1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a radio communication system and a repeater, more particularly, to a radio communication system, which repeats a signal transmitted from a base station by a repeater that is multistage-connected by a leaky coaxial cable (LCX) and communicates with a mobile terminal.
2. Related Art
In the field of a train radio communication and a PHS (Personal Handy-Phone System) base station installed in metropolitan railway stations, a radio communication system using a leaky coaxial cable as antenna has been put into practical use. In such a leaky coaxial cable, a slit for leaking a radio wave is provided at an outer conductor of a coaxial cable.
The radio communication system using the leaky coaxial cable is advantageous in that only one transmitter can cover a long distance communication area and a stable communication can be realized even in an environment with a lot of metallic reflecting objects or obstacles. Furthermore, the radio communication system using the leaky coaxial cable is advantageous in that the communication area can be limited to a peripheral area of the leaky coaxial cable, so that the radio wave cannot be leaked to an unnecessary area, thereby realizing a high security.
FIG. 10 shows a conventional radio communication system using the leaky coaxial cable. Referring to FIG. 10, a signal line 104 from a base station 103 is connected to each pre-amplifier 102 to which a leaky coaxial cable 101 is connected, and a communication is carried out between the base station 103 and a mobile terminal 105 via the leaky coaxial cable 101.
FIG. 11 shows another conventional radio communication system using the leaky coaxial cable, in which a plurality of repeaters 111 are multistage-connected by leaky coaxial cables 101, and each of the repeaters 111 amplifies signal, thereby increasing a communication area. Referring to FIG. 11, the graph shows a relationship between a transmission distance of signals and an electric power (i.e. intensity of the signals), in which L6 indicates an intensity of signals transmitted from the base station 103 and propagated through the leaky coaxial cable 101, L7 indicates an intensity of received signals of a mobile terminal 105 located at a point distant from the leaky coaxial cable 101 with a predetermined distance, and L8 indicates a minimum receiver sensitivity of the mobile terminal 105.
In the structure shown in FIG. 10, it is necessary to transmit the signal to be transmitted from the base station 103 to each pre-amplifier 102 by another cable (a signal line 104) which is different from the leaky coaxial cable 101, so that two kinds of cables i.e. the leaky coaxial cable 101 functioning as an antenna and the signal line 104 are required.
On the other hand, in the structure shown in FIG. 11, the leaky coaxial cable 101 functions as both an antenna and a signal line, so that the number of components can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost compared with the structure shown in FIG. 10.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-295433 (JP-A 2006-295433), Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-186943 (JP-A 11-186943), and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-328121 (JP-A 2004-328121) disclose examples of radio communication system using the leaky coaxial cable.


Conventional image detection techniques require scanning a picture in its entirety to detect a target image therein. However, the conventional image detection techniques necessitate a large number of scan windows and thus render the system busier to the detriment of its performance, not to mention that it is a waste of time detecting for non-target images. Referring to FIG. 1(A), a conventional image detection technique requires scanning a picture in its entirety to detect a target image therein and thus necessitates a large number of scan windows as shown in FIG. 1(B).
In an attempt to overcome the aforesaid drawback of the prior art, a speeded up robust features (SURF) algorithm was invented and involves retrieving characteristic points from a picture and then performing a block scan on the retrieved characteristic points to detect for a target image. SURF has an advantage: it speeds up image detection, because it does not require scanning the picture in its entirety. However, SURF has a drawback: the block scan performed on the retrieved characteristic points is disadvantaged by the presence of non-target image blocks. As a result, SURF still has room for improvement in terms of efficiency.


Since their introduction by Kass et al. (Kass 1988), a variety of deformable models have been proposed and used in a numerous areas such as image segmentation, shape modeling, and object tracking. Existing deformable models can be classified as either parametric deformable models (PDMs) (Kass, 1988; Cohen, 1991; Xu, 1998; McInery, 1996; Cottes, 1991, 2001; Shen, 2001; Liu, 2005) or geometric deformable models (GDMs) (Malladi, 1995; Caselles, 1997; Yezzi, 1997; Sethian, 1999; Han, 2003) according to their representation and implementation. In particular, PDMs are represented explicitly as parameterized curves or surfaces in a Lagrangian formulation. GDMS, on the other hand, are represented implicitly as level sets of higher-dimensional level set functions. That is, to model a contour within a 2-D space, or a surface within a 3-D space, we define a continuous function (a level set function) which takes a certain value (e.g. zero) on the contour or surface (referred to as the “level set”), and a non-zero value elsewhere. The level set function evolves according to an Eulerian formulation (Sethian 1999).
GDMs are superior to PDMs in the following aspects:
Model representation and construction. GDMs are completely intrinsic and independent of the parameterization of the evolving contour. Thus, there is no need to add or remove nodes from the initial parameterization or adjust the spacing of the nodes. For PDMs, particularly, in the 3D cases, it is not a trivial task to generate parameterized representations for surface models.
Model property calculation. The intrinsic geometric properties of a geometric deformable model, such as its normal and curvature, can be easily determined from the level set function.
Shape adaptation. In GDMs, the propagating contour or surface can automatically change its topology (e.g., merge or split) without requiring an elaborate mechanism to handle such changes.
Self-intersection detection. When the topology preserving transformations are required for a deformable model, self-intersections can become a problem. In GDMs, digital topology methods (Bertrand 1994) are available to detect self-intersections, while in PDMs, the computational demands related to self-intersection detection are usually very high (MacDonald 2000).
On the contrary, PDMs have the following merits over GDMs:
Model constraints. Since PDMs are represented globally, it is convenient to add high level constraints on shape and topology. These constraints are particularly important when local features of the model and image are liable to deform the model in unexpected ways.
Leakage prevention. Leakage from the boundary is less common in PDMs, whereas it is sensitive to boundary gaps and weak edges in GDMs.
Convergence detection. The deformation procedures in PDMs have an explicit stop condition which is the minimization of some kinds of energy function, whereas in GDMs, the procedure usually stops when the certain number of iterations reaches a predetermined maximum, but no simple and fast methods are available to automatically estimate a suitable maximum number of iterations.


1. Field of the Invention
The present application relates to an electronic apparatus provided with a slot to which an expansion module can be attached detachably.
2. Description of Related Art
Recent notebook computers are provided with a random access memory (RAM) that temporarily stores programs or data in order to execute various information processes at a central processing unit (CPU). As the size of a RAM increases, the size of an executable program or the number of simultaneously executable programs can be increased.
Typically, a RAM is formed by mounting a memory chip on a board in the form of a module. When this memory module is attached to a memory slot provided in a notebook computer, the memory size of the notebook computer can be increased. This memory slot typically is sealed with a cover in order to prevent a foreign particle from entering from the outside. The cover is typically in the shape of a plate. Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose plate-shaped covers. The covers disclosed in Patent Documents 1 (JP 2003-076439A) and 2 (JP H10-268976A) are attached to an apparatus main body through claw coupling or screw threading.
However, in the case of a plate-shaped cover, when opening a memory slot in order to attach or detach a memory module, it is necessary to disconnect the claw coupling or screw threading, and then cause the cover to be detached by its own weight from an apparatus main body. More specifically, the electronic apparatus is initially positioned such that a face having the memory slot is oriented upward, claw coupling or screw threading is then disconnected, the electronic apparatus is then positioned such that the face having the memory slot is oriented downward, and the cover is detached by its own weight from the electronic apparatus. Subsequently, the memory module is attached or detached in a state where the face having the memory slot is oriented upward. Accordingly, when detaching a cover in order to attach or detach a memory module, it is necessary to change the posture of the electronic apparatus a plurality of times, which is very troublesome.


The present invention relates to programmable circuits. More particularly, the present invention relates to state machines in programmable logic devices.
Non-volatile memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and Flash EEPROM, store data even after power is turned off. One common application of EEPROMs is in programmable logic devices (PLDs). PLDs are standard semiconductor components purchased by systems manufacturers in a xe2x80x9cblankxe2x80x9d state that can be custom configured into a virtually unlimited number of specific logic functions. PLDs provide system designers with the ability to quickly create custom logic functions to provide product differentiation without sacrificing rapid time to market. PLDs may be reprogrammable, meaning that the logic configuration can be modified after the initial programming.
One type of PLD is known as a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). An FPGA is a general purpose device that can be programmed by an end user to perform one or more selected functions. An FPGA typically includes an array of individually programmable logic cells (PLCs), each of which is programmably interconnected to other PLCs and to input/output (I/O) pins via a programmable routing structure to provide the selected function. Examples of such devices are exemplified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,642,487; 4,706,216; and 4,758,985.
An FPGA device can be characterized as an integrated circuit that may include four major features:
(1) A user-accessible, configurable memory device, such as SRAM, EPROM, EEPROM, anti-fused, fused, or other, is provided in the FPGA device so as to be at least once-programmable by device users for defining user-provided configuration information. Static Random Access Memory or SRAM is a form of reprogrammable memory that may be differently programmed many times. Electrically Erasable programmable ROM or EEPROM is another example of nonvolatile reprogrammable memory. The configurable memory of an FPGA device may be formed of a mixture of different kinds of memory elements if desired (e.g., SRAM and EEPROM).
(2) Input/Output Blocks (IOBs) are provided for interconnecting other internal circuit components of the FPGA device with external circuitry. The IOBs may have fixed configurations or they may be configurable in accordance with user-provided configuration information.
(3) PLCs are provided for carrying out user-programmed logic functions (e.g., logic gates) as defined by user-provided configuration information. Typically, each of the many PLCs of an FPGA has at least one lookup table (LUT) that is user-configurable to define any desired truth table. A PLC may have other resources such as LUT input signal pre-processing resources and LUT output signal post-processing resources.
(4) An interconnect network is provided for carrying signal traffic within the FPGA device between various PLCs and/or between various IOBs and/or between various IOBs and PLCs. At least part of the interconnect network is typically configurable so as to allow for programmably-defined routing of signals between various PLCs and/or IOBs in accordance with user-defined routing information.
Using these features, traditional FPGA architectures implement state machines by using the LUT-based logic elements in a decoding structure and as register storage elements. The state machine typically includes multiple states that are cycled through based on input signals. Typically, every clock cycle, the state of the input signals dictates whether the state machine maintains its current state or changes to a new state. Although state machines may be easily constructed in an FPGA, as the state machine grows large, performance begins to suffer as logic elements invariably get located at greater distances apart, thereby slowing propagation times. Additionally, such state machines consume a lot of area.
Thus, it is desirable to provide a PLD that can free PLC resources while increasing overall functionality. It is also desirable to implement an efficient state machine within a PLD.
A PLD is disclosed that includes a state machine integrated into a block memory. The state machine includes state machine logic and memory elements from the block memory. The state machine logic and memory elements together may be used as an instruction unit of a processor. In such a case, the instruction unit functions as a counter, instruction store, and possibly a decode that is coupled to a processor execution unit to form a high-performance, embedded processor.
In one aspect, the state machine logic includes a program counter and an adder coupled to memory elements within the block memory.
In another aspect, control logic may be added to the state machine to receive state machine inputs and to determine the next state of the state machine.
In another aspect, the state machine may further include a stack pointer that is used to implement a stack within the block memory.
In yet another aspect, the state machine allows for implementing certain classes of instructions, such as jumps, branches and calls. Additionally, processor interrupts can be handled within the memory block.
These and other aspects will become apparent from the following detailed description, which makes reference to the accompanying drawings.


