Abstract: A kit (100) of parts for assembly into a timepiece by a customer, which comprises a casing (112) formed with a front recess (120) having a bottom (122) for receiving a time face (130). An analogue and/or digital time movement is pre-assembled within the casing (112), which has a shaft (150) extending out through the recess bottom (122) for rotating hour/minute/second hands (152) to indicate time. The kit (100) includes a planar time face (130) having a size marginally smaller than that of the recess bottom (122) and formed with a central hole (32) for accommodating the shaft (150) when the time face (130) is received in the recess (120). A lens (140) is also supplied, for closing the recess (120). The kit (100) further includes a punch (60) for use by the customer to make a time face (130) from a print, said punch (60) incorporating a cutter (62) of a shape and size corresponding to that of the recess bottom (122).

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for recording/reading information data using a first recording medium and a second recording medium each having its own identification data. The method comprises reading first encrypted information data encrypted in accordance with an identification data of the first recording medium and recorded in said first recording medium; encrypting the first encrypted information data in accordance with an identification data of the second recording medium, so as to produce second encrypted information data; recording the second encrypted information data in the second recording medium; reading the second encrypted information data from the second recording medium and decoding the second encrypted information data in accordance with the identification data of the second recording medium; and restoring the second encrypted information data into the first encrypted information data and recording the information data in the first recording medium.

Abstract: A recording method, a recording apparatus, a reproducing method and a reproducing apparatus for a recording medium such as an optical disk or the like are able to simultaneously record and simultaneously reproduce a plurality of independent information or to execute the recording and the reproduction thereof simultaneously with ease. The apparatus includes a plurality of buffer means (7a, 7b) for respectively, individually and temporarily memorizing a plurality of independent recording data or reproducing data and a pickup (2) for recording the recording data memorized in the respective buffer means (7a, 7b) on respective different recording areas in a time-division manner and reproducing data recorded on the respective different recording areas in a time-division manner.

Abstract: When a recording condition judgement section (28) determines a recording condition of the recording of data onto a disk, and the recording is discontinued in response to the decision, a recording speed setting section (29) switches a recording speed to a speed one step slower than the previous recording speed. With this arrangement, when the recording condition is inferior, the recording is discontinued to thereby avoid a recording failure. Moreover, the recording speed is corrected stepwisely so that a disk adaptable recording speed can be set. Further, a recording start position at which to start additional writing is detected by the recording start position detection section (26), and the recording data is synchronized with the recording data by a synchronism setting section (27) to ensure successiveness before and after the recording data connection due to additional writing to the disk, before the recording is resumed.

Abstract: A touch sensitive transport mechanism for an electronic apparatus such as a compact disc player. The transport mechanism has a drawer with a front push panel which can be lightly pushed by the operator. This allows the operator to directly control the operation of the electronic apparatus without the need for separate control buttons, thereby physically interacting with the electronic apparatus. A motor drives the drawer between open and closed positions. The mechanism has optical sensors which detect when the drawer is pushed, and the motor provides a feedback force against the push of the operator. When the drawer is in the closed position, a short push increments between tracks on a compact disc, an intermediate push causes playback of the compact disc to stop, and a long push causes the motor to drive the drawer to the open position.

Abstract: A lens actuator of an optical head for an optical disc drive includes a two-dimensional actuator supported by a carriage via a spring, a second lens held by the two-dimensional actuator, a slider supported by the two-dimensional actuator and floated off a turning optical disc, and a first lens held by the slider, whereby a laser beam is focused on the optical disc by means of an object lens system which includes the first lens and the second lens. The slider is supported by the two-dimensional actuator via a support having a predetermined spring constant in the focus directions while also having freedom to follow tilting of the optical disc.

Abstract: According to the ISDN rerouting device and the ISDN rerouting method of this invention, CPU 205 establishes a communication call between telephone terminal 30 and telephone terminal 31 via ISDN based on information in memory 206 when the occurrence of congestion in IP network 10 is detected by IP-TRK 202, thereby suppressing packet loss and delays in voice signals during transmission and preventing deterioration or communication quality between telephone terminals.

Abstract: A novel mechanism is disclosed by which a sender can direct information such as an audiovisual signal to a particular recipient's audiovisual display device, such as a cable television set and, thereby, share information between the sender and the recipient. In one embodiment of the invention, a calling party originates a telephone call and associates that telephone call with audio-visual information that exists on the caller's personal computer or on an Internet server. The called party answers the call, and can tune an associated cable television to the appropriate channel in order to view the audiovisual information. The caller can modify the audio-visual information during the call. Accordingly, the current invention ties together the telephone, cable, and IP networks in a manner that does not require large investments from cable or telephone service providers.

