Author: claimsbot

1. A method for vehicle-to-vehicle communication between a first vehicle and a second vehicle, the method comprising the acts of:
providing an interrupt point;
providing a first vehicle;
providing a second vehicle, wherein second vehicle is located behind the interrupt point;
providing a vehicle-to-vehicle communication apparatus in the first vehicle and in the second vehicle;
transmitting an interrupt request from the first vehicle to the second vehicle;
forming a network incorporating the first vehicle and the second vehicle;
receiving the interrupt request;
responding to the interrupt request;
automatically flashing an external light on the second vehicle before the interrupt point if the interrupt request is acknowledged; and
wherein the interrupt request is a request to enter a road segment, the road segment comprising a first end and a second end and lacking sufficient width to accommodate two directions of traffic, in which the first vehicle seeks to travel from the first end to the second end and the second vehicle seeks to travel from the second end to the first end.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle-to-vehicle communication apparatus is connected to a navigation apparatus via an interface.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the act of displaying the interrupt request and a positional relationship between the first vehicle and the second vehicle in the second vehicle.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the act of displaying acknowledgement of the interrupt request and data for identifying the second vehicle in the first vehicle.
5. A vehicle-to-vehicle communication apparatus for communication between a first vehicle and a second vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
a communication unit operable to transmit a request from a first vehicle to a second vehicle and receive another request from the second vehicle to the first vehicle; and
a vehicle-to-vehicle control unit operable to form a predetermined network with the second vehicle and respond to the request after the communication unit receives the request from the second vehicle;
an automatic flashing unit operable to instruct an external light on the first vehicle to flash before an interrupt point if the request is acknowledged;
wherein the communication unit is operable to receive a request to interrupt sent from the first vehicle to the second vehicle on a main road when the second vehicle being located behind an interrupt point; and
wherein the request to interrupt is a request to enter a road segment, the road segment comprising a first end and a second end and lacking sufficient width to accommodate two directions of traffic, in which the first vehicle seeks to travel from the first end to the second end and the second vehicle seeks to travel from the second end to the first end.
6. The vehicle-to-vehicle communication apparatus of claim 5, wherein the apparatus of the second vehicle is operable to display the received interrupt request and a positional relationship between the first vehicle and the second vehicle on a display unit.
7. The vehicle-to-vehicle communication apparatus of claim 6, wherein the display unit is located in a navigation apparatus connected to the vehicle-to-vehicle communication apparatus via an interface.
8. The vehicle-to-vehicle communication apparatus of claim 7, wherein the vehicle-to-vehicle control unit of the first vehicle is operable to display acknowledgement of the interrupt request and data for identifying the second vehicle on the display unit.
9. A method for vehicle-to-vehicle communication between a first vehicle and a second vehicle, the method comprising the acts of:
providing an interrupt point;
providing a first vehicle;
providing a second vehicle, wherein second vehicle is located behind the interrupt point;
providing a vehicle-to-vehicle communication apparatus in the first vehicle and in the second vehicle;
transmitting an interrupt request from the first vehicle to the second vehicle;
forming a network incorporating the first vehicle and the second vehicle;
receiving the interrupt request; and
responding to the interrupt request;
wherein the interrupt request is a request to enter a road segment, the road segment comprising a first end and a second end and lacking sufficient width to accommodate two directions of traffic, in which the first vehicle seeks to travel from the first end to the second end and the second vehicle seeks to travel from the second end to the first end.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the act of automatically flashing an external light on the second vehicle before the interrupt point if the interrupt request is acknowledged.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the vehicle-to-vehicle communication apparatus is connected to a navigation apparatus via an interface.
12. The method of claim 9, further comprising the act of displaying the interrupt request and a positional relationship between the first vehicle and the second vehicle in the second vehicle.
13. The method of claim 9, further comprising the act of displaying acknowledgement of the interrupt request and data for identifying the second vehicle in the first vehicle.
14. A vehicle-to-vehicle communication apparatus for communication between a first vehicle and a second vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
a communication unit operable to transmit a request from a first vehicle to a second vehicle and receive another request from the second vehicle to the first vehicle; and
a vehicle-to-vehicle control unit operable to form a predetermined network with the second vehicle and respond to the request after the communication unit receives the request from the second vehicle;
wherein the communication unit is operable to receive a request to interrupt sent from the first vehicle to the second vehicle on a main road when the second vehicle being located behind an interrupt point; and
wherein the request to interrupt is a request to enter a road segment, the road segment comprising a first end and a second end and lacking sufficient width to accommodate two directions of traffic, in which the first vehicle seeks to travel from the first end to the second end and the second vehicle seeks to travel from the second end to the first end.
15. The vehicle-to-vehicle communication apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus of the second vehicle is operable to display the received interrupt request and a positional relationship between the first vehicle and the second vehicle on a display unit\u2014and wherein the apparatus of the second vehicle, if acknowledging the interrupt request, automatically flashes a light using an automatic light-flashing unit immediately before the interrupt point.
16. The vehicle-to-vehicle communication apparatus of claim 14, wherein the display unit is located in a navigation apparatus connected to the vehicle-to-vehicle communication apparatus via an interface.
17. The vehicle-to-vehicle communication apparatus of claim 14, wherein the vehicle-to-vehicle control unit of the first vehicle is operable to display acknowledgement of the interrupt request and data for identifying the second vehicle on the display unit.

