Abstract: Toner of the present invention at least includes binder resin, a colorant, and an external additive, wherein a loss modulus G″t (frequency: 10 rad/s) of the toner at 170° C. satisfies 100≦G″t≦5000 (Pa), a storage modulus G′t (frequency: 10 rad/s) of the toner at 190° C. satisfies 10≦G′t≦3000 (Pa), and the toner contains 5 to 50% by number of toner particles with a size of 2×10−6 to 5×10−6 m in size distribution of the toner.

Abstract: A method for developing an electrostatic image including contacting the image with at least one magnetic brush including (a) a rotating magnetic core of a preselected magnetic field strength, (b) an outer nonmagnetic shell, (c) An electrographic, two-component dry developer composition comprising charged toner particles and oppositely charged binder-free carrier particles which (a) include: an alloy of a soft magnetic material exhibiting a coercivity of at least 300 gauss when magnetically saturated, exhibit an induced magnetic moment of less than 20 EMU/gm of carrier when in an applied field of 1000 gauss and (b) a hard magnetic material exhibiting a coercivity of at least 300 gauss when magnetically saturated, exhibit an induced magnetic moment of at least 20 EMU/gm of carrier when in an applied field of 1000 gauss and which magnetic moment is sufficient to prevent the carrier from transferring to the electrostatic image, the toner and carrier particles in the developer having a triboelectric force of attra

Abstract: An image forming method comprising forming a color image on a support, which color image consists of a plurality of color toners each having a melting point or a softening point; then heating the color image upon application of pressure at a first temperature while the color image contacts a surface of a fixing member, which first temperature is not lower than the melting points or softening points of the plurality of color toners; then cooling the color image to a second temperature lower than the melting points or softening points while the color image contacts the surface of the fixing member; and then separating the color image from the fixing member, wherein the surface of the fixing member has a ten-point mean roughness not greater than 20 &mgr;m.

Abstract: Disclosed is an alkali-soluble, film-forming novolak resin mixture containing at least two novolak resins, each novolak resin containing the addition-condensation reaction product of at least one phenolic compound with at least one aldehyde source, wherein the phenolic compound for first novolak resin contains 90-100 mole % of meta-cresol, and the phenolic compound for the second novolak resin contains less than 50 mole % of meta-cresol. Also disclosed is a photosensitive composition, containing an admixture of: a) the above-mentioned novolak resin mixture; b) at least one o-quinone photoactive compound; and c) at least one photoresist solvent.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a laser thermal transfer recording method which comprises the steps of feeding an image receptor sheet and a plural number of thermal transfer sheets from a recording medium cassette, superposing the image receptor layer of the image receptor sheet upon the image formation layer of the thermal transfer sheets and holding them on a recording medium support member, and then irradiating the thermal transfer sheets with laser beams appropriate for image data to transfer the laser-irradiated regions on the image formation layer onto the image receptor layer of the image receptor sheet thereby recording an image, characterized in that the image receptor sheet and the thermal transfer sheets are laminated in the order of feeding into the recording medium support member and contained in the recording medium cassette and the coefficient(s) of static friction of the back layer surface of the image receptor sheet and/or the above-described thermal transfer sheets are 0.7 or below.

Abstract: A multicolor image-forming material comprising: an image-receiving sheet comprising a support and an image-receiving layer; and at least four (yellow, magenta, cyan, black and the like) thermal transfer sheets each comprising a support, a light-to-heat converting layer and an image-forming layer, wherein image-recording is performed by the method comprising superposing each one of the at least four thermal transfer sheets on the image-receiving sheet to be in a state of the image-forming layer being in contact with the image-receiving layer; and irradiating the thermal transfer sheet with laser beams in two-dimensional array to transfer an image in an area of the image-forming layer subjected to irradiation onto the image-receiving layer, and a recording area of a multicolor image in each of the thermal transfer sheets is a size of 515 mm×728 mm or more, a resolution of the transferred image is 2,400 dpi or more, and each of the light-to-heat converting layers comprises from 1 to 20% by weight of a subs

Abstract: A thermal transfer donor element is provided which comprises a support, a light-to-heat conversion layer, an interlayer, and a thermal transfer layer. When the above donor element is brought into contact with a receptor, and imagewise irradiated, an image is obtained which is free from contamination by the light-to-heat conversion layer. The construction and process of this invention is useful in making colored images including applications such as color proofs and color filter elements.

