Author: claimsbot

1. A device comprising:
a substrate having a land disposed thereon;
a passivation layer disposed over the substrate and over the land, the passivation layer having a first opening exposing a portion of the land;
an insulation layer disposed over at least a portion of the passivation layer and having a second opening disposed over the land and exposing a surface of the passivation layer disposed outside the first opening and facing away from the substrate; and
a conductive layer disposed over and contacting the surface of the passivation layer exposed by the second opening, the conductive layer in electrical contact with the land, the conductive layer having a portion extending over at least a portion of the insulation layer, the conductive layer having an outermost edge disposed in the second opening and over the passivation layer, the conductive layer having a contact portion between the outermost edge and the portion extending over the insulation layer, the contact portion disposed over at least a portion of the land; and
a protective layer disposed over at least a portion of the conductive layer, wherein the insulation layer avoids extending beneath the outermost edge of the conductive layer, and wherein the protective layer has a thickness over the contact portion of at least about 7 \u03bcm.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein a sidewall of the second opening is aligned substantially over an edge of the land.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the outermost edge of the conductive layer is in contact with the sidewall of the second opening.
4. The device of claim 2, wherein the outermost edge of the conductive layer is spaced apart from the sidewall of the second opening.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein a sidewall of the second opening is aligned substantially outside of an edge of the land.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the outermost edge of the conductive layer is aligned substantially outside the edge of the land.
7. The device of claim 5, wherein the outermost edge of the conductive layer is aligned substantially over a body of the land.
8. A device comprising:
a passivation layer disposed over a substrate having a land disposed therein, the passivation layer extending over a portion of the land, wherein a first surface of the passivation layer physically contacts an upper surface of the land;
an insulation layer disposed over the substrate and having an opening disposed over at least a portion of the land, wherein a second surface of the passivation layer opposite the first surface is free from the insulation layer;
a post passivation interconnect (PPI) layer disposed over a portion of the passivation layer, the PPI layer having a first outermost edge, a second outermost edge opposite the first outermost edge, and a post passivation interconnect (PPI) contact portion between the first outermost edge and the second outermost edge, wherein the first outermost edge is an edge of a portion of the PPI layer extending over at least a portion of the insulation layer, wherein the PPI contact portion is disposed in the opening of the insulation layer and over at least a portion of the land, wherein the second outermost edge is disposed in the opening of the insulation layer and over the passivation layer, wherein the second outermost edge avoids overlying the insulation layer; and
a protective layer disposed over at least a portion of the PPI layer, wherein the protective layer has a thickness over the PPI contact portion of at least about 7 \u03bcm.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein the protective layer has a thickness over the PPI contact portion of about 8.5 \u03bcm.
10. The device of claim 8, further comprising an interconnect disposed on the portion of the PPI layer extending over the insulation layer.
11. The device of claim 8, wherein the second outermost edge is aligned substantially over an edge of the land.
12. The device of claim 8, wherein the PPI layer is formed from copper.
13. A device comprising:
a passivation layer disposed over a substrate and extending over a portion of a top surface of a land disposed on the substrate;
an insulation layer disposed over the passivation layer, the insulation layer having first sidewalls forming an opening exposing at least a portion of the land and at least a portion of a top surface of the passivation layer;
a conductive layer disposed over the passivation layer, the conductive layer having a portion extending over at least a portion of the insulation layer, the conductive layer comprising a contact portion disposed in the opening and in electrical contact with the land, the contact portion having second sidewalls disposed in the opening and over the passivation layer, wherein one of the second sidewalls comprises an outermost edge of the conductive layer, wherein no portion of the insulation layer is disposed beneath the outermost edge of the conductive layer, and wherein the first sidewalls are disposed outside of the second sidewalls;
an interconnect disposed on the portion of the conductive layer extending over the insulation layer; and
a protective layer disposed over at least a portion of the conductive layer, wherein a portion of the protective layer is disposed beneath a peripheral portion of the interconnect.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein the first sidewalls are spaced apart from the second sidewalls, and wherein a portion of the protection layer extends between the first sidewalls and the second sidewalls.