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 process to produce an essentially homogeneous single liquid phase hydrocarbon-rubber cement from a polymer slurry comprising a hydrocarbon-rubber, a diluent, and unreacted monomer(s), said process comprising:
(a) following polymerization of the hydrocarbon-rubber, contacting said polymer slurry with a hydrocarbon solvent; and
(b) removing said diluent and said hydrocarbon solvent in amounts not sufficiently more than is necessary to produce said essentially homogeneous single liquid phase hydrocarbon-rubber cement wherein the mass fraction of monomer(s) in the hydrocarbon-rubber cement, based on the total amount of hydrocarbon-rubber present in the hydrocarbon-rubber cement, is less than the mass fraction of monomer(s) in the hydrocarbon-rubber slurry, based on the total amount of hydrocarbon-rubber present in the hydrocarbon-rubber slurry,
wherein said diluent comprises a hydrofluorocarbon.
2. The process of claim 1, wherein said hydrofluorocarbon comprises at least one carbon atom, and at least two fluorine atoms.
3. The process of claim 1, wherein said hydrofluorocarbon comprises 1,1-difluoroethane.
4. The process of claim 1, wherein said hydrofluorocarbon comprises 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane.
5. The process of claim 1, wherein said hydrofluorocarbon consists essentially of hydrogen, carbon, and fluorine.
6. The process of claim 1, wherein the mass fraction of said unreacted monomer(s) in said hydrocarbon-cement, based on the total weight of said hydrocarbon rubber in said hydrocarbon-cement, is less than the mass fraction of said unreacted monomer(s) in said polymer slurry, based on the total weight of said hydrocarbon rubber in said polymer slurry.
7. The process of claim 1, wherein said diluent further comprises methyl chloride.
8. The process of claim 1, wherein said hydrocarbon-rubber comprises polymer(s) andor copolymer(s) of isobutylene, isoprene, para-methyl styrene, or a combination thereof.
9. The process of claim 1, wherein said diluent consists essentially of a hydrofluorocarbon.
10. The process of claim 1, wherein said polymer slurry is produced in a slurry cationic polymerization process for the production of C4-C7 isoolefin polymers.
11. The process of claim 1, wherein said polymer slurry comprises greater than or equal to about 10 vol % solids.
12. The process of claim 1, wherein said polymer slurry is at a temperature of less than or equal to about \u221220\xb0 C. when contacted with said hydrocarbon solvent.
13. The process of claim 1, wherein the mass fraction of said unreacted monomer(s) in said hydrocarbon-cement, based on the total weight of said hydrocarbon rubber in said hydrocarbon-cement, is less than 80% of the mass fraction of said unreacted monomer(s) in said polymer slurry, based on the total weight of said hydrocarbon rubber in said polymer slurry.
14. The process of claim 1, wherein said hydrocarbon-rubber cement is essentially free of unreacted monomer(s).
15. The process of claim 1, wherein said hydrofluorocarbon diluent is a gas at 25\xb0 C. and a pressure of 101.3 kPa-a.
16. The process of claim 1, wherein said hydrofluorocarbon is represented by the formula:
CxHyFz

wherein x is an integer from 1 to 10, y is greater than or equal to 1; and z is greater than or equal to 1.
17. The process of claim 1, wherein said hydrofluorocarbon is selected from the group consisting of:
fluoromethane; difluoromethane; trifluoromethane; fluoroethane; 1,1-difluoroethane; 1,2-difluoroethane; 1,1,1-trifluoroethane; 1,1,2-trifluoroethane; 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane; 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane; 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoroethane; 1,1,1-trifluoropropane; 1,1,2-trifluoropropane; 1,1,3-trifluoropropane; 1,2,2-trifluoropropane; 1,2,3-trifluoropropane; 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane; 1,1,1,3-tetrafluoropropane; 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoropropane; 1,1,2,3-tetrafluoropropane; 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoropropane; 1,2,2,3-tetrafluoropropane; 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane; 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropane; 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane; 1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane; 1,1,2,3,3-pentafluoropropane; 1,1,1,2,2,3-hexafluoropropane; 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane; 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane; 1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoropropane; 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane; 1,1,1-trifluorobutane; 1,1,2-trifluorobutane; 1,1,3-trifluorobutane; 1,1,4-trifluorobutane; 1,2,2-trifluorobutane; 1,2,3-trifluorobutane; 1,3,3-trifluorobutane; 2,2,3-trifluorobutane; 1,1,1,2-tetrafluorobutane; 1,1,1,3-tetrafluorobutane; 1,1,1,4-tetrafluorobutane; 1,1,2,2-tetrafluorobutane; 1,1,2,3-tetrafluorobutane; 1,1,2,4-tetrafluorobutane; 1,1,3,3-tetrafluorobutane; 1,1,3,4-tetrafluorobutane; 1,1,4,4-tetrafluorobutane; 1,2,2,3-tetrafluorobutane; 1,2,2,4-tetrafluorobutane; 1,2,3,3-tetrafluorobutane; 1,2,3,4-tetrafluorobutane; 2,2,3,3-tetrafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,4-pentafluorobutane; 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane; 1,1,1,3,4-pentafluorobutane; 1,1,1,4,4-pentafluorobutane; 1,1,2,2,3-pentafluorobutane; 1,1,2,2,4-pentafluorobutane; 1,1,2,3,3-pentafluorobutane; 1,1,2,4,4-pentafluorobutane; 1,1,3,3,4-pentafluorobutane; 1,2,2,3,3-pentafluorobutane; 1,2,2,3,4-pentafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,2,3-hexafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,2,4-hexafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluorobutane, 1,1,1,2,3,4-hexafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,4,4-hexafluorobutane; 1,1,1,3,3,4-hexafluorobutane; 1,1,1,3,4,4-hexafluorobutane; 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobutane; 1,1,2,2,3,3-hexafluorobutane; 1,1,2,2,3,4-hexafluorobutane; 1,1,2,2,4,4-hexafluorobutane; 1,1,2,3,3,4-hexafluorobutane; 1,1,2,3,4,4-hexafluorobutane; 1,2,2,3,3,4-hexafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,2,4,4-heptafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,2,3,4-heptafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,3,3,4-heptafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,3,4,4-heptafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,4,4,4-heptafluorobutane; 