Abstract: A network node (10) for switching digital information of different protocol types is described. A plurality of modules (12-x, 13-x, 14-x) are provided which are arranged in an input stage (12), a central stage (13) and an output stage (14). Each module (12-x) of the input stage (12) is connected to each module (13-x) of the central stage (13) and each module (13-x) of the central stage (13) is connected to each module (14-x) of the output stage (14). A standard interface (15) for all protocol types is in each case provided between the input stage (12) and the central stage (13) and between the central stage (13) and the output stage (14). Each of the modules (13-x) of the central stage (13) is designed for one protocol type. The interfaces (15) comprise means for forwarding information as a function of the protocol type to a module (13-x) of the central stage (13) adapted thereto.

Abstract: In a broadcasting control system in an ATM ring network in which a control cell containing control information is transmitted by ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) between a plurality of nodes connected into a ring shape, each of the nodes includes a receiving section and a transmitting section. The receiving section receives a control cell from an upstream node. The transmitting section writes response information of the self node for the control information contained in the received control cell in an area corresponding to the self node in the control cell and transmits the control cell to a downstream node. A broadcasting control method is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a packet processing apparatus in which connection-oriented and connectionless data transfer systems are combined for use, and definite data transmission is secured even when a traffic load of a data transmission bus is large. An IP packet communication apparatus for using asynchronous and isochronous communication channels to perform a processing of an IP packet includes an address table for storing attribute information of the IP packet to be transmitted, each IP packet including information indicative of presence/absence of transmission in a fixed interval, a transmission monitor for periodically monitoring the information of the address table, and a CMP processor for receiving judgment information obtained by judging continuity of a traffic by the transmission monitor, and establishing the communication channel for asynchronous transmission.

Abstract: In a data compression system for compressing an original time series data with a various waveform, a compression unit compresses the original time series data without damaging characteristics of waveform information in the various waveform. The waveform information includes a signal with a various change, especially, a sudden change of signal. An encoding unit encodes the compressed time series data so as to generate a compression code.

Abstract: An ATM switching system allowing simplified cell flow control is disclosed. A high-speed flow of incoming ATM cells is distributed in cell units to predetermined input ports of an ATM switch in an order in which the incoming ATM cells arrived. After cell switching of the ATM switch, outgoing ATM cells received in parallel from predetermined output ports of the ATM switch are multiplexed to produce a high-speed flow of outgoing ATM cells.

Abstract: An active layer is formed on the principal surface of a semiconductor substrate continuously at least from a laser output plane to a laser reflection plane, the active layer being gradually thinned toward the output plane in a region to a certain distance from the output plane toward the reflection plane. A ridge is formed on the active layer, extending from the output plane to the reflection plane and gradually increasing a width toward the output plane in a region to a first distance from the output plane, an upper surface of the ridge in a first region to a second distance from the output plane being set higher than an upper surface of the ridge in a second region other than the first region. A mesa structure is formed on the principal surface of the semiconductor substrate in areas on both sides of the ridge, the mesa structure having an upper surface defining a virtual flat plane at a position flush with or higher than a highest upper surface of the ridge.

Abstract: A circuit is designed with a plurality of logic circuits (370-374) for producing an offset state matrix. The circuit includes a first logic circuit (380-383) coupled to receive N elements of a respective row of a transition matrix and N elements of column of an input state matrix. The first logic circuit produces a multi-bit logical combination of corresponding bits of the respective row and the column. A second logic circuit (390) is coupled to receive the multi-bit logical combination and produces a respective element of the offset state matrix.

Abstract: This invention provides a spread spectrum signal demodulator in which a noise component included in respective demodulation symbols is reduced and an effect of interference removal is further improved. Symbol decorrelating means detect correlations between spread codes allocated to spread spectrum signals to be removed and a receiving signal. A symbol deciding means 121 synthesizes one or the plurality of one symbol correlation values b1 to bk in common phase, namely, diversity-synthesizes them so as to decide a symbol. As the symbol decision, hard decision or soft decision can be used. Correlation modification means input the one symbol correlation values b1 to bk output from the symbol decorrelating means and the symbol decided result output from the symbol deciding means 121 thereinto, and modify the symbol correlation values b1 to bk. The modified symbol correlation values d1 to dk are transmitted into interference replicating means so as to be spectrum-spread by corresponding spread codes.

