Abstract: A filter for and a method of removal of magnetic particles and treating a liquid with a magnetic field in which a liquid flows through a filter containing permanent magnetic balls tightly packed together so that there is no straight flow path through the filter but only around these magnetic balls. Increased mixing and turbulence of flow coupled with strong intensity of a magnetic field across the direction of the flow promotes better attraction and retention of magnetic particles on the magnetic balls. The filter is particularly useful as a fuel or oil filter for an internal combustion engine. Other advantageous applications include water treatment filters. The filter is capable of removing magnetic particles for an extended period of time without clogging.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing and/or disinfecting water in a water dispenser. The apparatus comprises an ultraviolet light source which includes an ultraviolet light bulb or lamp, a power source for providing power to the ultraviolet light bulb, and a non-glass or non-quartz protective sleeve which surrounds the ultraviolet light bulb. The ultraviolet light bulb preferably includes a casing for holding a starting gas and a vaporizable material, and at least one electrode electrically coupled to the power source for exciting the starting gas and the vaporizable material within the casing. The casing is made of soft glass or quartz material, and the protective sleeve is a fluoropolymer sleeve which surrounds the soft glass or quartz casing. The fluoropolymer sleeve may comprise any suitable fluoropolymer material, such as Teflon® products like PTFE, FEP, PFA, AF, Tefzel® ETFE, and the like.

Abstract: A coupling element for composite rod structures such as bookcases, shelving, trolleys and the like, having a substantially parallelepiped block provided on two corresponding opposed surfaces with at least one hole for insertion of an end of a rod of said structure, and on another surface with at least one groove for engaging an upright.

Abstract: A flask having a retractable body of approximately cylindrical plastic material formed by a succession of conical upper and lower sections connected at their apexes and in their troughs, an angle &agr; being formed between the conical upper section and a transverse plane and an angle &bgr; being formed between the conical lower section and a transverse plane, wherein the succession of conical sections alternate rigid/flexible, making it possible to obtain at least two stable extension positions, and a plurality of stable intermediate positions having axial symmetry, and wherein the radius of curvature of the troughs is less than or equal to about 0.2 millimeters.

Abstract: A plastic bottle comprises a label panel portion comprising a plurality of ribs extending annularly about the perimeter thereof and lands located between each rib for accepting a label thereon, wherein the ribs are configured to render the label panel substantially rigid and capable of enduring pasteurization without subjecting the lands to substantial alteration or misalignment. A pasteurizable bottle having a label panel onto which a label may be evenly secured is thus provided.

Abstract: A method for removal of post reactive ion etch sidewall polymer rails on a Al/Cu metal line of a semiconductor or microelectronic composite structure comprising:

Abstract: A process for etching oxides having differing densities which is not only highly selective, but which also produces uniform etches is provided and includes the steps of providing an oxide layer on a surface of a substrate, exposing the oxide layer to a liquid comprising a halide-containing species, and exposing the oxide layer to a gas phase comprising a halide-containing species. The process desirably is used to selectively etch a substrate surface in which the surface of the substrate includes on a first portion thereof a first silicon oxide and on a second portion thereof a second silicon oxide, with the first silicon oxide being relatively more dense than the second silicon oxide, such as, for example, a process which forms a capacitor storage cell on a semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Assuming that t1 represents a period of time until a detection signal is outputted after a sensor senses a laser beam passed through a through-hole of a workpiece, t2 represents a period of time until the detection signal derived from the sensor exceeds a preset threshold value, and t3 represents a period of time until radiation of the laser beam is actually stopped after the threshold value is exceeded, a total period of time (t1+t2+t3) of the periods of time t1 to t3 is set to be shorter than a time difference (T2−T3) between a pulse width (T3) and one cycle (T2) of a pulse signal for constructing a laser output command signal.

Abstract: A method for improving the edge-to-center photoresist ash rate uniformity in lower temperature (typically, but not limited to <100° C.) processing of integrated circuits and micro-electro-mechanical devices. A varying gap distance 32 from the edge-to-center of the upper and lower grid plates, 30 and 31, of a plasma ashing machine is provided to allow additional flow of plasma gases into the normally semi-stagnated area near the center of the wafer being processed. This improvement overcomes the problem of slower photoresist removal in the center of the wafer. Three configurations of the invention is described, including both stepwise and continuous variation of the grid plate gap spacing and optionally, the variation of the size of grid plate holes in a parallel grid plate assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a welding head for heated tool welding, particularly of thermoplastic materials.

