Abstract: A compliant wafer chuck for supporting a substrate in which an upper body of the chuck is allowed to tilt relative to the base.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal seed layer, preferably a copper layer, for subsequent electrochemical deposition. The metal seed layer is formed by the oxidation-reduction reaction of a metal salt with a reducing agent present in a layer on the substrate to be plated. Metal interconnects for semiconductor devices may be produced by the method, which has the advantage of forming the metal seed layer by a simple electrochemical plating process that may be combined with the plating of the interconnect itself as a single-bath operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the multilayer coating of substrates with electrodeposition and powder coating materials, in which electrodeposition is used to apply at least one coat (2) of electrodeposition coating material to the substrate (1), after deposition the substrate (1) is, if desired, wholly or partially air-dried, a coat of powder coating material (3) is then applied, and finally electrodeposition coating material and powder coating material are jointly baked.

Abstract: A substrate container includes a container housing having an opening for storing a substrate therethrough and a cover sealingly covering the opening, a fan motor mounted in the container housing for producing a circulating path of air in contact with the substrate in the container housing, and a particle removing filter and a gaseous impurity trapping filter which are disposed in the a portion of the circulating path which extends toward the substrate. A dehumidifying unit for dehumidifying a space in the container housing comprises a solid polymer electrolyte film disposed in the circulating path and voltage applying means for applying a voltage to the solid polymer electrolyte film to decompose water in air flowing in the circulating path thereby to dehumidify a space in the container housing.

Abstract: The present invention is a pulp screening device which is capable of screening a large quantity of pulp with low power, by preventing clogging of a screen cylinder. The device is provided with one or a plurality of vanes which revolve within an agitation chamber formed between a pair of inner and outer screen cylinders, holding a predetermined small space from each of the inner and outer screen cylinders. The agitation chamber is practically partitioned in the circumferential direction by the vanes.

Abstract: A water quality meter is composed of a plurality of analyzing units for analyzing water samples introduced from a water distribution pipe, each analyzing unit including a reagent mixing cell and a measuring cell, and a liquid introducing unit integrated with the analyzing units, which is composed of a single member in which a plurality of fluid flow paths for feeding various types of liquid including the water sample into the analyzing unit are formed. Furthermore, the cells and the plurality of three-dimensional fluid flow paths formed in the single member are fabricated by a micro-fabrication technique using photo-curing resin.

Abstract: The current invention relates to treatment of waste water and in particular to treatment of sewerage effluent. The current invention broadly resides in a method of treating waste water in a waste water reticulation system including inoculating the waste water with an inoculum of selected microorganisms at a site prior to the treatment plant in the waste water reticulation system or discharge site where there is no treatment plant in the waste water reticulation system; and incubating the waste water inoculated with the selected microorganisms to form a culture that reduces waste in the inoculated waste water.

Abstract: An effluent containing sorbic acid or its salt from, for example, a sorbic acid production line is (1) treated with a hypohalogenous acid or its salt, e.g. sodium hypochlorite, or (2) subjected to membrane separation or activated carbon treatment and further to biological treatment such as activated sludge treatment. The required amount of the hypohalogenous acid or salt may for example be about 0.01˜10 parts by weight, in terms of effective halogen, based on 100 parts by weight of the effluent. Optionally the effluent thus treated with the hypohalogenous acid or salt is further subjected to a biological treatment such as an activated sludge process.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for removing impurities from a brine solution, the brine solution comprising a water soluble chelating agent, the method comprising the steps of:

Abstract: A method of treating animal manure solids comprises contacting the solids with a treatment composition comprising AlCl3.nH2O or Al(NO3)3.mH2O, or the residue of AlCl3.nH2O or Al(NO3)3.mH2O, to form a treated waste product, wherein n is from 0 to 10, and m is from 0 to 12. The treatment amount can be effective to reduce phosphorus solubility in the manure; reduce phosphorus runoff and/or phosphorus leaching from fields fertilized with manure; inhibit ammonia volatilization from the manure; flocculate solids in the manure; reduce pathogens in the manure; increase the nitrogen content in the manure; and/or reduce acid rain and PM-10s associated with the manure.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for the treatment of aqueous waste stream containing aldehydes and ketones, in particular, alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated aldehydes and ketones, which can be rendered non-toxic to biological treatment systems by contacting the waste stream with organic polyamines and/or inorganic ammonium compounds at essentially ambient conditions.