Abstract: A planographic printing element suitable to receive and bond with a subsequently applied hydrophilic layer comprises a substrate layer such as polyester film or paper having coated thereon an adhesion layer, said adhesion layer comprising a polymer having a glass transition temperature of less than 15° C. and containing functional groups such as hydroxyl, epoxy or glycidyl capable of reacting with the hydrophilic layer. The polymer may be a terpolymer of a hydroxyalkylacrylate, an alkyl acrylate and an aminoalkylmethacrylate. The polymer may be mixed with gelatin and the mixture applied to the substrate as a coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new polymers that contain repeat units of phenol and photoacid-labile esters that contain an alicyclic group, preferably a bulky group that suitably may contain 7 to about 20 carbons, such as an alkyladamantyl, ethylfencyl, tricyclo decanyl, or pinanyl group. Polymers of the invention are useful as a component of chemically-amplified positive-acting resists.

Abstract: The invention provides a high-resolution resist material comprising an acid generator that has high sensitivity and high resolution with respect to high-energy rays of 300 nm or less, has small line-edge roughness, and is superior in heat stability and in shelf stability, and provides a pattern forming method that uses this resist material. The invention further provides a chemically amplified positive resist material comprising a base resin, an acid generator and a solvent in which the acid generator generates an alkylimidic acid containing a fluorine group, and provides a pattern forming method comprising a step of applying the resist material to the substrate, a step of performing exposure to a high-energy ray of a wavelength of 300 nm or less through a photomask following heat treatment, and a step of performing development by a developing solution following heat treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a copolymer comprising repeating units derived from (A) at least one fluoroalkyl (meth) acrylate represented by the following general formula (I) or (II): 1

Abstract: An image recording material comprising (a) an infrared ray absorber and (b) a polymer to lower a dynamic coefficient of friction to from 0.38 to 0.60, which can undergo image formation upon exposure with infrared laser; or a long-chain alkyl group-containing polymer having a reduction rate of coefficient of friction to a base polymer of from 0.5 to 0.97, the polymer being a copolymer of a long-chain alkyl group-containing monomer having 6 or more carbon atoms and a hydrophilic monomer.

Abstract: A photopolymerizable composition comprising a polymer having a radical polymerizable group and a unit represented by the following formula (I): 1

Abstract: The present invention provides photoresist monomers, photoresist polymers derived from the same, processes for producing such photoresist polymers, photoresist compositions comprising such polymers, and processes for producing a photoresist pattern using such photoresist compositions.

Abstract: A limited play optical storage medium for data is provided that comprises a first optically transparent substrate; a reflective layer; a data layer disposed between said first substrate and said reflective layer; a second substrate; and a reactive layer comprising a carrier and a reactive material wherein the reactive layer and reflective layer are disposed between said first substrate and said second substrate.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor multilevel interconnect structure employs a dual hardmask technique in a dual damascene process. The method includes using amorphous carbon as a first hardmask layer capable of being etched by a second etch process, and a second hardmask layer capable of being etched by a first etch process, as a dual hardmask. By virtue of the selective etch chemistry employed with the dual hardmask, the method affords flexibility unattainable with conventional processes. The via is never in contact with the photoresist, thus eliminating residual photoresist at the trench/via edge and the potential “poisoning” of the intermetal dielectric layer. Since trench/via imaging is completed before further etching, any patterning misalignments can be easily reworked. Because the amorphous carbon layer and the second hardmask layer are used as the dual hardmask, the photoresist can be made thinner and thus optimized for the best imaging performance.

