Abstract: A stackable case for retaining and transporting bottles including outer side walls forming an outer shell having a longitudinal axis and a horizontal axis, a case bottom disposed substantially within the outer shell, and a plurality of supports for supporting the outer surfaces of the bottles. The side walls include a lower wall portion and a plurality of spaced upwardly projecting pylons, where four corner pylons define the four corners of the case. A plurality of spaced upwardly projecting columns generally disposed within the outer shell define, in combination with the case bottom, the side walls and the end walls, a plurality of bottle retaining pockets. The columns and the pylons extend above the lower wall portions and below a top surface of the retained bottles. At least one of the side walls includes an integrally molded logo which identifies the source of the goods.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel package, particularly for use as a skin package which may be readily recycled, and to a process for preparing such a package.

Abstract: A reusable container, made of a thermoplastic material, with at least one filler and drain opening (18) in the top panel (20) and with a circumferential upper and lower stacking ring (12, 16). To permit reuse, direct stackability, good residual drainability as well as good manipulability of the container, this invention provides for the upper stacking ring (12) to have a slightly larger diameter than the lower stacking ring (16) and to feature on the inside of its upper rim a recess matching the diameter of the lower stacking ring (16) and on the outside a vertically protruding circular flange, so that, when stacked one container atop the other, the lower stacking ring of the upper container fits into the recess in the upper stacking ring of the barrel underneath and is snugly centered therein by the vertically protruding circular flange. This allows for the direct, multiple, secure stacking of the containers that are the object of this invention.

Abstract: A rigid lightweight carrying case includes first and second frame members hingedly attached to one another, each comprising a band of rigid material substantially defining the outline of the carrying case and at least partially circumscribing the object to be carried in the case, a layer of rigid foam material affixed within each frame member and located towards the exterior of the case for providing structural rigidity to the case, a layer of soft foam material affixed within each frame member adjacent the rigid foam material and located towards the interior of the case, the soft foam being contoured to accommodate and provide support for an object to be carried in the case, an inner fabric layer of plush material on the interior of the case covering substantially the soft foam material, an outer fabric layer affixed to the exterior of the case covering substantially the rigid frame members and the rigid foam material, and means for carrying the case attached thereto, thus providing a carrying case that is b

Abstract: A filtering apparatus including a filtering vessel, wherein a precoat filtering layer is formed with a filter aid on a filtering bed between a nonfiltered liquid chamber where a nonfiltered liquid to be filtered is introduced and a filtered liquid chamber; a nonfiltered liquid introduction line, including a pump and a first open/close valve connected to a suction port of the pump, for introducing the nonfiltered liquid into the nonfiltered liquid chamber; a filtered liquid outlet line, including a second open/close valve, for letting out a filtered liquid through a filtered liquid outlet port of the filtered liquid chamber; a filter aid introducing line that can be opened and closed, from a precoating liquid outlet port of the filtering vessel, via a filter aid addition part, to the pump suction port; a bypass line for precoating, from the filtered liquid outlet port of the filtering vessel to the pump suction port via a third open/close valve; and a bypass line for valve cleaning, from a liquid outlet port a

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-volatile facilitated transport separation membrane prepared by using a solid state polymer electrolyte, characterized in that it has good stability and improved permeance and selectivity of alkene-series unsaturated hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane made of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol polymer, comprising a dense layer existing in the inner surface and a porous layer existing in the layer other than the dense layer, wherein the hollow fiber membrane has a porosity of 60 to 90%, an overall mass transfer coefficient for myoglobin in a water-based system of not less than 0.003 cm/min., and a rejection rate for albumin in a bovine blood system of not less than 97%. The EVA hollow fiber membrane is useful for hemopurification membranes such as hemodialysis membranes, hemodiafiltration membranes, hemofiltration membranes and continuous hemofiltration membranes, and a process for producing the same.

Abstract: A filtering medium and method for removing contaminants from an organic-based feed stream which includes the use of a layer of ceramic filter units having a plurality of elliptical or trisoidal openings extending therethrough to filter organic-based feed streams and to provide liquid distribution upstream of the catalyst beds.

Abstract: A substantially single cylindrical tank having a plurality of compartmentalized divisions for pre-treatment, biological, sludge and disinfection treatments of wastewater is disclosed. The invention is utilizing cyclical operating process by integrating all or part of the above components of treatment processes in one tank of circular or polygonal in shape.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to reduce the cost in blood test and to simplify the operation thereof.