1,1,1,3,3,4,4-heptafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4-octafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,2,3,4,4-octafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,3,3,4,4-octafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,2,4,4,4-octafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,3,4,4,4-octafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4-nonafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,2,3,4,4,4-nonafluorobutane; 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methylpropane; 1,1,3-trifluoro-2-methylpropane; 1,1,1,3-tetrafluoro-2-methylpropane; 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-methylpropane; 1,1,3-trifluoro-2-(fluoromethyl)propane; 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoro-2-methylpropane; 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(fluoromethyl)propane; 1,1,1,3-tetrafluoro-2-(fluoromethyl)propane; 1,1,2-trifluorocyclobutane; 1,1,3-trifluorocyclobutane; 1,2,3-trifluorocyclobutane; 1,1,2,2-tetrafluorocyclobutane; 1,1,3,3-tetrafluorocyclobutane; 1,1,2,2,3-pentafluorocyclobutane; 1,1,2,3,3-pentafluorocyclobutane; 1,1,2,2,3,3-hexafluorocyclobutane; 1,1,2,2,3,4-hexafluorocyclobutane; 1,1,2,3,3,4-hexafluorocyclobutane; 1,1,2,2,3,3,4-heptafluorocyclobutane; 1,1,2-trifluoroethene; 1,1,2-trifluoropropene; 1,1,3-trifluoropropene; 1,2,3-trifluoropropene; 1,3,3-trifluoropropene; 2,3,3-trifluoropropene; 3,3,3-trifluoropropene; 1,1,2-trifluoro-1-butene; 1,1,3-trifluoro-1-butene; 1,1,4-trifluoro-1-butene; 1,2,3-trifluoro-1-butene; 1,2,4-trifluoro-1-butene; 1,3,3-trifluoro-1-butene; 1,3,4-trifluoro-1-butene; 1,4,4-trifluoro-1-butene; 2,3,3-trifluoro-1-butene; 2,3,4-trifluoro-1-butene; 2,4,4-trifluoro-1-butene; 3,3,4-trifluoro-1-butene; 3,4,4-trifluoro-1-butene; 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-butene; 1,1,2,3-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,2,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,3,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,4,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 1,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 1,2,3,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 1,2,4,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 1,3,3,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 1,3,4,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 1,4,4,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 2,3,3,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 2,3,4,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 2,4,4,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 3,3,4,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 3,4,4,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,2,3,3-pentafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,2,3,4-pentafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,2,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,3,3,4-pentafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,3,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,4,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene; 1,2,3,3,4-pentafluoro-1-butene; 1,2,3,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene; 1,2,4,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene; 2,3,3,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene; 2,3,4,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene; 3,3,4,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,2,3,3,4-hexafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,2,3,4,4-hexafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,2,4,4,4-hexafluoro-1-butene; 1,2,3,3,4,4-hexafluoro-1-butene; 1,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluoro-1-butene; 2,3,3,4,4,4-hexafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,2,3,3,4,4-heptafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,2,3,4,4,4-heptafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluoro-1-butene; 1,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-butene; 1,1,2-trifluoro-2-butene; 1,1,3-trifluoro-2-butene; 1,1,4-trifluoro-2-butene; 1,2,3-trifluoro-2-butene; 1,2,4-trifluoro-2-butene; 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,1,3-tetrafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,1,4-tetrafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,2,3-tetrafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,2,4-tetrafluoro-2-butene; 1,2,3,4-tetrafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,1,2,4-pentafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,1,3,4-pentafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,1,4,4-pentafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,2,3,4-pentafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,2,4,4-pentafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,1,2,3,4-hexafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,1,2,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,1,3,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,2,3,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,1,2,3,4,4-heptafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,1,2,4,4,4-heptafluoro-2-butene; and mixtures thereof.
18. The process of claim 1, wherein said hydrocarbon solvent comprises C4-C10 hydrocarbons.
19. The process of claim 1, wherein said hydrocarbon solvent comprises linear, branched, or cyclic C5-C8 hydrocarbons.
20. The process of claim 1, wherein said hydrocarbon solvent comprises a C5 to C7 alkane.
21. The process of claim 1, wherein said hydrocarbon solvent is selected from the group consisting of:
butane, cyclobutane, isobutane, n-pentane, cyclopentane, n-hexane, methylcyclopentane, isohexane, 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, 2-methylbutane, 2,2-dimethylbutane, 2,3-dimethylbutane, 2-methylhexane, 3-methylhexane, 3-ethylpentane, 2,2-dimethylpentane, 2,3-dimethylpentane, 2,4-dimethylpentane, 3,3-dimethylpentane, 2-methylheptane, 3-ethylhexane, 2,5-dimethylhexane, 2,24,-trimethylpentane, octane, heptane, nonane, decane, dodecane, undecane, 1,1-dimethylcyclopentane, 1,2-dimethylcyclopentane, 1,3-dimethylcyclopentane, ethylcyclopentane, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, benzene, toluene, ortho-xylene, para-xylene, meta-xylene, and combinations thereof.
