layer which electrically contacts a source and a drain, and forming a transparent electrode, a pixel define layer and a LED. [0010] The present invention omits the passivation layer, dopes the transparent electrode on the metal layer and the ILD, and needs only six photo-masks. If the metal layer and the transparent electrode are made by the same PEP, the present invention only needs five photo-masks. Therefore, the present invention could decrease costs and simplify the manufacturing process. [0011] These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] FIG. 1 is schematic diagram of a traditional OLED TFT structure. [0013] FIGS. 2 to 6 are schematic diagrams of manufacturing an AMOLED according to the present invention. [0014] FIG. 7 is schematic diagram of forming the transparent electrode and metal layer using the same photo-mask according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0015] Please refer to FIGS. 2 to 6 . FIGS. 2 to 6 are schematic diagrams of manufacturing an AMOLED according to the present invention. Firstly, FIG. 2 illustrates providing a glass substructure 202 as a lower base, forming a buffer insulator layer 204 and an amorphous silicon film (not shown) on the glass substructure 202 , shooting lasers and annealing, such that the amorphous silicon film (not shown) becomes a polycrystalline silicon film. A desired pattern is then etched on an active layer 206 utilizing a first photo-mask and a first PEP, wherein each pixel area forms a poly silicon lower panel 207 as a result of the first PEP. [0016] Please refer to FIG. 3 , a gate insulator layer 208 deposited on the active layer 206 and the buffer insulator layer 204 . Then, a first metal film (not shown) is deposited on the gate insulator layer 208 using a second photo-mask and a second PEP forms patterns of a scan line (not shown), a gate metal 210 , and a metal upper panel 211 . A capacitance (Cst) 213 forms from the poly silicon lower panel 207 , the gate insulator layer 208 and the metal upper panel 211 . After that, the gate metal 210 is used as a self-alignment mask for performing a boron ion doping process, and the result forms a source 203 and drain 205 on the corresponding sides of the gate metal 210 . Moreover, a silica or sensitization material is smeared on the gate metal 210 , the metal upper panel 211 , and the gate insulator layer 208 through a spin on glass (SOG) process, which forms a flat inter-layer dielectric (ILD) 212 . Because of the SOG process, a drive array of the lower base has a better flat effect and the organic material ladder cover is better, too. [0017] Please refer to FIG. 4 , which illustrates removing partial of the ILD 212 and the gate insulator layer 208 on the source 203 and drain 205 using a third photo-mask and a third PEP. Please refer FIG. 5 , which illustrates performing a second metal film etching process using a fourth photo-mask and a fourth PEP to etch a data line and a metal layer 214 on a via hole 215 surface, where the data line and the metal layer 214 electrically contact the source 203 and the drain 205 individually. Then, ITO or IZO is formed as a transparent electrode layer (not shown) on the metal layer 214 and the ILD 212 , using a fifth photo-mask and a fifth PEP for defining a suitably shaped transparent electrode 218 . [0018] Please refer to FIG. 6 , which illustrates spinning on glass (SOG) by silica smearing a pixel define layer (PDL) 220 on the metal layer 214 , the transparent electrode 218 and the ILD 212 , using a sixth photo-mask and a sixth PEP to form a suitably shaped pixel define layer 220 . Finally, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) is formed on the transparent electrode 218 to complete the OLED panel 600 . Of note, if the transparent electrode 218 cover of this embodiment is wider than the metal layer 214 which electrically contacts the drain 205 , the light of the OLED 222 emits up and down to be a bottom emission LED panel or a top and bottom emission OLED. [0019] Otherwise, please refer to FIG. 7 . FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of forming the transparent electrode and metal layer using the same photo-mask according to the second embodiment. The difference between the second embodiment and the above-mentioned embodiment is the use of the same fourth photo-mask and fourth PEP after forming a metal layer 714 and a transparent electrode 718 to etch the data line and the same pattern of the metal layer 714 and the transparent electrode 718 . In addition, the metal layer 714 and the transparent electrode 718 electrically contact the source 203 and the drain 205 . Because of the transparent electrode 718 and the metal layer 714 having the same shape and the metal layer having a reflective effect, the metal layer 714 reflects the LED light to form a top emission LED panel. Finally, the pixel define layer and LED are formed in the same way as mentioned above. Thus, the second embodiment only needs five masks. [0020] Compared to the prior art, the present invention omits the passivation layer, dopes the transparent electrode on the metal layer and the ILD, and needs only six photo-masks. If the metal layer and the transparent electrode are made by the same PEP, the present invention only needs five photo-masks. Since the number of the photo-mask is less than the prior art, the present invention is able to decrease manufacturing costs and simplify the manufacturing process. In addition, the present invention can be applied in a low temperature polycrystalline silicon TFT (LTPS TFT) array LCD panel manufacturing process. This not only simplifies the photo-mask, but also forms the reflecting, penetrating or half-reflecting-half-penetrating LCD using different corresponding positions of the metal layer and the transparent electrode. [0021] Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.

The present invention relating to a method of manufacturing an AMOLED panel. The method comprises providing a substrate, forming a TFT on the substrate, forming an inter-layer insulator layer, forming a plurality of via holes, forming a metal layer which electrically contacts a source and a drain, forming a transparent electrode, a pixel define layer and a LED. Because the present invention omits a passivation layer, the cost decreases and the process is simpler.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This application is a Continuation of International PCT/FI00/00883 filed Oct. 12, 2000 which designated the U.S. and was published under PCT Article 21(2) in English. [0002] The invention relates to a transfer belt for a paper machine, the transfer belt comprising a base structure, a fibre batt layer attached to the base structure and arranged to face the fibre web, and a polymer matrix arranged at least on the fibre batt layer side to impregnate the fibre batt layer, the fibres batts extending to the surface of the polymer matrix on the belt surface facing the fibre web. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Transfer belts coated with a polymer or those impregnated throughout with a polymer material have been disclosed in various publications, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,483,745; 4,976,821; 4,500,588; and 4,529,643. In addition, such belts have been described in Finnish Patents 64959 and 64960. [0004] This kind of a transfer belt is typically made by coating a conventional support structure with a polymer material, or by filling the fabric structure entirely with the polymer material. It is also known to impregnate so-called paper machine felt, i.e. to needle a fibre batt layer onto a woven structure, with a polymer material. [0005] A transfer belt is used for transferring the fibre web for example from a press felt or a press fabric forward to a press nip, for transferring it from the press nip onward and finally for transferring the fibre web to another texture or belt. The transfer belt can also be used for other purposes in the paper machine to transfer the fibre web from one process stage to another. A typical feature in these applications is that the fibre web follows more easily a surface to which the force caused by water contained in the fibre web best attaches the web. Therefore the fibre web follows most easily a substantially smooth surface impermeable to water and/or air. An essential problem is that it is difficult to detach the fibre web from this kind of known surface structure, particularly when the fibre web is still wet. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a transfer belt which has suitable surface properties allowing the fibre web to be detached from the belt in a desired manner and ensuring, at the same time, an advantageous transfer belt behaviour during the pressing stage. [0007] The transfer belt of the invention is characterized in that the transfer belt surface facing the fibre web is provided with hydrophilic and, correspondingly, hydrophobic areas and that the hydrophilic and hydrophobic areas are formed by providing the fibre batt layer of the transfer belt with at least two fibres having different surface properties. [0008] An essential idea of the invention is that the transfer belt surface facing the fibre web is made of a fibre layer impregnated with a polymer and comprising fibres of different surface properties. The fibres may differ from one another with respect to their polarity, hydrophilicity, electric charge, surface energy, friction properties or porosity, the transfer belt surface being thus provided with areas having different properties. Another essential idea of the invention is that the surface is ground to be suitably smooth, the fibres on the surface maintaining, however, a certain micro-roughness on it. This roughness can be controlled not only by the roughness of the abrasive means but also by the degree of fineness of the fibre. Hence, when the transfer belt is subjected to compression, the surface becomes smooth and the water included in the fibre web forms a film which spreads evenly onto the surface. Correspondingly, when the compression ceases, the micro-roughness of the surface is restored and the water film breaks into drops. The water then enters the hydrophilic areas and leaves the hydrophobic areas. As a result, the fibre web is no longer firmly attached to the transfer belt, but it can be easily detached from it. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] The invention will be described in greater detail in the accompanying drawing, in which [0010] [0010]FIG. 1 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of a transfer belt structure of the invention, and [0011] [0011]FIG. 2 is a schematic, enlarged top view of the surface of the transfer belt of the invention in its non-compressed form. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0012] [0012]FIG. 1 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of a transfer belt structure of the invention. The transfer belt 1 comprises a base structure 2 , which may be any ordinary woven or non-woven texture. The base structure 2 has batt fibres 3 needled thereto to form a fibre batt layer onto its outer surfaces. In addition, the transfer belt 1 further comprises a polymer material 4 applied to the belt surface facing the fibre web, i.e. the upper surface in the Figure, to impregnate the fibre batt layer of the belt. The polymer matrix 4 thus formed is then ground so that an outer surface of a desired roughness is obtained, the batt fibres extending to the surface of the polymer layer. The transfer belt is most preferably ground so that its roughness value Rz>2 μm to allow a sufficient degree of roughness to be obtained. To allow the desired properties to be achieved in the manufacture of the transfer belt, the fibre batt layer is made by mixing together suitable fibres which are selected on the basis of their hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity, resistance to wear, degree of fineness, etc. so that suitably differing properties will be obtained. These different fibres can be mixed together in a suitable manner and then attached to the base structure for example by needling, as a result of which a suitable distribution of different fibres is produced. Next, at least the transfer belt layer facing the fibre web is entirely impregnated with the polymer material. Finally, the polymer layer is ground to a suitable roughness, whereby fibres are exposed on the surface of the transfer belt. The structure thus formed provides a transfer belt surface having suitably alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic areas, the transfer belt therefore behaving in a desired manner during stages of compression and non-compression alike. [0013] [0013]FIG. 2, in turn, shows an embodiment of a transfer belt surface according to the invention seen from the surface side when the transfer belt is not subjected to compression. Darkening has been used in the FIG. 2 to distinguish areas 5 a and 5 b made of different fibres from one another, lighter areas 5 a being hydrophobic and darker areas 5 b hydrophilic. The fibre web adheres to the uniform water layers on the darker areas 5 b of the transfer belt, but tends to detach from areas 5 a due to their water-repellent properties. Hence the fibre web does not adhere firmly to the transfer belt but is easy detach from it. [0014] The fibre material to be used may vary depending on the purpose of use and the fibre web to be processed. The hydrophilic fibres that may be used include cellulose, viscose, animal fibres, polyvinyl alcohol, various polyamides, polyacrylnitrile, etc. Correspondingly, the hydrophobic fibres that may be used include fluoridated fibres, such as polytetrafluoroethylene and polyvinyliden fluoride, polyolefines, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyesters, such as polyethylene terephalatate and polybutylene terephalatate, and the like. In addition, different glass, carbon or metal fibres can be used. [0015] The fineness of the batt fibres may be for example 3.1-67 dtex, or they may even be microfibres having a fineness of less than 2 dtex. The fibres may be either of the same degree or of different degrees of fineness, and their length may be typically 10 to 150 mm before needling. When rougher fibres are used, the end result is also a rougher surface, and the web detaches more easily. Different combinations of the polymer and the fibres to be used can thus be chosen according to the purpose of use. The fibres may also have different cross-sectional profiles, for example annular or angled. Further, the outer surface of the fibres may be treated with a suitable coating agent to facilitate the manufacturing. [0016] The polymer used in the impregnation may be polyurethane, polycarbonate urethane, polyacrylate, or their mixture, or another polymer suitable for the purpose. The hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity of the polymer is preferably substantially different than that of the fibre used. [0017] In the following, two examples of possible transfer belt structures will be described. EXAMPLE 1 [0018] The transfer belt base is made of ordinary, woven press felt support fabric weighing 640 g/m 2 to which 1000 g/m 2 of fibre mixture is needled, the fibre mixture comprising 20% of 3.1 dtex UHMW-PE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) fibre and 80% of 6.7 dtex PA 6 fibre. 800 g/m 2 of the fibre is on the belt side facing the paper web and 200 g/m 2 is on the roller side of the belt. [0019] The belt side facing the paper web is impregnated with a polyurethane water dispersion, the water dispersion being treated by applying heat and a suitable agent. The belt surface is made smooth by grinding it with an abrasive paper of fineness grade 180. After the abrasion, the belt surface is provided with hydrophobic PE areas and hydrophilic PA areas, with polyurethane as the matrix. EXAMPLE 2 [0020] The support fabric described above is provided with 1000 g/m 2 fibre mixture needled thereto, the mixture comprising 34% of 3.1 dtex PA fibre, 33% of 11 dtex PA fibre and 33% of PA fibre. The belt is impregnated with a polycarbonate urethane dispersion which is treated by applying heat and a suitable agent. The surface is ground with an abrasive paper of fineness grade 60. After the abrasion, the surface has a micro-roughness provided by hydrophilic PA areas of various sizes and varying roughness, with polycarbonate urethane used as the matrix. [0021] Further, in cases where the felt structure is to be blocked by applying the polymer to one side of the felt only, it is possible to arrange a blocking layer between the support fabric and the fibre baft layer to prevent the polymer from being absorbed through the felt. The paper web side can thus be impregnated so that it is completely clogged, without the risk of the polymer penetrating entirely through the transfer belt. This kind of a blocking layer can be provided for example by means of a plastic film, a meltable non-woven fabric, or a molten fibre layer which melts into a uniform blocking layer when subjected to thermal treatment. The blocking layer in question is made of polyethylene, polypropylene, copolyamide or a similar material which melts at a low temperature. After the fibre batt layer is needled, the blocking layer still comprises through pores, but the thermal treatment to which the blocking layer material is then subjected melts the material, whereby an impervious, or at least nearly impervious, blocking layer is formed. The following example illustrates this kind of a transfer belt structure: EXAMPLE 3 [0022] A lighter support fabric weighing 500 g/m 2 is used. The fibre used may consist of the same fibre mixture as the one in Example 1. Between the support fabric and the fibre there is provided a meltable fibre, or a non-woven fabric layer, weighing 20 - 80 g/m 2 . [0023] The specification and the accompanying drawings only describe the invention with reference to an example, the invention being in no way restricted to it. An essential aspect is that the fibre batt layer attached to the woven base structure to form the transfer belt is treated with a polymer material so that at least the fibre batt layer portion facing the fibre web is impregnated with the polymer material, the surface of the polymer matrix being then ground so that the batt fibres reach the surface of the transfer belt. A test that was carried out showed that a transfer belt roughness where 2<Rz<80 μm and 1<Ra<30 μm is advantageous. Another essential aspect of the invention is that the fibre batt layer material and the polymer layer chosen for the belt are used for forming different areas having differing surface properties due to which water tends to collect in some areas of the transfer belt and to leave others, thereby allowing the fibre web to be more easily detached from the surface of the transfer belt. The polymer matrix can be formed by impregnating the fibre batt layer only on the surface facing the fibre web. Another alternative to form the matrix is to impregnate a thicker portion of the transfer belt, or the entire transfer belt. The impregnating layer can also be formed on both surfaces of the transfer belt in such a way that the belt's core portion is left unimpregnated.

Transfer belt for a paper machine, comprising a base structure ( 2 ) and a fiber batt layer ( 3 ) attached to the base structure and facing the fiber web. At least the fiber batt layer side of the belt is provided with a polymer matrix ( 4 ) impregnating the fiber batt layer ( 3 ). According to the idea of the invention, the transfer belt fiber batt layer comprises at least two fibers with different surface properties, the transfer belt surface facing the fiber web being thus provided with hydrophilic and, correspondingly, hydrophobic areas. The fibers in the fiber batt layer may differ from one another with regard to their polarity, hydrophilicity, electric charge, surface energy, friction properties, degree of fineness or porosity.

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST The invention described was made in the performance of official duties by one or more employees of the Department of the Navy, and thus, the invention herein may be manufactured, used or licensed by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor. BACKGROUND The invention relates generally to tiles for body armor. In particular, the invention relates to interlocking tiles to provide protection from small arms fire with improved flexibility. During combat and insurgency patrol, military personnel can be subject to small-arms fire from gun-fired projectile rounds, as well as blast and fragmentation from grenades, designed to attack flesh. Personnel struck by such weapons can suffer serious or even mortal injury. To reduce vulnerability to combatants from such lethal contacts, wearable personnel armor, such as a vest with resistant-fiber mesh, has been developed. Further improvements have integrated high strength intermediary materials to further absorb or deflect kinetic impacts. Such measures have added weight and reduced flexibility for personnel so clad. Conventional tactical body armor within the United States armed forces consists of small arms protective insert (SAPI) and Enhanced SAPI (ESAPI) ceramic trauma plates. The plates vary in performance where the SAPI plates are capable of defeating M80 ball rounds and the ESAPI is capable of defeating 0.30 caliber M2AP rounds. The plates are inserted within an interceptor vest which is capable of stopping 9 mm×19 mm handgun bullets. Conventional ESAPI/SAPI plates are comparatively large and bulky, and additionally limit flexibility of the wearer. SUMMARY Conventional body armor yield disadvantages addressed by various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In particular, various exemplary embodiments provide an angled hexagonal tile (AHT) to incorporate as an interleaving arrayed plurality for a personnel armor clothing article. The plurality for the array is adhered onto a liner substrate. The AHT includes a hexagonally-symmetric solid object composed of a homogeneous material. The object includes a geometry that has obverse and reverse planar surfaces parallel to each other and separated by a thickness. Each planar surface has triangularly disposed terminals. Each obverse terminal is angularly offset to an adjacent reverse terminal. In exemplary embodiments, the terminals on each corresponding planar surface have a length between a vertex at a first terminal and a center-point between second and third terminals. A first triple set of obverse-facing oblique surfaces is disposed between the obverse and reverse planar surfaces. Each obverse-facing oblique surface connects an obverse center-point on the obverse planar surface and a corresponding reverse terminal on the reverse planar surface. A second triple set of reverse-facing oblique surfaces is disposed between the obverse and reverse planar surfaces. Each reverse-facing oblique surface connects an obverse terminal on the obverse planar surface and a corresponding reverse center-point on the reverse planar surface. A plurality of facets is disposed substantially perpendicular to the planar surfaces. The facets connect between edges of the planar surfaces and adjacent edges of the oblique surfaces. The first and second triple sets of oblique surfaces are disposed to alternate with each other. In various embodiments, the object is composed of ceramic. In alternate embodiments, the planar surfaces form a contiguous triangular arrangement of hexagons. In other embodiments, these surfaces form a triangular boundary terminated by elongated octagons. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and various other features and aspects of various exemplary embodiments will be readily understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like or similar numbers are used throughout, and in which: FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first tile configuration; FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an array of first tiles; FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a second tile configuration; and FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an array of second tiles. DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized, and logical, mechanical, and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. Exemplary embodiments provide an interlocking tile geometry that improves protection of a surface otherwise vulnerable to kinetic collision, such as from bullet impact. Such tiles can be arranged between substrate layers to provide contiguous yet flexible shock-absorbent material in a wearable clothing article, such as in a jacket to protect the wearer's torso. The layers can represent a variety of woven fabrics, such as aramid Kevlar® and high-modulus polyethylene Spectra®. The tile design corresponds to a hexagonally symmetric form to represent an angled hexagonal tile (AHT) geometry. The AHTs provide three advantages including: (a) angled interfaces that reduce interstitial vulnerability from conventional tiles, (b) force distribution enhances multi-impact capability by reduced damage propagation, and (c) adhesion to one surface of the AHTs to a flexible fabric facilitates flexibility with an integrated and contiguous area of body protection from blunt force trauma. FIG. 1 shows an isometric view 100 of a first tile configuration 110 for an AFT. A compass rose 115 shows Cartesian orientation of the first AHT 110 with x and z directions representing the facial x-z plane parallel to the surface to be shielded, and y direction denoting thickness. View 100 shows an obverse planar surface 120 (normal upward relative to y) parallel to a reverse planar surface 125 (normal downward relative to y). These planar surfaces 120 and 125 reveal a contiguous regular tri-hexagonal form. Triple upward-facing oblique rectangular wedges 130 concatenate alternatingly with counterpart triple downward-facing oblique rectangular wedges 135 . Obverse-adjacent triangular edge facets 140 , 145 , 150 and 155 interweave the wedges 130 and 135 with the obverse surface 120 . Similarly, reverse-adjacent triangular edge facets 160 , 165 , 170 and 175 interweave the wedges 130 and 135 with the reverse surface 125 . These triangular facets are substantially perpendicular to the planar surfaces 120 and 125 and thereby at least approximately parallel to y. The planar surfaces 120 and 125 feature three outward obtuse tips 180 flanked by six adjacent obtuse vertices 185 , such that three inverse divots 190 are disposed therebetween. Effectively, tips 180 and the divots 190 yield overlapping triangles that form a Star-of-David on the planar surface 120 . Thickness of the tile 110 between the planar surfaces 120 and 125 is denoted as height H and for exemplary personnel armor can vary based on threat assessments. Expected thickness range between ¼ inch and ⅝ inch. The example height illustrated in view 100 constitutes 0.50 inch (1.27 cm). Distance along the obverse surface 120 between a first tip 180 and its opposite divot 190 on the obverse surface 120 is denoted as length L, which for exemplary personnel armor can vary between one inch and five inches, depending on requirements. The example length in view 100 measures 1.25 inch (3.175 cm). The interface angle θ between the divot 190 on the obverse surface 120 and the adjacent tip 180 on the reverse surface 125 can vary from ten degrees to sixty degrees. The example angle in view 100 is 50.19442891° (0.87606 radian). The tips 180 on the obverse surface 120 and the tips 180 on the reverse surface 125 are angularly offset. In the configuration shown, this phase offset is 180° (π radians) between the corresponding obverse and reverse tips 180 . FIG. 2 shows an isometric view 200 of an array 210 of the first AHTs 110 connected together by interleaving facets. The obverse surfaces 120 and select wedges 130 and 135 along the edge are illustrated. Of the seven tiles 110 depicted, the fore unit 220 presents one tip 180 facing right, with aft unit 230 , starboard unit 240 and port unit 250 sharing edges, along with a rear unit 260 behind the port unit 250 . Edge transitions along the obverse surfaces 120 include corners at tip-to-divot 270 , vertex-to-divot 275 , and vertices junction 280 . Fore and aft units 220 and 230 connect with the tip-to-divot 270 . Fore and port units 220 and 250 connect with the tip-to-divot 275 . At their adjacent vertices 185 , the port, aft and rear units 230 , 250 and 260 connect together at their common junction 280 . Similarly, complementary wedges 130 and 135 on adjacent tiles 110 face each other, as do triangular facets 140 with complements 150 , along with facets 145 with 155 , facets 160 with 170 and facets 165 with 175 . FIG. 3 shows an isometric view 300 of a second tile configuration 310 for the AHT. A compass rose 315 shows orientation of the second AHT 310 similarly as rose 115 . View 300 shows an obverse planar surface 320 (normal upward relative to y) parallel to a reverse planar surface 325 (normal downward relative to y). These planar surfaces 320 and 325 reveal a contiguous triple elongated-octagon form. Triple upward-facing oblique rectangular wedges 330 concatenate alternatingly with counterpart triple downward-facing oblique rectangular wedges 335 . Obverse-adjacent triangular edge facets 340 , 345 , 350 and 355 interweave the wedges 330 and 335 with the obverse surface 320 . Similarly, reverse-adjacent triangular edge facets 360 , 365 , 370 and 375 interweave the wedges 330 and 335 with the reverse surface 325 . These obverse-adjacent and reverse-adjacent triangular facets are substantially parallel to y, and join at the intersections with their associated wedges 330 and 335 . The planar surfaces 320 and 325 feature three outward edges 380 joined at chamfered sides of the facets by three inward edges 390 . Effectively, centers of the outward edges 380 and the inward edges 390 yield overlapping triangles that form a Star-of-David on the planar surface 320 . FIG. 4 shows an isometric view 400 of an array 410 of the second AHTs 310 . A compass rose 415 shows orientation of the assembly 410 with normal to the planar surfaces 320 parallel to the y-direction. The identified tiles 310 include left upper unit 420 , right upper unit 430 , center unit 440 and right lower unit 450 . Edges of units 430 , 440 and 450 join together at a junction point 460 between the edges 380 and 390 . Arrays 210 and 410 enable force absorption from kinetic impact onto obverse surfaces 120 and 320 by momentary flexing, coupled with the plastic deformation of individual tiles 110 and 310 . In particular, flexing constitutes angular separation of the respective constituent tiles 110 and 310 from their neighbors. For example for view 200 , striking the aft unit 230 causes its downward deflection in the −y direction (see rose 115 ). The adjacent units, including 220 , 250 and 260 , are constrained laterally by their substrate layers (not shown), and thus deflect by tilting, while maintaining protection against subsequent impacts without serious gaps. Type of AHT deformation depends on composition material. The AHT can be considered to be a homogeneous substantially isotropic material. Ceramic units, such as boron carbide (B 4 C) and silicon carbide (SiC), can fracture under high compressive and shear loads. Ceramic material can also include boron carbide derivatives, such as boron carbide nitride, poly(6-cyclooctenyldecaborane) and poly(6-norbornenyldecaborane). Other more ductile materials (e.g., metals) can plastically deform without shattering, but at lower yield strengths than typical for ceramics. To enable the development of flexible body armor that reduces blunt force trauma from a projectile strike, reduces vulnerabilities from interstitial joints, benefits from decreased weight, and increases multi-hit capability over conventional designs. The force from bullet impact against an angled hexagonal tile matrix is distributed across multiple tiles while still enabling each individual tile to flex. In addition, the angled sides reduce the vulnerabilities of the joining seams, where the angled joints can either deflect or dissipate incident threats. Based on desire to reduce weight, increase multi-hit capability, and enhance flexibility, the AHT has been designed to satisfy these requirements. The first AHT design modifies geometry relative to the second AHT design, thereby simplifying the production, lowering the cost, and minimizing the number of interface surfaces to improve the transmission of shock waves across each other, instead of the wearer. The AHT objects can replace the conventional SAPI/ESAPI plates with the ceramic AHTs, forming equivalent surface area coverage but with fewer gaps for improved bodily protection. Preferably, the ceramic materials are composed of either boron carbide or silicon carbide, and can be manufactured to near theoretical maximum density to provide optimal material properties. Alternative ceramics can be used, including compositions that derive from boron carbide. The ceramic AHT units are joined together in an array and adhered to a spall liner fabric substrate. After adhesion to the liner, the AHTs 110 and/or 310 can optionally be encapsulated within polyurea foam. This technique is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2012/0312150, incorporated by reference in its entirety. The exemplary AHTs can be integrated into the body armor system similar to the current SAPI/ESAPI plates as inserts. For each exemplary first AHT 110 , the six peripheral faces 130 and 135 are angularly disposed in relation to the nominal hexagonal orientation, with each AHT 110 having three positively angled wedges 130 and three negatively angled wedges 135 alternating symmetrically back and forth along the periphery. The adherence of the reverse surface 125 to the spall liner inhibits lateral tile movement. In response to kinetic impact, the AHTs 110 direct force on each neighboring tile through the angled wedges 130 and 135 , enabling the impact energy to be distributed across all of the AHTs 110 . The angled wedges also reduce the interstitial vulnerability at seams between tiles 110 by eliminating straight-through points. This similarly applies to the second AHT 310 . While certain features of the embodiments of the invention have been illustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the embodiments.

An interleaving hexagonal tile (AHT) is provided for incorporation onto a liner in an array for a personnel armor clothing article. The AHT includes a hexagonally-symmetric solid object composed of a homogeneous material. The object includes a geometry that has obverse and reverse planar surfaces parallel to each other. Each planar surface has triangularly disposed terminals. First and second triple sets of oblique surfaces are disposed between the obverse and reverse planar surfaces. A plurality of facets is disposed substantially perpendicular to the planar surfaces. The facets connect between edges of the planar surfaces and adjacent edges of the oblique surfaces. The first and second triple sets of oblique surfaces are disposed to alternate with each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/053,061, filed May 14, 2008. That application is hereby fully incorporated by reference herein. BACKGROUND [0002] The present disclosure relates generally to an inflatable, substantially oval or oblong sportsball, such as a football, for competitive play. In particular, the football is configured so that it has improved spiral rotation when thrown, kicked, etc. [0003] A football is an inflated oval ball made of a bladder encased usually in leather, rubber, or plastic. It is used for throwing and kicking in the games of rugby and football, such as American style or Canadian football. [0004] A football has a generally prolate spheroid shape defined by a major axis and a minor axis, with lacing on one side of the ball. To obtain maximum distance and/or precision, a football is preferably thrown to rotate about its major axis. Such spiral rotation increases the stability of the football's flight path and the distance traveled for a given amount of energy. However, throwing a spiral is a somewhat difficult skill to learn and/or reproduce repetitively. A poorly thrown ball is evident in its wobbly flight, travels a shorter distance than could otherwise be obtained, is less accurate, and is more difficult to catch. [0005] A sportsball that can enhance the distance thrown, kicked, etc. and improve the desired flight path, even when thrown, kicked etc. by one of lesser skill, is desirable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION [0006] Disclosed, in various embodiments, are non-uniformly configured sportsballs, such as perimeter weighted footballs. The sportsballs can spiral better when launched, thereby increasing their potential travel distance and/or accuracy. Methods of making and/or using such sportsballs are also disclosed. [0007] In embodiments, a sportsball is disclosed having a major axis and a minor axis. Two planes which are perpendicular to the major axis are located equally distant from the center of the major axis so as to divide the sportsball into a middle portion and two end portions. The middle portion has a middle portion weight and a middle portion length, and each end portion has an end portion weight and an end portion length. The ratio of (middle portion weight/middle portion length) to (end portion weight/end portion length) is at least 2, including 2.1. [0008] In further embodiments, the ratio of (middle portion weight/middle portion length) to (end portion weight/end portion length) for the sportsball may be at least 2.2, at least 2.5, or from 2 to about 2.5. [0009] In still other embodiments, a sportsball is disclosed which has a major axis and a minor axis. Two planes which are perpendicular to the major axis are located equally distant from the center of the major axis so as to divide the sportsball into a middle portion and two end portions. The middle portion has a middle portion weight and a middle portion length, and each end portion has an end portion weight and an end portion length. The ratio of the middle portion length to the end portion length is from about 0.5 to about 0.95; and the weight of the middle portion is at least 1.5 times greater than the weight of one end portion. [0010] In further embodiments, the weight of the middle portion may be at least two times greater, at least four times greater, about five times greater, or from two times greater to about five time greater, than the weight of one end portion. [0011] In still more embodiments, a football is disclosed which has a major axis and a minor axis. Two planes which are perpendicular to the major axis are located equally distant from the center of the major axis so as to divide the football into a middle portion and two end portions. The middle portion has a middle portion weight and a middle portion length, and each end portion has an end portion weight and an end portion length. The ratio of the middle portion length to the end portion length is from about 0.5 to about 0.95; and the weight of the middle portion is at least 45% of the total weight of the football. [0012] In further embodiments, the weight of the middle portion may be at least 50%, at least 65%, or at least 70% of the total weight of the football. [0013] In additional embodiments, a bladder for a sportsball is disclosed having a major axis and a minor axis. Two planes which are perpendicular to the major axis are located equally distant from the center of the major axis so as to divide the sportsball bladder into a middle portion and two end portions. The middle portion has a middle portion weight and a middle portion length, and each end portion has an end portion weight and an end portion length. The ratio of (middle portion weight/middle portion length) to (end portion weight/end portion length) is at least 3. [0014] In other embodiments, the ratio of (middle portion weight/middle portion length) to (end portion weight/end portion length) for the bladder may be at least 5 or at least 5.5. [0015] In still other embodiments, a bladder is disclosed which has a major axis and a minor axis. Two planes which are perpendicular to the major axis are located equally distant from the center of the major axis so as to divide the bladder into a middle portion and two end portions. The middle portion has a middle portion weight and a middle portion length, and each end portion has an end portion weight and an end portion length. The ratio of the middle portion length to the end portion length is from about 0.5 to about 0.95; and the weight of the middle portion is at least four times greater than the weight of one end portion. [0016] In further embodiments, the weight of the middle portion may be about five times greater than the weight of one end portion. [0017] In yet other embodiments, a bladder is disclosed which has a major axis and a minor axis. Two planes which are perpendicular to the major axis are located equally distant from the center of the major axis so as to divide the bladder into a middle portion and two end portions. The middle portion has a middle portion weight and a middle portion length, and each end portion has an end portion weight and an end portion length. The ratio of the middle portion length to the end portion length is from about 0.5 to about 0.95; and the weight of the middle portion is at least 65% of the total weight of the bladder. [0018] In further embodiments, the weight of the middle portion may be at least 70% of the total weight of the bladder. [0019] In alternative embodiments, a casing for a sportsball is disclosed which has a major axis and a minor axis. Two planes which are perpendicular to the major axis are located equally distant from the center of the major axis so as to divide the casing into a middle portion and two end portions. The middle portion has a middle portion weight and a middle portion length, and each end portion has an end portion weight and an end portion length. The ratio of (middle portion weight/middle portion length) to (end portion weight/end portion length) is at least 3. [0020] In further embodiments, the ratio of (middle portion weight/middle portion length) to (end portion weight/end portion length) for the casing may be at least 5 or at least 5.5. [0021] In still other embodiments, a casing is disclosed which has a major axis and a minor axis. Two planes which are perpendicular to the major axis are located equally distant from the center of the major axis so as to divide the casing into a middle portion and two end portions. The middle portion has a middle portion weight and a middle portion length, and each end portion has an end portion weight and an end portion length. The ratio of the middle portion length to the end portion length is from about 0.5 to about 0.95; and the weight of the middle portion is at least four times greater than the weight of one end portion. [0022] In further embodiments, the weight of the middle portion may be about five times greater than the weight of one end portion. [0023] In yet further embodiments, a casing is disclosed which has a major axis and a minor axis. Two planes which are perpendicular to the major axis are located equally distant from the center of the major axis so as to divide the casing into a middle portion and two end portions. The middle portion has a middle portion weight and a middle portion length, and each end portion has an end portion weight and an end portion length. The ratio of the middle portion length to the end portion length) is from about 0.5 to about 0.95; and the weight of the middle portion is at least 65% of the total weight of the casing. [0024] In further embodiments, the weight of the middle portion may be at least 70% of the total weight of the casing. [0025] Sportsballs, such as footballs comprising the above-mentioned bladder and/or casing are also disclosed. [0026] Some methods of forming the disclosed bladder comprise adding a high-density filler to the middle portion of the bladder. Other methods of forming the disclosed bladder comprise adding an extra layer to the middle portion of the bladder, wherein the extra layer is made of a material having a higher density than the material from which the bladder is made. [0027] Yet other methods of forming the disclosed bladder comprise: providing a first bladder layer and a second bladder layer, the second bladder layer being dimensioned so as to fit inside the first bladder layer; joining the first bladder layer and second bladder layer using one or more seams so as to form at least one pocket; and filling the pocket with a high-density material. [0028] Some methods of forming the disclosed casing comprise adding an extra layer to the middle portion of the casing, wherein the extra layer is made of a high-density material that increases the weight of the middle portion of the casing compared to one end portion of the casing. Yet other methods of forming the disclosed casing comprise tapering the casing so the middle portion of the casing has a thickness which is greater than the thickness of one end portion of the casing. The tapering may be at a constant rate, or include a sharp transition. [0029] Disclosed in other embodiments is a sportsball having a major axis and a minor axis. Two planes which are perpendicular to the major axis are located equally distant from the center of the major axis so as to divide the sportsball into a middle portion and two end portions. The middle portion has a middle portion weight and a middle portion length, and each end portion has an end portion weight and an end portion length. The ratio of (middle portion weight/middle portion length) to (end portion weight/end portion length) is at least 2, including at least 2.1, or at least 2.5. [0030] The middle portion length may be from about 2.5 inches to about 3.5 inches. The ratio of the middle portion length to one end portion length may be from about 0.5 to about 0.95. [0031] To increase the weight of the middle portion, the middle portion may comprise a plurality of weighted strips surrounding a bladder. Each weighted strip may have a uniform thickness along its length and width. [0032] Disclosed in other embodiments is a sportsball having a major axis and a minor axis. Two planes which are perpendicular to the major axis are located equally distant from the center of the major axis so as to divide the sportsball into a middle portion and two end portions. The middle portion has a middle portion weight and a middle portion length, and each end portion has an end portion weight and an end portion length. The ratio of the middle portion length to one end portion length is from about 0.5 to about 0.95; and the weight of the middle portion is at least 1.5 times greater than the weight of one end portion. [0033] The weight of the middle portion may also be at least four times greater than the weight of one end portion, or from at least two times greater to about five times greater than the weight of one end portion. [0034] The ratio of (middle portion weight/middle portion length) to (end portion weight/end portion length) may be at least 2. [0035] The middle portion length may be from about 2.5 inches to about 3.5 inches. [0036] The middle portion may comprise a plurality of weighted strips surrounding a bladder. Each weighted strip may have a uniform thickness along its length and width. [0037] Also disclosed in embodiments is a sportsball having a major axis and a minor axis. Two planes which are perpendicular to the major axis are located equally distant from the center of the major axis so as to divide the sportsball into a middle portion and two end portions. The middle portion has a middle portion weight and a middle portion length, and each end portion has an end portion weight and an end portion length. The ratio of the middle portion length to one end portion length is from about 0.5 to about 0.95; and the weight of the middle portion is at least 45% of the total weight of the sportsball. [0038] The weight of the middle portion may be at least 65%, or even 70%, of the total weight of the sportsball bladder. [0039] The middle portion length may be from about 2.5 inches to about 3.5 inches. [0040] The middle portion may comprise a plurality of weighted strips surrounding a bladder. Each weighted strip may have a uniform thickness along its length and width. [0041] These and other non-limiting characteristics are more particularly described below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0042] The following is a brief description of the drawings, which are presented for the purpose of illustrating the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein and not for the purpose of limiting the same. [0043] FIG. 1 is an exterior view of a typical American styled football. [0044] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the same football. [0045] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional diagram of a football, football bladder, or football casing of the present disclosure. [0046] FIG. 4 is a simplified cross-sectional view from the top of a sportsball of the present disclosure. [0047] FIG. 5 is a simplified cross-sectional view from one end of a sportsball of the present disclosure, i.e. along line A-A of FIG. 4 . [0048] FIG. 6 illustrates the thickness of one variation of a weighted strip located in a weighted football of the present disclosure. [0049] FIG. 7 illustrates the thickness of another variation of a weighted strip located in a weighted football of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0050] A more complete understanding of the components, processes and apparatuses disclosed herein can be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings. These figures are merely schematic representations based on convenience and the ease of demonstrating the present disclosure, and are, therefore, not intended to indicate relative size and dimensions of the devices or components thereof and/or to define or limit the scope of the exemplary embodiments. [0051] Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of the embodiments selected for illustration in the drawings, and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the disclosure. In the drawings and the following description below, it is to be understood that like numeric designations refer to components of like function. [0052] The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (for example, it includes at least the degree of error associated with the measurement of the particular quantity). When used with a specific value, it should also be considered as disclosing that value. For example, the term “about 2” also discloses the value “2” and the range “from about 2 to about 4” also discloses the range “from 2 to 4.” [0053] Current American styled footballs may be constructed with an inflatable, generally prolate spheroid shaped bladder. The bladder is covered by a cover layer usually made from four generally oval-shaped panels which are sewn, stitched, or seamed together along their edges. If desired, additional layers may be placed between the bladder and the cover layer by the use of additional oval-shaped panels. For example, a foam layer and/or a cloth layer may also be present. One of the seams is not stitched along a central extent, thereby forming an opening to allow the bladder to be inserted within the cover layer during fabrication. After insertion, the opening is closed by the use of lacing and associated components, such as a lacing liner placed to prevent the lacing from contacting the bladder. [0054] Another means of constructing a football is through molding. Briefly, a bladder is inserted into a molding assembly along with a seam material. The molding assembly applies heat and/or pressure to mold the seam material into a cover layer having outwardly projecting seams. Cover panels are then laid in the areas between seams and lacing is applied to finish the football. This method of construction is more completely described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0129188, the disclosure of which is hereby fully incorporated by reference herein. [0055] FIG. 1 is an exterior view of a typical American football 10 . FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the same football 10 . The bladder 20 is inside the football casing 50 . Surrounding the bladder 20 is a cloth liner 22 , then a foam liner 4 , then the cover layer 30 . The cloth liner, foam liner, and cover layer are generally combined to make a panel 34 ; four panels 34 make up the football casing 50 and are used to cover the football 10 . The four panels are joined together by stitching at three edges and by a combination of stitching and lacing at the fourth edge. The lacing area includes the lacing 40 , a patch material 42 stitched to the underside of panels 34 through which lacing 40 penetrates, and a tongue 44 located between the bladder 20 and the lacing 40 which has penetrated the patch material 42 . The lacing, patch material, and tongue cause the football to be asymmetrically weighted. [0056] For purposes of this application, the term “weighted football” refers to the football without the lacing, patch material, and tongue. Put another way, the term “weighted football” refers to the combination of bladder and football casing and excludes the lacing, patch material, and tongue. The term “weighted football” also excludes any incidental weight due to air within the bladder. Weighted footballs are generally symmetrically weighted about the major axis of the football. [0057] The term “bladder” refers to the balloon located inside a football for the purpose of containing air and the layer(s) that make up that balloon. Again, the weight of any air in the bladder would not be included. [0058] The term “football casing” refers to the material which surrounds the bladder, excluding the lacing, patch material, and tongue. For example, the combination of four panels 34 is considered a football casing. As another example, when the football is made by molding, the cover layer having outwardly projecting seams plus the cover panels is considered a football casing. [0059] The weighted footballs of the present disclosure are weighted so that the middle of the weighted football is significantly heavier than the ends. This weight distribution aids the spiraling motion of the football, enhancing stability and traveling distance. The concentration of weight in the middle increases the moment of inertia about the weighted football's major axis, which helps improve the rotation of the football around that axis. [0060] Several standards for footballs are shown in the following Table 1: [0000] TABLE 1 Pee- Junior Full CFL Wee Size Size NCAA NFL Foot- Standard Football Football Football Football Football ball Minimum Minor 44.5 47 52.7 52.7 53.3 53.0 Axis Circumference (cm) Maximum Minor 46 48.3 54 54.0 54.0 53.7 Axis Circumference (cm) Minimum Major 60 64.6 70.8 70.5 71.1 70.5 Axis Circumference (cm) Maximum Major 61.5 65.9 72.9 71.8 72.4 71.8 Axis Circumference (cm) Minimum Length 24 25.7 27.6 27.6 27.9 27.9 (cm) Maximum Length 25.5 26.7 29 28.4 28.6 28.6 (cm) Minimum Weight 290 320 397 397 397 397 (g) Maximum Weight 320 350 425 425 425 425 (g) [0061] The minor axis may also be referred to as the short axis or the girth. The length refers to the length of the major axis, which may also be referred to as the long axis. Generally, the footballs of the present disclosure will still meet these standards, although differing in the weight distribution. [0062] One method of making the weighted football of the present disclosure is by providing a bladder which is preferentially weighted in its middle portion. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional diagram of a weighted football 100 , football bladder 200 , or football casing 300 of the present disclosure. All terms refer equally to the various aspects of the football, bladder, or casing. [0063] The football, bladder, or casing has a major axis 110 , a minor axis 120 , and a generally elliptical cross-section. The major axis 110 and minor axis 120 intersect at the center 130 of the football, bladder, or casing. The center 130 is also the center of the major axis and the minor axis. Two imaginary planes 140 , 145 are perpendicular to the major axis 110 and are located equally distant from the center 130 . The two planes divide the football, bladder, or casing into a middle portion 150 and two end portions 160 . The middle portion 150 has a middle portion weight 153 , while each end portion 160 has an end portion weight 163 . The two planes can also be considered as dividing the major axis 110 into a middle portion length 155 and two end portion lengths 165 . In other words, the lengths are measured parallel to the major axis. The two planes 140 , 145 are always located equidistant from the center 130 of the major axis. Put another way, the end portion lengths 165 are always the same. There are two ends 170 which are included in the end portions. The circle formed by the intersection of the minor axis with the surface of the football, bladder, or casing defines a surface center 175 . [0064] The football bladder may be weighted by providing a middle portion that has a higher weight per length value than the end portions. In embodiments, the football bladder has a ratio of (middle portion weight/middle portion length) to (end portion weight/end portion length) that is at least 3. In further embodiments, the ratio is at least 5 or at least 5.5. In some embodiments, the ratio may be at least 7 or even at least 8. [0065] Alternatively, the ratio of (middle portion length/end portion length) for the bladder is from about 0.5 to about 0.95; and the weight of the middle portion is at least four times greater than the weight of one end portion. In further specific embodiments, the ratio of (middle portion length/end portion length) is from about 0.5 to about 0.95; and the weight of the middle portion is about five times greater than the weight of one end portion. In yet further embodiments, the ratio of (middle portion length/end portion length) is from about 0.5 to about 0.7, or from about 0.8 to about 0.95. [0066] In yet other embodiments, the ratio of (middle portion length/end portion length) for the bladder is from about 0.5 to about 0.95; and the weight of the middle portion is at least 65% of the total weight of the football bladder. In more specific embodiments, the ratio of (middle portion length/end portion length) for the bladder is from about 0.5 to about 0.95; and the weight of the middle portion is at least 70% of the total weight of the football bladder. In other embodiments, the ratio of (middle portion length/end portion length) is from about 0.5 to about 0.7. In particular embodiments, the middle portion length is from about 2.5 inches to about 3.5 inches. [0067] The bladder, when properly inflated, provides the primary resilience to a finished football. The bladder can be made from latex or butyl rubber and fitted with a valve stem (not shown) for introducing air into the ball as inflated pressure to the structure. Butyl rubber bladders retain air for longer periods of time and offer an excellent combination of contact quality and air retention. Latex bladders tend to provide better surface tension, give proper bounce, feel softer, and provide same angle rebounce characteristics. Natural latex rubber bladders usually offer the softest feel and response, but do not provide the best air retention because they contain micro-pores. Micro-pores are tiny holes that slowly allow air to escape. Balls with natural rubber bladders need to be reinflated (at least once a week) more often than balls with butyl bladders (stay properly inflated for weeks at a time) due to these micro-pores. Some balls use carbon-latex bladders, where carbon powder is added to the latex to plug some of the microscopic holes that are in pure latex bladders. Carbon latex bladders retain air longer than bladders made from latex rubber. Some manufacturers also use bladders made from multiple layers of polyurethane. The bladder can be of appropriate thickness as to reasonably protect against loss of air due to puncture, temperature change, or other foreseeable occurrences. [0068] The additional weighting of the middle portion of the football bladder can be accomplished by several different means. Additional weight could be applied by, for example, adding a high-density filler, such as barium sulfate or a tungsten powder, to a polymer binder and forming the middle portion of the bladder from that high density polymer while the end portions are formed from a lower-density polymer. Similarly, additional strips, patches, or layers of higher-density material could be used to form the bladder. Some bladders are made as multi-layer concentric balloons (one balloon inside another balloon) which are joined to each other along seams that parallel the major axis. Additional seams could be used to form pockets within the bladder between balloons which are then filled with a high-density filler or liquid as well. In particular embodiments, two or more weighted strips or patches are placed around the middle portion of the bladder. The weighted strips surround the bladder, or in other words extend around the circumference of the middle portion. The gaps between the weighted strips may be located at the seams of the bladder to allow for expansion as the bladder is inflated. The thickness of the weighted strips can vary, being thickest near the middle and tapering off as they progress towards an end 170 or end portion of the bladder. The tapering may be gradual (i.e. at a constant rate from surface center 175 to end 170 ) or sharp (i.e., transitioning immediately from one thickness to a second thickness, such as near or at the intersection of the surface with the two planes 140 , 145 ). Generally, the weighted strips have a uniform thickness along their entire length and width. [0069] The fact that the middle portion is weighted compared to the end portions should not be construed as requiring the middle portion to be evenly or homogeneously weighted throughout its entirety. [0070] Another method of making the weighted football of the present disclosure is by providing a football casing which is preferentially weighted in its middle portion. Again, the football casing has the major axis 110 , a minor axis 120 , center 130 , two imaginary planes 140 , 145 , middle portion 150 and two end portions 160 , middle portion weight 153 , end portion weight 163 , middle portion length 155 , and two end portion lengths 165 as described in FIG. 3 . [0071] The football casing may be weighted by providing a middle portion that has a higher weight per length value than the end portions. In embodiments, the football casing has a ratio of (middle portion weight/middle portion length) to (end portion weight/end portion length) that is at least 3. In further embodiments, the ratio is at least 5 or at least 5.5. In other embodiments, the ratio may be at least 7 or even at least 8. [0072] Alternatively, the ratio of (middle portion length/end portion length) for the casing is from about 0.5 to about 0.95; and the weight of the middle portion is at least four times greater than the weight of one end portion. In further specific embodiments, the ratio of (middle portion length/end portion length) is from about 0.5 to about 0.95; and the weight of the middle portion is about five times greater than the weight of one end portion. In yet further embodiments, the ratio of (middle portion length/end portion length) is from about 0.5 to about 0.7, or from about 0.8 to about 0.95. [0073] In yet other embodiments, the ratio of (middle portion length/end portion length) for the casing is from about 0.5 to about 0.95; and the weight of the middle portion is at least 65% of the total weight of the football casing. In more specific embodiments, the ratio of (middle portion length/end portion length) for the casing is from about 0.5 to about 0.95; and the weight of the middle portion is at least 70% of the total weight of the football casing. In particular embodiments, the middle portion length is from about 2.5 inches to about 3.5 inches. [0074] The cover layer of the football casing is generally made from different materials, such as leather and composite material. Leather is generally used by professional athletes, and is considered best for grip, feel, and control. One disadvantage of a leather cover on a football is that the ball can be damaged if scraped against a hard surface like asphalt or concrete. Composite footballs generally attempt to simulate the look and feel of a real leather ball. They can be made of polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chlorides (PVC), natural or synthetic rubbers, synthetic composites, microfiber composites, etc. Some advantages of a composite cover are that they are durable and less expensive than a leather cover. Synthetic leather can also be made by, for example, impregnating a fibrous mat made from nylon or polyester with a coating resin such as thermoplastic rubbers, natural rubber, polyether urethanes, metallocene polyethylenes, polyureas, PVC plastisols, EPDM rubber, and the like. Some synthetic leathers suitable for the cover layer include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,838, the contents of which are hereby fully incorporated by reference herein. [0075] The foam layer and cloth layer may also be formed from materials known in the art. For example, the foam layer can be made from styrene butadiene rubber (SBR); polybutadiene rubbers; polyurethane foams; ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foams; polypropylene foams; ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM); and combinations and blends thereof. [0076] The additional weighting of the middle portion of the football casing can be accomplished by several different means. Additional strips, patches, or layers of higher-density material, made by incorporating high-density fillers into a polymeric binder, may be placed as needed to change the weight distribution. The thickness of the various layers could vary, being thickest near the middle and tapering off as the layer progresses to an end 170 of the casing. The tapering may be gradual (i.e. at a constant rate from surface center 175 to end 170 ) or sharp (i.e., transitioning immediately from one thickness to a second thickness, such as near or at the intersection of the surface with the two planes 140 , 145 ). Again, weighted strips may be part of the football casing, and the weighted strips surround the bladder. In embodiments, two or more weighted strips are used. Typically, four weighted strips are used as the football casing is generally made from four separate panels. A weighted strip is located on each panel. Generally, the weighted strips have a uniform thickness along their entire length and width. [0077] Again, the fact that the middle portion is weighted compared to the end portions should not be construed as requiring the middle portion to be evenly or homogeneously weighted throughout its entirety. [0078] A weighted football of the present disclosure could thus be made from a combination of: (a) weighted bladder plus normal football casing; (b) normal bladder plus weighted football casing; and (c) weighted bladder plus weighted football casing. Again, the weighted football has the major axis 110 , a minor axis 120 , center 130 , two imaginary planes 140 , 145 , middle portion 150 and two end portions 160 , middle portion weight 153 , end portion weight 163 , middle portion length 155 , and two end portion lengths 165 as described in FIG. 3 . The middle portion of the weighted football would include the middle portion of the bladder and the middle portion of the football casing. [0079] In embodiments, the weighted football has a ratio of (middle portion weight/middle portion length) to (end portion weight/end portion length) that is at least 2, including 2.1. In further embodiments, the ratio is at least 2.2, at least 2.5, or from at least 2 to about 2.5. [0080] Alternatively, the ratio of (middle portion length/end portion length) for the weighted football is from about 0.5 to about 0.95; and the weight of the middle portion is at least 1.5 times greater than the weight of one end portion. In further specific embodiments, the ratio of (middle portion length/end portion length) is from about 0.5 to about 0.95; and the weight of the middle portion is at least 2 times greater, at least four times greater, or about five times greater than the weight of one end portion. In another embodiment, the ratio of (middle portion length/end portion length) is from about 0.5 to about 0.95; and the weight of the middle portion is from at least 2 times greater to about five times greater than the weight of one end portion. In yet further embodiments, the ratio of (middle portion length/end portion length) is from about 0.5 to about 0.7, or from about 0.8 to about 0.95. [0081] In yet other embodiments, the ratio of (middle portion length/end portion length) for the weighted football is from about 0.5 to about 0.95; and the weight of the middle portion is at least 45% of the total weight of the weighted football. In more specific embodiments, the ratio of (middle portion length/end portion length) for the casing is from about 0.5 to about 0.95; and the weight of the middle portion is at least 50%, at least 65%, or at least 70% of the total weight of the weighted football. In other embodiments, the ratio of (middle portion length/end portion length) is from about 0.5 to about 0.7. In particular embodiments, the middle portion length is from about 2.5 inches to about 3.5 inches. [0082] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a weighted football having both a weighted bladder and a weighted football casing. FIG. 4 is a simplified cross-sectional view from the top (i.e. through the lacing) of the weighted football 100 , while FIG. 5 is a simplified cross-sectional view from one end of the weighted football 100 along line A-A of FIG. 4 . The bladder 200 has two seams 202 generally oriented at the top (i.e. where the lacing 40 is placed) and bottom. Two weighted strips 400 are placed around the bladder, with the gaps located with the bladder seams 202 . As seen in FIG. 4 , the weighted strips 400 are located in the middle portion of the football, with imaginary planes 140 , 145 shown for reference. The football casing 300 surrounds the bladder, and is made from four panels 304 . Each panel 304 includes a cloth liner 306 , a foam liner 308 , and a cover layer 310 . Four weighted strips 400 are present, one on each panel, shown here as being attached to the cloth liner 306 on the side facing the bladder 200 . The gaps between the weighted strips are located with the panel seams 302 . However, the weighted strips could be placed between any layer of the panel 304 as desired. In addition, not all layers in the panel 304 are required. For example, in some embodiments, no foam liner 308 is included. [0083] The weighted strips 400 can be considered part of the bladder or part of the casing, depending on how the football is manufactured. For example, in some embodiments, the bladder is made from a plurality of elastomeric layers, and weighted strips are located between adjacent elastomeric layers. For example, in a bladder made from four layers of polyurethane film, the weighted strips are placed between the second and third layers of film. [0084] FIGS. 6 and 7 show two variations of the weighted strip 400 . In one variation shown in FIG. 6 , the weighted strip has a relatively constant thickness, with the middle height 402 being about equal to the end height 404 . In the variation shown in FIG. 7 , the weighted strip tapers towards each end of the football, with the middle height 402 being greater than the end height 404 . [0085] The weighted strip(s) may have a length of from about 3.0 to about 7.0 inches. The strip(s) may have a width of from about 1.5 inches to about 3.5 inches, particularly a width of from about 2.5 inches to about 3.5 inches, or about 2.75 inches. The strip(s) may have a thickness of from about 0.01 inches to about 0.3 inches, particularly about 0.05 inches. Each strip may have a weight of from about 5 grams to about 25 grams, particularly from about 10 grams to about 20 grams. They are used in a quantity sufficient to add a weight of about 80 to about 90 grams to the middle section of the weighted football. Please note that the length and width orientations for the weighted strip do not necessarily correlate with the length and width orientations for the weighted football, bladder, or casing. [0086] The weighted strips, when used on the bladder, may more particularly have a length of about 6 to about 7 inches and a width of from about 1.5 to about 2 inches. Each strip may weigh about 20 grams. [0087] The weighted strips, when used on the football casing, may more particularly have a length of about 3 to about 4 inches and a width of from about 1.5 to about 2 inches. Each strip may weigh about 10 grams. [0088] In some particular embodiments, the weighted football uses two weighted strips on the bladder and four weighted strips on the football casing. [0089] The following example is provided to illustrate the weighted footballs and methods of the present disclosure. The examples are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the disclosure to the materials, conditions, or process parameters set forth therein. EXAMPLE [0090] A weighted football bladder is made and is combined with a conventional or “normal” football casing. The football bladder has a major axis length of 11.5 inches and a total weight of 166.4 grams. The end portion has a length of 4.0 inches and a weight of 24.0 grams. The middle portion has a length of 3.5 inches and a weight of 118.4 grams. The football casing has a total weight of 196.4 grams. The football itself has a total weight of 410.0 grams. The discrepancy in weight is attributed to the lacing and components which are not considered for the weighted football. [0091] Next, a weighted football casing is made and is combined with a “normal” football bladder. Again, the bladder has a total weight of 166.4 grams and the weighted casing has a total weight of 196.4 grams. The weight distribution of the football casing is the same as that of the weighted football bladder described above. [0092] For the “normal” bladder and casing, it is assumed that the weight is distributed evenly along the length of the major axis. For the weighted casing, it is assumed that the weight is distributed in the same ratio as in the weighted bladder. Table 2 provides the various ratios for these weighted football bladders, skins, and footballs. [0000] TABLE 2 Weighted Bladder or Weight per Weighted Football Length Length Length Casing Weight (g) (in) (cm) (g/cm) End 24 4 10.16 2.36 Middle Portion 118.4 3.5 8.89 13.32 Weight/Weight Ratio 4.93 (Middle/End) Weight/Length Ratio 5.64 (Middle/End) Length/Length Ratio 0.88 (Middle/End) Weight Bladder Casing Total per Weight Weight Weight Length Length (g) (g) (g) (cm) (g/cm) Weighted Bladder plus Normal Football Casing End Portion 24 68.31 92.31 10.16 9.09 Middle Portion 118.4 59.77 178.17 8.89 20.04 Weight/Weight Ratio 1.93 (Middle/End) Weight/Length Ratio 2.21 (Middle/End) Length/Length Ratio 0.88 (Middle/End) Normal Bladder plus Weighted Football Casing End Portion 57.88 28.33 86.21 10.16 8.48 Middle Portion 50.64 139.75 190.39 8.89 21.42 Weight/Weight Ratio 2.21 (Middle/End) Weight/Length Ratio 2.52 (Middle/End) Length/Length Ratio 0.88 (Middle/End) [0093] The weighted footballs and methods of the present disclosure have been described with reference to exemplary embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the exemplary embodiments be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

A sportsball, such as a football, is preferentially constructed to enhance spiral rotation when thrown or kicked, allowing enhanced stability and distance.

BACKGROUND AND FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to ground anchors as are conventionally employed for such purposes as e.g., retaining of embankments or slopes, for holding rock faces, for tying retaining wharf faces and the like more. Generally the anchor which is inserted in a bore in the ground, is firmly attached to the lowermost part of the bore wall by means of poured-in cement mixture or certain plastics or chemicals. From that body--which is thus firmly held at the bottom of the bore--there extends a shaft or a cable upwardly to the surface which shaft or cable is firmly connected with a surface element which bears against the respective surface the uppermost stratum of which is to be retained or fixedly and firmly held. There have been known also rock anchors which are commonly referred to as "dry anchors" and which are held in the rock by friction, being operated on the "rawl plug" principle. It is also known to place a ground anchor in the soil by making a bore of appropriate depth, widening the bore in its lower regions and inserting a shaft into the bore which shaft extends down to the said widened portion and then pouring a concrete mix or plastics into the bore so as to fill the said lowermost, widened portions and thus create a ground body which firmly adheres to the shaft and is securely held in the soil, since the widened portions on the cast withstand movement--such as e.g. upward pull--of the ground body. SHORT SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE The present invention--in its widest aspects provides a ground anchor which is composed of a number of components and is held in the respective bore by being expanded, i.e. by its components being moved from each other so that these components are firmly urged onto the wall of the respective bore. The element which is held in the ground after having been expanded will be referred to hereinafter as "ground element". In a practical embodiment of the invention, a ground anchor is placed in the soil by making a bore of appropriate depth, widening the bore in its lower regions, creating a cavity of suitable shape and inserting a shaft into the bore which shaft extends down to the cavity and then pouring a concrete mix, plastics or solidifying chemicals into the bore so as to fill the said lowermost, widened portions and thus create a ground body which firmly adheres to the shaft and is securely held in the soil, since the widened portions on the cast withstand movement--such as e.g. upward pull--of the ground body. In yet another practical embodiment the ground anchor may be formed by a crosswise expandable structure which comprises a shaft and depending therefrom--being hingedly connected thereto--a series of interconnected four-bar linkages, the size of each linkage in the row being greater or equal to that of the preceding one, all linkages being enclosed within a space of at least two pressure plates which are laterally movable relative to the shaft and extend within the range of the expanding four-bar linkages, means being provided for expanding the linkages crosswise relative to the shaft. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The different embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the annexed drawings. In the drawings there is shown schematically in FIG. 1, the new ground anchor in a longitudinal section, in the mechanically operated embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the same embodiment. FIG. 3 shows in longitudinal section, both the embodiments which are hydraulically and pneumatically operated. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pneumatically or hydraulically operated embodiment. FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate by way of schematical, axial section view of bores, with ground anchors inserted, while FIGS. 5a, 6a and 7a are schematical, horizontal sections--also schematical--of the said three embodiments. FIG. 8 illustrates yet another practical embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Turning to FIGS. 1 and 2, a bore is made in the ground at the site which requires application of a ground anchor for whatever reason. The bore is indicated by the numeral 1. This bore may extend strictly vertically whenever a top stratum of the ground is to be secured, or it may extend obliquely, as shown in the drawing--say for holding an embankment--but it may also extend horizontally--say for holding the wall of an excavation, and it can be used also vertically in an upward direction, say in securing the roof of a tunnel. Into the bore 1 may be placed (but need not always be placed) a pipe 2, in which extends the shaft 3, connecting the ground element 4 with a top element (not shown). The ground element in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is a four-bar linkage comprising bars a, b, c, d which are pivotally interconnected at four points e, f, g, h. Point e, is at the same time connected with a solid member 5. The point a, is in the same way connected to a like member 7. Two semi circular shells 9 are positioned to enclose the linkage a, b, c, d. As can be seen in FIG. 1, there are provided two four-bar linkages which, however, is one possibility of many. There may be, in certain cases, one such linkage or even more than two. Linkages of this kind are conventional devices used in many applications, e.g. a small automobile lifting jacks, and need no further description. The opposite points f and h of the linkage apply themselves to the inside of the two shells 9. In the pipe 2 is fixed a nut member 8 into which extends a screw-threaded portion of shaft 3. Between the apices g and e of the four-bar linkages extend rods 18 which, functionally may be considered as extensions of shaft 3. It can easily be understood that by turning the shaft, at the top of the bore (as indicated by the numeral 1), a downward urge acts on member 7 and on point a of the uppermost linkage, the consequence being that the linkage (or linkages) spread, and at points f and h exert initial outward pressure onto shells 9 so that these are pressed onto the wall of the bore and the ground element becomes held in the bore. Subsequent to the move of shells 9 towards the wall of the bore and these shells being initially pressed to the wall, a pull-out force may be applied to the shaft 3 against pipe 2 (e.g. by means of an hydraulic jack or winch). As a consequence, rods 18 exert pull on apices e of the linkages, resulting in further spread of the latter, further resulting in increased outward pressure. The greater the force of pull, the larger becomes this pressure. At the top element, say a holding plate is affixed to the shaft 3 in a conventional way. Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, where two operational ways are illustrated, the parts identical with those of the arrangement of FIG. 1 are indicated by the same numerals. Into the bore 1 extends the shaft 3 or a cable, which is fixedly connected to the shells 9. Within the circular space defined by the two shells is positioned a hydraulic jack 10 to which pressure fluid is fed by a conduit 11. The outward movement of the piston 12 of the jack causes the two shells 9 to move apart and become firmly wedged in the bore 1. The pressure applied to the jack can be read off an instrument 13 at top level. FIG. 3, in its lowermost portion shows an alternative to the hydraulically operated arrangement. Here a balloon 14 is positioned within the space between the shells 9. This balloon is inflated via a conduit 15, again exerting outward pressure onto the shells 9, the effect being the same as described in connection with the alternative arrangements. In the hydraulic and pneumatically operated embodiments, the expanding devices can be removed after full outward urge is attained, and locking devices may be inserted holding the shells 9 in expanded position. It will be seen that the new ground anchor cannot only be quickly put in position of action, but can also be withdrawn when no longer needed, to be immediately employed at another site. However, it would be within the scope of the invention, to use the anchor in the way described and then pour onto it concrete or a plastic or chemical mass, and so make it permanent. Once a suitable mass has been poured, the device just described could also serve as a micropile, i.e. it could be used as a bearing element and part of a foundation system that could resist downwardly acting forces, as well as pull out forces. It should be remarked that it would be within the scope of the invention to make certain changes in the means effecting the expansion of the ground element. So, e.g. instead of the linkages shown in FIG. 1, different--and possibly also conventional--means could be employed. Turning now to FIG. 5, there is shown a bore 20 made in the ground in whatever conventional way. Into the bore 20 is introduced a device which comprises two four bar linkages designated as wholes by the numeral 21. Obviously--on introduction of the device --the linkages 21 are fully folded, i.e. the four bars extend substantially along and close to a central shaft 23. Each of the linkages 21 has (in the portion shown in FIG. 5) two "upper bars" 21' and two lower ones 21". The upper bars are hingedly connected with the lower ones. The lowermost one of the linkage 21 has its lower two bars 21" affixed to a body 24 which is fixed on shaft 23. Thus the lowermost linkage 21 is fixedly connected with shaft 23. A tubular body 25, freely sliding on shaft 23, is hingedly connected at 29 with the upper two bars of the lower linkage 21. The same body 25 is hingedly connected to the lower two bars of the upper linkage 21. The two upper bars 21' of the upper linkage 21 are hingedly attached to an ear 26 which extends from the closed end of a length 27 of pipe through which the shaft 23 extends. This pipe extends up to the top of the bore and ensures free movement of shaft 23. To the upper two bars 21' of the linkage 23 are attached plates 28. As has already been stated, the device shown in FIG. 5 is supposed to have been introduced into bore 20 with all linkages 21 fully folded. Now, in order to attain the position of the device which would result to what is shown in FIG. 6, an abutment is placed at the top of the bore and against pipe 27 (not shown) and pull is exerted on shaft 23. Since the lowermost end of the shaft is affixed to the lowermost point of linkage 21, this point--indicated by the numeral 100 is moved upwardly, causing the linkage 21 to spread. First the lowermost linkage widens, to be followed by the one (or ones) above it. The movement may be continued until all plates 28 are in a position shown in FIG. 5, i.e. the linkages define a rhomboidal shape, or the movement may be continued until all plates 28 are in horizontal planes. As a result of this movement of the linkage bars, the bore is widened at those places where plates 28 had been forced into the wall of the bore. Where soil conditions permit, i.e. there being no danger of caving in of the bore, the device can be brought back to initial position, i.e. all linkage bars extending along shaft 23, so that the device may be withdrawn. Now shaft S may be placed into the bore and concrete, plastics or chemicals may be poured into it. In those cases where the linkages had been spread to the position shown in FIG. 5 the widened portion of the bore will have approximately the shape indicated by 45 in FIG. 6. In the case of plates 28 having been moved strictly horizontally (e.g. being attached laterally to the linkages) the widened portion will be as shown at 46 in FIG. 6. In all cases the poured in mass adheres firmly to shaft S and forms the ground element of the ground anchor. This latter is held positively at its portion 45 or 46 (as the case may be) and not solely by frictions as would be the case without the widening of the bore. Alternatively, by locking shaft 23 relative to pipe 27 no hardening mass needs be poured, a re-usable ground body having thus been created. Turning now to FIGS. 7 and 7a: There are available at construction sites large quantities of short pieces of steel cable which are considered waste and sometimes even constitute a nuisance since they cannot be disposed by burning them. This waste can usefully be employed in practising the invention. As shown in FIG. 7, there is produced a bore 20, into which is inserted a device which comprises a shaft 30 extending within a length 70 of pipe. To the lowermost end of the shaft 30 is fixedly attached a disc 31, e.g. being held in place by a nut 32 screwed on to screw threaded end of shaft 30. Similar discs 33 are provided freely slidable on shaft 30. An uppermost disc 34 is fixedly connected with pipe 70 and is immovable. Between the discs 31, 33, 34 extend lengths of the cable, indicated by the numeral 35. These lengths of cable are fixedly attached to the discs between which they extend. There are suspended from shaft 30 two shells 36 of semi circular profile. They are hung from two connecting rods 37 which latter are hingedly connected at 38 to the pipe 70 and at 39 with the said shells 36. If pull is exerted on shaft 30 against pipe 70, disc 31 is pulled up and since disc 34 cannot move, all lengths of cable bulge outwardly from the centre of the bore and press the shells into the soil forming the wall of the bore. Due to the hinged connection of rods 37 the outward movement of the shells increase in downward direction, the shells assuming the position symbolized by the broken lines X, i.e. the bore widens to create a cone shaped cavity. This cavity where filled with a hardened mass causes a practically immovable ground body to become created. Alternatively, by locking shaft 30 relative to pipe 70 no hardening mass need be poured, a re-usable ground body having been created. According to FIG. 8 shaft 51 extends within a safeguarding tube 52. The shaft 51 may extend upto the surface or may be attached to a cable, still within the bore B. The shaft 51 passes through a body 53 to which is pivotally affixed the first one of a series of four bar linkages. This assembly of linkages is designated as a whole by the numeral 55. The individual linkages from top to bottom are indicated by letters a, b, c, d. As can be seen linkage a is smaller than b which is smaller than c and the latter is smaller than d. Two bars of linkage a are extended to form part of b, two bars of b extend into c, and two bars of c form also part of d. The shaft 51 has screw threaded lower end onto which screws a nut 56. The lowermost joint of linkage d is pivotally connected to the nut 56. By turning the shaft 51 (from the surface) the linkage d will become wider or narrower across. To the protecting pipe 2 are swingingly affixed two curved pressure plates 57. The new ground body is operated as follows: The shaft is turned or pulled against pipe 52 thereby increasing the crosswise dimensions of linkage d. All linkages being interconnected, all have their diameter increased, thereby exerting lateral pressure on plates 57 which assume a position in which they are farther away at bottom than at top--from the centre of the ground body i.e. the shaft 1. As a result the bore B--within the range of plates 57 assumes the shape of a cone and thus ensures increased holding and anchoring capacity. The device may be left in the ground as a tapered re-usable anchor or it can be withdrawn leaving a tapered cavity in which shaft 51 is placed and into which concrete, plastics or solidifying chemicals are poured.

A ground anchor is composed of a number of components and is firmly held in position in the ground by its components being moved apart and firmly urged onto the wall of the cavity in which the ground anchor is positioned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Double glazed windows have been in use for some time as described in "Windows -- Performance, Design and Installation" by Beckett and Godfrey, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York (1974). A double glazed window consists of two parallel panes of glass which are spaced apart to leave an air spaced between the two panes and having the periphery of the space between the two panes closed by a moderately flexible sealant which extends between the two panes along their peripheries, holding them apart and enclosing a generally rectangular parallelepiped body of air between the two panes. Polybutene resins and polysulfide resins are commonly used as sealants in the construction of the double glazed windows. The purpose of a double glazed window is to provide thermal insulation and insulation against noise. At the time of their writing, Beckett and Godfrey noted the problem of condensation of water vapor contained in the air in the space between the two panes when the temperature of the air space drops below its dew point and noted that, "In the context of windows, condensation can occur both on the surface of the glass and on the frame facing the room and with double windows, additionally within the cavity between the two glazings. Whenever it occurs, the results can be very troublesome, impairing the view out and leading to the deterioration of the paint work and window frames." They note also that dehydrating agents and desiccants such as silica gel may be placed in the cavity to adsorb moisture from the entrapped air and so contribute to the suppression of condensation. Double glazed windows, commonly referred to as sealed insulating glass, commonly have a narrow body of solid adsorbent positioned in the space between the two panes and lying in close proximity to the sealing resin which both holds the two panes together and apart. The solid adsorbent is commonly held in a generally rectangular aluminum tube which is either perforated or not completely sealed so that the enclosed air may have contact with the adsorbent and this adsorbent may lie along all or part of the interior periphery of the sealed insulating glass. Passage of time and acquisition of experience has shown that condensation of water vapor is not the sole condensation problem attending the use of double glazed windows but that additionally over a period of time some decomposition of organic sealants occurs releasing condensible vapors such as hydrocarbon vapors or organic sulfide vapors which may also condense on the interior surface of the glass panes. It is current practice to use as the adsorbent to suppress condensation, a synthetic zeolite, sometimes referred to as a molecular sieve, or silica gel, or activated alumina, or a mixture of synthetic zeolite and a second adsorbent such as silica gel. The use of a second adsorbent to supplement large pore molecular sieve adsorbents was based on the observation that the rapid adsorption of water vapor by the molecular sieve reduces its capacity for adsorption of hydrocarbon vapors or organic sulfides. The molecular sieves which have been employed have all had pore diameters of such size that nitrogen molecules and oxygen molecules as well as water vapor molecules were able to penetrate the pores of the adsorbent. The use of molecular sieve zeolites of this character has given rise to a problem which appears not to have been recognized heretofore, but if it has been recognized, either it has been ignored or no solution for it has been proposed so far as is now known. The relatively recent discovery of the "energy problem" portends a great increase in the use of double glazed windows going far beyond current use in predominantly glass covered skyscrapers and extending to extensive use in dwelling houses and apartments. The seemingly certain large increase in the use of double glazed windows suggests that they be constructed to provide maximum efficiency and life and suggests that the problem which attends the use of adsorbents which adsorb not only water vapor but also nitrogen and oxygen can no longer be ignored. The problem may be defined as follows. In the northern part of the temperate zone the temperature of the air enclosed between the two panes of a double glazed window may easily rise to 110° F. or above on a warm summer day and may fall to 0° F. or below on a cold winter night. At the lower temperatures in this range, the molecular sieve zeolites currently used adsorb not only water vapor but also adsorb substantial amounts of oxygen and nitrogen. At higher temperatures adsorbed oxygen and nitrogen tend to be released from the adsorbent and migrate back into the gas space enclosed between the two panes. The resultant cycles of adsorption and desorption with temperature variation, both day-night variation and seasonal variation, results in significant changes in the pressure of the air enclosed between the two panes. The pressure of the enclosed air may commonly vary by 6% or more merely as a result of adsorption or desorption of oxygen and nitrogen. This pressure variation is, of course, amplified by the affect of temperature. For example, with rising temperature, not only are nitrogen and oxygen desorbed from the molecular sieve zeolites now in use, but in addition the rise in temperature itself causes an increase in the pressure of the gas enclosed between the two relatively rigid panes. Conversely, with falling temperature, the adsorption of nitrogen and oxygen increases with a resultant lowering of the pressure of the gas in the space enclosed between the two panes and in addition, the lowering of the temperature itself causes a further reduction in the pressure of the enclosed gas. These continuing fluctuations in pressure cause some distortion of view through the double glazed windows and, further, these fluctuations cause a backward and forward movement of the panes themselves with a resultant tendency to weaken the seals between the two panes formed by the resins and ultimately to permit openings between the exterior air and the enclosed air through the sealing resin which permits the enclosed space to more or less breathe with the result that over a period of time capacity of the adsorbent to take up additional water vapor introduced through such breathing is exhausted. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Pursuant to the present invention, the adsorbent which is disposed along the periphery of the space enclosed by the two panes of a double glazed window is a mixture of two adsorbents. One adsorbent is a molecular sieve zeolite which strongly adsorbs water vapor and which is characterized by an average pore diameter which permits entry of water vapor molecules into the pore spaces in the adsorbent and prevents entrance of nitrogen and oxygen molecules into this space. One specific adsorbent meeting these requirements is the 3A molecular sieve manufactured and sold by Union Carbide Corporation and by W. R. Grace & Co. This material has an average pore diameter in the range about 3 angstrom units, strongly and readily adsorbs water vapor and it does not adsorb either oxygen or nitrogen. The chemical composition of this particular molecular sieve is indicated by the following formula: K.sub.9 Na.sub.3 [(AlO.sub.2).sub.12 (SiO.sub.2).sub.12 ]· X H.sub.2 O the water content of the composition varies with the degree of dryness or activation of the zeolite but in the desired activated state should not exceed about 1.5% of the weight of the total composition. Other adsorbents suitable for this use may be obtained by starting with a sodium zeolite having average pore diameter size about 4 angstrom units and displacing a substantial part of the sodium with potassium. The resultant potassium or partly potassium sieve has a reduced average pore diameter which permits entry of water vapor molecules into the pores and excludes oxygen and nitrogen molecules from the pores. The second component of the adsorbent is either silica gel or activated alumina having average pore diameters which permit the adsorption of benzene vapor. Such a silica gel or activated alumina is placed in the air space between the panes of the double glazed window for the purpose of adsorbing hydrocarbon and/or organic sulfide vapors which get into the space enclosed between the two panes as a result of slow decomposition of the polysulfide or polyolefin resins which are used to seal the periphery of the double glazed window and which cause staining or discoloration of the interior surfaces of the panes unless they are promptly removed from the enclosed air space. Activated carbon will also function efficiently as a second adsorbent but because of its color more than usual care must be taken to confine it to the periphery of the interior space in the double glazed window. Mixtures of two or more of silica gel, activated alumina and activated carbon may be used as the second adsorbent if desired. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Molecular sieve zeolites now generally referred to in the art as Type A molecular sieve zeolites are described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,882,243. Type A zeolites are described as truncated cube octahedrons having an internal central cavity or cage of 11A° diameter. The central cavities are entered through circular apertues of much smaller diameter, the diameter being determined by the specific cations contained. For instance, the Type 4A molecular zeolite has the formula Na 12 [(AlO 2 ) 12 (SiO 2 ) 12 ] · X H 2 O. When fully hydrated X is 27, but the sieve is activated to give it adsorbent capability by heating to drive the water of crystallization off until the water content of the total composition is reduced to 1.5% by weight or below. The Type 4A sieve has an aperture opening about 4A in diameter. When a substantial proportion of the sodium content of the 4A sieve is replaced by potassium, the aperture diameter is reduced to about 3A. For example, the Type 3A molecular sieve is formed by displacing sodium from the Type 4A sieve with potassium to reach the formula K 9 Na 3 [(AlO 2 ) 12 (SiO 2 ) 12 ] · X H 2 O. The type 3A molecular sieve has aperture openings of 3A diameter. Other molecular sieves such as Type 5A, Type 10X, Type 13X, etc. have larger aperture openings. Directionally, the diameter of the aperture opening determines which molecules will be able to pass through the aperture opening into the central cage of the zeolite and so be adsorbed. It might be expected that the molecular sieve having aperture openings of 4A would permit entry of molecules having a kinetic diameter less than 4A and exclude from entry into the central cavity molecules having kinetic diameters greater than 4A. The matter of entry and exclusion, however, is not quite that simple. Breck and Smith writing in Scientific American, January 1959, note, "One might expect that molecules more than a 3.5 angstrom in diameter would be unable to enter the crystals (of a Type A sieve having aperture diameters of 3.5 angstroms) but the reality is not quite so simple. We find, for example, that ethane molecules with a diameter of 4 angstrom units readily pass through the 3.5 angstrom apertures at normal temperatures; propane molecules 4.9 angstrom units in diameter do not. The reason becomes clear enough when we recall that atoms are not rigid bodies. They more nearly resemble pulsating rubber balls. The pulsations of both the aperture atoms and the incoming molecules combine to make the effective diameter of the aperture considerably larger than its free diameter of 3.5 angstroms. Moreover, the kinetic energy of the incoming molecules helps them to `shoulder their way` through the opening. We have found in general that at ordinary temperatures molecules up to 0.5 angstroms wider than the free diameter of the aperture can pass through it easily. Larger molecules enter the crystal with greater and greater difficulty; molecules 1 angstrom wider cannot enter at all." The quoted material above indicates the difficulty of defining a molecular sieve zeolite which will admit certain molecules and exclude others in terms of aperture diameter and kinetic diameter of the molecules. In order to know whether a molecular sieve having a given aperture diameter will admit or exclude molecules having a kinetic diameter greater than the aperture opening but not more than 1 angstrom greater, it is necessary to make a simple test by exposing the molecular sieve to the materials with which it may be hoped will be excluded and determine whether or not they are admitted or excluded. The Type 3A molecular sieve admits and adsorbs water molecules and excludes oxygen molecules and nitrogen molecules. The minimum kinetic diameter of a water molecule has been reported at 2.65A and the minumum kinetic diameters of oxygen and nitrogen molecules, respectively, at 3.46 and 3.64A. To determine whether a molecular sieve prepared by displacing part of the sodium from a 4A sieve with potassium will admit or exclude nitrogen and oxygen requires a simple test of this sort if less than half of the sodium has been displaced. Adsorbents for use in double glazed windows to control condensation of water vapor and of hydrocarbons or organic sulfides on the interior surfaces of the panes may be prepared by mixing Type 3A molecular sieve zeolite with either a silica gel adsorbent or an activated alumina adsorbent having pore diameters sufficiently large to permit the adsorption of benzene molecules. These adsorbent mixtures should contain a minimum of about 15% by weight of the Type 3A molecular sieve zeolite and a minimum of about 25% by weight of silica gel or activated alumina. Both adsorbents are in the form of small particles having a mesh size generally in the range 10 to 30. The mesh size of the particles is not critical but sizes in this range facilitate filling the perforated aluminum tubes which are laid along the interior periphery of the double glazed window. The quantity of the adsorbent mixture theoretically required to control water vapor condensation and hydrocarbon condensation is quite small being somewhat less than 7 grams for a 3 foot by 5 foot double glazed window having a one-half inch space between the panes. Because, however, minor imperfections in the sealing of the two panes of double glazed windows are unavoidable in a fair proportion of them which permits migration of water vapor from the outside air into the interior space, because hydrocarbon or organic sulfide release is more rapid during the curing of the resin and prompt removal of these vapors is necessary to avoid staining of the interior surface, and because consumers are demanding extended warranties on the life of double glazed windows, the quantity of adsorbent disposed along the periphery of the interior space should be a quantity in the range about 0.01 gram to 1.0 gram of adsorbent for each cubic inch of space enclosed between the two panes, larger amounts may be used if desired but ordinarily no benefit attends the use of larger amounts. While it is preferred to use a mixture of particulate molecular sieve zeolite with particulate silica gel, activated alumina or activated carbon, effective suppression of condensation with simultaneous avoidance of pressure fluctuations due to nitrogen and oxygen adsorption and desorption may be achieved by filling some rectangular aluminum tubes with the molecular sieve zeolite and others with the second adsorbent and then placing zeolite filled tubes along one or more peripheral sides of the space enclosed between the two panes and tubes filled with the second adsorbent along one or more of the remaining peripheral sides. Additionally, the filling of the rectangular aluminum tubes may be carried out not only by pouring granular adsorbent into the tubes but also, if desired, the adsorbents may be compressed into rod-like shape sized to slide into the aluminum tubes. While the greater proportion of the double glazed windows now manufactured employ the combination of polyolefin or polysulfide resins and adsorbent filled aluminum tubes to maintain spacing between the two panes and seal the periphery of the space enclosed between the panes, some double glazed windows are manufactured using lead strips and an adhesive to close the space between the panes and maintain the spacing between them. In such windows, the second adsorbent is not required because there are no resin decomposition products to contend with, only a zeolite molecular sieve adsorbent capable of adsorbing water vapor and incapable of adsorbing nitrogen and oxygen need be used. In this type of double glazed window, from about 0.01 to 0.6 grams of adsorbent per cubic inch of enclosed space adequately suppress water vapor condensation.

An improvement in sealed insulating glass having an adsorbent disposed about all or part of the interior periphery of the glass is described. The improvement lies in employing a molecular sieve zeolite having an average pore diameter that permits adsorption of water vapor and prevents adsorption of nitrogen and oxygen as the adsorbent.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a method for automatic control of the voltage of an electrostatic filter at the breakdown limit by means of a time dependent increase of the filter voltage to breakdown and a subsequent breakdown dependent decrease. A method of this general nature is described for example in German Patent Application DE-AS No. 11 48 977. The degree of separation of an electrostatic separator is higher, the closer the operating voltage is to the flashover limit. Since flashover limit varies during operation as a function of several factors, such as, for example, gas composition, dust content and temperature, the voltage of the electrostatic separator must be regulated as a function of the level of the flashover limit. In the method according to the above mentioned DE-AS No. 11 48 977, a control capacitor is charged across a resistance as a function of the filter current. A continuously variable tube which in turn is energized by a capacitor is connected in parallel with this control capacitor as a discharging resistance. This capacitor is charged in a breakdown dependent manner and is discharged continuously via a parallel resistance. The voltage at the control capacitor is used as a control voltage for a final control element on the primary side. The current dependence of the charging voltage for the control capacitor is chosen so that at low separator current strengths a relatively rapid voltage increase is obtained, and at high separator current strengths a relatively slow one. Through the constant discharge of the control capacitor dependent on the flashovers, the separator voltage after flashovers is lowered by an amount given by the number or duration of the flashovers. In this control method, the prior history of the breakdown just then present enters in the voltage decrease or respectively the increase up to the breakdown limit as a relatively minor or largely undefined factor. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the present invention, in stationary operation in which the breakdown limit is continuously sampled as a function of time, to optimize the control method in such a way the one operates at the breakdown limit to the greatest extent possible while the number of breakdowns required for operating at this limit, during which actual separation is not possible, is maintained within predetermined limits. According to the present invention, this problem is solved by reducing, after each breakdown, the voltage or the current by a percentage of the existing breakdown voltage or breakdown current which is dependent on the breakdown frequency during a preceding fixed period of time, and shortening the waiting time to a new voltage increase if the measured voltage amplitude at breakdown has increased relative to the measured voltage amplitude at the preceding breakdown, and vice versa. In this manner the voltage is lowered by a percentage which is determined by the breakdown voltage on the one hand and by the prior history of the breakdown, on the other. Similarly, the waiting time is also fixed so that breakdowns will not be unduly frequent. To attain defined conditions during increase to breakdown, the filter voltage is advantageously increased to breakdown at a fixed, preselectable voltage gradient which depends on the operational state of the installation. If during the waiting time a breakdown occurs, the voltage increase planned at the end of the waiting time is advantageously omitted, but the new waiting time beginning at that moment is shortened. It is thereby achieved that there will not be a succession of breakdowns in an uncontrolled number. To take into account the varying filter performance in relation to the waiting time, the waiting time is further advantageously variable in steps of different magnitude, e.g. the steps can be chosen in the form of a geometric series. Since thyristors are presently normally used as control elements for electrostatic filters, and the phase angle control of these thyristors becomes noticeable on the d-c voltage side in a pulsation of the filter voltage, it is advantageously provided, in order to obtain defined points for the comparisons, to compare the crests of the voltage half-waves on the d-c voltage side immediately before the breakdowns. In a device for carrying out the method according to the present invention where the electrostatic filter is fed from an a-c voltage source via a rectifier, a high voltage transformer, and a final control element, a microcomputer is advantageously provided for giving a set control voltage to the final control element. The microcomputer computes from the measured and stored filter data, the required reduction and the waiting time as well as other parameters. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows the usual voltage supply for an electrostatic filter with a digital regulator operating by the method of the invention. FIG. 1A illustrates the replacement of this digital regulator by a microcomputer system. FIG. 2 illustrates the voltage conditions during sampling of the breakdown limit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION As can be seen from FIG. 1, an electrostatic filter 5 is fed from an alternating current network 1 via a rectifier and a high voltage transformer 3. On the primary side, between the high voltage transformer 3 and a-c network 1, an a-c controller 2 consisting of antiparallel connected thyristors is provided. A thyristor gate control unit 21 receives its control voltage U St from a digital regulator 6, shown framed by broken lines. Digital regulator 6 nowadays as a rule comprises the type of microcomputer system shown in FIG. 1A programmed to function as shown in FIG. 1. This microcomputer system includes as essential components, a central processing unit 81, a memory 82, and input/output devices 83 with which measured values and data can be obtained from and supplied to peripherals, e.g., A/D converters for I p and U F and D/A converters for supplying U St . For better comprehension of the regulating process the digital regulator is shown in the form of permanently wired functional modules. This also constitutes a flow diagram which indicates the manner in which the microcomputer may be programmed. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the control voltage U St is supplied by a control module 61, which determines the filter voltage U or respectively the filter current I. The gradient for the increase in filter voltage to breakdown is set by module 63. The set value for this gradient is taken out of a memory 62 depending on the operating conditions of the filter. When the filter voltage reaches the breakdown value, which is determined from the primary current I p and/or the collapse of the voltage U F on the secondary side, a breakdown detection element 70 sends, via a percentage setter 66 and a voltage reducing element 65 a corresponding voltage reduction command to the voltage control unit 61. The amount of reduction in case of breakdown is calculated from: U=XnU.sub.F /100 or I=XnI.sub.F /100 X being a value between 0.2 and 1; n, the reduction step; and U F , the prevailing filter voltage. The equivalent applies if instead of a filter voltage reduction a filter current reduction I of the filter current I F is effected. The value n results from the prior history of the filter; it depends on the number k of breakdowns during a preceding seek period of, e.g., 10 to 30 minutes. If the number k of breakdowns not caused by the sampling of the filter voltage limit is greater than a preselectable limit value k g of, e.g., 1000, the reduction step n is increased and a new seek period begun. Then the reduction amounts Δu are calculated and stored. If the number of breakdowns in the seek period is smaller than the limit value k g , the reduction step n remains at first unchanged. If in the following seek period k is again smaller than k g , the reduction step n is decreased. Thereafter the new prevailing reduction amounts Δu are again calculated and stored. To adapt to changing operating conditions, the waiting time T to a new increase of the filter voltage is also varied as a function of breakdown, that is, the value of the breakdown voltage U Fv deposited in a memory 69 during the preceding breakdown is compared with the prevailing breakdown voltage U Fa . If it is found that the measured voltage amplitude at breakdown has increased relative to the measured voltage amplitude at the preceding breakdown, then by means of the comparator 68 the waiting time is shortened by the amount ΔT in the time changer element 67. This amount ΔT then correspondingly changes the waiting time T of the waiting stage 64. The waiting times are graded, for instance, in a geometric series. If the comparisons show, for instance, that the prevailing breakdown voltage is always higher than the preceding breakdown voltage, then the waiting times are shortened by amounts ΔT which for instance increase in a geometric series. The reverse applies if the values are always lower. If during the waiting time at least one breakdown occurs, the voltage increase planned at the end of the waiting time is omitted, but the waiting time beginning at that moment is also shortened by the amount ΔT after the prevailing variation stage. FIG. 2 shows the voltage waveforms at the filter. As can be seen, due to the phase-angle control and the rectifiers, pulsating half-waves appear at the filter on the secondary side. If at point D1 a provoked breakdown occurs, the filter voltage U F will at first collapse, and then the returning filter voltage is reduced by an amount Δu which can be calculated with the above-stated equation. Then follows a waiting time T until the moment S, from which time on the filter voltage U F is again increased to the provoked breakdown D2, whereupon the voltage U F is lowered again by an amount Δu. As it is relatively difficult to determine the actual breakdown voltage because of the pulsation of the voltages, the voltage comparison values determining for the waiting time are determined from the crests of the voltage half-waves just before the breakdowns. To this end the crest values are picked up and stored continuously, using for the comparison those values (e.g. U Fa , U Fv ) which immediately precede the breakdown. In the above-described manner, one obtains an optimum control of the filter voltage at the breakdown limit. The microcomputer may be any one of those currently available such as Motorola 6805, Intel 8080A, Z-Log Z-80, etc.

A method for controlling the voltage of an electrostatic filter at the breakdown limit in which, when a breakdown occurs, the voltage is reduced by an amount which is determined by the breakdown voltage and the prior history of the breakdown and the waiting time to the next increase of the filter voltage is made dependent on the ratio of the voltages at successive breakdowns by comparing voltage amplitudes which immediately precede the breakdowns.

PRIORITY CLAIM [0001] The benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/906139, filed Nov. 19, 2013, is claimed, which application is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A sound suppressor is intended to conceal the location of a gun when fired. When undergoing sustained fire, however, a gun, such as a machine gun, and its suppressor become hot, hot enough to glow a dull red, and therefore visible on a dark night. In addition, suppressors are subject to internal damage when a fired bullet does not pass cleanly through it. Slight impacts of the bullet damage the suppressor and firing residue deposits bits of metal inside it. In time, incremental build-up of these deposits, damage from bullet impacts, and heat deformation make frequent repair or replacement of suppressors inevitable. Perhaps more importantly, the ability of the suppressor to shed heat during sustained fire degrades its ability to conceal the location of a machine gun. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0003] According to its major aspects and briefly recited, the present invention is a sound suppressor for a firearm, particularly for one capable of sustained firing, such as a machine gun. The suppressor is designed to be disassembled for maintenance and repair so that, when appropriate, only damaged components need to be replaced and all parts will last longer than otherwise. [0004] Additionally, the present suppressor takes advantage of the heat transfer capabilities of graphite foam. Not only does the foam reduce the heat signature of the firearm when undergoing sustained firing but, by keeping all the components cooler, reduces damage to components both directly and indirectly from heat deformation to a surprising extent. [0005] Those familiar with the art of suppressors and other components for firearms will take note of these and other features and their advantages of the present invention in a careful reading the following detailed description accompanied by the following drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0006] In the drawings, [0007] FIG. 1 is a side, exterior, perspective view of the suppressor, according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0008] FIG. 2 is a side, cross-sectional view of the suppressor of FIG. 1 ; and [0009] FIG. 3A and 3B are detailed side cross-sectional views of the first and second ends, respectively, of the suppressor of FIG. 1 . DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0010] The present invention is a suppressor for use with a firearm capable of sustained fire. The present suppressor, generally indicated by reference number 10 , comprises several components that can be disassembled for repair or for replacement of the individual components that are worn and reuse of the remaining components, which is a feature of the invention. Suppressor 10 includes a cylindrical baffle core 12 having a first end 24 and an opposing second end 26 . The baffle core is the part most likely to require replacement inasmuch as it is exposed to the highest temperatures and bullets are fired directly through its center. Baffle core 12 serves essentially as a frame for holding a series of integrally-formed, spaced-apart baffles 16 in position with respect to the axis of rotation of baffle core 12 . Baffle core 12 may be formed all of one piece by casting or machining or other convenient method of forming a three-dimensional object of homogeneous material. [0011] Surrounding baffle core 12 is a thin metal, tubular housing 30 with a first end 34 and an opposing second end 36 . Tubular housing 30 is flared outwardly at both first end 34 and second end 36 . Tubular housing 30 slides over cylindrical baffle core 12 , with flared first end 34 and second end 36 extending beyond first end 24 and second end 26 , respectively, of baffle core 12 . Housing 30 conducts and redistributes axially the heat from the baffle core and the combustion gases traveling through the spaces between its baffles. [0012] The terms first end and second end are arbitrarily assigned here but are used consistently to refer to the direction of a bullet fired through suppressor 10 . A fired bullet enters first end 24 of baffle core 24 and leaves second end 26 , which means the bullet travels from right to left in FIGS. 1 and 2 . [0013] The word flared means that the diameter of cylindrical housing 30 increases closer to first and second ends 34 , 36 , axially lateral to first and second ends 24 , 26 , baffle core 12 but is constant throughout most of the length of housing 30 . [0014] An inlet nozzle 40 fits into first end 24 of baffle core 12 and an exit plate 50 covers opposing second end 26 . Both inlet nozzle 40 and exit plate 50 have radial flanges, 42 , 52 , respectively. Flanges 42 , 52 , carry exterior threads and are beveled on their respective peripheries, 44 , 54 . The beveled portions of the peripheries 44 , 54 , engage the flared first and second ends 34 , 36 , respectively, of tubular housing 30 . [0015] Both ends of suppressor 10 also carry collars. A collar 46 threads to flange 42 and has a beveled inner surface, 48 corresponding to the beveled portion of periphery 44 . Beveled periphery 44 and beveled inner surface 48 on collar 46 stop advancement of collar 46 with respect to flange 42 and capture the flared first end 34 of tubular housing 30 . Tightening collar 46 pinches first end 34 against the beveled portion of periphery 44 flange 42 . [0016] A collar 56 threads to flange 52 , and has a beveled inner surface 58 corresponding to the beveled portion of periphery 54 on flange 52 . The beveled portion of periphery 54 on flange 52 and the beveled inner surface 58 of collar 56 stop advancement of collar 56 with respect to flange 52 and capture the flare at second end 36 of tubular housing 30 . Tightening collar 56 pinches second end 36 between the beveled portion of periphery 54 of flange 52 against the beveled inner surface 58 of collar 56 . [0017] Collars 46 , 56 , of inlet nozzle 40 and exit plate 50 , respectively, may carry surface features that facilitate their installation and removal. For example, collars 46 , 56 , may have opposing recesses 60 , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , to receive the jaws of a spanner wrench, or other convenient means for tightening collars 46 , 56 to flange 42 of inlet nozzle 40 and flange 52 of exit plate 50 , respectively. [0018] The flared first and second ends 34 , 36 of tubular housing 30 , flanges 42 , 52 of inlet nozzle 40 and exit plate 50 , and collars 42 , 52 together with their respective threaded and beveled portions, and recesses 60 enable the present suppressor 10 to be tightly assembled for use, yet to be disassembled for maintenance and repair, thus extending the useful life of suppressor 10 and its individual components, which is a feature of the invention. [0019] The present suppressor 10 also may include a hollow cylinder 70 surrounding tubular housing 30 . Hollow cylinder 70 transfers heat generated by firing the gun radially from baffle core 12 . That heat is transferred through baffle core 12 and tubular housing and then through hollow cylinder 70 . This cylinder 70 may be made of graphite, such as foamed graphite, or other material with a high heat conductivity so as to transfer heat quickly away from baffle core 12 and tubular housing 30 and into the surrounding air, particularly when the firearm is being fired at high rates, in order to prevent the temperature at the exterior surface of the suppressor 10 from being elevated into the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. [0020] A thin tubular guard 80 may surround hollow cylinder 70 and have plural holes 82 formed in an array in it to protect hollow cylinder 70 , especially if hollow cylinder 70 is made of friable, foamed graphite. Tubular guard 80 may have a sufficient number of holes 82 or combination of total area of holes 82 so as not block the radiation of heat while still protecting hollow cylinder. Guard 80 provides structural protection for hollow cylinder 70 , which may be friable and therefore subject to damage from impact even if minor. [0021] To secure tubular guard 80 to hollow cylinder 70 , bands 86 may be used. Bands may be moved axially to capture them between raised edges 90 formed in housing that will help to keep their axial position once bands 86 are in position. Tubular guard 80 may be formed as a resilient C-shaped sheet of metal that is placed over hollow cylinder 70 and then its ends squeezed together tightly, meeting at 94 , enough to allow bands 86 to be slipped into position and tightened with buckles 92 . Hollow cylinder 70 may also be conveniently made in two half cylinders. [0022] Raised edges 90 are two parallel, low-relief, radially outward deformations of the edges of holes in tubular guard 80 to form lips spaced apart by the width of a band 86 and between which band 86 will be held, prevented from axial movement, until tubular guard 80 is squeezed with enough force to enable band 86 to be moved over the raised edges 90 on one side of it or the other. [0023] Foamed graphite is a material well known in heat transfer, including in connection with firearm barrels. See for example, US Pub. 2013/0061503 filed by UT-Battelle, LLC, and which publication is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. [0024] Hollow cylinder 70 and tubular guard 80 are co-axial and co-terminal with baffle core 12 , that is, all stop just short of flared first and second ends 34 , 36 of tubular housing 30 . Co-terminal means that they are the same length and are axially aligned; co-axial means that their respective axes of rotation are the same. [0025] Baffle core 12 includes plural, integrally-formed, spaced-apart baffles 16 each with a central hole 18 and a radial cutout 20 that define passages radially outwardly from the major axis of suppressor 10 through which combustion gases can travel from the inlet nozzle 40 to exit plate 50 and mix turbulently as they travel. Baffle core 12 is an improvement in the baffle described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,167,084, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference. By integrally formed, it is meant that baffles 16 are made of the same material and permanently connected to the balance of baffle core 12 , preferably all made of one piece. Baffle core 12 has an axis of cylindrical rotation and each baffle 16 may canted with respect to that axis, that is, each may lie in a plane that is at a non-zero angle 0 with respect to to axis A of baffle core 12 . The orientation of a plane is defined by a vector normal to the plane. By separating and canting each baffle 16 , a portion of the combustion gases are diverted though the serpentine path across the axis of baffle core 12 and its central hole 18 and then through a radial passage 20 around each baffle 16 , with the longer path and the turbulent interaction with the remaining portion of the exhaust gases that follow the bullet through the series of central holes 86 , baffle core 12 acts as a heat exchanger to deliver combustion heat to cylindrical housing, which transfers it quickly to hollow core and thence to the surrounding environment. [0026] The modularizing of the present suppressor, in combination with the choice of foamed graphite for the hollow cylinder reduces the rate at which heat accumulates during sustained firing, thereby dispersing the heat to a larger radius from the barrel and, with the larger surface area at that radius, radiating it to the surrounding air. It also reduces the temperature of the components of the present suppressor. Modularization makes it possible to replace only components damaged by a bullet strike, and thereby reduces cost of providing and maintaining a suppressor for a machine gun. For example, if baffle core 12 is damaged, but the remainder of suppressor 10 is sound, unthreading collars 46 and 56 allows release of tubular housing 30 , inlet nozzle 40 , and exit plate 50 . Baffle core 12 may then be removed and replaced. Being able to replace a baffle core 12 enables greater use of the remaining components. Importantly, keeping the baffle core cooler limits the rate of heat deformation significantly and thereby prolongs its life and reduces the incidents of bullet strikes that require baffle core replacement. [0027] Those skilled in the art of firearms will appreciate that many modifications and substitutions may be made in the foregoing embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims. For example, improvements in material technology may produce hollow cylinders better than foamed graphite or better ways of protecting hollow cylinders than a tubular guard, such as a coating or fine mesh of metal or fabric.

A sound suppressor for a firearm with a high rate of fire, such as a machine gun, conceals the location of the firearm during heavy use by rapidly dissipating heat through a foamed carbon core. A sound suppressing baffle core is coaxially located within a tubular housing, having flared ends extending beyond the core. An inlet nozzle and exit place close the ends of the suppressor and are held in place with threaded collars. The terminal portions of the collars are beveled, as are the corresponding terminal portions of the nozzle and end plate, and are used to capture the flared portions of the ends of the tubular housing. Diagonally opposing recesses in the collars enable their removal with a spanner wrench, along with the other components for maintenance and replacement. The suppressor lasts longer and has a less visible heat signature used in sustained fire on a machine gun.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] (a) Field of the invention [0002] The invention relates to novel antibodies and their use for detecting, imaging, staging, treating and monitoring of prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof. Furthermore, the invention also relates to novel pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of prostate cancer. [0003] (b) Description of Prior Art [0004] The prostate gland is affected by various significant pathological conditions as benign growth (BPH), infection (prostatitis), and neoplasia (prostate cancer). [0005] Prostate cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in Canadian and American men, after non-melanoma skin cancer, which is rarely fatal. More importantly, after lung cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death. The risk of developing prostate cancer increases significantly with age, particularly for men over 50. For men under 50 years of age the disease is uncommon and death from it is rare. [0006] Prostate cancer accounts for an estimated 28% of newly diagnosed cancer in Canadian men and more than 12% of cancer-related deaths. The current lifetime risk of a Canadian man being diagnosed with prostate cancer is about 1 in 8. In the United States, prostate cancer accounts for approximately 32% of male cancer diagnoses and 14% of cancer deaths. Studies in the United States suggest that the incidence rate may be approaching 1 in 6 men. [0007] Because the incidence of prostate cancer increases with age, it is clear that the burden of this illness will increase dramatically in the coming decades. The aging of the population, particularly the baby boomers, will have important long-term implications for the number of new cases diagnosed. Demographic trends in the next two decades will increase the population at risk for prostate cancer. Statistics Canada projections indicate that the population of men over age 50 will increase from 3.9 million in 1999 to 5.6 million in 2011 (44% increase) and 6.3 million in 2016 (62% increase). The United States Census Bureau projections indicate that the population of men over age 50 will increase from 33.8 million in 1999 to 45.8 million in 2011 (36% increase) and 50.7 million in 2016 (50% increase). The American Cancer Society predicts that there will be about 180,400 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in the year 2000, and about 31,900 American men will die of the disease. [0008] As a consequence of the expected increases in the number of cases of prostate cancer in the coming years due to rising incidence rates and the aging North American population, more resources will likely be allocated to screening men over 50 for this condition, therefore yielding an increase in the number of cases of identified prostate cancer. [0009] Prostate cancer often exhibits a long latency period. However, it is believed that prostate cancer often remains undetected. Also, because it possesses a high metastatic potential to bone and the lymph nodes, with <10% of individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer also demonstrated, by radionuclide scans, to have bone metastasis, prompt detection and treatment is needed to limit mortality caused by this disease. A recent review of treatment of prostate cancer is by Pirtskhalaishvilig et al. (2001, Cancer Practice 9(6):295). [0010] Increased detection of prostate cancer is due in part to increased awareness and the widespread use of clinical markers such as prostate specific antigen (PSA). Prostate specific antigen is a protein that is produced in very high concentrations in prostate cancer cells. Cancer development results in an altered and subsequent loss of normal gland architecture. This in turn leads to an inability to remove secretions and thus the secretions reach the serum. Serum PSA measurement is one method for screening for prostate cancer. [0011] The current diagnostic and treatment paradigm for prostate cancer is reflected in Clinical Practice Guidelines that are widely available to practicing physicians. The guidelines presented below outline the common approach to the detection and management of prostate cancer. The Prostate Specific Antigen test is a blood test used to detect prostate cancer in the earliest stages and should be offered annually to men 50 and older with a life expectancy of 10 years or more, and to younger men at high risk for prostate cancer. The Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) is a test that helps to identify cancer of the prostate, and should be performed on men who are 50 and older and to younger men at high risk for prostate cancer. A biopsy is recommended for all men who have an abnormal PSA or DRE. The options for primary management of prostate cancer are surgery, radiation therapy or close observation. Treatment decisions are based on the aggressiveness of the cancer, the stage of the cancer and the life expectancy of the individual. Advanced prostate cancer is best managed with hormone therapy. Radiation therapy can include external and implanted seeds, a procedure known as brachytherapy. [0018] The PSA test, which facilitates early detection of prostate cancer, has been available in Canada since 1986, although its use did not become widespread until the early 1990's. In 1994 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of the PSA test in conjunction with DRE as an aid in detecting prostate cancer. The free PSA test (PSA), a more sensitive test for prostate cancer risk than the standard PSA test, received FDA approval in 1998. [0019] Prostate Specific Antigen is an enzyme made by all prostate cells and normally secreted into semen. Both cancer and a number of benign conditions can change the architecture of the prostate gland so the enzyme escapes into the bloodstream. Once there, PSA can exist in two forms, one that is free-floating and another that is bound to proteins. The standard PSA test measures both forms. There are a number of specialized PSA tests which are used to help differentiate between elevated PSA due to benign conditions and those elevations due to prostate cancer. The free PSA test evaluates the ratio between the PSA that is free in the blood and the total PSA (free and protein bound PSA) in the blood. When the result of the free PSA test is low (i.e. <15%), there is a higher potential that the individual has prostate cancer. The PSA velocity is used to describe the speed at which the PSA value increases over a series of blood tests. The PSA density is used to evaluate the level of PSA in relation to overall size of the prostate gland. [0020] The various PSA tests share some common limitations: The principal concern is that although diagnostic accuracy has improved with each of the modifications to total serum PSA measurement, none of the forms is specific for prostate cancer. Each requires a trade-off in specificity for increased sensitivity and vice versa. This trade-off appears to be most advantageous with the proportion of free PSA. Elevation of PSA may indicate prostate cancer. However, several other common benign conditions, including Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), are known to be associated with an elevated PSA. [0024] Because of the limitations of the PSA test (lack of specificity for prostate cancer and a significant number of “false positive” and “false negative” test results) it remains an investigational tool as opposed to an absolute diagnostic test. Abnormal findings following the administration of the PSA test lead the investigator to perform a biopsy. Physicians are advised to consider a biopsy to confirm a prostate cancer diagnosis when a PSA test reading is at least 4.0 ng/mL, when the PSA level of an individual significantly increases from one test to the next, or when a DRE is abnormal. A biopsy is recommended for all men who have a PSA test result above 10 ng/mL. [0025] The limitations of the PSA test are obvious considering the fact that only one of four individuals biopsied receives results that are positive for the presence of cancerous cells. A Canadian study has estimated the positive predictive value of the PSA test to be as low as 14.4%. This is significant considering the costs associated with a follow-up biopsy as well as the unnecessary pain and anxiety caused for individuals. [0026] Since FDA approval in the U.S., the fPSA test is becoming a follow-up test for men whose PSA falls in a “diagnostic gray zone” of moderately elevated levels (4 to 10 ng/mL). [0027] The digital rectal examination is a simple, inexpensive and direct method of assessing the prostate, but it is unreliable as a sole indicator of prostate cancer. The cancer detection rate is higher with PSA screening than with digital rectal examination (DRE), and the rate increases when the DRE modality is combined with PSA analysis and/or transrectal ultrasound examination (TRUS). DRE has never been shown to be reliable for staging of prostate cancer. TRUS guided biopsy is required to follow-up on a positive PSA test in order to help confirm the presence or absence of disease in the individual's prostate. [0028] Prostate biopsies are performed to confirm the presence of cancer cells following suspicion raised by the DRE or a positive PSA test. The most commonly reported complications of biopsy consist of traces of blood in the urine, semen or feces. These complications are limited and subside with 2-3 weeks after the procedure. Pain at the time of biopsy is universally reported. Only in exceptional cases is analgesia or sedation required. Most men (>90%) have no significant pain after 24 hours of the biopsy. Prostate biopsies are costly in the U.S. and may be painful or psychologically traumatic. Prostatic biopsy represents the cornerstone of prostate cancer diagnosis. [0029] For prostate cancers in general, biopsies miss cancers at a rate estimated as high as 50 percent. Furthermore, even if a cancer is detected, the location and staging of cancerous cells are not adequately identified. [0030] Thus, there is a need for an improved method for diagnosis and/or detection of cancerous prostate cells. [0031] An important prognostic factor is prostate cancer stage. Cancer staging is performed to determine the extent and spread of cancer in the prostate. Prostate cancer metastasizes by local spread to the pelvic lymph nodes, seminal vesicles, urinary bladder, or pelvic side walls and to distant sites such as bone, lung, liver, or adrenals. The tumor-nodes-metastasis (TMN) staging system is the one most widely used in North America. [0032] The limitations of the biopsy in detecting disease and staging a malignancy is compounded by the fact that prostate cancer is a heterogeneous disease with apparently independent foci of cancer scatter throughout the gland. The cancer foci have different malignant potentials and do not pose equal risks for the individual. Heterogeneity confounds the interpretation of positive prostate biopsies since it is not possible to be certain that the most clinically relevant foci of cancer have been detected. [0033] Approximately only 30% of early stage disease will progress to clinically relevant disease within the lifetime of the individual. It is therefore critical to be able to identify those individuals at risk of progression who would benefit from aggressive therapy while sparing low-risk individuals the morbidity resulting from aggressive treatment of indolent disease. Neither rising PSA nor the presence of cancer cells on biopsy may indicate definitively the presence of lethal disease. [0034] Serum PSA is a valuable cancer marker but cannot be used alone to determine the clinical or pathological stage of prostate cancer or to identify individuals with potentially curable disease. The combination of serum PSA with Gleason Score (a grading system for the classification of adrenocarcinoma of the prostate by observation of the pattern of glandular differentiation) and clinical stage provides a better prediction of the final pathologic stage than do any of these variables separately. Nomograms have been developed and revised to predict the final pathologic stage based on a combination of serum PSA level, Gleason Score, and clinical stage. Because these nomograms only offer a statistical probability of disease organ confinement, further radiographic evaluation has often been used for the individual. However, definitive detection of lymph node metastases with standard anatomical modalities of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has generally proved ineffective, except for the increasingly more uncommon cases with large volume soft-tissue involvement (greater than 1 cm) at presentation. [0035] There is a great need for a new prostate imaging technology that provides for accurate visualization of extraprostatic growth indicative of metastasis. Such a technology would provide physicians with a tool to determine the progression of the cancer and would be extremely valuable in directing treatment options. Spectroscopy significantly improves the diagnosis of extracapsular extension by MRI. However, studies demonstrate that there is high variability in how clinicians interpret the significance of extracapsular extension. Both CT and MRI can be helpful in staging prostate cancer, because they can indicate periprostatic cancer spread, lymph node abnormality and bone involvement, but their sensitivity for revealing cancer extension has limitations. [0036] Imaging techniques such as CT or MRI are unable to distinguish metastatic prostate cancer involvement of lymph nodes by criteria other than size (i.e. >1 cm). Thus, these imaging techniques, being inherently insensitive and non-specific, are insufficient for detection of disease. [0037] The presence of pelvic lymph node metastasis influences both the treatment and the prognosis of individuals with prostate cancer. Lymph node involvement can be assessed surgically. However, incomplete sampling at the time of radical prostatectomy leads to false-negative interpretations in at least 12%, and possibly as many as 33% of individuals with lymph node metastases, because isolated metastases in the external iliac, presciatic, or presacral lymph nodes are outside the boundaries of the standard Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection. [0038] Thus, there is a need for a non-invasive test that is able to identify lymph node metastases in individuals at risk for extraprostatic disease following the detection of elevated PSA and/or abnormal DRE and a positive biopsy. This will allow clinicians to reliably differentiate individuals with organ-confined disease from those with metastatic spread to lymph nodes. This will provide the opportunity for the individual and physician to make an informed decision on how to treat the disease and will significantly improve individual health outcome. [0039] Despite considerable research into methods for therapy and disease treatment, prostate cancer remains difficult to treat. Current methods, commonly based on surgery and/or radiation therapy, are ineffective in a significant number of cases. Prostate surgery, for example, holds the potential for damaging nerve tissue and compromising an individual's chances of recovering sexual function. There is a need for an imaging technology that can help to minimize the risks involved in surgery by determining the location of both the cancer and the individual's normal structures. [0040] Furthermore, a new technology that is able to localize cancerous prostate cells that remain following radical prostatectomy would assist physicians in removing all of the cancerous cells from an individual's body with focused treatment such as radiation therapy. A labeled technology that selectively binds prostate cancer cells will allow clinicians to localize any remaining cancer cells following surgery. An additional new technology would provide direct delivery of therapeutic agents, perhaps preventing the need for surgery. [0041] Thus, there is a need for an improved method to detect and/or diagnose lymph node metastases in individuals at risk for extraprostatic disease following the detection of elevated PSA and/or abnormal DRE and a positive biopsy. [0042] A substantial amount of work has been put into identifying enzyme or antigen markers, which could be used as sites for detection and/or diagnosis for various types of cancers. These markers could also be used to target cancer cells for treatment with therapeutic and/or cancer cell killing agents. The ideal cancer marker would exhibit, among other characteristics, tissue or cell-type specificity. [0043] A 750 amino acid protein ( FIG. 2 ; SEQ ID NO:22), prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), localized to the prostatic membrane has been identified. The complete coding sequence of the gene ( FIG. 1 ; nucleotides 262 to 2514 of GenBank™ accession number NM — 004476) is presented as SEQ ID NO:22. PSMA is an integral Type II membrane glycoprotein with a short intracellular tail and a long extracellular domain. This antigen was identified as the result of generating monoclonal antibodies to a prostatic cancer cell, LNCaP (Horoszewicz et al. (1983) Cancer Res. 43:1809-1818). Israeli et al. (Israeli et al. (1993) Cancer Res. 53:227-230) describes the cloning and sequencing of PSMA and reports that PSMA is prostate-specific and shows increased expression levels in metastatic sites and in hormone-refractory states. Other studies have indicated that PSMA is more strongly expressed in prostate cancer cells relative to cells from the normal prostate or from a prostate with benign hyperplasia. Current methods of targeting prostate specific membrane antigen use antibodies with binding specificity to PSMA. One of the first antibodies described with binding specificity to PSMA was 7E11 (Horoszewicz et al. (1987) Anticancer Res. 7:927-936 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,504). Indium-labeled 7E11 localizes to both prostate and sites of metastasis, and is more sensitive for detecting cancer sites than either CT or MR imaging, or bone scan (Bander (1994) Sem. In Oncology 21:607-612). [0044] One of the major disadvantages of the 7E11 antibody is that it is specific to the portion of the PSMA molecule which is present on the inside of the cell (intracellular). Antibody molecules do not normally cross the cell membrane, unless they bind to an extracellular antigen, which subsequently becomes internalized. As such, 7E11 can not be used to target a living prostate cell, cancerous or otherwise. The use of 7E11 for detection or imaging is therefore limited to pockets of dead cells within cancers or tissues with large amounts of dead cells, which cells render available their intracellular portion of PSMA for binding with this antibody. [0045] U.S. Pat. No. 6,107,090, in the name of Neii Bander, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,150,508, in the name of Gerald Murphy et al. describe numerous monoclonal antibodies which recognize the extracellular domain of PSMA, thereby overcoming one of the major drawbacks of the 7E11 antibody. These antibodies, being able to bind to the extracellular domain of PSMA are capable of binding to living prostate cells, thereby allowing a more effective method of diagnosis than 7E11. [0046] As described above, antibodies to PSMA are already in use for diagnostic purposes. For example, PSMA is the antigen recognized by the targeting monoclonal antibody used in ProstaScint™, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,162,504 and 5,763,202, Cytogen's imaging agent for prostate cancer. [0047] It would be highly desirable to be provided with an improved antibody specific for PSMA and a method for diagnosis and/or detection of cancerous prostate cells. [0048] It,would be highly desirable to be provided with a new prostate imaging technology offering accurate visualization of extraprostatic growth indicative of metastasis which would provide physicians with a tool to determine the progression of the cancer and be extremely valuable in directing treatment options. [0049] It would be highly desirable to be provided with a non-invasive test that is able to identify lymph node metastases in individuals at risk for extraprostatic disease following the detection of elevated PSA and/or abnormal DRE and a positive biopsy. [0050] It would be highly desirable to be provided with an imaging technology that decreases morbidity by identifying individuals in which surgery is not indicated. [0051] It would be highly desirable to be provided with a new technology that is able to localize cancerous prostate cells that remain following radical prostatectomy which would assist physicians in removing all of the cancerous cells from an individual's body. In addition, it would be highly desirable to be provided with a new technology which would provide direct delivery of therapeutic agents, perhaps preventing the need for surgery. [0052] It would be highly desirable to be provided with an improved method to detect and/or diagnose lymph node metastases in individuals at risk for extraprostatic disease following the detection of elevated PSA. [0053] It would be highly desirable to be provided with a new prostate imaging technology that provides for accurate visualization of extraprostatic growth indicative of metastasis which would provide physicians with a tool to determine the progression of the cancer and be extremely valuable in directing treatment options. [0054] It would be highly desirable to be provided with novel antibodies and their use for detecting, imaging, staging, treating and monitoring of prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof. It would also be highly desirable to be provided with novel pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of prostate cancer. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0055] One aim of the present invention is to provide novel antibodies and their use for detecting, imaging, staging, treating and monitoring of prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof. [0056] Another aim of the present invention is to provide novel pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of prostate cancer. [0057] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention there is provided an antigen comprising an epitope of the extracellular region of prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), ranging between amino acid 51 to amino acid 67, amino acid 85 to amino acid 102, amino acid 104 to amino acid. 118, amino acid 161 to amino acid 173, amino acid 236 to amino acid 245, amino acid 278 to amino acid 288, amino acid 345 to amino acid 354, amino acid 490 to amino acid 500, amino acid 531 to amino acid 545,amino acid 551 to amino acid 567, amino acid 608 to amino acid 619, amino acid 649 to amino acid 660, amino acid 716 to amino acid 724, or amino acid 738 to amino acid 750 which comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1-14, respectively. [0058] Preferably the antigen of the extracellular region of PSMA of the present invention is from a mammal, more preferably a human. [0059] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1-14. [0060] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a recombinant nucleic acid molecule comprising a sequence which encodes a peptide of SEQ ID NOs:1-14, a variant or a fragment thereof. [0061] A preferred recombinant nucleic acid molecule of the present invention is DNA. [0062] A preferred recombinant DNA molecule of the present invention is operatively linked to an expression control sequence. [0063] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided an expression vector containing the recombinant DNA molecule. [0064] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of expressing a recombinant DNA molecule in a cell containing the expression vector, comprising culturing the cell in an appropriate cell culture medium under conditions that provide for expression of the recombinant DNA molecule by the cell. [0065] A preferred method of expressing a recombinant DNA molecule in a cell containing the expression vector further comprises the step of purifying a recombinant product of the expression of the recombinant DNA molecule. [0066] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a unicellular host transformed with a recombinant DNA molecule for expression of a peptide of SEQ ID NOs:1-14, a variant or a fragment thereof. [0067] In accordance another embodiment of with the present invention there is provided an immunogenic composition for raising antibodies specific to PSMA in a subject, which comprises a peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1-14 modified with an immunogenic moiety or carrier and/or an antigen of the present invention in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. [0068] In a preferred immunogenic composition of the present invention the subject is an animal selected from the group consisting of mammals and birds, more preferably a human or a mouse, such as a BALB/c mouse, or a rabbit. [0069] In a preferred immunogenic composition the immunogenic moiety or carrier is selected from the group consisting of keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). [0070] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of raising antibodies which bind to PSMA, which comprises administering an immunogenic amount of an immunogenic composition of the present invention, such as PSMA, an epitope of PSMA, or intact cell and/or fragment thereof exhibiting the extracellular region of PSMA, to an animal. [0071] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of producing antibodies which bind to PSMA, comprising treating an animal with an immunogenic amount of an immunogenic composition of the present invention, such as PSMA, an epitope of PSMA, or intact cell and/or fragment thereof exhibiting the extracellular region of PSMA, to produce antibodies; and isolating the antibodies from serum of the animal. [0072] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided an isolated antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof, which binds to an antigen of the present invention. [0073] A preferred isolated antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof of the present invention is a monoclonal antibody, such as a monoclonal antibody selected from the group consisting of F34-8H12, F42-3E11, F42-17G1, F42-29B4, F42-30C1 AND F47-20F2, or a polyclonal antibody. [0074] The binding fragment may be selected from the group consisting of a Fab fragment, a F(ab′)2 fragment, and a Fv fragment. [0075] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition for targeted treatment of prostate cancer, and/or metastasis with PSMA thereon, which comprises an antibody or binding fragment thereof according to the present invention bound to a cytotoxic drug in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the PSMA binding site of the antibody is available for targeted binding to PSMA and the bound cytotoxic drug remains biologically active. [0076] In a preferred pharmaceutical composition of the present invention the cytotoxic drug is selected from the group consisting of iodine-125, iodine-131, cyclophosphamide, taxol, IFN-alpha and IL2 and/or mixtures thereof. [0077] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method for treating prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof comprising administering to an individual a pharmaceutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention. [0078] In a preferred method of the present invention the administering is carried out orally, rectally, parenterally, subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, intraarterially, transdermally or by application to a mucus membrane. [0079] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a composition for detection of prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof with PSMA thereon in an individual and/or in a sample obtained therefrom, which comprises an antibody or binding fragment thereof according to the present invention bound to a detectable label in association with a physiologically acceptable carrier or an in vitro acceptable carrier, wherein the PSMA binding site of the antibody is available for binding to PSMA and the detectable label remains detectable. [0080] In a preferred composition of the present invention the detectable label is selected from the group consisting of a radioactive label, a fluorescent label, a nuclear magnetic resonance active label, a luminescent label, a chromophore label, a positron emitting isotope for PET scanner, chemiluminescence label, or an enzymatic label. [0081] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of detecting prostate cancer cell, and/or metastasis thereof in an individual comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a composition according to the present invention or subjecting a biological sample obtained from the individual to an effective amount of the composition according to the present invention and detecting the signal produced by the detectable label, wherein detection of the label above a certain level is indicative of the presence of prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof. A preferred method of the embodiment of present invention further comprises localizing a detectable label within the individual or a sample obtained therefrom. [0082] In a preferred method of the present invention a 2-dimensional and/or 3-dimensional image of the individual or a sample obtained therefrom is generated. [0083] In a preferred method of the present invention the method is used to indicate the location of prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof within the individual and/or sample obtained therefrom. [0084] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided an assay system for detecting prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof comprising a labeled antibody and/or antigen binding fragment thereof according to the present invention. [0085] A preferred assay of the present invention further comprises means for semi-quantifying or quantifying an amount of antigen bound to the antibody and/or antigen binding fragment thereof, wherein an amount of antigen bound to the antibody and/or antigen binding fragment thereof above a predetermined level is indicative of prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof. [0086] In a preferred assay of the present invention the assay is selected from the group consisting of immunoassay, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), array-based immunoassay, array-based ELISA. [0087] A preferred assay of the present invention further comprises means for receiving the biological sample. [0088] A preferred assay of the present invention further comprises a multi-well microplate including the antibody and/or antigen binding fragment thereof in at least one well. [0089] In a preferred assay of the present invention the antibody and/or antigen binding fragment thereof binds to a peptide selected from the group consisting of PSMA, an extracellular region of PSMA, a peptide corresponding to an extracellular region of PSMA, an epitope of PSMA, and SEQ ID NOs:1-14. [0090] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of determining relative efficacy of a therapeutic regimen to be performed on an individual suffering from and/or being treated for prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof, the method comprising: (a) initially analyzing the individual or a biological sample obtained therefrom to determine presence of cancer-associated antigen able to bind with the antibody and/or antigen binding fragment thereof according to the present invention; and (b) periodically repeating step (a) during treatment of the individual to determine an increase or decrease in quantity of cancer-associated antigen present in the sample. [0091] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of determining the recurrence of a prostate cancer disease state in an individual clinically diagnosed as stabilized or in a remissive state, the method comprising analyzing the individual or a biological sample obtained therefrom to quantitate cancer-associated antigen immunoreactive with an antibody and/or antigen binding fragment thereof according to the present invention. [0092] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a kit for detecting prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof comprising a composition according to the present invention. [0093] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a hybridoma cell line that produces a monoclonal antibody which binds to an antigen of the extracellular region of PSMA, ranging between amino acid 51 to amino acid 67, amino acid 85 to amino acid 102, amino acid 104 to amino acid 118, amino acid 161 to amino acid 173, amino acid 236 to amino acid 245, amino acid 278 to amino acid 288, amino acid 345 to amino acid 354, amino acid 490 to amino acid 500, amino acid 531 to amino acid 545,amino acid 551 to amino acid 567, amino acid 608 to amino acid 619, amino acid 649 to amino acid 660, amino acid 716 to amino acid 724, or amino acid 738 to amino acid 750 which comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1-14, respectively. [0094] For the purpose of the present invention the following terms are defined below. [0095] The term “cancer” is intended to mean any cellular malignancy whose unique trait is the loss of normal controls which results in unregulated growth, lack of differentiation and ability to invade local tissues and metastasize. Cancer can develop in any tissue of any organ. More specifically, cancer is intended to include, without limitation, prostate cancer, leukemia, hormone dependent cancers, breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, epidermal cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer. [0096] The term “prostate cancer” is intended to mean an uncontrolled (malignant) growth of cells in the prostate gland, which is located at the base of the urinary bladder and is responsible for helping control urination as well as forming part of the semen. [0097] The term “metastasis” is intended to mean cancer that has spread beyond the prostate. “Metastasis” is also intended to mean the process by which cancer spreads from one part of the body to another, the way it travels from the place at which it first arose as a primary tumor to distant locations in the body. [0098] The term “antibody” (Ab) is intended to mean intact antibody molecules as well as fragments, or binding regions or domains thereof (such as, for example, Fab, F(ab′)2 and Fv fragments) which are capable of binding an antigen. Such fragments are typically produced by proteolytic cleavage, with enzymes such as papain or pepsin. Alternatively, antigen-binding fragments can be produced through recombinant DNA technology or through synthetic procedures. [0099] The term “monoclonal antibody” (mAb) is intended to mean an antibody produced by a single clone of cells or a cell line derived from a single cell that has unique antigen binding characteristics or recognizes an individual molecular target. Such antibodies are all identical and have unique amino acid sequences. [0100] The term “epitope” is intended to mean a molecular region on the surface of an antigen capable of eliciting an immune response and of combining with the specific antibody produced by such a response. [0101] The term “cytotoxic compound” is intended to mean a compound, or molecule which is capable of killing a cell. [0102] The term “detectable label” is intended to mean a label effective at permitting detection of a cell or portion thereof upon binding of a molecule to which the detectable label is attached to said cell or portion thereof. Alternatively, the detectable label permits detection of a cell upon internalization of the detectable label by the cell. A detectable label includes but is not limited to a radioactive label, a fluorescent label, a nuclear magnetic resonance active label, a luminescent label, a chromophore label, a positron emitting isotope for PET scanner, chemiluminescence label, or an enzymatic label. [0103] The term “biological sample” is intended to mean a sample obtained from an individual and includes, but is not to be limited to, any one of the following: tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, plasma, serum, saliva, blood, nasal mucosa, urine, synovial fluid, microcapillary microdialysis. [0104] The terms “treatment”, “treating” and the like are intended to mean obtaining a desired pharmacologic and/or physiologic effect, such as inhibition of cancer cell growth or induction of apoptosis of a cancer cell. The effect may be prophylactic in terms of completely or partially preventing a disease or symptom thereof and/or may be therapeutic in terms of a partial or complete cure for a disease and/or adverse effect attributable to the disease. “Treatment” as used herein covers any treatment of a disease in a mammal, particularly a human, and includes: (a) preventing a disease or condition (e.g., preventing cancer) from occurring in an individual who may be predisposed to the disease but has not yet been diagnosed as having it; (b) inhibiting the disease, (e.g., arresting its development); or (c) relieving the disease (e.g., reducing symptoms associated with the disease). [0105] The terms “administering” and “administration” are intended to mean a mode of delivery including, without limitation, oral, rectal, parenteral, subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intraarterial, transdermally or via a mucus membrane. The preferred one being orally. One skilled in the art recognizes that suitable forms of oral formulation include, but are not limited to, a tablet, a pill, a capsule, a lozenge, a powder, a sustained release tablet, a liquid, a liquid suspension, a gel, a syrup, a slurry, a suspension, and the like. For example, a daily dosage can be divided into one, two or more doses in a suitable form to be administered at one, two or more times throughout a time period. [0106] The term “therapeutically effective” is intended to mean an amount of a compound sufficient to substantially improve some symptom associated with a disease or a medical condition. For example, in the treatment of cancer, a compound which decreases, prevents, delays, suppresses, or arrests any symptom of the disease would be therapeutically effective. A therapeutically effective amount of a compound is not required to cure a disease but will provide a treatment for a disease such that the onset of the disease is delayed, hindered, or prevented, or the disease symptoms are ameliorated, or the term of the disease is changed or, for example, is less severe or recovery is accelerated in an individual. [0107] The compounds of the present invention may be used in combination with either conventional methods of treatment and/or therapy or may be used separately from conventional methods of treatment and/or therapy. [0108] When the compounds of this invention are administered in combination therapies with other agents, they may be administered sequentially or concurrently to an individual. Alternatively, pharmaceutical compositions according to the present invention may be comprised of a combination of a compound of the present invention, as described herein, and another therapeutic or prophylactic agent known in the art. [0109] It will be understood that a specific “effective amount” for any particular individual will depend upon a variety of factors including the activity of the specific compound employed, the age, body weight, general health, sex, and/or diet of the individual, time of administration, route of administration, rate of excretion, drug combination and the severity of the particular disease undergoing prevention or therapy. [0110] As used herein, “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” includes any and all solvents (such as phosphate buffered saline buffers, water, saline), dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents and the like. The use of such media and agents for pharmaceutically active substances is well. known in the art. Except insofar as any conventional media or agent is incompatible with the active ingredient, its use in therapeutic compositions is contemplated. Supplementary active ingredients can also be incorporated into the compositions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0111] FIG. 1 illustrates the complete nucleotide coding sequence for human PSMA (nucleotides 262 to 2514 of Genebank accession number: NM − 004476) (SEQ ID NO:21). [0112] FIG. 2 illustrates the complete amino acid sequence (amino acid 1 to 750) of human PSMA (Genebank accession number: NP — 004467) (SEQ ID NO:22). [0113] FIG. 3 illustrates reactivity of monoclonal antibodies of the present invention to LNCaP and various cells by ELISA. [0114] FIG. 4 illustrates the specificity of monoclonal antibodies of the present invention to PSMA derived antigen peptides. [0115] FIG. 5 illustrates Western blot detection of PSMA by monoclonal antibodies of the present invention. [0116] FIGS. 6A to 6 D illustrate immunohistochemical staining of prostate tissue (cancer or normal) in accordance with the present invention. [0117] FIG. 7 illustrates Bio-distribution of monoclonal antibody of the present invention (8H12) in nude mice bearing LNCaP tumor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0118] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided epitopes of the extracellular region of prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), ranging between amino acid 51 to amino acid 67, amino acid 85 to amino acid 102, amino acid 104 to amino acid 118, amino acid 161 to amino acid 173, amino acid 236 to amino acid 245, amino acid 278 to amino acid 288, amino acid 345 to amino acid 354, amino acid 490 to amino acid 500, amino acid 531 to amino acid 545, amino acid 551 to amino acid 567, amino acid 608 to amino acid 619, amino acid 649 to amino acid 660, amino acid 716 to amino acid 724, or amino acid 738 to amino acid 750 which regions comprise an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1-14, respectively. [0119] Some epitopes were chosen based on hydrophilic character of the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:22) and the lack of glycosylation consensus sites. Other sequences were selected from a rigorous analysis of PSMA secondary structure prediction and homology modeling with the most similar protein crystal structure (human transferring receptor type 1). Regions were selected according to their apparent high solvent accessibility, flexibility, and coiled coil structure. In all cases the aim was to optimize antigenicity and sequence uniqueness such that antibodies raised against these peptides do not likely cross-react with other proteins. [0120] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a peptide corresponding to an epitope of the extracellular region of PSMA selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1-14. [0121] Small molecules such as the peptides of the present invention are incomplete immunogens. Although they are able to react specifically with antibodies, they are unlikely to induce an immune response when they are injected into an animal. In order to make them immunogenic in animals, small peptide sequences are covalently coupled to a carrier molecule, such as keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) or bovine serum albumin (BSA). KLH and BSA are coupled to the peptides via a cysteine amino acid residue added to the N-terminus of the sequence of each peptide. The resulting peptide-conjugates are used to raise polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. [0122] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an immunogenic peptide or recombinant peptide or protein for raising antibodies specific to PSMA, which comprises a peptide corresponding to an epitope of the extracellular region of PSMA modified with an immunogenic moiety or carrier. [0123] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for raising antibodies which bind to the epitopes and peptides of the present invention, which also have binding specificity to PSMA, such as PSMA in its native environment in LNCaP cells, or recombinant PSMA. The antibodies, or binding portions thereof, recognize and bind to PSMA in normal, benign, hyperplastic and cancerous prostate cells. Moreover, the antibodies, or binding portions thereof recognize and bind to PSMA in living normal, benign, hyperplastic and cancerous prostate cells. As a result of this binding, the antibodies or binding portions thereof are concentrated in areas with large numbers of prostate cells or portions thereof. [0124] Antibodies in accordance with the present invention may be produced by procedures generally known in the art. For example, polyclonal antibodies may be produced by injecting the peptide or protein, such as PSMA or purified recombinant PSMA, alone or coupled to a suitable immunogenic moiety or carrier into a non-human animal. After an appropriate period, the animal is bled, sera recovered and purified by techniques known in the art. Monoclonal antibodies may be prepared, for example, by the Kohler-Milstein technique (1975, Nature 256(5517):497-497) involving fusion of an immune B-lymphocyte to myeloma cells. For example, antigen as described above can be injected into mice as described above until a polyclonal antibody response is detected in the mouse's sera. The mouse can be boosted again, its spleen removed and fusion with myeloma conducted according to a variety of methods. The individual surviving hybridoma cells are tested for the secretion of antibodies which bind the extracellular region of PSMA first by their ability to bind the immunizing antigen (peptide/protein). Monoclonal antibodies are produced in large quantities by growing the hybridoma clones in vitro or in vivo. [0125] Serum from immunized and nonimmunized (control) animals are tested for the presence of specific antibodies in an Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA). For the ELISA assay each peptide is covalently coupled to a carrier molecule different than that used in the immunization phase of the procedure, or used uncoupled. Such a carrier molecule is, for example, bovine serum albumin (BSA). The same N-terminal cysteine of each peptide used to couple to the carrier molecule used for raising antibodies, for example KLH, is used to couple to the carrier molecule used for the ELISA, for example BSA. There are two reasons for this. First, immunization of animals with peptide-KLH induces the production of antibodies to both the peptide and KLH. Therefore, when screening for antibodies to the peptide it is important to eliminate the possibility of detecting binding to the KLH carrier by using peptide linked to a carrier the immunized mice have never seen. This eliminates background reactivity in the assay that may mask reactivity to the peptide of interest. Second, linking peptide to BSA in a similar manner as it was linked to KLH should permit antibodies induced to the peptide by immunization with peptide-KLH to recognize that peptide linked to the BSA carrier because its orientation is the same on each carrier surface. [0126] The processes of the present invention encompass both whole antibodies and the binding portions thereof. Such binding portions thereof include Fab fragments, F(ab′)2 fragments, and Fv fragments. These antibody fragments can be prepared by conventional procedures, such as proteolytic fragmentation as described in J. Goding, Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Practice, pp. 98-118, N.Y. Academic Press 1983. [0127] Preferred monoclonal antibodies in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention are identified in Table 1 below. These antibodies were raised using peptide PSO215 (SEQ ID NO:8). TABLE 1 Anti-PSMA Monoclonal Antibodies Monoclonal Antibody isotype F34-8H12 IgG 3 K F42-3E11 IgG 1 K F42-17G1 IgG 1 K F42-29B4 IgG 1 K F42-30C1 IgG 1 K F47-20F2 IgG 1 K [0128] The antibody or binding portion thereof of the present invention can be used alone or in combination as a mixture with at least one other antibody or binding portion thereof with binding specificity for prostate antigen not herein described. [0129] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a monoclonal antibody or binding fragment thereof which binds to an epitope of the extracellular region of PSMA ranging between amino acid 51 to amino acid 67, amino acid 85 to amino acid 102, amino acid 104 to amino acid 118, amino acid 161 to amino acid 173, amino acid 236 to amino acid 245, amino acid 278 to amino acid 288, amino acid 345 to amino acid 354, amino acid 490 to amino acid 500, amino acid 531 to amino acid 545, amino acid 551 to amino acid 567, amino acid 608 to amino acid 619, amino acid 649 to amino acid 660, amino acid 716 to amino acid 724, or amino acid 738 to amino acid 750 which regions comprise an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1-14, respectively. Fourteen examples of peptides used to raise monoclonal antibodies developed using procedures described in detail below are presented in Table 2. [0130] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a monoclonal antibody or binding fragment thereof which binds to a peptide corresponding to an epitope of the extracellular region of PSMA selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1-14. [0131] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a hybridoma cell line that produces a monoclonal antibody which binds to an epitope of the extracellular region of PSMA, ranging between amino acid 51 to amino acid 67, amino acid 85 to amino acid 102, amino acid 104 to amino acid 118, amino acid 161 to amino acid 173, amino acid 236 to amino acid 245, amino acid 278 to amino acid 288, amino acid 345 to amino acid 354, amino acid 490 to amino acid 500, amino acid 531 to amino acid 545, amino acid 551 to amino acid 567, amino acid 608 to amino acid 619, amino acid 649 to amino acid 660, amino acid 716 to amino acid 724, or amino acid 738 to amino acid 750 which regions comprise an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1-14, respectively. [0132] In accordance, with the present invention there, is provided a hybridoma cell line that produces a monoclonal antibody which binds to a peptide corresponding to an epitope of the extracellular region of PSMA selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1-14. [0133] The antibody or binding fragment thereof, or mixtures thereof may be unmodified or may be linked to 1).a radioimaging agent, such as those emitting radiation, for detection of the prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof upon binding of the antibody or binding fragment thereof, or mixtures thereof to the antigen, or 2) a cytotoxic agent, which kills the prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof upon binding of the antibody or binding fragment thereof, or mixtures thereof to the antigen. Alternatively, the cytotoxic agent is not toxic until internalized by the cell. Alternatively, the cytotoxic agent is toxic whether internalized or not internalized. Treatment is effected by administering the antibody or binding fragment thereof, or mixtures thereof to the individual under conditions which allow binding of the antibody or binding fragment thereof, or mixtures thereof to the antigen, and which binding results in the death of the cell of the prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof. In a preferred embodiment, administration is carried out on a living mammal. Such administration can be carried out orally or parenterally. In another embodiment the method is used to prevent or delay development or progression of prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof. [0134] A cytotoxic agent of the present invention can be an agent emitting radiation, a cellular toxin (chemotherapeutic agent) and/or biologically active fragment thereof, and/or mixtures thereof to allow cell killing. A cytotoxic agent such as a cellular toxin and/or biologically active fragment thereof can be a synthetic product or a product of fungal bacterial or other microorganism, such as mycoplasma, viral etc., animal, such as reptile, or plant origin. A cellular toxin and/or biologically active fragment thereof can be an enzymatically active toxin and/or fragment thereof, or can act by inhibiting or blocking an important and/or essential cellular pathway or by competing with an important and/or essential naturally occurring cellular component. [0135] Cytotoxic agents emitting radiation for use in the present invention are exemplified by Yttrium-90 (Y 90 ), iodine-125 (I 125 ), iodine-131 (I 131 ) and gamma-emitting isotopes used, for example, to destroy thyroid tissue in some individuals suffering from hyperthyroidism. [0136] Radioimaging agents emitting radiation (detectable radio-labels) for use in the present invention are exemplified by indium-111 (In 111 ), technitium-99 (Tc 99 ), or iodine-131 (I 131 ). [0137] Detectable labels (non-radioactive labels) for use in the present invention can be a radioactive label, a fluorescent label, a nuclear magnetic resonance active label, a luminescent label, a chromophore label, a positron emitting isotope for PET scanner, chemiluminescence label, or an enzymatic label. Fluorescent labels are exemplified by fluorescein, and rhodamine. Chemiluminescence labels are exemplified by luciferase. Enzymatic labels are exemplified by peroxidase and phosphatase. [0138] Cellular toxins and/or biologically active fragments thereof are exemplified by chemotherapeutic agents (anti-cancer cytotoxic compounds) known in the art, for example, cyclophosphamide and taxol. Biological compounds with cellular toxic effects are exemplified by Sapporin, Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE40), interferons (e.g. IFN-alpha) and certain interleukins (e.g. IL2). [0139] in accordance with the present invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition for targeted treatment of prostate cancer, and/or metastasis with PSMA thereon, which comprises an antibody or binding fragment thereof, or mixtures thereof bound to a cytotoxic agent in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the PSMA binding site of the antibody is available for targeted binding of PSMA and the cytotoxic agent remains biologically active. [0140] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of detecting normal, benign, hyperplastic and cancerous prostate epithelial cells, and/or metastases thereof in an individual or a biological sample obtained therefrom, i.e., the detection may be in vivo or in vitro. The method involves providing an antibody or binding fragment thereof or or mixtures thereof with binding specificity to an antigen of prostate cancer, or metastasis thereof. The antibody or binding fragment thereof or mixtures thereof is bound to a detectable label which upon binding of the antibody or binding fragment thereof or mixtures thereof allows detection of the prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof. Detection is effected by administering the antibody or binding fragment thereof or mixtures thereof to the individual or by contacting a biological sample obtained therefrom under conditions which allow binding of the antibody or binding fragment thereof or mixtures thereof to the antigen. Prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof is detected by monitoring of the signal produced by the detectable label above a predetermined base level, which indicates the presence of prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof. In a preferred embodiment, administration is carried out on a living mammal. [0141] Detection of PSMA in, for example, a fluid sample obtained from an individual is an indication that prostate cells are being lyzed. Since PSMA is not present in the extracellular fluid of healthy individuals, the detection of PSMA in a biological sample from an individual is an indication of prostate cell lysis. [0142] In a preferred embodiment detection of the signal produced by the detectable label is used in the generation of a 2-dimensional and/or 3-dimensional image of the individual or a biological sample obtained therefrom. In another preferred embodiment the 2-dimensional and/or 3-dimensional image is used to indicate the location of prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof within the individual or a biological sample obtained therefrom. [0143] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a composition for targeted detection of prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof with PSMA thereon, which comprises an antibody or binding fragment thereof or mixtures thereof bound to a detectable label in association with a physiologically acceptable carrier, wherein said PSMA binding site of said antibody is available for targeted binding of PSMA and said detectable label remains detectable from inside or outside a cell. [0144] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a method of detecting prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof in an individual or a biological sample obtained therefrom comprising: administering to the individual or a biological sample obtained therefrom an effective amount of a composition which comprises an antibody or binding fragment thereof or mixtures thereof bound to a detectable label in association with a physiologically acceptable carrier, wherein the PSMA binding site of the antibody is available for targeted binding of PSMA and the detectable label remains detectable from inside or outside a cell; and detecting the signal produced by the detectable label, wherein detection of the label above a certain level indicates the presence of prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof. [0145] The antibody or binding fragment thereof or mixtures thereof with binding specificity to an antigen of prostate cancer, and/or metastases thereof of the present invention can be used and sold together with equipment, as a kit, to detect the particular label. [0146] In accordance with the present invention there is provided an assay system for detecting prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof comprising: means for receiving a biological sample; means for detecting presence of antigen bound to at least one antibody or binding fragment thereof or mixtures thereof; and means for quantifying an amount of antigen bound to said at least one antibody or binding fragment thereof or mixtures thereof, wherein an amount of antigen bound to said at least one antibody or binding fragment thereof or mixtures thereof above a predetermined level indicates prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof. [0147] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a method of determining the relative efficacy of a therapeutic regimen performed on an individual treated for prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof, the method comprising: initially analyzing an individual or a biological sample obtained therefrom to quantitate cancer-associated antigen able to bind with at least one antibody or binding fragment thereof or mixtures thereof; and periodically repeating the previous step during the course of application of the therapeutic regimen to determine increase or decrease in quantity of cancer-associated antigen present in the sample. [0148] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a method of determining the recurrence of a prostate cancer disease state in an individual clinically diagnosed as stabilized or in a remissive state, the method comprising: initially analyzing an individual or a biological sample obtained therefrom to quantitate cancer-associated antigen immunoreactive with at least one antibody or binding fragment thereof or mixtures thereof; and periodically repeating the previous step during the course of application of the therapeutic regimen to determine increase or decrease in quantity of cancer-associated antigen present in the sample. [0149] Regardless of whether the antibody or binding fragment thereof, or mixtures thereof of the present invention is used for treatment, detection, or imaging, it can be administered orally, parenterally, subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, by intranasal instillation, by intracavitary or intravesical instillation, intraocularly, intraarterially, intralesionally, as an aerosol, or by application to mucous membranes, such as, that of the nose, throat, and bronchial tubes. It may be administered alone or with a pharmaceutically or physiologically acceptable carrier, excipient, or stabilizer, and can be in solid or liquid form such as, tablet, capsule, powder, solution, suspension or emulsion. [0150] The treatment and/or therapeutic use of the antibody of the present invention can be used in conjunction with other treatment and/or therapeutic methods. Such other treatment and/or therapeutic methods include surgery, radiation, cryosurgery, thermotherapy, hormone treatment, chemotherapy, vaccines, other immunotherapies, and other treatment and/or therapeutic methods which are regularly described. [0151] In addition to methods of treatment and/or therapeutic use, the antibodies of the present invention, by their binding positions on the PSMA protein, can be used for epitope mapping of the architecture of the PSMA protein in epitope mapping studies. The antibodies of the present invention can also be used as probes for screening a library of molecules, agents, proteins, peptides and/or chemicals to identify a molecule, agent, protein, peptide and/or chemical. Such a library could be a chemical library, antibody library, phage display library, peptide library or library of natural compounds. The identified molecule, agent, protein, peptide and/or chemical could be an antagonist or agonist of PSMA. [0152] The present invention will be more readily understood by referring to the following examples which are given to illustrate the invention rather than to limit its scope. EXAMPLE 1 Peptide Synthesis [0153] Example 1 relates to the procedures whereby peptides corresponding to epitopes of the extracellular domain of PSMA are synthesized. [0154] Table 2 shows the sequence and their location within the PSMA amino acid sequence of the 14 peptides that were synthesized by solid phase F-MOC chemistry to greater than 85% purity. Each peptide was synthesized with a single amino terminal unblocked cysteine residue. This amino acid was used to conjugate each peptide to lysine residues in KLH and bovine serum albumin (BSA) carrier proteins using N-maleimide chemistry. TABLE 2 Sequence of synthesized peptides SEQ Reference ID No. Peptide Sequence a Location NO 4243 NH 2 -CNITPKHNMKAFLDELKA 51-67 1 4244 NH 2 -CGTEQNFQLAKQIQSQWKE  85-102 2 PS0210 NH 2 -CGLDSVELAHYDVLLS 104-118 3 PS0211 NH 2 -CFSAFSPQGMPEGD 161-173 4 PS0212 NH 2 -CAPGVKSYPDG 236-245 5 PS0213 NH 2 -CAYRRGIAEAVG 278-288 6 PS0214 NH 2 -CHIHSTNEVTR 345-354 7 PS0215 NH 2 -CGKSLYESWTKK 490-500 8 4245 NH 2 -CASGRARYTKNWETNK 531-545 9 4246 NH 2 -CLYHSVYETYELVEKFYD 551-567 10 PS0216 NH 2 -CADKIYSISMKHP 608-619 11 PS0217 NH 2 -C-CSERLQDFDKSNPIVLR-C 649-660 12 PS0218 NH 2 -CESKVDPSKA 716-724 13 PS0219 NH 2 -CTVQAAAETLSEVA 738-750 14 a N-termmnal C residues on each peptide are optionally added for manipulation and/or coupling; they are not part of the PSMA sequence. The C residues at the N-terminal and C-terminal of PS0217 also allow for the potential for cyclization. EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of Monoclonal Antibodies [0155] Example 2 relates to preparation of mouse monoclonal antibodies with specificity to the peptides of Example 1. [0156] Several strategies were used to immunize BALB/c mice for production of PSMA-specific antibodies. [0157] One strategy consisted of priming and boosting at 2 to 3 week intervals with peptide conjugated to KLH by one of 2 methods that link the amino terminal cysteine of the peptide immunogen to lysine residues on KLH. Peptides were conjugated to KLH using either sulfo-GMBS or SMCC conjugation systems. This strategy was designed to induce and amplify peptide specific antibodies. [0158] A second strategy employed 2 immunizations at 2 to 3 week intervals with LNCaP membrane followed by 3 immunizations with purified PSMA or peptide conjugated KLH. Priming with LNCaP membrane should induce the production of an antibody response directed to membrane antigens including PSMA presented in a native conformation within a cellular membrane. Boosting with purified PSMA antigen should further activate and expand the B lymphocyte clones secreting antibody that recognizes epitopes present on whole native PSMA whereas boosting with peptide conjugated KLH should further activate and expand the B lymphocyte clones recognizing the epitopes corresponding to the peptide used in the boost immunizations. [0159] All immunizations were intraperitoneal injections of 100 μl volumes containing 25 to 50 pg of peptide antigen or 50 pi of LNCaP membrane preparation. The antigen for the first immunization was emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Antigen used for subsequent immunizations was emulsified in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA). The final boost before fusing donor spleen with the NS0 myeloma parental cell line was done 3 to 5 days before fusion. For this immunization antigen was diluted in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). [0160] The fusion was performed according to the technique known in the art (Kohler G. and Milstein C. (1975) Nature 256 (5517):495-97). [0161] Supernatants of the resulting wells exhibiting growth were screened by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for the presence of antibodies binding to peptide (conjugated or not to BSA) and either LNCaP cell membranes or recombinant PSMA. Negative controls for the screening step were BSA alone (control for peptide or PSMA binding) or PC-3 cell membrane (control for LNCaP binding). Wells containing antibodies with desirable binding characteristics were subjected to at least 2 cycles of cloning by limiting dilution. Hybridomas secreting either one of the 6 monoclonal antibodies against peptide PSO215 (SEQ ID NO:8) were generated according to this screening strategy. The isotype of the immunoglobulin secreted into cultured supernatants by cloned antibody secreting hybridomas was determined using Isostrips (Roche Diagnostics Corp., Indianapolis Ind.). EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of Cell Membrane and Purified PSMA [0000] Cell Membrane Preparation [0162] Example 3 relates to the purification of recombinant PSMA and cell membrane for immunization and characterization of mAb. [0163] LNCaP cells (ATCC No. ERL-1 740), PC3 (ATCC No. CRL 1435 KS62 (ATCC No. CCL 243), NMB7 (Gift from Dr. U. Saragovi) were grown at 37° C in RPMI-1640 supplemented with 10 mM HEPES, 10% FCS, 30 μg/ml kanamycin, 200 μg/ml streptomycin, and 20 μg/ml neomycin, and 2 mM L-glutamine, under a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO 2 . When confluent, cells were washed with PBS and detached using 1 mM EDTA in PBS. Cells were spun down and the pellet frozen. Packed cells were resuspended in 10 volumes of ice cold hypotonic buffer (5 mM Tris pH 7.6; 2mM EDTA) containing protease inhibitors (20 μg/ml of TLCK (Nα-p-tosyl-l-lysine chloromethyl ketone) 20μg/ml TPCK (N-tosyl-l-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone) and 20 μg/ml PMSF (phenylmethyl sulfonyl fluoride). Cells were sonicated using a probe sonicator at medium setting with three 30-second bursts on ice. Sonicated cells were centrifuged at 1500 ×g for 10 min at 4° C. Supernatant was collected and centrifuged at 12,000 ×g for 60 min at 4° C. The membrane pellet was resuspended in 10 volumes of the following buffer (250 mM sucrose, 50 mM Tris-HCl pH7.4, 5mM EDTA, 100 mM NaCl) and frozen until use. [0000] Cloning of PSMA from LNCaP Cells [0164] Total RNA from LNCaP was isolated using the Trizol method according to manufacturer's directions (GIBCO Life Technologies Inc.) and treated with DNase I (RNase free). LNCaP RNA was reverse transcribed by Thermoscript reverse transcriptase and oligo dT primers (GIBCO Life Technologies Inc.). DNA corresponding to the gene encoding PSMA was then amplified by PCR using the oligonucleotides (5′3′) ATGTGGAATCTCCTTCACGAAACC (SEQ ID NO:15) and TTAGGCTACTTCACTCAAAGTCTC (SEQ ID NO:16). The resulting PCR product was cloned into plasmid pCRT7-NT. Clones were sequenced to verify the identity of the insert DNA as originating from PSMA. [0000] Baculovirus Expression of PSMA [0165] PSMA was PCR-amplified from a sequence-confirmed recombinant plasmid of pCRT7-NT using primers GGGGATCCATGTGGMTCTCCTTCACG (SEQ ID NO:17) and GGGCTCGAGGGCTACTTCACTCAAAGTCT (SEQ ID NO:18) (full length PSMA, flPSMA) or the oligonucleotides GGGGATCCGAAATCCTCCAATGMGCTACTAAC (SEQ ID NO:19) and GGGCTCGAGTTAGGCTACTTCACTCAAAGTCTC (SEQ ID NO: 20) (soluble PSMA, sPSMA). The PCR fragment was digested overnight with the restriction enzymes BamHI and XhoI and cloned into Novagen transfer vector pBAC-1 (flPSMA) or pBAC-3 (sPSMA). The recombinant virus encoded either a full length PSMA containing a C-terminal poly-histidine tag or a truncated PSMA containing a poly-histidine tag at the N-terminus. Sf9 cells were co-transfected with the transfer vector DNA and the linearized viral DNA according to the manufacturer's directions. The viruses were plaque purified prior amplification to obtain a high titer viral stock, [0166] Sf9 cells were propagated in TNM-FH medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 0.1% Pluronic F-68 (InVitrogen), and the antibiotics kanamycin (30 ug/ml), neomycin (20 ug/ml) and streptomycin (200 ug/ml). Infection of Sf9 cells with recombinant baculovirus was done at a multiplicity of infection of about 10. After 3 days post-infection. flPSMA was solubilized from a cell lysate (PBS containing 1% Triton X-100) and secreted sPSMA was recovered directly from the medium. Both proteins were purified by affinity chromatography using a Ni-NTA resin, according to the manufacturer's instruction (Qiagen). The eluate was dialysed extensively against PBS before use as an immunogen or for hybridoma screening. EXAMPLE 4 Characterization of Monoclonal Antibodies [0000] Monoclonal Antibodies Reactivity to PSMA by ELISA [0167] Example 4 relates to the characterization of the mAbs by ELISA, western blot IHC, and in vivo biodistribution. [0168] mAb reactivity to PSMA was assayed by ELISA. The LNCaP cell line was used as a source of natural PSMA and various PSMA non-expressing cell line as negative control. 5 ug of cell membrane preparation in 100 ul PBS were adsorbed onto 96 well plates (Immulon 2HB, Thermo Labs System) overnight at 4° C., or 2 hours at room temperature. The plates were washed with TBST (10 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 0.05% Tween-20) then incubated with TBST containing 3% casein for 1 hours to block non-specific sites. The wells were loaded with 100 ul of the hybridoma cell supernatants or a dilution in TBST, and incubated for 1 hour at room temperature under gentle agitation. In some cases, the mAb was pre-mixed with dilutions of the antigenic peptide or an irrelevant peptide and then the solution applied to coated cell lysate. The plates were washed with TBST then incubated for 1 hour with a horse-radish peroxidase conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG (Jackson #115-035-164) secondary antibody at a dilution 1/1000 in TBST. After extensive washing, the plates were incubated with 100 ul of the peroxidase substrate TMB (BioFX). The reaction was stopped with an equivalent volume of 0.5N sulfuric acid and the reactivity evaluated by reading at OD 450 nm. [0169] FIG. 3 shows a representative reactivity of the six monoclonal antibodies for the LNCaP cells (-□-) compared to the PSMA negative human cancer cell lines PC-3 (prostate, -Δ-), K562 (myeloid leukemia, -x-) and NMB-7- (neuroblastoma, -Δ-). The graph illustrates that only a very weak signal was detected from the negative control cell lines as compared to the strongly reactive LNCaP cells. Indeed, the average reactivity (±SEM) of the antibodies to LNCaP over PC-3 background was found to be 9.0±3.6 for the 8H12 (n=8), 25.7±6.3 for the 3E11 (n=7), 26.1±6.32 for the 29B4 (n=8), 10.9±3.0 for the 30C1 (n=5), 16.9±4.4 for the 17G1 (n=5), and 58.9±15.6 for the 20F2 (n=4). These results suggest that the reactivity of the mAbs is specific for a protein expressed by the LNCaP cells only. [0170] In order to confirm the specificity of the mAbs, the reactivity of the mAbs to LNCaP cells were challenged by the original antigen from which they were generated (PS0215) (SEQ ID NO:8). FIG. 4 shows that nanomolar concentrations of the antigenic peptide PS0215 (-□-) can completely inhibits the binding of the antibodies to LNCaP cells. In contrast, no change in the reactivity of the antibodies were observed when challenged with up to micromolar concentration of another peptide derived from the PSMA amino acid sequence (PS0210, -O-). The results suggests that the antibodies recognize a unique linear amino acid sequence of PSMA (PS0215) i.e. corresponding to PS0215 or SEQ ID NO:8. [0000] Western Blot Detection of PSMA [0171] Western Blot analysis were performed on LNCaP and PC-3 cell membrane in order to confirm that the mAbs detect the PSMA protein. Proteins from 2.5 ug of a cell membrane preparation were separated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoreisis on a 7.5% gel. The proteins were then transferred to a PVDF membrane and the membrane was blocked with 3% casein in TBST (10 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 0.05% Tween-20) for 1 hour at room temperature. After washing, the membrane was incubated with the hybridoma supernatant diluted 1/1000 in TBST, and incubated 1 hour under gentle agitation. After extensive washing with TBST, the membrane was incubated with a 1/5000 dilution of horse-radish peroxidase conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG (Jackson #115-035-164) secondary antibody for 1 hour. After washing, the membrane was developed with a chemiluminescent substrate according to the manufacturer's recommendations (Pierce #34080). [0172] FIG. 5 shows that all mAbs detected a single band of a molecular weight of about 100 KDa in LNCaP cell membrane (lane 1) and not in the PC-3 cell membrane (lane 2). The fact that the antibodies detected a band from a reducing and denaturing gel also confirm that they recognise a linear amino acid sequence of PSMA as opposed to a conformational epitope. [0000] Immunohistochemical Staining of Prostate Cancer Tissue [0173] Immunohistochemical staining was performed on paraffin embedded section from prostate cancer. After deparafinization and rehydration through graded alcohol, endogenous peroxidase was inactivated by treating sections with 3% H 2 O 2 for 20 min at RT. Non specific binding was blocked with 5% normal goat serum (NGS) in 0.01 M phosphate buffered saline pH 7.4; 0.05% Triton (PBS-T) for 30 min at RT before adding primary antibodies diluted in PBS-T; 2% NGS overnight at RT. 8H12 was used as a tissue culture supernatant diluted 1:5. Mouse IgG with an irrelevant specificity was used as a negative control at a concentration of 2 μg/ml. After washing, binding of primary antibody to tissue sections was detected by sequential addition followed by washing of goat anti-mouse Ig heavy+light chain polyclonal antibody (ICN) at 1:100, a complex of horse radish peroxidase (HRP, 5 μg/ml) and a mouse monoclonal antibody engineered to have dual specificity for goat antibody and HRP (1/30), and DAB (0.06%); 0.01% H 2 O 2 all diluted in PBS-T; 2% NGS. Sections were washed in tap water, counterstained with hematoxylin and rinsed in tap water. Sections were then dehydrated and mounted in Permount™ (Sigma). A pathologist evaluated all immunohistochemical sections in a blinded fashion. [0174] FIGS. 6A to D show paraffin embedded sections of prostate tissue from patients diagnosed with prostate cancer, stained immunohistochemically with the mAb 8H12. Shown are results for non antigen retrieved material. While 8H12 bound PSMA focally in prostate epithelial cells of both benign and malignant prostate tissue, normal structures in the prostatric stroma, nerve tissue, smooth muscles of blood vessel walls and collagen, were negatively stained for PSMA ( FIG. 6A ). As well, inflammatory cells (not shown) and endothelial cells stain negatively. [0175] Staining of the benign prostatic glands, composed of prostatic acinar cells and underlying basal cells, show that the basal cells are PSMA negative, whereas the acinar cells are PSMA positive, mainly at the luminal aspect of the plasma membrane ( FIG. 6B , C and D). 8H12 shows moderate staining of PSMA in well differentiated prostate cancer, i.e. Gleason 3+3=6. Weaker cytoplasmic staining is also seen. In Vivo Biodistribution of Labeled Anti-PSMA mAbs [0176] Purification of mAb: Cells were grown in Iscove's medium, 20% FCS, IL-6 (1 mg/ml), and antibiotics using T175 flasks. After reaching confluence, cells were removed by centrifugation. The medium was precipitated with saturated ammonium sulfate (final concentration=45%) overnight at 4° C. The solution was centrifuged and the supernatant discarded. The precipitate was resuspended in PBS pH 7.4 and further dialyzed against PBS at 4° C. A 5 ml protein G column (Amersham) was equilibrated with 20 mM NaH 2 PO 4 pH 7.0 and the Ab solution was then passed through using a syringe barrel. The column was washed with 20 mM NaH 2 PO 4 pH 7.0 and finally elution was done using Pierce's ImmunoPure Gentle Ag/Ab Buffer. Fractions containing the Ab were combined and buffer exchanged into PBS using Amicon Centriplus filtration devices. [0177] Labelling of mAbs: 100 ug mAb were labelled by the method of chloramine T (Bioconjugate Techniques (1996) Elsevier Science (USA)) by mixing about 10 mCi NaI 125 and five fold antibody molar equivalent of chloramine T in a total volume of 135 ul. After 30 seconds, the reaction was quenched with 100 ul sodium meta-bisulfite at a concentration of 2.6 mg/ml. Free I 125 was removed by gel filtration of the antibody solution in a sodium phosphate buffer containing 0.1% BSA. 85% to 92% of the radioactive iodine was associated with the antibody, as assessed by HPTLC. [0000] In Vivo Biodistribution of Labelled Anti-PSMA mAbs [0178] In vivo targeting potential of the I 125 -8H12 and I 125 -29B4 was assessed in nude mice bearing LNCaP and/or PC3 tumors. Nude mice were injected subcutaneously in the flank with 0.5×10 6 trypsinized LNCaP cells and/or in the other flank with PC-3 cells in a volume of 200 ul PBS containing 50% Matrigel (Becton Dickinson). 1 month after the cell injection, the mice were administered, by tail vein injection, 2 or 20 ug of the mentioned labelled mAb at a specific activity of ˜2 uCi/ug. After 24 or 48 hours post-injection, the mice were sacrificed and the tumors and major organs were recovered and cleaned from blood. A blood sample-was also obtained at the time of sacrifice. The blood and tissue samples were weighted and counted for radioactivity incorporation in a gamma counter. [0179] The relative activity of the tissue (cpm) was expressed per mg of tissue. For mice bearing both LNCaP and PC-3 tumors, the ratio of the relative activity of LNCaP/PC-3 tumor was calculated. For comparison of mAb uptake between mice, relative tissue activity was first normalized to blood to account for difference in the efficiency of injection, and then the ratio of the relative activity of LNCaP tumor over non tumor tissue was calculated. [0180] FIG. 7 shows the LNCaP retention potential of the labeled Ab over normal tissue 48 hrs after an injection. The LNCaP tumor retained the labelled 8H12 antibody between 2.7 and 6.5 times better than the various tissues tested. The tissue retention was comparable at 24 h post-injection, indicating a complete bio-distribution of the mAb in a minimum of 24 h. These results indicate a significant concentration of 8H12 in LNCaP tumor compared to major organs. [0181] The selectivity of the 8H12 and 29B4 for LNCaP tumor compared to PC-3 tumor was also measured in mice bearing both type of cells. Table 3 shows that 2 ug of the labelled 8H12 resulted in the concentration of the mAb 4.3 times higher than in the PC-3 tumor. TABLE 3 In vivo tumor selectivity of anti-PSMA mAb LNCaP/PC-3 tumor ratio, 48 hrs post injection mAb Ratio  2 μg 8H12 4.3 20 μg 29B4 2.7 20 ug of the mAb 29B4, also revealed a significant concentration (2.7 times) in LNCaP tumor compared to PC-3. [0182] While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modifications and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth, and as follows in the scope of the appended claims.

