Author: claimsbot

1. A fuel injector for an internal-combustion engine comprising
a hollow body;
a metering valve housed within the hollow body and having a calibrated pipe for outlet of fuel from a control chamber;
a shutter, controlled by an electromagnet, for keeping the calibrated pipe normally closed, the electromagnet comprising a magnetic core having an annular slot;
an electric coil carried by a bobbin, housed in the annular slot, and comprising a substantially cylindrical outer surface, said bobbin having a C-shaped section defined by a substantially cylindrical rib interposed between two flanges substantially planar and parallel to one another;
a pair of a appendages mounted on one of said bobbin flanges each appendage supporting a first end of one of a pair of plugs for connection to an electrical supply; said appendages inserted into two corresponding holes in said magnetic core and defining corresponding gaps between the holes and the appendages; and
a block of non-magnetic material englobing said magnetic core and at least a portion of said plugs, said block comprising a pair of bushings that fit within said corresponding gaps to englobe at least a portion of said appendages projecting from said holes;
wherein said block and said annular slot define a space that permits fuel exiting the control chamber to contact the outer surface of said electrical coil.
2. The injector of claim 1, wherein one of said flanges has a smaller diameter than the other flange on which said appendages are mounted, forming an annular passage for said outflowing fuel.
3. The injector of claim 1, wherein at least one of said flanges has at least two perimetral recesses that form corresponding passages for said outflowing fuel.
4. The injector of claim 2, wherein said core and said block have corresponding central slots in communication with said space for discharging fuel coming out of said calibrated pipe.
5. The injector of claim 3, wherein said core and said block are formed with corresponding central slots in communication with said space for discharging fuel coming out of said calibrated pipe.
6. The injector of claim 1, wherein each of said appendages has an outer surface adhered to a surface of said corresponding hole so that said block englobes only said part of said appendages.
7. The injector of claim 4, wherein each of said appendages has an outer surface adhered to a surface of said corresponding hole, so that said block englobes only said part of said appendages.
8. The injector of claim 1, wherein said block comprises two parallel cylindrical cavities, each cavity positioned to correspond to a second end portion of one of the plugs, each of said plugs has having a respective seal set between said second end portion and the corresponding parallel cavity of said block.
9. The injector of claim 6, wherein said block comprises two parallel cylindrical cavities, each cavity positioned to correspond to a second end portion of one of the plugs, each of said plugs having a respective seal set between said second end portion and the corresponding parallel cavity of said block.
10. The injector of claim 7, wherein said block comprises two parallel cylindrical cavities, each cavity positioned to correspond to a second end portion of one of the plugs, each of said plugs having a respective seal set between said second end portion and the corresponding parallel cavity of said block.
11. The injector of claim 1, wherein said block is connected to said hollow body by a ring nut screwed on said hollow body, and a compression spring is configured between said ring nut and said hollow body.
12. The injector of claim 2, wherein said block is connected to said hollow body by a ring nut screwed on said hollow body, and a compression spring is configured between said ring nut and said hollow body.
13. The injector of claim 3, wherein said block is connected to said hollow body by a ring nut screwed on said hollow body, and a compression spring is configured between said ring nut and said hollow body.
14. The injector of claim 4, wherein said block is connected to said hollow body by a ring nut screwed on said hollow body, and a compression spring is configured between said ring nut and said hollow body.
15. The injector of claim 5, wherein said block is connected to said hollow body by a ring nut screwed on said hollow body, and a compression spring is configured between said ring nut and said hollow body.
16. The injector of claim 6, wherein said block is connected to said hollow body by a ring nut screwed on said hollow body, and a compression spring is configured between said ring nut and said hollow body.
17. The injector of claim 7, wherein said block is connected to said hollow body by a ring nut screwed on said hollow body, and a compression spring is configured between said ring nut and said hollow body.
18. The injector of claim 8, wherein said block is connected to said hollow body by a ring nut screwed on said hollow body, and a compression spring is configured between said ring nut and said hollow body.
19. The injector of claim 9, wherein said block is connected to said hollow body by a ring nut screwed on said hollow body, and a compression spring is configured between said ring nut and said hollow body.