Abstract: An image transmitting system which maintains the same image resolution even when a line speed is set to a low speed. The image transmitting system basically comprises an image data conversion block, a quantization block, a variable-length coding block, smoothing buffers, output selectors, and a dequantization block. The image data conversion block converts input image data into a coefficient suitable for coding. The quantization block quantizes the coefficients obtained through conversion. The variable-length coding block codes the quantized coefficients. The first smoothing buffer smoothes the generated amount of data with respect to a first frame in a block, the second smoothing buffer smoothes the generated amount of data with respect to a second frame in the block, and the third smoothing buffer smoothes the generated amount of data with respect to a third frame in the block.

Abstract: Video signal processing apparatus in which at least first and second input video signals are combined to generate an output compressed video signal, the first and second video signals each having respective associated motion vectors from a data compression process applied to the video signals; comprises:

Abstract: Video signal processing apparatus in which at least two input video signals are combined in proportions determined by a pixel key signal to generate an output video signal for compression, at least one of the input video signals each having respective associated compression parameters from a data compression process applied to that video signal; comprises:

Abstract: A motion detecting apparatus includes a comparator and motion estimator. The comparator compares a threshold and an input absolute error, and selects as a selected motion vector, one of a predetermined motion vector and an input motion vector based on the comparison result. The motion estimator determines a reference video signal based on the selected motion vector, and determines an absolute error from the determined reference video signal and an input video signal to output the determined absolute error. Then, the motion estimator estimates a motion vector from the determined reference video signal and the input video signal such that the absolute error is minimum, to output a motion vector determined based on the estimated motion vector and the selected motion vector.

Abstract: Power level calculating circuit 10 and 11 calculate power levels at the input and output terminals, respectively, of a channel filter 6, and an adder 13 computes the difference between the two calculated power levels. An adder 13 corrects (i.e., subtracts) the difference obtained in the adder 12 from an AGC control signal output of an integrating circuit 9, and reports the correction output as antenna terminal reception power level to a base-band circuit 7. The correction output of the adder 13 is obtained by taking the extent of attenuation outside a desired wave band in the channel filter 6, and thus corresponds to accurate antenna terminal reception power level.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel assembly for a boiling water reactor which is adapted, during operation of the reactor, to allow water to flow upwards through the fuel assembly while absorbing heat from a plurality of fuel rods, whereby part of the water is transformed into steam. The fuel assembly comprises a steam channel through which the steam flows through the fuel assembly. The steam channel (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) consists of an empty volume which at least extends through part of the fuel assembly. The fuel assembly is designed such that the water and the steam are brought to rotate around the steam channel whereby the water is thrown away from the steam channel whereas the steam which is separated from the water flows upwards through the steam channel.

Abstract: A Caller ID service handling apparatus capable of upgrading and coping flexibly with change of service contents and addition of service. This apparatus has a program memory region in its memory so as to be flexibly applied to the service contents. The communication format of the exchange equipment and this apparatus is determined. The exchange equipment transmits a program corresponding to change or addition of service contents. This apparatus downloads necessary data. Thus, without requiring exclusive apparatuses individually, in spite of service contents differing corresponding to change in Caller ID service content, addition of new Caller ID service, or difference in service contents among telephone companies (carriers), it presents an apparatus capable of upgrading.

Abstract: There is disclosed a telephone keypad apparatus having a dual-switch button in which each of switch contacts can be individually operated depending on the locations at which the buttons are pushed, by mounting two switches for every button in the telephone keypad. In accordance with the present invention, in a telephone keypad in which twelve push buttons are arranged in a grid shape, each of the buttons has two switches for connecting/disconnecting an electrical flow and the buttons are pushed freely right and left. If the left of the button key cap is pushed the left switch is connected, if the right of the button key cap is pushed the right switch is connected and if the middle of the button key cap is pushed both the switches are connected.

Abstract: In an electronic component including a two-way bus through which data elements travel between peripherals and a central processing unit at the rate of a clock signal, the central processing unit and at least one of the peripherals each includes a data encryption/decryption cell. Each data encryption/decryption cell uses the same secret key. The secret key is produced locally at each clock cycle in each cell from a random signal synchronous with the clock signal, and is applied to each of the cells by a one-way transmission line.