The present invention relates to novel antibodies and their use for detecting, imaging, staging, treating and monitoring of prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof. The present invention also relates to novel pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of prostate cancer. Furthermore the present invention relates to assay systems and kits for detecting, imaging, staging, treating and monitoring of prostate cancer, and/or metastasis thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention: The invention is directed to a device for production of a heat and tension resistant as well as flexible connection between the ends of web-like materials, particularly between a layer from a plurality of parallel threads (thread layer) and a web-like material with a first retaining device for temporarily securing the free end of a web-like material coiled on a storage drum and unwindable from said drum wherein the retaining device is arranged on the side of the transport plane of the thread layer and that a clamping device for the thread layer is located downstream of this retaining device viewed in the transport direction of the thread layer, the transport plane extending between the jaws of the clamping device displaceable against each other. 2. Description of Related Art In textile technology, the task often arises to unite area formations with each other, particularly if textile webs, which are processed continuously, are to be connected with other textile webs independently of the fact whether these other textile webs are only auxiliary devices with which the processing method is being performed or whether they are textile webs which are subjected to the process itself. In such a processing method, the textile webs to be worked are not completely pulled out of the processing machine, rather a new web is connected to the web which is running out. It is thus avoided that the processing machine, which has an extraordinary length for such textile processing methods, idles, which entails costly additional work processes, a new web must be inserted, the machine at standstill must be cleaned and more of the same. In the ensuing description and also in the claims terms such as thread layer, web- or layer-like material signify a fibrous two-dimensional material, whose thickness has only a very low magnitude in comparison with the width and especially the length. Thus we are dealing, as a rule, always with textile webs in the most general sense of this term and by this are meant woven and not woven fabrics, fleeces or mats, hoisery goods, and also single layer or multilayer webs, also when they are constituted by parallel assemblage of threads, for instance filling- or warp threads. Textile processing methods which are performed in installations having a large extension as far as lengths are concerned, are washing, singeing, bleaching, dressing, printing, finishing and more of the same. Assemblages of yarns are mostly dyed and sized. Processes and measures for treatment of yarn assemblages instead of the finally obtained tissue are becoming more and more widespread and, in the case of this process, all the upgrading operations can be performed to the extent that this appears desirable with a view to the subsequent processing steps. Such processes are for instance described in the Swiss patent publication No. 612 557 and in the French patent publication No. 12 01 724. It is very cumbersome and difficult to draw in or to reinsert threads which are subjected to such processing methods into a processing machine or installation, in order to replace the already introduced and processed threads, since the quantity of the parallel threads which pass through such an installation is extraordinarily great. Their number lies approximately between 7 to 10,000 and the drawing in lengths themselves reach notable values. Lengths amounting to 350 and more meters must here be reckoned with. When tissues are subjected to such processing methods and processing steps, the previously described difficulty exists only to a slight extent, since in this case the initial regions of the new tissue are simply connected to the end regions of the just treated tissue by one or several seams, which are produced with manual sewing machines. A measure is explained in the European patent publication No. 00 63 546 which permits connecting such thread layers with a textile web. In the case of such thread layers, one is dealing with textile formations which unravel in longitudinal direction, meaning in the direction of pull similar to mats and parallel assemblages of yarns. The connection proposed in the European patent application No. 00 63 546 consists now of a bonding or hot sealing which is shielded by a heat insulating layer at least on the side which is exposed to temperature effects during normal plant operations. For this purpose the layer consisting of a plurality of parallel threads in stretched state is secured according to the known proposal and in effect between a first strip from a weldable or heat sealable plastics material, which is fastened to a tissue and a second weldable or heat sealable strip, wherein the planes of both strips and the thread layer extend essentially parallel to each other. Then the strips and the thread layer are pressed together and the two strips are connected with each other by hot welding or hot sealing, wherein the thread layer is, so to speak, wedged between the strips by this hot sealing or welding process. This measure has been fully proved and is also successfully used in actual practice. The only disadvantage of this measure lies therein, that the weldable or heat-sealable materials are extraordinarily expensive compared to normal simple tissues and that such weldable or heat sealable fabrics must be used in large quantities when using this method which makes this known measure expensive. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the subject invention is to design a device of the previously mentioned type in such a way that one can do without the utilization of such very expensive weldable and heat sealable materials which in addition are required in large quantities. This is achieved in the subject invention by providing guides on both sides of the transport plane of the thread layer as well as transversely to the transport direction of the thread layer, wherein a needle head having at least one sewing needle for an upper thread is provided at one guide and where a shuttle head having a shuttle or gripper mechanism for a lower thread is arranged at the guide located on the other side of the transport plane of the thread layer, and that both heads are synchronously drivable and synchronously displaceable along the uides and that the first retention device, viewed in transport direction of the thread layers lies behind an imagined plane which contains both heads with the needles and the shuttle for temporarily securing the free end of the web-shaped material. Another proposal for a solution of simpler mechanical construction consists in that guides are provided at least on one side of the transport plane of the thread layer and also transversely to the transport direction of same, wherein at least one sewing arrangement is displaceably supported at the guides with at least a needle head having a sewing needle for an upper thread and a shuttle head having a shuttle or gripper mechanism for a lower thread, and that a pair of rollers is provided between the transfer plane of the thread layer and the sewing arrangement, wherein the axes of the rollers extend parallel to the guides, and the one roller lies above and another roller below the imagined plane standing at right angles to the operating direction of the sewing needle, both rollers being spaced from each other and that a slide is provided near or in the imagined plane, which lies on the side of the transport plane facing away from the sewing direction, the slide being movable against the transport plane and beyond this transport plane and that the end of the material secured by the retention device is led past this slide. It must be observed at this time that it is known to connect tissue webs with each other by means of seams, as has already been pointed out in the introduction. In such a case the initial region of the new tissue is simply sewn to the end region of the just treated tissue. This is done with manual sewing machines. If, however, textile formations are present which unravel in the longitudinal direction, such as mats or parallel thread assemblages, such a solution (connection by sewing) was viewed to be unusable. It is, however, now possible, contrary to this view, to connect thread layers with a web- or layer-like material exclusively by seams so as to be heat- and tension-resistant as well as flexible, so that the expensive and cumbersome heat sealing and weldable materials can be obviated. By the term needle head in the sense of this description, it is meant a mechanical arrangement with at least one reciprocating sewing needle which guides an upper thread, as is known in sewing machines. By the term shuttle head, it is meant a mechanical installation in the sense of this invention, which includes shuttles or grippers which guide a lower thread and which cooperate with the needle of the needle head, in order to produce a seam consisting of at least two threads. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to illustrate the invention, the same is now described with particularity with the help of two embodiment examples shown in the drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section through a first embodiment, which is arranged at the entry region of a thread processing machine; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through the embodiment of FIG. 1, taken along section line II--II in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a detail plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in the direction of the section line III--III in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 (viewing direction arrow A in FIG. 3); FIG. 5 shows the connection produced with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4 in an oblique view; FIG. 6 shows a hold down device for the needles of the needle head in front view; FIG. 7 shows a side view of a second embodiment which is arranged at the inlet region of a thread processing machine; FIG. 8 is a detail from FIG. 7 in enlarged scale; FIG. 9, a partial front view of the slide in oblique view; FIG. 10 shows the connection produced with the second embodiment in oblique view. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The device in FIG. 1 represents a first embodiment of the invention and is arranged at the inlet side of a thread treatment installation, of which, however, here only the so-called compensator 20 is depicted. In a suitable machine stand 1, which is not shown in detail here, a horizontally extending transport plane E is depicted by a thread layer 2 passing transversely through the device in the sense of the above statements; the transport plane is located approximately at half the height of the device. The transport direction in which the thread layer 2 travels through the installation and the device, is designated by an arrow 3. Rail-like guides 4 and 5 are provided above and below this transport plane to be stationary in the machine stand 1. A needle head 6 is displaceably supported along the upper guide 4 and is connected with same. The needle head 6 carries two needles 7 and 8. These two needles 7 and 8 are offset in transport direction (arrow 3) as is shown in FIG. 1. During routine operation, this needle head 6 moves perpendicularly to the drawing plane in FIG. 1. A machine head 9, herein called shuttle head 9 in the following discussion, is displaceably supported along the guide 5 and is connected with same, in which shuttle head shuttle or gripping mechanisms are arranged. The needles 7 and 8 guide an upper thread, while the shuttles or grippers guide a thread. By needle head in the sense of the present invention, a mechanism is understood as it is known from sewing machines. The needles 7 and 8 are moved in the direction of their axes and include an eyelet next to their pointed end through which the upper thread is threaded. By shuttle head in the sense of this invention, a mechanical appliance is understood in which shuttles or grippers are supported which guide the lower thread and which coact with the reciprocating needle for producing a stitch in the usual manner. In the present embodiment, the two machine heads 6 and 9 are connected with each other by a U-shaped yoke 10 (FIG. 2), whose depth is larger than the width of the thread layer 2 which is to be treated. The plane of the yoke 10 stands herein at right angles to the drawing plane in FIG. 1 or it lies parallel to the drawing plane in FIG. 2. A drive motor 11 for the sewing needles 7 and 8 and the shuttle head is appropriately flanged directly at this yoke 10 and the driving elements for the synchronous drive of needle and shuttle run expediently in the legs of this yoke 10 constructed as hollow boxes. The section connecting the two legs of the yoke 10 is, as FIG. 2 shows, abutted against the floor 12 through a post 13 with a traveling roller 14, which is expediently guided along a guide track. The operational direction of the yoke 10 is indicated by an arrow 15 in FIG. 2. The shuttle head 9 is furthermore penetrated by a stationarily supported however rotatable threaded spindle 16 which is drivable by a stationary motor 17. The yoke 10 and with it the needle head 16 and the shuttle head 9 are displaced synchronously at right angles to the drawing plane in FIG. 1 by the rotating spindle 16. Beneath the transport plane E and behind the plane of motion of the two heads 6 and 9, viewed in the transport direction (arrow 3), there is arranged a first retaining device 18 which is constituted by two strip-shaped clamping jaws 21 and 22 displaceable against each other; for reasons of clarity the displacement means for these two jaws 21 and 22 is not shown here in FIG. 1. Expediently, hydraulically or pneumatically actuated piston cylinder units can be used as displacement means. This retention device 18 is arranged in such a manner with respect to the shuttle head 9, that its support plane for the web- or layer-like material 19 lies approximately at the same level as the support plane 23 of the shuttle head 9, in front of which, also viewed in transfer direction (arrow 3), and beneath the transport plane E, a freely rotatable reversing roller 24 is supported in the machine stand 1. A trolley 25 is supported displaceably at right angles to the drawing plane in FIG. 1 upstream of the machine stand 2 of the device and also beneath the transport path E, which trolley carries a storage roller 26 on which the web- or layer-like material is coiled. Above the transport plane E and thus above the thread layer 2 there is now provided a second retention device consisting of two clamping strip pairs 27 and 28. The two clamping strip pairs 27 and 28 are arranged in such a manner that an imagined displacement plane of the needle head 6 lies between them, in other words the two clamping strip pairs 27 and 28 lie respectively on different sides of the needle head 6 and extend also at right angles to the drawing plane in FIG. 1. Displacement means 29 and 30 are provided also for these clamping strip pairs 27 and 28, which, however, are not depicted in FIG. 1 for reasons of clarity. Respectively, one strip of the two clamping strip pairs 27 and 28 is connected at its end with a cross tie 31 and these parts together form a frame 44 which can be elevated and lowered along vertical guides 32 by means of a displacement device 33. These vertical guides 32 are part of a sled 34, which, on its part, is horizontally displaceable along a guide 35 stationary with respect to the machine stand 1. A piston cylinder unit serves also in this case as displacement device 36. A clamping arrangement 37, through whose two clamping jaws passes the transport plane E or the thread layer 2, is provided on the side of the machine stand facing the thread treatment installation. Here also a piston cylinder unit 38 serves for actuation of the clamping arrangement 37. In addition, a knife edge 39 is provided opposite the clamping arrangement 33 on the inlet side of the device or the machine stand 1; the actuation device of this knife edge 39 is, however, not shown here. So much concerning the design structure of the appliance. The operating mode of this appliance will now be described: A parallel assemblage of thread or yarn, designated here as thread layer 2, runs off warp beams not depicted here and enters into the appliance from the left-hand side (FIG. 1), passes through the appliance and subsequently over a first reversing roller 40 into the thread treatment installation proper with the compensator 20 arranged upstream, where it is subjected to the actual consecutive treatment processes. The thread layer 2 travels along the path indicated through the previously explained parts, whose cooperation is explained in the following. Herein, it is assumed that FIG. 1 shows these parts in their respective position which they assume during the normal operating cycle, meaning the knife edge 39 and the clamping arrangement 37 are opened, the clamping pairs 27 and 28 are lifted up, as well as the needles 7 and 8 of the needle head 6 and the drive motor 17 is not running. A length of cloth is coiled on the storage roller 26 and a piece of this cloth 19 is pulled off, guided over the reversing roller 24 and the shuttle head 9 and its free end is clamped in the first retention device 18. This piece of cloth 19 is stretched, since it has been pulled off the storage roller 26 against the action of a pull-off brake arranged thereon however not depicted here. Furthermore, a strip of cloth 41 is held and stretched by the two clamping strip pairs 27 and 28, which strip of cloth, as seen in FIG. 1, lies above the thread layer 2 or the transport plane E. This arrangement applies to and shows the appliance if the thread layer 2 passes through the treatment installation in an orderly manner, and if an adequate yarn supply stock is still available on the not depicted warp beams. If now the thread layer 2 approaches its end, the required connection with the material 19 must be produced and to begin with, now, the further travel of the thread layer 2 through the appliance in the invention is stopped, by actuating the clamping arrangement 37 which closes and now holds the thread layer 2 by clamping it between its two jaws. The thread layer 2 in FIG. 1 on the left-hand side of the clamping arrangement 37 remains however taut, because of the windoff resistance from the warp beams and possibly because of its own windoff brakes not provided here. The treatment process in the treatment installation continues however to operate in a unimpeded manner, because a sufficient amount of thread layer to be treated is stored for this purpose in the compensator 20. Now the piston cylinder units 33 are made to operate and thereby the clamping strip pairs 27, 28 and the cloth strip 41 maintained by them in a taut state are lowered to such an extent that the cloth web 19, the thread layer 2 and the cloth strip 41 rest on the support surface 23 of the shuttle head 9. Here the thread layer 2 is clamped between the closed clamping strips or pressure strips. Now the drive motor 11 for the sewing arrangement and the drive motor 17 for the displacement of same are switched on and the three mentioned parts 2, 19 and 41 are now sewn together, and indeed by a travel sequence of the sewing arrangement through two seams, which are offset with respect to each other because of the selected arrangement of the needles 7 and 8. If the sewing arrangement, consisting of the heads 6 and 9 and starting from the initial position shown in FIG. 2 has now reached its left end position (FIG. 3), then the drive motor 11 for the sewing arrangement is stopped for a short time with lifted-up needles 7 and 8 and the closed and pressing against each other clamping strip pairs and pressure strips 18, 27, 28, 42 are pulled somewhat to the right and then the drive motors 11 and 17 are restarted, wherein the yoke 10 returns into its initial position discernible in FIG. 3, whereby simultaneously again two seams are produced. As soon as the yoke 10 has reached its initial position (FIG. 3), the motors 11 and 17 are stopped. The needles 7 and 8 are lifted up, the clamping devices 18, 27 and 28 are opened and the jaws are spread apart and the thread layer 1 itself is severed by actuating the knife edge 39 and then the clamping arrangement 37 is opened. The pulling force acting from the thread treatment installation now pulls the cloth 19 from the storage roller 26 by means of the thread layer 2 still traveling in this treatment installation. This cloth 19 is intended in the thread treatment process which is not described in detail here to serve only as a production assist means and it is repeatedly reusable and reutilizable. For this purpose a normal simple cloth consisting of filling- and warp threads can be used, other materials however are also possible, for instance laminated materials, such as plastics material foils or the like. FIG. 5 shows an oblique view of a connection between the material 19, the cloth strip 41 and thread layer 2. The four seams shown here are offset with respect to each other. As tensile tests with connections produced in this manner have shown, these can carry an extraordinarily high load. This connection, as described above and illustrated in FIG. 5, consists of the mentioned four seams offset against each other and the two cloths 19 and 41, in between which the thread layer 2 is held. It is also possible to repeatedly operate the sewing arrangement with the head 6 and 9 during the fabrication of a connection, so that not only four, but rather, for instance, eight seams are produced. It is also possible to arrange more than two needles in the needle head, so that when operating the sewing arrangement more than two seams are produced simultaneously. The upper cloth strip 41 assumes two tasks in this connection; on the one hand, it serves as the connecting element proper and, in addition, it serves for permitting the hold-down device which is assigned to each needle to slide unimpaired across the material to be sewn. If no particularly great requirements are specified for the tensile strength of the connection, it is quite imaginable to, for instance so-to-speak, leave off the upper strip 41 when producing said connection. So that one can sew without difficulty in such a case it is provided that the hold-down device (see FIG. 6) coacting with the sewing needle of the needle head 6 is designed as a disk 45 supported in a freely rotatable manner, whose axis of rotation 46 lies parallel to the transfer arrangement (arrow 3) of the thread layer 2. In the embodiment example shown, the needle head 6 and the shuttle head 9 are mechanically connected with each other by a yoke 10. During the sewing process this yoke 10 migrates to the side. An appropriate space must be provided for this purpose in the room housing the machines. It is also possible to use the needle head 6 and the shuttle head 2 as independent units mechanically separate from each other, and also to do without the yoke 10 connecting same. Based on the modern electronic control regulation installations available today, an exact synchronous operation of these components spacewise separate from each other can be achieved without the use of such a mechanical connection by a yoke 10. The FIGS. 7 to 10 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention, which has a simplified construction compared to the first embodiment which has initially been described here. The same designation numerals are used in order to designate identical parts in the two embodiments. The device in FIG. 7 is also arranged in a stationary manner at the inlet side of a thread treatment installation, of which however, also here only the so-called compensator 20 is shown. In a suitable machine stand 1, not shown here in detail, the transport plane E, extending in an angular manner through a thread layer 2 passing through the device, is illustrated in the sense of the above discussion. The transport direction in which the thread layer 2 passes through the installation and the device is designated by an arrow 3. The thread layer 2 runs at a level of approximately half the height of the machine stand 1 in the direction of the same stand and is vertically redirected downwards by a freely rotatable reversing roller 50. Additional reversing rollers 51 and 52 are provide in the machine stand 1, by means of which the thread layer 2 is directed to the compensator 20. It has already been observed at this point, that the reversing rollers 51 and 52 are not supported to be stationary in the base area of the machine 1, but rather the reversing rollers 51 and 52 displaceable vertically. The arrow in FIG. 1 above the reversing roller 51 indicates this vertical displacement possibility. In the area between the reversing rollers 50, 51 and in the area of the inlet side of the machine stand 1, the thread layer 2 or the transport plane E runs vertically. In this vertically extended segment of the transport plane E and sidewise of the same rail-like guides 4 and 5 located one above the other are provided to be stationary in the machine stand 1. A support 53 is displaceably arranged at these rail-like guides 4 and 5 and indeed at right angles to the drawing plane, where a stationary, however, rotatably supported threaded spindle 16 lying parallel to these rail-like guides 4 and 5 serves for displacing said support 53; said threaded spindle 16 is drivable in both directions of rotation by a motor 17 which has been illustrated here in simplified manner, so that said support 53 can be displaced into the drawing plane as well as out of the drawing plane. This support 53 carries a sewing arrangement 54 with a sewing head 6 and a shuttle head 9, which are both connected with each other by a relatively short yoke 10, wherein a driving mechanism for needle and shuttle or the gripper is housed in this yoke 10 as is usual in sewing arrangements of this type. A motor 11 flanged to the yoke 10 serves for driving this mechanism. The needle head 6 carries two needles 7 and 8 in this embodiment example shown, which are differently spaced as against the transport plane E and which are additionally offset against each other when viewed at right angles to the drawing plane. The needles 7 and 8 guide the upper thread while, the shuttle or gripper guides the lower thread. By needle head in the sense of the present invention, a mechanism is understood such as it is known from sewing machines. The needles are movable in the direction of their axes and carry an eyelet near their pointed end, through which the so-called upper thread is threaded. By shuttle head in the sense of this invention, a mechanical arrangement is meant in which shuttles or grippers are supported, which guide the lower thread and conventionally coact with the reciprocating needle for producing a stitch. For the purpose envisaged here, a commercially available sewing machine with a set of double needles can be used on this support 53. A support beam 55 with a clamping arrangement 56 extends on the side of the needles 7 and 8 of the needle head 6 across the entire width of the machine stand 1 on the side facing away from the transport plane E. This clamping arrangement comprises a clamping strip 58 elevatable and lowerable by one or several power cylinders 60, said claiming strip 58 being equipped across its length with several needle-like pins 59, which are spaced from each other (FIG. 8 at right angles to the drawing plane). A pair of rollers consisting of two superimposed rollers 61 and 62 is provided between the transport plane E of the thread layer 2 and the sewing arrangement 54, wherein the axes of these rollers extend parallel to the guides 4 and 5. The one roller 61 is herein located above and the other roller 62 below an imagined sewing plane extending at right angles to the working direction of the sewing needles 7 and 8, which, in the second embodiment in FIG. 7, is to be imagined as a plane extending horizontally and standing at right angles to the drawing plane. The two rollers 61 and 62 which are superimposed are spaced from each other. They are, however, adjustable in the plane containing their axes for the purpose of reducing their mutual spacing. The mechanism serving for this purpose has not been shown here for reasons of clarity. The adjustment of a roller can, for instance, be achieved in that the shafts or axis of the roller is supported at its outer ends in bearing blocks to be freely rotatable, and that these bearing blocks are supported to be vertically displaceable along the machine stand, wherein a power cylinder can be used for this displacement, whose one end is fastened to the machine stand and whose other other end is fastened at the bearing block. A slide 63 lies closely to or in the mentioned sewing plane on the side of the transport plane E facing away from the sewing arrangement 54; the slide 63 is displaceable in this plane or parallel thereto by means of a piston cylinder unit 64. This slide 63 which also extends across the entire width of the appliance, comprises slots 66 extending parallel to its displacement direction 65, emanating from its front edge 67 which is the edge of the slide 63 adjacent to the transport plane E and parallel to it. This slide 63 is, as FIG. 9 illustrates, an elongated strip-like constructional component. The mutual distances a of these slots 66 correspond to the spacing of the needle-like pins 59 at the clamping strip 58. The retention device 18 is arranged beneath the slide 63 in the embodiment example shown in FIG. 7; said retention arrangement has a fixed strip-shaped clamping jaw 21 and a movable, also strip-shaped, clamping jaw 22, which can be pressed by the piston cylinder unit 68 against the stationary clamping jaw 21. It is basically conceivable and should be mentioned at this time, that this retention device 18 can be arranged directly at the slide 63, wherein for instance the slide 63 constitutes the fixed clamping strip. Above the slide 63 an additional reversing roller 24 is supported to be freely rotatable at or in the machine stand 1. A trolley 25 is supported to be displaceable at right angles to the drawing plane in FIG. 7 upstream of the machine stand 1 of the appliance and also beneath the transport path E; said trolley carries a storage roller 26 on which the web-or layer-like material 19 is coiled. An additional clamping strip pair 27 is provided in the region of the rollers 61, 62 of the roller pair, at which clamping pair a cloth strip 41 is clamped at its upper edge. This cloth strip 41 hangs freely downwards and lies between the transport plane E and the rollers 61 and 62 of the roller pair and extends appropriately beyond these rollers 61 and 62 downwards as is illustrated here in FIG. 7. An additional clamping arrangement 37 is provided between the two reversing rollers 52 and 40 on the side of the machine stand 1 which faces the thread treatment installation, through the two clamping jaws of whose clamping arrangement extends the transport plane E or the thread layer 2. A piston cylinder unit 38 serves here also for actuating this clamping arrangement. On the inlet side of the appliance or the machine stand 1 a knife edge 39 is additionally provided whose actuation unit is however not shown here. So much for the design of the device. The functional mode of this device is described in the following: a parallel thread assemblage of threads or yarn, designated here as thread layer 2 runs off warp beams (not shown) and enters the appliance from the left (FIG. 7), then over freely rotatable reversing drums 50, 51, 52 and through these, subsequently over the additional reversing roller 40 into the thread treatment installation proper with the compensator 20 located upstream, where it is sequentially subjected to the treatment processes proper. The thread layer 2 passes the previously explained parts along the demonstrated path, whose coaction will be explained in the following. Herein it is assumed that FIG. 7 shows these parts in their respective position which they assume during the normal working cycle, meaning the knife edge 39 and the clamping arrangement 37 are open, the clamping strip 58 is lifted up, as well as the needles 7 and 8 of the needle head and the drive motor 17 is not running. A cloth web is coiled on the storage roller 26 and a piece of this cloth web 19 is pulled off, led over a reversing roller 24 and past the slide 63 and the free end is clamped in the retention arrangement 18. This cloth web 19 is slightly stretched, since is has been pulled off the storage roller 26 against the action of a pull-off brake arranged there but not illustrated here. Furthermore, a cloth strip 41 is held by the clamping strip pair 27, which cloth strip 41 hangs freely downwards as has already been described. This arrangement is directed to and describes the appliance if the thread layer 2 passes the treatment appliance in an orderly manner, and if a sufficient thread supply remains on the warp beams. If however now the thread layer 2 approaches its end, the required connection with the material 19 must be produced and to begin with the further travel of the thread layer 2 is halted by the device of the invention, by actuating the clamping arrangement 37, which closes and now retains the thread layer 2, by clamping same in between the two jaws. The thread layer 2 on the left of the clamping arrangement 37 in FIG. 7 remains taut, however due to the windoff resistance from the warp beams or possibly because of its own windoff brakes (not shown). The treatment process however continues unhindered in the treatment appliance, because the compensator 20 contains a sufficient amount of the thread layer to be treated for this purpose. Now the piston cylinder unit 64 is put into operation which causes the slide 63 to move to the right and, in the course of this, pulls not only a portion of the material web 19 with it, but rather also the thread layer 2 and the cloth strip 41 (FIG. 8) hanging freely downwards, and the slide 63 pushes these layers through the two spaced rollers 61, 62 until its front edge 67 has arrived beneath the clamping strip 58 of the clamping arrangement 56. In the course of this simultaneously the lower reversing roller 51 and eventually also the reversing roller 52 move somewhat upward, so that this releases sufficient "material supply", in order to enable the sidewise displacement of the material webs discernible in FIG. 8. Subsequently the clamping strip 58 is lowered and the needle-like pins 59 pierce the multilayer material web (Fig. 8), whereby the descending pins are received by the slots 66 of the slide 63. Now the slide 63 returns again into its original position and the material- and thread webs are retained by the pins 59 and subsequently the rollers 61 and 62 travel towards each other and meet, so that the material webs and thread layer lie closely one upon the other between these rollers 61 and 62 and the pins 59 of the clamping arrangement 56. At this point the drive motors 11 for the sewing arrangement and the drive motor 17 for the displacement of same are switched on and the three mentioned parts 2, 19 and 42 are now sewn together, by two seams in the course of a movement sequence of the sewing arrangement, which seams are offset with respect to each other because of the selected arrangement of the needles 7 and 8. When the sewing arrangement 54, consisting of the heads 6 and 9 and emanating from its initial position has reached its end position on the other side, the drive motor 11 for the sewing arrangement is stopped with needles lifted up, the rollers 61 and 62 return again into their original position and the clamping strip 58 is raised. Subsequently the thread layer 2 itself is severed by actuating the knife edge 39 and the clamping arrangement 37 is again opened. The pulling force acting from the thread treatment installation now pulls the cloth 19 from the storage roller 26 by means of the thread layer 2 which is still traveling in this treatment installation. This cloth 19 is intended in the thread treatment process, which is not described here in detail to serve as an auxiliary production assist means and it can be repeatedly reused and reutilized. Normal simple cloth may be used for this purpose, which consists of filling and warp threads; other materials are, however, also imaginable, for instance laminated materials such as plastics material foils or the like. A connection between the material 19, the cloth strip 41 and the thread layer 2 is shown in oblique view in FIG. 10. In this case, the two seams are offset with respect to each other. The tensile tests with connections thus produced have shown that they can carry high loads. These connections, as described above and illustrated in FIG. 10, consist of the mentioned offset seams and the two pieces of cloth 19 and 41 in between which the thread layer 2 is retained. It is also possible to arrange more than two needles in the needle head, so that during operation of the sewing device more than two seams can be produced simultaneously. The upper cloth strip 41 assumes two tasks in this connection, on the one hand it serves as the connection element proper, and furthermore it enables the hold down device assigned to each needle to slide without hindrance across the material being sewed. If no particular requirements are demanded as far as tensile strength is concerned, it is quite imaginable to leave off the upper strip 41 when producing these conditions. So that one can sew in this case without difficulty, it is provided that the hold down device (see FIG. 6) coacting with the sewing needles of the needle head is designed as a disk 45 supported so as to be freely rotatable, whose rotational axis 46 lies at right angles to the transport direction (arrow 3) of the thread layer 2. The guides 4 and 5 are longer than the width of the webs to be treated, so that in case of necessity the sewing arrangement can be moved completely to the side, whereby working within the machine stand is facilitated. If, in the initially discussed embodiment, the thread layer 2 passes through the device along a horizontal plane, it is possible to lay out the arrangement in such a way that the thread layer 2 travels through the device in vertical direction. In that case the entire appliance as a whole or at least individual parts thereof are rotated through 90°. An additional arrangement within the framework of the invention consists in laying out the arrangement so that the web-shaped or layer-like material 19 lies between the transport plane E or the thread layer 2 and the needle head 6. In that case the narrow cloth strip 41 can be clamped directly above the shuttle head. If in the second embodiment, the thread layer 2 passes through the installation in the working region of interest here in a vertical plane, it is entirely possible to lay out the arrangement in such a way that the thread layer 2 passes this arrangement in this region in horizontal direction. In this case the device as a whole or at least individual parts thereof are rotated through 90°. An additional arrangement within the framework of the invention lies therein that the previously described set of appliances are again arranged in mirror image fashion with respect to an imagined axis lying directly above the horizontal inlet portion of the thread layer, said axis depicted in FIG. 7 through a broken dotted broken line 69. In the second embodiment, it is shown that the retention arrangement 18 is supported in the machine stand. It is, however, also conceivable and possible, to provide the clamping jaws 21 and 22 of the retention arrangement, including the associated piston cylinder unit 68, at the horizontally displaceable slide 63, so that, as a consequence, the clamp edge of the material web 29 moves together with the slide. The present appliance was developed in order to connect thread layers of the previously described type with layer or web-shaped materials as economically as possible. This naturally does not exclude utilization of the inventive appliance in order also to connect tissue webs with each other, the present invention being also utilizable for this without reservations.

A device for producing a heat and tension resistant, flexible connection between a thread layer of parallel threads and a web-shaped material. The device includes a sewing arrangement for sewing the thread layer and the web-shaped material together at the point of connection. In particular, the device includes clamping arrangements for sandwiching the thread layer between a continuous length of the web-shaped material and a relatively short length of the material. The sewing arrangement is then caused to traverse across the width of the thread layer and web-shaped material between the clamping arrangements thereby sewing a seam therethrough connecting the web-shaped materials to the thread layer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for purifying blood, which is useful for eliminating unnecessary or impure substances from the blood of a patient and purifying the blood. In recent years, as a method for purifying the blood, a method has been broadly used, in which plasma is separated from blood, unnecessary substances are eliminated from the plasma to purify it, and then, the purified plasma is returned into a patient body. The above method has advantages that there is no possibility of infection in comparison with a plasma-exchange treatment and that a loss and a damage of blood cells are less in comparison with a direct hemoperfusion treatment, in which blood is directly contacted with a purifier or the like to eliminate the unnecessary substances. The method consists of three processes, i.e. a process for separating blood into plasma and blood rich in blood cells (a plasma-separating process), a process for purifying the plasma by passing through a purifying device to eliminate the unnecessary substances (a purifying process) and a process for mixing the purified plasma with the blood rich in blood cells (a mixing process). A continuous centrifugation or a porous membrane can be used in the plasma-separating process to separate the blood, and recently, a plasma-separator employing a porous hollow fiber which is relatively easy to handle has been broadly used. However, even in those cases, scrupulous attention must be paid at the beginning of a blood circulation outside the body (a priming period), and an operation is necessary, that a plasma filtration rate is gradually increased to a steady state with controlling a balance between the plasma filtration rate and the blood flow rate. If such an operation is faultily handled, various problems such as hemolysis and blocking of the membrane will be caused. Such problems will eventually cause the decrease of plasma filtration rate. Further, it is necessary to maintain a trans membrane pressure within a definite range, and when it is neglected, the same problems as described above will also occur. As mentioned hereinbefore, a conventional plasma-separating process has a drawback that its operation is complicated and skilled technics are required for the operation. In the purifying process, a removing device is used to eliminate the unnecessary substances which consists of a container charged with a purifying agent such as an ion exchange resin or an immunological adsorbent or an adsorbent prepared by fixing a material having an affinity for the unnecessary substances to a water-insoluble carrier. However, a conventional apparatus for purification of blood such as the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Examined Patent Publication (Tokkyo Kokoku) No. 22107/1980 has several problems. Hereinafter, the problems are explained with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a conventional apparatus for a purification of blood, wherein a blood-circulating pump 1, a plasma separator 2, a plasma pump 3, a plasma purifying device 4 and a mixing vessel 5 are connected so that the blood flows into the separator 2 like an arrow A and flows out from the vessel 5 like an arrow B. Plasma separated at the separator 2 is transferred to the purifying device 4 by means of the pump 3, whereby the plasma has only one chance to contact with a plasma purifier in the device 4 after separated from the blood. It is not until the time when the plasma is mixed with blood rich in blood cells at the mixing vessel 5, and the blood is once returned into a body, taken out from the body again and subjected to a separation at the separator 2, and then, the separated plasma is transferred to the device 4 again, that the plasma which is not sufficiently purified can come in the next contact with the purifier. Consequently, as long as employing the circulating path as shown in FIG. 1, for the purpose of improving the purification efficiency, there is no other way except that a purifier having an extremely good purification ability is used, that a large amount of a purifier is charged in the device or that a contact time is increased by lowering the taking speed of plasma. However, when a purifier is charged in the device in a large amount, an amount of blood and plasma outside the body is increased during the circulation, and a patient is exposed to a dangerous condition. When the plasma flow rate is lowered, a treating time becomes longer and it is disadvantageous. Therefore, a purifier usable in the purifying apparatus described above is limited to a purifier which has a high purification rate. Moreover, the purifying apparatus shown in Fig. 1 has a serious problem that there is a danger that the purifier flows into the blood stream. As the purifier, a purifier in the form of particle is generally used, and there is a possibility that purifier particles or the broken pieces thereof leak from the purifying device 4 by the plasma current and flow into the blood on the plasma current. For the purpose of avoiding such a danger, it is required to provide a filter at an inlet and an outlet of the purifying device. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION For the purpose of solving many problems as described above, the present inventors have studied earnestly and have found a surprising fact. Hereinafter, a principle of the present invention is explained referring to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram to explain the principle. A plasma separator was made using a porous hollow fiber. A blood flowed into the separator in the direction of an arrow C and flowed out from the separator in the direction of an arrow D. The separated plasma was taken out from a plasma reservoir via an outlet 6, and via an inlet 10, was introduced isotonic sodium chloride solution 9 into the plasma reservoir. A taking pump 7 and an injecting pump 8 were provided on the way of the taking path and injecting path, respectively. The pumps 7 and 8 were running at the same speed to obtain a taking amount of plasma equal to that in case of an actual treatment. At 1 hr after an experiment started, there was found little sign that the isotonic sodium chloride solution introduced via the inlet 10 was mixed in the plasma flowing out from the plasma reservoir via the outlet 6. The plasma taken out via the outlet 6 had almost the same components as that of the plasma in an original blood, i.e. at least 70 to 80% of the total proteins flowed out via the outlet 6. That is, the present inventors have found a fact that almost all the isotonic sodium chloride solution introduced via the inlet 10 flowed into the blood stream via the pores of the hollow fibers. The present invention makes use of such a fact, i.e. a plasma purifying device is provided between the pumps 7 and 8, whereby the purified plasma does not flow into a direction toward the outlet 6 but flows into the blood stream, via the porous hollow fibers so that a purified blood flowing out from the separator via an outlet in the direction of an arrow D is obtained. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for purification of blood comprising (A) a blood flowing system including a plasma separating device having a blood inlet, a blood outlet from which purified blood flows out, at least one plasma reservoir between said inlet and outlet which has at least one plasma outlet and inlet locating close to said blood inlet and outlet, respectively, and (B) a plasma flowing path including at least one plasma purifying device, which allows plasma to flow from said plasma outlet of said plasma separating device to said plasma inlet via said plasma purifying device; said plasma separating device is made up of said blood inlet, said blood outlet from which purified blood flows out and said plasma reservoir surrounded by a container, an impure blood room and a purified blood room; in said plasma reservoir are enclosed porous hollow fibers; and said blood inlet and said blood outlet are connected by said porous hollow fibers; so that the blood flowing into said plasma separating device via said blood inlet is separated into the plasma, the plasma is taken out through said plasma outlet to said plasma purifying device and purified at said plasma purifying device, the purified plasma is returned to said plasma reservoir through said plasma inlet and passes through said porous hollow fibers to mix with blood. BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional apparatus for a purification of blood; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram to explain the principle of the invention; FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are another embodiments of the invention, respectively; and FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the experiment using the apparatus of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, an apparatus for purifying blood of the present invention is explained referring to the attached drawings showing an embodiment, respectively. FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of an apparatus for purifying blood in accordance with the invention. A plasma separator is shown in the longitudinal section. Arrow heads in the chart show a flow of blood. In FIG. 3, the numbers 11, 18 and 19 represent a container, a sealant and a plasma flow outlet, respectively, and other numbers will be explained hereinafter. Blood is introduced via blood flow inlet 12 into an impure blood room 15 by means of an external blood circulation pump (not shown) and is separated into blood having a high concentration of blood cells and plasma during passing through a bunch of hollow fibers 14 due to a flow inlet pressure. At that time, a pressure difference corresponding to a pressure drop caused by the bunch of hollow fibers arises between the impure blood room 15 and a purified blood room 16 and also the blood pressure in the bunch of hollow fibers changes by a gradation that the blood pressure of a nearer point to the inlet 12 is higher. When a plasma circulation pump 24 is not operated, at the side of the inlet 12 of the bunch of hollow fibers 14, a filtration proceeds because of the higher blood pressure in the hollow fibers and at the side of a blood flow outlet 13, near a plasma flow inlet 20, plasma flows back into the hollow fibers because of the lower pressure in the hollow fibers than that in a plasma reservoir 17. In a conventional system, the pressure in the plasma reservoir was kept lower than that in the hollow fibers, because plasma was extracted and fed via purifying device into a mixing device. In the apparatus of the present invention, since the extracted plasma is fed via plasma purifying device 25 into the plasma reservoir 17 of the plasma separator, the pressure in the plasma reservoir 17 is almost kept to the middle between the pressure near the inlet 12 of the bunch of hollow fibers 14 and the pressure near the outlet 13 of the bunch of the hollow fibers 14. Therefore, according to the invention, the purified plasma flows back into the hollow fibers and is mixed with blood by passing through the pores of the hollow fibers, and the purified plasma flows out as purified blood through the outlet 13. In the present invention, a pressure gradient in the hollow fibers arising at the time when blood flows in the hollow fibers is utilized as a driving force for the separation and recombination of blood and plasma. Therefore, as long as the blood circulation pump is appropriately operated, any troubles including hemolysis and fiber blockage resulted from a too much difference between the pressures of an inside and an outside of a membrane of the fiber are scarcely occurred even if the plasma circulation pump 24 is operatied in any ways. Further, since plasma which passed through the purifying device 25 and blood are divided by a wall of the porous membrane of the hollow fibers, broken pieces or fine particles of the plasma purifiers in the purifying device 25 are prevented from flowing into and mixing with blood. Even if a great deal of such a piece or particle should leak out from the device 25, treatment could be continued free from the fiber blockage because of a large outside surface area of the hollow fibers. Plasma purifiers usable in the present invention are not fundamentally limited in a charging density or a kind. Even a plasma purifier, which is not able to be applied because of its low purifying rate, can be applicable when the plasma circulation pump 24 is operated at a high speed, to circulate plasma rapidly between the plasma reservoir 17 and the plasma purifying device 25 substantially many times, and to increase contact chances of plasma with the purifiers. Conventional known purifiers, for example, activated carbon, alumina, ion exchange resin, adsorbent made of a water-insoluble carrier holding materials having affinity for the objects to be removed are, of course, applicable. Moreover, a purifier containing immobilized enzymes is also applicable which eliminates the objects to be removed by a chemical reaction, regardless of its reaction rate. As the objects to be removed, there can be exemplified, for example, waste products, LDL cholesterol, protein bound toxin, various causal objects of diseases related to immunity including an immune complex of an autoantibody, and the like. A porous hollow fiber usable in the present invention is a porous hollow fiber having a high plasma permeation rate and inhibiting a pass of blood cells, and in case of using such a fiber, a satisfactory purification of blood can be achieved. A porous hollow fiber having a diameter of pores at the inside surface of 0.01 to 10 μm, preferably 0.1 to 2 μm and a permeation rate for pure water not less than 2 ml/m 2 .min.mmHg, preferably of 50 ml/m 2 .min.mmHg is advantageously used. When the diameter of pores is not more than 0.01 μm, a permeation rate of the objects to be removed is small and a purification efficiency is remarkably lowered. On the contrary, when the diameter of pores is not less than 10 μm, a blood cell passes through the hollow fiber or blocks the pores of the hollow fiber. When the permeation rate for pure water is not more than 2 ml/m 2 .min.mmHg, too many hollow fibers are necessary in order to effectively purify blood, and as the result, the amount of blood and plasma outside a body is increased during the extracorporeal circulation. According to the present invention, an inner diameter of the hollow fiber is suitably 250 to 500 μm and about 2,000 to 4,000 hollow fibers having such an inner diameter are preferably used in the form of a bunch. The material for the hollow fiber is not limited to any specific materials, as long as it meets the above-mentioned requirements. Typical examples of such a material are, for instance, cellulose acetate, polypropyrene, polysulfone, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyvinylalcohol, ethylene-vinylalcohol copolymer, polyacrylonitrile, polyamide, and the like. FIG. 4 shows another enbodiment of the present invention, wherein the same number as in FIG. 3 represents the same member. An apparatus of FIG. 4 is the same as that of FIG. 3 except that the plasma reservoir 17 is divided by a partition plate 23 between the plasma flow outlet 19 and the plasma flow inlet 20. The apparatus shown in FIG. 4 is particularly suitable in case that the plasma purifier has an excellent purification efficiency. The plasma circulating pump 24 can be operated at the necessary lowest speed because the purified plasma is scarcely mixed with the impure plasma in the plasma reservoir 17. Moreover, even when the plasma circulating pump 24 is operated at an excess high speed, a trouble such as hemolysis or fiber blockage can be prevented since the purified plasma flows through the hollow fibers into the other reservoir part near the plasma flow outlet 19. Needless to say, the broken pieces and the particles of the purifiers can be prevented from mixing into the blood stream. FIG. 5 shows further another embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, wherein the same number as in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 represents the same member. The apparatus shown in FIG. 5 is suitable in case that the plasma circulating pump 24 is operated with a sufficient care. Referring to FIG. 5, the plasma reservoir is completely divided into a purified plasma reservoir 22 and an impure plasma reservoir 21 by charging a sealant 26 at the middle part of the bunch of hollow fibers 14, and the blood stream can pass through the hollow fibers. In that case, one of the important features of the present invention that the broken pieces and the particles of the purifiers is prevented from mixing into the blood stream can also be exhibited. Further, when two porous partition plates are provided at the middle part of the bunch of hollow fibers 14 leaving a certain space between them in the container 11 and the plasma purifiers are charged in the space, the contact chance between the plasma and the purifiers can be further increased. As explained hereinbefore, the apparatus for purifying blood of the present invention is able to achieve the following three epochal effects simultaneously. (1) With respect to the circulating pump, only one pump should be carefully controlled while conventionally two pumps should be carefully controlled. (2) The danger that the broken pieces and the particles of the purifiers are mixed into the blood can be avoided. (3) The purifier having an inferior purifying efficiency can also be applicable. The present invention is more specifically described and explained by means of the following Examples. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the Examples, and various changes and modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. EXAMPLE 1 Using the apparatus as shown in FIG. 3, the waste products were removed from fresh cow blood. In a container having a length of 23 cm and an outer diameter of 25 mm, was provided a bunch of hollow fibers consisting of 2,700 porous hollow fibers of polysulfone having an outer diameter of 400 μm, an inner diameter of 300 μm, a diameter of pores at the inside surface of 0.2 μm, a diameter of pores at the outside surface of 0.8 μm and a permeation rate for pure water of 500 ml/m 2 .min.mmHg, and the both ends of the bunch were fixed to the container with sealants of polyurethane, respectively. A plasma flow outlet and a plasma flow inlet were provided in the container, and they were connected to a plasma circulating system as shown in FIG. 3, respectively. 200 g of activated carbon of 25 to 40 mesh was used as the purifier. Using the thus constructed apparatus, 4 l of fresh cow blood was circulated at a flowing rate of 100 ml/min by means of a blood circulating pump and a plasma circulating pump was operated to give a flowing rate of plasma of 25 ml/min. The blood which was obtained at the blood flow outlet had concentrations of uric acid and creatinine decreased by 68% and 70% in comparison with those in the blood at the blood flow inlet, respectively. EXAMPLE 2 Using the apparatus as shown in FIG. 3, cholesterol was removed from blood of a rabbit of hyperlipemia. In a container of polycarbonate having a length of 16 cm, an outer diameter of 13 mm and an inner diameter of 9 mm, was provided a bunch of hollow fibers consisting of 240 porous hollow fibers of polysulfone having an outer diameter of 400 μm, an inner diameter of 300 μm, a diameter of pores at the inside surface of 0.2 μm a diameter of pores at the outside surface of 0.8 μm and a permeation rate for pure water of 500 ml/m 2 .min.mmHg, and the both ends of the bunch were fixed to the container with sealants of polyurethane, respectively. A plasma flow outlet and a plasma flow inlet were provided in the container adjacent to the sealants, respectively. Dextran sodium sulfate was fixed to porous cellulose gel commercially available from CHISSO CORPORATION under the commercial name of CSK A-3 (removable maximum molecular weight: 50,000,000, particle size: 45 to 105 μm) by the method described in Japanese Patent Application No. 70267/1983. The fixed amount of dextran sodium sulfate was 3 mg per 1 ml of the gel. The obtained gel was charged in a column having an inner diameter of 22 mm and a length of 66 mm (volume: 25 ml) provided with meshes at both ends thereof to give a plasma purifying device capable for removing a low-density lipoprotein. Using a WHHL rabbit of hyperlipemia, a blood circulating path outside the body was formed as shown in FIG. 6. A blood circulating pump 27, Hepason's injector 28, pressure gages 29, a plasma separator 30, a plasma circulating pump 31 and a plasma purifying device 32 were connected as shown in FIG. 6. The blood was circulated outside the body at a flowing rate of blood of 6 ml/min and at a flowing rate of plasma of 2 ml/min for 2 hrs. As the result, a total cholesterol in the blood was decreased from 500 mg/dl to 190 mg/dl.

An apparatus for purifying blood which is able to separate blood into plasma and blood rich in blood cells, to purify the separated plasma and to mix the purified plasma into the blood stream simultaneously by itself. The apparatus has two parts, i.e. a blood flowing system in which the blood is separated by means of porous hollow fibers provided in a container and the purified plasma is mixed into the blood stream through the hollow fibers, and a plasma flowing path in which the separated plasma is circulated and purified at a plasma purifying device provided on the way of the path. The apparatus has a simple structure and can be operated without any specific cares and difficulty. The apparatus is free from any problems, for instance, hemolysis, fiber blockage, mixing of the purifier particles into blood, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to gas modules, and more particularly to a gas module which is especially adapted for use in a catheter laboratory. 2. Description of the Related Art In the field of health care, it is often necessary or advantageous to administer one or more different types of gases to a patient. For instance, oxygen or air is administered to many patients to help them breath normally, and patients undergoing surgery are typically anesthetized using an anesthetic gas, such as nitrous oxide. Frequently, a patient undergoing surgery will receive oxygen and an anesthetic gas concurrently. In addition, during surgery, the surgeon often uses compressed air to remove fluids from internal organs, and a vacuum to extract fluids from the operating area. In view of the advantageous use of these various gases, it is common to route various types of gases to a common delivery unit, which is often called a gas module. Gas modules include a plurality of outlets which are used to deliver the gases, and the outlets usually include regulating valves which adjust the pressure or flow of the gas being delivered to the patient. A gas module conveniently allows a hospital attendant to select a particular type of gas for administration to a patient, and to regulate the amount of ga delivered to the patient. In many modern hospitals, a network of gas pipes runs throughout the hospital to deliver the various gases to the rooms in which they are needed. For instance, operating rooms typically receive oxygen, air, compressed air, vacuum, nitrogen, and anesthesia. In operating rooms, it is advantageous that the gas module is moveable, because different surgical operations require different numbers of surgeons to be in different positions within the operating room. Therefore, a gas module which may be located in a convenient location within the operating room prevents the gas module from being an obstruction, while it allows hospital personnel to effectively use the gas module. While all of these different types of gases may be useful at one time or another in an operating room, all of these gases are not necessary in patients' individual rooms. However, since some patients require the administration of oxygen or air, pipes running within the walls or the ceilings of the hospital, deliver these two gases into the patients' rooms via wall or ceiling outlets. These rooms are typically arranged in a manner which is not subject to change. Therefore, to efficiently utilize the space, the gas modules are mounted on or in one of the walls of the room. The primary disadvantage of these wall mounted units is that they cannot be easily relocated. As previously mentioned, moveable gas modules are preferred for use in examination rooms and operating rooms. Unfortunately, gas modules which receive gas from pipes running within the hospital ceiling or walls typically have a very limited range of motion. Commercially available ceiling-mounted gas modules are supported by bulky arms which have gas-carrying hoses running therethrough, and typically weigh over 500 pounds. The bulkiness and heaviness restricts the length and articulation of the arms, thus preventing the gas module from being conveniently positioned. Furthermore, the weight of the arms often prohibits manual operation and instead requires mechanical or electrical assistance. Moreover, these ceiling-mounted gas modules cannot be used efficiently in examination rooms which contain a plurality of devices mounted above the examination table. In catheter laboratories, for instance, two X-ray tubes having opposed image intensifiers are used to produce two-dimensional images of a patient's internal organs. Each X-ray tube and its associated image intensifier is mounted onto a respective positionable U-shaped member so that an operator can accurately position each of the tubes and intensifiers about a patient. One of these U-shaped members, such as a LARC, positions one X-ray tube and image intensifier on either side of a patient. The LARC slides along the length of an examination table on two parallel tracks attached to the ceiling. The other of these U-shaped members, such as a Poly-C, positions the other X-ray tube and image intensifier above and below a patient, respectively. The Poly-C has two parallel arms that move the length of the examination table, and its base is attached to the floor. After considerable processing, the images produced by the image intensifiers are sent to monitors which are mounted on the ceiling on two parallel tracks which extend across the examination table, generally perpendicular to the LARC's tracks. Moreover, a physiologic monitor is also mounted above the examination table to relay the patient's vital statistics to the physician, as is, of course, a surgical light. Therefore, there is no room to mount a gas module on the ceiling above the examination table. In rooms such as these, the ceiling mount of the gas module would have to be located away from the examination table because there is no room for the mount above the table. Therefore, the ceiling-mounted gas module must have a long reach so that it can be positioned reasonably near a patient. However, length is not the only concern. A ceiling-mounted gas module having long, bulky support arms cannot be easily positioned between the other devices in the room. Due to the poor maneuverability, bulkiness, and restricted reach of commercially available ceiling-mounted gas modules, floor standing gas modules are typically used in crowded examination rooms and laboratories. The floor standing gas modules which receive gas from the network of pipes typically require long hoses which extend between the wall and the gas module. These hoses limit the range of motion of floor standing gas modules, and obstruct a large amount of the floor space in an examination room. Thus, they are not well suited for use in a crowded room. Many floor standing gas modules, however, use gas stored in tanks that are carried on the module. While these types of gas modules move on rollers, and therefore have a greater range of motion than the previously described floor standing models, they are quite heavy and large due to the tanks of gas which must be carried with the gas module. An additional problem stems from the fact that floor standing units are quite susceptible to contamination by dirt and fluids. Accordingly, the prior art has various drawbacks and disadvantages. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes many of these drawbacks and disadvantages by providing a low-bulk gas delivering apparatus for use in a catheter laboratory. The apparatus includes a universally articulatable support arm, one end of which is adapted to mount onto a ceiling and the other end of which is mounted to a gas module. The gas module is adapted to deliver gas received from a hose which connects the gas module to a source of gas. The hose generally extends along the support arm and is disposed outside of the support arm. Therefore, the support arm is lighter, slimmer, and less bulky than previously used support arms. In accordance with a more specific aspect of the present invention, a ceiling-mounted gas delivering apparatus for use in a catheter laboratory is provided where the articulatable support member includes: a first support arm having a first end and a second end, the first end being adapted to attach to the ceiling so that the support arm extends downwardly from the ceiling toward the floor and is generally perpendicular to the floor; a second support arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second support arm being pivotally connected to the second end of the first support arm to permit the second support arm to pivot horizontally about the first support arm; and a third support arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the third support arm being pivotally connected to the second end of the second support arm to permit the second end of the third support arm to move vertically upwardly toward the ceiling and downwardly away from the ceiling and to permit the third support arm to pivot horizontally about the second end of the second support arm. A gas module is rotatably mounted onto the second end of the third support arm, and a hose connects the gas module to a source of gas. The hose generally extends along the support member and is disposed outside of the support member. Preferably, the articulatable support member is manually positionable, and is fully moveable throughout its range of motion by manually moving the gas module. Moreover, a self-leveling linkage which connects the gas module to the second end of the third support arm maintains a selected orientation of the gas module throughout the range of motion of the articulatable support member. By supporting a gas module from a universally articulatable support arm, providing the support arm with at least two pivotable interconnections which enable the gas module to be moved horizontally and vertically, and providing a hose exterior to the support arm and which supplies gas from a source to the gas module, the gas module is adapted to be positioned around a patient. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a side view of a ceiling-mounted gas delivering unit in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a gas module associated with the ceiling-mounted gas delivering unit taken generally along line 2--2 FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a ceiling module which routes gas from gas carrying pipes to the gas delivering unit of the present invention; and FIG. 4 illustrates a preferred range of motion of the gas delivering unit of FIG. 1. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to the drawings and referring initially to FIG. 1, a ceiling-mounted gas delivering unit is generally designated by a reference numeral 10. The ceiling-mounted gas delivering unit 10 includes a gas module 12 which is preferably mounted to the ceiling 14 by an articulatable linkage 16. Since the ceiling mounted gas delivering unit 10 is specifically designed for use in a room having a plurality of ceiling mounted devices, such as a catheter laboratory, the articulatable linkage 16 allows the gas module 12 to be moved easily to a wide variety of locations. Moreover, the gas module 12 is made quite small due to the fact that most catheterization procedures are performed on patients without the use of anesthesia. Therefore, only a few selected gases, such as air, compressed air, oxygen and a vacuum, are delivered to the gas module 12. The gas module 12 receives these gases from a suitable source, and controllably delivers selected gases to a patient. As shown in FIG. 1, the gas module 12 preferably receives these gases from gas-carrying pipes 18 (20,22,23) which are disposed within the ceilings or walls of the examination room in which the ceiling-mounted gas delivering unit 10 is installed. Referring to FIG. 2, the gas module 12 includes four gas outlets 24,26,28, and 30, each of which is held in place by a suitable cover plate 25,27,29, and 31. As shown, outlets 24 and 26 provide a vacuum for anesthesia scavenging, outlet 28 delivers oxygen, and outlet 30 delivers compressed air. Alternatively, the compressed air outlet 30, which is seldom used in catheterization procedures, may be replaced with a holder (not shown) which is suitable to retain a container into which vacuumed fluids are deposited. The outlets 24,26,28, and 30 preferably include pressure regulating valves or flow regulating valves which help to control the pressure or amount of gas discharged from the outlets, as is known in the art. Preferably, control valves and gauges (not shown) are attached to at least the oxygen and vacuum outlets 24,26,28 so that an attendant can control the amount of gas or vacuum being delivered to a patient. Since the exact amount of compressed air is not critical, a gauge is preferably not attached to the outlet 30. The outlets 24,26,28, and 30 receive the gases from the respective pipes 22,18,20, and 23 through respective hoses 36,32,34, and 38, as illustrated in FIG. 3. A ceiling module 40 includes a plurality of connection tubes 42,44,46, and 48 which are connected to the respective gas carrying pipes 18,20,22, and 23 by a suitable means, e.g., by using a T-shaped junction or a perforating, self-sealing clamp. The connection tubes 42,44,46,48 connect to respective outlets 43,45,47,49 in the ceiling module 40. The hoses 32,34,36, and 38 are attached to the respective outlets 43,45,47, and 49 within the ceiling module 40, and are routed through an outlet tube 50, which serves as a passageway between the ceiling 14 and the room. The hoses 32,34,36, and 38 extend between the outlet tube 50 and an inlet tube 51 of the gas module 12 within a conduit 52. The conduit is connected to the outlet tube 50 and the inlet tube 51 by any suitable means, e.g., using band clamps 53,55. The conduit 51 is preferably corrugated to provide flexibility so that it generally extends along the articulatable linkage 16, and the conduit 52 and the hoses 32,34,36, and 38 are preferably made of rubber or of a flexible plastic material. The conduit 52 is secured to the articulatable linkage 16 by a plurality of clamps 54 which hold the conduit 52 onto the articulatable linkage 16 at preselected locations. Since the gas is delivered to the gas module 12 using the flexible conduit 52, instead of by routing the hoses within the linkage member, the articulated linkage 16 is much smaller, slimmer and lighter than commercially available ceiling-mounted gas modules. The articulatable linkage 16 includes a base 56 which mounts the linkage 16 onto the ceiling 14. A vertical support arm 58 which is connected to the base 56 extends downwardly from the ceiling 14. The lower end of the vertical support arm 58 carries a linkage member 66 which connects a horizontally disposed arm 68 to the vertical support arm 58. The linkage member 66 preferably includes an upwardly extending post 70 (as shown by the phantom lines in FIG. 1), and the arm 68 includes a sleeve member 72 which slides over the post 70. The arm 68 is then secured to the vertical support arm 58 by attaching a cap 73 to top of the post 70. Therefore, the horizontal arm 68 is pivotable about the longitudinal axis 74 of the post 72, and the range of motion of the arm 68 is limited due to the obstruction of the vertical support arm 58, as shown by dashed line 75 in FIG. 4. This limited range of motion prevents the conduit 52 from wrapping around the articulatable linkage 16. The outer end of the horizontal arm 68 includes a sleeve member 76 through which a post 78 (as shown by phantom lines in FIG. 1) extends. The post 78 is part of a connecting member 80 which connects the horizontal arm 68 to a tilting arm 82. The sleeve member 76 is secured to the connecting member 80 by attaching a cap 88 to the top of the post 78. The connecting member 80 allows the tilting arm 82 to move with two degrees of freedom; the first degree of freedom being about the longitudinal axis 84 of the post 78, and the second being upwardly or downwardly about a spring-loaded joint 86. As illustrated in FIG. 4, at the limits (dashed lines 77 and 79) of the range of motion of the horizontal arm 68, the range of motion of the tilting arm 82 about the longitudinal axis 84 is shown by dashed lines 83,85 to be about 360°. However, the range of motion is advantageously limited to slightly less than 360° to prevent the conduit 52 from wrapping around the articulatable linkage 16. The outer end of the tilting arm 82 is connected to the gas module 12 via a self-leveling linkage 90. The tilting arm 82 allows the gas module 12 to be moved upwardly or downwardly as shown by the phantom lines in FIG. 1, while the attitude or orientation of the gas module 12 remains relatively unchanged between the upper and lower positions of the tilting arm 82. This is due to the self-leveling linkage 90 which maintains the desired attitude of the gas module 12 through the range of motion of the tilting arm 82. The accuracy of sensitive gauges, such as mercury gauges, which are attached to the outlets, is maintained, since the attitude of the gas module 12 remains relatively unchanged. The self-leveling linkage 90 includes a shaft 92 which connects the control module 12 to the tilting arm 82, and the shaft 92 includes a bearing portion 94 which allows the gas module 12 to rotate about the longitudinal axis 96 of the shaft 92. The ability of the horizontal arm 68 to pivot about the post 70 and the ability of the tilting arm 82 to pivot about the post 76, allows the gas module 12 to be positioned horizontally anywhere within the region bounded by the solid line 87 (FIG. 4). The vertical positioning of the gas module 12 is determined by the length of the vertical support arm 58, and by the vertical range of motion of the tilting arm 82 about the spring-loaded joint 86. In rooms where a greater vertical range of motion is desirable, the vertical support arm 58 could be adapted to slide axially and, thus, alter the length of the vertical support arm 58. The movement of the gas module 12 is controlled solely by forces applied to a handle 98 which is preferably connected to the bottom of the control module 12. Because the spring-loaded joint 86 biases the gas module 12 upwardly, the gas module 12 acts as a counter-weight to overcome the spring force of the joint 86. Once the gas module 12 is moved into a desired position, the weight of the gas module 12 maintains the desired vertical position of the tilting arm 82. Should the gas module 12 be of an inappropriate weight, however, an additional counterweight 100 or counter-balance may be used to control the vertical positioning of the gas module 12. Preferably, any additional counter-weight is attached to the gas module 12. Overall, the gas delivering unit 10 is lightweight by virtue of the slimness of the support members, i.e., the linkages and arms, which are used to make the articulatable linkage 16. Moreover, the support members are preferably made of a lightweight material, such as aluminum, to further reduce the weight of the gas delivering unit 10. Experimental units have been made using a commercially available articulatable linkage from Burkhart Roentgen Inc., 3 River Rd. South, Cornwall Bridge, Conn. 06754, which is referred to as an "overhead counterpoise". The weight of the articulatable linkage 16 is between about 30 pounds and about 80 pounds (depending on length), the weight of the gas module 12 is between about 20 pounds and about 40 pounds, the weight of the hoses 32,34,36,38 and conduit 52 is between about 10 pounds and about 30 pounds. Therefore, the weight of the entire gas delivering unit 10 is between about 60 pounds and about 150 pounds. The range of motion and the slim profile of the articulatable linkage 16, allows the gas delivering unit 10 to be mounted onto a ceiling in an examination room having a plurality of devices mounted on the ceiling above a patient, because the articulatable linkage 16 is able to position the gas module 12 near the patient by winding between the other devices in the room.

A low-bulk gas delivering apparatus for use in a catheter laboratory is provided. The apparatus includes a universally articulatable support arm, one end of which is adapted to mount onto a ceiling and the other end of which is mounted to a gas module. The gas module is adapted to deliver gas received from a hose which connects the gas module to a source of gas. The hose generally extends along the support arm and is disposed outside of the support arm. Therefore, the support arm is lighter, slimmer, and less bulky than previously used support arms.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not Applicable STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX [0003] Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] This invention relates to trailers and is particularly related to trailers used in transporting snowmobiles. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] Snowmobile users frequently use trailers to transport the machines from storage to a use location and return. It is not uncommon that one snowmobile or even as many as four to six machines are transported on a single trailer. Very few snowmobiles are capable of reverse travel so it frequently is a difficult task to load the snowmobile or snowmobiles on a trailer bed such that they can be readily removed. Generally the machines are simply dragged off the trailer when they are unloaded. The machines are heavy and cumbersome and it is not only hard work to drag them from the trailer, but it is also somewhat dangerous, particularly when such procedures may be taking place in snow storms or other inclement weather conditions. Also, it is very common that loading and unloading of the trailer may be taking place in locations affording limited mobility of the trailer or towing vehicle. For example the vehicle and trailer may be driven to the end of a single lane mountain road at which location it is necessary to unload the snowmobiles from the rear of the trailer. Or, the vehicle and trailer may be driven into a parking lot at a ski-resort, where parking space is at a premium and there is no alternative to dragging the snowmobiles from the rear of the trailer. [0006] Trailers have been developed in the past that allow front ramps to be lowered into position allowing snowmobiles to be driven off the trailer at an angle that will afford clearance of the towing vehicle. This, of course requires side clearance alongside the tow vehicle to permit the machines to be run off the trailer. Often, such side clearance is not available and the user of the trailer must resort to dragging the transported snowmobiles from the rear of the trailer. [0007] Principal objects of the present invention are to provide a trailer that can be used to transport snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles and the like and that will provide for easy loading and unloading of the trailer. [0008] Still other objects are to provide a trailer that will permit snowmobiles and ATV's to be driven onto the trailer and off of the trailer even when the vehicles do not have a reverse drive. [0009] It is yet another object of the invention to allow loading and unloading of a trailer from any desired location around the trailer and from ground level or from a hillside, snow bank or other elevated terrain feature at the loading and unloading site. [0010] Principal features of the invention include a trailer with a rigid, supporting, wheeled undercarriage and a trailer bed supported by bearings carried by the undercarriage. An electric motor rotates the bed on the bearings, through sprockets and a drive chain. An electrical switch operates to turn the motor on and off and a locking assembly is provided to secure the bed against rotation relative to the undercarriage during travel of the trail t. [0011] Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains from the following detailed description and drawings, disclosing what is presently contemplated as being the best mode of the invention. DRAWINGS [0012] In the drawings: [0013] [0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the trailer of the invention; [0014] [0014]FIG. 2 a similar view with the bed of the trailer rotated; [0015] [0015]FIG. 3, a pictorial view showing the undercarriage and trailer bed; [0016] [0016]FIG. 4, an enlarged view of the drive motor for the bed; [0017] [0017]FIG. 5, an enlarged view of the front end of the undercarriage and trailer bed, shown fragmentarily, and the locking assembly; [0018] [0018]FIG. 6, a reduced top plan view of the trailer; [0019] [0019]FIG. 7, a side elevation view; [0020] [0020]FIG. 8, an enlarged side elevation view of the coupling between trailer bed and drive sprocket; and [0021] [0021]FIG. 9, a transverse section, taken on the line 9 - 9 of FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0022] Referring now to the drawings: [0023] In the illustrated embodiment, the trailer of the invention is shown generally at 10 . Trailer 10 includes a trailer bed 12 with a front protector/ramp 14 having a section 16 pivotally connected by hinges 18 to a front edge 20 of the bed 12 . A rear protector/ramp 22 has a section 24 that is similarly pivotally hinge connected at 26 to the rear edge 28 of the bed 12 . [0024] Side rails 30 and 32 project upwardly from rails 34 and 36 at opposite sides of the bed 12 . Plates 38 project upwardly from ends of side rails 30 and 32 and locking pins 40 are inserted through plates 38 and frames 42 of the protector/ramps 14 and 22 . Upper sections 44 and 46 of the protector/ramps 14 and 22 are respectively hinged at 48 to the sections 16 and 24 . [0025] The protector/ramps 14 and 22 are locked in a to the side rails in a raised position when snowmobiles are positioned on the trailer bed. In the raised position the protector/ramps hold the snowmobiles on the trailer and the front protector/ramp 14 protects the snowmobiles from slush and Either debris thrown up by the tow vehicle wheels. The protector/ramps 14 and 22 are pivoted downwardly and sections 44 and 46 are pivoted to form extensions of the sections 16 and 24 that will serve as extended access ramps for movement of snowmobiles onto and off the trailer bed. A trailer tongue 50 is connected to and projects from a front rail 52 of an undercarriage 54 beneath the trailer bed 12 . The usual trailer jack 56 is fixed to tongue 50 and a hitch coupler 58 is mounted to the end of the tongue remote from the front rail 52 for attachment to a tow vehicle (not shown). [0026] Undercarriage 54 further includes a pair of spaced apart long rails 60 and 62 , a pair of spaced apart short rails 64 and 66 respectively welded to long rails 60 and 62 . A pair of leaf springs 68 and 70 are suspended by spring hangars 72 , 74 and 76 from each of the short rails and a pair of roles 78 and 80 with wheels 82 and 84 on the ends thereof are secured t) the springs by clamps 86 and 88 . [0027] A gear motor 90 is bolted at 92 to a cross beam 94 interconnecting the long rails 60 and 62 and the output shaft of the motor has a small sprocket 96 thereon. A chain 98 passes around small sprocket 96 and a large sprocket 100 . An idler sprocket 102 is suspended by a hangar 104 from a plate 106 extending between the long rails 60 and 62 . Large sprocket 100 is driven by chain 98 and a shaft 108 connects the center of the sprocket through a coupling 110 to a shaft 112 . Shaft 112 is fixed to and projects downwardly from a plate 114 that is welded or otherwise affixed to a plate 116 fixed beneath the bed 12 of the trailer 10 . [0028] Shaft 112 projects downwardly through a hole 118 provided therefore through a steel plate 120 that is fixed to long rails 60 and 62 . Thrust bearings 122 have housings welded, or otherwise affixed to steel plate 120 . The thrust bearings are equidistant from the shaft 112 and are on a circle surrounding the shaft 112 . [0029] Plate 116 rests on the balls of the thrust bearings and when the bed 12 is turned the plate 114 turns on the bearings. [0030] Operation of motor 90 turns small sprocket 96 and drives chain 98 to turn large sprocket 100 and through shafts 108 and 112 and plate 114 , bed 12 of the trailer. Motor 90 is a DC motor, powered by the battery of the tow vehicle. Wires 124 , connected to motor 90 and to a connector 126 allow the motor to be coupled to the tow vehicle. A switch 126 is also connected in the wires 124 to allow the motor to be turned on and off. Switch 124 is preferable mounted on tongue 50 , but it will be apparent that the switch could be mounted elsewhere. [0031] A locking plate 130 is pivotally connected at 132 to front rail 52 of undercarriage 54 and hangs from the pivot connection. A handle 134 projects from locking plate 130 and is used to pivot the locking plate to a position where a portion 136 of the locking plate overlaps the front edge 20 of bed 12 to prevent rotation of the bed. A pin 138 is inserted through aligned holes in the front rail and the locking plate. A small spring clip) 140 through the end of pin 138 holds pin 138 in place to prevent undesired turning of the trailer bed 12 . [0032] With the rotating bed 12 trailer 10 can be conveniently used to load and unload snowmobiles, or all terrain vehicles, at any desired angle with respect to the trailer undercarriage. The bed is merely turned to the desired angle with respect to the fixed undercarriage and the ramp 42 is lowered to permit the vehicle to be driven onto the trailer bed. After loading the bed 12 ramp 42 is again pivoted to its raised and locked position and the bed is rotated to be aligned with and locked relative to the undercarriage. The, bed is turned to a desired angle relative to the undercarriage and ramp 40 ) is lowered to permit the vehicles to be driven from the bed 12 . Ramp 41 ) is then raised and locked in place. [0033] Although a preferred embodiment of my invention has been herein disclosed, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is by way of example and that variations are possible without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the following claims, which subject matter I regard as my invention.

A trailer for transporting snowmobiles, all terrain vehicles and other vehicles that are driven onto the trailer and that includes a trailer bed onto which the vehicles are driven, a wheel supported undercarriage beneath the bed, a motor powered drive assembly to fully rotate the bed with respect to the undercarriage and protector/ramps at opposite ends of the trailer bed to provide ramps for driving vehicles on to and off of the trailer bed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to transaction systems, and more specifically to improved cryptographic techniques involving public-key digital blind signatures. 2. Description of Prior Art Blind signature techniques were first disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,063, titled "Blind Signature Systems," issued to the present applicant, also appearing as European Patent Publication No. 0139313 dated 2/5/85, and which is incorporated herein by reference. One possible criticism of the particular exemplary embodiment disclosed there is that it requires the underlying signature system to be secure against a "chosen message" attack. In such attacks, the provider party P chooses a special dangerous message, obtains a signature on it, and then is able to use this signature to break the whole signature scheme. Of course it is not presently known whether such dangerous messages can be found for the well known RSA system. In any case, ways to prevent such release of chosen roots are known, such as, for example, the techniques disclosed in a co-pending application of the present applicant, titled "One-Show Blind Signature Systems," filed 3/3/88, with U.S. Ser. No. 168802, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,914,698, and which is also incorporated herein by reference. These systems use a plurality of "candidate" messages, some subset of which appear in the final signature. Because the candidates that do not appear in the final signature can be inspected by B before the signature is issued, B obtains (with high probability) control over the content of the candidates appearing in the signature. Consequently, a chosen message attack against these systems has a low chance of success. Multiple candidate systems proposed so far, though, do suffer from some shortcomings. One is that the number of candidates needed to offer the desired low probability of success for chosen message attacks may be a larger number than is required for the other properties of the signatures. Thus, some economy could be obtained by reducing the number of candidates, while still offering protection against the conceivable danger of chosen message attacks. Another area for improvement is in the "marking" of the candidates when they appear in the final signatures; each such candidate may be forced to appear under a different mark (or type indication) chosen for it by B. But such marking techniques known so far require different roots for each kind of mark, which in turn substantially increases the number of modular multiplies needed in applying the systems. A third deficiency of known multiple candidate systems is that, in the signature, the exponents on each candidate are chosen by P. Increased security against some attacks can be achieved if P is unable to choose these exponents. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide blind signatures with original messages of a type that are chosen by the providing party but that do not allow the providing party to obtain roots on numbers freely chosen by the providing party. Another object of the present invention is, in the context of blind signatures issued on multiple candidates, to prevent the provider party from being able to determine which powers of the candidates will be contained in the resulting signature. This is believed to make it difficult or infeasible for providers to combine multiple-candidate signatures in efforts to produce other verifiable such signatures. A further object of the invention is, in some embodiments, to allow at least part of the public-key cryptographic computations to be performed in advance of the interaction between a provider party and a blind signature issuing party. Yet another object of the invention is to remove the need for any public-key computations by the provider party during the signature issuing interaction, even when the set of candidates to be signed is determined only in the interaction. A still further object of the invention is to allow candidates to be differently marked within the resulting signature in a way that is known by the blind signature issuing party and substantially unreplaceable by the provider party, yet without requiring different roots on different candidates. Still another object of the present invention is to allow efficient, economical, and practical apparatus and methods fulfilling the other objects of the invention. Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated when the present description and appended claims are read in conjunction with the drawing figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES FIG. 1 shows a flowchart of a first preferred embodiment of a blind signature issuing protocol between a provider party and a blind signature issuing party in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of a first preferred embodiment of a blind signature showing protocol between a provider party and a signature checking party in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a preferred embodiment of a second blind signature issuing protocol between a provider party and a blind signature issuing party in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a preferred embodiment of a second blind signature showing protocol between a provider party and a signature checking party in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of a preferred embodiment of a third blind signature issuing protocol between a provider party and a blind signature issuing party in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a preferred embodiment of a third blind signature showing protocol between a provider party and a signature checking party in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. FIG. 7 symbolically depicts apparatus for practicing the exemplary methods of this invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS In accordance with the forgoing and other objects of the present invention, a brief summary of some exemplary embodiments will now be presented. Some simplifications and omissions may be made in this summary, which is intended to highlight and introduce some aspects of the present invention, but not to limit its scope in any way. Detailed descriptions of preferred exemplary embodiments adequate to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the inventive concepts are provided later. It will be understood by those in the art that the flow charts depicted in FIGS. 1-6 are symbolic representations of both method and apparatus for implementing this invention. The depicted blocks may be realized, for example, by conventional general purpose data processing hardware programmed to perform the depicted data processing steps. Alternatively, one may use special purpose data processing hardware using conventional hardware design methods to devise circuits to perform the depicted data processing steps. The depicted interconnecting lines in FIGS. 1-6 may be realized by conventional data communication devices and circuits. Brevity of summary is, as will be appreciated, facilitated by considering quite particular special cases, and starting from concrete forms of the signatures themselves. A signature, accordingly, will be a p'th root in an RSA system, where p is a large prime. This root is, however, taken on a product of three values, and will have the following form: (ƒ(x).sup.b+g(n,x,xy) ƒ(y).sup.1+b+g(n,x,xy) n).sup.1/p. The ƒand g functions can be taken as one-way functions, such as those that could be constructed from the well known DES algorithm. When the value of such an expression is sent to be checked, it is accompanied by four values: n, x, y, and b. The recipient can then readily combine these four values in the way specified within the above expression, and test that this combined value is equal to the result of raising the signature itself to the p'th power. An essential requirement of any signature scheme is to prevent outright forgery. Because S has no redundancy property to check for n, such signatures could trivially be forged if it were not for the g functions in the exponents. With these functions, though, it is believed that a forger would have to produce many values whose p'th roots are known, before one is found that happens to satisfy the above expression for known x and y. The signature issuing protocol, to be described, can prevent P from being able to choose the value b. A believed result, that will be appreciated more fully in light of the detailed descriptions that follow, is that various sorts of attacks are made difficult. These attacks include, for instance, the building of images under ƒinto n, the adjusting of what should be a single image under ƒto be a quotient of such images, or the combining of various signatures to form a new signature. Furthermore, once a signature has been issued by B, it is believed difficult for the value of b to be changed by P because this would seem to imply that P could compute p'th roots on images under ƒ. Similarly, it is believed difficult for P to change the ordering of x and y because of the +1 shown in the exponent of the factor containing y. So far the example has related particularly to FIGS. 1-4; the following example relates more particularly to FIGS. 5-6: (n.sup.g(n) ƒ(x)).sup.1/p. The inventive techniques allow blind signatures. The properties of such signatures are, on the one hand, believed to imply that the particular values revealed to S in showing a signature cannot be recognized by B as related to those known when the signature was issued. But on the other hand, it seems that B needs to work with the structure of the signature in order to form it. These apparent contradictions are resolved partly by combining and adapting known blind signature techniques and novel techniques in novel ways, as will be appreciated from the detailed disclosures to be presented. GENERAL DESCRIPTION The protocols to be described in detail later and the drawing figures make a number of simplifying assumptions for concreteness and for clarity in exposition. It will be appreciated, however, that these should not be taken to limit the scope of the invention. FIGS. 1-4 show systems with t candidates per signature, FIGS. 5-6 show only one candidate. These choices are arbitrary and are for clarity in exposition, since all the embodiments can accommodate any number of candidates. For example, FIGS. 1-2 can take a single candidate by setting t, c, and d to 1. Similarly, FIGS. 3-4 can be used by setting c and d to 0 and t to 1. FIGS. 5-6 can have the product of any number of candidates replace the single one shown in the signature. When only a single candidate is used, or otherwise when marking is not desired, the e function can just be constant. Suitable values for this might be 1 for FIGS. 1-2 and 0 for FIGS. 3-4. This function can also be applied in FIGS. 5-6 when multiple candidates are used; it may then enter either multiplicatively or additively. As another example, it will be clear to those of skill in the art that a public exponent on one factor can be moved to other factors simply by raising the whole signature to a public power. Thus, the particular factor on which exponents are placed is only chosen for convenience in exposition. Furthermore, the exemplary embodiments show only a single n factor, but of course more than one could be used. Different exponents could be placed on these factors, possibly in addition to those on the candidates. Additionally, there is no reason why public constants cannot be used in a way similar to the n in FIGS. 5-6. The exemplary embodiments are believed to show that such constants are not needed and do not offer any anticipated advantages, but the scope of the present invention should not be interpreted to exclude such believed superfluities. The way the q (or multiple q's as might be used for multiple n's as just mentioned) are created is shown differently in the various figures. Clearly the techniques used in any one figure could as well be applied in any other; the differences having been included to illustrate the major approaches and are independent of the other choices illustrated in the corresponding figures. The function g may be any suitable one-way function or, as is anticipated, a function not strictly requiring the one-way property. It is believed necessary to include n (or all the n's if there are more than one as mentioned above) as argument(s) of g. Including candidates as arguments of g, as shown is believed to improve security against certain kinds of attacks. In some embodiments, each g might only have its own candidate as additional argument. FIGS. 1-4 show an argument of g as a product of factors. This product could clearly be replaced by a concatenation of such factors in lexicographic order, and additionally the second argument could then just determine the particular substring of the result corresponding to its position in that ordering. Other commutative operations besides multiplication are of course also suitable for forming an unordered combination of candidates within g; any other fixed ordering, besides lexicographic, or any random ordering, of candidates could of course be used. Moreover, the three basic approaches illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, 3-4, and 5-6 are readily combineable, such combinations not being illustrated for clarity. It is believed that to avoid the chosen message attacks already mentioned, the public exponents of all roots in a signature should divide (at least one) n. Thus, each factor in the signature may receive a different root. These different roots may of course use different embodiments from the pairs of figures or variations mentioned. Particular advantage is anticipated in using roots on the n(s) with public exponents having factors or multiplicities not appearing on other factors. As a further example, when multiple embodiments are combined, some of the subgroups of the public exponents on some factors could be allowed to unlinkably vary freely without any extra requirement on them when the signature is shown. One way to accomplish this is simply for B to substitute random values in place of the exponents normally requested by P and then inform P of these random values when the signature is issued. The choice of party names, and the number of parties are examples of choices made for clarity and convenience. Naturally, the inventive concepts disclosed here should not be interpreted as limited to particular types of parties or any other implications of naming conventions or the like. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS While it is believed that the notation of FIGS. 1-4 would be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art, it is first reviewed here for definiteness. The operations performed are grouped together into flowchart boxes. The column that a box is in indicates which party performs the operations defined in that box. The columns are labeled by party name across the top: "P" for provider, "S" for signature checker, and "B" for blind signature issuer. One kind of operation is an equality test. The "?=?" symbol is used to indicate such a test, and the party conducting the test terminates the protocol if the equality does not hold. (If the test is the last operation to be performed by a party during a protocol, then the success or failure of the test determines the party's success or failure with the protocol.) Another kind of operation is that of sending a message. This is shown by a message number on the left; followed by a recipient name and an arrow (these appear for readability as either a recipient name then left pointing arrow, when the recipient is on the left; or right pointing arrow then recipient name, when the recipient is on the right); followed by a colon; finally followed by an expression denoting the actual value of the message that should be sent, shown using variables whose values are known to the sender. (These operations are depicted in a "bold" typeface for clarity.) Square brackets are used to delimit message numbers and such an expression stands for the value of the corresponding message. The further operation of saving a value under a symbolic name is denoted by the symbolic name on the left hand side of an equal sign and an expression on the right hand side. Several kinds of expressions are used. One is just the word "random." This indicates that a value is preferably chosen uniformly from an appropriate set of values defined in the text and independently of everything else in the protocol. Thus a party should preferably employ a physical random number generator for these purposes, possibly with appropriate post-processing. In practice, however, well known keyed and unkeyed cryptographic and pseudo-random techniques may be applied, possibly in combination with physical sources. A further kind of expression involves exponentiation. All such exponentiation is in a finite group, say, for example, the multiplicative group modulo an RSA modulus m. When no operation is shown explicitly, multiplication in such a group is assumed. When "/" is applied between elements of such a group, the result can be calculated by first computing the multiplicative inverse of the expression on the right and then multiplying it by the expression on the left--but this operation may also be described simply as division. When the "/" is used between exponents, and if the result is a proper fraction, it indicates a corresponding root, as is well known in the art. Suitable RSA moduli have been proposed in "A method for obtaining digital signatures and public-key cryptosystems," by Rivest, Shamir and Adleman, Communications of the ACM, Feb. 1978, pp. 120-126. For simplicity, concreteness, and clarity, and without loss of generality, all elements subject to exponentiation will be taken to be residues modulo the RSA modulus m of party B, unless mentioned otherwise. The public exponents of party B used in all the figures are taken for simplicity to be prime p:, although generalization to composite values would be obvious to those of skill in the art. Also for simplicity, as is common practice in the art, p will be assumed coprime with the order of the multiplicative group used in the exponentiation. If computations for the exponents are done modulo p, this is shown by an explicit "mod p." Other parts of these calculations are done over the integers, and sometimes they use the operation "div," which may be thought of as the integer part of the quotient when the value on the left side is divided by that on the right. The functions ƒand h are public one-way functions whose images are elements of the multiplicative group modulo m. The functions are taken to be "collision free" in the usual sense that it is believed computationally difficult to find multiple pre-images that result in the same image. As would be obvious to those of skill in the art, it should be difficult to find any structure in these functions that can be related to the group or field structure of their images. Another public one-way function notation used is g. In some embodiments, g can be thought of as a single function where part of the output string is selected by the second argument. While no single part of the output would usually be called collision free if the size of parts allows them to be exhaustively searched, such as having only millions or billions of possibilities; but any combination of parts that cannot be exhaustively searched is preferably collision free. Yet another function used is e. Its single argument is an integer between 1 and the number of candidates t. The result of e may be regarded modulo p, because of the way that it will be used. In some embodiments, such as those of FIGS. 3-4, the value 0 is not desired and may be omitted from the range of e. Other embodiments might omit values that are not comprime with a composite p, as was mentioned. In some embodiments, e may be the constant function, for example always returning 1 or always returning 0. In other embodiments it may be the identity function, returning its argument as its result. It would be obvious to those of skill in the art how any other mapping satisfying the above criteria could be used. For example, it is anticipated that if the range of e is coarsely spread over the possible values, security may be enhanced slightly. Another example would give multiple pre-images to certain images under e, thereby allowing multiple candidates to have the same marking. Another type of expression used in the exemplary embodiments relates to ordered sets of integers. For example, {1, . . . ,t} denotes the set of integers from 1 to t inclusive in increasing order. Such sets may be combined with "-", the usual set difference operation, where the resulting order is fixed by some convention. The set membership symbol " " is used to define an index variable that runs over all the values in a set; thus, computations and messages involving an index variable are repeated for each value it takes on. In particular, the well known "π" notation is used to indicate that the product is formed of all values induced in the expression on the right by the different values of the index variable used in that expression. Elements within a set are indexed by their position. For instance, consider the set w={9,5,7} and j w, then w(1) is 9, w(2) is 5, and w(3) is 7. Indexing in general is shown either using subscript notation or with the index in parenthesis. An effort has been made, though, to be consistent in this choice for each variable. As will be appreciated, the parenthesis notation has been used for those messages and variables appearing in the superscript or subscript positions. Turning now to FIG. 1, the first part of a flowchart for a first preferred embodiment will now be described in detail. It may be thought of as a blind signature issuing transaction, in which party P obtains such a signature from party B. Box 101 shows party P first choosing r i , x i , c(i), c, r independently and uniformly at random, such random selection as already mentioned. For each value of i, which ranges from 1 to s, a separate random choice is made for each of the first three. The r i are chosen from the elements of the multiplicative group modulo m used. The x i are chosen from some suitable set of values used as arguments for ƒ. The c(i) are chosen from the integers from 1 to p-1. Similarly, c is also chosen from the elements of the multiplicative group modulo p. Also in like manner, r is chosen as an integer between 1 and m-1, inclusive. Next P forms, for each value of i, a residue as message [11] i . Consider a particular value of i. First r i is raised to the power p and saved as temp1. Then ƒis applied to argument x i , with the result saved as temp2. Next c(i) is multiplied by c and the remainder after dividing by p is saved as temp3; in other words the group operation is applied to the two elements in the multiplicative group modulo p. To form the message, temp2 is raised to the temp3 power and multiplied by temp1, all modulo m. Each of the s messages is then sent by P to B. Certain additional computations are shown in the remainder of this box to suggest that they could, if desired, be done before box 103. One computation is to establish the value of the variable q as the result of applying the function h already mentioned. The arguments of h are taken as the s messages sent. But as already mentioned, such multiple arguments might be combined. The other computation forms n as r raised to the p power, the quantity times q, all modulo m, as already mentioned. Box 102 indicates that, after receiving message [11] i for all i between 1 and s, B creates a random index set v of integers such that it contains t elements and these elements are chosen uniformly as integers between 1 and s. Then B sends this ordered set to P as message [12]. Box 103 describes first how the set received as message [12] by P is tested by P to ensure that its cardinality is exactly t. Then j is allowed to range over the set difference of the the set of natural numbers from 1 to s inclusive and [12]. For each value of j, P sends B r j as [13.1] j , x j as [13.2] j , and c(i) times c modulo p as [13.4](j). Next the variables k and k' are allowed to range over the set [12]. For each value of k an image under g is formed and saved as d(k). The first argument for g will be the value assigned to variable n in box 101. The second argument for g is f applied to x k . The third and final argument is the product of the images under f of all the x k '. As the closing operation of this box, t messages are sent to B, each message being an integer between 1 and p-1. For each value of index k, the corresponding message is formed as d(k) times the multiplicative inverse of c(k) modulo p. In other words, the multiplicative inverse modulo p of c(k) is first formed and then it is multiplied modulo p with d(k) to yield [13.4] k . Box 104 first illustrates the definition of index variable j, which is allowed to range over all values in the set difference between the natural numbers not exceeding s and v, a similar set difference already having been mentioned in box 103. B repeats a test for each value taken by j. Consider, for clarity, a particular value of j. Message [11] j received in box 102 is tested for equality with the product of two terms. The first term is received message [13.1] j raised to the p power. The second is f applied to received message [13.2] j , the quantity raised to the [13.3] j power. Provided all these tests are satisfied, as already mentioned, index variable k is allowed to range over the set v. Next an index set w is created at random but satisfying the property that those positions in w that are indexed by elements in v include all the indexes from 1 to t inclusive; in other words, when w is indexed by v, a permutation of the natural numbers not exceeding t results. For each value of k, z(k) is computed as the product of e(w(k)), d, and message [13.3] k received, all reduced modulo p. (The expression e(w(k)), as per the notation already defined, means select the k'th element from the ordered set of indexes called w and apply function e to the resulting index treated as a natural number). Next, d is sent to P as message [14.1]. This sending is shown at this point to suggest that d is preferably revealed to P only after all messages [13.4] k are received. When the function e is not the constant function and is used to mark the candidates as already mentioned, the ordering of the candidates is also preferably only revealed at this point; accordingly, w is sent as message [14.2]. The final signature, returned to P in message [14.3], is the p'th root of an image under h and the product of t terms. The arguments of h are the values of message [11] 1 through [11] t , just as q was formed in box 101. There is a factor in the product for each value taken on by k. It is message [11] k raised to the z(k) power modulo m. Box 105 depicts first the setting of z'(k) to the modulo p product of three terms: e([14.2](k)) already described in box 104, message [14.1] received from box 104, and message [13.4] k formed in box 103. Then equality is tested with received message [14.3] raised to the p as one side. The other side is q times a product taken over all k. Each factor in this product over k is the message [11] k raised to the z'(k) power. Next a temporary variable u(k) is assigned a value for all k. Consider a particular value of index k. The computation may be described as first setting temp1 to the modulo p product of e([14.1](k)), message [14.1] received, and message [13.4] k received as denoted by z'(k), and then letting temp2 be the modulo p product of c(k) and c. The value of u(k) is then computed as the integer part of the quotient of temp1 times temp2 divided by p. In other words, u(k) is the largest integer that does not exceed the product of temp1 and temp2 when multiplied by p. Next the signature that will actually be shown, n', is computed as the product of r and message [14.2] divided by a product taken over k. Each term of this product is r k raised to a first power times f(x k ) raised to a second power. The first power is z'(k), as already described, and the second power is u(k), also as already described for this box. Finally, a re-indexed version of x is shown for notational clarity and also possibly to save storage. The x' have indexes 1 to t; each x k is saved as x'[142](k), as per the notation already defined. Turning now to FIG. 2, the second flowchart for part of the preferred embodiment will now be described in detail. It may be thought of as the revealing of a blind signature by P to S. Box 201 begins with P forming message [21.1] as n' already defined in box 105. Message [21.2] is given the value of variable n retained from box 101. Message [21.3] is shown taking its value as the modulo p product of message [14.1] received in box 105 and variable c already defined in box 101. These three messages are sent to S. For index i ranging over the integers between 1 and t, messages [21.4] i are formed as x' i , as defined in box 105, and are sent to S. Box 202 shows that S first lets the index variable i range from 1 to t. Then it indicates how d'(i) is formed by applying g to some of the messages received. The first argument of g i is always message [21.2]. The next is message [21.4] i . The final argument is the product of the [21.4] i '. Finally an equality is tested by S. On the left is received message [21.1] raised to the p. On the right is a message [21.2] times a product over i. The i'th factor making up the product is f applied to message [21.4] i , the quantity raised to a power. This power is the modulo p product of e(i), d'(i), and message [21.3] Turning now to FIG. 3, the third flowchart for part of the preferred embodiment will now be described in detail. It may be thought of as a second blind signature issuing transaction, in which party P obtains a blind signature from party B. Box 301 indicates how P first creates the r i as random residues modulo m and the x i as random elements in the domain of f, where i ranges over the natural numbers not exceeding s. Then message [31] i is formed and sent to B. It is a product of two factors: r i raised to the p; and the image under f of x i . Box 302 then defines how, after receiving [31] i , or at least some commit to them, B creates a three things independently and at random: v, a random ordered subset of t integers between 1 and k; q, a random residue modulo m; and d, a random value between 0 and p-1. Then B forwards v as message [31.1] and q as [31.2] to P. Box 303 shows how P first checks message [32.1] received, by ensuring that its cardinality is t. Next j is allowed to range over the complement of set [32.1], that is all the indexes in 1 to s that are not in v. Then the r j and x j are sent to B as messages [33.1] j and [33.2] j , respectively. Both k and k' are allowed to run over the index set [32.1]. A random residue modulo m is assigned variable r, and each c and all c(k) are set to random integers between 0 and p-1. Now n can be set to the product of three factors: r raised to the p power; message [32.2] received; and a product over k of images under f of x k each raised to the c(k) power. This allows d(k) to be set to an image under g where the first argument is n. The second argument is f(x k ). The third argument is the product over k' of f applied to each x k '. At last message [33.3] k can be computed and sent to B. Its value is the modulo p sum of c, d(k), and c(k). Box 304 is first the recovery and checking by B of the [31] j received from box 301 and the [33.1] j and [33.2] j received from box 303. For all j in 1 to s but not in v, [31] j is checked for equality with the product of [33.1] j raised to the p and f applied to [33.2] j . Provided this holds, B proceeds by allowing k to range over v. A set w is formed at random with the constraint that when indexed by elements in v, every natural number not exceeding t results. Variable z(k) is set to the modulo p sum of three terms: d, message [33.3] k received, and e applied to w indexed by k. Sending of d to P as message [34.2] is shown at this point to suggest that this value is preferably not revealed to P until messages [33.3] k have been received. Also sent P is message [34.2] containing w. The signature [34.3] is computed and sent to P. It is the p'th root of the product of q and a product over k of the [31] k each raised to the corresponding z(k). Box 305 depicts first the setting of z'(a) by P as the modulo p sum of message [34.1] received, message [33.3] k sent in box 303, and function e applied to message [34.2] received indexed by k. Then message [34.3] received is tested by raising it to the p and checking that the result equals a product. One factor in the product is message [32.2] already received. The other is the product over k of messages [31] k each raised to the corresponding z'(k). Next u(a) is developed in three stages. First z'(k) is taken. Then this value is subtracted from the integer c(k), and p-1 is added as an integer. As per the definition of the notation, the resulting integer is divided by p and the integer remainder becomes u(k). Then n' is set to the product of four factors. The first factor is the product over k of f applied to x k raised to the corresponding u(k). The second factor is r, the third is message [34.3], and the fourth is the multiplicative inverse of a product over k of r k raised to the corresponding z'(k) power. Finally, x' indexed by message [34.2] indexed by k is set to x k , in a similar way as in box 105. Turning now to FIG. 4, the fourth flowchart for part of the preferred embodiment will now be described in detail. It may be thought of as the second protocol allowing P to reveal a blind signature to S. Box 401 shows P sending message [41.1], [41.2], and [41.3] to S containing, respectively, n', n, and the modulo p sum of message [34.1] with c. Then, with i ranging between 1 and t, message [41.4] i is sent S containing x' i . Box 402 indicates first how S lets i and i' both range over the natural numbers not exceeding t. Then d'(i) is computed as the image under g of three arguments. The first is message [41.2] received; the second is message [41.4] i ; and the third is the product over i' of the image under f of received message [41.4] i '. Now S can check the signature [41.1] by raising it to the p power and checking the result for equality with a product of two factors. The first is message [41.2]. The second is the product over i of f applied to message [41.1] i raised to a power. This power is the modulo p sum of d'(i), received message [41.3], and e(i). Turning now to FIG. 5, a fifth flowchart for a preferred embodiment will now be described in detail. It may be thought of as a blind signature issuing transaction, in which party P obtains such a signature from party B. Box 501 shows party P first choosing x, r, s, and c independently and uniformly at random, such random selection as already mentioned. The first three, x, r, and s, are chosen from the residues modulo m; the last is chosen from the integers 1 to p-1. Message [51.1] is formed, before being sent to B, as r raised to the p, the quantity times the image of x under f. A value for q is developed as the function h applied to message [51.1]; but, selection of q as a function of candidates, as in FIG. 1, or random choice of q by B, as in FIG. 3, are also of course suitable. Next n is formed as the product of q to the power c times the quantity s to the power p. Variable d is set to the image of n under function g. Then message [51.2] is shown being sent to B. It contains the product of d and c reduced modulo p. Two values, a and b are shown as being developed after the messages of this box have been sent. This placement of computations is intended to suggest that they can be performed in advance of box 503 in some embodiments, but naturally they could also be computed later. Variable a gets the value of q raised to the content of message [51.2] already mentioned. Variable b gets the product of three factors: q raised to the power determined by the integer remainder after dividing d times c by p; s raised to the d power; and the multiplicative inverse of r. Box 502 indicates that, after receiving messages [51.1] and [51.2], B creates and returns a signature as message [52]. B computes this signature as the p'th root of a product. One factor in the product is the image of message [51.1] under function h, the quantity raised to the message [51.2] power; the other factor is message [51.1]. Box 503 describes first how the signature received as message [52] by P is tested by P. It is raised to the p power and the result is tested for equality with the product of variable a, set in box 501, with message [51.1], sent in box 501. Finally variable n' is set to the product of the quantity b, defined in box 501, times message [52]. Turning now to FIG. 6, the sixth flowchart for part of the preferred embodiment will now be described in detail. It may again be thought of as the revealing of a blind signature by P to S. Box 601 begins with P forming message [61.1] as n' already defined in box 503. Message [61.2] is next given the value of variable n retained from box 501. Then message [61.3] is shown taking its value as variable x also from box 501. These three messages are sent by P to S. Box 602 shows how S test these three messages received. Message [61.1] is raised tot the p power and the result is checked for equality with the product of two factors. The first factor is message [61.2] raised to a power that is the image of message [61.2] under function g already defined. The second factor is the image of message [61.3] under function f, as already defined. As would be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art, there are many essentially equivalent orders to evaluate expressions; ways to evaluate expressions; ways to order expressions, tests, and transmissions within flowchart boxes; ways to group operations into flowchart boxes; and ways to order flowchart boxes. The particular choices that have been made here are merely for clarity in exposition and are sometimes arbitrary. Notice, for example, that whether a signature is first tested in blinded form and then unblinded, as shown for clarity here, or unblinded and then tested, is quite unessential. Also, for example, the order in which messages are generated within a box and sent may be of little or no significance. It will also be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art how parts of the inventive concepts and protocols herein disclosed can be used to advantage without necessitating the complete preferred embodiment. This may be more fully appreciated in light of some examples. FIGS. 1-4, for example, show a variety of techniques, some of which can be omitted if desired: the marking by way of the e function; the use of more than one candidate; and the unpredictable value in the signatures. Certain variations and substitutions may be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, any abelian group with public group operation and order known only to B can be used instead of RSA. Other types of blinding could also be used, such as those called "unanticipated" blind signatures. Instead of a prime p, as already mentioned, composites could of course be used. Other example substitutions and variations related to the form of the numbers signed would be obvious also. The redundancy scheme shown does not explicitly include side information that is not signed but that is later used to verify the redundancy properties, as is well known in the art. Public-key digital blind signature apparatus for practicing this invention is symbolically depicted in FIG. 7. Here, the data processor means 702 of a providing party provides at least one candidate message from means 704 to the data processor means 706 of a blind signature issuing party over a suitable data communication link (indicated by dotted lines). Processor 706 and associated means 708 receives such provided candidate message(s). Processor 706 and associated means 710 then applies an exponent to at least one such candidate message(s) that cannot readily be determined by the providing party. Then, processor 706 in association with means 712 returns a first signature including said exponent to the providing party (which receives it at means 714). Processor 706 with associated means 716 also forms a second digital signature using said at least one candidate message that is unlinkable to the first signature issued. Processor 706 and associated means 710 is also capable of applying an exponent independent of the message content and that is different for different messages issued. While these descriptions of the present invention have been given as examples, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications, alternate configurations and equivalents may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Blind signature systems secure against chosen message attack are disclosed. Multiple candidate original messages can be accommodated. Each of plural candidates in the final signature can be marked by the party issuing the signature in a way that is unmodifiable by the party receiving the signatures. The exponents on the candidates in the final signature need not be predictable by either party. In some embodiments, these exponents are not at all or are only partly determined by the candidates in the signature shown. Single candidate signatures are also accommodated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority to and incorporates by reference in its entirety U.S. Provisional Application No. 60,696,527 filed Jul. 6, 2005, titled “HEATED SHOE INSOLE”. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The following relates to an apparatus and method for providing heating in shoe insoles. BACKGROUND [0003] In cold environmental conditions, the extremities, such as toes, are particularly susceptible to losing body temperature and becoming uncomfortably cold. To provide insulation from cold temperatures, shoe uppers typically are made of leather or cloth, shoe soles are made of leather or rubber materials, and shoe insoles and liners include padding and other materials. The insulating properties of these materials helps to retain heat from blood circulation through the foot. For example, hunting boots or snow boots are designed with thick rubber soles and a significant amount of padding to help retain body heat while shoveling, hiking, or performing other activities during freezing weather conditions. [0004] In some circumstances, it is beneficial or necessary to supplement the human body's natural capabilities of temperature regulation by providing a heat source within a shoe or boot. For example, while snow boots or hiking boots may be effective for keeping a person comfortable outside in sub-freezing conditions for several minutes, a person's body temperature may begin to fall after several hours outdoors and the insulation in the boot may no longer be adequate. Once a person's feet become cold, there is a risk of numbness, frostbite, or even hypothermia. For persons with poor blood circulation, it may be beneficial to include heating mechanisms within shoes or boots even if the person does not intend to remain in a cold environment for a long period of time. [0005] Known mechanisms exist for applying heat within a shoe or boot. As one example, chemical hot packs can be inserted into socks or shoes to help retain heat and adequate body temperature within the shoe or boot. These packs create heat through a chemical reaction that can last up to several hours in some applications. The chemical heat pack must be replaced with a new one for each usage. Other known heating mechanisms use electrical wiring within a sock or shoe or boot to apply resistive heat through the wiring. These conventional electrical heating mechanisms are somewhat vulnerable to failure, however, because a puncture or disconnect at a single point within the wiring can completely disable the electrical circuit that generates the heat. Further, such electrical heaters commonly are powered by nickel cadmium batteries, which are toxic. SUMMARY [0006] A shoe insole apparatus is disclosed that includes a flexible semiconductive heater element adapted for insertion within a shoe to be in proximate contact with at least a portion of a foot when the shoe is worn. The apparatus also includes a battery in electrical communication with the heater element. The heater element provides warm to a portion of a wearer's food upon receiving current from the battery. [0007] The shoe insole may also include a sole. The shoe's space for receiving a foot is above the sole. [0008] The apparatus may be a warming slipper that includes a footpad with a heater element. The slipper also includes a toe cup that curls over the footpad to cover less than half of the footpad. A battery provides electricity to the heater element for the slipper. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] Additional embodiments will be more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: [0010] FIG. 1A is an illustration of a heated insole within a shoe according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0011] FIG. 1B is an illustration of the shoe in FIG. 1A in a side-view. [0012] FIG. 2A is an illustration of a heated insole within a shoe according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; [0013] FIG. 2B is an illustration of the shoe in FIG. 2A in a side-view. [0014] FIG. 3 is a simplified illustration of a heater assembly that may be utilized within the shoe as illustrated in FIG. 1 ; [0015] FIG. 4 is a simplified illustration of a heater-enclosed insole and battery assembly that may be utilized within the shoe as illustrated in FIG. 1 and may include the heater assembly as illustrated in FIG. 3 ; [0016] FIG. 5 is a simplified circuit schematic for an insole circuit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0017] The invention provides for a battery powered heated shoe insole. The insole may be an integral part of a shoe, slipper, or boot or may be a removable insert. The insole can be sized to fit various styles and sizes of shoes or boots. In some embodiments, the heater portion of the insole includes a cup over the wearer's toes, providing more heat to the toe area by enclosing it more. [0018] In accordance with the following, a heater assembly is provided in the insole or footpad of a shoe, boot, or slipper that provides electrical heating. Preferably, the heating is done by using one or more flexible, semiconductive, electrically resistive heating elements powered by a rechargeable battery pack. This heater assembly is preferred because it withstands the stresses that can break and disconnect an electrical wire-based heater and efficiently provides long-lasting heating capability with reduced power requirements. Further, the rechargeable battery enables frequent use and re-use without having to replace the heating assembly. [0019] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a heated insole within a shoe according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Insole 10 (shown with crossed-lines) is located within the boot 14 , above the sole 12 , such that it will directly contact the bottom portion of a sock when a foot is placed within the shoe. As can be seen, the insole 10 is substantially flat inside the shoe, extending from substantially along the toe area to substantially along the heel. In some embodiments, the insole 10 may be placed atop an existing insole as an insert that can be removed when the application of heat within the shoe is unnecessary or undesirable. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B , the insole includes wiring 18 that traces beneath the stitching and within a seam along the rear of the boot, toward where the heel and the back of the ankle fit within the rearmost section of the boot. The electrical wiring connects the heater 16 (illustrated as the darkened area at the front of the insole in the toe area of the shoe) in the insole 10 to a power source 19 . As shown in FIG. 1B , the power source 19 is a battery pack that attaches to the upper rear section of the boot above the ankle. In other embodiments, the battery pack attaches directly to the ankle or leg of the wearer by use of a strap. [0020] Although the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B is of a work boot, the insole 10 may be utilized in a boot for duty (for military or police use) or for leisure (such as a ski boot, an ice skating boot, a hiking boot, or cowboy boot), a shoe, or a slipper. Of course, the shoe upper may be leather, canvas, or any other material and the sole may be rubber, leather, or any other material, but for safety purposes, the shoe preferably should be constructed of materials, or those materials should be treated such that they are not flammable. If the power source 19 is to be affixed to the boot 30 , it may instead be affixed within the boot. The power source may be removable for re-charging, or there may be terminals that can be exposed to connect the power source to an AC outlet or another charging source to re-charge the power source. [0021] FIGS. 2A and 2B depict an alternative embodiment for the heated insole. As can be seen, the insole 20 includes the substantially flat portion shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B , but additionally includes a front covering section 22 that substantially encloses the toes of the foot when inserted into a shoe. Although the front covering section is identified separately from the flat portion of the insole, the two may be of the same material and may be part of the same continuous fabric or sheet. As in FIGS. 1A and 1B , the insole is connected via an electrical wire 24 to a power source 26 . In FIG. 2B , the wiring 24 can be stitched within the seam at the rear of the shoe. [0022] As a further alternative, the insole 20 and integrated covering 22 , depicted in FIG. 2A , may be further integrated with a slipper-type shoe to be worn indoors. In this embodiment, the fabric covering of the insole 20 and toe covering 22 , to be described in further detail below, can be sewn or otherwise affixed to a sole for contact with flooring as a user walks in the slipper. The wiring 24 and power source 26 may be attached to the user's ankle via a strap, or in a further embodiment, the power source may be located within the sole of the slipper itself. An advantage to placing the power source in the sole is to avoid any exposure of the wiring 24 . [0023] The insole of FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a heater that is intended to fit beneath (in FIG. 1 ) or around (in FIG. 2 ) the toes of the foot when worn in a shoe. In this manner, the insole provides localized heat to the toes, where the foot is the most susceptible to losing desired body temperature. Preferably, the heater portion of the insole includes a broad area semiconductor material on its upper surface. This material may be a semiconductive fabric, such as a graphite fabric or a carbonized fabric, or a felt-type material comprised of graphite, carbon, or one or more other semiconductive materials. The fabric or felt is particularly suitable for use in an insole because it is flexible, stretchable, and compressible. The fabric tends to heat quickly when provided with electrical energy from a power source and heats uniformly. If one point within the felt or fabric is damaged, broken, torn or punctured, the electrical circuit is still made such that heat continues to be created to warm the toes of the foot. This stands in marked contrast with a resistance wire heater, which is more vulnerable to failure in this regard. [0024] The heater may be configured as a circuitous serpentine configuration of a flexible graphite heating element with two electrical contacts. It is noted that, according to various embodiments, the use of a configuration in which the ends of the heating element are in close proximity to each other may be desired, e.g., to facilitate connection to the positive and negative terminals of the power source being used. According to the invention, the particular dimensions and configuration of the heating element being used may be chosen such that specific desired heater resistance requirements are met. [0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a heater within an insole in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The heater 30 includes metallic contacts 32 a and 32 b and dielectric insulation 34 . Two metallic electrodes are included to establish an electrical circuit. Electrical wires 36 a and 36 b connect to a power source. The electrical wiring is insulated so as not to expose a user to stray voltage. [0026] FIG. 4 illustrates an enclosed insole, heater, and power source assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The insole 40 is enclosed in a flame retardant material, along with the heater fabric or felt and other electrical connections as described with reference to FIG. 3 . At the rear side portion of the insole 40 is attached an enclosed cord 42 that contains electrical wiring to an enclosed battery pack 44 as a power source. An enclosed strap 46 is optionally provided for wrapping the battery pack around an ankle. [0027] FIG. 5 is a circuit schematic for a heated insole in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Heater 50 is the felt, fabric, or other resistive material that applies heat under or around the toe area in the insole or in-seam of a shoe, as described above. Battery 54 is a power source in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The battery 54 may be one or more batteries, which are preferably rechargeable to allow for efficient reuse. The battery or batteries may be charged either through a stand-alone charger or by connecting the battery pack to an AC or DC power supply. The overall system voltage may be less than 5 volts. Although nickel cadmium batteries may be used, these are toxic. A preferred implementation uses nickel metal hydride batteries or non-toxic lithium batteries. [0028] In series with the heater 50 and the battery 54 , an power switch 52 may optionally be provided for disabling the heating and associated power drain without requiring removal of the battery. The power switch may be provided on or near the battery pack, or may be anywhere on the insole or shoe. As opposed to a chemical heat pack, for which the chemical reaction that creates the heat cannot be easily discontinued and restarted, a battery-operated heated insole can be easily turned on and off depending upon the user's comfort level or change in temperature. This allows a user to temporarily go indoors while continuing to wear the shoe or boot with the heater, without experiencing overheating. Optionally, sensors can also be included (not shown in FIG. 5 ) to automatically shut-off the heater if the shoe is removed. For example, a pressure activated push switch may be used. [0029] An optional controller 56 may be placed in parallel with the heater for providing features such as high and low adjustability or other temperature regulation capabilities. Controller 56 can receive input from temperature sensors or motion sensors. The output of controller 56 feeds to a power setting switch 58 to adjust the current supplied to the heater 50 . A user may manipulate a control setting (e.g., a switch, knob, dial, or the like) that controls a field effect transistor (FET) or another suitable type of circuit device, which in turn controls the amount of time that the heating element is being heated versus the amount of time that it is not. The battery 54 , controller 56 , and heater 50 are connected to a common ground 59 . [0030] To prevent possible burning, a fuse circuit also may be included. A fuse circuit may be any suitable type of fuse circuit that is capable of providing over current protection. For example, the fuse circuit may be designed to melt and open the circuit under abnormally high electric loads. [0031] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.