Abstract: An intermediate layer composition for a three-layer resist process comprising (A) an octakis(silsesquioxane) skeleton-containing polymer obtained by hydrosilylation polymerization of a compound represented by formula (I) defined in the specification with bis(substituted ethynyl) compound in the presence of a platinum-containing catalyst.

Abstract: A radiation curable resin formulation suitable for planarizing an ink jet heater chip. The resin formulation includes a multifunctional epoxy component, a difunctional epoxy component, a silane coupling agent, an aryl sulfonium salt photoinitiator, and a non-photoreactive solvent. The resin formulation is substantially devoid of acrylate polymer components. Radiation curable resins according to the invention exhibit enhanced adhesion with the nozzle plate adhesive thereby reducing the incidence of delamination between the nozzle plate and a semiconductor chip containing the resin layer. Another advantage is that the resin layer, according to the invention, reduces pigment flocculation on the surface of the resin layer when using pigment-based ink jet inks.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for making a lithographic printing surface using media with coalescence inhibitor. The lithographic printing surface is made on a hydrophilic surface using a radiation sensitive medium that comprises hydrophobic polymer particles in an aqueous medium, a substance for converting light into heat, and a coalescence inhibitor. The lithographic printing surface made by the method of this invention may be used for printing long run lengths on lower quality paper and in the presence of press-room chemicals. The method allows for on-press imaging and development of the lithographic printing surface. The radiation sensitive medium can also be sprayed onto a hydrophilic surface to create a lithographic printing surface that may be processed wholly on-press. It can also be processed in the more conventional fully off-press fashion.

Abstract: A process for massively producing tape type flexible printed circuits is provided. The steps of pressing, etching and insulating are executed on a flexible insulation tape in reel-to-reel fashion. Thereafter, the flexible insulation tape is punched to form sprocket holes and cut along the parallel lines where the sprocket holes arrange on to become several winds of narrower flexible circuit tapes. Each flexible circuit tape has tape type flexible printed circuits and sprocket holes at two sides.

Abstract: A micro-optics device and a method for fabricating the micro-optics device is provided using one or more layers of an optically-transparent polymer resist having a viscosity between 2,000 and 100,000 centipoise or that is otherwise sufficient to allow stacking of one or more layers of the resist at a thickness of at least 10 microns per layer of resist. Each layer of the polymer resist is deposited onto a substrate and defined photolithographically to build a discrete relief structure upon which a final smoothing layer of polymer resist can be applied.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing gross location, planarization, and mechanical restraint to one or more electronic components such as semiconductor dice to be subjected to stereolithographic processing. A double platen assembly including a first platen and a second platen mutually removably connected and configured and arranged to substantially secure an electronic component assembly in position therebetween. At least one of the platens is configured such that a portion of electronic components of a carrier substrate secured by the double platen assembly is viewable for exposure to an energy beam such as a laser beam used to cure a liquid into an associated dielectric stereolithographic packaging structure. Another embodiment includes the use of an adhesive-coated film for holding, locating and securing a plurality of individual electronic components for processing. A method of forming solder balls is also disclosed.

Abstract: In order to prevent the contamination of wafers made of a transition metal in a semiconductor mass production process, the mass production method of a semiconductor integrated circuit device of the invention comprises the steps of depositing an Ru film on individual wafers passing through a wafer process, removing the Ru film from outer edge portions of a device side and a back side of individual wafers, on which said Ru film has been deposited, by means of an aqueous solution containing orthoperiodic acid and nitric acid, and subjecting said individual wafers, from which said Ru film has been removed, to a lithographic step, an inspection step or a thermal treating step that is in common use relation with a plurality of wafers belonging to lower layer steps (an initial element formation step and a wiring step prior to the formation of a gate insulating film).