Abstract: In a method of improving the quality of diesel fuel, an oxidizing gas is formed into sub-micron size bubbles which are dispersed into diesel fuel, after which the treated fuel is recovered. The oxidizing gas is preferably ozone and is utilized immediately upon its manufacture. By means of the method, sulfur is removed from the diesel fuel and the cetane rating thereof is increased.

Abstract: A drinking vessel for infants comprises a vessel wall made of an elastomer material, a nipple arranged on the wall, and a vessel bottom made of a rigid material and connected to the wall in a form-locked, yet detachable manner without any intermediate elements or adhesives. The vessel simulates the act of breast feeding and allows the liquid to flow into the infant's mouth without a vacuum building up up inside the vessel.

Abstract: A tamper evident closure formed from a plastics material is disclosed. The closure includes at top wall (3) and a downwardly depending skirt (5) that has an internal thread (7) adapted to engage an external thread (15) on a neck (13) of a container (11). The closure further includes a tamper evident member (9) which includes bridges (27) that connect the member to the skirt. The tamper evident member further includes a side wall that has a series of openings (21) and a plurality of tab members (33) which are connected to the side wall and extend upwardly and inwardly within a space defined by the closure and inwardly of the openings (as viewed from outside the closure). A mould assembly and a method of moulding the closure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a refractive silicon microlens by using micro-machining technology. The method of fabricating a refractive silicon microlens according to the present invention comprises the steps of forming a boron-doped region on a silicon substrate, and selectively removing regions of the substrate except for the boron-doped region to form a lens comprised of only the boron-doped region. With the method of the present invention, it is possible to fabricate a two-dimensional infrared silicon microlens array. By using such a two-dimensional infrared silicon microlens array in an infrared sensor, the detectivity of the infrared sensor can be increased by 3.4 times, which is the refraction index of silicon. In addition, the two-dimensional infrared silicon microlens array of the present invention can be used with commercial infrared telecommunication devices.

Abstract: Method for etching a substrate wherein, after placing in an etching chamber, said substrate is treated with a mixture of HF and acetic acid. Acetic acid is introduced into the chamber first, followed by the hydrogen fluoride. Hydrogen fluoride is introduced via an intermediate stage during which the hydrogen fluoride is stored in an auxiliary chamber. By this means back-flow of a corrosive mixture consisting of hydrogen fluoride and acetic acid into the piping assembly for hydrogen fluoride is prevented and, thus, the life of the piping assembly concerned is appreciably prolonged and metal contamination on substrate treated later is prevented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing a conformal dielectric layer employing a dep-etch technique features selectively reducing the flow of deposition gases into a process chamber where a substrate having a stepped surface to be covered by the conformal dielectric layer is disposed. By selectively reducing the flow of deposition gases into the process chamber, the concentration of a sputtering gas, from which a plasma is formed, in the process chamber is increased without increasing the pressure therein. It is preferred that the flow of deposition gases be periodically terminated so as to provide a sputtering gas concentration approaching 100%. In this fashion, the etch rate of a conformal dielectric layer having adequate gap-filling characteristics may be greatly increased, while allowing an increase in the deposition rate of the same.

Abstract: A process for treating a copper or copper alloy substrate surface with a composition and corrosion inhibitor solution to minimize defect formation and surface corrosion, the method including applying a composition including one or more chelating agents, a pH adjusting agent to produce a pH between about 3 and about 11, and deionized water, and then applying a corrosion inhibitor solution. The composition may further comprise a reducing agent and/or corrosion inhibitor. The method may further comprise applying the corrosion inhibitor solution prior to treating the substrate surface with the composition.

Abstract: An inter-welding electrode moving amount detecting method includes the below steps: moving a driving section of electrode driving means having the driving section connected to at least one of a pair of electrodes provided to a welding gun; detecting an inter-welding electrode moving amount due to expansion/contraction of a nugget when a member to be welded is pressed, electrified and welded by the pair of electrodes; and obtaining the Inter-welding electrode moving amounts by adding a moving amount of the driving section to an electrode moving direction due to the expansion/ contraction of the nugget during welding and a deflection (alternatively, a strain amount) of the welding gun due to a pressing force.