The invention relates to an apparatus for warming feet. The invention includes a flexible and compressible insole that can be removable or integral to boots, shoes, or other footwear. The entire apparatus is battery powered allowing it to be portable and lightweight enough to be comfortable. The battery can be mounted in many possible locations including but not limited to on the footwear, in the footwear, or on the user's lower leg.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention concerns a screen arrangement of a digester, and more precisely, a screen element being located substantially parallel with the vertical axis of the digester, in the middle of the digester, and process chemical being arranged to flow through said screen simultaneously either into the digester or out of the digester, depending on the determinations of the process and the stage of the process. The field of use comprises especially feeding of process chemicals to the digester and removal of those from the digester when producing pulp or paper stock from wood chips in a batch or continuously operating digester. PRIOR ART [0002] In the technique of prior art, process chemicals are moved with respect to the material to be processed, for example when digesting pulp from wood chips so, that mounted to the inner surface of the process vessel there is a screen with apertures of the kind that chemicals can flow through the screen surface, but the material to be processed is not able to pass through the screen surface. The chemical flow can in the technique of prior art be directed either inwards to or outwards from the vessel, and the material to be processed, for example wood chip, can be either stable or movable to some direction, depending on the need. [0003] At present, the pulp produced chemically must as well have a good strength as a low kappa number, in other words, have a low lignin content after the digestion. For achieving the both of these properties, the digestion conditions must be carefully optimized. Among these digestion conditions are the correct alkali distribution, suitable temperature profile, adequate amount of liquid, and the amount of unwanted gradients being as small as possible, especially f.ex. in the radial direction of a continuous digester. This requires big circulation and expansion flows. [0004] Even a partial clogging of for example expansion and circulation screens causes channelling and disturbed flows in the digester. For this reason it is not always possible to maintain such digestion conditions, that the pulp to be processed would be strong, pure and homogenous. This causes increased consumption of raw material, energy and chemicals, which, in turn, increases production costs and environmental load. [0005] As a result of the clogging, the screens can also be broken, when the support constructions fail. On average, this causes need for renovation of screens. [0006] Screens nowadays available on the market for the continuous digestion usually comprise a plurality of vertical bar screens in an arrangement resembling for example a chessboard and attached to the inner surface of the digester in places determined by the process specification. The screen bars of the bar screens have an angular form, for example as a metal bar worked in the form of T, or having a circular form. These kinds of screen constructions are disclosed in patents WO 94/19533 and WO 01/31117. Their location on the inner surface of the digester is very traditional. [0007] Correspondingly, one problem of the screens used for the digestion in prior art is the fact that they clog easily, when the chip particles cling to the slots. When the process chemical flow sucks the chips, sticks and pre-digested pulp against the screens, this and the radial component of the pressure resulted from the chip column cause a resultant force pushing the particles to the slots of the screens said particles clogging superpositioned from bottom upwards causing blocking, which in turn disturbs the plug flow and causes channelling of the flow. When the packing degree of the digester is normal, the wood chips cling to each other inside the plug flow and also on the edges of the plug flow. Small sticks and chip particles follow the quicker radial liquid flow and cling to the sharp edges of the screen bars. New sticks and chip particles cling more easily to these clung particles resulting in clogging of a wider screen area. The clogging increases continuously as the screen area decreases. As a result of the strong clogging, the flows slow down also on the backside of the screen (between the screen and the digester jacket), resulting in that heavier and heavier particles are carried along to the backside of the screen and block the flow area between the screen and the jacket. Due to the location of the screens and the way of blocking, they are difficult to clean, and it is tried to be avoided as far a possible, for example by changing the construction types of the screens to the same place on the inner surface of the digester, on the casing of the pressure vessel. [0008] Solutions for preventing the clogging have been developed recently for example by changing the direction of the screen slots, as described in the patents WO 95/16817, U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,841, U.S. Pat. No. 6,344,112 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,165,323. Patents FI 54509 and FI 105 931 disclose methods for cleaning the screens. [0009] Problems related to the correct alkali distribution, suitable temperature profile, adequate liquid amount and optimal flowing conditions still exist, and no solution has been suggested by locating the screens for example into the middle of the digester. It is, however, clear that by optimizing the conditions mentioned above, also clogging of the screens can be decreased. [0010] One of the biggest problems is to provide an even distribution of the process chemical to the whole chip column without disturbing the flows. In a continuous digester, wood chips are fed from the upper part of the digester and the processed pulp is removed from the lower part of the digester. Cooking chemicals are fed via a longitudinal centre pipe mounted in the middle of the digester to different areas of the digester, determined according to the process technique. However, the direction of flow is traditionally from the centre of the digester towards the jacket of the digester, where the screens are located. Typically the additional screen capacity is mounted to the jacket of the digester. [0011] U.S. Pat. No. 3,475,271 discloses a digester especially meant for cuttings. In this invention, there is located a rotating centre screen in the middle of the digester, near the bottom thereof. The screen can have a cylindrical or conical form so that the diameter of the cone grows in the plug flow direction of the chip column. The washing liquor is fed to the digester via screens on the walls of the pressure vessel and it flows towards said central screen, through which it is removed to recycling. This solution aims at providing horizontal displacement wash on the bottom of the digester. Problems are caused, however, by the location of the central screen with respect to the feeding point of the washing liquor. The speed of the flow directed away from the wall of the digester towards the central screen is increased due to the reduced flowing area. Correspondingly, the radial force vector towards the screen located in the middle of the digester increases rapidly, even with low flow rates of liquor. As a result of that, the central screen disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,475,271 can be easily clogged. Its weakness is the limited possibility of its construction with respect to the multipurpose operation. In addition to the suction only backflushing is possible. In that respect the solution is traditional. [0012] In the conventional batch digestion method, the digester is filled with chips and digestion chemical. After that, the content of the digester is heated by circulating the chemical with a pump and by heating it in the circulation pipe with a heat exchanger. In this digestion method, the digester is equipped with only one screen (circulation screen) mounted in the lower part of the digester, to the inner surface of the jacket. The location of the screen is unprofitable, as for having quickly homogenous digestion. Thus, among others, digestion time is wasted. [0013] In a more advanced batch digestion method, the thermal content of the previous digestion batches is recovered for the following digestions. This is achieved by displacing the hot liquor in the digester with cooler and purer liquor. The hot liquor displaced from the digester is partly used as a digestion chemical of the following batches and partly for heating the new digestion chemical in the heat exchangers. For these kinds of digesters another screen is typically needed in addition to the above-mentioned recycling screen in order to perform the required displacements. Typically these so called displacement screens have been mounted to the upper part of the digester on the inner surface of the jacket. The displacement batch digestion method is prominently more energy-efficient than the conventional batch digestion method and provides the possibility to produce pulp with better quality. As a result of this, it has become more popular and there is a need to change the existing conventional batch digestion methods to this kind. [0014] Firstly, because the screens are located only to the inner surface of the vessel, it is difficult to have the chemical evenly distributed to the chip column in the whole vessel. As a result, the quality of the product received with this method is easily uneven. Secondly, as the process chemical flow is effected extending to the whole area of the screen, the flow can change uncontrollably, as the single chip pieces of the chip column to be processed are moving during the digestion for example due to settling. Thirdly, these kinds of screen constructions attached to the walls of a process vessel and typically to those of a pressurized process vessel are expensive. In order to increase the capacity of the digester, however, the increasing of the screen area is unavoidable. And fourthly, if increasing of a screen becomes necessary afterwards for improving the process, the installing of a screen of prior art type into an existing process vessel is difficult, expensive and slow. [0015] The object of the present invention is to eliminate disadvantages stated in connection with the both digestion methods by using a central screen element wherein the flow of the process chemical can be directed to a predetermined point either inwards and/or outwards, and which can be installed into a process vessel easily also afterwards. OBJECTS AND A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0016] The problems discovered in the technique of prior art can be solved in accordance with the present invention by providing a tubular screen element having one or a plurality of zones in the longitudinal direction. Each zone comprises a screen segment, through which process chemical can be sucked away from the digester, and at least one outlet, through which chemical is supplied to digester. The zone can be also referred to as screen zone. In the transversal direction per each zone, the central screen element must have at least two channels in order to allow the flow of the process chemical in different directions also simultaneously. The screen element is installed inside the process vessel, substantially parallel with the vertical axis, in the middle. [0017] This kind of a screen element installed in the middle of the digester increases the screen area of the digester, thus improving the screen capacity. As the screen element has a plurality of zones together with multiple channels, the feed and removal of process chemicals can be optimized so, that the digestion is generally better. The optimizing of the feed and removal means firstly, that the chemical can be fed to the right points in the longitudinal direction of the digester, and also to the middle of the cooking chip column. This is to ensure that there is enough of the process chemical and that it is evenly distributed throughout the whole chip column. On the other hand, the feed and removal flows have influence on the movements of the chip column and on the flows of the whole digester, and in the changing digestion conditions the best possible flowing conditions for each digestion stage are provided by adjusting the places of the feeds and removals. This, for its part, improves the quality and homogeneity of the pulp. [0018] The figures described in the following are only intended for describing the preferred embodiments of the present invention, without limiting the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0019] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the structure of the central screen element in accordance with the present invention, [0020] FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of the location of the screen zones of the central screen element, in the longitudinal direction of the screen element. [0021] FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of the central screen element in the campaign operation of a continuous digester. [0022] FIG. 4 shows a displacement batch digester comprising a central screen element in accordance with the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0023] The central screen element in accordance with the invention can be implemented with many different constructions. The following descriptions of the apparatus are meant to clarify the construction and operation of the screen element. They are in no way limiting the scope of the invention, which only becomes apparent from the enclosed claims. [0024] The screen element has a tubular form having the height bigger than the diameter. The tubular form in this connection means “part of a machine” in which there is arranged space for the flows of liquid. The digesters ready in use and to be produced in the future are the so called tailor made digesters, whereby also this central screen element in accordance with the invention must be designed for each digester separately, so that it corresponds optimally to the dimensioning and operating conditions of the apparatus in question. In the dimensioning of the central screen element the size of the digester, already existing screen constructions, the capacity of the digester, pipe units and connections as well as other eventual special features of the operation of the digester must be taken into consideration. [0025] The central screen element is divided in the longitudinal direction into one or a plurality of screen zones. The number of the screen zones, their size and location with respect to the whole central screen element is dependent on the digester, to which the screen element will be installed, and on the digestion method to be used, as well as on the technical determinations of the process. The screen zones can locate in the central screen element sequentially in the vicinity of each other or at a distance from each other, on the area of digestion zone and/or other area meant to be inside each digestion vessel. Also the elements of the screen zone, screen segment and at least one outlet can be located in the zone sequentially in the vicinity of each other or at a distance from each other. The outlet can also be located in the area of the screen segment, behind the screen bars in the flow space. Due to the screen zones, the process chemical can be fed to the digester and removed from the digester at optimal points and thus it is possible to support the operation of the existing screens located on the jacket of the digester. The central screen element provides more screen area for the digester, thus increasing the screen capacity of the digester and, additionally, it can be used for controlling the flows inside the digester and thus for improving the quality of the produced pulp. [0026] In the transversal cutting direction the central screen element is divided into two or more channels. The meaning of the channels is to provide for the flowing of the liquor containing process chemical in and out to/from the central screen element simultaneously without causing disturbances in the operation. For making the flows possible in different directions simultaneously, the flows in different directions must have their own channels. Thus, there must be at least two channels per each zone of the central screen element. It is possible that the amount of the outlets in the zone is more than one, for example two. This is to provide a correct alkali distribution in changing digestion conditions. Also the traditional backflushing of the screen segments is possible. [0027] The same basic idea of the central screen element can be utilized in both digestion methods, in other words as well in the batch digestion as in the continuous digestion. In both of these methods, the wood chips to be digested are continuously moving from the upper part of the digester towards the lower part. In the batch digestion this is resulted from the settling of the pulp to be processed and the thickening thereof towards the lower part of the digester. So, considering a single wood chip to be digested, it is continuously moving downwards. The speed of the movement of the chip during the digestion is rather slow and the length of path it goes is short, but the motion is continuous. In a continuous digestion the motion is significantly quicker, because in this process, new wood chips are fed from the upper part of the digester into the digester, and the produced pulp is removed from the lower part as a continuous operation during the digestion. [0028] Also in the continuous digestion the pulp to be processed is thickening towards the lower part of the digester, when the wood chips are digested. [0029] Although the motions have different speeds and they are caused at least mostly by a different factor, it plays a very significant role in both of the digestion methods. As a result of the motion, big requirements are set to the operation of the screens and the flows of the digester. They should be able to operate optimally during the whole digestion, even in changing digestion conditions. The solutions of prior art are not able to adapt sufficiently according to the changing conditions. With the solution in accordance with the present invention, these demanding, changing conditions can be taken into consideration as well with respect to the operation of the screens as with respect of the flows. [0030] FIG. 1 shows as an example a vertical cross sectional drawing of one central screen element of the invention and a section X-X in the transverse direction of the same central screen element. In the case of this example, the screen element is divided in the longitudinal direction into two screen zones (A) and (B), and in the transverse direction into five channels (flows 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 and 5 ). As it can be seen in the drawing, in this construction the flow to the digester can take place in three points, outlets ( 1 . 1 ), ( 2 . 1 ) and ( 3 . 1 ) with flows ( 1 ), ( 2 ) and ( 3 ), respectively. The flow out from the digester can take place in two separate screen zones (A) and (B) in the screen element through the screen segments ( 5 . 1 ) and ( 4 . 1 ), with process chemical flows ( 5 ) and ( 4 ), respectively. For improving the uniformity of the digestion, for compensating the motions of the chip column and for decreasing the clogging, the flows in and out can be conducted through different channels independently from each other as required by the changing digestion conditions. The flow can be conducted to one or more zones at a time. The flow to the lower zone or away from it is directed via a channel through the upper zone, in the axial direction of the central screen element. In other words, the chemical can be fed to the digester for example simultaneously at all three points, outlets ( 1 . 1 ), ( 2 . 1 ) and ( 3 . 1 ), and removed through the both screen segments ( 4 . 1 ) and ( 5 . 1 ). If required by the digestion conditions, however, for example only one of the screen segments, ( 4 . 1 ) or ( 5 . 1 ) can be in use. All different combinations are available due to separate channels. In the batch digestion for example as a result of settling of the pulp, the supply of the chemical through the outlet ( 3 . 1 ) is stopped when the upper surface of the chip column passes the outlet ( 3 . 1 ) of the central screen element. On the other hand, at the final stage of the digestion, the supply of the chemical through the outlet ( 1 . 1 ) is increased by diluting in order to decrease the thickening of the pulp, for example in connection with blowing. [0031] The screen element in accordance with the invention can be installed either into a new digester or as a retrofitting into an existing digester. The screen element is installed into the digester substantially parallel with the vertical axis, in the middle. The screen element is installed into the digester substantially parallel with the vertical axis on the central axis of the digester, in order to have symmetrical and equal long paths for the radial flows in the digesting chip column. [0032] The central screen element is installed inside the digester arranging the supporting so that the support disturbs the digestion process as less as possible. [0033] The supporting can be implemented at any point of the digester, and if necessary, the supporting can also be made to several different points. Preferably the central screen element is attached to the digester at the upper part of the digester and if necessary, the lateral supporting is made also to the lower part of the digester. It is especially important to take care of the supporting of the central screen element in a batch digestion vessel, where in connection with the filling of the chips and filling of the impregnation liquor, the chip column can heavily move upwards and. break the constructions. The connection of the central screen element to the liquid flows is preferably made at the upper part of the screen element. For this reason, when installing the screen element into an existing digester, the existing pipe connections must be taken into consideration when designing and sizing the apparatus. [0034] The central screen element can be made of any material suitable for that purpose, like austenitic and ferrite-austenitic steels. [0035] The construction of the screen segment of the screen zone can be a round bar screen (as described in Patent WO01/31117), which is flow-technically efficient and would significantly increase the hydraulic capacity of the screen. On the other hand, also any other possible constructions implementing the characteristic features in accordance with the invention are covered by the scope of the invention. The screen element can be implemented for example with a perforated plate or a slotted plate. The choice is often based on a plurality of criteria, among others on the price. [0036] The transversal cross section X-X of FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment in accordance with the invention, showing the channel construction of the central screen element. Also other channel constructions, for example pipe constructions for conducting the flows to different zones of the central screen element and away from those are possible and are covered by the scope of the invention. The word channel in this connection refers to a construction providing for the flow of the process chemical inside the tubular central screen element. Multiple channels refer to a channel construction providing for flows of the process chemical in different directions also simultaneously. When the screen segments are for example located far from each other, it is profitable to arrange the liquids to flow in the standard pipes in the central screen element, in the portions between the screen segments. [0037] FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment in accordance with the invention of the central screen element in a continuously operating digester. The central screen element of FIG. 2 comprises four screen zones, the zones A, B, C and D. The screen zones are located as well sequentially close to each other (A and B) as at a distance from each other (C and D). [0038] FIG. 3 illustrate the operation of a central screen element in accordance with the invention in a campaign operation of a continuously operating digester, where for example softwood chips and hardwood chips are processed in turn. [0039] Digestion of Softwood Chips (Upper Drawing): [0040] A traditional radial displacement flow ( 6 ) from the outlet ( 6 . 1 ) like traditionally from the central pipe, flows radial towards the screen ( 7 ) of the wash cycle mounted onto the jacket of the digester. The washing liquor displaces the contaminated cooking liquor away from the plug flow. [0041] In this example, because the production capacity has been increased over the nominal capacity, the screen capacity of the digester is too small and disturbs the operation of the digester. [0042] A retrofitted central screen and its lower screen zone (A) can be taken into use for increasing the screen capacity. A pressure difference over the screen of the screen zone, suitably adjusted, causes that a part of the flow ( 6 ) can be sucked away from the plug flow as a flow ( 5 ) through the screen segment ( 5 . 1 ). [0043] When the pressure differences over a traditional screen ( 7 ) located on the jacket and over a screen segment ( 5 . 1 ) are in right proportion to each other, the radial flow ( 6 ) distributes to the both screens and the plug flow is purified as a whole more efficiently. The location of the screen segment ( 5 . 1 ) slightly below the screens ( 7 ) of the jacket contributes to the distribution of the radial flows. [0044] The dilute connections ( 8 ) and ( 9 ) of the bottom act in a traditional way for controlling consistency of the blow. [0045] Digestion of Hardwood Chips (Lower Drawing): [0046] A traditional radial displacement flow ( 6 ) from the outlet ( 6 . 1 ) like traditionally from the central pipe, flows radial towards the screen ( 7 ) of the wash cycle mounted onto the jacket of the digester. The washing liquor displaces the contaminated cooking liquor away from the plug flow. [0047] When hardwood is digested in a continuously operating digester and the capacity is increased over the nominal production of the digester, problems are caused by the following matters, especially on the area of the wash cycle of the digester: a) strong packing in the bottom area of the digester and b) high density of the digested chips on the screen surfaces, extending about from 100 mm to 200 mm from the screen surface towards the central axis of the digester. The bigger the pressure difference over the screen is, the higher is the density and the worse the filterability. [0048] For achieving the objectives of production in the conditions defined by the second wood quality (in this case the hardwood), the traditional radial flow ( 6 ) from the outlet ( 6 . 1 ) is supported for example with two radial flows ( 2 ) from the outlet ( 2 . 1 ), and ( 3 ) from the outlet ( 3 . 1 ), and the upper screen zone (B) as well as the lower zone (A) of the central screen element will be taken into use for increasing the screen capacity simultaneously. [0049] A maximized screen capacity allows the use of a smaller pressure difference for displacing the same amounts of liquid away from the plug flow. [0050] The strongest of the radial flows is the traditional flow ( 6 ) from the outlet ( 6 . 1 ), and supporting that are the smaller radial flows ( 3 ) from the outlet ( 3 . 1 ) and flow ( 2 ) from the outlet ( 2 . 1 ). Mutual differences between the flows and the mutual pressure differences over the screen surface of different screens like the screen of the jacket ( 7 ) and the screen segments ( 4 . 1 ) and ( 5 . 1 ) are adjusted so that the plug flow is purified as efficiently as possible. [0051] In a problem situation for example the flow ( 4 ) to the screen segment ( 4 . 1 ) and flow ( 5 ) to the screen segment ( 5 . 1 ) can be closed and the radial flows ( 3 ) from the outlet ( 3 . 1 ) and ( 2 ) from the outlet ( 2 . 1 ) can be emphasized for solving the problems caused by the strong packing. [0052] It is also possible to use alternated the flow ( 4 ) to the screen segment ( 4 . 1 ) and flow ( 5 ) to the screen segment ( 5 . 1 ) and radial flows ( 3 ) from the outlet ( 3 . 1 ) and ( 2 ) from the outlet ( 2 . 1 ) optionally simultaneously or according to a programmed alternation. [0053] The radial flow ( 1 ) from the outlet ( 1 . 1 ) is suitable for adjusting the consistency of the bottom of the digester in addition to the traditional dilute connections ( 8 ) and ( 9 ). [0054] If for easing the packing of the bottom, the buoyancy force resulted from the counter current cooking would be wanted below the screens-of the wash cycle for supporting the chip column, in the bottom part of the digester, the radial flow ( 1 ) from the outlet ( 1 . 1 ) can be utilized also in that, without disturbing the other operations. Only the mutual pressure differences of the screens ( 7 ) and the screen segments ( 4 . 1 ) and ( 5 . 1 ) over the screen shall be adjusted according to the conditions. The radial flow ( 1 ) from the outlet ( 1 . 1 ) must be forced to flow upwards towards the lowering plug flow and towards the screen ( 7 ). [0055] FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the invention, wherein the central screen element is used in batch digestion. Wood chips are fed to the digester from the upper part of the digester. By means of the packing steam of the chip fill said steam being discharged from the nozzles located into the upper part of the digester, the chips can be evenly distributed and packed into the digester. The process chemical is fed to the digester through the lower part ( 16 ) of the digester. The air brought along with the wood chips is removed from the digester as a result of the process chemical fill through the pipe connections ( 17 ) located in the upper part of the digester and/or the screen segments ( 4 . 1 ) and ( 5 . 1 ) of the central screen element ( 11 ). During the digestion, a part of the liquor is discharged from the digester and new chemical is supplied instead. Through the central screen element in accordance with the invention, liquor can be removed just at the wanted point of the digester through the screen segments ( 4 . 1 ) and/or ( 5 . 1 ). During the digestion, the process chemical is circulated so that a part of it is removed from the digester either through the screens ( 10 ) attached to the jacket of the digester or through the screen segments ( 4 . 1 ) and ( 5 . 1 ) of the central screen element ( 11 ) as flows ( 4 ) and ( 5 ) and the liquor is returned to the digester either to the lower part ( 12 ) of the digester or to the upper part ( 13 ) of the digester, and/or through the central screen element ( 11 ) to a wanted point of the digester through the outlets ( 1 . 1 ), ( 2 . 1 ) and/or ( 3 . 1 ), as flows ( 1 ), ( 2 ) and/or ( 3 ). Due to the central screen element in accordance with the invention, chemical can be removed simultaneously at several points of the digester. The returning of the process chemical can be made in the batch digester in accordance with the invention also at several points of the digester, thus providing even distribution of the process chemical to the whole pulp column, and simultaneously the settling of the pulp into the lower part of the digester during the digestion can be decreased. After the digestion is ready, in other words when the kappa number of the pulp meets the requirements, the hot liquor is replaced in the displacement batch digestion by cooler and cleaner liquor. In a batch digester in accordance with the present invention, having a central screen element installed therein, the displacing liquor can be fed also through it from the outlets ( 1 . 1 ), ( 2 . 1 ) and/or ( 3 . 1 ) as flows ( 1 ), ( 2 ) and/or ( 3 ). In this way the displacement can be more carefully controlled, for example for decreasing the overhead digestion of the upper end caused by a long displacement time. The displaced liquor is removed through the displacement screens ( 14 ) installed to the upper part of the digester, and/or through the screen segments ( 4 . 1 ) and/or ( 5 . 1 ) as flows ( 4 ) and/or ( 5 ) of the central screen element. For discharging the digested pulp settled on the bottom from the digester, the pulp column must be supplied with dilution liquor. In the solution in accordance with the invention, liquor can be fed either through the nozzles ( 15 ) located in the lower part of the digester or from the outlet ( 1 . 1 ) of the central screen element, as flow ( 1 ), or through both of them. [0056] In case the conditions of digestion with respect to the wood material and to the technical determinations of the process cause the chip column to settle strongly downwards along with the progressing digestion, the upper outlet ( 3 . 1 ) and the upper screen segment ( 4 . 1 ) of the central screen element ( 11 ) in accordance with the invention can be disengaged, because they would operate in a gas space. [0057] One embodiment in accordance with the invention is to change a traditional batch digester to a displacement batch digester by installing a central screen element into the digester. In that case, during the change of liquids, air or liquor is discharged through the screen and during the digestion cycle the liquor of the upper cycle returns to the digester through the same, as described above. [0058] The multi-function screen element in accordance with the present invention, due to its location in the middle of the digester and to its eventual multiple zones, improves the alkali distribution during the whole digestion process as well in a batch digester as in a continuously operating digester. The control of the flows enabled by the multiple channels in the different zones of the central screen element, independently from each other either into the digester or out of the digester improves the optimization of the flows in the digestion conditions changing continuously caused by the digesting wood chips.

A central screen element being located substantially parallel with the vertical axis of a pulp digester is provided. In the vertical direction, the screen element comprises at least one zone including one screen segment for removing a liquid stream from the digester and at least one outlet for introducing a liquid stream to the digester. The zones may be adjacent or separated and liquid streams may be independently removed and introduced, as required by the properties and the stage of the cooking process. A screen element may be used in both continuous and batch digesters.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED R&D None NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT None CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS None BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention combines the features of portability, compactness and ease of assembly typical of a shelter, with the esthetic and functional comforts typical of a more permanent building. It uniquely combines convenience and refined esthetic appeal appropriate for short or long term use for the purpose of leisure, work, off grid and rescue missions. 2. Description of the Prior Art Portable buildings have been their origins in our nomadic past. Since the onset of agriculture more permanent buildings have been established, providing us with solid protection from harsh elements, and providing us with great architectural beauty and comfort. Modern day portable buildings lack esthetic appeal, lack durability in all climatic regions, and thus only inadequately supply the level of comfort that human beings are accustomed to enjoy. U.S. Pat. No. 6,679,009 B2 describes a compact, all-weather temporary shelter for military application. While it has arched vertical supports, its base is rectangular. While it has two fabric layers, the outer layer is not breathable thus does not allow a healthy exchange of air with the outside. Doors and windows are rectangular, lacking esthetic consideration. U.S. Pat. No. 3,970,096 similarly describes a double-wall tent of semicylindrical shape. However, its outer fabric is held in place with extended guy lines thus not being self-supporting, and it is non-porous. U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,564 describes a hemispherical dome building structure, however it is constructed of rigid cells and requires to be built on poured concrete foundation, thus failing the requirement of portability. U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,456 B1 describes a multi-level portable housing structure appropriate for field work. While it is of hemispherical shape, it features only a single layer and is not suitable for winter weather. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,332,112 describes a multipurpose air filling tent featuring a square-shaped skylight on top, which lacks the esthetic appeal of an arch-shaped skylight. Thus, in the patent literature there is no precedent for a building that combines durability and portability with breathability. There is also none that combines all these features with a hemispherical shape, high ceilings, the presence of arch-shaped walls, windows, doors and skylights. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a portable building that is made of breathable, flexible walls, a flexible frame and a double-wall technology with an air space in between that provides efficient thermal insulation; it is hemispherically shaped, highly durable, performs well in snow, wind, rain and under ultraviolet rays, thus performing exceptionally well in all seasons and climatic regions. Of high esthetic appeal and comfort for prolonged use, it features a plurality of radially sewn petal-shaped fabric panels, high vaulted ceilings with skylights, breathable fabrics of natural tone, three window and door layers for all weather conditions, detachable screens, a central weight-bearing hub, continuous sleeves, unseen zippers and anchoring sandbag pockets. It is anchored to the ground with portable steel stakes, it does not require any guy lines, and thus it is self-supportive and stable. It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide easy and efficient thermal insulation for remote off-grid locations of limited energy resources. This present invention has been field-tested over a period of four years in widely differing climatic circumstances. Its most efficient configuration comprises of two breathable walls separated by a gap of a few inches. The air pocket formed in between walls acts a thermal mass, in other words, it acts as a material of insulative value. When the building is heated from the inside with an energy efficient propane heater, such as Mr. Heater Portable Buddy, or any other radiant heating source, it heats all the objects and occupants in the building. This design allows the majority of the heat to remain inside due to the two walls and the air space in between. Only one 20 pound tank is needed for up to 70 hours of continuous heating in the coldest of climates. In this way no heavy wood stoves nor costly and electrically dependent HVAC heating and cooling systems are needed. During summer, windows strategically facing all four directions allow a flow of ventilation that is rarely achieved in other buildings, as they are internally partitioned such as to block a cross-ventilation flow, or because they lack windows in all directions. The addition of mosquito screens over all openings permit the free flow of air without the invasion of summer insects that can make remote locations inhospitable. The double wall layer shades the interior in such a way that the temperature is cooler by 5 to 10° F. When positioned near or under a tree, field tests show an additional 5 to 10° F. of drop of temperature in hot weather. It is an object of the present invention to be stable in storms. The shape of a sphere has long been known to be the strongest shape in nature. A half sphere anchored to the ground with steel stakes is even more stable. A plurality of petal-shaped fabric wall panels radially assembled and attached at seams to a flexible frame allows the entire hemisphere to sway gently as one unit during excess winds and trembling grounds. This is the most desirable civil engineering design for newer buildings in a changing earth landscape. In conditions of deep snow, keeping the interior above freezing with a small propane heater is sufficient to melt all snow off the top shortly after it lands. It is an object of the present invention to sustain long term use. Sun exposure deteriorates most fabrics in a disappointingly short period of time. At high altitude and dry deserts this becomes even more significant. The preferred embodiment uses a heavy duty canvas which has been treated with the highest quality UV protection. The quality of the canvas also allows exterior storms and typical human activities held indoors to not interfere with its durability. It is an object of the present invention to be easily transportable. The entire building folds down into two separate bags weighing 65 and 55 pounds each in its preferred embodiment, and occupying the space of two oversize contractor waste disposal bags. An 18 pound hub, 12 steel stakes and 12 flexible PVC pipes of 14 feet in length are the remaining accessories. These can easily fit in any size personal vehicle as pipes bend 270° without effort. The total volume averages 0.6% of the finished building. Larger portable building sizes not described herein can also be carried by aircraft, boats and larger vehicles. It is an object of the present invention to provide a quick assembly time for its user(s). A single person typically assembles the present embodiment described herein within two hours. With the help of three others it can be assembled in 30 minutes. This portable building can be assembled more quickly when it is configured of smaller dimensions, and slightly slower when it is configured of larger dimensions. The time to disassemble any of them is half of the set up time. It is an object of the present invention to be good for humans' health. Conventional buildings are frequently built with modern materials that contain toxic substances and materials that are impermeable, not allowing the occupant to breathe and exchange air with the external environment. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is made of 100% natural cotton canvas, and further treated with non-toxic treatments for protection from water, mildew, ultraviolet rays, fire, and shrinking. in this way the components of the building remain 100% natural and healthy. With all walls being porous and permeable to the outside, it permits a continuous presence of fresh air indoors, even when all, openings are sealed. The absence of stale air and chemicals dramatically improves the physical well being of occupants, as stated by those who have occupied it thus far. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable building made entirely of renewable materials. This invention is made predominantly of 100% heavy duty cotton canvas. The unbleached cotton industry is based on the growth of cotton trees which are a 100% renewable resource. Less than 1% of the total building materials is polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Polyvinyl chloride can be recycled seven times in the course of its useful life, and comprises less than 1% of total building materials. The impact on environmental health for future generations is positive. It is an object of the present invention to provide an economical building. The cost of base materials is low compared to other building materials. The process of manufacturing is low tech and affordable. The end user will receive a cost-effective portable building for a variety of uses. The cost of shipping and transportation is minimal due to its small size and light weight. It is an object of the present invention to permit occupants to experience the cycles and elements of nature closeup while still fully sheltered and in comfort in any weather. This is achieved with permeable, hollow fabric walls. Their lack of sound barriers allows for all sounds in the surroundings to be brought inside. Their breathability allows fresh air to be indoors at all times, even during cold weather. In this way the occupant perceives the building as simply a thin membrane that connects him or her to the outdoors rather than segregates him or her. The generously sized windows and door allow open visual access to the natural surroundings, be they a backyard or a safari. It is an object of the present invention to provide a therapeutic effect. Its lofty height and circular shape free of any sharp angles or busy lines creates an atmosphere of serenity. Its UV-filtered light passing through natural cream tones maintains a warm golden tone in the interior whether it is sunny or cloudy, having an uplifting effect. Arched walls, windows and doors add beauty and enhance subjective well being. These features plus the fresh indoor air and the permeable walls bringing the sounds of nature indoors, all combine to calm the occupant, uplift their thoughts and moods, making it an environment conducive to meditation and The unfoldment of creative ideas. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable building that offers human comfort similar to that available in a permanent building. Fully functional independently operating windows consisting of a mosquito screen, a clear vinyl layer, and a privacy blind are adjustable for all weather needs. Vertical interior walls provide ease of storage, conventional furniture placement and unrestricted customary human movement. High ceilings offer a subjective experience of spaciousness in a limited square foot area. It is an object of the present invention to create a structure of architectural beauty and elegance. High vaulted ceilings, the absence of angular lines shaping the walls, arch-shaped windows, doors and skylights, its overall hemispherical shape, unseen zipper closures, and impeccable finishes all combine to create a luxurious, high-end design not seen elsewhere in portable building industry. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view of finished portable building of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of inner layer of the portable building of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a fragmentary side view of ground stake. FIG. 3 is a top view of finished portable building of the present invention. FIG. 4 details shape of one wall panel of the portable building of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a front view of tent peg, ground stake and flexible pipe of the portable building of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side view of center top hub and sleeves of portable building of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a fragmentary front view of bottom of outer layer of portable building of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cut-away side view of bottom of outer layer of finished portable building of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a front view of a sandbag for finished portable building of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a front view of inner layer anchored to a wooden frame that sits above ground. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 1. Definitions The term breathable as used herein, in the context of breathable walls, shall mean any material that permits departure of moisture and condensation derived from human activity and objects stored in the shelter. Army duck canvas is such a material, and is the one predominantly used in this invention, Other natural fabrics may apply, as well as synthetic ones with breathable properties, such as nylon ripstop. Flexible frame as used herein refers to any hollow or solid pipe, tube or rod made of plastic such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), metal, fiberglass, carbon fiber, aluminum alloy, bamboo or other wood, provided that the material has the property of manually bending into a curve with ease, and restoring its natural shape when not in use. The term petal-shaped as used herein shall mean a long and narrow trapezoid with a wider base and a narrower top, whereby its vertical sides have a gentle concave curve, as shown in FIG. 4 . The term hemispherical as used herein shall mean a shape comprising of the upper half of a sphere, and reasonably extended or shortened depending on the overall size of shelter, so as to maintain a spacious interior height for human use, but not altered so significantly that its half spherical shape is visually lost. Arched as used herein used shall pertain to any polygonal shape with at least two concave sides, as shown in FIG. 10 and applies to the walls and all openings. The term fabric frame as used herein shall mean a covering for any openings wide enough to cover zippers or raw fabric edges completely. Openings as used herein shall mean windows, doors, vents, skylight, and passages for utilities' accessory lines. The term unseen zipper as used herein shall mean a regular zipper completely covered by a finished water-resistant fabric frame so as to create a pleasant esthetic finish, and so as to minimize contact with the elements. It shall not mean an invisible zipper as defined in the sewing industry. Closed sleeve as used herein shall mean a continuous fabric cylinder of appropriate length made of durable weather-resistant fabric for the purpose of inserting a pipe or rod. Open sleeve as used herein shall mean a long continuous strip of weather-resistant fabric with one of the following attachments: hook and loop fastener, a plastic or metal snap-on hook, for the purpose of securing building walls to a pipe or rod. Weather-resistant fabric as used herein shall mean a fabric treated for water resistance, mildew resistance, ultraviolet (UV) protection and preshrinking. A good example is Sunforger®. It is made of 100% cotton canvas that has a proprietary non-toxic treatment of all the aforementioned. Sunforger® also has a non-toxic fire retardant treatment this inventor most frequently uses. Elements as used herein, shall mean events naturally occurring in nature such as rain, snow, wind, sun, heat, cold, moisture, dust and salt. Radiant heating as used herein shall mean any form of heat that warms the objects and individuals in the room, in contrast to heating the air, and which are typical of any infrared sources such a propane or natural gas heater, or an open fire. This is in contrast to convection heating, which shall mean any form of heat that warms the air in the room, such as a wood stove, and its effectiveness is dependent on maintaining the indoor air unchanged. 2. Best Mode of the Invention FIG. 1 shows a front view of the best mode contemplated by the inventor of the portable building 10 according to the concepts of the present invention. 3. How to Make the Invention FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment wherein the portable building 9 has a diameter of 15 feet and a height of 10 feet. This shape allows for nearly vertical walls preferred for all human movement, maximizing space for the addition of functional furnishings and other storage use. The overall height adds a feeling of spaciousness and well being characteristic of all dome-shaped architecture throughout the ages. Both outer and inner walls are made of 10-13 ounces 100% cotton canvas of the highest quality, preshrunk, treated for water resistance, mildew protection, ultra violet resistance, and as appropriate, for fire retardancy. An example of such fabric is Sunforger® manufactured by MF&H Textiles Inc in Georgia, USA. Both walls are made of twelve petal-shaped panels 11 vertically sewn and meeting at the center top with a sewn canvas circle 12 of a diameter of two feet. This circle conceals a zipper that can be opened for convenience during setup, and sewn with a two inch fabric border, so that no water can pass through it. The presence of these arched lines and the absence of triangles and pentagons, is a unique design feature that adds serenity and wellbeing to its occupants, as attested by all those who have come inside. FIG. 2 shows the inner layer 15 of portable building. The inner walls 11 are sewn to a waterproof circular fabric floor, such as a heavy duty mildew resistant and puncture resistant polyethylene tarp, sealing the whole interior from the possible visit of insects, rodents and the like. The preferred embodiment exemplifies a building with one door 13 and four windows 14 . The inner door 13 is a sewn-in zippered canvas privacy blind with two double pulls so as to be readily opened from either side and so as to be partially opened as desired. The door 13 is not zippered on the left side, but rather permanently sewn in, acting as a hinge and replicating a standard door. It can be rolled away to the side and held in place by fabric fasteners when it is desirable to leave the door open. Immediately following it is a flexible screen layer such as mosquito netting that prevents the passage of even the smallest of insects such as no-see-umm. It can also be rolled away to the side and fastened with fabric ties. It has the unique feature of having a hook and loop fastening system, whereby a loop strip is sewn onto the zippered screen periphery and an identical hook strip is sewn to the door's fabric frame exterior, so as to be out of sight, and such that in the event of damage to the screen, said screen can easily be removed and replaced by a new one without the need to disassemble and ship the entire structure back to its manufacturer. This is important because screens are the only material at peril of being easily damageable during heavy use in this whole construction. All four arch-shaped windows 14 share the exact same features as the door, excepting that they are hinged at the horizontal bottom line, and can be rolled up out of the way with fabric ties or simply left to hang between both wall layers. Skylights 16 can be added where desirable to one or more panels 11 . These do no open as they are out of reach. FIG. 6 shows the sleeve fastening system. The inner layer 15 of this building is attached with fitted canvas sleeves 17 and 18 to a semi-rigid frame 19 , shown here in its preferred embodiment as PVC. The sleeves 17 and 18 are sewn to the outside of the existing vertical seams of the petal-shaped panels 11 , and consist of a top closed sleeve 17 , and a lower open sleeve 18 which overlaps it by three inches. The open sleeve 18 consists of two long strips of canvas each with one portion of a hook and loop fastening system 20 of industrial strength. This design permits the ease of insertion of the PVC pipes 19 during initial assembly, and once the center top of structure is situated, the lower sleeves 18 are securely closed. The overlapping of the sleeves 17 and 18 adds an extra layer of protection of the pipes 19 from the elements, increases structural stability and maintains the visual beauty of the arched wall line as seen from the outside, The entire pipe frame 19 is thus covered with these two sleeves 17 and 18 , excepting at the very top where a few inches of roomy is given to facilitate insertion of pipes into a center hub 21 . The feature of continuous sleeves significantly distributes the strain applied to the pipes 19 to be even throughout, and accurately maintains the curved hemispherical shape at all times. The hub 21 as shown in FIG. 6 is made of solid wood, approximately 5 inches thick, 18 inches in diameter and weighing around 18 pounds. Twelve holes 22 evenly spaced around its sides are 3.5 inches deep and of 1-⅛″ diameter, permitting a deep and secure fit of twelve typical ¾″ PVC plumbing pipes, schedule 40 . The opposite, lower end of pipes will elegantly slide over twelve steel stakes anchored to the ground, as described later herein. The outer layer 10 is identical in shape and positioning of door and windows as the inner layer 15 , only slightly larger to accommodate a three or four inch air gap that will generate its thermal efficiency, and it is without a floor. The bottom perimeter is an additional six inches in length, and is composed of a white waterproof fabric rim with five inch deep hollow pockets 27 at every 16 inches, totaling thirty pockets, as seen in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 . Twenty four stake loops 25 are firmly sewn to the outer rim. The outer layer 10 windows 14 consist of clear vinyl of at least 12 gauge thickness framed by zippers around arched portion, and sewn permanently at the horizontal bottom border which is positioned at three feet from the floor. When opened it can be left hanging down between wall layers and away from the wind. The door 13 is likewise setup mimicking the inner layer door. When it is desirable for this door to remain open, it can be folded and slid sideways into the gap offered between wall layers. All zippers discussed herein are covered by a durable, finished fabric frame, overlapping the zipper by one or two inches so as to not be seen, adding a pleasant esthetic, altering the structure from a sporty and convenient finish to a sophisticated and classic design. For the exterior, it protects zippers from rain, dust and sun exposure. All sixteen zippers of portable building 9 have two pulls, allowing them to be adjusted into a variety of positions, from fully closed, to partly open m a variety of positions, to fully open. The door zipper pulls are double, that is, each pull has tags facing the interior and exterior for ease of opening and closing. All window zippers are single pull and can only be managed from the inside, offering occupants control and privacy. Lastly, FIG. 9 illustrates one of thirty six waterproof bags 26 of 15 inches by 4 inches are sewn on three sides with fourth narrow side left open. A narrow fabric tie attaches to open end for easy sealing. The inner layer 15 weighs 65 pounds, and the outer layer 10 weighs 55 pounds. Combined with the hub 21 the total weight of transportation is less than 140 pounds. The portable building 9 is easy to carry because the weight of neatly folded layers is distributed between two extra-large contractor size bags. To prepare for setup of this building 9 , have ready twelve ¾″ PVC schedule 40 pipes 19 cut to 14 feet in length and twelve rebar or ground stakes of steel up to ¾″ thick, of three feet in length, as shown in FIG. 5 . For long term set up, have also twenty-four tent stakes and two bags sand or gravel, totaling 100 pounds. Have ready one rope of 25 feet in length, 2 shorter ropes of 10 feet each, a mallet or sledge hammer, and two A-framed ladders of 4 feet and 8 feet. To setup this portable building 9 , first erect inner layer 15 , then slide outer layer 10 over it, as follows: To erect the inner layer 15 of building, choose a relatively level area outdoors, or level the ground with a shovel and rake as needed. The building 9 can equally be assembled on a round wood platform or a concrete floor. Hammer twelve steel ground stakes 23 of three feet in length into the soil, evenly spaced around a circle of fifteen foot diameter traced at your desired building location. Using a mallet or sledge hammer make sure the stakes are sufficiently deep so they cannot be pulled out manually, about twelve to eighteen inches. This preparation will ensure the building 9 will sustain high winds without any concerns. When erecting on an impenetrable surface, such as concrete, a simple dodecagon wooden frame 28 of the perimeter of building 9 is setup, each side having a 1-⅛″ hole for inserting the PVC pipe 19 . Lay your inner layer 15 directly on the ground or on top of a 4-foot A-frame ladder, where underside of floor hangs over ladder, and hub 21 rests above center top of canvas draped over ladder. Slip twelve PVC pipes 19 through twelve upper closed sleeves 17 and insert into the hub holes 22 . Bend bottom end of PVC pipes 19 and slide them over their respective steel stakes 23 , lining up the door 13 in the chosen direction. As each pipe 19 slides into position, center hub 21 with attached inner layer 15 gradually lifts by itself until hub 21 is suspended ten feet from the ground. Outer sleeves 18 are securely fastened by connecting the continuous hook and loop 20 of lower open sleeves, one by one, until all twelve sleeves are fastened. This perfects the hemispherical shape and completes the inner layer 15 setup. Twelve tent stake loops 25 located between each vertical frame at ground level can be staked down with simple tent stakes 24 to hold the waterproof floor to the ground in a perfectly round position, and to increase tautness of walls 11 . The structure is now habitable as it is for a basic shelter, but not really yet suitable for heavy rains, dust, hot or cold weather. For this the outer layer 10 is needed to slide over the existing frame. The outer layer 10 is shaped exactly as the inner layer 15 without a floor. Firmly tie one to three ropes to bottom of three nearby wall panels 11 , all in the same general side. Toss the center rope of 25 feet over the top of standing structure and start pulling its end from the other side. Use the side ropes of 10 feet to slide the sides of outer layer 10 over and around standing structure. When there are three or four people working together, the outer layer 10 will slide over within a few minutes. For a person working alone it is easier to have an 8-vfoot tall A-frame ladder, placed ten feet or so away from structure so as to have better pulling leverage. Additionally, place said ladder inside the structure 15 , open the unseen zipper at the center top 12 , exposing the hub 19 , and pull on fabric of outer layer 10 tin the desired direction. The outer layer 10 , once it crosses the center hub 19 , will quickly slide down and fall around standing structure like a skirt. Line up the window 14 and door 15 openings of both wall layers by gently rolling the outer layer 10 about three feet up and rotating it to its perfect position. Pull down on outer layer 10 bottom all the way around and use stake loops 24 to secure it in position. For prolonged setup, for high winds or for winter climates, fill thirty six gravel bags 26 with gravel or sand, tie the ends, and insert them all around outer layer 10 gravel pockets to virtually seal the bottom of outer layer 10 from any contact with the external environment. This also distributes the air pressure from a storm evenly throughout the bottom rim of outer layer 10 , completely eliminating the danger of fabric tearing at seams of stake loops. If needed for extra reinforcement, use the twelve additional stake loops 25 and hammer appropriate tent stakes 24 all around. The setup is now complete. 4. How to Use the Invention The applications for use of this portable building are nearly limitless. Because it is durable and stable, humans and equipment alike can fair well for short or extended periods of time in all terrain. Because it can be quickly assembled and disassembled, it can be used inside auditoriums, gymnasiums, and schools for educational purposes. Outdoors it can be set up during art fairs and festivals, trade shows, farm stands, sporting events, medical triage, as a rest shelter, and during the filming of movies. Because it is lightweight it can be carried to remote locations and is fully functional off-grid for long periods of time with minimal auxiliary equipment. As such it has profoundly beneficial applications for humanitarian aid during emergencies of war, natural catastrophes, relief missions, and other circumstances of population displacement, such as those who are temporarily economically disadvantaged. Likewise, the government and its various branches including the military, the Department of Energy, the Department of Health, FEMA, and others can utilize these novel portable buildings for supplies, equipment or personnel use. Scientists doing field work, or in need of a portable planetarium; construction workers in need of an excavation cover, industrial welders in need of an enclosure, and others in these industries, can also benefit. For sports and recreation, said building can be used for ice fishing, as a deer stand, as hunting quarters, wilderness camping, nature observation, as a jacuzzi and pool cover. Taking into account its simple yet elegant design, it is specially conducive for therapeutic applications such as a spa room for massage therapy and facials, for yoga and exercise instruction, individual and group therapy, retreats and as a meditation room. It can be used as a backyard getaway, for entertaining, during weddings, parties and reunions. It is equally versatile as a private office, or to host office meetings, and depending on size it can serve major corporate events. Because of its stability and durability it may stay fixed in one location indefinitely and used as an extension of the house serving a specific function such as a home office space, an artist's den, a relaxation and contemplation environment, a place to entertain, a children's playroom, as extra storage, a place to cook, to sleep, and to be connected to nature during inclement and pleasant weather. Artists may specially enjoy the arched spacious design along with the warn-toned filtered light the structure produces, both when it is sunny and overcast, and enjoy using it for painting, photography, pottery, and much more. Finally, its value as a greenhouse that is efficient to warm in the winter and easy to ventilate in the summer, while reducing UV damage on foliage is remarkable. In summary, its scope is nearly endless, providing immediate housing for short or long term use, requiring very little auxiliary utilities to meet the full range of human comforts. 5. Examples of the Invention Thus it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not restricted to the particular preferred embodiments described with reference to the drawings, and that variations may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

A portable building for all seasons combines elegant design with durability and functionality. An air pocket between two walls creates efficient thermal insulation in winter. Endures high winds with a flexible wall and frame system. Self supportive, ground-anchored with steel stakes and sewn as a single hemisphere provide strength and stability. 100% renewable and breathable fabric promotes health, allows intimate nature contact and is affordable. Lightweight, foldable to 0.6% of assembled volume, transportable by car, it can be assembled by one person repeatedly. Detachable, replaceable mosquito screens, clear vinyl and privacy blinds maximize use of each passageway. Skylights, natural toned UV filtered light, arched passageways and vaulted high ceilings free of angular shapes combine to create an atmosphere of serenity and simple elegance enhancing creativity and physical wellbeing. Synergistic features provide comfort for all everyday human activities making it suitable, and environmentally-friendly for long-term use off-grid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for converting flat boards for use in constructing ducts and duct fittings. The methods and the apparatus are particularly well suited for use with boards that are rigid or semi-rigid and are produced specifically for use in fabricating insulated ducts for heating, ventilating and air conditioning applications. [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004] Boards that are commercially available today are being produced for use in forming thermally insulating ducts such as are employed for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. In one case, these boards consist of a rigid foamed plastics material, namely, a closed cell expanded phenolic foam in the form of a planar board having a metallic foil such as aluminum bonded to each major surface. One example of such a board is sold under the trademark KOOLDUCT®. The apparatus and methods of the present invention are especially well suited for use with such planar boards although the methods and apparatus are also suitable for use with other foil faced planar boards, for example, boards consisting of open cell or closed cell expanded foam materials, such as polyurethanes. Such boards are referred to herein generally as “foam boards”. They are to be distinguished from other duct materials such as sheet metal and fiber board typically made from glass fibers with resins and/or binders to provide stiffness. [0005] The fabrication of ducts and duct fittings from foam boards is quite different from the fabrication of ducts and duct fittings from conventional metal sheets. For one thing, sheet metal can be treated fairly roughly and foam board, in general, tends to be more fragile and frangible than sheet metal and some extra care needs to be taken in handling foam board and in fabricating ducts and duct fittings from it. However, foam board is remarkably light, with excellent thermal insulating properties, and often sufficiently rigid itself for duct applications although long unsupported spans, large cross-sectional areas, or significant differential pressures between interior and exterior may require reinforcement or additional support. There are numerous other advantages to foam board in heating, ventilating and air conditioning applications, vis-à-vis sheet metal and fiber board, as well. Foam board is very robust. Ducts made from it can handle pressures of up to four inches of water column. Accordingly, better fabrication apparatus and methods are needed to expand the use of this important material. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] The present invention is a machine based system for precutting foam board for producing parts from which ducts and duct fittings can be readily produced. The invention, in one aspect, is an improved method for producing a duct from a planar board having two opposed substantially parallel edges with metal foil facings on opposed major surfaces of the board. The method comprises the steps of making a plurality of planar cuts through one of the metal foil facings and at least most of the planar board therebelow to produce a blank with n parallel “V” shaped grooves which are parallel to angled edges of the blank, the walls which are adjacent the “V” shaped grooves intersecting one another at an angle of substantially 360 divided by n plus 1 degrees, and a plane which intersects the bottom of one of the angled edges of the blank and is parallel to the opposed angled edge of the blank forms the same angle with the wall it intersects, and forming a duct by folding the blank so that the “V” shaped grooves form all but one of the edges of the duct, and the angled edges form the last one of the edges of the duct. Usually, the duct has four sides, and the angle between adjacent sides is 90 degrees. [0007] In another aspect, the invention is apparatus for processing foam boards having a central core composed of a cellular body and parallel top and bottom layers of an impervious material adhered to the central core. The apparatus comprises a work table, means for supporting a work piece above the table so that there is a plenum between the bottom of the foam board work piece and the top of the table, means for withdrawing air from the plenum to establish and maintain a vacuum therein, a cutter, means for causing the cutter to undergo straight-line translational movement relative to the foam board being processed where the straight line is parallel to the top and bottom impervious material layers, and means for supporting the cutter so that it is operable to cut the foam board being processed to each of a plurality of distances above or below one of the impervious material layers. [0008] In still another embodiment, the invention is a foamboard sheet having cuts which extend therethrough and constitute edges of the bottom, of the top, and of two sides of a duct which can be produced from the board, The sheet also has cuts which extend only part way therethrough and constitute parts of the ends, of the bottom, of the top, and of two sides of the duct which can be produced from the board. The foamboard sheet can be shipped to a construction site, the duct parts can be cut therefrom, and the duct can be assembled from the parts. [0009] The invention is also concerned with a workpiece hold down system for a three axis cutting machine. The hold down system comprises a work table having an upper surface, a plurality of pegs for supporting a work piece in spaced relationship with the work table upper surface so that a plenum is defined between the work table upper surface and a major surface of the work piece. Vacuum ports connect the plenum and a vacuum system connected to withdraw a sufficient quantity of air from the plenum to increase the frictional engagement between the pegs and the work piece so that the work piece is held fast on the pegs, even while the cutting machine removes portions of the work piece. Preferably, the vacuum system is of the centrifugal blower type. [0010] The invention is a method for converting foam board for the production of duct work comprising the steps of supporting a foam board on a work table provided at a first location and removing material from the foam board to define elements of the duct work. Some material is removed from the foam board by the formation of straight cut channels that do not extend entirely through the foam board so that the board remains intact in the vicinity of the straight cut channels, and remains in one piece. Thereafter, the foam board with straight cut channels is transported to a second location, and a hand tool is used to cut entirely through the foam board in the locations of the straight cut channels, to separate the foam board into duct work component pieces. [0011] Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a system for accurately and easily producing such parts. [0012] It is another object of the invention to provide such a system in which pieces are defined by cuts made in a workpiece wherein the pieces remain in the workpiece while they are transported to a job site. [0013] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a system where a hand tool can be used on site to easily and accurately separate the duct pieces, previously cut off site, from one another and from scrap in the workpiece for assembly and installation on site. [0014] These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention including the preferred embodiments, reference being made therein to the attached drawing figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES [0015] FIG. 1 is a top view of apparatus according to the present invention for pre-cutting foam board; [0016] FIG. 2 is a side view, partially in cross-section, of a cutter and motor and a portion of a foam chip removal system which are part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 ; [0017] FIG. 3 is a top view of a work table and a workpiece hold down system which are part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 ; [0018] FIG. 4 is a view, partially in cross-section, of a cutter cutting a workpiece according to one aspect of the method of the present invention; [0019] FIG. 5 is a view, partially in cross-section, of a cutter cutting a workpiece according to a second aspect of the method of the present invention; [0020] FIG. 6 is a view, partially in cross-section, of a cutter cutting a workpiece according to a third aspect of the method of the present invention; [0021] FIG. 7 is a top view of foam board after it has been precut according to the present invention for later assembly into a straight section of duct; [0022] FIG. 8 is an end view of the precut foam board shown in FIG. 7 before it is assembled into a straight section of duct; [0023] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a hand held cutter used in the method of the present invention; [0024] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the cutter shown in FIG. 9 ; [0025] FIG. 11 is a side view of the cutter shown in FIG. 9 as it is cutting foam board according to the method of the invention; [0026] FIG. 12 is an end view of the cutter shown in FIG. 9 as it is cutting foam board according to the method of the invention; and [0027] FIG. 13 is a top view of foam board after it has been precut into four intricate pieces according to the present invention to be removed from the foam board and assembled into a duct fitting. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0028] Referring now in more detail to the drawing figures, FIG. 1 shows a three axis (X, Y and Z) cutting machine indicated generally at 10 and including a work table 12 supported on a frame, side members of which are indicated at 14 . A gantry 16 is supported relative to the table 12 for movement in the “Y” direction (up and down in FIG. 1 ) under the action of tandem stepper motors 18 mounted on the gantry 16 for movement therewith relative to the frame members 14 and, specifically, relative to tracks 20 supported thereon. It will certainly be appreciated that other Y axis actuators or actuator systems, now known or hereinafter developed, may be incorporated in the apparatus 10 to effect movement of the gantry 16 in the Y direction. [0029] Mounted on the gantry 16 , for movement therewith, is a tool carriage indicated generally at 22 and comprising an X axis actuator 24 for effecting movement of the carriage 22 in the “X” direction (left and right in FIG. 1 ) relative to the gantry 16 and relative to a track 26 mounted on the gantry 16 . Again, it will certainly be appreciated that other X axis actuators or actuator systems, now known or hereinafter developed, may be incorporated in the apparatus 10 to effect movement of the tool carriage 22 in the X direction. [0030] The tool carriage 22 ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) includes a Z axis actuator for effecting movement of a tool holder 30 and a tool 32 carried therein in the “Z” direction (up and down in FIG. 2 ). Yet again, it will certainly be appreciated that other Z axis actuators or actuator systems, now known or hereinafter developed, may be incorporated in the apparatus 10 to effect movement of the tool holder 30 in the Z direction. [0031] The X axis actuator, the Y axis actuator and the Z axis actuator are controlled by a programmable machine 34 that is operable to convert layout information into control signals that are delivered through a connector 36 to the apparatus and to the X, Y and Z actuators to control the position of a cutter 38 carried by the tool 32 relative to the work table 12 and a workpiece WP ( FIGS. 4 through 6 ) supported on the work table 12 . Under the control of the control signals, the actuators are operable to move the cutter 38 in a predetermined path to effect desired, predetermined removal of portions of the workpiece. The cutter 38 comprises two straight cutting edges which are ninety degrees offset from one another. [0032] As shown in FIGS. 4 through 6 , the workpiece WP may comprise a foam board 40 sandwiched between an upper fiber reinforced foil layer 42 and a lower fiber reinforced foil layer 44 secured to and covering upper and lower surfaces of the foam board 40 . Such workpieces are available commercially under the trademark KOOLDUCT® and this product is presently sold in thicknesses of 22 mm and 28 mm although other thicknesses may be introduced. This product is extremely light weight and, in order to process it on the cutting machine 10 , the workpiece must be held firmly and securely yet gently so that no damage befalls the workpiece. Also, as indicated above, other materials may be converted using the method and apparatus of the present invention. [0033] In order to secure a workpiece on the work table 12 , the cutting machine 10 is equipped with a workpiece hold-down system and it comprises a series of support pegs 50 ( FIGS. 1 and 3 through 6 ) with upper surfaces 52 . The pegs 50 are inserted into bores in the work table 12 and it is preferred that the bores be spaced somewhat evenly and good results have been obtained with the pegs 50 and the bores spaced about 4 inches apart in a pattern corresponding with the pattern shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 . As can be seen in FIGS. 4 through 6 , the lower foil layer 44 rests on the upper surfaces 52 of the pegs 50 creating a plenum 54 between the foil layer 44 and the upper surface of the work table 12 . Air is withdrawn from the plenum through vacuum ports 56 which are openings that extend through the work table 12 and are in communication with conduits 58 that, in turn, are connected to the inlet of a suction based dust collector or some other vacuum source. It is preferred that a centrifugal fan based dust collector be used, for reasons discussed below. In FIGS. 2 and 3 , Dust Collector refers to any suitable vacuum source, however. The negative pressure condition in the plenum draws the foil layer 44 and the workpiece WP into close contact with the peg surfaces 52 and holds the workpiece WP fast against the pegs 50 , even while the cutter 38 acts on the work piece. This workpiece hold-down system prevents movement of the workpiece WP in the X direction, the Y direction and the Z direction, relative to the work table 12 . The programmable machine may be used to control the establishment and dis-establishment of the negative pressure condition in the plenum 54 . [0034] When the vacuum ports 56 are not withdrawing air from the plenum 54 , the workpiece WP will be supported on the pegs 50 but it will just be resting on them so that it can be lifted and removed from the machine 10 . It will be appreciated that the work table 12 and the work piece WP may be quite long and the removal of a large workpiece WP from the work table 12 can be facilitated by directing air under pressure against the lower foil later 44 of the workpiece WP. Referring to FIG. 3 , a system is shown schematically for directing pressurized air against the bottom of a workpiece WP. In FIG. 3 , some of the pegs 50 have been replaced by tubes 60 which extend through the work table 12 so that an upper end of each tube terminates in an end that is substantially the same height above the table 12 as are the upper surfaces 52 of the pegs 50 . Below the work table 12 , the tubes 60 are connected to one or more conduits 62 which are connected to a source for pressurized air (not shown) so that air under pressure can be selectively delivered to and up through tubes 60 , when desired, to lift the workpiece WP and facilitate its removal from the work table 12 . This can also be brought under the control of the programmable machine, if desired. A workpiece roller 64 ( FIG. 1 ) is positioned to help support a workpiece WP as it is delivered to or removed from the work table 12 . [0035] Referring now again to FIG. 2 , apparatus for collecting material that has been removed from a workpiece WP comprises a conduit 70 that provides communication between a cutter shroud 72 and a vacuum source, which is referred to in the drawing FIG. 2 as a Dust Collector. The cutter shroud 72 is comprised of many long flexible bristles 74 supported on a shroud ring in a generally cylindrical configuration so that the bristles 74 generally surround the cutter and extend from the shroud ring 76 to an upper surface of a workpiece WP. As indicated above, it is preferred that the Dust Collector be a centrifugal fan based dust collector and that it serve double duty in the sense that it (I) provides a vacuum source to move chips of material removed from a workpiece from the cutter shroud to the Dust Collector and (II) withdraws air from the plenum 54 in the workpiece hold-down system described above. In this case, the volume of air being withdrawn from the vacuum ports 56 will be greater than the volume of air being drawn through the cutter shroud conduit 70 . Excellent results have been achieved with a Delta centrifugal fan based dust collector system serving double duty as described above. [0036] Referring now to FIG. 4 , the workpiece WP is being held down against the pegs 50 by a reduced pressure condition in the plenum 54 and the cutter 38 has been positioned, relative to the Z direction, at a point where the tip of the cutter 38 is just above the lower foil layer 44 . The cutter 38 is being advanced in the direction of the arrow (in the X direction or the Y direction or both) and a groove 80 is being formed in the work piece WP. The groove 80 is being cut in the foam board 40 and it is defined by two walls that are ninety degrees offset from each other as one would expect from the shape of the cutter blade 38 which comprises two cutting edges that form a ninety degree angle between them. The lower foil layer 44 remains intact below the groove and it can serve as a hinge for the panels on either side of the groove 80 . As pieces of the upper foil layer 42 and the foam board 40 are removed by the cutter 38 , they are drawn into the conduit 70 and conducted to and collected in the Dust Collector. [0037] Referring now to FIG. 5 , the workpiece WP is being held down against the pegs 50 by a reduced pressure condition in the plenum 54 and the cutter 38 has been positioned, relative to the Z direction, at a point where the tip of the cutter 38 is just through the lower foil layer 44 . The cutter 38 is being advanced in the direction of the arrow (in the X direction or the Y direction or both) and a groove cut 82 is being formed in the work piece WP. The lower foil layer 44 is being cut and a groove is being cut into the foam board 40 . This groove cut 82 will separate two pieces of the workpiece WP, one from the other, on either side of the groove cut 82 . As pieces of the foil layers 42 and 44 and pieces of the foam board 40 are removed by the cutter 38 , they are drawn into the conduit 70 and conducted to and collected in the Dust Collector. [0038] Referring now to FIG. 6 , the workpiece WP is being held down against the pegs 50 by a reduced pressure condition in the plenum 54 and the cutter 38 has been positioned, relative to the Z direction, at a point where the tip of the cutter 38 is just a short distance below the upper surface of the foam board 40 . The cutter 38 is being advanced in the direction of the arrow (in the X direction or the Y direction or both) and there is a straight cut channel 84 being formed in the work piece WP. The lower foil layer 44 remains intact and most of the foam board 40 remains intact, too. This straight cut channel 84 demarcates the interface between two pieces which will be separated later and, until they are separated by additional cutting, the straight cut channel 84 maintains the integrity of the workpiece WP so that, for example, the work piece can be loaded into a vehicle, with many other flat workpieces that have been converted according to the present invention, and transported to a job site where the final cutting (and assembly) can be carried out. This will be described further, below, with reference to FIG. 13 . As pieces of the foil layer 42 and pieces of the foam board 40 are removed by the cutter 38 , they are drawn into the conduit 70 and conducted to the Dust Collector. [0039] The apparatus of the present invention is used to create grooves 80 in foam board workpieces, to create groove cuts 82 in foam board workpieces and to create straight cut channels 84 in foam board workpieces. The grooves 80 and groove cuts 82 are especially useful in producing straight sections of duct with square or rectangular cross sections. Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8 , material has been removed from a workpiece WP to produce linearly extending grooves 80 and linearly extending groove cuts 82 , all of which are substantially parallel. The bottom B of a finished duct is defined between a groove cut 82 and an adjacent groove 80 . A first side S 1 of the duct is defined between the previously mentioned groove 80 and an adjacent groove 80 . A top T of the duct is defined between the previously mentioned groove 80 and an adjacent groove 80 and the second side S 2 of the duct is defined between the previously mentioned groove 80 and a groove cut 82 . The lower foil layer 44 remains intact in each of the grooves 80 and it acts as a hinge allowing the bottom B to pivot ninety degrees relative to the first side S 1 which, in turn, can pivot ninety degrees relative to the top T, and so on until the two groove cut surfaces at the edge of second side S 2 and the edge of the bottom B will come together to form a duct (not shown) with a rectangular cross section. Construction of the duct can be completed by taping or otherwise securing the bottom B to the second side S 2 in known fashion. [0040] Referring now to FIGS. 9 through 12 , a straight cut channel cutter is indicated generally at 90 . The channel cutter 90 comprises a rotary tool 92 with a chuck 94 in which a side cutting tool 96 is mounted. A guide 98 is supported on the business end of the rotary tool 92 by two flanges 100 so that the side cutting tool 96 extends in a direction that is perpendicular to the bottom surface, shown in FIG. 10 , of the guide 98 . Extending from the bottom surface of the guide 98 is a first guide ridge 102 which is shaped to be received in a straight cut channel 84 . A second guide ridge 104 , also shaped to be received in a straight cut channel, extends from the bottom surface of the guide 98 on the other side of the side cutting tool 96 from where the first guide ridge 102 is located. In use, the straight cut channel cutter 90 can be positioned with the first guide ridge 102 , the second guide ridge 104 , or both, in a previously cut straight cut channel, with the bottom surface of the guide 98 flat against the upper foil layer 42 or against the upper surface of a workpiece WP. The cutter 90 can then be manipulated along the straight cut channel so that the side cutting tool will cut the workpiece WP forming two walls 106 on either side of the side cutting tool 96 , as shown in FIG. 12 . The walls will be perpendicular to the upper and lower foil layers 42 and 44 and perpendicular to the upper and lower surfaces of the foam board 40 . [0041] Referring now to FIG. 13 , a workpiece WP that has been processed according to the method of the invention is ready for transportation to a job site. The workpiece WP has been cut to define a first curved side CS 1 , a second curved side CS 2 , a curved top CT and a curved bottom CB. The first and second curved sides CS 1 and CS 2 and the curved top CT and the curved bottom CB each have four sides and two are defined by groove cuts 82 which extend all of the way through the workpiece WP and the other two of which are defined by straight cut channels 84 which extend through one of the foil surfaces and a short distance into the foam board. The portions of the foam board that remain intact in the vicinity of the straight cut channels 84 serve to keep the workpiece WP together in a single flat piece which is especially advantageous for several reasons. The four related duct pieces CS 1 , CS 2 , CB and CT are together and will remain together until they are removed and assembled, for example, at a job site. The flat panel takes up less space than would be taken up if the duct pieces were assembled into the transition duct fitting that they can be assembled into. It will be apparent to those who have utilized KOOLDUCT® that a tool, known as a bender, that is available from the distributors of KOOLDUCT®, would be used to produce gentles bends in the curved top and curved bottom CT and CB before they would be connected to the curved sides CS 1 and CS 2 . The edges of the four pieces formed in the workpiece WP are protected from damage by scrap portions of the workpiece WP that can remain in place until the duct pieces are removed for assembly, for example, at the job site. [0042] The workpiece WP shown in FIG. 13 can be delivered to a job site where a tool such as a straight cut channel cutter 90 can be utilized to cut through the workpiece WP in the locations of the straight cut channels 84 . This will free the four pieces from scrap portions of the workpiece WP and those four pieces should be in excellent shape. The four pieces can then be assembled and installed on site. [0043] It will be appreciated that the foregoing description is intended to enable someone of ordinary skill in the field to practice the invention and that the present invention is not limited to the exact details shown but resides as well in the broader aspects and purposes and features described herein.

A method for producing a duct from a planar board having two opposed substantially parallel edges with metal foil facings on opposed major surfaces of the board is disclosed. The method comprises making planar cuts through one of the metal foil facings and at least most of the planar board there below to produce a blank with 3 parallel “V shaped grooves which are parallel to angled edges of the blank. A duct is formed by folding the blank so that the “V” shaped grooves form three of the edges of the duct, and the angled edges form the fourth of the edges.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention concerns a pump connector device for inflating a pneumatic tire. It concerns more particularly an improvement enabling use of the pump for tires from different sources incorporating valves of different types. 2. Description of the Prior Art In the field of vehicles with two wheels, for example, it is necessary to re-inflate the tires periodically. This can be done using a manual pump or a low-power compressor. In all cases the problem arises of connecting the source of compressed air to the valve of the tire. Depending on the source of the tire, the valve may be of one type or another. In the field of tires of two-wheel vehicles, for example, the valves most commonly used are essentially of two types known by their trade names "SCHRADER" and "PRESTA". One prior art pump has two different fixed connectors, each connector including an elastomer material sleeve adapted to surround the body of the valve with a seal between them. However, in particular in the case of a hand pump and where the connector device is rigidly fastened to the pump body, the connector used is difficult to attach to the valve with an effective seal. Moreover, in the prior art system, the connector that is not used is neutralized by an internal closure system that is actuated pneumatically on the first stroke of the pump. This system is of high unit cost and is not totally reliable after some period of use. A first aim of the invention is to propose a system that is simpler, more reliable and less costly for selecting the appropriate connector. Another aim of the invention is to propose a further improved system in which the connector selected can be attached to the valve in a very firm and sealed manner. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, in a first aspect, the invention concerns a pump connector device for inflating a pneumatic tire comprising an air ejector channel adapted to be connected to said pump and a mobile member containing at least two different connectors and movable in a housing between at least two predetermined positions in which one of said connectors communicates with a downstream end of said passage in a position in which it can be connected to a pneumatic tire valve. The mobile member may be a slider moving along a straight path in a housing. In a different embodiment, the mobile member may have a rotary part inside a cavity into which said ejector passage opens. In accordance with another advantageous feature of the invention, each connector includes an elastically deformable material sleeve adapted to be pressed against said valve and further comprising a locking mechanism cooperating with said mobile member to compress axially at least said sleeve of said connector in said position adapted to be connected to a valve, said axial compression of said connector causing it to be deformed radially inwards to grip and to be sealed to said valve. The invention will be better understood and its other advantages will emerge more clearly from the following description of various embodiments of a pump fitted with a connector device of the invention, given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a connector device of the invention. FIG. 2 is a view analogous to that of FIG. 1 showing the same device in longitudinal section. FIG. 3 is a view analogous to FIG. 2 showing the components of the device when the locking lever is actuated. FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the end of a pump equipped with a connector device constituting a different embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is a view analogous to FIG. 4 showing the same device in longitudinal section. FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the components of the device when the locking lever is actuated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 3, a pump connector device 11 for inflating a tire of a two-wheel vehicle is shown connected by a screwthreaded connector 12 to the end of a flexible hose 13 in turn connected to a pump that cannot be seen in the drawing. The device includes a body 14 within which is defined an air ejector passage 16. The latter is formed by two perpendicular bores, a longitudinal bore 16a opening into the screwthreaded bore 17 into which the connector 12 is screwed and a transverse bore 16b. The exit orifice 19 of the passage, at the same end as the transverse bore, is defined on a first surface 20 of the body 14. An opposite and parallel second surface 21 of this body constitutes a bearing surface for a cam 22 at the end of a lever 23. The body 14 is covered by a cap 25 defining with said first surface 20 an elongate housing 27 having on a face 28 parallel to said first surface 20 an orifice 30 for insertion of the valve. A mobile member 32 is movable in the housing 27 between at least two predetermined positions. This mobile member, here constituting a sort of slider of generally rectangular parallelepiped shape, contains at least two different connectors 33, 34. Of course, the number of predetermined positions is equal to the number of different connectors. For each predetermined position one of the connectors is axially inserted between the exit orifice 19 of the passage and the orifice 30 into which the valve is inserted. An annular seal 36 is provided around the opening of the passage; it comes into contact with one face of the mobile member forming the slider. The two connectors are parallel to each other within the slider. To be more precise, the latter is constituted by the assembly of two parts 37, 38 nesting one inside the other with two elastomer material sleeves 39, 40 between them. Thus the part 37 in contact with said first surface 20 of the body 14 includes a first cylindrical tubular passage 44 and a second passage 42 parallel to the first and containing an axial insert 41. The part 38 in contact with the interior wall of the cap 25 includes a first cylindrical tubular passage 43 having an internal shoulder and axially aligned with the first passage 44 and a second cylindrical tubular passage 45 having an internal shoulder and axially aligned with the second passage 42. The elastically deformable material sleeve 39, having an internal shoulder and an external shoulder, is disposed between said first passages of the parts 37 and 38. The other cylindrical tubular elastically deformable material sleeve 40, of the same kind, having an internal shoulder, is disposed between said second passages of the parts 37 and 38. In fact, the arrangement just described reconstitutes within a slider structure two different, standardized connectors 33 and 34 well known in themselves. The two connectors are parallel to each other and the mobile member 32 in the form of a slider can move along a straight path in the housing 27 between the two orifices. Each connector 33, 34 is therefore ready for use when the slider is in a corresponding predetermined position in its housing. In this position the elastically deformable material sleeve 39 or 40 is pressed against the body of the valve that is inserted into the orifice, providing a seal all around it. To improve this connection, the device further comprises a locking mechanism cooperating with the mobile member 32 to compress in the axial direction at least the sleeve of the connector 33 or 34 in position for connection to said valve. This axial compression of the connector causes it to be deformed radially inwards, so that said valve can be firmly gripped to make a perfectly sealed connection. To achieve this, the two parts 37, 38 are not in abutment when at rest, but can be moved relative to each other by a force tending to compress the sleeves 39, 40 in the axial direction. Actuation of the locking mechanism also compresses the seal 36, providing a perfect seal at the interface between the body 14 and the slider. The locking mechanism includes the lever 23 mentioned above, carrying the cam 22, and this assembly is adapted to cause relative movement between at least a part of the mobile member 32 and the body 14 containing the air ejector passage. To this end the cap 25 is slidable along the body 14 and the lever 23 is articulated to said cap 25 by a pin 49. The cap also includes a straight slot 50 parallel to the direction of movement of the mobile member 32 and the latter has a lateral operating finger 52 passing through said slot. The slider can be maneuvered by means of this finger when the lever 23 occupies the position shown in FIG. 2. In this way the appropriate connector may be selected. When the lever occupies the position shown in FIG. 3, the mobile member 32 forming the slider is compressed in its housing because of the movement of the cap 25 relative to the body 14. The two parts constituting the slider move towards each other, which deforms the elastically deformable sleeves 39, 40, as shown in FIG. 3. In particular, the deformation of the sleeve 40 of the connector 34 in the "use" position causes it to firmly grip and seal a valve (not shown) inserted in the orifice 30. FIGS. 4 to 6 show a different embodiment of a connector device 60 mounted directly at the end of a pump cylinder 61. The pump outlet is extended by a body 62 containing the air ejector passage 63 in which a ball check valve 64 is fitted. The travel of the ball is limited by an abutment 65 extending axially in said passage. In this embodiment, the mobile member 68 previously mentioned has a rotary part inside a cavity 67 into which the ejector passage opens. Note that the outlet orifice 69 of the air ejector passage is coaxial with the orifice 70 for inserting the valve. The rotary part includes a transverse conduit 72 incorporating two different connectors 73, 74 analogous to those shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. These two connectors are axially aligned and face in opposite directions. They therefore extend globally between the outlet orifice 69 of the passage and the orifice 70 for inserting the valve. The conduit has a central part 75 having a cylindrical tubular passage on one side and a passage provided with an axial insert on the other side and two elastically deformable material sleeves 77, 78 analogous to the sleeves of the previous embodiment and extending axially on either side of the part 75. The conduit 72 defined above constitutes a guide for two globally semi-cylindrical members 80, 81 sliding on the outside of the transverse conduit and urged apart by springs 84 between them. The semi-cylindrical exterior surface of each member 80, 81 includes ribs 86 or some other equivalent configuration. The combination of the conduit 72 and the two semi-cylindrical members 80, 81 is mounted between two clamping parts adapted to be moved towards each other by a lever 88 carrying a cam in contact with the body 62, compressing the assembly in the axial direction defined by the two orifices 69, 70. To be more precise, one of the clamping members is the body 62 housing the air ejector passage 63 and having a concave surface 90 housing part of the assembly comprising the conduit 72 and the two semi-cylindrical members 80, 81. The other clamping part 92 has two arms 93 sliding in two corresponding grooves of the body 62. The lever 88 is articulated by a pin 95 between the two ends of these arms. The orifice 70 for insertion of the valve is in the second clamping part 92 which also has a concave surface 97 surrounding a part of said assembly comprising the conduit and the two semi-cylindrical members. In the position shown in FIG. 5 the aforementioned assembly 72, 80, 81 may be rotated in its housing defined between the two clamping parts 62, 92 to move one or other of the two connectors 73 or 74 into the service position. When a connector is in the service position, the elastically deformable material sleeve of the other connector is in a position that provides a seal between the orifice 69 of the passage 63 and said conduit 72. Operating the lever moves the two clamping parts towards each other and brings about the required deformation of the two elastically deformable material sleeves 77, 78.

A pump connector device for inflating different pneumatic tires including different type valves includes a mobile member containing at least two different connectors. The mobile member is movable in a housing so that one or other of the connectors can be used.

[0001] This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/163,063 filed Jan. 24, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,631,856, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/849,412 filed Jan. 28, 2013, and this application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/480,567 filed Apr. 6, 2017, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/298,117 filed Jun. 6, 2014, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/966,106 filed Feb. 18, 2014. The entire disclosure of each of the applications listed in this paragraph are incorporated herein by specific reference thereto. FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to cooling and chilling beverages, desserts, food items and in particular to methods, processes, compositions, apparatus, kits and systems for chilling and cooling beverages, desserts and food items to selected desired temperatures by adding different mixtures of sodium chloride and calcium solutions and bags of loose ice, or adding different mixtures of deionized water with calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, and bags of loose ice. BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART [0003] Packaged-ice, such as different weights of bagged ice has been popular to be used in portable coolers to chill canned and bottled beverages. Packaged-ice has generally become standardized over the past decades with a few popular sizes in the U.S. and around the world dominating the sales. For example, the 10 lb bag of packaged-ice is the most popular retail version of packaged-ice in the U.S., followed in descending popularity by 20 lb, 8 lb, 7 lb and 5 lb bags of packaged-ice. [0004] In Canada, the United Kingdom(UK), and other European countries, other standard sizes such as but not limited to 6 lb (2.7 kg), and 26.5 lb (12 kg) are also very popular forms of packaged-ice. [0005] The bags of packaged-ice generally comprise loose ice cubes, chips and the like, that are frozen fresh water. The standard use of the bags of ice is having the consumer place the bag(s) loosely in cooler containers, and then adding canned and/or bottled beverages, such as sodas, waters to the coolers containing the packaged-ice. [0006] Due to the melting properties of the fresh-water ice, canned and bottled beverages placed in ice cannot be chilled below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for any significant length of time, which is the known general freezing point. [0007] Over the years, the addition of ice-melters such as salt have been known to be used to lower the melting point of fresh-water ice. Forms of using salt have included sprinkling loose salt on packed-ice in a cooler to produce lower temperatures for certain canned and bottled beverages placed inside. Sprinkling salt has been tried with beer, since beer will not freeze at 32 degrees Fahrenheit due to its alcohol (ethanol) content. However, the use of sprinkling loose salt has problems. [0008] Due to the uneven spread of salt on ice, it is impossible to know or control precisely the resulting temperate below 32 degrees Fahrenheit on various ice-cubes in the cooler obtained by sprinkling of salt. Salt sprinkling has inevitably resulted in some of the beverages “freezing hard” while others remain liquid and sometimes at temperatures above 32 degrees Fahrenheit. As such, the spreading of salt or other ice-melters on packaged-ice in a cooler to obtain colder temperatures than 32 degrees is an impractical method to know and control precisely the resulting temperature of ice-cubes in a cooler environment. [0009] Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide methods, processes, compositions, apparatus, kits and systems for chilling and cooling beverages, desserts and food items to selected desired temperatures by adding the items to different mixtures of brine solutions and bags of loose ice. [0011] A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide methods, processes, compositions, apparatus, kits and systems for evenly chilling and cooling beverages, desserts and food items by submersing the items in an aqueous selected salinity of an ice-melter mixture, such as sodium chloride ‘salt’ and/or calcium chloride, that is combined with loose ice. [0012] A third objective of the present invention is to provide methods, processes, compositions, apparatus, kits and systems for evenly chilling and cooling alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to desired temperatures below freezing by using preselected aqueous salinity solutions of an ice-melter mixture, combined with loose ice. [0013] A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide methods, processes, compositions, apparatus, kits and systems for evenly chilling and cooling desserts by using preselected aqueous salinity solutions of an ice-melter mixture, combined with loose ice. [0014] A fifth objective of the present invention is to provide methods, processes, compositions, apparatus, kits and systems for rapidly chilling beverages, desserts and food items by reducing chill time from hours to minutes. [0015] A sixth objective of the present invention is to provide methods, processes, compositions, apparatus, kits and systems for keeping beverages, foods and desserts chilled for extended lengths of time (greater than approximately 12 to approximately 24 hours) without using an external power supply source such as electricity or fuel, below freezing. The extended periods of time are beneficial for transporting food, dessert and beverage items that take along time to transport. [0016] A seventh objective of the present invention is to provide methods, processes, compositions, apparatus, kits and systems, to be used in the creation of homemade and/or chef created ice creams or frozen desserts that require precision temperature control during freezing. [0017] Novel aqueous solutions of a selected salinity of ice-melter (such as sodium chloride ‘salt’ and/or calcium chloride) can be poured in a pre-defined amount evenly over a known amount of bagged-ice in a cooler, creating a precisely controlled and evenly distributed temperature (within a few degrees Fahrenheit) can be obtained within the ice-solution mixture. Canned and bottled beverages (and other items) can be submerged in the precision controlled temperature ice-solution mixture to create certain desired effects only possible by chilling items to a known temperature below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. [0018] This aqueous solution can be sold in packages, such as but not limited to bottles, and the like, clearly delineated to be used with standardized amounts of packaged-ice in the U.S. and abroad, and in a variety of mixtures to obtain certain precision temperature ranges to create desired cooling effects on beer, beverages, ice-creams, and more. [0019] An aqueous ice-melter composition, can include and can consist of deionized water, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, a taste modifier, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and a defoamer concentrate. [0020] The taste modifier can be selected from at least one of stevia Extract (RebA), Aspartame, monk fruit, dextrose, maltodextrin. [0021] The defoamer concentrate can be selected from at least one of food grade silicone emulsions, emulsified insoluble oils, polydimethylsiloxanes, silicones, alcohols, stearates and glycols. [0022] The aqueous ice-melter composition can include approximately 15 to approximately 35% deionized water, less than approximately 5% calcium chloride, approximately 10 to approximately 30% magnesium chloride, less than approximately 5% taste modifier, approximately 15 to approximately 30% propylene glycol, approximately 15 to approximately 30% vegetable glycerin, and less than approximately 5% defoamer concentrate. [0023] A narrower range of the aqueous ice-melter composition can include approximately 30 to approximately 35% deionized water, approximately 2 to approximately 4% calcium chloride, approximately 10 to approximately 15% magnesium chloride, approximately 1 to approximately 3% taste modifier, approximately 25 to approximately 30% propylene glycol, approximately 25 to approximately 30% vegetable glycerin; and approximately 1 to approximately 3% defoamer concentrate. [0024] An embodiment of the aqueous ice-melter composition of claim 1 , further can include approximately 30% deionized water, approximately 3% calcium chloride, approximately 11.7% magnesium chloride, approximately 1.4% taste modifier, approximately 27% propylene glycol, approximately 25.9% vegetable glycerin and approximately 1% defoamer concentrate. [0025] An aqueous solution and ice water composition for cooling and chilling beverages and desserts to selected temperatures below approximately 32 F, can combine a mixture of deionized water, calcium chloride and magnesium chloride to form an aqueous solution, and a selected amount of loose ice combined with the aqueous solution to form a solution-water ice mix having a selected temperature, and wherein beverage and dessert products submersed in the solution-water ice mixture are cooled and chilled to below approximately 32 F. [0026] The aqueous solution can consist of or can include deionized water, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, a taste modifier, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and a defoamer concentrate. [0027] taste modifier can be selected from at least one of: stevia Extract (RebA), Aspartame, monk fruit, dextrose, maltodextrin. [0028] The defoamer concentrate can be selected from at least one of: food grade silicone emulsions, emulsified insoluble oils, polydimethylsiloxanes, silicones, alcohols, stearates and glycols. [0029] Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0030] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a 5 lb ice bag of loose ice and 1 liter aqueous solution and cooler with SWIM mix. [0031] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a ⅞ lb ice bag of loose ice and 1.5 liter aqueous solution and cooler of SWIM mix. [0032] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a 10 lb ice bag of loose ice and 1.75 liter aqueous solution and cooler of SWIM mix. [0033] FIG. 4 shows the four steps of using the embodiment of FIG. 1 for a 5 lb ice bag and 1 liter aqueous solution with a cooler container. [0034] FIG. 5 shows the four steps of using the embodiment of FIG. 2 for a 7 or 8 lb ice bag and 1.5 liter aqueous solution with a cooler container. [0035] FIG. 6 shows the four steps of using the embodiment of FIG. 3 for a 10 lb ice bag and 1.75 liter aqueous solution with a cooler container. [0036] FIG. 7 shows the four steps of using the embodiment of FIG. 3 for using 2 10 lb ice bags and 2 1.75 liters of aqueous solution with a cooler container. [0037] FIG. 8 shows the four steps of using the embodiment of FIG. 3 for using 4 10 lb ice bags and 4 1.75 liters aqueous solution with a cooler container. [0038] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the steps for making the composition formula of TABLE 7. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0039] Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. [0040] In the Summary above and in the Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally. [0041] In this section, some embodiments of the invention will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime notation is used to indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments. [0042] A list of components will now be described. 10 . 5 lb bag of loose ice 12 . loose ice in the bag 14 . 1 liter container of saline solution composition 16 . cooler housing 18 . SWIM mix 19 . products to be cooled/chilled 20 . 7 lb or 8 lb bag of loose ice 24 . 1.5 liter container of saline solution composition 26 . cooler housing 28 . SWIM mix 29 . products to be cooled/chilled 30 . 10 lb bag of loose ice 34 . 1.75 liter container of the saline solution composition 36 . cooler housing 38 . SWIM mix 39 . products to be cooled/chilled [0059] The invention can utilize bottled, and optionally uniquely colored aqueous solutions made of varying salinities of Sodium Chloride (NaCl) or Sea Salt at specific salinities (e.g. 120-160‰, 180-220‰, 230-270 ‰, 280-320‰, 330-360‰ and others), where ‰ refers to grams per liter of water, or to grams per kilograms of water (g/kg of water). [0060] The aqueous solutions can be contained in bottles of selected quantities (e.g. 1-liter, 1.5-liter, 1.75-liter, 2-liter, and other quantities) for the purpose of being poured over specific quantities of loose ice (5 lbs, 7 lbs, 8 lbs, 10 lbs, and other quantities, from typical bag sizes) in a typical portable beverage cooler to create a Solution-Water-Ice Mix (SWIM) within a specific temperature range below the freezing point of water (32 deg F.). [0061] The active temperature lowering ingredient in the solution is a salt, such as but not limited to Sodium Chloride (NaCl) or Sea Salt and the like. Additionally, a catalyst agent, such as but not limited to Calcium (Ca), Calcium Citrate Ca3(C6H5O7)2, and/or other forms of Calcium can be included in the solution for reducing the aggressive corrosive characteristics of the Sodium Chloride on bare metals, leathers, and other substances. [0062] Optional buffering additives, can also be used in the solution, such as but not limited to vegetable derivatives, such as vegetable glycerin or vegetable glycerol, food coloring, propylene glycol, flavorings, sweeteners, and the like, and any combinations thereof. [0063] In addition, an optional deterrent additive(s) such as but not limited to Alum, extract of Lemon, orange, lime, and other strong citrus or pepper, or bitter cherries, and the like, and any combination thereof, can be added to act as a pet and child deterrent and safety agent in order to prevent ingestion of significant quantities which may prove harmful in selected applications for children, elderly, pets, and the like. [0064] Tables 1-5 show the components of the novel aqueous solutions and their component ranges and amounts for Solution-Water-Ice Mix (SWIM) used in coolers. Each table can represent a bottled aqueous solution. [0000] TABLE 1 SWIM TEMPERATURE Approx. 22 F. to Approx. 24 F. Values in grams per kilograms of water Component Broad Range Narrow Range Prefer. Amnt Salt Approx 40 to Approx. 120 to Approx. 140 Approx. 80 Approx 160 Calcium Approx 1 to Approx 5 to Approx. 7.5 Approx. 40 Approx. 10 Buffer 0 to 0 to 0 to Additive Approx. 100 Approx. 60 Approx. 50 Deterrent 0 to 0 to 0 to Additive Approx. 20 Approx. 10 Approx. 7.5 [0000] TABLE 2 SWIM TEMPERATURE Approx. 18 F. to Approx. 21 F. Values in grams per kilograms of water Component Broad Range Narrow Range Prefer. Amnt Salt Approx 60 to Approx. 180 to Approx. 200 Approx. 240 Approx 220 Calcium Approx 1 to Approx 5 to Approx. 10 Approx. 40 Approx. 15 Buffer 0 to 0 to 0 to Additive Approx. 100 Approx. 80 Approx. 60 Deterrent 0 to 0 to 0 to Additive Approx. 20 Approx. 10 Approx. 7.5 [0000] TABLE 3 SWIM TEMPERATURE Approx. 15 F. to Approx. 18 F. Values in grams per kilograms of water Component Broad Range Narrow Range Prefer. Amnt Salt Approx 60 to Approx. 230 to Approx. 250 Approx. 290 Approx 270 Calcium Approx 1 to Approx 10 to Approx. 15 Approx. 60 Approx. 20 Buffer 0 to 0 to 0 to Additive Approx. 100 Approx. 80 Approx. 70 Deterrent 0 to 0 to 0 to Additive Approx. 20 Approx. 10 Approx. 7.5 [0000] TABLE 4 SWIM TEMPERATURE Approx. 10 F. to Approx. 13 F. Values in grams per kilograms of water Component Broad Range Narrow Range Prefer. Amnt Salt Approx 60 to Approx. 280 to Approx. 300 Approx. 340 Approx 320 Calcium Approx 1 to Approx 10 to Approx. 20 Approx. 80 Approx. 30 Buffer 0 to 0 to 0 to Additive Approx. 120 Approx. 90 Approx. 80 Deterrent 0 to 0 to 0 to Additive Approx. 20 Approx. 10 Approx. 7.5 [0000] TABLE 5 SWIM TEMPERATURE Approx. 6 F. to Approx. 9 F. Values in grams per kilograms of water Component Broad Range Narrow Range Prefer. Amnt Salt Approx 60 to Approx. 330 to Approx. 345 Approx. 360 Approx 360 Calcium Approx 1 to Approx 10 to Approx. 25 Approx. 100 Approx. 40 Buffer 0 to 0 to 0 to Additive Approx. 140 Approx. 100 Approx. 90 Deterrent 0 to 0 to 0 to Additive Approx. 20 Approx. 10 Approx. 7.5 [0065] The specific SWIM temperatures allow certain desirable effects to be achieved on beverages, beer, ice-creams, smoothies, milkshake, popsicles, and cold treat emulsifiers (such as but not limited to FROSTIES® and SLURPEES®) placed in the SWIM that are impossible to achieve using ice alone or by mixing fresh water with ice in a cooler. [0066] Effects such as 1) chilling beer to near its freezing point, 2) supercooling bottled or canned beverages, 3) creating frozen popsicles and supercooling popsicles, 4) keeping soft-serve and store bought ice-creams in perfect emulsions, and other effects require specific temperatures that are below the melting point of fresh-water ice (32 deg F.). Most of these effects require temperatures between 5 deg F. and 24 deg F., which can be achieved in a SWIM using specific salinities and volumes of Brine-Solution when mixed with standardized bags of ice. [0067] Assuming consumers mainly utilize quanta of standardized bagged ice in their portable coolers (5 lbs, 7 lbs, 8 lbs, or 10 lbs), certain volumes of the novel aqueous solution work best in saturating these standard amounts of ice. See FIGS. 1-3 . [0068] Assuming most consumers will immediately pour the room temperature aqueous solution over the ice, the variable that determines the initial temperature of the SWIM is the salinity of the Brine. [0069] The novel aqueous solutions can also be color coded according to salinity, which is directly related to the resultant SWIM temperature and possible effects. The following TABLE 6 shows how the color code may be used to identify differing salinities of bottled aqueous solutions. [0000] TABLE 6 COLOR CODE CHART SWIM SALINITY PRODUCT COLOR TEMP. (F.) SOLUTION APPLICATION BLUE 6-9° 330-360°/oo Ice Creams GREEN 10-13° 280-320°/oo Supercooling drinks rapidly YELLOW 15-18° 230-270°/oo Supercooling drinks ORANGE 18-21° 180-220°/oo Soft Serve Ice Cream RED 22-24° 120-160°/oo Beer Chilling [0070] The invention can pertain to the specific volumes, salinities, and color coding of the Solution. Blue can represent the coldest SWIM and has the highest salinity. Red can represent the warmest SWIM and the lowest salinity. Other colors, such as but not limited to clear, black, white, and other variations, can be used. [0071] Specific volumes can be used for specific sized bagged ice; 1-liter for 5 lbs, 1.5-liter for 7-8 lbs, and 1.75-2 liter for 10 lbs. (See FIGS. 1-8 .) [0072] The invention can pertain to any volume(s) that when mixed exactly with certain standard quantities of bagged-ice will produce a usable SWIM for submerging and supercooling reasonable and expected amounts of canned or bottled beverages per amount of bagged-ice. For example; a 10 lb bag of ice plus certain volume of the novel aqueous solution should be expected to allow up to 6 12-oz cans to be submerged in the SWIM. [0073] Several embodiments are described below for actual applications of the novel invention that can be used with portable coolers, such as Styrofoam coolers, plastic coolers, and aluminum or metal coolers. [0074] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a 5 lb ice bag 10 holding loose ice 12 and 1 liter aqueous solution 14 with a cooler 16 containing the Solution-Water-Ice Mix (SWIM) 18 having a specific temperature range below the freezing point of water (32 deg F.). [0075] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a 7 or 8 lb ice bag 20 holding loose ice 22 and 1.5 liter aqueous solution 24 with a cooler 26 containing the Solution-Water-Ice Mix (SWIM) 28 having a specific temperature range below the freezing point of water (32 deg F.). [0076] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a 10 lb ice bag 30 holding loose ice 32 and 1.75 liter aqueous solution 34 with a cooler 36 containing the Solution-Water-Ice Mix (SWIM) 38 having a specific temperature range below the freezing point of water (32 deg F.). [0077] FIG. 4 shows the four steps of using the embodiment of FIG. 1 for a 5 lb ice bag 10 and 1 liter aqueous solution 14 with a cooler container 16 . Step 1 has the cooler container 16 holding loose ice 12 . Step 2 has the aqueous solution from 1 liter container 14 being poured over the ice 12 in the container 16 . Solution in container 16 having a salinity of 350‰, where a Blue Colored Aqueous Solution container 16 can be used here. [0078] Step 3 has the cooler 16 with Solution-Water-Ice Mix (SWIM) 18 inside having temperature of approximately 6 F to approximately 9 F. Step 4 has the product 19 , such as ice cream containers submersed in the SWIM 18 , being used to keep the store bought ice cream in a perfect emulsion for outdoor settings. [0079] Specific useful temperature ranges in the SWIM can be expected to last 8 hours in a cooler per 10 lb bag of ice and 1.75 liters of solution. The temperature ranges of the SWIM can last within indoor and outdoor environments having temperatures of approximately 65 F to approximately 85 F. [0080] Products such as store bought ice cream (in pint, quart, ½ gallon sizes, and the like) can stay at approximately 6 to approximately 9 F in a soft emulsion state perfect for consumption (though not in a soft serve state). The state can be between a not melted state and a not frozen hard state. The products that as store bought ice cream can be kept in a consistent emulsion state in most outdoor temperature settings between approximately 60 F to approximately 90 F for approximately 8 to approximately 12 hours or longer depending on the type of cooler and amount of ice used with the aqueous solution. [0081] FIG. 5 shows the four steps of using the embodiment of FIG. 2 for a 7 or 8 lb ice bag 20 and 1.5 liter aqueous solution 24 with a cooler container 26 . Step 1 has the cooler container 26 holding loose ice 22 . Step 2 has the aqueous solution from 1.5 liter container 24 being poured over the ice 22 in the container 26 . Solution in a container 26 having a salinity of 250‰, where a Yellow Colored Aqueous Solution container 26 can be used here. [0082] Step 3 has the cooler 26 with Solution-Water-Ice Mix (SWIM) 28 inside having temperature of approximately 15 F to approximately 18 F. Step 4 has the product(s) 29 , such as canned and bottled beverages submersed in the SWIM 28 , being used to keep the store bought beverages in a super cooled liquid state for outdoor settings where a variety of the canned and bottled beverages are supercooled but not allowed to freeze hard due to the consistent temperature of the SWIM. [0083] The super cooled beverages can then be ‘slushed’ (nucleated) on demand by either striking the container with a hand or against an object such as a table with mild force or by placing a small crystal of ice into the supercooled beverage. The resulting slush is soft and easily consumed with or without a straw as nearly half of the beverage remains in a liquid state. This effect allows the beverage to maintain a preferred cold temperature (scientifically referred to as a ‘frigorific’ temperature) for several minutes after the initial slushing effect. [0084] The super cooled state for beverages submerged in the SWIM will last for 8 to 12 hours or more in a single 10 lb package of ice with one 1.75 liter aqueous ice-accelerator solution in outdoor settings. The supercooled beverages remain at a temperature below freezing without freezing hard. [0085] FIG. 6 shows the four steps of using the embodiment of FIG. 3 for a 10 lb ice bag 30 and 1.75 liter aqueous solution 34 with a cooler container 36 . Step 1 has the cooler container 36 holding loose ice 32 . Step 2 has the aqueous solution from 1.75 liter container 34 being poured over the ice 32 in the container 36 . Solution in container 36 having a salinity of 250‰, where a Red Colored Aqueous Solution container 34 can be used here. Step 3 has the cooler 36 with Solution-Water-Ice Mix (SWIM) 38 inside having temperature of approximately 15 F to approximately 18 F. Step 4 has the product(s) 39 , such as canned and bottled beer submersed in the SWIM 38 , being used to keep the store bought beer 39 for chilling the beer to its freezing point but not allowing the beer to freeze. [0086] The chilled beer (or other beverages) submerged in the SWIM will remain at optimal temperatures for 8 to 12 hours or more in a single 10 lb package of ice with one 1.75 liter aqueous ice-accelerator solution in outdoor settings. The beer will remain in a liquid state near or slightly below (or above) it's freezing point without freezing hard, and at up to 10 degrees below the freezing point of water (32 F). This temperature provides an optimal crispness and flavor as well as allowing the beverage to remain colder longer during consumption. The temperatures of 22 F to 24 F are not generally low enough to cause the beer to ‘slush’ (nucleate) when opened, thereby providing the lowest possible liquid drinking temperatures for beer. [0087] FIG. 7 shows the four steps of using the embodiment of FIG. 3 for using 2 10 lb ice bags 32 and 2 1.75 liters 34 aqueous solution with a cooler container 36 . Step 1 has the cooler container 36 holding loose ice 32 from 2 10 lb bags 30 . Step 2 has the aqueous solution from 2 1.75 liter containers 34 being poured over the ice 32 in the container 36 . Solution in containers 34 can have a salinity of 200 ‰, where an Orange Colored Aqueous Solution container can be used here. [0088] Step 3 has the cooler 36 with Solution-Water-Ice Mix (SWIM) 38 (×2) at temperatures between 18 to 21 F. Step 4 has the product(s) 39 , such as soft serve ice cream in packages submersed in the SWIM 38 , being used to keep the soft serve ice cream in a consistent emulsion state at temperatures between 18 to 21 F, and for supercooling beverages. [0089] The super cooled beverages can then be ‘slushed’ (nucleated) on demand by either striking the container with a hand or against an object such as a table with mild force or by placing a small crystal of ice into the supercooled beverage. The resulting slush is soft and easily consumed with or without a straw as nearly half of the beverage remains in a liquid state. This effect allows the beverage to maintain a preferred cold temperature (scientifically referred to as a ‘frigorific’ temperature) for several minutes after the initial slushing effect. [0090] The supercooled state for beverages submerged in the SWIM will last for 8 to 12 hours or more in a single 10 lb package of ice with one 1.75 liter aqueous ice-accelerator solution in outdoor settings. The supercooled beverages remain at a temperature below freezing without freezing hard. Soft-serve ice-creams such as those provided by Dairy Queen® and other ice-cream or custard stores generally require a temperature between 18 F and 21 F to maintain their soft emulsion, whereas store-bought container ice-cream will melt to liquid at these temperatures and therefore require the 6 F to 9 F temperature ice-accelerator to maintain their textures. [0091] FIG. 8 shows the four steps of using the embodiment of FIG. 3 for using 4 10 lb ice bags 30 and 4 1.75 liters 34 aqueous solution with a cooler container 36 . [0092] Step 1 has the cooler container 36 holding loose ice 32 from 4 10 lb bags 30 . Step 2 has the aqueous solution from 4 1.75 liter containers 34 being poured over the ice 32 in the container 36 . Solution in containers 34 can have a salinity of 200‰, where a Green Colored Aqueous Solution container can be used here. [0093] Step 3 has the cooler 36 with Solution-Water-Ice Mix (SWIM) 38 (×4) at temperatures between 10 to 13 F. Step 4 has the product(s) 39 , such as store bought ice cream, gelatos, popsicles (frozen or unfrozen) submersed in the SWIM 38 , for supercooling beverages rapidly. Supercooling can take approximately 20 to approximately 60 minutes with the invention, and can be reduced further to approximately 5 minutes or less by article devices such as a spinning device, and the like. A timer can be used to prevent freezing. The timer can calculate time based on the SWIM temperature, size of the beverage container(s) and starting temperature(s) of the beverage container(s). [0094] TABLE 7 and FIG. 9 show an alternative formula composition that can be used with the preceding embodiments. [0000] TABLE 7 Alternative Ice Accelerator FORMULA Component Broad Range Narrow Range Preferred % DI(deionized) Approx. 15 to Approx. 30 to 30.0169% Water Approx. 35% Approx. 35% CaCL2 <Approx. 5% Approx. 2 to     3% Calcium Approx. 4% Chloride MgCL2 Approx. 10 to Approx. 10 to 11.7342% Magnesium Approx. 30% Approx. 15% Chloride Taste <Approx. 5% Approx. 1 to   1.4% Modifier Approx. 3% Propylene Approx. 15 to Approx. 25 to 26.9699% Glycol Approx. 30 % Approx. 30% Vegetable Approx. 15 to Approx. 25 to  25.879% Glycerin Approx. 30 % Approx. 30% Defoamer <Approx. 5% Approx. 1 to     1% Concentrate Approx. 3% [0095] Both the Taste Modifier and Defoamer Concentrations are intermediates which can include separate formulas that have to be made prior to batch. [0096] For example, the taste modifier can include but is not limited to stevia Extract (RebA), Aspartame, monk fruit, dextrose, maltodextrin and the like. [0097] And for example, the defoamer concentrate can include but is not limited to food grade silicone emulsions, and the like. Other types of defoamer or anti-foam concentrates can include but are not limited to emulsified insoluble oils, polydimethylsiloxanes and other silicones, alcohols, stearates and glycols. [0098] The general order of the addition of the components in TABLE 7 is as shown, however each step generally takes specific timing, heated temperatures, exothermic reactions, and the like, and/or intermediate production additions. [0099] For example, FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the steps for making the composition formula of TABLE 7. [0100] For the formula refenced in TABLE 7, anhydrous CaCl2 can be added to a respective portion of DI. This creates a powerful exothermic reaction that rapidly provides kinetic energy (i.e. It increases the DI Water temperature to approximately 120.0 F in seconds to a few minutes). Additional heating to approximately 145.0 F is required as is consistent low shear mixing (ensuring a slight mixing vortex is made while adding the CaCl2 and complete de-aeration prior to adding to main mix vessel. Add mixture to main mix vessel, stir while adding respective portion of MgCl2, mix until homogenous. Add Defoamer Conc. followed by the Taste Modifier, mix until uniform. Add in PG and VG, ensuring consistent moderate mixing and dwell time before each addition. Mix until homogenous and allow final mix vessel batch to de-aerate and cool to room temperature. Times vary on batch size. [0101] FIG. 9 provides more detailed steps for creating the novel formula mixture. [0102] TABLE 7 provides an alternative aqueous solution that can be used and poured over the different amounts of loose ice that were previously shown and described. [0103] The term “approximately” or “approx.” can include+/−10 percent of the number adjacent to the term. [0104] Although the invention references desserts such as ice-cream, other types of edible foods can be used, such as but not limited frozen yogurt, sorbet, sherbet, ice milk, smoothies, milk shakes, and the like, which prevents melting or hard freezing of the foods. Other types of foods can be used with the invention, such as but not limited to fish, meat, poultry, and the like. [0105] While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.

Methods, processes, compositions, apparatus, kits and systems for chilling and cooling beverages and desserts to selected desired temperatures by adding the beverages and desserts to different mixtures of brine solutions and bags of loose ice. The invention forms and creates an aqueous solution composition of certain salinity of ice-melter (such as sodium chloride ‘salt’ and/or calcium chloride, or different mixtures of deionized water with calcium chloride and magnesium chloride). The composition is poured in a pre-defined amount evenly over a known amount of bagged-ice in a cooler. The result is a precisely controlled and evenly distributed temperature (within a few degrees Fahrenheit) can be obtained within the ice-solution mixture. Next, canned and bottled beverages (and other items) can be submerged in the precision controlled temperature ice-solution mixture to create certain desired effects only possible by chilling items to a known temperature below 32 degrees.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/981,657, filed Nov. 25, 1992 now abandoned. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention is in the area of computers and more specifically relates to bus controller architecture. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The design of bus controllers has evolved over the years as performance requirements and customer needs have driven computer architectures to become more sophisticated and efficient. Specifically, the desire for higher performance has necessitated that a bus controller be able to operate with both a local bus and a system bus simultaneously and autonomously. Additionally, a bus controller that is not limited with regard to speed is needed; in this way both the local bus or the system bus may interact with the bus controller as fast as circuitry on the boards permit without suffering from speed limitations incurred by the bus controller. Lastly, a need has been felt for a bus controller that may operate as a master during a transaction or as a slave during a transaction simultaneously with both the local bus and the system bus, thus providing for more system flexibility. The design of bus architectures typically include a number of compromises to optimize performance parameters that may be inversely related to one another. Certain bus architecture standards are designed as open standards to provide a general framework, yet provide flexibility so that performance criteria may be enhanced for specific system applications. Futurebus+ is one such open standard. The Futurebus+ standard is an IEEE specification #896.1-1991 and is described in an article entitled "Futurebus+ Coming of Age" (Theus, John, "Futurebus+ Coming of Age", Microprocessor Report, May 27, 1992, pp. 17-22). It is an object of this invention to provide a dual bus controller architecture that enables simultaneous, autonomous interaction with both the local bus and the system bus and is compatible with the Futurebus+ bus architecture standard (IEEE spec #896.1-1991). It is another object of this invention to provide a dual bus controller architecture that allows both the local bus and the system bus to interact with the bus controller operating as a master or a slave without any imposed speed limitations. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having reference to the following specification together with the drawings herein. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A dual bus controller includes a system bus control module connected to a local bus control module. An optional filter is also connected to the system bus control module. A plurality of programmable status registers for the local bus is connected to the local bus control module and a time dependent reset circuit is connected to both the system bus control module and the local bus control module. The dual bus controller allows simultaneous, autonomous activity with both the local bus and the system bus via the local bus and system bus control modules. The unique interaction between the local bus and system bus control modules also allow both the local bus and system bus to interact with the dual bus controller operating as a slave without any imposed speed limitations by actively resolving bus collisions and "live-lock" conditions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block level diagram illustrating a backplane based computer system 10. FIG. 2 is a block level diagram illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention, a dual bus controller 22a. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating in greater detail a local bus control module 12 and a system bus control module 14 within dual bus controller 22a of FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 is a block level diagram illustrating a backplane based computer system 10. Computer system 10 includes a system bus 11 connected to a plurality of computer boards 13a-n. Each computer board 13a-n includes a local bus 24a-n, a bus controller 22a-n, and possibly a memory 26, a microprocessor 28, an input/output (I/O) device 30 or other type devices depending upon each board's 13a-n application requirements. Each board 13a-n communicates with one another via system bus 11. FIG. 2 is a block level diagram illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention, a dual bus controller 22a. Within bus controller 22a a system bus control module 14 is connected to a filter 18, a reset circuit 20, a system bus 11, a local bus control module 12, and a plurality of control status registers 16. Local bus control module 12 is also connected to control status registers 16, reset circuit 20, and a local bus 24a. Filter 18 is also connected to reset circuit 20 and to system bus 11. System bus control module 14 monitors signals on system bus 11 (which in this particular embodiment is a Futurebus+ system bus) and maintains the appropriate handshake protocols necessary for proper operation with Futurebus+ 11. System bus control module 14 will be described in greater detail later. Local bus control module 12 monitors signals on local bus 24a and maintains the appropriate handshake protocols necessary for proper operation with local bus 24a. Additionally, local bus control module 12 also decodes and encodes commands from local bus 24a to Futurebus+ 11 and from Futurebus+ 11 to local bus 24a. This allows Futurebus+ 11 and local bus 24a to be completely independent of one another with respect to speed and handshake protocols. Therefore, local bus control module 12 acts as a command translator between Futurebus+ 11 and local bus 24a. Local bus control module 12 also provides synchronization circuitry which allows signals to cross the timing boundaries between different time domains. This allows either or both Futurebus+ 11 and local bus 24a to be asynchronous. (Futurebus+ 11 is an asynchronous bus). Filter 18 is an optional filter that allows incoming signals from Futurebus+ 11 to be glitch filtered. This is sometimes desired when each computer card 13a-n in a backplane based computer environment is configured in a "wired-OR" configuration which is well known by those skilled in the art of system design. It is often desired to glitch filter incoming signals since they may suffer from the "wired-OR" glitch phenomena which is also well known by those skilled in the art. Other times, due to speed requirements or specific transaction types, filtering of incoming signals is not desirable; therefore the filter is optional and use will depend upon the specific operation being performed. Reset block 20 is a time dependent reset circuit that conforms to the Futurebus+ spec noted earlier. Therefore, depending upon the duration of a reset signal being asserted, different types of reset operations take place. Different types of reset include: start, power-up, system initialization, and local bus initialization. Control status registers 16 include a plurality of programmable status and configuration registers. Therefore, via software, control status registers 16 may be programmed to indicate the capability of the components within system 10. These capabilities may include: address size, data size, memory capacity, interrupt registers, timers, data speed capabilities, glitch filter settings, bus status, and enables. FIG. 3 is a block level diagram illustrating in greater detail local bus control module 12 and system bus control module 14 of FIG. 2. It was stated earlier that local bus control module 12 monitors signals on local bus 24a and decoded command signals between local bus 24a and Futurebus+ 11. FIG. 3 illustrates the two separate functions of local bus control module 12, a local bus control 34, and a local bus decoder/encoder 36. Local bus control 34 may include a state machine and synchronizer. Local bus decoder/encoder 36 is composed of standard decoding circuitry well known by those skilled in the art. System bus control module 14 is composed of system bus control 38 which may include a state machine. Dual bus controller 22a resides on computer board 13a and communicates with devices on board 13a via local bus 24a and with components on other boards via system bus 11. Bus controller 22a may advantageously become a bus slave of both local bus 24a and Futurebus+ 11 simultaneously with the ability to resolve both bus collisions and "live-lock" problems which are well known be those skilled in the art. Additionally, bus controller 22a may operate with both local bus 24a and Futurebus+ 11 simultaneously and autonomously, thereby improving system 10 performance. Thus, for example, bus controller 22a may simultaneously be sending data to a component on local board 13a via local bus 24a and performing an appropriate handshake with Futurebus+ 11. This improves system performance. The following is an example illustrating the ability of bus controller 22a to operated as a slave simultaneously with both local bus 24a and Futurebus+ 11. Board A 13a wants to transfer data to board B 13b. Simultaneously, board B 13b wants to transfer data to board A 13a. Both boards make requests for Futurebus+ 11, yet only one board will receive a grant which will depend upon the priorities of each request. In this instance, board A 13a has a higher priority and receives a grant for Futurebus+ 11. Microprocessor 28a on board A 13a presently is the master of local bus 24a and controller 22a is the slave of local bus 24a. This same series of events occurs on board B with a microprocessor 28b (not shown) being the master on local bus 24b and the controller 22b the slave. The data then transfers from memory 26a to FIFO 40a via local bus 24a; FIFO 40a acts as a temporary data storage on board A 13a. Typically, on board A 13a processor 28a or memory 26a is master moving data into FIFO 40a via local bus 24a. Then controller 22a becomes the master on Futurebus+. While controller 22a is a master on Futurebus+, controller B 22b is a slave on Futurebus+. This typically would be a problem since bus controller 22b on board B 13b is now a slave of both local bus 24b and Futurebus+ 11 simultaneously, however bus controller 22b has the ability to recognize this potential problem through the monitoring of signals on local bus 24b and Futurebus+ 11. When this case occurs, bus controller 22b sends a signal to the microprocessor on board B 13b telling it to "back-off" on its attempt to send data to board A 13a. This frees local bus 24b to complete the transaction of sending data from board A 13a to board B 13b. Data is transferred to a memory 32b or an I/O device 30b on board B 13b via Futurebus+ 11, bus controller 22b, and local bus 24b. After completion of this transaction, board B may then complete its desired transaction of sending data from board B 13b to board A 13a. Similarly, when both local bus 24b and Futurebus+ 11 are bus masters bus controller 22b utilizes the "back-off" feature to avoid the bus collision that may occur. It should also be noted that the "back-off" feature may work with either Futurebus+ 11 or a local bus 24a-n. However, bus controllers 22a-n are configured specifically to operate the "back-off" signal in the majority of cases with local buses 24a-n. This is to avoid the "live-lock" phenomena which is well known by those skilled in the art. If the "back-off" signal were used with Futurebus+ 11 it is possible that two boards, for example board 13a and board 13b, may alternately back each other off Futurebus+ 11 when attempting a transaction. Therefore, although Futurebus+ 11 is active (back-off signals are traveling along Futurebus+ 11) neither transaction is being executed and system 10 becomes "locked up". Bus controllers 22a-n traverse this problem by implementing the "back-off" signal on local buses 24a-n, therefore transactions always travel along Futurebus+ 11 without any impediments and the risk of system 10 lock-up is eliminated. Dual bus controller 22a also may operate with both local bus 24a and Futurebus+ 11 simultaneously and autonomously. This feature is due primarily to the independent operation of local bus control module 12 and system bus control module 14. Below is an example illustrating how these modules interact to provide the decoupling feature and thereby the improved performance. Bus controller 22a on board 13a monitors signals on both Futurebus+ 11 via system bus control module 14 and local bus 24a via local bus control module 12. Microprocessor 28a on board A 13a wants to transfer data to memory 32b on board B 13b. Local bus decoder 36 within local bus system module 12 in bus controller 22a decodes the address and determines that the address resides in memory 32b on board B 13b and translates a request to system bus control 38 within system bus control module 14. System bus control module 14, in response, makes a request for mastership of Futurebus+ 11. As system bus control module 14 is making a request for Futurebus+ 11 it also sends a signal to local bus control module 12 indicating that bus controller 22a is in the "request phase" of the transaction. After that event, this triggers the transfer of data from memory 26a to FIFO 40a on board A. After data has been sent to FIFO 40 a local bus control module 12 sends a signal to system bus control module 14 via local bus control 34 indicating that data is in FIFO 40a and ready for transfer to memory 32b on board B 13b which begins the "data phase" of the transfer. System bus control module 14 relays a signal back to local bus control module 12 indicating the that Futurebus+ 11 is in the "data phase" of the transaction. Local bus control module 12, in response to the "data phase" signal, effectively disconnects from system bus control module 14 and is therefore independent of the remainder of the data transfer to memory 32b on board B 13b. The data in FIFO 40a is transferred along Futurebus+ 11 to its destination in memory 32b on board B 13b during the Futurebus+ "data phase". While the transfer of data from FIFO 40a to memory 32b is occurring, new activity may occur on board A 13a along local bus 24a via local bus control module 12. In one instance, data from memory 26a could again be retrieved and stored in FIFO 40a for future transfer independent of the speed of the Futurebus+ transaction. The ability to operate along local bus 24a and Futurebus+ 11 simultaneously and autonomously greatly improves system performance in that certain operations may occur in a pipeline or parallel fashion as opposed to a serial fashion. Table 1, listed below, is a Verilog program listing. Verilog is a behavioral program which translates macro-level system inputs into a gate level schematic and is well known by those skilled in the art of digital circuit design. The following Verilog program listing is a detailed representation of dual bus controller 24a-n and describes the gate-level construction of dual bus controller 24a-n. ##SPC1##

A dual bus controller includes a system bus control module connected to a local bus control module. An optional filter is also connected to the system bus control module. A plurality of programmable status registers for the local bus is connected to the local bus control module and a time dependent reset circuit is connected to both the system bus control module and the local bus control module. The dual bus controller allows simultaneous, autonomous activity with both the local bus and the system bus via the local bus and system bus control modules. The unique interaction between the local bus and system bus control modules also allow both the local bus and system bus to interact with the dual bus controller operating as a slave without any imposed speed limitations by actively resolving bus collisions and "live-lock" conditions.

This application relates to methods of making diastereomers of 1,3-disubstituted oxazinan-2-ones. The process of the invention provides the diastereomers in high yield and substantially free of the corresponding enantiomers. The compounds prepared by the process of the invention can be used to prepare pharmaceutically active compounds such as 11-β-hydroxysteroid hydrogenase type 1 (11-β-HSD1) inhibitors. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1,3-disubstituted derivatives of oxazinan-2-ones are reportedly useful as inhibitors of 11-β-hydroxysteroid hydrogenase type 1 (“11-β-HSD1”) and for treatment of disorders associated 11β-HSD1 activity including, for example, diabetes mellitus (e.g., type II diabetes), obesity, symptoms of metabolic syndrome, glucose intolerance, hyperglycemica (see, e.g., WO/2009/134400). The oxazinan-2-one 11-β-HSD1 inhibitors can be prepared, for example, by methods described in WO/2009/134400 and WO/2010/010150. In one method, a compound of formula (A) is allowed to react with an appropriate Grignard reagent RMgBr to provide the oxazinan-2-one 11-β-HSD1 inhibitor of formula (B) as depicted below: However, the above method (and other known methods) present challenges for large-scale preparations. Additionally, compounds of formula (A) and formula (B) prepared by the known methods often contain a substantial amount of impurities (e.g., stereoisomers, structural isomers, and/or reagents). Thus, there is a need, for improved processes for making oxazinan-2-one 11-β-HSD1 inhibitors which are more amenable to large-scale production and provide a more pure form of the diastereomeric product. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (I): comprising allowing a compound of formula (II): to react in the presence of base to form the compound of formula (I), wherein: m and n are each independently 0, 1 or 2; R 1 is a leaving group selected from chloro, bromo, iodo, methoxy, arylsulfonyloxy and trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy; or R 1 is a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring selected from phenyl, thienyl, pyridyl, N-oxo-pyridyl, cyclopropyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyrazolyl, S,S-dioxothiazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, benzimidazolyl, benztriazolyl, oxodihydropyridyl, oxodihydropyridazinyl, oxodihydropyrimidinyl and oxodihydropyrazinyl; wherein each of the foregoing R 1 carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings may be optionally substituted by 1 to 4 groups; wherein substituents for ring carbon atoms of said carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings are independently selected from halogen, cyano, oxo, nitro, —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; and wherein substituents for ring nitrogen atoms of said heterocyclic rings, when present, are selected from —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; each R 2 and R 3 is independently selected from —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; wherein each of the —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl of said R 2 and R 3 is optionally independently substituted with one to three R 6 groups; R 4 is selected from —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; wherein the —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl of said R 4 is optionally substituted with one to three R 6 groups; R 5 is selected from —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl, and phenyl; and each R 6 is independently selected from halo, —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (I), wherein R 1 is bromo; and R 4 is —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (I), wherein m and n are each 0. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (I) according to any of the embodiments above, wherein R 4 is methyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (I) according to any of the embodiments above, wherein R 5 is phenyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (I) according to the broadest embodiment above, wherein R 1 is bromo; R 4 is —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl; R 5 is phenyl; and m and n are each 0. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (I) according to the embodiment immediately above, wherein R 4 is methyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (I) as described in the broadest embodiment above, wherein R 1 is oxodihydropyrid-4-yl; and wherein said nitrogen atom of said oxodihydropyrid-4-yl is substituted by methyl or cyclohexyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (I) as described in the embodiment immediately above, wherein R 1 is oxodihydropyrid-4-yl and wherein said nitrogen atom of said oxodihydropyrid-4-yl is substituted by methyl or cyclohexyl; R 4 is methyl; and m and n are each 0. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (I) according to any of the embodiments described above, wherein the base is selected from aqueous sodium hydroxide, aqueous potassium hydroxide and a mixture thereof. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (I) according to any of the embodiments described above, further comprising an aprotic organic solvent that is miscible with water. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (I) according to the embodiment described immediately above, wherein the aprotic organic solvent is N-methylpyrrolidone. The invention also relates to methods of making the compound of formula (II): comprising allowing a compound of formula (IV), to react with a compound of formula (V): R 5 —O—C(O)—R 7   V to provide the compound of formula (II), wherein m and n are each independently 0, 1 or 2; R 1 is a leaving group selected from chloro, bromo, iodo, methoxy, arylsulfonyloxy and trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy; or R 1 is a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring selected from phenyl, thienyl, pyridyl, N-oxo-pyridyl, cyclopropyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyrazolyl, S,S-dioxothiazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, benzimidazolyl, benztriazolyl, oxodihydropyridyl, oxodihydropyridazinyl, oxodihydropyrimidinyl and oxodihydropyrazinyl; wherein each of the foregoing R 1 carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings may be optionally substituted by 1 to 4 groups; wherein substituents for ring carbon atoms of said carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings are independently selected from halogen, cyano, oxo, nitro, —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; and wherein substituents for ring nitrogen atoms of said heterocyclic rings, when present, are selected from —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; each R 2 and R 3 is independently selected from —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; wherein each of the —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl of said R 2 and R 3 is optionally independently substituted with one to three R 6 groups; R 4 is selected from —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; wherein the —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl of said R 4 is optionally substituted with one to three R 6 groups; R 5 is selected from —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl, and phenyl; each R 6 is independently selected from halo, —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; and R 7 is selected from chloro, iodo, and bromo. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (II), wherein R 1 is bromo; and R 4 is —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (II), wherein m and n are each 0. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (II), according to any of the embodiments above, wherein R 4 is methyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (II), according to any of the embodiments above wherein R 5 is phenyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (II) according to any of the embodiments, above wherein R 7 is chloro. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (II) according to the broadest embodiment above, wherein R 1 is bromo; R 4 is —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl; R 5 is phenyl; R 7 is chloro; and m and n are each 0. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (II) according to the embodiment immediately above, wherein R 4 is methyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (II) as described in the broadest embodiment above, wherein R 1 is oxodihydropyrid-4-yl; and wherein said nitrogen atom of said oxodihydropyrid-4-yl is substituted by methyl or cyclohexyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (II) as described in the embodiment immediately above, wherein R 1 is oxodihydropyrid-4-yl and wherein said nitrogen atom of said oxodihydropyrid-4-yl is substituted by methyl or cyclohexyl; R 4 is methyl; and m and n are each 0. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (II) according to the two embodiments immediately above, wherein R 5 is phenyl and R 7 is chloro. The invention also relates to methods of making the compound of formula (IV): In one embodiment (“the first method of making the compound of formula (IV)”), the method comprises allowing a compound of formula (III) to react with 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane ([CH 3 ) 2 SiH] 2 O) in the presence of a transition metal catalyst to provide the compound of formula (IV), wherein m and n are each independently 0, 1 or 2; R 1 is a leaving group selected from chloro, bromo, iodo, methoxy, arylsulfonyloxy and trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy; or R 1 is a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring selected from phenyl, thienyl, pyridyl, N-oxo-pyridyl, cyclopropyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyrazolyl, S,S-dioxothiazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, benzimidazolyl, benztriazolyl, oxodihydropyridyl, oxodihydropyridazinyl, oxodihydropyrimidinyl and oxodihydropyrazinyl; wherein each of the foregoing R 1 carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings may be optionally substituted by 1 to 4 groups; wherein substituents for ring carbon atoms of said carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings are independently selected from halogen, cyano, oxo, nitro, —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; and wherein substituents for ring nitrogen atoms of said heterocyclic rings, when present, are selected from —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; each R 2 and R 3 is independently selected from —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; wherein each of the —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl of said R 2 and R 3 is optionally independently substituted with one to three R 6 groups; R 4 is selected from —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; wherein the —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl of said R 4 is optionally substituted with one to three R 6 groups; and each R 6 is independently selected from halo, —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to the first method of making the compound of formula (IV), wherein R 1 is bromo; and R 4 is —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to the first method of making the compound of formula (IV), wherein m and n are each 0. In another embodiment, the invention relates to the first method of making the compound of formula (IV) according to any of the embodiments above, wherein R 4 is methyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to the first method of making the compound of formula (IV) according to the broadest embodiment above, wherein R 1 is bromo; R 4 is —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl; and m and n are each 0. In another embodiment, the invention relates to the first method of making the compound of formula (IV) according to the embodiment immediately above, wherein R 4 is methyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to the first method of making the compound of formula (IV) as described in the broadest embodiment above, wherein R 1 is oxodihydropyrid-4-yl; and wherein said nitrogen atom of said oxodihydropyrid-4-yl is substituted by methyl or cyclohexyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to the first method of making the compound of formula (IV) as described in the embodiment immediately above, wherein R 1 is oxodihydropyrid-4-yl and wherein said nitrogen atom of said oxodihydropyrid-4-yl is substituted by methyl or cyclohexyl; R 4 is methyl; and m and n are each 0. In another embodiment, the invention relates to the first method of making the compound of formula (II) according to any of the embodiments described above, wherein the transition metal catalyst is Ru 3 (CO) 10 . In another embodiment (“the second method for making the compound of formula (IV)”), a method of making the compound of formula (IV) comprises allowing a compound formula (VIII): to react with the compound of formula (IX) in the presence of a reducing agent to provide the compound of formula (III), wherein m and n are each independently 0, 1 or 2; R 1 is a leaving group selected from chloro, bromo, iodo, methoxy, arylsulfonyloxy and trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy; or R 1 is a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring selected from phenyl, thienyl, pyridyl, N-oxo-pyridyl, cyclopropyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyrazolyl, S,S-dioxothiazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, benzimidazolyl, benztriazolyl, oxodihydropyridyl, oxodihydropyridazinyl, oxodihydropyrimidinyl and oxodihydropyrazinyl; wherein each of the foregoing R 1 carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings may be optionally substituted by 1 to 4 groups; wherein substituents for ring carbon atoms of said carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings are independently selected from halogen, cyano, oxo, nitro, —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; and wherein substituents for ring nitrogen atoms of said heterocyclic rings, when present, are selected from —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; each R 2 and R 3 is independently selected from —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; wherein each of the —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl of said R 2 and R 3 is optionally independently substituted with one to three R 6 groups; R 4 is selected from —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; wherein the —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl of said R 4 is optionally substituted with one to three R 6 groups; and each R 6 is independently selected from halo, —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to the second process for making the compound of formula (IV), wherein R 1 is bromo; and R 4 is —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl; In another embodiment, the invention relates to the second process for making the compound of formula (IV) according to any of the embodiments above, wherein m and n are each 0. In another embodiment, the invention relates to the second process for making the compound of formula (IV) according to any of the embodiments above, wherein R 4 is methyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to the second process for making the compound of formula (IV) according to the broadest embodiment above, wherein R 1 is bromo; R 4 is —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl; and m and n are each 0. In another embodiment, the invention relates to the second process for making the compound of formula (IV) according to the embodiment immediately above, wherein R 4 is methyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to the second method of making the compound of formula (IV) as described in the broadest embodiment above, wherein R 1 is oxodihydropyrid-4-yl; and wherein said nitrogen atom of said oxodihydropyrid-4-yl is substituted by methyl or cyclohexyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to the second method of making the compound of formula (IV) as described in the embodiment immediately above, wherein R 1 is oxodihydropyrid-4-yl and wherein said nitrogen atom of said oxodihydropyrid-4-yl is substituted by methyl or cyclohexyl; R 4 is methyl; and m and n are each 0. In another embodiment, the invention relates to the second process for making the compound of formula (IV) according to any of the embodiments above, wherein the reducing agent is sodium borohydride. The invention still further relates to methods of making the compound of formula (III). In one embodiment, a method of making the compound of formula (III) comprises allowing a compound formula (VI): to react with a compound of formula (VII) in the presence of a catalyst to provide the compound of formula (III), wherein m and n are each independently 0, 1 or 2; R 1 is a leaving group selected from chloro, bromo, iodo, methoxy, arylsulfonyloxy and trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy; or R 1 is a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring selected from phenyl, thienyl, pyridyl, N-oxo-pyridyl, cyclopropyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyrazolyl, S,S-dioxothiazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, benzimidazolyl, benztriazolyl, oxodihydropyridyl, oxodihydropyridazinyl, oxodihydropyrimidinyl and oxodihydropyrazinyl; wherein each of the foregoing R 1 carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings may be optionally substituted by 1 to 4 groups; wherein substituents for ring carbon atoms of said carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings are independently selected from halogen, cyano, oxo, nitro, —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; and wherein substituents for ring nitrogen atoms of said heterocyclic rings, when present, are selected from —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; each R 2 and R 3 is independently selected from —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; wherein each of the —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl of said R 2 and R 3 is optionally independently substituted with one to three R 6 groups; R 4 is selected from —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; wherein the —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl of said R 4 is optionally substituted with one to three R 6 groups; and each R 6 is independently selected from halo, —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (III) according to the broadest embodiment above, wherein R 1 is bromo; and R 4 is —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl; In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (III) according to any of the embodiments above, wherein m and n are each 0. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (III) according to any of the embodiments above, wherein R 4 is methyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (III) according to the broadest embodiment above, wherein R 1 is bromo; R 4 is —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl; and m and n are each 0. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (III) according to the embodiment immediately above, wherein R 4 is methyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (III) as described in the embodiment immediately above, wherein R 1 is oxodihydropyrid-4-yl and wherein said nitrogen atom of said oxodihydropyrid-4-yl is substituted by methyl or cyclohexyl; R 4 is methyl; and m and n are each 0. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (III) according to any of the embodiments above, wherein the reducing agent is sodium borohydride. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (III) according to any of the embodiments above, wherein the catalyst is NiCl 2 dppe/Et 2 Zn. In a further embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (VIII) comprising allowing a compound of formula (XII) to react with ozone to provide the compound of formula (VIII), wherein m is 0, 1 or 2; each R 3 is independently selected from —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; wherein each of the —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl of said R 3 is optionally independently substituted with one to three R 6 groups; and each R 6 is independently selected from halo, —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for making the compound of formula (VIII), wherein m is 0. In still a further embodiment, the invention relates to a method of making the compound of formula (XII): comprising allowing a compound of formula (VII) to react with 2-(2-propen-1-yl)-1,3,2-dioxaborinane in the presence of (R)-3,3′-dihalo-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diol to provide the compound of formula (XII), wherein m is 0, 1 or 2; each R 3 is independently selected from —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; wherein each of the —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl of said R 3 is optionally independently substituted with one to three R 6 groups; and each R 6 is independently selected from halo, —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for making the compound of formula (XII) according to any of the embodiments above, wherein m is 0. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for making the compound of formula (XII) according to any of the embodiments above, wherein the (R)-3,3′-dihalo-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diol is selected from (R)-3,3′-difluoro-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diol, (R)-3,3′-dibromo-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diol and (R)-3,3′-dichloro-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diol. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for making the compound of formula (XII) according to any of the embodiments above, wherein the (R)-3,3′-dihalo-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diol is (R)-3,3′-dibromo-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diol. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for making the compound of formula (XII) according to any of the embodiments above, wherein the (R)-3,3′-dihalo-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diol is (R)-3,3′-difluoro-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diol. In yet another embodiment, the invention relates to a compound of formula (II): wherein: m and n are each independently 0, 1 or 2; R 1 is selected from chloro, bromo, iodo, methoxy, arylsulfonyloxy and trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy; each R 2 and R 3 is independently selected from —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; wherein each of the —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl of said R 2 and R 3 is optionally independently substituted with one to three R 6 groups; R 4 is selected from —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; wherein the —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl of said R 4 is optionally substituted with one to three R 6 groups; R 5 is selected from —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl, and phenyl; each R 6 is independently selected from halo, —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a compound of formula (II), wherein R 1 is bromo; R 4 is —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl; R 5 is phenyl; and m and n are each 0. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a compound of formula (II) as described in any of the embodiments above, wherein R 1 is bromo; R 4 is methyl, R 5 is phenyl; and m and n are each 0. In yet another embodiment, the invention relates to a compound of formula (III): wherein m and n are each independently 0, 1 or 2; R 1 is selected from chloro, bromo, iodo, methoxy, arylsulfonyloxy and trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy; each R 2 and R 3 is independently selected from —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; wherein each of the —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl of said R 2 and R 3 is optionally independently substituted with one to three R 6 groups; R 4 is selected from —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; wherein the —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl of said R 4 is optionally substituted with one to three R 6 groups; and each R 6 is independently selected from halo, —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a compound of formula (III), wherein R 1 is bromo; R 4 is —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl; and m and n are each 0. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a compound of formula (III) as described in any of the embodiments above, wherein R 1 is bromo; R 4 is methyl; and m and n are each 0. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a compound of formula (IV): wherein: m and n are each independently 0, 1 or 2; R 1 is selected from chloro, bromo, iodo, methoxy, arylsulfonyloxy and trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy; each R 2 and R 3 is independently selected from —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; wherein each of the —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl of said R 2 and R 3 is optionally independently substituted with one to three R 6 groups; R 4 is selected from —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl; wherein the —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl of said R 4 is optionally substituted with one to three R 6 groups; and each R 6 is independently selected from halo, —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, and —(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a compound of formula (IV), wherein R 1 is bromo; R 4 is —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl; and m and n are each 0. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a compound of formula (IV) as described in any of the embodiments above, wherein R 1 is bromo; R 4 is methyl; and m and n are each 0. In another embodiment, the invention relates to (R)-2,2′-bis(methoxymethoxy)-1,1′-binaphthyl. Further aspects of the invention are described below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Abbreviations: (R)-DBBINOL=(R)-3,3′-dibromo-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diol n-BuLi=n-butyl lithium t-BuOH=t-butanol DIBAL-H=diisobutylaluminum hydride DME=1,2-dimethoxyethane DMF=dimethylformamide EtOAc=ethyl acetate i-Pr 2 NH=diisopropylamine LDA=lithium diisopropylamide MeOH=methanol MOMCl=chloro(methoxy)methane MTBE=methyl tert-butyl ether NFSI=N-fluoro-N-(phenylsulfonyl)benzenesulfonamide NMP=N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone THF=tetrahydrofuran TMSCl=trimethylchlorosilane The term “(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl” refers to branched and unbranched alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Examples of —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyls include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentane, iso-pentyl, neopentyl, n-hexane, iso-hexanes (e.g., 2-methylpentyl, 3-methylpentyl, 2,3-dimethylbutyl, and 2,2-dimethylbutyl). It will be understood that any chemically feasible carbon atom of the (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl group can be the point of attachment to another group or moiety. The term “(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl” refers to a nonaromatic 3- to 6-membered monocyclic carbocyclic radical. Examples of “(C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyls include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl. The term “halo” or “halogen” refers to fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo. As noted above, the subject invention relates to compounds of formulae (II), (III), and (IV). The subject invention also relates to methods of making the compounds of formulae (I), (II), (III), (IV), (VIII) and (XII). These compounds are useful as intermediates for making 1,3-disubstited oxazinan-2-one 11-β-HSD1 inhibitors. Thus, it is desirable to have improved methods for making these intermediates. Scheme 1 below depicts an exemplary method for making the compounds of formulae (I), (II), and (IV) according the processes of the invention. As depicted in Scheme 1, the compound of formula (I) can be prepared by allowing the compound of formula (II) to cyclize in the presence of base to provide the compound of formula (I). The cyclization can be carried out under aqueous or nonaqueous conditions. Nonlimiting examples of bases useful for carrying out the cyclization include aqueous bases comprising LiOH, NaOH, KOH, and CsOH. Nonlimiting examples of bases useful for carrying out the cyclization under non-aqueous conditions include KO-t-Bu, KO-t-pentyl, NaOMe, NaOEt, KOMe, KOEt, LiN(SiMe 3 ) 2 , NaN(SiMe 3 ) 2 , KN(SiMe 3 ) 2 , and NaH. The cyclization may be carried out at a temperature of from about 2° C. to about 100° C.; typically about 25° C. As depicted in Scheme 1, the compound of formula (II) can be prepared by allowing the compound of formula (III) to react with a reducing agent, e.g., 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane, in the presence of a transition metal catalyst, e.g., Ru 3 (CO) 10 , to provide a compound of formula (IV). The compound of formula (IV) is then allowed to react with the compound of formula (V) to provide the compound of formula (II). Typically, the compound of formula (IV) is not isolated prior to carrying out the reaction with the compound of formula (V). Alternatively, the compound of formula (II) can be prepared by methods described in WO2010089303 which provide a mixture of diastereomers of the compound of formula (II). The compound of formula (II) can then be isolated from the mixture of diastereomers using known methods, e.g., recrystallization and/or chromatography (e.g., chiral chromatography). The compounds of formula (I) where R 1 is a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring as defined above are useful as 11-β-HSD1 inhibitors. Alternatively, compounds of formula (I) where R 1 is a leaving group as defined above are useful intermediates for making 11-β-HSD1 inhibitors. For example, the compound of formula (I) where R 1 is a leaving group can be reacted with a Grignard reagent of formula RMgBr (where R is a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring as defined for R 1 above) to provide a 11-β-HSD1 inhibitor of formula (I) useful as an 11-β-HSD1 inhibitor (see, e.g., WO/2009/134400 and WO/2010/010150). Schemes 2 and 3 below depict exemplary methods for making the compound of formula (III) according to the first process and second process of the invention. Scheme 2 below depicts an exemplary first process for making the compound of formula (III) according to the invention. As shown in Scheme 2, the compound of formula (IX) is allowed to react with bromoacetyl bromide in the presence of base to provide the compound of formula (VI). The compound of formula (VI) is then allowed to react with the compound of formula (VII) in the presence of a catalyst (e.g., NiCl 2 dppe/Et 2 Zn) at reduced temperature (e.g., about −4° C.) to provide the compound of formula (III). Compounds of formula (IX) are commercially available or can be made by known methods. Preferably the compound of formula (IX) is enantiomerically pure, i.e., the enantiomer depicted in Scheme 2 is present in at least about 90%, more preferably 95%; most preferably at least about 99%, based on the total amount of both enantiomers of the compound of formula (IX). The compound of formula (III) can also be prepared using methods analogous to those described in, e.g., Devant, R. et al., Chemische Berichte 119: 2191-207 (1986). The compound of formula (VII) can also be made by known methods (see Odenkirk et al, Tetrahedron Lett. 1992, 33, 5729; Le Roux et al. Synlett 1998, 11, 1249; Chancharunee et al. Tetrahedron Lett. 2003, 44, 5683) or by the method depicted below in Scheme 2a using the procedure of Schneider et al, Chem. Eur. J. 2005, 11, 3010-3021. As depicted in Scheme 2a, a compound of formula (X) is allowed to react with acetone and n-BuLi in the presence of an amine (e.g., diisopropylamine) at reduced temperature. The compound of formula (XI) may also be prepared under milder conditions (e.g., 0° C.) using the procedure of Mukaiyama et al, Organic Syntheses, 1987, 65, 6. Scheme 3 below depicts an exemplary method for making the compound of formula (III) according to the second process of the invention. As depicted in Scheme 3, the compound of formula (VII) is allowed to react with 2-(2-propen-1-yl)-1,3,2-dioxaborinane in the presence of a biaryl catalyst such as (R)-3,3′-dibromo-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diol ((R)-DBBINOL), (R)-3,3′-dichloro-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diol or (R)-3,3′-difluoro-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diol and 2 equivalents of tertiary alcohol such as t-BuOH and t-amyl alcohol to provide the compound of formula (XII). The compound of formula (XII) is then subject to ozonolysis to provide the compound of formula (VIII) which is further allowed to undergo reductive amination with the compound of formula (IX) in the presence of reducing agent (e.g., NaBH 4 ) in alcoholic solvent to provide the compound of formula (III). 2-(2-propen-1-yl)-1,3,2-dioxaborinane can be prepared by the method described below in the Examples section or literature methods (see e.g., D. S. Barnett et al., Angewandte Chemie, International Edition, 48: 8679-8682 (2009) and H. C. Brown et al., Journal of Organic Chemistry, 55: 1868-74 (1990)). (R)-3,3′-dibromo-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diol ((R)-DBBINOL) and (R)-3,3′-dichloro-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diol can be prepared by known methods (see, e.g., Ooi et al., J. Am Chem. Soc. 125(17): 5139-5151 (2003) and Egami et al., J. Am Chem. Soc. 131(17): 6082-6083 ((2009)). (R)-3,3′-difluoro-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diol can be prepared by the method described below in the Examples section. Preferably the compound of formula (IX) used in Schemes 2 and 3 is enantiomerically pure, i.e., the enantiomer depicted in Schemes 2 and 3 is present in at least about 90%, more preferably 95%; most preferably at least about 99%, based on the total amount of both enantiomers of the compound of formula (IX). Applicants found that when using an enantiomerically pure form of (IX) as reagent, that chiral center of the diastereomeric products is fixed at the start of the reaction. The other chiral center of the diastereomeric compounds is determined by the process conditions described above and in the Examples. Thus, products formed by this process substantially comprise only two diastereomers. This allows for easier purification of product and improved overall yield. EXAMPLES General Procedures The purity of the compounds described in the Examples section is determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Reverse phase HPLC is used to determine the amount of each diastereomer present and the ratio of these amounts is used to determine the chiral purity of the diastereomeric product. 1 NMR spectra are recorded on a 400 MHz Bruker spectrometer using d-6 DMSO as the sample solvent. Example 1 Preparation of (S)-3-((S)-1-(4-bromophenyl)ethyl)-6-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)-6-phenyl-1,3-oxazinan-2-one (6) Step 1. Preparation of (S)-2-bromo-N-(1-(4-bromophenyl)ethyl)acetamide (1) A solution of (S)-(4-bromophenyl)ethylamine (100.0 g, 0.50 mol; >99% chiral purity) and toluene (500 mL) is treated with a solution of NaOH (30.0 g, 0.75 mol) in water (500 mL). The resultant mixture is cooled to about 5° C. and treated with bromoacetyl bromide (52.2 mL, 0.60 mol). The reaction mixture is allowed to warm to about 25° C. over 1 hour. The solid is filtered and washed with water and heptane. The solid is then dried under vacuum at about 55° C. for 18 hours to provide 1 as a white solid. Yield: 156.4 g, 95.6%. Step 2. Preparation of 3-methyl-1-phenyl-3-(trimethylsilyloxy)butan-1-one (2) A flask is charged with THF (1 L), cooled to −50° C., and treated with lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) (1.05 L, 1.89 mol, 1.1 equiv, 1.8M in THF/heptane/ethylbenzene). The reactor contents are then treated with acetophenone (200 mL, 1.71 mol, 1.0 equiv) at a rate to maintain the batch at about −50° C. The reaction mixture is stirred at about −50° C. for 30 minutes then treated with acetone (151 mL, 2.06 mol, 1.2 equiv) at a rate to maintain the mixture at about −50° C. The reaction mixture is stirred at about −50° C. for 1 hour then treated with water (1 L) and heptane (500 mL). The reaction mixture is allowed to warm to 25° C., and the resultant organic phase is collected and washed with water (400 mL). The organic phase is concentrated to an oil and treated with a solution of imidazole (233.4 g, 3.43 mol, 2.0 equiv) and DMF (600 mL). The resultant solution is treated with chlorotrimethylsilane (217.6 mL, 1.71 mol, 1.0 equiv) at a rate to maintain the reaction mixture at no more than 35° C. The reaction mixture is stirred at 25° C. for 1 hour, and diluted with heptane (600 mL) and water (1 L). The resultant organic phase is collected, washed with water (3×500 mL), and concentrated. The resultant oil is then vacuum distilled at 1-3 mm Hg (product distills at 83-88° C.) to provide 2 as a yellow liquid. Yield: 160.3 g, 37%. Step 3. Preparation of (R)—N—((S)-1-(4-bromophenyl)ethyl)-3,5-dihydroxy-5-methyl-3-phenylhexanamide (3) A flask is charged with 1 (120.0 g, 0.366 mol), 2 (120.0 g, 0.479 mol) and NiCl 2 (dppe) (1.93 g, 3.66 mmol). The flask is purged with nitrogen and charged with DME (240 mL). The resultant slurry is cooled to about −20° C. and treated with diethylzinc (30 wt. % solution in toluene, 477 mL, 1.097 mol) at a rate to keep the temperature of the reaction mixture between −15 to −5° C. The reaction mixture is then stirred at −5 to 0° C. for 2 hours, treated with 6N aqueous HCl (600 mL), and stirred for 15 minutes. The reaction mixture is treated with isopropyl acetate (120 mL), stirred at 25° C. for 30 minutes, cooled to 10° C., and held at 10° C. for 30 minutes. The resultant solids are collected by filtration, and washed with water, toluene, and heptane. The solid is then dried at 70° C. for 18 hours to provide 3 as a white solid. Yield: 98.3 g, 62.1%; 97.1 wt. % purity. Diastereomeric ratio: 98.9:1.1. Melting point: 150-152° C. LC-MS: 419.8/421.8 (100%, 95%); calculated exact mass: 419.1. Step 4. Preparation of (S)-6-((S)-1-(4-bromophenyl)ethylamino)-2-methyl-4-phenylhexane-2,4-diol (4) A flask is charged with 3 (15.0 g, 96.5 wt. %, 34.4 mmol) and Ru 3 (CO) 12 (220 mg, 0.344 mmol). The flask is purged with nitrogen and charged with toluene (45 mL) and DME (15 mL). The reaction mixture is then treated with 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane (24.3 mL, 137.7 mmol). The reaction mixture is stirred at 25° C. for 24-36 hours, treated with 1.5N aqueous HCl (30 mL), and stirred for 2 hours. The reaction mixture is then treated with 2N aqueous NaOH (30 mL) and stirred for 30 minutes to provide 4. LC-MS: 403.8/405.8 (85%, 100%); calculated exact mass: 405.1. The reaction mixture was used in Step 5 below without further treatment. Step 5. Preparation of phenyl (S)-1-(4-bromophenyl)ethyl((S)-3,5-dihydroxy-5-methyl-3-phenylhexyl)carbamate (5) Preparation 1: Compound 5 was first prepared by cooling a reaction mixture prepared according to Step 4 above to about 10° C. and treating it drop-wise with phenyl chloroformate (1.25 molar equivalents based on the molar amount of compound 3 used in Step 4). The reaction mixture is stirred at 20-25° C. for 2-18 hours, extracted with EtOAc, and the organic extract washed with 3N aqueous HCl. The combined organic phases are distilled to remove EtOAc and DME. The resultant solution is treated with heptane (30 mL), cooled to about 5° C., and held at about 5° C. for 3 hours. The resultant solids are collected by filtration, washed with heptane, and dried under vacuum at 25° C. for 18 hours to provide 5 as an off-white solid. Preparation 2: Using a procedure similar to that described in Preparation 1 above, the reaction mixture from Step 4 above is cooled to about 10° C. and treated drop-wise with phenyl chloroformate (5.2 mL, 41.3 mmol). The reaction mixture is stirred at 20-25° C. for 2-18 hours, extracted with EtOAc, and the organic extract washed with 3N aqueous HCl. The combined organic phases are distilled to remove EtOAc and DME. The resultant solution is treated with heptane (30 mL), cooled to about 5° C., seeded with 5 (obtained from Preparation 1 immediately above), and held at about 5° C. for 3 hours. The resultant solids are collected by filtration, washed with heptane, and dried under vacuum at 25° C. for 18 hours to provide 5 as an off-white solid. Yield: 14.61 g, 78.3%; 97.2% purity by weight. Melting point: 129-131° C. LC-MS: 507.6/509.6 (95%, 100%); [M−H2O]+; calculated exact mass for M−H2O: 507.1. Step 6. Synthesis of (S)-3-((S)-1-(4-bromophenyl)ethyl)-6-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)-6-phenyl-1,3-oxazinan-2-one (6) A flask is charged with phenyl (S)-1-(4-bromophenyl)ethyl((S)-3,5-dihydroxy-5-methyl-3-phenylhexyl)carbamate (25.0 g, 47.5 mmol) and NMP (125 mL). The resultant solution is treated with 50 wt. % aqueous KOH (12.5 mL), stirred at 25° C. for 1 hour, and treated with water (250 mL). The resultant slurry is stirred at 25° C. for 1 hour, and the solids collected by filtration. The solids are then washed with water and heptane, and dried under vacuum at 50° C. for 18 hours to provide 6 as a white solid. Yield: 19.7 g, 95.1%; 99.1%. purity by weight. Example 2 Example 2 describes an alternative preparation of (S)-6-((S)-1-(4-bromophenyl)ethylamino)-2-methyl-4-phenylhexane-2,4-diol (4) described in Step 4 of Example 1 above. Step 1. Synthesis of 2-allyl-1,3,2-dioxaborinane (7) A reactor is purged with N 2 and charged with 2M allylmagnesium chloride in THF (850 mL, 1.7 mol), anhydrous THF (755.7 g, 850 mL, 10.48 mol) and methyl-t-butyl ether (629.0 g, 850 mL, 7.1 mol), cooled to −65° C., and treated with trimethylboronate (176.7 g, 1.7 mol) while maintaining a temperature of less than −60° C. The resultant milky solution is maintained at −55 to −60° C. for 30 minutes and slowly warmed to 0° C. over 30 minutes. The mixture is then treated with acetyl chloride (120.1 g, 1.53 mol) while maintaining a temperature of less than 5° C. The mixture is allowed to slowly warm to about 20° C. over 30 minutes and treated with 1,3-propanediol (116.4 g, 1.53 mol). The reaction mixture is maintained at about 20° C. for 6 hours, concentrated to about ⅓ of its original volume under reduced pressure at a temperature of less than about 29° C., and treated with MTBE (580 mL) and heptane (720 ml). The resultant mixture is again reduced to about ⅓ of its original volume under reduced pressure, filtered through Celite, and the Celite plug rinsed with MTBE (3.5 L). The combined filtrates are then concentrated under reduced pressure at 29° C. to provide 7 as a colorless oil. Yield: 193 g; 75% based on 1,3-propanediol. The product was further purified by vacuum distillation prior to use in Step 2. Step 2. Synthesis of (S)-6-methyl-4-phenyl-6-(trimethylsilyloxy)hept-1-en-4-ol (8) A flask is charged with 2 (4.1 g; 16.5 mmol) (see Step 2 of Example 1 above), 17 mol % of (R)-DBBINOL (1.3 g; 2.9 mmol), and 2.4 eq. of t-BuOH (2.9 g; 39.1 mmol) under nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture is then treated with 7 (3.7 g; 29.4 mmol) from Step 1 above at 23° C. and stirred for about 24 hours. The mixture is treated with water (50 mL), hexanes (50 mL), 3M HCl (1 mL), and stirred for 1 hour. The resultant organic layer is collected and washed with water (20 mL), 1M NaOH (2×10 mL), and water (2×10 mL). The organic layer is then concentrated to provide 8 as light yellow oil. Yield: 4.8 g, 16.99 mmol, 99% (>99% ee). Step 3. Synthesis of Synthesis of (R)-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-3-phenyl-5-(trimethylsilyloxy)hexanal (9) Ozone is bubbled through a solution of 8 (0.5 g) in 10% MeOH/CH 2 Cl 2 (20 mL) at −70 to −78° C. until a blue color persists. O 2 is then bubbled through the solution for 10 min followed by N 2 bubbling for 5 min. The solution is then treated with triphenylphosphine (Ph 3 P) and warmed to 22° C. The mixture is concentrated, purified on silica gel (Combiflash; eluent: 5% EtOAc in hexane), and concentrated to provide 9 as clear colorless oil. Yield: 0.35 g, 1.18 mmol; 93%. Step 4. Synthesis of (S)-6-((S)-1-(4-bromophenyl)ethylamino)-2-methyl-4-phenylhexane-2,4-diol (4) A solution of 9 (20 mg; 0.068 mmol) in CH 3 OH (1.0 mL) at 23° C. is treated with (S)-(4-bromophenyl)ethylamine (15 mg; 0.075 mmol; >99% chiral purity). The reaction mixture is then treated with solid NaBH 4 (3.85 mg; 0.1 mmol), stirred overnight, and treated with 1M HCl (2 mL), and basified with 1 M NaOH (10 mL). The mixture is extracted with EtOAc (10 mL), and the organic extracts washed with saturated aqueous NaCl (10 mL). The washed extracts are then concentrated to provide 4 as an oil. Yield: 26 mg, 0.063 mmol, 95%. Example 3 Preparation of (R)-3,3′-difluoro-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diol (10) Step 1: Synthesis of (R)-2,2′-bis(methoxymethoxy)-1,1′-binaphthyl (11) A solution of (R)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diol (30 g, 0.10 mol) in THF (200 ml) is added to a stirred slurry of 60 wt % NaH (10.48 g, 0.26 mol) in THF (100 mL) at 0-10° C. The mixture is stirred for 1 hour and treated with chloro(methoxy)methane (MOMCl) (20.25 g, 0.25 mol) while maintaining the temperature below 10° C. The resultant mixture is stirred for 1 hour at 0-5° C. then treated with water (100 mL) to quench the reaction. The organic phase is collected and the aqueous phase extracted with EtOAc (2×250 mL). The combined organics layers are washed with water (200 mL) and concentrated. The resultant pale yellow solid is then slurried in 10:1 (vol/vol) hexane/EtOAc. The solids are collected by filtration and dried under reduced pressure top provide 11. Yield: 38.5 g, 98%. Step 2: Synthesis of (R)-3,3′-difluoro-2,2′-bis(methoxymethoxy)-1,1′-binaphthyl (12) A solution of n-BuLi (1.6M, 30.46 mL, 48.7 mL) in hexane is added to a stirred solution of 11 in Et 2 O (400 mL) at 23° C. After 3 hour the resultant slurry is cooled to 0° C., treated with THF (40 mL), mixed for 0.5 hour, and treated with a solution of N-fluoro-N-(phenylsulfonyl)benzenesulfonamide (NFSI) (15.5 g, 49.2 mmol) in THF (40 mL). After 10 minutes the reaction is quenched with water, and the organic layer is collected. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (2×100 mL), and the combined organic layer is washed with water (100 mL) and concentrated. The resultant residue is redissolved in a minimum volume of toluene, added to a silica gel column, eluted with hexane/EtOAc, and concentrated to provide 10 as a white solid to provide 12. Yield: 6.3 g, 77%. Step 3: Synthesis (R)-3,3′-difluoro-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diol (10) Amberlyst® 15 (Aldrich) 15 (6 g) is added to a stirred solution of 12 (5.6 g, 13.7 mmol) in 1:1 THF/MeOH (vol/vol) (60 mL). The resultant mixture is heated at reflux for 3 hours then allowed to cool to about 25° C. The mixture is then filtered through a Celite pad, and the filtrate is concentrated. The resultant residue is redissolved in a minimum volume of toluene, added to a silica gel column, eluted with hexane/EtOAc, and concentrated to provide 10 as a white solid. Yield: 4.3 g, 97%. 1 H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl 3 ): δ 7.79 (d, 2H, J=8.2 Hz), 7.65 (d, 2H, J=11.2 Hz), 7.36 (t, 2H, J=7.4 Hz), 7.22 (t, 2H, J=7.9 Hz), 7.10 (d, 2H, J=8.5 Hz), 5.96 (s, 2H). MS: 323 (M+H). Example 4 (S)-6-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)-3-((S)-1-(4-(1-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridin-4-yl)phenyl)ethyl)-6-phenyl-1,3-oxazinan-2-one (13) Step 1: Preparation of phenyl (S)-3,5-dihydroxy-5-methyl-3-phenylhexyl((S)-1-(4-(1-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridin-4-yl)phenyl)ethyl)carbamate (14) NaBII 4 (0.226 g, 5.97 mmol) is added in portions to a mixture of 9 (1.17 g, 3.98 mmol) and (S)-4-(4-(1-aminoethyl)phenyl)-1-methylpyridin-2(1H)-one (15) (1.00 g, 4.37 g) in MeOH (5 mL). The mixture is stirred at 25° C. for 15 h, then treated with K 2 CO 3 (1.65 g, 11.93 mmol) followed by phenyl chloroformate (0.93, 5.97 mmol). The resultant suspension is then stirred at 25° C. for 1 hour, treated with water (15 mL) over 30 min, and stirred at 25° C. for 2 hours. The solids are collected by filtration, rinsed with MeOH/water (⅓, 20 mL), and dried to provide 14 as off-white solid. Yield: 1.76 g, 79.8%. 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 , 500 MHz): δ 7.77 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.66 (m, 2H), 7.46-7.00 (m, 12H), 6.67 (d, J=2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.56 (dd, J=7.0, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 5.82 (s, 1H), 5.28 (br s, 1H), 5.11 (s, 1H), 3.45 (s, 3H), 3.35 (m, 1H), 2.59 (m, 1H), 2.14-1.81 (m, 4H), 1.55-1.29 (m, 3H), 1.01 (s, 3H), 0.61 (s, 3H); 13 C NMR (DMSO-d 6 , 400 MHz): δ 161.97, 154.08, 151.20, 150.09, 147.53, 142.31, 139.85, 135.59, 129.18, 127.59, 127.40, 126.66, 125.87, 125.35, 125.07, 121.77, 114.79, 103.75, 75.53, 71.48, 53.82, 51.19, 44.90, 36.36, 32.80, 29.22, 21.58, 17.00; LC-MS (ES): m/z 555 (M+H), 479 (100). Step 2. Preparation of (S)-6-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)-3-((S)-1-(4-(1-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridin-4-yl)phenyl)ethyl)-6-phenyl-1,3-oxazinan-2-one (13) A solution of 25% KOH in MeOH (1.21 g, 5.41 mmol) is added to a solution of 14 (1.00 g, 1.80 mmol) in 1-methylpyrrolidin-2-one (NMP, 4 mL). The resultant mixture is stirred at about 25° C. for 15 h, treated with water (15 mL), and stirred at 25° C. for 0.5 h. The resultant solids are collected via filtration, rinsed with MeOH/water (⅓, 20 mL), and dried to provide 13 as white solid. Yield: 0.68 g, 81.4%. Purity: 99.6 area % at 220 nm. 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 , 500 MHz): δ 7.74 (d, J=7.1 Hz, 1H), 7.43 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 2H), 7.34 (m, 5H), 6.95 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 2H), 6.56 (s, 1H), 6.47 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 5.43 (m, 1H), 4.26 (s, 1H), 3.43 (s, 3H, 3.33 (s, 2H), 3.02 (m, 1H), 2.43 (m, 1H), 2.14 (m, 1H), 2.02 (s, 2H), 1.46 (d, J=6.8 Hz, 3H), 1.18 (s, 3H), 0.87 (s, 3H); 13 C NMR (DMSO-d 6 , 400 MHz): δ 161.93, 152.44, 150.05, 143.37, 141.24, 139.85, 135.32, 128.33, 127.22, 127.10, 126.26, 124.90, 114.68, 103.70, 83.04, 69.30, 54.01, 52.62, 36.35, 36.22, 31.51, 30.81, 29.91, 15.46.