15. The device of claim 14, wherein the first sidewalls are aligned outside of a region aligned directly over the land; and
wherein the second sidewalls are aligned directly over the land.
16. The device of claim 13, wherein the contact portion contacts the passivation layer outside of a region aligned directly over the land.

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 for the preparation of a compound of formula (1):
13
wherein:
Ar1 is an optionally substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic group;
L2 is a linker group selected from N(R4) where R4 is a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted straight or branched C1-6alkyl group, CON(R4) or S(O)2N(R4);
R1 is a carboxylic acid (CO2H) or a derivative or biostere thereof;
R2 is a hydrogen atom or a C1-6alkyl group;
Rx, Ry and Rz which may be the same or different is each an atom or group L1(Alk1)n(R3)v in which L1 is a covalent bond or a linker atom or group, Alk1 is an optionally substituted aliphatic or heteroaliphatic chain, R3 is a hydrogen or halogen atom or group selected from OR3a where R3a is a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted straight or branched C1-6alkyl group or C3-8cycloalkyl group, SR3a, CN or an optionally substituted cycloaliphatic, heterocycloaliphatic, polycycloaliphatic, heteropolycycloaliphatic, aromatic or heteroaromatic group, n is zero or the integer 1 and v is the integer 1, 2 or 3 provided that when n is zero and L1 is a covalent bond v is the integer 1;
or Rz is an atom or group as previously defined and Rx and Ry are joined together to form an optionally substituted spiro linked cycloaliphatic or heterocycloaliphatic group;
and the salts, solvates, hydrates and N-oxides thereof;
which comprises reacting a compound of formula (2):
14
wherein:
Qa is a group N(R4)H;
and the salts, solvates, hydrates and N-oxides thereof;
with a compound Ar1W wherein W is a group selected from X1 (wherein X1 is a leaving atom or group), COX2 (wherein X2 is a halogen atom or a OH group) or SO2X3 (in which X3 is a halogen atom).
2. A process according to claim 1 wherein the reaction is carried out in a solvent in the presence of an acid when W is the group X1.
3. A process according to claim 2 wherein the solvent is selected from an alcohol, ether, acetic acid, water, acetonitrile, substituted amide or ester.
4. A process according to claim 2 wherein the reaction is carried out in an alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst.
5. A process according to claim 1 wherein the reaction is carried out in the presence of a base, an organic amine or a cyclic amine and an organic solvent when W is the group COX2 and X2 is a halogen atom.
6. A process according to claim 5 wherein the organic solvent is selected from a halogenated hydrocarbon, a dipolar aprotic solvent, an ether or an ester.
7. A process according to claim 1 wherein the reaction is carried out in the presence of a condensing agent and a halogenated hydrocarbon, dipolar aprotic or an ether solvent when W is the group CO2H.
8. A process according to claim 1 wherein the reaction is carried out in the presence of a base, an organic amine or a cyclic amine and a halogenated hydrocarbon, dipolar aprotic or an ether solvent when W is the group SO2X3.
9. A process according to any one of claims 1-8 wherein the compound of formula (2) is prepared by reduction of a compound of formula (4):
15
10. A process according to claim 9 wherein the reduction is carried out by catalytic hydrogenation or by chemical reduction.
11. A process according to claim 1 or claim 9 wherein R4 is a hydrogen atom.
12. A process according to claim 9 wherein the compound of formula (4) is prepared by reaction of a compound of formula (5):
16
with a compound of formula (6a) or (6b):
17
wherein Ra represents a C1-6alkyl group or a silyl group.
13. A process according to claim 12 wherein the reaction is carried out in the presence of an organic solvent.
14. A process according to claim 13 wherein the solvent is selected from an aromatic hydrocarbon, a halogenated hydrocarbon or an ester.
15. A process according to any one of claims 1-14 wherein R1 is the group CO2Alk7.
16. A process according to any one of the preceding claims which comprises subsequently interconverting a compound of formula (1) to another compound of formula (1).
