Author: claimsbot

What is claimed is:

1. A filter element comprising:
a first filter layer formed of a non-woven fabric;
a second filter layer formed of an open-pore foam attached to said first filter layer; and,
said non-woven fabric being a felt strengthened by an impregnation of a curing liquid to cause said first filter layer to function as a carrier imparting stiffness to said filter element.
2. The filter element of claim 1, wherein said felt defines a form stable body which is essentially rigid.
3. The filter element of claim 1, wherein said liquid is a chemically curing liquid.
4. The filter element of claim 1, wherein said liquid is a thermally curing liquid.
5. The filter element of claim 1, wherein said liquid is a chemically and thermally curing liquid.
6. The filter element of claim 1, wherein said liquid is a resin.
7. The filter element of claim 6, wherein said resin is a phenol resin.
8. The filter element of claim 1, wherein said open-pore foam is attached to the cured felt with adhesive.
9. The filter element of claim 8, wherein said adhesive is a two-component adhesive.
10. The filter element of claim 8, wherein said adhesive is in the form of a powder application.
11. The filter element of claim 8, wherein the adhesive application is in the form of a lattice.
12. The filter element of claim 11, wherein said lattice is a uniform lattice.
13. The filter element of claim 1, wherein the form-stable felt has a side facing away from said open-pore foam; and, wherein said filter element further comprises a fine-filter layer arranged on said side; and, said fine-filter layer is in the form of a thin fine fiber felt layer.
14. The filter element of claim 1, wherein said filter element is washable.
15. The filter element of claim 1, wherein filter element has corners perpendicular to said filter layers thereof; and, said corners are rounded in the peripheral direction of said filter element.
16. The filter element of claim 1, wherein said open-pore foam is thermally welded to said felt.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A flip-flop implemented in a programmable integrated circuit (IC), comprising:
a dual-output lookup table (LUT) having first and second output terminals, the LUT being programmed to implement as a first function a master latch driving the first output terminal, the LUT being further programmed to implement as a second function a slave latch driving the second output terminal, wherein:
a first input terminal of the LUT drives the first and second functions and is coupled to the first output terminal of the LUT;
a second input terminal of the LUT drives the second function and is coupled to the second output terminal of the LUT; and
a third input terminal of the LUT drives the first and second functions and is coupled to provide a clock signal to the flip-flop.
2. The flip-flop of claim 1, wherein the LUT comprises a 6-input LUT.
3. The flip-flop of claim 1, wherein the first input terminal of the LUT is coupled to the first output terminal of the LUT, and the second input terminal of the LUT is coupled to the second output terminal of the LUT, through a programmable interconnect structure of the programmable IC.
4. The flip-flop of claim 1, wherein a fourth input terminal of the LUT drives the first function and is coupled to provide a data input for the master latch.
5. The flip-flop of claim 1, wherein:
the LUT is further programmed to implement a third function of two data input signals, the third function providing a data input for the master latch; and
fourth and fifth input terminals of the LUT drive the third function and are coupled to provide the two data input signals to the LUT.
6. A method of implementing a flip-flop in a programmable integrated circuit (IC) comprising dual-output lookup tables (LUTs) and interconnect, the method comprising:
programming one of the LUTs to implement a master latch with an output of the master latch being provided as a first output of the LUT;
programming the LUT to implement a slave latch with an output of the slave latch being provided as a second output of the LUT;
programming the interconnect to provide the first output of the LUT as an input signal to the master latch and to the slave latch;
programming the interconnect to provide the second output of the LUT as an input signal to the slave latch; and
programming the interconnect to provide a clock signal as an input signal to the master latch and the slave latch.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
programming the interconnect to provide a data input signal to the master latch.
8. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
programming the LUT to implement a function of two input signals, the function providing a data input signal to the master latch; and
programming the interconnect to provide the two input signals to the LUT.
9. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
programming the LUT to select a dual-output mode for the LUT.
10. The method of claim 6, wherein the programmable IC comprises a programmable logic device (PLD).
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the PLD comprises a field programmable gate array (FPGA).
12. A programmable integrated circuit (IC), comprising:
a dual-output lookup table (LUT) programmed to implement a master latch and a slave latch, with an output of the master latch being provided at a first output terminal of the LUT and an output of the slave latch being provided at a second output terminal of the LUT;
means for programmably coupling the first output terminal of the LUT to a first input terminal of the LUT;
means for programmably coupling the second output terminal of the LUT to a second input terminal of the LUT; and
means for programmably coupling a clock input signal to a third input terminal of the LUT.
13. The programmable IC of claim 12, wherein the LUT comprises a 6-input LUT.
14. The programmable IC of claim 12, wherein the means for programmably coupling the first output terminal of the LUT to the first input terminal of the LUT, and the means for programmably coupling the second output terminal of the LUT to the second input terminal of the LUT, comprises a programmable interconnect structure coupled to the LUT.
15. The programmable IC of claim 12, wherein the LUT comprises a fourth input terminal coupled to provide a data input signal for the master latch.
16. The programmable IC of claim 12, wherein:
the LUT is further programmed to implement a function of two data input signals, the function providing a data input for the master latch; and
the programmable IC further comprises means for programmably coupling the two data input signals to the LUT.
17. The programmable IC of claim 12, wherein the programmable IC comprises a programmable logic device (PLD).
18. The programmable IC of claim 17, wherein the PLD comprises a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