Disclosed is a process for making diastereomeric compound of the formula (I): wherein m, n and R 1 to R 4 are as defined herein. The process of the invention provides the compound of formula (I) in high yield and substantially free of the corresponding diastereomers. The compounds of formula (I) prepared by the process of the invention are useful for making pharmaceutically active compounds such as 11-β-hydroxysteroid hydrogenase type 1 (11-β-HSD1) inhibitors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a method for creating a network from technical devices, such as digital electronic consumer devices and/or computers. More particularly this invention relates to technology to transmit high quality video and audio over power-line networks and a fast retransmission method to improve target packet hit rate (TPHR), where [0000] TPHR = Number   of   receiving   packet   at   destination   node Number   of   original   packet   at   source   node [0000] for both unicast and multicast services. [0002] Power line communication networks have proven to be a cost-effective solution for the construction of in-building network to deliver broadband audio, video, and data services. One advantage is the low installation cost saving resulting from the usage of the existing low-voltage cable and AC outlets. The development of power line communication standards such as HomePlug AV and Open PLC European Research Alliance (OPERA) have boosted the achievable data rate up to 200 Mbps or more in the physical layer. One drawback is that the indoor power-line channel is a frequency selective fading channel with time-varying characteristics susceptible to performance degrading interference. One such source of interference is the colored and impulsive noise generated by electrical appliances and external sources. Another source of interference is the multi-path response corresponding with the power cable layout and loading conditions. Such a harsh transmission environment could cause highly unpredictable interference and damage a series of consecutive packets. Packet loss rate has been found to be small if the running traffic is light loaded, and increases significantly once the sending rate exceeds a threshold value. Such a threshold may have great variation under different connection topology or in the environment with other power appliances interference existing. [0003] In retransmission mechanisms which take place directly between the source and destination node, such as ARQ (Auto Repeat reQuest), the receiver sends out acknowledge signal (NACK) when packet loss is found. In response, the source node is configured to transmit the requested data block. Most existing multicast protocols adopt a static retransmission scheme (unicast or multicast) to retransmit lost packets. Static unicast mode may result in great network load increase, while the multicast mode may cause accuracy variation among receivers. [0004] In recent years, some QoS enhancement technologies for reliable video transmission through PLC network have been proposed. Most focus on the forward error control (FEC) in application layer, and the deployment of multiple description coding (MDC). The transmission efficiency of these two approaches however are affected greatly when the sending rate is higher than the threshold value, especially under the condition when packet loss rate is increasing, as these two approaches both require adding redundant information with the service stream to improve the robustness when part of the information is lost. The introducing of redundant data will add the burden of traffic load, which will lead to more severe packet loss. Therefore, the supplement of the redundant data is only suitable in the scenario when the average packet loss rate is low and enough free bandwidth is available. As far as the data integrity is considered, the retransmission mechanism is necessary and it should be deployed in any system suffered with burst or constant packet loss. When the source sending rate exceeds the threshold value, the packet loss rate increases with the augment of sending rate, and the packet loss rate has great variation among different peers. Thus, it is desirable to have a method of addressing packet loss rate while avoiding the previously stated problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus and method for broadcasting data in a network of nodes is disclosed. The data may comprise video signals, audio signals, both audio and video signals, and forms of data, such as text, auxiliary data, or encoded information. According to an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides a method of communicating a packet comprising the steps of receiving the packet from a source, receiving a retransmission request for the packet from a node; and transmitting the packet to said node in response to said retransmission request. [0006] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the invention provides an apparatus comprising an interface for receiving a packet from a source, for receiving a retransmission request from a node, and for transmitting the packet to the node in response to the retransmission request and a memory for storing said packet. [0007] In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the invention provides a method of communicating a data packet via a network comprising the steps of transmitting a data packet when receiving a retransmission request for said data packet incrementing a sequence number in response to said retransmission request, and retransmitting said data packet in response to said sequence number reaching a first predetermined value. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a fast retransmission configuration in a unicast powerline network according to the present invention. [0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a process flow of a fast retransmission configuration to the present invention. [0010] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a fast retransmission configuration in a multicast powerline network according to the present invention. [0011] FIG. 4 illustrates and exemplary embodiment of a retransmission process according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0012] Other than the inventive concept, the elements shown in the figures are well known and will not be described in detail. The present invention addresses the problem of lost packets retransmission in the PLC network for both unicast and multicast services. Turning to FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of a fast retransmission configuration in a unicast powerline network ( 100 ) is shown. The network comprises a source ( 110 ) and four nodes ( 120 - 150 ) connected by a network transmission medium ( 160 ). In the present exemplary embodiment, the network transmission medium is a power line, similar to those found in residences, although, one skilled in the art would recognize that the principles of the present invention apply equally to other shared network transmission mediums, such as network cable, coaxial cable, wireless or optical network mediums. [0013] In order to improve the retransmission efficiency an internal node ( 120 ) is introduced to join the retransmission work, some internal nodes ( 130 - 150 ) near to the destination node ( 120 ) will give response when the NACK is captured. Comparing with the channel condition between the source ( 110 ) and destination node ( 120 ), the internal node ( 130 , 140 , 150 ) is likely to have better channel quality in the factor of shorter transmission distance and lower interference, consequently, the target packet hit rate will increase and the step of retransmission will reduce. [0014] The process for implementing the retransmission mechanism according to the present invention is composed of two steps. First, the source ( 110 ) determines the transmission sequence based on the topology and the service session allocation. For unicast service, assuming two or more internal nodes ( 130 , 140 , 150 ) aligned in the transmission path, the first node ( 130 ) and the second node ( 140 ) will be assigned directly. If there had been only one internal node existing (not shown) only 1 st node will be labeled. The second step comprises the algorithm for retransmission processing as show in FIG. 2 . [0015] Turning to FIG. 2 the algorithm for retransmission processing ( 200 ) is shown. In this exemplary embodiment, the request for the retransmission of one loss packet can be done at most three times. However, the number of requests is determined in response to design and operational requirements and can be set accordingly to any value. When the receiver sends out NACK signal, there is an index to tell the time sequence for the request, and then different internal node or source node will send out the buffered data if necessary. The source terminal ( 210 ) transmits ( 251 ) data block # 1 to the receive terminal ( 220 ). If the data block is corrupted for any reason, the receive terminal ( 220 ) sends out the first NACK ( 252 ) for data block # 1 . In response, the first node ( 230 ) will be assigned and will retransmit the data block # 1 to the receive block ( 253 ). If again the retransmission fails, the receive block ( 220 ) will send out a second NACK ( 254 ). In response, the second node ( 240 ) will be assigned and will retransmit the data block # 1 in response to the second NACK ( 254 ) for data block # 1 . If again the retransmission fails, the receive block ( 220 ) will send out a third NACK ( 256 ). In this exemplary embodiment with a limit of 3 NACKs, the source node ( 240 ) is in charge of the response for the NACK to retransmit the data block # 1 ( 257 ). Because in each time of retransmission, only one node (either internal or source) could send out the requested data block, there will be reduced interference during the time of retransmission. [0016] When implementing the MAC protocol of power line communication, both Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) and Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) allocation modes may be supported. The retransmission can be scheduled in the contention free time slot in the TDMA or non-conflict frequency in the FDMA, so that there will be no interference with other type of data transmission. [0017] Turning now to FIG. 3 , an exemplary embodiment of a fast retransmission configuration in a multicast powerline network ( 100 ) is shown. The proposed method according to the present invention is extended into multicast transmission by selecting one indication node in each branch ( 320 - 350 , 360 - 390 ), then fulfilling retransmission from one selected internal node ( 340 ), thus a balance of robust transmission and light network load can be achieved. For multicast service, if all the receivers are located in the same branch ( 320 - 350 ), the node ( 320 ) with the longest distance from the source ( 310 ) will be selected as the node ( 320 ) to send NACK indication during transmission, the assignment of internal nodes follows the same policy for unicast service. If the receiver nodes are located in different branches ( 320 - 350 , 360 - 390 ), the selection of longest distance node ( 320 , 360 ) and the assignment will be done in each branch ( 320 - 350 , 360 - 390 ). For multicast service, only the assigned indication node can send out the NACK signal, the retransmission will be processed in each branch with the same policy mentioned above. One retransmission time slot will be allocated in the frame beacon for each branch if the receiver nodes are located in different branches to prevent interference. [0018] Turning now to FIG. 4 , The flow chart of the retransmission algorithm for an internal node is shown ( 400 ). In this exemplary embodiment, a unicast service is used and the first node is selected as the internal node. For multicast service, the similar processing will be done in each branch. The initial process will determine the role of retransmission node, for example, as the first or second node ( 405 ) with index in the transmission path. The service session information will be broadcasted through the path to identify and inform each selected node know of its session assignment. The active nodes should scan channel and capture passed packets and determine whether each packet is a data or NACK packet ( 410 ). For data packets, the node then determines whether the packet is addressed to itself, or another node. ( 440 ). If the packet is addressed to the node itself, destination address will be checked and the normal packets processing such as integrity checking, refragmentation, payload filtering will be fulfilled ( 455 ). The packets will then be transmitted to the upper layer ( 460 ). If the data packet is not addressed to the node it will be stored in the local buffer for the reservation in the queue according to its destination ( 445 ). The buffer depth can be set dynamically based on the type of service ( 450 ). If the packet is determined to be a NACK signal packet from the destination node ( 410 ), the sequence number is parsed to determine which time request it is. If the sequence number is larger than the threshold ( 415 ), meaning this packet has already been re-requested many times, the node would not respond to the NACK and source node would do the retransmission. If the sequence number is less than or equal to the threshold assigned to the internal node ( 420 ) the internal node will compare the sequence number to its assigned threshold number of determine whether or not to give response. The following steps include searching in the buffer to check whether the data block indicated in the NACK is existed ( 425 ). If so, the internal node will send out this block in the next retransmission time slot ( 430 ). If there is no such data block is found, a new NACK message will be generated with sequence number plus one ( 435 ).

A fast retransmission method by introducing the internal node under better channel condition to join the work of retransmission after the destination node sends out the packet loss indication for unicast services. Extended to serve multicast services, a system comprising a plurality of nodes utilizes the farthest node in each branch from the source to transmit an acknowledge signal when packet loss occurs. The system then enables the closest node to the acknowledging node to retransmit the requested packet, thereby improving the target packet hit rate and data integrity with less retransmission steps.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION [0001] Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Application 10-2009-0018146, filed on Mar. 3, 2009, the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a graphene composite nanofiber, and particularly, to a graphene composite nanofiber including monolayer graphenes and multilayer graphenes having a thickness of 10 nm or less, and having a nanoscale fibrous shape, and a preparation method thereof. [0004] 2. Background of the Invention [0005] Graphene is a monolayer of graphite, and is a sheet of carbon atoms bound together with double electron bonds (called as an sp 2 bond) in a thin film only one atom thick. Atoms in graphene are arranged in a honeycomb-style lattice pattern. This graphene is a very thin single flat sheet having a thickness of about 0.3 nm, and is a two-dimensional (2D) material for carbon. This graphene was firstly discovered by Andre Geim and Kostya Novoselov at Manchester University in England in 2004 (Novoselov, K. S. et al., Science, 2004, 306, 666-669). According to the American Physical Society (APS) and the English Nature Nanotechnology, this graphene is being spotlighted as one of the most remarkable new materials which can change the future information technology. [0006] Differently from other carbon allotropes (e.g., carbon nanotube, graphite), the graphene is a semiconductor material having an energy gap of ‘0’. The graphene has characteristics such as high electron mobility, a quantum-hole characteristic (electrons inside graphenes behave like relativistic particles having no rest mass, with a speed of about 1,000,000 m/s), a low specific resistance, high to mechanical strength, and a wire surface area. Furthermore, the graphene is much more advantageous than carbon nanotubes due to low costs in an economic aspect. [0007] However, in the aspect of application fields, the graphenes have a difficulty in being processed and treated like other carbon allotropes. Each layer of graphite (i.e., each graphene layer) is stacked to each other due to Van der Waal's force (5.9 kJ/mol carbon), thereby not implementing a physical property of a graphene monolayer. Since the first discovery of the graphenes, research has been mainly executed with respect to a method for preparing graphenes from graphite and dispersing the graphenes (Novoselov, K. S. et al., Science 2004, 306, 666-669), an analysis of various characteristics of graphenes (Kern, K. et al., Nano Lett. 2007, 7, 3499-3503), a method for preparing a graphene composite material (Stankovich, S. et al., Nature 2006, 442, 282-286), application fields to a transistor or a sensor (Vandersypen, K. et al., Nature Mater. 2008, 7, 151-157). Among the above research, the research about a graphene composite material has been actively executed based on suspension and dispersion of a graphene monolayer into a polymer matrix. And, research about a method for forming a graphene composite having a nanoscale one-dimensional structure has never been executed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to provide a graphene composite in the form of a nanoscale one-dimensional structure, the graphene composite in which graphene monolayers (hereinafter, will be also referred to as “monolayer graphenes”) and/or graphene multilayers (hereinafter, will be also referred to as “multilayer graphenes”) having a thickness of 10 nm or less are well-dispersed. [0009] A second object of the present invention is to provide a method for orienting (aligning) the monolayer graphenes and/or multilayer graphenes in a specific direction in the form of the one-dimensional structure. [0010] A third object of the present invention is to provide a carbon nanofiber including the monolayer graphenes and/or multilayer graphenes. [0011] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a graphene composite nanofiber produced by dispersing graphenes to at least one of a surface and inside of a polymer nanofiber or a carbon nanofiber having a diameter of 1˜1000 nm, wherein the graphenes comprise at least one type of monolayer graphenes, and multilayer graphenes having a thickness of 10 nm or less. [0012] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is also provided a method for preparing a graphene composite nanofiber, the method comprising: preparing a spinning solution in which polymers are dissolved and graphenes are dispersed, wherein the graphenes comprise at least one type of monolayer graphenes, and multilayer graphenes having a thickness of 10 nm or less; and spinning the spinning solution in the form of fibers in an electric field thereby preparing a graphene composite nanofiber where the polymers and the graphenes are combined with each other. [0013] The present invention may have the following effects. [0014] Firstly, may be produced a graphene composite nanofiber produced by dispersing monolayer graphenes, and/or multilayer graphenes having a thickness of 10 nm or less, to at least one of a surface and inside of a nanofiber, with an orientation (alignment) parallel to an axis of the nanofiber. [0015] Secondly, owing to a unique property and a one-dimensional nano structure of graphenes, the graphene composite nanofiber may have a very excellent mechanical and/or electric characteristic. Accordingly, the graphene composite nanofiber may be applied to various industrial fields, e.g., a light emitting display, a micro resonator, a transistor, a sensor, a transparent electrode, a fuel cell, a solar cell, a secondary cell, and a composite material. [0016] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. [0018] In the drawings: [0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a method for preparing a graphene composite nanofiber according to the present invention. [0020] FIG. 2 is an image showing a graphene dispersion solution after seven days, the solution in which monolayer graphenes and multilayer graphenes having a thickness of 10 nm or less are dispersed, each graphenes prepared by a chemical method; [0021] FIG. 3 is a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image of the graphene dispersion solution of FIG. 2 ; [0022] FIG. 4 shows a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image of a PVA fiber including no graphenes; [0023] FIG. 5 shows a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image of a PVA/graphene composite nanofiber prepared according to a first embodiment of the present invention; and [0024] FIG. 6 shows a TEM image of a PVA/graphene composite nanofiber prepared according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a lengthwise direction, and a TEM image indicating a sectional surface of the PVA/graphene composite nanofiber (inset of the lower image indicates a diffraction image of the circle). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0025] Description will now be given in detail of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings. [0026] In the present invention, “monolayer graphenes” signifies a planar monolayer of graphite (0001), and “multilayer graphenes” signifies a stacked structure of the “monolayer graphenes” having several to several tens of layers. [0027] The multilayer graphenes have a thickness thicker than that of the monolayer graphenes, and less than 10 nm (about less than 20 layers), preferably, to less than 5 nm (about less than 10 layers). [0028] The graphene composite nanofiber according to the present invention is characterized in that graphenes are dispersed to a surface and/or inside of a nanofiber. Here, the nanofiber has a diameter of 1˜1000 nm, preferably 10˜500 nm, more preferably 100˜200 nm. The nanofiber may be a polymer nanofiber formed of polymers, or a carbon nanofiber prepared by carbonizing the polymer nanofiber. The graphenes include at least one type of monolayer graphenes, and multilayer graphenes having a thickness of 10 nm or less. When the multilayer graphenes have a thickness more than 10 nm, they are present in the form of a graphite plate implemented as the graphenes are bonded to each other. As a result, mechanical and electric characteristics of the graphenes can not be prepared. For instance, when the multilayer graphenes have a thickness more than 10 nm, charge mobility is significantly degraded when being applied to a semiconductor device. Furthermore, mechanical strength due to complexity with other materials is significantly degraded. [0029] In order to produce desired mechanical and electric characteristics of the graphenes, the graphenes are preferably oriented (aligned) parallel to an axis of the nanofiber. The reason is as follows. When the graphenes are oriented parallel to an axis of the nanofiber, an electric characteristic of the graphenes is implemented along the orientation direction, and mechanical strength in the orientation direction is significantly increased. [0030] When the multilayer graphenes have a thickness more than 10 nm, it is difficult to implement the orientation characteristic. [0031] The graphenes dispersed in the nanofiber may be graphene oxides in an oxidized state, or may be graphenes produced by reducing (deoxidizing) the graphene oxides. As explained later, a graphene oxide solution in an oxidized state is prepared so as to implement dispersability of graphenes inside a solvent. By mixing the graphene oxides with polymers and spinning the mixture, may be produced a graphene composite nanofiber that graphene oxides are dispersed to a nanofiber. This graphene composite nanofiber has an excellent mechanical characteristic, but has a degraded electric characteristic since it is present in the form of graphene oxides. Therefore, when an excellent electric characteristic is required, applied is an additional process for reducing the graphene oxides after the spinning process. [0032] A method for preparing a graphene composite nanofiber according to the present invention largely comprises preparing a spinning solution (1), and preparing a graphene composite nanofiber (2). [0033] The method may further comprise carbonizing the graphene composite nanofiber produced through the step (2), so as to produce a carbon fiber including graphenes. In this case, the method may further comprise performing an insolubilization process in air before carbonizing the graphene composite nanofiber. Hereinafter, each step will be explained in more detail. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a method for preparing a graphene composite nanofiber according to the present invention. Preparation of Spinning Solution [0034] Firstly, prepared is a spinning solution in which polymers are dissolved and graphenes are dispersed. The graphenes include at least one type of monolayer graphenes, and multilayer graphenes having a thickness of 10 nm or less. [0035] A spinning solution may be prepared by the following three methods. [0036] Firstly, prepared is a graphene solution that the graphenes are dispersed in a solvent, and then polymers are dissolved in the graphene solution, thereby producing a spinning solution. Secondly, additionally prepared is a polymer solution in which polymers are dissolved, and then the polymer solution is mixed with the graphene solution, thereby producing a spinning solution. Thirdly, graphenes are put in the polymer solution thus to be dispersed, thereby producing a spinning solution. Among these three methods, the first method is preferable for dispersability of graphenes and accuracy of concentration control. More concretely, in case of dispersing about 1 wt % of graphenes by concentration based on polymers and dispersing at least 10 wt % of polymers, if an additionally prepared polymer solution is mixed with the graphene solution (i.e., graphene oxide solution) by the second method, it is difficult to increase a concentration of the polymers due to limitations of solubility of the graphene oxide solution. For instance, in case of putting about 1 wt % of graphenes to 10 wt % of polymers, if 9 mL of water is put, about 1 g of the polymers and about 0.01 g of the graphenes have to be used. In this case, solubility of the graphene oxide solution nearly reaches a limitation value, ca. 1 mg/ml. Therefore, it is preferable to firstly disperse graphenes in water, and then to disperse polymers therein by the first method. [0037] The graphene solution may be prepared by the following three methods. Generally, graphenes are easily bonded to each other, whereas graphene oxides are well-dispersed in a solvent. Therefore, prepared is a graphene oxide solution in an oxide state. In the present invention, the term of “graphene solution” will be also referred to as “graphene oxide solution”. [0038] Firstly, the graphene oxide solution may be produced by performing acid treatment and sonication with respect to graphite (chemical method). More concretely, graphite is added to a mixed solution of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. Next, the mixture is sonicated (using a voltage more than 200 W) for one or more hours, thereby producing a dispersed solution. In case of aging the dispersed solution at room temperature for three or more days, it turns purplish brown. Next, the dispersed solution is washed by water, and then multilayer graphenes (having a thickness of about several tens of nm) is filtered, the multilayer graphenes of which interlayer gap has been widened by centrifugation and filtering methods. Next, the multilayer graphenes are oxidized by a strong oxidant, thereby producing multilayer graphenes oxides. These multilayer graphenes oxides undergo heat treatment and sonication, thereby producing monolayer graphenes oxides, or multilayer graphenes oxides having a thickness of 10 nm or less. Next, the oxides undergo centrifugation and filtering processes, thereby producing a graphene oxide solution having a yellowish brown color. [0039] Secondly, graphite is consecutively exfoliated with using a cellophane tape, thereby producing monolayer graphenes, and/or multilayer graphenes having a thickness of 10 nm or less (physical method). Next, these monolayer graphenes, and/or multilayer graphenes are put in a solvent, and undergo acid treatment and sonication, thereby producing a graphene oxide solution. [0040] Thirdly, Si on the surface of SiC is sublimated by an epitaxial growth method through pyrolysis (thermal decomposition) of the SiC under a vacuum atmosphere, thereby producing graphenes produced by carbon atoms remaining on the surface of the SiC. Next, these monolayer graphenes, and/or multilayer graphenes having a thickness of 10 nm or less are put in a solvent, and undergo acid treatment and sonication, thereby producing a graphene oxide solution. [0041] The present invention is not limited to the above three methods. That is, the graphene oxide solution may be produced by various methods rather than the above three methods. [0042] As the polymers of the present invention, may be used all types of polymers that can be dissolved by a solvent, and that can be spun (e.g., electrospun) in an electric field. For instance, the polymers may include poly(vinylidene fluoride), poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene), polyacrylonitrile, poly(acrylonitrile-co-methacrylate), polymethylmethacrylate, polyvinylchloride, poly(vinylidenechloride-co-acrylate), polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. (1), nylon-based polymers such as nylon 12 and nylon-4,6 (2), aramid, polybenzimidazole, polyvinylalcohol, cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone-vinyl acetates, poly(bis-(2-(2-methoxy-ethoxyethoxy)) phosphazene, poly(ethylene imide), poly(ethylene succinate), poly(ethylene sulphide), poly(oxymethylene-oligo-oxyethylene), poly(propylene oxide), poly(vinyl acetate), polyaniline, poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(hydroxy butyrate), poly(ethylene oxide), SBS copolymer, poly(lactic acid), etc. (3), biopolymer such as polypeptide and protein (4), phenolic resin (5), and pitch-based polymers such as coal-tar pitch and petroleum pitch. [0043] Alternatively, not only the copolymer and blend of the polymers, but also a mixture of emulsion or organic/inorganic powder may be used as the polymers. As the solvent, may be properly used a solvent capable of dissolving a corresponding polymers, and capable of dispersing graphenes according to the polymers. Preparation of Graphene Composite Nanofiber [0044] Next, the prepared spinning solution is spun in the form of fibers in an electric field, thereby preparing a graphene composite nanofiber in which the polymers and the graphenes are combined with each other. [0045] The spinning method may be an electrospinning method. For instance, the spinning solution in which graphenes are well-dispersed is put in a dosing pump, and an electric field of a high voltage is applied between a spinning nozzle and a collector. As a result, the spinning solution is discharged from the spinning nozzle, and the graphene composite nanofiber is collected on the collector in the form of a web or a non-woven fabric in which graphene composite nanofibers are entangled with each other. [0046] The spinning method may include electro-blown spinning, melt-blown spinning, and flash spinning rather than the electrospinning. [0047] The prepared graphene composite nanofiber is produced by dispersing the graphenes to a nanofiber composed of polymers aligned in an oxide state with a high orientation degree. [0048] In order to orient the polymer composite nanofiber finally produced in the present invention, the spinning may be performed into an electric field formed by two electrodes, or formed inside a drum type of electrode being rapidly rotated. In this case, the formed fiber is oriented to a specific direction by a magnetic field. [0049] The graphenes include at least one type of monolayer graphenes, and multilayer graphenes having a thickness of 10 nm or less. The graphene composite nanofiber has a diameter of 1˜1000 nm, preferably 10˜500 nm, more preferably 100˜200 nm. [0050] In application fields requiring an excellent electric characteristic, further comprised is an additional process for reducing graphene oxides from the graphene composite nanofiber. More concretely, graphene oxides may be reduced from the graphene composite nanofiber by selecting one of the following three methods, or by combing the three methods with each other. The first method is to reduce graphene oxides by exposing the graphene composite nanofiber to a gaseous or liquid chemical drug including a hydrogen oxide (e.g., hydrogen iodide, hydrogen sulfide, aluminum hydride, etc.), a low oxide (an oxide having an oxidation degree than that of a general oxide lower by one degree) (e.g., carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, etc.), salt of low oxyacid (e.g., sulfite, sodium sulfide, etc.), metal having large electropositivity, i.e., metal that can easily transit to a positive ion (e.g., alkali metal, magnesium, zinc, etc.), an organic compound having a low oxidation degree (e.g., aldehyde, sugars, formic acid, oxalic acid, etc.). The second method is to reduce graphene oxides by contacting the graphene composite nanofiber to hydrogen by blowing the hydrogen into the graphene composite nanofiber. And, the third method is to reduce graphene oxides by irradiating strong optical energy (light) onto the graphene composite nanofiber. [0051] Thirdly, graphene oxides including reduced graphenes may be reduced from the graphene composite nanofiber by reducing the spinning solution by using the aforementioned chemical drug or by blowing hydrogen before the spinning process, and then by spinning the reduced spinning solution. In order to remove impurities which are present in the spinning solution by the reduction process, the reduced spinning solution may be precipitated by a non-solvent. Then, the precipitated spinning solution may undergo a filtering process and a washing process, thereby removing a residual solvent, a reducing agent, impurities, etc. Next, the spinning solution may undergo a drying process thus to produce high purity powder where graphenes and polymers are mixed to each other. Then, the high purity powder is re-dispersed to a solvent by sonication, a stirring process, heat treatment, etc. And, this reduced spinning solution may be spun. Preparation of Carbon Nanofiber Including Graphenes [0052] The present invention may further comprise carbonizing the prepared graphene composite nanofiber. [0053] The carbonization process may be performed under an inactive atmosphere (e.g., nitrogen atmosphere) at 500˜3000° C. Through this carbonization process, polymers of a nanofiber is carbonized to form a carbon nanofiber. Accordingly, can be produced a graphene composite nanofiber produced by dispersing graphenes to at least one of a surface and inside of the carbon nanofiber with a high orientation degree. [0054] Before the carbonization process, the present invention may further comprise a crosslinking process (insolubilization process) for preventing the graphene composite nanofiber produced by the spinning process from being melted or thermally decomposed due to the carbonization process. First Embodiment [0055] 10 g of graphite (Aldrich) was put in a flask containing 7.5 g of NaNO 3 (99%). Next, 621 g of H 2 SO 4 (96%) was slowly added to the mixture, and was cooled. To this mixture, 45 g of KMnO 4 was slowly added for 1 h. The mixture was cooled for 2 h, and then was reacted for four days while being slowly stirred at 20° C. Next, a solution having a high viscosity was diluted in 250 mL of exceptionally high purity distilled water with maintaining a temperature below 50° C., and then was stirred for 2 h. To this resultant, added were 700 mL of exceptionally high purity distilled water and 20 mL of H 2 O 2 (30%), thereby producing a yellow solution with bubbling. Next, this mixed solution was filtered, and metallic impurities were removed by using 1 L of HCL aqueous solution (volume ratio of HCl:H 2 O is 1:10). Next, the mixed solution was washed a plurality of times with using exceptionally high purity distilled water, thereby having a neutral pH value. Next, residual metallic ions in the mixed solution were removed by a dialysis process. This prepared 0.1 mg/mL of solution was sonicated (400 W) at room temperature for about 30 minutes, thereby producing a graphene oxide solution as shown in FIG. 2 , the graphene oxide solution in which graphene oxides are stably dispersed to water even after one week. As an analysis result of the graphene oxide solution with using a transmission electron microscopy (TEM), as shown in FIG. 3 , at least 90% of the graphene oxides were implemented as single layers and exhibited a structure that ending portions thereof are rolled-up. The graphene oxides were put into H 2 O solution so that a weight ratio of the graphene oxides with respect to polyvinylalcohol (PVA) could be 0.01-2 wt %. Next, the graphene oxides were re-dispersed to the H 2 O solution by sonication, a stirring process, etc. Next, a spinning solution was prepared by controlling a weight ratio of the PVA with respect to the H 2 O as 10 wt %. [0056] This prepared spinning solution was put in a dosing pump, and electro spinning was performed by controlling a voltage of 5˜20 kV to be applied, thereby producing a graphene composite nanofiber non-woven fabric. As shown in the SEM image of FIG. 4 , the conventional PVA nanofiber exhibited a welding structure on a spun substrate. On the contrary, FIG. 5 exhibited a graphenes/PVA composite nanofiber having a stable fiber structure, and including graphenes having a diameter of about 120˜200 nm and having a weight ratio of 0.1 wt %. Referring to FIG. 6 , graphenes were oriented, in a position selection manner, with a thickness less than 5 nm (less than about ten layers) towards the surface of the composite nanofiber. From a highly-magnified image and a diffraction image showing a sectional surface of the graphene/PVA composite nanofiber, crystallinity of graphenes located on the surface of the composite nanofiber could be observed. Second Embodiment [0057] Graphite layers were consecutively exfoliated with using a cellophane tape, thereby producing a multilayer graphenes film having a thickness of 5 nm or less. 0.3 g of the graphite produced in a mechanical manner was added to 20 mL of H 2 SO 4 (96%) at 0° C. To this mixture, 15 g of KMnO 4 was slowly added with maintaining a temperature of 20° C. This mixed solution was stirred for 2 h with maintaining a temperature of 35° C. Next, the mixed solution was diluted in 120 mL of exceptionally high purity distilled water with maintaining a temperature below 50° C., and then was stirred for 2 h. To this resultant, added were 700 mL of exceptionally high purity distilled water and 20 mL of H 2 O 2 (30%), thereby producing a yellow solution with bubbling. Next, this mixed solution was filtered, and metallic impurities were removed by using 1 L of HCL aqueous solution (volume ratio of HCl:H 2 O is 1:10). Next, the mixed solution was washed a plurality of times with using exceptionally high purity distilled water, thereby having a neutral pH value. Next, residual metallic ions in the mixed solution were removed by a dialysis process. Graphenes were put into an N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solution so that a weight ratio of the graphenes with respect to Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) could be 0.5˜5 wt %. Next, the graphenes were re-dispersed to the DMF solution by sonication, a stirring process, etc. Next, a spinning solution was prepared by controlling a weight ratio of the PAN with respect to the DMF as 5˜20 wt %. [0058] This prepared spinning solution was put in a dosing pump, and electro spinning was performed by controlling a voltage of 5˜20 kV to be applied, thereby producing a non-woven fabric of a graphenes/PAN composite nanofiber. Third Embodiment [0059] The graphenes/PAN composite nanofiber prepared according to the second embodiment underwent an insolubilization process in air at 260° C. (during the insolubilization process, polymers are heated, and have a net-shaped three-dimensional structure thus to be cured. Accordingly, in case of forming a carbon fiber, it is more advantageous for a cured resin to undergo a graphitization process). Then, the graphenes/PAN composite nanofiber was carbonized up to 1400° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere, thereby preparing a graphene composite carbon nanofiber. Comparative Example [0060] 10 g of graphite (Aldrich) powder (having a diameter of about 20 μm) was put in an N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solution. Next, the graphite powder was dispersed to the DMF solution by sonication, a stirring process, etc. Next, a spinning solution was prepared by controlling a weight ratio of the PAN with respect to the DMF as 0.01˜2 wt %, the same ratio as that in the aforementioned First Embodiment. [0061] This prepared spinning solution was put in a dosing pump, and electro spinning was performed by controlling a voltage of 5˜20 kV to be applied, thereby producing a graphite/PAN composite nanofiber. Here, partially entangled fibers and graphite lumps were observed. [0062] The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. This description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods, and other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments. [0063] As the present features may be embodied in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

Disclosed are a graphene composite nanofiber and a preparation method thereof. The graphene composite nanofiber is produced by dispersing graphenes to at least one of a surface and inside of a polymer nanofiber or a carbon nanofiber having a diameter of 1˜1000 nm, and the graphenes include at least one type of monolayer graphenes, and multilayer graphenes having a thickness of 10 nm or less. The graphene composite nanofiber can be applied to various industrial fields, e.g., a light emitting display, a micro resonator, a transistor, a sensor, a transparent electrode, a fuel cell, a solar cell, a secondary cell, and a composite material, owing to a unique structure and property of graphene.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/769,847, filed Feb. 27, 2013, entitled Method for Superheated Glycerin Combustion, which is incorporated herein by reference. This application is also a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/517,861, filed Jun. 14, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/496,887, filed Jun. 14, 2011, each of which applications is incorporated herein by reference. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not applicable. REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX Not applicable. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to internal combustion engines, and more particularly to an improved method for generating a supercritical combustion chamber environment for compression ignition engines, and specifically to the combustion of a glycerin/water solution. BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART The inventor of the diesel engine, Rudolph Diesel—1897, used “natural gas” as a diesel engine fumigant fuel charge. Fumigation of a diesel engine is the addition of a gaseous fuel to the intake air charge of a diesel engine. Development of diesel engine fumigation techniques has continued, such as that disclosed in Ritter et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,901,889. The pre-heating of diesel fuel to improve combustion efficiency and reduce exhaust gas pollutants has been active since the 1930's. Hypergolic diesel combustion received significant attention in the 1980's. More recently Tavlarides et al. U.S. Pat. No. 7,488,357 and others disclose methods and apparatus which cause diesel fuel to become supercritical prior to injection into the combustion chamber. U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,561 to Levine discloses fuels for internal combustion engines which contain at least 50% by weight of methyl ether. U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,786 to Basu et al. describes a method for operating a spark ignition internal combustion engine utilizing an improved composition containing dimethyl ether and propane as fuel. U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,102 to Willi et al. teaches a dual fuel engine which creates a substantially homogeneous mixture of gaseous fuel, air, and pilot fuel during a compression stroke. U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,495 to Whitcome discloses a propane injection system for a diesel engine. U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,601 to Ouellette et al. describes a method and apparatus for dual fuel injection into an internal combustion engine. A main fuel is ignited by a pilot fuel that is more readily flammable than the main fuel. U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,940 to Weissman et al. teaches fuel formulations to extend the lean limit. U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,104 to Ishikiriyama et al. discloses supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine in a supercritical state by raising the pressure and the temperature of the fuel above the critical pressure and temperature. U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,482 to Flynn, et al. describes a premixed charge compression ignition engine with combustion control. U.S. Pat. No. 6,324,827 to Basu et al. teaches a method of generating power in a dry low NOx combustion system. U.S. Pat. No. 6,607,567 to Towfighi discloses propellant gas for tools operated by combustion power on the basis of combustible gases containing a mixture of 40% to 70% by weight of dimethyl ether, nitrous oxide and/or nitromethane, 8% to 20% by weight of propylene, methyl acetylene, propane and/or propadiene and 20% to 45% by weight of isobutane and/or n-butane. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,901,889 and 7,225,763 to Ritter, et al. describes a system and method to reduce particulate and NOx emissions from diesel engines through the use of a duel-fuel fumigation system. U.S. Pat. No. 7,488,357 to Tavlarides, et al. teaches a composition of diesel biodiesel or blended fuel with exhaust gas mixtures or with liquid CO2. The composition is in a liquid state near the supercritical region or a supercritical fluid mixture such that it quasi-instantaneously diffuses into the compressed and hot air as a single and homogeneous supercritical phase upon injection in a combustion chamber. UK Patent GB 2460996 discloses a combustion method for very low Cetane Number (CN) materials. UK Patent GB 2460997 discloses a heated combustion air cycle to increase the efficiency of combustion of renewable oils and fats. United States Pub. No. 2012/0318226 by applicant herein discloses a method for supercritical diesel combustion. The foregoing application is incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein. The foregoing patents reflect the current state of the art of which the present inventor is aware. Reference to, and discussion of, these patents is intended to aid in discharging Applicant's acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information that may be relevant to the examination of claims to the present invention. However, it is respectfully submitted that none of the above-indicated patents disclose, teach, suggest, show, or otherwise render obvious, either singly or when considered in combination, the invention described and claimed herein. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The method for superheated glycerin combustion (SGC) of the present invention combines fumigation and SGC to effect greater fuel efficiency and reduce exhaust gas pollutants from a compression ignition engine such as a diesel engine. The invention utilizes the fumigant method by combining two gases (dimethyl ether and propane) which autoignite prior to the injection of the liquid glycerin water solution (GWS) fuel. This pre-combustion of the fumigant gases combined with the engine's compression of the combustion chamber gases is managed to attain a supercritical combustion chamber environment into which the liquid GWS fuel is injected. This targeted supercritical combustion chamber environment causes the GWS fuel to first vaporize the water which leaves the glycerin, prior to combustion, as highly dispersed monomers within the combustion chamber which autoignite similar to a “homogenous charge compression ignition” (HCCI) event resulting in significantly greater efficiency and negligible exhaust gas pollutants. Fumigation of a diesel engine air intake charge with a combustible gaseous fuel has always required that the injected liquid diesel fuel be the pilot ignition source initiating the combustion event. This allowed for accurate timing of the combustion event, reduction of the total diesel fuel consumed, and reduction of exhaust gas pollutants because the gaseous fuel combusts much more completely than the liquid diesel fuel. Combustion of GWS in this SGC system causes the combustion of the glycerin to be a HCCI like combustion event but with the specific ability to be timed. Liquid GWS, in a range of 60% to 40% water to glycerin or glycerin to water (at these percentages the standards for diesel fuel lubricity are achieved by the GWS), is injected into the combustion chamber at very high pressure to effect atomization of this liquid fuel. The result is a spray composed of droplets entering into the combustion chamber environment. There is an ignition delay time period as the liquid fuel droplets take on heat from the supercritical combustion chamber gases. First, the water of the GWS will vaporize resulting in a high number of radicals (OH, H2O2) being released in this gas phase of this superheated water. Once the water has vaporized and become superheated the glycerin molecules which have been dispersed in the GWS as monomers are left in the combustion space, more widely distributed in this space due to the turbulence created from the water vaporization, simulating gas phase glycerin. At the elevated temperature of the SGC and the abundant presence of radicals from the superheated water the glycerin will more thoroughly combust and not create the acrolein commonly associated with the combustion of glycerin. There are no fuel rich zones creating prompt NOx and the temperature of the GWS combustion event never reaches temperatures associated with the creation of thermal NOx. The efficiency of the system is increased greatly because the heat of combustion of the fumigant fuels, which normally accounts for up to 60% loss of efficiency, is trapped by the vaporization of the water into superheated steam. Thus providing additional gas expansion and pressure within the combustion space. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved supercritical combustion chamber environment for compression ignition engines such as diesel engines to facilitate the combustion of GWS in these engines. It is another object of the present invention to provide a diesel engine combustion chamber environment with improved fuel efficiency when combusting GWS. A further object or feature of the present invention is a diesel engine combustion chamber environment that when combusting GWS will virtually eliminate NOx and soot emissions. Other novel features which are characteristic of the invention, as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this disclosure. The invention resides not in any one of these features taken alone, but rather in the particular combination of all of its structures for the functions specified. There has thus been broadly outlined the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form additional subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based readily may be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, the purpose of the Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention of this application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. Certain terminology and derivations thereof may be used in the following description for convenience in reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, words such as “upward,” “downward,” “left,” and “right” would refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made unless otherwise stated. Similarly, words such as “inward” and “outward” would refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a device or area and designated parts thereof. References in the singular tense include the plural, and vice versa, unless otherwise noted. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a two-stroke diesel engine with the piston in the neutral exhaust/intake position; FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the engine at the beginning of the compression stroke; and FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the engine at the beginning of the power stroke. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention applies to all compression ignition engines (CIE) which operate on diesel fuel No. 2, light fuel oil, biodiesel, specifically to allow these engines to efficiently and cleanly combust a GWS fuel. This invention can be readily retrofitted onto existing CIE with only slight modification between installations on two-stroke and four-stroke CIE. This invention can also be readily implemented into new CIE design and construction. The apparatus and method will change dependent on the “family of CIE” to which it is applied. “Family of CIE” is intended to categorize as functional inclusionary units similar CIE. The broadest category is the division between two and four-stroke CIE. The method and apparatus will vary when adopted for use on the different families of CIE. Rotational speed, low, medium, high will be subfamilies, as will displacement volume of the combustion chamber. The principle of this novel combustion method will remain the same. This principle is the use of a fumigant fuel blend to establish a supercritical fluid/gas environment within the combustion chamber of the CIE prior to the injection of the liquid GWS fuel. This supercritical fluid/gas environment has a target pressure of not less than 600 psi, and preferably over 800 psi being expressed in the constant volume space (CVS) of the combustion chamber prior to the injection of the liquid diesel fuel. CVS is generally accepted to be the combustion space compressed by the piston commencing at 10° BTDC (before top dead center, the position of the piston prior to reaching TDC) and ending at 10° ATDC (after top dead center, the position of the piston after passing TDC). To achieve this pressure and corresponding temperature, 1,000° F. to 1,400° F. (and preferably 1,200° F. to 1,400° F.), the components of the inventive method and apparatus will be adapted to perform for each family of CIE. The following detailed description is an embodiment of this invention as applied to a two-stroke uniflow medium speed CIE with a displacement of greater than 500 cubic inches per cylinder. The liquid GWS fuel is injected by the existing mechanical unit injectors of this engine. This type of CIE utilizes either a Roots blower or a turbo charger to compress intake air into air chambers surrounding the lower portion of the cylinder assemblies, which comprise these engines power assemblies. These air boxes have access doors to which the fumigant fuel injector will be affixed and aimed at the nearest air intake port supplying the cylinder. This injector will inject liquid fumigant fuel supplied to it by a pressure vessel fuel tank which has an internal fuel pump to boost the tank pressure so that the fuel will remain liquid throughout its route to the injector. The pulse of the injector will be controlled by a device, which, at a minimum, constantly monitors the following engine parameters: the engine rpm to establish a timing sequence for the individual injection pulse, to be timed to pulse just as the intake ports are revealed by the piston and the air charge begins to enter the combustion chamber; and the continuous reading of the individual (e.g., every fourth cylinder) pressure developed during the entire engine cycle. This precise pressure information will be interpreted by a controller, which in turn will vary the fumigant fuel injector pulse duration to provide more or less fumigant fuel to the combustion chamber. The target is a minimum pressure of 800 psi being expressed in the CVS prior to the injection of the GWS fuel. At 800 psi and the relative temperature, 1,200° F. to 1,400° F., over 90% of the gases in the CVS are supercritical. H2O and CO2 will not be supercritical but N2, O2, OH, H2O2, and CO will all be supercritical. The unit injector for the diesel fuel will be modified to inject the GWS at TDC. The pulse duration of the unit injector will also be shortened. Because the atomized spray of the GWS fuel will encounter significantly higher combustion chamber pressure it will experience higher shear force, greatly reducing the size of the GWS fuel droplets. At the time of injection these droplets will be innervated by the supercritical fluids/gases, which comprise the supercritical combustion chamber environment. As supercritical fluid/gases these substances become hyper-solvents. The highly atomized GWS fuel droplets are not only heated from the outside but also from the inside by both conduction and radiation. Supercritical substances release over 60% of their heat energy as radiant energy. The water vaporization is instantaneous creating superheated steam, lowering the temperature and increasing the relative pressure but more importantly increasing the mass heat transfer into the remaining glycerin. The combustion of the glycerin, well before 15 ATDC, is dispersed throughout the combustion chamber and autoignites without creating a flame front. Typical diesel fuel combustion is timed for maximum heat release to occur in the CVS. The combustion event typically initiates just prior to the piston achieving 10° BTDC and continues to its high heat release thru 10° ATDC. Functionally from the combustion point of view, this sequence allows the diesel fuel to be reasonably combusted prior to the retained heat in the combustion chamber dropping below the temperature necessary to support combustion, about 60° ATDC. From a mechanical and heat management perspective this timing is wasteful and contributes to greater formation of NOx compounds. Mechanically, timing high heat release when the piston relationship to the crankshaft is essentially a vertical line is the time of lowest mechanical advantage and least possible transference of energy to aid in the rotation of the crankshaft. This high heat release is essentially stalled for almost a third of its active combustion sequence. The effect of this stall is to allow the heat to sink into the most readily available heat sinks, N2 and O2, 75% and 15% respectively of the combustion gases. This stalling of the combustion events mechanical transference and the companion sinking of heat into N2 creates CIE inefficiency and increased amounts of NOx in the exhaust gas. In this inventive method, the combustion chamber gases are supercritical and superheated which allows the timing of the GWS fuel combustion event to be delayed to a target of high heat release at 20° ATDC. At this crank angle the transference of energy is more mechanically favorable and allows the combustion chamber space to grow much more quickly than in typical CIE combustion, thus relieving the peak heat sinking and formation of significant NOx compounds. This supercritical/superheated combustion chamber environment is created by combining the compression of the combustion chamber gases with a sequence of pre-GWS fuel injection combustion events and the creation of superheated steam expressed from the GWS fuel. The fumigant fuel injected into the air intake is a blend, and preferably a custom blend, blended for each CIE family, of propane and dimethyl ether (DME). These fuels are miscible and combined in a single pressure vessel, blended specifically for the CIE family being served, but have been determined to range from 1-20% DME and 80-99% propane. In this example the fumigant fuel is injected as a liquid. In the case of high rotational speed CIE family of engines the fumigant fuel would be injected as a gas for either two-stroke or four-stroke engines. Due to the low boiling point of the fumigant fuel components (−44° F. for propane and −11° F. for DME), these liquid fuels will vaporize in the early stages of the compression stroke and quickly homogenize with the air charge as the compression of the charge gases increases. At approximately 30 to 20° BTDC the DME will autoignite. This autoignition triggers the ignition of the propane. The fumigant fuel combustion is a two stage combustion so that the larger of the combustion events, the propane combustion, occurs just as the CVS is being entered into. This is done to lessen the backpressure on the piston. The DME combustion is principally a means to trigger the propane combustion. The combustion chamber pressure will be continuously read by an in-cylinder pressure sensor, e.g. one for every four cylinders. The sensors output is interpreted by a controller, which increases or decreases the pulse duration of the fumigant fuel injector to best manage the fumigant fuel flow into the combustion chamber, to attain the target supercritical pressure prior to the GWS fuel injection. Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3 , wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated therein a new and improved method for SGC. The drawing figures illustrate a cross sectional view of a uniflow, two-stroke diesel engine. The operating principles apply as well to a four-stroke diesel engine, the difference being that the fumigant fuel injectors would be mounted on the four-stroke engines air intake manifold as close to each cylinders intake valves as possible. The fumigant fuel injector depicted is for application of the inventive system to existing diesel engines. Newly constructed engines could implement the system, optionally, by placing the fumigant fuel injector as a direct injection component, pulsing directly into the combustion chamber. FIG. 1 depicts a two-stroke diesel engine 10 with the piston 12 at the point in which the piston is in the neutral exhaust/intake position. The exhaust valves 14 have opened just before the piston's descent which reveals the air intake ports 16 to allow the exhaust gas from the previous combustion to begin exiting thru the exhaust ports 18 . As the piston continues to descend it reveals the air intake ports 16 , which have been pressurized by the air compressor 20 . All modern diesel engines utilize some form of air compressor, such as a blower or turbocharger, to force air into the combustion chamber of the engine. Fresh intake air floods into the combustion chamber aiding in pushing the exhaust gases from the previous combustion out through the exhaust ports. Just as the fresh air begins to enter the combustion chamber the fumigant fuel injector 22 , which is mounted and aimed directly at one of the air intake ports, pulses, releasing a specific volume of mixed fumigant fuel supplied by the fumigant fuel tank 24 . In low and moderate speed diesel engines (e.g., under 1200 rpm), the fumigant fuel will be injected as a liquid. High speed diesel engines will have the fumigant fuel injected as a gas to assure that complete vaporization and homogenization occurs prior to autoignition of the fumigant fuel. The fumigant fuel is a mixture of propane and dimethyl ether held in a common pressurized tank 24 . Propane vaporizes at −44° F. and dimethyl ether vaporizes at −11° F., essentially both permanent gases at standard operating conditions. FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the engine at the beginning of the compression stroke. The piston 12 continues to rise, closing off the air intake ports 16 , the exhaust valves 14 have closed, and the compression stroke begins. As the piston slides towards the exhaust valves the combustion chamber gases are compressed and begin to rise in temperature. All diesel engines are designed so that the compression of these gases will increase in temperature well beyond the autoignition temperature of diesel fuel, prior to the piston entering the CVS. Typical diesel fuel compression ignition occurs as the diesel fuel is injected into the combustion chamber, initiating from approximately 16° BTDC. Operating with this inventive system the piston compresses the fumigant fuel air mixture 26 causing the fumigant fuel to vaporize and homogenize with the air charge. At approximately 30 to 20° BTDC the dimethyl ether will have achieved autoignition temperature and combust. This combustion will cause the propane to combust, which combined with the compression of the gases by the piston, will result in a supercritical combustion chamber environment which additionally causes the water of the GWS fuel to first become superheated steam prior to the glycerin autoignition. FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the engine at the beginning of the power stroke, and the supercritical combustion chamber environment 32 , with a CVS pressure of not less than 800 psi. At this pressure and corresponding temperature, 1,200 to 1,400° F., all the gases in the combustion chamber (except H2O and CO2) are supercritical fluids. At TDC the GWS fuel from GWS fuel tank 28 is injected into this supercritical environment through typical diesel fuel injectors 30 . The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, and provides the best mode of practicing the invention presently contemplated by the inventor. While there is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of this invention, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction, dimensional relationships, and operation shown and described. Various modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Such changes might involve alternative materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms, functions, operational features or the like. Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

A method for superheated glycerin combustion (SGC) combines fumigation and SGC to effect greater fuel efficiency and reduce exhaust gas pollutants from a compression ignition engine such as a diesel engine. The invention utilizes the fumigant method by combining two gases (dimethyl ether and propane) which autoignite prior to the injection of the liquid glycerin water solution (GWS) fuel. This pre-combustion of the fumigant gases combined with the engine's compression of the combustion chamber gases is managed to attain a supercritical combustion chamber environment into which the liquid GWS fuel is injected. This targeted supercritical combustion chamber environment causes the GWS fuel to first vaporize the water which leaves the glycerin, prior to combustion, as highly dispersed monomers within the combustion chamber which autoignite similar to a “homogenous charge compression ignition” (HCCI) event resulting in significantly greater efficiency and negligible exhaust gas pollutants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for transmitting yarn monitoring signals to the control circuit of a spinning station of an open-end spinning machine for determining actuation and deactuation of a sliver feeding device. In open-end spinning machines, a yarn monitor determines whether a yarn spun by the spinning station is drawn off or whether the travel path of the yarn has been interrupted. If the yarn monitor determines that the spinning of the yarn has stopped, then the feeding of sliver at the spinning station is interrupted. However, problems in the circuit of a yarn monitor can cause the feeding device for the sliver to continue operation although a yarn break has occurred. Such an error can remain unnoticed for a rather long time if the sliver is removed via the suction conduit connected to the spinning chamber due to the prevailing spinning vacuum applied. However, there is also the possibility that the fibers collect in the spinning chamber and clog it. There is the further danger, especially in high-speed rotor spinning machines, that the fibers become heated and ultimately burn on account of the frictional heat. German Patent Publication DE-OS 25 43 324 teaches an electric circuit arrangement for a yarn-break detecting element for textile machines, especially for fine spinning machines without spindles. A mechanical yarn feeler is utilized as a yarn-break detecting element. The attempt has already been made with the circuit disclosed in this publication to reduce the susceptibility to trouble of the control circuit, especially as concerns the possible failure of a transistor. The circuit therefore does not contain any transistors. However, the circuit is nevertheless not trouble-free since the contacts can remain stuck in the switch which is magnetically actuated upon a yarn break, as a result of which a signal flow indicating the presence of the traveling yarn path nevertheless remains preserved. In electronic yarn monitors, a yarn traveling in a measuring slot of the yarn monitor generates a yarn traveling signal as the output of the sensor monitoring the yarn. This yarn traveling signal is transformed via switching amplifiers and fed as a direct-current signal to the control circuit of the spinning station. Upon failure of the yarn traveling signal, the drawing-in of the sliver is stopped. FIG. 1 shows a simplified view of a block circuit diagram of the circuit of an electronic yarn monitor, explained in detail further below, as currently used in textile machines. A defect in an electronic component in the circuit of the yarn monitor or in the receiver itself, produced for example by an error in the voltage supply of the yarn monitor or by the sudden discharge of static electricity produced by the running yarn in the measuring slot, can cause the control circuit to fail to receive a yarn traveling signal at the spinning station or to constantly receive a yarn run signal even though no yarn is being spun any more, which is considerably more dangerous in its effect. If, for example, a short circuit between an emitter and a collector, i.e., a so-called transalloying, arises in the circuit transistor for the yarn traveling signal, the transistor can no longer be switched. The voltage signal then constantly assumes the value indicating continued traveling of the yarn, as a result of which fibers continue to be fed to the spinning station with the consequences indicated. Therefore, it must be absolutely assured that the infeed of fibers into the spinning chamber ceases if the yarn travel path is interrupted. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly an object of the present invention to secure an open-end spinning station against problems and component errors in the transmitting of the signals by a yarn monitor to the control circuit of the spinning station so that the infeed of fibers is reliably avoided upon an interruption of the spinning process. This object is basically achieved in a device for transmitting yarn monitoring signals to the control circuit of a spinning station of an open-end spinning machine for determining actuation and deactuation of a sliver feeding device, by providing a receiver for contactless receiving a yarn signal representing traveling movement of a yarn being spun and for producing an output signal based on the yarn signal, and an oscillator which is actuable according to the receiver output signal and is connected to the control circuit of the spinning station. An integrated circuit is connected between the receiver and the oscillator for generating and maintaining an actuating signal to the oscillator for generating oscillations thereby, and an alternating-voltage coupling is connected between the oscillator and the control circuit of the spinning station for transmitting only an alternating voltage. If the yarn monitor is damaged, for example by an error in the supply voltage or the sudden discharge of static electricity, the design of the device in accordance with the present invention causes the oscillator integrated into the circuit to cease to generate any alternating voltage. Even if there would still be a direct voltage at the output of the yarn monitor or oscillator, a signal interruption would be present as a result of the subsequently actuated alternating voltage coupling on the control circuit of the spinning station so that the drive of the sliver feeding device would be immediately stopped. The danger of fire caused by overfeeding the rotor can be avoided in this manner. The oscillator and the circuit for generating and maintaining its actuated signal can be housed with semiconductor circuits on commonly utilized substrate surfaces or chip surfaces. A fourfold operational amplifier can be utilized in this connection, for example, having two stabilized feedback inverse-coupled operational amplifiers for generating the actuated signal, i.e., for the signal evaluation of the receiver, and for the generation of oscillations in the oscillator. As a result, the common damage e.g. upon a voltage discharge is connected to the reliable sequence of the failure of the production of alternating voltage by the oscillator. An especially simple form of alternating voltage coupling is constituted by a capacitor. Alternatively, for example, a transformer could be used. In the present invention, even the use of an alternating voltage switching amplifier for the output of the oscillator does not involve the danger that a transalloying of the switching amplifier will result in maintaining the actuated signal for the fiber infeed since the alternating voltage coupling does not transmit the direct voltage signal which is then produced. Since the control circuit is usually controlled by direct voltage signals, a rectifier should be connected in advance of the input of the control circuit due to the arriving alternating voltage signal. In order to distinguish a yarn standing in the yarn monitor from a traveling yarn, it is advantageous to connect an alternating voltage coupling between the receiver of the yarn monitor and oscillator so that only the noise caused by the traveling yarn is transmitted. The use of an electric filter in the circuit for actuating and deactuating the oscillator can be necessary, particularly if noise sources are present in the area of the yarn monitor which generate a noise signal in the yarn monitor independently of the yarn, such as gas discharge lamps by way of example. Moreover, it is advantageous to set a threshold value for the noise signal at a level which is exceeded only if the yarn is actually moving in the measuring slot. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a conventional circuit for signal formation and signal transfer in a yarn monitor utilized in an open-end spinning machine. FIG. 2 is a similar block circuit diagram representing a control circuit in accordance with the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the accompanying drawings and initially to FIG. 1, a block circuit diagram is shown representing a known conventional form of yarn monitor, designated as a whole by 1. In this exemplary embodiment, the yarn monitor basically consists of an optical yarn sensor as well as the electronic components required for signal amplification and evaluation. The yarn monitor can also be equipped with a capacitive sensor. The yarn monitor can be completely installed in and removed from the spinning station. A light transmitter 2, e.g. an infrared transmitting diode, is arranged in the yarn monitor 1, and is connected to current supply 3 of yarn monitor 1. Transmitting diode 2 emits a constant infrared light flux 4 which is directed onto receiver 5. Yarn 7 to be checked travels within light flux 4 through measuring slot 6. The movement of yarn 7 and its cross section, which is constantly changing over its length, cause a shadowing of receiver 5 with a constantly changing intensity. Receiver 5 consists of a phototransistor which is connected to a circuit 8 for signal amplification and evaluation. In the case that yarn is absent from or standing stationary in measuring slot 6, e.g. after a yarn break, the shadowing of phototransistor 5 does not change in intensity, so that a direct current flows. In circuit 8, a capacitor is connected after the transistor and forms a barrier for a direct current signal. When the yarn is traveling, a yarn noise signal is produced as a voltage with constantly changing amplitude. Circuit 8 for signal amplification and evaluation transmits a signal when the yarn is running. A customary supply direct voltage, e.g. 24 volts, is actuated with this yarn running signal via switching amplifier 9, which may be a transistor amplifier. This direct voltage signal G is applied to control circuit 11 of a spinning station via lead 10. Disturbances, e.g., noise, can also occur in the area of lead 10, e.g. by damage or defective contacts at the connection positions, such as may be caused by contact corrosion. Coupling 12 of the sliver supply is maintained in an actuated state by control circuit 11 due to the presence of direct voltage signal G. Coupling 12 is opened only upon the absence of signal G. In the embodiment depicted, a magnetic coupling is used for coupling the feeding roller to its drive. The sliver is fed into the spinning station with the feeding roller. It will be understood from the above that, whenever a disturbance occurs which maintains a current flux or flow in lead 10, e.g. upon a transalloying of the transistor of switching amplifier 9, the coupling can not be opened and, as a result, the fiber infeed can not be interrupted. Direct voltage signal G in lead 10 is also used in control circuit 11 to determine production data, e.g. to determine the spooled-up yarn length, which in turn is used to deactuate the sliver supply when the length of spun yarn attains a pre-set value. The linking of the yarn traveling signal to other data is indicated by arrow 13. A signal which is then present can likewise be delivered to coupling 12 in order to interrupt the supply of sliver, if necessary. Furthermore, the lifting of the cross-wound bobbin off of the winding roller can be initiated with the signal. FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram of the control circuit in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the yarn monitor also consists of a replaceable structural unit 1' comprising the electronic components necessary for signal amplification and evaluation, and particularly has in common with the yarn monitor of FIG. 1 a light transmitter 2' and a receiver 5'. A capacitive sensor can also be provided. The monitoring of traveling yarn 7' in measuring slot 6' also takes place in this embodiment by the evaluation of infrared light flux 4' which is directed at receiver 5' and is attenuated by yarn 7'. The evaluation of the signals of receiver 5' and the transmission of the yarn traveling signal to the control circuit of the spinning station takes place with a circuit comprised as follows. Circuit 15 for signal amplification and evaluation is connected with receiver 5' and generates the yarn traveling signal. Circuit 15 comprises an electric filter which filters out interfering frequencies of external noise sources which may simulate a yarn noise signal in the case of a standing or absent yarn through a frequency course similar to the yarn traveling signal. Possible noise sources are e.g. gas discharge lamps. The filtering out of the interfering frequencies assures that only the actual yarn noise signal is evaluated. Moreover, a threshold switch is integrated in circuit 15 for signal amplification and evaluation which switch makes possible the transmission of a yarn traveling signal only if the yarn noise signal has exceeded a certain threshold, i.e., a noise level at or above which the yarn is moving at a sufficient speed to indicate that normal drawing off of the yarn during a spinning procedure is occurring and thereby justifies an infeed of sliver. As in the circuit of FIG. 1, the circuit of the present invention operates in the case of an absent or standing yarn to block or prevent the direct current signal of receiver 5' by means of an alternating voltage coupling, e.g. by a capacitor, in signal amplification and evaluation circuit 15. Oscillator 16 is an essential component of the circuit of the yarn monitor in the present invention. Oscillator 16 should only generate an alternating voltage if a signal is present from signal amplification and evaluation circuit 15 indicating that the yarn is running. The oscillator is followed in the present exemplary embodiment by alternating-voltage switching amplifier 17 which switches a supply voltage, e.g., of 24 volts, via lead 18 to control circuit 19 of the spinning station. A switching amplifier is always advantageous if the signals must be transmitted over leads extending any considerable spatial distance. The output signal of alternating-voltage switching amplifier 17 controlled by the oscillator is alternating-voltage signal W. This alternating-voltage signal W is supplied to alternating-voltage coupling 20 which is connected in advance of control circuit 19 of the spinning station S of open-end spinning machine M and which is also essential for the invention. Alternating-voltage coupling 20 may consist of a capacitor or transformer. If, for example, an error in alternating-voltage amplifier 17 would result in a direct-voltage signal, the input signal on control circuit 19 would be interrupted since the direct-voltage signal can not pass alternating-voltage coupling 20. A direct-voltage signal therefore has the same effect as a signal that the yarn is absent or stationary. As a result of the possible appearance of errors in components connected in advance of oscillator 16, it is possible that a voltage may be presented to the oscillator which mimics a yarn traveling signal although no yarn is present or running. In such an instance, oscillator 16 would continue to supply an alternating-voltage signal as a yarn traveling signal. In order to prevent this occurrence, however, the present invention is designed as a precaution that, in the case of damage occurring to or the destruction of a component in advance of oscillator 16, the oscillator is also damaged such that it either supplies no signal or only a direct-voltage signal. In both instances, this would result in an interruption of the yarn traveling signal and thereby would result in a separation of the coupling on the feeding roller so that the feeding of sliver would be stopped. If the oscillator and the signal amplification and evaluation circuit which generates the yarn traveling signal are housed on a common substrate surface or chip surface, damage in one component will entail the damaging of all circuits on the substrate. In the present exemplary embodiment, receiver 5', signal amplification and evaluation circuit 15 which generates the yarn traveling signal, oscillator 16 and alternating-voltage switching amplifier 17 are supported on common substrate surface 21 indicated by the dotted frame in FIG. 2. In the present exemplary embodiment, two stabilized-feedback operational amplifiers of fourfold operational amplifier 22 serve for the signal evaluation of receiver 5' and to generate the yarn traveling signal as an actuation signal to oscillator 16 and two other stabilized-feedback operational amplifiers of the fourfold operational amplifier serve to generate oscillations in oscillator 16. A voltage discharge or other form of damage results in a destruction of fourfold operational amplifier 22 and therewith in a reliable failure of the generation of alternating voltage by oscillator 16. Even if a direct voltage is still present beyond oscillator 16 it is not transmitted through alternating-voltage coupling 20. The design of the circuit of the yarn monitor in accordance with the present invention assures that in the case of any conceivable damage to the circuit no signal reaches control circuit 19 of the spinning station which would make possible an inadmissible feeding of sliver. Since only a direct voltage can be used in control circuit 19 of the spinning station in the present exemplary embodiment, rectifier 23 is connected in after alternating-voltage coupling 20. As a result thereof a direct-voltage input signal is delivered to control circuit 19 of the spinning station. Coupling 24 is coupled to the sliver feeding roller R via control circuit 19 in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 only when the yarn is running. If the feeding roller is driven by a single drive, not shown, the yarn traveling signal can also act on the circuit of such drive. As in the circuit of FIG. 1, the yarn traveling signal produced by the control circuit of the present invention according to FIG. 2 can also be used to determine production data or be linked to other signals, as indicated by arrow 25. The signal which is then produced can also act on the coupling at the feeding roller, e.g. when the winding bobbin has reached its a predetermined fullness. It will therefore be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended or to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.

A device for transmitting yarn monitor signals to the control circuit of an open-end spinning station for determining whether a yarn spun by the spinning station is being drawn off or whether the yarn travel has been interrupted so that, in case of a yarn break, the infeed of the sliver into the spinning station is interrupted. Defects in electronic components in the circuit of the yarn monitor or in the sensor can result in a continuous yarn traveling signal to the control circuit of the spinning station despite a yarn break. The present invention therefore provides a receiver (5') for contactless receiving the yarn signal of the monitor and an oscillator (16) which can be actuated and deactuated based on the receiver output signal. An integrated circuit (22) is connected between the receiver and the oscillator (16) for generating and maintaining an actuating signal to the oscillator for generating oscillations thereby, and an alternating-voltage coupling (20) is connected between the oscillator and the control circuit of the spinning station for transmitting only an alternating voltage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to portable multi purpose machines, and more particularly, to a multi purpose machine having removable head attachments primarily for personal grooming. 2. Description of the Related Art Many designs for grooming machines have been designed in the past. None of them, however, includes removable head attachments used for multiple purposes including: cutting, shaving, clipping, tooth brushing, vacuuming, and massaging. There are no similar multi purpose machines to the best of applicant's knowledge, having removable head attachments, and are primarily for personal grooming. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A portable grooming machine, comprising a housing; a motor assembly and an electrically powered drive member mounted inside the housing; a power cord assembly removably connected to the housing; and a first head means removably secured upon the housing for cutting hair while vacuuming the hair into the housing. The first head means comprises a first cutter with a first coupling element that when assembled are housed within the first head means. The first coupling element transmits a first drive motion to the first cutter. The first coupling element is adapted to be set in a reciprocating motion by the electrically powered drive member and the first drive motion is transmitted to the first cutter. The housing comprises first and second faces having a plurality of tracks. The plurality of tracks receives rails extending from a guard that extends above the first head means in an extended position and below the first head means in a retracted position. Second head means are removably secured upon the housing for shaving hair. The second head means comprise a second cutter with a second coupling element that when assembled are housed within the second head means. The second coupling element transmits a second drive motion to the second cutter. The second coupling element is adapted to be set in the reciprocating motion by the electrically powered drive member and the second drive motion is transmitted to the second cutter. A third head means is removably secured upon the housing for clipping hair. The third head means comprises a third cutter with a third coupling element that when assembled is housed within the third head means. The third coupling element transmits the second drive motion to the third cutter. The third coupling element is adapted to be set in the reciprocating motion by the electrically powered drive member and the second drive motion is transmitted to the third cutter. A fourth head means is removably secured upon the housing for tooth brushing. The fourth head means comprises a circular tooth brush means having an engaging pin to the electrically powered drive member, transmitting either the first drive motion or the second drive motion. A fifth head means is removably secured upon the housing for vacuuming. The fifth head means is substantially hollow to receive matter therethrough when the electrically powered drive member is engaged in the first drive motion. A sixth head means is removably secured upon the housing for massaging. The sixth head means comprises a massage pad with a fourth coupling element. The fourth coupling element transmits either the first drive motion or the second drive motion to the massage pad. The fourth coupling element is adapted to be set in the reciprocating motion by the electrically powered drive member. The housing has first and second switches, the first switch engaging the first drive motion and the second switch engaging the second drive motion. The housing also comprises a jack to receive the power cord assembly. In addition, the housing houses a rechargeable battery system, the rechargeable battery system recharged from the power cord assembly. It is therefore one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a portable multi purpose machine having a plurality of removable heads. It is another object of this invention to provide a portable multi purpose machine that is primarily used for personal grooming. It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness. Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of the instant invention. FIG. 1 a is a representation of an exploded view of a hair-cutting/vacuum head assembly. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the housing assembly. FIG. 3 illustrates a cut view of the housing assembly taken along the line 3 — 3 as seen in FIG. 2 . FIG. 3 a is a representation of an exploded view of the head assembly underside, male adaptor, and female shaft. FIG. 4 represents a perspective view of the instant invention with a dry shaver head assembly. FIG. 4 a is a representation of an exploded view of a dry shaver head assembly. FIG. 4 b is a representation of an exploded view of a hair clipper head assembly. FIG. 4 c is a representation of an exploded view of a toothbrush head assembly. FIG. 4 d is a representation of a vacuum head assembly. FIG. 4 e is a representation of a massage head assembly. FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the power supply cord assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral 10 , it can be observed that it basically includes housing 20 , motor assembly 70 , head assembly 90 , and power supply cord assembly 600 . As seen in FIG. 1 , seated on housing 20 is a hair-cutting/vacuum head assembly 90 having detachably secured head 92 . Instant invention 10 comprises housing 20 having face 22 on its front side and face 24 on its rear side, seen in FIG. 3 . Arranged on each side where faces 22 and 24 meet, are switch 30 and vacuum switch 32 . Provided at end 36 where faces 22 and 24 also meet is socket 44 for connection to power supply cord assembly 600 , seen in FIG. 5 . Housing 20 has indicator lights 38 and 40 . Indicator lights 38 indicate the amount of battery power remaining for instant invention 10 to operate. When all of indicator lights 38 are lit, it indicates full battery charge in battery 52 , seen in FIG. 3 , and when none of indicator lights 38 are lit, it indicates no battery charge remaining in battery 52 . Indicator light 40 illuminates when power supply cord assembly 600 is connected and supplying electrical power to charge/recharge battery 52 . Also seen on housing 20 is speed control lever 46 that rides within channel 47 . Speed control lever 46 controls the speed at which motor assembly 70 is operating. Guard 28 has rails 29 , which slide upon tracks 26 . A user may adjust guard 28 to a predetermined height when cutting hair, wherein hair to be cut is placed through the mid section of guard 28 and is cut by head 92 . The user may cut hair utilizing head 92 while vacuuming the hair simultaneously when activating instant invention 10 with vacuum switch 32 . FIG. 1 a shows an exploded view of the removable head assembly 90 in which a hair-cutting/vacuum unit comprises an under cutter 95 with a coupling element 94 , which when assembled, is housed within head 92 . Coupling element 94 transmits the drive motion to under cutter 95 . Coupling element 94 , which is adapted to be set in a reciprocating motion by the electric drive mechanism from motor 70 , is coupled via drive pin 88 mounted upon male adaptor 77 , as seen in FIG. 3 a . Hair that is placed upon cutting foil 91 is cut by under cutter 95 and falls through either side of coupling element 94 as it is vacuumed. Coupling element 94 has aperture 96 for insertion of pin 100 having notch 104 . Tabs 99 align with and engage into holes 102 when head 92 is assembled. As seen in FIG. 2 , housing 20 has head bracket arms 84 . Bracket arms 84 have tabs 86 upon which all head assemblies removably snap thereon. While switch 30 is in the “on” position, female shaft 76 spins in a clockwise direction. While switch 32 is in the “on” position, female shaft 76 spins in a counter-clockwise direction. As seen in FIG. 3 , face 24 of housing 20 comprises electrical cavity 48 and collector cavity 60 . Instant invention 10 is powered by battery 52 , which is positioned in electrical system 50 . Electrical wires from shaver socket 44 connect to battery 52 for charging and recharging. Also within electrical system 50 is motor assembly 70 . Electrical wires from switch 30 and vacuum switch 32 send electronic signals to engage motor 70 . Extending from motor 70 and through collector 62 is female shaft 76 . Female shaft 76 has shaft ends 78 and 80 and in the preferred embodiment, is an allen-type shape shaft. Extending approximately perpendicularly from female shaft 76 and below collector 62 is propeller 82 . While switch 30 is in the “on” position, female shaft 76 spins in a clockwise direction, causing propeller 82 to spin in a clockwise direction and direct air flow from vents 37 , seen in FIG. 1 , through electrical cavity 48 , collector cavity 60 , and out through head assembly 90 . This airflow cools instant invention 10 . While switch 32 is in the “on” position, female shaft 76 spins in a counter-clockwise direction, causing propeller 82 to spin in a counter-clockwise direction and direct air flow from head assembly 90 at end 34 , through collector cavity 60 , electrical cavity 48 , and out through vents 37 , seen in FIG. 1 . Collector 62 , within collector cavity 60 , collects hair, particles, and matter in general when instant invention 10 is utilized in a vacuum manner, such as with heads 92 and 492 , seen in FIGS. 1 and 4 d respectfully. Face 24 comprises a plurality of apertures 54 . Pins, not seen, extending from face 22 , align with and snap into apertures 54 when housing 20 is assembled. Seen in FIG. 3 a are female shaft 76 , male adaptor 77 , and a bottom view of head 92 . In operation, drive pin 88 makes engagement with groove 98 of coupling element 94 , causing back-and-forth movement in the directions of arrow A for transmission of a drive motion reciprocating in the directions of arrow B to under cutter 130 , seen in FIG. 4 a , mounted for oscillatory motion in head 192 . Similarly, in operation, drive pin 88 makes engagement with groove 98 of coupling element 94 , causing back-and-forth movement in the directions of arrow A for transmission of a drive motion reciprocating in the directions of arrow B to under cutter 95 , seen in FIG. 1 a , mounted for oscillatory motion in head 92 . Seen in FIGS. 4 and 4 a is a shaving head assembly 190 having detachably secured head 192 . Removable head assembly 190 as a hair-shaving unit comprises an under cutter 130 with a coupling element 194 , which when assembled, is housed within shaver foil 134 . Coupling element 194 transmits the drive motion to under cutter 130 . Coupling element 194 , which is adapted to be set in a reciprocating motion by the electric drive mechanism from motor 70 , is coupled via drive pin 88 mounted upon male adaptor 77 . Coupling element 194 has aperture 196 for insertion of pin 100 having notch 104 . Foil protector cap 138 protects shaver foil 134 when not in use. FIG. 4 b shows an exploded view of removable head assembly 290 in which a hair-clipping unit comprises head 292 having a clipper plate 242 . Biased against clipper plate 242 is a clipper 246 . As with removable head assembly 190 , coupling element 294 transmits the drive motion to clipper 246 . The coupling element 294 , which is adapted to be set in a reciprocating motion by the electric drive mechanism from motor 70 , is coupled via drive pin 88 mounted upon male adaptor 77 . Similarly as when used in the hair-shaving defined above, in operation of removable head assembly 290 , drive pin 88 makes engagement with groove 98 , seen in FIG. 3 a , of coupling element 294 , causing back-and-forth movement in the directions of arrow A for transmission of a drive motion reciprocating in the directions of arrow B to clipper 246 , causing hair to be clipped and/or cut when biased against clipper plate 242 . Guard 250 slides within track 293 to adjust the length of hair to be clipped and/or cut. The numbers on the side of guard 250 represent the length of hair to be clipped and/or cut. Coupling element 194 has aperture 196 for insertion of pin 200 having notch 204 . FIG. 4 c shows a perspective view of the removable head assembly 390 having toothbrush assembly 360 . Toothbrush assembly 360 comprises circular toothbrush 380 mounted upon handle 364 . Extending from handle 364 and in opposite direction from circular toothbrush 380 , is male shaft 372 terminating at end 368 . Removable head assembly 390 has through-hole 376 . When assembled for operation, male shaft 372 is inserted through through-hole 376 and directly into female shaft 76 . Circular toothbrush 380 may be operated with either switch 30 or vacuum switch 32 . In operation, male shaft 372 extends through handle 364 to drive circular toothbrush 380 . FIG. 4 d shows a perspective view of the removable head assembly 490 in which a vacuum unit comprises head 492 having a brush 454 . When vacuum switch 32 is in the “on” position, female shaft 76 spins in a counter-clockwise direction, causing propeller 82 to spin in a counter-clockwise direction, thus creating a vacuum. Head 492 is mostly hollow to allow matter to pass into collector 62 . FIG. 4 e shows a perspective view of removable head assembly 590 comprising head 592 and massage pad 556 . As with removable head assemblies 190 and 290 , coupling element 194 , seen in FIG. 4 a , transmits the drive motion to massage pad 556 . The coupling element 194 , which is adapted to be set in a reciprocating motion by the electric drive mechanism from motor 70 , is coupled via drive pin 88 mounted upon male adaptor 77 . Similarly as when used in the hair-shaving and hair-clipping defined above, in operation of removable head assembly 590 , drive pin 88 makes engagement with groove 98 , seen in FIG. 3 a , of coupling element 194 , causing back-and-forth movement in the directions of arrow A for transmission of vibration, causing massage pad 556 to vibrate. As seen in FIG. 5 , power supply cord assembly 600 comprises plug blades 602 , which are inserted into an electrical outlet for power and power plug 604 , which is inserted into shaver socket 44 . Electrical wires from shaver socket 44 connect to battery 52 for charging and recharging, as seen in FIG. 3 . The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

A portable multi purpose machine having removable head attachments primarily for personal grooming. The removable head attachments used for multiple purposes include: cutting and vacuuming, shaving, hair clipping, tooth brushing, vacuuming, and massaging. The multi purpose machine comprises a housing having first and second walls and a motor assembly. The motor assembly has an electrically powered drive member to operate each of the heads. A power cord assembly provides power to rechargeable batteries.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to methods for estimating risk of damage that is likely to be sustained by a structure from a physical disturbance. Specifically, the present invention provides a method for inspecting and determining the structural integrity of wood frame residential structures relative to earthquake shaking and wind forces acting upon such structures, and for quantifying the potential risk of such structure sustaining damages from such forces. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Wood frame structures (especially those used for residential purposes) have long sustained significant amounts of damage due to physical disturbances accompanying "natural disasters" such as earthquakes and wind forces (hurricanes, tornadoes, nor'easters etc.). Due to the frequency of such events and the amount of damage which they can inflict on residential communities, damage risk assessment is an important consideration and priority for homeowners, lending, insurance and real estate industries, damage relief organizations and governmental agencies. Accurate prediction of such natural disasters has proven to be ineffective in most cases. This leaves the burden of damage risk assessment to an analysis of the structural condition of a given home and how the structure would react to the varying stresses from physical disturbances experienced during earthquake shaking and high wind events. To date, such risk assessments have been made in two ways: (1) solely based on a subjective, onsite inspection analysis; or (2) solely based on a group "aggregate" comparison and evaluation of similar homes in the general geographic location as the structure in question. In the first approach, engineers, architects and other technical specialists consider each home as an individual "project." Due to the fact that the specialist employed usually deals with a small number of exhaustive analyses, the time it takes for a risk assessment is great, ranging from weeks to months. Furthermore, due to the time and character of the report produced, this style of risk assessment can cost on the order of thousands of dollars. An onsite inspection by a technical specialist with a subsequent report and analysis is thus a process which is cost prohibitive for the average home owner or buyer. It also is a process which is not conducive to mass production, as each technical specialist works on a case by case basis, usually doing every part of the assessment themselves. In addition, conflicting standards used by such specialists in performing their inspections and analyses often results in inconsistent and unreliable data and conclusions that are difficult to interpret and of uncertain value to the entities listed above. Furthermore, such specialists have not been known to use (or have the facilities to use) geologic data and wind data specific to the site of the structure (such as the frequency, intensity, and proximity of earthquake faults), and thus are not able to consider this crucial element of the risk assessment process. The second approach above can be seen to be even more unreliable and unusable, since it does not even include a direct observation of the specific characteristics of the structure in question. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an objective of this invention to provide a method for accurately and reliably classifying wood frame structures (such as residential homes) for purposes of defining the potential risk level and damage that may be caused by physical disturbances, such as may be caused by earthquake or wind forces. As used herein, "physical disturbances" generally refers to seismic, wind, flood, tornado and other similar forces which might have a deleterious effect on the physical integrity of a wood frame structure. A further objective of this invention is to provide a method of home risk analysis which can be inexpensively performed and thus made available to a larger number of potential users. It is another objective of this invention to provide a useful diagnostic process for inspecting and evaluating wood frame structures that can be used to detect significant flaws in such structures, and for recommending corrections to such structures to reduce risk of damage from occurrences of the aforementioned physical disturbances. The above objectives are accomplished by the method of the present invention, which estimates risk of damage likely to be sustained by a wood frame structure located at a particular site from a physical disturbance such as a wind storm or earthquake. The method generally includes the following steps: first, an inspection is made onsite to determine and collect structural characteristics data of the structure's frame and related physical data. This data is input into a database usable by a probabilistic engine computer program. This program generates an estimate of the risk of damage to the structure, based on a combination of the structure data and wind storm or earthquake database related information for the area where the structure is located. The structural characteristics data collected can include data relating to the structure's frame, openings, supporting walls, foundation, cripple wall, roof and "soft" stories. Building code data and empirical damage historical data for such structure is also incorporated to refine the risk estimate. An earthquake force specific risk report can be generated based on the structural characteristics data, and available seismic database information such as USQUAKE, which takes into consideration earthquake information related to the vicinity of the structure, such as probable type and size, recurrences and other geologic conditions. Similarly, a wind force specific risk assessment report can be generated based on the structural characteristics data, and available wind force database information such as USWIND, which takes into consideration information such as probable type and size of storms in the vicinity of the site. The resulting report includes an overall rating for such structure that can be used for actuarial purposes. Additional information on defects detected in the structure, and recommendations for curing such defects is also included. The prediction or rating is also used by a homeowner as an evaluation factor in his/her decision to strengthen the structure against earthquake and/or wind storm damage. Government agencies and other entities can also utilize the risk assessment and information for many other uses such as but not limited to: disaster relief decisions, emergency planning, population displacement planning, etc. By using a standard, uniform set of structural characteristics and available seismic and wind force database technology, the present invention permits inexpensive risk assessment that can be made more widely available to a larger percentage of the population. Further unlike prior art methods, the present report and rating can be generated within days of an onsite inspection. These factors make the present risk assessment process significantly more affordable in cost than a specially hired engineer, architect or other technical specialist. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a flow diagram generally depicting steps employed in the method of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Single family wood frame homes are the most prevalent construction type in North America and other locations around the world. Windstorms, earthquake shaking and flooding are the most common natural hazards that damage and cause destruction to such structures. Earthquake shaking and windstorms are similar in nature relative to how they cause damage to wood frame structures. A structure is shaken and stressed by both of these natural events. A high percentage of damage that occurs to wood frame structures during shaking events is due to common design and construction flaws. By identifying these critical design aspects and assessing types of stress inducing events a structure may experience (such as may be obtained from available earthquake and wind databases), a reliable, inexpensive and quantified risk determination can be obtained. This risk determination can be converted into a standardized "rating" that can be used by homeowners, insurance companies, etc. The risk evaluation method of the present invention is depicted generally by the flow diagram of FIG. 1. A wood frame structure first undergoes an onsite inspection 10 to detect defects and flaws. The onsite inspection is preferably done by a person trained and qualified to detect structural and construction defects. While a professional inspector is preferred in order to increase the accuracy of the inspection, any person who has significant practical field experience in examining various aspects of home structure and design aspects (and who can collect sufficient information for a risk evaluation program described below) can perform onsite inspection 10. Structural characteristics data 20 and other related data for the structure are collected and compiled by an inspector or other suitably trained person. A standardized set of parameters and information is collected in all cases to promote uniformity and reliability. In general, structural characteristics data 20 collected is based on knowledge and information provided by structural engineers of ordinary skill in the art, and includes provisions for ascertaining characteristics of structures important in evaluating their probable performance when stressed by natural forces such as earthquake shaking and wind storms. Structural data considered by home inspection business practitioners and others skilled in this art to be important to risk assessment evaluations is also preferably collected. The structural characteristics data collected primarily includes data pertaining to typically weak elements of wood frame structures that are known (i.e., such as from standard design/modelling information, or empirical analyses of earthquake and storm damage to such structures) to be critical elements associated with damage. As is apparent, the information collected below is specific to wood frame structures. It will be evident to those skilled in the art, however, that the present invention could be applied in a similar manner to structures constructed of masonry, adobe, concrete block, or other such materials. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is used to analyze structures up to three stories in height, and less than 5000 square feet. On a broad level, information concerning general design characteristics of the wood frame structure are collected, including such things as building height (number of stories), approximate size of living space (square feet), general dimensions, including total length of front-facing walls, and total length of left or right facing walls. Primary exterior finishes are also determined, as well as obvious major defects in structural framing, bracing or foundation systems (e.g., dry-rot, deterioration, critical corrosion) as might be observed in any bracing system, the existence and prevalence of wood studs and sill plates (or their nailing and anchors), floor joist and beam systems, and perimeter foundation concrete defects. General architecture features (i.e., ceiling heights, room proportions, etc.) are also examined, along with the vertical configuration of the structure (i.e, whether exterior walls extend to the foundation). In addition, building plan layouts, slope of building pads, the existence and nature of any chimneys, and roofing information (roof materials, number of layers, roof decking materials) are also considered. More specific information on walls of the structure is also collected, such as total wall length that is uninterrupted by doors, windows or other openings for each floor, and relative strengths of walls on any particular floor. This aspect of design is one which has been regularly recognized by those skilled in the art as a critical element of design relative to earthquake-induced shaking damage. It is advantageous to determine not only the length of walls, but the relative strength which they lend to the structure as a whole. For example, a solid wall is regarded as "stronger" than a wall which is interrupted by a large sliding glass door. Specific details of foundation materials and anchorage are also inspected and collected, including perimeter foundation type, type of anchorage to the foundation, and age, size and spacings of anchor bolts or other anchoring mechanism. Again, this is an aspect of design which is empirically associated with damage sustained by earthquake shaking. If a structure is on a sub-standard foundation, such as an old brick foundation, damage can be experienced if the foundation fails. More commonly, if the structure is not properly anchored to the foundation, damage can be sustained during earthquake shaking if the structure is shaken off (or wind-lifted off) its foundation. The most common design aspect associated with earthquake shaking, cripple wall design, is also examined. A cripple wall is a wall which connects the house structure to the foundation and elevates it to provide a crawl space beneath the house. If a cripple wall is weak, not properly braced, or braced with weak materials and/or incorrect fastenings, there is an empirically proven high rate of damage to the structure from earthquake forces. The cripple wall is susceptible to failure due to a high amount of shear stress exerted upon it during earthquake shaking. Failure of the cripple wall causes the structure to "fall" off the foundation and often experience further damage due to bouncing, distortion and impact. Thus, information is also collected concerning the cripple wall (existence, type, coverage, age) and related structures (perimeter cripple-wall studs, diagonal braces, exterior and interior bracing panel size, distribution and coverage, hold-downs & fasteners (and defects)). Furthermore, the quality of any bracing, including whether panels are fully nailed and supported at all edges, and nail spacing is noted. Framing clips in cripple-wall or rim joist systems are also examined. Finally, the onsite inspection also evaluates the possible existence of "soft stories," a living area which is located above incomplete or structurally inadequate support walls. This typically refers to a living area over a garage. A garage door wall, due to the fact of the large interruption represented by the door, is not typically an adequate support wall. Thus, information concerning whether the garage is attached to the primary structure, whether there is a living space over garage, the number of side-by-side parking spaces in any garage, and total length of solid wall in line with any garage door opening is also collected. The year of original construction of the structure is also ascertained, and from this, applicable building codes associated with the structure can be determined. Such codes also can be correlated in some instances to empirical rates of damage in earthquakes or storms for homes of similar age. These are but examples of what information can be collected, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that additional or lesser data can be used as needed or desired. For an inspection designed to evaluate risk of wind damage, for example, appropriate structural information relating to wind forces would be collected. In addition to the above list, for example, this could include information on windows (size and location) and roofs (type, overhangs and shape). After the structure is inspected, and the structural characteristics data 20 is collected, this information is input to a risk evaluation program at step 30 for analysis. In a preferred embodiment, the information is digitized and entered into a GIS (Geographic Information Systems) database containing a probabilistic program that has been specifically designed to evaluate and determine the relative risk of a given structure, specific to its location and other factors, when subjected to shaking and stresses of earthquake shaking or wind forces, as indicated by databases for geologic data 33 and wind data 36 respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the specific databases used by program 30 include USQUAKE and USWIND. USQUAKE and USWIND are both available database-probabilistic-software engine programs designed by EQE International of San Francisco, Calif. The above programs are examples of a type of database related software that is becoming more and more useful to insurance and reinsurance industries to evaluate portfolios of insurance policies for actuarial purposes. In addition, lenders of all types are starting to utilize this type of database and related software in their loss reduction and risk analysis efforts. USQUAKE, and similar database-probabilistic-programs contain GIS databases, normal type databases and sophisticated engineering analyses which can evaluate a number of parameters in determining the relative risk of damage to a structure. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, such programs are used to consider such parameters as: 1! distance to earthquake faults; 2! probable type and size of earthquakes; 3! earthquake recurrence intervals; 4! building code that the structure was built under; 5! type of construction used; 6! geology of area where the structure is located; and 7! empirical damage rates. Thus, such databases can include geologic, geographic, demographic and regulatory information. Similar types of information are utilized for a wind related analysis. The above parameters are considered because (correlating to the above): 1! It is generally accepted that earthquake shaking intensity decreases with distance from the causative fault. Since most faults rupture along a line (linearly) it follows that the perpendicular distance from the causative fault is a prime factor in damage analyses; 2! Although the magnitude or size of an earthquake is of paramount importance to the amount of damage it can cause, it is also very important what type of earthquake rupture occurs. A seismograph recording of earthquakes records its character and this information can be considered in combination with historic earthquakes on each possible causative fault in order to evaluate the most probable size and most probable type of earthquake that is likely to effect a given structure; 3! The recurrence interval of earthquakes on a given fault is an important factor that is preferably evaluated relative to probable effect on a given structure; 4! Building codes that govern design of structures and construction practices have changed significantly over the years since 1950. In general, requirements for strengthening against earthquakes and wind storms has increased with each new building code. Which building code under which a specific structure was designed and built is a very important factor when evaluating risk; 5! Wood frame, one to three story structures are considered generally to be most earthquake resistant. When an individual structure varies from this ideal, risk of damage also increases; 6! Shaking characteristics of an earthquake are maintained or modified by geologic structure and geologic materials. Certain geologic structures can reflect or deflect shaking energy. In general softer geologic materials increase the shaking amplitude while decreasing its frequency thereby causing more violent shaking of structures which increases the risk to damage. 7! Damage to a specific structure can also be estimated by empirical comparison to how similar structures performed in shaking or wind events in the past. A probabilistic software engine program 30 therefore utilizes the above parameters and evaluates the likelihood of various types of damage occurring and the probable monetary value (cost) of the likely damage for a given set of conditions. In these type of probabilistic calculations, accuracy improves significantly when a large number of individual properties are evaluated in this way. Accordingly, the present invention has an additional advantage in that the reliability of results obtained should improve with time. It can be see also that the inclusion of detailed site specific information results in a higher degree of reliability of probability quantifications than is attained than that allowed by group portfolio analyses alone. Geologic/seismic database 33 (and/or wind force database 36) information and structural data 20 retrieved from the onsite inspection are combined by probability calculation program 30 for a given structure. Structural data 20 collected serves to define parameters of the structural design as it modifies probabilistic analysis of the structure. The physical disturbance database (geologic/seismic and/or wind force) information serves to define parameters of the likely stresses, empirical failure rates and the geographic and demographic characteristics for a given structure. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other programs 30 can be substituted to perform the above analysis, subject only to the constraint that they be capable of correlating structural data 20 collected at the onsite inspection, with a preexisting geologic database 33 and/or wind database 36 (which also include geographic, demographic and regulatory information as noted above). After the analysis is completed, a report 40 is generated. Report 40 can include a rating indicating whether the structure has a high or low probability of damage due to the stresses expected. An unfavorable, or low rating can be given to a structure which is given a higher probability of damage due to expected stress characteristics. Report 40 also fully describes the findings and reasons for any given rating. The rating and report can be used for actuarial purposes by insurance carriers. For example, such carriers may decide to give structures getting a favorable rating much lower insurance rates. The report also includes information on the defects and flaws in such structure, and how to strengthen such structures against damage causing events. Many structures that initially obtain an unfavorable rating can undergo a retrofitting step 50 to permit an optional re-inspection as shown in FIG. 1. This mechanism provides residential homeowners with incentives to strengthen their homes because a higher rating may be obtained from a subsequent re-evaluation. Furthermore, it is apparent that after a structure has been inspected once, and retrofitting has been done to such structure, the necessity and cost of another complete actual on-site inspection can usually be avoided. Thus, only the retrofitting portions of the inspection would be repeated if it appears that there is no reasonable basis for concluding that (other than the retrofitting) substantial changes need to be made in the original collected structural data. If the original collected structural data is preserved in permanent electronic form usable by program 40, the necessity for another complete onsite inspection can even be avoided. One beneficial consequence of using the present invention therefore is a structurally upgraded and more sound housing stock. In all cases, regardless of retrofitting or insurance eventualities, homeowners are made aware of the risk level of their home being damaged by earthquake shaking or wind forces. Home buyers, Realtors, lending institutions and other organizations interested in the potential risk of damage to a specific structure also can benefit from increased reliability and certainty provided by the present invention. The precise substance and format of report 40 can be tailored to fit specific needs of any particular market segment or audience. Although the present invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many alterations and modifications may be made to such embodiments without departing from the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the all such alterations and modifications be included within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Residential wood home structures are evaluated and classified according to a defined risk level relative to damage likely to be caused by earthquake shaking or wind forces. Susceptibility to damage is evaluated and predicted by a probabilistic software engine based on existing databases of geologic and/or wind data coupled with specific structural characteristics information obtained by an onsite inspection of the structure. The software engine combines these data sets, and produces a report with a reliable, quantified risk rating that can be used by insurance companies to make decisions regarding offering of insurance and rates of insurance. The report is also used by homeowners as an evaluation factor in deciding to strengthen the structure against earthquake and/or wind storm damage. Because of its high volume capability and affordability, this inventive process makes assessment of a home's risk relative to damage induced by earthquake shaking and/or wind forces available to a larger segment of the general market, including home owning and home buying persons.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/292,992, filed Aug. 19, 1994, now abandoned. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a vial closure member for use in venting a vial that is used in freeze-drying processes. The closure member is designed to protect the contents of the vial from contamination while allowing a path for water vapor to escape from the vial during the freeze-drying process. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Freeze-drying is used for the preservation of a wide variety of foods, pharmaceuticals, and biological products. Extreme care must be taken in handling and processing many of these products to minimize opportunities for contamination. For example, freeze-drying equipment is often steam-sterilized between batches, and in many cases the entire operating area in which the equipment is located may be outfitted as a sterile clean room to minimize the exposure of products to contaminants as they are being transported to and from the freeze-dryer. In many cases, products must be re-packaged after freeze-drying, thus presenting yet another handling step that provides an opportunity to introduce contaminants into the freeze dried product. Many freeze-drying processes involve placing open containers of material in the freeze-dryer. Containers are kept open until the freeze-drying process is completed to allow a path for water vapor to be removed from the product. This practice, however, presents an opportunity for contamination; hence the concern for cleanliness and sterility of the freeze-drying equipment and the area surrounding it. Cross-contamination between different batches of product being dried at the same time is also a problem. Freeze-drying equipment is expensive, and freeze-drying cycles are generally very long, consuming many hours or even several days for the processing of a single batch of material. As a result, it is very common for freeze-dryer operators to maximize the use of their capital investment in equipment by attempting to fully load the freeze-drying chamber every time it is cycled. This in turn results in the common practice of freeze-drying different materials in the same chamber at the same time. Since all the materials are in open containers, cross-contamination of product can, and commonly does, occur. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,454,178 to Bender, et al., a vial contains a slotted vial cap that, when in the "up" position, allows a path for water vapor to escape the vial. Vials are introduced into the process with their caps in the "up" position, and remain that way until the drying cycle is complete. At the end of the cycle, freeze-drier shelves squeeze down on the vials and press the caps into the "down" position, thus sealing the vials before the drier door is opened. This approach assures that contents of the vials are not contaminated after the process is complete. It also assures that water vapor cannot enter the vials and rehydrate the product once the drier doors are open; indeed, the vials are often repressurized at the end of the process with a dry inert gas, such as nitrogen, prior to pushing the vial caps into the "down" position, to maximize the shelf life of the freeze-dried product. But the problem of contamination of the vial contents when the vials are being loaded into the drier or during the freeze-dry process itself is not addressed by this patent. In European Patent No. 343,596, a container that has been designed to protect freeze-dried products from contamination during the freeze-drying process is described. The container has at least one side that includes a hydrophobic, porous, germ-tight, water vapor-permeable membrane. Water vapor can escape the closed container through this porous membrane, while the membrane represents a barrier to contamination. Another technique used, such as that taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,649 to Bergmann., involves freeze-drying material in a container that has a porous hydrophobic wall. Neither of these patents, however, addresses the concern about re-hydrating the contents of the container once the doors of the drier are opened. It is not obvious how products freeze-dried in such a container could be kept dry and finally packaged in a vapor-tight container without first exposing the dried product to humidity. Thus, a need exists for a container for freeze-dried products that maintains a well-defined level of protection throughout the entire drying process, as well as providing means for forming a vapor-tight seal on the container before the dryer doors are open. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a vial closure member that provides a well-defined degree of protection of the contents of a lyophilization vial throughout the entire life cycle of the vial's contents, from the time the product is introduced into the vial prior to freeze-drying, to the time the vial is ultimately opened by the end-user. The vial closure member of the present invention incorporates a venting port that is protected by a water-vapor permeable porous venting medium. The porous venting medium provides a barrier to bacteria and other particulate contamination, while permitting the passage of gasses such as air and water vapor. The closure member is designed to fit securely in or about the mouth of the vial so that once in place, it forms a bacterial-resistant seal that provides a well-defined degree of protection for the contents of the vial. One feature of the closure member is that, while it is sealed in place in the throat of a vial, its venting port can be opened to permit vapor flow through the venting medium or closed to block vapor flow by means of a plug located in the venting port which is constructed and arranged so that in a raised position an air path is opened through the port and in a lowered position the air path is sealed. A feature of the invention is that closure of the venting port can be accomplished by simply pressing down on the top of the plug. These and other purposes of the present invention will become evident from a review of the following description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of a vial with a closure member of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the closure member of FIG. 1 in open position. FIG. 3 shows the closure member of FIG. 1 in closed position. FIGS. 4-6 show a closure member of the present invention using a finned plug. FIG. 7 shows a closure member of the present invention using a plug member having an interiorly located venting port. FIGS. 8 and 9 show a closure member of the present invention using a plug member having a surface channel venting port. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to closure members that are used with containers, e.g., bottles, vials, etc., that are subjected to lyophilization processes, wherein the contents of the container are lyophilized. They will be referred to herein as "vials." The closure member of the present invention includes: 1. A body in the form of a resilient stopper, shaped to form a vapor-tight seal with the mouth of a vial. 2. A venting port that comprises a passage through the stopper and which provides a pathway between the interior of the bottle and the exterior of the bottle 3. A water vapor permeable, venting medium or filter that is located in the path of vapor travel through the venting port and which is a barrier to penetration by bacteria, and preferably is also a barrier to penetration by liquid water. 4. Means for permitting the venting port to be opened or sealed comprising a plug located in the venting port which is constructed and arranged so that in a raised position an airpath is opened through the port and in a lowered/closed position the airpath is sealed. The present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-9. FIG. 1 shows vial closure member 10 in the mouth 3 of vial 1. Closure member 10 comprises resilient stopper 6 and a movable plug 5. In FIG. 1, the mouth 3 has a smaller diameter than the vial body. However, the mouth 3 and the vial body can also have the same diameter, or the mouth could be larger than the bottle. The venting medium is shown as 7. The closure member 10 of FIG. 1 is described in greater detail in the discussion below relating to FIGS. 2-9. In FIG. 2, closure member 10 has a stopper body 11 of resilient material with a cylindrical section 12, a tapered portion 13, and an inner channel or venting port 14. The channel 14 is shown to have a stepped configuration, although other designs are possible, and includes upper end 15 and lower end 16. Ends 15 and 16 have respective openings 17 and 18 to respectively receive plug member 20 and venting medium 30. The plug member 20 is shown in an open venting position in FIG. 2 and a closed, non-venting position in FIG. 3. In FIGS. 2 and 3, plug member 20 has two downwardly extending legs 21 and 22 that are spaced apart from one another to provide a passageway or channel 23 for fluids to be vented from the interior of vial 1 (FIG. 1) through venting medium filter 30. The outer diameter formed by said downwardly extending legs is sufficiently large so that the plug member 20 may be resiliently maintained in an upper, open venting position with end 15. Although plug member 20 is shown as having two legs, it is possible to have three or more downwardly extending legs. Porous venting medium 30 extends across opening 18. By the term porous venting medium is meant any material that is water vapor permeable, and which provides effective resistance to bacteria penetration. Examples of porous venting media include papers, non-woven polymer films such as polyolefin, e.g., spun-bonded Tyvek®, and porous polymer membranes such as expanded porous PTFE. It is preferred that the venting medium be hydrophobic. By the term hydrophobic is meant that the medium is resistant to penetration by water. Preferably, the materials' resistance to water vapor flow versus effective pore size should also be considered. Pore sizes in the 0.2 to 3.0 micrometer range will yield performance in bacterial challenge tests that are generally associated with "sterile barrier" media. The smaller the pore size, the more reliable the barrier performance. For the aforesaid, porous, stretched PTFE, which has a microstructure of nodes interconnected with fibrils, nominal pore sizes of 0.1 micrometer, or 0.2 or up to 3 or more micrometers are useful. On the other hand, smaller reference pore sizes in a given material will also yield higher resistance to vapor flow, which can affect productivity in lyophilization. Stretched, porous PTFE is a preferred venting medium based on its superior combination of hydrophobicity and water vapor flow for a given nominal pore size. While the venting media is shown to be located within the opening 18, it is also contemplated to affix the peripheral edge of the venting medium to the bottom most edge of tapered portion 13. The operation of the device of FIGS. 1-3 is as follows. Closure member 10 is inserted into the mouth of the vial and provides a barrier against contamination of the vial contents from bacteria or other particulate contamination from the outside. It also prevents the loss of particulates and their contamination from inside the vial, As shown in FIG. 2, when the plug 20 is in the "up" position, the channel slot or passageway 23 in plug 20 presents a path for vapors to enter or leave the vial. When plug 20 is pressed into the "down" position, FIG. 3, it seals the vent port, thus prohibiting further passage of water vapor or other gases into or out of the vial. FIGS. 4-9 depict closure members that differ from that of FIGS. 2 and 3 in design. In FIGS. 4-6, plug member 17' is supported on rigid vanes 41, 42, 43 and 44 that allow plug 17' to ride up and down in channel or venting port 14. FIG. 4 shows plug member 17' in the "up" position for venting whereby vapor can travel throughout channel 14 around the vanes 41-44. FIG. 5 shows plug member 17' in the down non-venting position. FIG. 6 shows a bottom view of plug member 17' with vanes 41-44. In FIG. 7, the plug member 17" has a passage 50 that opens at the bottom 51, runs up part of the length 52 of plug member 17", and exits the side of the plug member 17" via side exit or port 54. Again, when the plug is in the "up" position (FIG. 7), vapor can travel through passage 50; when the plug member 17" is pressed down, the side exit or port 54 of passage 54 is blocked off and the port 54 is closed. In FIGS. 8-9, the plug member 17'" has a slot 60 in its side 61 that permits vapor flow when the top 62 of the slot 60 is exposed above the top of assembly cap 2. It can be seen that there are a number of other specific configurations that could be conceived that would remain within the scope or spirit of this invention. Likewise, there are a wide variety of materials that may be used. A key consideration for the stopper and plug material is the materials' ability to resist moisture penetration or retention, and to maintain an excellent vaporproof seal over a wide range of temperatures. Stoppers of butyl rubber have provided excellent performance. As indicated in the figures, there are a wide variety of configurations of vent ports, venting media, vent port stoppers and plugs that may be used that would remain within the scope of this invention. An exemplary process for using the vented vial closure of the subject invention includes, but is not limited to: (a) filling the vial with product under sterile conditions; (b) inserting the closure member of the present invention into the mouth of the bottle with the vent plug in the "open" position; (c) freeze-drying the product in the vial, allowing the water vapor to escape through the venting medium and the venting port; (d) optionally re-pressurizing the chamber and the vial with a dry, inert gas such as nitrogren; and (e) sealing the venting port by pressing down on the plug. EXAMPLE 1 Venting Medium Tests To demonstrate that stretched, porous PTFE membranes in the 0.2 micron to 3.0 micrometers reference pore size range could provide an effective venting medium and a barrier to cross-contamination between vials, the following three experiments were run: Liquid Challenge Test In some cases, the membrane might be challenged by contaminated liquid. For example, if a liquid pharmaceutical vial tips over before it is frozen. To demonstrate that the vented vial could retain contaminants in the liquid under such conditions, a liquid challenge test was devised. In the test, sample membranes obtained from W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. were challenged with a suspension of φX174 bacteriophage, one of the smallest known viruses, in tryptone broth. Challenge concentration was maintained at at least 100 million PFU/ml. Sterile membrane was contacted with the challenge suspension for 5 minutes at atmospheric pressure; the pressure on the challenge side was then slowly increased to a pressure below the water entry pressure of the membrane sample (as indicated in Table 1), and then held constant for an additional 5 minutes. The reverse side of the membranes were then rinsed and assayed for φX174. No virus breakthrough was detected. TABLE 1______________________________________Reference Challenge Titer Assay TiterPore Size Test Pressure (PFU/ml.) (PFU/ml.)______________________________________0.2 20 psig 1.8 × 10.sup.8 00.45 20 psig 1.4 × 10.sup.8 01.0 15 psig 1.4 × 10.sup.8 03.0 2 psig 1.4 × 10.sup.8 0______________________________________ Particle Challenge Test Another possible scenario is that, during drying, very small particles of freeze-dried material could be entrained by vapor evolving below them in the vial and be drawn out of the vial in that manner (this is quite common in freeze-dry processes). To demonstrate that the venting medium could present a barrier to contaminants being carried under this condition, a dry particle filtration challenge test was devised. Salt particles were generated by air drying a finely atomized mist of salt water; the membranes were challenged with an air flow carrying these particles and the particles that penetrated were counted in the downstream air flow by redundant laser particle counters. Air velocity at the membrane surface was >2 meters/minute. Results of this filtration efficiency test are shown in Table 2. TABLE 2______________________________________Filtration Efficiency of Sample MembranesPart-icleSize(μ)0.2 0.45 1.0 3.0______________________________________0.10-100.000000% 99.999977% 99.999954% 99.999892%0.120.12-100.000000% 99.999985% 99.999985% 99.999926%0.150.15-100.000000% 99.999985% 99.999985% 99.999936%0.200.20-100.000000% 100.000000% 100.000000% 99.999936%0.250.25-100.000000% 100.000000% 100.000000% 99.999931%0.350.35-100.000000% 100.000000% 100.000000% 100.000000%0.450.45-100.000000% 100.000000% 100.000000% 100.000000%0.600.60-100.000000% 100.000000% 100.000000% 100.000000%0.750.75-100.000000% 100.000000% 100.000000% 100.000000%1.00______________________________________ This is a demonstration of the fact that the millions of very fine fibrils in expanded porous PTFE is a unique structure providing very high air filtration efficiencies through the mechanisms of impaction, interception, and diffusion within the membrane. Aerosol Challenge Test While it is undesirable in the freeze dry process, it can be imagined that under certain conditions liquid might form on the venting medium or in the vial during the freeze dry process, and small droplets might be entrained by the evolving vapors. Contamination could be carried in these droplets out through the vent port. To demonstrate that the venting medium could provide a barrier to contaminants that are carried in a fine spray of liquid, the membranes were subjected to a viral filtration efficiency test, a test that is commonly used in testing packaging for sterile medical devices such as disposable surgical instruments or implants. In this test, φX174 bacteriophage stock suspension was pumped through a "Chicago" nebulizer at a controlled flow rate and fixed air pressure to form aerosol droplets with a mean particle size of 2.9 microns. The air flow carrying the droplets was driven through the membrane samples and then into a six stage "viable particle" Andersen sampler, which impinges the aerosol droplets onto one of six agar plates based on size. Samples of 0.2, 0.45, 1.0, and 3.0 micron reference pore size membrane were challenged in this test. After the challenges, the agar plates were incubated at 37° C. for 4-18 hours. The plaques formed by each virus-laden particle were then counted and converted to probable hit values using the published conversion chart of Andersen. No colonies were detected downstream of any of the membrane samples. EXAMPLE 2 To demonstrate that freeze-drying could be successfully accomplished with the closure member of the invention, prototypes of the design shown in FIG. 1 were evaluated in a commercial bone tissue bank application. The objective of this application is to reduce moisture content of bone chips to 1-5% by weight. Vial caps of the design indicated in FIG. 1 were fabricated using a 0.2 micron reference pore size expanded PTFE membrane as the venting media. The stopper bodies were made of butyl rubber, and they were sized to mate with the vials that were used in a standard lyophilization process. The vials and caps were sterilized. Bone chips were placed in the vials, and the stopper bodies firmly sealed in the mouth of the vial with the vent port plugs in the "up" position. Thus, as the vials were introduced to the process, the only path available for water vapor to escape from the vials was through the venting medium and out the vent port. The vials were then placed in a drier; the door was closed, the temperature was reduced to -80° C., and a vacuum was drawn. The bone was dried in a 14 day cycle, during which time the vent port plugs were in the "up" position so that water vapor could escape. At the end of the cycle, automatic shelf assemblies squeezed down, sealing the plugs and thus sealing the vial under a dry vacuum condition. The drying chamber was then re-pressurized with nitrogen, and then the doors were opened and the sealed vials were removed. With this process, moisture content of the bone chips was reduced to the vicinity of 1-5% by weight and maintained at that low level until the vials were re-opened.

A closure member for use in closing vials that are subjected to lyophilization conditions is described where the member is a resilient stopper that has a plug movable within a passageway in the stopper. The plug is movable between a first raised venting position and second downwardly engaging, sealing position whereby fluid from the vial or container is precluded from flowing through the fluid passageway in the cap. The passageway has a venting medium filter covering it which allows passage of water vapor, but not bacteria.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a new roller-furling sail construction and to a method of using said sail on sailing vessels. More particularly this invention relates to a roller furling sail with at least two different weight sail cloths in its construction and which when furled retains its desired flat shape and to the method of using such sails on various sailing vessels. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Sails have been powering vessels ever since the early days of ancient Egypt. Sails have been made of various types of construction. There have been mitered cuts, scotch-cuts commonly known in the art as reverse miter cut, vertical cuts, horizontal cuts as well as others. It has been a relatively recent development to have the main and the head sail furl on sail boats. This is done mostly to achieve a measure of safety in heavy weather sailing with a minimum of sail handling. Various United States Patents have been issued on roller-furling systems for sail boats. These roller-furling Patents that are known are: U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,460 issued Feb. 17, 1976 to Wales, et al, entitled, Sail-Raising System. U.S. Pat. No. 3,958,523 issued May 25, 1976 to T. S. Holmes, entitled, Sail Hoisting, Supporting and Furling operating. U.S. Pat. No. 3,980,036 issued Sept. 14, 1976 to D. H. Crall, entitled, Roller Furling Assembly. U.S. Pat. No. 4,034,694 issued July 12, 1977 to N. B. Dismuker, entitled Jib Furler. U.S. Pat. No. 4,080,917 issued Mar. 28, 1978 to Alter, et al, entitled Roller Furling Mechanism. U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,687 issued Mar. 5, 1978 to R. C. Newick, entitled Roller Furling Sail. U.S. Pat. No. 4,248,281 issued May 20, 1980 to F. E. Hood, entitled Sail Furling. U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,791 issued May 19, 1981 to J. P. Ingoref, entitled Jib Roller System. U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,790 issued May 19, 1981 to R. S. Hood, entitled, Sail Furling and Reefing opportunities. While all of the above U.S. Patents constitute the body of art existing in the field of Roller-Furling none of them disclose or even suggest the roller-furling sail construction of the present invention. Additional prior art related to but in no way anticapitory of the present invention are a number of patents that relate to the so-called scotch-cut jibs ranging from the Dec. 26, 1899 U.S. Pat. No. 639,916 entitled Sailing Vessel and including, U.S. Pat. No. 3,194,202 to P. K. Saunders July 13, 1965, U.S. Pat. No. 3,602,180 issued Aug. 31, 1971 to T. S. Holmes, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,828,711 issued Aug. 13, 1974 to Russel. Even though these Patents show Scotch-cut jibs are old, none describe a scotch-cut roller-furling sail constructed with at least two different weight sail cloths. U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,687 issued Mar. 5, 1978 to R. C. Newich entitled Roller-Furling Sail, describes a roller-furling jib that is designed to eliminate fullness. This patent does not anticipate the specific embodiment of the present invention which maintains the desirable flat sail shape when a roller-furling sail is partially furled. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a roller furling sail construction that utilizes at least two different sail cloth weights, said sail being constructed so that as the sail is furled, it is predominently the lightest weight cloth that is the first cloth to be taken up leaving a greater percentage of the heavier weight cloth or cloths exposed to take the load of the heavier weather. At the same time the total sail area of the sail is reduced. The present invention also envisions the additions to the roller-furling sail, a luff flattening panel which may be sewn, glued, taped or secured in any suitable manner to the luff of the sail, thereby taking up the draft of the sail as the sail is furled so the most desirable flat sail shape is not effected by reducing sail area in the process roller-furling. Thus it is the object of the present invention to provide a single roller-furling sail that is effective in winds from up to 10 knots to over 40 knots. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of sail handling in varying wind conditions and eliminating the danger of sail changing in rough weather. A further object of the present invention is to provide a roller-furling sail where the sail remains flat while reducing sail area. These and other objects of the present invention will become evident by reading the following specification in connection with the accompanying drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Sailing has been part of the worlds transportation and sports for as long as recorded history. It has always been a problem for sailors to deal with varying wind conditions. There are various ways of dealing with this problem. The two principle ways of handling heavy air are reducing sail area and/or presenting a sail, usually a smaller sail, made of heavier sail cloth to the heavier air. At first, only reducing sail area was used and generally done only on main sails by what is known in the art as reefing. Reefing is accomplished by pulling the main sail down, to a predetermined point and tying it to the boom, whereas; furling is accomplished by rolling a sail up on itself in the manner of a window shade, but in a more vertical position. In the early days, the only way to reduce sail area of the jib was to go forward to the fore deck and take down the working and genoa jib and put up a smaller, heavier head sail, such as a storm jib. In the mid part of this century roller-furling was introduced. Roller-furling is described in the United States Patents cited supra. While roller-furling reduces sail area, it has been still necessary to go forward to the fore deck put up a small heavy weight storm jib because the roller-furling said, while being able to be reduced in sail area, is made of a sail cloth weight that is too light for the heavy weather. Safety as sea is always a major consideration. The most hazardous work on board a sail boat is done on the foredeck. As the wind increases white caps start to form and the deck begins to pitch just as it is necessary to venture forward to change to a small heavy storm jib. This situation represents a real danger. The sail construction of the present invention eliminated this problem by allowing a sailor to reduce sail area from the cockpit and at the same time present, to the increasing wind a much increased percentage area of heavier sail cloth. In addition, this is accomplished without the usual problem of bulging draft, generally inherent in roller-furling sails, just when you need it least, that is, in heavy weather wind. In the present invention, the sail is constructed in the reverse miter cut or as commonly known in the art as the Scotch-cut. This cut can be generally discribed as having sail cloth panels running parallel to both the leech and the foot of the sail. The miter seam generally bisects the clew angle formed by the leech panel and the foot panel of the sail. It is of course recognized that this bisect angle may be varied by a number of degrees either way but this variation in no way takes such a construction outside of the spirit of the present invention. The sail of the present invention is constructed of panels diagonal to the luff with one mitired center seam generally bicecting the clew angle. The main body of the scotch-cut sail of the present invention is composed of a sail weight that is generally the proper weight for the area in which the boat is generally sailed. This weight is usually 5 to 6 ounce dacron, although the weight could vary from 3 to 8 ounce dacron and the material may also vary from the use of dacron. This limitation is only guided by the selection of the cloth such as nylon, cotton, kevlor, a registered trademark of Du Pont & Co., Inc. and Mylar also a registered trademark of Du Pont & Co. These and any other sail cloth material are all included within the scope of the present invention. A luff flattening panel is secured to the luff of the sail of present invention, thereby providing for the flat shape of the sail to be maintained and eliminating unwanted bulging of a roller-furled sail as it is furled. The luff flattening panel is generally curved in shape, ranging generally from the head to the tack of the sail along the luff. The width of the luff flattening panel is generally determined by the length of the luff of the sail. The longer the luff the wider the curved flattening panel. It is recognized, of course, that the description of the dimensions are generally a guide for optimum shape. The actual selection of the dimensions does not take such a sail out of the scope of the present invention. It should also be noted that the scotch-cut panels in the sail of the present invention reduces stress on the seams of the roller-furling sail thereby increasing longevity of the sail. In general roller-furling sails have horizontal panels and direct pressure is constantly being exerted on the seams as the sail is furled again and again and causes many seams to blow out within the first year of use. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a dacron roller-furling genoa sail is constructed in a reverse miter or Scotch-cut. The sail is constructed with the panels diagonal to the luff with one miter center seam bisecting the angle of the clew. The main body of the sail is made of 5 to 6 ounce dacron and the outer panel of the leech and the foot are made of 7 to 8 ounce dacron. A curved luff flattening panel is sewn into the luff of the sail. The genoa is rigged on the jib roller-furling system of a sailing yacht. As the wind increases the sail is furled and the lighter sail material area is reduced, as a result an overall higher percentage of heavier sail cloth area is presented to the wind and at the same time reducing the overall sail area of the sail. The sail is also maintained flat. DISCUSSION OF MAIN SAIL The present invention has been described supra with respect to head sails such a jibs. It is part of the present invention to construct a main sail in the same manner as the jibs are constructed and used with main sail roller-furling gear. The main sail is constructed in the Scotch-cut wherein the main body of the sail is made of lighter weight sail cloth dacron, the leech panel and the foot panel is made of a heavier weight sail cloth dacron in the same manner as the jib. A luff flattening panel is also sewn at the luff of the main sail. As with the jib, the size of the luff of main sail will determine the number of varying weight sail cloth panels that are used in the sail. The main sail is rigged on the main sail roller-furling system of a sailing yacht. As the wind increases the main sail is furled and the lighter sail material area is reduced, as a result, an overall higher percentage of heavier sail area is presented to the wind and at the same time reducing the overall sail area of the main sail. The sail is also maintained flat. All of the foregoing and still further advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a study of the specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts through the several views and wherein: FIG. 1 is a plain view of the roller-furling genoa jib fully entended. FIG. 2 is a plain view of the roller-furling genoa jib furled to storm jib position. FIG. 3 is a plain view of the roller-furling main sail fully extended. FIG. 4 is a plain view of the roller-furling main sail furled to storm jib position. In the drawings, a genoa jib sail is shown in FIG. 1 on roller-furling gear where the numeral 8 indicates a roller-furling drum and 9 is a roller-furling headswivel. In the sail itself 1 is the leech, 4 is the foot, 5 is the luff, 2 is the head, 7 is the tack and 3 is the clew. The construction of this new sail of the present invention which has a Scotch-cut design is shown, wherein the miter seam is indicated at 6, the heavier weight panels are shown at 10, the lighter weight main body of the sail is at 11 and the luff flattening panel is shown at 12. The sail shown in FIG. 1, for example, would have, in its fully unfurled position as shown therein, about 70 percent light weight panel cloth 11 and about 30 percent heavy weight panel cloth 10. In the furled position example of the sail as shown in FIG. 2, 28 shows the roller-furling drum and 29 is the roller-furling head swivel. In the furled sail 21 is the leech, 24 is the foot, 25 is the newly formed luff, 22 is the new head, 27 is the newly formed tack and 23 is the clew. The results of the sail construction of the present invention are shown with the miter seam at 26, the heavier weight panels are at 34, the lighter weight panels are at 35 and the fattened sail shape as a result of luff flattening panel 12 of FIG. 1 is indicated at 36. In the furled sail shown in FIG. 2, as an example, it would have in a storm furled position as shown therein, about 60 percent heavy weight panel cloth 34 and 40 percent lighter weight panel cloth 35. It is evident that as a sailor furls the sail further the heavy weight panel percentage increases and the light weight panel decreases with lesser total sail area exposed to the wind. Conversely, as the sail is unfurled the percentage of light panel increases and the percentage of the heavier panels decreases with the total sail area increases. In FIG. 3 a furling main sail is shown on a mast 50 where the numeral 48 indicates a roller-furling drum and 49 is a roller-furling head swivel. In the sail itself 41 is the leech, 44 is the foot, 45 is the luff, 42 is the head, 47 is the tack and 43 is the clew. The construction of this new sail of the present invention has a Scotch-cut design wherein the miter seam is indicated at 46, the heavier weight panels are shown at 40, the lighter weight main body of the sail is at 51 and the luff flattening panel is shown at 52. The main sail shown in FIG. 3, for example, would have at its fully unfurled position, as shown therein, about 68 percent light weight panel cloth 51 and about 32 percent heavy weight panel cloth 40. In the furled position example of the main sail as shown in FIG. 4, 68 shows the roller-furling drum and 69 is the roller-furling head swivel. In the furled sail 61 is the leech, 64 is the foot, 65 is the newly formed luff, 62 is the new head, 67 is the newly formed tack and 63 is the clew. The results of the sail construction of the present invention are shown with the miter seam at 66, the heavier weight panels are at 74, the lighter weight panels are at 75, and the flattened sail shape as a result of luff flattening panel 52 of FIG. 3 is indicated at 76. In the furled sail shown in FIG. 4, as an example, it would have in the furled position as shown therein, about 60 percent heavy weight panel cloth 74 and 40 percent lighter weight panel cloth 75. It is evident that as a sailor furls the sail further the heavy weight panel cloth percentage increases and the light weight panel cloth decreases with lesser total sail area exposed to the wind. Conversly, as the sail is unfurled the percentage of light panel cloth increases and the percentage of the heavier panel cloth decreases with the total sail area increases. Although several embodiments of the invention have been herein illustrated and described it will be evident to those skilled in the art that various modification may be made in the details of construction and method of use without departing from the spirit of the present invention as set forth and limited only by scope of the appended claims.