Abstract: A junction between the portion of wiring of an FPC, which is not covered with a cover layer, is directly connected to a connection plate tip incorporated in a terminal attachment by one of resistance welding, ultrasonic welding and laser welding.

Abstract: The invention relates to surface hardening of steel workpieces using laser beams and more particularly to laser hardening steel cutting rules. The method comprises applying a first laser beam of a first intensity and focused to a first focal point to a selected surface area of the metal workpart and subsequently applying a second laser beam having a second intensity and focused to a second focal point to the selected surface area. Application of the first laser beam heat treats the selected surface area to a predetermined depth, thereby increasing the surface hardness. Application of the second laser beam relieves internal stresses produced by the heat treating while retaining the increased hardness.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) and method of forming a deep sea pipeline or a cross country pipeline by welding pipes together to form the pipeline. Two pipes (2, 4) are arranged so that their ends (26, 27) define a circumferentially extending narrow angled (less than 10 degrees) groove (28). At least two arc welding torches (1) are arranged directly adjacent to each other on a single carriage that moves around the pipes, to form a twin arc welding system. The arcs of the torches (1) form a weld (3) in the groove. The carriage is moved around the pipe, the torches thus moving around the pipe with the same speed. Each torch (1) is independently oscillated so that the position of its arc oscillates between the walls of the groove.

Abstract: A rotating vacuum kiln and method for heat treating solid particulate material under vacuum conditions uses a rotating refractory metal cylindrical vessel with a cool inlet zone, hot intermediate zone, and cool exit zone, with a first series of inner radiation shields provided at the hot intermediate zone adjacent the cool inlet zone and a second series of inner radiation shields provided at the hot intermediate zone adjacent the cool exit zone to protect those two zones from the high temperatures in the hot intermediate zone. Heat for the hot intermediate zone of the cylindrical vessel is provided indirectly by electrical resistance heaters that surround the vessel and outer radiation shields are provided about the heaters to direct heat to the cylindrical vessel.

Abstract: A rotary nozzle device has

Abstract: An induction heating device includes a plurality of induction coils connected to a single high-frequency power source and each being able to be ON/OFF controlled by a switch. A current is selectively fed only to desired part of the induction coils or to all of the induction coils connected in parallel. The coils are driven by a current fed thereto at the same time in the same phase. The device may include inverters for controlling power to be fed coil by coil. The device is free from interference and irregular heating and can readily cope with a change in a heating range while controlling power coil by coil.

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. In a preferred embodiment, the method involves continuously measuring the ceramic body core temperature, Tc, and the surface temperature Ts and independently controlling the microwave power and the conventional heat in response to the core temperature value and the surface temperature value, respectively.

Abstract: Low-odor microwaveable mineral-filled polypropylene food contact articles are disclosed. The articles are prepared by low temperature processing and typically include odor-suppressing basic organic or inorganic compounds. Preferably, the articles are substantially free from C8 and C9 organic ketones associated with undesirable odors. Further improvements to the articles include crack-resistant embodiments with synergistic amounts of polyethylene and titanium dioxide.

Abstract: A fitment for use as a pour spout for a paper carton or flexible bag for liquids and powders has a flange which may be welded around a hole in the carton or bag. A spout projecting outward from the flange is provided with a removable membrane integral with the interior of the spout. Preferably the membrane is concave. A horizontally disposed pull ring is attached to the membrane by a connector so that pulling the ring removes the membrane by fracturing the tear line at the juncture of the outer edge of the membrane and the projection. A cap snaps over the spout and may be removed by unscrewing the complementary threads on cap and spout. Optionally, a tamper-evidencing band frangibly connected to the lower edge of the cap skirt engages the exterior of the spout so that the cap cannot be removed without breaking the frangible connection. Various means for detachably securing the fitment to a spud during delivery of the fitment from a chute to the interior of a carton are disclosed.

Abstract: Lids (10) of a substrate material (5) having a plastic film, featuring printing (6) on the outside, with respect to a container (1) on which the lid (10) is employed, and an inward facing sealing layer (8,9), for closing the container (1) which has a shoulder region (4). The inward facing side of the substrate material (5) features the sealing layer (8,9) in the form of a printed image, and the printed image corresponds with the shoulder region (4) of the container (1) and is in the form of a series of points (12). The printed image (12) which forms the sealing layer (8,9) and the printed pattern (12) may be deposited in the same printing machine in which the printing (6) on the substrate layer takes place. The printed image (11) enables easy removal of the lids (10) individually from a stack of lids in the packaging machine without having to depend on embossing of the lids.