Abstract: An insulating support structure for a helical wire heating coil for an electric resistance heating element includes a plurality of insulating standoff members supported by a metallic support frame. The insulating standoffs each include a pair of wedge portions that are used to separate the individual convolutions of the helical wire heating coil. Located inwardly from each of the wedge portions are a pair of V-shaped coil grooves sized to receive a portion of an individual convolution of the helical wire heating coil. A retainer tab extends into and forms one surface of the coil groove such that the wire heating coil contacts the retainer tab and a pair of contact surfaces that define the coil groove. The insulating standoffs are each supported by an arm contained on the support frame. Each of the arms includes a pair of tines which combine to form an open slot within the arm. The insulating standoff is captured between the tines by a pair of locking projections on the outer end of the tines.

Abstract: A heater comprising a substrate having a heating surface to treat a substance to be heated on the substrate, a heating element embedded in the substrate, and a resistance control part, wherein the substrate comprises a first ceramic material and the resistance control part comprises a second ceramic material which has higher volume resistivity than that of the first ceramics.

Abstract: Electric resistance heating/warming composite fabric articles have a fabric layer having a first surface and an opposite, second surface, and an electric resistance heating/warming element in the form of a conductive yarn mounted upon first surface of the fabric layer, e.g. in embroidery stitching, and adapted to generate heating/warming when connected to a power source. A barrier layer may be positioned, for example, at least adjacent to the first or second surface of the fabric layer. Methods of forming electric resistance heating/warming composite fabric articles are also described.

Abstract: A method of firing ceramic materials involving placing the ceramic material in a microwave heating apparatus having a microwave cavity and subjecting the ceramic material to combination of microwave radiation and conventional heat energy according to predetermined time-temperature profile. The time-temperature profile, ranging from room temperature the sintering soak temperature, comprises a series of target heating rate temperature setpoints and a series of corresponding core and surface temperature setpoints with each of the core and surface temperature setpoints being offset from the target heating rate setpoints a predetermined offset temperature. The method involves continuously measuring the ceramic body core temperature, TC, and the surface temperature TS. Controlling of the microwave power involves adjusting the microwave power in response to a difference between core temperature setpoint and a biased core measured temperature.

Abstract: The invention is directed at a method for controlling the amounts of microwave energy and conventional radiative or convective heat in a microwave assisted kiln for firing ceramics. The method involves subjecting the ceramic material to heat energy by irradiating it with electromagnetic microwave radiation from an adjustable microwave power generator. The microwave power to which the ceramic is subject to is varied over time according to a predetermined microwave power-time profile that will be deliver a sufficient amount of microwave power to heat the ceramic body to its sintering soak temperature. Additionally, the method involves continuously measuring the ceramic article's core and surface temperatures and controlling the amount of conventional heat in response to the difference between the two measured temperatures.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically gauging container and syrup requirements for beverage production includes: (a) dropping the level in a syrup recovery tank down to a pre-set level and maintaining it at that level; (b) loading remaining containers onto a conveyor belt system, which leads to a filler; (c) receiving input from a depalletizer confirming that the remaining containers have been loaded to the conveyor system; (d) stopping the flow of syrup from a syrup supply tank to a syrup recovery tank; and (e) pushing remaining syrup in at least one distribution line, which leads from the syrup supply tank, into the syrup recovery tank. This apparatus and method allow conservation of syrup and containers at the end of a production run.

Abstract: A stopper for continuous casting comprising a stopper rod and a spindle for actuating the stopper rod, wherein the stopper rod includes a joining nut integrally formed therewith, an upper end surface of the stopper rod being formed so as to be smooth, and a pin hole being provided in the upper end surface so as to prevent from rotating, while the spindle includes a gas introduction route, a male screw provided in a tip portion thereof for being engaged with the joining nut, a male screw provided in an upper portion thereof for being engaged with a fastening nut for fixing the spindle to the stopper rod, and a flange tightly adhered to the upper end surface of the stopper rod and provided with a hole, into which a pin for preventing rotation is inserted. The spindle is fixed to the stopper rod by the joining nut. The flange is fixed to the upper end surface of the stopper rod by the fastening nut so as to be hermetically sealed.