A Roller-furling sail both main sail and head sail, such as jibs or genoas, are constructed in the reverse miter cut or Scotch cut. The sails are constructed of sail cloth panels to the luff with one mitered seam bisecting the angle made by the panels that run parallel to the foot and the leech of the sail. The panels running adjacent to the foot and the leech are of a heavier weight cloth than the remaining body of the sail. As the sail is furled a greater portion of the lighter weight sail cloth is taken up thereby leaving an increased percentage of the heavier sail cloth exposed to the stronger winds. The sail may also be provided with a luff flattening panel that is seared to the luff of the sail in a generally curved shape from the area of the tack to the area of the head of the sail. The luff flattening panel allows the sail to be partially furled and maintain the desired flat shape.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a magnetic sensing probe assembly and method for detecting and marking the location of an implanted medical device. Particularly, this invention relates to a magnetic sensing probe assembly and method for locating the source of a magnetic field emitted from an implanted medical device. The assembly and method provide for easily and conveniently locating the magnetic source in an implanted medical device and marking its location for purposes of conducting a medical procedure. Related art devices have been found to be difficult to operate because of their physical dimensions, because they require sensory adjustments for various conditions or procedures, and/or because of their mechanical or antiquated design. The present invention overcomes the problems with the prior art and provides a convenient probe assembly for a user, for example a medical technician, practitioner, or physician, to precisely locate a magnetic material incorporated into or a magnetic field emanating from an implanted medical device and to physically mark the location of the magnetic material or field with a nonpermanent agent. Both the sensing and marking mechanisms are incorporated into the assembly. It is an object of this invention to provide a sensing probe assembly constructed and arranged to locate magnetic material incorporated into or a magnetic field from a medical device or its components. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved sensing probe assembly which is accurate and easy to use. Another object of the invention is to incorporate a marking mechanism into the assembly so that the location of the magnetic material or field can be conveniently, physically, and nonpermanently marked. Yet another object of this invention is to provide a medical device which is compact, reliable, and economical. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a magnetic sensing probe assembly and method for detecting and locating an implanted medical device. The present invention is easily held in and controlled by one hand. The assembly comprises an elongated housing containing a light source or diode, a power source, a magnetic switch and a circuit for electrical connection between the light source and the magnetic switch. The housing has opposing ends, namely, a light end and a tip end. The assembly of the present invention further has a marking means located on the tip end of the housing to mark the location of a source of a magnetic field on the tissue of a patient once the magnetic field has been detected. The magnetic source is accurately located by moving the magnetic sensing probe assembly across the area containing the medical device to establish two pairs of points above the source. The points are detected as locations where the light source illuminates as the magnetic switch detects a magnetic field. The points are marked by depressing the marking means on the patient's skin or tissue. The intersection of the line segments connecting the two pairs of points provides the precise location of the magnetic material or the magnetic field. This method can be used to locate a component of a medical device spatially aligned with the magnetic material or source, so that a medical procedure can then be performed on the medical device. The present invention provides an assembly and method for using a magnetic sensing probe in an easy, quick, reliable and convenient manner to locate a source of a magnetic field and to mark its location, thereby marking the location of an implanted medical device, for example. Particularly the sensing probe assembly may be utilized to non-invasively locate an injection port of a tissue expander or implanted inflatable device to thereby permit the device to be filled with fluid. These and other benefits of this invention will become clear from the following description by reference to the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the probe housing of the magnetic sensing probe assembly of the invention; FIG. 2 is a lateral view of the magnetic sensing probe assembly being used to locate an implanted medical device; FIG. 3 is a lateral view of a marking cover having a circular marking tip; FIG. 4 is a bottom end view of the marking cover of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a lateral view of a marking cover having a square marking tip; FIG. 6 is a bottom end view of the marking cover of FIG. 5; FIG. 7 is a lateral view of a marking cover having a triangular marking tip; FIG. 8 is a bottom end view of the marking cover of FIG. 7; FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the magnetic sensing probe assembly of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the magnetic sensing probe assembly of the present invention showing the assembly in a disassembled state; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the magnetic sensing probe assembly in use with a magnetic implant port assembly; FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the probe housing of the sensing probe assembly; FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the marking cover of the sensing probe assembly; FIG. 14 is an end plan view of the marking cover of FIG. 13; and FIG. 15 shows the coordinate system used to locate an implanted medical device. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention relates to a magnetic sensing probe assembly and method which is useful for medical technicians, practitioners and physicians to locate and mark the source of a magnetic field which is incorporated into a medical device, for example. The invention provides for the quick, convenient and reliable marking of an implanted device in a non-invasive manner. FIG. 1 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of the magnetic sensing probe assembly 10 having an elongated housing 11 that encapsulates a magnetic switch 18 , a light source or light-emitting diode (LED) 15 , and a circuit for electrical connection between the magnetic switch 18 and LED 15 . For example, the electrical circuit structure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,296,376 may be used to interconnect magnetic switch 18 and LED 15 . Other circuits may also be used in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The housing 11 has an elongated shape so that it may be conveniently held in one hand like a pencil and is preferably made of a nonmagnetic material. The housing 11 has a tip end 12 encapsulating the magnetic switch 18 and a light end 13 encapsulating the light-emitting LED 15 , as shown in FIG. 12 . The light end 13 of the housing 11 surrounding the LED 15 is transparent so that a user can clearly see when the diode or light source is illuminated. Optimally, the housing end 13 may be of a colored, transparent or translucent material, such as a polycarbonate or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic sensing probe assembly 10 enables a user to detect and physically mark the precise location of a magnetic material incorporated into an implant port 21 of an implanted medical device 20 , for example. The magnetic sensing probe assembly 10 includes a marking cover structure 16 for marking the magnetic location on the skin or tissue 22 of a patient. The marking cover 16 , further shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, is generally tubular in configuration and is constructed and arranged to fit over and hold onto the tip end 12 of the housing 11 encapsulating the magnetic switch 18 . The marking cover 16 is preferably made of any nonmagnetic material, such as an acetal homo-polymer composition or the like. The cover structure 16 has a marking tip 17 for physically marking the location of the magnetic implant port 21 . The marking tip 17 is constructed so that it is held on the tip end 12 of the housing 11 , and so that it can be depressed upon a patient's skin or tissue 22 to leave a nonpermanent physical mark thereon. The marking tip 17 is shown to have a peripheral indented portion which defines a geometric shape. While the marking tip may be of any shape or dimension, as shown in FIGS. 3-8, the cover tip is shown to have a geometric shape such as a circle 24 , a square 26 , or a triangle 28 which are shown on covers 23 , 25 and 27 , respectively. The physical mark may be created by the tip or by a marking agent, such as nonpermanent ink, that coats the marking tip 17 before it is pressed upon the patient. The marking cover 16 can be removed and reattached to the housing 11 as desired by the user or it may be permanently affixed to or incorporated into the housing 11 . Both the housing 11 and marking cover 16 are of a material, as discussed above, which can be sterilized as required before using the sensing probe assembly 10 in a medical procedure. FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the magnetic sensing probe assembly 10 , having light end 13 , housing 11 and marking cover 16 with marking tip 17 . FIG. 10 shows the marking cover 16 with marking tip 17 removed from magnetic sensing probe assembly 10 , thereby showing the tip end 12 of housing 11 . FIG. 11 shows the magnetic sensing probe assembly 10 in use with a magnetic implant port 21 . Housing 11 is shown having light end 13 which illuminates when a magnetic material or field is sensed. Marking cover 16 with marking tip 17 can then be used to mark the location of the magnetic material. An advantage of this invention is that a user can use the magnetic sensing probe assembly 10 with one hand to easily and quickly locate the precise location of the magnetic material or field. A medical device or component spatially aligned with the magnetic material, for example, an implant port may be located in a non-invasive manner. The location procedure is accomplished by using the assembly to detect and mark the periphery of the associated magnetic field, since both the sensing and the marking mechanisms are incorporated into a single, convenient design. The method of the present invention uses the magnetic sensing probe assembly 10 to mark a coordinate system 30 on a patent's skin or tissue, as shown in FIG. 15 . The probe assembly is scanned or moved across an area of the patient's skin or tissue under which the medical device is implanted. The magnetic material incorporated into the medical device produces a magnetic field which is detectable outside the patient's body. The magnetic switch activates and causes the light tip of the probe assembly to illuminate when it senses a magnetic field. When scanning the probe assembly across the area of skin the magnetic switch will activate when it senses a magnetic field and cause the light tip to illuminate, and will deactivate when it no longer senses the field, causing the light tip to darken. One sweep across the area will establish one point 36 where the light tip illuminates and another point 37 where the light tip illuminates. The marking tip can mark these two points 36 and 37 which establish a horizontal line segment 32 . Upon sweeping the probe assembly perpendicular to the horizontal line segment 32 two more points 34 and 35 will become apparent where the light tip illuminates due to the magnetic switch sensing the magnetic field. These points 34 and 35 can be marked and establish vertical line segment 31 . The intersection 33 of these two line segments 31 and 32 can also be marked and represents the location of the implanted medical device which is spatially aligned with a magnetic material or field. This location is where the medical procedure can be performed. More than two line segments and four reference points may also be detected and marked. As many changes are possible to the embodiments of this invention, utilizing the teachings thereof, the description above and the accompanying drawings should be interpreted in the illustrative and not the limited sense.

A sensing probe assembly and method for locating a magnetic field emitted by an implanted medical device. The assembly has a housing containing a magnetic field sensor circuit having an indicator light and a magnetic switch. The assembly further has a structure for marking the location of the magnetic field. The method utilizes a marking system whereby at least four points forming at least two perpendicularly intersecting line segments are located and marked above the magnetic field. The intersection is then used as a reference point for performing a medical procedure on the implanted medical device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a squeeze film shaft damper oil system and more particularly to a circular array of radial oil inlets at unequally spaced and non-symmetrical positions circumferentially about the squeeze film space in a damper with a frequency independent, flexibility responsive, check valve in each inlet. In a typical squeeze film shaft damper, a bearing support member such as the outer race of a rolling element bearing supported shaft is fitted in an annular chamber in its bearing housing to have limited radial motion therein. The outer planar surface of the outer race fits closely adjacent the opposed annular chamber wall to define a thin annular squeeze film space into which damper oil is introduced. Vibratory or radial motion of the shaft and its bearing generate hydrodynamic forces in the damper oil in the squeeze film space for damping purposes. One problem associated with dampers as described involves orbital motion of a shaft. For example, in a damper bearing application for hot gas turbine engines, such as aircraft gas turbine engines, a turbine rotor/shaft imbalance may cause the shaft to undergo some limited orbital motion. This orbital motion causes alternate squeezing of the squeeze film space for very high oil pressure at one peripheral region and a lower pressure at an opposite region. The alternating action causes oil in the squeeze film space to flow circumferentially with an unequal pressure distribution such that, at the lower pressure region there may be a lack of a sufficient quantity of oil for damping effectiveness, referred to as cavitation or oil starvation. For this reason it has been a practice to utilize oil systems which supply oil to the low pressure region of the operating damper to prevent cavitation and modulate peripheral pressures in the squeeze film space. Such systems usually require complex and rigorous oil flow check valves to prevent backflow of high pressure oil from the rotating hydrodynamic peak pressure regions of the squeeze film space into the oil supply system. In addition, peripheral location of oil inlets are not always in an arrangement which accommodates both variable and static conditions of the damper. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide an improved oil supply system for squeeze film dampers. It is another object of this invention to provide an improved peripheral arrangement of oil inlets into a squeeze film damper. It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved oil flow check valve for squeeze film damper oil supply systems. It is a still further object of this invention to provide a frequency independent, flexibility responsive, check valve controlled peripheral and radial oil supply system for squeeze film shaft dampers. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a squeeze film shaft damper defining an annular squeeze film space, a dual section, dual pressure, circumferential oil manifold concentrically surrounds the squeeze film space. A non-symmetrical row of radially inwardly directed oil inlets open into the squeeze film space at predeterminedly advantageous locations with some of said inlets providing higher pressure oil than others. Each inlet is provided with a non-frequency dependent synthetic resin check valve to prevent backflow of oil through the inlet. This invention will be better understood when taken in connection with the following drawings and description. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial and schematic view of a squeeze film damper to which this invention is applicable. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional and plan view of an oil supply system for the damper of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional and plan view of the improved oil supply system of this invention as applied to the FIG. 1 damper. FIG. 4 is a schematic and cross-sectional view of the improved automatic check valve of this invention in a radial oil inlet. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1, damper assembly 10 comprises a rolling element bearing housing 11 in which an outer annular race 12 of a rolling element bearing is fitted for limited radial motion. Outer race 12 fits closely adjacent an opposed housing wall to define a thin annular oil filled squeeze film space 13 which is closed or sealed by means of spaced piston rings 14 positioned in annular grooves in race 12 and bearing against the opposite wall of housing 11. An oil supply system for damper 10 may comprise a circumferential oil channel or manifold 15 concentrically surrounding squeeze film space 13, and damper oil is supplied to space 13 from a plurality of circumferentially spaced and radially inwardly oriented oil inlets 16 leading from manifold 15 into squeeze film space 13or interconnecting manifold 15 and squeeze film space 13 in fluid flow relationship as illustrated in FIG. 2. Referring now to FIG. 2, oil supply system 17 comprises circumferential channel or manifold 15 concentrically surrounding damper assembly 10 and squeeze film space 13. Manifold 15 is usually located at the axial midpoint of a damper such as damper 10 of FIG. 1. Radial oil inlets 16 areusually positioned peripherally equidistantly in manifold 15 such as, in FIG. 2 at about 60° circumferentially spaced locations. The oil supply system as illustrated in FIG. 2 has not been found to be optimally effective over a full range of damper operation. For example, a critical period for damper operation with respect to hot gas turbine engines is initial start up rotation of the turbine wheel and its shaft. After a long rest or non-operating period of time, the shaft supporting the relatively massive turbine wheel becomes very slightly bowed or set. Rapid start up under these conditions includes an initial high degree of orbiting motion of the shaft which imposes severe requirements on the damper and its oil supply system which may not provide an immediate lift off of the shaft and full support of the shaft by oil in squeeze film space 13. Under normal operating or running conditions, an oil supply system should immediately supply oil to the low pressure or cavitation side of the damper while preventing exit of high pressure oil from the squeeze film space when at its minimum thickness. An improved oil system which accommodates the noted problems is shown in FIG. 3. Referring now to FIG. 3, an improved oil system 18 comprises a modified circumferential manifold or channel 19 with modified oil inlets 20. Modified radial oil inlets 20 are not arranged in equidistant circumferential relationship. Oil inlets 20 are arranged non-symmetricallycircumferentially, in that, of the 6 inlets illustrated, four are arranged at 90° intervals, but at the 180° position, the remaining two inlets are positioned closely adjacent the oil inlet at the 180° region which is described as the rest position of the gas turbine engine. This cluster or concentration of three or more inlets at the 180° region will supply the necessary oil at the shaft rest position on start up of the engine to lift race 12 from contact with housing 11 for better start up operation and cavitation control. Higher pressure oil to the cluster of inlets is advantageous for lift off and start up operation. In order to provide higher pressure oil to the clusterof oil inlets 20 a dual pressure manifold 19 is utilized. Dual pressure manifold 19 comprises a pair of separate and independent manifold segments21 and 22 defined by inner partitions 23 and 24 which effectively separate manifold 19 into the pair of arc segments 21 and 22. One segment 21 is connected to its separate oil supply by conduit 25 and serves the cluster of inlets 20 in the 180° region. The other segment 22 serves the remaining oil inlets and is connected, by means of conduit 26, to a supplyof oil at a pressure different from, and lower than, the supply of oil for segment 21. Oil system 18 is a dual pressure system with a non-symmetricalcircumferential array of oil inlets 20 operative to supply higher pressure oil to select or cluster inlets. The higher pressure oil flowing to the cluster of inlets is prevented from backflowing through the inlets in the cluster or through other inlets by means of an improved combined oil inlet and check valve structure 27. Thischeck valve structure 27 is used in each oil inlet to prevent any backflow of oil due to high oil pressures generated in the damper during its operation. A cross-sectional illustration of such a combination oil inlet and check valve structure 27 is illustrated in FIG. 4. Referring now to FIG. 4, the dual manifold assembly 28 similar to manifold 19 of FIG. 3, includes therein a combined oil inlet and check valve structure 27 for each oil inlet 20 of FIG. 3. Structure unit 27 comprises a hollow step bushing member 29 having a threaded shaft or shank part 30 with an expanded head part 31. Bushing 29 also includes a stepped coaxial passage 32 therethrough with a narrow part of a passage 32 in the shank part of the bushing and an enlarged part or counterbore in the head part 31. A shoulder 33 separates the passage sections. Bushing 29 is threaded into an appropriately threaded opening 34 in housing 11 opening into squeeze film space 13. The expanded head part 31 of bushing 29 is enclosedby manifold 19 (FIG. 3) which encircles squeeze film space 13 and defines ashoulder 35 for inlet openings 34. The expanded hollow head 31 of bushing 29 also defines a threaded counterbore opening into bushing 29 and rests on a gasket 36 on shoulder 35. As described, hollow bushing 29 defines a stepped cylindrical passage interconnecting manifold 19 and squeeze film space 13 in fluid flow relationship. Manifold 19 is larger than expanded head 31 so that, when manifold 19 is filled with oil, expanded head 31 is submerged and oil may flow through bushing 29 into squeeze film space 13. However, a synthetic rubber uniflow or single direction flow check valve 37 is inserted into bushing 29 to prevent backflow of oil from squeeze film space 13 into manifold 19. Check valve 37 comprises a hollow conical section 38 with its cone base radially flared to form a gasket flange section 39 which rests on shoulder33 of bushing 29. A threaded cover plate 40 with a concentric aperture 41 therethrough is threaded into the expanded and internally threaded head ofbushing 29 to engage the flange extension 39 of cone 38 between the cover plate and shoulder 33. The described clamping arrangement prevents cone check valve 37 from being forced, by high pressure oil flow, into squeeze film space 13. Conical section 38 of valve 37 has a small opening at its apex to define an open oil flow channel from manifold 19 into squeeze filmspace 13 which remains open under the flow of oil in or through the cone section 38 into squeeze film space 13. In the event of a very high build up of oil pressure in space 13 tending to force oil into bushing 29 in a direction toward manifold 19, oil is forced into the intervening passage space between cone section 38 and bushing 29. Due to the readily flexible nature of the material of cone section 38, cone section 38 is caused to collapse inwardly along its axis to seal off the opening at its apex as well as a significant extent of its conical space and preventing backflow of oil from squeeze film space 13 into manifold 19. Check valve 37 is expeditiously produced from a strong durable but easily flexible material such as a synthetic rubber material. It is this flexibility which expands cone section 38 for full flow of oil into squeeze film space 13, and provides a rapid collapse, as described, for backflow conditions. Check valve 37 is described as a flexibility responsive check valve operationally independent of vibration frequency. Concentric aperture 41 of cover plate 40 is a metering feed aperture of a predetermined size to control the flow rate of oil passing through check valve 37. The number of oil inlets for the dual pressure system of this invention mayvary according to the needs of specific engine designs. One example of sucha system, as illustrated in FIG. 3, may comprise six inlets arranged at theclock hour positions of 12, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9 o'clock, an arrangement which provides a cluster of three inlets adjacent the 180° or rest position. The dual pressure oil system of this invention with non-symmetrical peripheral distribution of oil inlets, provides higher pressure oil to a group or cluster of oil inlets to the squeeze film space at the rest position of a shaft and its damper bearing race, and lower pressure oil tothe remaining inlets. Backflow of oil from all inlets is effectively controlled by means of self-acting flexibility responsive and vibration frequency independent check valves. This invention particularly provides an improved oil system for an annular squeeze film damper which comprises a hollow manifold encircling the damper squeeze film space and a plurality of oil inlet means circumferentially distributed in a non-symmetrical manner along the manifold and opening from the manifold into the squeeze film space. The non-symmetrical arrangement provides a cluster of oil inlet means located near the rest position of the damper. The described system is broadly applicable to various damper applications involving other than rolling element bearings such as, for example, anti-friction and hydrodynamic journal bearings. While this invention has been disclosed and described with respect to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention of the following claims.

A non-symmetrical circular row of oil inlets are located in a circular manifold surrounding a squeeze film space in a squeeze film damper. The oil inlets are directed radially inwardly from said manifold to open into the squeeze film space. Certain cluster of inlets provide higher oil pressure to the squeeze film space than other inlets. All inlets are equipped with automatically closing synthetic rubber check valves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a cutting apparatus and, more particularly, to a multi-height can body cutting apparatus that is practical to cut a can body into different heights. A variety of can body cutting apparatus are commercially available. DE3619322 shows an example. However, conventional can body cutting apparatus are designed for cutting a can body into a particular height only. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been accomplished to provide a multi-height can body cutting apparatus that is practical to cut a can body into different heights. According to one aspect of the present invention, the multi-height cutting apparatus comprises a fixed cutting tool means disposed around a central axis, the fixed cutting tool means having at least one cutting edge, and a plurality of rotary cutting tool means spaced between the column and the fixed cutting tool means and respectively rotated to cut can bodies being delivered one after another through a circular path between the at least one cutting edge of the fixed cutting tool means and the rotary cutting tool means, the at least one cutting edge of the fixed cutting tool means each having a stepped cutting structure, the rotary cutting tool means each having a cutting edge in a stepped structure thereof corresponding to the at least one cutting edge of the fixed cutting tool means for cutting each delivered can body at different heights. According to another aspect of the present invention, the multi-height cutting apparatus further comprises a shaft axially mounted in the column, and a rotary table mounted on the top side of the shaft and adapted for rotating can bodies on the rotary cutting tool means against the at least one cutting edge of the fixed cutting tool means. According to still another aspect of the present invention, one half of the outer diameter of said rotary table is greater than the shortest distance between the at least one cutting edge of the fixed cutting tool means and the longitudinal central axis minus the diameter of the can bodies. According to still another aspect of the present invention one half of the outer diameter of the rotary table is about equal to ½˜⅚ of the shortest distance between the at least one cutting edge of the fixed cutting tool means and the longitudinal central axis minus the diameter of the can bodies, or preferably equal to ⅔ of shortest distance between the at least one cutting edge of the fixed cutting tool means and the longitudinal central axis minus the diameter of the can bodies. According to still another aspect of the present invention, the rotary table has a grained peripheral face. According to still another aspect of the present invention, the fixed external cutting tool means comprises a top cutting segment, an intermediate cutting segment, and a bottom cutting segment; the rotary cutting tool means comprises a shank, a first end block and a second end block respectively provided at top and bottom ends of the shank, a barrel supported on spring means around the shank between the end blocks. According to still another aspect of the present invention, the rotary cutting tool means has barrel-like external flexible members disposed at top and bottom sides of the stepped cutting edge thereof. According to still another aspect of the present invention, the cutting edge the cutting blade of the fixed cutting tool means is corrugated and extended vertically along the length of the cutting blade. According to still another aspect of the present invention, the rotary table has a grained cylindrical peripheral face. According to still another aspect of the present invention, the rotary cutting tool means is matched with a pair of rolling barrels adapted for guiding each can body into position for cutting. According to still another aspect of the present invention, the rotary table is connected in parallel to the rotary carrier and turned about the longitudinal central axis, having a plurality of rollers arranged in pair in parallel to the longitudinal central axis at the periphery thereof and adapted for squeezing the can body on each of the rotary cutting tool means against the fixed cutting tool means. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along line I—I of the cutting apparatus constructed shown in FIG. 2 . FIG. 2 is a top view of a cutting apparatus constructed according to the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates the position of the rotary cutting tool relative to the external cutting tool before the entry of the workpiece (position P 1 in FIG. 2 ). FIG. 4 illustrates the position of the rotary cutting tool relative to the external cutting tool upon the entry of the workpiece (position P 2 in FIG. 2 ). FIG. 5 illustrates the position of the rotary cutting tool relative to the external cutting tool during cutting (position P 3 in FIG. 2 ). FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a part of the smoothly arched external cutting tool according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a part of a cutting apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a top view of a part of the cutting apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line IX—IX of FIG. 8 . FIG. 10 is a top view showing a fixed cutting tool with a corrugated cutting edge according to the present invention. FIG. 11 is a top plain view of a part of another alternate form of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing rollers arranged at top and bottom sides of the rotary table and pressed on the periphery of the can body against the rotary cutting tool according to the present invention. FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing the elastic rotary barrel of the rotary cutting tool pressed on the peripheral wall of the can body against the butting blade of the fixed cutting tool according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a cutting apparatus 1 is shown comprising a machine base 2 , a column 3 vertically disposed at the center inside the machine base 2 , a rotary carrier 4 mounted around the column 3 and turned about the longitudinal central axis 5 of the column 3 , an annular gear 6 fixedly fastened to the bottom sidewall of the rotary carrier 4 , a pinion 8 meshed with the annular gear 6 , and a driving unit 7 adapted to rotate the pinion 8 . The rotary carrier 4 comprises a plurality of vertical guide holes 9 equiangularly spaced from one another and disposed in parallel to the longitudinal central axis 5 of the column 3 . Axles 10 are respectively slidably mounted in the vertical guide holes 9 , each having a peripheral wedge block 13 inserted into a vertical guide groove 14 in the corresponding vertical guide hole 9 . Rollers 11 are respectively coupled to the axles 10 below the rotary carrier 4 and coupled to a peripheral groove 12 in the bottom flange of the column 3 . Four rotary cutting tools 15 are provided above the axles 10 . The rotary cutting tools 15 are shaped like a stepped cylinder, each comprising a thinner top tool body 16 , a thicker bottom tool body 17 , and a cutting edge 18 disposed between the thinner top tool body 16 and the thicker bottom tool body 17 . Cylindrical members 19 are respectively fixedly connected to the thicker bottom tool body 17 of each of the rotary cutting tools 15 . Transmission gears 20 are respectively fixedly mounted on the cylindrical members 19 . When the transmission gears 20 meshed with an internal gear 23 in the machine base 2 , the rotary cutting tools 15 are rotated on their own axis during rotary motion of the rotary carrier 4 , and at the same time the cylindrical members 19 are respectively engaged into respective holes 21 in to the flange 22 above the rotary carrier 4 . The rotary cutting tools 15 control the elevation of the axles 10 in the vertical guide holes 9 . The internal gear 23 has a height corresponding to the moving range of the axles 10 in the vertical guide holes 9 . A smoothly arched external cutting tool 25 is fixedly mounted on the machine base 2 and extended through about 288° around the rotary cutting tools 15 . An input gear 26 and an output gear 27 are respectively disposed at two distal ends of the external cutting tool 25 . The external cutting tool 25 has an upper cutting segment 28 , a lower cutting segment 29 , and a cutting edge 30 in the bottom side of the upper cutting segment 28 . The cutting edge 30 is comprised of an inner face 31 and a bottom coating layer 32 . The lower cutting segment 29 has an inner face 33 . A shaft 34 is axially mounted in the column 3 . A rotary table 35 is mounted on the top side of the shaft 34 , having a grained peripheral face 36 . A first bevel gear 37 is fixedly mounted on the bottom side of the shaft 34 . A second bevel gear 38 is meshed with the first bevel gear 37 and coupled to the driving unit 7 through a transmission mechanism 39 . The transmission mechanism 39 is an adjustable transmission gearbox. There is a pitch in the entrance (the position P 1 shown in FIG. 2) between the inner faces 31 and 33 of the external cutting tool 25 and the path for the rotary cutting tools 15 around the longitudinal central axis 5 of the column 3 for receiving cylindrical can body C. During rotary motion of the rotary carrier 4 relative to the peripheral groove 12 in the bottom flange of the column 3 , the rotary cutting tool 15 between the input gear 26 and the output gear 27 is pulled to the area below the external cutting tool 25 (see FIG. 3 ). When moved over the input gear 26 , the rotary cutting tool 15 is guided upwards into the inside of the corresponding can body C. The pitch between the inner face 31 of the external cutting tool 25 and the grained peripheral face 36 of the rotary table 35 is sufficient for the passing of the can body C. During rotary motion of the rotary carrier 4 , the can body C is received in the cutting apparatus 1 . The revolving speed of the rotary table 35 is about twice the speed of the rotary cutting tools 15 , so that the can body C at each rotary cutting tool 15 is respectively turned from the rotary table 35 to the external cutting tool 25 . During the operation of the cutting apparatus 1 , the can body C is squeezed against the inner face 31 of the cutting edge 30 . The pitch between the cutting edge 18 of each rotary cutting tool 15 and the cutting edge of the external cutting tool 25 is gradually reduced in direction from the input end (the side of the input gear 26 toward the output end (the side of the output gear 27 ), so that can bodies C of different heights are cut off at a predetermined cutting line L into equal height. FIG. 7 shows a cutting apparatus 41 suitable for cutting the workpiece into three different heights. According to this alternate form, the fixed external cutting tool 42 of the cutting apparatus 41 comprises three segments, namely, the top cutting segment 43 , the intermediate cutting segment 44 , and the bottom cutting segment 45 disposed at different elevations. The intermediate cutting segment 44 has an inner face 46 and two cutting edges 47 and 48 respectively disposed at the top and bottom sides of the inner face 46 . The rotary cutting tool, referenced by 50 , comprises a shank 51 , a first end block 53 and a second end block 55 respectively provided at the top and bottom ends of the shank 51 , a barrel 54 supported on spring means 52 around the shank 51 between the end blocks 53 and 55 . When standing still, the barrel 54 and the end blocks 53 and 55 are coaxially aligned. Same as the embodiment shown in FIGS. from 1 through 6 , the rotary cutting tools 50 of the cutting apparatus 41 are rotated and moved up and down during the operation of the cutting apparatus 41 . The distance between the inner face 46 of the intermediate cutting segment 44 of the fixed external cutting tool 42 and the longitudinal central axis 5 is gradually reduced in the path. Therefore, the rotary cutting tool 50 gives a pressure to the can body C against the inner face 46 of the intermediate cutting segment 44 of the fixed external cutting tool 42 . Following the reducing of the radius of the inner face 46 , the cutting edges 47 and 48 of the fixed external cutting tool 42 work with the cutting edges 57 and 58 of the rotary cutting tool 50 to cut the workpiece into three heights. During cutting, the barrel 54 is forced to roll off the workpiece. FIGS. 8 and 9 show a cutting apparatus 61 practical for cutting the workpiece into two heights. According to this alternate form, the fixed external cutting tool 62 comprises an upper tool body 65 , a lower tool body 66 , and a cutting blade 63 sandwiched in between the upper tool body 65 and the lower tool body 66 . The cutting blade 63 has a cutting edge 64 perpendicularly aimed at the longitudinal central axis 5 . The upper tool body 65 and the lower tool body 66 have a vertical inner sidewall 67 (see FIG. 9 ). Similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cutting apparatus 61 comprises a rotary table 35 adapted to be turned about the longitudinal central axis 5 and having a grained peripheral face 36 , a rotary carrier 4 adapted to be turned about the longitudinal central axis 5 , and a plurality of rotary cutting tools 70 respectively mounted in respective guide holes (not shown) in the rotary carrier 4 . The rotary cutting tools 70 function in the same way as that of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Each rotary cutting tool 70 comprises two cylindrical end blocks 71 and 72 , and a peripheral groove 73 between the end blocks 71 and 72 . The vertical height h 73 of the peripheral groove 73 is about {fraction (10/7)} or 1.43 of the height h 0 of a well-cut can body. In order to guide the can bodies C into the path for cutting, each rotary cutting tool 70 is equipped with two rolling barrels 75 mounted on the rotary carrier 4 . Referring to FIG. 10, the fixed cutting tool 62 ′ comprises a cutting blade 63 ′ having a corrugated cutting edge 64 ′ extended vertically along the length. The rotary cutting tool 70 rolls off the can body C carried thereon, producing a buffering effect when cutting the can body C into two heights. Referring to FIG. 11, a rotary table 80 is turned about the longitudinal central axis. The revolving speed of the rotary table 80 is equal to the rotary carrier 4 . Rollers 81 , 82 , and 83 are provided at the rotary table 80 and arranged in sets corresponding to the rotary cutting tools 70 . Rollers 81 , 82 , and 83 are moved with the rotary table 80 relative to the rotary cutting tools 70 to squeeze the can body C on each rotary cutting tool 70 . Each set of rollers include a first roller 81 and a second roller 82 equally spaced from the longitudinal central axis 5 , and a third roller 83 defining with the first roller 81 and the second roller 82 a can body C receiving mouth 84 . Referring to FIG. 12, rollers 88 a ˜ 83 a and rollers 81 b ˜ 83 b are symmetrically arranged at top and bottom sidewalls of the rotary table 80 . Referring to FIG. 13, the rotary cutting tool 90 is comprised of a cylindrical shaft 92 and an elastic barrel 91 sleeved onto the. shaft 92 . The elastic barrel 91 is made of elastic material, for example, polyurethane. The peripheral wall of the can body C is supported on the periphery of the elastic barrel 91 and pressed against the cutting blade 63 , and therefore the can body C is cut smoothly without producing a curved edge. Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.

A multi-height cutting apparatus includes a fixed cutting tool means disposed around a central axis, the fixed cutting tool means having at least one cutting edge, and a plurality of rotary cutting tool means spaced between the column and the fixed cutting tool means and respectively rotated to cut can bodies being delivered one after another through a circular path between the at least one cutting edge of the fixed cutting tool means and the rotary cutting tool means, the at least one cutting edge of the fixed cutting tool means each having a stepped cutting structure, the rotary cutting tool means each having a cutting edge in a stepped structure thereof corresponding to the at least one cutting edge of the fixed cutting tool means for cutting each delivered can body at different heights.

[0001] This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/317,966, which claims priority of provisional application Ser. No. 60/341,178 filed on Dec. 13, 2001, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to systems for treating water containing unwanted contaminants. More particularly, the present invention relates to waste water treatment systems including biological media used to aerobically and anaerobically treat solid and liquid waste in the water. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to such treatment systems for large and small-scale waste water systems. The present invention includes novel methods for effectively treating waste water in a way that minimizes the size of the system required to output high-quality, environmentally-suitable, water depleted of ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, perchlorates and other contaminants. [0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0005] Waste water treatment systems are ubiquitous, from the smallest single-family residence septic system, to industrial facilities for commercial operations and municipalities large and small. It is always the object of such systems to treat for total suspended solids (TSS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), nitrogen compounds, E - coli, phosphorous, and virtually any other bacteria, so as to minimize the quantity of such undesirables output by the system. Various well known means have been devised for achieving such goals, with varying degrees of success and efficiency. An overriding general problem, for the most part, with such prior systems has been the scale of operation required to effectively treat that water with high-quality output. That is, for the volumes of water to be treated, the sizes of these systems are correspondingly large. This may be particularly true for relatively small-scale systems, such as single-family residences and small groupings of homes and/or buildings, where coupling to a municipal treatment system may be unsuitable. [0006] In the array of systems designed to treat waste water, many include the use of biological treatments to accelerate the breakdown of solids and the various contaminants associated with waste water. This biological treatment involves the use of microbes having an affinity for the pollutants contained in the water. That is, rather than simply permit solids to slowly decant from the waste water, and then apply a hazardous chemical treatment designed to destroy the pollutants—along with virtually everything else in the water—these microbes are permitted to act upon the waste water. In relative terms, they act to remove the pollutants faster than if nothing were used, and do so without the hazardous and difficulties associated with chemical treatment. They must, however, be permitted to reside in some type of holding tank, filter, fixed film or media in order to multiply and feed on the contaminants. Upon completion of their ingestion of the pollutants, the microbes simply die and end up as waste solids that fall to the bottom of the treatment tank or unit for subsequent removal. Some microbes may partially block the availability of surface area or volume resulting in voids of inactivity. The treated water then passes to the next stage, which may simply be some form of a leach bed, or it may be a more complex system, such as a reactor, including, but not limited to, an ultraviolet disinfection means, ozone treatment, or membrane filtration for subsequent transport to a body of water, or for recycling in non-critical uses, such as horticulture. [0007] Unfortunately, while aerobic and anaerobic microbe treatment has significant advantages, it is not exceedingly effective in that it is necessary to provide sufficient “dwell time” or “residence time” for the microbes to “eat” enough of the pollutants so that the waste water is rendered satisfactorily contaminant-free. Of course, the extent to which contaminant removal is satisfactory is a function of governmental regulation. In any case, the volume of water that must be treated can often lead to the need for a rather large-scale treatment unit for a relatively small waste-water-generating facility. As a result, there is often a compromise in the prior systems, which compromise is associated with the contamination-removal requirements, the space available to treat the waste water output, and the cost associated with both. Some of these problems have been addressed by recirculation of the partially treated waste water for repeated treatments. Traditional wastewater treatment systems rely on effective treatment by the gradual accumulation of bacteria. This is common to all treatment schemes but especially pronounced in systems relying on vessels or containers in which air is introduced. Such systems, relying on the gradual accumulation of bacteria for treatment, inevitably will experience failure during hydraulic overload, power failure, temporary shutdown for maintenance or in response to seasonal flows. Often, during such events, the bacteria providing treatment wash through the system and after such an event, treatment efficiency is compromised. [0008] Another problem with such prior systems has been their efficiency over a period of time of use. When the waste water to be treated requires the use of a considerable amount of biological mass, there results a problem of “plugging” of the mass. That is, as waste solids build up on the surface of the mass, or as microbes ingest the pollutants and die they do not always fall to the bottom of the tank. Instead, they become trapped at or near the surface of the mass. This plugging or blocking of the mass significantly reduces the pathways by which subsequent pollutants may pass through to underlying active microbes that are located below the surface of the mass. There are two negative results: 1) the acceleration of pollutant decay caused by microbe ingestion is canceled; and 2) water flow through the mass is reduced and possibly even stopped. It is therefore necessary to either build a substantially larger unit than would otherwise be required—in order to account for this plugging—or to expend the effort to clean the clogged system. Such maintenance may include the introduction of agitation means or the use of pressurized water for removal of dead microbes. [0009] Several prior waste-water treatment systems have been described. These systems have apparently been designed for large- and/or small-scale treatment using biological media to accelerate contaminant reduction. For the most part, they include biological treatment as well as mechanisms designed to enhance the effectiveness of the microbial action. However, each in turn suffers from one or more deficiencies that significantly affect the ability to provide the most effective and relatively inexpensive waste treatment system. [0010] Nitrogen in its oxidized states (e.g. as nitrates or nitrites) can seep into ground waters, causing problems in drinking water. Drinking water standards generally limit the concentration of nitrate to 5 to 10 mg/l, yet effluent from a modern treatment plant may have natural levels greater than 20 mg/l. Nitrogen in its reduced state, as ammonia, is toxic to fish, and severe limits are in effect on many streams to control the maximum concentration. [0011] A conventional method of nitrogen removal is by biological means. With sufficient time, oxygen, and the proper mass of microorganisms, organic nitrogen is biologically converted to ammonia and then further oxidized to nitrate forms. This conversion occurs under aerobic (with oxygen) conditions, and is relatively easy to accomplish, resulting naturally under different known types of waste treatment processes. At this point the nitrogen has not been reduced in concentration, only converted to a different form. [0012] A practical means to remove nitrate is to convert them to nitrogen gas. At this point N.sub.2 will evolve from the water and become atmospheric nitrogen. As atmospheric nitrogen, it is not a water pollutant. Nitrates are best converted to nitrogen gas by microbial action. Under anoxic conditions (without free dissolved oxygen), many common bacteria with a demand for oxygen are able to biochemically remove the oxygen from the nitrate ion, leaving nitrogen gas. This process is called biological denitrification. [0013] For denitrification to occur, the nitrogen must first be converted to nitrates and then the bacteria must have a food source to create a demand for oxygen. This food source may be from outside, like a chemical addition of methanol, by the addition of sewage, or by the natural demand of the organisms (endogenous respiration). This natural demand must occur under conditions where free oxygen is absent. [0014] In the conversion of organic nitrogen and ammonia to nitrates adequate aeration must be provided, and this aerobic process also results in removal of carbon. However, carbon must be present during the denitrification by dentrifying bacteria. Accordingly carbon has to be reintroduced into the system, and this is commonly done by addition of methanol in the art. The biochemical reaction which occurs when methanol is used as the carbon source results in production of nitrogen gas, carbon dioxide and water. The amount of methanol required is about three times the weight of nitrogen compounds to be removed. As is known in the art, other carbon sources can be used. [0015] U.S. Pat. No. 4,005,010 issued to Lunt describes the use of mesh sacks containing the biological medium. The sacks are apparently designed to hold the microbes while allowing fluids to pass through. This unit nevertheless may still result in plugging in that the biological medium will likely become clogged during the course of its usage. Furthermore, the capacity of the unit is directly dependent on the wetted surface area that can be produced for microbial growth. U.S. Pat. No. 4,165,281 Kuriyama et al. describes a waste water treatment system that includes a mat designed to contain the microorganisms. A plurality of mats is disposed vertically and waste water is supposed to pass therethrough. The likelihood of plugging is greater in this unit than in the Lunt device because of the orientation of the mats and the difficulty in maintaining and/or replacing them. [0016] U.S. Pat. No. 4,279,753 issued to Nielson et al. describes the arrangement of a plurality of treatment reactors, alternating from aerobic to anaerobic action. There may be some advantage in using a plurality of small tanks rather than one large tank to achieve the decontamination required in that dwell time is increased; however, this is certainly more costly than is necessary. Moreover, while Nielson indicates that it is necessary to address plugging problems, the technique for doing so is relatively crude and likely not completely effective. U.S. Pat. No. 4,521,311 issued to Fuchs et al. teaches the use of a filtering bed through which the waste water passes and which includes support bedding to suspend the biological medium. The device has a rather complex recirculation process required in order to ensure cleaning of the bedding and the microbes. This device may experience clogging of another sort, and the bedding particles described by Fuchs are required to go through a costly operation for maintenance. [0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,202,027 issued to Stuth describes a sewage treatment system that includes a buoyant medium in the shape of large hollow balls designed to provide a site for microbial growth. The buoyant balls form but a small portion of the system, which includes a series of complex turbulent mixing sections. The Stuth device is relatively complex and likely requires considerable energy to operate in order to ensure the mixing apparently required. [0018] U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,470 issued to McKinney describes a waste water treatment plant having a final filter made of a sheet of plastic. The sheet of plastic is wrapped about itself so as to form passageways designed for microbe growth. While this design may increase the surface area and, therefore, the dwell time available for microbial action, it is likely that plugging will occur as the passageway will likely fill with dead microbes over a period of time. [0019] U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,522 relates to a method for the treatment of (raw) sewage in a package plant consisting of three bioreactors in series. The treatment is being carried out using three types of biomass. In a first step phosphate is removed by biological means and, at the same time, the chemical and biological oxygen demand is lowered in a highly loaded active sludge system, in a second step a nitrification is carried out, ammonium being converted to nitrate, and in a third step a denitrification is carried out using a carbon source such as methanol or natural gas. The nitrifying and denitrifying bioreactors are both fixed film processes. The thickness of the biofilm on the support material in the nitrifying bioreactor can be influenced by adjusting the aeration system or by adjusting the hydraulic loading. In the denitrifying bioreactor the thickness of the biofilm can be adjusted by raising the shear by means of raising the superficial velocity in the support material. The system according to the invention makes possible effective treatment of raw sewage in a highly loaded system resulting in the far-reaching removal of COD, nitrogen and phosphate. The process can be operated in an alternative mode, where the nitrifying and denitrifying bioreactors are exchanged. The mixing in the nitrifying step is advantageously maintained by aeration under the packages of support material. The denitrifying step was accomplished by means of a propeller stirrer or impeller stirrer, which may be placed centrally in the vessel, was preferably used for active proper mixing. Polacel, reticulated polyurethane or any other carrier material were described as support material for the biomass. [0020] U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,080 describes that in the denitrification chamber, pre-measured quantities of a composite material, containing bacteria and a source of carbon as food, is introduced daily or even bi-daily to the treated wastewater. The bacteria are heterotrophic, laboratory cultured and packaged, as a loose particulate material, capsules, pellets, tablets or other shaped forms. The bacteria Pseudomonas, normally present in the ground, is claimed to be prevalent in this material. The Pseudomonas microorganism has the capability of transforming nitrates to nitrogen gas. The technology of this conversion is well known. The preferred pre-measured microbial tablet includes a carbon supply (source) for biological synthesis. The need for a carbon source is discussed in Handbook of Biological Wastewater Treatment by Henry H. Benjes, Jr., Garland STPM Press, 1980. Denitrification using suspended or fixed growth systems is also discussed in the foregoing reference. [0021] All the above prior art methods attempt to increase the surface area or volume available to microbes for nitrification and denitrification, and thereby increase the productivity of the treatment system. [0022] The above systems are generally referred to as fixed film media or suspended media systems in that surface area for bacteria to grow are provided by the addition of surface. The suspended media bacteria that prefer surfaces would generally predominate such surfaces. However, such surfaces are still subject to failures due to system poisonings and upsets, and may not be easily restarted after such failures, as the surfaces are then contaminated or plugged with dead microbes. [0023] U.S. Pat. No. 4,693,827 describes the addition of a rapidly metabolized soluble or miscible organic material to be added to the carbon consuming step of the process. Heterotrophic organisms consume the added material together with soluble ammonia to generate additional organisms, resulting in the reduction of the soluble ammonia concentration in the wastewater. The rapidly metabolized material comprises one or more short chain aliphatic alcohols, short chain organic acids, aromatic alcohols, aromatics, and short chain carbohydrates. [0024] However, if too much of the rapidly metabolizing material is not introduced in a controlled manner, the heterotrophic organism will proliferate detrimentally. On the other hand if too little is added or in the absence of carbon, the organism will slowly die. Therefore, there is a need for an efficient delivery system for introducing independently carbon and rapidly metabolizing material, bacteria, nutrients and air to such systems. In addition, there is also a need for monitoring the performance of the system as to the extent of the treatment, and feedback from the monitoring detectors to the delivery system for efficient and optimum delivery of carbon, bacteria, nutrients and air. [0025] In U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,863,435 and 6,183,642 issued to Heijen et. al. a method is described for the biological treatment of ammonium-rich wastewater in at least one reactor which involves the wastewater being passed through the said reactor(s) with a population, obtained by natural selection in the absence of sludge retention, in the suspended state of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria to form, in a first stage with the infeed of oxygen, a nitrite-rich wastewater and by the nitrite-rich wastewater thus obtained being subjected, in a second stage without the infeed of oxygen, to denitrification in the presence of an electon donor of inorganic or organic nature, in such a way that the contact time between the ammonium-rich wastewater and the nitrifying bacteria is at most about two days, and the pH of the medium is controlled between 6.0 and 8.5 and the excess, formed by growth, of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria and the effluent formed by the denitrification are extracted. In addition the growth rate of the nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria is expediently controlled by means of the retention time, in the reactor, of the wastewater to be treated which is fed in. The electron donor of inorganic nature is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen gas, sulfide, sulfite and iron (III) ions, and said electron donor of organic nature is selected from the group consisting of glucose and organic acids, aldehydes and alcohols having 1-18 carbon atoms. However, such a system could fail based on washouts, introduction of toxic substances, and there will be lag time before the system performs properly. In addition, while organic solvents such as methanol are liquid, and can be introduced as liquid, they are flammable and toxic, and not preferred by many waste water system operators. Lower carbohydrates such as glucose and dextrose while non-toxic, are solids, and require special solid delivery methods to introduce into water treatment systems, and therefore not generally used in the industry. Aqueous solutions of lower carbohydrates may be used; however, such solutions are subject to premature biological degradation, and generally require introduction of antibacterial agents which are harmful for the nitrifiers and denitrifiers. [0026] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,465,594 and 5,588,777 discloses a wastewater treatment system that uses grey water and soaps for denitrification in two different designs of wastewater systems. U.S. Patent application 20020270857 by McGrath et al. published Nov. 21, 2002 discloses the use of a detergent or a detergent like compound for the denitrification of wastewater or nitrified water of U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,777. the application also discloses heating the denitrified wastewater as well as the addition of bacteria to the mixing tank. However, soaps, detergents and detergent like compounds are generally surface active and tend to damage the cell walls of bacteria, adhere to surfaces, interfere with bacterial functions, and are more expensive than methanol. In addition, the metabolism rate of such compounds would be low and would require longer dwell times in the denitrification zones, reactors or media. [0027] Therefore, there is a need for aqueous solution compositions of electon donor or carbon containing material which are non-flammable, liquid, stable to storage, non-toxic to the environment and wastewater microorganisms, readily metabolized, such as carbohydrates and mixtures thereof, and which can be readily introduced to defined locations in wastewater treatment systems to assist in the nitrification and denitrification of wastewaters. In addition, such compositions may also be used for the removal of perchlorates and other pollutants. [0028] The prior art has many examples of teachings that employ bacterial compositions to accomplish, or aid in accomplishing, the biologically mediated purification of wastewater. Hiatt [0029] U.S. Pat. No. 6,025,152 describe a methods and mixtures of bacteria for aerobic biological treatment of aqueous systems polluted by nitrogen waste products. Denitrifying bacterial compositions are used in combination with solid column packings in the teachings of Francis, U.S. Pat. No. 4,043,936. These compositions are believed to belong to the family of Pseudomonas. Hater, et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,385 teaches a wastewater purification process involving bacterial compositions comprising, in addition to non-ionic surfactants and the lipid degrading enzymes Lipase, three strains of Bacillus subtillis, 3 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one strain of Pseudomonas stutzeri, one strain of Pseudomonas putida, and one strain of Eschericia hermanii grown on a bran base. Wong, et.al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,587 teaches a bacterial composition, that is in combination with enzymes and a gel support is necessary to achieve satisfactory waste treatment. Bacterial species mentioned in Wong et al are Bacillus subtillis, Bacillus licheniformis, Cellulomonas and acinetobacter lwoffi. Similarly, Wong and Lowe, U.S. Pat. No. 4,882,059 teach a process for biological treatment of wastewater comprising bacterial species that aid in the solubilization of the solid debris. The bacterial species used in the teaching of Wong and Lowe are of the following bacterial types: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and aerobacter aerogenes. These bacterial types are taught to be employed primarily for solubilization and biodegradation of starches, proteins, lipids and cellulose present in the waste product. Hiatt U.S. Pat. No. 6,025,152 describes the addition of bacterial mixtures in the spore form. Most water treatment systems have residence or dwell times of 2 days or less, and addition of bacteria in the spore form will lead to a substantial portion of bacteria being washed out of the system before it has time to establish, because the environment is not always conducive for bacterial growth. [0030] U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,080 issued to Boyle discloses a system for the treatment of nitrate containing wastewater from home or commercial, not municipal, in which the wastewater is contacted underground by denitrifying bacteria introduced to the treatment zone periodically; the treatment zone being maintained at or above the temperature at which the bacteria are active on a year-round basis by the ground temperature. [0031] U.S. Pat. No. 5,811,289 issued to Lewandowski et al. discloses an aerobic waste pretreatment process which comprises inoculating a milk industry effluent with a mixture of bacteria and yeasts both classes of microorganisms capable of living and growing in symbiosis in the effluent, the population of the bacteria being, in most cases, several times greater than the population of the yeasts, maintaining the temperature and pH of the inoculated effluent between 0.degree. C. and 50.degree. C. and between 1.7 and 9, aerating the effluent while varying, if necessary, the pH at maximum rate of 1.5 pH units per minute and also, if required, modulating the aeration of the inoculated effluent at a maximum rate of 130 micromoles of oxygen per minute. U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,432 issued to Coppola et al. discloses a method and system for carrying out the bio-degradation of perchlorates, nitrates, hydrolysates and other energetic materials from wastewater, including process groundwater, ion exchange effluent brines, hydrolyzed energetics, drinking water and soil wash waters, which utilizes at least one microaerobic reactor having a controlled microaerobic environment and containing a mixed bacterial culture. It is claimed that using the method of invention, perchlorates, nitrates, hydrolysates and other energetics can be reduced to non-detectable concentrations, in a safe and cost effective manner, using readily available non-toxic low cost nutrients. The temperature of the reactor was maintained at 10 to 42 degrees centigrade. [0032] European Patent Application EP 1151967A1 published Nov. 7, 2001, to Nakamura discloses a liquid microorganism preparation which contains enzymes generated by anaerobic microorganisms, facultative anaerobic microorganisms and aerobic microorganisms will be propagated in a growth tank to make microorganism enzyme water. The obtained enzyme water will be added to a grease trap that retains kitchen water which includes macromolecular organic matter, such as animal and vegetable waste oil, and will be stirred with aeration so that the enzymes and the organic materials will be in contact in order to decompose the organic matter. The decomposition residue and sludge will be separated so as to flow the supernatant water to the sewer pipe. [0033] U.S. Patent application No. 2002170857 published Nov. 21, 2002 to McGrath et al. describe a system for nitrified water that comprises a plurality of interconnected tanks including a mixing tank which feeds detention tanks which in combination provide a detention time period for the effluent. A controller determines the amount of detergent dispensed into the mixing tank in accordance with the measured volume of effluent to be treated. The mixing tank comprises a heater for maintaining the nitrified effluent temperature above 50 degrees F. The application also discloses the addition of small doses of bacteria into the mixing tank for denitrification, and heating means to heat the effluent in the mixing tank to accelerate denitrification. An optional line filter can be added to the output of the system for further reducing organic nitrogen concentration. Addition of bacteria or heating means for nitrification was not disclosed, and may be construed as being not necessary for the disclosure. [0034] Therefore, there is a need for bacterial compositions which are not in the spore form or low growth phase, but are in the growth phase when added to the water treatment systems, will continue their growth in the water treatment systems after addition, and delivery means for such addition. [0035] Therefore, there is a need for a waste water treatment apparatus and process that takes advantage of the useful characteristics of biological treatment in an effective manner of existing systems or new systems to be constructed. There is also a need for such an apparatus and process that maximizes the contact between contaminants from the waste water and the microbes without the need for a relatively large processing tank or unit, while providing the best conditions for the microbes to grow. Further, there is a need for an apparatus and process that is simple, energetically efficient, and sufficiently effective to reduce to desirable levels the TSS, BOD, E - Coli, nitrogen-containing compounds, phosphorus-containing compounds, and bacteria of wastewater in a cost-effective manner. In addition, there is a need for a treatment system and apparatus that can deliver microbes and nutrients optimally to enhance the efficiency and performance of the large number of water treatment systems already in operation for nitrification and denitrification without costly reengineering. [0036] There are a large number of existing systems and apparatuses that are not performing efficiently in removing ammonia, nitrite and nitrate which could be made to perform efficiently by the current invention with relatively little cost. In addition, new systems could be made to perform efficiently by following the process described in the present invention. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0037] The present invention relates to a system and method for treating wastewater from any mechanical or gravity system. This generally relates to placement of bacteria, enzymes, biological and chemical catalysts, such as nitrifying and denitrifying, carbon or electron donor sources and nutrients, and heating means in a system relative to oxygen and nitrogen sources, oxic, aerobic, anoxic, and anaerobic zones, using an apparatus. The apparatus may be in one or more parts. It refers to the placement of bacteria, enzymes, biological and chemical catalysts, nutrients and or electron donor, carbon sources or heating means in waste water systems in industrial, agricultural, commercial, residential, and other waste water systems; and the methods for treating pollutants or undesirable materials in waste water or polluted sites. These ingredients are frequently limiting in the efficient and proper functioning of the wastewater systems. Frequently, the bacterial species which are specific for the pollutant to be removed is not always present, or have a short life or not present in high concentrations to be effective. This will also be the case for suspended media as well as fixed film media. Therefore, there is a need for the delivery of the bacteria and electron donors in high concentration to allow for system efficiency and capacity without increasing the size or volume of the system. Furthermore, frequent testing and monitoring for the presence of the microbes is desirable to establish efficient system performance. The findings of constant demand for microbes and electron donor/carbon and micronutrients show the need for controlled addition. The volume available for fixed or suspended film surface area is small and limiting, and not all the microbes grow on surfaces. Solid media (materials) used as carbon or electron donor is not always adequate to supply the necessary electron donors due to solubility limitations, and could be supplemented by this invention. [0038] The invention also includes stable compositions of carbon and carbon containing nutrient liquid mixtures of low viscosity which can be easily pumped, non-flammable, less damaging to beneficial bacteria, safer to handle than currently used organic solvents and less toxic to the environment when released and not subject to premature growth of bacteria and other microorganisms during storage and use. These bioremediation processes may be considered as fermentation processes applicable to pollutants, and the location placement of additives is important for the efficient functioning of these processes. The microbes can be bacteria or yeast, and other biological catalysts such as enzymes may also be used. [0039] For example, in the case of nitrification and denitrifiation, methanol and other organic solvents are used as electron donors or carbon sources. However, these solvents are flammable and toxic, and its large scale use causes handling difficulties including special storage. In addition, methanol metabolism rate by many bacteria would be too slow for some systems, resulting in longer residence times and reduced productivity of treatment. Therefore there is a need for carbon sources that overcome the limitations of methanol and other carbon sources. The invention also include alternative electron donor or carbon sources and compositions, that are less toxic and non-flammable than pure methanol and other solvents and allow for the addition of other micronutrients without precipitation, if needed to the carbon source, is not subject to premature degradation during use and storage by bacteria and other microorganisms, and possess the ability to reduce nitrates to nitrogen in the presence of denitrifying bacteria. Such alternate carbon sources include, but are not limited to carbohydrates such as glucose, fructose, dextrose, maltose, sucrose, other sugars, maltodextrins (CAS No. 9050-36-6),corn syrup solids (CAS No. 68131-37-3) starches, and cellulose derivatives such as hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose and other carbon containing compounds. [0040] Methanol in the above invention is used as a carbon source as well as a bacteriostat for the prevention of premature growth of extraneous bacteria and other microorganisms in the liquid carbon source. However, at low concentrations, methanol is generally not harmful for bacteria. In addition to methanol, a number of additives can be used to prevent premature microbial growth in the present invention. These additives can be used in addition to methanol or in the absence of methanol as a single component or combinations thereof. They include sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, and other bases with pH greater than 9. Other additives are nitro substituted compounds such as 2-Bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (CAS#52-51-7), 5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane (CAS#30007-47-7)-Bromo-nitropropane-1,3-diol (CAS#52-51-7); Isothiazolones such as 5-Chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one(CMI) (CAS#26172-55-4), 2-Methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one(MI) (CAS#2682-20-4), Mixture of CMI:MI 3:1 (CAS #55965-84-9, 1,2-Benzisothiazolin-3-one(CAS#2634-33-5); Quaternary ammonium compounds such as benzyl-C8-18 alkyldimethyl ammonium chloride and Benzylalkonium chloride(CAS #, 61789-74-7,8001-54-5,68393-01-5,68424-85-1,85409-22-9), N,N,N,-trimethyl-1-hexadecane ammonium bromide (CAS #57-09-0), N,N,N,-trimethyl-1-hexadecane ammonium chloride (CAS #112-02-7),1-(3-Chloro-2-propenyl)-3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniatricyclo(3.3.1.1) decane chloride(CAS #9080-31-3,4080-31-3,51229-78-8) ; parabans such as Butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate(CAS #94-26-8),Ethyl-4-hydroxybenzaote (CAS #120-47-8), Methyl-4-hydroxybenzoate (CAS #99-76-3), Propyl-4-hydroxybenzoate (CAS #94-13-3). Other substances that may be used are 2,2,4′-Trichloro-2′-hydroxyphenylether (CAS #3380-34-5),Sodium Benzoate(CAS #532-32-1), Benzyl alcohol (CAS #100-51-6), Chloroacetamide(CAS #79-07-2), N-(1,3-Bis hydroxy methyl)-2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)N,N′-bis(hydroxy-methyl) urea(Diazolidinyl urea) (CAS #35691-65-7); 1,2-Dibromo-2,4-dicyanobutan(CAS #35691-65-7), 4,4-Dimethyl oxazolidin (CAS #51200-87-4),Glutarldehyde(CAS #111-30-8), formalin, 37% formaldehyde (CAS #50-00-0). Other additives that may be also be used are sodium hydroxymethyl glycinate (CAS#7732-18-5), imidazolidnyl urea (CAS #39236-46-9), diazolidinyl urea (CAS #78491-02-8) and 3-iodo-2-propynyl butyl carbamate (CAS #55406-53-6). The above additives are added at a concentration such that premature bacterial growth is prevented in the aqueous carbon solution, and yet will not kill or inhibit the bacteria when added for the microbiological remediation reactions. The useful concentration range will vary for each compound, and may be expected to be in the 0.01% to 5% range. [0041] Another embodiment of the invention is the use of enzymes, biological and chemical catalysts, and bacteria that will convert a useful precursor carbon or electron donor source, such as cellulose, grease, fat, oils, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, to a useful carbon or electron donor source, such as glucose,fructose, glycerol, fatty acids, alcohols, by the use of the respective enzymes, biological or chemical catalysts, or microbes. For cellulose, the enzyme cellulases or microbial cellulases may be used. These cellulases and microbial cellulases may also be added along with the nitrifiers to the anaerobic or aerobic zone, or even into the settling tanks before the aerobic zones. Other enzymes that may be used in addition to cellulase are amylase, protease, lipase, carbohydrases and combinations thereof. For esters, fats and oils, enzyme esterases may be used. [0042] Grease, fats and oils are discharged into water treatment systems, and grease and fat traps are sometimes employed to remove these materials. Costs are incurred at regular intervals for the removal and disposal of grease and fats from these traps, especially by users processing food. For the treatment of grease, fats and oils, the enzyme lipases, lipase releasing bacteria or bacteria capable of breaking down grease and fats could be used. These would convert the grease, fats and oils to glycerine, fatty acids, mono- and diglycerides. The breakdown products can then be diverted to the aerobic or anaerobic regions of the waste water treatment system, and can perform as an additional source of electron donor or carbon for nitrification or denitrification. [0043] For aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, and compounds, enzymes and bacteria which convert these materials may be used. The products of these transformations may then be directed to another zone of the water treatment process as a reactant. [0044] The pollutant may be a process waste product such as cyanide. In such a case a cyanide converting enzyme, a cyanidase may be used, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,744 issued to Ingvorsen et al. [0045] The carbon or electron donor source preferably should be in the liquid form so that the apparatus can deliver known volumes at pre defined flow rates. If the carbon or electron donor source is in the solid form, solid or powder delivery methods should be employed. In the liquid form the carbon or electron donor source provides flexibility as to the addition of micronutrients without precipitation or undue agglomeration. In the case of methanol which is commonly used, micronutrients cannot generally be added without precipitation, and many other components are not soluble in methanol. Even though pure or concentrated methanol or other organic solvents may be used as the carbon or electron donor source in the present invention, the apparatus may still be used with modifications for appropriate use. The electron donor source is not limited to carbon containing compounds. Any electron donor source, including inorganic electron donors such as hydrogen gas, methane, natural gas, sulfide, sulfite, and iron(III) may be used. [0046] Another embodiment is the use of enzymes which can be genetically modified to be present in crops such as potatoes, corm and other crops, so that these can convert starch directly into electron donors, and used without further treatment. [0047] The liquid carbon sources are made by dissolving solid or liquid carbon sources in water, and adding bacterial stabilizers to prevent premature bacterial growth, and micronutrients as needed. An example of a useful composition is about 100 g of carbohydrates mixture containing about 7.6% monosaccharides, 6.9% disaccharides, 7.0% trisaccharides, 6.8% tetrascaacahrides and 71.7% tetrasaccharides and higher saccharides dissolved in 100 ml water. In addition, stabilizing agents to prevent premature microbiological growth described earlier, may be added, as well as other carbon sources which will increase the carbon content, and increase stability to microbiological growth. Examples are methanol, ethanol, ethylene glycol and glycerol, which may be added from about 3% to 40% or more as needed, without compromising flammability and solubility. Furthermore, micronutrients such as minerals, vitamins, other carbohydrates, and amino acids may be added to the aqueous carbon mixture, as needed, without precipitation. The composition and concentration of the mono and polysaccharides may be changed depending on the requirements of viscosity and concentration of the carbon or electron donor source. The monosccharides that can be used are glucose, galactose and fructose. The disaccharides that may be used are sucrose, lactose and maltose. Monosaccharides and disaccharides will provide a carbon solution with lower viscosity, whereas the use of oligo and polysaccharides will provide a higher viscosity for the same carbon concentration. While it is convenient to use soluble carbon or electron donor sources, in cases, it may be useful to use partially soluble carbon or electon donors which gradually dissolve or breakdown by microbes or enzymes to release material at a controlled release rate. An example would be the use of soluble oligosaccharides, polysaccharides as well as insoluble polysccharides, such as starch, or monosaccharides and polysaccharides formulated for controlled release in aerobic and anaerobic zones. [0048] For nitrification, the apparatus is set to deliver growing nitrifying bacteria in the rapidly growing phase of growth or the end of the rapidly growing phase of growth, called the log phase of growth, to the inlet of the aerobic tank or chamber of the wastewater treatment process, but after the settling tank or the primary treatment. In addition, the apparatus has an air pump to deliver additional air to the aerobic tank or chamber. The air pump may input air by means of a distributing means such as an air diffuser. The apparatus can optionally deliver carbon and nutrients if needed for the particular process or system, based on the composition of the waste water and the stage of the treatment. [0049] Since the bacteria are grown on the liquid carbon source of the invention, the liquid carbon source and composition may be considered to be a nitrifying and denitrifing bacterial induction media. The bacteria specifically grown in this invention is expected to be more efficient in the nitrification and denitrification metabolism [0050] This invention also relates to a method for selecting for enzyme function in nitrifiers and denitrifiers to be available down stream in a septic system when re-exposed to the same carbon carbohydrate source. It is well known in the field of microbiology that specific requirements are needed to grow and maintain microbes. It has been shown that maintaining microbes on the same carbon source maintains a high level of induction of the appropriate enzymes needed to utilize that carbon source at a high rate of efficiency. This manifests itself in competitive utilization of the carbon source. More specifically this invention using specific carbohydrates and other nutrients such as nucleic acid fragments may be used to transform microbial communities towards nitrification and denitrification in a more consistent and rapid manner. The invention is of significant interest for the nutritional improvement of sewage related microorganisms as well as methods for obtaining the expression of particular enzymes in sewage related nitrifying and denitrifying microorganisms. [0051] For denitrification, the apparatus is set to deliver growing denitrifying bacteria in the rapidly growing phase of growth or the end of the rapidly growing phase of growth, called the log phase of growth, to the inlet of the anaerobic tank or chamber of the wastewater treatment process where anoxic conditions are present, but after the aerobic tank or chamber. The apparatus can optionally deliver carbon and nutrients if needed for the particular process or system, based on the composition of the waste water entering the anoxic or anaerobic chamber. [0052] In some waste water systems the aerobic or oxic and anoxic or anaerobic chambers may not be clearly separated. In such systems, mixtures of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria are added along with carbon and nutrient sources if the system lacks such ingredients. [0053] The location of the delivery of the bacteria and carbon sources in the reaction zones is important. For nitrification and denitrification, nitrifying bacteria and electron donors, if needed, should be added in the aerobic zone; for denitrification, in the anaerobic zone, in those regions where the oxygen concentration is lower than other regions in the zone. In addition, both the aerobic and anaerobic zones may contain mixing means such as stirrers or mixers for dispersion of the contents. [0054] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a waste water treatment apparatus and process that takes advantage of the useful characteristics of biological treatment in an effective manner. It is also an object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus and process that maximizes the contact between contaminants from the waste water and the microbes. This allows inefficient systems to become efficient without the need for a relatively large processing tank or unit for smaller systems. Another object of the present invention is to provide a waste water treatment apparatus and process that is sufficiently effective so as to reduce to desirable levels the Total Suspended Solids(TSS), Biological Oxygen Demand(BOD), E - Coli, nitrogen-containing compounds, phosphorus-containing compounds, bacteria and viruses of waste water in a cost-effective manner. [0055] These and other objectives are achieved in the present invention through an aerobic and anaerobic treatment process including the addition of specific microbes and carbon to specific locations in the aerobic and anaerobic process so that the aerobic and anaerobic processes are made efficient. The aerobic and anaerobic process may be homogeneous such as the absence of any fixed film or added suspended media, or in addition may contain fixed film or other added suspended media for a heterogeneous process, for extra locations (surface area) for the added microbes to attach and grow. In such systems, either microfiltration or ultrafiltration membranes may be used to contain the bacteria within the aerobic or anaerobic zone and remove the effluent through the membrane. If suspended media is used, screens or filters may be employed at the end of the aerobic and anaerobic zones or tanks to contain the added suspended media within the zone or tank and prevent washout, and membranes may also be used to separate suspended microbes. In addition to the specific microbes, specific carbon sources and nutrients also can be added which provide additional efficiencies to the waste treatment process. The microbes and nutrients may be added at the specific locations in a batchwise, periodic or a continuous process using an apparatus. The microbes, carbon sources, nutrients and if necessary oxygen from air may be added together or separately in the process. Heating means may be provided to maintain the aerobic and anaerobic zones in a desirable temperature range of between 10 and 37 degrees F. In addition, the timing and delivery of the microbes, nutrients and temperature are optimized for the particular process. An example of the micronutrients that may be used is described in Micronutrient Bacterial Booster, N-100, Bio-systems Corporation, Roscoe, Ill., containing the minerals described. Minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, and amino acids may be added together, separately, or mixed with the carbon source, or microbes as needed. The efficient timing and delivery of the microbes, carbon and nutrients are achieved by the use of a specific apparatus, a controller, which forms part of the invention. This efficiency in the process results in efficient depletion of wastewater contaminants from existing systems and meet regulatory requirements imposed by regulatory agencies. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0056] [0056]FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; [0057] [0057]FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a suitable apparatus for introducing bacteria in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; [0058] [0058]FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of another waste treatment system including one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; [0059] [0059]FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of yet another waste treatment system including one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; [0060] [0060]FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of still another waste treatment system including one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; [0061] [0061]FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of still another waste treatment system including one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; [0062] [0062]FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of another waste treatment system including one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; [0063] [0063]FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of yet another waste treatment system including one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; [0064] [0064]FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of still another waste treatment system including one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; [0065] [0065]FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of still another waste treatment system including one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; [0066] [0066]FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of another waste treatment system including one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; [0067] [0067]FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration shown an oxic and anoxic reactor with Apparatus (“Tommy Box”) for the introduction of bacteria, carbon and air in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; [0068] [0068]FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the invention for a filter system; [0069] [0069]FIG. 14A is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the invention for a modified nitrification/denitrification filter system; [0070] [0070]FIG. 14B is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the invention for a modified nitrification/denitrification filter system; [0071] [0071]FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the invention for 1 liter reactors; [0072] [0072]FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the invention for 1 liter reactors with fixed media in the oxic and anoxic reactors; [0073] [0073]FIG. 17 is a comparison of the performance of the Mini OAR 1 (Fixed Film Media) and Mini OAR 2 for combined nitrogen, under different operating conditions; and [0074] [0074]FIG. 18 is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of the controller, where the layout of the different components are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0075] The introduction of bacteria before or in the initial settling phase of treatment requires the bacteria to survive a significant time period, usually measured in days, in a hostile environment. The settling period provides significant challenges to survival due to the physical processes during settling. Settling also promotes the removal of larger particles that can significantly delay complete treatment due to the large mass of the particle to the size of the bacteria. After settlement, the volume to be treated is dampened in peaks and easier to treat because particle size is reduced. Typically in the art batch pulses are fed into a system on the input end through either sinks or toilets. In accordance with the present invention, a (small) pump and actively growing microbes are placed in the post settling tank or primary treatment area as shown in FIG. 1. The process uses a combination of nitrifiers to convert ammonia to nitrites and nitrates, and denitrifiers to convert the nitrites and nitrates to nitrogen. Preferably the microbes are in log growth phase at the time of delivery, and growing microbes and nutrients are delivered either in a batch wise, periodic or continuous manner. This is different from prior art methods where microbes in static state, non-actively growing phase or spore form are added at the input locations, where growth is slow, and the microbes may have insufficient time or nutrients to grow before they are washed out of the holding and settling tanks due to insufficient “dwell” or “residence” times. Many of these systems also require either fixed suspended media for functioning. The use of growing microbes ensures that the density of microbes available per unit volume is very high, and therefore the volume of the tanks needed for a particular treatment will be much smaller than current waste water systems. In addition, for the same treatment tank size, the efficiency of removal of nitrogen would be enhanced, resulting in cost savings. Furthermore, in fixed film and suspended film media, there will be continuous replacement of dead and buried bacteria on the surface with fresh and growing bacteria to enhance the performance of the wastewater treatment. The tanks, in addition may contain mixing means, either by mechanical mixers or fluid mixers, for uniformly dispersing the contents added by the controller. [0076] An additional feature of this invention is the use of heating means to maintain the temperature of the tanks or containers at the optimum temperature for the transformation and removal of the unwanted contaminants. The control means for maintaining the temperature at the optimum temperature is either included in the controller, or is provided separately, and forms part of this invention [0077] In addition, because the microbes and nutrients are added in a controlled process, there is less likelihood of microbes not surviving. The problem of runaway growth when excessive microbes are added to settling tanks resulting in plugs and blocks of filters or tanks also is minimized. Furthermore, a particular amount of active microbes is always present, making the system catastrophic failure proof, such as in the case when toxic chemicals react with the microbes, or when the microbes are washed out in the case of rainstorms or flushes. [0078] The particular microbes chosen depend on the nature of the waste to be cleaned, and are within the skill in the art. Generally the microbes include nitrifying bacteria for the conversion of ammonia to nitrites and nitrates. The denitrifying microbes are denitrifying bacteria that convert the nitrates and nitrites to nitrogen in the presence of the carbon sources and nutrients added in a controlled process. [0079] Those skilled in the art know the nature of the nutrients most effective for supporting the microbes chosen. The examples below provide examples of suitable microbes. Some of the microbes can be microbes that transform phosphorus to another form that may be easily removed for example by precipitation or sedimentation. Some others will be specific for impurities such as the removal of biological oxygen demand by the removal of carbon or other oxidizable impurities which can interfere with the nitrification. [0080] The invention is equally applicable for the remediation of waterbodies, such as ponds, lakes, aquaculture facilities, landfills, industrial wastes, and contaminated sites. A homogeneous system or a heterogeneous fixed film or suspended media may be used as appropriate. In the case of waterbodies the water can be recycled through a series of reactors aerobic to convert ammonia to nitrates and nitrites, and an anaerobic reactor to convert the nitrates and nitrites to nitrogen. In the case of industrial wastes, an appropriate microbe specific to the pollutant should be employed. In the case of contaminated soils and waste sites, water would be used to wash or percolate the site and sent to one or more vessels containing microbes and receiving growing microbes introduced by the controller. In addition, the containers and the controllers may be mounted on mobile platforms. [0081] In the case of contaminated waste sites, such as perchlorates and chlorinated hydrocarbons, the concentrations of the contaminant may be too high in general for microbes to survive for longer periods. The continuous or periodic addition of growing microbes as described in the invention overcomes this deficiency. Any growing microbe that transforms a particular contaminant can be used. Microbes may be modified genetically to contain genes encoding enzymes that are effective in transforming the contaminants. Some examples of contaminants that may be removed or transformed by the invention by the controlled addition of microbes and if needed other nutrients are, Acetone, Ammonia, Aniline, Aromatic compounds, Nitrate, Nitrite, Carbon disulphide, Chlorinated solvents, Chlorobenzenes, Chloroform, Dichloroethanes, Dinitrotoluene, Dioxane, Ethanol, Ethylene, Explosives, Glycols, Hydrocarbons, Hydrogen sulfide, Isopentane, Isobutanes, Methanol, Methyl chloride, Methylene chloride, Tri nitro toluenes, Naththalene, Nitraamines, Nitrate, Nitroaromatics, Nitrites, Nitrobenzene, Perchlorates, Perchloroethylene, Pesticides, Phenol, Solvents, Styrene, Sulfur compounds, Tetrahydrofuran, Trichloroetahne, Trichlorotoluene, Bromoform, Nitrobenzene, Methyl tertiarybutyl ether, Tertiary butyl alcohol,Chlorinated ethenes, Chlorinated ethanes, Vinyl chloride, Ammonium perchlorate and perchlorates. [0082] The preferred carbon/electron donor source is methanol, carbohydrates and sugars and mixtures thereof. Other carbon sources that may be used are ethanol, polysaccharides, soluble starches, oils, fats, diary and food waste, and other sources of organic carbon. The amount of carbon that should be added is about 0.2 to about 5 times the total nitrogen present in the waste water, preferably about 2 times the total nitrogen present in the waste water. [0083] The preferred nutrients are amino acids, phosphates, and other minerals needed by bacteria for growth. [0084] The preferred bacteria to be used are specific for the pollutant to be treated. For denitrification, denitrifying bacteria are used. If nitrification of ammonia is the need, nitrifying bacteria would be used, and for cyanide removal “cyanidase” enzyme or bacteria capable of converting cyanide can be used. For denitrification, a mixture of Enterobacter Sakazaki (ATCC 29544), Bacillus coagulans (ATCC7050), Bacillus subtillis [0085] (ATCC 6051), Bacillus subtillis (ATCC 6051), Bacillus megatarium (ATCC7052), Bacillus licheniformis (ATCC14580), Bacillus cerus (ATCC4513) and Bacillus pasytereurii (ATCC 11859) may be used. Other bacteria that may be used are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,025,152. For nitrification, the bacteria include Nitrobacter and Nitrocococcus spp available from Cape Cod Biochemicals, 21 Commerce Road, Bourne, Mass. These bacteria are available form a number of commercial suppliers which are specific for the specific pollutant. The bacteria are used in an amount effective to treat (and preferably eliminate) the contaminants. [0086] Turning now to FIG. 1, there is shown a simplified diagrammatic illustration of a preferred arrangement of the basic components of the waste water treatment system of the present invention for a small system such as a single family home. (Title V System). Waste generated in toilet ( 1 ) and water waste generator ( 2 ) enters the settling tank ( 3 ), and after a certain residence or “dwell” time enters the distribution box ( 4 ) which distributes to the leaching field. The distribution box can be a large tank with two zones, one for receiving oxygen and be oxic and result in nitrification, and another anoxic for denitrification, or it could simply be one tank. In the present invention an apparatus ( 31 ), shown in greater detail in FIG. 2, is used to add growing microbes, nutrients including carbon sources, and oxygen after the settling tank, but before the distribution box for efficient nitrification and denitrification of waste. [0087] The distribution box can be made large or small depending on the flow rate of waste water and the rate of addition of components from the apparatus ( 31 ). [0088] [0088]FIG. 2A is an expanded view of the apparatus called controller “Tommy Box”, used for the addition of the carbon or electron donor source, nutrient, the biological microbial medium, and air used to accomplish effective aerobic and anaerobic waste water treatment. Growing microbes in bacteria holding tank ( 5 ) are pumped using bacteria pump ( 15 ) controlled by a controller-timer ( 7 ), to the exit point ( 56 ). Nutrient and carbon/electron donor source holding tank ( 6 ) feeds into the carbon/electron donor pump ( 10 ), controlled by the controller-timer ( 7 ), to the exit point ( 56 ). Air pump ( 26 ) controlled by the controller-timer also pumps air to the exit point ( 56 ). The exit point ( 56 ) of the apparatus is placed on line before the distribution box in FIG. 1. This allows for controlled predetermined feed of air, carbon, nutrients, and bacteria into the waste water flow before the distribution box. The controller timer allows for measured addition of microbes, nutrients, carbon and air. If needed, additional tanks and pumps may be installed in the apparatus for controlled addition of other ingredients for any other specific treatment. [0089] [0089]FIG. 2B is another design of the apparatus called controller “Tommy Box”. The timer, the carbon pump, and the bacteria pump, the carbon storage container, and the bacteria storage container are installed inside a box to protect from the elements. Additionally, a small thermostatically controlled heater is provided to keep the box at an optimum temperature for the bacteria and carbon. [0090] [0090]FIG. 3 is another embodiment of the invention where waste water flow into settling tank or septic tank ( 1 ), and flows into a distribution box ( 4 ) connected to receive input from Apparatus ( 31 ), which delivers controlled quantities of carbon, nutrient, bacteria, and air. The treated water finally flows into the soil absorption system ( 6 ). [0091] [0091]FIG. 4 is a preferred embodiment of the invention where waste water flow into settling tank or septic tank ( 1 ) and flows into a dosing mechanism section ( 2 ). A septic tank 1 , or other form of primary settling tank or unit may be used for initial settling of large solids from the waste water initially transferred from some type of facility, whether a single-family residence, a grouping of buildings, or an industrial facility. The septic tank 1 may be an existing unit, or it may be provided as part of an integrated treatment system of the present invention. The present invention includes a primary treatment unit that is a dosing zone or mechanism, which receives the controlled addition of carbon or electron donor, nutrients, bacteria, oxygen and any other additive, using the apparatus ( 31 ) at the specific location or zone. For aerobic zones oxygen is provided, whereas for anaerobic zones, oxygen is not provided. The output from the apparatus ( 31 ) is preferentially introduced at the input side of the dosing mechanism. In some cases it may be advantageous to introduce the output of the apparatus midway into a zone or close to the bottom of the zone. The dosing mechanism may be replaced by a distribution box for a single-family residence, as shown in FIG. 3, or could be a dosing tank as described in FIG. 7. The output can then be further treated by a sand filter or sent to the environment or the soil absorption system. [0092] The treated water that passes through the treatment system is then drawn off or otherwise moved to another site, such as a leach field, a secondary water user, such as a toilet, to a final usable water site, such as via a soak hose system, or it can be discharged to nearby water bodies. [0093] The apparatus (Tommy Box) ( 31 ) introduces controlled quantities of carbon, nutrient, bacteria, and air into the dosing mechanism ( 2 ) section. The waste water then flows through a sand filter ( 3 ). A portion of the treated water may be diverted to the soil absorption system ( 6 ). Another portion of the treated water may be re-circulated using a flow mechanism to the input of the settling tank ( 1 ), and flows into a dosing mechanism section ( 2 ). [0094] [0094]FIG. 5 is another embodiment of the invention where waste water flow into settling tank or septic tank ( 1 ) and flows into a reactor ( 9 ). The apparatus (Tommy Box) ( 31 ) introduces controlled quantities of carbon/electron donor, nutrient, bacteria, and air into the input of the reactor vessel ( 9 ). A portion of the treated water may be diverted to the soil absorption system ( 6 ). Another portion of the treated water may be re-circulated using a flow mechanism to the input of the settling tank ( 1 ), and flows into a reactor ( 9 ). The apparatus (Tommy Box) ( 31 ) introduces controlled quantities of carbon, nutrient, bacteria, and air into the input of the reactor vessel ( 9 ). This process is repeated, and gives additional treatment time for the waste water. [0095] [0095]FIG. 6 is another embodiment of the invention where waste water flow into settling tank or septic tank ( 1 ) and flows into a dosing tank mechanism section ( 2 ). The apparatus (Tommy Box) ( 31 ) introduces controlled quantities of carbon, nutrient, bacteria, and air into the dosing mechanism ( 2 ) section. The waste water then flows through an aeration structure ( 12 ) and is discharged to the environment. A variation is to treat the output using a sand filter before being discharged to the environment. [0096] [0096]FIG. 7 is another embodiment of the invention where waste water flow into settling tank or septic tank ( 1 ), and flows into a dosing tank ( 2 ) connected to receive input from apparatus ( 31 ), (Tommy Box), which delivers controlled quantities of carbon, nutrient, bacteria, and air. The treated water finally flows into a RUKK Filter system ( 13 ), described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,465,594 and 5,588,777 (incorporated herein by reference) and finally to the environment. [0097] [0097]FIG. 8 is another embodiment of the invention where wastewater is treated using a series of alternating aerobic and anaerobic reactors or zones. The series of alternating aerobic and anaerobic reactors or zones can be any number as desired. At the inlet to one or all of the aerobic zones or reactors, the apparatus 31, “Tommy Box” delivers nitrifying microbes and oxygen. In this zone, ammonia is converted to nitrite and nitrate. If needed, carbon, nutrient or electron donors may also be added, if the waste water is deficient in the above ingredients. Denitrifying microbes, may also be added, if there are zones in the reactors that are anaerobic, and therefore can participate in denitrification, and thereby increase the efficiency of the nitrogen removal process. [0098] At the inlet to one or all of the anaerobic zones or reactors, the apparatus 31, “Tommy Box” would be set to deliver denitrifying microbes, carbon or electron donor and nutrients. No oxygen is delivered to the anaerobic rectors or zones. The amount of carbon, electron donors, and nutrient added is related to the needs of the system. In this zone denitrification of nitrates and nitrites to nitrogen gas takes place. The discharge from the final anaerobic reactor could then be sent to the environment or for tertiary treatment. U.S. Pat. No. 4,279,753 issued to Nielson et al. describe multiple series of alternating aerobic-anaerobic bioreactors in series can utilize the current invention to improve the efficiency and dependability of such a wastewater treatment system. U.S. Pat. No. 6,235,196 issued to Zhou also describe multiple reactors which can utilize the improvements of the invention. [0099] In FIG. 9, if only two aerobic and anaerobic zones are needed, then only two apparatuses( 3 l) feeding the inlets to the aerobic and anaerobic zones would be used. The size of the apparatus could be scaled based on the size of the reactors, zones and the wastewater flow rates. The discharge from the anaerobic reactor could then be sent to the environment( 6 ) or for tertiary treatment. [0100] [0100]FIG. 10 is a dual spherical reactor vessel embodiment where liquid wastewater flows into a settling tank or septic tank ( 1 ), and flows into a primary spherical reactor vessel ( 102 ) connected to receive input from apparatus ( 31 ), (Tommy Box), which delivers controlled quantities of nutrient, bacteria, and air. The output then flows to a secondary spherical reactor vessel( 103 ) where nutrients and bacteria can be delivered into said vessel near the bottom, middle and top of the fluid. In the preferred example the reactor vessels should hold between 2 and 8 days of retained daily flow volume. The output of the secondary reactor vessel leads to the soil absorption system( 6 ). [0101] [0101]FIG. 11 is another embodiment of the invention wherein wastewater is treated using a single reactor ( 110 ) which contains both an aerobic( 95 ) and an anaerobic( 96 ) zone. The two zones may be separated by some mechanical means, or may be a two fluid regions not separated by mechanical means. At the inlet to the aerobic zone the apparatus ( 31 ), “Tommy Box” delivers nitrifying microbes and oxygen. If needed, carbon, nutrient or electron donors may also be added, if the waste water is deficient in the above ingredients. In this zone, ammonia is converted to nitrite and nitrate. [0102] At the beginning of the anaerobic zone ( 96 ) where the two zones meet, a second apparatus 31 , “Tommy Box” would be set to deliver denitrifying microbes, carbon or electron donor and nutrients using transfer means ( 97 ), which could be a tube. No oxygen is delivered to the anaerobic zone. The amount of carbon, electron donors, and nutrient added is related to the needs of the system. In this zone denitrification of nitrate and nitrites to nitrogen gas takes place. U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,765 issued to Edwards, describe a single aerobic-anaerobic reactor that can utilize the current invention to improve the efficiency and dependability of such a wastewater treatment system. [0103] [0103]FIG. 12 shows the Oxic and Anoxic reactor with Apparatus (“Tommy Box”) with lines for the introduction of bacteria, carbon and air, the use of a heating means to heat the aerobic zone, and the use of filters in the fluid exit from the aerobic and anaerobic zones. Optional heating means may be introduced to the anoxic zone. Optionally, an additional reactor or zone may be added where the effluent leaving the anaerobic reactor or zone is aerobically treated with air to reduce the BOD before it is released to the soil absorption system or environment. Optional tanks for additional aeration, filtration by sand filter or other soil absorption system, ultraviolet treatment, ozone treatment and membrane filtration are not drawn. [0104] In the aerobic and anaerobic zones a membrane filter (hollow fiber or other) may be used to remove effluent by filtration. The membrane prevents the loss of microbes from the anoxic reactor. [0105] [0105]FIG. 13. Embodiment of the invention for a filter system. [0106] [0106]FIG. 14A. Embodiment of the invention for a modified nitrification denitrification filter system. [0107] [0107]FIG. 14B. Improved embodiment of the invention for a modified nitrification denitrification filter system. [0108] [0108]FIG. 15. Another layout for the apparatus for 1 liter reactors. [0109] [0109]FIG. 16. Layout for Apparatus shown for 1 liter reactors with fixed media in the oxic and anoxic reactors. [0110] [0110]FIG. 17. Comparison of the performance of the Mini OAR 1 (Fixed Film Media) and Mini OAR 2 for combined nitrogen, under different operating conditions. [0111] [0111]FIG. 18. Another embodiment of the controller, where the layout of the different components are shown. The bacteria pump, the carbon pump and the air pump are controlled by a timer/controller. The controllers may be optionally connected to a master controller for external remote control by a computer. The master controller can also receive inputs from sensors in the OAR system to monitor temperature, flow rates, ammonia, oxygen, nitrate and bacteria. These inputs may be programmed using a controller to reset the pumping rates for bacteria, carbon and air. EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of Nitrification and Denitrification Bacteria Mixture [0112] Bacteria mixtures useful in nitrification and denitrification were prepared by mixing bacterial mixtures containing various bacterial strains known to nitrify and denitrify. [0113] For nitrification, a mixture of Enterobacter Sakazaki (ATCC 29544), Bacillus coagulans (ATCC7050), Bacillus subtillis (ATCC 6051), Bacillus subtillis (ATCC 6051), Bacillus megatarium (ATCC7052), Bacillus licheniformis (ATCC14580), Bacillus cerus (ATCC4513) and Bacillus pasytereurii (ATCC 11859) was used. For nitrification, the bacteria were not easy to identify, and include Nitrobacter and Nitrocococcus spp obtained from Cape Cod Biochemicals, 21 Commerce Road, Bourne, Mass. [0114] Bacterial growth media was prepared in 1 liter batches by dissolving 20 g Bacto Tryptose, 2 g Bacto Dextrose,(Difco Laboratories, Detroit, Mich.), 5 g sodium chloride, and 2.5 g disodium phosphate (Sigma-Aldrich Corp., St. Louis, Mo., USA) in 1 liter of deionized water, and sterilizing at 25° F. for 15 minutes in an autocloave. The bacteria, 0.1 ml, if in liquid form, and 0.5 g, if in dry form, was added to 100 ml of media prepared above, and grown at 37° C. for 3 days. At the end of 3 days, 100 ml of the grown bacteria were added to 4 liters of growth media, and grown for 3 days before use. The bacterial mixtures were then used in field testing. EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of Carbon Nutrient Mixtures [0115] Carbon mixtures that are non-flammable, have low viscosity and are readily pumpable liquids, and stable to premature microbial growth were prepared by adding to 100 ml of deionized water, 50 g Maltrin M250 (Grain Processing Corporation, Muscatine, Iowa, USA), dissolving the solids, and adding 10 ml of methanol (Sigma-Aldrich). In addition to the carbon sources, other micronutrients generally used for growth of bacteria, and described in Handbook of Microbiological Media by R. N. Atlas, CRC Press, Cleveland, Ohio and Media Formulations described in the ATCC catalog, ATCC 12301 Park Lane Drive, Rockville, Md., were added in the generally recommended quantities. The carbon and nutrient mixtures were found to be stable, as measured by unwanted premature growth for over 4 weeks. [0116] The bacterial mixtures and carbon/nutrient mixtures were tested for viability using solutions made up of ammonium chloride for ammonia conversion, and sodium nitrate for nitrate conversion. The nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria were found to be effective for conversion of ammonia and nitrate, respectively. [0117] Ammonia was measured using a Hanna Instruments Inc, 584 Park East Drive, Woonsocket, R.I. 02895, High Range Ammonia Calorimeter, Catalog No, HI 93733, and the ammonia testing reagents kits. Nitrate was measured using a Hanna Instruments Inc., 584 Park East Drive, Woonsocket, R.I. 02895, Nitrate Calorimeter, Catalog No. HI93728, and the nitrate testing reagents kit. [0118] The nutrient carbon mixtures were scaled up to 10 gallons, by dissolving 42 pounds of Maltin M250 in 10 gallons of deionized water using a paddle, and adding 3,785 ml of methanol (Doe and Ingals, Medford, Mass.). In addition, other micronutrients generally used for growth of bacteria described in Handbook of Microbiological Media by R.N. Atlas, CRC Press, Cleveland, Ohio and Media Formulations described in the ATCC catalog , ATCC 12301 Park Lane Drive, Rockville, Md. were added in the recommended quantities. In addition to deionized water, tap water also may be used. The carbon nutrient mixtures prepared above were used in the field testing described below. Leaching Field Test EXAMPLE 3 [0119] The bacterial and carbon/nutrient mixtures were then tested in a field test in a system as described in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in a sewage treatment testing facility. The waste water exciting the settling tank had 36 ppm nitrate, and was flowing at a rate of 78 gallons/day, and the septic/settling tank was 1500 gallons. The bacteria mixture of nitrifiers and denitrifiers was fed at a rate of 11 ml/hr for 1 hour, each 6 hours, 4 times/day. The carbon/nutrient was added at a rate of 110 ml/hr, for 1 hr every 4 hours, for a total of 660 ml/day. Samples were taken after 14 days under the leaching field at a depth of 1 ft, and 2 ft and tested for nitrate nitrogen. The results are given in Table 1. TABLE 1 FIG. 2 Field Testing of Waste Water Nitrate nitrogen, ppm Before treatment 1 ft 2 ft under the leaching field 29-37 ppm 29-37 ppm With treatment as in FIG. 2 1 ft 2 ft under the leaching field 10 ppm 2 ppm [0120] Ammonia was measured using a Hanna Instruments Inc, 584 Park East Drive, Woonsocket, R.I. 02895, High Range Ammonia Calorimeter, Catalog No, HI 93733, and the ammonia testing reagents kits. Nitrate was measured using a Hanna Instruments Inc, 584 Park East Drive, Woonsocket, R.I. 02895, Nitrate Calorimeter, Catalog No, HI93728, and the nitrate testing reagents kit. [0121] Reactor System Test EXAMPLE 4 [0122] The bacterial and nutrient mixtures described in examples 2 and 3 were then tested in a field test in a system as described in FIG. 5 in a sewage treatment system facility. The discharge from the treatment system reactor system had Total Nitrogen (TN) in the range 91-135 ppm, prior to the field test, and not discharging final concentrations of TKN generally required for discharge limits in waste water treatment facilities. The waste water exciting the septic/settling tank had about 91-135 ppm TN and was flowing at a rate of about 3,500 gallons/day, and the septic tank was about 5000 gallons. The reactor vessel was about 5000 gallons. The bacteria mixture, containing denitrifiers and nitrifiers capable of converting ammonia to nitrate and nitrite, and further nitrate and nitrite to nitrogen, was added continuously at the entrance to the reactor vessel at a rate of 1 liter/day for 1 week. At the end of one week, the bacterial addition was changed to 250 ml/day. Samples were taken 12 and 19 days after the initial addition of the bacteria at the point of discharge, and tested for TN by an outside water testing laboratory. The results are given in Table 2. TABLE 2 Reactor System (FIG. 5) Field Testing of Waste Water TN, Before treatment 91-135 ppm In the discharge With treatment as in FIG. 5 12 days 19 days In the discharge 31 ppm 4-6 ppm [0123] Sludge Reduction EXAMPLE 5 [0124] The reactor described in example 4, which was approximately 8 feet by 8 feet by 8 feet before the treatment with the bacterial mixture had sludge to a height of about 4 feet. The sludge in the reactor when measured at the end of about 90 days was approximately 1 foot. EXAMPLE 6 [0125] Dual reactors as shown in FIG. 10 could be used for nitrification and denitrification by fermentation of waste water. Waste flow enters a 1,500 gallon settling tank that has a “T” at the effluent end that leads to a 750 gallon plastic sphere (Zabel Environmental Technology, PO Box 1520, Crestwood, Ky., 40014). House wastewater enters the settling tank in a range of 80-200 gallons per day. Settled fluid enters the primary reactor where nitrifying bacteria as described in example 3 are introduced into the system using the apparatus “Tommy Box” as shown in FIG. 10. Nutrients could be added to primary reactor to stabilize the pH and micro nutrient levels. In addition to bacteria and nutrients, optionally air may be used to aerate the system. [0126] The aerated effluent from the primary reactor flows into the secondary reactor. The secondary 750 gallon Zabel spherical reactor receives denitrifying bacteria and carbon as described in example 3. The carbon and bacteria are added into the system on or near the bottom where little or no oxygen is available. The output of the secondary reactor flows directly into the soil absorption system. EXAMPLE 7 [0127] The Oxic Anoxic Reactor (OAR)system as shown in FIG. 12 was installed at the Massachusetts Alternative Septic Test Center, Otis Massachusetts. This is a variation of FIG. 9, where two apparatuses are shown. Extra pumps as needed may be installed inside the apparatus(“Tommy Box”)for delivering two or more different mixtures of bacteria to specified locations in the OAR system. A larger air aerator and diffuser capable of producing oxygen concentrations in the 3 to 8 mg/liter was used. These dual tank stepwise multi tank systems are used for reducing TSS, COD, phosphate, nitrification and denitrification of the wastewater. [0128] The OAR system is a gravity fed continuous reactor where primary effluent first enters a settling tank (Massachusetts Title V or equivalent regulations). Flow rates entering the tank ranged from 100-550 gallons per day. Over one year the influent temperature and oxygen levels ranged 2 to 28 degrees Celsius, and 0.0-0.5 mg/l respectively. The second stage flows into the first OAR tank, aerobic reactor, (T 1 ) where temperature and oxygen are monitored by sensors. The sensor information is used to control the temperature and oxic conditions. The air is purged into T 1 using a diffuser for better aeration. The need for bacteria is also monitored and added as needed. Residence time or dwell in T 1 is designed to average about 1-6 or more days depending on the level of nitrification needed. Oxygen concentration and temperature are held between 3.0-8.0 mg/l and about 20-40 degrees Celsius respectively, by means of an aerator and a heating means inserted into the tank T 1 . The preferred temperature is 24 degrees Celsius. The heating means may be by electrical heating or solar heating with temperature controls. Growing nitrifying bacteria and denitrifying bacteria are introduced at a rate of 1 to 10 ml per 100 gallons of raw effluent flow. Bacterial concentrations ranged from 10 exponent 12 to 10 exponent 17 cells per ml. Nitrified effluent passes through T 1 into an optional filter and into Tank 2 (T 2 ). T 2 contains injection ports to deliver the non-flammable carbon source of the invention, as well as nitrifying bacteria from the apparatus. While other sources of carbon may be used, it is preferable to use the non-flammable liquid carbon source of the invention as the bacteria have been specifically grown in that carbon source, and the carbon source contains the preferred nutrients for the optimum performance of the bacteria. The carbon pump is set to deliver carbon at a rate sufficient to decrease the nitrogen level desired by the local wastewater regulations. Generally for 1 mg of nitrogen, 1-4 mg of carbon would be needed for bringing the level of nitrogen to below 10 mg/l, depending on the content of carbon present in the nitrified wastewater. The wastewater flow rate and the concentration of nitrogen in the influent dictate the flow rate and volume of carbon to be delivered. The outlet of the tank T 1 can have an optional filter for removing particulates and any large media particles or suspended media introduced. T 1 can also contain fixed film media if desired. The oxygen level in T 2 rapidly approached near undetectable values from top to bottom of the tank for anoxic conditions. Residence time is designed to average 1-4 days, preferably 2 to 3 days. Denitrifying bacteria that had been previously added in T 1 where they begin their initial growth under aerobic conditions can migrate to T 2 and continue the denitrification under anoxic conditions optionally, denitrifying bacteria can be added to T 2 as needed for denitrification. The OAR system allows the separation of various microbiological functions to enable complete system control and testing capabilities. Optionally, a filter is placed at the end of the tank T 2 for particulate removal as well as for holding any suspended media introduced to the system for bacteria growing on surfaces. Fixed film media may also be introduced into T 2 as desired. Optionally, a membrane filter, such as a hollow fiber or flat sheet membrane may be used to filter the effluent, by applying a vacuum to the lumen side, leaving the bacteria in the tank T 2 . The effluent finally travels to a distribution box where it is distributed to a soil absorption system such as a leaching field. The effluent may also be directed to a sand filter or modified sand filter for additional removal of suspended solids, bacteria, and in addition can be treated using ultraviolet light, ozone or chlorine to provide tertiary treated water or recycled water, and further treated by reverse osmosis as needed. The tanks T 1 and T 2 are placed in the ground such that T 1 is at a lower level compared to the settling tank outflow, and T 2 is at a lower level relative to T 1 so that there is gravity flow. This avoids the need for pumping of wastewater required in many commercial systems and is energetically favourable. [0129] The OAR system was started on day 1 receiving 150 gal/day with influent from a trench that was fed from a septic tank. Influent levels were for Ammonia of about 35 mg/l, Nitrate close to 0 mg/l, Oxygen close to 0 mg/l, Total Suspended Solids(TSS) in the range 150-230 mg/l, Chemical and Biological Oxygen Demand (CBOD), in the range 235-339 mg/ml. On day 17, the OAR effluent exciting from T 2 had TSS<30 mg/l, CBOD<20 mg/l, Total Nitrogen (Ammonia plus Nitrate) was generally below 10 mg/l. Sample measurements for each data point were taken 3 times a week. [0130] For the oxic and anoxic reactors, additional mixing means such as stirrers and mixes can be added to improve the performance of the system, and keep especially suspended fixed film media in suspension. In addition, if activated sludge is used, the controlled addition of bacteria can improve the performance of the activated sludge system over and above its normal performance. EXAMPLE 8 [0131] [0131]FIG. 13 shows the use of the invention to improve the performance of U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,777 incorporated herein by reference. The apparatus(not shown) introduces nitrifying bacteria after the septic tank, so that the bacteria are dispersed in the sand filter. Optionally denitrifying bacteria may also be introduced and additional aeration provided. [0132] Instead of the liquid soap, the non-flammable carbon source can be used. Denitrifiers may also be added in the anoxic bottom zone of the filter. EXAMPLE 9 [0133] [0133]FIG. 14A shows the use of the invention to improve the performance of U.S. Pat. No. 4,465,594 incorporated by reference. The apparatus(not shown) introduces nitrifying bacteria after the septic tank to the holding tank ( 10 ), so that the bacteria are dispersed in the (aerobic) nitrification filter( 12 ). An optional mixing tank may be provided between the nitrification filter and the holding tank for receiving the nitrifying bacteria. This holding tank is optionally heated to between 10 and 35 degrees Celsius for improved nitrification. The heated nitrified effluent is collected in the chamber 18 . Denitrifying bacteria is introduced to chamber ( 18 ) along with non-explosive carbon described in this invention. The chamber can optionally have mixing means for better dispersion of denitrifying bacteria and carbon. The bacteria and carbon flows to the anoxic detention tanks where denitrification takes place. EXAMPLE 10 [0134] [0134]FIG. 14B is another embodiment of the invention where the apparatus is used to introduce nitrifying bacteria into a pump chamber before the nitrification filter. optionally, the pump chamber may also be aerated for efficient nitrification in addition to that provided by the air vent. Furthermore, the pump chamber may be heated to maintain a temperature of between 10 and 35 degrees Celsius for efficient nitrification. The apparatus is used to introduce denitrifying bacteria and a carbon source into the mixing chamber. The use of the denitrifying bacteria grown with the non-flammable carbon source is preferred. EXAMPLE 11 [0135] The effluent from the septic tanks (the primary treatment) were tested using a scaled down version of the Oxic Anoxic Reactor(OAR) scaled down to 1 liter, with and without a fixed film media. The effluent from the sepic tank is the same effluent used in example 7, and had combined nitrogen in the 35 mg/l range. The fixed film media used was a fibrous filter used for air filtration produced by Flanders Precision Aire, St. Petersburg, Fla. FIGS. 15 and 16 show different layout for the apparatus to be used with the OAR system. Air was introduced to the aerobic reactors in FIGS. 15 (Mini OAR 1 ) and 16 (Mini OAR 2 ). The flow rate of the effluent entering the aerobic tank was between 100-300 ml/day. Growing nitrifying bacteria was added to the aerobic reactor at the rate of 1 ml/day, once a day because of the small volume. The liquid carbon was added at the rate of 0.1 ml/day, once a day. The temperature of this system was kept at room temperature of between 16 to 20 degrees Celsius. [0136] [0136]FIG. 17 gives the combined nitrogen data under various conditions. From Jun. 17, 2002 to Jul. 3, 2002 growing bacteria and liquid carbon were added as described above. The combined nitrogen stayed below 12 mg/l during this period. On Jul. 3, 2002, the addition of growing bacteria and liquid carbon was stopped, and resulted in an increase of the combined nitrogen to between 20 and 30 mg/l. On Jul. 10, 2002, the addition of bacteria and carbon was resumed. Within one week, the combined nitrogen in both OAR systems was below 10 mg/l and trending towards the values before the disruption in the addition of bacteria and carbon. Use of a suspended film media is expected to produce a similar result. EXAMPLE 12 Power Failure Stress Test [0137] Power shut off stress test of the 220 gallon per day OAR (Oxic Anoxic Reactors) as shown in FIG. 12 was carried out as follows. The OAR installed at the Massachusetts Alternative Septic Test Center, Otis Massachusetts. Nitrification and denitrification of the waste water was monitored to determine the effects of 4 days of complete power shut down. During 4 days from May 24 to May 28, 2002 all electrical power was shut off on the OAR System. Effluent continued to be sent into the system. Throughout the 4-day period air, carbon, heat and bacteria were not functional. Total Nitrogen (Ammonia and Nitrate) during the shut off the system was still below 20 mg/liter. Three days after restoring power the Total Nitrogen began to drop back to below 10 mg/liter in 7 days. EXAMPLE 13 [0138] Stability of non-flammable liquid carbon to microbial stability was tested. Non-flammable liquid carbon was made by dissolving 1000 ml of deionized water 500 g of Maltrin M250 and micronutrients described in example 2 without methanol. The liquid carbon solution was divided into 5 aliquots of 100 ml each by transferring into 100 ml sterile glass bottles baked at 250 degrees Celsius. One bottle was kept as a control. To the second bottle 5 ml methanol was added to bring the methanol concentration to 5%. To the third 5 ml of formalin (10% formaldehyde solution) was added to bring the formalin concentration to 5% of the added formalin. To the fourth 2 ml of Iodopropynyl Bulycarbamate(Germal) was added to bring the Iodopropynyl Bulycarbamate concentration to 2%. To the fourth bottle 10 ml sodium hypochlorite solution (Americas Choice Bleach Compass Foods, Modale N.J. USA) was added to bring the added blach concentration to 10%. To the fifth bottle 3 ml 1M sodium hydroxide was added to bring the pH of the solution to 12.6. Each bottle was then spiked with 0.1 ml of bacteria cultures grown for 4 days on Difco TPD Media. The samples were stored at 18 to 20 degrees Celsius for one week and observed daily. [0139] The control liquid carbon carbohydrate solution with no additive was cloudy with stringy mass and pale yellow color. The methanol, formalin and Germal were all clear with pale yellow color, the bleach was clear with no color, and the bottle with sodium hydroxide was clear with dark yellow color. The control showed rapid growth in less than 2 days, whereas none of the others showed any growth. [0140] In addition to the use of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria, a wide variety bacteria and bacterial mixtures can be used to modify or remove a many pollutants, contaminants from many sources. Several of the bacteria mixtures are available commercially, such as from Bio-Systems Corporation, 1238 Inman Parkway, Beloit, Wis. 53511, and incorporated by reference. The bacteria may treat municipal, industrial, commercial, and residential waste. Some of these users are for degradation of complex chemicals such as phenols, benzene compounds, surfactants, alcohols, aliphatic compounds, aromatic compounds, and other ionic waste such as chlorates, perchlorates, cyanides, nitrites, nitrites or any other pollutant that can be reacted and removed by bacteria. Other users for contaminant and pollutant control and removal are in chemical waste, grease removal, grease control, chlorinated organics, dairy waste, refinery waste, hydrocarbon soil remediation, marine pollutant control, hydrocarbon oil sump treatment, municipal activated sludge, fish farming, pulp and paper bio-augmentation, municipal lagoons, manure waste, portable toilet treatments, drain and grease traps, odor control, and septic tank treatments. Additional potential uses are in aquaculture, aquariums, food waste and grease traps, pond reclamation and farm waste remediation. [0141] The invention is equally applicable to any wastewater system that suffers from frequent failure, and that has separate oxic, aerobic, anoxic and anaerobic regions. This invention can be used with recirculating sand filters, trickling filters, and any aerobic and anaerobic treatment systems. The applicability of this invention is not restricted to nitrification and denitrification, and equally applicable to other pollutants which can be microbiologically treated.

Systems for treating water containing unwanted contaminants. More particularly, the present invention relates to waste water treatment systems including biological media used to aerobically or anaerobically treat solid and liquid waste in water for large and small-scale waste water systems in a way that minimizes the size of the system required to output high-quality, environmentally suitable water that is depleted of ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and other contaminants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to novelty containers or baskets. Specifically the apparatus of the present invention provides an erectable novelty container comprising end members, side members and a bottom member handle which are compactly packagable and can be assembled and interlocked together without tools, separate fasteners, or adhesive to form a useful and decorative container for storage and display of numerous types of small articles. 2. Discussion of the Prior Art Containers similar to the present invention are often fabricated from wood or cardboard. The wooden containers are generally assembled with nails or adhesive to form a rigid structure. These types of containers are typically strong and durable. However, since fasteners such as nails or adhesive are used to construct the container it cannot be easily disassembled or reassembled. The prior art cardboard containers are typically fabricated using interleaved cardboard flaps to maintain the structural integrity of the container. In some instances an adhesive is used to further strengthen the container. However, this type of construction also prevents easy disassembly of the container. Tape may also be used to add structural integrity to the container or prevent its accidental disassembly. Once again, the use of tape can cause substantial damage to the container during any attempted disassembly thereof SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a novelty container which can be packaged, shipped, or stored in an unassembled condition. The apparatus comprises two end members, two side members and a bottom member which are interlocked together in a highly novel manner to form the desired structural shape. Unlike most wooden containers, the present invention does not require nails, adhesive, or other fasteners for assembly. The end and bottom members of the apparatus contain specially configured slots, apertures and tabs which form part of the locking means of the invention. The sides are also slotted to receive hook shaped locking protuberances, or tabs, formed on the bottom member. When the end, side and bottom members are lockably interconnected, accidental disassembly of the container is positively prevented. Unlike the prior art basket constructions, the present invention may be readily disassembled by releasing the locking means provided on the various structural components. The basket of the invention may be assembled and disassembled numerous times without damage or degradation. The containers of the present invention are vastly superior to prior art cardboard containers in many respects. The containers are more rigid than comparable prior art cardboard containers and can readily be assembled without the use of adhesives or tape. The containers may also be disassembled and reassembled without problems of structural damage, bending, and tearing which plague most cardboard containers in similar service. It is an object of the invention to provide a container assembly which may be compactly packaged, stored, and shipped in the unassembled condition. It is another object of the invention to provide a container assembly which may be easily assembled without special tools, adhesives, or other fasteners. It is yet another object of the invention to provide a container as previously described which may be easily disassembled without damage when not in use and easily reassembled. It is still another object of the invention to provide a container of the class described which can take various decorative forms such as that of a classic automobile. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a generally perspective view of the assembled container of one form of the invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the container shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3--3 of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along lines 4--4 of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 5--5 of FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, one form of the invention is thereshown. FIG. 1 shows the container assembly 12 in the assembled condition. Referring particularly to FIG. 2, an exploded view of the invention shows this embodiment of the invention to comprise two end members 14 and 16, two side members 18 and 20 and a planar bottom member 22. The end members 14 and 16 have transversely extending apertures 24 formed proximate their bottom portions. Beneath these apertures are transversely extending web portions 26, each of which is cut through by a centrally located cut 28. Front end member 14 has top, bottom and side portions 14a, 14b and 14c respectively. Similarly, rear end member 16 has top, bottom and side portions 16a, 16b and 16c respectively. Previously identified web portion 26 of each member 14 and 16 is disposed between the lower margin of the member and the lower extremity of the transversely extending aperture 24. Rear end member 16 is also provided with a second transversely extending aperture 30 which, in this form of the invention, simulates the rear window of a vehicle of classic design. Bottom member 22 is generally planar and includes front, rear and side portions 22a, 22b and 22c respectively. Forming an important aspect of the locking means of the present invention for releasably interconnecting the component part of the apparatus is the provision of a pair of longitudinally spaced, generally V-shaped apertures 32 and 34 formed in planar member 22. As best seen in FIG. 2, the apex portions 32a and 34a of apertures 32 and 34 extend inwardly toward the center portion of planar member 22. As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, apertures 32 and 34 form a part of the first locking means of this embodiment of the invention for releasably interconnecting the bottom portions 14b and 16b of the front and rear end members 14 and 16 with the bottom member 22. Side member 18 is provided with front, rear, top and bottom portions 18a, 18b, 18c and 18d respectively. Similarly, side member 20 is provided with front, rear, top and bottom portions 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d. Both side members 18 and 20 are generally planar shaped and each is provided with a downwardly extending first slot 36 in the top portion thereof located proximate the front portions 18a and 20a of the members (FIG. 2). Similarly, each of the side members is provided with a second slot 38 in the top portion thereof located proximate the rear portions 18b and 20b thereof. As will be discussed further hereinafter, slots 36 formed in the side members form a part of the second locking means of the invention for releasably interconnecting front end member 14 with side members 18 and 20. Slots 38, on the other hand, form a part of the third locking means of the invention for releasably connecting rear end member 16 with side members 18 and 20. Each of side members 18 and 20 is also provided with an aperture 40 located proximate the bottom portion thereof near the rear portions 18b and 20b thereof. A similarly configured aperture 42 is provided in each of the side members proximate the bottom, front portions thereof. As indicated in FIG. 2, apertures 40 and 42 are longitudinally spaced and are disposed proximate the center of an arcuate shaped extension 44 which simulates the lower portion of the wheels of the automobile shaped container of the present form of the invention. These apertures 40 and 42 form a part of the fourth locking means of the invention for releasably interconnecting bottom member 22 with side members 18 and 20. To simulate the appearance of an automobile, each of the side members is suitable painted and lined and is also provided with apertures 46 and 48 which have the general shape of the windows of an automobile. Additionally, each of the side members 18 and 20 is provided with front and rear curved fender simulating members 50 and 52. Further, front end member 14 is provided with a member 55 having the appearance of an automobile grille and bottom member 22 includes running board simulating extensions 22d. Forming another part of the second locking means of the present embodiment of the invention are transversely spaced hook-like members, or tabs, 54 provided on side portions 14c of front end member 14. As best seen by referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, front end member 14 is assembled with base or bottom member 22 and side members 18 and 20 by first inserting the web portion 26 of the front end member 14 into the V-shaped aperture 32 formed in bottom member 22. In inserting the web portion 26 of this member into aperture 32, the cut 28 facilitates deformation of the web portion 26 to permit its entrance into the V-shaped aperture. When the front end member 14 is snapped into the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the apex portion 32a of the planar bottom member 22 will extend through the aperture 24 formed in the front end member 14 thereby securely locking the member 14 to the bottom member 22. As best seen by referring to FIG. 1, as web portion 26 of member 14 is inserted into the aperture 32, the hook-like protuberances 54 formed on member 14 will closely fit within slots 36 formed in each of the side members 18 and 20. With this interlocking configuration, front end member 14 will be securely positioned in an angularly, rearwardly extending orientation with side members 18 and 20 being supported in a substantially vertical orientation with respect to bottom member 22. Forming another part of the third locking means of the invention are hook-like protuberances, or tabs, 56 which are formed on the side portions 16c of rear end member 16. When rear end member 16 is assembled with bottom member 22, web portion 26 of member 16 is inserted into V-shaped aperture 34 provided in base member 22. Once again, cut 26 facilitates the entrance of the web portion 26 into the aperture 34 and permits orientation of member 16 relative to bottom 22 such that the apex portion 34a of the bottom member will be received within transversely extending aperture 24 formed in rear end member 16. As web portion 26 of member 16 is inserted into aperture 34, hook-like protuberances 56 will mateably engage slots 38 formed in each of the side members and will function to releasably interconnect the end member 16 with the side portions. When the end member 16 is assembled in the manner shown in FIG. 1, the member will extend angularly forwardly of the apparatus and the rear portions of each of the side members will be maintained in a substantially vertical orientation with respect to bottom member 22. Forming a part of the fourth locking means of the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings are hook-like protuberances, or tabs, 60 and 62 provided on side portions 22c of bottom member 22. As best seen in FIG. 2, hook-like protuberances 60 are disposed proximate the forward end 22a of bottom member 22 while hook-like protuberances 62 are formed proximate rear portion 22b of the bottom member. Turning once again to FIGS. 1 and 3, it is to be observed that when the apparatus is in its assembled condition, hook-like members 60 are receivable within apertures 42 formed in the side members 18 and 20, while hook-like protuberances 62 are received within apertures 40 formed in the side members. As indicated in FIG. 3, when the bottom member 22 is thus assembled with the side members, the hook-like protuberances 60 and 62 extend through the side members a sufficient distance so that slot portions 60a and 62a of the hook-like protuberances protrude past the plane defined by the outside surfaces of the side members 18 and 20. Forming yet another part of the fourth locking means of the present embodiment of the invention are four generally circular shaped locking members 64. Each of these locking members 64 is intended to have the appearance of an automobile hub-cap and is provided with a radially extending slot 64a. As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, slots 64a are closely receivable over hook-like protuberances 60 and 62 formed on bottom member 22 in a manner such that members 64, when in an interlocked position, prevent withdrawal of the hook-like protuberances from the apertures 40 and 42 formed in the side members 18 and 20. In assembling the apparatus of the invention of the configuration shown in FIG. 1, hook-like protuberances or tabs 60 and 62 are first inserted into apertures 40 and 42 formed in the side members 18 and 20. Next, front end member 14 is positioned relative to base 22 so that web portion 26 extends through V-shaped aperture 32. Because of the V-shaped configuration of aperture 32 and the cut 28 formed in the web portion 26, as the front end member 14 is mated with the bottom member 22 it will tend to snap into locked position within the bottom member. Next, the back end member 16 is similarly mated with bottom member 22 by inserting web portion 26 into V-shaped slot 34. During interconnection of the end members with the bottom member, hook-like protuberances 54 are mated with slots 36 formed in the side members and hook-like protuberances 56 are mated with slots 38 formed in the rearward portion of side members 18 and 20. Finally, locking members 64, which simulate the hubcaps of the vehicle, are mated with the outwardly protruding hook-like protuberances 60 and 62 formed on the bottom member thereby releasably interlocking the bottom portion of side members 18 and 20 with the side portions 22c of bottom member 22. With the apparatus in the assembled configuration shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus simulates the appearance of a classic automobile and provides an article receiving area disposed intermediate sides 18 and 20 and above bottom 22. Within this enclosed area a multitude cf different types of small items can be carried and displayed. Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.

An erectable container assembly comprising end members, side members and a bottom member which are compactly packagable in a disassembled kit form for later assembly without the need for tools, separate fasteners, or adhesive to form a useful and decorative container. A combination of novel locking mechanisms are provided to permit quick and easy assembly of the container and to prevent accidental disassembly thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a sheet handling device containing: a sheet support plate made of a heat conductive material having a first heat capacity, said plate having at least one cavity formed between a top wall defining a top surface of the plate and a bottom wall defining a bottom surface of the plate; and a temperature control system including a circulating system for circulating a temperature control fluid through the cavity. [0002] In the copying and printing industry, a temperature controlled sheet support plate is frequently used for supporting an image receiving sheet and at the same time controlling the temperature thereof. For example, in a hot melt ink jet printer, a sheet, e. g. a sheet of paper, is advanced over a sheet support plate while the image is being printed. At room temperature, the hot melt ink is solid, and it is therefore necessary that the ink is heated in the printer above its melting point, before it can be jetted onto the paper. The ink droplets that have been jetted onto the paper tend to spread-out more or less before the ink solidifies. In order to obtain a suitable and constant amount of spreading of the ink droplets, the temperature of the sheet support plate and hence the temperature of the paper should be controlled such that the ink cools down at an appropriate rate. [0003] In the initial phase of the print process, when a new sheet has been supplied, it is generally desirable to heat the sheet and to keep it at a suitable operating temperature. However, in the further course of the print process, it is necessary to dissipate the heat of the ink that solidifies on the paper. To that end, a temperature control fluid, e. g. a liquid, may be passed through the cavity in the plate in order to control the temperature of the plate. [0004] Moreover, in order to obtain a good print quality, the surface of the sheet support plate should be perfectly flat, at least in the region where the image is being printed. Thus, the support plate should have a sufficient strength so that it will not bend under mechanical or thermal stress. As a result, the plate must have a certain minimum thickness, and this implies a certain minimum volume of the cavity. [0005] For reasons of power consumption, it is required that the printer enters into a so-called sleep mode, when the printer is not operating for a certain period of time, and in the sleep mode, among others, the heating system for the sheet support plate is switched off. As a result, when a new image is to be printed, it will take a certain amount of time until the sheet support plate can be heated to its operating temperature. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet handling device in which the sheet support plate can quickly be brought to its operating temperature. [0007] According to the present invention, this object is achieved by a sheet handing device of the type indicated above, wherein the cavity contains a displacement body which is spaced apart from the top wall of the cavity and is made of a material having a second heat capacity which is smaller that said first heat capacity of the material of the plate. [0008] The displacement body reduces the effective volume of the cavity but, thanks to its smaller heat capacity, does not significantly increase the overall heat capacity of the plate. As a result, the volume of the temperature control fluid that is needed for filling the cavity is reduced and, consequently, less time and/or heating power is needed for heating the fluid and hence the plate to its operating temperature. [0009] As an additional advantage, the Reynolds number for the flow of fluid through the cavity is increased, which results in an improved heat exchange between the fluid and the plate. [0010] When the displacement body is spaced apart from both the top wall and the bottom wall of the cavity, the fluid may circulate through hollow spaces near both the top wall and the bottom wall of the cavity, so that the top and bottom surfaces of the plate may always be kept on the same temperature and a thermal distortion of the plate is prevented. [0011] In a preferred embodiment, the sheet support plate has a plurality of elongated cavities which extend in parallel through the plate and are separated by separating walls. This assures a high rigidity of the plate. The separating walls may be formed with trough-holes which connect the top surface of the plate to a suction chamber provided at the bottom surface thereof, so that the sheet may be drawn against the top surface of the plate. This assures a perfectly flat configuration of the sheet, especially in the region where the image is being formed, and at the same time assures a good thermal contact between the sheet and the plate. [0012] The displacement bodies may be formed by bars made of a synthetic resin such as polystyrene, which are inserted into each of the cavities and may easily be manufactured as extruded profiles or the like. Preferably, the displacement bodies are in contact with the separating walls of the plate, so that each cavity is divided into two passages which extend near the top surface and the bottom surface, respectively, of the plate and are only connected to one another and to the circulating system at the respective ends of the cavities. [0013] According to a further development of the present invention, the displacement bodies may be made of a material which shows a phase transition with a relatively high latent heat at a transition temperature close to the operating temperature of the plate. For example, the transition may be one between a liquid state and a crystalline, semi-crystalline or amorphous solid state. Thus, when the temperature of the plate exceeds the transition temperature, the displacement bodies or at least parts thereof may melt, with absorption of latent heat, so that the temperature of the plate is returned to the operating temperature. Conversely, when the temperature drops below the transition temperature, the displacement bodies will solidify and will release the latent heat. Thus, the temperature of the plate is stabilized at the operating temperature. [0014] In a particularly preferred embodiment, at least part of the material of the displacement bodies, is in the high-temperature state, e. g. the molten state, when the plate has its operating temperature. Then, when the printer enters into the sleep mode and the heating system for the plate, i. e. the heating system which heats the temperature control fluid, is switched off, the displacement bodies will release their latent heat, and the cooling-down of the plate is delayed. As a result, when the printer is activated again after a short interval, the plate will still have a high temperature, and the operating temperature may quickly be re-established with reduced energy consumption. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in conjunction with the drawings, in which: [0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a hot melt ink jet printer; [0017] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-section of a sheet support plate in the printer shown in FIG. 1 ; [0018] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-section of a sheet support plate according to a modified embodiment; and [0019] FIG. 4 is a temperature/heat-diagram for a material used in the plate shown in FIG. 3 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0020] As is shown in FIG. 1 , a hot melt ink jet printer includes a platen 10 which is intermittently driven to rotate in order to advance a sheet 12 , e. g. a sheet of paper, in a direction indicated by an arrow A over the top surface of a sheet support plate 14 . A number of transport rollers 16 are rotatably supported in a cover plate 18 and form a transport nip with the platen 10 , so that the sheet 12 , which is supplied from a reel (not shown) via a guide plate 20 , is paid out through a gap formed between an edge of the cover plate 18 and the surface of the sheet support plate 14 . [0021] A carriage 22 which includes a number of ink jet printheads (not shown) is mounted above the sheet support plate 14 so as to reciprocate in the direction of arrows B across the sheet 12 . In each pass of the carriage 22 , a number of pixel lines are printed on the sheet 12 by means of the printheads which eject droplets of hot melt ink onto the sheet in accordance with image information supplied to the printheads. For the sake of simplicity, guide and drive means for the carriage 22 , ink supply lines and data supply lines for the printheads, and the like, have not been shown in the drawing. [0022] The top surface of the sheet support plate 14 has a regular pattern of suction holes 24 which pass through the plate and open into a suction chamber 26 that is formed in the lower part of the plate 14 . The suction chamber is connected to a blower 28 which creates a subatmospheric pressure in the suction chamber, so that air is drawn-in through the suction holes 24 . As a result, the sheet 12 is drawn against the flat surface of the support plate 14 and is thereby held in a flat condition, especially in the area which is scanned by the carriage 22 , so that a uniform distance between the nozzles of the printheads and the surface of the sheet 12 is established over the whole width of the sheet and a high print quality can be achieved. [0023] The droplets of molten ink that are jetted out from the nozzles of the printheads have a temperature of 100° C. or more and cool down and solidify after they have been deposited on the sheet 12 . Thus, while the image is being printed, the heat of the ink must be dissipated with a sufficient rate. On the other hand, in the initial phase of the image forming process, the temperature of the sheet 12 should not be too low, because otherwise the ink droplets on the sheet 12 would be cooled too rapidly and would not have time enough to spread-out. For this reason, the temperature of the sheet 12 is controlled via the sheet support plate 14 by means of a temperature control system 30 which circulates a temperature control fluid, preferably a liquid, through the plate 14 . The temperature control system includes a circulating system with tubes 32 that are connected to opposite ends of the plate 14 . One of the tubes passes through an expansion vessel 33 containing a gas buffer for absorbing temperature-dependent changes in the volume of the liquid. As will be readily understood, the temperature control system 30 includes heaters, temperature sensors, heat sinks, and the like for controlling the temperature of the fluid, as well as a pump or other displacement means for circulating the fluid through the interior of the sheet support plate 14 , as will now be described in detail in conjunction with FIG. 2 . [0024] The sheet support plate 14 , which has been shown in cross-section in FIG. 2 , is made of a material, such as a metal, having a relatively high heat conductivity and also a relatively high heat capacity. A number of elongated cavities 34 are formed in the interior of the plate 14 so as to extend in parallel with one another and in parallel with the direction (B) of travel of the carriage 22 between opposite ends of the plate 14 , where they are connected to the tubes 32 through suitable manifolds. Each cavity 34 is delimited by a top wall 36 , a bottom wall 38 and two separating walls 40 . The top walls 36 , together, define the top surface 42 of the plate 14 which is machined to be perfectly flat. Between each pair of two separating walls 40 , which delimit to adjacent cavities 34 , a hollow space 44 is formed, through which the suction holes 24 pass through into the suction chamber 26 . [0025] As is further shown in FIG. 2 , a bar-shaped displacement body 46 having a rectangular cross-section has been inserted in medium height in each of the cavities 34 , so that each cavity is divided, over its entire length, into two separate passages 48 , 50 , and the effective volume of the cavity 34 is reduced significantly. The displacement bodies 46 are made of polystyrene, for example, and in any case have a heat capacity that is significantly lower than that of the material of the plate 14 . Thus, the bodies 46 do not substantially add to the overall heat capacity of the sheet support plate 14 and, accordingly, do not increase the amount of time and energy needed for heating the plate 14 to a predetermined temperature. On the other hand, since the volume of the cavities 34 is reduced, a comparatively small amount of temperature control fluid is sufficient for filling the channels 48 , 50 completely, and only this reduced amount of fluid needs to be heated or cooled in order to control the temperature of the plate 14 . Moreover, since the cross-sectional area of the cavity 34 is reduced to that of the passages 48 , 50 , the Reynolds number for a given volume flow rate of the fluid is increased, and this improves the efficiency of heat exchange between the fluid and the walls of the plate 14 . [0026] The displacement bodies 46 may, for example, be held in place in the cavities 34 by means of an adhesive. As an alternative, the profile of the plate 14 may be modified such that the separating walls 40 are provided with ribs for guiding and supporting the displacement bodies 46 . In yet another alternative, only the end portions of the bar-shaped displacement bodies 46 may be held in position in the manifolds at both ends of the plate 14 . [0027] Preferably, the fluid flows through the passages 48 and 50 of each cavity 34 in the same direction, so that the temperature of the bottom wall 38 of the cavities will always be equal to temperature of the top wall 36 , and the plate 14 , as a whole, is not caused to bend due to differential thermal expansion. [0028] In a modified embodiment, a more complex circulating system may be used which causes the fluid in adjacent cavities 34 to flow in opposite directions, so as to minimize a possible temperature gradient in the lengthwise direction (arrow B) of the plate 14 . In this case, it is also possible to connect the passages 48 , 50 with one another at one end of the cavity 34 and to connect the two passages to different tubes 32 at the opposite end, so that the fluid is caused to circulate in countercurrent fashion within each of the cavities 34 , but with opposite sense in adjacent cavities. [0029] When the printer is switched on, the heater integrated in the temperature control system 30 will heat the fluid, and the fluid will be circulated through the passages 48 , 50 until the plate 14 has been brought to its operating temperature, i.e. a temperature which assures an appropriate cooling rate for the droplets of hot melt ink that have been jetted onto the paper. Since the volume of fluid to be heated is small, the required operating temperature can be reached in a reduced time and with reduced power consumption. [0030] As the print process continues, the sheet 12 and the plate 14 will be heated by the ink deposited on the sheet, and the temperature control system 30 switches from a heating mode to a temperature control mode in order to keep the temperature of the plate 14 constant. Since at least one half of the fluid circulating through the cavities 34 is forced to pass through the passages 50 near the bottom walls 38 of the cavities, these bottom walls 38 , which are exposed to the suction chamber 26 , may efficiently be used as heat sinks which prevent the temperature of the fluid from increasing beyond a tolerable limit. Moreover, the reduced volume of fluid shortens the response time for the thermostatic control. [0031] FIG. 3 shows a modified embodiment of the sheet support plate 14 , in which displacement bodies 46 ′ in the cavities 34 are hollow bodies which enclose a material 52 a , 52 b , e. g. a wax or the like, which, at a certain transition point or in a transition temperature range, undergoes a transition between a high-temperature phase 52 b and a low temperature phase 52 a with release of latent heat. The transition point or range is equal to or close to the operating temperature of the plate 14 . In the condition shown in FIG. 3 , which corresponds to the operating condition of the plate 14 , only part of the material contained in the bodies 46 ′ is in the low-temperature phase 52 a and forms a solid core, whereas the rest of the material is in a molten state, i. e. the high-temperature phase 52 b. [0032] In FIG. 4 , the temperature T of the material 52 a , 52 b has been shown as a function of the heat content Q of a given volume of this material. It can be seen that, within a narrow transition temperature range from T 1 to T 2 , the heat content increases drastically from Q 1 to Q 2 , corresponding to the latent heat of the phase transition. As a result, the temperature of the material 52 a , 52 b and, therewith, the temperature of the plate 14 can easily be stabilized in the range between T 1 and T 2 , i. e. at the operating temperature. [0033] When the printer enters into a sleep-mode and the heater in the temperature control system 30 is switched off, the core 52 a grows on the cost of the molten phase 52 b and the latent heat is released, so that the plate 14 will essentially retain its operating temperature for an extended time period. When the printer becomes operative again before this time period has lapsed, the print process can start immediately, because the plate 14 still has its operating temperature. If the sleep-mode continues for a longer time period, the temperature drops below T 1 , but when the heater is switched on again, the temperature T 1 and hence the operating temperature can quickly be recovered by supplying only a little amount of heat. [0034] In more general terms, what is proposed here is a paper handling device including a sheet support plate 14 , heating and temperature control means 30 for heating the sheet support plate 14 to a predetermined operating temperature and keeping it at that temperature, and buffer bodies 46 ′ integrated in the sheet support plate 14 , said buffer bodies containing a material 52 a , 52 b , which, at a temperature point or in a temperature range T 1 -T 2 at or near the operating temperature, undergoes a phase transition from a high-temperature phase 52 b to a low-temperature phase 52 a with the release of latent heat. [0035] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

A sheet handling device including a sheet support plate made of a heat conductive material having a first heat capacity, said plate having at least one cavity formed between a top wall defining a top surface of the plate and a bottom wall defining a bottom surface of the plate; and a temperature control system including a circulating system for circulating a temperature control fluid through said cavity, wherein in the cavity contains a displacement body which is spaced apart from said top and bottom walls and is made of a material having a heat capacity which is smaller than the heat capacity of the sheet support plate.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a reinforced polymer composite, and more particularly, to a wool reinforced polymer composite. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Fiber reinforced polymer composites (FRPC) are class of engineering materials which are extensively suited for advanced applications such as automotive, civil infrastructure, and military applications. Conventional fibers used to reinforce polymer matrices, such as carbon or glass fibers, are expensive and in some instances their preparation or use may be harmful to the environment. In addition, formulation of FRPC using such fibers requires state of art equipment and advanced methods for fiber preparation and coupling, to ensure good bonding of the fibrous materials to the polymer matrix. It would be advantageous if less expensive and less environmentally problematic reinforcing materials could be found to enhance the mechanical strength of polymeric matrices. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect of the invention, a composition comprises wool fibers combined with a polymer to form a reinforced polymeric matrix having at least one of improved Izod Impact Strength (ASTM D-256) or improved Tensile Strength (ASTM D-1708) as compared to the polymer without the fibers. In another aspect of the invention processes of preparing a reinforced polymer composite is provided, by solution casting, solution blending, or melt blending a mixture of wool fibers and a polymer. In another aspect of the invention, an article of manufacture is provided which comprises a reinforced polymer composite of reinforcing wool fibers disposed within a polymeric matrix. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is described in the detailed description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate different geometries for incorporation of wool fibers into a polymeric matrix; FIG. 2 is a picture of sheep's wool as received; FIG. 3 is a picture of chopped wool fibers; FIG. 4 is a picture of a chopped wool fiber/polymer blend; FIG. 5 is a picture of continuous wool fibers in a polymer matrix; FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating the Izod Impact Strength of chopped wool fiber/polymer blends as compared to fiber loading; FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating Izod Impact Strength of continuous wool fiber/polymer blends as compared to fiber loading; and FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating the Tensile Strength of chopped wool fibers/polymer blends as compared to fiber loading. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention describes methods of making polymer/wool composites. Instead of using expensive fibers such as carbon fibers, and relatively expensive ones such as glass fibers, sheep's wool was used as a natural fiber to unexpectedly increase the strength of polymer matrices. The wool reinforcing fibers are often encountered as waste, which is produced in huge quantities, especially in Saudi Arabia during the annual season of Hajj, when pilgrimage and non-pilgrimages are performed by sacrificing sheep and the like. Thus, the present invention is advantageous in not only incorporating less expensive fibers as suitable for reinforcing polymer matrices, but also in providing an avenue for waste disposal. The prepared polymer/natural wool composites are demonstrated to have excellent mechanical properties. For instance polymer composites based on up to 15 wt % of the wool fibers can raise the strength three-fold as compared to the unreinforced polymers. Polymeric matrices useful in this invention are melt processable thermoplastics, e.g. polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyester, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), thermoplastic elastomers, ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM), polyacrylates, polyvinylchloride (PVC), and polyamide. However thermosets, such as epoxies, vinyl esters, polybenzoxazine, and polyimides may also be used. The orientation of wool fibers in the polymer matrices according to the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate differing geometries for woven, continuous wool fibers disposed in a polymer matrix, and FIG. 1C illustrates a geometry for chopped wool fibers disposed in a polymer matrix. Sheep's wool fiber as it is received is depicted in FIG. 2 , and has a diameter of between about 30 to about 150 micrometers, in lengths from about 30 mm and about 100 mm. Upon receipt, the wool can be used as-is, or chopped into smaller pieces, such as from about 0.1 mm and about 1 mm in length. Advantageously, either the chopped wool fibers or the continuous wool fibers are incorporated into a polymer melt or solution at levels from about 1 wt % to about 15 wt %, or from about 5 wt % to about 15 wt %, or even from about 5 wt % to about 10 wt %, based on the total weight of the polymer/fiber composite, in order to achieve the benefits of the present invention. Methods of composite preparation include, but are not limited to solution casting, melt blending, solution blending, etc. Those skilled in the art know that thermosetting polymers are not generally melt processable, and therefore when making composites according to the present invention with thermosetting polymers, solution casting or solution blending methods can be used, wherein the thermosetting polymer is dissolved in a suitable solvent prior to blending with the fibers. As previously stated, significant increases in various mechanical properties can be achieved according to the present invention. For example, in FIG. 6 it is noted that Izod Impact Strength (ASTM D-256) increases significantly for polymer matrices having chopped wool fibers incorporated therein, as compared to the unblended polymer. According to the data in FIG. 6 , unblended polystyrene has an Izod Impact Strength of only about 20 J/m; but a polystyrene matrix having 5 wt % chopped wool fiber loading demonstrates an increase in Izod Impact Strength to greater than about 25 J/m, up to about 26 J/m, and when 15 wt % chopped fibers are blended with the polystyrene, the Izod Impact Strength increases to greater than about 40 J/m, even to about 42 J/m. FIG. 7 demonstrates even greater increases in Izod Impact Strength for polymer matrices blended with continuous wool fibers, as compared to the unblended polymer. Again, the unblended polystyrene has an Izod Impact Strength of only about 20 J/m; but a polystyrene matrix having 5 wt % continuous wool fiber loading demonstrates an increase in Izod Impact Strength up to about 32 J/m, and when 15 wt % continuous wool fibers are blended with the polystyrene, the Izod Impact Strength increases to about 65 J/m. However, increased Izod Impact Strength is not the only benefit of the present invention. FIG. 8 demonstrates significant increases in Tensile Strength (ASTM D-1708) of polymer matrices blended with a little as 5 wt % chopped wool fibers, as compared to the unblended polymer. Unblended polyethylene demonstrates a Tensile Strength of only about 18.75 MPa, whereas a polyethylene matrix containing as little as 5 wt % chopped wool fiber loading demonstrates an increase in Tensile Strength up to above 20 MPa. EXAMPLES The following examples are provided by way of illustration and are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limiting to the claimed invention. Example 1 Wool was chopped into small size fibers (approximately 0.1-1 mm in length) using a grinder with blade cutter suitable for fibrous materials (IKA MF 10 grinder was used). General purpose polystyrene in pellet form was ground into small particles (˜0.5 mm). The chopped wool fibers and polystyrene particles were dry mixed and fed to a lab mini extruder for the preparation of polymer/wool molten blends. The extrudates were dried in a vacuum oven overnight and then molded into samples suitable for Izod Impact and Tensile Strength tests according to ASTM D-256 and ASTM D-1708, respectively. FIG. 4 depicts a mixture of chopped fibers in a polymer matrix. Example 2 The same procedure as in Example 1 was performed, but the polymer used was high density polyethylene (HDPE). Example 3 Wool fibers (continuous) and polystyrene powder were put in a mold with dimensions of 100 cm×100 cm×3.5 mm (L×W×D) and melted under compression using a hot press. The resulting sheet was cut into samples for Izod Impact Strength measurements. D was the thickness of the mold. FIG. 5 depicts a blended matrix of polymer and continuous fibers. Example 4 The same procedure as in Example 3 was conducted, but the polymer used was high density polyethylene (HDPE). The foregoing examples have been provided for the purpose of explanation and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. While the present invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its aspects. Also, although the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular materials and embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims.

A reinforced polymer composite, and more particularly, a wool reinforced polymer composite is provided. The composition includes wool fibers combined with a polymer to form a reinforced polymeric matrix having at least one of improved Izod Impact Strength (ASTM D-256) or improved Tensile Strength (ASTM D-1708) as compared to the polymer without the fibers.

