Abstract: A method for producing a ceramic slurry used for fabricating a ceramic electronic component includes a mixing and pulverizing step for mixing and pulverizing a ceramic powder having an average particle size of about 0.01 to 1 &mgr;m, a solvent and a dispersant by a dispersion process using a pulverizing medium, such as balls or beads, to obtain a mixed and pulverized slurry; and a high pressure dispersion step for performing high pressure dispersion at a pressure of about 100 kg/cm2 or more after a filtered binder solution is added to the mixed and pulverized slurry to obtain a dispersed slurry (final dispersed slurry), the filtered binder solution being prepared by dissolving a binder in a solvent, followed by filtration. A method for forming a ceramic green sheet and a method for fabricating a monolithic ceramic electronic component using the ceramic slurry are also disclosed.

Abstract: A defogging article having a defogging coating formed on a substrate such as a glass plate, a mirror, a metal article, or a plastic article. The defogging coating includes titania, and at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of P.sub.2 O.sub.5, B.sub.2 O.sub.3, boehmite, .gamma.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and SiO.sub.2 --Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 based oxide. The defogging coating contains the at least one oxide other than titania, in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 50% by weight.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multilayered water-repellent film formed on a glass substrate by the sol-gel process. The film has a first metal oxide layer which is formed on the glass substrate by the sol-gel process and a second water-repellent layer formed on the first layer. As a first method for providing the film with superior durability of water repellency, mechanical strength and chemical resistance, the first layer is prepared by using a mixture of three specific sols which are respectively prepared from metal alkoxides or metal acetylacetonates. As a second method for providing the film with the above advantages, the second layer is prepared by using a coating mixture comprising a fluoroalkylsilane, tin oxide particles doped with antimony oxide, a silicon compound, water and an organic solvent.

Abstract: A cellulosic enteric base is dissolved in an organic solvent capable of being admixed with water in any rate or a mixed solvent of the organic solvent and water to give a polymer solution, followed by mixing the polymer solution with water, then removing the organic solvent to give a concentrate; adding an anionic surfactant to the concentrate and then drying to give polymer powder. The polymer powder is introduced into water to give an emulsion containing polymer particles having an average particle size of not more than 1 .mu.m and the emulsion is dispersed in water containing a plasticizer to give a coating liquid. A drug is coated with the coating liquid to give a solid enteric pharmaceutical preparation.

Abstract: An endoscope having a conduit-providing flexible tube and a device for connecting said flexible tube, said device comprising a coupling member that is provided on the outer circumference with a first tapered portion the outside diameter of which decreases toward at least one end of said coupling member and that has a conduit in the interior, an annular retaining member that is fitted over the outer circumference of one end portion of said flexible tube which is to be fitted over said first tapered portion and that has on the inner circumference a second tapered portion the inside diameter of which decreases toward said at least one end in such a way as to provide engagement with said first tapered portion, and a clamp member that depresses said retaining member in the axial direction in which said first tapered portion flares, thereby depressing said flexible tube to be secured to said coupling member, characterized by further having an urging and covering member that not only covers the outer circumferential

Abstract: A widthwise-compressing machine for applying a compression force through press tools to a material to reduce a width of the material while applying vibrations to said material to forcibly vibrate said material has a compression unit for producing a compression force forming a working force, and a vibration-applying unit for applying the vibration to said material. The vibration-applying unit is provided independently of the compression unit. In the widthwise-compressing machine, when the material is plastically worked, the material can be vibrated at an extremely high frequency to make it possible to resonate the material, thereby allowing the plastic-deformation thereof to be promoted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multilayered water-repellent film formed on a glass substrate by the sol-gel process. The film has a first metal oxide layer which is formed on the glass substrate by the sol-gel process and a second water-repellent layer formed on the first layer. As a first method for providing the film with superior durability of water repellency, mechanical strength and chemical resistance, the first layer is prepared by using a mixture of three specific sols which are respectively prepared from metal alkoxides or metal acetylacetonates. As a second method for providing the film with the above advantages, the second layer is prepared by using a coating mixture comprising a fluoroalkylsilane, tin oxide particles doped with antimony oxide, a silicon compound, water and an organic solvent.

Abstract: A cleaning tube apparatus for an endoscope, comprises the endoscope having an observation optical system for observing a subject part at a forward-end portion, a cleaning tube detachable with respect to said endoscope, said cleaning tube being provided with a plurality of fluid jetting openings in a peripheral direction at one end of said cleaning tube, said fluid jetting openings being provided for leading cleaning fluid at least to said observation optical system, and a fluid supply unit connected to said cleaning tube, for supplying the cleaning fluid to said cleaning tube.

Abstract: A package assembly for packaging an endoscope cover for covering the outer surface of the endoscope is disclosed. The package comprises a cover for an insertion tube section of the endoscope, and a package base member for accommodating the endoscope cover therein, the cover section is accommodated in the package base member so as not to overlap itself while being in the state of packaging.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of N-benzyloxycarbonyl-.alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester by enzymatic coupling of N-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-aspartic acid and L-phenylalanine methyl ester in an aqueous medium with formation of a precipitate, the coupling reaction being effected with (virtually) equimolar quantities of N-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-aspartic acid and L-phenylalanine methyl ester under the influence of a neutral protease at an initial pH of from 4.5 to 6.0 and in the presence of from 3 to 25%, calculated as per cent by weight based on the total reaction mixture, of an alkali metal salt, alkaline earth metal salt or ammonium salt.

