Author: claimsbot

1. A membrane filtration method for use in a water treatment system comprising at least one pretreatment membrane module having a filtration membrane for filtrating raw water, and at least one reverse osmosis membrane module having a reverse osmosis membrane for filtrating pretreated water obtained from the pretreatment membrane module, wherein the raw water is supplied to the pretreatment membrane module in which the raw water is separated into the pretreated water and concentrated water by the filtration membrane, and the pretreated water obtained is supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane module in which the pretreated water is separated into permeated water and concentrated water by the reverse osmosis membrane, and wherein
(a) a communicating conduit directly joining an outlet of the pretreated water in the pretreatment membrane module and an inlet of the pretreated water in the reverse osmosis membrane module is provided, and a branch conduit diverting a part of the pretreated water flowing in the communicating conduit from the communicating conduit is provided; and either
(b1) the downstream end of the branch conduit is connected to the pretreatment membrane module via a pretreated water reservoir tank storing the pretreated water provided in the middle of the branch conduit, and a backwash of the filtration membrane of the pretreatment membrane module requiring the backwash of the filtration membrane is conducted by the pretreated water flowing out from the pretreated water reservoir tank and flowing in the branch conduit, or
(b2) the downstream end of the branch conduit is directly connected to the pretreatment membrane module, and a backwash of the filtration membrane of the pretreatment membrane module requiring the backwash of the filtration membrane is conducted by the pretreated water flowing in the branch conduit.
2. The membrane filtration method according to claim 1, wherein a part of the pretreated water in the pretreated water reservoir tank is circulated back to the raw water for use as a part of the raw water.
3. A membrane filtration device for use in a water treatment system comprising a raw water storage tank, at least one pretreatment membrane module having a filtration membrane for filtrating raw water supplied from the raw water storage tank, and at least one reverse osmosis membrane module having a reverse osmosis membrane for filtrating pretreated water obtained from the pretreatment membrane module, wherein the raw water is supplied to the pretreatment membrane module in which the raw water is separated into the pretreated water and concentrated water by the filtration membrane, and the pretreated water obtained is supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane module in which the pretreated water is separated into permeated water and concentrated water by the reverse osmosis membrane, and wherein
(a) a communicating conduit directly joining an outlet of the pretreated water in the pretreatment membrane module and an inlet of the pretreated water in the reverse osmosis membrane module is provided, and a branch conduit diverting a part of the pretreated water flowing in the communicating conduit from the communicating conduit is provided; and either
(b1) the downstream end of the branch conduit is connected to the communication conduit which is connected to the outlet of the pretreated water in the pretreatment membrane module, via a pretreated water reservoir tank storing the pretreated water provided in the middle of the branch conduit, and a backwash of the filtration membrane of the pretreatment membrane module requiring the backwash of the filtration membrane is conducted by the pretreated water flowing out from the pretreated water reservoir tank and flowing in the branch conduit, or
(b2) the downstream end of the branch conduit is directly connected to the communication conduit which is connected to the outlet of the pretreated water in the pretreatment membrane module, and a backwash of the filtration membrane of the pretreatment membrane module requiring the backwash of the filtration membrane is conducted by the pretreated water flowing in the branch conduit.
4. The membrane filtration device according to claim 3, wherein a part of the pretreated water stored in the pretreated water reservoir tank is circulated back to the raw water storage tank.

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

What is claimed is:

1. A composition suitable for treating hair comprising:
a) an oxidizing agent; and
b) a chelant;
wherein said chelant is in an amount sufficient to provide a damage benefit of less than about 160 cysteic acid units as measured by the FT-IR Damage Assessing Protocol after a 5-Cycle Oxidative Hair Treatment Protocol With 2 Intermediate Washes, as described herein.
2. A composition according to claim 1, wherein said damage benefit is less than about 110 cysteic acid units.
3. A composition according to claim 1, wherein said composition comprises a chelant (L) having a
9
log
K
CuL
log
K
CaL
ratio calculated at pH 10 of at least about 3.20, wherein log KCuL is the common logarithm of the Conditional Stability Constant of said chelant with Cu2 and log KCaL is the common logarithm of the Conditional Stability Constant of said chelant with Ca2.