Abstract: The invention provides organic optical waveguide devices which employ perfluoropolymeric materials having low optical loss and low birefringence. An optical element has a substrate; a patterned, light transmissive perfluoropolymer core composition; and a light reflecting cladding composition on the pattern of the core. Writing of high-efficiency waveguide gratings is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photothermographic material comprising a support and an image forming layer provided thereon, the image forming layer including at least a photosensitive silver halide, a non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent and a binder, the photothermographic material meets at least one of the following conditions of (i) and (ii):

Abstract: A heat-developable photosensitive material having on a support at least one light-sensitive layer comprising an organic silver salt, a light-sensitive silver halide and a reducing agent and at least one light-insensitive layer, which comprises an antihalation dye causing no decoloration by heat and provides tone represented by an inequality L*≧92 on the CIELAB space in a background after heat development.

Abstract: A photothermographic imaging material comprising a support having thereon a sublayer and a photosensitive layer in the order, the photosensitive layer comprising photosensitive silver halide grains, light-insensitive organic silver salt grains, a binder, and a reducing agent for silver ions, wherein the sublayer comprises: (i) a first polymer selected from the group consisting of a polyester and a polyester derivative; and (ii) a second polymer selected from the group consisting of a vinyl polymer latex, a water-soluble polymer containing a vinyl polymer component, a styrene-diolefin copolymer and a polyurethane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photographic element comprising at least one light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith a heterocyclic magenta or cyan dye-forming coupler of formula (I), 1

Abstract: A producing method of a silver halide emulsion comprising the steps of adding silver halide fine grains AgX0 having an to a silver halide seed crystal emulsion containing at least water, dispersion medium 1 and silver halide crystal, and growing the seed crystal by dissolving the added AgX0, wherein AgX0 are formed in dispersion medium solution 2 containing dispersion medium 2, the pH of dispersion medium solution 2 of the time when AgX0 are formed is from 7.3 to 12.2, the average equivalent-circle projected area diameter of AgX0 is from 0.001 to 0.2 &mgr;m, and AgX0 are non-twin crystal grains not substantially having twin planes.

Abstract: A silver halide emulsion comprises an electron-releasing compound of Types 1 to 4:

Abstract: A lighter is provided. The lighter includes two spaced apart nozzles. Upon manual actuation of the lighter, each nozzle produces a separate flame, and the flames intersect to produce a single flame in region spaced apart from the body of the lighter.

Abstract: A barbecue lighter incorporates with a safety arrangement which includes an actuating member including a pusher arm disposed in a trigger cavity of the barbecue lighter in a movable manner, and a resilient element disposed between the pusher arm and an ignition trigger for applying an urging pressure against the pusher arm so as to normally retain the pusher arm in a safety position. In the safety position, the pusher arm is positioned away from a depressible end of a gas lever with a predetermined distance. To ignite the barbecue lighter, the pusher arm is required to move to a position that when the ignition trigger is depressed downwardly, the pusher arm is driven downwardly to depress the depressible end of the gas lever for releasing gas, so as to ignite the barbecue lighter.

Abstract: This invention describes a thin, aesthetically improved polymeric removable bite-positioning appliance comprising two members. A first member is constructed for a patient's maxillary dental set and a second member is constructed for a patient's mandibular dental set. Both members have tooth-receiving surfaces comprising a plurality of tooth receiving cavities intended to receive the patient's teeth. Preferably, wedges descend past the occlusal plane of the maxillary appliance and are formed on both the patient's left and right hand side. Protrusions or wedges that do not extend past the occlusal plane of the mandibular appliance are formed on the patient's left and right hand side. The abutment of the wedges maintains the patient's lower jaw mesially in a more corrected bite position and prevents the patient from closing their mouth in the original, uncorrected bite position.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to an orthodontic mechanical force module having a jack screw whose rotation is controlled by a ratchet. In one embodiment, a pair of housings are interconnected with the patient in any appropriate manner, and are further rotatably interconnected with a rotatable spindle. At least one of these housings is also threadably engaged with the spindle. A ratchet is associated with the spindle to selectively allow the spindle to rotate only in a direction that increases a magnitude of the treatment forces being exerted on the patient by changing the spacing between the pair of housings by a movement of at least one of the housings along the spindle due to its rotation. That is, in an active position the ratchet precludes the spindle from rotating in a direction that would tend to reduce the magnitude of the treatment forces being exerted on the patient.