22. The process of claim 1, wherein said hydrocarbon solvent is a mixture of n-hexane, 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, methylcyclopentane, andor cyclohexane.
23. The process of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
(c) removing at least a portion of said hydrofluorocarbon from said polymer slurry; and
(d) recycling at least a portion of the removed hydrofluorocarbon to produce additional polymer slurry.
24. The process of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
(c) removing at least a portion of said hydrocarbon solvent; and
(d) recycling at least a portion of the removed hydrocarbon solvent to produce additional polymer slurry.
25. The process of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
(c) removing at least a portion of said monomer(s); and
(d) recycling at least a portion of the removed monomer(s) to produce additional hydrocarbon-rubber.
26. The process of claim 1, further comprising:
adjusting the temperature andor the pressure of said polymer slurry or the mixture of said polymer slurry and said hydrocarbon solvent.
27. The process of claim 1, further comprising:
adjusting the temperature, the pressure, the weight fraction of the hydrocarbon solvent in said resulting mixture, andor the weight fraction of the diluent in said resulting mixture so that said resulting mixture is maintained as substantially homogeneous liquid phase.
28. A process to produce an essentially homogeneous hydrocarbon-rubber cement from a polymer slurry comprising a hydrocarbon-rubber, a diluent which is essentially free of a hydrofluorocarbon diluent, and a first mass fraction of unreacted monomer(s) based on the total amount of hydrocarbon rubber present in said polymer slurry, comprising:
(a) following polymerization of said hydrocarbon-rubber, contacting said polymer slurry with a hydrofluorocarbon diluent and with a hydrocarbon solvent; and
(b) removing at least a portion of said diluent, said hydrofluorocarbon diluent, and said hydrocarbon solvent to produce said essentially homogeneous hydrocarbon-rubber cement having a second mass fraction of unreacted monomer(s) based on the total amount of hydrocarbon rubber present in said essentially homogeneous hydrocarbon rubber cement,
wherein said first mass fraction is greater than said second mass fraction.
29. The process of claim 28, wherein at least a portion of said hydrofluorocarbon diluent is added to said polymer slurry prior to the addition of said hydrocarbon solvent to said polymer slurry.
30. The process of claim 28, wherein at least a portion of said hydrofluorocarbon diluent is added to said polymer slurry after the addition of said hydrocarbon solvent to said polymer slurry.
31. The process of claim 28, wherein at least a portion of said hydrofluorocarbon diluent is added to said polymer slurry simultaneous with the addition of said hydrocarbon solvent to said polymer slurry.
32. The process of claim 28, wherein said hydrofluorocarbon diluent comprises at least two carbon atoms, and at least two fluorine atoms.
33. The process of claim 28, wherein said hydrofluorocarbon diluent comprises 1,1-difluoroethane.
34. The process of claim 28, wherein said hydrofluorocarbon diluent comprises 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane.
35. The process of claim 28, wherein said hydrofluorocarbon diluent consists essentially of hydrogen, carbon, and fluorine.
36. The process of claim 28, wherein said first mass fraction is less than 80% of said second mass fraction.
37. The process of claim 28, wherein said diluent comprises methyl chloride.
38. The process of claim 28, wherein said hydrocarbon-rubber comprises polymer(s) andor copolymer(s) of isobutylene, isoprene, para-methyl styrene, or a combination thereof.
39. The process of claim 28, wherein said polymer slurry is produced in a slurry cationic polymerization process for the production of C4-C7 isoolefin polymers.
40. The process of claim 28, wherein said polymer slurry comprises greater than or equal to about 10 vol % solids.
41. The process of claim 28, wherein said polymer slurry is at a temperature of less than or equal to about \u221220\xb0 C. when contacted with said hydrocarbon solvent.
42. The process of claim 28, wherein said first mass fraction is at least ten times greater than said second mass fraction.
43. The process of claim 28, wherein said hydrocarbon-rubber cement is essentially free of unreacted monomer(s).
44. The process of claim 28, wherein said hydrofluorocarbon diluent is a gas at 25\xb0 C. and 101 kPa-a (1 atm) of pressure.
45. The process of claim 28, wherein said hydrofluorocarbon diluent is represented by the formula:
CxHyFz

wherein x is an integer from 1 to 10, y is greater than or equal to 1; and z is greater than or equal to 1.