17. A process according to claim 16 which comprises hydrolysing a compound of formula (1) in which R1 is CO2Alk7 to produce a compound of formula (1) in which R1 is CO2H.
18. A process according to claim 16 which comprises esterifying a compound of formula (1) in which R1 is CO2H to produce a compound of formula (1) in which R1 is CO2Alk7.
19. A process according to any one of the preceding claims for the preparation of compounds of formula (1b):
18
wherein G is CR18, N or N(O);
R16, R17 and R18, which may be the same or different is each a hydrogen atom or an atom or group L3(Alk2)tL4(R5)u;
and the salts, solvates, hydrates and N-oxides thereof.
20. A process according to any one of the preceding claims for the preparation of compounds of formula (1d):
19
wherein g is the integer 1, 2, 3 or 4;
R16, is an atom or group L3(Alk2)tL4(R5)u;
and the salts, solvates, hydrates and N-oxides thereof.
21. A process according to any one of the preceding claims for the preparation of:
ethyl (2S)-2-(2-bromo-3-oxospiro3.5non-1-en-1-yl)amino-3-4-(3,5-dichloroisonicotinoyl)aminophenylpropanoate;
and the salts, solvates, hydrates and N-oxides thereof.
22. A process according to any one of the preceding claims for the preparation of:
ethyl (2S)-2-(2-bromo-3-oxo-spiro3.5non-1-en-1-ylamino)-3-4(2,7naphthyridin-1-ylamino)phenylpropanoate;
and the salts, solvates, hydrates and N-oxides thereof.
23. A process according to any one of the preceding claims for the preparation of:
ethyl (2S)-2-(2-isopropylsulfanyl-3-oxo-7-oxa-spiro3.5non-1-en-1yl)amino-3-4-(2,7naphthyridin-1-ylamino)phenylpropanoate;
and the salts, solvates, hydrates and N-oxides thereof.
24. A process according to any preceding one of the claims for the preparation of:
2-hydroxyethyl (2S)-2-(2-bromo-3-oxo-spiro3.5non-1-en-1-ylamino)-3-4-(3,5-dichloroisonicotinoyl)aminophenylpropanoate;
and the salts, solvates, hydrates and N-oxides thereof.
25. A compound of formula (2):
20
wherein:
R1, R2, Rx, Ry and Rz are as defined in claim 1;
Qa is a group N(R4)H;
and the salts, solvates, hydrates and N-oxides thereof.
26. A compound according to claim 25 which is:
3-(4-aminophenyl)-2(S)-(3-oxo-7-oxaspiro3.5non-1-en-1-ylamino)propionic acid hydroxyethyl ester.
27. A compound of formula (4):
21
wherein:
R1, R2, Rx, Ry and Rz are as defined in claim 1;
and the salts, solvates, hydrates and N-oxides thereof.
28. A compound according to claim 27 which is:
3-(4-nitrophenyl)-2(S)-(3-oxo-7-oxaspiro3.5non-1-en-1-ylamino)propionic acid hydroxyethyl ester.