Turbines are conventionally started hydraulically, electrically or pneumatically. If hydraulic or pneumatic systems are used to start an aircraft auxiliary power unit (APU) electrical power is not normally available until the APU output shaft has exceeded some initial rotational speed to drive a generator. The consequences of not having initial electrical power include the inability to use electronic controller circuitry normally associated with APUs to perform such functions as opening and closing valves for the starting systems. Previously, when pneumatic or hydraulic starting systems were used, the operator had to manually close down the starting system after the APU began operation. This is not a reliable approach because if the starting system is turned off too early the APU will fail to complete the starting process; if, in the alternative, the starting system is turned off too late the starter motor may overspeed which makes failure of the starter system likely.
To address these and other problems, various previous methods have been devised. U.S. Pat. No. 3,812,378 to Coman describes the use of a permanent magnet generator for providing a first pulse train with each of the pulses having a duration that is a function of the rotational speed of the starter rotor. A second pulse generator is also provided, with the second pulse train having a constant pulse width; the second pulse train time width corresponds to a predetermined rotational speed of the starter rotor at which the starter is to be turned off. The first and second pulse trains are provided to a comparator circuit that produces an output signal when the duration of a pulse from the first pulse train is shorter than a pulse from the second pulse train, i.e. the starter rotational speed exceeds the predetermined rotational speed. This output signal from the comparator circuit is then used to turn the starter off. The clear disadvantage of this system is the requirement for electrical power from the very initiation of the starting process.
Another starter control system is described in, U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,270 to Klie et al, here a pneumatic starting device is disclosed. The pressure in a reservoir supplying gas to a pneumatic starting device is monitored, and the monitored pressure is exclusively used to end the starting process. As the gas pressure drops in the reservoir the maximum speed of the starter is limited. Since pressure drop in the reservoir is used to end the starting procedure, the reservoir must be constructed with only a capacity sufficient for carrying out one starting. This is an inescapable disadvantage, and is especially problematic for aircraft operating from austere airfields.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pedal retraction amount control apparatus for a running vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a pedal retraction amount control apparatus for a running vehicle which prevents a pedal from moving in a rearward direction with respect to a vehicle body, and moving into a passenger compartment side at the time of a vehicle head-on collision, there is, for example, the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3239790. In the apparatus disclosed in this publication, when at the time of a vehicle head-on collision, the vehicle body is deformed so that the whole pedal system moves in the rearward direction of the vehicle, a steering hanger which is provided on a horizontal beam member connecting between pillars restricts the movement of this pedal in the rearward direction beneath the support shaft of the pedal. As a result, the pedal rotates about the support shaft so that the tread portion moves towards the front side, and is thus moved from the passenger compartment in the forward direction.
In a pedal retraction amount control apparatus, the greater the amount of forward movement of the pedal the better. However, in the abovementioned case, the amount of forward movement of the pedal is mainly determined by the rotation amount of the pedal about the support shaft, and there are cases where this is not sufficient.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a knee protecting airbag device in which an airbag to be expanded and inflated with an inflating gas let in protects the knee of a driver.
2. Description of Related Art
In the prior art, the device for protecting the knee of a driver is known in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-32195, EP Publication No. 0684167A1, EP Publication No. 0818360A1 and so on. In the prior art, more specifically, there were a device in which a pad is arranged near a column cover below a steering wheel to protrude when activated to hold the knee of a driver, or a device having an airbag which is expanded and inflated when activated to protect the knee of the driver.
In the knee protecting devices of the prior art, however, the pad or airbag is protruded into a narrow space between the column cover and the knee of the driver. Especially at the action time, the driver is mostly depressing a brake pedal. In this case, the space between the column cover and the knee of the driver is further narrowed.
Therefore, devices of the prior art had a room for improvement in proper protection of the knee of a driver.


1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a speaker assembly. More particularly, the invention relates to an articulating speaker assembly for integration within a passenger service unit of an aircraft.
2. Description of the Related Art
The current global community has made it possible for people all around the country, and around the world, to interact for both business and personal reasons. For many people, this requires they spend considerable time traveling from one location to another location. More often than not, these people travel in aircraft. Whether these people travel in private or commercial aircraft, they desire high quality entertainment during the many hours they spend within the confines of an aircraft. However, while high quality entertainment, for example, digital video with CD quality sound, is readily available for theater and home use, the weight, size and available space requirements for use in aircraft make it very difficult to incorporate high fidelity systems within an aircraft. This problem is especially pronounced for audio loudspeaker assemblies when one attempts to meet the size, weight and shape requirements for use in aircrafts.
In the aircraft industry, great priority is placed upon component weight and size reduction. In addition, spacing and positioning of the loudspeaker assemblies are a great priority to those optimizing the operation of aircraft. The size, weight and shape of conventional terrestrial loudspeaker assembly designs adversely affect range and payload. These concerns are notable when one attempts to make changes within smaller, private jets. For example, a small increase in the weight carried by an aircraft results in a substantial increase in fuel consumption of the aircraft. In addition, the limited space available within an aircraft dictates the use of any space within the aircraft be carefully considered by those responsible for ensuring the comfort of passengers.
Lightweight and compact audio loudspeakers are currently available. These loudspeakers, however, substantially compromise sound quality for reductions in size and weight. An individual wishing to add an audio system to an aircraft must make a choice between high fidelity loudspeakers not suiting the size and weight requirements of the aircraft and lower quality loudspeakers providing desirable size and weight characteristics.
A need, therefore, exists for a loudspeaker assembly providing high fidelity sound, while meeting the size, weight and positioning profile requirements of an aircraft. The present invention provides such a loudspeaker assembly.


The present invention relates to the arrangement of a plurality of solar cell elements on a supporting substrate.
Recently, some kinds of electronic apparatus such as electronic wristwatches have been developed wherein solar cells are employed as power supply means.
The electronic energy generated from a solar cell device will increase when the size of a light receiving surface of the solar cell device is increased. Therefore, it is of great importance to increase the light receiving area of the solar cell device without increasing the total size of the solar cell device.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to enhance the opto-electric converting efficiency of a solar cell device including a plurality of solar cell elements.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel arrangement of a plurality of solar cell elements for enhancing the opto-electric converting efficiency with a minimum package size.
Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
To achieve the above objects, pursuant to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of solar cell elements are arranged on a supporting substrate. Each solar cell element has a light receiving surface, where electrodes are formed which are connected to a P-type region and an N-type region contained within the solar cell element, respectively. The electrodes formed on the light receiving surfaces of the plurality of solar cell elements arranged on the supporting substrate are electrically connected to each other via light transmitting, electrically conductive wiring means formed on the light receiving surfaces, thereby developing electric energy.


The described embodiments relate generally to portable listening devices such as earbuds and other types of in-ear listening devices, and to cases for storing and charging such devices.
Portable listening devices can be used with a wide variety of electronic devices such as portable media players, smart phones, tablet computers, laptop computers and stereo systems among others. Portable listening devices have historically included one or more small speakers configured to be place on, in, or near a user's ear, structural components that hold the speakers in place, and a cable that electrically connects the portable listening device to an audio source. Other portable listening devices can be wireless devices that do not include a cable and instead, wirelessly receive a stream of audio data from a wireless audio source.
While wireless portable listening devices have many advantages over wired devices, they also have some potential drawbacks. For example, wireless portable listening devices, typically require a battery, such as a rechargeable battery, that provides power to the wireless communication circuitry and other components of the device. For many currently available wireless portable listening devices, charge can be restored to the rechargeable battery in the device by physically connecting the portable listening device to a power source, which typically requires that the wireless portable listening device have a pair of electrical contacts to receive the charge.
In many devices such electrical contacts are positioned within a receptacle connector in the wireless portable listening device. The receptacle connector typically includes a cavity in the wireless portable listening device that provides an avenue within which dust and moisture can intrude and damage the device. Furthermore, a user of the electronic device has to physically connect the charging cable to the receptacle in order to charge the battery. Some other wireless portable listening devices including charging contacts at an external surface of the device, which is a significant improvement with respect to moisture resistance and other potential problems as compared to internal contacts positioned within a receptacle connector cavity. Even external contacts, however, can still result in potential paths for moisture ingression under extreme conditions (for example, at the seams between the contacts and housing) and/or potential corrosion of the contacts when repeatedly exposed to corrosive liquids, such as sweat.