Abstract: A suit hanger includes a hook having a straight portion and a frame connected to the hook. The frame has an articulating section in a middle thereof, thereby allowing the frame to be folded at the articulating section along a pivotal axis that is at an angle with an extending direction of the straight portion of the hook.

Abstract: A suit hanger includes a hook having a straight portion and a frame connected to the hook. The frame has an articulating section in a middle thereof, thereby allowing the frame to be folded at the articulating section along a pivotal axis that is at an angle with an extending direction of the straight portion of the hook.

Abstract: A carrier for attachment to a motor home or vehicle for transporting small outboard motors and their associated gasoline tanks is described. The carrier has a generally rectangular base for releasable attachment to a motor vehicle. The base has an outboard motor support for supporting an outboard motor in a position to maintain the propeller lower than the engine casing and a gasoline tank securing means for securely transporting the gasoline tank for the outboard motor.

Abstract: Lottery ticket dispensing housings are provided with a hinged, transparent rear and top cover, a hinged front wall, and a powered ticket drive and separator module. A relatively tall embodiment of the dispenser with a small footprint is fitted onto the countertop of a check-out counter of a retail store. The top of the housing is flat so as to provide a convenient place for customers to write checks with the tickets being displayed immediately below being highly visible to the customer. A display of relatively flat and short dispensers is provided wherein a rack or housing supports the dispensers one a top of the other in a vertical array. In such a rack or housing the units are connected together electrically in a daisy-chain manner and one control device (point-of-sale terminal, computer or on-line terminal) operates all connected dispensers. The dispensers are shifted laterally with respect to one another to as to give greater viewability of the contents of each of the dispensers to a customer.

Abstract: The present invention is for a method and a means for feeding of strip material to working machine in which the material is worked upon and separated into individual parts. Primarily the invention is for feeding of metal strip to presses. At intermittent feeding of long objects (3) to working machines (2)the feed rate is controlled in relation to the speed of the working machine. The control of the feed rate is by means of a control system having a processor is supplied with signals which correspond to the speed and position of the working machine and the feed rate and fed length of the fed material (3).

Abstract: A fastener driving tool includes a fastener drive mechanism and a trigger that is movable from an OFF position to an ON position for actuating the fastener drive mechanism. A mode change device is operable to selectively change a tool mode among a first drive mode, a second drive mode and a drive inhibit mode for the fastener drive mechanism. The mode change device includes an operation member that is operable by an operator. The operation member has a plurality of operational positions that correspond to the changeable modes.

Abstract: A welding wire holder includes a container body having an annular space defined therein for receiving therein a coil of welding wire, and a coil keeper for keeping the coil of welding wire stably in position against floating when the welding wire is pulled out from the container body in an upward direction. The coil keeper is comprised of a layer of spheroidal members spread over the entire area of an upper surface of the coil of welding wire received in the annular space. The spheroidal members thus spread produce a distributed load acting on the upper surface of the coil of welding wire with uniform distribution of load.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for desoldering electronic components from a substrate. A vacuum is used, to enhance the flow of a hot gas under an electronic component to reflow the solder connections attaching the electronic component to a substrate. Water vapor is added to the hot gas to increase the heat capacity of the hot gas. A system for periodically changing the direction of flow of the hot gas and vacuum under the electronic component is used to uniformly heat the solder connections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for inerting a wave soldering installation having a solder bath (19) and a conveying system for producing one or more solder waves (14, 15), in particular for soldering electric printed circuit boards, having an immersion box (1) which is closed on all sides, shaped like a frame, can be immersed in the solder bath (19) and which has porous pipes (2, 3, 4) to distribute nitrogen, said pipes being arranged inside the immersion box in cage-like housings (5, 6, 7) with outlet openings (8, 9, 10), the cage-like housings (5, 6, 7) being designed such that the porous pipes (2, 3, 4) are arranged therein in such a way that the porous pipes (2, 3, 4) are essentially not struck by solder splashes produced during the operation of the wave soldering installation.