1. An apparatus for mixing two gases comprising:
at least one first plate, wherein the first plate defines a first gas main channel having an inlet and a plurality of outlets, and a plurality of first gas secondary channels wherein each first gas secondary channel has an inlet in fluid communication with a corresponding first gas main channel outlet, and a first gas secondary channel outlet;
at least one second plate, wherein the second plate defines a second gas main channel having an inlet and a plurality of outlets, and a plurality of second gas secondary channels wherein each second gas secondary channel has an inlet in fluid communication with a corresponding second gas main channel outlet, and a second gas secondary channel outlet;
wherein each first gas secondary channel outlet is in fluid communication with a second gas secondary channel at a position upstream of the second gas secondary channel outlet, and where the first and second plates are stacked in an alternating sequence and held together to form a gas sparger having a first gas inlet, a second gas inlet, and a mixed gas outlet;
a sparger liquid feed conduit having an inlet for a liquid feed, which is in fluid communication with the gas sparger second gas secondary channel outlet for generating a cloud of gas bubbles in the liquid, and an outlet for the liquid carrying a gas bubble cloud; and
a reactor bed having an inlet in fluid communication with the liquid feed conduit outlet, and an outlet forming a reactor-sparger unit comprising a gas sparger for generating gas bubbles in a liquid and a reactor over which the gas bubble bearing liquid flows.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second gas secondary channels are arranged in a substantially parallel configuration.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second gas secondary channels are arranged in a substantially radial configuration.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a manifold having a plurality of inlets in fluid communication with the secondary channel outlets, at least one inlet for admitting a third component, and at least one outlet for the egress of a mixture of the first gas, the second gas, and the third component.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the manifold comprises a plate defining a plurality of channels, wherein each channel is in fluid communication with at least one of the first gas secondary channel outlets and at least one of the second gas secondary channel outlets, has at least one inlet for the third component, and at least one outlet for the egress of a mixture of the first gas, the second gas, and the third component.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a cooling plate, wherein the cooling plate comprises a plurality of channels with each channel having an inlet and an outlet, and the cooling channel outlets are in fluid communication with the second gas secondary channel outlets.
7. The apparatus of claim 2 further characterized in that the outlet of the first gas secondary channel terminates in the second gas secondary channel, wherein the section of the second gas secondary channel downstream of the outlet of the first gas secondary channel comprises a mixing section having an effective diameter of no greater than 300 micrometers.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the mixing section has an effective diameter of no greater than 200 micrometers.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of reactor-sparger units.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a recycle conduit having an inlet in fluid communication with the reactor bed outlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the sparger liquid feed conduit.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the reactor bed comprises a catalyst, the catalyst comprising at least one catalytic metal component deposited on a support, wherein the catalytic metal component is selected from the group consisting of platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), iridium (Ir), osmium (Os), gold (Au), and mixtures thereof.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the support comprises a material selected from the group consisting of silica, alumina, titania, zirconia, carbon, silicon carbide, silica-alumina, diatomaceous earth, clay, molecular sieves, and mixtures thereof.
13. An apparatus for mixing two gases comprising:
a plurality of reactor-sparger units, where each reactor-sparger unit comprises:
at least one first plate, wherein the first plate defines a first gas main channel having an inlet and a plurality of outlets, and a plurality of first gas secondary channels wherein each first gas secondary channel has an inlet in fluid communication with a corresponding first gas main channel outlet, and a first gas secondary channel outlet;
at least one second plate, wherein the second plate defines a second gas main channel having an inlet and a plurality of outlets, and a plurality of second gas secondary channels wherein each second gas secondary channel has an inlet in fluid communication with a corresponding second gas main channel outlet, and a second gas secondary channel outlet, wherein each first gas secondary channel outlet is in fluid communication with a second gas secondary channel at a position upstream of the second gas secondary channel outlet, and where the first and second plates are stacked in an alternating sequence and held together to form a gas sparger having a first gas inlet, a second gas inlet, and a mixed gas outlet;
a liquid feed conduit having an inlet for a liquid feed, which is in fluid communication with the gas sparger second gas secondary channel outlet for generating a cloud of gas bubbles in the liquid, and an outlet for the liquid carrying a gas bubble cloud; and
a reactor bed having an inlet in fluid communication with the liquid feed conduit outlet, and an outlet forming a reactor-sparger unit comprising a gas sparger for generating gas bubbles in a liquid and a reactor over which the gas bubble bearing liquid flows; and

a gas-liquid separation unit having an inlet, a gas outlet, and a liquid outlet, and disposed between neighboring reactor-sparger units, wherein a preceding reactor-sparger unit outlet is in fluid communication with the separation unit inlet, and the liquid outlet is in fluid communication with a succeeding reactor-sparger unit liquid inlet.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the separation unit gas outlet is in fluid communication with at least one of the first gas inlet and second gas inlet of the sparger unit.