46. The process of claim 28, wherein said hydrofluorocarbon diluent is selected from the group consisting of:
fluoromethane; difluoromethane; trifluoromethane; fluoroethane; 1,1-difluoroethane; 1,2-difluoroethane; 1,1,1-trifluoroethane; 1,1,2-trifluoroethane; 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane; 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane; 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoroethane; 1,1,1-trifluoropropane; 1,1,2-trifluoropropane; 1,1,3-trifluoropropane; 1,2,2-trifluoropropane; 1,2,3-trifluoropropane; 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane; 1,1,1,3-tetrafluoropropane; 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoropropane; 1,1,2,3-tetrafluoropropane; 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoropropane; 1,2,2,3-tetrafluoropropane; 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane; 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropane; 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane; 1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane; 1,1,2,3,3-pentafluoropropane; 1,1,1,2,2,3-hexafluoropropane; 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane; 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane; 1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoropropane; 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane; 1,1,1-trifluorobutane; 1,1,2-trifluorobutane; 1,1,3-trifluorobutane; 1,1,4-trifluorobutane; 1,2,2-trifluorobutane; 1,2,3-trifluorobutane; 1,3,3-trifluorobutane; 2,2,3-trifluorobutane; 1,1,1,2-tetrafluorobutane; 1,1,1,3-tetrafluorobutane; 1,1,1,4-tetrafluorobutane; 1,1,2,2-tetrafluorobutane; 1,1,2,3-tetrafluorobutane; 1,1,2,4-tetrafluorobutane; 1,1,3,3-tetrafluorobutane; 1,1,3,4-tetrafluorobutane; 1,1,4,4-tetrafluorobutane; 1,2,2,3-tetrafluorobutane; 1,2,2,4-tetrafluorobutane; 1,2,3,3-tetrafluorobutane; 1,2,3,4-tetrafluorobutane; 2,2,3,3-tetrafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,4-pentafluorobutane; 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane; 1,1,1,3,4-pentafluorobutane; 1,1,1,4,4-pentafluorobutane; 1,1,2,2,3-pentafluorobutane; 1,1,2,2,4-pentafluorobutane; 1,1,2,3,3-pentafluorobutane; 1,1,2,4,4-pentafluorobutane; 1,1,3,3,4-pentafluorobutane; 1,2,2,3,3-pentafluorobutane; 1,2,2,3,4-pentafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,2,3-hexafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,2,4-hexafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluorobutane, 1,1,1,2,3,4-hexafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,4,4-hexafluorobutane; 1,1,1,3,3,4-hexafluorobutane; 1,1,1,3,4,4-hexafluorobutane; 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobutane; 1,1,2,2,3,3-hexafluorobutane; 1,1,2,2,3,4-hexafluorobutane; 1,1,2,2,4,4-hexafluorobutane; 1,1,2,3,3,4-hexafluorobutane; 1,1,2,3,4,4-hexafluorobutane; 1,2,2,3,3,4-hexafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,2,4,4-heptafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,2,3,4-heptafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,3,3,4-heptafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,3,4,4-heptafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,4,4,4-heptafluorobutane; 1,1,1,3,3,4,4-heptafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4-octafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,2,3,4,4-octafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,3,3,4,4-octafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,2,4,4,4-octafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,3,4,4,4-octafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4-nonafluorobutane; 1,1,1,2,2,3,4,4,4-nonafluorobutane; 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methylpropane; 1,1,3-trifluoro-2-methylpropane; 1,1,1,3-tetrafluoro-2-methylpropane; 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-methylpropane; 1,1,3-trifluoro-2-(fluoromethyl)propane; 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoro-2-methylpropane; 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(fluoromethyl)propane; 1,1,1,3-tetrafluoro-2-(fluoromethyl)propane; 1,1,2-trifluorocyclobutane; 1,1,3-trifluorocyclobutane; 1,2,3-trifluorocyclobutane; 1,1,2,2-tetrafluorocyclobutane; 1,1,3,3-tetrafluorocyclobutane; 1,1,2,2,3-pentafluorocyclobutane; 1,1,2,3,3-pentafluorocyclobutane; 1,1,2,2,3,3-hexafluorocyclobutane; 1,1,2,2,3,4-hexafluorocyclobutane; 1,1,2,3,3,4-hexafluorocyclobutane; 1,1,2,2,3,3,4-heptafluorocyclobutane; 1,1,2-trifluoroethene; 1,1,2-trifluoropropene; 1,1,3-trifluoropropene; 1,2,3-trifluoropropene; 1,3,3-trifluoropropene; 2,3,3-trifluoropropene; 3,3,3-trifluoropropene; 1,1,2-trifluoro-1-butene; 1,1,3-trifluoro-1-butene; 1,1,4-trifluoro-1-butene; 1,2,3-trifluoro-1-butene; 1,2,4-trifluoro-1-butene; 1,3,3-trifluoro-1-butene; 1,3,4-trifluoro-1-butene; 1,4,4-trifluoro-1-butene; 2,3,3-trifluoro-1-butene; 2,3,4-trifluoro-1-butene; 2,4,4-trifluoro-1-butene; 3,3,4-trifluoro-1-butene; 3,4,4-trifluoro-1-butene; 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-butene; 1,1,2,3-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,2,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,3,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,4,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 1,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 1,2,3,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 1,2,4,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 1,3,3,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 1,3,4,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 1,4,4,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 2,3,3,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 2,3,4,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 2,4,4,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 3,3,4,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 3,4,4,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,2,3,3-pentafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,2,3,4-pentafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,2,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,3,3,4-pentafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,3,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,4,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene; 1,2,3,3,4-pentafluoro-1-butene; 1,2,3,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene; 1,2,4,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene; 2,3,3,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene; 2,3,4,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene; 3,3,4,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,2,3,3,4-hexafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,2,3,4,4-hexafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,2,4,4,4-hexafluoro-1-butene; 1,2,3,3,4,4-hexafluoro-1-butene; 1,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluoro-1-butene; 2,3,3,4,4,4-hexafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,2,3,3,4,4-heptafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,2,3,4,4,4-heptafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluoro-1-butene; 1,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluoro-1-butene; 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-butene; 1,1,2-trifluoro-2-butene; 1,1,3-trifluoro-2-butene; 1,1,4-trifluoro-2-butene; 1,2,3-trifluoro-2-butene; 1,2,4-trifluoro-2-butene; 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,1,3-tetrafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,1,4-tetrafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,2,3-tetrafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,2,4-tetrafluoro-2-butene; 1,2,3,4-tetrafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,1,2,4-pentafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,1,3,4-pentafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,1,4,4-pentafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,2,3,4-pentafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,2,4,4-pentafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,1,2,3,4-hexafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,1,2,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,1,3,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,2,3,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,1,2,3,4,4-heptafluoro-2-butene; 1,1,1,2,4,4,4-heptafluoro-2-butene; and mixtures thereof.