Abstract: A shock absorbing tow bar for connection between the accumulating trolley and load carriage of a power and free conveyor system is disclosed. The tow bar includes one component that is connectable to the accumulating trolley and another that is connectable to the intermediate trolley of the load carriage. Limited relative shifting is permitted between the components of the tow bar. Moreover, the components are threadably intercoupled so that such relative shifting requires a screwing or unscrewing action that serves to cushion movement between the accumulating trolley and load carriage.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inner plug easily removable from a neck of a container, and a cap for covering the inner plug. The inner plug comprises an engaging portion to be fitted to a neck of the container, a threaded cylinder, and a lip cylinder connected to said threaded cylinder. The engaging portion comprises an inner cylinder, an outer cylinder, and a shoulder wall. The threaded cylinder is arranged on the inner cylinder. The cap has a side cylinder to be engaged with said threaded cylinder of said inner plug, and a cover cylinder covering said shoulder wall and said outer cylinder. The cover cylinder has a diameter larger than a diameter of said side cylinder. The outer cylinder is provided with a cut portion. The shoulder wall is provided with a cut portion connecting to said cut portion of the outer cylinder. The shoulder wall is provided on a lower surface thereof with a tear off groove along the outer cylinder. The groove is connected to said cut portion of the shoulder wall.

Abstract: The current-limiting mechanism is provided in particular in order to protect electromechanical contactors from being welded by a short-circuit load. In a first step, the current-limiting mechanism closes a bridging contact of a first bridging current path in order to reduce the current load on the contactor. In a second step, its bridging function is taken over by a switching arc and by a second bridging current path, In the further course of the disconnection process, the switching arc commutates from the bridging contact onto associated running rails or arc runners and runs into an arcing chamber of the current-limiting mechanism. As a result, the short-circuit is interrupted.

Abstract: A contact shoe device for a circuit breaker is formed of a case, at least one pair of fixed contact shoes disposed in the case, at least one movable contact shoe disposed in the case for bridging the pair of the fixed contact shoes, and at least one pair of contact springs cooperating with the movable contact shoe. The contact springs urge the movable contact shoe to the pair of the fixed contact shoes to close an electric path between the pair of the fixed contact shoes. The movable contact shoe is separated from the pair of the fixed contact shoes against the contact springs when the electric path is open.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for preventing ice dams on an outside surface of a roof of a building includes a heating device placed below the roof. An automatic controller includes a ground fault circuit interrupter in communication with the heating device. The ground fault circuit interrupter detects a ground fault condition associated with the heating device. The controller selectively controls operation of the heating device dependent upon the ground fault condition. A transmitter is connected with the controller. The transmitter transmits an air-borne ground fault signal dependent upon the ground fault condition. A remote receiver receives the ground fault signal. The remote receiver provides at least one of a visible indication and an audible indication of the ground fault signal.

