Abstract: An optical fiber protective unit includes: a reticulated tube; and a tubular member that is inserted through the reticulated tube and that is configured to accommodate a plurality of optical fibers. The reticulated tube is disposed on an outer periphery of the tubular member in a state folded in a longitudinal direction. Both end parts of the reticulated tube are located on the outer periphery of the tubular member.

Abstract: An agricultural product peeling apparatus includes an alignment supply unit, a peeling unit, and a plurality of urging plates. The alignment supply unit aligns and supplies agricultural product such as potatoes. The peeling unit includes a pair of parallel rotary members with a cutting body on their outer surfaces and peels with the cutting body the agricultural products, sequentially supplied from the alignment supply unit to a convey path formed between the rotary members. The urging plates move the agricultural products supplied to the start side of the convey path to the end side of the convey path.

Abstract: In a seedling-interval regulation apparatus, the transport interval between two adjacent seedlings successively transported by a variable speed conveyer is calculated by measuring a distance over which the preceding seedling is transported between a point in time when the preceding seedling is detected by a seedling sensor and a point in time when the succeeding seedling is detected by the seedling sensor. The calculated transport interval between the seedlings is compared with the planting interval. When the calculated transport interval coincides with the planting interval, the transport speed of the variable speed conveyer is maintained.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image reading part for performing a reading operation of reading an image, an image output part for performing an output operation of outputting the image read by the image reading part on a sheet, and a stopping section for stopping only one of the reading operation of the image reading part and the output operation of the image output part.

Abstract: In a seedling-interval regulation apparatus, the transport interval between two adjacent seedlings successively transported by a variable speed conveyer is calculated by measuring a distance over which the preceding seedling is transported between a point in time when the preceding seedling is detected by a seedling sensor and a point in time when the succeeding seedling is detected by the seedling sensor. The calculated transport interval between the seedlings is compared with the planting interval. When the calculated transport interval coincides with the planting interval, the transport speed of the variable speed conveyer is maintained.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image reading part for performing a reading operation of reading an image, an image output part for performing an output operation of outputting the image read by the image reading part on a sheet, and a stopping section for stopping only one of the reading operation of the image reading part and the output operation of the image output part.

Abstract: A method and a device for picking up seedlings from a seedling tray is capable of picking up seedlings by accurately arranging seedling storage cells in opposition to seedling pushing rods irrespective of the transporting tilt of the seedling tray. In the method, the seedling tray formed with a plurality of seedling storage cells is positioned at a predetermined position by means of tray positioning rods, and the seedling pushing rods are inserted into respective seedling storage cells while maintaining the positioned condition. The device implementing the method includes the tray positioning rods for positioning the seedling tray at the predetermined position and the seedling pushing rods for performing an inserting operation for respective seedling storage cells while maintaining the positioned condition of the seedling tray by the tray positioning rods.

Abstract: A closure material for sealing glass containers comprising a metal foil and a thermally adhesive composition layer formed on one surface of the metal foil and comprising a carboxyl-modified saponified product of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and up to 30 parts by weight of an inorganic compound per 100 parts by weight of the carboxyl-modified saponified product, the carboxyl-modified saponified product being prepared by graft-polymerizing a carboxylic acid group-containing unsaturated compound with a saponified product of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer containing 50 to 97 mole % of ethylene.

Abstract: This invention relates to a transplanter of seedlings useful for supplying seedlings in a controlled state. Seedlings grown in paper tubes which are a mixture of superior and inferior seedlings are placed on a seedling supplying conveyor and separated into individuals at a certain interval by a seedling separating apparatus at the terminal of the conveyor. Behind the seedlings separating apparatus is a string-like belt to support roots and leaves, to which is supplied seedlings obtained by separation. Inferior seedlings free of leaves fall onto the string-like belt to transfer only superior seedlings. Behind the string-like belt is a seedling controlling conveyor rotating at a certain velocity, to which seedlings are transferred.

Abstract: An aluminum evaporator including a refrigerant tube and fins with a hydrophilic surface is prepared by forming a chemical coating over the surface of its components as assembled into a product or before fabrication, and thereafter forming a hydrophilic layer over the coating by treating the resulting components with a solution of silicic acid, silicate or colloidal silica.