47. The process of claim 28, wherein said hydrocarbon solvent comprises C4-C10 hydrocarbons.
48. The process of claim 28, wherein said hydrocarbon solvent comprises linear, branched, or cyclic C5-C8 hydrocarbons.
49. The process of claim 28, wherein said hydrocarbon solvent comprises a C5 to C7 alkane.
50. The process of claim 28, wherein said hydrocarbon solvent is selected from the group consisting of:
butane, cyclobutane, isobutane, n-pentane, cyclopentane, n-hexane, methylcyclopentane, isohexane, 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, 2-methylbutane, 2,2-dimethylbutane, 2,3-dimethylbutane, 2-methylhexane, 3-methylhexane, 3-ethylpentane, 2,2-dimethylpentane, 2,3-dimethylpentane, 2,4-dimethylpentane, 3,3-dimethylpentane, 2-methylheptane, 3-ethylhexane, 2,5-dimethylhexane, 2,24,-trimethylpentane, octane, heptane, nonane, decane, dodecane, undecane, 1,1-dimethylcyclopentane, 1,2-dimethylcyclopentane, 1,3-dimethylcyclopentane, ethylcyclopentane, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, benzene, toluene, ortho-xylene, para-xylene, meta-xylene, and combinations thereof.
51. The process of claim 28, wherein said hydrocarbon solvent is a mixture of n-hexane, 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, methylcyclopentane, and cyclohexane.
52. The process of claim 28, wherein at least a portion of said diluent removed from said polymer slurry is recycled to produce at least a portion of another polymer slurry.
53. The process of claim 28, wherein at least of portion of said hydrocarbon solvent removed from said polymer slurry is recycled and contacted with another polymer slurry.
54. The process of claim 28, wherein at least a portion of said monomer(s) removed from said polymer slurry is recycled to produce additional hydrocarbon-rubber.
55. The process of claim 28, further comprising:
(c) adjusting the temperature andor the pressure of said polymer slurry or the mixture of said polymer slurry, said hydrofluorocarbon diluent, said hydrocarbon solvent, andor a combination thereof.
56. The process of claim 28, further comprising:
(c) adjusting the temperature, the pressure, the weight fraction of the hydrocarbon solvent in said resulting mixture, andor the weight fraction of the hydrofluorocarbon diluent in said resulting mixture so that said resulting mixture is maintained as substantially homogeneous liquid phase.
57. A hydrocarbon-rubber cement composition made by a process of claim 1.
58. A hydrocarbon-rubber cement composition made by a process of claim 28.
59. A process to produce a single liquid phase hydrocarbon-rubber cement from a polymer slurry comprising a hydrocarbon-rubber, a diluent, and a first mass fraction of unreacted monomer(s) in said polymer slurry based on the total weight of said hydrocarbon-rubber in said polymer slurry, said process comprising:
(a) following polymerization of said hydrocarbon-rubber, contacting said polymer slurry with a hydrocarbon solvent; and
(b) removing at least a portion of said diluent and said hydrocarbon solvent from said polymer slurry to produce said single liquid phase hydrocarbon-rubber cement having a second mass fraction of unreacted monomer(s) in said hydrocarbon-rubber cement, based on the total amount of hydrocarbon-rubber present in said hydrocarbon-rubber cement,
wherein said diluent comprises a hydrofluorocarbon and said first mass fraction is higher than the second mass fraction.
60. The process of claim 59, wherein said hydrofluorocarbon comprises 1,1-difluoroethane.
61. The process of claim 59, wherein said hydrofluorocarbon comprises 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane.
62. The process of claim 59, wherein said diluent further comprises methyl chloride.
63. The process of claim 59, wherein said hydrocarbon-rubber comprises polymer(s) andor copolymer(s) of isobutylene, isoprene, para-methyl styrene, or a combination thereof.
64. The process of claim 59, wherein said polymer slurry is produced in a slurry cationic polymerization process for the production of C4-C7 isoolefin polymers.
65. The process of claim 59, wherein said polymer slurry is at a temperature of less than or equal to about \u221220\xb0 C. when contacted with said hydrocarbon solvent.
66. The process of claim 59, wherein the mass fraction of said unreacted monomer(s) in said hydrocarbon-cement, based on the total weight of said hydrocarbon rubber in said hydrocarbon-cement, is less than 80% of the mass fraction of said unreacted monomer(s) in said polymer slurry, based on the total weight of said hydrocarbon rubber in said polymer slurry.
67. The process of claim 59, wherein said hydrofluorocarbon is represented by the formula:
CxHyFz

wherein x is an integer from 1 to 10, y is greater than or equal to 1; and z is greater than or equal to 1.
68. The process of claim 59, wherein said hydrocarbon solvent comprises C4-C10 hydrocarbons.
69. The process of claim 59, wherein said hydrocarbon solvent is a mixture of n-hexane, 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, methylcyclopentane, andor cyclohexane.
70. The process of claim 59, further comprising the steps of:
(c) removing at least a portion of said hydrofluorocarbon from said polymer slurry; and
(d) recycling at least a portion of the removed hydrofluorocarbon to produce additional polymer slurry.
