Abstract: An electrical connector (1) includes an insulating housing (2), a plurality of contacts (4) received in a plurality of passageways (24) defined in the housing, a metal shell (3) and a spacer (5). The housing has a pair of protrusions (26) projecting downwardly on a lower wall (22) thereof. The shell encloses the insulating housing and comprises an upper and a lower body portions (30, 31). The lower body portion defines a pair of receiving apertures (310), which each receive a corresponding protrusion of the housing therein. The spacer has a base plate (50) defining a plurality of through holes (500) to allow extension of the contacts therethrough. The spacer is assembled to the housing and presses the lower body portion of the shell against the lower wall of the housing.

Abstract: A hollow fiber microfiltration (MF) membrane is provided. The casting solution used to make this membrane includes a fiber-forming polymer having a degree of polymerization greater than about 1000, a water-soluble polymer, an anhydride with about 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and a solvent. The membrane is formed by mixing and heating these components to form a viscous dope and then extruding the dope through an annular orifice to form a hollow fiber MF membrane. The hollow fiber membrane is then fed through a coagulation bath and two leaching baths. The membrane is especially useful for filtering liquids, such as wine and juice, so as to remove bacteria, gel, and solid particles from the liquids.

Abstract: A hydrophilic membrane that includes a hydrophobic polymer and a water-soluble polymer-metal complex is provided. This membrane is made by heating a mixture of a hydrophobic polymer, a metal compound, and a water-soluble polymer. The water-soluble polymer forms complexes with the metal compound and homogeneously entangles with the dissolved hydrophobic polymer to form a viscous dope. The dope is extruded through an annular orifice to form a hollow fiber. The fiber is put in an environment having a controlled humidity so that it becomes partially solidified, and then, the fiber is put in a coagulation bath. The hollow fiber is formed by phase inversion in the coagulation bath and is collected using a take-up wheel that is partially immersed in a leaching bath.

Abstract: A hydrophilic membrane that includes a hydrophobic polymer and a water-soluble polymer-metal complex is provided. This membrane is made by heating a mixture of a hydrophobic polymer, a metal compound, and a water-soluble polymer. The water-soluble polymer forms complexes with the metal compound and homogeneously entangles with the dissolved hydrophobic polymer to form a viscous dope. The dope is extruded through an annular orifice to form a hollow fiber. The fiber is put in an environment having a controlled humidity so that it becomes partially solidified, and then, the fiber is put in a coagulation bath. The hollow fiber is formed by phase inversion in the coagulation bath and is collected using a take-up wheel that is partially immersed in a leaching bath.

Abstract: A releasable pick-up device (30) for assisting in positioning an electrical connector (1) on a circuit board by a vacuum-suction nozzle, comprises a rectangular plate (31) having a flat upper surface (311) to be manipulated by the nozzle and an opposite lower surface (312), and a pair of retaining portions (32) extending from opposite transverse sides of the plate. Each retaining portion forms a pair of downwardly projecting legs (320) having a pair of respective retaining feet (321) formed at free ends thereof and protruding in directions opposite to each other.