20. The injector of claim 10, wherein said block is connected to said hollow body by a ring nut screwed on said hollow body, and a compression spring is configured between said ring nut and said hollow body.
21. The injector of claim 5, wherein each of said appendages has an outer surface adhered to a surface of said corresponding hole, so that said block englobes only said part of said appendages.
22. The injector of claim 21, wherein said block comprises two parallel cylindrical cavities, each cavity positioned to correspond to a second end portion of one of the plugs, each of said plugs having a respective seal set between said second end portion and the corresponding parallel cavity of said block.
23. The injector of claim 21, wherein said block is connected to said hollow body by a ring nut screwed on said hollow body, and a compression spring is configured between said ring nut and said hollow body.
24. The injector according to claim 22, wherein said block is connected to said hollow body by a ring nut screwed on said hollow body, and a compression spring is configured between said ring nut and said hollow body.
25. The injector of claim 2, wherein each of said appendages has an outer surface adhered to a surface of said corresponding hole, so that said block englobes only said part of said appendages.
26. The injector of claim 3, wherein each of said appendages has an outer surface adhered to a surface of said corresponding hole, so that said block englobes only said part of said appendages.
27. The injector of claim 2, wherein said block comprises two parallel cylindrical cavities, each cavity positioned to correspond to a second end portion of one of the corresponding plugs, each of said plugs having a respective seal set between said second end portion and the corresponding parallel cavity of said block.
28. The injector of claim 3, wherein said block comprises two parallel cylindrical cavities, each cavity positioned to correspond to a second end portion of one of the corresponding plugs, each of said plugs having a respective seal set between said second end portion and the corresponding parallel cavity of said block.
29. The injector of claim 25, wherein said block comprises two parallel cylindrical cavities, each cavity positioned to correspond to a second end portion of one of the corresponding plugs, each of said plugs having a respective seal set between said second end portion and the corresponding parallel cavity of said block.
30. The injector of claim 26, wherein said block comprises two parallel cylindrical cavities, each cavity positioned to correspond to a second end portion of one of the corresponding plugs, each of said plugs having a respective seal set between said second end portion and the corresponding parallel cavity of said block.
31. A method for manufacture of a fuel injector of claim 1, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) providing the bobbin for said coil;
(b) winding said coil on said bobbin and inserting a first end portion of one of said plugs into each of said appendages;
(c) inserting said bobbin into said core with said coil and said plugs;
(d) providing a mold to form said block of non-magnetic material;
(e) inserting said core into said mold with said bobbin and said plugs;
(f) injecting a non-magnetic plastic material into said mold; and
(g) separating said block thus formed from said core and from said mold.
32. A method for manufacture of a fuel injector for an internal-combustion engine, having a hollow body in which an electromagnet is housed for controlling a metering valve for the injection, the electromagnet comprising a magnetic core, an electric coil and two plugs electrically connected to said coil, said core having an annular slot for housing said coil, and two holes for the passage of said plugs, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a bobbin for said coil having a C-shaped section, said bobbin having two appendages, each designed to receive a first end portion of the corresponding plug;
(b) winding said coil on said bobbin and inserting the first end portion of the corresponding plug into each appendage;
(c) inserting said bobbin into said core with said coil and said plugs;
(d) providing a mould to form a block of non-magnetic material to englobe at least part of said core, said appendages of the bobbin, and said plugs;
(e) providing said core in said mould with said bobbin said plugs;
(f) providing a core in said mould to form a gap between an outer surface of said coil and said annular slot;
(g) injecting a non-magnetic plastic material into said mould; and
(h) separating said block thus formed from said core and from said mould.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:
(i) coupling said block with a compression spring;
(j) inserting said coupled block into a tubular stretch of said hollow body; and
(k) locking said block and said compression spring in said tubular stretch with a ring nut.