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent and a preparation method thereof, and belongs to the technical field of nano materials. BACKGROUND ART [0002] Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is an important technique in the medical diagnosis and molecular imaging field, and has such advantages as high tissue resolution, multiple imaging parameters and no radiation damage to human bodies. However, as the MRI technology has a low sensitivity, contrast agents are often employed to improve the imaging contrast ratio and the image quality clinically. According to the ratio of the transverse relaxivity to the longitudinal relaxivity, contrast agents can be divided into two categories: T 1 contrast agents brightening local tissues and T 2 contrast agents darkening local tissues. With unfilled 4f electronic shells, rare earth ions possess unique optical, electrical and magnetic properties, and thus have important application value in both aspects of magnetic resonance T 1 and T 2 contrast agents. [0003] In the aspect of T 1 contrast agents, trivalent gadolinium ions (Gd 3+ ) have the largest number of unpaired electrons, and a long electron spin relaxation time, which can effectively shorten the longitudinal relaxation time to increase the image lightness, and are thus regarded as the best choice of the T 1 contrast agents. In order to reduce the toxicity risk that the free gadolinium ions bring about, currently mostly widely-used T 1 contrast agents are gadolinium-containing paramagnetic chelates, to reduce the leakage possibility by a chelating mode. However, such contrast agents typically have a low relaxivity, limited contrasting effect, and a large required dose, and still have potential threats for normal tissues. In addition, as such contrast agents belong to a small molecule and have a short in vivo residence time, the diagnostic effect over a long time cannot be guaranteed. [0004] In the aspect of T 2 contrast agents, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as contrast agents have been commercialized, but unfortunately such contrast agents will reach a saturated magnetization at a relatively low magnetic field strength (1.5 T), and therefore the contrasting effect is poor at a higher magnetic field strength (NaDyF 4 Nanoparticles as T-2 Contrast Agents for Ultrahigh Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Frank C. J. M. van Veggel, et al. J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2012, 3, 524-529). However the rare earth ions (such as terbium Tb 3+ , dysprosium Dy 3+ , holmium Ho 3+ , erbium Er 3+ ) have a large magnetic moment and a short electron spin relaxation time; therefore, they are expected to meet the requirements of contrasting at a high magnetic field strength. [0005] In summary, rare earth-based nanoparticles are expected to become a new generation of highly efficient magnetic resonance contrast agents, because individual particles contain a large amount of rare earth ions, and can produce a more significant signal enhancement, and the rigid skeleton of inorganic nano structures can reduce the leakage possibility of the rare earth ions. Moreover, as the sizes of nanoparticles are greater than those of chelates, the in vivo circulation time is relatively long. In addition, the surfaces of inorganic nano structures can be easily modified with functional groups to achieve the purposes of active targeting, and multi-mode imaging and so on. Therefore, the development and utilization of the rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent has a considerable significance for improving diagnostic accuracy and safety of the contrast agent. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] The present invention provides a rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent and a preparation method thereof, and the magnetic resonance contrast agent has such advantages as high relaxivity, small injection dose, long in vivo circulation time, and low leakage possibility of the rare earth ions. [0007] The rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent of the present invention refers to rare earth-based inorganic nanoparticles with the surfaces thereof coated with hydrophilic ligands. In the present invention, the rare earth-based nanoparticles are first obtained by a high-temperature oil phase reaction, and then the surfaces thereof are coated with hydrophilic molecules to obtain the rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent. [0008] Rare earth elements (RE) in the rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent of the present invention comprise one or more of lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd), samarium (Sm), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy), holmium (Ho), erbium (Er), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), lutetium (Lu), scandium (Sc), and yttrium (Y). [0009] The composition of the rare earth-based nanoparticles in the rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent of the present invention is M a REO b X C , wherein RE represents a rare earth element, M represents an alkali or alkaline earth metal, X represents a fluorine or chlorine, 0≦a≦1, 0≦b≦1.5, and 0≦c≦4. In addition, the rare earth-based nanoparticles can also be an inorganic compound doped by using M a REO b X c as a substrate, and the doping serves to impart them a luminescent property or control their magnetic property. [0010] The surface coating ligands of the rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent of the present invention can employ one or more of the following: a small hydrophilic molecule such as citric acid and cysteine, and a hydrophilic polymer such as a polyvinyl alcohol, polyethyleneimine, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and polyacrylic acid. [0011] The present invention provides a preparation method of a rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent, wherein the method comprises the following steps: [0012] 1) adding a certain amount of a rare earth precursor or a mixture of a rare earth precursor and a non-rare earth precursor into a high-boiling organic solvent to obtain a solution A; [0013] 2) performing vacuum pumping on the solution A to remove moisture, then heating up to 250-340° C. under the protection of an inert gas and maintaining for 15 min-24 h, and then cooling to room temperature to obtain a sol B; [0014] 3) performing centrifugal separation on the sol B, washing the obtained precipitate, and then coating the surface of the precipitate with hydrophilic ligands; [0015] 4) dispersing the coated particles into a solvent to obtain the contrast agent. [0016] In step 1), the molar ratio of the precursor to the solvent is preferably 1:20-1:200, the rare earth precursor in the precursor must be added, and whether the non-rare earth precursor needs to be added depends on the composition of a target product; in step 2), vacuum pumping is performed preferably at 100-140° C.; in step 3), a large amount of ethanol is preferably employed to wash, a washing manner is preferably centrifugal washing, and washing is preferred for 2 to 6 times; and in step 4), the solvent is preferably water or physiological saline. [0017] The high-boiling organic solvent in the present invention refers to a mixed solvent composed of one or more of oleic acid, linoleic acid, oleylamine, octadecene, hexadecylamine and octadecylamine. [0018] The rare earth precursor in the present invention is a mixture of one or more of the following: rare-earth hydroxides, oxalates, acetates, trifluoroacetates, trichloroacetates, acetylacetonates, and phenyl acetylacetonates. [0019] The non-rare earth precursor in the present invention is a mixture of one or more of the following: alkali-metal and alkaline earth-metal fluorides, hydroxides, oxalates, acetates, trifluoroacetates, trichloroacetates, acetylacetonates, and phenyl acetylacetonates. [0020] In the preparation method of the rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent of the present invention, the composition, size, shape and crystallization of the rare earth-based nanoparticles can be adjusted by adjusting the parameters of the solvent ratio, the feeding amount of the precursor, the reaction temperature, the reaction time, and the like; and the relaxation property, the biocompatibility and the like of the contrast agent can be adjusted by the parameters of the type, the feeding amount and the like of water-soluble molecules during the surface coating of the hydrophilic ligands. [0021] The rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent of the present invention has the following advantages: [0022] 1. the individual particles of the magnetic resonance contrast agent of the present invention contain a large number of rare earth ions, which can significantly reduce the relaxation time of surrounding protons; [0023] 2. the magnetic resonance contrast agent of the present invention has a larger size than chelates, and a long in vivo circulation time, which can meet the requirement of a long time clinical diagnosis; [0024] 3. the magnetic resonance contrast agent of the present invention has a relatively high relaxivity, which can be about ten times higher than that of the clinically commonly-used contrast agent, and therefore provides a better contrasting effect under the condition of the same concentration; [0025] 4. the magnetic resonance contrast agent of the present invention has a rigid skeleton of an inorganic nano structure, which can reduce the leakage possibility of rare earth ions, and therefore is safer compared with chelates; [0026] 5. since the magnetic resonance contrast agent of the present invention features an excellent imaging performance, the required dose can be greatly reduced compared with the currently clinically commonly-used contrast agent, further reducing the safety risk; [0027] 6. the magnetic resonance contrast agent of the present invention features easy control, simple reaction operations, good repeatability, and stable properties. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0028] FIG. 1 shows a contrast of magnetic resonance images obtained by using a rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent and five clinically commonly-used contrast agents under different concentrations, wherein the used scanning sequence is a T 1 weighted sequence, and the used magnetic field strength is 3 T. [0029] FIG. 2 shows a contrast of magnetic resonance images obtained by using a rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent and five clinically commonly-used contrast agents under different concentrations, wherein the used scanning sequence is a T 2 weighted sequence, and the used magnetic field strength is 3 T. [0030] FIG. 3 shows a contrast of magnetic resonance images obtained by using a rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent and five clinically commonly-used contrast agents under different concentrations, wherein the used scanning sequence is a ceMRA sequence, and the used magnetic field strength is 3 T. [0031] FIG. 4 shows a contrast of magnetic resonance images obtained by using a rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent and five clinically commonly-used contrast agents under different concentrations, wherein the used scanning sequence is a LAVA sequence, and the used magnetic field strength is 3 T. [0032] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a contrast of relaxivities obtained by using a rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent and five clinically commonly-used contrast agents, wherein the used magnetic field strength is 3 T. [0033] FIG. 6 shows a contrast of relaxivities obtained by using a rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent at different magnetic field strengths. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0034] The following describes the rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent and the preparation method thereof of the present invention in connection with specific embodiments, so as to make the public better understand the technical contents, rather than to limit the technical contents. Actually, the improvements which are made for the composite material and the preparation method thereof with same or similar principles all fall within the protection scope of the present application. The following only takes a 50 ml capacity reaction system as an example to exemplify the embodiments, and the present invention can be implemented in a mode of same proportional amplification of each material in actual preparations. Embodiment 1 [0035] Synthesis of Gd 2 O 3 nanoparticles: adding 0.5 mmol of gadolinium acetylacetonate into a mixed solvent of oleic acid (4 mL) and oleylamine (12 mL), heating up to 340° C. under the protection of an inert gas, maintaining the temperature for 15 min, cooling the reaction solution to room temperature, adding a large amount of ethanol thereinto, and performing centrifugal washing twice to obtain the Gd 2 O 3 nanoparticles. Embodiment 2 [0036] Synthesis of Pr 2 O 3 nanoparticles: adding 0.5 mmol of praseodymium acetate into a mixed solvent of oleic acid (6 mL) and oleylamine (12 mL), heating up to 340° C. under the protection of an inert gas, maintaining the temperature for 2 h, cooling the reaction solution to room temperature, adding a large amount of ethanol thereinto, and performing centrifugal washing twice to obtain the Pr 2 O 3 nanoparticles. Embodiment 3 [0037] Synthesis of Er 2 O 3 nanoparticles: adding 0.5 mmol of phenyl erbium acetylacetonate into a mixed solvent of oleic acid (6 mL) and oleylamine (8 mL), heating up to 310° C. under the protection of an inert gas, maintaining the temperature for 1 h, cooling the reaction solution to room temperature, adding a large amount of ethanol thereinto, and performing centrifugal washing twice to obtain the Er 2 O 3 nanoparticles. Embodiment 4 [0038] Synthesis of Y 2 O 3 nanoparticles: adding 0.5 mmol of yttrium hydroxide into a mixed solvent of oleic acid (2 mL), oleylamine (3 mL), and octadecene (5 mL), heating up to 310° C. under the protection of an inert gas, maintaining the temperature for 1 h, cooling the reaction solution to room temperature, adding a large amount of ethanol thereinto, and performing centrifugal washing twice to obtain the Y 2 O 3 nanoparticles. Embodiment 5 [0039] Synthesis of LaF 3 nanoparticles: adding 1 mmol of lanthanum trifluoroacetate and 0.5 mmol of lithium fluoride into a mixed solvent of oleic acid (20 mmol) and octadecene (20 mmol), heating up to 260° C. under the protection of an inert gas, maintaining the temperature for 4 h, cooling the reaction solution to room temperature, adding a large amount of ethanol thereinto, and performing centrifugal washing twice to obtain the LaF 3 nanoparticles. Embodiment 6 [0040] Synthesis of CeOF nanoparticles: adding 1 mmol of cerium oxalate into a mixed solvent of oleic acid (5 mmol) and hexadecylamine (35 mmol), heating up to 320° C. under the protection of an inert gas, maintaining the temperature for 1 h, cooling the reaction solution to room temperature, adding a large amount of ethanol thereinto, and performing centrifugal washing twice to obtain the CeOF nanoparticles. Embodiment 7 [0041] Synthesis of EuOCl nanoparticles: adding 1 mmol of europium trichloroacetate into a mixed solvent of oleic acid (20 mmol) and octadecene (20 mmol), heating up to 330° C. under the protection of an inert gas, maintaining the temperature for 1 h, cooling the reaction solution to room temperature, adding a large amount of ethanol thereinto, and performing centrifugal washing twice to obtain the EuOCl nanoparticles. Embodiment 8 [0042] Synthesis of NaDyF 4 :Yb,Er nanoparticles: adding 0.78 mmol of dysprosium trifluoroacetate, 0.20 mmol of yttrium trifluoroacetate, 0.02 mmol of erbium trifluoroacetate, and 1 mmol of sodium trifluoroacetate into a mixed solvent of oleic acid (10 mmol), octadecylamine (10 mmol), and octadecene (20 mmol), heating up to 250° C. under the protection of an inert gas, maintaining the temperature for 0.5 h, cooling the reaction solution to room temperature, adding a large amount of ethanol thereinto, and performing centrifugal washing four times to obtain the NaDyF 4 :Yb,Er nanoparticles. Embodiment 9 [0043] Synthesis of LiTmF 4 nanoparticles: adding 1 mmol of lithium trifluoroacetate and 1 mmol of thulium trifluoroacetate into a mixed solvent of oleic acid (20 mmol) and octadecene (20 mmol), heating up to 320° C. under the protection of an inert gas, maintaining the temperature for 15 h, cooling the reaction solution to room temperature, adding a large amount of ethanol thereinto, and performing centrifugal washing six times to obtain the LiTmF 4 nanoparticles. Embodiment 10 [0044] Synthesis of KYb 2 F 7 nanoparticles: adding 1 mmol of potassium trifluoroacetate and 1 mmol of ytterbium trifluoroacetate into a mixed solvent of oleic acid (20 mmol) and octadecene (20 mmol), heating up to 310° C. under the protection of an inert gas, maintaining the temperature for 2 h, cooling the reaction solution to room temperature, adding a large amount of ethanol thereinto, and performing centrifugal washing six times to obtain the KYb 2 F 7 nanoparticles. Embodiment 11 [0045] Synthesis of BaYF 5 nanoparticles: adding 1 mmol of barium oxalate and 1 mmol of yttrium trifluoroacetate into a mixed solvent of linoleic acid (10 mmol), oleic acid (10 mmol) and octadecylamine (20 mmol), heating up to 340° C. under the protection of an inert gas, maintaining the temperature for 24 h, cooling the reaction solution to room temperature, adding a large amount of ethanol thereinto, and performing centrifugal washing six times to obtain the BaYF 5 nanoparticles. Embodiment 12 [0046] Coating citric acid on particle surfaces: dispersing Gd 2 O 3 nanoparticles (0.1 mmol) obtained in Embodiment 1 into 5 ml of chloroform, adding a citric acid aqueous solution (n/n=20), and vigorously stirring at room temperature for at least 6 h; taking the upper suspension liquid, adding a large amount of ethanol and centrifuging, and dispersing the obtained precipitate into pure water to obtain the nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent. Embodiment 13 [0047] Coating cysteine on particle surfaces: dispersing Y 2 O 3 nanoparticles (0.1 mmol) obtained in Embodiment 4 into 5 ml of chloroform, adding a cysteine aqueous solution (n/n=30), and vigorously stirring at room temperature for at least 6 h; taking the upper layer suspension liquid, adding a large amount of ethanol and centrifuging, and dispersing the obtained precipitate into pure water to obtain the nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent. Embodiment 14 [0048] Coating polyvinyl alcohol on particle surfaces: dispersing CeOF nanoparticles (0.1 mmol) obtained in Embodiment 6 into 10 ml of cyclohexane, adding 10 mL of N,N-dimethyl formamide and 50 mg of nitrosonium tetrafluoroborate, and vigorously stirring at room temperature for no less than 1 h; taking the lower layer liquid, adding a large amount of toluene and centrifuging, dissolving the obtained precipitate into 10 mL of N,N-dimethyl formamide again, adding 50 mg of polyvinyl alcohol, and stirring for no less than 4 h; then adding a large amount of acetone into the solution, centrifuging, and dispersing the obtained precipitate into pure water to obtain the nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent. Embodiment 15 [0049] Coating polyethylene imine on particle surfaces: dispersing LaF 3 nanoparticles (0.2 mmol) obtained in Embodiment 5 into 10 ml of cyclohexane, adding 10 mL of N,N-dimethyl formamide and 50 mg of nitrosonium tetrafluoroborate, and vigorously stirring for no less than 1 h; taking the lower layer liquid, adding a large amount of toluene and centrifuging, dissolving the obtained precipitate into 10 mL of N,N-dimethyl formamide again, adding 50 mg of polyethylene imine, and stirring for no less than 4 h; then adding a large amount of acetone into the solution, centrifuging, and dispersing the obtained precipitate into pure water to obtain the nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent. Embodiment 16 [0050] Coating polyethylene pyrrolidinone on particle surfaces: dispersing NaDyF 4 :Yb,Er nanoparticles (0.2 mmol) obtained in Embodiment 8 into 10 ml of cyclohexane, adding 10 mL of N,N-dimethyl formamide and 50 mg of nitrosonium tetrafluoroborate, and vigorously stirring for no less than 1 h; taking the lower layer liquid, adding a large amount of toluene and centrifuging, dissolving the obtained precipitate into 10 mL of N,N-dimethyl formamide again, adding 50 mg of polyethylene pyrrolidinone, and stirring for no less than 4 h; then adding a large amount of acetone into the solution, centrifuging, and dispersing the obtained precipitate into pure water to obtain the nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent. [0051] FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 show contrasts of magnetic resonance images obtained by using the rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent obtained from Embodiment 12 and five clinically commonly-used contrast agents under different concentrations, wherein the used magnetic field strengths are 3 T. The used scanning sequence in FIG. 1 is a T 1 weighted sequence; the used scanning sequence in FIG. 2 is a T 2 weighted sequence; the used scanning sequence in FIG. 3 is a ceMRA sequence; and the used scanning sequence in FIG. 4 is a LAVA sequence. It can be seen from FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 that the imaging effect of the rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent obtained in Embodiment 12 is superior to that obtained by using the clinically commonly-used contrast agents under the same concentration, and the contrasting effect is remarkably improved with the increase of the concentration (the brighter images in FIG. 1 , FIG. 3 , and FIG. 4 indicate a better contrasting effect, and the darker image in FIG. 2 indicates a better contrasting effect). It should be noted that, in FIG. 1 the images of the rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent becomes darkened under a relatively high concentration due to the existence of “saturation effect”, that is, at this time the T 1 contrasting effect has reached the limit, and the T 2 contrasting effect will be improved and partially offset the T 1 contrasting effect under a high concentration, which shows that the rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent can achieve the same contrasting effect under a concentration lower than that of the clinically commonly-used contrast agent. [0052] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a contrast of relaxivities obtained by using the rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent obtained in Embodiment 12 and five clinically commonly-used contrast agents, wherein the used magnetic field strength is 3 T. It can be seen from FIG. 5 that the longitudinal and transverse relaxivities of the rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent obtained in Embodiment 12 are higher than those of the clinically commonly-used contrast agents. [0053] FIG. 6 shows a contrast of a relaxivity obtained by using the rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent obtained in Embodiment 12 at different magnetic field strengths. It can be seen from FIG. 6 that the rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent obtained in Embodiment 12 exhibits high longitudinal and transverse relaxivities at both high magnetic field strength and low magnetic field strength. [0054] The rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent of the present invention can significantly reduce the relaxation time of surrounding protons, thereby greatly increasing the contrast ratio of local tissues. The rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent of the present application has such advantages as high relaxivity, long in vivo residence time, low injection dose, and small leakage possibility of the rare earth ions and the like, and can effectively increase the diagnostic accuracy and the safety of the contrast agent. [0055] The foregoing described embodiments of the present invention are not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore the protective scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims.

A rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent and a preparation method thereof are provided. The rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent is rare earth-based inorganic nanoparticles having the surfaces coated with hydrophilic ligands. The rare earth-based nanoparticles are first obtained by a high-temperature oil phase reaction, and then the surfaces thereof are coated with hydrophilic molecules to obtain the rare earth-based nanoparticle magnetic resonance contrast agent. Compared with the existing clinical contrast agent, the magnetic resonance contrast agent of the present invention has a greatly improved relaxivity, a good imaging effect, a low required injection dose, and long in vivo residence time. In addition, the rigid structure of the inorganic nanoparticles can effectively reduce the leakage possibility of gadolinium ions.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE [0001] The disclosure relates to surfaces having hydrophobic/oleophobic properties and methods of making them. The surfaces disclosed may be used, for example, in touch screen applications or other applications that involve contact with human skin. BACKGROUND [0002] When skin comes in contact with glass, not treated to be smudge resistant it leaves an oily residue that is difficult to remove. By treating the glass, one can increase both the hydrophobicity and oleophobicity of the surface allowing for smudge resistance and easier cleaning of the glass. [0003] Current methods of treating glass to increase hydrophobicity and oleophobicity of the surface involve treating glass with a perfluoropolyetherfunctional trimethoxysilane that requires the use of an expensive fluorinated solvent. The problems associated with this method center on cost of materials, film quality (i.e. uniformity, robustness, and pin-hole formation) and processability of the film and time of cure. [0004] There remains a need for an easily applied coating that provides a water contact angle between 100°-120° and an oleic acid contact angle ranging from 70°-90° and that also provides the desired quality and abrasion resistance. SUMMARY [0005] The inventors have now developed a surface treatment by which less expensive materials can be used to accomplish the target contact angles and abrasion resistance in less time compared to conventional techniques. [0006] One embodiment is a method comprising providing a surface comprising surface hydroxyl groups; applying an amine to the surface to form a first coated surface; applying a fluorinated silane compound to the first coated surface to form a second coated surface; and reacting the silane with the amine and surface hydroxyl groups to form a crosslinked network between the amine, fluorinated silane and surface. [0007] An additional embodiment is an article comprising a substrate and a layer chemically bonded to the substrate comprising a fluorinated silane crosslinked with an amine. [0008] Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the written description and claims hereof, as well as the appended drawings. [0009] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary, and are intended to provide an overview or framework to understand the nature and character of the claims. [0010] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiment(s), and together with the description serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] FIG. 1 is a graph comparing contact angle measurements for three embodiments. [0012] FIG. 2 is a graph comparing contact angle measurements as a function of test cycles for two embodiments. [0013] FIG. 3 is a graph comparing contact angle measurements before and after 85/85 temperature/humidity testing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0014] A first embodiment is a method comprising providing a surface comprising surface hydroxyl groups; applying an amine to the surface to form a first coated surface; applying a fluorinated silane compound to the first coated surface to form a second coated surface; and reacting the silane with the amine and surface hydroxyl groups to form a crosslinked network between the amine, fluorinated silane and surface. [0015] In one embodiment, the provided surface is glass. The provided surface may be present as a layer on a substrate, for example, the provided surface may be a glass layer on a substrate. In another embodiment, the provided surface is a glass substrate. In yet another embodiment, the provided surface is a polymer, either alone or as a layer on a substrate. [0016] The provided surface comprises surface hydroxyl groups. As used herein, the term hydroxyl group refers to the functional group (—OH). In some embodiments, the surface hydroxyl group may be present in the form of a silanol, where the hydroxyl group is bonded to a silicon atom. The number of surface hydroxyl groups on the provided surface may be increased, for example, by plasma cleaning the surface. [0017] In one embodiment, the amine and the fluorinated silane compound are applied in a two-step process. First, the amine is applied to the provided surface to form a first coated surface, followed by applying the fluorinated silane compound to the first coated surface to form a second coated surface. The amine may be applied to the provided surface using any suitable technique, such as, dip coating or aerosol coating. In one embodiment, dip coating may comprise dipping the surface in an amine for a period of 10 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes or more. In one embodiment, the amine alone may be applied to the provided surface. In other embodiments, the amine may be dispersed in a solvent then applied to the provided surface. [0018] The fluorinated silane compound may be applied to the first coated surface using any suitable technique, such as, dip coating or aerosol coating. In one embodiment, dip coating may comprise dipping the surface in a fluorinated silane compound for a period of 10 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes or more. In one embodiment, the fluorinated silane compound alone may be applied to the first coated surface. In other embodiments, the fluorinated silane compound may be dispersed in a solvent then applied to the first coated surface. [0019] Appropriate solvents include those that are anhydrous, hydrophobic, slow to evaporate and non-reactive with the amine or fluorinated silane compound. Example solvents include aliphatic hydrocarbons such as hexanes, cyclohexane, heptane; substituted aliphatic hydrocarbons such as ethyl lactate; and aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene. [0020] In one embodiment, the amine functions as a catalyst, promoting the reaction between the fluorinated silane compound and the surface hydroxyl groups. In another embodiment, the amine functions as a crosslinker to form a network between the silicon of the silane, the nitrogen of the amine and the oxygen of the surface hydroxyl groups. In some embodiments, the amine may function as both a catalyst and a crosslinker. [0021] In one embodiment, the amine is multifunctional. As used herein, a multifunctional amine is defined as an amine compound having more than one amine group, for example, a diamine or a triamine. [0022] In one embodiment, the amine comprises a primary or secondary amine, for example, an amine comprising one or two R groups attached to the nitrogen atom. The amine may also comprise at least two primary or at least two secondary amine groups. In one embodiment, the amine is a polyetheramine. Suitable amines include polyetheramines, for example, Jeffamine® Diamines D-230 and D-400; Jeffamine® Triamine T-403; and Jeffamine® EDR-148 and EDR-176. In one embodiment, the amine is selected from tetraethylenetetramine (TETA) and tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA). In one embodiment, the amine is ethylene diamine. [0023] The fluorinated silane compound may be chosen to tailor the final properties of the treated surface. As used herein the term “fluorinated silane” refers to chlorosilanes containing as least one perfluorinated, or partially fluorinated, aliphatic or aromatic substituent. In one embodiment, the silane is a fluorinated alkyl silane. Suitable silanes include perfluoralkyltrichlorosilanes, for example, perfluorooctyltrichlorosilane, and fluorinated alkylsilanes such as (heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrodecyl)trichlorosilane. The solubility of the silane in the solvent can be considered when choosing the most appropriate combinations of silanes and solvents. In this respect, the solubility of the silane in standard hydrocarbon solvents decreases as the degree of fluorination increases. [0024] The reactions involving the silane with the amine and hydroxyl groups may occur spontaneously. In one embodiment, the reaction may be driven to completion via heating, for example, in an oven. The treated surface may be heated for example at 100 degrees C. for 10 minutes, 20 minutes, or more. Heating may also be employed to evaporate any excess solvent remaining on the surface. [0025] Some embodiments include a drying step between and/or after amine and/or silane applications. Depending on the solvent, the first coated surface may be air dried for a period of time, such as 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes or more before the fluorinated silane compound is applied. Furthermore, the second coated surface may be air dried for a period of time, such as 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes or more before heating. [0026] In one embodiment, the crosslinked network formed between the amine, fluorinated silane and surface includes silicon of at least a portion of the silane bonded to the nitrogen of at least a portion of the amine and at least a portion of oxygen of the surface hydroxyl groups. In one embodiment, the crosslinked network forms a hydrophobic coating on the provided surface. Hydrophobic surfaces include those surfaces that are antagonistic to water, mostly incapable of dissolving in water in an appreciable amount or being repelled from water or not being wetted by water. [0027] In one embodiment, the crosslinked network forms an oleophobic coating on the provided surface. Oleophobic surfaces include those surfaces that lack an affinity to oils. [0028] A second embodiment is an article comprising a substrate; and a layer chemically bonded to the substrate comprising a fluorinated silane crosslinked with an amine. [0029] In one embodiment, the substrate is glass. In another embodiment, the substrate is a polymer. [0030] In one embodiment, the layer comprising a fluorinated silane crosslinked with an amine includes silicon of the silane bonded to nitrogen of the amine. The layer is chemically bonded to the substrate via bonds between the silicon of the silane and oxygen of the surface hydroxyl groups. [0031] In one embodiment, the layer is a hydrophobic surface, for example, the surface has a water contact angle greater than 95 degrees, such as, greater than 98 degrees, greater than 100 degrees, or greater than 105 degrees. In one embodiment, the surface is oleophobic, for example, the surface has an oleic acid contact angle greater than 70 degrees. [0032] Various embodiments will be further clarified by the following examples. [0033] Glass substrates were cleaned in an ultrasonic bath containing a 4% soap solution. After ultrasonic cleaning, the glass substrates were rinsed twice in DI water to remove any soap residue. The glass substrates were placed in a plasma cleaner and air plasma cleaned for 10 minutes to remove any residual organic material from the surface and form silanol groups on the surface. [0034] Two separate solutions were prepared for coating the glass substrates. First, an amine solution comprising 0.15 ml of ethylene diamine (EDA) suspended in 150 ml of hexanes. Second, a fluorinated silane compound solution comprising 0.2 ml of (Heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrodecyl)trichlorosilane (HDFTCS) in 150 ml of hexanes. [0035] The air plasma treated glass substrates were first placed into the amine/hexanes solution for 1 minute. After 1 minute, the glass substrates were removed and allowed to air dry. Once visibly dry the amine coated glass substrates were placed in the silane/hexanes solution for 1 minute. After 1 minute, the substrates were air dried, placed in a holder, and placed in a 100° C. oven for one hour. After the one hour post bake, the substrates were rinsed with water followed by a rinse with ethanol and blown dry with a stream of nitrogen. [0036] Three glass substrates were prepared using the method described above. Sample A was not treated with an amine catalyst/crosslinker prior to silane coating. Sample B was treated with EDA prior to silane coating and Sample C was treated with triamine functional polyetheramine (TA) prior to silane coating. All three samples were treated with HDFTCS. [0037] Contact angle measurements for water (represented as squares) and oleic acid (represented as circles) are shown for the three samples in FIG. 1 . [0038] The results of an abrasion resistance test of samples B and C are shown in FIG. 2 , which graphs the contact angle as a function of test cycles. A test cycle is defined as a forward and reverse wipe of the sample surface; the contact angle is measured at various points throughout the process up to 10,000 test cycles. Water contact angle for sample B is represented as a solid square and oleic acid contact angle for sample B is represented as an open square. Water contact angle for sample C is represented as a solid triangle and oleic acid contact angle for sample C is represented as an open triangle. [0039] Additional glass samples were prepared as above using trifunctional polyetheramine in toluene (2 minutes) and fluorosilane in hexanes (1 minute). Samples were collected from each step of the process and tested in 85/85 temperature/humidity conditions for 672 hours. Samples were as follows: 1) control, 2) ethanol rinse step between amine and silane dips, 3) ethanol rinse step after silane dip, 4) ethanol rinse after amine and silane steps, 5) 15 min bake at 100° C. after amine step, and 6) ethanol rinse and 15 min bake at 100° C. after amine step. FIG. 3 compares the contact angle measurements for water before, represented by open squares, and after testing, represented by solid triangles. Also shown in FIG. 3 are contact angle measurements for oil before, represented by solid circles, and after testing, represented by open triangles. [0040] Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended that any particular order be inferred. [0041] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Since modifications combinations, sub-combinations and variations of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Surfaces having hydrophobic/oleophobic properties and methods of making them. The surfaces disclosed may be used, for example, in touch screen applications or other applications that involve contact with human skin.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The instant application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/817,065 filed Jun. 28, 2006, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. GOVERNMENT CONTRACT [0002] This invention was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under Contract No. CA 89300. The government has certain rights in the invention. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] 1. Field of the Invention [0004] The present invention relates to compounds that are selective chemotherapeutic agents which selectively target folate receptors (FR) of cancerous tumor cells and inhibit GARFTase contained in the cells, particularly types of ovarian cancer cells. Specifically, the present invention relates to fused cyclic pyrimidines, having a long chain CH 2 group between cyclic groups, which themselves selectively target folate receptors (“FR”), particularly FR-alpha of cancerous tumor cells. They also inhibit glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferace enzyme (GARFTase) in tumor cells, where the fused cyclic pyridimines themselves are effective to selectively penetrate inside of the cancerous tumor cells. [0005] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0006] Cancer chemotherapy agents as taught, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,939,420 (Gangjee), do not specifically selectively target cancer tumor cells. However, chemotherapy agents have targeted both normal and tumor cells. This lack of selectivity for tumor cells results in cytotoxicity to the normal cells and is also one of the major causes of chemotherapeutic failure in the treatment of cancer. Further, advanced stage and platinum resistant tumors may be difficult to treat with traditional chemotherapeutic agents such as, but not limited to, carboplatin or paclitaxel (docitaxel). Other documents in this area include J. Med. Chem. 48 (16), 5329-5336, web release date Jul. 9, 2005 “Synthesis of Classical Four-Carbon Bridged 5-Substituted Furo-[2-3-d]-Pyrimidine and 6-Substituted Pyrrolo-[2,3-d]-Pyrimidine Analogues as Antifolates” by A. Gangjee et al. [0007] As is known in the prior art, a type of folate receptor FR, FR-alpha, is overexpressed on a substantial amount of certain surfaces of a number of cancerous tumors including, but not limited to, ovarian, endometrial, kidney, lung, mesothelioma, breast, and brain tumors. [0008] In most normal tissues, the FR-alpha is not present. In most normal tissues, folic acid is not taken up by normal cells by way of a reduced folate carrier system (RFC). In light of the specificity of the folic acid, conjugates of folic acid have been used in the prior art to selectively deliver toxins, liposomes, imaging and cytotoxic agents to FR-alpha expressing tumors. [0009] However, one of the major limitations of the foregoing, such as cytotoxic-folic acid conjugates, is that this requires cleavage from the folic acid moiety to release the cytotoxic drug. Even more importantly, premature release of the cytotoxic agent during the transport before reaching the tumor destroys selectivity and thereby leads to undesired toxicity in normal cells. This is a very serious detriment scientifically and commercially. [0010] Further, if the folic acid moiety of the cytotoxic-folic acid conjugate is difficult to cleave, then the anti-tumor activity is hindered as a result of the inability or reduced ability to release the cytotoxic agent. Accordingly, treatment of the tumor cells with the cytotoxic agent is either hindered or rendered nil as a result of the difficulty in cleaving the cytotoxic agent moiety from the folic acid-based conjugate. [0011] In spite of the foregoing prior art, however, there remains a very real need for compositions that selectively target the FR of tumor cells. [0012] An object of this invention is to provide compositions for selectively targeting FR, particularly FR-alpha, of tumor cells with a cancer-treating agent targeting the GARFTase enzyme. [0013] In a related object, the compound does not contain conjugated compositions and does not need cleavage to release a cytotoxic drug. [0014] In yet another related object, the compound will allow penetration into the cancerous cells expressing FR, that is, FR-alpha and/or FR-beta, but not into a cell using the reduced folate carrier system (RFC). [0015] Another object of this invention is to provide a non-toxic FR targeting compound to the cancerous tumor in the process of treating a patient. [0016] Another object of this invention is to efficiently target a cancerous tumor. [0017] Another object of this invention is to utilize an essentially noncompound useful in treating a cancerous tumor. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0018] The present invention has filled the above described need and satisfied the above objects by providing a narrow range of compounds that selectively target the FR of tumor cells. Other folate receptors of the FR-beta type are overexpressed on surfaces of myeloid leukemia cancerous tumors. The term “FR” used herein includes receptors selected from the group consisting of FR-alpha, FR-beta and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the compositions selectively target FR-alpha and beta of cancerous tumor cells. [0019] Very significantly, the cancer-treating compound is not significantly taken up by a cell or tissue using the RFC system. [0020] The cancer-treating agent is a fused cyclic pyrimidine and is used to selectively target FR of ovarian tumors, advanced stage cancerous tumors that express FR receptors and drug-resistant tumors such as, but not limited to, those resistant to carboplatin, paclitaxel, and/or docitaxel. The receptors are preferably FR-alpha and beta types. [0021] More specifically, the invention relates to a compound that is useful in inhibiting GARFTase in a cancerous tumor of a patient consisting essentially of: the fused cyclic pyrimidine shown in FIG. 1( a ) and ( b ), where n=5-8 alkyl chain carbons between the major ring groups, I and II; wherein the compound is effective to selectively target a FR cancerous tumor, where due to the use of long chain carbons, n=5-8, the fused cyclic pyrimidine targets primarily cancerous tumors which contain FR to inhibit GARFTase within the tumors. [0022] The distance and orientation of the side chain p-aminobenzoyl-L-glutamate moiety with respect to the pyrimide ring are extremely important for biological activity; hence, n=5-8 in FIGS. 1( a ) and ( b ) provide surprisingly unique results. Here the fused cyclic pyrimidine acts as carrier, targeting and cancer treating agent. No conjugating of a separate cancer treating agent to the fused cyclic pyrimidine is required. [0023] The invention will be more fully understood by review of the drawings in view of the following detailed description of the invention, and the claims appended thereto. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0024] FIG. 1( a ) shows a general chemical formula for the fused cyclic pyrimide used in the method of this invention, where “L-Glu” is a L-Glutamic Acid (or L-Glutamate) group based on an amino acid having the formula C 5 H 9 —NH 4 ; and [0025] FIG. 1( b ) shows another description of the formula of FIG. 1( a ), where n is the total number of CH 2 groups between the major cyclic/ring groups, such groups shown as I and II. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0026] As used herein, “tumor” refers to an abnormal growth of cells or tissues of the malignant type, unless otherwise specifically indicated and does not include a benign type tissue. The “tumor” may comprise of at least one cell and/or tissue. The term “inhibits or inhibiting” as used herein means reducing growth/replication. As used herein, the term “cancer” refers to any type of cancer, including ovarian cancer, leukemia, lung cancer, colon cancer, CNS cancer, melanoma, renal cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and the like. As used herein, the term “patient” refers to members of the animal kingdom including but not limited to human beings. The fused cyclic pyrimidine of the invention has six unique properties: 1) inhibition of FR-alpha and beta cancerous tumors, 2) a lack of appreciable uptake by the RFC; 3) ability to act itself as a cancer treating agent; 4) ability to penetrate cancerous tumors having folate receptors; 5) ability to function as a substrate of folylpolyglutamate synthetase (FPGS) thereby being trapped in tumor cells; and 6) inhibition of GARFTase. The fused cyclic pyrimidine of this invention targets cancers with certain receptors, and is practically non-toxic. These fused cyclic pyrimidines are taken into the tumor cells. [0027] Selectivity of the fused cyclic pyrimidine is made possible since most normal cells do not have FRs. FR-alpha is the most widely expressed receptor isoform in adult tissue. FR-alpha occurs at the apical (i.e., luminal) surface of epithelial cells where it is not supplied by folate in the circulation and does not take it up into the cell. [0028] Embodiments of the invention follow. The fused cyclic pyrimidine where n=5-8 has a particular affinity for the receptors such as FR or FR-alpha or FR-beta_which are mainly present on the surface of cancerous tumor cells and not other types of folate transport systems that are more predominant on the surface of normal cells. In other words, the fused cyclic pyrimidine of this invention having long chain CH 2 where n=5-8, preferably is not taken up to an appreciable degree by the reduce folate carrier (RFC) system. FR-alpha and beta receptors are generally not expressed in normal cells. The fused cyclic pyrimidine stays inside of the cancerous tumor cell for an adequate amount of time to kill the tumor cell. This occurs by way of polyglutamylation and the multi ionic form of the fused cyclic pyrimidine itself inside of the tumor cell. The fused cyclic pyrimidine also disrupts the replication process of the cancerous tumor cell, thereby inhibiting the growth of FR-alpha expressing cancerous tumor cells. [0029] The foregoing embodiments are enabled by way of a glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (“GARFTase”) inhibition. GARFTase is an enzyme which is essential to DNA synthesis of normal and cancerous tumor cells. [0030] Here the fused cyclic pyrimidine itself has a high affinity for the FR-alpha receptors which are overexpressed on the surface of cancerous tumor cells. The fused cyclic pyrimidine passing into the cancerous tumor cells inhibits GARFTase activity and inhibits DNA synthesis. Accordingly, the targeted tumor cells which overexpress FR-alpha are prevented from replicating and are killed. [0031] In a preferred embodiment, the fused cyclic pyrimidine has a significantly greater affinity for FR-alpha expressing cells compared with cells that do not express FR-alpha. Accordingly, the fused cyclic pyrimidine would have a greater affinity for cells which overexpress FR-alpha (i.e., certain cancerous tumor cells as described in more detail above) but also has an affinity for FR-beta cells. [0032] At present, there appears to be no other agents known with the above-described six attributes in a single chemotherapy agent and therefore the presently invented compositions are unique with regard to other GARFTase or FR-alpha targeting agents, including any known agent in clinical or investigational use. [0033] Moreover, other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification be considered as exemplary only.

A compound for treating cancer tumors, particularly ovarian cancer tumors, is described, where a fused cyclic pyrimidine having a cancer treating ability is effective to allow selective delivery to a cancerous tumor.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for retrieving a running tool/guideframe assembly from the ocean floor following riser installation without the need for winch wires. In conventional offshore drilling techniques, a running tool/guideframe assembly is used to connect the production riser to the subsea wellhead. The running tool/guideframe assembly is attached to the leading end of the riser and is guided into position above the wellhead by lowering the running tool/guideframe assembly down previously installed guidelines that are attached to guideposts on the well template. Winch wires are used in the conventional method to control the lowering of the assembly and then to retrieve the same following connection of the riser to the wellhead. The use of winch wires invariably leads to problems. A minimum of two winch wires are needed to maintain the running tool/guideframe assembly substantially horizontal to avoid binding on the guidelines. However, it is virtually impossible to let out two wires simultaneously at the identical rate. Hence, one or the other of the wires will wind up with slack in it which will invariably take a wrap around something it ought not be wrapped around. When this occurs, the lowering must be suspended and a diver or remotely operated vehicle sent down to try to untangle the winch wire. When drilling an offshore well, time is money, more money than almost anywhere else. When time has to be needlessly wasted in unproductive operations such as untangling winch wires, it tends to increase the frustration level of all concerned. The difficulty is exacerbated in deep water because of the additional cable lengths necessary. The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus designed to overcome these problems by eliminating the need for winch wires. The guidepost system on the well template is modified so that a portion thereof may be unlatched. Further, the unlatched portion is provided with a load supporting means that can engage and lift the running tool/guideframe assembly. In this manner, the riser itself may be utilized to lower the running tool/guideframe assembly along the guidelines and then the assembly may be retrieved following unlatching of a portion of each of the guidepost assemblies and disconnection of the running tool from the riser by reeling in the guidelines. Various other features, advantages and characteristics will become apparent after a reading of the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The preferred embodiments of the present invention are depicted in FIGS. 2-4 of the Drawing in which like elements are indicated with like reference numerals and, in which FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation of a running tool/guideframe assembly utilizing a prior art retrieval system over which the present invention is an improvement; FIG. 2 is a schematic side elevation of the running tool/guideframe assembly of the present invention with portions broken away depicting two possible release mechanisms for a portion of the guidepost assembly; FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevation in partial section detailing a first one of the two preferred release mechanisms; and FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevation in partial section detailing the second one of the two preferred release mechanisms. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 depicts a running tool/guide frame assembly 10 which utilizes a prior art retrieval system employing winch wires 20. Running tool 12 is detachably interconnected to the riser connector 14 which is affixed to the lowermost end of riser 16. Riser connector 14 has a plurality of beveled plates 17 positioned about its periphery which reinforce the structure. A guide funnel (not shown) helps locate riser connector 14 withrespect to wellhead 15. (The term shown in the figures as 15 is actually the template guide sleeve for casings, and the like. The actual wellhead is internal of 15 and cannot be seen). Wellhead 15 is seated in a housing provided for it in template 13. Guideframe 18 is fixedly attached to running tool 12 to complete assembly 10. Cylinders 19 (which may be hydraulically actuated) sit atop the running tool 12 and are activated to unlatch running tool 12 from riser connector 14. At least two (and as manyas four) winch wires 20 are connected to the guideframe 18. Winch wires 20 are paid out off of reels (not shown) as the riser 16 is lowered with guideframe 18 traveling down guidelines 21. The winch wires 20 are then re-wound to retrieve the assembly 10 when the connection of the riser 16 to wellhead 15 has been accomplished. Both the guide cylinders 26 and their entry end guide funnels 25 are slotted at 27 to permit insertion andremoval of guidelines 21. Locking gates (not shown) are used to avoid undesired removal of guidelines 21 from cylinders 26. As previously mentioned, the use of winch wires is undesirable because of problems related to their use. Even if the reels for the wires can be synchronized, one of the wires will, at some point, have an excessive length extending into the water, since it is virtually impossible to have each of the cables feed onto and off of its respective reel identically toeach of the other reels so that the effective cable reel diameters are equal at all times. Then, per force, under the tenets of Murphy's Law, this slack in the cable will necessarily wrap around something. This wrapping can cause skewing and binding of the assembly 10 on guidelines 21and threatens the possible breakage of the winch wire or damage to the assembly 10. Such a wire wrapping necessitates sending a diver or remotelyoperated vehicle (depending on depth), to dislodge the entanglement. In order to avoid the problems associated with the usage of winch wires, the present invention (FIG. 2) employs (a) a releasable portion of the guidepost assembly 22, (b) an annular landing ring 24 (which becomes a load supporting means by engaging assembly 10 during retrieval) and (c) the guidelines 21, to retrieve the running tool/guideframe assembly 10. Aswith the conventional running tool/guideframe assembly 10 (FIG. 1), the guideframe assembly 18 includes four corner (two shown) guide cylinders 26which are longitudinally slotted at 27 to receive guidelines 21, each cylinder 26 having a guide funnel 25 which assists in locating the assembly 10 with respect to guide post assembly 22. As will be discussed hereinafter, guide funnel 25 plays an important role in the method of retrieval in the present invention. In a first preferred embodiment depicted on the left-hand guidepost assembly 22 in FIG. 2 and in greater detail in FIG. 3, the releasable portion of the guidepost assembly 22 is the guidepost 30 itself. The specifics of the release mechanism are only of incidental importance to the invention and any releasable post design could be incorporated (subject to the inclusion of several key features) into the present retrieval apparatus. The specific design depicted in FIG. 3 was developed by FMC Corporation and disclosed in a paper entitled "A New Deepwater Exploration Template Drilling System to Accommodate Early Production Platform Tieback", presented in May 1986 to the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, incorporated herein, in pertinent part, by reference. In this first embodiment, shown in detail in FIG. 3, guidepost assembly 22 includes a guide line 21 attached to the top of post 30 and a pair of latching dogs 28 at the bottom that are biased outwardly by springs 32. The lower or leading ends 34 of dogs 28 are beveled to permit the latchingdogs to be cammed inwardly as they come into contact with the guide funnel 29 of cylindrical post-receiving receptacle 31 on template 13. An annular landing ring 24 seats in funnel 29 and limits downward movement of guidepost assembly 22. Dogs 28 emerge from the lower end of post-receivingreceptacle 31 and snap outwardly under the influence of biasing springs 32 locking the assembly 22 to the template 13. A nose piece 33 is secured to leading end 35 of guidepost 30 by shear pins 37. An inner sleeve 41 extends from plunger 43 upwardly inside guidepost 30 and has an upper surface 45 engageable by a wireline tool (not shown), to depress plunger 43 against the upward bias of spring 47. The wireline tool may itself be hydraulically actuated after being lowered into contactwith surface 45 or may simply have an extending sleeve which contacts surface 45 and be weighted to act under the influence of gravity. When plunger 43 is actuated by sleeve 41, four fingers 49 (two shown) move downwardly in recesses in the upper portion of latching dogs 28, ultimately engaging beveled surfaces 51, thereby camming dogs 28 inwardly so that post assembly 22 may be withdrawn from receptacle 31. In operation of this first embodiment, the riser 16 and riser connector 14 are run into position using the running tool/guide frame assembly 10. Guidelines 21 are inserted into slots 27 in cylindrical sleeves 26 at a point above the ocean's surface on the deck of an offshore platform (not shown) and the assembly 10 used to guide riser connector into position above wellhead 15. A guide funnel (not shown) centers the riser connector 14 with respect to the wellhead 15 to facilitate their interconnection. Once the riser 16 and riser connector 14 are in place (provided there is noother need for guidelines 21), inner sleeve 41 will be actuated to its lower position by a wireline tool (not shown) retracting latching dogs 28,cylinders 19 will be operated to disengage the connection between riser connector 14 and running tool 12, and the guidelines 21 coiled at the surface to retrieve the guideposts 30 and the running tool/guideframe assembly 10. The load supporting means, which in this case is the landing ring 24 formed on guidepost 30, has a downwardly extending upper frustoconical surface 23 that is complementary to the frustoconical surface of funnel 25. As guidepost 30 is raised, it engages the guide funnel 25 and conveys the assembly to the surface without winch wires as the guidelines 21 are reeled in. Should the latching dogs 28 fail to disengage as designed, the guidepost assembly 22 may, nonetheless, be retrieved by gripping the top of post 30 with a tool and exerting an upward force sufficient to fracture shear pins37. When the nosepiece 33 breaks away, the latching dogs 28 and springs 32 also fall away permitting withdrawal of the guidepost assembly 22 from receptacle 31. A second preferred embodiment is depicted on the righthand side of FIG. 2 and shown in greater detail in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the guidepost assembly 22 includes not only guideline 21 and guidepost 30, but also, a guidepost cap 36. Removable guidepost cap 36 may take any configuration desired that enables it to be locked on to the top of guidepost 30 and subsequently released to permit removal. It is preferred, however, that guidepost cap 36 itself include an upwardly extending center portion 38 that is similarly configured to the top of post 30. This enables conventional wireline equipment to be utilized and, in the event of guideline fraying, or the like, a new line may be run using a second cap 36 attached to center portion 38. The top of guidepost 30 has an annular groove 40 formed therein (groove 40 taking the form of a broad-based v-groove in this embodiment). Groove 40 receives an annular split locking ring 42 which is biased outwardly to thenon-engaged position. A slidable sleeve 44 can move vertically with respectto outer wall 46 of cap 36 and center portion 38 which are affixed to one another by screws 48 (one shown). Sleeve 44 has a plurality of vertically elongated slots 50 therein which receive screws 48 and still permit vertical movement of sleeve 44. A plurality (one shown) of springs 52 holdsleeve 44 in its upper engaged position where it biases split lock ring into groove 40 locking cap 36 on guidepost 30. A tool (not shown) may be inserted into the top of cap 36 along guideline 21 to engage and depress sleeve 44 against springs 52. Such a tool may be employed using a diver, wireline techniques or a remotely operated vehicle. When depressed downwardly, sleeve 44 has a contoured inner surface 54 that accommodates split locking ring 42 enabling ring 42 to assume its outwardly biased position allowing cap 36 to be removed from atop guidepost 30. A guideline collar 56 has an inner diameter that readily receives and slides over guideline 21 but is insufficient to allow cap 36 to pass therethrough. Preferably the lower edge 55 of collar 56 is beveled to sit on the top surface 53 of cap 36. Each guideline collar 56 is interconnected to the top of its respective guide cylinder 26 by a plurality of (two shown) straps 57. Straps 57 are of sufficient length andrigidity to enable proper connections between riser connector 14 and wellhead 15 without the weight of the running tool/guide frame assembly 10hanging upon guideline cap 36. In operation of this embodiment, the running tool/guideframe assembly 10 ismounted and lowered upon guidelines 21 as in the case of the first embodiment. Guideline collar 56 may also be slotted to receive guideline 21 with a slotted rotatable locking disc (not shown) locking collar 56 onto guideline 21, as is typically used with guide cylinders 26. This obviates the need for a free end of guidewires 21, which is difficult to provide while maintaining tension. When riser connector 14 is securely attached to wellhead 15 and no further equipment need be lowered using guidelines 21, cylinders 19 uncouple running tool 12 from connector 14, a tool is used to slide sleeve 44 downwardly against the action of biasing springs 52 removing the inward biasing force on split locking ring 42. Upward force applied on cap 36 by retrieving guidelines 21 pulls cap 36 off the top of guidepost 30 bringingupper beveled surface 53 of cap 36 into contact with the beveled surface 55of collar 56. The mating beveled surfaces keep the collar 56 centered relative to cap 36 as the running tool/guide frame assembly is retrieved to the surface by coiling guidelines 21. The present invention eliminates the need to use troublesome winch wires toaccomplish retrieval of the running tool/guide frame assembly 10 following connection of the riser connector 14 with wellhead 15. This greatly simplifies the installation and recovery of assembly 10. Various changes, alternatives and modifications will become apparent following a reading of the foregoing specification. It is intended that any such changes, alternatives and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims be considered part of the claimed invention.

Method and apparatus for retrieving a running tool/guideframe assembly without the use of winch wires. A portion or each guidepost assembly can be unlatched from the seafloor-mounted template to permit that portion to be retrieved using the guidewires. The unlatchable portion of the guidepost system is formed with a load support that engages and supports the running tool/guideframe assembly so that the assembly is retrieved concurrently with the unlatchable portions of the guidepost assemblies.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/648,152, filed May 17, 2012 and entitled “Container With Reclosable Pour Spout”; U.S. Design application Ser. No. 29/422,170, filed May 17, 2012 entitled “Carton With Fitment”; and U.S. Design application Ser. No. 29/422,146, filed May 17, 2012 entitled “Closure” and whose entire contents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all purposes. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention is directed towards a container with a re-closeable pour spout. This invention further relates to producing moisture barriers by extrusion coating processes. The invention describes how to effectively use nucleation agents in extrusion coating of semi-crystalline polymers to improve the WVTR of a polymer-paperboard composite structure. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] This invention relates to containers having re-closeable fitments that can be used for food packaging. Paperboard containers are frequently used for packaging of food items. At times, it is desirable to offer a re-closeable container such that consumers can remove a small quantity of a food item and then re-seal the container. [0004] Frequently, the ability of a consumer to reclose the packaging so that the contents stay fresh is difficult. Some packaging, such as cereals, will use a bag or inner pouch that helps keep the food item fresh until initially opened by the consumer. Thereafter, the cereal container and the bag/liner do not provide good sealing properties and the resulting food will have a shorter shelf life for the consumer. [0005] Many food products are packaged in a paperboard carton in which the contents are further contained in a flexible bag or pouch. The bag or pouch is typically used to provide sufficient barrier properties to keep food fresh. In order to avoid using a bag or pouch, it is necessary to provide a paperboard packaging container that offers equivalent barrier properties. Heretofore, the cost of providing such paperboard packaging is not cost effective because of the large amount of moisture and/or oxygen barrier laminate coatings that must be applied to the packaging. Accordingly, there is room for improvement in the art with respect to paperboard barriers that can allow packaging of food without the inclusion of a pouch or bag. [0006] It is also known in the art to apply a re-closable pour spout to facilitate the use of a food material from the container and to provide a better seal once the container is opened. One difficulty with the pour spout and fitments is that when applied to a paperboard container, the manner in which the pour spout is sealed to the carton can lead to a carton that has unacceptable water vapor transmission rates and oxygen barrier properties such that the shelf life of the food package therein is less than desired. [0007] Accordingly, there remains room for variation in improvements in the art of cartons having pour spouts or fitments that can provide for a re-closeable packaging having necessary shelf life properties prior to purchase by a consumer and following initial opening of the container by the consumer. Accordingly, there remains room for variation and improvement in the art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] It is one aspect of one of the present embodiments of the invention to provide for an improved moisture barrier for a paperboard carton. [0009] It is a further aspect of at least one of the present embodiments of the invention to provide for a moisture barrier for a carton that can be applied by an extrusion coating process and which can achieve a moisture barrier property equivalent to a plastic bag or pouch as typically used to package cereals and other food items. [0010] It is a further aspect of at least one of the present embodiments of the invention to provide for a re-closeable pour spout that can be applied to the carton such that the carton maintains good moisture barrier properties along the region in which the pour spout is affixed to the carton. [0011] It is a further aspect of at least one embodiment of the present invention to provide for a paperboard container having a re-closeable pour spout and having a moisture barrier applied during an extrusion coating process that offers a commercially viable shelf life for food products packaged therein and which maintains good moisture barrier properties once the contents in the container have initially been opened by a consumer. [0012] It is a further aspect of at least one embodiment of the present invention to provide for an extruded paperboard laminate comprising a paperboard substrate having the first side and a second side; a first extruded layer of LDPE, extruded on to a first side of the paperboard layer; a layer of HDPE applied to the first layer, the HDPE layer further comprising a nucleating agent; a second extruded layer of LDPE applied the HDPE layer. [0013] The nucleation agent can be one or more of Group II metal salts of organic dibasic acids, such as calcium 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylate, organic pigments such as c-quinacridone and Cibantine Blue 2B, and aromatic amide compounds such as N,N′-dicyclohexyfterephthalamide and N,N′-dicyclohexyl-2,6-naphthalene dicarboxamide. [0014] It is a further aspect of at least one embodiment of the present invention to provide for a method for manufacturing a heat sealable packaging material comprising the steps of: [0015] providing a paperboard substrate; [0016] applying a water vapor barrier layer containing HDPE and a nucleating agent as an extrusion layer on one side of the paperboard substrate; and [0017] applying an outer heat sealing layer to the substrate wherein the HDPE and nucleating layer is positioned between the paperboard substrate and the heat sealed layer. [0018] It is a further aspect of at least one embodiment of the present invention to provide for a paperboard substrate comprising a plurality of extruded polymer layers wherein at least one of the polymer layers is a water vapor barrier layer consisting essentially of an extruded layer of HDPE containing a nucleating agent which promotes the crystallization of the HDPE extruded layer. [0019] It is a further aspect of at least one embodiment of the present invention to provide for process of extrusion coating a moisture barrier layer onto a paperboard substrate using a nip roller on one side of the paperboard substrate and a chill roller on an opposite side of the substrate comprising the steps of: [0020] supplying a paperboard substrate; [0021] supplying a melt curtain of at least two polymer layers to the paperboard substrate, at least one of the two polymer layers containing a moisture barrier layer of HDPE containing a nucleating agent, wherein the moisture barrier layer is separated from the chill roller by at least a second layer of the at least two polymer layers, wherein the nucleating agent present in the HDPE coating is quenched at a slower rate than if the moisture barrier layer was in direct contact with the chill roller. [0022] An additional step may include of reheating the paperboard surface having an extruded barrier layer of HDPE containing a nucleating agent, thereby increasing the activity of the nucleating agent within the HDPE containing barrier layer. [0023] It is a further aspect of at least one embodiment of the present invention to provide for a carton with a fitment comprising a carton having a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a front panel, a rear panel, the first side panel having a height less than the second side panel, thereby defining an angled portion between the top panel and the upper edge of the first side panel; [0024] an opening defined within the angled portion; [0025] a reclosable fitment positioned above opening, the fitment having a top portion reversibly engaging a base, the top portion and the base connected by a hinge along a rear wall of the base, the base further defining a front edge wall perpendicular to the base, the front edge wall having an inner surface engaging a portion of the first side panel, a first side wall perpendicular to the base, the first side wall having an inner surface engaging an exterior portion of the first side panel, a second side wall perpendicular to the base, the second side wall having an inner surface engaging an exterior portion of the second side panel; [0026] a rear edge wall of the fitment defining an angle greater than 90° relative to a plane defined by the base, the rear edge wall adapted for engaging an upper surface of a portion of a top panel in a substantially flush engagement. [0027] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0028] A fully enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying drawings. [0029] FIGS. 1 through 6 are illustrations of a first embodiment of the invention of a paperboard carton having a re-closeable pour spout affixed thereto. [0030] FIGS. 7-12 set forth details of one embodiment of a re-closeable fitment that can be used with a paperboard container. [0031] FIGS. 13-20 illustrate additional detail of a representative pour spout applied on an angled shoulder of a carton. [0032] FIGS. 21-25 set forth paperboard substrates with barrier layers suitable for use as a paperboard container for cereal and other dry food goods and products. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0033] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features, and aspects of the present invention are disclosed in the following detailed description. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention, which broader aspects are embodied in the exemplary constructions. [0034] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the Invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield still a third embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations. [0035] It is to be understood that the ranges mentioned herein include all ranges located within the prescribed range. As such, all ranges mentioned herein include all sub-ranges Included in the mentioned ranges. For instance, a range from 100-200 also includes ranges from 110-150, 170-190, and 153-162. Further, all limits mentioned herein include all other limits included in the mentioned limits. For Instance, a limit of up to 7 also includes a limit of up to 5, up to 3, and up to 4.5. [0036] In describing the various figures herein, the same reference numbers are used throughout to describe the same material, apparatus, or process pathway. To avoid redundancy, detailed descriptions of much of the apparatus once described in relation to a figure is not repeated in the descriptions of subsequent figures, although such apparatus or process is labeled with the same reference numbers. [0037] As seen in reference to FIGS. 1 through 6 , a carton 10 is provided having a front panel 12 , a rear panel 18 , a left side panel 14 and a right side panel 19 . A top panel 16 further defines a sloped region 17 ( FIG. 19 ) where panel 16 attaches to panel 14 . As best seen in reference to FIG. 1 , the height of panel 14 is less than the height of the opposite panel 19 . [0038] In a preferred embodiment, the top panel 16 terminates in the vicinity of a hinge region 22 of fitment 20 such that an area beneath fitment 20 is substantially free of any paperboard substrate associated with top panel 16 . [0039] As seen in reference to FIG. 2 , the pour spout 20 has a bottom portion 24 and an upper portion 26 which are joined along a hinge region 22 by a flexible hinge 28 . In an initial configuration, there is a plastic barrier layer 30 which is connected to a pull ring 32 . Pull ring 32 can be accessed by the consumer to remove the layer 30 as to provide access to the carton contents via the pour spout 20 . Upper portion 26 defines at least on flared corner 21 which extends above a plane of the main portion of upper position 26 . [0040] As seen in reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 18 the pour spout 20 engages the edge walls of carton sides 12 , 14 , 16 and 18 such that exposed edges of the carton wall will nest within the lower edge walls of the carton fitment. The fitment is applied to the carton 10 using a hot melt adhesive. The hot melt adhesive is applied in a sufficient quantity such that a moisture resistant seal is established between the fitment edge walls and a lower surface 25 of bottom portion 24 and the respective edges of the carton opening. While conventional hot melt adhesives such may be utilized, sonic welding of the fitment to the carton can also be used. If desired, the portion of the fitment which adheres to the edges of the carton can be pre-supplied with necessary adhesive or polymeric material so that upon exposure to heat, a bead of molten material will melt and seal the fitment around the edges of the carton opening. [0041] As best seen in reference to FIG. 7 , a base of the fitment has an upper surface which defines a raised lip 34 which extends in a general rectangular shape upon the upper surface 23 of the fitment base 24 . The lip 34 is adapted to reversibly mate within a gap 36 defined between a first wall 40 and a second wall 42 which are carried on an inner surface of the fitment top 26 . A friction fit is established between raised lip 34 and gap 40 such that the fitment can be maintained in a closed and substantially air tight configuration. A closed configuration can be seen in reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 12 . [0042] As best seen in reference to FIG. 18 , a cut-away view of a closed fitment is seen in reference to an opening 50 defined along the sloped top edge of carton 10 . As further seen in reference to FIG. 18 , the opening formed by the respective edge walls 60 inter-engage a gap portion 71 defined by an outer perimeter wall 70 and an adjacent inner-wall 72 . Gap 71 receives carton edges 60 . It is the gap region 71 between walls 70 and 72 in which the carton edge wall 60 engages an appropriate amount of hot melt adhesive or polymer material that is applied to bring about a moisture resistant seal between the fitment and the carton opening. [0043] As best seen in reference to FIG. 18 , inner wall 72 with an edge of the plastic barrier 30 which may be removed by pull ring 32 . The width of gap 71 defined between outer perimeter wall 70 and the adjacent inner wall 72 can vary depending in part on the Inventions of the barrier portion 30 . Accordingly, the inventions of gap portion 71 can be varied. [0044] In some embodiments, a gap distance is provided in which opposite edges of perimeter wall 70 and adjacent inner wall 72 will be physically engaged by the corresponding sides of carton panels associated with carton edges 60 . In other embodiments, the dimensions of the plastic layer 30 and corresponding opening can be relatively reduced in size such that there is as sizable space formed between the perimeter wall 70 and the adjacent inner wall 72 . In some embodiments of the invention, an adjacent inner wall 72 could be lacking in its entirety such that the fitment is held in place only by the adhesive which engages carton edge walls 60 , opposite surfaces of an inner wall of perimeter wall 70 , and corresponding panel edges of carton 10 . Ideally, the inner wall surfaces of perimeter wall 70 will physically engage the corresponding exterior panel surfaces of carton 10 . The subsequent application of a hot metal adhesive (not illustrated) will adhere a fitment to the upper opening defined between top panel 16 and left side panel 14 . Preferably, the hot melt adhesive used to secure the fitment to the carton provides a sealed barrier between the fitment and the carton edges so as to prevent the unwanted migration of gas or fluids between an exterior and as identified of the carton. [0045] As best seen in reference to FIGS. 1 and 19 , the fitment 20 is supported at multiple locations relative to the carton. The exposed carton edge walls 60 are positioned within a gap defined between the lower fitment edges 70 and 72 . In addition, a hinge region 22 of the fitment is supported by a portion of the top carton panel 16 . As seen in reference to FIG. 19 , the base of the fitment associated with the hinge is angled relative to the rest of the hinge such that the hinge portion 22 can engage a flat surface of panel 16 . The remaining portion of the fitment base is angled relative to hinge portion 22 to accommodate the downward slant of the exposed carton edge walls where the opening 50 is defined between top panel 16 and side panel 14 . Hinge region 22 also provides a high surface area contact with carton panel 16 which can be used as a location for an adhesive. [0046] As seen in the FIG. 19 , in one embodiment of the invention, the rim portion 70 extends downwardly along the respective edge walls of the carton so as to provide for seal integrity between the fitment and the carton. As a result of the multiple attachment positions between the fitment and the carton edge walls, a much stronger bonded structure results. The fitment 20 is supported by the carton edges which provides a stronger support than if a fitment was residing entirely within a single panel of a carton. As such, the fitment can withstand shipping and handling conditions without being weakened and compromising the integrity of the seal between the fitment and the carton. [0047] As seen in reference to FIG. 20 , the hinged top 26 can be maintained in an open configuration and is sufficiently spaced from the opening of the pour spout that contents can be poured through the carton and pour spout without interference from the hinge top 26 . Preferably, the hinge 28 has an ability to maintain the top in any position such that the hinge has sufficient low memory to maintain a position without undesired movement or closure. [0048] In accordance with the present invention, it has been found that moisture barrier properties of an extrusion coated board will allow for an economical paperboard packaging that has water vapor barrier properties that are equivalent to packaging using high density polyethylene (HDPE) bags or moisture barriers using aluminum or metalized oriented polypropylene (MOPP). [0049] Both a method of forming a coated paperboard and the resulting coated paperboard formed into a carton can be provided by the inclusion into an extruded polymer layer a nucleation agent. Typically, nucleating agents are used in blown films associated with dry food packaging. Surprising, it has been found that contrary to the expectations, a nucleating agent can also bring about benefits in extrusion coating HDPE polymer layers. The nucleating agent allows for an extrusion coating process for cartons that provide high moisture barrier HDPE extrusion coating for paperboards for cereal and dry food packaging. This method involves using calcium dicarboxylate salts and other listed nucleating agents in the co-extrusion coating or extrusion coating in tandem process. The temperature of the polymer melt in the extrusion process is between 550 and 620° F., which is significantly higher than the temperatures normally used for film casting and film blowing processes. It has been found that with proper design of polymer structures for extrusion coating, the nucleation agent can effectively improve the moisture barrier property of paperboard structure, having HDPE barriers, by 20%. [0050] US patent application (2008/0227900) and which in incorporated herein by reference describes the use of calcium dicarboxylate based nucleation agent in HDPE blown film production. The patent teaches that the nucleation agent doesn't work equally for all the HDPE resins. The effectiveness depends on the long chain branch index. However, the patent was limited to HDPE blown film applications for the nucleation agent. There was no teaching or suggestion on use of a nucleation agent for high temperature extrusion coating. [0051] The resins for moisture barriers are HDPE, PP, and mixtures thereof. The inclusion of a nucleating agent requires a masterbatch of nucleation agent which can mix and disperse quickly within the polymer resin in the extruder. Masterbatches formulated according to U.S. Pat. No. 7,491,762, and which is incorporated herein by reference, can be used. [0052] The nucleation agent is subjected to high temperatures during extrusion coating. In one embodiment, the nucleating agent calcium 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylate was subjected to temperatures from 450 F to 610 F sequentially through the zones of the extruder and the slot die. It was surprisingly found that calcium 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylate was stable through the process and did not require adjustment of extrusion temperatures to accommodate the use of this type of nucleation agent. Other nucleating agents can include Group II metal salts of organic dibasic acids, organic pigments such as c-quinacridone and Cibantine Blue 2B, and aromatic amide compounds such as N,N′-dicyclohexylterephthalamide and N,N′-dicyclohexyf-2,6-naphthalene dicarboxamide present in a loading range of between about 500 ppm to about 2500 ppm. [0053] As discussed below, an effective amount of a nucleating agent for HDPE includes of a nucleating agent at a concentration of 2000 ppm. This has been found to provide an effective amount of water vapor barrier properties when used with a coating rate of about 13# to about 16# per 3000 sq. feet of board. As used herein, the term “effective amount” Includes amounts sufficient to achieve a reduction in a WVTR values. One having ordinary skill in the art, and without undue experimentation, would be able to evaluate a structure for sufficient water vapor transmission rate values depending upon the end use and as influenced by the type, number and thickness of additional polymer layers present in the substrate of an extrusion coated board structure. [0054] Fast cooling or quench of the nucleated semi-crystalline polymer by a chill roll immediately after drawings of the polymer melt works against the function of nucleation, crystallization, and orientation of the polymer. Rapid quenching reduces the amount of crystal orientation which can occur in the polymer. Rapid quenching promotes crystalline structures which favors a high WVTR. [0055] In contrast, polymers in film blowing process does not experience such rapid changes of temperature. For example, the temperature of HDPE can decrease from ˜320° C. to ˜20° C. in just about 0.3 s in extrusion coating or cooling at ˜1000° C./s. In contrast, the temperature only decreases from ˜230° C. to ˜115° C. (the frost line temperature of HDPE) in a matter of 3 to 10 seconds in a blown film process or cooling at 38 to 12° C./s. [0056] To solve this problem, instead of applying nucleated semi-crystalline polymer directly against the chill roll, an additional layer or layers of polymer are co-extruded and fed at the position between the nucleated polymer layer and the chill roll. The additional layer (s) will allow for a more gradual cooling of the nucleated polymer and the results in a better barrier layer. [0057] A similar effect can also be achieved by using two extruders in tandem. For example, the nucleated polymer is cooled down by the chill roll at the first station, and reheated as the web passes through the second station where the hot melt of an additional polymer layer is drawn down on the already cooled surface. The nucleated polymer is reheated to the temperature where further crystallization can proceed. The flexibility allows coaters without co-extrusion capabilities to utilize a nucleator agent in the HDPE layer(s). [0058] The additional polymer layer(s) also contribute to the decrease the WVTR of the overall structure and provide the function as a sealing layer for converting. Polymers for the additional layer(s) include LDPE, LLDPE, mPE, tie sealants and other heat sealable versions. [0059] Furthermore, additional layer(s) of polymer can be co-extruded adjacent the nucleated polymer layer and is not in direct contact with the chilled roll. This arrangement slows down the cooling process and Increases the desired activity of the nucleating agent. [0060] The additional layer(s) may also improve adhesion between the nucleated polymer and the substrate and further decrease the WVTR of the overall structure. Polymers for the additional layer(s) may include LPDE, LLDPE, polypropylene, Nylon, and adhesive tie layers. [0061] Flame treatment of paperboard prior to coating also contributes to the slowdown of loss of heat from the nucleated polymer to the chill roll. [0062] The laminates as described below, have a WVTR value in the range of ˜0 to 8 gmlm 2 /day (˜0 to 0.5 gm/100 in 2 /day) at 100 F and 90% RH measured with Mocon Permatran equipment according to procedures set forth in ASTM F1249-06. [0063] As used herein, the reference to extruded polymer layers present on the paperboard substrate in referenced in pounds. It is well known in the art, the coating weight given in pounds is in reference to a board surface area of 3,000 square feet. Example 1 [0064] A nucleation agent calcium 1, 2-cyclohexanne dicarboylate was blended with HDPE at a final concentration of 2000 ppm. The HDPE-Nucl blend (“blend”) was coextruded with two layers of LDPE on a paper board with the structure, paperboard/8#LDPE/13#HDPE-Nucl blend/10#LDPE. In parallel, the above process was repeated without addition of nucleation agent. [0000] TABLE 1 Set temperatures (° F.) for the extruder for processing LDPE/HDPE/LDPE structure by coextrusion. Adpater/ Zone-1 Zone-2 Zone-3 Zone-4 Zone-5 Pipe Die LDPE 350 450 550 610 610 610 610 HDPE 350 450 550 610 610 610 610 LDPE 350 450 550 610 610 610 610 [0065] The comparison of WVTRs with and without nucleation agent of Example 1 indicates the inclusion of the nucleating agent reduces the WVTR of the board structure by 21%, achieving a WVTR value of 0.21 g/100 in 2 /day compared to 0.27 g/100 in 2 /day. Example 2 [0066] A nucleation agent was blended with HDPE at a final concentration of 2000 ppm. The HDPE-Nucl blend was coextruded with one layer of LDPE on a paper board. The coated web passed through a chill roll, and then was immediately coated with another layer of LDPE at the subsequent extrusion station. The final structure was paperboard/8#LDPE/13#HDPE-Nucl blend/10#LDPE. In parallel, the above process was repeated without addition of nucleation agent. [0000] TABLE 2 Set temperatures (° F.) for the extruder for processing LDPE/HDPE/LDPE structure by extrusion in tandem. Adapter/ Station-1 Zone-1 Zone-2 Zone-3 Zone-4 Zone-5 Pipe Die LDPE 350 450 550 610 610 610 610 HDPE 350 450 550 610 610 610 610 Adapter/ Station-2 Zone-1 Zone-2 Zone-3 Zone-4 Zone-5 Pipe Die LDPE 350 450 550 590 590 590 590 [0067] Even though the structure was processed with extrusions at two different stations, a 20% reduction of WVTR. Achieving a WVTR value of 0.20 g/100 in 2 /day compared to 0.25 g/100 in 2 /day a single station without the use of a nucleation agent. Example 3 [0068] The paperboard structures from Examples 1 and 2 were converted into boxes for cereal packaging without using bags. [0069] This invention teaches a method to manufacture a fiber based barrier board with polymer coatings, which provide high stiffness, minimal curt and excellent moisture barrier and gas barrier properties. Example 4 [0070] An extrusion coated packaging board had the structure of 9# LDPE/11#PPI board/8# LDPE/16# HDPE blend/8# LDPE. For comparison, a reference structure had 9# LDPE/board/8#LDPE/16# HDPE blend/8# LDPE. Sheet samples of size 29 cm×29 cm were cut from each board and conditioned equally overnight. Boards coated with HDPE on one side exhibits unacceptable levels of curvatures. The board coated with HDPE on one side and PP on the other side is substantially flat. The radius of the curled sample is 42 cm and that of the sample coated on both sides is almost infinity. Example 5 [0071] An extrusion coated packaging board had the structure of 14# LDPE/14#PP blend/board/8# LDPE/15# HDPE blend/8# LDPE. The PP is blended with 10% LDPE. For comparison, a reference structure had 14# LDPE/14# PP blend/board. Sheet samples (29 cm×29 cm) were cut from each board and conditioned equally overnight. The referenced board coated with PP blend on one side is curved. The board coated with PP blend on one side and HDPE blend on the other side is not curved. Example 6 [0072] Two extrusion coated boards were manufactured by the process described in examples 1 and 2. [0073] Structure-1 comprised 12#LDPE/board/15# HDPE blend/8#LDPE/10#LDPE. [0074] Structure-2 comprised 12#LDPE/board/8#LDPE/10#LDPE/15#HDPE blend. [0075] For structure-1, in Example 6, the HDPE blend did not contact chill roll in the extrusion nip assembly. In comparison, the HDPE blend of structure-2 (Example 6) did contact chill roll in the nip assembly. The results shows that the WVTR of structure-2 is ˜14% higher than structure-1. By preventing contact of the HDPE blend directly with the chill roll, the quench rate of the nucleation agent/HDPE blend layer was slowed. The slower quench rate allowed for a greater crystallization content of the HDPE blend and thus a lower WVTR value. [0076] HDPE blended with a nucleating agent is the preferred polymer material for a moisture barrier. Implementation of HDPE coating can lead to curl in the coated board. The inclusion of a PP layer is the preferred polymer material for providing stiffness to the substrate and making it less susceptible to curl. [0077] U.S. Pat. No. 7,335,409, incorporated herein by reference, describes using HDPE on both sides of a paperboard substrate to reduce curl. The method requires equal amounts of HDPE on both sides which are not an efficient use of materials. Of course in the present invention, it has been found that the Inclusion of a layer of polypropylene (PP) maybe included to reduce or eliminate board curl that results from the inclusion of a HDPE barrier layer. As seen in examples 5 and 6, the inclusion of a polypropylene or polypropylene blend on a side of the board opposite the HDPE blended layer can eliminate the resulting curl that otherwise exist without the inclusion of the PP layer. The inclusion of a PP layer provides for a substrate which will not curl by any polypropylene layer providing for a compensating “stiffening” force to the HDPE blend layer as extruded on the opposite layer of the paperboard. [0078] As set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 7,335,409, there are a variety of paperboard structures containing HDPE as a water vapor barrier layer. To the extent such structures utilize an extruded HDPE layer, any of the HDPE layers disclosed could be modified according to the present invention to have an effective amount of a nucleating agent added to the HDPE layer as described in the present invention. The inclusion of an effective amount of nucleating agent within a HDPE layer will serve to increase the crystalline structure of the extruded HDPE layer and thereby improve the water vapor barrier properties of the resulting substrate. In addition, the various oxygen barrier layers and other barrier layers disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,335,409 can also be utilized in accordance with the teachings of the reference, as modified with the HDPE/nucleating agent barrier layer described in the present application. [0079] As used herein, LDPE includes pure LDPE, LDPE and any ethylene acrylate copolymer blends, LDPE and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer blend, LDPE and LLDPE blend and LDPE and elastomers/plastomer blends. [0080] PP includes pure PP and blends of PP and LDPE. A preferred pure PP is PP homopolymer. Suitable moisture barrier structures including PP layers can be seen in reference to FIGS. 21-25 . In reference to FIG. 25 , the composition of layer “X” can include any combination of disclosed or referenced barrier boards set forth in the application that provides a moisture resistant barrier layer and with additional layers as indicated in FIG. 25 and which also provide for a gas barrier layer. The gas barrier layers may be applied as indicated to an interior board, in reference to a food contact surface of the resulting container constructed from the board. As disclosed herein, conventional tie layers cast barrier layers in a heat seal layer of LDPE may be utilized. [0081] HDPE includes pure HDPE and HDPE blended with a nucleation agent. Preferred pure HDPE has a density ≧0.94 g/cm 3 . It is also believed that the inclusion of a nucleating agent is described herein can be useful with a medium density polyethylene (MDPE), such MDPE having an density of between about 0.926 and about 0.940. Accordingly, the barrier structures set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,372,317 having LDPE or MDPE present as a water vapor barrier layer can have an effective amount of one of the nucleating agents described herein included in the respective LDPE or MDPE layers to bring about an improvement in the WVTR values with the substrate and any resulting food packaging made from the substrate. U.S. Pat. No. 6,372,317 is incorporated herein by reference. [0082] These are advantages to having the HDPE with nucleation agents (blend) positioned as far away from the chill roll during the extrusion coating as possible, such as placing a LDPE layer between the HDPE and chill roll. The additional layer (s) will mitigate the rapid cooling of the nucleated HDPE and allow more time for the nucleation agent to take function. [0083] A similar effect can also be achieved by using two extruders in tandem. The nucleated HDPE is cooled down by the chill roll at the first station, and reheated as the web passes through the second station where the hot melt of an additional polymer layer is laid down on the already cooled HDPE surface. The nucleated HDPE is reheated to above the temperature where further crystallization and orientation can proceed. [0084] Gas barriers can also be used within the paperboard substrates and may include polymers such as amorphous polyamide (Grivory™, Selar™), polyamide such as nylon 6, nylon 66, MXD6, and ethylene vinyl alcohol polymers, and PET. The gas barrier can be a layer of a single polymer, polymer blend or multi-layers of multi-components. [0085] Depending on the positions and adjacent materials, tie layers can be maleic anhydride grafted polyolefins, ethylene acrylate copolymers, ethylene acid copolymers, lonomers, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, and ethylene alpha-olefin copolymers. [0086] While the present invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the subject matter encompassed by way of the present invention is not to be limited to those specific embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended for the subject matter of the invention to include all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

A paperboard substrate that can be used to provide a food packaging particle is provided having a water vapor barrier layer comprising HDPE in combination with a nucleating agent which is extruded on to a paperboard substrate. The resulting substrate has sufficiently good water vapor barrier when properties that dry foods such as cereals do not require a bag or inner liner as a separate moisture barrier.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a product quality test in a winding step of the entire manufacturing process of a deflection yoke, which is a core part of a display device employing a cathode ray tube such as a color TV or a monitor, and in particular, to a magnetic field measuring system of a deflection yoke that can predict screen characteristics in light of coil characteristics and can perform a total inspection of the coil characteristics and a coil grouping to enhance a product quality and a productivity by introducing a magnetic field measuring system in the process of manufacturing a horizontal deflection coil and a vertical deflection coil, which are core parts of a deflection yoke. [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004] In general, the deflection yoke is classified into a saddle-toroidal type, a saddle-saddle type, etc., and functions to accurately deflect electron beams scanned from an electron gun to a fluorescent film coated on a screen of a cathode ray tube. [0005] [0005]FIG. 1 shows a construction of a conventional deflection yoke. As shown in FIG. 1, a deflection coil 100 comprises a horizontal deflection coil and a vertical deflection coil, and functions to change the progressing direction of electron beams from a cathode ray tube (CRT) of a TV. Here, the horizontal deflection coil is seated around an internal periphery of a separator 200 formed in a horn shape, while the vertical deflection coil is seated around an external periphery of the separator 200 . [0006] The deflection coil 100 for horizontally and vertically deflecting the progressing direction of electron beams from a CRT is wound several times by a winding machine in a saddle shape so as to be seated on internal and external peripheries of the separator 200 . FIG. 2 shows the deflection coil 100 comprising an upper flange 110 section including upper pinholes 111 , a lower flange section 120 including a lower pinhole 121 , and a body 130 located between the upper flange section 110 and the lower flange section 120 . [0007] Here, the upper pinhole 111 and the lower pinhole 121 function to smoothly adjust convergence by varying an inductance value and an impedance value to properly control the deflected degree of the electron beams. [0008] The deflection yoke constructed as above is mounted on a neck of the CRT to deflect the electron beams R, G, B emitted from an electron gun of the CRT and determine the scanning positions of the electron beams on a screen, when a saw tooth wave pulse is applied to the horizontal deflection coil and the vertical deflection coil, and when magnetic fields are subsequently generated according to the Fleming's left-hand rule. [0009] Here, the deflection force deflecting the electron beams R, G, B is mainly generated by the horizontal deflection coil and the vertical deflection coil among all the parts of the deflection yoke. [0010] The horizontal and the vertical deflection coils play a significant role of realizing colors by receiving a signal from a control section of a display device and by deflecting the electron beams to desired positions. Of course, the quality as well as the functionality is a significant factor to be considered for evaluating a deflection yoke. Thus, it would be absurd to discriminate the parts of the deflection yoke in light of their functionality alone. However, it is obvious that the horizontal and vertical deflection coils perform the most essential function of the deflection yoke. [0011] Therefore, it is one of the most important step in the entire process of manufacturing the deflection yoke to quantize the characteristics of the horizontal and the vertical deflection coils by using the relationship between the degree of generating the magnetic fields and the screen characteristics. [0012] The process of manufacturing the horizontal and the vertical deflection coils, which are core parts of the deflection yoke in general, comprises the step of molding magnetic wires by means of a winding machine. Here, the winding machine includes a winding zig suitable for realizing the characteristics of diverse kinds of deflection yoke. [0013] The quality of the coils manufactured through the above step can be evaluated by roughly measuring the magnetic fields or based on the screen characteristics after manufacturing the deflection yoke. However, the aforementioned two methods are capable of sampling tests only but insufficient to evaluate the entire products that have been manufactured. Further, the evaluation based on the screen characteristics has a drawback of failing to test the characteristics of the coils only due to the fabricating nature and influence of other minor materials. [0014] In general, the conventional method of testing characteristics of the horizontal and the vertical deflection coils is to evaluate screen characteristics that is actually displayed after completing manufacture of the deflection yoke and to determine the coil characteristics based on the evaluated result. However, this method consumes a considerable period of time for manufacturing the deflection yoke, and subsequently increases the time for feeding back faults in its characteristics, if found any, thereby causing a managerial loss. [0015] Under these circumstances, a compact managing method has been recently suggested to sample coils by using the relationship between the magnetic field characteristics and the screen characteristics, and to measure the magnetic fields of the sampled coils. If the measured magnetic fields are within a set standard, manufacture of the coils is proceeded with. However, this compact managing method has a limit of inspecting the sampling, thereby posing a problem of failing to prepare a proper countermeasure against a feasible dispersion in the manufacturing process. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0016] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a magnetic field measuring system of a deflection yoke that is related to a product quality test in a winding step of the entire manufacturing process of a deflection yoke, which is a core part of a display device employing a CRT such as a color TV or a monitor, and in particular, to a magnetic field measuring system of a deflection yoke that can predict screen characteristics in light of coil characteristics and can perform a total inspection of coil characteristics and a coil grouping to enhance a product quality and a productivity by introducing a magnetic field measuring system in the process of manufacturing a horizontal deflection coil and a vertical deflection coil, which are core parts of a deflection yoke. [0017] In other words, an object of the present invention is to introduce a coil measuring system into a winding system for manufacturing coils as well as to establish a system capable of a total inspection of coil characteristics by using the coil measuring system. [0018] To achieve the above object according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a winding zig for measuring magnetic fields of a deflection yoke, comprising: a plurality of magnetic field sensors mounted inside of the A-shaped winding zig; a digital signal generator for receiving output signals from the magnetic field sensors for sensing magnetic field characteristics of a deflection coil wound around the A-shaped winding zig, and amplifying and converting the received signals to digital signals; a digital signal interface for converting data outputted from the digital signal generator to serial data; and a radio signal transmitter for receiving the signals processed to serial data by the digital signal interface, converting the received signals to radio signals, and transmitting the converted signals. [0019] The digital signal generator in the winding zig for measuring magnetic fields of a deflection yoke comprises: amplifiers matched with each magnetic field sensor wound around the A-shaped winding zig for amplifying the signals sensed by the magnetic field sensors to a predetermined gain, and outputting the amplified signals; and A/D converters matched with each amplifier for converting the amplified signals to digital data. [0020] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a winding zig for measuring magnetic fields of a deflection yoke, comprising: a plurality of magnetic field sensors installed inside of the A-shaped winding zig; a digital signal generator for receiving output signals from the magnetic field sensors that sense magnetic field characteristics of a deflection coil wound around the A-shaped winding zig, amplifying the received signals, and converting the amplified signals to digital signals; a digital signal interface for converting the data outputted from the digital signal generator to serial data; an independent current source for supplying a driving current to drive the magnetic field sensors; a radio signal transmitter for receiving signals processed as serial data by the digital signal interface, converting the received signals to radio signals, and transmitting the converted signals; and an independent voltage source for supplying a driving voltage to drive the digital signal generator and the digital signal interface. [0021] To achieve the above objects, there is also provided a magnetic field measuring system of a deflection yoke, comprising: a plurality of magnetic field sensors installed inside of an A-shaped winding zig; a digital signal generator for receiving output signals from the magnetic field sensors that sense magnetic field characteristics of a deflection coil wound around the A-shaped winding zig, amplifying the received signals, and converting the amplified signals to digital signals; a digital signal interface for converting the data outputted from the digital signal generator to serial data; an independent current source for supplying a driving current to drive the magnetic field sensors; a radio signal transmitter for receiving signals processed as serial data by the digital signal interface, converting the received signals to radio signals, and transmitting the converted signals; a radio signal receiving section for receiving magnetic field measuring data of a radio signal type transmitted through the radio signal transmitter; a data parallel processor for receiving the data received through the radio signal receiving section, converting the received data to parallel data, and processing the converted data by reference to a predetermined index in accordance with an associate relationship between screen characteristics and magnetic field values; and a liquid crystal display for visually displaying the data processed by the data parallel processor to an inspector or a worker. [0022] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a magnetic field measuring system of a deflection yoke, comprising: a plurality of magnetic field sensors installed inside of an A-shaped winding zig; a digital signal generator for receiving output signals from the magnetic field sensors that sense magnetic field characteristics of a deflection coil wound around the A-shaped winding zig, amplifying the received signals, and converting the amplified signals to digital signals; a digital signal interface for converting the data outputted from the digital signal generator to serial data; an independent current source for supplying a driving current to drive the magnetic field sensors; a radio signal transmitter for receiving signals processed as serial data by the digital signal interface, converting the received signals to radio signals, and transmitting the converted signals; a radio signal receiving section for receiving magnetic field measuring data of a radio signal type transmitted through the radio signal transmitter; a data parallel processor for receiving the data received through the radio signal receiving section, converting the received data to parallel data, and processing the converted data by reference to a predetermined index in accordance with an associate relationship between screen characteristics and magnetic field values; an image processing controller for receiving data processed by the data parallel processor, and realizing the processed data into images of three or two dimensions; and a liquid crystal display for visually displaying the images of three or two dimensions in accordance with an associate relationship between screen characteristics and magnetic field values to an inspector or a worker. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0023] The above objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [0024] [0024]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a separator comprising a conventional deflection coil; [0025] [0025]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional deflection coil; [0026] [0026]FIG. 3 is a diagram exemplifying a winding zig for winding a deflection coil; [0027] [0027]FIG. 4 is a diagram exemplifying a main part of an A-shaped winding zig among all types of winding zigs; [0028] [0028]FIG. 5 is a diagram exemplifying an A-shaped winding zig according to the present invention; and [0029] [0029]FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a construction of a magnetic field measuring system of a deflection yoke according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0030] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, same drawing reference numerals are used for the same elements even in different drawings. The matters defined in the description are nothing but the ones provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Thus, it is apparent that the present invention can be carried out without those defined matters. Also, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail. [0031] First to be described will be a brief comparison of the technical concept of the present invention with the conventional art. [0032] [0032]FIG. 3 shows a deflection coil winding machine for winding a deflection coil 100 . Referring to FIG. 3, the drawing reference numeral 300 identifies the deflection coil winding machine. The deflection coil winding machine 300 comprises a male winding mold (or an A-shaped winding zig) 310 and a female winding mold (or a B-shaped winding zig) 320 for leading a coil wound around a coil bobbin (not shown in the drawing), and turning and forming the lead coil to the deflection coil 100 of a saddle shape. [0033] The male winding mold and the female winding mold identified by the drawing reference numerals 310 and 320 are also referred to as an A-shaped winding zig and a B-shaped winding zig as well. Both terms will be mixedly used in the following description. [0034] Here, the male winding mold 310 comprises a male disk member 311 rotated by an external power source, and a male winding mold saddle 312 assembled with the male disk member 311 . The female winding mold 320 comprises a female disk member 321 rotated by an external power, and a female winding mold saddle assembled with the female mold saddle 322 . [0035] An upper pin axis 313 and a lower pin axis, which are protruded and incoming through an axial hole 312 a by an air cylinder to form an upper pin hole 111 and a lower pin hole 121 of the deflection coil 100 , are respectively installed on corner surfaces of the male winding mold saddle 312 . [0036] Here, the axial hole 312 a has a diameter identical to those of the upper pin axis 313 and the lower pin axis formed on the corner surfaces of the male winding mold saddle 312 . [0037] The following is a description of a winding operation of the deflection coil winding machine 300 constructed as above. [0038] If the male winding mold 310 and the female winding mold 320 are rotated in an anti-clockwise direction by the external power source, the coil supplied through the coil bobbin turns around an upper flange section 110 , a lower flange section 120 , and a body section 130 forming a saddle shape between the male winding mold 310 and the female winding mold 320 . [0039] During the rotation of the male winding mold 310 and the female winding mold 320 , the upper pin axis 313 and the lower pin axis 314 are protruded through the axial hole 312 a by a pressure of the air cylinder. The upper pin hole 111 and the lower pin hole 121 are respectively formed in the upper flange section 110 and the lower flange section 120 of the deflection 100 by means of the upper pin axis 313 and the lower pin axis 314 . [0040] [0040]FIG. 4 is a diagram exemplifying a curved section of a conventional A-shaped winding zig. [0041] Thus, the characteristic of the present invention lies in that characteristics of a horizontal deflection coil and a vertical deflection coil, which are essential parts of a deflection yoke, can be induced by continuing a predetermined current in a coil upon completion of winding of a deflection coil wound by a winding machine, measuring magnetic fields generated from the corresponding windings in numerous spots, and comparing the measured magnetic fields so as to predict screen characteristics and totally inspecting coil characteristics based on the coil characteristics only by introducing a magnetic field measuring system to a process of manufacturing the horizontal deflection coil and the vertical deflection coil. In the present invention, a plurality of magnetic field sensors MSa, MSb, MSn are mounted inside of the conventional A-shaped winding zig, as shown in FIG. 5. [0042] Here, it should be noted that the drawing reference numerals MSa, MSb and MSn assigned to represent the magnetic field sensors do not have any particular meanings in terms of alignment. [0043] [0043]FIG. 6 shows a basic construction of a magnetic field measuring system employing the winding zig according to the present invention that has magnetic sensors for measuring magnetic fields after winding as shown in FIG. 5. [0044] The construction of the basic system comprises a winding zig, magnetic field sensors mounted inside or outside of the zig, and a control section for processing values measured by the magnetic field sensors. Here, the part blocked by two chain lines in FIG. 6 represents a construction of the winding zig. The other parts represent a construction of the control section. [0045] Thus, the following description will be made by dividing the construction of the magnetic field measuring system into the winding zig and the control section. A detailed construction of the winding zig will first be described herein below. [0046] As shown in FIG. 5, the winding zig comprises magnetic field sensors MSa, MSb, MSn mounted inside of the A-shaped winding zig AWJ, a current source CS for supplying a driving current to operate the magnetic field sensors MSa, MSb, MSn, a digital signal generator DSG, a voltage source VS for supplying a driving voltage to drive the digital signal generator, a digital signal interface DSI for converting the data outputted from the digital signal generator DSG to serial data, and a transmitter PST for receiving and transmitting the signals processed to serial data by the digital signal interface DSI. [0047] Here, it is preferable to realize the transmitter PST into a radio signal transmitter for converting the inputted data to radio signals, and transmitting the converted signals so as to prevent twist of the signal lines. [0048] The digital signal generator DSG comprises amplifiers matched with the respective magnetic field sensors MSa, MSb, MSn mounted on the A-shaped winding zig, and A/D converters matched with each of the amplifiers. No drawing reference numeral was assigned to those constitutional elements. [0049] The following is a detailed description of the construction of the control section. [0050] The control section comprises a receiver PSR for receiving the signals transmitted from the transmitter PST, a data parallel processor DPP for converting the data received by the receiver PSR to parallel data, and processing the converted data by reference to a predetermined index in accordance with an associate relationship between the screen characteristics and magnetic field values, an image processing controller IPC for receiving the data processed by the data parallel processor DPP, and realizing the received data into images of two or three dimensions, and a liquid crystal display LCD device for visually displaying the images of two or three dimensions in accordance with an associate relationship between the screen characteristics and the magnetic field value processed by the image processing controller IPC. [0051] It is preferable to realize the receiver PSR into a radio signal receiver for receiving magnetic field data of a transmitted radio signal type to prevent twist of the transmitted signal lines. [0052] An operation of the magnetic field measuring system according to the present invention will now be described under an assumption that the transmitter and the receiver transmit or receive radio signals. [0053] As shown in FIG. 3 where the A-shaped winding zig in FIG. 5 is attached, a deflection coil is wound by combining the A-shaped winding zig with the B-shaped winding zig. Once the winding is completed, the magnetic field sensors MSa, MSb, MSn sense magnetic field characteristics of the deflection coil wound around the A-shaped winding zig through the driving current supplied by the current source CS. [0054] The output signals of the magnetic field sensors MSa, MSb, MSn are amplified by the amplifiers matched with each of the magnetic field sensors MSa, MSb, MSn, and are converted to digital signals by the A/D converters matched with each of the amplifiers. [0055] The output data from the digital signal generator comprising the amplifiers and the A/D converters are parallel data. Therefore, the digital signal interface receives the parallel data, and converts the same to serial data so as to be transferred to the transmitter PST. [0056] The transmitter PST converts the magnetic field data signals, which have been processed by the digital signal interface into serial data, to radio signals. The reason is because the signal lines for transfer are highly likely to be twisted or shortened when transferring the data through wire by nature of the winding machine. Therefore, it is critical to transfer the data wirelessly, and conversion of the data into serial data is unavoidable. [0057] The following is a description of an operation of the control section corresponding to the winding zig. [0058] The magnetic field measuring data of radio signal type are received by the receiver PSR. The serial data received by the receiver are converted to parallel data by the data parallel processor DPP. Then, an associate relationship between the screen characteristics and the magnetic field characteristics is calculated by reference to a predetermined index, which indicates an influence of the magnetic field characteristics measured by the magnetic field sensors MSa, MSb, MSn onto the screen characteristics. [0059] The data processed by the data parallel processor DPP are received by the image processing controller IPC and displayed by the liquid crystal display device LCD. The image processing controller realizes the influence of the magnetic field characteristics of the winding coil onto the screen characteristics into images of three or two dimensions so as to be easily recognized by a user. [0060] Also, storability of the measured results is enhanced by using a database (not shown in the drawing) or a peripheral device such as a printer. [0061] In short, according to the present invention, a winding machine winds coils by using wires. The coils are formed, and magnetic fields of the coils are measured. The measured values of the magnetic fields are transferred to the control section so as to be displayed on a screen. [0062] Employing a grouping method in accordance with the magnetic field characteristics of the coils serves to reduce dispersion of the screen characteristics. Where a significant managerial point exists in the screen characteristics of a deflection yoke, the coil property values can be totally inspected in association with the point and the magnetic field property values, thereby enhancing quality of the product. [0063] The problem of unbalance between the left and right side characteristics of the deflection yoke can be resolved by checking the difference between the left and right sides through direct measurement of the magnetic field property values of the coils. Therefore, the screen testing time can be reduced with the same effect. [0064] As described above, the magnetic field measuring system according to the present invention is directed to measuring magnetic fields of wound coils in the coil winding system. Measuring the magnetic fields after winding exempts the process of evaluating screen characteristics and improves the existing sampling test to a total inspection for product quality control, thereby realizing an establishment of a system drastically enhancing the product quality. [0065] The magnetic field measuring system according to the present invention also serves to resolve the feasible problem when evaluating the coil characteristics based on the conventional screen characteristics, i.e., the problem caused by failure to accurately evaluate the coil characteristics when based on the screen characteristics, which are the results of complex factors including not only the characteristics of the coil as a unit product but also the assemblability of the coil. [0066] Further, evaluation of characteristics is variable depending on the above factors. Therefore, the magnetic field measuring system provided by the present invention serves to resolve this problem by measuring an extent of the deflecting force that can be generated from the coils by means of magnetic field sensors. Also, the magnetic field measuring system according to the present invention is also expected to enhance the product quality control in the winding process by evaluating the characteristics of the coil as a unit product. [0067] While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Disclosed is a product quality test in a winding step of the entire manufacturing process of a deflection yoke, which is a core part of a display device employing a cathode ray tube such as a color TV or a monitor, and in particular, a winding zig for measuring magnetic fields of a deflection yoke and a magnetic field measuring system of a deflection yoke using the winding zig. The winding zig and the system according to the invention include a plurality of magnetic field sensors mounted inside of the A-shaped winding zig, a digital signal generator for receiving output signals from the magnetic field sensors that sense magnetic field characteristics of a deflection coil wound around the A-shaped winding zig, amplifying the received signals, and converting the amplified signals to digital signals, a digital signal interface for converting the data outputted from the digital signal generator to serial data, and a transmitter for receiving signals processed as serial data by the digital signal interface, and transmitting the received signals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to decorative trim and more specifically relates to textile trim with a decorative double lipped fastening structure. 2. Description of the Prior Art Different types of decorative fringe trim for decorating objects such as rugs, pillows, blankets and other similar items have been in use for over a thousand years. The structure of the portion of the trim used to fasten the trim to another object such as a piece of material has changed very little over time, consisting typically of a single lipped fastening structure for fastening the trim to a single face of an item. Therefore, it is necessary when using trim of this type to separately fasten a separate piece of decorative trim to the opposite face of the item if a uniform appearance is desired. This additional work in creating an aesthetically appealing finished product requires a great amount of time and skill to affix the trim to an item properly. Decorative trim of this type has to be aligned with the item to which it is being fastened requiring preparation time and equipment that maintains the alignment. An example of this type of decorative trim is U.S. Pat. No. 3,889,616 issued to Passons. The Passons patent discloses a tufted fringe product and a process of making the same. The product has an elongated flexible tape through which a plurality of yarns are stitched to form longitudinally spaced fringe tufts projecting from one face of the tape. In order to reduce the amount of time and complication in securing trim pieces to other objects, several channel shaped fastening structures have been developed that fasten about the edge of a piece of material so as to provide trim that covers two faces of a piece of material. Some of these channel shaped structures are described here. U.S. Pat. No. 4,517,233 issued to Weichman discloses a channel-shaped two-wire carrier that is coated with elastomeric material to form an edge protector trim strip. A plurality of strands of material extending longitudinally of the carrier is interwoven with the support and reinforcing wires to maintain spaced relation. U.S. Pat. No. 4,780,351 issued to Czempoyesh discloses a device for containing the force of an explosion comprising a blanket or curtain of flexible material. The fabrics are bound together at their edges with a border of tough material extending around the periphery of the blanket or curtain. However, this prior art reference does not disclose the channel shaped connection structure being constructed of woven material that integrally forms the tufted trim. U.S. Pat. No. 6,143,397 issued to Kanehara discloses an opening trim including a body approximately U-shaped in section. Each of the holding projections has a primary lip projecting rearward from a front portion of an inner side surface of the body. However, many of these channel shaped fastening structures have been developed for different applications and therefore do not address issues associated with providing a decorative trim. More specifically, the prior art does not disclose a double lipped decorative trim presenting a similar woven appearance on either side of the material to which the trim is attached. Therefore, there is a need for a textile trim with a decorative double lipped fastening structure. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to create an item such as a blanket, pillow, or drapery with a tasseled fringe having similar decorative connecting structure on opposite faces of the item, makers of the item in the past would have to first attach a single lipped fringe onto one face of the item and then place a second decorative panel on the opposite face of the item so that both faces presented a uniform appearance. The claimed invention provides a textile trim with a decorative double lipped fastening structure reducing the number of steps involved in creating an item having a tasseled fringe with similar decorative connecting structure on opposite faces of the item. An object of the claimed invention is to provide a decorative trim that is quickly and easily attachable to a piece of material without need for alignment with the item of which it is to be attached. Another object of the claimed invention is to provide a decorative trim with a decorative woven lip on two faces of an item of which the trim is to be attached. A further object of the claimed invention is to provide a one piece double lipped decorative trim. An even further object of the claimed invention is to reduce the number of step required to create an item with a tasseled fringe having similar decorative connecting structure on opposite faces of an item. To achieve the foregoing objectives as well as others that will become apparent after the reading of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and viewing the appended drawings a double lipped decorative fringe is provided. The claimed invention provides a decorative trim with decorative double lipped fastening structure comprising a first set of threads folded near a midpoint and knotted together forming a knot near a midpoint of the threads with a fringe end and a folded end on opposite sides of the knot. A second set of threads adjacent the first set of threads is similarly folded and knotted. A lip is formed by a cross stitching connecting the folded ends of the first and second set of threads side by side. A second lip of thread having a plurality of folds folded to length equal to the length of the folded ends of the first and second set of threads are held together by a cross stitching. An end of the second lip is fastened adjacent the first and second knots by a cross stitching forming a bottom of a fastening channel of uniform depth. The claimed invention also provides a method making a decorative fringe have a double lipped connecting structure. The method comprises first cutting lengths of thread to a predetermined length within a predetermined tolerance. The threads are then arranged with at least one first length of thread along side at least one second length of thread so that a long axis of the first length is substantially parallel with a long axis of the second length. The folding first and second lengths are folded at a common predetermined point forming a folded end and a fringe end so that portions of the lengths on each side of the fold are parallel with each other. The first and second lengths are the knotted into a tuft where the folded end and the fringe end are on opposite side of the knot. The knotted tufts are then arranged side by side and connected together. The outer ends of the folded ends are then secured preventing unraveling of the tufts. At least one third length of thread is folded to a predetermined folded length a plurality of times so that the folded lengths lie side by side. The folded lengths are then stitched together with a cross stitch forming a textile lip. The edge of the textile lip is then fastened to the folded ends. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 . FIG. 1 shows a front view of the double lipped decorative trim. FIG. 2 . FIG. 2 shows a side view of the double lipped decorative trim. FIG. 3 . FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the double lipped decorative trim. FIG. 4 . FIG. 4 shows placement of a piece of material between the two decorative lips. FIG. 5 . FIG. 5 shows the double lipped decorative trim fastened to a piece of material. FIG. 6 . FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment of the double lipped decorative trim. FIG. 7 . FIG. 7 shows the alternate embodiment trim being manufactured on an automatic crocheting machine. FIG. 8 . FIG. 8 shows the alternate embodiment trim being simultaneously manufactured with the attached lip on an automatic crocheting machine. FIG. 9 . FIG. 9 shows the attached lip being sewn to the decorative lip forming the double lipped decorative trim. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The textile trim with decorative double lipped fastening structure 10 is shown in FIGS. 1-5. The double lipped fastening structure allows the trim 10 to be quickly and easily connected to the edge of a piece of fabric 20 while presenting a finished connection between the trim 10 and the fabric 20 on opposite faces of the fabric as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The trim 10 generally comprises a knotted tuft 30 having a decorative lip 40 and an attached decorative lip 50 . The knotted tuft 30 shown in FIG. 2 is made up of a plurality of threads 60 . The threads 60 used in a knotted tuft 30 of the claimed invention can be of the same type and color, or the threads can be of different types and/or colors depending upon the application. The first knotted tuft 30 is made by first arranging the plurality of threads 60 in parallel along their length. Approximately half of the threads 60 are then folded into a first grouping 80 approximately at the midpoint of the threads so as to be nested one thread inside of another with the shafts of the threads 60 lying side by side forming a relatively flat braid. The folding of the threads 60 creates a folded end 90 and a fringed end 100 . The remaining threads are then similarly folded into a second grouping 110 . The first 80 and second grouping 110 are then aligned side by side with the folded ends 90 adjacent each other and the fringed ends 100 adjacent each other. The first 80 and second groupings 110 are then knotted together at a point mid way between the folded ends 90 and the fringed ends 100 . The knot 120 is knotted such that the threads 60 making the first 80 and second groupings 110 are readily visible within the knot 120 . This allows the color of each of the threads 60 to be seen increasing the aesthetic presentation of the knotted tuft 30 . A plurality of knotted tufts 130 can be assembled side by side with the folded ends 90 of each of the knotted tufts 30 , 130 being aligned to form the edge 140 of the decorative lip 40 as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 - 5 . The plurality of knotted tufts 130 are stitched together by a cross stitching 150 placed above the knot 120 running generally perpendicular to the lengths of the knotted tufts 30 , 130 . Preferably, a plurality of cross stitches 150 made of monofilament stitching are used to create the decorative lip 40 so that the folded ends 90 of each of the knotted tufts 30 , 130 act together to form the lip 40 . However threads of different colors can also be used to stitch the knotted tufts together. The attached decorative lip 50 is made similar to what is known as a gimp type of decorative trim. However, the attached lip 50 differs structurally in that it does not require the same type of cross stitching that a gimp type trim requires due to the fact that the attached lip 50 is designed to be stitched to the decorative lip 40 before use as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 - 5 . The attached decorative lip 50 is preferably made so that the appearance of the attached lip 50 matches the appearance of the decorative lip 40 created by the folded ends 90 of the knotted tufts 30 , 130 creating a uniform appearance between the decorative lip 40 and the attached lip 50 so that the trim 10 presents an aesthetically pleasing appearance when connected to an item as shown in FIG. 5 . The attached decorative lip 50 is made up of a plurality of threads 170 . The threads 170 used in the attached lip are preferably of the same type and color as the threads 60 used in the knotted tufts 30 , 130 , but may be of differing type and/or color depending upon the desired application of the trim 10 . The threads 170 that make up the attached lip 50 are first arranged in parallel along their length. The threads 170 are then folded so that one thread is nested inside another with the shafts of the threads 170 lying side by side forming a relatively flat braid. The threads 170 are then repeatedly folded with the shafts of the threads 170 lying roughly parallel and side by side as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The distance between each fold is determined by matching the overall length of the attached lip 50 with the length of the decorative lip 40 formed by the folded ends 90 of the knotted tuft 30 . The folds 180 of the attached lip 50 are then stitched together to form a discrete relatively flat panel. Preferably, a plurality of cross stitches 190 made of monofilament thread are used to create the attached lip. A Pfaff brand sewing machine having model number 463 900 57 is preferably used to stitch the attached lip 50 to the knotted tufts 30 , 130 just above the knots 120 of the knotted tufts 30 , 130 by a cross stitching 200 that form the bottom of a generally U shaped connection channel or pocket 210 as shown in FIG. 9 . The cross stitching 200 connecting the attached lip 50 to the knotted tufts 30 , 130 creates a uniform stopping point 220 for material 20 being inserted between the decorative lip 40 and the attached lip 50 so that the lips extend over the material 20 to substantially equal distances creating an aesthetically pleasing connection between the trim 10 and the material 20 . Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 6 where the decorative trim 230 does not have knotted tufts. The threads 240 that make up the decorative lip 250 are first arranged in parallel along their length. The threads 240 are then folded so that one thread is nested inside another with the shafts of the threads 240 lying side by side forming a relatively flat braid. The threads 240 are then repeatedly folded with the shafts of the threads lying roughly parallel and side by side. The overall length of the decorative lip 250 that is desired determines the distance between each fold 260 . The tassel portions 270 of the decorative trim are made by first arranging threads 280 in parallel along their length. The threads 280 are then folded so that one thread is nested inside another with the shafts of the threads lying side by side. The folded ends 290 of the tassel portions 270 are interspaced between the folds 260 of the decorative lip 250 . The decorative lip 250 and the tassels portions 270 are stitched together by a cross stitching (not shown) similar to the stitching 150 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 . Preferably, a plurality of cross stitches made of monofilament stitching are used to create the decorative lip 250 so that the folds 260 of the lip 250 act together to form one total discrete piece. However threads of different colors can also be used to stitch the decorative lip 250 together depending up the desired aesthetic effect. A greater number of cross stitching is used when a larger lip is created so that the threads within the lip will function as one discrete piece. A decorative attachable lip 310 similar in construction to the attached lip 50 is attached to the decorative lip 250 by way of a cross stitching (not shown) similar to the stitching 200 connecting the attached lip 50 to the decorative lip 40 . The claimed invention also includes a method of making a textile trim with decorative double lipped fastening structure as shown in FIGS. 7-9. The decorative trim 230 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are manufactured using a Decortronic model crocheting machine made by Comez of Italy. The crocheting machine is setup so that it creates the knotted tufts 30 , 130 and the attached lip simultaneously, ensuring that the appearance of the decorative lip 250 and the attached lip 310 are the same. FIG. 9 illustrates how the decorative lip and attached lip are made on the Decortronic. The concept of making the decorative lip 250 and the attached lip 310 simultaneously so that they may be joined together to form a double lipped article to be applied on opposite outer faces of an item is a new method of manufacture. Previously, single lipped decorative trim and trim known as gimps have been made separately for different applications. However, the claimed method entails simultaneously creating the decorative trim 250 and the attached lip 310 with the idea in mind of stitching the two items together forming a double lipped decorative trim 10 , 230 . With this thought in mind, the outer faces of the decorative trim 330 , 340 , 350 , and 360 and the attached lip 310 are stitched with decorative design. Previously, decorative trim was manufactured with a single lip so that it could be attached to an item by placing the single lip between two pieces of material. A common example of this type of attachment is typically shown in a pillow with decorative trim. Pillows of this type are commonly made by placing the single lip between the edges of the two pieces of material making the faces of the pillow so as to hide the connecting structure on the decorative trim. With the creation of the double lipped decorative trim design, it is now possible to connect the lips on the outer surfaces of an item so that the connecting structures themselves add to the aesthetic presentation of the item. This is achieved by manufacturing the attached lip simultaneously so that the lips may be displayed as part of the overall appearance of an item. Although the invention has been described by reference to some embodiments it is not intended that the novel device be limited thereby, but that modifications thereof are intended to be included as falling within the broad scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosure, the following claims and the appended drawings.

Trim with decorative double lipped fastening structure comprising a first set of threads folded near a midpoint and knotted together providing a knot near a midpoint of the threads with a fringe end and a folded end on opposite sides of the knot. A second set of threads adjacent the first set of threads is similarly folded and knotted. A lip is provided by a cross stitching connecting the folded ends of the first and second set of threads side by side. A second lip of thread having a plurality of folds folded to length equal to the length of the folded ends of the first and second set of threads are held together by a cross stitching. An end of the second lip is fastened adjacent the first and second knots by a cross stitching providing a bottom of a fastening channel of uniform depth.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention generally relates to musical instruments and more specifically to drums. Drums are not the simple instruments that they may appear to be upon first consideration. Rather, a drum's musicality is a culmination of various elements. A foundational or principal factor that influences the sound of a drum is the shape of the drum shell, both in size or dimensions and in contour or configuration. Thickness of a drum shell wall may vary from drum to drum and may itself be based on various elements including, for example, structural considerations of the drum size and tonal considerations of the drum sound. The contour of a drum also impacts the tonal quality of the drum. Consider the differences between the tapered shell of a conga drum and the cylindrical sidewalls of what is commonly referred to as a “tom” or “tom-tom.” [0003] On a more detailed or less conspicuous scale, that part of a drum which is struck in drumming, namely, a drum head skin or membrane that is stretched across a drum shell, its tension, its thickness, and its composition affect the tone and musicality of the drum. Further yet, that point at which the membrane contacts or interfaces with the drum shell, namely, the bearing edge, also affects a drum's tone. The drum shell wall edge may be formed with various contours and provide various drum tonal qualities, respectively. Three of various commonly known wall edge contours include a fully rounded symmetrical bearing edge, a rounded 45° bearing edge, and a chamfered bearing edge. The fully rounded bearing edge tends to boost middle to low range frequencies by providing maximum shell contact with the membrane. Middle to high range frequencies are boosted by a more focused bearing edge area for membrane to shell contact that is provided by a rounded 45 bearing edge, for example. [0004] With the wall edge shaped and used as the bearing edge and with the wall edge in direct contact with the membrane, the bearing edge is an integral part of the drum shell and generally not subject to modification. Thus, beyond the apparent musical differences of different types of drums, conga, tom, bass, or snare, for example, a drummer requires multiple drums of each type or at least multiple drum shells to access for a given playing session the differing drum tonal qualities that result from various bearing edges. [0005] Further, the interior shell wall surface may also influence a drum's tonal quality or sound. This is a well-recognized consideration, especially with regard to bass drums in which acoustic damping materials are commonly placed. In a simple form, the acoustic damping material may simply be a pillow placed within a bass drum. Alternatively, specifically designed fill materials may also be used. One factor that these damping techniques seek to address is the formation of standing sound pressure waves within the drum shell, which may or may not be desirable. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] Accordingly, a drum according to the invention provides improved flexibility to a drummer with regard to tuning or set-up of a drum for a given playing session as follows. [0007] In one aspect of the invention, a drum has a tubular shell, at least one replaceable annular bearing edge, at least one flange or spline interposed between the shell and the bearing edge, and at least one membrane overlaying and preferably stretched across the bearing edge. The shell preferably has opposing first and second shell ends and an annular shell wall that extends between the opposing first and second shell ends. The shell wall further preferably has opposing first and second wall edges and opposing inside and outside wall surfaces. The annular bearing edge also preferably has an annular membrane surface and an opposing annular shell surface with the shell surface abutting the first wall edge in releasable engagement. The annular membrane surface may have any of various profile configurations, including without limitation, square, round, oval, triangular, or multi-faceted. At least the first wall edge of the shell wall further has at least one recess defined therein. The spline extends from the first bearing edge shell surface into the recess in cooperating engagement and releasably coupling the bearing edge and the shell. [0008] In another aspect of the invention, the recess defined in the first wall edge is an annular void that defines either one of an annular slot dado in the first wall edge and an annular rabbet between the first wall edge and the inside wall surface. In an alternative aspect, the recess defined in the first wall edge may be an annular void that defines an annular slot dado in the first wall edge, the spline may be a first spline, and the first annular bearing edge may further include a second spline that is spaced from the first spline and extends at least partially along the inside wall surface. Further, the first annular bearing edge may have at least one spline recess defined in the shell surface and the spline may further extend into the spline recess in cooperating engagement. [0009] In a further aspect of the invention, the drum may include a second annular bearing edge similar to the first annular bearing edge, with an annular membrane surface and an opposing annular shell surface. The second bearing edge overlays the second wall edge with the bearing surface abutting the second wall edge. Further a second membrane preferably overlays and is preferably stretched across the second bearing edge. [0010] Yet further, a drum according to the invention may be tuned or have its tonal quality adjusted with use of at least one aperture or air pressure release port through the shell wall. The port may further include an air valve that is adapted to regulate airflow through the aperture between open and closed positions. The air port may optionally include a body that extends through the aperture and defines an air passage through the drum shell and may further include a cover that engages the body and is adapted to support an audio reception device. [0011] And still further, a drum according to the invention may have at least a portion of the drum shell inside wall surface include an acoustic pattern or texture whereby sound generated by the drum is influenced and undesirable standing wave patterns or the like, for example, are at least modified. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING [0012] FIG. 1 is a partially fragmentary exploded perspective view of a drum shell and membrane; [0013] FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view taken at detail II of FIG. 1 , showing a replaceable bearing edge according to the invention with an outside bearing edge membrane surface chamfer; [0014] FIG. 3 is the view of FIG. 2 showing a first alternative installation of the replaceable bearing edge; and [0015] FIG. 4 is the view of FIG. 2 showing a second alternative installation of the replaceable bearing edge. [0016] FIG. 5 is the view of FIG. 4 in end elevation and showing a first alternative configuration of the replaceable bearing edge thereof with a double chamfer membrane surface; [0017] FIG. 6 is the view of FIG. 5 showing a second alternative configuration of the replaceable bearing edge thereof with an inside bearing edge membrane surface chamfer; and [0018] FIG. 7 is the view of FIG. 5 showing a third alternative configuration of the replaceable bearing edge thereof with an extreme inside bearing edge membrane surface chamfer. [0019] FIG. 7 a is a mirror image of the view of FIG. 7 showing a square configuration of the replaceable bearing edge thereof; [0020] FIG. 7 b is a mirror image of the view of FIG. 7 showing a round configuration of the replaceable bearing edge thereof; [0021] FIG. 7 c is a mirror image of the view of FIG. 7 showing a oval or elliptical configuration of the replaceable bearing edge thereof; and [0022] FIG. 7 d is a mirror image of the view of FIG. 7 showing a multi-faceted configuration of the replaceable bearing edge thereof. [0023] FIG. 8 is the view of FIG. 2 showing a first alternative replaceable bearing edge according to the invention, which has a width that is not less than the shell wall edge thickness, and showing a first alternative spline; [0024] FIG. 9 is a fragment of the view of FIG. 8 in end elevation and showing a first alternative configuration of the removable bearing edge thereof with a recessed membrane surface; [0025] FIG. 10 is the view of FIG. 9 showing a second alternative configuration of the removable bearing edge thereof with a double chamfer membrane surface and showing a second alternative spline; [0026] FIG. 11 is the view of FIG. 9 showing a third alternative configuration of the removable bearing edge thereof with a modified inside bearing edge membrane surface and showing a third alternative spline; and [0027] FIG. 12 is the view of FIG. 9 showing a fourth alternative configuration of the removable bearing edge thereof with an extreme inside bearing edge membrane surface chamfer. [0028] FIG. 13 is the view of FIG. 9 showing a fifth alternative configuration of the bearing edge that includes a second spline. [0029] FIG. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of an inside wall surface of a drum shell showing a first acoustic treatment of the inside surface of the shell wall; [0030] FIG. 15 is the view of FIG. 14 showing a first alternative acoustic treatment thereof; [0031] FIG. 16 is the view of FIG. 14 showing a second alternative acoustic treatment thereof; and [0032] FIG. 17 is the view of FIG. 14 showing a third alternative acoustic treatment thereof. [0033] FIG. 18 is the view of FIG. 14 showing an air relief port in the shell wall in exploded view; [0034] FIG. 19 is a partial fragmentary, partial elevational exploded view of the air port of FIG. 18 , taken along line XIX-XIX of FIG. 18 ; and [0035] FIG. 20 is an interior perspective view of a cap of the air port. [0036] FIG. 21 is fragmentary perspective view of a drum head with a sectional or multi-flange drum hoop of the invention. [0037] FIG. 22 is a fragmentary perspective view of a drum head with a non-flange or flangeless drum hoop of the invention. [0038] FIG. 23 is a fragmentary perspective view of a drum head showing a tensioning system of the invention with point suspension lug. [0039] FIG. 24 is a front elevation view of a drum head tensioning system point suspension lug of the invention. [0040] FIG. 25 is a side elevation view thereof; and [0041] FIG. 26 is a top plan view thereof. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0042] Referring to the drawing generally, and specifically with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a drum with a replaceable bearing edge according to the invention has a tubular shell or drum body 12 , a replaceable bearing edge 14 , a spline 16 , and a membrane or drum head skin 18 . Drum shells are commonly fabricated as tubular laminations of birch, maple, or mahogany veneers. A monolithic tubular molding of acrylic plastic may also be used to fabricate a drum shell. The tubular shell has opposing first and second shell ends, 20 and 22 , respectively, and an annular shell wall 24 . The shell wall extends between the opposing first and second shell ends from a first wall edge 30 to a second wall edge 32 , respectively. The wall further has opposing inside and outside wall surfaces, 34 and 36 , respectively. The membrane or skin 18 is overlaid and stretched over one of the shell ends, say the first end 20 , and contacts one of the wall edges, say the first wall edge 30 . [0043] The point at which the membrane 18 contacts the annular shell wall 24 is the bearing surface and is commonly the annular shell wall edge 30 . The wall edge may be contoured to provide various drum tonal qualities. Three of various common wall edge contours include a fully rounded bearing edge, a rounded 45 ° bearing edge, and a chamfered bearing edge. When a wall edge is shaped and used as the bearing edge, with the wall edge in direct contact with the membrane, the bearing edge is an integral part of the drum shell and generally not subject to modification. Use of a replaceable bearing edge 14 according to the invention, however, allows the bearing edge to be replaced. [0044] Thus, a drummer may have different tonal qualities from a single drum shell 12 by merely replacing the bearing edge 14 , rather than requiring multiple drum shells or multiple drums. A fully rounded bearing edge tends to boost middle to low range frequencies by providing maximum shell contact with the membrane. Middle to high range frequencies are boosted by a more focused area for head to shell contact that is provided by a rounded 45 bearing edge, for example. A chamfered bearing edge 14 as shown, focuses the head to shell contact area further, with associated boosting of high range drum frequencies. The annular membrane surface may further have any of various profile configurations, including without limitation, square, round, oval, triangular, or multi-faceted. [0045] The bearing edge 14 is an annular member and may be constructed of any appropriate structural material, including plastics, metals, and suitable woods and composites thereof. The bearing edge 14 has a membrane surface 40 and an opposing shell surface 42 . The spline 16 extends in a downward direction as shown in the drawing, from the shell surface 42 and keys the bearing edge 14 with the drum shell wall 24 . As shown in FIG. 2 , the spline overlays a portion of the inside wall surface 34 , near the first wall edge 30 . In this configuration, the bearing edge 14 may be sized for a tight slip fit engagement with the shell wall 24 , preferably tight enough only so the replaceable bearing edge does not engage the shell 12 loosely. [0046] A first alternative preparation of a first wall edge 130 is shown in FIG. 3 with a rabbet between the first wall edge 130 and the inside wall surface 134 . One having ordinary skill in the art, and one having ordinary skill in woodworking arts, for example, will appreciate that the rabbet interface between the bearing edge 14 and the shell wall 124 provides an increased degree of stability in the connection between the bearing edge 14 and the shell wall. Again, the sizing of the replaceable bearing edge 14 is preferably so the bearing edge does not engage the shell 112 loosely. [0047] In a second alternative interface between the bearing edge 14 and the shell wall 224 ( FIG. 4 ), an annular slot dado 238 is defined in the first wall edge. Again, one having ordinary skill in the art will know that the dado engagement of the bearing edge with the shell wall provides even further stabilization of the connection between the bearing edge 14 and the shell wall. The replaceable bearing edge 14 , and more specifically the spline 16 , may be sized for slip fit or force fit engagement of the spline 16 with the wall edge dado 238 . One having ordinary skill in the art understands that not only are user preferences a factor in this fitting, material strength considerations are also to be considered. [0048] As discussed above, drum shells are commonly fabricated as laminations of veneer materials. Depending upon the use and design preferences relative to a given shell, the laminations may number from about five to about twenty laminations. As one may expect, larger diameter drims may use a larger number of plies, although the greatest number of plies may be found in a snare drum, for example, rather than a bass drum. In some constructions, the shell may be constructed with a relatively lower number of laminations or plies relative to the drum size, to achieve a given tonal performance with additional reinforcement plies or hoops 232 ( FIG. 4 ) laminated to the shell wall inside surface 234 near the shell ends. Thus, the shell wall may commonly be thickened and strengthened near an end or both ends with additional short plies or hoops. The reinforcement hoops may be required for various structural considerations as will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art. [0049] The additional reinforcement plies or hoops 232 may conveniently be configured during construction to define the wall edge 130 with dado 138 ( FIG. 3 ) or to define the wall edge of shell 224 with a dado 238 ( FIG. 4 ). While FIG. 4 shows the presence of the reinforcement hoops and FIG. 3 does not, this is not a limitation that the dado 238 is restricted to use of reinforcement hoops, while the rabbet 138 is not. To the contrary, the rabbet or the dado edge configuration may be employed with or without reinforcement hoops. The only limitation would be structural consideration relative to the shell wall thickness at the wall edge as is understood by one having ordinary skill in the art. To reiterate, either the rabbet 138 or the dado 238 may be used when reinforcement hoops 232 are used, and either rabbet 138 or dado 238 may be used when the shell wall is sufficiently thick without reinforcement hoops. [0050] Thus far, the replaceable bearing edge 14 of the invention has been shown as a chamfered or outside bearing edge ( FIGS. 2-4 ). A replaceable bearing edge according to the invention may be configured with various membrane surfaces 40 , however. A few of various examples are shown in the drawing as follows. As shown in FIG. 5 , the bearing edge 14 a has a double chamfered bearing edge in which the membrane surface is chamfered inside and out and has a central ridge. An inside bearing edge 14 b is shown in FIG. 6 . The inside bearing edge is substantially a reverse chamfer of the outside bearing edge 14 . While the outside bearing edge 14 , the double bearing edge 14 a, and the inside bearing edge 14 b are shown in the drawing as being flush with an outside wall surface 236 of the shell, the bearing edge may also be flush with an inside wall surface 234 of the shell, as shown by extreme inside bearing edge 14 c in FIG. 7 . Yet further examples of various replaceable bearing edge profile configurations, including without limitation, square ( FIG. 7 a ), round ( FIG. 7 b ), oval ( FIG. 7 c ), or multi-faceted ( FIG. 7 d ). [0051] It is now noted that the replaceable bearing edge 14 discussed thus far is shown in the drawing as being thicker than the shell wall ( FIG. 2 ), as being the same thickness as the shell wall ( FIG. 3 ), and as being narrower than the shell wall ( FIG. 4 ). Thus, the thickness of the replaceable bearing edge 14 relative to the shell wall is shown as being substantially immaterial to the inventive concept. Rather, these variations in configuration may result from personal preferences in manufacture or with regard to desired musical results. [0052] Another alternative replaceable bearing edge configuration 114 is shown in FIG. 8 . The bearing edge 114 has a rounded spline member 116 extending from the shell surface 142 . The spline is shown centered on the shell surface with adjoining shoulder portions 144 . The shoulder portions may be optional. Structural considerations in deference to qualities and characteristics of the materials used for the shell wall will indicate the desirability and configurations of the shoulders 144 as needed to avoid splitting of the shell wall, for example. It is also noted that various configurations of the shell surface 142 , for example, on the replaceable bearing edge may be more or less desirable because of such structural considerations and further because of considerations with regard to torsional stability of the bearing edge. For example, if the shell surface is circular or cylindrical, the bearing edge may have a tendency to roll relative to the shell wall edge, which would be undesirable. [0053] Desirable alternative configurations of the replaceable bearing edge include bearing edges 115 with shell surfaces having double flanges 117 and 118 , as shown in FIGS. 9, 11 , 12 , and 13 . These include bearing edges with an extreme inside membrane surface edge ( FIG. 12 ); an inside membrane surface edge 119 b ( FIG. 11 ); an outside membrane surface edge 119 c ( FIG. 9 ); and an extreme membrane surface edge 199 d ( FIG. 13 ). These double flanges provide stable mounting for the replaceable bearing edge. Configuration of the shell surface of the replaceable bearing edge is not limited to the configurations shown in the drawings. Other configurations are possible. [0054] As with the specific configuration of the shell surface of the replaceable bearing edge according to the invention, the flanges or spline also are not limited to the configurations shown in the drawings. For example, in addition to flanges formed on the bottom of the bearing edges, the flanges can be separate spline members. Two additional exemplary spline configurations include a separate cylindrical spline 216 ( FIG. 10 ) and a separate rectangular spline 316 ( FIG. 11 ). One having ordinary skill in the art understands that a variety of spline configurations, either attached or separate from either of the replaceable bearing edge or the shell wall may be more or less desirable under specific playing and manufacturing situations. [0055] Further, some drums will have one drum head with one membrane stretched over one end of the shell as indicated ( FIG. 1 ) and as is well known, while other drums will have two drum heads with a second membrane stretched over the other of the two opposing shell ends 20 and 22 , which is also well known by one having ordinary skill in the art and thus not indicated in the drawing. Thus, showing in the drawing a removable bearing edge at one end of a drum is not a limitation of the invention or the claims. Rather, a removable bearing edge according to the invention may be employed at one or both drum shell ends according to a user's preferences. Further, when a removable bearing edge according to the invention is used at each of a drum's opposing ends, the bearing edges used may have the same or differing configurations. [0056] In another aspect of the invention, a drum shell 12 ( FIG. 1 ) has acoustic texturing or acoustic patterning generally shown at 300 in FIGS. 14-17 . Regular texture patterns ( FIGS. 14-16 ) or more arbitrary or random patterns ( FIG. 17 ) may be employed to various effects. Standing sound pressure waves may develop within a drum shell, which may or may not be desirable. Either way, the tonal character of a drum shell may be affected or “tuned” by tuning the over all configuration of the shell, as one having ordinary skill in the art knows. Further, the tonal character of a drum may also be tuned by tuning the shell wall inside surface with contour or texture. [0057] While reinforcing hoops are shown in the drawing with acoustic texturing 300 of the hoops, the placement of acoustic texture upon the inside surface of the shell wall is not limited in the inventive concept to placement of acoustic texture upon a reinforcement hoop as shown. Rather, the inventive concept of acoustic texturing or acoustic patterning of the shell wall inside surface should be broadly understood as being independent of a presence of a shell reinforcement hoop. The variations shown in the drawing are merely a few of numerous and various acoustic patterning anticipated in the invention. [0058] Another example of an acoustic patterning element within the scope of the invention includes an interface 302 ( FIG. 14 ) between a reinforcement hoop, which may be used in a drum shell, and the drum shell wall, for example. As shown, the reinforcement hoop simply has a squared wall edge, and the acoustic pattern defined by this interface is merely a stepped wall from the reinforcement hoop to the shell wall. Alternatively, this interface may include a chamfer or other contouring, for example. Thus, one having ordinary skill in the art will understand from this description and from the drawing, that acoustic patterning of the inside surface of a drum shell will affect the tonal quality of a drum and may be implemented with or with out the presence of reinforcement hoops. [0059] In yet another aspect of the invention, a drum shell 12 has an adjustable pressure air release port 350 ( FIGS. 18 & 19 ). The release port has a body portion 352 which may be provided as a threaded tubular rod or pipe-like member with an aperture or notch 354 in a side of the body. The notch is positioned outside the drum shell while the body extends through the shell to the interior of the drum shell. Thus, an air passage is defined through the tubular body. The release port is adjustable by virtue of a cap 356 that may be placed on an exterior end of the body. By providing screw threads on an exterior of the body and cooperating interior screw threads within the cap, the cap may conveniently be screwed on and off the port body, covering and revealing or closing and opening the notch respectively. While the cap covers or reveals the notch, the adjustable release port is tuned and so the drum is tuned. [0060] The body of the adjustable pressure air release port may conveniently be mounted through the drum shell wall with interior and exterior washers 358 and nuts 360 ( FIG. 19 ). The washers and nuts may be fabricated of any suitable structural material, including without limitation, metals, plastics, and suitable woods and composites thereof. Also, while a reinforcement hoop is again shown in the drawing, its presence is immaterial. [0061] The cap 356 may further be provided with a plastic interior bushing 362 or the like, whereby the cap resists rotation or screw threading onto or off of the port body and the cap is held by the bushing in a predetermined position relative to the body. Further, the cap may be provided with a second interior thread 366 , whereby a screw (not shown) may be coupled with the cap and a microphone or other audio reception device may be mounted on the adjustable pressure air release port 350 , near the drum. [0062] As discussed above, when a wall edge is shaped and used as the bearing edge or a membrane surface, with the wall edge in direct contact with the membrane, the bearing edge is an integral part of the drum shell and generally not subject to modification for reasons that are known to one having ordinary skill in the art. This modification may also include repair of the integral bearing edge. Use of a replaceable bearing edge 14 according to the invention, however, allows the bearing edge to be replaced with some of the benefits already discussed above. Further, a replaceable bearing edge 14 according to the invention also reduces potential damage to the bearing edge and the shell edge and even facilitates such repair by merely replacing the bearing edge. [0063] Thus, another feature of the invention is shown in the drawing at FIGS. 21 & 22 , namely, a non-flange or flangeless drumhead hoop. More specifically, modern drums have a hoop with a prominent flange, that is a flange that extends beyond or above the drumhead and membrane. This hoop or rim flange protects the bearing edge from potential damage to the bearing edge when a drummer hits the bearing edge, “takes a rim shot.” While a rim shot may occur accidentally, it is also often a deliberate drum stroke. Similarly and to a lesser degree, the hoop rim also protects against damage to the bearing edge from a “stick slap,” when a side of a drum stick is slapped against the membrane. With a replaceable bearing edge of the invention, the shell edge may be protected and a possibly damaged bearing edge is relatively easily repaired by replacement, rather than by a hoop flange. The hoop flange may, therefore, be reduced or removed. [0064] A multi-flange hoop 400 is shown in FIG. 21 with non-flange 402 and flange 404 circumferential portions. The non-flange or flangeless portions may have varying degrees of flange removal to where the flange is reduced to being flush with the drumhead or membrane 18 or the flange is reduced to being recessed or spaced toward the opposing drum wall edge from the bearing edge. A non-flange or flangeless hoop 450 ( FIG. 22 ) more clearly shows opposing bottom 452 and top 454 surfaces with the top surface clearly recessed or spaced from the drumhead in the embodiment shown. In either embodiment, the flangeless feature may be varied and a matter of degree or magnitude. Further, lug screws 420 are shown in each of FIGS. 21 & 22 to pull the respective hoop toward the opposing shell end or wall edge, which applies tension and stretches the membrane across the drum shell 12 . [0065] The lug screws 420 pass through the drum head hoop and thread into screw lugs 460 . The screw lugs are generally a block of metal that are screw fastened to the shell 12 . The actual screw thread engagement of the lug screws 420 with the lugs 460 may include a self-aligning drum lug mechanism, which has been well known in the art since about the 1930 's. A deficiency with the known tension lugs 460 is the amount of surface contact between the lug and the shell, which results in muted or dead shell zones in the areas of the lugs. [0066] An improved point suspension tension lug 470 of the invention is shown in FIGS. 23-26 . The point suspension lug has a platform plate 472 which does not rest upon the drum shell. Rather, the platform 472 is connected with the drum shell by at least two legs 474 and preferably three as shown. The legs may be screws that extend through the platform plate 472 and into the drum shell 12 . The plate is, however, spaced from the shell with spacing sleeves over the screw legs. The inventor has found that a thick nylon washer and the like work well for the spacing sleeves, although various other cylinder members may be substituted. Thus, the point suspension lug 470 has only a few small areas of point contact with the drum shell, rather than full contact of the prior known suspension lug 460 with the shell 12 . [0067] The point suspension lug 470 also has a corresponding threaded bushing 476 or the like that cooperatively receives a lug screw in screw thread engagement. The bushing 476 is shown as a simplistic or schematic sketch in the drawing and may be interpreted from the drawing as being rigidly connected with the platform plate 472 . This is not to be taken as a limitation of the invention, however. Rather, a point suspension lug of the invention may also incorporate a self aligning mechanism, which is well known in the art. [0068] One having ordinary skill in the art and those who practice the invention will understand that various modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the disclosed inventive concept. Various relational terms, including left, right, front, back, top, and bottom, for example, are used in the detailed description of the invention and in the claims only to convey relative positioning of various elements of the claimed invention and are not otherwise used to limit the scope of the invention.