15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the gas-liquid separation unit comprises a separation zone in fluid communication with the inlet, a gas collection zone in fluid communication with the gas outlet, a liquid collection zone in fluid communication with the liquid outlet, and an inert gas inlet in fluid communication with the gas collection zone.
16. An apparatus for mixing two gases comprising:
at least one first plate, wherein the first plate defines a first gas main channel having an inlet and a plurality of outlets, and a plurality of first gas secondary channels wherein each first gas secondary channel has an inlet in fluid communication with a corresponding first gas main channel outlet, and a first gas secondary channel outlet;
at least one second plate, wherein the second plate defines a second gas main channel having an inlet and a plurality of outlets, and a plurality of second gas secondary channels wherein each second gas secondary channel has an inlet in fluid communication with a corresponding second gas main channel outlet, and a second gas secondary channel outlet;
wherein each first gas secondary channel outlet is in fluid communication with a second gas secondary channel at a position upstream of the second gas secondary channel outlet, and where the first and second plates are stacked in an alternating sequence and held together to form a gas sparger having a first gas inlet, a second gas inlet, and a mixed gas outlet; and
a reactor bed, wherein the reactor bed comprises:
an annular reactor bed having a generally cylindrical shape with an inner surface and an outer surface;
a catalyst retention screen; and
a product conduit;
wherein the sparger is disposed on one of the inner or outer surfaces, the catalyst retention screen is disposed on the other of the surfaces, and the product conduit is in fluid communication with the surface bounded by the retention screen.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the reactor bed comprises a catalyst, the catalyst comprising at least one catalytic metal component deposited on a support, wherein the catalytic metal component is selected from the group consisting of platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), iridium (Ir), osmium (Os), gold (Au), and mixtures thereof.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the support comprises a material selected from the group consisting of silica, alumina, titania, zirconia, carbon, silicon carbide, silica-alumina, diatomaceous earth, clay, molecular sieves, and mixtures thereof.
19. An apparatus for mixing two gases comprising:
a gas sparger comprising:
at least one first plate, wherein the first plate defines a first gas main channel having an inlet and a plurality of outlets, and a plurality of first gas secondary channels wherein each first gas secondary channel has an inlet in fluid communication with a corresponding first gas main channel outlet, and a first gas secondary channel outlet; and
at least one second plate, wherein the second plate defines a second gas main channel having an inlet and a plurality of outlets, and a plurality of second gas secondary channels wherein each second gas secondary channel has an inlet in fluid communication with a corresponding second gas main channel outlet, and a second gas secondary channel outlet;
wherein each first gas secondary channel outlet is in fluid communication with a second gas secondary channel at a position upstream of the second gas secondary channel outlet, and where the first and second plates are stacked in an alternating sequence and held together to form a gas sparger having a first gas inlet, a second gas inlet, and a mixed gas outlet;

a reactor comprising a plurality of reactor beds wherein each reactor bed comprises:
an annular reactor bed having a generally cylindrical shape with an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the reactor bed comprises a catalyst, the catalyst comprising at least one catalytic metal component deposited on a support, wherein the catalytic metal component is selected from the group consisting of platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), iridium (Ir), osmium (Os), gold (Au), and mixtures thereof, and wherein the support comprises a material selected from the group consisting of silica, alumina, titania, zirconia, carbon, silicon carbide, silica-alumina, diatomaceous earth, clay, molecular sieves, and mixtures thereof;
a catalyst retention screen; and
a product conduit;

wherein the sparger is disposed on one of the inner or outer surfaces, the catalyst retention screen is disposed on the other of the surfaces, and the product conduit is in fluid communication with the surface bounded by the retention screen, and wherein the reactor bed comprises a plurality of stages and the catalyst flows through the reactor bed from one stage to a subsequent stage.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the catalyst in the last stage is partially deactivated.