Abstract: A device for relocating a lower jaw relative to an upper jaw

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a patient at a treatment provider's office include digitally scanning the patient at the treatment provider's office and generating at the treatment provider's office one or more appliances to treat the patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for restoration of a patient's tooth. An electronic image of a patient's tooth or tooth preparation is generated in a dentist's office by the dentist. The image includes color information of the tooth preparation or of the patient's tooth shade. The electronic image is forwarded to a dental laboratory by direct computer link or e-mail. A technician at the laboratory evaluates the image and suggests restorative options to the dentist, including whether further tooth preparation is required. The technician also selects the appropriate restoration tooth shade(s) so that the dental prosthesis matches the color of the patient's tooth. The laboratory then manufactures the prosthesis utilizing a plurality of porcelain coatings. If desired, an image of the prosthesis can be generated in the laboratory and forwarded to the dentist for verification of color and/or fit prior to finalizing manufacture of the prosthesis.

Abstract: An ergonomic non-obstructive illuminated examination mirror for dentistry, medicine and surgery, without the need of fiber optics, includes a slim line elongated member having a wire connection passage, a weighted first proximal end with a battery chamber and a second distal end. A removable disposable non-fogging angled reflective mirror head is coupled to the second end of the elongated member. Light to the mirror is provided by a low heat emitting light source attached to the second end of the rod directed toward the angled reflective head. The power source is connected to the low heat light source by one or more conductive wires within the wire passage and a switch, thereby forming a circuit with the power source and the light source, which is activated by a switch connected to the conductive wire connection.

Abstract: A dental model tray (10) for use in forming a dental model from casting material poured thereon has upstanding projections (14) that extend into the hardened, dental model. The dental model tray (10) comprises a substantially planar base wall (12) that forms the floor upon which dental casting material is poured in forming a dental model. A plurality of spaced apart, elongate projections (14) extending upwardly from an upper face of the base wall (12) so that an elongate axis of each of the projections (14) is substantially perpendicular to the upper face of the base wall (12). The projections (14) and the base wall are formed integrally of polymeric material.

Abstract: A flexible endodontic syringe for use in performing root canal therapy on a tooth and that is particularly useful for irrigating a root canal possessing a non-linear central axis is presented. The instrument comprises an elongate shank or needle having an enclosed axial channel or lumen. The shank or needle possesses a flexibility sufficient to substantially traverse the entire length of a root canal. A method for irrigating a root canal is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for boring into teeth to remove decaying tool matter using a high pressure jet of water. A system according to the invention may include a pressurized water source operably connected to an applicator used to target the water stream at the decayed portion of the tooth. The invention contemplates water streams utilizing single or multiple stream orifices, pure water or particle-entrained streams, and constant high pressure or pulsing pressure to accomplish removal of oral material, including enamel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical or dental-medical handpiece (3) having a rotary part (12), in particular a turbine rotor (15a). In order to improve the handpiece with regard to small construction, running noise and economical construction, there is provided a roller bearing (21) for the purpose of mounting the rotary part (12), having at least two roller body rows arranged next to one another.

Abstract: The present invention is an orthodontic ligature pliers, to facilitate engaging an orthodontic elastic ligature to an orthodontic bracket, which is attached to a patient's tooth allows the removal of two o-rings from an elastic ligature stick at a time, allowing the user to attach the two o-rings, each in a separate step to two brackets, without having to return to the o-ring stick allows the user to place two o-rings at the mouth on separate brackets, without having to return to the o-ring stick to replenish the o-ring after each previous o-ring is applied.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an artificial tooth, comprising a base layer substantially determining strength and at least one cover layer substantially determining appearance of a finished artificial tooth, said method comprising: establishing the available outer shape and dimensions for the finished artificial tooth, e.g.