Abstract: A speaker system includes a speaker, a detector for detecting an amplitude value of a diaphragm of the speaker to produce an amplitude signal corresponding to the amplitude value, and an adder for adding the amplitude signal to a driving signal for driving the speaker. In this configuration, the bass range characteristic of the speaker can be improved.

Abstract: An headphone-type music reproducing device and music reproducing system bearable even during a user's exercise for use and capable of reproducing desired music easily and rapidly by manipulating a wristband-type remote control device worn on the user's wrist. In the headphone-type music reproducing device, a memory card which prestores music data is removable set in a headphone body born over the user's ears. A music data decoder provided within the body reproduces a music signal based on the music data stored in the memory card. When a radio transmission/reception unit receives a remote control signal sent by a wristband-type remote control device, the headphone-type music reproducing device reproduces and/or stops music based on the music signal in accordance with the received remote control signal.

Abstract: In an image display device for receiving and displaying image data, color converter converts the image data on the basis of conversion characteristics data stored in a conversion characteristics storage. The conversion characteristics designation means including means for designating the hue of the colors outputs the conversion characteristics designation data, and conversion characteristics setting means calculates the conversion characteristics data on the basis of the conversion characteristics designation data, and sets the conversion characteristics data in the conversion characteristics storage. The color converter comprises a calculation term generator for receiving the first image data, and outputting calculation terms which are effective just for the specific hues; and a matrix calculator performing matrix calculation using the calculation terms effective just for the specific hues. The user can adjust just the hue of the desired color.

Abstract: A color transform unit transforms RGB components constructing image data into C1 to C3 components. Discrete wavelet transform units perform wavelet transform on the C1 to C3 components and generates coefficients of different number of subbands for at least two components. Coding units stepwisely perform reversible transform on the coefficients in a subband unit, and store the code data into buffers. A fixed-length data reading unit reads the code data stored in the buffers by fixed lengths, and a code output unit outputs code data where the read code data are arrayed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for eliminating a blocking effect in a compressed video signal signal. The method of the invention includes: the encoding step of eliminating a blocking effect by compensating the motion of a signal compressed in block unit to be transmitted; the decoding step of restoring the motion compensated video signal to the original video signal by reducing the prediction residual between the motion compensated video signal and the original video signal and the blocking effect; and the post-filtering step of performing post-filtering in a blocking elimination filter in order to eliminate a blocking effect and ring effect remained in the compensated signal. The equation for obtaining the original pixel is made simple by eliminating the remaining blocking effect and ring effect using a loop/post filter.

Abstract: Providing a spindle unit that guarantees an appropriate changing of a pre-load applied to rolling bearings.

Abstract: In a roller bearing retainer generation of vibration may be suppressed and sufficient lubrication performance may be ensured. A flat portion 5 is formed at a bottom portion of each ball pocket 4 having an opening portion formed on one side surface in an axial direction of a flat-shaped member in a circumferential direction. A rolling member is held by the ball pocket 4 which has the flat portion 5. A movement of the rolling member is suppressed. At the same time, a sufficient gap may be formed between the rolling member and a concave surface other than the flat portion 5 may be formed. Thus, lubrication oil may readily be spread into the gap.

Abstract: A rolling bearing cage comprising a first side ring (1) and a second side ring (2) that are connected to each other by crossbars (3) so that pockets (5) for receiving rolling elements (4) are formed, and lubrication grooves (6) extend in axial direction up to said first and second side rings (1, 2) on at least one of peripheral surfaces and bore sections of the crossbars (3) wherein flow channels (7) are arranged in a fractional region of the lubrication grooves (6) and are set back relative to the lubrication grooves (6) in at least one of a radially inward and a radially outward direction. In this way, lubrication of such a bearing is substantially improved.

Abstract: A WDM optical communication system is provided that includes a transmitter and a receiver. An optical fiber transmission path couples the transmitter to the receiver. The transmission path includes at least one repeater having an optical amplifier located therein. A dispersion compensator is disposed at an intermediate point along the transmission path. The intermediate point is located outside of the repeater. The compensator includes a wavelength routing device for dividing a signal having a prescribed bandwidth into a plurality of distinct sub-bands. A plurality of output paths is provided for respectively receiving the plurality of distinct sub-bands. The dispersion compensator also includes a dispersion compensating optical element coupled to each of the output paths. Each dispersion compensating optical element substantially compensates for dispersion at a prescribed wavelength within the bandpass of its respective sub-band.