This invention relates generally to making of masks for semiconductor use and more particularly to calibration of an electron beam tool used in writing to a substrate.
In today""s fabrication of Integrated Circuits (IC) and other semiconductor devices, lithographic delineation procedures are used to yield positive or negative images to bring about selective processing, e.g. etching, implantation, diffusion, deposition, etc. This is especially true in fabrications of masks where the fabrication tool provides Blocking regions and Transparent regions which when illuminated by electron radiation yields an image defined by relatively low and high electron intensities, respectively. A Blocking region is usually defined as the mask region resulting in a degree of electron attenuation in the image which is of consequence in device fabrication. By contrast, a Transparent region is the mask region resulting in a degree of electron attenuation in the image which is small relative to blocking regions in terms of device fabrication.
In the semiconductor industry, there is a continuing trend toward an increased device density. To achieve this, there is a continued effort towards the scaling down of device dimensions on semiconductor wafers. As smaller feature sizes become the new requirements (i.e. decreased width and spacing of interconnecting lines, etc.), new ways have to be utilized to achieve their manufacturing. High resolution lithographic processes are used as one of these manufacturing techniques to yield small component features.
In general, lithography refers to processes for pattern transfer between various media. In lithography for integrated circuit fabrication, a silicon slice, the wafer, is coated uniformly with a radiation-sensitive film, the resist. The film is then selectively exposed to radiation, such as optical light, x-rays, or an electron beam, through an intervening master template or the mask, forming a particular pattern. (In a mask, this leads to the creation of Blocking and Transparent regions which when illuminated by electron radiation yields an image defined by relatively low and high electron intensities, respectively.)
Most often exposed areas of the coating become either more or less soluble than the unexposed areas (depending on the type of coating) in a particular solvent developer. The more soluble areas are removed with the developer in a developing step, the less soluble areas remain on the silicon wafer forming a patterned coating. The pattern corresponds to the image of the mask or its negative. The patterned resist is used in further processing of the silicon wafer.
At various stages in forming the patterned resist coating and processing the silicon wafer, it is desirable to measure critical dimensions resulting from the lithographic process. Critical dimensions can include the size of features in the wafer or patterned resist such as line widths, line spacing, and contact dimensions. Several calibration methods are developed and can be used such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) systems.
In such calibration system, because of the super fine structures to be calibrated, an electron beam is often scanned across the sample. The beam interacts with the sample to produce measurable responses that vary with position over the course of a scan. There are several other ways to check for accuracy as well to ensure image precision at a later time.
One of the methods used historically by the E beam lithography tools is one that involves checking for stitch errors in determining more important underlying errors. This is often done by comparing the measurement of 4 corners of a target taken in a grid like subfield and comparing it with the measurement of the same corners taken from adjacent subfields. The values are usually then compared against a narrow and wide range for functional purposes. There are several problems with this approach, however. For one, the narrow range is easily exhaustible (exceeded), which makes continuous testing difficult. Second, this approach leaves much information uncovered which may mean that certain electromechanical system errors can go undetected. In order to make this approach more reliable, sometimes an operator has to be dispatched to visually and continuously monitor the testing which adds both inconvenience and cost to the functioning of the test. Therefore, an improved method and structure is needed to detect electromechanical problems in an automated manner and with more reliability
These and other objects are provided by the present invention for an apparatus and method for detection of electromechanical and mechanical errors in an electron beam device. First, a gridlike subfield is provided where each grid can be considered a target subfield. Then, a plurality of target points on each target subfield is indicated and the combined variance of displacement of target points on each target subfield is calculated to nominal position of the target subfield. Later, the combined target subfields stitching standard deviation or variance is also calculated by determining separation of each target point in each subfield with that of overlapping target points on the adjacent subfields. Variance statistics based on the sample variance of all measurements done in the field, variance statistics based on of measurements on a particular row and variance statistics based on differences between horizontally and vertically stitched measurements are made.
A stitched measurement is a measurement made on a particular target two different ways: in this case, the same measurement made two times on two different raster scans. Ratios of these variances can be used to form significance tests related to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and in the form of F statistics, and are well known in statistical literature. A significance test is then conducted using data from the variances derived from adjacent sets of horizontal and vertical values of said target points resulting in calculation of separated vertical and horizontal FSTITCH values. When an F statistic, such as FSTITCH is greater than some threshold, it indicates statistical significance where significance tables for the F statistics are readily available in the literature for threshold selection depending on an acceptable overkill rate known in the literature as alpha significance. By comparing FSTITCH values for horizontal and vertical values to some threshold greater than one, an error alert can be provided when FSTITCH values exceed that threshold. The horizontal statistic and vertical statistics may be used to indicated isotropy or anisotropy. Lastly, a general F statistic based on average row variance and the variance over the entire field variance may be used as one indication of an electromechanical disturbance in raster scanned data, particularly in an E beam system.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection component and a method for manufacturing the EST protection component.
2. Related Background Art
There is a known ESD protection component provided with an element body in which a plurality of insulator layers are stacked, a coil constructed by connecting a plurality of internal conductors to each other and arranged in the element body, and an ESD suppressor arranged in the element body and configured including first and second discharge electrodes arranged as separated from each other (e.g., cf. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-123936 (which will be referred to hereinafter as Patent Literature 1)). There is another known ESD protection component provided with an ESD suppressor configured including first and second discharge electrodes arranged as separated from each other, and a discharge inducing portion kept in contact with the first and second discharge electrodes so as to connect mutually opposed portions of the first and second discharge electrodes to each other and containing metal particles, in which a cavity portion is arranged so as to be in contact with the foregoing mutually opposed portions of the first and second discharge electrodes and with the discharge inducing portion (e.g., cf. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2011-243896 (which will be referred to hereinafter as Patent Literature 2)).


Phenyl ureas such as N'-3,4-dichlorophenyl-N,N-dimethyl-urea are known to possess herbicidal activity. However, the very broad spectrum herbicidal activity of these known phenyl ureas imposes severe limitations on the practical use of these compounds due to their lack of selectivity and potential injury to important crops such as corn and soybeans.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technology for controlling driving of a motor of a storage medium, depending on a rotational state of the motor.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a magnetic disk device, a spindle motor is used to drive a magnetic disk. Two driving mode are used when driving the magnetic disk. One is a start-up mode in which the magnetic disk is driven from a non-rotating state and the other is a spin-up mode in which an already rotating magnetic disk is driven still faster.
Specifically, the start-up mode is a normal mode by which a spindle motor is driven. Through the start-up mode, a start-up control is performed for implementing control of phase switching (commutation) by which an electric current flows, from different directions, through coils forming the spindle motor, and when the spindle motor starts to rotate adequately, a spin-up control (or a BEMF(back electromotive force) control) is performed based on BEMF signals produced by the spindle motor.
The spin-up mode, on the other hand, includes driving the spindle motor after the magnetic disk is activated from a sleep state. In this case, the BEMF signals can be detected as the spindle motor is already in an inertial rotating state, and the BEMF control can be directly performed without going through the start-up control step.
Various technologies have been proposed to assuredly drive the spindle motor as well as to reduce a start-up time of the spindle motor. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H7-226016 discloses a technology for reducing the start-up time in the start-up mode, by stopping a steadily rotating motor, checking relative positions of a rotor and stator members, restarting the motor, and performing synchronous control. Specifically, the start-up time for the next Spin-On operation (at a time of starting up rotation) can be reduced by performing a brake operation and an aligning operation during Spin-Off operation (at a time of stopping rotation).
However, when the spindle motor is not rotating adequately for proceeding an operation to the spin-up mode. (to perform a BEMA control), a longer start-up time is required compared to a time required when the spindle motor is rotating adequately, because it is necessary to retry the start-up operation repeatedly and perform a start-up control after the spindle motor is stopped.
With the conventional technology described above, although the start-up time is reduced for the Spin-On operation (at a time of starting up the rotation) only in the start-up mode, operation time cannot be reduced in the spin-up mode.