1. A carrier comprising alpha-alumina obtainable from a process comprising acid digestion of aluminum.
2. A method of preparing a carrier comprising:
a. acid digesting aluminum to obtain transition alumina;
b. forming a paste comprising the transition alumina; and
c. forming carrier particles comprising transition alumina from the paste.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2 wherein step (a) comprises the steps of acid digesting aluminum to obtain an alumina sol, and converting alumina sol to transition alumina powder.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the paste is formed from a mixture comprising alumina sol and the transition alumina powder.
5. The method as claimed in claim 2 further comprising:
d. calcining the carrier particles at a temperature between 900\xb0 C. and 1400\xb0 C.
6. The method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the aluminum comprises aluminum wire.
7. The method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the acid comprises acetic acid.
8. The method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the method additionally comprises incorporating a fluorine-containing species in the carrier.
9. A carrier comprising alpha-alumina, which carrier is obtainable from the method of claim 2.
10. A carrier comprising alpha-alumina obtainable from a process comprising:
a. acid digesting aluminum to obtain an alumina sol;
b. forming transition alumina powder from the alumina sol;
c. forming a paste with the transition alumina powder;
d. forming carrier particles comprising transition alumina from the paste; and
e. calcining the carrier particles at a temperature between 900\xb0 C. and 1400\xb0 C.
11. The carrier as claimed in claim 10 wherein the paste is formed from a mixture comprising alumina sol and the transition alumina powder.
12. The carrier as claimed in claim 10 wherein the paste is formed from a mixture comprising alumina sol formed in step (a) and the transition alumina powder.
13. The carrier as claimed in claim 11 wherein the weight ratio of transition alumina powder to alumina sol is from 1000:500 to 1000:850.
14. The carrier as claimed in claim 10 wherein the carrier is a fluoride mineralized carrier and wherein the carrier particles are calcined at a temperature between 900\xb0 C. and 1200\xb0 C.
15. The carrier as claimed in claim 10 wherein the carrier comprises a particulate matrix having a morphology characterizable as lamellar.
16. A catalyst for the epoxidation of an olefin comprising a silver component deposited on a carrier comprising alpha-alumina, wherein the carrier is obtainable from a process comprising acid digestion of aluminum.
17. A catalyst for the epoxidation of an olefin comprising a silver component deposited on a carrier according to claim 10.
18. The catalyst as claimed in claim 16, wherein the catalyst additionally comprises a high selectivity dopant.
19. A catalyst as claimed in claim 16, wherein the catalyst additionally comprises a Group IA metal component.
20. A catalyst as claimed in claim 16, wherein the catalyst additionally comprises a rhenium component, or a rhenium component and a rhenium co-promoter.
21. A process for the epoxidation of an olefin comprising the steps of:
contacting a feed comprising an olefin and oxygen with a catalyst comprising a silver component deposited on a carrier comprising alpha-alumina; and
producing a product mix comprising an olefin oxide, wherein the carrier is obtained from a process comprising acid digestion of aluminum.
22. A process for the epoxidation of an olefin comprising the steps of:
contacting a feed comprising an olefin and oxygen with a catalyst comprising a silver component deposited on a carrier in accordance with claim 10;
and producing a product mix comprising an olefin oxide.
23. The process as claimed in claim 21, wherein the catalyst additionally comprises a high selectivity dopant.
24. The process as claimed in claim 21, wherein the catalyst additionally comprises a Group IA metal component.
25. The process as claimed in claim 21, wherein the catalyst additionally comprises a rhenium component, or a rhenium component and a rhenium co-promoter.
26. The process as claimed in claim 21, wherein the olefin comprises ethylene.
27. A process for the production of a 1,2-diol, a 1,2-diol ether or an alkanolamine comprising converting an olefin oxide into the 1,2-diol, the 1,2-diol ether or the alkanolamine wherein the olefin oxide has been obtained by a process for the epoxidation of an olefin as claimed in claim 21.
28. A carrier as claimed in claim 10, which carrier is suitable for use as a carrier of a catalyst for use in a process for the epoxidation of an olefin.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A dildo comprising an elastic phallic sleeve enclosing a mechanism, the mechanism being operative for expanding a girth of the sleeve at plural locations along a longitudinal axis of the sleeve, axially adjacent ones of the plural locations expanding in phase and in unison.
2. The dildo of claim 1, wherein the mechanism comprises a drive shaft with outwardly projecting lobes and a plurality of cams arranged along the drive shaft and operatively connected to the drive shaft whereby the lobes cause the reciprocating expansions of the girth of the sleeve at the plural locations.
3. A mechanized dildo comprising:
(a) a cam mechanism comprising:
(i) a rotatable drive shaft;
(ii) a drive cam on and rotationally coupled to the shaft;
(iii) a plurality of passive cams in plural sets of the cams, the sets of cams being distributed at corresponding locations along the drive cam, the passive cams of each set being distributed about the drive cam; and
(iv) a guide structure for guiding the passive cams generally radially relative to the drive cam;