4. A composition according to claim 3, wherein said chelant (L) has a Hydrogen Peroxide Decomposition Ratio (% Loss) of less than about 10% as measured by the Hydrogen Peroxide Decomposition Ratio Measurement Protocol, as described herein.
5. A composition according to claim 3, wherein said chelant forms a hexadendate complex with Cu2.
6. A composition according to claim 3, wherein said chelant (L) is an aminocarboxylic acid chelant selected from the group consisting of diamine-N,N-dipolyacids, monoamine monoamide-N,N-dipolyacids and N,N-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)ethylenediamine-N,N-diacetic acid (HBED), and salts thereof, derivatives thereof and mixtures thereof.
7. A composition according to claim 6, wherein said aminocarboxylic acid chelant comprises at least two acid groups independently selected from a carboxylic acid group (COOH), a sulphonic group (SO3H), an o-hydroxyphenyl group, a m-hydroxyphenyl group, and a p-hydroxyphenyl group.
8. A composition according to claim 7, wherein said aminocarboxylic acid chelant is selected from the group consisting of ethylenediamine-N,N-disuccinic acid (EDDS), ethylenediamine-N,N-diglutaric acid (EDDG), 2-hydroxypropylenediamine-N,N-disuccinic acid (HPDDS), glycinamide-N,N-disuccinic acid (GADS), ethylenediamine-N-N-bis(ortho-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid) (EDDHA), salts thereof, derivatives thereof and mixtures thereof.
9. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the pH of the composition is between about 8 and about 12.
10. A composition according to claim 1, wherein said composition is in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion.
11. A composition according to claim 1, wherein said composition is in the form of a thickened aqueous solution.
12. A composition according to claim 1, wherein said oxidizing agent is present at a level of from about 0.1% to about 40% by weight of the composition and is selected from water-soluble oxidizing agents and mixtures thereof.
13. A composition according to claim 12, wherein said oxidizing agent comprises hydrogen peroxide.
14. A composition according to claim 1, wherein said chelant is present at a level of from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight of the composition.
15. A composition according to claim 1, further comprising at least one oxidative hair dye precursor.
16. A method of treating hair, said method comprising the steps of:
i) applying a first composition comprising an oxidizing agent;
ii) applying a second composition comprising a chelant wherein said chelant is in an amount sufficient to provide a damage benefit of less than about 160 cysteic acid units as measured by the FT-IR Damage Assessing Protocol after a 5-Cycle Oxidative Hair Treatment Protocol With 2 Intermediate Washes, as described herein; and
iii) applying a third composition comprising an oxidizing agent;
wherein steps i) and iii) are separated by at least 1 day and step ii) does not take place immediately before step iii).
17. A kit for dyeing hair comprising a first and a second compositions packaged in different containers, wherein said first composition comprises an oxidizing agent and said second composition comprises an oxidative dye precursor, wherein the resulting mixture of said first and second compositions is a composition according to claim 15.
18. A method of dyeing human hair, said method comprising the steps of:
i) mixing the first and second composition of a kit according to claim 17;
ii) applying the mixture obtained after step i) to hair;
iii) massaging said mixture into hair;
iv) retaining said mixture on the hair for an amount of time sufficient for the mixture to dye the hair; and
iv) rinsing off said composition with water.
19. A composition suitable for treating hair comprising:
a) an oxidizing agent; and
b) a chelant;
wherein said chelant is in an amount sufficient to provide a Normalized Shine Ratio of at least about 0.80 as measured by the Goniophotometer Damage Assessing Protocol after a 5-Cycle Hair Oxidative Treatment Protocol With 10 Intermediate Washes, as described herein.
20. A composition according to claim 19, wherein said composition comprises a chelant (L) having a
10
log
K
CuL
log
K
CaL
ratio calculated at pH 10 of at least about 3.20, wherein log KCuL is the common logarithm of the Conditional Stability Constant of said chelant with Cu2 and log KCaL is the common logarithm of the Conditional Stability Constant of said chelant with Ca2.