The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiving and reproducing apparatus having a function of protecting the copyright by preventing unauthorized viewing or copying of digital broadcast.
A digital broadcast receiving and reproducing apparatus according to a prior art is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Laid-open Patent No. H9-93561.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of digital broadcast receiving and reproducing apparatus of prior art.
This receiving and reproducing apparatus comprises a smart card (ID card) 804 storing a copy protection control code for judging permission of reception of broadcast, a digital VCR 805 recording digital data, and a digital broadcast receiver 801. The digital broadcast receiver 801 includes a descrambler 802 for canceling the scramble coded into program data, and a recording and digital output controller 803 for generating and issuing digital data and copy protection control code. The digital VCR 805 is
connected to the receiver 801 through data input and output ports
and provided with control signals for input and output data and erasing data recorded in tape.
In the digital broadcast receiving and reproducing apparatus according to such prior art, as the memory device of digital data, it is expected to be developed not only into the digital VCR, but also into magnetic disk device, write once type magneto-optical disk device, and rewritable magneto-optical disk device. Moreover, there is an increasing demand for digital broadcast receiving and reproducing means for pay broadcast and/or pay-per-view, capable of protecting the copyright of the broadcast program by allowing only the subscribers to reproduce in ordinary pay broadcast or allowing to reproduce only once in pay-per-view, and without recording the copy protection control code, which is the key of broadcasting system, in the recording medium so as to be high in hacking resistance.
To solve the problems, the digital broadcast receiving and reproducing apparatus of the invention is a digital broadcast receiving and reproducing apparatus for receiving digital broadcast, demodulating received digital data, and taking out analog signal and copy protection information from the digital data, which comprises an apparatus individual key generator for generating and storing an individual key for the receiving and reproducing apparatus, a program key generator for generating a program key for every received program and storing this program key and the number of times of limited use in the copy protection information, a scrambler for multiplexing the program key and the demodulated digital data and scrambling by the apparatus individual key, a record judging unit for judging permission of recording of the scrambled digital data, and a digital data memory device for recording digital data through the record judging unit.
This digital broadcast receiving and reproducing apparatus further comprises a descrambler for descrambling the scrambled digital data reproduced from the memory device by using the apparatus individual key, extracting the program key from the scrambled digital data, and comparing the extracted program key and the program key stored in the program key generator. The digital broadcast receiving and reproducing apparatus of the invention is characterized by determining permission of output of digital data from the number of times of limited use and the result of the comparison.
Thus scrambled video and audio data can be reproduced, in the case of ordinary pay broadcast, only in the apparatus used for receiving or can be reproduced by the specified number of times in the apparatus used for receiving only, or in the case of pay-per-view, it is permitted to reproduce once only in the received apparatus. In this way, the key of the broadcast system, that is, the copy protection control code is not sent out of the receiving and reproducing apparatus, it has a high resistance to hacking, and not limited to the digital VCR, the digital broadcast receiving and reproducing apparatus is applicable to other recording device such as magnetic disk device, write once type magneto-optical disk device, or rewritable magneto-optical disk device.


The invention relates to management of talk groups in a telecommunications system at the dispatcher station of the telecommunications system.
The method according to the invention is intended for use particularly in PMR (Private Mobile Radio or Professional Mobile Radio) networks, i.e. in trunking networks, which are typically company networks or authority networks in which all channels are used by one or more companies or authorities. In these networks the subscribers have, in addition to their personal subscriber numbers, group numbers which indicate the group call group (talk group) to which the subscriber in question belongs so that calls intended for all subscribers of the group concerned can be transmitted to the subscribers of this group.
Group call is one of the most important functions of the PMR network. The group call is used e.g. in all kinds of activities in which several persons participate, particularly when the whole group needs to be aware of the course of events all the time. The group call is a conference call during which all participants may speak in turn and listen to each other. In group calls the whole group is called with one call number.
Here a call or a group call refers to complete information exchange between two or more parties. The call may consist of one or more turns.
One example of a digital radio telephone or a mobile communication system in which the present invention can be applied is the TETRA system (Terrestrial Trunked Radio). In the TETRA system management of talk groups belongs to the responsibilities of a dispatcher. The dispatcher can perform different control functions related to talk groups and individual talk group users, i.e. subscribers. The dispatcher may, for example, create talk groups, change the composition of talk groups, add users to the system or change the users"" priority information. The dispatcher has a dispatcher workstation DWS at his disposal from which he receives all the information needed for managing talk groups. The workstation usually comprises a display and sound reproducers, e.g. headphones.
The problem associated with the system described above is that the dispatcher must look at the display to find out the group (or user) to which the talk heard at a given time belongs if the dispatcher does not recognize the speaker because the voices of all talk groups and subscribers are heard from the same source. One prior art solution to this problem is to use several sound reproducers, e.g. loudspeakers, so that the talk of one group is heard from a certain loudspeaker. The problem of this arrangement is that it requires several loudspeakers. Furthermore, if one wants to change the place from which the sound is heard, the physical location of the loudspeakers has to be changed.
The object of the invention is to provide a method and an arrangement implementing the method to solve the above-mentioned problems. The objects of the invention are achieved with a method of managing talk groups of a telecommunications system at the dispatcher station of the telecommunications system which comprises one or more talk groups which may consist of one or more users and which are controlled by a dispatcher at the dispatcher station, the system being characterized by creating an artificial acoustic space at the dispatcher station by means of a two-channel or a multichannel sound reproducing system and reproducing the voices of each talk group from a certain position of the acoustic space so that the dispatcher can recognize the talk group to which the voice belongs on the basis of the location of the voice. The preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.
The invention is based on the idea of creating an acoustic impression of space artificially by means of a two-channel or a multichannel sound reproduction system, e.g. by loudspeakers or headphones, so that the voices belonging to different talk groups or users are heard from different positions at the dispatcher station. The acoustic space can be created e.g. as a three-dimensional space in which case voices can be arranged so that they are heard from any point of the dispatcher station.
An advantage of the method and arrangement of the invention is that the dispatcher can conclude the talk group or the user to which/whom the voice belongs on the basis of the virtual location of the voice. Thus the dispatcher does not need to look at the display to obtain this information.
The invention also relates to an arrangement for managing talk groups of a telecommunications system at the dispatcher station of the telecommunications system which comprises one or more talk groups which consist of one or more users and which are controlled by a dispatcher at the dispatcher station, the arrangement being characterized in that it comprises a two-channel or a multichannel sound reproducing system which is arranged to create an artificial acoustic space at the dispatcher station and reproduce the voices of each talk group so that they are heard from a certain point of the acoustic space and the dispatcher can recognize the talk group to which the voice belongs on the basis of the location of the voice. This kind of arrangement provides a simple solution for achieving the advantages of the method of the invention.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vitreous silica crucible and a method of manufacturing a silicon ingot.
2. Description of Related Art
In general, silicon single crystal is manufactured by melting high-purity polycrystalline silicon in a vitreous silica crucible to obtain silicon melt, dipping an end of a seed crystal to the silicon melt, and pulling the seed crystal while rotating it.
A vitreous silica crucible is a crucible made of vitreous silica, and, in general, has two-layer structure of an inner layer of a synthetic vitreous silica layer (hereinafter, referred to as “synthetic layer”), and an outer layer of a natural vitreous silica layer (hereinafter, referred to as “natural layer”). The synthetic layer is a vitreous silica layer formed by fusing and solidifying chemically synthesized amorphous or crystalline silica (silicon oxide) powder, and the natural layer is a vitreous silica layer formed by fusing and solidifying silica powder obtained from natural mineral whose main component is a-quartz. The synthetic layer has very high purity, and thus it is possible to reduce the amount of impurities mixed in the silicon melt by providing the synthetic layer as the inner layer. The natural layer has high strength, and thus it is possible to enhance strength of the crucible by providing the natural layer as the outer layer.
The melting point of silicon is 1410 deg. C., and thus the temperature of silicon melt is kept at a temperature higher than 1410 deg. C. At such temperature, a vitreous silica crucible reacts with silicon melt, and the thickness of the crucible wall gradually decreases. When the thickness of the crucible wall decreases, the strength of the crucible is lowered. This leads to problems such as buckling and sidewall lowering of the crucible.
In order to solve such problems, there is known a technique to provide a layer, between the natural layer and the synthetic layer, for promoting crystallization of vitreous silica (e,g, JP Patent 3798907). When such a layer is provided and the crucible is heated for a long time, crystallization of the synthetic layer, which is in contact with silicon melt, is promoted, and eventually the entire portion of the inner layer of the crucible is crystallized. Crystalline silica has higher strength per unit thickness than vitreous silica, and, in addition, has lower reactivity with silicon melt than vitreous silica. Therefore, the crystallization enhances strength per unit thickness and suppresses reduction of the wall thickness of the crucible.
Furthermore, there is known a technique to provide a layer, on the outside of the crucible, to promote crystallization. When such a layer is provided, the outer layer of the crucible is crystallized and the crucible strength is improved (e.g. JP-A-2000-247778).
By use of any of these techniques, the crucible strength is improved, and thus problems such as buckling and sidewall lowering of the crucible can be solved to some extent.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to the preparation of amino carboxylic acids, salts, and esters, and, in a preferred embodiment, to the preparation of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, its salts, and its esters, wherein the method of preparation comprises a carboxymethylation step.
2. Description of Related Art
Amino carboxylic acids are useful in various applications. Glycine, for example, is widely used as an additive in processed meat, beverages, and in other processed food stuffs. It is also used widely as a raw material for pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, and pesticides. N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, also known by its common name glyphosate, is a highly effective and commercially important herbicide useful for combating the presence of a wide variety of unwanted vegetation, including agricultural weeds. Between 1988 and 1991, approximately 13 to 20 million acres per year worldwide were treated with glyphosate, making it one of the most important herbicides in the world. Convenient and economical methods of preparing glyphosate and other amino carboxylic acids are, therefore, of great importance.
Franz, et al. in Glyphosate: A Unique Global Herbicide (ACS Monograph 189, 1997) at p. 233-257 identify a number of routes by which glyphosate can be prepared. According to one of these, iminodiacetic acid disodium salt (DSIDA) is treated with formaldehyde and phosphorous acid or phosphorous trichloride to produce N-(phosphonomethyl)-iminodiacetic acid and sodium chloride. A carboxymethyl group on the N-(phosphonomethyl) iminodiacetic acid is then oxidatively cleaved in the presence of a carbon catalyst to produce glyphosate acid. A significant drawback of this method is that it produces as a side product three equivalents of sodium chloride per equivalent of glyphosate. Sodium chloride streams of this nature are difficult to recycle because typically after precipitation the salt contains significant quantities of entrapped organic matter. Such entrapped organic matter prevents the sodium chloride from being used for many purposes, for example in foods or feed. Further recrystallization of the sodium chloride adds cost which makes recycle economically unfeasible. Alternate methods of disposing of sodium chloride without detriment to the environment are expensive and difficult.
Franz et al. (at 242-243) describe another method in which N-isopropylglycine is phosphonomethylated to produce N-isopropyl-N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine. In this method, the N-isopropyl-N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine is heated to 300xc2x0 C. with 50% sodium hydroxide and then treated with hydrochloric acid to produce glyphosate. The severe and costly conditions necessary to cleave the N-isopropyl group represents a significant disadvantage of that method. In addition, this method also produces a significant sodium chloride waste stream.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,400,330, Wong discloses a method for the preparation of glyphosate in which 2,5-diketopiperazine is reacted with paraformaldehyde and a phosphorous trihalide in a carboxylic acid solvent to produce N,Nxe2x80x2-di(phosphonomethyl)-2,5-diketopiperazine. The product is then saponified to form a glyphosate sodium salt. The Wong method is limited by the fact diketopiperazine is a relatively expensive starting material. Furthermore, the conversion of glyphosate sodium salt to the acid form or to other salts produces an undesired sodium chloride waste stream.
Among the objects of the present invention, therefore, is the provision of a well-defined, low-cost process for the production of amino carboxylic acids, in general, and N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, in particular, and the provision of such a process in which sodium chloride is not generated as a by-product.
In the process of the present invention, an N-acyl amino carboxylic acid is formed via a carboxymethylation reaction. In this reaction, a reaction mixture is formed which contains a base pair, carbon monoxide and an aldehyde with the base pair being derived from a carbamoyl compound and a carboxymethylation catalyst precursor. In a preferred embodiment, the carbamoyl compound and aldehyde are selected to yield an N-acyl amino carboxylic acid which is readily converted to N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, or a salt or ester thereof having the following structure:
wherein R7, R8, and R9 independently are hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, or an agronomically acceptable cation. In general, carbamoyl compounds which are selected to produce N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine correspond to structure (II):
wherein R1 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, xe2x80x94NR3R4, xe2x80x94OR5, or xe2x80x94SR6;
R2 and R2a are independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl;
R3 and R4 are independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl; and
R5 and R6 are independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, or a salt-forming cation;
provided, however, (1) at least one of R2 and R2a is hydrogen, hydroxymethyl, amidomethyl, or another substituent which, under the carboxymethylation reaction conditions, is capable of producing an Nxe2x80x94H bond, or (2) R1 is xe2x80x94NR3R4 and at least one of R3 and R4 is hydrogen, hydroxymethyl, amidomethyl, or another substituent which, under the carboxymethylation reaction conditions, is capable of producing an Nxe2x80x94H bond.
In one embodiment of the process of the present invention, therefore, an amino carboxylic acid or a salt or an ester thereof is prepared by carboxymethylation of a carbamoyl compound. In this process, a reaction mixture is formed by combining the carbamoyl compound and a carboxymethylation catalyst precursor in the presence of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Water and an aldehyde are introduced into the reaction mixture after the carbamoyl compound and the carboxymethylation catalyst precursor are combined and the components of the reaction mixture are reacted to generate a product mixture containing an N-acyl amino carboxylic acid reaction product and a catalyst reaction product.
In another embodiment of the process of the present invention, a reaction mixture containing the carbamoyl compound, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, an aldehyde, and a carboxymethylation catalyst precursor derived from cobalt is formed. The components of the reaction mixture are reacted to generate a product mixture containing an N-acyl amino carboxylic acid reaction product and a catalyst reaction product. The catalyst reaction product is recovered from the product mixture and the catalyst reaction product is regenerated in the presence of the carbamoyl compound.
In a further embodiment, the process of the present invention is directed to the preparation of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine or a salt or ester thereof. In this process, an N-acyl amino acid reaction product is prepared by carboxymethylating a carbamoyl compound in a reaction mixture formed by combining the carbamoyl compound, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, hydrogen and a carboxymethylation catalyst precursor derived from cobalt. The N-acyl amino acid reaction product is converted to N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine or a salt or ester thereof wherein said conversion comprises deacylating the N-acyl amino acid reaction product to generate a carboxylic acid and an amino acid. The carboxylic acid is reacted with an amine to generate the carbamoyl compound or a compound from which the carbamoyl compound may be derived.
In a further embodiment, N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine or a salt or ester thereof is derived from N-acetyliminodiacetic acid. The N-acetyliminodiacetic acid is prepared by carboxymethylating acetamide in a reaction mixture formed by combining acetamide, acetic acid, water, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and a carboxymethylation catalyst precursor derived from cobalt. The N-acetyliminodiacetic acid is converted to N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine or a salt or ester thereof wherein said conversion comprises deacylating N-acetyliminodiacetic acid.
In a further embodiment, N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine or a salt or ester thereof is derived from an N-acyl amino acid carboxylic acid reaction product which is prepared from a reaction mixture containing a carbamoyl compound selected from among ureas and N-alkyl substituted amides, a carboxymethylation catalyst precursor, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide. The N-acyl amino carboxylic acid reaction product is then converted to N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine or a salt or ester thereof. If the carbamoyl compound is an N-alkyl substituted amide, the conversion step(s) comprise oxidatively dealkylating the N-acyl amino carboxylic acid reaction product in the presence of oxygen using a noble metal catalyst.
The present invention is additionally directed to the certain key starting materials used and intermediates prepared in the process of the present invention.
For example, in one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a compound having the formula:
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a compound having the formula:
In yet another embodiment, the present invention is directed to an acetamide equivalent compound selected from the group consisting of compounds having the formula:
wherein R13 and R14 are independently hydrogen, hydroxymethyl, alkyl, carboxymethyl, phosphonomethyl, or an ester or salt of carboxymethyl or phosphonomethyl; R15, R16 and R17 are independently alkyl or xe2x80x94NR3R4; and R3 and R4 are independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl.
In still a further embodiment, the present invention is directed to a compound having the formula:
wherein R1 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, xe2x80x94NR3R4, or SR6; R3 and R4 are independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl; and R6 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, or a salt-forming cation.
Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided below. It should be understood, however, that the following detailed description and examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.