Abstract: To provide a block gain equalizer, which controls an amount of gain slope, and does not cause any loss in an optical signal. A block equalizer 201 branches an optical signal transmitted from an optical fiber transmission path 101N by an optical coupler 112 to take out a supervisory signal 119 by a band pass filter. An electric signal 122 after this photoelectric conversion is inputted into a gain control circuit 207 to read slope correction data for flattening the gain. The gain control circuit 207 supplies a gain control signal 208 to a semiconductor laser 204 to drive it by power which corresponds to the gain slope for flattening the gain, for pumping an erbium doped fibers 202 in accordance with a backward pumping system. Thereby, the block gain equalizer 201 is capable of flattening the frequency characteristic without any loss in optical signal. It is also possible to adjust the gain by an attenuator as required. Also, for the pumping system, various systems can be adopted.

Abstract: A video tape recorder includes a rotary cylinder of double-azimuth four-head structure having a pair of main heads and a pair of subheads. When it is detected base on an envelop signal that clogging or the like occurs in the pair of main heads, a controller performs a head change so as to record a video signal by using the pair of subheads, and changes a phase of a control signal that is to be recorded on a magnetic tape by 180 degrees.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for reproducing a plurality of image data which has been recorded in a plurality of independent areas on a disk-shaped recording medium and specified so as to be reproduced in predetermined order, from the disk-shaped recording medium by using a pickup mechanism. The apparatus has a memory for storing the reproduced image data and a memory control unit for reading out the image data stored in the memory in the predetermined order, and controls whether the image data recorded in the plurality of areas is reproduced in order different from the predetermined order and written in the memory or not, on the basis of position information indicative of positions of the plurality of areas on the disk-shaped recording medium, a capacity of the memory, and a seeking time between the plurality of areas by the pickup mechanism.

Abstract: A signal recording/reproducing method and apparatus, signal record medium and signal transmission/reception method and apparatus, whereby a signal recorded on a signal record medium can be identified as being an original signal or a copied signal. A CPU 11 generates, at a pe-set time interval, an identification signal having a meaning at a pre-set time interval, and an identification signal addition circuit 3 adds the identification signal to the video signals and/or the audio signals. A sector forming circuit 5 and circuit components up to a recording/reproducing head 14 record the video signals and/or the audio signals and the ancillary identification signal on an optical disc 12.

Abstract: It is made possible to record, on a recording medium on which original image data before compression is recorded, data resulting from a first coding processing performed when coding the data by a variable rate compression and coding system and to code quickly in real time when performing a second coding processing from that recording medium. Video data is reproduced by a VTR 300 from a master video tape 10 on which source video data is recorded and the first coding processing is carried out at a compressing and coding apparatus 100. The bit rate, allocation data, etc. obtained by this coding processing are stored in a predetermined region of the master video tape 10 via the VTR 300. When the master video tape 10 is used, the second coding processing can be quickly carried out without reading the bit rate data etc. from another apparatus.

Abstract: A heating vessel for concentration is formed in an elongated one, and a baffle plate is arranged to increase sulfuric acid liquid concentration at an outlet to a high level. The heating vessel for concentration and a heating vessel for distillation are installed so that the respective heating vessels have substantially the same waste sulfuric acid liquid level therein, forming continuous flow of the sulfuric acid liquid without presence of a valve or an intermediate tank in a connecting pipe. The heating vessel for distillation is formed in an elongated one with a baffle plate arranged therein to increase the impurity concentration included in concentrated sulfuric acid liquid at an outlet to a high level.

Abstract: A focus detecting device for detecting a focusing state of an objective lens includes a field lens disposed adjacent to a prescribed image forming plane of the objective lens and having lens surfaces which differ in shape from each other correspondingly with a plurality of focus detecting areas, a reimaging lens disposed behind the field lens and having a pair of lens parts for forming a pair of light distributions for each of different pupils of the objective lens, and a light receiving sensor arranged to receive the pair of light distributions so as to detect the focusing state of the objective lens, wherein a first area of the field lens has a first field lens part having an optical axis which coincides with an optical axis of the objective lens, and a second area of the field lens which differs from the first area has a second field lens part having an optical axis which does not coincide with the optical axis of the first field lens part.