21. A composition according to claim 20, wherein said chelant (L) has a Hydrogen Peroxide Decomposition Ratio (% Loss) of less than about 10% as measured by the Hydrogen Peroxide Decomposition Ratio Measurement Protocol, as described herein.
22. A composition according to claim 20, wherein said chelant (L) forms a hexadendate complex with Cu2.
23. A composition according to claim 20, wherein said chelant (L) is an aminocarboxylic acid chelant selected from the group consisting of diamine-N,N-dipolyacids, monoamine monoamide-N,N-dipolyacids and N,N-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)ethylenediamine-N,N-diacetic acid (HBED), salts thereof, derivatives thereof and mixtures thereof.
24. A composition according to claim 23, wherein said aminocarboxylic acid chelant comprises at least two acid groups independently selected from a carboxylic acid group (COOH), a sulphonic group (SO3H), an o-hydroxyphenyl group, the m-hydroxyphenyl group, and a p-hydroxyphenyl group.
25. A composition according to claim 24, wherein said aminocarboxylic acid chelant is selected from the group consisting of ethylenediamine-N,N-disuccinic acid (EDDS), ethylenediamine-N,N-diglutaric acid (EDDG), 2-hydroxypropylenediamine-N,N-disuccinic acid (HPDDS), glycinamide-N,N-disuccinic acid (GADS), ethylenediamine-N-N-bis(ortho-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid) (EDDHA), and salts thereof, derivatives thereof and mixtures thereof.
26. A composition according to claim 19, wherein said oxidizing agent is present at a level of from about 0.1% to about 40% by weight of the composition and is selected from water-soluble oxidizing agents and mixtures thereof.
27. A composition according to claim 19, further comprising at least one oxidative hair dye precursor.
28. A method of treating hair, said method comprising the steps of:
i) applying a first composition comprising an oxidizing agent;
ii) applying a second composition comprising a chelant wherein said chelant is in an amount sufficient to provide a Normalized Shine Ratio of at least about 0.80 as measured by the Goniophotometer Damage Assessing Protocol after a 5-Cycle Hair Oxidative Treatment Protocol With 10 Intermediate Washes, as described herein; and
iii) applying a third composition comprising a second oxidizing agent;
wherein steps i) and iii) are separated by at least 1 day and step ii) does not take place immediately before step iii).
29. A kit for dyeing hair comprising a first and a second compositions packaged in different containers, wherein said first composition comprises an oxidizing agent and said second composition comprises an oxidative dye precursor, wherein the resulting mixture of said first and second compositions is a composition according to claim 27.
30. A method of dyeing human hair, said method comprising the steps of:
i) mixing the first and second composition of a kit according to claim 29;
ii) applying the mixture obtained after step i) to hair;
iii) massaging said mixture into hair;
iv) retaining said mixture on the hair for an amount of time sufficient for mixture to dye the hair;
iv) rinsing off said composition with water.

1. A method of preparing a sample for analysis, the method comprising:
directing an ion beam toward a work piece to remove material and expose a surface, the exposed surface having irregularities;
depositing material on the exposed surface, the deposited material smoothing the irregularities; and
directing an ion beam toward the work piece to remove at least some deposited materials and some material from the exposed surface to produce a smooth surface.
2. The method of claim 1 in which the sample material is a porous material.
3. The method of claim 1 in which the deposited material is formed by the dissociation of a precursor material, and the precursor material is activated by exposing the exposed surface to electrons, ions, X-rays, light, heat, or microwave radiation, as a result of which the precursor material dissociates in a non-volatile part that forms the deposit and a volatile part.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising depositing a protective layer onto the surface of the work piece using charged particle beam deposition.
5. The method of claim 1 in which directing an ion beam toward a work piece to remove material includes directing an ion beam perpendicular to the work piece surface.
6. The method of claim 1 in which depositing material on the exposed surface includes tilting the work piece and depositing the material using charged particle beam deposition.