71. The process of claim 59, further comprising the steps of:
(c) removing at least a portion of said hydrocarbon solvent; and
(d) recycling at least a portion of the removed hydrocarbon solvent to produce additional polymer slurry.
72. The process of claim 59, further comprising the steps of:
(c) removing at least a portion of said monomer(s); and
(d) recycling at least a portion of the removed monomer(s) to produce additional hydrocarbon-rubber.
73. The process of claim 59, further comprising:
adjusting the temperature andor the pressure of said polymer slurry or the mixture of said polymer slurry and said hydrocarbon solvent.
74. The process of claim 59, further comprising:
adjusting the temperature, the pressure, the weight fraction of the hydrocarbon solvent in said resulting mixture, andor the weight fraction of the diluent in said resulting mixture so that said resulting mixture is maintained as substantially homogeneous liquid phase.
75. A hydrocarbon-rubber cement composition made by a process of claim 59.

1. A fuel cell system comprising:
a fuel cell operated to generate power by reaction of a fuel gas supplied to a fuel gas flow field and an oxygen-containing gas supplied to an oxygen-containing gas flow field;
scavenging means for scavenging in at least one of said fuel gas flow field where the fuel gas flows and said oxygen-containing gas flow field where the oxygen-containing gas flows, using a scavenging gas when power generation by said fuel cell is stopped; and
water amount detection means for detecting an amount of water produced in said fuel gas flow field as a result of power generation of said fuel cell when operation of said fuel cell is stopped, wherein
when the amount of water in said fuel gas flow field is at or below a predetermined value, said scavenging means performs:
a first scavenging process for scavenging in said oxygen-containing gas flow field using the scavenging gas at a large flow rate in order to remove liquid droplets in said oxygen-containing gas flow field;
a second scavenging process for scavenging in said fuel gas flow field using the scavenging gas at a large flow rate in order to remove liquid droplets in said fuel gas flow field; and
a third scavenging process for scavenging in said oxygen-containing gas flow field after the first scavenging process using a scavenging gas at a small flow rate, which is smaller than the large flow rate.
2. A fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein said water amount detection means detects the water amount based on a moisture state at the time of starting operation of said fuel cell, as well as a moisture state at the time of stopping operation of said fuel cell.
3. A scavenging method for a fuel cell system, comprising a fuel cell operated to generate power by reaction of a fuel gas supplied to a fuel gas flow field and an oxygen-containing gas supplied to an oxygen-containing gas flow field, wherein when power generation is stopped, scavenging is performed using a scavenging gas, so as to conduct scavenging in at least one of said fuel gas flow field where the fuel gas flows and said oxygen-containing gas flow field where the oxygen-containing gas flows, the method comprising the step of:
detecting an amount of water produced in said fuel gas flow field by power generation of said fuel cell, at a time when operation of said fuel cell is stopped,
wherein, when the amount of water in said fuel gas flow field is at or below a predetermined value, the method further comprises the steps of:
performing a first scavenging process for scavenging in said oxygen-containing gas flow field using the scavenging gas at a large flow rate in order to remove liquid droplets in said oxygen-containing gas flow field;
performing a second scavenging process for scavenging in said fuel gas flow field using the scavenging gas at the large flow rate in order to remove liquid droplets in said fuel gas flow field; and
performing a third scavenging process after the first scavenging process has been performed, for scavenging in said oxygen-containing gas flow field using the scavenging gas at a small flow rate, which is smaller than the large flow rate.
4. A scavenging method according to claim 3, wherein in the water amount detection step, the water amount is detected based on a moisture state at the time of starting operation of said fuel cell, as well as a moisture state at the time of stopping operation of said fuel cell.
5. A fuel cell system comprising:
a fuel cell operated to generate power by reaction of a fuel gas supplied to a fuel gas flow field and an oxygen-containing gas supplied to an oxygen-containing gas flow field; and
scavenging means for scavenging in at least one of said fuel gas flow field where the fuel gas flows and said oxygen-containing gas flow field where the oxygen-containing gas flows, using a scavenging gas when power generation by said fuel cell is stopped, wherein said scavenging means performs:
a first scavenging process for scavenging in said oxygen-containing gas flow field using the scavenging gas at a large flow rate in order to remove liquid droplets in said oxygen-containing gas flow field;
a second scavenging process for scavenging in said fuel gas flow field using the scavenging gas at the large flow rate in order to remove liquid droplets in said fuel gas flow field; and
a third scavenging process for scavenging in said oxygen-containing gas flow field using the scavenging gas at a small flow rate, which is smaller than the large flow rate, and wherein
the second and third scavenging processes are performed after the first scavenging process in order of the second scavenging process followed by the third scavenging process, or in order of the third scavenging process followed by the second scavenging process; and
the fuel gas in said fuel gas flow field is diluted and discharged at the same time in the first scavenging process or in the second scavenging process.
6. A fuel cell system according to claim 5, wherein the third scavenging process is performed after the first scavenging process, and after a predetermined condition has been satisfied.
7. A fuel cell system according to claim 5, further comprising a system temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of said fuel cell system during a soaking period after stopping power generation, wherein
said scavenging means performs the third scavenging process when the system temperature decreases to a preset temperature during the soaking period.
8. A fuel cell system according to claim 5, further comprising:
system temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of said fuel cell system at the time of stopping power generation; and
time counting means having a preset wait time from the time of stopping power generation until the time for performing the third scavenging process, wherein
the wait time is set at the time of stopping power generation, based on a relationship between the soaking period from the time of stopping power generation and the system temperature during the soaking period.