Abstract: A heat treatment table is divided into two or more regions, a heater is disposed for each region. On a predetermined portion of the heat treatment table, a plurality of sensors are disposed separately each other. A relation between temperatures of the respective portions on the heat treatment table and temperatures detected by the sensors is grasped in advance, thereby enables to surmise a temperature of the respective portion of the heat treatment table from the temperature detected by the sensors. In the case of an wafer being actually treated by placing on the heat treatment table, the temperatures detected by the sensors are observed, from these detected temperatures, the temperatures of the respective portions on the heat treatment table, that is, temperatures affecting the wafer, are surmised.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the removing solvents from coated materials while capturing evaporated vapors in a confined space and maintaining non-explosive conditions within the space. Microwave energy may be applied to a coated material as the coated material passes through a cavity configured to produce an electromagnetic resonance mode. The application of microwaves to the coated material causes rapid evaporation of the solvents. The cavity is also configured to confine the evaporated vapors in a small volume and control the inflow of air into the volume so as to produce an effluent waste stream which includes a relatively high concentration of solvent molecules while maintaining a non-explosive atmosphere within the cavity. The method and apparatus are particularly suited for treating coated web materials, especially continuous webs.

Abstract: A transport and storage container for liquids has a flexible inner container of an inner envelope of plastic material and an outer envelope of a woven material. The container also has a cage of crossing horizontal and vertical cage rods of metal as well as a pallet underframe of metal. The flexible inner container is suspended from cover rods connected at the upper frame of the cage of the transport container. The outflow socket of the inner container is detachably connectable with a holding device on the cage of the transport container.

Abstract: A storage device (10) includes an underground chamber (12) and a lid (31) hinged to the chamber (12). The lid (31) has a tab (36) and can be easily opened by a user. Flanges (23, 25, 27, 29) near the top of the chamber (12) prevent the storage device (10) from setting too deep in the ground (60) and prevent water from flowing into the chamber (12). A pipe (14) attached to the base (15) of the chamber (12) surrounding an opening (16) therein receives the handle (54) of an implement (50) when the head (52) of the implement (50) is stored in the chamber (12) and provides drainage to the chamber (12). A block (18) on the base (15) of the chamber (12) lifts the head (52) of the implement (50) off the base (15), thereby protecting the implement (50) from possible water and litter in the chamber (12).

Abstract: A ray set composed of a first tray and a second tray, wherein the first tray having a plurality of depressed portions in which sushi toppings can be placed and which each has a shape having a depth so as to fill it with the sushi topping and a portion of a lump of rice seasoned with vinegar. The first tray is provided with a plurality of holes on the bottom so as for liquid dropped or oozed out from the toppings to be discharged therethrough. The second tray is arranged such that it can be laid under the first tray and the liquid discharged from the first tray can be received by a depressed face, and a plurality of projections are formed continually and integrally with the depressed face and the plurality of the projections are disposed so as to be engageable with the holes of the first tray and to project through the holes inside the first tray, when the second tray is laid under the first tray. The projections assist in separating the sushi from the tray.

Abstract: A note holding and dispensing device is provided which comprises a frame 16; a cassette 18 removably positioned in a cavity 112 of the frame 16; a transfer device 24 which comprises an extraction drive means 120 and a conveyer means 122 provided in the frame 16; and an electronic controller 46 for controlling operation of the extraction drive means 120 and conveyer means 122. The cassette 18 has a chamber 64 for receiving a plurality of notes 66 and an extracting device 232 for discharging the notes 66 from the chamber 64. The extraction drive means 120 operates the extracting device 232 in the cassette 18 to fetch the notes 66 from the cassette 18. The conveyer means 122 transports the notes 66 received from the cassette 18 to an outlet 20 through a passageway 22.

Abstract: A note holding and dispensing device is provided which comprises a frame 16; a cassette 18 removably positioned in a cavity 112 of the frame 16; a transfer device 24 which comprises an extraction drive means 120 and a conveyer means 122 provided in the frame 16; and an electronic controller 46 for controlling operation of the extraction drive means 120 and conveyer means 122. The cassette 18 has a chamber 64 for receiving a plurality of notes 66 and an extracting device 232 for discharging the notes 66 from the chamber 64. The extraction drive means 120 operates the extracting device 232 in the cassette 18 to fetch the notes 66 from the cassette 18. The conveyer means 122 transports the notes 66 received from the cassette 18 to an outlet 20 through a passageway 22.