7. The method of claim 1 in which directing an ion beam toward a work piece to remove material and expose a surface includes directing the ion beam using a first beam current and in which directing an ion beam toward the work piece to remove the deposited materials includes directing the ion beam using a second beam current, less than the first beam current.
8. The method of claim 1 in which directing an ion beam toward a work piece to remove material and expose a surface includes directing an ion beam from a plasma ion source, the ion beam having a beam current greater than 50 nA.
9. The method of claim 1 in which directing an ion beam toward a work piece to remove material includes cutting a trench to expose a cross section for observation by a scanning electron microscope.
10. The method of claim 1 in which directing an ion beam toward a work piece to remove material includes forming a lamella for observation on a transmission electron microscope.
11. The method of claim 1 in which directing an ion beam toward a work piece includes directing an ion beam toward a work piece composed of layers of materials of different hardnesses, the ion beam creating the irregularities in a softer layer after passing through harder layer.
12. The method of claim 1 in which directing an ion beam toward a work piece includes directing an ion beam toward a work piece composed of at least a layer of a metal and a layer of an oxide or nitride of the metal.
13. The method of claim 1 further comprising directing an ion beam toward a work piece to expose a second face depositing a layer of a material onto the exposed second sample face.
14. An charged particle beam apparatus comprising:
an ion source;
a focusing column for focusing the ions onto a work piece in a sample vacuum chamber;
a gas injection system for providing a precursor gas at the work piece surface;
a controller for controlling the operation of the charged particle beam system in accordance with stored computer-readable instructions; and
a computer readable memory storing computer instruction for controlling the charged particle beam system to:
directing an ion beam toward a work piece to remove material and expose a surface, the exposed surface having irregularities;
depositing material on the exposed surface, the deposited material smoothing the irregularities;
directing an ion beam toward the work piece to remove the deposited materials and some material from the exposed surface to produce a smooth cross sectional face.
15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium configured with a computer program, where the storage medium so configured causes a computer to control a charged particle beam system to carry out the steps of the method of claim 1.

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 bicycle trailer for hauling cargo via a bicycle, said bicycle trailer comprising:
a frame including a plurality of hooks connected thereto, said hooks adapted to receive a fastening cord for maintaining the cargo at a substantially stable position during transport;
a platform suspended on an upper surface of said frame, said platform adapted to receive the cargo items thereon;
a fender adapted to encompass a wheel of the bicycle trailer and thereby prevent water and debris from contacting the cargo;
a first bar attached to an underside portion of said frame and extending upwardly therefrom;
a second bar;
a hinge connected to said first and second bars respectively;
a universal joint connected to said second bar;
a third bar connected to said universal joint;
a clamping collar attached to said third bar, said clamping collar adapted to be attached to a seat portion of the bicycle; and,
a plurality of forks and an axle attached thereto, said axle adapted to be coupled to the bicycle trailer wheel, said forks further being attached to said first bar.
2. The bicycle trailer of claim 1, wherein said forks are positioned parallel to said first bar and further are attached to end portions of said axle.
3. The bicycle trailer of claim 1, wherein said hinge is a quick-release hinge biased between open and closed positions such that said second bar is detachably engaged with said first bar.
4. The bicycle trailer of claim 3, wherein said quick-release hinge comprises:
a first flange coupled to said first bar;
a second flange coupled to said second bar;
a rod positioned through said first and second flanges;
a cam and a cam washer attached to said rod; and,
a hinge pin mated to said first and second flanges respectively;
a spring pin attached to said hinge pin for maintaining said first and second flanges at a pivotal relationship;
wherein said cam is rotated downwardly to a locked position and thereby slidably engaged with said cam washer to second flange; and,
wherein said cam is rotated upwardly to an unlocked position and thereby retracts said rod from said second flange.
5. The bicycle trailer of claim 1, wherein said universal joint and said clamping collar are adapted to pivot and move with the bicycle.