Abstract: A photometry device for a camera has a normal light metering system and a plurality of light metering systems having different spectral sensitivity characteristics. An exposure amount of an object is determined in accordance with an output of the normal light metering system. A colorimetry system divides a photometry area into a plurality of areas and judges a color of the object at each of the plurality of areas. The compensation amount determining system determines the exposure compensation amounts respectively corresponding to the plurality of areas based on the color thereat. A compensation amount related to an area corresponding to a focused portion of the object. The exposure amount is compensated in accordance with the determined exposure compensation amount.

Abstract: A photometry device for a camera includes a normal light metering system having spectral sensitivity characteristics close to visual sensitivity characteristics, and a plurality of light metering systems having spectral sensitivity characteristics that are different from those of the normal light metering system. Further provided is an exposure amount determining system that determines an exposure amount of an object in accordance with an output of the normal light metering system, a colorimetry system that judges a color of the object in accordance with the outputs of said plurality of light metering systems. An exposure compensation amount is determined in accordance with the color judged by the colorimetry system, and then, the exposure amount is compensated in accordance with the exposure compensation amount.

Abstract: A shutter device includes a shutter base plate having an aperture part and a protruding part, a first shutter blade member arranged to travel a predetermined movement distance over the aperture part, a second shutter blade member arranged to travel a movement distance shorter than the predetermined movement distance of travel of the first shutter blade member over the aperture part, the second shutter blade member having a slot engaging the protruding part, a first arm member having one end part thereof pivotally supported by the shutter base plate and another end part thereof supporting the first shutter blade member in a swingable manner, and a second arm member having one end part thereof pivotally supported by the shutter base plate and another end part thereof supporting the first shutter blade member in a swingable manner, the second arm member being connected to the second shutter blade member, wherein the first shutter blade member and the second shutter blade member are caused to travel over the aper

Abstract: A toner image fixing device in which a surface temperature of a heat roller (1) is set to a temperature at which volatile odor component included in a parting agent is below a permissible value, and in which an auxiliary heating means (9, 10) is provided on at least one side of the upstream side and the downstream side in a recording material transporting direction in relation to a pressure contact portion of the heat roller and a pressure (5).

Abstract: Apparatus from removing excess liquid from a surface containing a liquid toner image comprising:

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a fixing roller, a heat roller, a seamless fixing belt, a pressure roller, a supporting roller, and a pressure applying member. The heat roller includes a fixing heat source. The seamless fixing belt is extended between the fixing roller and the heat roller. The pressure roller pushes the fixing roller via the fixing belt to form a second fixing-process area. The supporting roller contacts inside the fixing belt and winds the fixing belt around a surface of the pressure roller to form a first fixing-process area upstream of and next to the second fixing-process area. The pressure applying member applies a pressure to the heat roller in a direction opposite to an ejection of the recording sheet from the second fixing-process area to adjust a fixing pressure of the first fixing-process area.

Abstract: An apparatus for the application of drywall compound onto a taped drywall joint. The applicator uses an electrically powered, positive displacement pump which supplies a continuous flow of compound from a hopper to the applicator head via a fluid path. Remote controls on the handle of the applicator allow the operator to turn the pump on or off and also to select the optimal pump speed. The hopper is large enough so that an operator can apply compound to a number of joints before having to stop and refill the apparatus with compound.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a stick of product includes a holder configured to hold the stick of product and a housing containing the holder. The housing has a first end, a second end, and an opening in the first end. The housing is configured to move the holder in a first direction toward the opening to allow dispensing of the product and in a second direction away from the opening to allow storage of the product. The dispenser further includes a removable closure configured to sealably close the opening during storage of the product. A sealing member is provided for sealing at least a portion of the housing between the holder and the opening from at least a portion of the housing between the holder and the second end. The dispenser also includes an elastic member between the holder and the second end of the housing. The elastic member is configured to deform and thereby allow for movement of the holder in the second direction when excessive pressure is formed between the holder and the opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides an applicator for applying and distributing a substance onto a target surface. The applicator comprises a substantially planar sheet of compressible, conformable material having opposed first and second surfaces and an interior region between said first and second surfaces. The sheet of material has a thickness between the first and second surfaces which decreases when the sheet of material is subjected to an externally-applied force in a direction substantially normal to the first surface. The applicator further includes at least one discrete reservoir extending inwardly of the first surface into the interior of the sheet of material which is at least partially filled with a substance and at least one discrete aperture formed in the first surface which is in fluid communication with the reservoir.