Abstract: A transportation container includes a body having a plurality of side walls, a bottom and an open upper end, a pair of handles mounted on the body so as to be rotated inside or outside the body and including grip portions having both ends respectively, a pair of arms formed on the respective ends of each grip portion of each handle, and a pair of engaging portions formed on an interface between each grip portion and the corresponding arm. The side walls of the body are inclined downwardly inward so that a cross-sectional area of the body is gradually decreased from the upper end to the bottom of the body. Each arm has a distal end mounted on an outer face of one of the side walls of the body so that each handle is rotated inside or outside the body. Each engaging portion engages the upper end of the body, and each grip portion extends across the open upper end of the body and is located lower than an upper end of the side wall when each handle is rotated inside the body.

Abstract: A pump of the type comprising a moving member mounted to move relative to a support, the moving member having a central duct in which the substance to be dispensed penetrates via at least one opening, the support co-operating with the moving member to define a variable-volume pump chamber around said central duct, the pump having a diaphragm held by retaining means on the support, the diaphragm having a central portion in which one end of said central duct is inserted, the diaphragm having a valve-forming portion arranged to isolate the pump chamber from said opening(s) of the central duct while the volume of the pump chamber is increasing and the substance is being sucked into the pump chamber, the diaphragm also bearing against the moving member in such a manner that movement of the moving member to dispense the substance causes the diaphragm to be stretched elastically.

Abstract: A device for packaging a product, particularly a cosmetic product, and for dispensing it under pressure includes a container which, at least in part, is translucent or transparent. The container delimits two compartments separated from one another in a sealed fashion. A first compartment is in communication with a valve fitted to the device, and contains the product to be dispensed under pressure. A second compartment contains a propellant in the form of a liquefied gas. A retainer is provided inside the second compartment and is capable of trapping the liquid phase of the propellant, the retainer having at least one portion which is permeable to the gaseous phase of the propellant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for transferring liquid metal, in particular steel, between an upstream container and a downstream container through a tapping spout of a set of refractory assemblies. The assemblies include at least one mating surface having a shroud channel surrounding the tapping spout. The process includes injecting inert gas and, when desired or necessary, a sealing agent into the shroud channel. The sealing agent is adapted to seal leaks in the shroud channel, thereby reducing aspiration of air into the liquid metal.

Abstract: A molded plastic garment hanger as is widely used for the purpose of shipping and displaying garments, comprising a unitary plastic central hook and arms extending in opposite directions from the base of the central hook to facilitate a garment to be suspended therefrom by garment clips. The garment clips enable the attachment of various kinds of garments thereto, such as underwear, slips, brassieres, swimwear and the like, and are particularly adapted to secure the shoulder straps of such garments. The garment hanger has an improved garment retaining clip wherein as a garment strap is inserted into the garment retaining clip, the garment receiving channel of the clip first opens to allow the garment strap to enter, and then closes to securely retain the garment and to prevent it from becoming accidentally dislodged therefrom.

Abstract: A pinch-grip hanger includes an attachment portion for securing the hanger to a support and at least one pinch-grip for receiving an article for hanging. The pinch-grip includes a pair of components secured to each other, each component including an end for receiving the article therebetween. The pinch-grip also includes a biasing element for biasing the ends together and for permitting separation of the ends towards a fully extended open position by movement of at least one the components. One of the components includes at least one projection extending towards the other component to inhibit some accidental movement of the pinch-grip towards the fully extended open position while permitting intentional movement of the pinch-grip towards the fully extended open position.

Abstract: A hanging package display unit for holding and displaying multiple sets of various clothing articles. The hanging package display unit includes a first hanger having a pair of arm holding members and a central neck member, with the neck member having a hook member and a receiving slot formed therein. The display unit also includes a second hanger having a pair of arm holding members and a central neck member, with the neck member having a hook member. The second hanger is disposed below the first hanger and connected thereto, wherein the hook member of the second hanger is received within the receiving slot of the first hanger. The hanger package display unit further includes a central hole formed in the neck member of the first hanger for receiving therein a securing device for holding together in a secure fashion the interlocked first and second hangers.