A drum of the invention has a tubular drum shell, a replaceable annular bearing edge, a spline interconnecting the shell and the bearing edge, and a membrane overlaying the bearing edge. The bearing edge may have any of various profile configurations. The bearing edge overlays a shell edge in releasable engagement. A spline extends from the bearing edge and engages a recess, including an annular rabbet between the wall edge and an inside wall surface, or an annular void, including an annular slot dado, in the shell wall, releasably coupling the bearing edge and the shell. The shell may include an aperture through the wall. An air valve may be provided to regulate passage of air through the aperture between open and closed positions. The air valve may support an audio reception device. A portion of the inside wall surface may have an acoustic pattern that influences the drum's sound. The drum may also have a flangeless hoop or arcuate portions of the hoop without a flange. A point suspension tension lug may secure the head to the shell.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/335,749, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,027,287, and claims the benefit of priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 61/428,778 filed Dec. 30, 2010. TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a new rig mast, substructure, and transport trailer for use in subterranean exploration. The present invention provides rapid rig-up, rig-down and transport of a full-size drilling rig. In particular, the invention relates to a self-erecting drilling rig in which rig-up of the mast and substructure may be performed without the assistance of a crane. The rig components transport without removal of the drilling equipment including top drive with mud hose and electrical service loop, AC drawworks, rotary table, torque wrench, standpipe manifold, and blow out preventers (BOP), thus reducing rig-up time and equipment handling damage. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] In the exploration of oil, gas and geothermal energy, drilling operations are used to create boreholes, or wells, in the earth. Drilling rigs used in subterranean exploration must be transported to the locations where drilling activity is to be commenced. These locations are often remotely located. The transportation of such rigs on state highways requires compliance with highway safety laws and clearance underneath bridges or inside tunnels. This requirement results in extensive disassembly of full-size drilling rigs to maintain a maximum transportable width and transportable height (mast depth) with further restrictions on maximum weight, number and spacing of axles, and overall load length and turning radius. These transportation constraints vary from state to state, as well as with terrain limitations. These constraints can limit the size and capacity of rigs that can be transported and used, conflicting with the subterranean requirements to drill deeper, or longer reach horizontal wells, more quickly, requiring larger rigs. [0004] Larger, higher capacity drilling rigs are needed for deeper (or horizontally longer) drilling operations, since the hook load for deeper operations is very high, requiring rigs to have a capacity of 500,000 lbs. and higher. Constructing longer, deeper wells requires increased torque, mud pump capacity and the use of larger diameter tubulars in longer strings. Larger equipment is required to handle these larger tubulars and longer strings. All of these considerations drive the demand for larger rigs. Larger rigs require a wider base structure for strength and wind stability, and this requirement conflicts with the transportability constraint and the time and cost of moving them. Larger rigs also require higher drill floors to accommodate taller BOP stacks. Once transported to the desired location, the large rig components must each be moved from a transport trailer into engagement with the other components located on the drilling pad. Moving a full-size rig and erecting a conventional mast and substructure generally requires the assistance of large cranes at the drilling site. The cranes will be required again when the exploration activity is complete and it is time to take the rig down and prepare it for transportation to a new drilling site. [0005] Once the cranes have erected the mast and substructure, it is necessary to reinstall much of the machinery associated with the operation of the drilling rig. Such machinery includes, for example, the top drive with mud hose and electrical service loop, AC drawworks, rotary table, torque wrench, standpipe manifold, and BOP. [0006] Rigs have been developed with mast raising hydraulic cylinders and with secondary substructure raising cylinders for erection of the drilling rig without the use, or with minimal use, of cranes. For example, boost cylinders have been used to fully or partially raise the substructure in combination with mast raising cylinders. These rigs have reduced rig transport and rig-up time; however, substructure hydraulics are still required and the three-step lifting process and lower mast lifting capacity remain compromised in these configurations. Also, these designs incorporate secondary lifting structures, such as mast starter legs which are separated completely from the mast for transportation. These add to rig-up and rig-down time, weight, and transportation requirements, encumber rig floor access, and may still require cranes for rig-up. Importantly, the total weight is a critical concern. [0007] Movement of rig masts from transport trailers to engagement with substructures remains time consuming and difficult. Also, rig lifting supports create a wider mast profile, which limits the size of the structure support itself due to transportation regulations, and thus the wind load limit of the drilling rig. In particular, it is very advantageous to provide substructures having a height of less than 8 (eight) feet to minimize the incline and difficulty of moving the mast from its transport position into its connectable position on top of the collapsed substructure. However, limiting the height of the collapsed substructure restricts the overall length of retracted raising cylinders in conventional systems. It further increases the lift capacity requirement of the raising cylinder due to the disadvantageous angle created by the short distance from ground to drilling floor in the collapsed position. [0008] For the purpose of optimizing the economics of the drilling operation, it is highly desirable to maximize the structural load capacity of the drilling rig and wind resistance without compromising the transportability of the rig, including, in particular, the width of the lower mast section, which bears the greatest load. [0009] Assembly of drilling rigs for different depth ratings results in drilling rig designs that have different heights. Conventional systems often require the use of different raising cylinders that are incorporated in systems that are modified to accommodate the different capacity and extension requirements that are associated with drilling rigs having different heights from ground to drill floor. This increases design and construction costs, as well as the problems associated with maintaining inventories of the expensive raising cylinders in multiple sizes. [0010] It is also highly desirable to devise a method for removing an equipment-laden lower mast section from a transport trailer into engagement with a substructure without the use of supplemental cranes. It is also desirable to minimize accessory hydraulics, and the size and number of telescopic hydraulic cylinders required for rig erection. It is also desirable to minimize accessory structure and equipment, particularly structure and equipment that may interfere with transportation or with manpower movement and access to the rig floor during drilling operations. It is also desirable to ergonomically limit the manpower interactions with rig components during rig-up for cost, safety and convenience. [0011] It is also highly desirable to transport a drilling rig without unnecessary removal of any more drilling equipment than necessary, such as the top drive with mud hose and electrical service loop, AC drawworks, rotary table, torque wrench, standpipe manifold, and BOP. It is highly desirable to transport a drilling rig without removing the drill line normally reeved between the travelling block and the crown block. It is also highly desirable to remove the mast from the transport trailer in alignment with the substructure, and without the use of cranes. It is also desirable to maintain a low height of the collapsed substructure. It is also desirable to have a system that can adapt a single set of raising cylinders for use on substructures having different heights. [0012] Technological and economic barriers have prevented the development of a drilling rig capable of achieving these goals. Conventional prior art drilling rig configurations remain manpower and equipment intensive to transport and rig-up. Alternative designs have failed to meet the economic and reliability requirements necessary to achieve commercial application. In particular, in deeper drilling environments, high-capacity drilling rigs are needed, such as rigs having hook loads in excess of 500,000 lbs., and with rated wind speeds in excess of 100 mph. Quick rig-down and transportation of these rigs have proven to be particularly difficult. Highway transport regulations limit the width and height of the transported mast sections as well as restricting the weight. In many states, the present width and height limit is 14 feet by 14 feet. Larger loads are subject to additional regulations including the requirement of an escort vehicle. [0013] In summary, the preferred embodiments of the present invention provide unique solutions to many of the problems arising from a series of overlapping design constraints, including transportation limitations, rig-up limitations, hydraulic raising cylinder optimization, craneless rig-up and rig-down, and static hook load and rated wind speed requirements. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0014] The present invention provides a substantially improved drilling rig system. In one embodiment, a drilling mast transport skid is provided comprising a frame positionable on a transport trailer. A forward hydraulically actuated slider, and a rear hydraulically actuated slider are located on the frame. The sliders are movable in perpendicular relationship to the frame. An elevator is movably located between the rear slider and the mast supports (or equivalently between the rear slider and frame) for vertically elevating the mast relative to the frame. A carriage is movably located between the frame and the forward slider for translating the forward slider along the length of the frame. A mast section of a drilling rig may be positioned on the sliders, such that controlled movement of the sliders, the elevator and the carriage can be used to position the mast section for connection to another structure. [0015] In another embodiment, a slide pad is located on an upper surface of at least one of the sliders, so as to permit relative movement between the mast section and the slider when articulating the slider. [0016] In another embodiment, an elevator is located on each side of the rearward slider, between the rearward slider and the mast support, such that each elevator is independently movable between a raised and lowered position for precise axial positioning of the mast section. [0017] In another embodiment, a roller set between the carriage and the frame provides a rolling relationship between the carriage and the frame. A motor is connected to the carriage. A pinion gear is connected to the motor. A rack gear is mounted lengthwise on the frame, and engages the pinion gear, such that operation of the motor causes movement of the forward slider lengthwise along the frame. [0018] In one embodiment, a drilling rig is provided, comprising a collapsible substructure including a base box, a drill floor and a pair of raising cylinders pivotally connected at one end to the base box and having an opposite articulating end. The raising cylinders are selectively extendable relative to their pivotal connection at the base box. A mast is provided, and has a lower mast section comprising a framework having a plurality of cross-members that define a transportable width of the lower mast section. The lower mast section has a plurality of legs, having an upper end attached to the framework, and an opposite lower end. A connection on the lower end of at least two legs is provided for pivotally connecting the lower mast section to the drill floor. [0019] A pair of wing brackets is deployably secured to the lower mast section framework. The wing brackets are pivotal or slidable between a stowed position within the transport width of the lower mast section and a deployed position that extends beyond the transport width of the lower mast section. The raising cylinder is connectable to the wing brackets and extendable to rotate the lower mast section from a generally horizontal position to a raised position above the drill floor to a substantially vertical position above the drill floor, or to a desired angle that is less than vertical. [0020] In another embodiment, each wing bracket of the drilling rig further comprises a frame having a pair of frame sockets on its opposite ends. The frame sockets pivotally connect the frame to the lower mast section. The wing brackets pivot to fit substantially within a portal in the lower mast section in the stowed position. [0021] In another embodiment, the pivotal connection of the frame to the mast defines a pivot axis of the wing bracket about which the wing bracket is deployed and stowed. The pivotal connection between the lower mast section legs and the drill floor defines a pivot axis of the mast. In a preferred embodiment, the pivot axis of the wing bracket is substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis of the mast. [0022] In another embodiment, each wing bracket of the drilling rig further comprises a frame and an arm extending from the frame towards the interior of the lower mast section. An arm socket is located on the end of the arm opposite to the frame. A bracket locking pin is attached to the lower mast section and is extendable through the arm socket to lock the wing bracket in the deployed position. [0023] In another embodiment, each wing bracket of the drilling rig further comprises a frame and a lug box attached to the frame. The lug box is receivable of the articulating end of the raising cylinder. A lug socket is located on the lug box. A raising cylinder lock pin is extendable through the articulating end of the raising cylinder and the lug socket to lock the raising cylinder in pivotal engagement with the wing bracket. [0024] In another embodiment, each wing bracket of the drilling rig further comprises a wing cylinder attached between the interior of the lower mast section and the arm of the wing bracket. Actuation of the wing cylinder moves the wing bracket between the deployed and stowed positions, without the need to have workers scaling the mast to lock the wing in position. [0025] In one embodiment, a drilling rig assembly is provided comprising a collapsible substructure that is movable between the stowed and deployed positions. The collapsible substructure includes a base box, a drill floor framework and a drill floor above the drill floor framework, and a plurality of legs having ends pivotally connected between the base box and the drill floor. The legs support the drill floor above the base box in the deployed position. A raising cylinder has a lower end pivotally connected at one end to the base box and an opposite articulating end. The raising cylinder is selectively extendable relative to the pivotal connection at the base box. A cantilever is provided, having a lower end and an upper end, and being pivotally connected to the drill floor framework, the upper end movable between a stowed position below the drill floor and a deployed position above the drill floor. The upper end of the cantilever is connectable to the articulating end of the raising cylinder when the cantilever is in the deployed position, such that extension of the raising cylinder raises the substructure into the deployed position. [0026] In one embodiment, the raising cylinder can be selectively connected to a lower mast section of a drilling mast that is pivotally connected above the drill floor such that extension of the raising cylinder raises the lower mast section from a generally horizontal position to a generally vertical position above the drill floor. In another embodiment, the raising cylinder raises the lower mast section from a generally horizontal position to a position above the drill floor that is within 50 degrees of vertical to permit slant drilling operations. [0027] In another embodiment, a cantilever cylinder is pivotally connected at one end to the drill floor framework and has an opposite end pivotally connected to the cantilever. The cantilever cylinder is selectively extendable relative to its pivotal connection at the drill floor framework. Extension of the cantilever cylinder rotates the cantilever from the stowed position below the drill floor to the deployed position above the drill floor. Refraction of the cantilever cylinder refracts the cantilever from the deployed position above the drill floor to the stowed position below the drill floor. [0028] In another embodiment, the substructure includes a box beam extended horizontally beneath the drill floor and a beam brace affixed to the box beam. The cantilever engages the beam brace upon rotation of the cantilever into the fully deployed position. Extension of the raising cylinder transfers the lifting force for deployment of the substructure to the box beam through the cantilever and beam brace. [0029] In another embodiment, when the substructure is in the collapsed position and the raise cylinder is connected to the cantilever, the centerline of the raise cylinder forms an angle to the centerline of a substructure leg that is greater than 20 degrees. In another embodiment, when the substructure is in the collapsed position, the distance from the ground to the drill floor is less than 8 feet. [0030] In another embodiment, connection of the upper end of the cantilever to the articulating end of the raising cylinder forms an angle between the cantilever and the raising cylinder of between 70 and 100 degrees, and extension of the raising cylinder to deploy the substructure reduces the angle between the cantilever and the raising cylinder to between 35 and 5 degrees. [0031] In another embodiment, an opening is provided in the drill floor that is sufficiently large so as to permit passage of the cantilever as it moves between the stowed and deployed positions. A backer panel is attached to the cantilever and is sized for complementary fit into the opening of the drill floor when the cantilever is in the stowed position. [0032] In another embodiment, the mast has front legs and rear legs. The front legs are connectable to front leg shoes located on the drill floor. The rear legs are connectable to rear leg shoes located on the drill floor. In another embodiment, the lower end of the raising cylinder is pivotally connected to the base box at a location beneath and between the front leg shoes and the rear leg shoes of the drill floor of the erected substructure. The lower end of the cantilever is pivotally connected to the drill floor framework at a location beneath the drill floor. [0033] In one embodiment, a drilling rig assembly is provided, comprising a collapsible substructure movable between the stowed and deployed positions. The collapsible substructure includes a base box and a drill floor framework having a drill floor above the drill floor framework. The substructure further includes a plurality of legs having ends pivotally connected to the base box and drill floor framework, such that the legs support the drill floor above the base box in the deployed position of the substructure. A mast is included, having a lower mast section pivotally connected above the drill floor and movable between a generally horizontal position to a position above the drill floor. [0034] A cantilever has a lower end and an upper end, the lower end being pivotally connected to the drill floor framework. The upper end is movable between a stowed position below the drill floor and a deployed position above the drill floor. A raising cylinder is pivotally connected at one end to the base box and has an opposite articulating end. The raising cylinder is selectively extendable relative to the pivotal connection at the base box. The articulating end of the raising cylinder is connectable to the mast such that extension of the raising cylinder moves the mast from a generally horizontal position above the drill floor to a generally vertical position above the drill floor. The articulating end of the raising cylinder is also connectable to the upper end of the cantilever such that extension of the raising cylinder raises the drilling substructure into the deployed position. [0035] In another embodiment, the raising cylinder can be selectively connected to a lower mast section of a drilling mast that is pivotally connected above the drill floor such that extension of the raising cylinder raises the lower mast section from a generally horizontal position to a generally vertical position above the drill floor. In another embodiment, the partial extension of the raising cylinder is selectable for raising the mast to an angular position of at least 50 degrees of the vertical for slant drilling operations. [0036] In another embodiment, a pair of wing brackets is pivotally attached to the lower mast section and capable of attachment to the raising cylinder. The raising cylinder may be connected to the wing brackets and extended to rotate the lower mast section from a generally horizontal position to a generally vertical position above the drill floor. In another embodiment, the partial extension of the raising cylinder is selectable for raising the mast to an angular position of at least 50 degrees of the vertical for slant drilling operations. [0037] In another embodiment, the wing brackets are pivotal between a deployed position and a stowed position. A lug socket is located on each bracket and is connectable to the raising cylinder. In the stowed position, the wing brackets are contained within the width of the lower mast section. In the deployed position, the wing brackets extend beyond the width of the lower mast such that the sockets are in alignment with the articulating end of the raising cylinder. [0038] In one embodiment, a drilling rig assembly is provided comprising a raising cylinder. The raising cylinder has a first angular position for connection to a deployable wing bracket connected to a mast section. The raising cylinder has a second angular position for detachment from the deployable wing bracket at the conclusion of raising a mast into the vertical position. The raising cylinder has a third angular position for connection to a retractable cantilever connected to a substructure in a stowed (collapsed) position. The raising cylinder has a fourth angular position for detachment of the raising cylinder from the retractable cantilever at the conclusion of raising a subsection into the deployed (vertical) position. In a preferred embodiment, the first angular position is located within 10 degrees of the fourth angular position, and the second angular position is located within 10 degrees of the third angular position. [0039] In another embodiment, the raising cylinder has a pivotally connected end about which it rotates and an articulating end for connection to the deployable wing bracket and the retractable cantilever. The articulating end of the raising cylinder forms a first lifting arc between the first angular position and the second angular position. The articulating end of the raising cylinder forms a second lifting arc between the first angular position and the second angular position. The first and second lifting arcs intersect substantially above the pivotally connected end of the raising cylinder. [0040] In another embodiment, the raising cylinder rotates in a first rotational direction while raising the mast sections. The raising cylinder rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction while raising the substructure. [0041] In another embodiment, the raising cylinder is a multi-stage cylinder having a maximum of three stages. In another embodiment, the wing brackets are deployed about a first pivot axis. The cantilevers are deployed about a second pivot axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first pivot axis. [0042] In one embodiment, a drilling rig assembly is provided comprising a collapsible substructure movable between the stowed and deployed positions. The collapsible substructure includes a base box and a drill floor framework with a drill floor above the drill floor framework. A plurality of substructure legs have ends pivotally connected to the base box and the drill floor for supporting the drill floor above the base box in the deployed position. [0043] A lower mast section of a drilling mast is provided comprising a lower section framework having a plurality of cross-members that define a transportable width of the lower mast section. A plurality of legs is pivotally connected to the lower section framework for movement between a stowed position and a deployed position. A connection is provided on the lower end of at least two legs for pivotally connecting the lower mast section above the drill floor. [0044] A raising cylinder is pivotally connected at one end to the base box and has an opposite articulating end. The raising cylinder is selectively extendable relative to the pivotal connection at the base box. A wing bracket is pivotally connected to the lower mast section of a drilling mast and movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The wing bracket is connectable to the articulating end of the raising cylinder when the cantilever is in the deployed position, such that extension of the raising cylinder raises the lower mast section into a generally vertical position above the drill floor. [0045] In another embodiment, the legs are movable between a stowed position within the transport width and a deployed position external of the transport width. The wing brackets are also movable between a stowed position within the transport width and a deployed position external of the transport width. [0046] In another embodiment, the legs are pivotally movable about a first axis. The wing brackets are pivotally movable about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. [0047] In another embodiment, a cantilever is pivotally connected to the drill floor and is movable between a stowed position below the drill floor and a deployed position above the drill floor. The cantilever is connectable to the articulating end of the raising cylinder when the cantilever is in the deployed position, such that extension of the raising cylinder raises the drill floor into the deployed position. [0048] In another embodiment, the cantilever is deployed about a third pivot axis substantially perpendicular to each of the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis. [0049] In one embodiment, a method of assembling a drilling rig provides for steps comprising: setting a collapsible substructure onto a drilling site; moving a lower mast section into proximity with the substructure; pivotally attaching the lower mast section to a drill floor of the substructure; pivotally deploying a pair of wings outward from a stowed position within the lower mast section to a deployed position external of the lower mast section; connecting an articulating end of a raising cylinder having an opposite lower end to the substructure to each wing; extending the raising cylinder so as to rotate the lower mast section from a substantially horizontal position to an erect position above the drill floor; pivotally deploying a pair of cantilevers upward from a stowed position beneath the drill floor to a deployed position above the drill floor; connecting the articulating end of the raising cylinder to each deployed cantilever; and extending the raising cylinder so as to lift the substructure from a stowed, collapsed position to a deployed, erect position. [0050] In another embodiment, the raising cylinders are adjusted as a central mast section and an upper mast section are sequentially attached to the lower mast section. [0051] As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the sequence of the steps disclosed may be modified and the same advantageous result obtained. For example, the wings may be deployed before connecting the lower mast section to the drill floor (or drill floor framework). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0052] The objects and features of the invention will become more readily understood from the following detailed description and appended claims when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like elements. [0053] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention. [0054] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a drilling system having certain features in accordance with the present invention. [0055] FIG. 2 is an isometric exploded view of a mast transport skid having certain features in accordance with the present invention. [0056] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the mast transport skid of FIG. 2 , illustrated assembled. [0057] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a first stage of the rig-up sequence for a drilling system, as performed in accordance with the present invention. [0058] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a second stage of the rig-up sequence for a drilling system, as performed in accordance with the present invention. [0059] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a third stage of the rig-up sequence for a drilling system, as performed in accordance with the present invention. [0060] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a fourth stage of the rig-up sequence for a drilling system, as performed in accordance with the present invention. [0061] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the wing bracket illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0062] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the wing bracket of FIG. 8 , illustrated in the deployed position relative to a lower mast section. [0063] FIGS. 10 , 11 and 12 are side views illustrating a fifth, sixth and seventh stage of the rig-up sequence for a drilling system, as performed in accordance with the present invention. [0064] FIG. 13 is a side view of an eighth stage of the rig-up sequence for a drilling system, as performed in accordance with the present invention. [0065] FIG. 14 is a side view of a ninth stage of the rig-up sequence for a drilling system, as performed in accordance with the present invention. [0066] FIG. 15 is an isometric view of a retractable cantilever, shown in accordance with the present invention. [0067] FIG. 16 is a side view of a tenth stage of the rig-up sequence for a drilling system, as performed in accordance with the present invention. [0068] FIG. 17 is a side view of an eleventh stage of the rig-up sequence for a drilling system, as performed in accordance with the present invention. [0069] FIG. 18 is a side view of a twelfth stage of the rig-up sequence for a drilling system, as performed in accordance with the present invention. [0070] FIG. 19 is a side view of a thirteenth stage of the rig-up sequence for a drilling system, as performed in accordance with the present invention. [0071] FIG. 20 is a diagram of the relationships between the mast and substructure raising components of the present invention. [0072] FIG. 21 is a diagram of certain relationships between the raising cylinder, the deployable cantilever, and the substructure of the present invention. [0073] FIG. 22 is a diagram of drilling rig assemblies of three different sizes, each using the same raising cylinder pair in combination with the deployable cantilever and deployable wing bracket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0074] The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. [0075] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a drilling rig assembly 100 including features of the invention. As seen in FIG. 1 , drilling assembly 100 has a lower mast section 220 mounted on top of a substructure 300 . [0076] Mast leg pairs 230 are pivotally attached to lower mast section 220 at pivot connections 226 . Mast leg cylinders 238 may be connected between lower mast section 220 and mast legs 230 for moving mast legs 230 between a transportable stowed position and the illustrated deployed position. The wider configuration of deployed mast legs 230 provides greater drilling mast wind resistance and more space on a drilling floor for conducting drilling operations. [0077] A pair of wing brackets 250 is pivotally connected to lower mast section 220 immediately above pivot connections 226 . Wing brackets 250 are movable between a transportable stowed position and the illustrated deployed position. [0078] Collapsible substructure 300 supports mast sections 200 , 210 (not shown) and 220 . Substructure 300 includes a base box 310 located at ground level. A drill floor framework 320 is typically comprised of a pair of side boxes 322 and a center section 324 . A plurality of substructure legs 340 is pivotally connected between drill floor framework 320 and the base box 310 . A box beam 326 (not visible) spans side boxes 322 of drill floor framework 320 for structural support. A drill floor 330 covers the upper surface of drill floor framework 320 . [0079] A pair of cantilevers 500 is pivotally attached to drill floor framework 320 . Cantilevers 500 are movable between a transportable stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position, cantilevers 500 are located beneath drill floor 330 . In the deployed position, cantilevers 500 are raised above drill floor 330 . [0080] A pair of raising cylinders 400 is provided for raising connected mast sections 200 , 210 and 220 into the vertical position above substructure 300 , and also for raising substructure 300 from a transportable collapsed position to the illustrated deployed position. Raising cylinders 400 are also provided for lowering substructure 300 from the illustrated deployed position to a transportable collapsed position, and for lowering connected mast sections 200 , 210 and 220 into the horizontal position above collapsed substructure 300 . [0081] Raising cylinders 400 raise and lower connected mast sections 200 , 210 and 220 by connection to wing brackets 250 . Raising cylinders 400 raise and lower substructure 300 by connection to cantilevers 500 . [0082] FIG. 2 is an isometric exploded view of an embodiment of transport skid 600 . Transport skid 600 is loadable onto a standard low-boy trailer as is well known in the industry. Transport skid 600 has a forward end 602 and a rearward end 604 . Transport skid 600 supports a movable forward slider 620 and a rearward slider 630 . [0083] Forward slider 620 is mounted on a carriage 610 . A forward hydraulic cylinder 622 is connected between carriage 610 and forward slider 620 . A pair of front slider pads 626 may be located between forward slider 620 and frame sides 606 . [0084] Carriage 610 is located on skid 600 and movable in a direction between forward end 602 and rearward end 604 , separated by skid sides 606 . In one embodiment, a roller set 612 provides a rolling relationship between carriage 610 and skid 600 . [0085] A motor 614 is mounted on carriage 610 . A pinion gear 616 is connected to motor 614 . A rack gear 618 is mounted lengthwise on skid 600 . Pinion gear 616 engages rack gear 618 , such that operation of motor 614 causes movement of carriage 610 lengthwise along skid 600 . [0086] Rearward slider 630 is mounted on a rearward base 632 . A rearward hydraulic cylinder 634 is connected between rearward slider 630 and rearward base 632 . A pair of rear slider pads 636 may be located between rearward slider 630 and skid sides 606 . In one embodiment, bearing pads 638 are located on the upper surface of rearward slider 630 for supporting mast section 220 . [0087] In one embodiment, an elevator 640 is located on each side of rearward slider 630 , between rearward slider 630 and skid 600 , each being movable between a raised and lowered position. [0088] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of mast transport skid 600 of FIG. 2 , illustrated assembled. Forward slider 620 is movable in the X-axis and Y-axis relative to skid 600 . Actuation of motor 614 causes movement of forward slider 620 along the X-axis. Actuation of forward cylinder 622 causes movement of forward slider 620 along the Y-axis. [0089] Rearward slider 630 is movable independent of forward slider 620 . Rearward slider 630 is movable in the Y-axis and Z-axis relative to skid 600 . Actuation of rearward cylinder 634 causes movement of rearward slider 630 along the Y-axis. Actuation of elevators 640 causes movement of rearward slider 630 along the Z-axis. In one embodiment, elevators 640 are independently operable, thus adding to the degrees of freedom of control of rearward slider 630 . [0090] FIGS. 4 through 7 illustrate the initial stages of the rig-up sequence performed in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a first stage of the rig-up sequence for a drilling system, as performed in accordance with the present invention. Lower mast section 220 is carried on forward slider 620 and rearward slider 630 of transport skid 600 . Transport skid 600 is mounted on a trailer 702 connected to a tractor 700 . [0091] A plurality of structural cross-members 222 (not shown) defines a mast framework width 224 (not shown) of lower mast section 220 . At this stage of the sequence, mast legs 230 are in the retracted position, and within framework width 224 . Also at this stage, wing brackets 250 are in the retracted position, and also within framework width 224 . By obtaining a stowed position of mast legs 230 and wing brackets 250 , the desired transportable framework width 224 of lower mast section 220 is achieved. Substructure 300 is in the collapsed position, on the ground, and being approached by tractor 700 and transport skid 600 . [0092] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a second stage of the rig-up sequence for a drilling system, as performed in accordance with the present invention. At this stage, tractor 700 and trailer 702 are backed up to a position of closer proximity to substructure 300 , which is on the ground in a collapsed position. Having moved mast legs 230 past the point of interference with raising cylinders 400 , legs 230 are deployed by mast leg cylinders 238 (not shown), which rotates legs about the axis Z of pivot connection 226 . [0093] Each mast leg pair 230 has a front leg 232 and a rear leg 234 . Shoe connectors 236 are located at the base of legs 230 . Front shoes 332 and rear shoes 334 are located on drilling floor 330 for receiving shoe connectors 236 of front legs 232 and rear legs 234 , respectively. A pair of inclined ramps 336 is located on drilling floor 330 , inclining upwards towards front shoes 332 . [0094] Elevators 640 are actuated to raise rearward slider 630 and thus mast legs 230 of lower mast 220 along the Z-axis ( FIG. 3 ) above obstacles related to substructure 300 as tractor 700 and trailer 702 are backed up to a position of closer proximity to substructure 300 (see FIG. 4 ). In this position (referring also to FIG. 2 ), forward cylinder 622 of forward slider 620 and rearward cylinder 634 of rearward slider 630 are actuated to finalize Y-axis ( FIG. 3 ) alignment of mast legs 230 of lower mast section 220 with inclined ramps 336 ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ). The option of like or opposing translation of forward slider 620 and rearward slider 630 along the Y-axis is especially beneficial for this purpose. Using this alignment capability, shoe connectors 236 of front legs 232 are aligned with inclined ramps 336 . [0095] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a third stage of the rig-up sequence for a drilling system, as performed in accordance with the present invention. In this stage, rearward slider 630 is lowered by elevators 640 (not visible), positioning shoe connectors 236 of front legs 232 onto inclined ramps 336 . This movement disengages rearward slider 630 from lower mast section 220 . [0096] Carriage 610 is translated from forward end 602 towards rearward end 604 . In one embodiment, this movement is accomplished by actuating motor 614 . Motor 614 rotates pinion gear 616 which is engaged with rack gear 618 , forcing longitudinal movement of carriage 610 and forward slider 620 along the X-axis ( FIG. 3 ). As a result, lower mast section 220 is forced over substructure 300 , as shoe connectors 236 slide up inclined ramps 336 . [0097] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a fourth stage of the rig-up sequence for a drilling system, as performed in accordance with the present invention. As shoe connectors 236 reach the top of inclined ramps 336 , they align with, and are connected to, front leg shoes 332 . [0098] In the embodiment described, wing brackets 250 ( FIG. 9 ) are pivotally connected to lower mast section 220 proximate to, and above, pivot connections 226 ( FIG. 7 ). Wing brackets 250 are movable between a transportable stowed position and the illustrated deployed position. [0099] A wing cylinder 252 ( FIG. 9 ) may be connected between lower mast section 220 and each wing bracket 250 for facilitating movement between the stowed and deployed positions. Connection sockets 254 are provided on the ends of wing brackets 250 for connection to raising cylinder 400 . As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 , wing brackets 250 are moved into the deployed position by actuating wing cylinders 252 ( FIG. 9 ). [0100] Raising cylinder 400 is pivotally connected to base box 310 . In a preferred embodiment, raising cylinder 400 has a lower end 402 pivotally connected to base box 310 at a location between the pivotal connections of substructure legs 340 to base box 310 (see FIG. 18 ). Raising cylinder 400 has an opposite articulating end 404 (see FIG. 9 ). In a preferred embodiment, raising cylinder 400 is a multi-stage telescoping cylinder capable of extension of a first stage 406 , a second stage 408 and a third stage 410 . A positioning cylinder 412 may be connected to each raising cylinder 400 for facilitating controlled rotational positioning of raising cylinder 400 . [0101] In the stage of the rig-up sequence illustrated in FIG. 7 , raising cylinders 400 are pivotally moved into alignment with deployed wing brackets 250 for connection to sockets 254 . Notably, raising cylinders 400 bypass the transported framework width 224 of lower mast section 220 in order to connect to wing brackets 250 on the far side of lower mast section 220 . It is thus required that mast raising cylinders 400 be separated by a distance slightly greater than framework width 224 . Lower mast section 220 is now supported by wing brackets 250 . This is accomplished by the present invention without the addition of separately transported and assembled mast sections. [0102] As described above, an embodiment of the invention further includes a retractable push point for raising substructure 300 significantly above drill floor 330 and significantly forward of lower mast section 220 . [0103] Lower mast section 220 is lifted slightly by extension of first stage 406 of raising cylinder 400 , disengaging lower mast section 220 from transport skid 600 , allowing tractor 700 and trailer 702 to depart. [0104] As seen in FIG. 7 , mast legs 230 are pivotally deployed about first pivot axis Z (at 226 ), and wing brackets 250 are pivotally deployed about second pivot axis 264 that is substantially perpendicular to first pivot axis Z (at 226 ). [0105] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of wing bracket 250 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an isometric view of wing bracket 250 in the deployed position relative to lower mast section 220 . Referring to the embodiment of wing bracket 250 illustrated in FIG. 8 , wing bracket 250 is comprised of a framework 260 designed to fit within a portal 228 in lower mast section 220 (see FIG. 9 ). Frame 260 has a pair of sockets 262 for pivotal connection to lower mast section 220 within portal 228 . The pivotal connection defines an axis 264 about which wing bracket 250 is deployed and stowed. In one embodiment, axis 264 is substantially perpendicular to first pivot axis Z (at 226 ) about which legs 230 are deployed and stowed. [0106] A lug box 256 extends from frame 260 . Socket 254 is located on lug box 256 . An arm 270 extends inward towards the interior of lower mast section 220 . A bracket socket 272 is located near the end of arm 270 . [0107] Referring to FIG. 9 , wing cylinder 252 extends between lower mast section 220 and arm 270 to deploy and stow wing bracket 250 . In the deployed position, a bracket locking pin 274 extending through portal 228 passes through bracket socket 272 ( FIG. 8 ) to lock wing bracket 250 in the deployed position. With wing bracket 250 locked in the deployed position, raising cylinder 400 is extended. Lug box 256 receives articulating end 404 of raising cylinder 400 . A raising cylinder locking pin 258 is hydraulically operable to pass through articulating end 404 and socket 254 to lock raising cylinder 400 to wing bracket 250 . [0108] FIGS. 10 , 11 and 12 are side views illustrating a fifth, sixth and seventh stage of the rig-up sequence for a drilling system, as performed in accordance with the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 10 through 11 , it is seen that subsequent tractor 700 and trailer 702 carry central mast section 210 for connection to lower mast section 220 , and carry upper mast section 200 for connection to central mast section 210 . At this time, the weight of the collective mast sections is born by the raising cylinder 400 as transmitted through the wing brackets 250 . Raising cylinder 400 can be extended to align connected mast sections with each incoming mast section. For example, raising cylinder 400 can be extended to align connected mast sections 210 with 220 , and 200 with 210 . [0109] FIGS. 13 and 14 are side views illustrating an eighth and ninth sequence for a drilling system, as performed in accordance with the present invention. In these steps, lower mast section 220 (and connected central and upper mast sections 210 and 200 ) is raised into a vertical position. In FIG. 13 , lower mast section 220 is illustrated pivoted upwards by extension of first stage 406 and second stage 408 of raising cylinder 400 . In FIG. 14 , lower mast section 220 is illustrated pivoted into the fully vertical position by extension of third stage 410 of raising cylinder 400 . [0110] FIG. 15 is an isometric view of cantilever 500 , shown in accordance with the present invention. Cantilever 500 has a lower end 502 for pivotal connection to drill floor framework 320 of substructure 300 . Cantilever 500 has an upper end 504 for connection to articulating end 404 of raising cylinder 400 . A load pad 508 is provided for load bearing engagement with a beam brace 328 (not shown) located on substructure 300 . A backer panel 510 provides a complementary section of drill floor 330 when cantilever 500 is in the stowed position. [0111] Cantilever 500 is movable between a transportable stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position, cantilever 500 is located beneath drill floor 330 . In the deployed position, upper end 504 of cantilever 500 is raised above drill floor 330 for connection to articulating end 404 of raising cylinder 400 . A cantilever cylinder 506 (not shown) may be provided for moving cantilever 500 between the transportable stowed position and the deployed position. [0112] FIGS. 16 , 17 , 18 , and 19 are side views illustrating tenth, eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth stages of the rig-up sequence for a drilling system, illustrating the erection of substructure 300 , as performed in accordance with the present invention. In FIG. 16 , raising cylinder 400 has been detached from wing brackets 250 , and articulating end 404 of raising cylinder 400 has been retracted. Wing brackets 250 may remain in the deployed position during drilling operations. [0113] Cantilever 500 has been moved from the stowed position beneath drill floor 330 into the deployed position in which upper end 504 of cantilever 500 is above drill floor 330 . Cantilever 500 may be moved between the stowed and deployed positions by actuation of cantilever cylinder 506 . Upper end 504 of cantilever 500 is connected to articulating end 404 of raising cylinder 400 . In this position, load pad 508 of cantilever 500 is in complementary engagement with beam brace 328 for transmission of lifting force as applied by raising cylinder 400 . [0114] FIG. 17 is a side view of an eleventh stage of the rig-up sequence for a drilling system, as performed in accordance with the present invention. In the view, first stage 406 of raising cylinder 400 is fully extended and second stage 408 ( FIG. 18 ) is being initiated. As a result of the force being applied on cantilever 500 , as transferred to beam brace 328 , drill floor framework 320 is raising off of base box 310 as substructure 300 is moved towards an erected position. [0115] FIG. 18 is a side view of a twelfth stage of the rig-up sequence for a drilling system, as performed in accordance with the present invention. In this view, first stage 406 and second stage 408 of raising cylinder 400 have been extended to lift drill floor framework 320 over base box 310 as substructure 300 is moved into the fully deployed position with substructure legs 340 supporting the load of mast sections 200 , 210 , 220 , and drill floor framework 320 . Conventional locking pin mechanisms and diagonally oriented beams are used to prevent further rotation of substructure legs 340 , and thus maintain substructure 300 in the deployed position. [0116] FIG. 19 is a side view of a thirteenth stage of the rig-up sequence for a drilling system, as performed in accordance with the present invention. In this view, articulating end 404 of raising cylinder 400 is disconnected from upper end 504 of cantilever 500 . Raising cylinder 400 is then retracted. Cantilever 500 is moved into the stowed position by actuation of cantilever cylinder 506 . In the stowed position, backer panel 510 of cantilever 500 becomes a part of drill floor 330 , providing an unobstructed space for crew members to perform drilling operations. [0117] FIG. 20 is a diagram of the relationships between lower mast section 220 and substructure 300 raising components 250 , 400 and 500 of the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 20 illustrates one embodiment of preferred kinematic relationships between deployable wing bracket 250 , deployable cantilever 500 and raising cylinder 400 . [0118] In one embodiment, upper end 504 of cantilever 500 is deployed to a location above drill floor 330 that is also forward of front leg shoes 332 . In one embodiment, pivotally connected end 402 of raising cylinder 400 is connected to substructure 300 at a location beneath and generally between front leg shoes 332 and rear leg shoes 334 of drill floor 330 of erected substructure 300 . Also in this embodiment, lower end 502 of cantilever 500 is pivotally connected at a location beneath drill floor 330 and forward of front leg shoes 332 . [0119] As was seen in an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 , mast legs 230 are pivotally deployed about a first pivot axis, and wing brackets 250 are pivotally deployed about a second pivot axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first pivot axis of mast legs 230 . Cantilever 500 is deployed about a third pivot axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first and second pivot axes of mast legs 230 and wing brackets 250 , respectively. [0120] As seen in FIG. 1 , there is a pair of raising cylinders 400 , each raising cylinder 400 connectable to a cantilever 500 and a wing 250 . In a preferred embodiment, the pair of raising cylinders 400 rotates in planes that are parallel to each other. In another preferred embodiment, cantilevers 500 rotate in planes that are substantially within the planes of rotation of the raising cylinders. This configuration has a number of advantages related to the alignment and connection of upper end 504 of cantilever 500 to articulating end 404 of raising cylinder 400 . This embodiment also optimizes accessibility of the deployed cantilevers 500 of sufficient size to carry the significant sub-lifting load beneath and above the very limited space on drill floor 330 and within drill floor framework 320 . This embodiment also provides deployed engagement of load pad 508 with a beam brace 328 located on substructure 300 , without placing a misaligned load of the pivotal connections of cantilevers 500 and cylinders 400 . It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that a modest offset of the planes would behave as a substantial mechanical equivalent of these descriptions. [0121] As was seen in an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4-8 , mast legs 230 are pivotally deployed about a first pivot axis Z (at 226 ), and wing brackets 250 are pivotally deployed about a second pivot axis 264 that is substantially perpendicular to first pivot axis Z (at 226 ) of mast legs 230 . Cantilever 500 is deployed about a third pivot axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first and second pivot axes of mast legs 230 and wing brackets 250 , respectively. This embodiment is advantageous in that mast legs 230 may be pivoted about an axis that reduces the transport width of the mast. It is further advantageous in that the wings remain gravitationally retracted during transportation, and when deployed. [0122] One such plane of rotation is illustrated in FIG. 20 . As illustrated in FIG. 20 , when connected to deployed wing brackets 250 , articulating end 404 forms a first arc A 1 upon extension of raising cylinder 400 . Arc A 1 is generated in a first arc direction as mast sections 200 , 210 and 220 are raised. [0123] When connected to deployed cantilever 500 , articulating end 404 forms a second arc A 2 upon extension of raising cylinder 400 . Arc A 2 is generated in a second arc direction opposite that of A 1 , as collapsed substructure 300 is raised. [0124] A vertical line through the center of pivotally connected end 402 of cantilever 400 is illustrated by axis V. In a preferred embodiment, the intersection of first arc A 1 and second arc A 2 relative to axis V, is located within + or −10 degrees of axis V. [0125] In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 20 , the angular disposition of raising cylinder 400 has four connected positions. The sequential list of the connected positions is: a) retracted connection to wing brackets 250 ; b) extended connection to wing brackets 250 ; c) retracted connection to cantilever 500 ; and d) extended connection to cantilever 500 . In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 20 , the angular disposition of raising cylinder 400 in position a is within 10 degrees of position d, and the angular disposition of raising cylinder 400 in position b is within 10 degrees of position c. The angular disposition of each position a, b, c, and d to vertical axis V is denoted as angles a′, b′, c′, and d′, respectively. [0126] Having connected positional alignments within approximately 10 degrees optimizes the power and stroke of raising cylinder 400 . Also, having connected positional alignments b and c within approximately 10 degrees speeds alignment and rig-up of drilling system 100 . [0127] FIG. 21 is a diagram of the relationship between raising cylinder 400 , deployable cantilever 500 and substructure leg 340 . In this diagram, substructure leg 340 is relocated for visibility of the angular relationship to raising cylinder 400 , as represented by angle w. Angle w is critical to the determination of the load capacity requirement of raising cylinder 400 . Without the benefit of the higher push point provided by deployable cantilever 500 , angle w would be approximately 21 degrees of lees for the embodiment shown. By temporarily raising the push point or pivotally connected end 402 above drill floor 330 , w is increased, lowering the load capacity requirement of raising cylinder 400 . [0128] Provided in combination with deployable wing brackets 250 , the configuration of drilling rig assembly 100 of the present invention permits the optimal sizing of mast raising cylinders 400 , as balanced between retracted dimensions, maximum extension and load capacity, all within the fewest hydraulic stages. Specifically, mast raising cylinders 400 can achieve the required retracted and extended dimensions to attach to wing brackets 250 and extend sufficiently to fully raise mast sections 200 , 210 and 220 , while also providing an advantageous angular relationship between substructure legs 340 and raising cylinder 400 such that sufficient lift capacity is provided to raise substructure 300 . This is all accomplished with the fewest cylinder stages possible, including first stage 406 , second stage 408 and third stage 410 . [0129] As seen in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 21 , connection of upper end 504 of cantilever 500 to articulating end 404 of raising cylinder 400 , when substructure 300 is in the stowed position, forms an angle x between cantilever 500 and raising cylinder 400 of between 70 and 100 degrees. Extension of raising cylinder 400 to deploy substructure 300 reduces the angle between cantilever 500 and raising cylinder 400 to between 5 and 35 degrees. [0130] FIG. 22 is a diagram of drilling rig assemblies 100 of three different sizes, each using the same raising cylinder pair 400 in combination with the same deployable cantilever 500 and deployable wing bracket 250 . [0131] As seen in FIG. 22 , the configuration of drilling rig assembly 100 of the present invention has the further benefit of enabling the use of one size of raising cylinder pair 400 in the same configuration with wing brackets 250 and cantilever 500 to raise multiple sizes of drilling rig assemblies 100 . As seen in FIG. 22 , a substructure 300 for a 550,000 lb. hook load drilling rig 100 is shown having a lower ground to drill floor 330 height than does substructures 302 and 304 . Drilling rig designs for drilling deeper wells may encounter higher subterranean pressures, and thus require taller BOP stacks beneath drill floor 330 . As illustrated, the same wing brackets 250 , cantilever 500 and the raising cylinders 400 can be used with substructure 302 for a 750,000 lb. hook load drilling rig 100 , or with substructure 304 for a 1,000,000 lb. hook load drilling rig 100 . [0132] As also illustrated in FIG. 22 , the configuration of drilling rig assembly 100 of the present invention has a drill floor 330 height to ground of distance “h” which is less than 8 feet. This has the significant advantage of minimizing the incline and difficulty of moving mast sections 200 , 210 , 220 along inclined ramps 336 from the transport position into connection with front shoes 332 on top of collapse substructure 300 . This is made possible by the kinematic advantages achieved by the present invention. [0133] As described, the relationships between the several lifting elements have been shown to be extremely advantageous in limiting the required size and number of stages for raising cylinder 400 , while enabling craneless rig-up of masts ( 200 , 210 , 220 ) and substructure 300 . As further described above, the relationships between the several lifting elements have been shown to enable optimum positioning of a single pair of raising cylinders 400 to have sufficient power to raise a substructure 300 , and sufficient extension and power at full extension to raise a mast ( 200 , 210 , 220 ) without the assistance of intermediate booster cylinder devices and reconnecting steps, and to permit such expedient mast and substructure raising for large drilling rigs. [0134] Referring back to FIGS. 4 through 7 , 9 , 13 through 14 , and 16 through 19 , a method of assembling a drilling rig 100 is fully disclosed. The disclosure above, including the enumerated figures, provides for steps comprising: setting collapsible substructure 300 onto a drilling site; moving lower mast section 220 into proximity with substructure 300 ( FIGS. 4-6 ); pivotally attaching lower mast section 220 to a drill floor 330 of substructure 300 ( FIG. 7 ); pivotally deploying a pair of wing brackets 250 outward from a stowed position within lower mast section 220 to a deployed position external of lower mast section 220 ( FIGS. 7 and 9 ); connecting articulating ends 404 of a pair of raising cylinders 400 (having opposite pivotally connected end 402 connected to substructure 300 ) to each wing bracket 250 ( FIG. 7 ); extending raising cylinders 400 so as to rotate lower mast section 220 from a substantially horizontal position to an erect position above drill floor 330 ; pivotally deploying a pair of cantilevers 500 upward from a stowed position beneath drill floor 330 to a deployed position above drill floor 330 ; connecting articulating ends 404 of raising cylinders 400 to each deployed cantilever 500 ; and extending raising cylinders 400 so as to lift substructure 300 from a stowed, collapsed position to a deployed, erect position. [0135] In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 10 through 12 , raising cylinders 400 are adjusted as central mast section 210 and upper mast section 200 are sequentially attached to lower mast section 220 . [0136] As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the sequence of the steps disclosed may be modified and the same advantageous result obtained. For example, the wing brackets may be deployed before connecting the lower mast section to the drill floor (or drill floor framework). [0137] Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Many such variations and modifications may be considered desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review of the foregoing description of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.

The present invention discloses a high-capacity drilling rig system that includes novel design features that alone and more particularly in combination facilitate a fast rig-up and rig-down with a single set of raising cylinders and maintains transportability features. In particular, a transport trailer is disclosed having a first support member and a drive member which align the lower mast portion with inclined rig floor ramps and translate the lower mast legs up the ramps and into alignment for connection. A pair of wing brackets is pivotally deployed from within the lower mast width for connection to the raising cylinder for raising the mast from a horizontal position into a vertical position. A cantilever is pivotally deployed from beneath the rig floor to a position above it for connection to the raising cylinder for raising the substructure from a collapsed position into the erect position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are a variety of circumstances in which it is desirable for a two-wheel trailer to be attachable either to a draw bar at the rear of a towing vehicle or to a fifth wheel or hitch ball which may be in the box of a pickup truck or upon a highway tractor. A draw bar may have a simple pintle connection, or may have a ball on it for a ball and socket connection. A draw bar may be on the rear of a strictly passenger vehicle, or upon the rear of a pickup truck, or upon a farm tractor. Applicants are aware of only two U.S. patents which disclose a trailer which may be equipped alternately with a gooseneck or a draw bar hitch. Those are U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,698,740 and 3,815,936. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a unitary hitch frame is fixed to and extends forwardly from a transverse member at the front of the trailer so that a trailer hitch connecting portion may be seated in the unitary frame. The frame has horizontal floor plate means and a pair of upright thrust plates at the lateral extremities of the floor plate means, with the thrust plates converging toward the front. The connecting portion of a trailer hitch has a base plate that seats in the frame on the floor plate and has integral, forwardly converging side plates that abut the thrust plates of the hitch mounting frame. Forward of the trailer hitch connecting portion there is a hitch portion which is either straight for attachment to a draw bar, or goosenecked for attachment to a fifth wheel or ball in the bed of a pickup truck or on the rear of a highway tractor. The trailer hitch connecting portion bolts into the hitch mounting frame. The apparatus provides a very strong, rugged and simple arrangement for converting a trailer so that it may be connected to either of the two basic types of towing vehicle connections. THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trailer provided with the hitch mounting frame of the present invention with a trailer hitch mounted in it that is adapted for connection to a towing vehicle draw bar; FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially as indicated along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the trailer chassis with the wheels removed, a draw bar-type hitch removed from the hitch mounting frame, a vertically adjustable hitch yoke disconnected from the forward extremity of the trailer hitch, a socket attachment disconnected from the hitch yoke, and a vehicle draw bar with a ball which fits the socket; FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIG. 3, but illustrating a gooseneck trailer hitch disassembled from the hitch mounting frame, with a hitch yoke detached from the forward extremity of the gooseneck that has a fifth wheel-type connection on it, and with a schematic view of a fifth wheel on the rear of a highway tractor; FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of the forward extremity of the gooseneck hitch of FIG. 4 with a hitch yoke on it to which is connected a detachable socket like that illustrated in FIG. 3; and FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially as indicated along the line 6--6 of FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings in greater detail, and referring first to FIGS. 1 and 3, a trailer, indicated generally at 10, has a chassis, indicated generally at 11; and at the front of the chassis is a trailer hitch mounting frame, indicated generally at 12. The trailer hitch mounting frame 12 is adapted to selectively receive either a straight draw bar connected hitch, indicated generally at 13; or a gooseneck connected hitch, indicated generally at 113 (FIG. 4). The straight draw bar connected hitch 13 is adapted to be pivotally connected to a draw bar D on the rear of a vehicle V; and the gooseneck hitch 113 may alternatively be constructed for pivotal attachment to a fifth wheel F mounted in the rear of a vehicle V, or to a ball mounting in the rear of the vehicle such as the ball mounting B seen on the draw bar D in FIG. 3. The trailer chassis 11 is best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 to consist of longitudinal side channel members 14, a front transverse channel member 15 and a rear transverse channel member 16. Any desired number of intermediate cross braces 17 connect the longitudinal channels 14; and a plurality of pairs of wheel mounting brackets, such as the brackets 18 in FIGS. 1 and 3, are welded to the longitudinal side channels 14 and have integral wheel receiving spindles which are indicated diagrammatically in FIGS. 1 and 3 as cylindrical bosses. In practice, of course, the wheel mounting brackets 18 are furnished with whatever sort of mountings may be needed to rotatably receive wheels, such as the wheel 20 seen in FIG. 1. The plurality of wheel mounting brackets 18 permits the chassis to be assembled with a single pair of wheels 20 which may be mounted upon any one of the three sets of brackets 18, depending upon the way in which a trailer body T is balanced upon the chassis 11. In addition, if the trailer 10 is designed to carry heavy loads, it may be supplied with tandem wheels mounted upon any two pairs of the wheel brackets 18. It is obvious that any type of body may be mounted upon the chassis 11, rather than the simple box body shown in FIG. 1. The trailer hitch mounting frame is best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 to consist of transverse attaching plate means 21 which, in the particular embodiment illustrated, constitutes a single plate which is welded to the front transverse member 15 and has lateral ends 21a which are widely spaced and preferably aligned with the side channel members 14. The hitch mounting frame 12 also has horizontal floor plate means 22 which, in the illustrated embodiment, consists of a single plate having a rear margin 22a welded along the lower edge of the attaching plate 21. The floor plate 22 has widely spaced lateral extremities 22b which converge toward the front; and perpendicular to the floor plate 22 are forwardly converging thrust plates 23 which have their rear margins 23a welded to the attaching plate 21 and which have lower margins 23b welded along the lateral extremities of the floor plate means 22. Bolt holes 24 are formed in the attaching plate means 21 and the front transverse member 15; and bolt holes 25 are formed in the floor plate means 22. Referring now to FIG. 3, the straight trailer hitch 13 has a connecting portion, indicated generally at 26 which includes base plate means 27; back plate means 28; forwardly converging upright side plates 29, and a transverse front plate 30 having end portions 30a which are welded to the upright side plates 29. The trailer hitch 13 also includes a hitch portion, indicated generally at 31, consisting of extensions 32 of the converging side plates 29 which meet at a forward extremity 33 on which there is an upright structural member 34 in the form of a channel with forwardly extending parallel webs 35 in which there are vertically spaced sets of aligned mounting holes such as the hole 36 seen in FIG. 3. A hitch yoke, indicated generally at 37, consists of an angle member having an upright web 38 and a horizontal web 39 with a mounting flange 40 which has one or more securing holes 41 that register with a set of the mounting holes 36 so that a fastener such as a bolt 42 may extend through the aligned mounting holes 36 and the registering securing hole 41 and receive a nut by means of which the hitch yoke 37 is firmly secured to the upright structural channel 34 in any of several positions of vertical adjustment. As illustrated in the drawings, the hitch yoke 37 receives a fitting 43 which has a threaded mounting stud 44 that extends through a mounting hole 39a in the horizontal flange 39 of the hitch yoke 37 and receives a fastening nut 45. The fitting 43 is of a well known type which has a recessed socket in its lower surface which receives the ball B to make a ball and socket connection between the trailer hitch 13 and the draw bar D. As is well known in the art, the draw bar D may simply have a hole instead of the ball B, in which event the fitting 43 is omitted and a pintle extends through the hole 39a of the horizontal web 39 and through the hole in the draw bar D. Referring now particularly to FIGS. 4 and 6, the gooseneck hitch 113 has a connecting portion, indicated generally at 126; and said connecting portion consists of base plate means 127, transverse back plate means 128, and forwardly converging upright side plates 129 which are secured to the base plate means 127 and to the back plate means 128. At the forward ends of the converging upright side plates 129 are aligned transverse flanges 130 to which a transverse front plate 130a is welded. A gooseneck hitch portion, indicated generally at 131, is integral with and extends forwardly from the connecting portion 126. The hitch portion 131 consists of upward extensions 132 of the converging side plates 129, with forward extensions such as the extension 146 seen in FIG. 4 which are forwardly converging. There are also upward extensions 147 of the back plate means 128 which terminate at their upper ends in integral, forwardly extending bracing plates 148. The hitch portion 131 also includes an elongated, hollow rectangular beam 149 which has a rearward portion 149a secured between the upward extensions 132 of the side plates, with welds connecting the sides of the beam 149 with the forward extensions 146 and with the forwardly turned structural bracing plates 148. At the front of 149b of the elongated beam 149 is a structural member in the form of a depending post 134 which is the structural equivalent of the channel member 34. A plurality of vertically spaced holes 136 are adapted to adjustably receive a hitch yoke, indicated generally at 137, which is secured to the post 134 by bolts which extend through holes in an upright web 138 of the hitch yoke 137. A horizontal web 139 of the hitch yoke has a fitting 143 which is of the type required to make a pivotal connection with the fifth wheel F illustrated in FIG. 4. As seen in FIG. 5, a hitch yoke 237 may have an upright mounting web 238 and a horizontal web 239 which has a hole like the hole 39a in the web 39 to receive a threaded mounting post of a fitting 43 so that the gooseneck hitch may be connected, for example, to a ball mounted in the bed of a pickup truck. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the base plate means 27 and 127, and the back plate means 28 and 128 are provided with respective bolt holes 27a, 127a, 28a and 128a, which register with the bolt holes 24 and 25 in the trailer hitch mounting frame 13 to detachably secure either of the trailer hitches in the trailer hitch mounting frame. From the foregoing detailed description it is apparent that the structure of the present invention provides a very simple and rugged means for converting a trailer from a straight draw bar connected hitch to a gooseneck hitch; and that in operation the trailer hitch connecting portion side plates are wedgingly confined between the converging thrust plates of the trailer hitch mounting frame. The trailer 10 may easily be changed from one type of hitch to the other merely by supporting its forward end upon the usual jackscrews, unbolting one hitch and bolting in the other one. The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

A trailer to be towed behind a vehicle has a convertible trailer hitch mounting on its front end in which a connecting portion of a trailer hitch is detachably secured so either a straight draw bar connected hitch or a gooseneck fifth wheel connected hitch may be used on the trailer. The hitch mounting has an upwardly open frame with forwardly converging thrust plates at its lateral extremities, while the trailer hitch connecting portion has a base plate that seats in the frame and integral forwardly converging side plates that abut the thrust plates of the hitch mounting frame.

PRIOR APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 202,602, filed June 6, 1988 for BONE PIN now U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,603 issued Aug. 22, 1989 and is assigned to the Assignee of the present invention. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a bone pin which is used to secure small bone fragments together and which is made from a polymeric material, preferably a polymer which is absorbable in an animal body. The bone pin of the present invention has a cutting or drilling device secured to one end of the polymeric portion of the pin so that the pin may be directly inserted into a bone or a bone fragment. Bone pins are generally made from a medical grade metal which can be placed in an animal body for extended periods of time without adverse effect. The metal bone pins are normally removed from the body after the bone has healed. The metal bone pins, particularly a bone pining device called a Kirschner wire, may have a sharpened end which can be used as a drill point to drill the pin through the bone. The use of plastic such as polyethylene as a bone pin have been suggested. Bone pins made from polymeric materials which are absorbable in the body has also been suggested. These bone pins can be made from polyglycolide or polylactide polymers or copolymers or glycolide and lactide or from poly-dioxanone or other absorbable polymers. A bone pin made from poly-dioxanone as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,052,988 has been commercially available for some time. The poly-dioxanone bone pin is employed by drilling a hole through a bone fragment and into a solid bone or between or through two adjacent fragments of bone which are to be held together. After a hole of the proper diameter is drilled through the bone, the drill is removed and the poly-dioxanone pin is inserted through the hole and the portion of the pin extending beyond the bone surface is removed by cutting with a scalpel or other instrument. The problem with this procedure is that when the initial hole is drilled through the bone the bone fragments are aligned, after the drill is removed in order to insert the pin, the fragments may become misaligned which causes difficulty in properly inserting the pin. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention provides a polymeric bone pin with a drill point attached to the polymeric pin. The present invention is particularly useful in procedures where a pin will extend completely from one surface of a bone to the opposite surface. The bone pin of the present invention includes a polymeric portion and a drill portion which are joined together end to end so they may be inserted into the bones as a unit in one step and can be positioned using a hollow drill. The drill point of the pin is first drilled into one side, through and out the other side of the bones to be joined together. The drill point will extend beyond or completely through the distal surface of the bone. The pin is then pushed through the bones and the polymeric portions of the pin and the drill point which extend beyond the bone surface are removed. This procedure using the bone pin of the present invention, completely eliminates the problem of misaligning bone fragments since the pin immediately follows the drill point through the bone. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In present application FIG. 1 shows two bone fragments being secured together by the pin being pushed through the fragments. FIG. 2 shows the bone pin with the drill point attached. FIG. 3 shows the polymeric portion of the pin fixed in a bone. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 shows the use of the bone pin of the present invention. The pin is used to secure together portions of the bone 10. Pin 11 comprises a polymeric portion 12 with a drill portion 13 attached. The drill portion has a drill point 14 and is attached to the polymeric portion by swaging, with adhesive or by other methods. The preferred nonabsorbent polymer used for the polymeric portion of the pin is polyethylene and the preferred absorbent polymer is the poly-dioxanone disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,052,988. The polymeric portion of the pin is tapered with a taper of from 0.005 to 0.05 millimeters per millimeter of length. The pin 11 generally would have a length between about 100 and 200 millimeters. The polymeric portion of the pin would have a length of approximately 50 to 100 millimeters and the cutting portion of the device would have a length of approximately 50 to 100 millimeters. The cutting device is affixed to that end of the polymeric portion of the pin with the smallest diameter. The polymeric portion of the device can be affixed to the cutting portion by swaging or with a connecting pin by cementing the two pieces together with epoxy or other suitable cement or a combination of these procedures. The cutting portion can be a piece of Kirschner wire with a hole drilled in the back of the wire to receive the absorbable portion of the device. The drilling Point 14 of the cutting portion of the device is capable of drilling through bone when used with a hollow surgical drill. In using the hollow surgical drill, the cutting portion of the pin is held by the drill chuck and the polymeric portion of the pin extends into the body of the drill to the rear of the chuck. As shown in the drawing, the absorbable portion of the device has a taper of approximately 0.005 millimeter per millimeter of length to 0.05 millimeters per millimeter of length. The taper being the difference in diameter per mil of length. It should be noted that the cutting portion of the device may have a diameter which is greater than or less than the maximum diameter of the polymeric portion. Even if the drill diameter is larger than the maximum diameter of the polymeric portion, the polymeric portion can still fit tightly into the hole made by the drill as they go into the bone as a unit, because the bone is somewhat elastic and tends to compress out of the way as the drill enters and then expands and partially closes the drilled hole as the drill passes by. The type of drill that is used does not remove a large amount of bone. Because the drill is preferably unfluted, the action of the drill on the bone, at least after it penetrates the relatively hard exterior surface of the bone, is somewhat like a spinning nail which bores through relatively elastic material. The taper of the pin allows the pin to be gradually forced into the hole that has been drilled through the bone. The pin diameter will eventually be as large or larger than the hole in the bone and can be force fit into the bone to secure the pin in the bone. The elasticity of the bone facilitates entry of the pin into the bone and holding the pin in place after entry. After the pin is in place the portions of the pin extending beyond the bone as shown in FIG. 3 can be cut off with a scalpel or other suitable cutting device so that the pin is flush with the bone.

A bone pin made with a tapered polymeric portion and a cutting device secured to the smaller end of the polymeric portion. The pin can be inserted through a bone or bone fragment and the cutting device removed.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/022,754 filed Feb. 19, 1993, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/893,889 filed Jun. 4, 1992, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/688,274 filed Apr. 22, 1991, all now abandoned. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera of the type which has a digital memory. 2. Description of the Related Art Due to developments in semiconductor memories occurring in recent years, electronic still cameras have been proposed which have a memory for temporarily storing a video signal representative of a single image (a single field or a single frame) obtained by an imaging device. (This signal being stored prior to recording on a disk or the like.) FIG. 1 shows such an electronic still camera. In this electronic still camera, a light from an object passes through a plurality of optical lenses 1, 2, 3, and 4, a shutter mechanism 5, an infrared radiation cutting filter 6, an optical low-pass filter 7, and an on-chip color filter 8 and reaches the image forming surface of an imaging device 9 which converts the light into an electric signal, as shown in FIG. 1. The obtained video signal is read out to sample-hold circuits 10 separately as R (red), G (green), and B (blue) signals and sampled and held by the sample-hold circuits 10. The outputs of the sample-hold circuits 10 are gain controlled by variable gain amplifiers 11-1 and 11-2 for controlling white balance and a variable gain amplifier 12 for adjusting the sensitivity, the outputs of the amplifiers 11-1, 12, and 11-2 being respectively supplied to A/D (analog-digital) converters 13-1, 13-2 and 13-3. The A/D converters 13-1, 13-2 and 13-3 have a clamping function and gamma correcting function. Therefore, in addition to A/D conversion, level clamping and gamma correction can also be conducted on the video signal supplied to the A/D converters. The obtained digital video signal is converted into a switched Y (luminance) signal by a switch 14 which is switched over on a time sharing basis, and then temporarily stored in a normally-used FIFO type memory 15. The individual components 9 to 14 are operated synchronously with a clock supplied from a clock generating circuit 16 controlled by a system controller 17. The clock generating circuit 16 suspends the supply of the clock signals to the individual components 9 to 14 when the video signal representing a single image has been stored in the memory 15, and thereby reduces power consumption. The system controller 17 generates a white balance control signal and an iris control signal on the basis of the outputs of an automatic white balance (AWB) sensor 18 and of an automatic iris (AE) sensor 19. The system controller 17 also generates various types of control signals in accordance with the operation of an operation panel 20. After the video signal representative of a single image has been stored in the memory 15, the stored video signal is read out from the memory 15. The read-out video signal is first supplied to a vertical aperture correcting circuit in sequence. The vertical aperture correcting circuit includes two series-connected 1H line memories 21-1 and 21-2, and a normally used vertical finite impulse response (FIR) filter 22 composed of coefficient units and an adder. The vertical aperture correcting circuit conducts vertical aperture correction on the video signal supplied thereto. The video signal output from the vertical aperture correcting circuit is converted into an analog signal by a digital-analog (D/A) converter 23. The obtained analog signal passes through a low-pass filter 24 which removes the clock component of the signal, and then a clamping circuit (CL) 25 which clamps the signal to a predetermined level. The video signal further passes through a blanking circuit (BL) 26, then a sink adder 27 which adds a synchronizing signal to the video signal, and is then supplied to a recording/reproducing apparatus 28 which records the video signal on a recording medium, such as a magnetic disk. The output (the switched Y signal) of the 1H line memory 21-1 of the vertical aperture correcting circuit is separated into color signals of R, G and B by a switch 30. The individual color signals pass through a plurality of horizontal FIR filters 31-1, 31-2 and 31-3, each including a plurality of delay circuits (latch circuits), a plurality of coefficient units and an adder, which limits the band thereof. The resultant color signals are converted into color difference signals by encoders 32 and 33. The obtained color difference signals are supplied to a switch 34 and converted into a line sequential color difference signal. The resultant line sequential color difference signal is converted into an analog signal by a D/A converter 35. The obtained analog signal passes through a low-pass filter 36, a clamping circuit 37 and a blanking circuit 38 and is then supplied to the recording/reproducing apparatus 28. The above-described individual components are driven synchronously with a clock supplied from the clock generating circuit 16. In the thus-arranged electronic still camera, since the 1H line memories 21-1 and 21-2 are required for vertical aperture correction in addition to the memory 15, the scale of the circuit is increased, thus increasing production cost. Furthermore, the aforementioned digital filters (horizontal FIR filters 31 and vertical FIR filter 22) are large in size and consume a large amount of power. These drawbacks make integration of the digital filters difficult. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the aforementioned drawbacks associated with a conventional electronic still camera, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic still camera which enables the circuit scale to be reduced. The present invention in one aspect provides an electronic camera which comprises a memory means for storing a video signal representing at least a single image, a signal processing means for conducting digital processing in a vertical direction with a predetermined characteristic on the video signal read out from the memory means in the vertical direction and for conducting digital processing in a horizontal direction with another predetermined characteristic which is different from said predetermined characteristic on the video signal read out from the memory means in the horizontal direction, and a control means for switching over reading out of the video signal from the memory means, between in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction and for switching over the processing characteristic of the signal processing means between the predetermined characteristic and another predetermined characteristic which is different from the first predetermined characteristic. The present invention in another aspect pertains to an electronic still camera comprising a memory means for storing a video signal representative of at least a single image, the memory means allowing for write-in and read-out operations of the video signal in both horizontal and vertical directions, a signal processing means for conducting a predetermined signal processing on the video signal output from the memory means, and a control means for changing the signal processing conducted by the signal processing means depending on whether the signal is read out from the memory means in the horizontal or vertical directions. The present invention in yet another aspect pertains to an electronic still camera comprising an imaging means for producing a video signal by conducting photoelectric conversion on a light from an object, a memory means for storing the video signal obtained by the imaging means, and a signal processing means for conducting a predetermined signal processing on the signal read out from the memory means, the signal processing means changing its processing operations depending on how the signal is read out from said memory means. The present invention in still a further aspect pertains to a signal processing circuit comprising a signal storage means, a control means for reading out a signal from the signal storage means in a predetermined read-out order, and a signal processing means for conducting a signal processing corresponding to the read-out order on the signal read out from the signal storage means. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the following discussion of the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional electronic still camera; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of an electronic still camera according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the electronic still camera according to the present invention; and FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a memory used in the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an electronic still camera according to the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. In the discussion of the following embodiments, the same reference characters are used to denote components which are the same as those in the conventional camera, description thereof being omitted. In a first embodiment, a memory 40, such as a RAM, is used as the memory for temporarily storing a video signal representative of a single image. Consequently, the video signal can be written in both the horizontal and vertical scanning directions, and the sequentially written video signal can be read out in both horizontal and vertical scanning directions. That is, in the present invention, a video signal can be sequentially written in a horizontal scanning direction in the horizontal write mode, and the video signal can be read out in the horizontal scanning direction in the horizontal read-out mode by designating an address by means of an address designating circuit in the memory which is controlled by the system controller 17. Also, the video signal can be sequentially written in the vertical scanning direction in the vertical write mode, and the video signal can be sequentially read out in the vertical scanning direction in the vertical read-out mode. The coefficients of coefficient units h1 to h5 which constitute a V.H. single FIR filter 41 can be varied between values respectively corresponding to the vertical and horizontal filters. The input and output of the FIR filter 41 are respectively switched over by H/V switches 42 and 43 synchronously with the switch-over between the vertical and horizontal modes. The above-described individual operation modes are controlled by the system controller 17, which may be in the from of a microcomputer. In the electronic still camera having the above-described configuration, the memory 40 is in the horizontal write mode when the operation of the still camera is started, and the output from the switch 14 is thereby sequentially written in the memory in the horizontal scanning direction. When the video signal representative of the single image has been written in the memory 40, the memory 40 is set in the vertical read-out mode, and the written video signal is thus sequentially read out in the vertical scanning direction. The read-out video signal is supplied to the FIR filter 41 through the H/V switch 42. At that time, predetermined values are set in the FIR filter 41, as mentioned above, and the FIR filter 41 functions as the vertical aperture correcting circuit. The video signal on which vertical aperture correction has been conducted is supplied again to the memory 40 through the H/V switch 43 and written in the memory which is in the vertical write mode. Switch-over between the read-out mode and the write mode is conducted during the aperture correction operation each time the FIR filter 41 completes aperture correction on one pixel in the vertical direction. Hence, the cyclic operation, consisting of read-out from the memory 40, aperture correction, and write-in into the memory 40, is repetitively conducted for each pixel. When aperture correction on the video signal has been completed, the memory 40 is set in the horizontal read-out mode, and the FIR filter 41 is switched over to the horizontal read-out mode. At the same time, the H/V switches 42 and 43 are switched over to the H side. Consequently, the video signal read-out from the memory 40 is supplied to the D/A converter 23 in the form of the switched Y signal, as in the case of the aforementioned conventional still camera. At the same time, the read-out video signal is separated into color signals of R, G and B by the switch 30 and then supplied to the FIR filters 41, 31-1, and 31-2. As stated above, in the present embodiment, the memory 40 is constructed such that a video signal can be written in and read out in both the horizontal and vertical directions, and the coefficients of the coefficient units of the single V.H. FIR filter 41 can be varied in accordance with the operation mode. Consequently, the line memories and the vertical FIR filter, required for vertical aperture correction in the conventional still camera, can be eliminated. As a result, the scale of the circuit can be reduced. This enables circuit integration and a decrease in production cost. In the aforementioned embodiment, the recording/reproducing apparatus 28 of the type which incorporates a magnetic disk is used. However, a large-capacity solid memory 45, such as that shown in FIG. 3, may also be used. That is, in the second embodiment, a large-capacity memory device 45 for recording the video signal on which vertical aperture correction has been performed is used in place of the recording/reproducing apparatus 28 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the input and output lines of the memory 40 in the horizontal scanning mode are switched over by switches 46 and 47. In this embodiment, the video signal (the output of the imaging device) written in the memory 40 in the horizontal write mode is read out in the vertical read-out mode, the aforementioned vertical aperture correction is conducted on the read-out signal, and the resultant video signal is written again in the memory 40 in the vertical write mode. Thereafter, the video signal is read-out in the horizontal read-out mode and supplied to a compressing circuit 48 through the switch 47. The compressed video signal is stored in the large-capacity memory device 45. The video signal read-out from the large-capacity memory device 45 is expanded by an expansion circuit 49, and then supplied, through the switch 46, the memory 40 and switch 30, to the horizontal FIR filters 41 and 31 which limit the band of the signal. The aforementioned embodiments use a RAM as the memory 40. However, the memory 40 may also be a FIFO type memory which allows for writing in and reading-out of data in both the horizontal and vertical directions. That is, the FIFO type memory has a configuration shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, reference numerals 50-11 to 50-nn, 51-1 to 51-n, 52-1 to 52-n, 53-1 to 53-n and 54-1 and 54-n denote basic cells which are the constituents of the memory. A pair of data output lines, a pair of data input lines, a write select and a read select are respectively connected to each basic cell for control of its operation. Reference numerals 55 and 56 denote Johnson counters for conducting designation of an address in the horizontal direction. In a case where the number of bits in the horizontal direction is 910, the number of bits of the Johnson counter 55 or 56 is 910 bits. Reference numerals 57 and 58 denote Johnson counters for conducting designation of an address in the vertical direction. The number of bits in the vertical direction is 263 bits in a case where a television signal conforming to the NTSC standard is handled. A reference numeral 59 denotes a terminal to which a mode control signal for designating in/out in the horizontal direction and in/out in the vertical direction is supplied. Read/write operations in the horizontal and vertical directions are designated by this mode control signal. The basic operation of the thus-arranged memory will be described below. Write-in and read-out operations in the horizontal mode are known, and a detailed description thereof has been omitted. In the vertical mode, a clock is input to clock input terminals VCK. The V counters 57 and 58 are driven by this clock. Each time the V counters 57 and 58 complete counting for one column, the H counters 55 and 56 are incremented. That is, the V counters 57 and 58 drive the line memory in the vertical direction, and the H counters 55 and 56 drive the basic cells. Transfer of data in the write-in and read-out modes is conducted in the following manner: first, data is transferred in sequence to the basic cells which constitute the line memory in the vertical direction. Next, the data is transferred to the adjacent basic cells in the horizontal direction by a carry carried out by the V counters 57 and 58. In this memory, write-in and read-out in the vertical direction are conducted by transferring the data representing one column in the vertical direction in the horizontal direction each time the data representing one column in the vertical direction has been written in or read-out. In this embodiment, a buffer line memory having a capacity equivalent to one column in the vertical direction is provided. It is therefore possible to read out data from the one vertical line memory during, for example, the aperture correction operation and at the same time to store the video signal on which aperture correction has been conducted in the buffer line memory. As will be understood from the foregoing description, in the present invention, the memory is constructed such that data can be written in and read-out from the memory in both horizontal and vertical directions. Furthermore, the characteristics of the signal processing means can be varied in accordance with the operation mode. In consequence, the line memories and vertical FIR filter, required in the conventional electronic still camera, can be eliminated. As a result, the scale of the circuit can be reduced. This enables circuit integration and a decrease in production cost. Furthermore, in the present invention, the single signal processing means is time-shared for both vertical and horizontal processings. This also allows the scale of the circuit to be reduced. While the present invention has been described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

An electronic camera includes a memory circuit for storing a video signal representing at least a single image, a signal processing circuit for conducting digital processing in a vertical direction with a predetermined characteristic on the video signal read out from the memory circuit in the vertical direction and for conducting digital processing in a horizontal direction with another predetermined characteristic which is different from the predetermined characteristic on the video signal read out from the memory circuit in the horizontal direction, and a control circuit for switching over reading out of the video signal from the memory circuit between the vertical direction and the horizontal direction and for switching over the processing characteristic of the signal processing circuit between the predetermined characteristic and the another predetermined characteristic which is different from the predetermined characteristic.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to data security and cryptography and to improving the security of computer enabled cryptographic processes. BACKGROUND [0002] In the field of data Security, there is a need for fast and secure encryption. This is why the AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) cipher has been designed and standardized to replace the DES (Data Encryption Standard) cipher. Cryptographic algorithms are widely used for encryption and decryption of messages, authentication, digital signatures and identification. AES is a well known symmetric block cipher. Block ciphers operate on blocks of plaintext and ciphertext, usually of 64 or 128 bits length but sometimes longer. Stream ciphers are the other main type of cipher and operate on streams of plain text and cipher text 1 bit or byte (sometimes one word) at a time. There are modes of operation (notably the ECB, electronic code block) where a given block is encrypted to always the same ciphertext block. This is an issue which is solved by a more evolved mode of operations, e.g. CBC (cipher block chaining) where a chaining value is used to solve the 1-to-1 map. [0003] AES is approved as an encryption standard by the U.S. Government. Unlike its predecessor DES (Data Encryption Standard), it is a substitution permutation network (SPN). AES is fast to execute in both computer software and hardware implementation, relatively easy to implement, and requires little memory. AES has a fixed block size of 128 bits and a key size of 128, 192 or 256 bits. Due to the fixed block size of 128 bits, AES operates on a 4×4 array of bytes. It uses key expansion and like most block ciphers a set of encryption and decryption rounds (iterations). Each round involves the same processes. Use of multiple rounds enhances security. Block ciphers of this type use in each round a substitution box (s-box). This operation provides non-linearity in the cipher and significantly enhances security. [0004] Note that these block ciphers are symmetric ciphers, meaning the same key is used for encryption and decryption. As is typical in most modern ciphers, security rests with the (secret) key rather than the algorithm. The s-boxes or substitution boxes accept an n bit input and provide an m bit output. The values of m and n vary with the cipher and the s-box itself. The input bits specify an entry in the s-box in a particular manner well known in the field. [0005] Many encryption algorithms are primarily concerned with producing encrypted data that is resistant to decrypting by an attacker who can interact with the encryption algorithm only as a “Black Box” (input-output) model, and cannot observe internal workings of the algorithm or memory contents, etc due to lack of system access. The Black Box model is appropriate for applications where trusted parties control the computing systems for both encoding and decoding ciphered materials. [0006] However, many applications of encryption do not allow for the assumption that an attacker cannot access internal workings of the algorithm. For example, encrypted digital media often needs to be decrypted on computing systems that are completely controlled by an adversary (attacker). There are many degrees to which the Black Box model can be relaxed. An extreme relaxation is called the “White Box” model. In a White Box model, it is presumed that an attacker has total access to the system performing an encryption, including being able to observe directly a state of memory, program execution, modifying an execution, etc. In such a model, an encryption key can be observed in or extracted from memory, and so ways to conceal operations indicative of a secret key are important. [0007] Classically, software implementations of cryptographic building blocks are insecure in the White Box threat model where the attacker controls the execution process. The attacker can easily lift the secret key from memory by just observing the operations acting on the secret key. For example, the attacker can learn the secret key of an AES software implementation by observing the execution of the key schedule algorithm. [0008] Hence there are two basic principles in the implementation of secure computer applications (software). The Black Box model implicitly supposes that the user does not have access to the computer code nor any cryptographic keys themselves. The computer code security is based on the tampering resistance over which the application is running, as this is typically the case with SmartCards. For the White Box model, it is assumed the (hostile) user has partially or fully access to the implemented code algorithms; including the cryptographic keys themselves. It is assumed the user can also become an attacker and can try to modify or duplicate the code since he has full access to it in a binary (object code) form. The White Box implementations are widely used (in particular) in content protection applications to protect e.g. audio and video content. [0009] Software implementations of cryptographic building blocks are insecure in the White Box threat model where the attacker controls the computer execution process. The attacker can easily extract the (secret) key from the memory by just observing the operations acting on the secret key. For instance, the attacker can learn the secret key of an AES cipher software implementation by passively monitoring the execution of the key schedule algorithm. Also, the attacker could be able to retrieve partial cryptographic result and use it in another context (using in a standalone code, or injecting it in another program, as an example). [0010] Content protection applications such as for audio and video data are one instance where it is desired to keep the attacker from finding the secret key even though the attacker has complete control of the execution process. The publication “White-Box Cryptography in an AES implementation” Lecture Notes in Computer Science Vol. 2595, Revised Papers from the 9th Annual International Workshop on Selected Areas in Cryptography pp. 250-270 (2002) by Chow et al. discloses implementations of AES that obscure the operations performed during AES by using table lookups (also referred to as TLUs) to obscure the secret key within the table lookups, and obscure intermediate state information that would otherwise be available in arithmetic implementations of AES. In the computer field, a table lookup table is an operation consisting of looking in a table (also called an array) at a given index position in the table. [0011] Chow et al. (for his White Box implementation where the key is known at the computer code compilation time) uses 160 separate tables to implement the 11 AddRoundKey operations and 10 SubByte Operations (10 rounds, with 16 tables per round, where each table is for 1 byte of the 16 byte long—128 bit—AES block). These 160 tables embed a particular AES key, such that output from lookups involving these tables embeds data that would normally result from the AddRoundKey and SubByte operations of the AES algorithm, except that this data includes input/output permutations that make it more difficult to determine what parts of these tables represent round key information derived from the AES key. Chow et al. provide a construction of the AES algorithm for such White Box model. The security of this construction resides in the use of table lookups and masked data. The input and output mask applied to this data is never removed along the process. In this solution, there is a need for knowing the key value at the compilation time, or at least to be able to derive the tables from the original key in a secure environment. [0012] The conventional implementation of a block cipher in the White Box model is carried out by creating a set of table lookups. Given a dedicated cipher key, the goal is to store in a table the results for all the possible input messages. This principle is applied for each basic operation of the block cipher. In the case of the AES cipher, these are the shiftRow, the add RoundKey, the subByte and the mixColumns operations. [0013] However, Chow et al. do not solve all the security needs for block cipher encryption in a White Box environment. Indeed, the case where the cipher key is derived through a given process and so is unknown at the code compilation time is not addressed by Chow et al. Further, the publication “Cryptanalysis of a White Box AES Implementation” by Olivier Billet et al., in “Selected Areas in Cryptography 2004” (SAC 2004), pages 227-240 is a successful attack on a White Box cipher of the type described by Chow et al., indicating weaknesses in Chow et al.'s approach. SUMMARY [0014] This disclosure is of a powerful, efficient and new solution to harden the extraction of data from an AES (or other) cipher in a White Box environment by means of a protection process. Further, the present method may be used in a more general case of other cryptographic processes, e.g., encryption or decryption of respectively a plaintext or ciphertext message. The present disclosure therefore is directed to hiding the states of the process in a better way. This disclosure further is of efficient solutions to protect AES (or other cipher) states in a White Box implementation using group field automorphisms and multiplicative masks. [0015] The present protection method masks the state (value) of the cryptographic process at the level of each cipher operation, in terms of the input and output state of each operation or selected operations. In this sense masking means obscuring the “clear” (conventional) value of the state by applying to the state a masking or mask value via a logical or mathematical operation. [0016] While generally such masking is well known, the present method allows application of dynamic (changing) masks values even though the actual cipher operations are kept static (not changing.) The mask values here are applied by an arithmetic multiplication process. The multiplication is performed using conventional mathematical logarithms, so the actual mask function calculations are performed as an addition of two logarithms modulus some integer value. [0017] The present system and method address those cases where there is a need to harden “dynamically” the process against an attacker. This aspect of the present disclosure can be combined with other protection solutions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0018] FIG. 1 shows, in the prior art, AES encryption. [0019] FIG. 2 shows a computing system in accordance with the invention. [0020] FIG. 3 shows a computing system as known in the art and used in accordance with the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION AES Description [0021] See the NIST AES standard for a more detailed description of the AES cipher (Specification for the ADVANCED ENCRYPTION STANDARD (AES), NIST, http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/fips/fips197/fips-197.pdf). The following is a summary of the well known AES cipher. The AES cipher uses a 16 byte cipher key, and has 10 rounds (final plus 9 others). The AES encryption algorithm has the following operations as depicted graphically in prior art FIG. 1 and showing round zero of the 9 rounds: 11 AddRoundKey Operations 10 SubByte Operations 10 ShiftRow Operations 9 MixColumn Operations [0026] AES is computed using a 16-byte buffer (computer memory) referred to as the AES “state” in this disclosure and shown in FIG. 1 . [0027] To summarize, (i) AddRoundKeys (ARK) logically XOR (the Boolean exclusive OR operation) some subkey bytes with the state bytes. (ii) ShiftRows (SR) are a move from one byte location to another. (iii) MixColums (MC) are a linear table-look up (TLU), applied to 4 bytes. (iv) SubBytes (SB) are a non-linear TLU, applied to 1 byte. [0032] Preliminarily to the encryption itself, in the initial round in FIG. 1 , the original 16-byte cipher key is expanded to 11 subkeys designated K0, . . . , K10, so there is a subkey for each round during what is called the key-schedule. Each subkey, like the original key, is 16-bytes long. [0033] The following explains AES decryption round by round. For the corresponding encryption (see FIG. 1 ), one generally performs the inverse of each operation, in the inverse order. (The same is true for the cryptographic processes in accordance with the invention as set forth below.) The inverse operation of ARK is ARK itself, the inverse operation of SB is the inverse subbyte (ISB) which is basically another TLU, the inverse operation of MC is the inverse mix column (IMC) which is basically another TLU, and the inverse operation of SR is the inverse shift row (ISR) which is another move from one byte location to another. [0034] Expressed schematically, AES decryption is as follows: ARK (K10) ISR ISB ARK (K9) IMC ISR ISB ARK (K8) IMC ISR ISB ARK (K7) IMC ISR ISB ARK (K6) IMC ISR ISB ARK (K5) IMC ISR ISB ARK (K4) IMC ISR ISB ARK (K3) IMC ISR ISB ARK (K2) IMC ISR ISB ARK (K1) IMC ISR ISB ARK (K0) [0075] Without lack of generality, the exemplary description here of the present method is for decryption, but it is evident that the method in accordance with the invention can be used also for encryption (see FIG. 1 showing conventional AES encryption) or other cryptographic processes. The method in accordance with the invention also can easily be applied to other variants of AES with more rounds (the 192 and 256-bit key length versions) as well as to other block ciphers and more generally to non-block ciphers and other key based cryptographic processes. [0076] AES is considered very efficient in terms of execution on many different computer architectures since it can be executed only with table lookups (TLU) and the exclusive-or (XOR) operation. It is known that the AES state can be handled as a 4×4 square of bytes. As a square, it can be seen as 4 columns of 4 bytes each. [0077] As described above, AES decryption is a succession of basic operations: ISB for the inverse of SubByte, IMC (for the inverse of MixColumn) and ISR (for the inverse of ShiftRow). The ISR operation modifies the state by shifting each row of the square. This operation does not modify the bytes themselves but only their respective positions. The ISB operation is a permutation from [0, 255] to [0, 255], which can be implemented by a table look-up. [0078] The IMC operation is a bijective linear function from a column (4B) to a column. As a linear function, it accepts a matrix as a representation expressed as: [e, 9, d, b] [b, e, 9, d] [d, b, e, 9] [ 9 , d, b, e] where each coefficient in this matrix represents a linear function applied to a byte. For a vector [w, x, y, z] of four bytes, the output of operation IMC is expressed as: [[e.w XOR 9.x XOR d.y XOR b.z], [b.w XOR e.x XOR 9.y XOR d.z], [d.w XOR b.x XOR e.y XOR 9.z], [9.w XOR d.x XOR b.y XOR e.z]] [0087] In order to be implemented efficiently, one needs to modify the order of the operations executed in AES decryption. Since IMC is a linear operation and since the ARK operation consists of logically XORing a constant to the AES state, these operations can be permuted. This idea is known and is used often in optimized AES decryption implementations. [0088] However, this implies a modification of the keys used in the ARK operation. Let Ki be the 16-Byte subkey used in the round designated by index value i and let Ki1, Ki2, Ki3 and Ki4 be the four sets of four bytes of the keys related to the columns of the AES state. By definition, [0000] Ki=[Ki 1 ,Ki 2 ,Ki 3 ,Ki 4]. [0089] The normal flow of operations for an AES decryption is expressed as: ARK ([Ki1, Ki2, Ki3, Ki4]) IMC [0092] But this is equivalent to: IMC ARK ([IMC(Ki1), IMC(Ki2), IMC(Ki3), IMC(Ki4)]) because operation IMC is linear. [0095] For this reason, the AES decryption is expressed schematically as: ARK (K10) ISR ISB IMC ARK (Kx9) ISR ISB IMC ARK (Kx8) ISR ISB IMC ARK (Kx7) ISR ISB IMC ARK (Kx6) ISR ISB IMC ARK (Kx5) ISR ISB IMC ARK (Kx4) ISR ISB IMC ARK (Kx3) ISR ISB IMC ARK (Kx2) ISR ISB IMC ARK (Kx1) ISR ISB ARK (K0) where Kxi is the subround key designated above Ki and modified as explained above (with the application of the IMC operation to it). So in this new flow of operations, each ISB operation is followed by an IMC operation except for the ISB operation between keys Kx1 and K0. This property improves efficiency between K10 and K1. Note that the computation of keys Kxi can be done in the key initialization phase. [0136] Let IS be the function applying operation ISB on a byte and let “->” define the function “x->f(x)” meaning “x becomes f(x)” so: IS1 is the function on x: x->09.IS(x) IS2 is the function on x: x->0b.IS(x) IS3 is the function on x: x->0d.IS(x) IS4 is the function on x: x->0e.IS(x) [0141] These functions are permutations from [0, 255] to [0, 255] and are implemented by a table look-up. [0142] Applying operations ISB and IMC to a vector designated [w, x, y, z] as in the previous example is done by computing: [[IS4(w) XOR IS1(x) XOR IS3(y) XOR IS2(z)], [IS2(w) XOR IS4(x) XOR IS1(y) XOR IS3(z)], [IS3(w) XOR IS2(x) XOR IS4(y) XOR IS1(z)], [IS1(w) XOR IS3(x) XOR IS2(y) XOR IS4(z)]] [0147] So to apply the operations ISB and IMC during the rounds 10 to 1, it is sufficient to apply the functions IS1 to IS4 to each byte. The output bytes remain to be logically XORed together to obtain the output of the function, as shown in the example. [0148] Note that the final decryption round is different since no IMC operation is used. This implies that instead of using the operations ISi, it suffices to replace them by the operation IS. [0149] To sum up, the AES decryption is understood as a sequence of ARK and (ISB-IMC) operations. The (ISB-IMC) operation is done by table look-up and XOR operations. This last operation is implemented with 64 table look ups for each round (4 for each byte) and 48 XOR operations. AES Properties [0150] The following describes known properties of components of the AES cipher that are used in the present method to improve security of the AES (or any similar) cipher. The SubByte (SB) operation was intentionally chosen by the designers of the AES cipher. As well known, in the SB operation, each data byte in the array (state) is updated using an 8-bit substitution box called the S-box. The S-box is a result of a multiplication inverse in the Galois Field of 256, referred to as GF (2 8 ), to provide nonlinearity to the cipher. The S-box combines the inverse function extended to 0 with an invertible affine function. SubByte thus is a function GF(2 8 ). A Galois field in mathematics is a field (e.g., a set) that contains only a finite number of elements, called the “order”. So for the operation in GF(2 8 ): [0000] SB( x )= A ( x 254 ) [0000] where A is the given affine function (see the AES cipher specification) and x is the cipher state value. This is on a byte considered as an element of GF(2 8 ). An affine function performs an affine transformation on its argument (e.g., a vector) to linearly transform (rotate or scale) and translate X (shift) the argument to another vector. The notation A(X) means the affine function applied to value X. [0151] One can then write in terms of the cipher operations SB, ISB: [0000] SB= A oINV, [0000] and [0000] ISB=INVo A −1 [0000] where INV is the multiplicative inversion in GF(2 8 ), A −1 is the inverse of the affine function A, and symbol “o” designates a composition of functions. (Multiplicative inversion here means conventionally that the inversion of x is 1/x, unless x=0 when 1/x=x 254 .) Due to this equality, there are some useful properties of input and output masks that may be applied to SB and ISB and the other cipher operations. [0152] Let M λ designate the linear matrix that computes in GF(2 8 ) the multiplication by element λ, where λ is a non-zero element (member) of GF(2 8 ). Since this is a multiplication and since λ≠0, it has the following property: [0000] INVo M λ =K 1/λ oINV [0000] where 1/λ is 1 divided by the value of λ in GF(2 8 ). [0153] From this equality, one derives: [0000] SB  · M λ =  A · M 1 / λ · A - 1 · SB =  N 1 / λ · SB [0000] where N 1/λ also designates a linear permutation expressed as a matrix. This means that certain linear permutations applied on the state input of operation SB, for instance to mask the state, imply a linear output mask on the output state of operation SB, that also masks the state. So here the masking involves multiplying the state value to be masked by λ. Unmasking (recovery of the original state value) involves multiplying by the inverse of λ, expressed as 1/λ or λ −1 . [0154] The equivalent relation for the ISB operation is: [0000] ISBo N 1/λ =M λ oISB [0155] A similar property allowing use of multiplicative masks in GF(2 8 ) exists for the functions designated fi: [0000] fi:x→x 2i , for i in the set [1, 7]. [0156] These seven functions in GF(2 8 ) in mathematics are called field automorphisms and it is known that they correspond to linear permutations. They can be represented by matrices designated Fi. There is a similar relation between these correspondences and the AES SB cipher operation: [0000] SB  · Fi =  A · F i · A - 1 · SB =  G i · SB [0000] where G i is a linear permutation as well. [0157] If MF λ,i denotes the matrix: [0000] MF λ,i =M λ oF i [0000] then: [0000] SB  · MF λ , i = A · MF 1 / λ , i · A - 1 · SB   = : NG 1 / λ , i · SB ,  where   “ = : ”   means   the   definition   of   NG 1 / λ , i Present Method—Example of AES Decryption [0158] Since it is convenient in accordance with the invention to manipulate the input mask of the ISB operation (but this is not limiting), here the conventional AES decryption operations (described above) are re-ordered or grouped as follows: ARK (K10) ISB IMC ARK (Kx9) ISB IMC ARK (Kx8) . . . ISB IMC ARK (Kx1) ISR ISB ARK (K0) [0173] The operations are grouped this way here because even if one does not know how the sequence of operations: ISB IMC ARK is implemented, the present masking methods can still be used. Due to the above described mathematical properties of AES or similar ciphers, the link between the input mask value and output mask value for any operations is independent of the operations' sequence. [0177] The following is an example (for the first AES decryption round) of application of the input and output mask values for each cipher operation in accordance with the invention: [0000] Operation State Input Mask Value State Output Mask Value ARK (NG 1/λ,i (K10)) NG 1/λ,i NG 1/λ,i ISB NG 1/λ,i MF λ,i IMC MF λ,i MF λ,i ARK (MF λ,i (Kx9)) MF λ,i MF λ,i [0178] The ISB and IMC operations are each conventional, while the round keys K10 and Kx9 (respectively used for the ARK operations for input and output states to ISB) are themselves multiplicably masked respectively with mask permutations NG 1/λ,i and MF λ,i . So here non-static (dynamic) mask values are multiplicably applied to each state, but the cipher operations ISB, IMC and ARK themselves are static (do not change.) It does not matter how the round is executed. Note for the first AES round this is done differently since the round key K10 is expressed as ARK (NG 1/λ,i (K10)). This ensures that the input state to the following ISB operation has the correct mask value. [0179] It is also possible to provide dynamic (changing over time) masking. Assume that the input mask value of a cipher round is NG 1/λ,i then: [0000] Operation State Input Mask State Output Mask ISB NG 1/λ,i MF λ,i IMC MF λ,i MF λ,i ARK (Kx8) MF λ,i MF λ,i XOR Kx8 XOR MF λ,i (Kx8) [0180] This is not only valid for Kx8 but for any Kxj with j≠10. So after the round, it is necessary to compute XOR Kx8 XOR (Kx8) of the state to obtain a state with the mask MF 1/λ,i applied. [0181] Then to obtain an input mask NG 1/λ′,j for the next cipher round, it is necessary to apply the next operation: [0000] ( MF λ,i ) −1 oNG 1/λ′,j =( MF λ,i ) −1 oAoMF 1/λ′,i oA −1 [0182] One can then apply the same process to all cipher rounds, so: [0000] ( MF λ,i ) −1 =( M λ oF i ) −1 =F 8-i oM 1/λ =Mi/λ 2̂(8-i) oF 8-i [0000] where F 8 is equal to F 0 (since the subtraction is performed modulo 8 for GF(2 8 )). [0183] Let Cst a,b be defined as: [0000] Cst a,b :=( MF λa,ia ) −1 oNG 1/λb′,ib ( Kxb XOR MF λa,ia ( Kx b )) [0184] To illustrate execution of this process in the form of pseudo-code (a non-executable portrayal of actual computer code), assume that mask values λ 10 and λ 9 are precomputed: for a block of input data, compute λ 8 and precompute: [0000] Cst 9,8 =( MF λ9,i9 ) −1 oNG 1/λ8′,i8 ( Kx 9XOR MF λ9,i9 ( Kx 8)) Execute the round key K10-K9 cipher round Apply (MF λ9,i9 ) −1 o NG 1/λ8′,i8 to the state Apply XOR Cst 9,8 to the state Execute the K8 round key cipher round For all cipher rounds where the round index is r (where the size of the r loop depends on the version of AES): From the output data of ARK(Kxr): compute k r-2 compute Cst apply MF 1/λr,ir o NG 1/λr-1,ir-1 XOR Cst r,r-i Execute the cipher round r by conventional application of the inverseSubByte (ISB), and inverseMixColumn (IMC) operations. [0197] This approach can be also used in combination with the “P world” approach to cryptographic obfuscation (see commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/972,145, filed Dec. 17, 2010, entitled “Securing Keys of a Cipher using Properties of the Cipher Process” incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) and with conventional XOR applied masks as well. [0198] There are no other intermediate states that are a direct function of the clear state (which is the state of a non-White Box implementation of the AES cipher having the same execution applied on the same key and message.) Indeed, here each byte depends at all times on the previous state, due to the chained values λ i and i. In particular, this violates the assumption made in the above mentioned Billet et al. attack that the White Box state is necessarily a static function (a function that is independent of the input message) of the clear state, so the Billet et al. attack is thereby defeated. [0199] Note that performing the computation in the above pseudo-code in the order: apply MF 1/λr,ir o NG 1/λr-1,ir-1 then XOR Cst r,r-i is important. If instead the XOR step is applied before the linear permutation, and if the linear permutation is performed in two steps (first N and then M), the values' correlations with the clear state are available to a White Box environment attacker, thereby compromising security because the Billet et al. attack can be mounted successfully. [0202] With this approach, the Billet et al. attack is rendered much more complex. Indeed, an attacker must first find value λ in order to mount his attack, so he needs to test (for GF(2 8 )) 255 different values of λ and the 8 values of i to succeed. This leads to a final complexity of about 2 35 =255*8*2 24 computations, with 2 24 being the relative complexity of the Billet et al. attack. The complexity can be made even greater, since it is possible to generalize to four different couples (λ,i) for each round, one couple per column of the AES cipher state. This leads to an attack of relative complexity 2 68 . It is possible to use other Galois fields such as GF(2 16 ) or GF(2 32 ) or GF(2 64 ), although much more computational power would be needed. [0000] Efficient Application of MF λ,i o NG λ′,i′ [0203] It is desirable to compute efficiently MF 1/λr,ir o NG 1/λr-1,ir-1 . Efficient means a method that does not require computing all the tables MF 1/λr,ir o NG 1/λr-1,ir-1 (here there are about 8×255=2,040 such functions), in order to modify these masks as quickly as possible. [0204] The field GF(2 8 ) by definition has a multiplicative group structure. This multiplicative group is also cyclic, meaning there exist generators g (integers which are elements of GF(2 8 )) such that all non-zero elements X of the field can be computed as: [0000] X=g x [0000] with x being a member of the set [0, 254]. [0205] Due to this property, the λ multiplication operation in GF(2 8 ) to do the masking can be efficiently implemented as follows: [0000] Let L and E be the conventional mathematical functions such that: [0000] L ( X )= x [0000] E ( x )= g X , so L is the conventional mathematical logarithm operation, and E is the conventional mathematical exponentiation (power of) operation in base g. [0207] The following describes in more detail the operations in the above pseudo-code. Using functions L and E, for X≠0≠Y: [0000] X*Y=E ( L ( X )+ L ( Y ) modulo 255), [0000] since as well known adding logarithms is a way of performing multiplication. As also well known, addition performed in computer hardware or software is much faster than multiplication (which is done by repeated additions). So these functions allow efficient implementation of the multiplication masking operation in GF(2 8 ) by performing only: 3 table lookups (E once and L twice), 1 addition, and 1 modulo operation. The special case of 0 is treated separately since 0*X=0 (since there is no logarithm of zero). [0208] Applied to the execution of M 2 , on X from L(λ), this is expressed as: [0000] M λ ( X )= E ( L ( X )+ L (λ) modulo 255), if X≠ 0 [0000] M λ (0)=0, if X= 0 [0209] This can be done for all values of X in the set [0, 255]. [0210] Applied to the execution of F i (see above where F designates the GF(2 8 ) automorphisms), this is: [0000] F i ( X )= E (2 i *L ( X ) modulo 255), if X≠ 0 [0000] F i (0)=0, if X= 0 [0211] To implement the computation of MF λ,i o NG λ′,i′ , (as explained above) compute: [0000] M λ oF i oAoM λ′ oF i′ oA −1 [0212] This implies knowing the tables representing A and A −1 and applying successively: A −1 the multiplication by λ′, as explained above for M λ (X) the application of F i′ , as explained above for F i (X) A the multiplication by λ, as explained above for M λ (X) the application of F i , as explained above for F i (X) [0219] So implementing this requires only 3 table lookups and several arithmetical operations modulo 255. [0220] Note that there exist multiple examples of the tables expressing L and E, such that a multiplication by λ can use different tables. This is a consequence of there being different generators for GF(2 8 )*, where here “*” denotes the invertible elements of GF(2 8 ). Certain elements of GF(2 8 ) can be a generator, except 0 and 1. (Only 128 elements can be generators.) This is a way to implement dynamic masks. Additional Elements: Using L and E for the Entire AES Process [0221] To use the lookup tables for all inputs, one first defines these functions for the special value 0. Let: [0000] L (0)=255 [0000] E (255)=0 [0222] This way it is established that even 0 has an image through function L and can be returned to the non-logarithmic world by applying function E. In mathematics, if x is a member of set X, then for a function f, f(x) is the “image” of x. So the image of f is the set included in set X of all the f(x), for all the members x in X. Define here the “L world” as the realm of the image of L (the logarithm operation). Applying Permutations to the L (Logarithm) World [0223] Let L be expressed as a permutation, then a permutation designated P in the “real” world is designated P L in the L world and defined as: [0000] P L ( x )= L ( P ( E ( x ))) [0000] where as before the logarithm operation is L(X)=x. [0224] This gives the function equality: [0000] P L =LoPoE [0225] So any function or permutation performed in the “real” (unmasked) world can be translated into the L world. Multiplication in the L World [0226] As explained above, a multiplication is performed as a modular addition e.g. modulus 255, in the L (logarithm) world. This makes this operation efficient in terms of computer software and/or hardware. Note the need to take care of the special value 0 case, since as explained before, for value 0, the above addition method does not work. One manages this 0 value case separately as explained above. [0000] XOR in the L world [0227] To compute the value of X XOR Y (the Boolean exclusive OR operation performed on two arguments designated X and Y) in the L world (designated here XOR L ), an additional table is needed. [0228] Let 1 L be the function: [0000] 1 L ( x )= L (1XOR E ( x )) [0229] Use the array associated with this function to perform the computation of XOR L . Assume that X≠0≠Y, then: [0000] X XOR Y=X *(1XOR X −1 *Y ) [0230] So for x, y≠255 (in GF(2 8 )): [0000] x XOR L y=x +(1 L (( y−x ) modulo 255)) modulo 255 [0231] For x=255: [0000] x XOR L y=y [0232] The XOR L operation (that is, XOR in the L world) requires only these operations: 1 addition, 1 subtraction, 2 modulo operations and 1 table lookup. [0233] Note that the XOR L operation may be computed from Z L arrays (where Z L is a generalization of 1 L for values other than 1) as well, using the equations for any invertible element Z in (GF(2 8 ): [0000] X XOR Y=X*Z −1 *( Z XOR( X −1 *y*Z )) [0000] x XOR y=x−z +( Z L (( y+z−x )modulo 255)) modulo 255 [0234] With these three methods, one implements the AES cipher in the L world. In particular, in this L world, all logical XOR operations can be eliminated, which enhances security since the associated software code thereby is quite different from that for a conventional AES cipher implementation. Another point is that the L world can be applied directly to any implementation of the AES cipher, masked statically and/or dynamically, with XOR masks or linear permutations applied. [0235] The XOR computation also can be “randomized” during execution of the code, since one can switch at any time to the 1 L or to the Z L table lookups. So at any time in the code execution, one can randomly change over to the L world, making understanding by an attacker more complicated. [0236] This causes a small performance degradation of the code execution, since the XOR operations in this L world are more complicated than a straightforward computation. However, this degradation is acceptable in practice in view of the security added by this implementation. [0237] FIG. 2 shows in a block diagram relevant portions of a computing device (system) 160 in accordance with the invention which carries out the cryptographic processes as described above. This is, e.g., a server platform, computer, mobile telephone, Smart Phone, personal digital assistant or similar device, or part of such a device and includes conventional hardware components executing in one embodiment software (computer code) which carries out the above examples. This code may be, e.g., in the C or C++ computer language or its functionality may be expressed in the form of firmware or hardware logic; writing such code or designing such logic would be routine in light of the above examples and logical expressions. Of course, the above examples are not limiting. Only relevant portions of this apparatus are shown for simplicity. Essentially a similar apparatus encrypts the message, and may indeed be part of the same platform. [0238] The computer code is conventionally stored in code memory (computer readable storage medium) 140 (as object code or source code) associated with conventional processor 138 for execution by processor 138 . The incoming ciphertext (or plaintext) message (in digital form) is received at port 132 and stored in computer readable storage (memory 136 where it is coupled to processor 138 . Processor 138 conventionally then partitions the message into suitable sized blocks at partitioning module 142 . Another software (code) module in processor 138 is the decryption (or encryption) module 146 which carries out the masking and decryption or encryption functions set forth above, with its associated computer readable storage (memory) 152 . [0239] Also coupled to processor 138 is a computer readable storage (memory) 158 for the resulting decrypted plaintext (or encrypted ciphertext) message. Storage locations 136 , 140 , 152 , 158 may be in one or several conventional physical memory devices (such as semiconductor RAM or its variants or a hard disk drive). Electric signals conventionally are carried between the various elements of FIG. 6 . Not shown in FIG. 2 is any subsequent conventional use of the resulting plaintext or ciphertext stored in storage 145 . [0240] FIG. 3 illustrates detail of a typical and conventional embodiment of computing system 160 that may be employed to implement processing functionality in embodiments of the invention as indicated in FIG. 2 and includes corresponding elements. Computing systems of this type may be used in a computer server or user (client) computer or other computing device, for example. Those skilled in the relevant art will also recognize how to implement embodiments of the invention using other computer systems or architectures. Computing system 160 may represent, for example, a desktop, laptop or notebook computer, hand-held computing device (personal digital assistant (PDA), cell phone, palmtop, etc.), mainframe, server, client, or any other type of special or general purpose computing device as may be desirable or appropriate for a given application or environment. Computing system 160 can include one or more processors, such as a processor 164 (equivalent to processor 138 in FIG. 2 ). Processor 164 can be implemented using a general or special purpose processing engine such as, for example, a microprocessor, microcontroller or other control logic. In this example, processor 164 is connected to a bus 162 or other communications medium. [0241] Computing system 160 can also include a main memory 168 (equivalent of memories 136 , 140 , 152 , and 158 ), such as random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic memory, for storing information and instructions to be executed by processor 164 . Main memory 168 also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by processor 164 . Computing system 160 may likewise include a read only memory (ROM) or other static storage device coupled to bus 162 for storing static information and instructions for processor 164 . [0242] Computing system 160 may also include information storage system 170 , which may include, for example, a media drive 162 and a removable storage interface 180 . The media drive 172 may include a drive or other mechanism to support fixed or removable storage media, such as flash memory, a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a compact disk (CD) or digital versatile disk (DVD) drive (R or RW), or other removable or fixed media drive. Storage media 178 may include, for example, a hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic tape, optical disk, CD or DVD, or other fixed or removable medium that is read by and written to by media drive 72 . As these examples illustrate, the storage media 178 may include a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein particular computer software or data. [0243] In alternative embodiments, information storage system 170 may include other similar components for allowing computer programs or other instructions or data to be loaded into computing system 160 . Such components may include, for example, a removable storage unit 182 and an interface 180 , such as a program cartridge and cartridge interface, a removable memory (for example, a flash memory or other removable memory module) and memory slot, and other removable storage units 182 and interfaces 180 that allow software and data to be transferred from the removable storage unit 178 to computing system 160 . [0244] Computing system 160 can also include a communications interface 184 (equivalent to part 132 in FIG. 2 ). Communications interface 184 can be used to allow software and data to be transferred between computing system 160 and external devices. Examples of communications interface 184 can include a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet or other network interface card (NIC)), a communications port (such as for example, a USB port), a PCMCIA slot and card, etc. Software and data transferred via communications interface 184 are in the form of signals which can be electronic, electromagnetic, optical or other signals capable of being received by communications interface 184 . These signals are provided to communications interface 184 via a channel 188 . This channel 188 may carry signals and may be implemented using a wireless medium, wire or cable, fiber optics, or other communications medium. Some examples of a channel include a phone line, a cellular phone link, an RF link, a network interface, a local or wide area network, and other communications channels. [0245] In this disclosure, the terms “computer program product,” “computer-readable medium” and the like may be used generally to refer to media such as, for example, memory 168 , storage device 178 , or storage unit 182 . These and other forms of computer-readable media may store one or more instructions for use by processor 164 , to cause the processor to perform specified operations. Such instructions, generally referred to as “computer program code” (which may be grouped in the form of computer programs or other groupings), when executed, enable the computing system 160 to perform functions of embodiments of the invention. Note that the code may directly cause the processor to perform specified operations, be compiled to do so, and/or be combined with other software, hardware, and/or firmware elements (e.g., libraries for performing standard functions) to do so. [0246] In an embodiment where the elements are implemented using software, the software may be stored in a computer-readable medium and loaded into computing system 160 using, for example, removable storage drive 174 , drive 172 or communications interface 184 . The control logic (in this example, software instructions or computer program code), when executed by the processor 164 , causes the processor 164 to perform the functions of embodiments of the invention as described herein. [0247] This disclosure is illustrative and not limiting. Further modifications will be apparent to these skilled in the art in light of this disclosure and are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

In the field of computer enabled cryptography, such as a keyed block cipher having a plurality of rounds, the cipher is hardened against an attack by a protection process which obscures the cipher states and/or the round keys using the properties of group field automorphisms and applying multiplicative masks (instead of conventional XOR masks) to the states of the cipher, for encryption or decryption. This is especially advantageous in a “White Box” environment where an attacker has full access to the cipher algorithm, including the algorithm's internal state during its execution. This method and the associated computing apparatus are useful for protection against known attacks on “White Box” ciphers, by eliminating XOR operations with improved masking techniques and increasing complexity of reverse engineering and of attacks.

This invention relates to pressure sensors in general, and specifically to a pressure sensor assembly which may be easily installed, and which is self-sealing and self-retaining. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As part of a continuing effort to fine tune vehicle engine performance, more and more engine conditions are continually monitored. One of these is manifold pressure, which is generally negative, or below ambient, but which is subject to rapid positive fluctuations, as in the case of an engine back fire. Any pressure sensor must pass through an opening in the manifold wall, which must be sealed. In addition, it must be securely mounted to the manifold wall. Typically, the sealing and installation functions are separate and independent. The sensor probe that is inserted into the manifold wall is surrounded by a sealing sleeve, while the body of the sensor is retained to the manifold wall by separate fasteners, such as screws. While this arrangement works well, there would be a cost advantage in eliminating installation steps and parts. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a sensor assembly that combines the sealing and installation functions into one. In the preferred embodiment disclosed, the manifold wall contains a cylindrical installation hole and the sensor consists of a sensor body with a depending cylindrical stem long enough to extend through the installation hole. The outside diameter of the stem is significantly smaller than the installation hole, except for an enlarged circular foot formed at the bottom of the stem. The stem foot is still small enough to fit through the installation hole with clearance, however. The other component of the assembly is a combined retention and sealing boot molded from a resilient, flexible material, in a generally cylindrical, sleeve shape. The center of the boot is a cylindrical passage with a diameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of the stem. The outer surface of the boot includes a series of axially spaced flexible fins, each substantially equal to the diameter of the installation hole. At the bottom of the boot is an enlarged circular flange, which is larger in diameter than the installation hole. Installation is a simple, two-step process. The sensor body stem is first inserted through the boot central passage, which expands to allow the larger stem foot to pass completely through it. Then, the sensor body and boot are inserted together through the wall installation hole. The boot's lower flange bends back, popping out on the lower side of the hole, trapped between the wall and the stem foot. In operation, the stem is tightly sealed to the boot central passage, and the boot ribs are tightly sealed to the installation hole, so no pressure is lost. Should a rapid pressure rise occur, the trapped flange prevents the assembly from being blown out. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT These and other objects and features of the invention will appear from the following written description, and from the drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a cross section through a manifold wall installation hole, a cross section of the retention and sealing boot of the invention, and the sensor body; FIG. 2 shows the boot installed to the sensor body; FIG. 3 shows the subassembly of boot and sensor body being installed to the manifold wall; FIG. 4 shows installation completed; FIG. 5 shows the response to a rapid pressure rise in the manifold. Referring first to FIG. 1, a manifold is represented by a section of manifold wall (10), which has a thickness T. The pressure above wall (10) is simply the ambient pressure, while the pressure below is manifold pressure. As noted above, manifold pressure may vary from the usual negative to infrequent, but high, positive spikes, as caused by an engine backfire. A cylindrical installation hole (12) drilled through wall (10) has a length equal to T, a fixed diameter D 3 , and a chamfered upper edge. A sensor body, indicated generally at (14), includes a large housing (16), which contains the actual sensor mechanism, and a depending cylindrical stem (18) that is long enough to extend through hole (12) and which is ported to take pressure to housing (16). The diameter of stem (18), indicated at D 5 , is considerably less than D 3 , but an enlarged circular foot (20) formed integrally at the bottom of stem (18) has a diameter D 4 that is in between, larger than D 5 , but still smaller than D 3 , Foot (20) also has a chamfered lower edge. The length between the top of foot (20) and the underside of housing (16) is indicated at L 1 , and is substantially greater than T. Still referring to FIG. 1, a combined retention and sealing boot, indicated generally at (22), is generally sleeve shaped, molded from a resilient, flexible material, such as a fluoro silicon polymer, which is also durable and heat resistant. A central cylindrical passage (24) has a diameter D 6 which is close to, or very slightly less than, D 5 , and a total length L 2 substantially equal to L 1 . The outside of boot (22) comprises a series of four identical, axially spaced circular fins (26), each of which has an edge diameter D 2 that is substantially equal to, or just slightly greater than, D 3 . A larger top fin (28), in the embodiment disclosed, is significantly larger than D 3 . At the bottom of boot (22) is an enlarged flange (30), thicker than the fins (26), and with a diameter D 1 larger than D 3 . Like foot (20), flange (30) has a chamfered lower edge. The inside length L 3 from the top of flange (30) to the top fin (28), is substantially equal to T. Referring next to FIGS. 2 through 4, the operation and interaction of the various dimensions described above lead to a simplified installation process. First, the sensor body (14) is assembled to the boot (22) by inserting stem (18) through central passage (24). This is possible because of the resilience and elasticity of the material from which boot (22) is molded, which will expand to allow foot (20) to pass through, and is aided somewhat by the chamfered lower edge of foot (20). The central boot passage (24) retracts to seal tightly against the outer surface of stem (18). When complete, as shown in FIG. 2, a subassembly of the two is created, and boot (22) is securely trapped between foot (20) and sensor body (14), given the relationship between L 1 and L 2 . Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the subassembly is inserted into installation hole (12), aided by the chamfered edges of hole (12) and boot flange (30). Flange (30), being larger in diameter, is compressed somewhat, and flexes axially up as it passes through hole (12). Foot (20), of course, clears hole (12) completely. The fins (26) are also flexed axially up slightly, but pass through with much less resistance than flange (30). Finally, as shown in FIG. 4, flange (30) pops out below wall (10). Referring next to FIG. 4, the normal operation after installation is illustrated. Pressure can enter housing (16) through the ported stem (18), but leakage is prevented. There is no leak path between stem (18) and boot central passage (24), because of the relation between D 5 and D 6 . Likewise, there is no leak path between the outside of boot (22) and hole (12), because of the relation between D 2 and D 3 . In normal operation, retention is not a problem. Sensor body housing (16) is much larger than hole (12), and the manifold pressure below wall (10) is generally negative, tending to pull both housing (16) and boot (22) down, as is illustrated by the axial clearances between the underside of wall (10), boot flange (30), and stem foot (20). The larger top fin (28) does help to cushion sensor housing (16) from direct abutment with the upper side of wall (10). Referring next to FIG. 5, the operation of the invention in response to a high positive manifold pressure is illustrated. As noted above, high positive pressure, as from an engine backfire, would tend to expel boot (22) and sensor body (14). However, the trapping of flange (30) between foot (20) and the underside of wall (10) prevents expulsion. Flange (30) does not flex down to allow it to exit hole (12) as easily as it flexed up to enter hole (12). This selective inflexibility is partially because the upper surface of flange (30), which is abutted with the underside of wall (10) around hole (12), is not chamfered. Even more so, it is due to the cooperative support that flange (30) receives from the abutted upper surface of stem foot (20), which is pushed into it by the positive pressure. Therefore, flange (30) will not be expelled through hole (12) nearly so easily as it was inserted in the first place. Furthermore, the squeezing of flange (30) between the upper side of foot (20) and the under side of wall (10), illustrated by the removal of the axial clearances of FIG. 4, serves as an extra seal, aiding the sealing of the fins (26) and blocking off the boot central passage (24) even more strongly. So, not only is expulsion prevented, but extra sealing is provided in response to any positive pressure spike. Variations in the preferred embodiment could be made. Theoretically, the outer surface of the boot (22) could be simply cylindrical and smooth, without the fins (26), so long as its outer diameter was similar. However, the fins (26) make installation easier, because of their axial flexibility, and because of the axial clearance they leave relative to the lower boot flange (30) to improve its axial flexibility during insertion. Boot (22) could, in theory, be molded or otherwise integrally formed around the pressure sensor stem (18), starting out in the condition shown in FIG. 2, and eliminating the installation step of inserting foot (20) through central passage (24). Therefore, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to just the embodiment disclosed.

A self-retaining, self-sealing manifold pressure sensor includes a sensor body with depending stem and an enlarged lower foot on the stem. The stem is tightly surrounded by a sealing and retention boot, which has a lower flange located just above the stem foot, which is larger than the stem foot. The stem foot is smaller than the installation hole in the manifold wall, while the boot flange is larger, but flexible. The sensor is installed by inserting the probe and surrounding boot together through the hole, with the flange flexing as it passes through. After installation, the flange is trapped between the stem foot and the wall, which prevents expulsion due to positive pressure spikes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a shoe with a device for protecting the laces thereon, and in particular, to an athletic shoe with a device for protecting the laces that can be retracted and stowed inside the shoe when not in use. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Numerous factors have led the worldwide market for athletic shoes to become a multi-billion dollar industry. So profitable and prolific are athletic shoes that a specific type of shoe exists for nearly every sport on the planet. These shoes vary widely in their materials and features to tailor their performance characteristics to, among other things, the demands of specific sports, playing surfaces, and/or the ball or object used. [0005] For instance, to increase traction in soft ground, or otherwise low traction conditions, cleats have been developed. Cleats are athletic shoes that have studs or projections molded or screwed into the sole of the shoe. Cleats tend to dig into soft soil and provide extra traction by decreasing the surface area of the sole that is in contact with the ground, thus increasing the surface pressure exerted thereon. Due to this increased surface pressure, the soles of cleats tend to be molded from a rigid material, such as hard plastic, to protect the user's foot from the equal and opposite upward pressure exerted by the cleat. [0006] On the other hand, basketball shoes tend to have relatively smooth rubber soles with extended, or high-top, uppers. The smooth rubber sole provides excellent traction on the smooth hardwood surface of a basketball court. Rather than using a conventional low-top upper that ends just below the ankle of the user, basketball shoes tend to have uppers and laces that extend several inches above the user's ankle. This can help provide extra support to counteract the high traction levels available; and can prevent injuries, such as twisted, sprained, or broken ankles. [0007] Some athletic shoes, especially those used in sports played on dirt, or partially dirt, fields, include a lace guard. The lace guard has conventionally been a flap provided on the upper end of the tongue, i.e., the end of the tongue not attached to the shoe, which can be folded up to allow the user to tie the shoe, and then flipped down to cover and protect the laces of the shoe. This can protect the laces of the shoe from, for example, mud, dirt, and water. This can be particularly useful when, for example, a baseball runner slides into base. Protecting the laces can extend the life of the laces and generally provides a more pleasant experience for the user. [0008] There are players, however, who prefer shoes without lace guards. Lace guards can, for example, flap when the user is running, which some users find distracting. For instance, baseball players who specialize in stealing bases tend to prefer shoes without lace guards because the lace guards can flap during the sprint from one base to another. Other users simply prefer the aesthetics of a shoe without a lace guard or prefer not to have to lift the flap to tie their shoes. [0009] Conventionally, therefore, users that prefer not have a lace guard have been forced to pick shoes that are manufactured without lace guards, or to remove the lace guards from shoes that are. Unfortunately, this means that some users are limited to those shoes without lace guards regardless of how well the shoes with lace guards may fit or perform. On the other hand, users may simply choose, for example, to cut the lace guard off with a pair of scissors. Unfortunately, this can have an adverse effect on the life, performance, and aesthetics of the shoe. [0010] What is needed, therefore, is a shoe with a lace guard that can be used in the conventional manner, i.e., to cover the laces of the shoe during use, yet stowed in an unobtrusive fashion when so desired. The lace guard should be easily affixable in either a deployed or a stowed position. Additionally, the lace guard should be a simple and cost-effective solution to this common problem. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0011] The present invention relates generally to a shoe with a retractable lace guard for protecting the laces of the shoe during use. The lace guard can be used in a deployed position, in which the lace guard is parallel to and adjacent an outer portion of a tongue on the shoe. In other embodiments, the lace guard can be moved to a stowed position, in which the lace guard is substantially parallel to and adjacent an inner portion of the tongue of the shoe. In some embodiments, the present invention can also include a lace guard pocket for storing the lace guard in the stowed position. In some embodiments, the lace guard pocket can be located on the inside of the tongue. In other embodiments, the inside and the outside of the tongue can be formed from separate pieces and attached such that they form the lace guard pocket. [0012] In some embodiments, the present invention can be an athletic shoe with a sole, an upper attached to the sole for housing the foot of a user, a tongue with a first end, a second end, an inner side, and an outer side, the second end of the tongue attached to the upper, a lace guard, for protecting a set of laces on an athletic shoe, hingeably attached to the first end of the tongue such that in a deployed position the lace guard is disposed adjacent to and substantially parallel to the outer side of the tongue and in a stowed position the lace guard is disposed adjacent to and substantially parallel to the inner side of the tongue, and a lace guard pocket for housing the lace guard in the stowed position. [0013] In other embodiments, the lace guard pocket can be disposed on the inner side of the tongue. In some embodiments, the inner side and the outer side of the tongue can be separate pieces attached to form the lace guard pocket. In an exemplary embodiment, the shoe can have a first fastening element and a second fastening element for removably attaching the lace guard to the outer side of the tongue in the deployed position. In some embodiments, the first and second fastening elements can be made of a hook and loop material. In other embodiments, the shoe can further include a first fastening element and a third fastening element for removably attaching the lace guard to the lace guard pocket in the stowed position. In an exemplary embodiment, the third fastening element can comprise a hook and loop material. [0014] In some embodiments, the present invention can be an athletic shoe comprising a sole, an upper attached to the sole for housing the foot of a user, a tongue with a first end, a second end, an inner side, and an outer side, the second end of the tongue attached to the upper, a lace guard for protecting a set of laces on an athletic shoe and hingeably attached to the first end of the tongue, the lace guard moveable between a first position and a second position, such that in the first position the lace guard is disposed adjacent to and substantially parallel to the outer side of the tongue and in the second position the lace guard is disposed adjacent to and substantially parallel to the inner side of the tongue, a lace guard pocket disposed on the inner side of the tongue for housing the lace guard in the second position, a first fastening element disposed on a second side of the lace guard, a second fastening element connectable to the first fastening element and disposed proximate the upper side of the tongue for detachably affixing the lace guard in the first position, and a third fastening means connectable to the first fastening means and disposed proximate the lower side of the tongue for detachably affixing the lace guard in the second position. [0015] In still other embodiments, the lace guard can have a first attachment arm and a second attachment arm for hingeably attaching the lace guard to the first end of the tongue. In still other embodiments, the first attachment arm and the second attachment arm can also have a cutout. In some embodiments, the cutout can have substantially the same profile as the first end of the tongue. In an exemplary embodiment, the first, second, and third fastening elements can be made from a hook and loop material. In still other embodiments, the third fastening element can be disposed inside the lace guard pocket. [0016] In yet another embodiment, the present invention can be a method for providing an athletic shoe comprising providing a sole, providing an upper for housing a foot of a user, providing a tongue with a first end, a second end, an inner side, and an outer side, providing a lace guard for protecting a set of laces on the shoe, providing a lace guard pocket for housing the lace guard in a second position, attaching the upper to the sole, attaching the second end of the tongue to the upper, hingeably attaching the lace guard to the first end of the tongue such that in a first position the lace guard is disposed adjacent to and substantially parallel to the outer side of the tongue and in a second position the lace guard is disposed adjacent to and substantially parallel to the inner side of the tongue, and attaching the lace guard pocket to the inner side of the tongue for housing the lace guard in the second position. [0017] In some embodiments, the present invention can also be a method further comprising providing a first fastening element, providing a second fastening element, attaching the first fastening element to a second side of the lace guard, and attaching a second fastening element to the outer side of the tongue for detachably affixing the lace guard to the outer side of the tongue in the first position. In still other embodiments, the present invention can further be a method comprising, providing a first fastening element, providing a third fastening element, attaching the first fastening element to a second side of the lace guard, and attaching a third fastening element to the lower side of the tongue for detachably affixing the lace guard to the lower side of the tongue in the second position. [0018] In some embodiments, the first fastening element and the second fastening element can comprise a hook and loop material. In an exemplary embodiment, the third fastening element can be disposed inside the lace guard pocket. In still other embodiments, the lace guard can have one or more attachment arms for hingeably attaching the lace guard to the first end of the tongue. In yet another embodiment, the lace guard further comprising a rigid material for protecting the foot of the user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective, front view of a shoe with a device for protecting laces, shown in a deployed position, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. [0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective, front view of a shoe with the device for protecting laces, in an upright position to show a second side of the device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. [0021] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective, rear view of a shoe with the device for protecting laces, in an upright position to illustrate a lace guard pocket disposed on an inner side of a tongue of the shoe, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. [0022] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective, rear view of a shoe with the device for protecting laces, in a stowed position, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0023] To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of embodiments of the invention, they are explained hereinafter with reference to implementations in illustrative embodiments. Embodiments of the invention are described in the context of a shoe with a retractable lace guard, and in particular, to an athletic shoe with a retractable lace guard. Additionally, embodiments of the invention relate to a method for providing such a shoe. [0024] Embodiments of the invention, however, are not solely limited to use with athletic shoes. Rather, embodiments of the invention can be used whenever protection for laces on shoes and/or boots is needed or desired. The present invention may also be used on, for example and not limitation, work boots to prevent dirt from soiling and wearing the laces thereon. [0025] The material described hereinafter as making up the various elements of the present invention are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable materials that would perform the same or a similar function as the materials described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention. Such other materials not described herein can include, but are not limited to, materials that are developed after the time of the development of the invention, for example. [0026] Referring now in detail to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, the present invention of FIG. 1 is a shoe 100 that provides a device for protection of laces 112 thereon. In some embodiments, the shoe 100 can comprise a sole 105 , an upper 110 , laces 112 , and a tongue 115 . The tongue 115 of the shoe can further comprise a first end 125 , a second end 120 , an outer side 130 , and an inner side (not shown.) In some embodiments, the sole 105 can be attached to the lower portion of the upper 110 . The second end 120 of the tongue 115 can then be affixed to the upper 110 in the conventional manner. In some embodiments, the shoe 100 can further comprise a lace guard 140 . Is some embodiments, the lace guard 140 can be hingeably affixed to the first end 125 of the tongue 115 . [0027] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1 , the lace guard 140 can have a deployed position. So, for example, in the deployed position, the lace guard 140 can be disposed in a substantially adjacent and parallel manner to the outer side 130 of the tongue 115 such that the laces 112 of the shoe 100 are disposed between the lace guard 140 and the tongue 115 . This can provide a covering for the laces 112 of the shoe 100 and can prevent them from becoming, for example, dirty or wet. This can make the laces 112 easier to tie and can extend lace 112 life. [0028] In an exemplary embodiment, shown in FIG. 2 , the lace guard 140 can comprise a first attachment arm 245 and a second attachment arm 250 . In additional embodiments, the attachment arms 245 , 250 can further comprise a cut-out 247 to enable the lace guard 140 to lay substantially flat on the tongue 115 of the shoe 100 . In some embodiments, the cut-out 247 can be a semi-circle. In other contemplated embodiments, the lace guard 140 can attach directly to the tongue 115 obviating the need for the attachment arms 245 , 250 . [0029] In still other embodiments, the lace guard 140 can further comprise a first fastening element 260 located on a second side 244 of the lace guard 140 . In additional embodiments, the outer side 130 of the tongue 115 can further comprise a second fastening element 265 . See FIG. 2 . This can enable the lace guard 140 to be removably secured to the outer side 130 of the tongue 115 of the shoe 100 . In other words, when the lace guard 140 is in the deployed position, i.e. parallel to and adjacent the outer side 130 of the tongue 115 , the lace guard 140 can be detachably affixed to the tongue 115 by detachably connecting the first fastener 260 to the second fastener 265 . This can prevent the lace guard 140 from flopping or otherwise interfering with the use of the shoe 100 . [0030] In some embodiments, the inner side 335 of the tongue 115 can further comprise a lace guard pocket 355 . See, FIG. 3 . The lace guard pocket 355 can provide a convenient storage location for the lace guard 140 when the lace guard 140 is in the stowed position. In some embodiments, the lace guard pocket 355 can present a smooth surface to the user on the inner side 335 of the tongue 115 when the lace guard 140 is in the stowed position. In some embodiments, the lace guard pocket 355 can present substantially the same profile as the lace guard 140 for improved fit. In other embodiments, the lace guard pocket 355 can be a simple rectangular pocket, though additional configurations are contemplated. [0031] In other embodiments, shown in FIG. 4 , the lace guard 140 can have a stowed position. In the stowed position, the lace guard 140 can be disposed in a substantially adjacent and parallel manner to the inner side 335 of the tongue 115 . In this configuration, the shoe 100 can have substantially the same look, fit, and feel of a shoe 100 without a lace guard 140 . This can enable the shoe 100 to perform in substantially the same manner as a shoe 100 without a lace guard 140 . [0032] In still other embodiments, the lace guard pocket 355 can further comprise a third fastening element 470 located on the inside of the lace guard pocket 355 . When the lace guard 140 is in the stowed position, i.e., parallel to and adjacent the inner side 335 of the tongue 115 , the lace guard can be inserted into the lace guard pocket 355 and detachably affixed thereto utilizing the first fastening element 260 and the third fastening element 470 . This can secure the lace guard 140 in the stowed position and prevent the lace guard 140 from interfering with the performance of the shoe 100 . The fastening elements 260 , 265 , 470 can be, for example and not limitation, hook and loop, hook and eye, buttons, snaps, magnets, buckles, or zippers. [0033] So, for example and not limitation, the user who desires a lace guard 140 can insert a foot into the shoe 100 , place the lace guard 140 in a substantially vertical position, and tie the laces 112 . See, FIG. 3 . The user can then flip the lace guard 140 down into the deployed position, see, FIG. 1 , and secure the lace guard 140 to the outer side 130 of the tongue 115 using the first and second fastening elements 260 , 265 . In this position the lace guard 140 is secured from unwanted movement and protects the laces 112 . [0034] On the other hand, a user who prefers not to use the lace guard 140 can simply fold the lace guard 140 over and toward the inner side 335 of the tongue 115 . See, FIG. 4 . In some embodiments, the user can then place the lace guard 140 into the lace guard pocket 355 for convenient stowage. In still other embodiments, the user can further secure the lace guard 140 in the lace guard pocket using the first and third fastening elements 260 , 470 . In this position, the shoe 100 performs substantially the same as a shoe without a lace guard 140 . [0035] In still other embodiments, the lace guard pocket 355 can be disposed inside, rather than on, the tongue 115 of the shoe 100 . In other words, in some embodiments, the outer side 130 and the inner side 335 of the tongue 115 can be separate pieces sewn, or other wise attached, to form a pocket inside the tongue 115 with an opening on the first end 125 of the tongue 115 . This can enable the user to insert the lace guard 140 into the pocket formed by the outer side 130 and the inner side 335 of the tongue 115 . For some players, this can be a more desirable because it can provide a smooth surface on the inner side 335 of the tongue 115 , and thus can present a smooth surface to the top of the player's foot. In some embodiments, the lace guard pocket 355 can further comprise a fastening element 470 to retain the lace guard 140 in the lace guard pocket 355 . [0036] Embodiments of the present invention can enable the shoe 100 to be used with the lace guard 140 in the deployed ( FIG. 1 ) or stowed position ( FIG. 4 ) depending on user preferences and/or conditions. In some embodiments, the lace guard 140 and/or attachment arms 245 , 250 can be manufactured from substantially the same materials as those used for the shoe 100 . In other embodiments, the lace guard 140 , and/or attachment arms 245 , 250 , can be manufactured from different materials to suit a specific application. [0037] Numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of structure and function. While the invention has been disclosed in several forms, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, additions, and deletions, especially in matters of shape, size, materials, and arrangement of parts, can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the following claims. Therefore, other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.

A shoe comprising a retractable lace protector for protecting the laces thereon. The lace protector has a deployed and a stowed position. In a deployed position, the lace protector can be disposed in a substantially parallel manner and adjacent to the upper side of the tongue of the shoe and in a substantially overlying manner to the laces thereof. In a stowed position, the lace protector can be disposed in a substantially parallel manner and adjacent to the lower side of the tongue of the shoe. The shoe can further comprise one or more fastening elements to detachably affix the lace protector in one or both of the deployed position and the stowed position. The shoe can further comprise a lace guard pocket for storing the lace protector in the stowed position.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-024432 filed on Jan. 31, 2003 including the specification, drawings and abstract is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to a seat belt warning apparatus that generates an alert sound to alert, or remind, a vehicle occupant that his or her seat belt is unbuckled. More specifically, it relates to the same apparatus configured to generate the alert sound in a different way depending upon each warning level, and a method corresponding to the operation of such an apparatus. 2. Description of the Related Art One known system (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,278,358) triggers an alert sound in two steps to remind an occupant that his or her seat belt is unbuckled depending upon the vehicle speed. Typically, a waning system of this kind starts up when the ignition is turned on, and determines the seat belt to be in the buckled condition in response to a corresponding seat belt buckle switch turning on. With such a system, therefore, the alert sound sounds from the ignition turning on until the seat belt buckle switch turning on. The above audible alert triggered upon starting up the vehicle is generally called “a primary audible alert”, and one related US regulation prohibits that such an alert lasts longer than 8 seconds. The system disclosed in the above publication is arranged to cope with this requirement, which monitors, after provision of the primary audible alert, the vehicle speed and triggers a secondly audible alert in response to the vehicle starting running. With this system, however, if a different alert sound is used for each audible alert (i.e., primary audible alert, secondary audible alert), the occupant may not realize that the secondary audible alert is alerting him or her that his or her seat belt is unbuckled due to other audible indications indicating the headlight still remaining “ON”, etc. This situation is more likely when the primary audible alert is deactivated within 8 seconds as required in the above-stated US regulation, because there is a time period of no alert (i.e., alert sound) from the end of the primary audible alert to the beginning of the secondary audible alert. It is true that the occupant can easily associate both the primary and secondary audible alerts with the unbuckled seat belt if the same alert sound is generated in the same way for each alert. This would however make it impossible to provide a classified alert system capable of producing a higher warning level alert when the vehicle is running than when the vehicle is stationary. Also, it should be appreciated that, if the same alert sound is generated in the same way during the primary audible alert as the secondary audible alert that is a relatively strong warning, that excessively strong primary audible alert may annoy the occupant because it is activated almost every time he or she starts the vehicle. Thus, it is difficult to achieve such a classified seat belt alert system which assures the occupant's correct recognition of each audible alert. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has been made to provide a seat belt warning apparatus for a vehicle occupant, which provides an audible alert corresponding to each different warning level. To achieve this object, a first aspect of the invention relates to a seat belt warning apparatus for a vehicle occupant including a seat belt, an audible indicator for generating an alert sound having prescribed frequencies and volume, and a controller for providing via the audible indicator, either one of a first audible alert corresponding to a first warning level and a second audible alert corresponding to a second warning level that is higher than the first warning level when the seat belt is unbuckled. The controller is adapted to sound a first alert chime by repeating the alert sound at a first cycle during the first audible alert, and a second alert chime by repeating the same alert sound at a second cycle that is different from the first cycle, during the second audible alert. According to this apparatus, the same alert sound (frequency, volume) is used during each audible alert. Thus, the occupant can easily realize that the alert is alerting him or her of the unbuckled seat belt. Moreover, a plurality of audible alerts can be provided by only repeating the alert sound at different cycles in accordance with the warning level. It should be noted that the cycle of repeating the alert sound is changed by changing the length of generating each alert sound, as well as by changing the time interval at which the alert sound is repeated. A second aspect of the invention relates to a seat belt warning apparatus for a vehicle occupant including a seat belt, an audible indicator for generating an alert sound, a controller for a controller for providing either one of a first audible alert corresponding to a first warning level and a second audible alert corresponding to a second warning level that is higher than the first warning level when the seat belt is unbuckled. This controller is adapted to sound via the audible indicator an alert chime corresponding to the first warning level before an alert chime corresponding to the second warning level during the second audible alert. According to the second aspect of the invention, in a case where the secondary audible alert should be activated after the primary audible alert was stopped so as to comply with the above-stated US regulation, sounding the alert chime corresponding to the first warning level (i.e., lower warning level), with which the occupant is relatively familiar, prior to the alert chime corresponding to the second warning level (i.e., higher warning level) makes it easier for the vehicle occupant to realize that the alert is alerting him or her of the unbuckled seat belt. A third aspect of the invention relates to a method of providing a vehicle occupant with a first audible alert corresponding to a first warning level or a second audible alert corresponding to a second warning level that is higher than the first warning level, to alert the vehicle occupant that his or her seat belt is unbuckled. This method includes the steps of: sounding a first alert chime by repeating an alert sound having prescribed frequency and volume at a first cycle during the first audible alert; and sounding a second alert chime by repeating the same alert sound at a second cycle during the second audible alert. A fourth aspect of the invention relates to a method of providing a vehicle occupant with a first audible alert corresponding to a first warning level or a second audible alert corresponding to a second warning level that is higher than the first warning level, to alert the vehicle occupant that his or her seat belt is unbuckled. In this method, during the second audible alert, an alert chime corresponding to the first warning level is sounded before an alert chime corresponding to the second warning level. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and/or further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals are used to represent like elements and wherein: FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a seat belt warning apparatus according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2A is a view illustrating a pattern of generating an audible sound to produce a first alert chime; FIG. 2B is a view illustrating a pattern of generating an audible sound to produce a second alert chime; and FIG. 3 is a timing chart illustrating one exemplary case for explaining the operation of the seat belt warning system of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a seat belt waning apparatus according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. To comply with the US regulation previously stated, this apparatus is configured to deactivate the primary audible alert within 8 seconds. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a seat belt warning apparatus 100 of the exemplary embodiment. Referring to this drawing, the seat belt warning apparatus 100 includes a buzzer 102 for generating an alert sound, an ECU (Electric Control Unit) 101 that activates an audible alert in response to detecting the seat belt being unbuckled, and an warning light 103 that is on or blinks while the seat belt remains unbuckled. The warning light 103 may individually be provided for each of the driver seat and the navigator seat. The seat belt apparatus further includes an ignition 104 , a driver seat belt buckle switch 105 , and a navigator seat belt buckle switch 106 . The ECU 101 detects the state of the ignition 104 being at the ON or OFF position, the driver seat belt buckle switch 105 being ON or OFF, and the navigator seat belt buckle switch 106 being ON or OFF. Also, the ECU 101 detects the vehicle speed via a vehicle speed sensor 107 . The driver seat belt buckle switch 105 is ON when the driver seat belt is buckled, and OFF when unbuckled, and the navigator seat belt buckle switch 106 is ON when the navigator seat belt is buckled, and OFF when unbuckled. FIG. 2A is a view schematically illustrating generation pattern of an alert sound via the buzzer 102 to sound a “first alert chime”, while FIG. 2B is a view schematically illustrating a generation pattern of the same chime to sound a “second alert chime”. Unless otherwise specified, the first alert chime corresponds to the primary audible alert, whereas the second alert chime corresponds to the secondary audible alert. The alert sound generated for sounding each alert chime has common frequencies (e.g., 800 Hz and 1.9 kHz), duty ratio (e.g., D 1 =D 2 =50%), and sound volume (e.g., 63 dB). Namely, the buzzer 102 generates substantially the same sound for each alert chime. In each chime, however, the alert sound is repeated at a different cycle to indicate a specific warning level so that the occupant can distinguish each alert (warning level) by that repetition cycle of the alert sound. In this exemplary embodiment, the first alert chime adopts a repetition cycle f 1 of 1.2 second, and the second alert chime adopts a repetition cycle f 2 of 0.4 second. Hereinafter, conditions of activating and deactivating each alert will be described. First, the activating conditions will be described. The ECU 101 activates a primary audible alert in response to the driver seat belt buckle switch 105 being OFF upon turning on the ignition 104 to the ON position. Because this is a primary audible alert, for example, the first alert chime continues for 6 seconds (1.2 sec*5). Then, if at least one of the driver seat belt and the navigator seat belt still remains unbuckled and the vehicle is running at 15 km/h or more after the primary audible alert ends, the ECU 101 then activates the secondary audible alert. According to the exemplary embodiment, the secondary audible alert first sounds the first alert chime for 30 seconds, and the second alert chime for 90 seconds. In other words, the same sound is repeated for a total of 120 seconds, during which the cycle at which the alert sound is repeated is shortened. Such repetition of the alert sound makes it easier for the occupant to realize the chime is alerting him or her of the unbuckled seat belt, and then notice by the shortened repetition cycle that the present warning level for that unbuckled seat belt is higher than the warning level of the primary audible alert triggered upon turning on the ignition 104 . Also, if the secondary audible alert is timed out with one of the buckle switches being ON and the same switch then turns off, the ECU 101 activates the secondary audible alert again from the first alert chime. The ECU 101 ignores satisfaction of the above-stated conditions of activating the primary and secondary audible alerts when the buzzer 102 is sounding each alert chime. That is, under no circumstance, the first alert chime interrupts the second alert chime. Next, the deactivating conditions will be described. The ECU 101 deactivates the primary audible alert in response to the ignition 104 being turned to the OFF position, the driver seat belt buckle switch 105 being turned on, or the elapse of the activation time of the primary audible alert (i.e., 6 seconds). Similarly, the ECU 101 deactivates the secondary audible alert in response to the ignition 104 being turned to the OFF position, the driver seat belt buckle switch 105 and the navigator seat belt buckle switch 106 being both turned on, or the elapse of the activation time of the secondary audible alert (90 seconds from the shift to the second alert chime). Once the condition of activating the alert is satisfied, the vehicle speed will no more be used as a parameter. That is, once the secondary audible alert has been activated, the ECU 101 will not turn off the buzzer 102 even if the vehicle stops during activation of the alert. Also, even if the vehicle accelerates up to 15 km/h or more after the secondary audible alert has been timed out, the ECU 101 will not turn on the buzzer 102 again. FIG. 3 is a timing chart illustrating one exemplary case for explaining the operation of the seat belt warning apparatus 100 . Referring to the chart, the ignition 104 is turned to the ON position at time t 1 . Since the driver seat belt buckle switch 105 and the navigator seat belt buckle switch 106 are both OFF at this time, namely the driver seat belt and the navigator seat belt both remain unbuckled, the ECU 101 activates the primary audible alert by sounding the first alert chime via the buzzer 102 . To comply with the above-stated US regulation, this audible alert continues for 6 seconds and ends at time t 2 . Then, the vehicle starts running although the seat belts both remain unbuckled, When the vehicle speed reaches 15 Km/h at time t 3 , the ECU 101 then triggers the secondary audible alert starting with the first alert chime. The vehicle stops at time t 4 . However, since the buzzer 102 is still sounding the first alert chime at this time, the ECU 101 ignores this change in the vehicle speed associated with the stop of the vehicle and continues the first alert chime. At time t 5 , 30 seconds of the first alert chime ends, and the second alert chime starts. Although the navigator seat belt is buckled at time t 5 , the ECU 101 does not deactivate the secondary audible alert because the driver seat belt still remains unbuckled. Subsequently, the driver seat belt is unbuckled and the vehicle speed reaches 15 Km/h at time t 6 . However, this does not satisfy any deactivating condition, so that the ECU 101 continues the second alert chime. Then, the vehicle again stops and the driver seat belt is buckled at time t 7 . At this stage, the ECU 101 turns off the warning light 103 in response to the driver seat belt being buckled, however continues the second alert chime due to the navigator seat belt still unbuckled. Then, the driver seat belt is unbuckled and the warning light 103 turns on at time t 8 . Here, as aforementioned, the ECU 101 ignores satisfaction of any activating condition because the buzzer 102 is sounding the alert chime, and therefore the ECU 101 does not restart the secondary audible alert from the first alert chime in response to the driver seat belt being buckled, but continues the second alert chime. At time t 9 , 90 seconds of the second alert chime ends, namely the secondary audible alert is timed out although both the driver and navigator seat belts remain unbuckled. The vehicle speed again reaches 15 Km/h at time t 10 . However, because the secondary audible alert has been triggered before, the ECU 101 ignores this change in parameter (i.e., vehicle speed). When the vehicle stops and the ignition 104 is turned to the OFF position at time t 11 , the ECU 101 turns off the buzzer 102 . The ignition 104 is again turned to the ON position at time t 12 . Because both the driver and navigator seat belts remain unbuckled at this time, the ECU 101 turns on the warning light 103 and activates the primary audible alert sounding the first alert chime via the buzzer 102 . At time t 13 , the alert mode immediately shifts from the primary audible alert to the secondary audible alert in response to the vehicle speed reaching 15 Km/h. In the initial stage of the secondary audible alert, as aforementioned, the ECU 101 first sounds the first alert chime for 30 seconds, and starts the second alert chime at time t 14 . Subsequently, the driver and navigator seat belts are both buckled at time t 15 while the vehicle is still running. Because this satisfies the condition of deactivating the secondary audible alert, the ECU 101 immediately turns off the buzzer 102 sounding the second alert chime. Then, the navigator seat belt is unbuckled at time t 16 , and therefore the secondary audible alert is again activated from the first alert chime. This chime lasts 30 seconds and the cycle at which the alert sound is repeated is changed at time t 17 (i.e., the beginning of the second alert chime). At time t 18 , which is 90 seconds after time t 17 , the secondary audible alert is timed out due to the navigator seat belt still unbuckled. At time t 19 , the ECU 101 re-triggers the secondary audible alert from the first alert chime in response to the driver seat belt being unbuckled, since the last secondary audible alert was timed out with the driver seat belt buckled. Although the navigator seat belt is buckled at time t 20 , the first alert chimes continue since the driver seat belt still remains unbuckled. The second alert chime starts at time t 21 which is 30 seconds after time t 19 , and the secondary audible alert is timed out at time 22 which is 90 seconds after time t 21 . Thus, the secondary audible alert is timed out with the navigator seat belt buckled. Therefore, the ECU 101 activates the secondary audible alert again from the first alert chime at time t 23 in response to the navigator seat belt being unbuckled. According to the exemplary embodiment, as described above, the ECU 101 sounds the same chime via the buzzer 102 in the initial stage of the secondary audible alert as during the primary audible alert that the occupant usually hears when starting the vehicle. Therefore, the occupant can readily realize that his or her seatbelt is unbuckled at the beginning of the secondary audible alert. Also, during the secondary audible alert, the cycle at which the alert sound (i.e., sound of the same frequencies and volume) is repeated is shortened. This makes the occupant notice that the present warning level for the unbuckled seat belt becomes higher than the primary audible alert, while assuring the correct recognition of the occupant as to the unbuckled seat belt warning. While the invention has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment or construction. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements. In addition, while the various elements of the preferred embodiments are shown in various combinations and configurations, which are exemplary, other combinations and configurations, including more, less or only a single element, are also within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The alert sound having specific frequencies and volume is repeated at a different cycle depending upon each warning level. Additionally, or alternatively, the audible alert corresponding to the lowest warning level is activated before activating the audible alert corresponding the present warring level.