34. A fuel injector for an internal-combustion engine, the fuel injector comprising:
a hollow body;
an electromagnet housed in the hollow body for controlling a metering valve, the electromagnet comprising a magnetic core, an electric coil wound on a bobbin, and two plugs electrically connected to said coil, said core having an annular slot for housing said coil and two holes for receiving said plugs, the bobbin having a C-shaped section and two appendages, each appendage supporting a first end portion of one of said two plugs;
said bobbin, said coil, and said plugs inserted within said core, defining a gap between an outer surface of said coil and said annular slot in said core; and
a block of non-magnetic, plastic material englobing at least a portion of said core, said bobbin appendages, and said plugs.
35. The fuel injector of claim 34 further comprising said block housed within a tubular stretch of said hollow body, a compression spring coupled to said block, and a ring nut locking said block and said compression spring in said tubular stretch.

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 sealed package comprising;
a container having a body defining a mouth and having a flange around said mouth; and
a lid disposed on said container across said mouth and flange, said flange having an annular, upset first bead of a heat-sealable thermoplastic material, said lid having an annular second bead of a heat-sealable thermoplastic material adjacent said first bead, said first and second beads being sealed together with a first heat seal comprising a resolidification of a melted interface portion of said first and second beads.
2. A sealed package in accordance with claim 1, wherein:
said flange has an annular, upset third board of a heat-sealable thermoplastic material;
said lid has an annular fourth bead of a heat sealable thermoplastic material adjacent said third bead; and
said package includes a second heat seal comprising a resolidification of a melted interface portion of said third and fourth beads.
3. A sealed package in accordance with claim 2, wherein said first and third beads are spaced apart and are located between said second and fourth beads.
4. A sealed package in accordance with claim 2, wherein said lid is sealed to said flange outwardly of said lid fourth bead in a substantially annular configuration extending from said fourth bead to an outer edge of said flange.
5. A sealed package in accordance with claim 2, wherein said flange is deformed between said first and third beads to define a recess receiving a downwardly projecting portion of said lid.
6. A sealed package in accordance with claim 2, wherein said lid defining an upwardly projecting portion above said second bead and an upwardly projecting portion above said fourth bead.
7. A sealed package in accordance with claim 6, wherein said lid is deformed between said upwardly projecting portions of said lid to define an annular recess on an exterior of said lid.
8. A sealed package in accordance with claim 2, wherein said lid comprises a heat sealable material, and wherein said second and third beads are formed from a lateral displacement of said heat sealable material.
9. A container formed from a sheet material, said container comprising a unitary structure of said sheet material, said container further comprising:
peripheral flange defining an opening;
a downwardly and inwardly tapering hollow body defined around a longitudinal axis by a generally annular sidewall extending downwardly from said flange;
a bottom wall comprising: (1) an annular, curved, peripheral base extending from a lower end of said body sidewall, said base constructed to engage a flat support surface along a generally circular line of contact; (2) an annular first end wall extending from said annular curved, peripheral base both inwardly and toward said opening defined by said flange; (3) an annular second end wall located closer to said opening than said first end wall and extending from said first end wall both inwardly and toward said opening defined by said flange; and (4) a central, third end wall located closer to said opening defined by said flange than said second end wall and extending from said second end wall.
10. A container in accordance with claim 9, wherein said first end wall defines a substantially frustoconical exterior surface.
11. A container in accordance with claim 9, wherein a thickness of said sidewall increases with increasing distance from said flange toward said base.
12. A container in accordance with claim 9, wherein said sidewall tapers at an angle of between about 1.8 degrees and about 3.2 degrees relative to said longitudinal axis.
13. A container in accordance with claim 9, wherein said sheet material comprises:
a plurality of layers of material co-extruded together to form a multi-ply sheet comprising first, second, third, fourth, and fifth layers, said sheet first layer adapted for functioning as an exterior side of the container and comprising polypropylene, said second layer functioning as an adhesive joining said first and third layers, said third layer functioning as an oxygen barrier and comprising ethylene vinyl alcohol, said fourth layer functioning as an adhesive joining said third and fifth layers, and said fifth layer adapted for functioning as an interior side of the container and comprising polypropylene.
14. A container in accordance with claim 9, wherein said second end wall defines an angle of about 45 degrees relative to said longitudinal axis.