As disclosed in British Pat. Nos. 1,539,733 (Sheldon et al.) and 2,055,799 (Thiault et al.), it is known that 3-phenoxybenzaldehydes are useful as pesticide intermediates and that they can be prepared from 3-bromobenzaldehyde acetals. Sheldon et al., who react their acetals with phenols or alkali metal phenolates in the presence of a copper catalyst, require an aprotic organic solvent for their reaction. Tiault et al. avoid the need for the aprotic solvent by reacting their acetal with an excess of phenol in the presence of a copper catalyst and potassium carbonate at a temperature of 170.degree.-210.degree. C.
Although the process of Thiault et al. is advantageous in that it avoids several problems associated with the use of the solvents of Sheldon et al., it also has its disadvantages. The elevated temperatures required for the reaction lead to degradation of the acetal, and the potassium carbonate appears to poison the catalyst. Thus, the obtainable yield of product is comparatively low.


The present invention relates to cosmetic compositions containing, in combination, at least one polyorganosiloxane and an acrylic terpolymer, as well as to the use of these compositions for treating keratinous material.
Silicones are cosmetic products which are particularly sought for their conditioning properties and their softening and disentangling properties, in particular in hair formulations.
When certain silicones are used, such as those which are insoluble in aqueous medium, it is often necessary to introduce them in a thickened or gelled support in order to keep them in suspension and to obtain a stable composition.
It is also important to have available non-pasty, non-greasy compositions which spread well on the skin and the hair.
With the aim of obtaining a thickened or gelled support, thickening and/or gelling polymers are used. Gelling polymers are known which contain in their chain a hydrophilic part and a hydrophobic part consisting of a fatty chain, such as the product xe2x80x9cPemulen TR1xe2x80x9d sold by the company Goodrich or the xe2x80x9cAcrysolxe2x80x9d polymers sold by the company Rohm and Haas. The polymer xe2x80x9cPemulen TR1xe2x80x9d gives formulations of pasty texture which do not spread well. The polymer xe2x80x9cAcrysolxe2x80x9d does not have good gelling power and gives cloudy, unstable formulations.
The Applicant has discovered, surprisingly, that by using a novel family of thickening and/or gelling polymers and by combining them with polyorganosiloxanes, cosmetic formulations which have a satisfactory viscosity at a relatively low pH, which are stable, non-greasy, non-pasty and which spread well on the skin and the hair can be obtained.
The subject of the present invention is thus cosmetic compositions containing, in a cosmetically acceptable aqueous support, at least one polyorganosiloxane and an acrylic terpolymer which will be defined in greater detail later in the description.
This polymer makes it possible in particular to prepare rinse-out or leave-in, aqueous or aqueous-organic compositions containing cosmetically acceptable solvents, ranging from slightly gelled products to solid sticks or tubes.
The advantages of this terpolymer are that it is stable in electrolytic medium and has very good thickening power at a pH equal to or above 5.5, which allows a good level of viscosity to be achieved and allows high concentrations of alcohol to be used.
When used in combination with at least one polyorganosiloxane, this polymer makes it possible to prepare gelled, non-pasty products which are easy to spread, feel soft when applied and are stable on storage.
It also makes it possible to improve the conditioning effect of silicones on the hair, in particular their feel, their softness and their disentangling ability.
The acrylic terpolymer used in accordance with the invention is soluble or swellable in alkalis. It is characterized in that it comprises:
a) about 20 to 70% by weight, preferably 25 to 55% by weight, of a carboxylic acid containing xcex1,xcex2-monoethylenic unsaturation;
b) about 20 to 80% by weight, preferably 30 to 65% by weight, of a non-surfactant monomer containing monoethylenic unsaturation, which is different from a), and
c) about 0.5 to 60% by weight, preferably 10 to 50% by weight, of a nonionic urethane monomer which is the product of reaction of a monohydric nonionic surfactant with a monoisocyanate containing monoethylenic unsaturation.
The carboxylic acid containing xcex1,xcex2-mono-ethylenic unsaturation a) can be chosen from many acids and in particular acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid and maleic acid. Methacrylic acid is preferred. A large proportion of acid is essential in order to give a polymer structure which dissolves and gives a thickening effect by reaction with an alkaline compound such as sodium hydroxide, alkanolamines, aminomethylpropanol or aminomethylpropanediol.
The terpolymer should also contain a large proportion, indicated above, of a monomer b) containing monoethylenic unsaturation which has no surfactant properties. The preferred monomers are those which give polymers that are water-insoluble when they are homopolymerized and are illustrated by C1-C4 alkyl acrylates such as methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate and butyl acrylate, or corresponding methacrylates. The monomers more particularly preferred are methyl and ethyl acrylates. Other monomers which can be used are styrene, vinyltoluene, vinyl acetate, acrylonitrile and vinylidene chloride. Non-reactive monomers are preferred, such monomers being those in which the single ethylenic group is the only group which is reactive under the polymerization conditions. However, monomers which contain groups that are reactive under the action of heat can be used in certain situations, such as hydroxyethyl acrylate.
The monohydric nonionic surfactants used to obtain the nonionic urethane monomer c) are well known and are generally alkoxylated hydrophobic compounds containing an alkylene oxide forming the hydrophilic part of the molecule. The hydrophobes generally consist of an aliphatic alcohol or an alkylphenol in which a carbon chain containing at least six carbon atoms constitutes the hydrophobic part of the surfactant.
The preferred monohydric nonionic surfactants have the formula:
in which R is a C6-C30 alkyl or C8-C30 aralkyl group, Rxe2x80x2 is a C1-C4 alkyl group, n is an average number ranging approximately from 5 to 150 and m is an average number ranging approximately from 0 to 50, with the condition that n is at least as large as m and that n+m=5-150.
As preferred C6-C30 alkyl groups, mention may be made of dodecyl and C18-C26 alkyl radicals. As aralkyl groups, mention may be made more particularly of (C8-C13)alkylphenyl groups. The preferred group Rxe2x80x2 is the methyl group.
The monoisocyanate containing monoethylenic unsaturation which is used to form the nonionic urethane monomer c) can be chosen from a wide variety of compounds. A compound containing any copolymerizable unsaturation such as acrylic or methacrylic unsaturation can be used. An allylic unsaturation imparted by allyl alcohol can also be used. The preferred monoethylenic monoisocyanate is xcex1,xcex1-dimethyl-m-isopropenyl-benzylisocyanate.
The acrylic terpolymer defined above is obtained by aqueous emulsion copolymerization of the components a), b) and c) which is entirely common and described in patent application EP-A-0,173,109.
As terpolymers which can be used according to the invention, mention may be made of the products of reaction of methacrylic acid as component a), of ethyl acrylate as component b) and of a nonionic urethane macromonomer as component c), having the following structure:
in which pxe2x80x2 ranges from 6 to 150 and is preferably equal to 30 and R2 is a C8-C13 alkyl radical, such as that described in Example 3 of patent application EP-A-0,173,109.
The preferred acrylic terpolymer used according to the invention is obtained from methacrylic acid as component a), methyl acrylate as component b) and a nonionic urethane macromonomer as component c), having the following structure:
in which p ranges from 6 to 150 and R1 is a C18-C26, alkyl radical preferably C20-C24, linear of plant origin, such as the docosyl radical.
The acrylic terpolymer is present in the cosmetic compositions of the invention in concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 20% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, and preferably from 0.1 to 10% by weight.
The modified or non-modified polyorganosiloxanes used in the compositions according to the present invention are polyorganosiloxane oils or polyorganosiloxane gums or resins, in their natural state or in the form of solutions in organic solvents, or alternatively in the form of emulsions or microemulsions.
Among the polyorganosiloxanes used in accordance with the present invention, mention may be made, in a non-limiting manner, of:
I. Volatile Silicones
These have a boiling point of between 60xc2x0 C. and 260xc2x0 C. They are chosen from cyclic silicones containing from 3 to 7 and preferably 4 to 5 silicon atoms. They are, for example, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane sold under the name xe2x80x9cVolatile Silicone 7207xe2x80x9d by Union Carbide or xe2x80x9cSilbione 70045 V2xe2x80x9d by Rhxc3x4ne-Poulenc, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane sold under the name xe2x80x9cVolatile Silicone 7158xe2x80x9d by Union Carbide, xe2x80x9cSilbione 70045 V5 by Rhxc3x4ne-Poulenc, and mixtures thereof.
Mention is also made of cyclocopolymers of the dimethylsiloxane/methylalkylsiloxane type, such as xe2x80x9cVolatile Silicone FZ 3109xe2x80x9d sold by the company Union Carbide, which is a dimethylsiloxane/methyloctylsiloxane cyclocopolymer.
II. Non-volatile Silicones
These consist mainly of:
(i) polyalkylsiloxanes;
(ii) polyarylsiloxanes;
(iii) polyalkylarylsiloxanes;
(iv) silicone gums;
(v) silicone resins;
(vi) organomodified polyorganosiloxanes;
(vii) block copolymers having a polysiloxanepolyalkylene linear block as repeating unit;
(viii) grafted silicone polymers containing a non-silicone organic skeleton, consisting of an organic main chain formed from organic monomers not containing silicone, onto which is grafted, within the said chain as well as, optionally, on at least one of its ends, at least one polysiloxane macromonomer;