9. A fuel cell system according to claim 7, wherein the preset temperature is set at or above a minimum temperature, the minimum temperature being determined based on the relationship between the soaking period from the time of stopping power generation and the system temperature during the soaking period, so as to achieve a predetermined start up performance when a restarting operation is conducted at low temperature.
10. A fuel cell system according to claim 8, wherein the wait time is within a maximum period, which is determined based on the relationship between the soaking period from the time of stopping power generation and the system temperature during the soaking period, so as to achieve a predetermined start up performance when the restarting operation is conducted at low temperature.
11. A scavenging method for a fuel cell system, comprising a fuel cell operated to generate power by reaction of a fuel gas supplied to a fuel gas flow field and an oxygen-containing gas supplied to an oxygen-containing gas flow field, wherein when power generation is stopped, scavenging is performed using a scavenging gas, so as to conduct scavenging in at least one of said fuel gas flow field where the fuel gas flows and said oxygen-containing gas flow field where the oxygen-containing gas flows, the method comprising the steps of:
performing a first scavenging process in said oxygen-containing gas flow field for scavenging using the scavenging gas at a large flow rate in order to remove liquid droplets in said oxygen-containing gas flow field;
performing a second scavenging process in said fuel gas flow field for scavenging using the scavenging gas at the large flow rate in order to remove liquid droplets in said fuel gas flow field; and
performing a third scavenging process for scavenging in said oxygen-containing gas flow field using the scavenging gas at a small flow rate, which is smaller than the large flow rate, and wherein
the second and third scavenging processes are performed after the first scavenging process in no particular order; and
the fuel gas in said fuel gas flow field is diluted and discharged at the same time in the first scavenging process or in the second scavenging process.
12. A scavenging method according to claim 11, wherein the third scavenging process is performed after the first scavenging process, and after a predetermined condition has been satisfied.
13. A scavenging method according to claim 11, wherein said third scavenging process is performed when a system temperature of said fuel cell system decreases to a preset temperature during a soaking period after stopping power generation.
14. A scavenging method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of setting a wait time from the time of stopping power generation until the time for performing the third scavenging process,
wherein the wait time is set at the time of stopping power generation, based on a relationship between the soaking period from the time of stopping power generation and the system temperature during the soaking period.
15. A scavenging method according to claim 13, wherein the preset temperature is set at or above a minimum temperature, the minimum temperature being determined based on the relationship between the soaking period from the time of stopping power generation and the system temperature during the soaking period, so as to achieve a predetermined start up performance when a restarting operation is conducted at low temperature.
16. A scavenging method according to claim 14, wherein the wait time is within a maximum period which is determined based on the relationship between the soaking period from the time of stopping power generation and the system temperature during the soaking period, so as to achieve a predetermined start up performance when the restarting operation is conducted at low temperature.

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 drug delivery device for dispensing of a dose of a medicinal product, comprising:
a holder for a product-containing cartridge, the cartridge having a piston slidably arranged therein in an axial direction, and
a piston rod to be operably engaged with the cartridge’s piston for dispensing of a dose of the medicinal product,
characterized in that
at least one spacer selected according to a relative distance between piston and piston rod is disposed between the piston rod and the piston for eliminating axial clearance between piston and piston rod.
2. The drug delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one spacer is selected from a set of spacers having different axial dimensions and wherein the at least one spacer is selected according to an actually measured andor determined andor estimated gap size between piston rod and piston in the device’s final assembly configuration.
3. The drug delivery device according to claim, wherein in a pre-assembly configuration, the at least one spacer is disposed at a distal end face of the piston rod andor at a proximal end face of the piston of the cartridge.
4. The drug delivery device according to claim 3, wherein the at least one spacer is adhesively attached to the piston rod andor to the piston of the cartridge.
5. The drug delivery device, wherein the axial dimension of the at least one spacer is smaller than or equal to 1 mm, 0.8 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.4 mm or 0.2 mm.
6. A method of assembly of a drug delivery device being adapted for dispensing of a dose of a medicinal product, comprising the steps of:
determining an axial position of a proximal end face of a piston of a cartridge pre-assembled in a cartridge holder,
determining an axial position of a distal end face of a piston rod of a drive mechanism pre-assembled in a housing,
determining or estimating the size of axial clearance between the piston and the piston rod if cartridge holder and housing were assembled,
selecting at least one spacer from a set of differently sized spacers with respect to the determined size of axial clearance and arranging the selected spacer between the piston and the piston rod.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the spacer is attached to the distal end face of the piston rod andor to the proximal end face of the piston.
8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the axial position of the distal end face of the piston rod is determined with respect to a selected reference point of the housing andor wherein the axial position of the proximal end face of the piston is determined with respect to a selected reference point of the cartridge holder.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein selected reference points of housing andor cartridge holder substantially coincide with the axial position of fastening means adapted to mutually interconnect housing and cartridge holder.
10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the axial position of the piston andor of the piston rod is determined by means of a tactile probe or by means of an optical sensor arrangement.
11. The method according to claim 6, wherein the cartridge is disposed in the cartridge holder to form a cartridge holder sub-assembly and wherein a drive mechanism with its piston rod is disposed in the housing to form a housing sub-assembly before axial positions of piston andor piston rod are determined.
12. The method according to claim 6, wherein the cartridge holder and the housing are undetachably interconnected by means of welding or bonding or by means of friction- or positive locking fastening means.
13. The method according to claim 10, wherein a cartridge holder sub-assembly andor a housing sub-assembly are selected from a set of respective sub-assemblies for minimizing axial clearance between piston and piston rod.