15. A container formed from a sheet material, said container comprising a unitary structure of said sheet material, said container further comprising:
a peripheral flange defining an opening;
a downwardly and inwardly tapering hollow body defined around a longitudinal axis by a generally frustoconical annular sidewall extending downwardly from said flange;
a bottom which includes an annular, curved, peripheral base extending from a lower end of said body sidewall, said sidewall increasing in thickness with increasing distance from said opening.
16. A container in accordance with claim 15, wherein said sidewall defines a generally frustoconical exterior surface defining an angle between about 1.8 degrees and about 3.2 degrees relative to said longitudinal axis.
17. A container in accordance with claim 15, wherein said sheet material comprises:
a plurality of layers of material co-extruded together to form a multi-ply sheet comprising first, second, third, fourth, and fifth layers, said sheet first layer adapted for functioning as an exterior side of the container and comprising polypropylene, said second layer functioning as an adhesive joining said first and third layers, said third layer functioning as an oxygen barrier and comprising ethylene vinyl alcohol, said fourth layer functioning as an adhesive joining said third and fifth layers, and said fifth layer adapted for functioning as an interior side of the container and comprising polypropylene.
18. A container formed from a thermoplastic sheet material, said container comprising a unitary structure of said sheet material, said container further comprising:
a peripheral flange defining an opening;
a downwardly and inwardly tapering hollow body defined around a longitudinal axis by a sidewall extending downwardly from said flange; and
a bottom defined by (1) an annular, peripheral base extending from a lower end of said body sidewall, and (2) an end wall structure that extends radially inwardly from said peripheral base and that is located closer to said opening than is said peripheral base.
19. A container in accordance with claim 18, wherein said first end wall defines a substantially frustoconical exterior surface.
20. A container in accordance with claim 18, wherein said sidewall defines a generally frustoconical exterior surface defining an angle between about 1.8 degrees and about 3.2 degrees relative to said longitudinal axis.

We claim:

1. A method for detecting lymphocyte activation comprising the steps of:
incubating a sample containing a mixed population of cell types including a plurality of subsets of lymphocytes, wherein each subset includes lymphocytes with characteristic determinants that distinguish one subset from another, with at least one inducing agent selected from the group consisting of mitogens, antigens and co-stimulants;
separating a selected subset of lymphocytes from said sample;
lysing lymphocytes in said selected subset to release an intracellular component selected from the group consisting of ATP, NADP, and PCNA;
detecting a level of said intracellular component; and,
assessing lymphocyte activation for said selected subset of lymphocytes from said level of intracellular component detected in said detecting step, wherein the total time required for performing all steps is no greater than one hour.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said at least one inducing agent comprises a co-stimulant.
3. A method for detecting lymphocyte activation comprising the steps of:
incubating a sample containing a mixed population of cell types including a plurality of subsets of lymphocytes, wherein each subset includes lymphocytes with characteristic determinants that distinguish one subset from another, with at least one inducing agent selected from the group consisting of mitogens, antigens and co-stimulants;
separating a selected subset of lymphocytes from said sample;
lysing lymphocytes in said selected subset to release an intracellular component selected from the group consisting of ATP, NADP, and PCNA;
detecting a level of said intracellular component; and,
assessing lymphocyte activation for said selected subset of lymphocytes from said level of intracellular component detected in said detecting step, wherein the total time required for performing all steps is less than three hours.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein said at least one inducing agent comprises a co-stimulant.
5. A method for detecting lymphocyte activation comprising the steps of:
incubating a sample containing a mixed population of cell types including a plurality of subsets of lymphocytes, wherein each subset includes lymphocytes with characteristic determinants that distinguish one subset from another, with at least one inducing agent selected from the group consisting of mitogens, antigens and co-stimulants;
separating a selected subset of lymphocytes from said sample;
lysing lymphocytes in said selected subset to release an intracellular component selected from the group consisting of ATP, NADP, and PCNA;
detecting a level of said intracellular component; and,
assessing lymphocyte activation for said selected subset of lymphocytes from said level of intracellular component detected in said detecting step, wherein the total time required for performing all steps is less than four hours.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein said at least one inducing agent comprises a co-stimulant.