(ix) grafted silicone polymers containing a polysiloxane skeleton, grafted with non-silicone organic monomers, comprising a polysiloxane main chain onto which is grafted, within the said chain as well as, optionally, on at least one of its ends, at least one organic macromonomer containing no silicone;
(x) or mixtures thereof.
Among the polyalkylsiloxanes, mention may be made mainly of linear polydimethylsiloxanes containing trimethylsilyl end groups, such as, for example, and in a non-limiting manner, the xe2x80x9cSilbionexe2x80x9d oils of the 70047 series sold by Rhxc3x4ne-Poulenc; the oil xe2x80x9c47 V 500 000xe2x80x9d from Rhxc3x4ne-Poulenc or certain xe2x80x9cViscasilxe2x80x9d oils from General Electric or xe2x80x9cMirasilxe2x80x9d oils from Rhxc3x4ne-Poulenc, and linear polydimethylsiloxanes containing hydroxydimethylsilyl end groups, such as the oils of the 48 V series from Rhxc3x4ne-Poulenc.
In this class of polyalkylsiloxanes, mention may also be made of the polyalkylsiloxanes sold by the company Goldschmidt under the names xe2x80x9cAbilwax 9800xe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cAbilwax 9801xe2x80x9d, which are poly(C1-C20)alkylsiloxanes.
Among the polyalkylarylsiloxanes, mention may be made of linear and branched polymethylphenylsiloxanes, polydimethylmethylphenylsiloxanes and polydimethyldiphenylsiloxanes, such as, for example:
the oil xe2x80x9cRhodorsil 763xe2x80x9d from Rhxc3x4ne-Poulenc,
the oils xe2x80x9cSilbione 70641 V 30 and 70641 V 200xe2x80x9d from Rhxc3x4ne-Poulenc,
the product xe2x80x9cDC 556 Cosmetic Grade Fluidxe2x80x9d from Dow Corning,
the silicones of the PK series from Bayer, such as xe2x80x9cPK20xe2x80x9d,
the silicones of the PN and PH series from Bayer, such as xe2x80x9cPN 1000xe2x80x9d and PH 1000xe2x80x9d,
certain oils of the SF series from General Electric, such as SF 1250, SF 1265, SF 1154 and SF 1023.
The silicone gums in accordance with the present invention are polydiorganosiloxanes with a molecular mass of between 200,000 and 1,000,000, used alone or as a mixture in a solvent chosen from volatile silicones, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) oils, polyphenylmethylsiloxane (PPMS) oils, isoparaffins, methylene chloride, pentane, dodecane, tridecane and tetradecane, or mixtures thereof.
Mention is made, for example, of the following compounds:
polydimethylsiloxane,
poly[(dimethylsiloxane)/(methylvinylsiloxane)],
poly[(dimethylsiloxane)/(diphenylsiloxane)],
poly[(dimethylsiloxane)/(phenylmethylsiloxane)],
poly[(dimethylsiloxane)/(diphenylsiloxane)/(methylvinylsiloxane)].
Mention may be made, for example, in a non-limiting manner, of the following mixtures:
1) mixtures formed from a polydimethylsiloxane hydroxylated at the end of the chain (Dimethiconol according to the CTFA nomenclature) and from a cyclic polydimethylsiloxane (Cyclomethicone according to the CTFA nomenclature), such as the product xe2x80x9cQ2 1401xe2x80x9d sold by the company Dow Corning;
2) mixtures formed from a polydimethylsiloxane gum with a cyclic silicone, such as the product xe2x80x9cSF 1214 Silicone Fluidxe2x80x9d from General Electric, which is an SE 30 gum of MW 500,000 dissolved in xe2x80x9cSF 1202 Silicone Fluidxe2x80x9d (decamethylcyclopentasiloxane);
3) mixtures of two PDMSs of different viscosity, in particular a PDMS gum and a PDMS oil, such as the products xe2x80x9cSF 1236xe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cCF 1241xe2x80x9d from the company General Electric. The product xe2x80x9cSF 1236xe2x80x9d is a mixture of an SE 30 gum defined above, with a viscosity of 20 m2/s, and of an SF 96 oil with a viscosity of 5xc3x9710xe2x88x925 m2/s (15% SE 30 gum and 85% SF 96 oil). The product xe2x80x9cCF 1241xe2x80x9d is a mixture of an SE 30 gum (33%) and of a PDMS (67%) with a viscosity of 10xe2x88x923 m2/s.
The polyorganopolysiloxane resins which can be used in accordance with the invention are preferably crosslinked siloxane systems containing the units: R2SiO2/2, RSiO3/2 and SiO4/2 in which R represents a hydrocarbon-based group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a phenyl group. Among these products, the ones which are particularly preferred are those in which R denotes a lower alkyl radical or a phenyl radical.
Among these resins, mention may be made of the product sold under the name xe2x80x9cDow Corning 593xe2x80x9d or those sold under the names xe2x80x9cSilicone Fluid SS 4230xe2x80x9d and
Among these resins, mention may be made of the product sold under the name xe2x80x9cDow Corning 593xe2x80x9d or those sold under the names xe2x80x9cSilicone Fluid SS 4230xe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cSS 4267xe2x80x9d by the company General Electric and which are dimethyl/trimethylpolysiloxanes.
The organomodified silicones in accordance with the present invention are silicones as defined above, containing in their general structure one or more organofunctional groups directly attached to the siloxane chain or attached via a hydrocarbon-based radical.
Mention is made, for example, of silicones containing:
a) polyethyleneoxy and/or polypropyleneoxy groups, optionally containing alkyl groups, such as:
the product known as dimethiconecopolyol sold by the company Dow Corning under the name xe2x80x9cDC 1248xe2x80x9d, and alkyl (C12) methiconecopolyol sold by the company Dow Corning under the name xe2x80x9cQ2 5200xe2x80x9d,
the oils xe2x80x9cSilwetxe2x80x9d L 722, L 7500, L 77 and L 711 from the company Union Carbide,
the mixture of dimethiconecopolyol and of cyclomethicone, such as the product sold under the name xe2x80x9cQ2-3225Cxe2x80x9d by the company Dow Corning;
the product xe2x80x9cMirasil DMCOxe2x80x9d sold by Rhxc3x4ne-Poulenc;
b) (per)fluoro groups, for instance trifluoroalkyl groups, such as, for example, those sold by the company General Electric under the names xe2x80x9cFF.150 Fluorosilicone Fluidxe2x80x9d or by the company Shin Etsu under the names xe2x80x9cX-22-819xe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cX-22-820xe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cX-22-821xe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cX-22-822xe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cFL 100xe2x80x9d;
c) hydroxyacylamino groups, such as those described in European patent application EP-A-0,342,834, and in particular the silicone sold by the company Dow Corning under the name xe2x80x9cQ2-8413xe2x80x9d;
d) thiol groups, such as in the silicones xe2x80x9cX 2-8360xe2x80x9d from Dow Corning or xe2x80x9cGP 72Axe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cGP 71xe2x80x9d from Genesee; Union Carbide or the silicone known as xe2x80x9cAmodimethiconexe2x80x9d in the CTFA dictionary;
f) carboxylate groups, such as the products described in European patent EP 186,507 from Chisso Corporation;
g) hydroxylated groups, such as the polyorganosiloxanes containing a hydroxyalkyl function, described in patent application FR-A-2,589,476, and in particular polyorganosiloxanes containing a xcex3-hydroxy-propyl function;
h) alkoxylated groups containing at least 12 carbon atoms, such as the product xe2x80x9cSilicone Copolymer F 7551xe2x80x9d from SWS Silicones and the products xe2x80x9cAbilwax 2428xe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cAbilwax 2434xe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cAbilwax 2440xe2x80x9d from the company Goldschmidt;
i) acyloxyalkyl groups containing at least 12 carbon atoms, such as, for example, the poly-organosiloxanes described in patent application FR-A-2,641,185, and in particular polyorganosiloxanes containing a stearoyloxypropyl function;
j) quaternary ammonium groups, such as in the products xe2x80x9cX2 81 08xe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cX2 81 09xe2x80x9d and the product xe2x80x9cAbil K 3270xe2x80x9d from the company Goldschmidt;
k) amphoteric or betaine groups, such as in the product sold by the company Goldschmidt under the name xe2x80x9cAbil B 9950xe2x80x9d;
l) bisulphite groups, such as in the products sold by the company Goldschmidt under the names xe2x80x9cAbil S 201xe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cAbil S 255xe2x80x9d.
The block copolymers having a polysiloxane-polyoxyalkylene linear block as repeating unit, which are used in the context of the present invention, preferably have the following general formula:
([Y(R2SiO)aRxe2x80x22SiYO][CnH2nO)b])cxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(V)
in which
R and Rxe2x80x2, which may be identical or different, represent a monovalent hydrocarbon-based radical containing no aliphatic unsaturation,
n is an integer ranging from 2 to 4,
a is an integer greater than or equal to 5, preferably between 5 and 200 and even more particularly between 5 and 100,
b is an integer greater than or equal to 4, preferably between 4 and 200 and even more particularly between 5 and 100,
c is an integer greater than or equal to 4, preferably between 4 and 1000 and even more particularly between 5 and 300,
Y represents a divalent organic group which is linked to the adjacent silicon atom via a carbon-silicon bond and to a polyoxyalkylene block via an oxygen atom,
the average molecular weight of each siloxane block is between about 400 and about 10,000, that of each polyoxyalkylene block being between about 300 and about 10,000,
the siloxane blocks represent from about 10% to about 95% of the weight of the block copolymer,
the average molecular weight of the block copolymer being at least 3000 and preferably between 5000 and 1,000,000 and even more particularly between 10,000 and 200,000.
R and Rxe2x80x2 are preferably chosen from the group comprising alkyl radicals such as, for example, the methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, octyl, decyl and dodecyl radicals, aryl radicals such as, for example, phenyl and naphthyl, aralkyl radicals such as, for example, benzyl and phenethyl, and tolyl, xylyl and cyclohexyl radicals.