Abstract: A method for applying a wear coating on a surface of a substrate is described. A foil of the wear coating is first attached to the substrate surface, and then fused to the surface, e.g., by brazing. The wear coating may be formed from a carbide-type material. The substrate is very often a superalloy material, e.g., a component of a turbine engine. A method for repairing a worn or damaged wear coating applied over a substrate is also described, along with related articles of manufacture.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing flip chips with C4 joints mounted on a multi-chip module by applying a tensile force to one or more removal member bonded to the back of one or more flip chips during heating of the module to a temperature sufficient to cause the C4 joints to become molten. The tensile force can either be a compressed spring, or a bi-metallic member which is flat at room temperature and becomes curved when heated to such temperature, or a memory alloy whose original shape is curved and which is bent flat at room temperature but returns to its original curved shape when heated to such temperature. An adhesive is used to bond the removal member to the chip to be removed and is a low temperature, fast curing adhesive with high temperature tolerance after curing.

Abstract: According to this process for the optical coding of an Internet address printed on a visible support, to allow computer processing thereof, of the type according to which a cue incorporated into a coded printed mark which can be read by a scanner is associated with the address, the cue may be arranged in at least one of the dots of the Internet address. This cue may contain the identity of the visible support. The process includes the reading of the cue by a scanner.

Abstract: The method for compensating undesired variations in an electrical signal generated by a sensor of an optical code reader comprises the steps of generating an envelope signal starting from the electrical signal generated by the sensor and normalizing the electrical signal with respect to the envelope signal. Preferably, the envelope signal is filtered with a low-pass filter before being normalized so as to eliminate steps and edges which may cause distortions during normalization, and the normalized signal is amplified in a controlled way so as to supply an output signal ranging between two values having preset amplitudes. Normalization is carried out by dividing, point by point, the electrical signal by the envelope signal, in the case of continuous analog processing; alternatively, in presence of discrete-time signals, normalization is carried out by subtracting the envelope signal from the electrical signal.

Abstract: An area of interest is scanned to produce pixels of the scanned area. The pixels are divided into a plurality of blocks. For each block, an orientation of a spanning line or a lack of orientation is determined. Contiguous ones of the blocks are clustered, when their orientation is within a certain tolerance level. Each cluster has a length and a width. The length is longer than the width. If the orientation of a cluster's block is perpendicular to the length of that cluster, that cluster is selected as a bar code candidate.

Abstract: A bar code data detecting section of a bar code reader scans a bar code twice or more and detects multiple pieces of bar code data, and a decoder decodes the bar code data, Then, a first judging section detects the overlapping part where first decoded data of the decoded in a first scanning trace and second decoded data in a second scanning trace overlap and judges whether or not the overlapping part is composed of a predetermined number of characters. If the overlapping part is composed of the predetermined number of characters, a second judging section judges whether or not the data in the overlapping part of the first decoded data is identical with that of the second decoded data. If the characters are the same, a fourth judging section judges whether or not the character just before the overlapping part of the first decoded data, the character just after the overlapping part of the second decoded data, and the characters constituting the overlapping part are all the same.

Abstract: A bar code reader includes a housing and a reader module disposed in the housing for reading bar code indicia and producing an analog signal representative of the bar code indicia. A decoder is coupled to the reader module for receiving the analog signal and decoding the analog signal into decoded data representative of the bar code indicia. A central processor is coupled to the decoder and serves to receive and process the decoded data representative of the bar code indicia. The reader module and the decoder operate independently of the processor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a contactless smart card manufacturing process and more specifically to a manufacturing process for a contactless smart card for which the antenna is on a fibrous material such as paper. This process includes a manufacturing step to screen print the antenna onto the support, a step to bond the contacts of the chip onto the antenna support using conductive glue, and a step designed to laminate the card body onto the antenna support by hot press molding. Cutouts made in the corners of the antenna support prior to the lamination step enable the card bodies to be bonded together. The card thus obtained allows a posteriori viewing of any mechanical misuse to which it may have been subjected (extreme bending).