(b) a phallic sleeve comprising an elastic material; and
(c) a support structure supporting the sleeve in generally coaxial relation to the drive cam, the sleeve enclosing the passive cams in proximal relation to the sleeve,
wherein the drive cam in response to rotation of the drive shaft moves the passive cams to deflect a corresponding local region of the sleeve outwardly for expanding a girth of the sleeve, further rotation of the shaft permitting relaxation of the local regions of the sleeve, the passive cams moving inwardly, continued rotation of the shaft producing reciprocating simultaneous and in-phase girth expansions and contractions of the sleeve by axially adjacent sets of the passive cams.
4. The mechanized dildo of claim 3, wherein the drive cam, at respective axially distributed locations, has a plurality of outwardly projecting lobes related to the number of passive cams of the corresponding set, wherein the passive cams of the set operate in unison in response to rotation of the shaft.
5. The mechanized dildo of claim 3, wherein the drive cam is one of a plurality of axially spaced drive cams, each drive cam having a corresponding set of passive cams associated therewith.
6. The mechanized dildo of claim 5, wherein each drive cam has a plurality of outwardly projecting lobes related to the number of passive cams of the corresponding set, wherein the passive cams of each set operate in unison in response to rotation of the shaft.
7. The mechanized dildo of claim 5, wherein the sets of the passive cams are angularly aligned, and the drive cams are angularly aligned for producing the simultaneous girth enlargements.
8. The mechanized dildo of claim 5, wherein longitudinally alternating sets of the passive cams are angularly offset, and alternating ones of the drive cams are correspondingly angularly offset for producing differently oriented simultaneous girth enlargements.
9. The mechanized dildo of claim 3, further comprising a motorized controller for operating the drive shaft.
10. The mechanized dildo of claim 9, wherein the controller comprises;
(a) a housing forming a handle for the dildo;
(b) a drive motor reduction gear-coupled to the drive shaft; and
(c) a main speed control for the motor.
11. The mechanized dildo of claim 10, further comprising a vibrator mechanism elastically supported by the phallic sleeve, the controller further comprising a vibrator speed control for the vibrator mechanism.
12. The mechanized dildo of claim 11, wherein the vibrator mechanism is located in a head region of the phallic sleeve.
13. The mechanized dildo of claim 11, wherein the phallic sleeve comprises a laterally extending arm portion for clitoral stimulation, the vibrator mechanism being located in the arm portion.
14. The mechanized dildo of claim 13, wherein the vibrator mechanism is a first vibrator mechanism, a second vibrator mechanism being located in a head region of the phallic sleeve.
15. The mechanized dildo of claim 11, wherein the controller is operative for changing speeds of the main motor and the vibration mechanism in response to a singular operator-controlled element.
16. The mechanized dildo of claim 11, wherein the controller is operative for changing speeds of the main motor and the vibration mechanism independently in response to separate operator-controlled elements.
17. The dildo of claim 3, wherein the mechanism is powered for reciprocatingly expanding the girth.
18. A mechanized dildo comprising:
(a) a cam mechanism comprising:
(i) a motor-driven shaft;
(ii) an axially spaced plurality of drive cams on and rotationally coupled to the shaft;
(iii) a plurality of passive cams circumferentially spaced about each of the drive cams, the drive cams each having a plurality of outwardly projecting lobes corresponding to the number of passive cams of the corresponding set of passive cams, wherein the passive cams of each set operate in unison in response to rotation of the shaft; and
(iv) a guide structure for guiding the passive cams generally radially relative to the drive cams;

(b) a phallic sleeve comprising an elastic material;
(c) a support structure supporting the sleeve in generally coaxial relation to the shaft, the sleeve enclosing the passive cams in proximal relation to the sleeve; and
(d) a motorized controller for operating the drive shaft,
wherein the drive cams in response to rotation of the drive shaft move the passive cams to deflect corresponding local regions of the sleeve outwardly for expanding a girth of the sleeve, further rotation of the shaft permitting relaxation of the local regions of the sleeve, the passive cams moving inwardly, continued rotation of the shaft producing reciprocating simultaneous and in-phase girth expansions and contractions of the sleeve at axially adjacent ones of the local regions.
19. The mechanized dildo of claim 18, further comprising a vibrator mechanism elastically supported by the phallic sleeve.
20. A dildo comprising an elastic phallic sleeve enclosing a rotatable mechanism, the mechanism comprising a drive shaft and a plurality of cams with outwardly projecting lobes arranged along the drive shaft and operatively connected to the drive shaft whereby the lobes cause reciprocating expansions of a girth of the sleeve at the plural locations being operative for expanding a girth of the sleeve at plural locations along a longitudinal axis of the sleeve, the dildo expanding in phase and in unison at all of the plural locations.