Abstract: A modular flow controller for controlling fluid flow, including a flow control assembly for establishing a desired flow rate. The flow control assembly includes a flow adjustment interface rendered in a substantially horizontal position for receiving a control input to establish a flow rate. The modular flow control assembly includes a valve assembly in operational engagement with the flow control assembly for discharging a desired quantity of fluid from the modular flow controller. The modular flow controller is preferably applied to a beverage dispenser's dispensing valve assembly, wherein the dispensing valve assembly includes a faucet plate. Accordingly, due to the configuration of the modular flow controller, it is unnecessary to secure the modular flow controller to the faucet plate for operation thereof. The modular flow controller includes a drink integrity locking unit for preventing access to a flow adjustment interface.

Abstract: Rechargeable dispensers, in particular spray bottle dispensers including at least one chemical reservoir for recharging the spray bottle dispenser. Preferably, a plurality of separate chemical reservoirs containing chemical concentrate are provided within the spray bottle dispenser to fully contain any inadvertent spillage of chemicals, and to insure a high degree of safety against accidental spills, and/or accidental ingestion by children.

Abstract: A device for dispensing cold drinks comprising as components a storage vessel (1), a drink conduit (2), connected thereto, and a dispensing means (3) is disclosed. With a view to obtaining an unbroken cooling chain, all components in the device are enclosed in refrigerated spaces (5, 6).

Abstract: A garment hanger having a releasable size indicator. The garment hanger including a hook for suspending the hanger on a support and a body connected to the hook; the hanger having at least one web for removably securing a size indicator to the hanger, the web having a fixed latch and a pivoting latch; and a size indicator having a triangular cross-section and fingers for engaging the fixed and pivoting latches such that the size indicator is secured on the web during normal use, but wherein the size indicator may be released from the fixed latch when the pivoting latch is pivoted out of engagement with the fingers of the size indicator.

Abstract: A mounting device for releasably and securely mounting an entertainment accessory within an automobile having a headrest extending from a seat. The mounting device includes an entertainment accessory and a case that can be releasably attached to the headrest. The entertainment accessory is positioned within the case and the case has a front side, a rear side, and a bottom side. A quick connect device is attached to the case for releasably engaging the headrest. A cover has one edge attached to the case. The cover is movable between a first position and second position. The cover overlaps the bottom side and the front side of the case while in the first position, and the cover serves as a spacer between the seat and the rear side of the case, while in the second position, to orient the case in a generally vertical position.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of controlling a drag roller in a printing machine to move a web with no shift of a printing position and enhance the printing quality remarkably, even when the drag roller varies in diameter due to its temperature change. From a given temperature-rotational-speed table, a controlling unit obtains a rotational speed of the drag roller so as to adjust a circumferential speed of the drag roller, which speed corresponds to the current circumferential surface temperature checked by a temperature monitoring unit. Then, a rotational speed changing unit changes the rotational speed of the drag roller to a value equivalent to the rotational speed obtained by the controlling unit.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus (1) for the transversal drawing of a film (2) in motion, comprising a pair of rollers (3, 4) rotating on parallel axes, fitted with toothed surface profiles (5, 6) capable of compentrating without touching each other and defining a wavy passage (7) for the film, where the rounded tips of the toothed profiles (5, 6) of the two rollers (3 and 4) define the points of application of the drawing action on the film (2).

Abstract: A stapling device for automatically binding a set of sheets is formed of a needle driving unit for driving a needle in the set of the sheets; a bending unit for bending the driven needle; two pairs of front and rear guide shafts for supporting the needle driving unit and the bending unit and guiding movements of these units in a sheet width direction; and moving shafts for moving these units along the guide shafts in the sheet width direction. By disposing each moving shaft between the front and rear guide shafts, each unit can be moved in the sheet width direction stably and smoothly, and the entire device can be structured small. Also, in at least one of the units, a small space is formed for a moving mechanism for at least one of needle driving device and bending device in a sheet thickness direction, to thereby achieve a further miniaturization of the entire device.