Abstract: The invention provides a method that enables loading/unloading a plurality of types of games as part of an application program, typically, a game application program installed on a smart card system with high ability of storing information for which highly-reliable security is achievable, extending the use range of the card. Of a program to run on the card, the processing parts that can be executed in common are packaged as modules and game definitions described in scripts are loaded/unloaded into/from the card as required from a terminal operating with the card. In the program, a script interpreter that interprets and executes scripts, a controller that controls scripts loading/unloading, a controller that performs the management of point data and rights to play game are prepared, whereby dynamic loading/unloading of types of games is possible and one application can offer a plurality of types of games that can be selectively executed.

Abstract: A versatile and easily serviceable material spreading apparatus of the type for movement over a ground surface while broadcasting a material along a path on the ground surface. The apparatus includes a belt cartridge which can be slid into or pulled out of a chassis compartment having ledges for supporting the cartridge. The belt cartridge provides an upper flight on which material is carried from a hopper supported on the chassis to a broadcasting unit carried at one end of the chassis. A plurality of broadcasting units each of which has an attachment component, which in combination with a mating attachment component carried by the chassis, permits quick fastening and removal of each unit relative to the chassis. One of the broadcasting units mounts an elongated rotatable member below a drop-off end of the upper flight of the belt cartridge, and the rotatable member is driven in a direction so that the upper rotating periphery of the rotating member propels the material upward and away from the chassis.

Abstract: A two-step process for the production of a toner for developing electrostatic images, including a first pulverizing step wherein a toner composition containing a binder and a coloring agent is pulverized to obtain preliminarily pulverized particles having a weight average particle diameter of 20-100 &mgr;m and containing no more than 50% by weight of particles having roundness of 0.90 or less, and a second pulverizing step wherein the preliminarily pulverized particles are finely pulverized to obtain finely pulverized particles having a weight average particle diameter of 5-13 &mgr;m and containing no more than 30% by weight of particles having roundness of 0.90 or less and no more than 15%, based on the total number of particles of the finely pulverized particles, of particles having a particle diameter of 5 &mgr;m or less.

Abstract: A method and a device in which food waste is conveyed to a storage tank from an inlet using a difference in air pressure between the inlet and the storage tank.

Abstract: A hammer comprising a hammer body. The hammer body comprises a rotor forming portion with a trailing and a leading edge and is capable of securement to a rotor, a tip support section capable of extending into a debris path, and a production pocket extending from the leading edge of the rotor portion also capable of extending into the debris path. The hammer also comprises a hammer tip secured to the tip section of the hammer body and at least partially shielded from the debris path by the production pocket of the hammer body.

Abstract: The cassette half molding method molds one of upper and lower halves of the magnetic tape cassette by injection molding with an injection mold in which a gas vent pin for smoothing a flow of molten resin to be introduced in the cavity for molding a transparent or semitransparent window portion provided in the upper half. The cassette half is molded by this molding method. The magnetic tape cassette has a friction sheet interposed either between a pair of take-up hubs and the upper half, or between the pair of take-up hubs and the lower half, or both, and the friction sheet is made of polyethylene-based resin and has a surface electric resistance value in the range of 1×107&OHgr; to 1×1010&OHgr;. The magnetic tape cassette has a rib for reducing a resistance when the roller of the detecting member passes through which is provided at a position corresponding to a recess and on a side of the front lid in the top surface of the body case.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge includes a cartridge casing formed by upper and lower casing halves and a single reel around which a magnetic tape is wound and which is contained in the cartridge casing for rotation. A slide door for opening and closing a tape outlet opening is mounted on the cartridge casing to be linearly slidable along a door passage between a closing position where it closes the tape outlet opening and an opening position where it opens the tape outlet opening. A door spring for urging the slide door toward the closing position and holding the same in the closing position is disposed on the door passage.