Abstract: A method for preparing an aqueous emulsion for coating solid pharmaceutical preparations comprises the steps of dissolving a cellulosic polymer in a mixed solvent of water and an organic solvent capable of being admixed with water in any rate to give a polymer solution, self-emulsifying the polymer solution by mixing with water and then concentrating the resulting emulsified stock solution. The concentration is carried out by removing a part of the liquid components while passing it through a membrane for ultrafiltration till the polymer concentration of the resulting emulsion reaches a level of not less than 7% by weight.

Abstract: A resource recycling system and a product circulation system, wherein a search is made for information regarding specifications and production methods for a recovered product and an original product is produced with the recovered product used as resources. These systems include a plurality of production factories for producing a predetermined products, and housing a production apparatus and a reclamation factory. A communication network is connected for transmitting therebetween production information necessary for producing products. Also a recycle plate is created for identifying a production apparatus. The plate is used to transmit accounting information on an amount of money required to reproduce the product from the reclaimed resources. The reclamation apparatus also identifies a production apparatus by which a recovered product was produced, extracts production information on the recovered product and generates a disassembly procedure for the recovered product from the extracted production information.

Abstract: A system for analyzing the operating conditions of electrical apparatus in order for the aged to check the change and abnormal state of life and for the external institute to check the safety of the houses or homes and so on. The data of standard power spectra of particular consumption current for each apparatus are stored in the memory of the system. The electrical signal detected from the wiring conductor is converted into a digital signal by the preprocessor and undergoes fast Fourier transform at the processor so as to be converted into an extracted power spectrum. If the extracted power spectrum includes a particular one of the standard power spectra as a result of comparing this spectrum with the standard power spectra, the operating conditions of that apparatus are stored in the memory with lapse of time.

Abstract: A traveling amount calculating unit calculates a minimum traveling amount of a printing transfer material required for a plurality of shapes printed previously not overlying a shape to be printed next on the printing transfer material. Based on the traveling amount, a traveling unit travels the printing transfer material. Then, a transfer unit transfers a shape to be printed next.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multilayered metal oxide film formed on a glass substrate by the sol-gel process. The film has a first metal oxide layer formed on the glass substrate and a second metal oxide layer formed on the first layer. To make the first layer minutely rough, at least two sols are respectively prepared from at least one compound selected from the group consisting of metal alkoxides and metal acetylacetonatos, such that polymers of the sols have different average molecular weights. Then, the at least two sols are mixed with a solvent so as to prepare a first coating solution. The first coating solution is applied to the glass substrate so as to form thereon a first sol film. The thus coated glass substrate is heated so as to transform the first sol film into the first metal oxide layer. To form a water-repellent metal oxide film on the first layer, a silane compound containing a fluorocarbon group is mixed with a solvent so as to prepare a second coating solution.

Abstract: A braking apparatus is provided for an elevator which includes a cage, a counterweight, a main sheave, a motor for rotating the main sheave, a deflector sheave, and a rope wound around the main sheave and the deflector sheave, the rope extending from the cage to the counterweight. The braking apparatus comprises a first brake for the main sheave, and a second brake for the deflector sheave. Both brakes are controlled to apply an appropriate braking force to the cage in accordance with the load and the speed of the cage.

Abstract: A photo-pulse from a photo-pulse generating apparatus is branched, where one branch is radiated to an examined body and the reflected light reflected within the examined body is delayed in time in proportion to the depth from the surface of the examined body and is led to a time-analyzing reflected light measuring apparatus. In this measuring apparatus, the other branched reference photo-pulse or reference signal pulse is input as delayed by the time for which the photo-pulse reflected within the examined body returns and only the reflected light component synchronized with the entering timing of this reference light pulse is analyzed in the time and is detected. By varying the detection sensitivity of this measuring apparatus in response to the depth from the surface of the examined body, the interior can be observed.

Abstract: An endoscope comprises a control section at an operator side, a plurality of operation knobs projected at the control section, an insertion section insertable into a human body cavity for medical treatment and having a proximal end connected to the control section and distal end section insertable into the body cavity, and a water drain guide member provided at the respective operation knob of the control section and being of such a type that, after an endoscope body has been washed, the guide member can guide deposited water on the recess of the respective knob in a direction to run and drain therealong, when the control section is horizontally located with the operation knob set in a normally upward state.

Abstract: A hydraulic elevator comprises a car, a hydraulic jack to drive the car, a hydraulic pump, and control means for controlling a flow rate of fluid flowing to or from the hydraulic jack thereby to control movement of the car. The control means comprises a main valve constructed so as to allow fluid the flow from the pump into the hydraulic jack when a pressure of the fluid is higher than a predetermined value thereby to effect upward running of the car, and to check a fluid flow from the hydraulic jack when the pressure of the fluid from the pump is less than the predetermined value, and valve control means including a plurality of pilot valves for controlling, when the pressure of the fluid from the pump is less than the value, the main valve to open and close, and wherein the valve control means controls the closing operation of the main valve along at least two different patterns.

Abstract: In an elevator, for controlling the upward and downward movement of a cage, a shoe is brought into and out of pressing contact with a drum or a disk of a brake by a combination of a spring and a hydraulic cylinder. The optimum braking force is determined in accordance with the inertial mass and the speed of the cage to be braked, and the fluid pressure is controlled to control the force of pressing of the shoe against the drum or the disk, so that the brake can always produce the optimum braking force. A controller for controlling the pressure of the hydraulic cylinder is operated by an emergency power source. The brake can be controlled with a high responsibility and its braking force can be controlled arbitrarily, and even in the event of a power failure, the brake can be operated by the emergency power source of a small-capacity.