FIELD [0001] This relates to methods and systems for analysing and tracking entities operating as part of an organization or system involving both humans and machines. BACKGROUND [0002] In order to coordinate groups of humans, tools, machines, and resources “operations management practices” are used. These practices rely on decision making based on available information and relate to actions of benefit to a group of humans (e.g. a corporation, governmental group, non-profit society, religious sect, etc.). United States pregrant pub. no. 20040210371 (Adachi et al) entitled “Location confirmation method and location display system of construction machine and such construction machine” and United States pregrant pub. no. 20140310412 (Shinohara et al.) entitled “Management server for remote monitoring system” describe systems for tracking the operation and movement of industrial equipment. SUMMARY [0003] There is provided methods and systems for automatically sensing, abstracting, perceiving, and classifying the actions and identities of entities operating as part of an organization or system involving both humans and machines. The system automatically senses and classifies entity actions and, as well, partitions them into time/space regions in which they occur. Such information can be used to analyse and partition system activities, allowing identification and understanding of classified groups of actions and how they relate to organizational tactical and strategic goals. Based on this action/region partitioning, computer models for classes of entities within an organization may be developed, inferring causal rules for how each entity responds to changes in their sensed state. Based on such entity modelling, predictive simulations may be constructed to assess the probable effect of operational changes on the system as a whole. Based on such information, optimization of organizational functioning can be achieved. Optimization can be both local (e.g. based on, for example, a single, particular, entity) and global (optimization of an entire, coordinated network of system entities). [0004] According to other aspects, there is provided methods and systems for automatically perceiving, analysing, and reporting on actions of one or more entities and/or associated entities within an organization comprised of humans and machinery, comprising: Geographic position and time measurement; At least one sensor detector; Electronic transduction to convert sensor signals and geography/time information into computer network transmissible form; A time/space-ordered database to record said time/space/sensor measurements; Computational device(s) to automatically abstract, recognize, and classify at least one set of actions from said database, thereby determining the time/space “Region” of extent of the actions; A “markup” database capable of storing such perceived actions and their metadata; Action analytics and reporting device(s) capable of determining facts about at least one entity, storing such facts in a database for future reference/comparison, analysing such facts with respect to previous historic facts and actions, generating exception alerts regarding significant deviations from either historic averages of actions or absolute thresholds, generating profit/loss/cost accounting summaries for at least one entity, and generating automatic billing information based on entity actions. [0005] According to other aspects, there is provided methods and systems for automatically measuring, abstracting, analyzing, categorizing, and understanding—in real-time or near-real-time—actions (both in time and space) of organizational entities. Such automated, data-driven, perception of entity actions enables automatic summaries and time-motion productivity analysis of entity activities over arbitrary and non-continuous blocks of time and 3D space. It also allows such summaries to automatically adapt over time, changing in response to changes in the nature of the activities being monitored. As well, the same abstracted data can be used to automatically build computational models of organizational entities. These models that can be used for optimization purposes—either optimizing actions of the entity in question, or linking such models together with implicit data-defined inter-entity relationships to optimize groups of entities on an organization-wide basis. [0006] According to other aspects, there is provided systems and methods that may be used to create a networked, geographically distributed, entity sensing network capable of real-time or near-real-time perception and analysis of the states and actions of many entities at once. For each entity, this consists of: acquiring real-time data from a multiplicity of sensors, amongst which are some allowing GPS geographic location measurement; storing such geo-location data in a time-ordered 4 dimensional (three spatial dimensions plus time) database of observations that effectively establish what in physics would be termed the entity's “world line”; pre-processing this data using signal processing techniques to increase signal-to-noise ratio and, as well, help recognize patterns within and between signals; analysing this world line data to recognize and classify multiple tiered levels of abstracted actions, or data structures, termed “Gestures”, “Behaviours”, “Activities”, and “Accomplishments”; automatically linking such identified actions with particular “Regions” of space/time within which they occur; entering all such information into a “world line markup” database overlaying the entity's 4D world line; using this information in combination with raw observations to ascertain the entity's identity based on a “fingerprint” of its real-time actions; analysing the entity's marked up world line to tabulate statistics regarding the nature and duration of all perceived actions; generating operational summaries thereof, along with real-time exception events (deviations from absolute thresholds or historical averages), per entity profit/loss/cost accounting summaries; and performing automated billing based on entity actions. [0007] According to other aspects, the systems and methods may utilize machine learning, pattern recognition, and other computational techniques to automatically and inductively infer/identify important variables and relationships based on comparison between “constellations” of current data with the ongoing historic dataset already acquired over days/weeks/months/years of operations. Such variables/relationships are extracted from historic data as it is acquired and are then used to formulate predictions and hypotheses about future states of the system. As the existence and predictive utility of such variables/relationships changes over time, this system and method perceives its environment, learns, and adapts, changing its models to accurately anticipate the future in real or near-real time, and allowing for optimizing of organizational behaviour accordingly. [0008] According to other aspects, through automated real-time and near-real-time perception, analysis, categorization, and understanding of entity actions, the system enables multi-dimensional, operations-context/application-specific, optimization within an organization. It enables both sophisticated localized (single entity) optimization and, as well, global enterprise-wide optimization for specific high level goals such as profit, business growth, et al. It enables end-to-end, dynamic real-time or near-real-time, optimization of organizational functioning in terms of overarching goals such as profitability (per entity, or per group of entities), pickup/delivery efficiency, or business growth. [0009] In other aspects, using the system, it is possible to observe single entity or grouped entity response in near-real or real-time as organizational changes are implemented, assessing the system's overall response to the changes implemented and comparing it with other experimental changes made in the past or predicted. Such systems/networks consist of one or more organizational entities traversing a “world” (i.e. the physical world and/or one or more virtual computer simulation(s)) in both time and space with the goal of performing optimal actions at many different locations, such locations changing over time. [0010] According to other aspects, the systems and methods automatically and continuously sense entity state through a multi-dimensional array of sensed/measured variables in combination with a variety of contextual environmental variables. Data from each sensor are serialized and stored to form a series of 4D (3D plus time) “world line” measurements. Such world lines effectively arrange the sensor data in time/space, tracing out the movement of the entity through these 4 dimensions. As part of the action abstraction and perception process, “Constellations” of time-coherent world line measurements are built, copying and cross-linking relevant data from multiple sensors to form constellations of readings that all occurred within particular bounded temporal regions. Constellation members are chosen to reinforce one another to heighten their statistical certainty as indicators determining start/stop of useful events. Such world lines are stored in a special, temporally ordered, database. [0011] In some aspects, based on the observational world line data flux from such sensing, the system scans the multi-dimensional data flow from each entity, automatically identifying operations-specific “Observations” encountered/generated by the entities. A combination of signal processing and machine learning algorithms examines this multi-dimensional data, identifying high probability transition points where activity shifted from one endeavour to another, and, as well, identifying when constellation values fall within “definitions” identifying and classifying particular actions. Such definitions can be either explicitly defined by human programmers, or automatically inferred through so-called “unsupervised” signal processing and/or data discretization techniques known to one skilled in the art. The system then links these Observations to time-based geographic locations, abstracts other, higher level events by using data fusion techniques to analyse temporally adjacent lower level or same level event combinations, links sequences/patterns of events into time-based “gestures”, associates gesture sequences/patterns into “Behaviours”, automatically determines 4D world line “Regions” of geographic/temporal extent within which such Behaviours occur, and automatically overlays the world line of each entity's physical/temporal trajectory with a series of segmented Regions extending through time and space (“auto-segmentation”). The system then integrates the totality of such automatic abstractions to identify, measure, and tally completion of “Activities” of interest that are further combined/abstracted to form “Accomplishments” that form the granular bedrock of tactical and strategic operational goals. [0012] According to some aspects, the automatically machine-perceived information as discussed above may be used to multi-dimensionally optimize performance, allowing the system to automatically perceive and adjust (or be adjusted by human operators) to variations in both the physical world and entities' states over time so as to optimize the efficiency and profitability of the system/network. Such optimizations can happen automatically, or in a human assisted, interactive fashion, adaptively optimizing system/network behaviour. [0013] According to some aspects, the block functionality of such system comprises: acquiring data from a variety of real-time and near-real-time sensors and, if necessary, pre-processing it using local “embedded” computing resources; transmitting that multi-sensor data to a multi-appliance computing platform (generally cloud based) that performs additional computing/storage tasks; serializing the data flow so as to ensure proper temporal ordering of individual sensor data; constructing time-stamped 4D “world line” data streams for each sensor that are stored in, for example, a NoSQL database; cross-linking said world line data to create “constellations” of intertwined world line data that combine multiple sensor measurements in ways useful to determining event start/stop boundaries and associated measurements; abstracting “Observation” features through analysis of constellation variables using one or more layers of computational processing and optionally storing said abstracted features into one or more separate database(s); abstracting “Gestures” from such streams of temporal events, recognizing them as repeating patterns of Observations and other Gestures extending over time and space; combining time sequenced sets of Gestures to recognize “Behaviours” as time/space patterns of Observations, Gestures, and other Behaviours; recognizing “Activities” as time/space patterns of Observations, Gestures, Behaviours, and other Activities; and recognizing “Accomplishments” as time/space patterns of Observations, Gestures, Behaviours, Activities, and other Accomplishments; automatically measuring and associating these Gestures, Behaviours, Activities, and Accomplishments with Regions of time/space extent; entering all such information into a “world line markup” database overlaying the entity's 4D world line; using this information in combination with raw world line Observations to ascertain the entity's identity (and that of its human operator, an “associated entity”) based on a “fingerprint” of its real-time actions in comparison with prior history; further processing said features, creating record entries in an database of entity facts; using such information to analyse and report on entity performance in terms of operational summaries tabulating Gestures, Behaviours, Activities, Accomplishments and metrics surrounding their execution, exception events (deviations beyond either absolute thresholds and/or historic performance averages of certain tasks), profit/loss/cost accounting tabulations; and automatically generating billings based on entity actions; to feed the combined entity world line observations, action/region markup, and measured analytic facts to a Historic Modelling software module that uses such data to infer causal relationships between variables and create a software model of the entity and how it responds to changing variables over time. [0014] According to some aspects, the method and apparatus discussed herein includes a properly integrated combination of the following elements: a) “Geographically Indifferent Data Acquisition” whereby real-time or near-real-time measurements from each entity's sensors are acquired, locally pre-processed or conditioned/scaled, and transmitted over a wired or wireless electronic computer-based network to a special purpose database server or server network. b) “Serialization and World Line Creation” whereby the incoming raw data is time-ordered, and inserted into a custom structured database containing sensor readings accessible via the 3 spatial dimensions plus time, such a database being meant to function both as a “big data” repository for analysis of contemporaneous data, and, as well, a historic “memory” of past activities. c) “Time and/or Spatial Signal Processing” whereby sensor data streams, either alone or in combined constellations are processed using signal processing techniques meant to extract information regarding the structure of the data flow such as, for example, periodicity, frequency spectra, self-similarity, wavelet basis set composition, et al. Such processing may be performed upon time domain and/or spatial domain (concerning geographic 3D location(s)) data as appropriate. Additionally, such streams may be mapped from non-temporally adjacent windows of time to form new composite data streams containing multiple data streams time-offset and/or space-offset from one another. d) “Gesture, Behaviour, Activity, and Achievement Recognition and Classification”, or types of data structures, wherein both raw and time/space processed sensor signals are analyzed and compared to extant definitions of both actions and geographic spatial regions to identify recognizable action patterns of aggregate raw and abstracted variables, and identify when/where each action starts/stops in both time and space. Analysis further recognizes/classifies them (if known) by type, and, if unknown, automatically develops definitions for them, tags them as new unique types, and flags them for metadata entry by human operators. As the data structures progress from gesture through to activities and beyond, the type of data structure may be considered to fall within a hierarchical order from the lowest order, such as data patterns, to higher order data structures. e) “World Line Time/Space/Region Auto-Segmentation” wherein entity world lines are automatically segmented to create a world line markup database that overlays each entity's world line with identified actions and the 4D (space plus time) regions in which said actions occur. f) “Action-Based Analytics, Reporting, and Billing” in which the segmented 4D world lines of entities are analyzed, summarized, and compared with historic performance of the same, different, or aggregate-averaged entities' performance. Said analysis produces operations summaries and comparisons, exception events (where actions are problematic and/or deviate significantly from historic practice), and profit/loss/cost accounting summaries on a per entity basis that can also be aggregated across either groups of entities or an entire organization. Further, the evidence-based reporting of automatically detected and measured actions can be used to create automated billings based on actual events that occurred, not contractual generalities, enabling near-real-time evaluation of individual entity profit/loss/cost and response to changing entity or system conditions over time. [0021] According to some aspects, the system may include one or more of the following features: A system that stores sensor data linked to 4D (time plus 3 spatial dimensions) world line locations, uses such time/space positioning to analyse sensor signals, abstract patterns from them that identify actions, recognize, perceive, and classify multiple tiered levels of actions and relationships between them; Automatic detection and classification of entity actions, and measurement of their Regions of extent over both time and space; Automatic derivation of the metadata structure of relationships between entity actions, resulting in a tiered perception of levels of actions—components that build on each other to allow perception of larger, more comprehensive, activities and accomplishments; Automatic identification of potential cause/effect relationships within said metadata structure of relationships; Automatic analysis and reporting on entity actions to establish per entity profit/loss/cost profiles; Automatic reporting of exception events regarding automatically detected deviations from normal historic averages for either the entity per se or aggregate averages across a truck fleet, different drivers, etc.; Automatic analysis and reporting across entities to establish automatically calculated and continuously updated aggregate and entity-type-specific normative averages and variances for one or more groups of similar entities; Use of continuously updated normative figures to create a continuously adaptive method of perceiving and identifying outlier actions based on deviations from norms that change over time (essentially a way of auto-thresholding detection of actions of note); Ability to automatically adapt reporting of exception and/or outlier events over time based on deviations from continuously updated normative averages and variances; Automatic analysis of, and continuous updating of, per entity and cross entity efficiency measurements; Custom Gesture/Behaviour/Activity/Accomplishment variable windowing of data flows based on definitions that are either a priori from humans, or derived by machine learning pattern analysis (i.e. the specific Gesture detection techniques described); Jointly/Severally doing signal processing of sensor signals based on any combination of time plus 3 spatial dimensions plus the sensor values themselves; Signal processing Time and/or Geographic Window Assembly subsystem functionality for compositing signals of known time or geographic offset; Identifying each entity action by a particular “fingerprint” of sensor data flux over particular regions of time and space. Transitions between these can be automatically recognized using machine learning data discretization techniques. This allows for a dual automated recognition of transition boundaries followed by automated derivation/definition of indicators for identifying the particular action (based on the data flux “fingerprint” interior to the start/stop transitions); Tiered abstraction and perception/recognition of successive levels of actions, each built upon a combination of raw Observations and previously perceived/recognized, lower level or current level actions, such perception/recognition being based on multi-dimensional matching of either human-defined or machine-generated action definitions (e.g. Gestures); Identify and classify both entities and “associated entities” automatically through machine learning techniques examining their sensor data fluxes, perceived actions, and time/space relationships between said actions. Each entity such as (in a preferred embodiment) a truck has a particular “fingerprint”. This fingerprint is affected by the associated entity (e.g. the driver of a truck). Transitions between these can be recognized using machine learning data discretization techniques. Having segmented such transitions, the body of each separate entities data flux can then be analysed for maximum likelihood indicators that then can be automatically set as definitions to identify an entity's and/or their associated entity's presence during particular time periods. Overall entity performance analysis may be based on cyclical temporal analysis and/or signal processing techniques to identify patterns in the performance data set and deviations from historic norms. Overall entity performance analysis may be based on machine learning algorithm approaches similar to those already detailed for entity action recognition/classification, allowing automatic segmenting/classification of entity performance, development of maximum likelihood estimators to identify each classification type, and analysis/establishment of cause/effect relationships between variables. This automatic elucidation of the structure of each entity's performance and creation of cause/effect understanding of the causes of such structure is a significant advance over present day organizational analysis capabilities. Use of machine learning and other techniques to automatically detect and elucidate the structure of actions of entities and/or associated entities in the system. This applies not only to the actions, but the relations between the actions. Automatic detection of performance deviations from historic functioning Automated action-based billing Assessment of performance response to a known recipe of operations changes [0044] According to an aspect, there is provided a method of analysing and tracking machine systems, comprising the steps of: sensing operational data from equipment, the operational data comprising at least location, time, and one or more operational condition data related to the equipment; analysing the operational data to identify data patterns; logging the data patterns in a database; identifying one or more gestures by comparing the data patterns to a set of gesture definitions; and identifying one or more behaviours in a set of behaviour definitions, each behaviour definition comprising a gesture and one or more of: one or more additional gesture, one or more operational datum, or combination thereof [0045] In other aspects, the method described above may further comprise the following aspects, alone or in combination: the method may further comprise the step of monitoring for unknown gestures or unknown behaviours, and automatically adding a definition of the unknown gestures or unknown behaviours to the respective set of gesture definitions or set of behaviour definitions; a user may be alerted to classify unknown gestures or unknown behaviours; the method may further comprise the steps of monitoring for unclassified gestures and unclassified behaviours based on repeated patterns, and adding the unclassified gestures and unclassified behaviours to the respective set of gesture definitions and set of behaviour definitions; the method may further comprise the step of comparing at least the operational data to one or more thresholds, and triggering an alarm if one or more thresholds have been exceeded; analysing the operational data to identify data patterns may comprise comparing data values from the sensors to values in the definitions, convolving signals representative of the operational data processing signals representative of the operational data, using machine learning techniques to segment the operational data, or combinations thereof; the signals may be processed to obtain spatial information, frequency information, time domain information, or combinations thereof from the processed signals; data patterns may comprise first order data structures, gestures comprise second order data structures, and behaviours comprise third order data structures, and the method may further comprise the step of identifying one or more higher order structure defined by sets of higher order definitions, each higher order structure comprising a combination of two or more lower order data structures, wherein at least one lower order data structure comprises an immediately lower order data structure; an operational analysis may be generated based on the data structures, which may comprise an efficiency analysis of the duration of each data structure, and the time between data structures; the operational analysis may further comprise an estimated cost of each accomplishment or activity based on one or more maintenance costs, material costs, labour costs, and equipment cost, and/or a comparison between separate equipment, separate operators, or both separate equipment and separate operators; the operational analysis may comprise a comparison of the estimated costs and benefits of modified operations relative to the estimated costs and benefits of current operations; the method may further comprise the step of logging each of the one or more gestures and one or more behaviours in the database. [0046] According to an aspect, there is provided a system for analysing and tracking machine systems, comprising sensors mounted to equipment in the machine system, and a processor in communication with the sensors. The sensors sense operational data from the equipment comprising at least location, time, and one or more operational condition data related to the equipment. The processor is programmed to: identify data structures using sets of data structure definitions, the data structures being ordered hierarchically in one of a first order and more than one higher order, wherein the first order data structures comprise data patterns identified from the operational data, and higher order data structures comprise an immediately lower order data structure in combination with one or more lower order data structures. [0047] In other aspects, the system described above may further comprise the following aspects, alone or in combination: the system may further comprise a notification device, and the processor may be further programmed to identify potential data structures, and trigger the notification device to notify a user of any potential data structures; the processor may be further programmed to compare the operational data or one or more data structures to one or more thresholds, and to trigger the notification device if one or more thresholds have been exceeded; comparing the data patterns to the database may comprise comparing data values from the sensors with values in a database, convolving signals representative of the operational data with another signal, processing signals representative of the operational data, applying machine learning techniques to segment the operational data, or combinations thereof; the signals may be processed to obtain spatial information, frequency information, time domain information, or combinations thereof [0048] According to another aspect, there is provided a method of analysing and tracking machine systems, comprising the steps of: sensing operational data from equipment, the operational data comprising at least location, time, and one or more operational condition data related to the equipment; and identifying data structures using sets of data structure definitions, the data structures being ordered hierarchically, wherein the first order data structures comprise data patterns identified from the operational data, and higher order data structures comprises a combination of two or more lower order data structures, wherein at least one lower order data structure comprises an immediately lower order data structure. [0049] In other aspects, the method described above may further comprise the following aspects, alone or in combination: the method may further comprise the steps of monitoring for unknown data structures not in the sets of data structures and adding a definition of one or more unknown data structures to the sets of data structure definitions or alerting a user to classify the unknown data structures; identifying data patterns may comprise comparing data values from the sensors to values in the definitions, convolving signals representative of the operational data with another signal, or processing signals representative of the operational data, applying machine learning techniques to segment the operational data, or combinations thereof; the signals may be processed to obtain spatial information, frequency information, time domain information, or combinations thereof from the processed signals; the method may further comprise the step of generating an operational analysis based on a plurality of identified data structures; the operational analysis may comprise an efficiency analysis of the duration of one or more data structures, and a time interval between selected data structures; [0050] the operational analysis may further comprise an estimated cost of one or more data structures based on one or more maintenance costs, material costs, labour costs, and equipment costs; the operational analysis may comprise a comparison between separate equipment, separate operators, or both separate equipment and separate operators; the operational analysis may comprise a comparison of the estimated costs and benefits of modified operations relative to the estimated costs and benefits of current operations; the method may further comprise the step of logging each of the identified data structures in a database. [0051] These and other aspects will be apparent from the specification, drawings and claims contained herein. The various aspects may be combined in any reasonable manner as recognized by those skilled in the art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0052] These and other features will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to be in any way limiting, wherein: [0053] FIG. 1 a -1 c is a block diagram of a systemic design for a Single Entity Perception System, showing how the system may work in sensing, abstracting, perceiving, classifying, analysing, and reporting a single entity's actions. [0054] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a Multi-Sensor Entity Sensing and Local Embedded Computing subsystem, showing the nature of some typical entity sensing for an example where the organization using the system is a waste hauling operation. [0055] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a Time and/or Spatial Signal Processing subsystem, showing examples of typical types of signal processing that may be applied to signals by the system. [0056] FIG. 4 is a diagram of the Gesture Recognition and Classification subsystems, setting out examples of gestural recognition as being based on perceiving/matching shapes in a multi-dimensional space consisting of time, three spatial dimensions (“Region” extent) plus particular “constellations” of signals assembled from raw Observations, time/spatially processed signals, and previously recognized Gestures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0057] There is provided a system for automatically sensing, abstracting, perceiving, classifying, analyzing, and reporting regarding the actions of appropriately instrument-equipped organizational entities in real-time and/or near-real-time. [0058] Geographically Indifferent Data Acquisition [0059] Referring to FIG. 1 a -1 c , the depicted system, generally indicated by reference numerals 101 to 129 , includes electronic sensors and localized pre-processing computing contained in Multi-Sensor Entity Sensing and Local Embedded Computing block ( 101 ), which sense characteristics from the physical world and/or one or more virtual (data simulated/modeled) worlds ( 100 ) and convert them into time-stamped, electronically mediated, measurements (data) of the same. FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a typical preferred embodiment of sensing and computing block ( 101 ) in which an entity ( 11 ) is a waste hauling truck, bin, or specialty bin site for the waste industry. These may include a general sensor block ( 1 ) in communication with a local processing block ( 8 ) and communication block ( 9 ). Sensor data may then be transmitted through a network ( 13 ) to a central computer processor/database, or displayed on a display unit ( 10 ), which may also transmit data all or selected data. Sensors may include one or more: RFID reader ( 2 ) that communicates with RFID tagged objects or locations ( 12 ), digital camera ( 3 ), GPS ( 4 ), weight or load sensor ( 5 ), CAN bus ( 6 ), etc. Notwithstanding the specific sensors articulated in FIG. 2 , it will be clear to one skilled in the art that additional sensors ( 7 ), capable of sensing dangerous chemicals, density, the type of and volume/weight of specific materials in the waste stream, et al., may also be used, or other sensors required for application-specific needs that will be evident to one skilled in the art. Their diversity and capabilities will increase over time as sensor technologies progress. [0060] Serialization and World Line Creation [0061] Such measurements are conveyed via a Data Transmission block ( 102 ) to a Serialization block ( 103 ), where measurements from disparate sensors are properly sorted and time-ordered into the time sequence in which they occurred. FIG. 1 shows that certain definitions are user defined, as indicated by the block “humans” providing input to various blocks. [0062] These, now properly time-ordered separate sensor data streams are then fed to Entity 4D World Line Record Creation block ( 104 ). Here they are ordered into data set records that specifically associate the entity's 4D location in time and space (3 spatial dimensions plus time) with the measurement taken. Geographic 3D position information comes from specific position determining sensors such as for example, a GPS receiver module. The term “world line” is used in this document in the sense of a physics “world line” i.e. the trajectory that an object takes simultaneously through 4 dimensional time and space. The world line of each entity is tracked by the system and (later) marked up with perception annotations that characterize “Regions” (of time and space) along the world line associated with identified/classified actions that occurred within said Regions. [0063] These records are then stored into a 4D World Line Observations Database ( 105 ) in a form allowing the time/space location links to be associated, stored, and retrieved with each sensor observation. In a preferred embodiment, a “NoSQL” database such as MongoDB may be used to enable construction of particular “tree” and “forest” data structures of related measurements and higher level abstracted/perceived observation-based information, but other database types are possible and evident to one skilled in the art. [0064] Time and/or Spatial Signal Processing [0065] The system's preferred architecture is a real-time one commonly known as “data flow”. Incoming data records are stored into the database for later reference, but are subsequently immediately pulled and processed by Gesture Recognition and Classification block ( 109 ), passing through Time and/or Spatial Signal Processing block ( 107 ) in the process. These two processing subsystems ( 107 and 109 ) are complimentary. FIG. 3 shows a typical structure of Spatial Signal Processing block ( 107 ). Measurements flowing from the 4D World Line Observations Database ( FIG. 1 , ( 105 )) are routed by a Sensor Signal Router ( 20 ) to the appropriate signal processing block(s), both routing and processing parameters being determined from the Signal Processing Definitions block ( 106 ) of FIG. 1 . Based on these settings, sensor specific signal analysis is provided, generating an array of additional Processed Signal ( 29 ) information from various blocks representing various operations, such as convolutions ( 21 ), auto-correlations ( 22 ), comb or multi-tap filters ( 23 ), Fourier Transforms ( 24 ) wavelet transforms ( 25 ), digital frequency filters ( 26 ), time and/or geographic window assembly ( 27 ), and/or other signal processing algorithms ( 28 ). This Processed Signal ( 29 ) and Raw Signal ( 30 ) information is made available to the Gesture Recognition and Classification subsystem ( 109 ) shown in FIG. 1 and subsequent subsystems, where it is used in addition to the raw observational data to make determinations regarding the nature of perceived entity actions. [0066] The method and system may be useful to process such signals in more than one dimension. Since the data being fed into the signal processing is both time based and spatially based, it is possible and intended that the nature of processing may include—jointly and severally—any/all combination(s) of the 3 spatial dimensions plus time, plus the sensor readings themselves. [0067] The specific signal processing blocks depicted in FIG. 3 are exemplary only. Depending on the nature of the entity and the actions being perceived by the system, other signal processing methods/algorithms/techniques may be used and will be evident in context to one skilled in the art. [0068] The method or system may also be used to provide the ability to deal with the reality that time-based measurements are continuously flowing. Analysis, pattern recognition, and entity feature identification/perception based on such continuous flows is different from, for example, machine vision analysis of a single photograph, wherein all data relevant to the features being perceived is certain to be contained. We refer to this as the “Picture Windowing Problem”. [0069] For example, in one embodiment, signal processing subsystem Time and/or Geographic Window Assembly ( 27 ) may be used. This subsystem composites sensor readings into non-time-continuous windows, effectively creating a data stream consisting of several different “tap points” in time and/or space, offset to one another. In cases where known delay relationships between signals have been established, this composite data flow is much easier to analyse and will inherently highlight associated inter-signal relationships. Since the world line is inherently a 4 dimensional space, said compositing and setting of tap points may occur across any/all of the 3 spatial dimensions and/or time. [0070] Data Structure Recognition and Classification [0071] Once they have passed through the signal processing subsystem, world line sensor data is fed to Gesture Recognition and Classification block ( 109 ). It is here that further processing of the sensor signals occurs. FIG. 4 shows a conceptual view of this subsystem. [0072] Each entity action, such as for example (in a preferred embodiment), a waste truck bin lift, has a particular time/space data flux “fingerprint”. Transitions between these can be recognized using machine learning data discretization techniques. Having segmented such transitions, the body of data between transitions can then be analysed for maximum likelihood indicators that then can be automatically set as definitions of such actions. [0073] For simplicity, in FIG. 4 , the 3 spatial dimensions are compressed onto a single axis labelled “Space/Region”, but it should be understood that this single axis actually represents 3 separate spatial axes of dimensional state space. The other part of this method and system's solution to the Picture Windowing Problem is found herein. For example, a Gesture Instance Builder subsystem ( 40 ) may work with Gesture Definitions block ( 108 ) to create particular software object instances tuned specifically to look for particular gestures. Conceptually, these objects are somewhat like immune system cells—they search through the stream of time, space, and multiple sensor data readings, looking to match particular patterns of sensor signals, 3D spatial positions, temporal positions, and 4D time/space/signal values of previously recognized Gestures. When a definition match is found, a recognized gesture is linked with the matching sensor values and time/space data into a data tree structure using World Line Time/Space Region Auto-Segmentation block ( 122 ) of FIG. 1 . In FIG. 4 , this is represented by Gesture A ( 41 ), Gesture B ( 42 ), Gesture C ( 43 ), and Gesture D ( 44 ), each of which includes certain datapoints as part of a recognizable pattern, which may be made up of raw data, processed data, or a combination of both. As part of its content, such a structure identifies and defines the “Region” of time/space extent occupied by the Gesture. Recognized Gestures are also given a classification type, such a type being useful in understanding the nature of entity actions occurring and tabulating reporting regarding the aggregate of many actions of the same or similar/related type. Such typing may be explicitly defined as part of the Gesture's definition. However, it may also be the case that, while a definition exists for a uniquely classified/typed Gesture, its type name and/or the type's relation to other known types is not presently known. Such a case may, for example, arise when an automatically generated Gesture definition is matched. In such a case, unless the system's human operators have explicitly entered a type classification and specific type relationship metadata to modify the automatic definition, all the automated system knows is that this is a uniquely recognizable Gesture, different from other Gestures (see below). Such un-typed Gestures may be flagged by the system in New Known Gesture block ( 46 ) for human operators to intervene and use their knowledge of the context of operations surrounding the gesture to define its type and provide additional type metadata that allows this Gesture to henceforth be correctly named and tabulated into reporting summaries using the type and the type metadata defining the type's relationship to other types. [0074] The Gesture's structure is also published to be available for assisting in recognition of other gestures and, as well, is stored in a database using Entity World Line Markup State Set Database block ( 122 ) shown in FIG. 1 . [0075] This database contains a description of the “State Set” of an entity as it traverses its 4D time/space world line. The world line markup indicates the perceived/recognized actions performed by the entity, and the Regions of time/space over which they occurred. As such it can be analysed to generate analytic summaries of its records, allowing creation of summaries of what types of actions happened, the extent of time and space over which they happened, and, as well, metadata regarding the relationships between perceived/recognized actions of varying levels of abstraction. Such analysis is performed by Entity Fact Analytics ( 127 ) and Gesture, Behaviour, Activity, Accomplishment Analytics/Reporting block ( 128 ), and is discussed later in more detail. [0076] Such “gesture trees” create a de facto custom window into the multi-dimensional data, and allow for the creation of other windows around their state space location that can be used by any other gesture instance recognizer to effectively centre its window onto the previously recognized gesture. In this way, the individual “gesture trees” may engender other recognized gestures, eventually forming a sort of “gesture forest” data set representing recognized gestures within the multi-dimensional state space. [0077] It may be the case—especially initially—that the system does not recognize any Gestures. In this case, the unclassified/unrecognized flux of sensor and time/space data is fed to Automated Data-Driven Gesture Classification and Definition block ( 45 ) shown in FIG. 4 . This subsystem examines the data flux, attempting to identify points at which actions change, signalling a transition from one action to another, different one. The nature of such classification algorithms have been the subject of so-called “machine learning” research, the outcome of which has been a variety of techniques for what is sometimes termed “data discretization”—effectively detecting transition points between one data context and another. When concerning temporal data, such techniques divide into two main categories—“supervised” (where the nature/context of such transitions is understood a priori) and “unsupervised” (where there is no real context to assist in identifying transitions). Such techniques are known to one skilled in the art, and a variety of them may be employed as part of an embodiment. Examples of some possible techniques are contained in the paper “Discretization of Temporal Data: A Survey” by P. Chaudhari, R. G. Mehta, N. J. Mistry, and M. M. Raghuwanshi, but others, equally or more applicable, will be evident to one skilled in the art. Application of such techniques identifies transition points, where it is probable that the post-transition action occurring is different from what was occurring immediately previous to the transition. These, in turn, allow analysis of the two different data fluxes (pre and post transition) to determine maximum likelihood indicators for identifying future actions of a similar nature and, as well, for uniquely identifying the action by way of a particular “fingerprint” of time/space related data values from multiple sensors. This, in turn, gives rise to automated creation of a Gesture definition template for identifying future occurrences of this Gesture and classifying them into the same Gesture type category. [0078] The method and system may be used to provision tiered perception and recognition of successively higher level abstractions of actions based on multi-dimensional recognition of either human-defined or machine-generated action definitions (e.g. Gestures). Thus the method and system, as described, allows fundamental Observations to be abstracted to perceive Gestures; Gestures plus Observations to be combined to abstract and perceive/recognize higher level “Behaviours”; Behaviours plus Gestures plus Observations to be abstracted to perceive/recognize yet higher level “Activities”; and Activities plus Behaviours plus Gestures plus Observations to be combined to abstract/perceive/recognize yet higher level “Achievements”. While 5 levels of abstraction are articulated in this description, there is no reason that such a process of abstraction—based as it is upon a combination of all raw Observations plus all previously perceived lower level and current level actions—cannot extend to yet higher levels. Generalization of such a process to higher levels will be obvious to one skilled in the art. [0079] Given this tiering of perception/recognition, the functioning of the successive levels of perception/recognition is similar to that of the first level Gestures with respect to: perception/recognition algorithms ( 109 ), definitions ( 108 ), and automated data-driven classification and automated definition ( 110 ) for the higher level abstractions, or higher order data structures—Behaviours, Activities, and Accomplishments. The only difference is that, for each successive level of abstracted perception, more information is available to inform classification/perception/recognition choices, as all previously perceived/recognized lower or current level actions are available in addition to the raw Observation data itself. Once the utility of successive levels of abstraction is appreciated in conjunction with the lower level approach to action-centric “windowing” of data and matching of definitions, creation of higher levels or orders of data structures should be evident to one skilled in the art. Thus the FIG. 1 blocks ( 112 ) through ( 120 ) inclusive, which include a definitions database ( 112 , 115 , 118 ), an Automated data driven classification and definition block ( 113 , 116 , 119 ), and a recognition and classification block ( 114 , 117 , 120 ) do not need further description. [0080] World Line Time/Space/Region Auto-Segmentation [0081] ‘Regions” of extent in time and space may be identified within which actions occur. As an example, Region Definitions block ( 121 ) in FIG. 1 is a repository of definitions of such regions. Regions can be created explicitly by human operators and entered into this repository. In a preferred embodiment applied to a waste hauling company, human operators might, for example, define regions of interest such as a truck depot yard, land fill, or large area client site as Regions for which knowledge of entity presence/absence was desirable. These explicit definitions would be stored internally as object classes, with their geographic extent defined, but with an undefined time extent. When this definition was matched up using World Line Time/Space Region Auto-Segmentation block ( 122 ), a specific instance variable of that Region would be created with the time extent filled in. This would then be attached to the action presently being perceived, and stored as part of the entity's world line markup information in Entity World Line Markup State Set Database ( 123 ). [0082] The method and system is preferably able to identify and classify both entities and “associated entities” automatically through their sensor data fluxes, perceived actions, and time/space relationships between said actions. An associated entity is an additional entity that is connected in some manner with another one. For example, in a preferred embodiment applied to a waste hauling organization, a truck could be an entity, and the truck's driver would be an associated entity connected to the truck for some temporal period. [0083] Such identification/recognition of an entity, such as a truck and an associated person driving the truck, may be accomplished using so-called machine learning techniques in a manner similar to that described with respect to Automated Data-Driven Gesture Classification and Definition. As with entity action perception/recognition/classification in the identity recognition and classification block ( 124 ), each entity such as (in a preferred embodiment) a truck has a particular “fingerprint” of sensor data, system perceived actions, and metadata surrounding relations between actions, which may be defined or stored in identity definitions block ( 111 ). Transitions between entities and/or associated entities (such as, for example, a truck's driver) can be recognized using machine learning data discretization techniques. Having segmented such transitions, the body of data between them can then be analysed for maximum likelihood indicators that can act as definitions of such entities' presence during particular temporal time periods. Such definitions are stored in Entity and Associated Entity (Operator) Definitions ( 125 ). Thus activity of particular entities and associated entities can be automatically recognized repeatedly by the system. Human operators of the system can edit these definitions, adding in metadata such as names, truck VIN numbers, etc. to provide more specific contextual identification. Once this metadata has been added, it can be stored as a more complete identity element of the Entity World Line Markup State Set Database ( 123 ), where it can be made available to the Entity fact analytics calculations ( 126 ), Entity Fact Database ( 127 ), Gesture, Behaviour, Activity, and Accomplishment Analytics/Reporting block ( 128 ) used in compiling analytics and reporting information. [0084] Action-Based Analytics, Reporting, and Billing [0085] The nature of the analytics provided can satisfy multiple organizational assessment, optimization, and strategy goals. The Entity World Line Markup State Set Database ( 123 ) contains automatically perceived information about the actions performed by the entity over time. At a very basic level, such information allows construction of a “fact” database that tallies common figure of merit performance statistics over useful periods of time such as per day, per week, month, year, etc. In a preferred embodiment applied to a waste hauling organization, these might be, for example, daily/weekly/monthly facts about how many waste bins were emptied, what the average bin lift time was, how much truck idling existed, how much fuel was consumed over the 3D terrain path driven, or as perception events occurring in the course of a day, week, month, or year. [0086] Beyond such basic operations summary performance tallies, however, more sophisticated analysis leading to real-time or near-real-time optimization can also be performed: [0087] Cyclical temporal analysis may be performed to detect and understand both normal action levels and deviations therefrom. Actions can be aggregated over multiple continuous time periods such as days/weeks/months, etc. They can also be examined over specifically non-continuous segments, such as looking at all Mondays compared to all Thursdays, summer compared to winter, etc. As well, they can be aggregated geographically before such temporal analysis, for example being grouped regarding specific geographic regions identified by the system. [0088] Such time/space aggregations of action data can then be analysed in terms of frequency distribution, statistical measures such as standard deviation that measure the variance of actions of the same or similar nature, cause/effect relationships regarding modulation of duration of actions, or other analytic analysis evident to one skilled in the art. These summaries may be compared with historic averages over the same time intervals, thereby establishing statistical variances of these measures over multiple time cycles. Such comparisons and variance measures may then be further analyzed to identify and flag statistically significant deviations for human investigation/optimization/remedy. [0089] Analysis may also be non-temporal, using frequency analysis, auto-correlation, wavelet transforms, and/or other signal processing techniques similar to those detailed in FIG. 3 . Time and/or Spatial Signal Processing to detect performance patterns. [0090] As well, such overall entity performance analysis may be based on machine learning algorithm approaches similar to those already detailed for entity action recognition/classification, allowing automatic segmenting/classification of entity performance, development of maximum likelihood estimators to identify each classification type, and analysis/establishment of cause/effect relationships between variables. This automatic elucidation of the structure of each entity's performance and creation of cause/effect understanding of the causes of such structure is a significant advance over present day organizational analysis capabilities. [0091] Automatic Detection of Performance Deviations from Historic Functioning [0092] Taken together, these multiple analysis types enable significant management optimization opportunities: Firstly, they enable generation of “Exception Events” in real-time or near-real-time, where it is clear that something unusual has happened to the entity out of the realm of normally expected daily occurrence. A simply example of these events, in a preferred embodiment applied to a waste hauling organization, would be if a truck suddenly became idle for more than a certain period of time. Such inaction would be perceived by the system, identified as a “truck idle” exception event, and reported immediately to dispatch operators. Secondly, more subtle deviations could also be perceived, allowing one to assess the slow changing of an entity's performance functionality over time and/or in response to operational changes implemented. For example, in a preferred waste hauling embodiment, a truck's power take off (“PTO”) unit, sensed via truck CAN bus data fluxes, might slowly degrade in terms of power delivery over time due to equipment wear. This could cause a lengthening of the lift time of so-called “Roll Off” waste bins onto the back of the truck, which would be noted in performance metrics. Such a performance degradation could be identified and measured, then correlated with the CAN bus PTO data by the system's machine learning segmentation techniques to establish a probable causal relationship between the two, which could, in turn, be identified to human operators. [0093] Assessment of Separate Categories of Actions and Derivation of Overall Per Entity Efficiency [0094] When entity actions are classified by type, they can be tabulated by type over known periods of time and/or space. It is an aspect of an embodiment that such types can also be given “attributes” by human operators who understand the greater context of operations. Thus types of actions can be sorted and tabulated by attribute. For example, in a preferred embodiment where the system is applied to a waste hauling business, revenue-generating actions such as waste bin pickups from clients might be given a “productive time” attribute, whereas revenue-costing actions such as time spent at a landfill, time spent idle, etc. might be given an “unproductive time” attribute. Performance of an entity could be evaluated over a specific time period to examine its entity-specific ratio of productive to unproductive time, allowing generation of a measure of its efficiency. Such entity-specific efficiency figures could then be compared to cross-fleet averages to, for example, identify outlier entities whose performance needed human investigation and/or correction. [0095] Assessment of Per Entity Profit/Loss/Cost [0096] Related to such efficiency analysis, it is an additional aspect of an embodiment to enable per entity assessment of profit, loss, and cost and the correlation of these values with the entity state set information stored in the Entity Fact Database ( 127 ) and Entity World Line Markup State Set Database ( 123 ) to understand cause/effect relationships between the automatically perceived actions/regions and their profit/loss/cost outcomes. Based on such analysis, deep understanding of the incremental cost and profit/losses arising from adding/subtracting particular actions can be obtained, allowing optimization of chains of actions to maximize profitable outcomes. For example, in a preferred embodiment where the organization was a waste hauling company, it would be possible to assess the specific incremental “transition cost” of adding one customer's pick up to a particular route, measuring the incremental time taken to pick up, and separating out the incremental effect of this waste pickup on when a trip to dump at a landfill was needed. This sort of entity-specific, action-specific, client-specific, cost calculation is not presently possible. It is invaluable in determining cost/benefit, assessing pricing and opportunity cost for current or future clients, and for optimizing routing of trucks based not only on geography, but on the nature of what they have historically picked up from specific locations in terms of weight, volume, material, etc. [0097] Aggregation of Multiple Entities into Groups of Similar Auto-Classified Type [0098] While much of this discussion is focused upon automatic perception and measurement of actions per entity, it will be obvious to one skilled in the art that such entity measurements can be usefully combined, grouped, and aggregated. This is particularly the case given the method and system's ability to automatically classify types of actions, and for metadata regarding relationships between those actions to be either automatically generated by the system, or entered directly by humans familiar with action contexts who are able to define and name said action types and their relations to each other. Thus it is possible for the system to generate reporting that groups entities by type, and, further, analyses based on more sophisticated metadata such as causal relationships between types of actions, etc. [0099] Comparison Across Multiple Entities with Varying Associated Entities, or Regarding a Single Associated Entity Over Time [0100] It should also be evident to one skilled in the art that it is possible to generate reporting that directly compares or ranks associated entities such as, for example, operators of vehicles. Since the method and system can classify—through the nature of, and relationships between, their actions—which human was operating the entity, it is possible to generate inter-human rankings of groups/teams of operators regarding their operation (at different times) of the same entity. Additionally, it is possible to generate similar inter-human rankings of operators and their operation of other entities of a similar type (for example, multiple trucks of the same model/type). As well, it is possible to assess performance of a single operator over time to measure skills improvement. [0101] Comparison across Multiple Entities and/or Groups of Entities [0102] It should also be evident to one skilled in the art that it is possible to aggregate and compare actions and automatically analysed/reported performance of multiple entities. This is particularly useful in comparing similar, or related, entities and examining potential cause/effect relationships for significant differences between them. For example, in a preferred embodiment applied to a waste hauling organization, it might be the case that truck engine wear for one set of trucks used in a particular geographic terrain was significantly worse than that of the same trucks used elsewhere. Similarly, waste bins could be assessed to establish causal factors with respect to their effective (non-chronological) age and repair status versus client, location, weight of materials, local rainfall levels, etc. Once established, such causal modelling could be used predictively to anticipate and/or mitigate entity maintenance activities/costs. [0103] Automated Action-Based Billing [0104] It is a further aspect of the system and method that it enables Automated action-based billing block ( 129 ) to generate customer charges based on specific, automatically perceived and tabulated, actual actions and achievements completed rather than broad contractual agreements. Using the system and method, it is possible to automatically perceived completed, billable, accomplishments and, in detail, determine the costs of the accomplishments. Such detailed reporting may be used to automatically generate billing, particularly “cost plus” billing that ensures a known profit margin per action. [0105] For example, in a preferred embodiment such as application to a waste hauling organization, it would be possible to automatically tabulate—over an arbitrary billing period or even on a per event basis—the number of times a specific truck/driver had gone to a client's site and picked up a waste bin. It would further be possible, using the metadata attached to each system-perceived action, to base that accomplishment's billing on a very detailed number of action-related variables such as: the weight of material picked up by the truck each time; the incremental transit time and fuel consumption both from the truck's previous location to the pickup site and to a landfill for dumping; and the indirect cost of truck wear and tear for carrying such a weight of waste material. [0106] Based on this specific, per event, information, costs can be determined. Billing can then be generated on a per event basis for this accomplishment, reflecting actual accomplishment costs plus a desired profit margin. Alternatively, billing can be based on simpler, but equally automatically perceived, accomplishments such as just lifting a bin at a particular site. However, in both cases, billing is generated only when the event actually happens and is not based on a contract that calls for emptying bins on a call-in basis, “on average every two weeks”, etc. [0107] Such evidence-based, action-based, billing is extremely powerful in terms of both strategic and tactical management of the organization. It confers ability to directly manage and optimize the organization on a per entity and per action profit/loss/cost basis. This capability is specifically enabled by the ability to automatically perceive, record, and aggregate detailed information about each action. [0108] Automated Assessment of Performance Response to a Known Recipe of Operations Changes [0109] The system and method may also be used to enable automatic assessment of the effect of a known set of operational changes—both per entity, and with respect to groupings of entities. The significant per entity level of detail perceived by the system regarding entity actions allows performance metrics to be evaluated both before and after changes are made. Thus the system and method can analyse the response of the organization to changes, essentially treating it in a manner similar to an electronic filter and assessing its “impulse response” to a particular type of stimulation. Such response assessment can happen in near-real-time, waiting only on the individual time constants that may be associated with the specific recipe of changes implemented. It is important to note that such a response is not necessarily linear—either per entity or across all system-recognized entities or entity groups. Without the ability to automatically perceive and measure real-time, per entity, actions, and assess them against continuously changing historic norms, such response assessment would be impossible. It is the fineness of real-time-automated, per entity, time/space/action perception that makes such response assessment possible/viable. [0110] In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements. [0111] The following claims are to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, and what can be obviously substituted. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

A method of analysing and tracking machine systems has the steps of sensing operational data from equipment, the operational data comprising at least location, time, and one or more operational condition data related to the equipment; analysing the operational data to identify data patterns; logging the data patterns as events in a database; comparing the events to a database of predetermined patterns to classify each data pattern as a known event or an unknown event; updating the database to include a new data pattern related to any unknown events; and alerting a user to further classify the unknown events manually.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/455,220, filed May 31, 1995, abandoned. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a telecommunications network and, in particular, a telecommunications system for dynamically allocating data links between a switching office and a processing node in the telecommunications network of a long distance carrier. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Originally in a telecommunications network, the switching office (hereinafter switch) made all decisions on call processing features, without any need for external information, such as a database. Data, associated with a telephone call, was common to many locations, and the storage capacity of disks or random access memory (RAM) in the switch was sufficient to handle the data. Eventually, however, technological advances, information expansion, and network complexity necessitated access to external resources for assisting the switch in the call processing decisions. Intelligent Platforms (IP), such as a remotely located database, evolved and began assisting in the decisions on call processing features on a significant amount of the network traffic. Currently, data links connect the switch and the remote database via the well-known X.25 packet-switched communications protocol, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,095,505 and 5,335,268 which are of common assignee with the present invention. The disclosures of these patents are incorporated herein by reference. The data links, for example, permit data transfer in call routing, card verification, address translation information, etc. The current architectural configuration consists of a set of 19.2Kbits/sec point-to-point links between each switch and each database. Typically, several databases, holding identical information, are attached to a single switch for creating a robust network. In this multi-database configuration, failure of a database or a data link of the database will not prevent the switch from completing the calls, as the switch will request one of the remaining databases for assistance in call processing. To balance the volume of data transactions among the databases, a round-robin link selection algorithm is currently used by the switch. This algorithm sequentially accesses each database connected to the switch, balancing traffic among them, as well as between the links to each database, to ensure that no single link is overloaded while other links are carrying little or no data traffic. While the round-robin link selection algorithm has an advantage of distributing the data transactions among the databases equally, it fails to consider the cost of data routing to various databases. For example, if the call, requiring special processing by the database, is originating on the East Coast of the United States, it would be more cost efficient for the long distance carrier to access the database also located on the East Coast. If, however, the round-robin link selection algorithm is used by the switch, the call-related information might have to be routed to the database on the West Coast, if according to the algorithm, it is its turn to process the call. The response from the database would have to be returned to the East Coast for completing the call. This cross-country round trip results in inefficient and expensive call processing by the long distance carrier. The benefit of balancing the traffic by the round-robin link selection algorithm might have outweighed the routing cost while the data traffic between the switch and the database was light. As the long distance carriers constantly strive to provide more enhanced intelligent networking technologies and services, projections show that the throughput requirements will grow much faster than the processing capabilities of the network. This growth is due to the increase in traffic volume, the types of calls requiring special processing, and the number of transactions per call. In view of this significant growth, the cumulative effect of cost effectively routing data transactions becomes an important factor in the business decisions of the long distance carriers. Intensified by the increased number and volume of data transactions between the switch and the database, a need therefore exists for cost effectively allocating traffic, associated with a telephone call, among various databases that share information resources for the switch. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the invention to cost effectively allocate data transactions among multiple databases in a telecommunications network of the long distance carrier. It is another object of the invention to cost effectively allocate data transactions without affecting the existing architecture of a telecommunications network. It is yet another object of the invention to provide the capability to select the routing of data transactions on the basis of either cost efficiency or equal loading in a telecommunications network. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other objects, features and advantages are accomplished by the disclosed system. In a telecommunications network of a long distance carrier, the disclosed system selects a routing for a data transaction associated with a telephone call. At least two databases provide call processing information, such as routing, card verification, address translation information, etc. for the telephone call. Each database includes an identical information necessary for the call processing. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a remotely located switch is connected to each database via a pair of data links. After receiving the call processing information from either of the databases, the switch routes the telephone call to a destination as well known in the art. Further in accordance with the invention, the processing means in the switch provides for Flexible Link Selection Algorithm (FLSA). According to the FLSA, the data links between the switch and the databases are used sequentially to carry the call processing information between the switch and the two databases. Alternatively, the FLSA provides for the least cost routing of the data transaction associated with the telephone call between the switch and either of the two databases based on a priority assigned to each database. The priority is based on the cost of routing between the switch and the databases which supply the information for the telephone call. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram for a basic configuration of a switch connected to multiple databases using two data links per database. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for Flexible Link Selection Algorithm in the DAP -- HUNT mode, when the active link pool is increased. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for Flexible Link Selection Algorithm in the DAP -- HUNT mode, when the active link pool is decreased. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows the architectural configuration of a single switch 100 having two data links, 101 and 103, to each of three databases 102, 102" and 102.increment., for a total of six point-to-point links supported by the switch 100. Each database 102, 102" or 102.increment. stores the same information as the other two and provides call processing information, such as routing, card verification, address translation information, etc. for the telephone call. The data links 101, 103, 101", 103", 101.increment. and 103.increment. may be fiber optic, coaxial, T-1 transmission lines, or of other type known in the art. The processor in the switch 100 includes processing means for implementing a Flexible Link Selection Algorithm (FLSA) for data transactions associated with a telephone call requiring special processing. The FLSA provides for the selection of two link selection algorithms via a system level parameter. The first algorithm is a round-robin selection, currently used by the switch 100 and previously described herein. As stated above, the round-robin selection distributes workload across the data links 101, 103, 101", 103", 101.increment., and 103.increment. evenly. The other algorithm provided by the FLSA is a preferred hunt selection which enables the switch 100 to select a preferred database 102, 102", or 102.increment.. Traffic will be balanced across two links serving the preferred database. Data traffic, however, will not be sent to any other database until the workload reaches predetermined, operator-selectable trigger points. The trigger points are system level parameters which represent the percentage of the volume of the unprocessed data messages, i.e., outstanding, and are based upon the available queue sizes. Three system level parameters provide flexibility in the selection of links to transport transactions between the switch 100 and any of the databases 102, 102", or 102.increment.. The FLSA is initiated by the first system level parameter. The second system level parameter determines when the next least-cost database must be chosen to share the traffic load with the first database. The third system level parameter is used to determine when it is necessary to override the flexible link selection and enforce round-robin link selection across all of the links to secure efficient real-time processing of the data transactions under heavy traffic. If the override feature is activated, traffic will be distributed equally, in the round-robin selection fashion, across all selected databases and links. The first system level parameter is NCS -- LINK -- SELECTION -- ALGORITHM which can take on the two values ROUND -- ROBIN and DAP -- HUNT, as shown in Table 1. TABLE 1______________________________________Parameter Name Parameter Field______________________________________NCS.sub.-- LINK.sub.-- SELECTION.sub.-- ALGORITHM ROUND.sub.-- ROBIN DAP.sub.-- HUNT______________________________________ Selecting ROUND -- ROBIN permits the same functionality as currently exists. Links are selected sequentially, and traffic is distributed evenly among all available links. If DAP -- HUNT is activated, the switch 100 selects a preferred database 102, for example, to process the data transactions associated with the telephone calls. Thus, all data transactions associated with the telephone calls served by the switch 100 initially go to the preferred database 102. If the preferred database 102 is unavailable, for reasons of outage or congestion, the database having the next highest priority, for example, 102" is selected. The priority is assigned to each database connected to the switch 100 in accordance with the database table, which is explained below. In the DAP -- HUNT mode, traffic is distributed equally between the data links 101 and 103 for the preferred database 102. If the switch 100 uses additional databases 102" and 102.increment. due to traffic levels, data links 101", 103", 101.increment. and 103.increment. from these databases, which actively transport transactions, are included into an available link pool. The links in that pool are accessed sequentially as explained below. The second system level parameter NCS -- LINK -- LOADING -- THRESHOLD has two fields LINK -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD and LINK -- LOWER -- THRESHOLD, as shown in Table 2. TABLE 2__________________________________________________________________________Parameter Name Parameter Field__________________________________________________________________________NCS.sub.-- LINK.sub.-- LOADING.sub.-- THRESHOLD LINK.sub.-- UPPER.sub.-- THRESHOLD LINK.sub.-- LOWER.sub.-- THRESHOLD__________________________________________________________________________ Each field, for example, can range from 1 to 100 shown in Table 3. TABLE 3______________________________________Parameter Field Field Value______________________________________LINK.sub.-- UPPER THRESHOLD 1-100LINK.sub.-- LOWER.sub.-- THRESHOLD 1-100______________________________________ These parameter fields, measured in percentage points, represent the loading capacity of a queue associated with each data link 101, 103, etc. Thus, the value of the field LINK -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD governs the maximum loading of the data links on the active databases. Once the percentage of queue members, i.e., data transactions, on all the active links exceeds the LINK -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD value, then the available links to the database with the next highest priority are added to the selection. If the percentage of queue members on one of the active links falls below the LINK -- LOWER -- THRESHOLD value, then the data links associated with the most "expensive" database in the routing scheme will be eliminated from the round-robin selection by the switch 100. The most "expensive" database is the active database with the lowest priority in the routing scheme. Generally, the processor in the switch 100 will monitor the values of the two fields and recommend via a message on a display that the LINK -- LOWER -- THRESHOLD be set, for example, 10-20 percentage points lower than the LINK -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD. Additionally, the processor ensures that the minimum difference between the LINK -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD value and the LINK-LOWER -- THRESHOLD value is, for example, at least 10. When a transaction needs to be sent to the database 102, the next sequential data link 101, for example, is selected. The percentage of queue members for the data link 101 is queried and compared to the LINK -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD value. If the percentage of queue members is below the threshold value, the transaction is sent via the selected link 101. If, however, the percentage of queue members exceeds the threshold value, the next link 103, for example, from the pool of available links is selected sequentially. If all available links within the current cost level have been queried and found to exceed the threshold value, then the available links to the next least-cost database 102.increment., for example, are added to the selection. The first available link 101.increment. or 103.increment. in the new set is then chosen to transmit the current data transaction. After the requested data is returned to the switch 100 by the database 102 via the data link 101 or 103, the percentage of queue members is queried for the data link which was used for returning the data from the database. The percentage of queue members is then compared to the LINK -- LOWER -- THRESHOLD value. If the percentage of queue members is above the threshold value, the pool of available links remains the same, and the received transaction is processed normally. If the percentage of queue members on that link is below the minimum threshold value, then the links associated with the most "expensive" or highest-cost database route are removed from the selection algorithm, unless only a single database is being used. NCS -- SELECTION -- OVERRIDE -- THRESHOLD is the third system level parameter having two fields, as shown in Table 4. TABLE 4__________________________________________________________________________Parameter Name Parameter Field__________________________________________________________________________NCS.sub.-- SELECTION.sub.-- OVERRIDE.sub.-- THRESHOLD OVERRIDE.sub.-- UPPER.sub.-- THRESHOLD OVERRIDE.sub.-- LOWER.sub.-- THRESHOLD__________________________________________________________________________ Each field can range from 1 to 98, as shown in Table 5. TABLE 5______________________________________Field Name Field Value______________________________________OVERRIDE.sub.-- UPPER.sub.-- THRESHOLD 1-98OVERRIDE.sub.-- LOWER.sub.-- THRESHOLD 1-98______________________________________ These parameter fields, measured in percentage points, represent the loading of a queue associated with each data link 101, 103, etc. If the percentage of queue members, i.e., data transactions, in the queue exceeds the OVERRIDE -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD value while the NCS -- LINK -- SELECTION -- ALGORITHM parameter is set to DAP -- HUNT, then all available links revert to the round-robin selection method regardless of the route cost or priority. This override remains in effect until the volume in the queue falls below the value in the OVERRIDE -- LOWER -- THRESHOLD variable. During the override, a MINOR alarm will be posted and a log printed indicating that this threshold has been violated. The processor in the switch 100 recommends via a message on a display that the OVERRIDE -- LOWER -- THRESHOLD be set, for example, 10-20 percentage points lower than the OVERRIDE -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD value. The processor also ensures that the minimum difference between the OVERRIDE -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD value and the OVERRIDE -- LOWER -- THRESHOLD value is, for example, at least 10. Additionally, the processor recommends via a message on a display that the value of OVERRIDE -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD be set, for example, 2-5 percentage points lower than the value of LINK -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD to prevent the volume of data transactions in the data link from approaching the maximum capacity of the link. The processor also ensures that the minimum difference between the LINK -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD value and the OVERRIDE -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD value is at least 2. Currently, each link 101 or 103, for example, is associated with the database 102, and when the link 101 or 103 is used for transmitting requests, the corresponding database 102 is easily determined. After determining the identity of the database 102, the processor in the switch 100 accesses the database table NCSCOST. In the database table the cost, i.e., priority of routing, is assigned to each database. This database table is used to select the next database for the data traffic when the percentage of queue members in the links of the "preferred" database exceeds a specified value. One example of the priority table is shown below in Table 6. TABLE 6______________________________________ DAP.sub.-- ID COST______________________________________ 0 0 1 1 2 2 3 2 . . . . . . 255 255______________________________________ The first field DAP -- ID includes the identification number for each supported database and can range from 0 to 255. The second field COST can range from 0-255 for a total of 256 priorities. The lowest value, zero (0) is the most preferred or least-cost database choice. The next preferred or least-cost database has the value of one (1), and so on. The COST field allows entry of the same value for more than one DAP -- ID key field. When two or more databases have the same cost value, they are treated equally, and all links associated with the database are treated as one cost level. For example, the database 102 has a cost of zero (0), and the database 102" and the database 102.increment. have identical cost values of one (1). If the threshold for the loading of the database 102 has been exceeded, then all links associated with the database 102" and database 102.increment. are added to the selection pool to be used in a sequential order. The two databases 102" and 102.increment. are treated equally because of the identical cost value. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for the FLSA in the DAP -- HUNT mode, when the active link pool is incremented. In step 200, the switch 100 receives a telephone call requesting call processing information from the database 102. In step 202, the processor in the switch 100 increments a link pointer in the active link pool of the least-cost database. As stated above, the least-cost database may, for example, have two data links 101 and 103. The two data links 101 and 103 may, for example, comprise the active link pool, while the data links 101, 103, 101", 103", 101.increment. and 103.increment. comprise an available link pool. After incrementing, the link pointer points to the next link in the active pool, and that link is selected for transmitting the data transaction, as shown in step 204. In step 206, the processor determines whether the value of OVERRIDE -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD has been exceeded for the selected data link. As stated above, if the percentage of queue members, i.e., data transactions, in the queue exceeds the OVERRIDE -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD value, then all available links revert to the round-robin selection method regardless of the route cost or priority as shown in step 208. The switch 100 then waits for the next data transaction request in step 210. If the OVERRIDE -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD value is not exceeded, the percentage of queue members for that data link is queried in step 212 and compared to the LINK -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD value in step 214. If the percentage of queue members is below the threshold value, the transaction is sent via the selected link in step 208. If, however, the percentage of queue members exceeds the threshold value, a determination is made whether all available links within the current cost level have been queried and found to exceed the threshold value in step 216. If not all available links have been queried, then the link pointer in the active link pool of the least-cost database is incremented in step 218, and the next data link is selected in step 220. The steps 212, 214 and 216 are repeated for the current and subsequent data links until all data links in the active link pool have been queried. If all available links within the current cost level have been queried and found to exceed the threshold value in step 216, the link pointer is incremented in step 222. The database table is accessed for the next "least-cost" database (step 224). One example of the database table was shown above in Table 6. A determination is made whether all databases 102, 102" and 102.increment. connected to the switch 100 are currently active. If all databases 102, 102" and 102.increment. are active, it means that the active link pool comprises all available data links 101, 103, 101", 103", 101.increment. and 103.increment. and is equal to the available link pool. If the link pool comprises all data links 101, 103, 101", 103", 101.increment. and 103.increment., then the request is transmitted over the selected link in step 208. If, however, not all databases are active, the next "least-cost" database, such as 102" or 102.increment. is added according to the assigned priority for the databases as shown in step 228. The data links, 101" and 103", for example, associated with the newly added database 102" are queried in the available link pool in step 230. If the links are found in step 232, the data links 101" and 103" are added to the active link pool in step 234, and the link pointer is set to the first link of the newly activated data link in step 236. The data transaction is then transmitted via the newly activated data link in step 208. If the links are not found in the available link pool in step 232, the next "least-cost" database is selected from the database table, such as Table 6, in step 224, and the steps 226 through 232 are repeated if necessary. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for the FLSA in the DAP -- HUNT mode, when the active link pool is decremented. In step 300, the switch 100 receives a response from the database 102 after processing the call-related data. In step 302, the percentage of queue members is queried for the data link 101 which was used for returning the data from the database 102. The percentage of queue members is then compared to the LINK -- LOWER -- THRESHOLD value in step 304. If the percentage of queue members is above the threshold value, the pool of active links remains the same, and the received transaction is processed normally in step 306. In step 308, the switch 100 waits for the next response from the database 102. If the percentage of queue members on the link 101 is below the minimum threshold value in step 304, then the query is made for the highest cost or the most "expensive" database in step 310. After determining that the least-cost database 102 is the only one active in step 312, the active link pool is unchanged, and the received transaction is processed in step 306. If, however, the active database is not the least-cost database, it is removed from the list of active databases in step 314, and the data links associated with this database are removed from the active link pool in step 316. The transaction is then processed in step 306 as previously stated. Although the specific embodiments were described with reference to a single data transfer rate between the switch 100 and the databases 102, 102" and 102.increment., other data transfer rates may be equally employed by the disclosed invention. In addition, even though the description of the preferred embodiment of the FLSA included an initial selection between the round-robin mode and the least cost database hunt mode, it is understood that another embodiment of the disclosed invention may eliminate the selection and provide only the least cost database hunt mode. In another embodiment of the invention, one or several databases 102, 102" or 102.increment. may not be remotely located from the switch 100. Instead, the database 102, for example, may be co-located with the switch 100, while other databases 102" and 102.increment. are remotely located. Since those skilled in the art can modify the disclosed specific embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention, it is, therefore, intended that the claims be interpreted to cover such modifications and equivalents.

A system allocates data links between a switch and a database for data transactions in a telecommunications network. The data links between the switch and the database carry the transaction data for providing routing, card verification, address translation information, etc. by the database. The Flexible Link Selection Algorithm provides for accessing the data links using the round-robin method, wherein each data link is accessed sequentially to transport the data to and from the database. Alternatively, the Flexible Link Selection Algorithm provides for accessing the data links using dynamic allocation based on the least cost routing between the switch and the database. In the latter mode, the switch uses the least "expensive" database, i.e., database having the least cost routing between the switch and the database, until the volume of data transactions in the data links associated with that database exceeds a predetermined threshold level. If the threshold level is exceeded, the next least "expensive" database is selected, and its data links are utilized used to carry the data transactions between the database and the switch.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates generally to wellbore surveys. More particularly, the invention relates to the estimation of wellbore positions based on analytical techniques. 2. Background Art Fluids, such as oil, gas and water, are commonly recovered from subterranean formations below the earth's surface. Drilling rigs at the surface are often used to bore long, slender wellbores into the earth's crust to the location of the subsurface fluid deposits to establish fluid communication with the surface through the drilled wellbore. The location of subsurface fluid deposits may not be located directly (vertically downward) below the drilling rig surface location. A wellbore that defines a path, which deviates from vertical to some laterally displaced location, is called a directional wellbore. Downhole drilling equipment may be used to directionally steer the wellbore to known or suspected fluid deposits using directional drilling techniques to laterally displace the borehole and create a directional wellbore. The path of a wellbore, or its “trajectory,” is made up of a series of positions at various points along the wellbore obtained by using known calculation methods. “Position,” as the term is used herein, refers to an orthogonal Cartesian (x, y, z) spatial position, referenced to some vertical and/or horizontal datum (usually the well-head position and elevation reference). The position may also be obtained using inertial measurement techniques, or by using inclination and azimuth with known calculation methods. “Azimuth” may be considered, for present purposes, to be the directional angular heading, relative to a reference direction, such as North, at the position of measurement. “Inclination” may be considered, also for present purposes, to be the angular deviation from vertical of the borehole at the position of measurement. Directional wellbores are drilled through earth formations along a selected trajectory. Many factors may combine to unpredictably influence the intended trajectory of a wellbore. It is desirable to accurately estimate the wellbore trajectory in order to guide the wellbore to its geological and/or positional objective. This makes it desirable to measure the inclination, azimuth and depth of the wellbore during wellbore operations to estimate whether the selected trajectory is being maintained. The drilled trajectory of a wellbore is estimated by the use of a wellbore or directional survey. A wellbore survey is made up of a collection or “set” of survey-stations. A survey station is generated by taking measurements used for estimation of the position and/or wellbore orientation at a single position in the wellbore. The act of performing these measurements and generating the survey stations is termed “surveying the wellbore.” Surveying of wellbores is commonly performed using downhole survey instruments. These instruments typically contain sets of orthogonal accelerometers, magnetometers and/or gyroscopes. These survey instruments are used to measure the direction and magnitude of the local gravitational, magnetic field and/or earth spin rate vectors respectively, herein referred to as “earth's vectors”. These measurements correspond to the instrument position and orientation in the wellbore, with respect to earth vectors. Wellbore position, inclination and/or azimuth may be estimated from the instrument's measurements. One or more survey stations may be generated using “discrete” or “continuous”measurement modes. Generally, discrete or “static” wellbore surveys are performed by creating survey stations along the wellbore when drilling is stopped or interrupted to add additional joints or stands of drillpipe to the drillstring at the surface. Continuous wellbore surveys relate to thousands of measurements of the earth's vectors and/or angular velocity of a downhole tool obtained for each wellbore segment using the survey instruments. Successive measurements of these vectors during drilling operations may be separated by only fractions of a second or thousandths of a meter and, in light of the relatively slow rate of change of the vectors in drilling a wellbore, these measurements are considered continuous for all practical analyses. Known survey techniques as used herein encompass the utilization of a variety of means to estimate wellbore position, such as using sensors, magnetometers, accelerometers, gyroscopes, measurements of drill pipe length or wireline depth, Measurement While Drilling (“MWD”) tools, Logging While Drilling (“LWD”) tools, wireline tools, seismic data, and the like. Surveying of a wellbore is often performed by inserting one or more survey instrument into a bottom-hole-assembly (“BHA”), and moving the BHA into or out of the wellbore. At selected intervals, usually about every 30 to 90 feet (10 to 30 meters), BHA, having the instrument therein, is stopped so that measurement can be made for the generation of a survey station. An additional measurement not performed by the survey instruments is the estimation of the along hole depth (measured depth “MD”) or wellbore distance between discrete survey stations. The MD corresponds to the length of joints or stands of drillpipe added at the surface down to the BHA survey station measurement position. The measurements of inclination and azimuth at each survey station along with the MD are then entered into any one of a number of well-known position calculation models to estimate the position of the survey station to further define the wellbore trajectory up to that survey station. Existing wellbore survey computation techniques use various models, including the Tangential method, Balanced Tangential method, Average Angle method, Mercury method, Differential Equation method, cylindrical Radius of Curvature method and the Minimum Radius of Curvature method, to model the trajectory of the wellbore segments between survey stations. Directional surveys may also be performed using wireline tools. Wireline tools are provided with one or more survey probes suspended by a cable and raised and lowered into and out of a wellbore. In such a system, the survey stations are generated in any of the previously mentions surveying modes to create the survey. Often wireline tools are used to survey wellbores after a drilling tool has drilled a wellbore and an MWD and/or LWD survey has been previously performed. Uncertainty in the survey results from measurement uncertainty, as well as environmental factors. Measurement uncertainty may exist in any of the known survey techniques. For example, magnetic measuring techniques suffer from the inherent uncertainty in global magnetic models used to estimate declination at a specific site. Similarly, gravitational measuring techniques suffer from movement of the downhole tool and uncertainties in the accelerometers. Gyroscopic measuring techniques, for example, suffer from drift uncertainty. Depth measurements are also prone to uncertainties including mechanical stretch from gravitational forces and thermal expansion, for example. Various considerations have brought about an ever-increasing need for more precise wellbore surveying techniques. More accurate survey information is necessary to ensure the avoidance of well collisions and the successful penetration of geological targets. Surveying techniques have been utilized to estimate the wellbore position. For example, techniques have also been developed to estimate the position of wellbore instruments downhole. U.S. Pat. No. 6,026,914 to Adams et al. relates to a wellbore profiling system utilizing multiple pressure sensors to establish the elevation along the wellbore path. U.S. Pat. No. 4,454,756 to Sharp et al. relates to an inertial wellbore survey system, which utilizes multiple accelerometers, and gyros to serially send signals uphole. U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,204 B1 to Reimers et al. relates to a method of conducting subsurface seismic surveys from one or more wellbores from a plurality of downhole sensors. U.S. Pat. No. 5,646,611 to Dailey et al. relates to the use of two inclinometers in a drilling tool to estimate the inclination angle of the wellbore at the bit. Other techniques have been developed to correct data based on measurement error. U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,067 B1 to Brooks relates to a method for correcting measurement errors during survey operations by correcting observed data to a model. U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,518 to DiPersio relates to a method of estimating wellbore azimuth by utilizing a plurality of estimates of the axial component of the measured magnetic field by emphasizing the better estimates and de-emphasizing poorer estimates to compensate for magnetic field biasing error. There remains a need for techniques capable of utilizing overlapping survey data to better estimate the wellbore position and its related uncertainty of that position. Mathematical models have been used to estimate the wellbore position and position uncertainty in a wellbore. For example, SPE 56702 entitled “Accuracy Prediction for Directional MWD,” by Hugh S. Williamson (©1999), SPE 9223 entitled “Borehole Position Uncertainty, Analysis of Measuring Methods and Derivation of Systematic Error Model,” by Chris J. M. Wolff and John P. De Wardt (©1981), and “Accuracy Prediction for Directional Measurement While Drilling,” by H. S. Williamson, SPE Drill and Completion, Vol. 15, No. 4 Dec. 2000, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, describe mathematical techniques used in wellbore position analysis. However, a specific position in a wellbore is often surveyed many times and by many different types of survey instruments at various stages of wellbore operations. Historically, these existing methods rely upon a sequence of non-overlapping surveys along the wellbore to estimate the position of a point in the wellbore, and fail to incorporate overlapping survey data. It is desirable that overlapping surveys be taken into consideration when estimating positions in a wellbore. It is also desirable that a method of estimating positions in the wellbore, use overlapping surveys generated by downhole tools. The present invention provides a technique, which utilizes multiple overlapping surveys and combines the overlapping surveyed positions and related positional uncertainties of a given wellpath in order to produce a resultant wellbore position, or ‘Most Probable Position’ (MPP), as well as an associated resultant positional uncertainty. SUMMARY OF INVENTION An aspect of the invention relates to a method for estimating a position in a wellbore. The method involves acquiring a plurality of surveys of the wellbore and combining overlapping portions of the surveys whereby the wellbore position is determined. Each measured survey defines a survey position in the wellbore and an uncertainty of the survey position. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for estimating a position in a wellbore. The method involves drilling a wellbore into a subterranean formation, acquiring a plurality of surveys of the wellbore and combining overlapping portions of the surveys whereby the wellbore position is determined. Each measured survey defines a survey position in the wellbore and an uncertainty of the survey position. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for estimating a position in a wellbore. The method involves taking a plurality of surveys of the wellbore and combining overlapping portions of the surveys whereby the wellbore position is determined. Each measured survey defines a survey position in the wellbore and an uncertainty of the survey position. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for estimating a position in a wellbore. The method involves acquiring a plurality of surveys of the wellbore and combining overlapping portions of the surveys whereby the wellbore position is determined. Each measured survey defines a survey position in the wellbore and an uncertainty of the survey position. The surveys are combined using the following equation: MPP=((H n T Cov n −1 H n ) −1 H n T Cov n −1 )*V. Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a drilling rig having a drilling apparatus extending into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation to survey the wellbore; FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the wellbore of FIG. 4 having a wireline tool positioned therein to survey the wellbore; FIG. 3 is a graphic depiction of survey points along a path and their associated ellipsoids of uncertainty; FIG. 4 is graphic depiction of two surveys and related uncertainties at a position along a path combined to estimate a resultant position and resultant uncertainty; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the graphic depiction of FIG. 4 taken along line 5 — 5 ; FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the wellbore of FIG. 1 depicts a resultant position determined from overlapping estimated survey positions and related ellipsoids of uncertainty at position r VII in the wellbore; and FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the wellbore of FIG. 6 extended a distance further into the subterranean formation and depicting a resultant position determined from overlapping portions of estimated survey positions and related ellipsoids of uncertainty. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort, even if complex and time-consuming, would be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. Referring now to the drawings in general and FIG. 1 in particular, an environment in which the present invention may be utilized is depicted. FIG. 1 shows drilling rig 10 having a drilling tool 12 extending downhole into a wellbore 14 penetrating a subterranean formation 15 . The drilling tool 12 extends from the surface 16 at known position r 0 to the bottom 18 of the wellbore 14 at estimated survey position r VII . Incremental survey positions r I through r VI extend between r 0 and r VII . Incremental survey positions r I through r VII are estimated and/or measured using one or more of the known survey techniques. The drilling tool 12 depicted in FIG. 1 is capable of collecting survey data and other information while the drilling tool drills the wellbore using known survey techniques. The drilling tool 12 may be used to survey and/or collect data before, during or after a drilling operation. The measurements taken using the drilling tool may be done continuously and/or at discrete positions in the wellbore. The drilling tool 12 is also capable of surveying and/or collecting data as the tool is extended downhole and/or retrieved uphole in a continuous and/or discrete manner. The drilling tool 12 is capable of taking a survey along one or more of the survey points r 0 through r VII . Referring now to FIG. 2, the drilling rig 10 of FIG. 1 is shown with a wireline tool 20 extending into the wellbore 14 . The wireline tool 20 is lowered into the wellbore 14 to survey and/or collect data. The wireline tool 20 is capable of surveying and/or collecting data as the tool is extended downhole and/or retrieved uphole in a continuous and/or discrete manner. As with the drilling tool, the wireline tool is also capable of taking a survey along one or more of the survey points r 0 through r VII as the tool is advanced uphole and/or downhole. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, various tools may be used to take one or more surveys (individually and/or collectively) in a continuous and/or discrete manner as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art. For simplicity, a curved wellbore is shown; however, the wellbore may be of any size or shape, vertical, horizontal and/or curved. Additionally, the wellbore may be a land unit as shown, or an offshore well. The estimated survey positions and related positional uncertainty associated with surveys is mathematically depicted in as shown in FIG. 3 . FIG. 3 represents a plurality of surveys taken along a wellbore beginning at a known reference position r 0 and terminating at an estimated survey position r VII , with estimated survey positions r I through r VI therebetween. The position of survey positions r I through r VII is estimated using known survey techniques. As depicted in FIG. 3, estimated survey positions r I through r VII are progressively further away from known reference position r 0 . The estimated survey positions r I through r VII may be connected to form an estimated trajectory 22 using known survey techniques. Because r 0 is known, it is presumed to have little or no uncertainty. As depicted in FIG. 3, the estimated position of each survey point r I through r VII has an “ellipsoid of uncertainty” E 1 through E 7 surrounding a corresponding survey point, respectively. Each ellipsoids E represent the uncertainty associated with its respective position. Where overlapping surveys are taken along a wellbore, they may be combined, as visually depicted in FIG. 4. A first survey is taken from a known position r 0 to an estimated position r VII . With respect to FIG. 4, a first trajectory 22 a beginning at an known position 25 a and extending to an estimated survey position 30 a having an ellipsoid of uncertainty 24 a is shown. A second trajectory 22 b beginning at known position 25 a and extending to an estimated survey position 30 b having an ellipsoid of uncertainty 24 b is also shown. First survey position 30 a and its first ellipsoid of uncertainty 24 a is combined with second survey position 30 b and its second ellipsoid of uncertainty 24 b to form a resultant position 28 a . Similarly, first ellipsoid of uncertainty 24 a is combined with second ellipsoid of uncertainty 24 b to form a resultant ellipsoid of uncertainty 26 a . For further clarity, a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 taken along line 5 — 5 is depicted in FIG. 5 . The combination of the survey positions r may also be represented by mathematical calculations. Overlapping estimated survey positions may be characterized in the form of a position vector V. Position vector V contains position vectors r for each of n overlapping surveys performed at a position in a wellbore. Each position vector r has an x, y and z coordinate representing a survey position estimated by known survey techniques. The position vector V combines the position vectors r to form the stacked 3n×1 vector V below: V =  r 1  x r 1  y r 1  z r 2  x r 2  y r 2  z ⋮ r nx r ny r nz  The ellipsoid of uncertainty for each estimated survey position vector r having an (x, y and z) coordinate, is mathematically represented by the covariance matrix (Cov r ) set forth below, and the combination of the Cov r matrices for n overlapping surveys is mathematically represented by the 3n×3n covariance matrix (Cov n ) set forth below: Cov r = [ 〈 δ     r x  δ     r x 〉 〈 δ     r x  δ     r y 〉 〈 δ     r x  δ     r z 〉 〈 δ     r y  δ     r x 〉 〈 δ     r y  δ     r y 〉 〈 δ     r y  δ     r z 〉 〈 δ     r z  δ     r x 〉 〈 δ     r y  δ     r z 〉 〈 δ     r y  δ     r z 〉 ] Cov n = [ 〈 δ     r1 x  δ     r1 x 〉 〈 δ     r1 x  δ     r1 y 〉 〈 δ     r1 x  δ     r1 z 〉 ⋯ 〈 δ     r1 x  δ     rn x 〉 〈 δ     r1 x  δ     rn y 〉 〈 δ     r1 x  δ     rn z 〉 〈 δ     r1 y  δ     r1 x 〉 〈 δ     r1 y  δ     r1 y 〉 〈 δ     r1 x  δ     r1 x 〉 ⋯ 〈 δ     r1 y  δ     rn x 〉 〈 δ     r1 y  δ     rn y 〉 〈 δ     r1 y  δ     rn z 〉 〈 δ     r1 z  δ     r1 x 〉 〈 δ     r1 z  δ     r1 y 〉 〈 δ     r1 z  δ     r1 z 〉 ⋯ 〈 δ     r1 z  δ     rn x 〉 〈 δ     r1 z  δ     rn y 〉 〈 δ     r1 z  δ     rn z 〉 ⋮ ⋮ ⋮ ⋰ ⋮ ⋮ ⋮ 〈 δ     rn x  δ     r1 x 〉 〈 δ     rn x  δ     r1 y 〉 〈 δ     rn x  δ     r1 z 〉 ⋯ 〈 δ     rn x  δ     rn x 〉 〈 δ     rn x  δ     rn y 〉 〈 δ     rn x  δ     rn z 〉 〈 δ     rn y  δ     r1 x 〉 〈 δ     rn y  δ     r1 y 〉 〈 δ     rn y  δ     r1 z 〉 ⋯ 〈 δ     rn y  δ     rn x 〉 〈 δ     rn y  δ     rn y 〉 〈 δ     rn y  δ     rn z 〉 〈 δ     rn z  δ     r1 x 〉 〈 δ     rn z  δ     r1 y 〉 〈 δ     rn y  δ     r1 z 〉 ⋯ 〈 δ     rn z  δ     rn x 〉 〈 δ     rn z  δ     rn y 〉 〈 δ     rn z  δ     rn z 〉 ] This 3n×3n matrix (Cov n ) defines the auto and cross covariance between associated estimated survey positions (r). The covariance represents the statistical relationship between the estimated survey positions. The resultant position of the combined surveys, or “Most Probable Position (MPP)”, may then be calculated using the following equation: MPP= (( H n T Cov n −1 H n ) −1 H n T Cov n −1 )* V Where H is the 3×3 identity matrix, H n consists of n3×3 identity matrices stacked up where n is number of overlapping surveys and HUT is the transpose of H n as set forth below: H =  1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1      H n =  1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 1 2 ⋮ ⋮ ⋮ 1 n 0 0 0 1 n 0 0 0 1 n  H n T =  1 1 0 0 1 2 0 0 ⋯ 1 n 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 2 0 ⋯ 0 1 n 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 2 ⋯ 0 0 1 n  The corresponding resultant positional uncertainty for the resultant position (MPP) is defined by a covariance matrix represented by the following equation: Cov MPP =( H n T Cov n −1 H n ) −1 The resultant position (MPP) and corresponding resultant positional uncertainty(Cov MPP ) represent the position and uncertainty for n overlapping surveys having been combined using this technique. Applying the mathematical model to wellbore operations, the surveys and ellipsoids of uncertainty for multiple overlapping surveys of a wellbore are depicted in FIG. 6 . Each survey performed along the wellbore generates data indicating the survey position of the wellbore with its related ellipsoid of uncertainty at points r 0 through r VII . FIG. 6 depicts a first trajectory 22 e taken along wellbore 14 using the drilling tool of FIG. 1, and a second trajectory 22 f taken along wellbore 14 using the wireline tool of FIG. 2 . At wellbore position r VII , the first trajectory terminates at a first survey position 30 e having an ellipsoid of uncertainty 24 e , and second trajectory terminates at a second survey position 30 f having a second ellipsoid of uncertainty 24 f . The first and second survey positions 30 e and 30 f and their corresponding first and second ellipsoids of uncertainty 24 e and 24 f are combined to generate a resultant position (MPP) 28 c and corresponding resultant ellipsoid of uncertainty 26 c. While FIG. 6 depicts two overlapping surveys combined to generate the resultant position and related ellipsoid of uncertainty, it will be appreciated that multiple overlapping surveys may be combined to generate the resultant position (MPP) and related resultant uncertainty. Applying the mathematical principles to the wellbore operation set forth in FIG. 6, the resultant position of the wellbore at point r VII may be estimated. During the wellbore operation of a section of the wellbore 14 , surveys are recorded along a wellpath using known survey techniques resulting in an estimated survey position along the wellpath. These surveys positions are generally referenced to a measured or assigned depth, or distance along the wellpath from a known surface location. During wellbore operations, various survey measurements produce one or more overlapping estimated survey positions along the wellpath. This technique can then be applied to combine any number of overlapping survey measurements at the same wellbore position for any interval over the wellpath for which such multiple survey measurements exist. For example, the first survey 22 e may produce a survey position 30 e represented by r 1 (x,y,z)=(10,10,100), and the second survey 22 f may produce survey position 30 f represented by r 2 (x,y,z)=(−10,−10,120). These measurements may be translated into the following position vector: V=[ 10;10;100;−10;−10;120] In this example, each of the overlapping estimated survey positions has a given uncertainty represented by Cov 1 and Cov 2 as depicted in the covariant matrix below: Cov 1 and Cov 2 =[100,0,0;0,169,0;0,0,25] The Cov 1 and Cov 2 matrix generates the following covariance matrix: Cov n = 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 169 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 169 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 The first and second overlapping surveys may be combined to generate the MPP as follows: MPP= (( H n T Cov n −1 H n ) −1 H n T Cov n −1 )* V MPP= 0,0,110 where: H n =[1 0 0;0 1 0;0 0 1;1 0 0;0 1 0;0 0 1] and n=2 In this example, the resultant position vector is equidistant between the two survey points as expected for this example. The covariance matrix may then be solved as follows: Cov MPP = ( H n T  Cov n - 1  H n ) - 1 = 50 0 0 0 84.5 0 0 0 12.5 The result of this process is then a resultant position 28 c (MPP) based on combining overlapping surveys at the same position r VII in the wellbore. For simplicity, this example incorporated positions with identical covariance matrices; however, it will be appreciated that different surveys may have different covariance matrices. Referring now to FIG. 7, the wellbore 14 of FIG. 1 is drilled further into formation 15 . The wellbore 14 extends beyond original bottom 18 at position r VII to new bottom 32 at position r X . A new survey is typically taken during the subsequent drilling operation for the extended wellbore 14 ,′ or by a wireline tool. The portion 22 g of the new survey of wellbore 14 ′ along points r 0 to r VII may be combined with existing surveys of the original wellbore 14 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 6 ) from overlapping positions r 0 to r VII as heretofore described. The estimated survey positions 30 e and 30 g at position r VII in the wellbore and related ellipsoids of uncertainty 24 e and 24 g , respectively, may be combined as heretofore described to generate resultant position (MPP) 28 d and related ellipsoid of uncertainty 26 d . The portion 22 g ′ of the new survey of wellbore 14 ′ along point r VIII to r X has an estimated survey position 30 g ′ and related ellipsoid of uncertainty 24 g ′. The resultant position 28 d may then be used to calculate a resultant position 28 d ′ at wellbore position r X using known survey techniques. This can be expressed as the equation: 28 d ′= 28 d + ( 28 d ′− 28 d ) The ellipsoid of uncertainty 26 d ′ for resultant position 28 d ′ may then be estimated using known techniques by applying the following equation: 〈 δ     28  d ′     δ     28  d ′     tr 〉 = 〈 δ     28  d     δ     28  d tr 〉 + 〈 ( δ     28  d ′ -    δ     28  d )  ( δ     28  d ′ -    δ     28  d ) tr 〉  〈 δ     28  d  ( δ     28  d ′ -    δ     28  d ) tr 〉 + 〈 ( δ     28  d ′ -    δ     28  d )     δ     28  d tr 〉 While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.

A method is disclosed which utilizes multiple overlapping surveys to estimate a position in a wellbore and related position uncertainty. Multiple surveys are often taken over the same portion of a wellbore either concurrently or sequentially and/or using various instruments. Each survey generates an estimated survey position and related uncertainty for a given location in the wellbore. By combining the estimated survey positions and uncertainties for these overlapping surveys, a resultant position and related ellipsoid of uncertainty is estimated. This resultant position estimates a position in the wellbore by incorporating the estimated survey positions and uncertainties of multiple overlapping surveys.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to a Chinese character encoding and inputting method, and particularly to the direction code for encoding Chinese characters using English alphabet and the inputting method thereof. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Up to now, more than 700 encoding systems have been disclosed for inputting Chinese characters. However, in these systems, Chinese characters are not encoded directly using English alphabet. Thus it is still inconvenient to input and outpout Chinese characters into and from computers like alphabetic languages and to use Chinese characters in communication facilities and automatic printing systems. Among the prior art methods, five-stroke encoding system invented by Wang Yong Min is suitable to standard keyboard, with only a few duplicate codes. However, the operators have to master 125 radicals and 25 pithy formulas defined by the inventor. And this makes non-typists shrink back at the sight of the great amount of what have to be memorized. This defect is due to the fact that the method is soly based on character forms. With the "full-information" code invented by Du Bing Chan, an operator also has to remember 100 radicals in common use and 8 first pronounceable letters of 8 strokes. It is difficult to solve the problem of alphabetizing Chinese characters by just concerning the similar pronunciation between Chinese characters and alphabetic language, regardless of character forms. Owing to many dialects and slangs, the above method is hard to be popularized. Although Chen Ai Wen, the inventor of "Biao Xing" (indicating form) code, discovered that there obviously exist a few letters of English alphabet in Chinese characters, he did not find this objective law: all Chinese characters are formed by letters of English alphabet piled up like toy bricks. Thus, he adopted the method for inputting Chinese characters by means of the mixture of four kinds of information associated with phonetic alphabet, numerals, component radicals and stroke blocks similar to letters, and a few letters of English alphabet to input Chinese characters in conventional way. Thus users have to memorize a lot of rules. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide a method for encoding Chinese characters using English alphabet. The code formed with the above method is called "Direction Code". The inventor bases his invention on such a theory that Chinese characters are of alphabetic writing. According to this theory, each Chinese character is regarded as a combination of some English letters in 42 states in which the letters are in different directions. The direction codes of Chinese characters are obtained by steps of: constructing the letters of English alphabet that objectively exist in Chinese characters according to horizontal stroke " ", vertical stroke " ", left-slanting stroke " " and right-slanting stroke " " of Chinese characters, decomposing Chinese characters into combinations of certain actual postures among 161 ones of the letters according to order of strokes and rules of the order of strokes, said combinations of postures being limited to 6 direction patterns, said letters being in 8 positive directions and 8 inverted ones presented by the letters respectively; said combinations of the letters being the direction codes of the Chinese characters encoded. Finally, these codes are stored in the memory of a computer. With the help of appropriate software, Chinese characters can be input by entering some combinations of English letters. Specifically, an external code according to the present invention is a ACSII string of 4 bytes. If the length of the code is less than 4 bytes, the code is followed by a space. An internal code according to the present invention is a compressed binary bit string of 3 bytes. Every element of an external code corresponds to 5 bits of an internal code. The distribution of the external codes is arranged according to the frequency of the characters appeared in daily use, phrases, and characters defined by the users. The English letters adopted in the present invention have 42 states: (a) 26 positive capital letters, including A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J,K,L,M, N, O,P,Q,R,S,T,U,V,W,X,Y and Z; (b) 8 positive small letters, including b, f, g, h, i, r, t and y; (c) 4 inverted capital letters corresponding to 4 positive capital letters F, G, Q and S, including , , and ; (d) 4 inverted small letters corresponding to 4 positive small letters h, n, r and y, including , , and . The following rules of the order of strokes are used: (a) get a letter directly; (b) horizontal first, and then vertical; (c) left-slanting first, and then right-slanting; (d) from left to right; (e) from left to middle, and then right; (f) from top left, top middle, top right to bottom left, bottom middle, bottom right; (g) from top to bottom; (h) from top to middle, and then bottom; (i) from left top, left middle, left bottom to right top, right middle, right bottom; (j) from outside to inside; (k) from outside to inside, and then seal; (l) from left top to right bottom; (m) from right top to left bottom; (n) from middle to both sides. The inputting method of Chinese characters according to the present invention has the following features and effects: 1. It is the full information, which exist definitely and objectively in Chinese characters, such as the five elements including strokes, variable letters of English alphabet constructed with strokes, directions of letters, the order of strokes, and direction patterns, that is developed and utilized in the present invention, but not only one-sided information, such as character forms, or character pronunciation, or character angles. 2. The present invention discloses the reality that Chinese characters are composed of 161 different postures of the letters of English alphabet. That is, Chinese characters are constructed with letters of English alphabet directly. This is advantageous to the application of Chinese characters in computers, as alphabetic writing in block form. 3. With the method according to the present invention, Chinese characters are input via a standard keyboard, with low rate of duplicate codes. For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1(a) to 1(z) show the direction postures of 26 positive capital letters A, B, C, . . . , Z in 8 directions, which are used in the inputting method of Chinese characters according to the present invention; FIGS. 2(a) to 2(h) show the direction postures of 8 positive small letters b, f, g, h, i, r, t, y in 8 directions, which are used in the inputting method of Chinese characters according to the present invention; FIGS. 3(a) to 3(d) show the direction postures of 4 inverted capital letter; , , and in 8 directions which are used in the inputting method of Chinese characters according to the present invention; FIGS. 4(a) to 4(d) show the direction postures of 4 inverted small letters , , and in 8 directions, which are used in the inputting method of Chinese characters according to the present invention; and FIG. 5 shows the correspondence between the 42 states of the letters used in the present invention and the keys on the standard English keyboard. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is described by way of detailed examples and in the order of strokes in calligraphy. 1. The relationship among the pastures, direction patterns and directions of letters in Chinese characters and the corresponding appearance Though there are about 60 thousand characters in Chinese language, only less than 8 thousand of them are frequently used. There may be 336 postures of the letters which objectively exist in the thousands of frequently-used characters (42 states * 8 directions). However, the inventor discovered that only 161 not 336 postures, as shown by bold arrows in FIGS. 1(a) to 1(z) , 2(a) to 2(h), 3(a) to 3(d) and 4(a) to 4(d), appear in the strokes of these characters. The combinations of these postures are limited to 6 direction patterns, namely, east, south, west, north, mixed, as well as mixed and changed directions. b 2. Examples of encoding characters according to the order of strokes (a) Get a letter directly. For example, corresponds to the letter "B" corresponds to the letter "R" corresponds to the letter "E" (b) Horizontal first, and then vertical. For example, is constructed with " " corresponding to the letters "IX" (c) Left-slanting first, and then right-slanting. For example, is constructed with " " corresponding to the letters "JL" (d) From left to right. For example, is constructed with " " corresponding to the letters "RR" (e) From left to middle and then right. For example, is construceted with " " corresponding to the letters "FTCJ" (f) From top left, top middle, top right to bottom left, bottom middle, bottom right. For example, the top of is constructed with " " corresponding to the letters "VVV" the bottom of is constructed with " " corresponding to the letters "JEJ" (g) From top to bottom. For example, is constructed with " " corresponding to the letters "ES" (h) From top to middle, and then bottom. For example, is constructed with " " corresponding to the letters "XIO" is constructed with " " corresponding to the letters "YXO" (i) From left top, left middle, left bottom to right top, right middle, right bottom. For example, the left of is constructed with " " corresponding to the letters "IXJ" the right of is constructed with " " corresponding to the letters "RUR" (j) From outside to inside. For example, is constructed with " " corresponding to the letters "CX" is constructed with " " corresponding to the letters "UU" (k) From outside to inside, and then seal. For example, is constructed with " " corresponding to the letters "UIII" is constructed with " " corresponding to the letters "UOI" (l) From left top to right bottom. For example. is constructed with " " corresponding to the letters "PJL" is constructed with " " corresponding to the letters "RA" (m) From right top to left bottom. For example, is constructed with " " corresponding to the letters "KZVJJ" is constructed with " " corresponding to the letters "DL" (n) From middle to both sides. For example, is constructed with " " corresponding to the letters "AJ" While decomposing characters in accordance with the order of strokes, the user should take the letter constructed with as many strokes as possible at each step. For instance, " " should be decomposed into " " corresponding to "AXK", but not " " corresponding to "VIXK", or " " corresponding to "VIXVI". 3. Examples of the correspondence relationship between 42 states of letters in different directions and the keys on the standard keyboard The correspondence relationship is illustrated in FIG. 5 and given in Table-1, inwhich letters in [ ] are in east direction, corresponding to 26 letter keys on the keyboard respectively; those in () are the variable forms of the letters in all direction ##SPC1## In the following description, a "step" means an angle of 90 degrees. (a) Letters in east direction and characters which can be spun to correspond to the keys on the keyboard ______________________________________Chinese character keys on the keyboard______________________________________ get a letter directly X get a letter directly O get a letter directly AO______________________________________ Note: These characters and the corresponding letters are in the regular directions. The user can enter the keys directly without spinning the corresponding letters. The characters themselves are in east direction as shown respectively in FIGS. 1(x), 1(o) and 1(a). (b) Letters in south direction and characters which can be spun to correspond to the keys on the keyboard ______________________________________ Keys onChinese character Steps of spinning the keyboard______________________________________ counterclockwise spun by H 1 step counterclockwise spun by I 1 step counterclockwise V spun by 1 step counterclockwise U spun by 1 step______________________________________ Note: The letters represented by bold lines in the characters can be counter clockwise spun by 1 step to correspond to the keys in east direction. The bold parts in the characters are the letters in south direction referring respectively to FIGS. 1(h), 1(i), 1(m), 1(v) and 1(u). (c) Letters in west direction and characters which can be spun to correspond to the keys on the keyboard ______________________________________ Keys onChinese character Steps of spinning the keyboard______________________________________ clockwise spun by K 2 steps clockwise spun by E 2 steps clockwise spun by L 2 steps______________________________________ Note: The letters represented by bold lines in the characters can be clockwise spun by 2 steps to correspond to the keys in east direction. The bold parts in the characters are the letters in west direction as shown respectively in FIGS. 1(k), 1(e) and 1(l). (d) Letters in north direction and characters which can be spun to correspond to the keys on the keyboard ______________________________________ Keys onChinese character Steps of spinning the keyboard______________________________________ clockwise spun E by 1 step______________________________________ Note: The letters represented by bold lines in the characters can be clockwise spun by 1 steps to correspond to the keys in east direction. The bold parts in the characters are the letters in north direction as shown in FIG. 1(e). (e) Letters in southeast direction and characters which can be spun to correspond to the keys on the keyboard ______________________________________ Keys onChinese character Steps of spinning the keyboard______________________________________ counterclockwise spun by A a half step______________________________________ Note: The letters represented by bold lines in the characters can be counterclockwise spun by a half step to correspond to the keys in east direction. The bold parts in the characters are the letters in southeast direction as shown in FIG. 1(a). (f) Letters in southwest direction and the characters which can be spun to correspond to the keys on the keyboard ______________________________________ Keys onChinese character Steps of spinning the keyboard______________________________________ counterclockwise spun by J 1 and a half steps counterclockwise spun by E 1 and a half steps______________________________________ Note: The letters represented by bold lines in the characters can be counterclockwise spun by one and a half steps to correspond to the keys in east direction. The bold parts in the characters are the letters in southwest direction as shown respectively in FIGS. 1(j) and 1(e). (g) Letters in northwest direction and characters which can be spun to correspond to the keys on the keyboard ______________________________________ Keys onChinese character Steps of spinning the keyboard______________________________________ counterclockwise spun by T 2 and a half steps counterclockwise spun by F 2 and a half steps______________________________________ Note: The letters represented by bold lines in the characters can be counterclockwise spun by two and a half steps to correspond to the keys in east direction. The bold parts in the characters are the letters in northwest direction as shown respectively in FIGS. 1(t) and 3(a). (h) Letters in northeast direction and characters which can be spun to correspond to the keys on the keyboard ______________________________________ Keys onChinese character Steps of spinning the keyboard______________________________________ counterclockwise spun by K 3 and a half steps counterclockwise spun by K 3 and a half steps______________________________________ Note: The letters represented by bold lines in the characters can be counterclockwise spun by three and a half steps to correspond to the keys in east direction. The bold parts in the characters are the letters in northeast direction as shown in FIG. 1(k). 4. Six direction patterns formed by directions of letters which are got by taking Chinese characters apart in accordance with the order of strokes (a) Characters of east direction pattern ______________________________________Chinese character Keys on the keyboard Direction pattern______________________________________ R east XU east______________________________________ Note: Each of the above characters is a single character, corresponding to either a letter in east direction, or two letters in east direction that composing the character as shown in FIGS. 1(r), 1(x) and 1(u). (b) Characters of south direction pattern ______________________________________Chinese character Keys on the keyboard Direction pattern______________________________________ H south III south______________________________________ Note: Each of the above characters is a single character, corresponding to either a letter in south direction, or several letters in south direction that composing the character. (c) Characters of west direction pattern ______________________________________Chinese character Keys on the keyboard Direction pattern______________________________________ E west______________________________________ Note: The above character is a single one, corresponding to a letter in west direction. (d) Characters of north direction pattern ______________________________________Chinese character Keys on the keyboard Direction pattern______________________________________ E north______________________________________ Note: The above character is a single one, corresponding to a letter in north direction. (e) Characters of mixed direction pattern ______________________________________Chinese character Keys on the keyboard Direction pattern______________________________________ EFX mixed______________________________________ Note: Those characters composed of letters in different directions are called characters of mixed direction pattern. For example, , being a character of mixed direction pattern, is composed of corresponding to "E" in north direction, F corresponding to "F" in east direction, and corresponding to "X" in southeast direction. (f) Characters of changed and mixed direction pattern ______________________________________Chinese character Keys on the keyboard Direction pattern______________________________________ FH changed and mixed______________________________________ Note: Those characters consisting of not only letters (positive letters), but also inverted letters in different directions are called characters of changed and mixed direction pattern. For example, , being a character of changed and mixed direction pattern, is composed of corresponding to inverted "F" in northwest direction, and corresponding to "H" in south direction. 5. Detailed examples of inputting characters using letters of English alphabet (a) Encoding single character and inputting method thereof (a1) Characters composed of a single letter Press the key on the keyboard that corresponds to the letter, and then press space bar to end entering. For example --press E key and space bar --press B key and space bar --press Y key and space bar --press I key and space bar Note: Bemuse of the great discrete degree which is 26*26=676, there is no duplicate cede after entering three keys. (a2) Characters composed of 2 letters Press each of the keys on the keyboard that correspond to the 2 letters once, and then press space bar once to end entering. For example, --press F, J keys and space bar --press O, X keys and space bar --press A, T keys and space bar --press A, O keys and space bar Note: The discrete degree of the characters composed of 2 letters is 26*26*26=17576. Due to the above discrete degree, there is no duplicate code at all after entering four letters. (a3) Characters composed of 3 letters Press each of the keys on the keyboard that correspond to the 3 letters once, and then press space bar once to end entering. For example, --press A, X, I keys and space bar --press B, B, B keys and space bar --press O, O, O keys and space bar --press A, X, K keys and space bar Note: The discrete degree of the characters composed of 3 letters is 26*26*26*26=456976. Because the discrete degree is so great, all of the Chinese characters in Chinese Character Set can be encoded. Besides, more than 450 thousand phrases can be encoded. (a4) Characters composed of 4 letters Press each of the keys on the keyboard that correspond to the 4 letters one by one. For example, --press X, J, X, V keys --press Y, X, J, I keys --press J, X, O, L keys --press F, J, L, X keys Note: The discrete degree of the characters composed of 4 letters is also 456976. There is no duplicate code at all after entering five letters. (a5) Characters composed of 5 or more letters Press each of the keys on the keyboard that correspond to the first 3 and the last 1 letters once. For characters consisting of two characters respectively on the left and on the right: Select the start and end letters of the left character, as well as the start and end letters of the right character, and then press the keys on the keyboard that correspond to the selected letters. For example, --press X, X, X, T keys --press J, K, I, Y keys Note: The start and end letters are marked with solid lines. For characters consisting of two characters respectively on the top and on the bottom: Select the start and end letters of the top character, as well as the start and end letters of the bottom character, and then press the keys on the keyboard that correspond to the selected letters. For example, --press F, J, K, I keys --press H, X, J, J keys Note: The start and end letters are marked with solid fines. For characters consisting of two characters respectively inside and outside: Select the start and end letters of the outside character, as well as the start and end letters of inside character, and then press the keys on the keyboard that correspond to the selected letter. For example --press I, C, I, F keys --press I, C, K, I keys Note: The start and end letters are marked with solid lines. In the above three cases, if one of the two characters contained in the character encoded is formed with a single letter, press the first 3 and the last 1 letters of the character. And if the character has less than 4 letters, press space bar to end entering. For example, Characters composed of two characters on the left and on the right: --press O, X, I, O keys --press X, C, J, F keys Characters composed of two characters on the top and on the bottom: --press E, A, B, J keys --press I, X, R, J keys The above rule is based upon the constructual features of Chinese characters. Thus, it is advantageous to reduce duplicate codes. (b) Encoding phrases and inputting method thereof (b1) Phrases consisting of two characters (b11) Two-character phrases composed of two letters: Press each of the key on the keyboard that correspond to the first and the second letters, and then press space bar to end entering. For example, --press H, V keys and space bar --press T, I keys and space bar (b12) Two-character phrases composed of three letters: Press the keys on the keyboard that correspond to the three letters, and then press space bar. For example, --press E, E, B keys and space bar --press E, C, X keys and space bar (b13) Two-character phrases composed of four letters: Press the keys on the keyboard that correspond to the four letters. For example, --press Y, J, Y, R keys --press Y, K, H, F keys (b14) Two-character phrases composed of five or more letters: If any one of the two characters of said phrase is composed of a single letter, select the first 3 and the last 1 letters, and press the keys on the keyboard that correspond to the selected letters one by one. For example, --press B, F, J, B keys --press B, K, E, Y keys If both of the two characters consist of two or more letters, select the start and the end letters of the first character, and the start and the end letters of the second character, and press the keys on the keyboard that correspond to the selected letters one by one. For example, --press K, R, A, K keys --press T, H, H, S keys (b2) Phrases consisting of three characters Press each of the keys on the keyboard that correspond to the start letters of the three characters, and then if the last character consists of a single letter, press space bar once to end entering, otherwise press the key on the keyboard that corresponds to the end letter of the last character. For examples, --press I, Y, T, X keys --press O, U, R keys and space bar (b3) Phrases consisting of four characters Press each of the keys on the keyboard that correspond to the start letters of the four characters one by one. For example, --press Y, O, W, F keys --press F, V, X, I keys (b4) Phrases consisting of five or more characters Select the start letters of the first 3 and the last 1 characters, and then press each of the keys on the keyboard that correspond to the selected letters. For example --press J, U, H, A keys --press R, I, K, U keys --press O, K, R, U keys --press R, R, K, T keys The present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described above. Various changes and modifications may be made without departing the scope of the appended claims.

The present invention relates to the direction code for encoding Chinese characters using English alphabet and the inputting method thereof. While encoding a Chinese character, constructing the English letters that exist in said character according to horizontal stroke " ", vertical stroke " ", left-slanting stroke " " and right-slanting stroke " " of Chinese characters, decomposing said character into a combination of certain actual postures among 161 ones of the letters according to order of strokes and rules of the order of strokes, said combination of postures being limited to 6 direction patterns, said letters being in 8 positive directions and 8 inverted directions presented by the letters respectively, said combination of the letters being the direction code of said Chinese character.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a machine for producing fiber-containing web material, in particular tissue paper, comprising a permeable dewatering belt for transporting fiber-containing source material used for producing web material from a forming section to a suction/pressing section as well as a press belt arrangement assigned to the suction/pressing section, the source material being received in the suction/pressing section between the press belt arrangement and the dewatering belt and the press belt arrangement pressing the source material and the dewatering belt against a suction arrangement of the suction/pressing section. The invention further relates to a press belt for producing fiber-containing web material, in particular tissue paper, in particular in a machine comprising a permeable dewatering belt for transporting fiber-containing source material used for producing web material from a forming section to a suction/pressing section as well as a press belt arrangement assigned to the suction/pressing section, the source material being received in the suction/pressing section between the press belt arrangement and the dewatering belt and the press belt arrangement pressing the source material and the dewatering belt against a suction arrangement of the suction/pressing section. US 2007/0068645 A1 discloses a machine for producing fiber-containing web material, in particular so-called tissue paper. Such tissue paper, when compared with paper used as writing material or packaging material, for example, has a considerably higher pore volume proportion or heavier surface texturing, for example in order to achieve better absorbency and better wiping performance for domestic use. The general principle of US 2007/0068645 will now be described below with reference to FIG. 1 of the present application. In order to obtain this structure of the tissue paper, in the prior art machine 10 , the source material, that is to say the pulp, for the web material to be produced is deposited in a forming section 12 on a dewatering belt 14 that is embodied in endless configuration, for example designed as a so-called forming fabric, and is moved in a transport direction L over a suction device 16 arranged on the rear side of the dewatering belt 14 in the direction of a suction/pressing section 18 . This suction/pressing section 18 comprises a press belt arrangement 20 with two press belts 22 , 24 nested inside one another. The source material for the web material 26 to be produced is received in a sandwich-like manner between the outer of these two press belts, that is to say the press belt 22 , and the dewatering belt 14 , in the suction/pressing section 18 . In this configuration, the source material is able to move via a suction arrangement of the suction/pressing section 18 which is generally designated with 28 . This suction arrangement 28 can comprise a roll-like element, for example, on the internal volume region of which a negative pressure is produced in order to extract liquid, in general water, from the source material and through the dewatering belt 14 . After passing through the suction/pressing section 18 , the web material 26 to be produced is moved through a press nip 28 between the suction/pressing arrangement 18 and a drying cylinder or Yankee cylinder 30 . A significant influence is made on the structuring or texturing of the web material 26 in the suction/pressing section 18 . For this purpose, the dewatering belt 14 can be provided, for example, with a comparatively coarse, rough or heavy surface-structured form, for example a woven-fabric belt. In the press belt arrangement 20 the press belt 22 provided externally essentially assumes the task of producing a surface texturing in the web material 26 . The press belt 24 running inside the press belt 22 and guided together with it in some areas over deflection rollers is essentially intended to provide the necessary contact pressure against the suction arrangement 28 . For this purpose, this press belt 24 can be subjected to a tension of up to 8 kN/m, for example. In this familiar machine 10 , the tasks of producing a texturing of the web material 26 on the one hand and of producing the necessary contact pressure on the other hand are divided between two press belts. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to make available a machine for producing fiber-containing web material, in particular tissue paper, by means of which, with a simplified construction in particular in a suction/pressing section, the structuring of the produced web material can be influenced in a defined manner. According to the invention, this object is accomplished by a machine for producing fiber-containing web material, in particular tissue paper, comprising a permeable dewatering belt for transporting fiber-containing source material used for producing web material from a forming section to a suction/pressing section as well as a press belt arrangement assigned to the suction/pressing section, the source material being received in the suction/pressing section between the press belt arrangement and the dewatering belt and the press belt arrangement pressing the source material and the dewatering belt against a suction arrangement of the suction/pressing section. It is also proposed that the press belt arrangement comprises a single press belt providing a source material contact surface. In the construction according to the invention for the production of tissue paper or in a machine intended for that purpose, only a single press belt is used in the suction/pressing section, rather than a plurality of press belts that are nested inside one another and in each case take on subtasks. This provides both the source material contact surface and the necessary contact pressure against a suction arrangement of the suction/pressing section. The construction of the press belt arrangement or the suction/pressing section can be greatly simplified in this way, since only a single press belt and consequently driving or deflection elements for only a single press belt must be provided. Especially if a web material with a comparatively fine surface structure, that is to say smoother tissue paper, is to be produced with the machine according to the invention, it is proposed that the press belt is constructed from yarn or/and fibrous material in the region of its source material contact surface, of which at least 60%, preferably at least 80%, and most preferably approximately 100%, exhibits a fineness of between 44 dtex and 1.7 dtex, preferably at most 17 dtex, and more preferably at most 11 dtex or at most only 6 dtex, and quite preferably at most 3 dtex. This ensures that a comparatively large proportion of the yarn or fibrous materials that are present in the region of the source material contact surface exhibits a comparatively high fineness, which results in a correspondingly fine structuring of the web material. A homogeneous transfer of pressure through the structure can be achieved by the appropriate choice of the yarn or fibrous material. As an alternative or in addition, it can also be proposed for this purpose that the press belt is constructed with yarn or/and fibrous material in the region of its source material contact surface, of which at least 60%, preferably at least 80%, and most preferably approximately 100%, has a minimum cross-measurement of at most 70 μm, preferably at most 27 μm, and even more preferably at most 23 μm, and most preferably at most 13 μm. With such a fine structuring of the press belt on its source material contact surface, importance is attached less to the attainment of the heaviest possible texturing of the web material to be produced, and more to the dewatering performance in the region of the suction/pressing section, so that a very high proportion of the liquid contained in the source material for the web material can already be obtained at that point. This comparatively fine surface structure of the press belt, albeit with high tensile strength, for the generation of the necessary contact pressure can be obtained by the press belt comprising a basic structure and at least one support layer on the basic structure, the source material contact surface being provided on a support layer. In order to arrange a single press belt in a constructively simple manner in a suction/pressing section in the embodiment of a machine according to the invention in such a way that, on the one hand, it is able to generate the desired surface texturing in the web material to be produced, and, on the other hand, it also exhibits the necessary strength, it is proposed that the press belt comprises a basic structure in the form of a porous textile surface construction, whereby the basic structure can be constructed especially from: a woven fabric, or/and a laid scrim, or/and a warp-knitted fabric, or/and a spiral link structure, or/and a gauze fabric, or/and a film. A construction for taking up the load or a significant part of the load that is present in a longitudinal direction of the belt, which also experiences a comparatively small elongation under heavy tensile loading and consequently ensures constant pressing conditions throughout the operational life, is provided with embodiments of this kind of the basic structure. It should be made clear at this point that the basic structure can, of course, also comprise a plurality of layers of the previously described type of construction. In the case of a construction as a woven fabric, for example, the woven fabric itself can thus be of multi-layer construction, that is to say, for example, with a plurality of layers of threads running in a longitudinal direction or/and with a plurality of layers of threads running in a transverse direction. Combinations of different structures are also possible. The use of a film having defined or undefined openings for producing fluid permeability is in fact in pronounced contrast with the use of a woven fabric. Even if the properties are different, however, the use of a film offers entirely characteristic advantages compared with a woven fabric. If it is wished to obtain a comparatively coarse texturing of the web material to be produced, it is advantageous if the basic structure provides the source material contact surface. As previously explained, in the construction according to the invention, the single press belt that is present there in a suction/pressing section must also take up the prevailing tensile loading, in particular in the longitudinal direction of the belt, in order to provide the necessary contact pressure. It is advantageous for this purpose if the basic structure is designed with structural elements with polyester material, preferably PET material, or/and PA material or/and PEEK material. The materials Nomex, Kevlar and related types of material also offer considerable advantage here. These are construction materials, which also experience a relatively small longitudinal elongation in the presence of comparatively heavy tensile loading and consequently ensure constant working conditions consistently throughout the operational life. In this case, every single one of the aforementioned materials has its own characteristic advantages, although these must be bought in part, however, at the expense of other disadvantages or particularly high costs. In particular when the basic structure is constructed with threads, that is to say, for example as a woven fabric, a laid scrim or a warp-knitted fabric, these threads can be constructed as monofilament yarns, multifilament yarns or twines or combinations thereof. In order to influence the texturing of the web material to be produced or/and the air permeability of the individual press belt to be provided in a suction/pressing section according to the invention, it is further proposed that at least one support layer is present on the basic structure, the source material contact surface being provided on a support layer. Provision can be made in this case, for example, for at least one support layer to be configured with: a fibrous material layer, a laid scrim layer, a membrane layer. It should be made clear at this point that combinations of a plurality of supporting layers, possibly including layers of different embodiments, are also possible here, of course. In order further to increase the structural strength of the press belt, in particular in a longitudinal direction of the belt, it is proposed that at least one support layer comprises structural strength elements running in a longitudinal direction of the belt. These can be laid scrim yarns, for example, in an embodiment as or with a laid scrim running in a longitudinal direction of the belt. In an embodiment as or with a membrane, yarns or threads can be incorporated into into the membrane, which then preferably also extend in the longitudinal direction of the belt. Especially the dewatering performance in the suction/pressing section can be influenced by coating or/and impregnating at least one support layer at least in some areas with a permeability influencing material. In order to obtain a comparatively high dewatering performance, it is further proposed that the press belt has an air permeability of at least 15 cfm, more preferably at least 20 cfm, or at least 25 cfm, it being preferable for the permeability to air even to lie in a region of at least 50 cfm and ideally even at least above 80 cfm. A comparatively high air permeability ensures that, as a result of the high air throughput, a correspondingly high proportion of liquid can also be extracted from the construction material. In order to be able to adjust the dewatering performance in a particularly advantageous manner with the single press belt intended to be used according to the invention, it is proposed that the press belt has an air permeability of at the very most 1200 cfm, at most 700 cfm to 800 cfm, preferably at most 500 cfm to 600 cfm, and most preferably in the range of 200 to 400 cfm. In order, throughout the operational life, on the one hand to obtain a uniform structuring or texturing of the web material to be produced, and on the other hand to press out the liquid contained therein, it is proposed that the press belt exhibits a tensile strength in a longitudinal direction of the belt of at least 20 kN/m, preferably at least 50 kN/m, and most preferably at least 70 kN/m. In the case of such high tension ranges, and at any rate novel tension ranges in the paper industry, a person skilled in the art will naturally no longer think about the production of particularly voluminous fibrous material webs, in particular tissue webs. It has emerged as a complete surprise, however, in the course of experiments that particularly soft and fluffy, yet durable, tissue webs can be produced under this extreme pressure. A further influence on the surface texturing of the web materials to be produced can be achieved in that the press belt exhibits a source material contact surface of at least 15%, preferably at least 25%, and most preferably at least 30%. It should be made clear at this point that the source material contact surface is the surface area in relation to the entire surface area of the press belt which, in the suction/pressing section, enters into pressing contact with the web material to be produced or with the source material for that purpose. These are in particular the regions of the surface area, in which prominent protrusions are present in the press belt in the direction of the source material, for example at bending points of the yarns that are present in a woven fabric structure. For the purpose of lowering the viscosity of the liquid to be removed in a suction/pressing section, it is possible among other things to proceed with the use of hot air, which is sucked through the press belt, the source material and the dewatering belt by means of the suction arrangement. In order to avoid structural damage to the press belt in the course of the thermal interaction with this air, it is proposed that the press belt is temperature-stable up to a temperature of 70° C., preferably 80° C., and most preferably 90° C. This means that, for the limit value indicated in each case, the construction material of the press belt is present in a configuration that remains essentially unchanged by comparison with lower temperatures and, in particular, is not transformed into a free-flowing state configuration. It is advantageous, furthermore, if the press belt has a thickness of at most 5 mm, preferably at most 3 mm, and most preferably at most 2 mm. The object of the invention is accomplished, furthermore, by a press belt for producing fiber-containing web material, in particular tissue paper, in particular in a machine comprising a permeable dewatering belt for transporting fiber-containing source material used for producing web material from a forming section to a suction/pressing section, as well as a press belt arrangement assigned to the suction/pressing section, the source material being received in the suction/pressing section between the press belt arrangement and the dewatering belt and the press belt arrangement pressing the source material and the dewatering belt against a suction arrangement of the suction/pressing section, in such a way that it is characterized in that the press belt has a tensile strength of at least 20 kN/m, preferably at least 30 kN/m, even more preferably at least 50 kN/m and most preferably at least 70 kN/m in a longitudinal direction of the belt, and comprises a source material contact surface. The press belt advantageously exhibits an air permeability of at least 15 cfm, preferably at least 50 cfm, and most preferably at least 80 cfm. In other cases it may be be preferable, on the other hand, for the press belt to exhibit an air permeability of at the very most 1200 cfm, of at most 700 cfm to 800 cfm, preferably at most 500 cfm to 600 cfm, and most preferably in the range of 200 to 400 cfm. Since, on the one hand, a minimum value and, on the other hand, a maximum value is described, a combination of both guidelines is naturally also possible. It is also preferable for the press belt to be suitable for operation as a single press belt inside a press belt arrangement assigned to a suction/pressing section. The corresponding advantages of a press belt according to the invention can be found from the description of the invention in conjunction with the claimed machine, and there is no need for them to be repeated here unnecessarily. It goes without saying that the claimed press belt for achieving the advantages described at the appropriate points can also be modified according to the other preferred embodiments of the machine according to the invention. In summary, it can thus be established that the invention makes available a machine and a press belt for producing web materials, in particular tissue webs, which permit the tissue web to be processed inside a press section by a single press belt, which provides a source material contact surface. The press belt can have at least one support layer, which comes into contact with the web to be processed or produced or can consist solely of a basic structure, which then also provides the source material contact surface. If the press belt includes a supporting layer, so that it can be identified as a press felt, it should preferably be characterized by a minimum permeability of at least 15 cfm. If the press belt is a belt or, as the case may be, a screen that is characterized by an uncoated basic structure, it is preferable for the press belt to have a maximum permeability of 1200 cfm. In both cases, however, it is characteristic of especially preferred embodiments of the invention that the press belt can be operated under high tensile loads of more than 20 kN/m and, in entirely preferred embodiments, even up to and beyond 70 kN/m inside a machine and in contact with a material web to be produced. What is more, the press belt also automatically exhibits, in addition to the already described source material contact surface, a contact surface in direct contact with the machine as a single press belt that is present inside a press belt arrangement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: FIG. 1 depicts a representation in principle of the construction of a machine that is known from the prior art for producing in particular tissue paper; FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment according to the invention of a suction/pressing section of a machine for producing web material, in particular tissue paper; FIG. 3 depicts a cross section of a press belt used in the suction/pressing section in FIG. 2 . DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The construction of a machine for producing web material, in particular tissue paper, embodied according to the invention is described below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 , whereby the fundamental construction of a machine 10 of this kind can be effected in a manner as illustrated in FIG. 1 and described above. Essential aspects for the explanation of the principles of the present invention are illustrated In FIGS. 2 and 3 . FIG. 2 depicts the suction/pressing section 18 of a machine 10 constructed according to the invention with the press belt arrangement 20 provided therein. In contrast to the characterizing features that are familiar from the prior art, in which both of the press belts 22 , 24 nested inside one another that are distinguishable in FIG. 1 are used, only a single press belt 32 is proposed in the construction according to the invention. This is guided over a plurality of deflection rollers or drive rollers 34 , 36 , 38 , 40 , in such a way that, in a peripheral region of the suction arrangement 28 , it presses the source material for the web material 26 to be produced and also the dewatering belt 14 against the outer periphery of the same. It should, of course, be made clear at this point that the geometrical configuration that can be appreciated in FIG. 2 , which is produced essentially through the positioning of the various rolls 34 to 40 , could be provided in some other way. The fact that the press belt arrangement 20 in the construction according to the invention comprises only a single press belt 32 , means that its embodiment is significantly more cost-effective, since not only a single belt needs to be provided, but also the deflection rollers or drive rollers for only a single belt need to be provided. In order to be able to meet the requirements which arise during operation with this single press belt, the latter is configured in the manner described below. These requirements comprise the provision of an adequately high contact pressure, with which the source material for the web material 26 together with the dewatering belt 14 is pressed against the outer periphery of the suction arrangement 28 . This means that the single press belt 32 must exhibit an adequately high tensile strength to assure an adequate stability with the smallest possible longitudinal elongation throughout the operational life, including under corresponding tension. For this purpose the press belt 32 can be provided with a tensile strength, which in the ideal case amounts to at least 30 kN/m, in order to be able to mount it in the suction/pressing section with adequate tension. It is preferable, however, that the aforementioned 30 kN/m tensile strength is considerably exceeded by the press belt according to the invention and that it withstands a continuous tensile loading of more than 50 kN/m or even more than 70 kN/m. The single press belt 32 must, in addition to the tensile strength previously mentioned above, also exhibit a corresponding texture on its source material contact surface 42 situated externally in FIG. 2 , especially if comparatively heavy texturing of the same takes prominence during the production of the web material 26 . This structure of the press belt 32 is transferred in the course of the sandwich-like accommodation of the source material between the latter and the dewatering belt 14 on the source material and is as such reproduced at least partially in the web material 26 . One example of the construction of the press belt 32 is described below with reference to FIG. 3 . A cross section, that is to say a section through the press belt 32 in a transverse direction of the belt Q, is illustrated in the form of a detailed enlargement in FIG. 3 . It should be pointed out that the longitudinal direction of the belt is positioned orthogonally to this transverse direction of the belt Q and, in the representation in FIG. 3 , is accordingly positioned orthogonally in relation to the plane of the drawing. This longitudinal direction of the belt also corresponds to the transport direction L that can be identified in FIG. 1 , but without intending to make any statement about its orientation. The press belt 32 has a basic structure 44 as an essential part of the system, in particular providing the necessary tensile strength in a definitive manner. This is constructed in the illustrated example as a woven fabric having longitudinal threads 46 running in the longitudinal direction of the belt and transverse threads 48 interwoven therewith and extending in the transverse direction of the belt Q. For example, the longitudinal threads 46 can be warp threads and the transverse threads 48 can be weft threads. This embodiment is particularly useful when the basic structure 24 is not produced in an endless manner, but is woven as a belt section having end areas which require to be connected together. The longitudinal threads 46 can also be the weft threads and the transverse threads 48 can also be the warp threads, especially when the basic structure 44 is required to be provided as an endless structure already in the weaving process. The weave for the basic structure 24 can be selected freely. Especially in the case of a corresponding strength requirement, a plurality of woven fabric layers can also be connected together structurally. The use of so-called gauze fabric is also conceivable. The weave can be open or endless, for example. As an alternative to the construction of the basic structure 44 as a woven fabric, this could also be constructed, for example, as a spiral or helical twisted yarn or laid scrim, whereby, as a result of this spiral or helical twisting, the one or more yarns providing the basic structure 44 also extend essentially in the longitudinal direction of the belt and in so doing ensure its structural strength. The use of a warp-knitted fabric as a basic structure is also conceivable, and likewise the use of a so-called spiral link structure or spiral screen structure. At the same time, spiral or helically twisted spiral members extending in the transverse direction of the belt Q are arranged overlapping one another and are bound together by connecting threads or wires engaging in the overlapping region in the manner of a chain structure. Because of its high tensile strength, polyester material in particular, for example PET material, is particularly advantageous as a construction material for the structural elements, that is to say threads or yarns or spiral members of the basic structure 24 . As an alternative, it is also possible to use PA material, PEEK material or other suitable materials, in particular such as the aforementioned Nomex or Kevlar materials. A further advantage of this construction material, in addition to the achievement of a correspondingly high tensile strength, lies in the fact that it is temperature-stable at temperatures of up to 90° C., that is to say it experiences only a very small change influencing the strength of the same. This is important because of the possibility of using hot air in a suction/pressing section 18 intended for improving the dewatering performance, which can lead to corresponding heating of the press belt 32 . Furthermore, yarns or threads can be used as monofilaments, multifilaments or twines in the construction of the basic structure 44 . Combinations of these types of yarn or thread are also possible, so that the longitudinal threads 46 and the transverse threads 48 , for example, are of different execution in respect of their structure or/and also their construction material. Different woven fabric layers can also be configured with different types of yarns or construction materials in the case of a multi-layered construction, for example a woven fabric structure. If, in the case of a machine 10 constructed according to the invention, a comparatively coarse structure of the web material 26 to be produced is required to be achieved, the press belt 32 can be constructed, for example, in such a way that the source material contact surface, that is to say the surface of the same, with which the source material introduced via the dewatering belt 14 comes into contact or is pressed against the dewatering belt 14 , is provided by the basic structure 44 . This means, for example, that the press belt 32 comprises only the basic structure 44 . If necessary, this could be coated on its running side, that is to say on the side which lies remote from the source material, with at least one layer for increasing the resistance to wear. Making the source material contact surface available on the basic structure 44 itself ensures that the press belts, for example in the region of the bending points of the interwoven yarns or threads, are impressed into the source material and consequently lead to a comparatively heavy texturing of the same. It is also possible in such an embodiment of the press belt 32 with a comparatively strongly structured source material contact surface to ensure that the contact surface, with which the source material makes contact and is pressed directly against the dewatering belt 14 , can lie in the range of 30% and above of the entire surface of the press belt 32 . In order to achieve a rather finer texturing of the web material 26 to be produced with the construction according to the invention, it is possible to provide at least one support layer on the basic structure 44 . In the example illustrated in FIG. 3 , four support layers of this kind in total are present, of which the layering or also the provision are shown here only by way of example. Provided immediately after the basic structure 44 is a support layer 50 of membrane-like configuration. This can fundamentally comprise a lattice-like structure with, for example, polygonal, preferably rectangular or square mesh openings 52 , in order to achieve the necessary air permeability. Elliptical, in particular circular, mesh openings or irregularly shaped mesh openings are also conceivable. Yarns 56 can be provided as the structural strength elements for increasing the longitudinal strength in the grid bars 54 extending in the longitudinal direction of the belt, which in turn can be configured as monofilaments, multifilaments or twines, for example. The previously mentioned materials, in particular polyester material, such as PET material, can thus also be used for the construction of the support layer 50 with membrane-like configuration. A support layer 58 configured with fibrous material is provided following the membrane-like support layer 50 . This can be in the form of a nonwoven fabric or can be constructed with so-called staple fibers, the fibrous material that is used for this purpose itself being capable of being constructed with the previously mentioned construction materials, preferably polyester material. A support layer 64 configured as a laid scrim lies between this support layer 58 constructed with fibrous material and a further support layer 62 of a fibrous material providing the source material contact surface 42 . This is provided on the adjacent boundary regions of the two support layers 58 , 62 constructed with fibrous material or is received between these two support layers. This support layer 64 configured as laid scrim comprises a multiplicity of yarns or yarn sections 66 extending in the longitudinal direction of the belt, whereby the technical realization in this case too can also be effected with a spiral or helical configuration. This support layer 64 with the thread or yarn sections 66 extending essentially in the longitudinal direction of the belt also increases the structural strength in the longitudinal direction of the belt. The strong cohesion of the various support layers 50 , 58 , 62 and 64 with one another and also with the basic structure 44 can be effected, for example, by needling. Other physical and/or chemical connection mechanisms, such as sewing or adhesive bonding, are also possible. It can also be of considerable advantage if the support layers 50 , 58 , 62 and 64 are connected with one another, the basic structure is connected in itself and/or both types are connected together by welding, in particular by ultrasonic welding. Ultrasonic welding permits high-precision processing, which was previously considered to be unsuitable, in particular in conjunction with the processing of supporting layers, but is especially preferred in conjunction with the present invention because of the desired extremely high tensile strengths in the press belt. FIG. 3 illustrates, for instance and rather schematically, the construction of two different preferred embodiments. In the first preferred embodiment it is preferably further provided in the case of the press belt 32 for the support layer 62 providing the source material contact surface 42 to be constructed with threads or fibers having a fineness of at most 6 dtex, preferably at most 3 dtex, whereby it is possible here to take account of the fact that, for example, a major proportion of these fibers, that is to say for example at least 60%, and preferably at least 80% thereof, are provided with the corresponding fineness. This corresponds, for example, to the use of fibers, of which the minimum cross-measurement is at most 70 μm, preferably at most 27 μm, and most preferably at most 23 μm. It should be made clear at this point that the minimum cross-measurement corresponds to the diameter, for example in the case of a circular cross section and, in the case of elliptical cross section geometry, corresponds to the minimum cross-measurement of twice the small half-axis of the ellipse. This means that, according to the invention, it is ensured that the surface roughness on the source material contact surface 42 is achieved with threads or fibers with a maximum of 3 dtex, for example. It is also possible with the previously described construction, in particular the fineness of the supporting layer, which also provides the source material contact surface 42 , to ensure an adequately high through-flow capability, that is to say permeability to air. This can lie in a region of at least 15 cfm, more preferably at least 20 cfm, or at least 25 cfm, whereby it is preferable that the permeability to air even lies in a region of at least 50 cfm and ideally even at least above 80 cfm, so that relatively high requirements are imposed in respect of the air permeability on the one hand and the comparatively low surface roughness on the other hand, which can nevertheless be realized with the construction according to the invention. It can be further appreciated in FIG. 3 that material 68 influencing the permeability of the press belt 32 is provided in some areas in the boundary region between the two support layers 58 , 62 that are constructed with fibrous material. This can be applied, for example, to the surface of the support layer 58 before the application of the support layer 64 or of the support layer 62 , or it can also be introduced into the volume of the support layer 58 . This thus ensures that this material 68 indeed influences the permeability to air, although essentially not the surface structuring in the region of the source material contact surface 42 . This material can comprise silicon material, for example, or also polyurethane material combined with the fibers of the fibrous materials by fusing, which ultimately contributes to a reduction in the exposed volume area for the through-flow of air and is consequently able to lower the air permeability, while also being able to influence the stiffness of the press belt 32 advantageously at the same time. The use of other resin materials, such as acrylic resin materials, or the use of further methods of chemical treatment is also possible here, of course. In conclusion, it should be pointed out that other possibilities for layering of the support layers and additional or also fewer support layers can, of course, be provided in the construction illustrated in FIG. 3 . This will depend essentially on which structuring it is wished to achieve in the web material to be produced with the machine according to the invention, that is to say, for example, tissue paper. In addition, this will naturally depend fundamentally on which type, which quality, in which weight per unit area and from which available raw materials the web material is intended to be produced. For the purpose of explaining the second preferred embodiment, it can be appreciated in FIG. 3 , unlike the previously described design, that material 68 influencing the permeability of the press belt 32 is provided in some areas in the boundary region between the two support layers 58 , 62 that are constructed with fibrous material. This can be applied, for example, to the surface of the support layer 58 before the application of the support layer 64 or the support layer 62 , or it can also be introduced into the volume of the support layer 58 . This thus ensures that this material 68 indeed influences the permeability to air, although essentially not the surface structuring in the region of the source material contact surface 42 . This material can comprise silicon material, for example, or also polyurethane material combined with the fibers of the fibrous material by fusing, which ultimately contributes to a reduction in the exposed volume area for the through-flow of air and is consequently able to lower the air permeability, while also being able to influence the stiffness of the press belt 32 advantageously at the same time. The use of other resin materials, such as acrylic resin materials, or the use of further methods of chemical treatment is also possible here, of course. It is possible with the construction that can be appreciated in FIG. 3 , for example, to achieve an air permeability of the press belt 32 of less than 1200 cfm or even less than 700 cfm to 800 cfm, preferably even only between approximately 200 cfm to 600 cfm or even only 200 cfm to 400 cfm. This is an air permeability which ensures a sufficiently good dewatering characteristic by the air that is drawn through the press belt 32 and, as a result, also through the source material, although it also provides an additional assurance, on the other hand, that the desired structuring characteristics can be achieved on the source material contact surface 42 . In conclusion, it should be pointed out that other possibilities for the layering of the support layers and additional or also fewer support layers can, of course, be provided in the construction illustrated in FIG. 3 . This will depend essentially on the structuring that it is wished to achieve with the machine according to the invention in the web material to be produced, for example tissue paper.

A machine for producing fiber-containing web material, in particular tissue paper, includes a permeable dewatering belt for transporting fiber-containing source material used for producing web material from a forming section to a suction/pressing section, and a press belt assembly assigned to the suction/pressing section. The source material is received in the suction/pressing section between the press belt assembly and the dewatering belt and the press belt assembly presses the source material and the dewatering belt against a suction assembly of the suction/pressing section. The press belt assembly has a single press belt providing a source material contact surface.