Y is preferably xe2x80x94Rxe2x80x3xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Rxe2x80x3xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Rxe2x80x3xe2x80x94NHCOxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Rxe2x80x3xe2x80x94NHxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94NHxe2x80x94Rxe2x80x3xe2x80x94NHCO or xe2x80x94Rxe2x80x3xe2x80x94OCONHxe2x80x94Rxe2x80x2xe2x80x3xe2x80x94NHCOxe2x80x94, where Rxe2x80x3 is a divalent alkylene group such as, for example, ethylene, propylene or butylene, and Rxe2x80x2xe2x80x3is a divalent alkylene group or a divalent arylene group such as xe2x80x94C6H4, xe2x80x94C6H4C6H4xe2x80x94, C6H4xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94C6H4, C6H4xe2x80x94C(CH3)2xe2x80x94C6H4xe2x80x94.
Even more preferably, Y represents a divalent alkylene radical, more particularly the xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94radical or the xe2x80x94C4H8xe2x80x94 radical.
The preparation of the block copolymers used in the context of the present invention is described in European application EP 0,492,657 A1, the teaching of which is included by way of reference in the present description.
The preferred polysiloxane-polyoxyalkylene linear block copolymers according to the invention are chosen from those of formula:
[C4H8O(CnH2nO)b(CmH2mO)dxe2x80x94C4H8xe2x80x94SiMe2O(SiMe2)aSiMe2]cxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(VI)
where Me represents methyl, n and m are integers ranging from 2 to 4, a is an integer greater than or equal to 4, or preferably between 5 and 200, b and d are integers greater than or equal to 0, preferably between 4 and 200, b+d is greater than or equal to 4, preferably between 4 and 200, and c is an integer greater than or equal to 4, preferably between 4 and 1000.
Among these copolymers, the ones more particularly used are those having a repeating unit of formula:
[xe2x80x94(SiMe2O)xSiMe2xe2x80x94C4H8Oxe2x80x94(C2H4O)yxe2x80x94(C3H6O)zxe2x80x94C4H8xe2x80x94]xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(VII)
where x is a number between 5 and 15 (limits included), y is a number between 15 and 30 (limits included), and z is a number between 20 and 40 (limits included).
Among these polymers, the ones more particularly used are those in which the siloxane/polyoxyalkylene weight ratio is about 20 and the polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene weight ratio is about 65/35.
Polymers can also be chosen in which the repeating unit is of formula (VI) and whose siloxane/polyoxyalkylene weight ratio is about 75 and whose polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene weight ratio is about 50/50, polymers whose siloxane/polyoxyalkylene weight ratio is about 35 and whose polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene weight ratio is about 100/0, and polymers whose siloxane/polyoxyalkylene weight ratio is about 30 and whose polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene weight ratio is about 0/100.
According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the block copolymer is chosen from the following copolymers:
[[(CH3)2SiO]41(CH3)2SiCH2
CH(CH3)CH2xe2x80x94O(C2H4O)18
xe2x80x94(C3H6O)33CH2CH(CH3)CH2]
16.1[[(CH3)2SiO]31
(CH3)2SiCH2CH(CH3)CH2
xe2x80x94O(C2H4O)20xe2x80x94(C3H6O)29
CH2CH(CH3)CH2]13.3
[[(CH3)2SiO]9(CH3)2
SiCH2CH(CH3)CH2
xe2x80x94O(C2H4O)20xe2x80x94(C3H6O)29
CH2CH(CH3)CH2]26.3
[[(CH3)2SiO]16(CH3)2
SiCH2CH(CH3)CH2xe2x80x94O(C2
H4O)18xe2x80x94(C3H6O)20CH2
CH(CH3)CH2]21.5
[[(CH3)2SiO]9(CH3)2
SiCH2CH(CH3)CH2
xe2x80x94O(C2H4O)5xe2x80x94CH2
CH(CH3)CH2]4.8
The polymers containing a non-silicone organic skeleton grafted with monomers containing a polysiloxane, in accordance with the invention, are preferably chosen from those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,963,935, 4,728,571 and 4,972,037 and patent applications EP-A-0,412,704, EP-A-0,412,707, EP-A-0,640,105 and WO 95/00578, the teachings of which are included in their entirety in the present description by way of non-limiting references. They are copolymers obtained by radical polymerization from monomers containing ethylenic unsaturation and from silicone macromonomers having a vinyl end group, or alternatively copolymers obtained by reaction of a polyolefin comprising functionalized groups and of a polysiloxane macromer having an end function which is reactive with the said functionalized groups.
Examples of polymers containing a polysiloxane skeleton grafted with non-silicone organic monomers, which are suitable for carrying out the present invention, as well as the particular method for preparing them, are described in particular in patent applications EP-A-0,582,152, WO 93/23009 and WO 95/03776, the teachings of which are included in their entirety in the present description by way of non-limiting references.
The polyorganosiloxanes preferably used according to the invention are non-volatile polyorgano-polysiloxanes.
The polyorganosiloxanes are used in the compositions of the invention in proportions of between 0.01 and 50% by weight, and preferably between 0.1 and 30% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.
The compositions according to the invention contain a cosmetically acceptable aqueous medium. They have a pH which can range from 3.5 to 11, preferably between 5.5 and 11 and even more preferably between 5.5 and 8.5.
The cosmetically acceptable medium for the compositions according to the invention consists more particularly of water and optionally of cosmetically acceptable organic solvents.
The organic solvents can represent from 0.5 to 90% of the total weight of the composition. They can be chosen from the group consisting of hydrophilic organic solvents, lipophilic organic solvents, amphiphilic solvents or mixtures thereof.
Among the hydrophilic organic solvents, mention may be made, for example, of linear or branched lower monoalcohols having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, polyethylene glycols having from 6 to 80 ethylene oxide units, and polyols.
As amphiphilic organic solvents, mention may be made of polypropylene glycol (PPG) derivatives, such as esters of polypropylene glycol and of fatty acid, derivatives of PPG and of fatty alcohol, such as PPG-23 oleyl ether, and PPG-36 oleate.
As lipophilic organic solvents, mention may be made, for example, of fatty esters such as diisopropyl adipate, dioctyl adipate, alkyl benzoates and dioctyl malate.
In order for the cosmetic compositions of the invention to be more pleasant to use (softer when applied, more nourishing and more emollient), it is possible to add a fatty phase to the medium of these compositions.
The fatty phase can represent up to 50% of the total weight of the composition.
This fatty phase can contain an oil or a wax or mixtures thereof, and can also comprise fatty acids, fatty alcohols and fatty acid esters. The oils can be chosen from animal, plant, mineral or synthetic oils and in particular from liquid petroleum jelly, liquid paraffin, isoparaffins, poly-xcex1-olefins, fluoro oils and perfluoro oils. Similarly, the waxes can be chosen from animal, fossil, plant, mineral or synthetic waxes which are known per se.
The compositions of the invention can contain adjuvants that are common in the cosmetics field, such as other standard gelling agents and/or thickeners; emulsifiers; surfactants; moisturizers; emollients; sunscreens; hydrophilic or lipophilic active agents such as ceramides; anti-free-radical agents; sequestering agents; antioxidants; preserving agents; acidifying or basifying agents; fragrances; fillers; dyestuffs; reducing agents. The amounts of these various additives are those used conventionally in the fields considered.
Needless to say, a specialist will take care to select the optional compound(s) to be added to the composition according to the invention such that the advantageous properties intrinsically associated with the composition in accordance with the invention are not, or are not substantially, adversely affected by the addition envisaged.
The compositions according to the invention can be in any form which is suitable for topical application, in particular in the form of lotion-type solutions, in the form of aqueous or aqueous-alcoholic gels, in the form of vesicle dispersions or in the form of simple or complex emulsions (O/W, W/O, O/W/O or W/O/W emulsions) and can be of liquid, semi-liquid or solid consistency, such as milks, creams, gels, cream-gels, pastes and sticks, and can optionally be packaged as an aerosol and can be in the form of mousses or sprays. These compositions are prepared according to the usual methods.
The compositions according to the invention are preferably used as rinse-out or leave-in hair products, in particular to wash, dye, care for, condition, straighten or maintain the hairstyle or to permanently or temporarily reshape the hair.
The compositions can be styling products such as hairsetting lotions, blow-drying lotions, fixing compositions and styling compositions. The lotions can be packaged in various forms, in particular in vaporizers, pump-dispenser bottles or in aerosol containers in order to ensure application of the composition in vaporized form or in the form of a mousse. Such packaging forms are indicated, for example, when it is desired to obtain a spray or a mousse for fixing or treating the hair.
The compositions of the invention can also be shampoos, rinse-out compositions or leave-in compositions, to be applied before or after shampooing, dyeing, bleaching, permanent-waving or straightening the hair.
The compositions of the invention can also be used as hygiene or care products, such as protective, treatment or beauty creams for the face, for the hands or for the body, protective or care body milks, and skincare or skin cleansing lotions, gels or mousses.
The compositions of the invention can also be used as antisun compositions.
The compositions can also consist of solid preparations constituting cleansing soaps or bars.
The compositions of the invention can also be used as oral care products such as toothpastes and mouthwashes.
The compositions can be make-up products such as face creams, foundations, mascaras, eyeliners, lipsticks or nail varnishes.
Another subject of the invention is a cosmetic, non-therapeutic treatment process for the skin, the scalp, the hair, the eyelashes, the eyebrows, the nails or mucous membranes, characterized in that a composition as defined above is applied to the keratinous support, according to the usual technique for using this composition, for example application of creams, gels, sera, lotions or milks to the skin, the scalp or mucous membranes.
The examples which follow illustrate the invention without being limiting in nature.