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 device assembly for carrying out or enabling an electronic service, comprising:
a mobile device on which an operating system runs and which includes a network interface for connection to a network, and
a separate electronic module that is connected to the mobile device via an interface and includes a card reader for a chip card as well as a control unit,
wherein the control unit of the electronic module is configured such that it can generate an input window on the mobile device independent of the operating system of the mobile device, via which input window a user can input authorization data for carrying out or enabling the electronic service.
2. The device assembly for carrying out or enabling an electronic service, comprising:
a mobile device on which an operating system runs, and which has a network interface for connection to a network, and a touch-screen display, and
a separate electronic module that is connected to the mobile device via an interface and includes a card reader for a chip card as well as a control unit.
wherein an application program is installed on the mobile device, which is configured to generate an input window on the touch-screen display of the mobile device, via which input window a user can input authorization data for carrying out or enabling the electronic service, wherein the input window includes an arrangement of virtual keys, and
in that the control unit of the electronic module is configured to provide individual raster graphics for at least some of the virtual keys, which raster graphics are displayed by the application program in the position of the respective virtual key.
3. The device assembly according to claim 1, wherein the control unit uses an encryption technology and is configured to immediately encrypt data read from the chip card and to transmit security-relevant or confidential data from the electronic module only in an encrypted form.
4. The device assembly according to claim 1, wherein the control unit or the application program is configured such that a block of numbers or letters with user-selectable virtual keys is displayed upon generation of the input window, which virtual keys are laid out in a randomized way.
5. The device assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mobile device and the electronic module are connected to each other via a port and a plug-in connector.
6. The device assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mobile device and the electronic module are connected to each other in a wireless manner.
7. The device assembly according to claim 1, wherein the electronic module has its own firmware that is independent of the mobile device.
8. A method for securely inputting authorization data for carrying out or enabling an electronic service, comprising the following steps:
providing a device assembly according to claim 2;
connecting the electronic module to the mobile device;
inserting a chip card into the card reader;
generating an input window with a layout of virtual keys on the touch-screen display of the mobile device by using an application program installed on the mobile device;
displaying raster graphics in the positions of at least some of the virtual keys, which raster graphics are provided by the control unit of the electronic module;
inputting authorization data via the input window by a user touching the virtual keys;
decoding the input authorization data in the control unit; and
verifying the decoded authorization data by using the chip card.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the control unit provides, upon request of the application program, an individual raster graphic for each virtual key and transmits it to the mobile device in an encrypted form, and in that the application program displays each key with the raster graphic designated for it according to an association specified by the control unit.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the association of the raster graphics with the virtual keys is carried out by a random generator.
11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the application program stores the order of positions of the touched virtual keys as a code and sends this code for decoding to the control unit.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the control unit verifies, after decoding the order of positions, the authorization data determined in this way by using the chip card.
13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the network interface of the mobile device is used for connecting the electronic module to a remote server.
14. A device assembly for carrying out or enabling an electronic service, comprising:
a mobile device on which an operating system runs, and which includes a network interface for connection to a network, and a display, and
a separate electronic module that is connected to the mobile device via an interface and includes a card reader for a chip card as well as a control unit, wherein
an application program is installed on the mobile device, which is configured to generate an input window on the touch-screen display of the mobile device, via which input window a user can input authorization data for carrying out or enabling the electronic service, and
in that the electronic module includes its own keypad without a display, the control unit of the electronic module being configured to allow the authorization data to be input via the keypad of the electronic module.
15. The device assembly according to claim 2, wherein the control unit uses an encryption technology and is configured to immediately encrypt data read from the chip card and to transmit security-relevant or confidential data from the electronic module only in an encrypted form.
16. The device assembly according to claim 2, wherein the control unit or the application program is configured such that a block of numbers or letters with user-selectable virtual keys is displayed upon generation of the input window, which virtual keys are laid out in a randomized way.
17. The device assembly according to claim 2, wherein the mobile device and the electronic module are connected to each other via a port and a plug-in connector.
18. The device assembly according to claim 2, wherein the mobile device and the electronic module are connected to each other in a wireless manner.
19. The device assembly according to claim 2, wherein the electronic module has its own firmware that is independent of the mobile device.