7. A method for detecting lymphocyte activation comprising the steps of:
incubating a sample containing a mixed population of cell types including a plurality of subsets of lymphocytes, wherein each subset includes lymphocytes with characteristic determinants that distinguish one subset from another, with at least one inducing agent selected from the group consisting of mitogens, antigens and co-stimulants;
separating a selected subset of lymphocytes from said sample;
lysing lymphocytes in said selected subset to release an intracellular component selected from the group consisting of ATP, NADP, and PCNA;
detecting a level of said intracellular component; and,
assessing lymphocyte activation for said selected subset of lymphocytes from said level of intracellular component detected in said detecting step, wherein the total time required for performing all steps is less than 24 hours.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein said at least one inducing agent comprises a co-stimulant.

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.-68. (canceled)
69. A fluid pressure pulse generating apparatus for downhole drilling comprising:
(a) a fluid pressure pulse generator;
(b) a pulser assembly longitudinally adjacent the fluid pressure pulse generator with a fluid flow channel extending between adjacent surfaces thereof, the pulser assembly comprising a pulser assembly housing that houses a motor and a driveshaft extending from the motor out of the pulser assembly housing and coupling with the fluid pressure pulse generator; and
(c) a primary seal surrounding a portion of the driveshaft and configured to prevent drilling fluid from entering the pulser assembly housing and lubrication liquid from leaving the pulser assembly housing when the fluid pressure pulse generating apparatus is positioned downhole,

wherein the fluid flow channel defines at least a portion of a flow path for the drilling fluid which flows from external the pulser assembly to the primary seal when the fluid pressure pulse generating apparatus is positioned downhole, whereby the adjacent surfaces of the pulser assembly and the fluid pressure pulse generator are configured such that the fluid flow channel comprises a tortuous flow path.
70. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein the fluid flow channel includes a plurality of changes in direction.
71. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein the fluid flow channel comprises a restricted section and an expanded section, whereby the cross sectional area of the restricted section is less than the cross sectional area of the expanded section.
72. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the expanded section comprises an expansion chamber having an increased volume compared to the volume of the restricted section.
73. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein the pulser assembly further comprises a journal bearing surrounding a portion of the driveshaft with a gap between an internal surface of the journal bearing and an external surface of the driveshaft, the journal bearing being positioned on the driveshaft between the coupling with the pressure pulse generator and the primary seal, wherein the gap defines at least a portion of the flow path for the drilling fluid.
74. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the volume of drilling fluid flowing through the gap is restricted compared to the volume of drilling fluid in the flow path before andor after the gap.
75. The apparatus of claim 73, further comprising a primary sealing cylinder fitted on a portion of the driveshaft such that the primary seal seals against an outer sealing surface of the primary sealing cylinder and the journal bearing aligns with the outer sealing surface such that the gap is between the outer sealing surface and the external surface of the journal bearing.
76. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the primary sealing cylinder is configured to releasably fit on the driveshaft.
77. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the driveshaft comprises a first annular shoulder and the primary sealing cylinder is positioned between the first annular shoulder and the fluid pressure pulse generator to releasably secure the primary sealing cylinder on the driveshaft.
78. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the flow path for the drilling fluid further comprises a fluid expansion chamber positioned between the journal bearing and the primary seal, wherein the volume of drilling fluid in the fluid expansion chamber is greater than the volume of drilling fluid in the gap.
79. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the pulser assembly further comprises a journal bearing housing enclosing the journal bearing, the journal bearing housing configured to releasably mate with the pulser assembly housing.
80. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the journal bearing housing comprises a cylindrical section which surrounds a circular section of the fluid pressure pulse generator, the circular section of the fluid pressure pulse generator configured to rotate within the cylindrical section of the journal bearing housing, whereby the fluid flow channel extends between an internal surface of the cylindrical section and an external surface of the circular section.
81. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein the pulser assembly housing comprises a cylindrical section which surrounds a circular section of the fluid pressure pulse generator, the circular section of the fluid pressure pulse generator configured to rotate within the cylindrical section of the pulser assembly housing, whereby the fluid flow channel extends between an internal surface of the cylindrical section and an external surface of the circular section.
82. The apparatus of claim 69, further comprising a pressure compensation device comprising:
(a) a membrane support having a longitudinally extending bore therethrough for receiving a driveshaft of the fluid pressure pulse generating apparatus; and
(b) a longitudinally extending membrane system comprising a longitudinally extending outer membrane sleeve and a longitudinally extending inner membrane sleeve with the inner membrane sleeve positioned inside the outer membrane sleeve,
wherein the membrane system is sealed to the membrane support to allow flexing of the membrane system in response to fluid pressure on either an inner longitudinal surface of the membrane system or an outer longitudinal surface of the membrane system and to prevent fluid on the inner longitudinal surface mixing with fluid on the outer longitudinal surface,

said device surrounding a portion of the driveshaft and positioned in the pulser assembly housing so that the outer longitudinal surface of the membrane system is exposed to the drilling fluid flowing external to the pulser assembly housing when the fluid pressure pulse generating apparatus is positioned downhole and the inner longitudinal surface of the membrane system is exposed to the lubrication liquid contained inside the pulser assembly housing.
83. The apparatus of claim 82, wherein the pulser assembly housing comprises a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, the plurality of apertures being in fluid communication with the outer longitudinal surface of the membrane system.
84. The apparatus of claim 83, further comprising a longitudinally extending drilling fluid chamber adjacent the outer longitudinal surface of the membrane system, the drilling fluid chamber being in fluid communication with the plurality of apertures.
85. The apparatus of claim 69, further comprising a back up seal enclosed by the pulser assembly housing and surrounding a portion of the driveshaft between the primary seal and the motor, the back up seal configured to prevent the lubrication liquid on a primary seal side of the back up seal from mixing with the lubrication liquid on a motor side of the back up seal.
86. The apparatus of claim 85, further comprising a back up sealing cylinder fitted on a portion of the driveshaft such that the back up seal seals against an outer sealing surface of the back up sealing cylinder.
87. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the back up sealing cylinder is configured to releasably fit on the driveshaft.
88. The apparatus of claim 87, further comprising a back up seal housing enclosing the back up seal and the back up seal cylinder, the back up seal housing comprising a first section and a second section configured to releasably mate with the first section, wherein the driveshaft comprises a second annular shoulder and the back up sealing cylinder is positioned between the second annular shoulder and an internal surface of the back up seal housing to releasably secure the back up sealing cylinder on the driveshaft.
89. The apparatus of claim 88, further comprising a retention nut surrounding a portion of the driveshaft and configured to releasably secure the first section and the second section of the back up seal housing together so as to releasably secure the back up sealing cylinder on the driveshaft.
90. The apparatus of claim 85, further comprising a back up seal housing enclosing the back up seal.
91. The apparatus of claim 90, wherein the back up seal housing comprises a first section and a second section configured to releasably mate with the first section.
92. The apparatus of claim 88, further comprising a thrust bearing surrounding a portion of the driveshaft and enclosed by the back up seal housing.
93. The apparatus of claim 88, further comprising a first thrust bearing surrounding a portion of the driveshaft on one side of the back up seal and a second thrust bearing surrounding a portion of the driveshaft on an opposed side of the back up seal, the first and second thrust bearings being enclosed by the back up seal housing.
94. The apparatus of claim 85, further comprising a spring positioned longitudinally adjacent and in communication with the back up seal for spring loading the back up seal.
95. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the lubrication liquid on the primary seal side of the back up seal has a different composition to the lubrication liquid on the motor side of the back up seal.
96. The apparatus of claim 95, wherein the lubrication liquid on the primary seal side of the back up seal has a higher viscosity than the lubrication liquid on the motor side of the back up seal.
97. The apparatus of claim 95, wherein the lubrication liquid on the primary seal side of the back up seal has a lower thermal expansion than the lubrication liquid on the motor side of the back up seal.
98. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein the primary seal is positioned uphole of the entrance to the fluid flow channel.