Abstract: A chip junction nozzle in that opposite slant planes 43 which come into contact with edges of 2 sides of the chip in parallel centering around a nozzle center, and a vacuum suction hole 42 opened in the nozzle center are provided, and the slant plane 43 is formed into a mirror surface having the surface hardness more than HrC40. Further, when the surface roughness of the mirror surface is expressed by the average roughness of the center line, the average roughness of the center line is not more than 1.6 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A wire bonding apparatus and method in which an axial center of a bonding tool is moved to the vicinity of a near reference member, laser diodes are sequentially lit, images of the reference member and bonding tool in the horizontal directions are acquired by a position detection camera, and amounts of deviation between the tool and the reference member are measured. Then, the position detection camera is caused to approach the reference member, and amounts of deviation between the optical axis of the position detection camera and the reference member are measured by the position detection camera. The accurate offset amounts are determined from the measured values and amounts of movement. Image light of the tool and reference member is conducted to the position detection camera by prisms and half-mirror, without a camera for detecting the amount of deviation between the tool and reference member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a friction stir welding technique which avoids occurrence of a dent, in adjoining region, extending to a level beneath the joined surfaces. At end portions of the frame members to be joined, at the joining region, thickened parts which project toward the rotary body joining tool are provided. Two adjoining thickened parts, of adjacent members to be joined, can form a trapezoid shape. The rotary body joining tool has a small-diameter tip portion and a larger diameter portion. The rotary body joining tool is inserted in the thickened parts. In a state where the rotary body joining tool has been inserted small-diameter tip and first, to a level where the larger diameter portion of the rotary body joining tool overlaps the thickened part but does not extend below the upper surface of the non-thickened surfaces of the members joined, the rotary body is rotated and moved along the joining region. Even when a gap exists between two thickened parts, a desirable joining can be carried out.

Abstract: Disclosed is a friction stir welding technique which avoids occurrence of a dent, in adjoining region, extending to a level beneath the joined surfaces. At end portions of the frame members to be joined, at the joining region, thickened parts which project toward the rotary body joining tool are provided. Two adjoining thickened parts, of adjacent members to be joined, can form a trapezoid shape. The rotary body joining tool has a small-diameter tip portion and a larger diameter portion. The rotary body joining tool is inserted in the thickened parts. In a state where the rotary body joining tool has been inserted small-diameter tip and first, to a level where the larger diameter portion of the rotary body joining tool overlaps the thickened part but does not extend below the upper surface of the non-thickened surfaces of the members joined, the rotary body is rotated and moved along the joining region. Even when a gap exists between two thickened parts, a desirable joining can be carried out.

Abstract: Disclosed is a friction stir welding technique which avoids occurrence of a dent, in adjoining region, extending to a level beneath the joined surfaces. At end portions of the frame members to be joined, at the joining region, thickened parts which project toward the rotary body joining tool are provided. Two adjoining thickened parts, of adjacent members to be joined, can form a trapezoid shape. The rotary body joining tool has a small-diameter tip portion and a larger diameter portion. The rotary body joining tool is inserted in the thickened parts. In a state where the rotary body joining tool has been inserted small-diameter tip and first, to a level where the larger diameter portion of the rotary body joining tool overlaps the thickened part but does not extend below the upper surface of the non-thickened surfaces of the members joined, the rotary body is rotated and moved along the joining region. Even when a gap exists between two thickened parts, a desirable joining can be carried out.