The main components of wood are cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Cellulose and hemicellulose are hydrophilic structures that contain hydroxyl groups. Hydroxyl groups interact with water molecules to form hydrogen bonds. Consequently, wood is capable of absorbing as much as 100% of its weight in water producing swelling. Evaporation leads to shrinkage. Because this natural water absorption/evaporation cycle occurs non-uniformly, this cycle creates internal stresses within the wood. These stresses cause the wood to check, split and warp.
Research activities to improve the dimensional stability of wood have spanned many decades. Various approaches have been attempted to reduce the affinity of wood for water, such as heat treatment, chemical and enzymatic modification of hydroxyl groups on cellulose or hemicellulose, or provision of a barrier coating (either external or internal).
Currently, three commercial processes are available to impart dimensional stability to wood—thermal treatment, acetylation and furfurylation. Thermal treatment will improve the dimensional stability of wood, however, it also will cause significant loss of mechanical strength. In softwoods, acetylation generally confers an anti-swelling efficiency (ASE) of about 75% with an associated weight increase of about 26% to 28%. Acetylation requires impregnation of acetic anhydride into wood prior to initiation of acetylation. The acetylation process will generate by-product acetic acid in the treated wood. As a result, post-treatment removal of acetic acid is required; however, residual acetic acid will remain in wood. The generation of acetic acid used during wood treatment requires stainless steel, corrosion-resistant treating equipment. In addition, residual acid in the treated wood product requires the use of stainless steel and corrosion-resistant metal fastener hardware. Acetylated wood is also extremely prone to mold growth when exposed to a moist environment. As a result, acetylated wood requires a surface protective coating or colorants if used in an outdoor condition. Furfurylation generally provides treated wood with an ASE of about 60% and a weight gain of about 30%. Furfurylation processes and furfulated wood release undesirable volatile organic compounds (VOC) during the curing process. In addition, furfurylation also results in increased brittleness of the wood. The characteristics, expense and complexity of these processes for enhancing the dimensional stability of wood limit the commercial usefulness of these processes.
Research on improved treatments for enhancing the dimensional stability of wood has included cell-wall bulking treatments. The deposition of bulking agents in wood can be achieved by impregnating non-reactive bulking agents into the wood or by impregnating monomers into the wood followed by polymerization of the monomers within the wood. The bulking agents can be water soluble or insoluble, reactive or non-reactive with wood components. The bulking agents known to those skilled in the art include polyethylene glycol (PEG), phenol, resorcinol, melamine and urea-formaldehydes, phenol furfural, furfuryl-analine and furfuryl alcohol and various vinyl resins such as polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl chloride with the help of wood swelling agents. With the exception of PEG, most bulking agents penetrate into wood but remain in the cell lumen. As a result, these bulking treatments may temporarily retard water absorption by wood, but do not provide long-term stabilization, because the hydroxyl groups in the wood cell wall remain unmodified and are consequently still available to absorb water molecules.
Polyether polyols are generally prepared by reacting epoxides, such as ethylene oxide, propylene oxide or tetrahydrofuran with initiator in the presence of catalyst(s). Common polyether diols are polyethylene glycol (PEG), polypropylene glycol (PPG), and poly(tetramethylene) glycol (also named polytetrahydrofuran or PTMEG). PEGs are generally water soluble, while PPG and PTMEG are water insoluble and can be pressure impregnated into wood.
Water-soluble polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymers have been widely used for treating wood to maintain and improve the dimensional stability of wood and wood products by preventing shrinkage, drying and cracking, and reducing warping. In addition, pre-soaking green wood in a PEG solution can allow kiln drying of green wood at high temperatures without causing cracking, splitting or warping. PEG (even high-molecular weight PEG), however, is highly water soluble and renders it unsuitable for long-term outdoor use, because water and moisture will facilitate the leaching of PEG out of the wood.
The present inventors have discovered that water insoluble polyether polyols, such as polypropylene glycol (PPG) polymer or copolymer, or poly (tetramethylene) glycol (also named polytetrahydrofuran) polymer or copolymer, once impregnated into a wood product, provides excellent wood dimensional stabilization and is less prone to water leaching from the treated wood product than PEG.