6. The bicycle trailer of claim 1, wherein said universal joint comprises:
a first yoke attached to an end portion of said second bar;
a second yoke attached to an end portion of said third bar; and,
a joint connected to said first and second yokes respectively.
7. The bicycle trailer of claim 1, wherein said clamping collar comprises:
a plurality of arcuate stationary collars having a plurality of hinges connected to each other, said arcuate stationary collars being attached to said third bar and further adapted to be removably attached to the bicycle seat portion; and,
a cam lever attached to said clamping collar and being rotated outwardly and inwardly between open and closed positions respectively.
8. A bicycle trailer for hauling cargo via a bicycle, said bicycle trailer comprising:
a frame including a plurality of hooks connected thereto, said hooks adapted to receive a fastening cord for maintaining the cargo at a substantially stable position during transport;
a platform suspended on an upper surface of said frame, said platform adapted to receive the cargo items thereon, said platform being provided with a plurality of hand apertures formed therein for assisting a user to lift said frame;
a fender adapted to encompass a wheel of the bicycle trailer and thereby prevent water and debris from contacting the cargo;
a first bar attached to an underside portion of said frame and extending upwardly therefrom;
a second bar;
a hinge connected to said first and second bars respectively;
a universal joint connected to said second bar;
a third bar connected to said universal joint;
a clamping collar attached to said third bar, said clamping collar adapted to be attached to a seat portion of the bicycle; and,
a plurality of forks and an axle attached thereto, said axle adapted to be coupled to the bicycle trailer wheel, said forks further being attached to said first bar.
9. The bicycle trailer of claim 8, wherein said forks are positioned parallel to said first bar and further are attached to end portions of said axle.
10. The bicycle trailer of claim 8, wherein said hinge is a quick-release hinge biased between open and closed positions such that said second bar is detachably engaged with said first bar.
11. The bicycle trailer of claim 10, wherein said quick-release hinge comprises:
a first flange coupled to said first bar;
a second flange coupled to said second bar;
a rod positioned through said first and second flanges;
a cam and a cam washer attached to said rod; and,
a hinge pin mated to said first and second flanges respectively;
a spring pin attached to said hinge pin for maintaining said first and second flanges at a pivotal relationship;
wherein said cam is rotated downwardly to a locked position and thereby slidably engaged with said cam washer to second flange; and,
wherein said cam is rotated upwardly to an unlocked position and thereby retracts said rod from said second flange.
12. The bicycle trailer of claim 8, wherein said universal joint and said clamping collar are adapted to pivot and move with the bicycle.
13. The bicycle trailer of claim 8, wherein said universal joint comprises:
a first yoke attached to an end portion of said second bar;
a second yoke attached to an end portion of said third bar; and,
a joint connected to said first and second yokes respectively.
14. The bicycle trailer of claim 8, wherein said clamping collar comprises:
a plurality of arcuate stationary collars having a plurality of hinges connected to each other, said arcuate stationary collars being attached to said third bar and further adapted to be removably attached to the bicycle seat portion; and,
a cam lever attached to said clamping collar and being rotated outwardly and inwardly between open and closed positions respectively.
15. A method of utilizing a bicycle trailer for hauling cargo via a bicycle, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a frame including a plurality of hooks connected thereto;
providing and suspending a platform on an upper surface of said frame, said platform being provided with a plurality of hand apertures formed therein for assisting a user to lift said frame;
providing and attaching a first bar to an underside portion of said frame such that said first bar extends upwardly from said frame;
providing a second bar;
providing and connecting a hinge to said first and second bars respectively;
providing and connecting a universal joint to said second bar;
providing and connecting a third bar to said universal joint;
providing and attaching a clamping collar to said third bar;
attaching said clamping collar to a seat portion of the bicycle;
providing and attaching a plurality of forks to said first bar;
providing and attaching an axle to said forks;
coupling said axle to a wheel of the bicycle trailer;
positioning the cargo onto said platform;
preventing water and debris from contacting the cargo by providing and encompassing a fender over the bicycle trailer wheel; and,
maintaining the cargo at a substantially stable position during transport by providing and connecting a fastening cord to said hooks.