Abstract: A roll holder device is for use with a recording paper roll including a tubular spool shaft and continuous recording paper wound about the tubular spool shaft in a roll form. In the roll holder device, first and second holder cores are inserted in respectively first and second ends of the tubular spool shaft. A holder frame supports the first and second holder cores in a rotatable manner. Anti-dropping levers prevent the tubular spool shaft from dropping from the first and second holder cores by pushing a shaft inner surface of the tubular spool shaft.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor including a torsion bar is provided. A second torque transmitting portion of the torsion bar is clamped between a reel and a holder member press-fitted radially in the reel without backlash in the axial direction. A first torque transmitting portion is strictly fixed to a pawl holder without backlash in the axial direction by radially crimping an internal periphery of a left end portion of the pawl holder of a locking means. Therefore, the first and second torque transmitting portions conventionally formed in a torsion bar are effectively used, thereby eliminating a groove for an E-ring as conventionally used and thus simplifying the configuration of the torsion bar. In addition, since the first and second torque transmitting portions can operate without backlash, the occurrence of jarring noise due to vibrations of the seat belt retractor can be prevented.

Abstract: In a seat belt retractor, as the rotation of a pawl holder of a locking member in the webbing unwinding direction is stopped by a locking mechanism in emergency, a reel receives a force on a protrusion by impact load applied to the webbing with the inertia of an occupant. As the force is increased, the protrusion is plastically deformed. By this plastic deformation, the impact on the occupant can be greatly absorbed at first. After the protrusion is sheared, the reel tends to rotate in the webbing unwinding direction by the inertia of the occupant, so that the torsion bar is further twisted. Thus, the load can be variously set to effectively absorb kinetic energy of the occupant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine for tucking, labelling and palletizing spools at the outlet of winders or other machines producing spools of threads and the process practiced by this machine.

Abstract: A non-automatic dispenser of towelettes that is appropriate for use in such contexts as food service, health care, long-term care, child care, educational settings, industry, military and public restrooms. A photo sensor, triggered by badge provides data for performance feedback and reinforcement/accountability strategies, documented by research as essential for sustained changes in hand cleansing behavior. Mounting shoes provide for versatility of secure placement on counter/desks; under cabinet; on either front, left or right facing wall, in bathroom stall.

Abstract: A control surface (152) for an aircraft has a reinforced elastomer surface (154) on a surface of the aircraft and has a perimeter (156) attached to the aircraft. An actuation mechanism (160) moves the reinforced elastomer surface (154) from a first position, substantially conforming to a moldline of the aircraft, to a second position, protruding from the moldline of the aircraft.

Abstract: A retainer device for conductors in an electrical raceway, which is applicable mainly to raceways formed by the association of a U-shaped base section (2) with a cover section, in which the base section (2) is provided in the walls thereof with equal equidistant narrow transverse slots which define therebetween outstanding transverse tabs or strips which form a comb-like arrangement. The device is formed by an open narrow annular member (1) of right prismatic profile, the bottom portion whereof corresponds to the right internal cross section of the base section (2), of the raceway to which it is directed.

Abstract: A vehicle seat slide device includes an elongated lower guide rail adapted to be secured to a floor panel of the vehicle body in its longitudinal direction, and an upper slide rail slidably fitted into the lower guide rail. The lower guide rail has a rail body, side walls, slider rest portions and upper guide walls inwardly extending from upper ends of the side walls to define an elongated guide groove. First hook segments are formed on inner edges of the upper guide walls along the elongated guide groove, and second hook segments are formed on the side walls of the lower guide rail, respectively. The upper slide rail includes a slide body, vertical wall, upper slide walls, and lower side walls. In the upper slide rail, slider rest shoulders, first engaging segments, and second engaging segments are also formed. Either one of the slider rest portions may include a rectilinear portion by which one of the sliders is held in point of contact.

Abstract: A wavefront sensor includes a plurality of lenses disposed in the same plane, and an area sensor that receives a bundle of rays of light collected through each of the lenses as a luminous point. Each of the lenses comprises a plurality of concentric areas with different focal lengths, and the area sensor is located substantially halfway between a first position in which a plane wave forms an image after passing through one of the concentric areas with a minimum focal length, and a second position in which the plane wave forms an image after passing through another area with a maximum focal length. With the wavefront sensor thus arranged, the measurement can be always achieved with high accuracy without involving noticeable blurring of luminous points on the area sensor regardless of the wavefront shape of a light beam incident to the lenses.