Abstract: A thin, skin-toned pocketed card having two layers of material. The foreground layer of this card is made of a thin transparent material that is printed with images of facial features. To print these images, color is applied to the material starting at the boundary of the image and extending out onto the surrounding material. The transparent portion, not the colored portion of the material, hence defines these images. The background layer of material is uniformly colored to match the foreground layer. When the foreground layer is positioned over the background layer the images of facial features become indistinguishable from the background. The layers are then joined to each other so that open pockets are formed between their adjacent surfaces, and so that one set of facial features is allocated to each pocket. Uniformly sized strips of colored media representing cosmetic colors are inserted into the open pockets.

Abstract: A method for guiding a young child, “user” (410), in a controlled virtual environment (400) is disclosed. The controlled virtual environment (400) is constructed by software when executed in a computer. A guardian establishes parameters and a user (410) is thereafter presented with the controlled environment which is governed, in part, by the guardian-provided parameters. Data is accumulated concerning interactions and movements of the user's selector device within the controlled environment. The user (410) is provided with guidance on the basis of the accumulated data (415), within the constraints of the parameters provided by the guardian. The guardian can be provided with reports concerning at least a portion of the accumulated data, for example, by electronic mail.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for training a plurality of learners. In one disclosed embodiment, a method is provided for training a plurality of learners to develop user interfaces for a software application. The software application may be designed to interact with a plurality of users, including a first user and a second user. The exemplary training method may include dividing the plurality of learners into a first group, a second group and a third group, brainstorming by the first group and the second group to generate an overall usage context for the user interfaces, and designing, by the first and second groups, first and second usage scenarios. The first and second groups may provide first and second prototypes for the user interfaces according to the first and second usage scenarios, respectively. In addition, the third group may analyze existing user interfaces to provide assistance to the first and second groups in providing the prototypes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a visual rhythm instructional apparatus and method that helps the music instructor convey note reading and rhythm ability to students in a natural manner. The present invention is suitably configured in a hardware and software version. The present invention provides an apparatus and method that facilitates proper counting in any time signature. To this end, the apparatus in accordance with the present invention has indicia to ensure proper beat, count and measure delineation so that proper time signature is established. The rhythm is built with the notes/rests by placing them one by one in the appropriate location on the apparatus, giving the user the ability to count and play the rhythm.

Abstract: A device schedules administration of reinforcing rewards consistent with a psychological behavior modification program. The instructions to grant rewards are randomized in response to the subject successfully executing targeted behavior thus making the reinforcement unpredictable to the individual being treated. The device has a base with an indicating surface on which code marks are placed in predetermined locations. The code marks are encoded with respect to instructions to grant or deny a reinforcement. The device also has an opaque mask coextensive with the indicating surface. The mask includes an aperture with an initially closed cover to conceal the code marks from view of the individual. At appropriate time, the cover is opened to reveal the code mark so that the individual can follow instructions whether or not to receive a reward. The device is light weight, portable, convenient to carry and easy to use by the individual.

Abstract: A golf club grip includes a molded or shaped tubular foam body of closed-cell foam material and an anti-slip rubbery skin bonded integrally to an outer surface of the tubular foam body, thus a slip-on type of this invention is formed. The closed-call foam provides advantages, such as light weight with correct or standard size, a wide range of size and grip weights for personal choice. The tubular foam body has a capped end to cap a grip-mounting portion of a golf club shaft. In an embodiment of coiled strip type, the tubular foam body is cut spirally to form a coiled strip that can be wrapped spirally around the grip-mounting portion, and the capped end is formed as a cap which is integral with the coiled strip. The integral cap and coiled strip facilitates installation of the grip on the golf club shaft, and the coiled strip formed as such permits the strip to be wound around the golf club shaft with side edges thereof being in abutment with each other.