Abstract: Disclosed is a friction stir welding technique which avoids occurrence of a dent, in adjoining region, extending to a level beneath the joined surfaces. At end portions of the frame members to be joined, at the joining region, thickened parts which project toward the rotary body joining tool are provided. Two adjoining thickened parts, of adjacent members to be joined, can form a trapezoid shape. The rotary body joining tool has a small-diameter tip portion and a larger diameter portion. The rotary body joining tool is inserted in the thickened parts. In a state where the rotary body joining tool has been inserted small-diameter tip and first, to a level where the larger diameter portion of the rotary body joining tool overlaps the thickened part but does not extend below the upper surface of the non-thickened surfaces of the members joined, the rotary body is rotated and moved along the joining region. Even when a gap exists between two thickened parts, a desirable joining can be carried out.

Abstract: The rotary tools are disposed to weld along two spaced welding lines. The two rotary tools are inserted into respective welding joints and moved at the same time along the respective welding lines. At a position PI of a portion of a window one rotary tool is withdrawn from the welding joint so that the friction stir welding on that welding joint is stopped although the welding tool continues to move. At a position P3, the rotary tools are gradually withdrawn from their respective welding joints while they continue to move along the welding line. At a position P4, the movement of the rotary tools along the respective welding lines is stopped, the rotary tools are completely withdrawn and the welding is stopped. Next, the rotary tools are inserted into the respective welding joints once again and movement thereof is started again. An insertion amount of the rotary tools at this time is larger than the insertion amount thereof prior to the stopping of the movement of these rotary tools.

Abstract: A semiconductor device in chip format having a chip which has at least one first insulating layer and electrical connection pads free of the insulating layer is described. On the first insulating layer, interconnects run from the electrical connection pads to base regions of external connection elements. A further applied insulating layer is provided with openings leading from the outside to the base regions of the external connection elements. In the openings there is a conductive adhesive, onto which small balls which are metallic at least on the outside are placed. The semiconductor element can also contain a solder paste instead of a conductive adhesive in the openings, and metallized small plastic balls are placed onto the solder paste. The invention furthermore relates to methods for producing the semiconductor device described.

Abstract: Solder paste is deposited using a solder stencil with an aperture having a concave edge in order to reduce the formation of solder balls. The solder deposit may be formed on a pad such that the paste has a concave edge. Solder paste deposits may be made on adjacent pads with the concave surfaces facing one another.

Abstract: A coupon bearing lid component for a container is prepared from a sheet of paperboard, said paperboard having an outer surface with a finished coating for printing graphics and an inner surface on which coupon indicia is printed, the improvement wherein the inner surface of the lid has bonded thereto a polymeric film to cover the printed coupon indicia.

Abstract: A canister for storing a particulate-type product. The canister includes a tubular body, a bottom panel, a top panel and a plurality of tabs. The tubular body defines an upper opening, a lower opening, and an internal storage region. The bottom panel is connected to the tubular body so as to encompass the lower opening. The top panel is similarly connected to the tubular body so as to encompass the upper opening and includes a lid. The lid is selectively secured to the tubular body at the upper opening such that the lid is moveable from an initial, closed state to an opened state, and from the opened state to a reclosed state. In the initial, closed state, the lid is secured to the tubular body. In the opened state, the lid is displaced from the tubular body to define a pour opening through which the internal storage region is accessible. In the reclosed state, the lid substantially encompasses the pour opening. Finally, the plurality of tabs are associated with the lid in at least the reclosed state.

Abstract: An interlocking door seam provides a stronger seam for double doors, making them less subject to attack by prybars and the like. Particularly for central mail stations (CMS) and central box units CBU, double doors present there are subject to attack by prybars and the like that force the locks and allow thieves to rifle the contents of the enclosed mail boxes. Attachment of interlocking door seam of the present invention to the first edge of the first double doors protects that first edge from prybar attacks. The adjoining edge of the second double door then releasably fits into a convex strip that protects the adjoining edge of the second double door, thereby protecting it from prybar attack. The interlocking door seam allows normal operation of the double doors while decreasing the risk to the central mail station of prybar attack at the seam between the double doors. Flanges present along the free edge of the convex strip provide easy engagement of that free edge.

Abstract: A self-service kiosk includes a biometrics data input for inputting biometrics of a user of the kiosk, a reader for recovering biometrics data stored on a portable storage device such as an optical card, the portable storage device also containing information necessary to carry out a transaction, and a controller capable of comparing the input biometrics data with the stored biometrics data and authorizing a transaction based on a result of the comparison. Alternatively, or in addition to the above, the self-service kiosk may include a device for capturing an image of a customer/registrant, a biometrics capture device, and a data input device for enabling registration information to be entered and stored on a portable storage device such as an optical memory card together with the image and/or biometrics data, the portable storage device being dispensed to the customer/registrant immediately upon registration.

Abstract: Registration of existing, physical documents, comprising: the step of a data processor structure (3, 6; 23) determining a code in each case; actuating a marking assembly (5; 25) for applying a mark, which represents the code, on each document to be registered; the step of the data processor structure (3, 6; 23) actuating registration means in response to the application of the mark; and registering accordingly data corresponding with the code, on a protected information carrier (4; 24). Because it is one and the same data processor structure (3, 6; 23) that carries out the determination of the code, the application of a mark corresponding with the code, and the storage, in a protected memory, of codes of said codes that correspond with applied marks, a safeguard regarding the authenticity of stored data regarding documents is obtained in a highly efficient and reliable manner.

Abstract: A laser marking system encodes a code on an article, eg an article of clothing. The code is detected by a camera or other imaging system that does not require reflectivity for its proper operation.

Abstract: Modules, especially PCMCIA modules, have many properties similar to chip cards, but they cannot be used as such and cannot be personalized as effectively. The module has in addition a standard or modified chip card interface analogous to ISO 7816 ff and is personalized therewith. Modules can be used in standard PC applications, but also personalized and used as chip cards.

Abstract: Transaction cards operable as “smart cards”; credit cards; debit cards; access cards; et cetera, having an self-enabling and self-disabling feature provides for authentication and proper user verification. The card receives input from a user and determines if the input is valid. If the user input is valid, the card responds by enabling a magnetic stripe thereon. The magnetic stripe is enabled for a limited time after which it is then disabled. A disabled magnetic stripe is then inoperable for activating card readers. A card which is lost or stolen cannot be used by unauthorized users as it would have a magnetic stripe in a disabled state and only an authorized user would have the ability to enable it. The card possesses a high level of compatibility with known methodology in the art and does not require additional equipment and systems to attain its high security level.

Abstract: A smart card with a card carrier on which a data processing circuit and also a connection assembly for the contactless communication of data between the data processing circuit and an external data processing station are provided. In the course of producing a prior art smart card, an integrated circuit is applied to a card carrier made of plastic. Afterwards, a transmitting/receiving coil connected to corresponding terminals of the integrated circuit is applied along the outer edges of the prior art smart card. In the case of the prior art smart card, the fact that defective prior art smart cards have to be destroyed is disadvantageous. According to the invention, the data processing circuit and the connection assembly are provided in a region of at least one module carrier and the card carrier has a region for accommodating the module carrier. This makes it possible firstly to test the completed module carrier in respect of its proper functioning before it is incorporated into a card carrier.

Abstract: A fuel injection apparatus includes a valve closing unit provided for biasing a needle valve by a pressure of working fluid introduced into a pressure controlling chamber and a biasing force of a needle spring. A working fluid introducing/backing passage having a port is connected to the pressure controlling chamber. A throttle portion for imparting a fluidization resistance to the working fluid is provided in the port. The port is adapted to be kept in communication with the working fluid discharge passage only in a retracted position of a booster piston, to be in communication with a pressurizing chamber only in the case where the booster piston is advanced through a predetermined distance or longer, and to be in communication with none of the working fluid discharge passage and the pressurizing chamber from the retracted position to the advanced position through the predetermined distance.