Abstract: A clothes hanger has a hook for engaging a bar to support the hanger, a first and second side bar extending at substantially opposite angles from the hook, an horizontal bar extending between the side bars at ends of the side bars away from the hook, and a pliable compression strip having a length and opposite ends, one end engaging one of the side bars and the other end engaging the other of the side bars at engagement points on the side bars between the hook and the horizontal bar. The length of the pliable strip is greater than a straight line distance between the engagement points, such that the pliable strip, curving downward, urges against a portion of the horizontal bar, in a manner to secure an article of clothing against the horizontal bar.

Abstract: A backpack attachment system for a hardshell musical instrument carrying case includes rings that are permanently attached to the exterior of the case, thereby allowing quick access for using a backpack type strap or straps for carrying the case. The strap set itself is optionally removable, but the attachment rings are not, being permanently mounted to the case, using, for example, rivets, screws, snaps or equivalent means.

Abstract: A terminal pressure-welding apparatus is provided, which includes: a first pattern; a second pattern facing the first pattern, one of the first and second patterns is provided approachably and disapproachably with respect to the other thereof; a mounting portion to mount the other of the first and second patterns; a displacing member carrying the one of the first and second patterns and being movable relatively to the other of the first and second patterns; and a stopping means to check an abutment of the first pattern and the second pattern, wherein a terminal metal fitting and an end portion of an electric wire are placed between the first and second patterns, and the terminal metal fitting and the end portion are pressure-welded by making the first and second patterns approach each other.

Abstract: A plurality of materials are rolled in an upstream stand. While transfer speed of a succeeding material and the front end position thereof are detected, the transfer speed and the rear end position of a preceding material are detected by a measuring roll. The transfer speed of the succeeding material is controlled by adjusting at least the drive speed of the pinch rolls so as the front end of the succeeding material to contact with the rear end of the preceding material at a specified position in a travelling welder. the rear end of the preceding material is joined with the front end of the succeeding material by flash-butt welding using the travelling welder to form a continuous material while letting the travelling welder move at a speed synchronous with the transfer speed of the continuous material. The welded portion on the continuous material is ground and/or cut to remove burr therefrom.

Abstract: A soldering machine using lead-free solders is provided which can uniformly heat a printed circuit board and electronic parts to be mounted thereon, and which can solder the electronic parts without thermally damaging them. A porous member having a number of holes formed therein is disposed between a blower fan and a heater for making uniform the pressure of a fluid. A radiation plate is disposed between the heater and a heating target for blowing the fluid having been heated by the heater to the heating target in the form of a turbulent flow. The heated fluid is blown to the heating target for heating the same, whereby solder is melted.

Abstract: A back-up tooling apparatus for supporting the inner side of a hollow cylindrical workpiece during a circumferential friction stir weld includes a plurality of arcuate shoes configured to mate end-to-end to form a substantially continuous ring, and an expandable support for supporting the shoes and operable to retract and expand the shoes inward and outward. The expandable support includes at least one rotatable feed screw and central support members mounted on the feed screw or screws and pivotally connected to the shoes by support arms. The central support members are moved axially toward or away from each other for expanding or retracting the shoes. The shoes in one embodiment overlap in the circumferential direction, and a seal material is disposed between mating end faces of adjacent shoes. A restraining device is provided for clamping about the workpiece to reduce thermal expansion thereof. Cable-and-winch and geared drive devices are provided for rotatably driving the workpiece from its outer surface.

Abstract: A butted portion of face plates 12b and 22b of two hollow extruded frame members 10 and 20 is carried out the friction stir welding from an upper portion. Next, a connection member 30 for connecting the upper portion face plates 12b and 22b is arranged. A connection of the connection member 30 and face plates 11 and 21 is carried out the friction stir welding from an upper portion with a condition they are supported by a backing plate 210. Since a load during the friction stir welding time is supported by the backing plate 210, ribs 13 and 14 can be formed thin and a light structure can be attained. In the friction stir welding of the hollow extruded frame members, the thickness of the rib of the welding portion can be reduced.

Abstract: Means of implementing production of an oxide superconductor joined member, excellent in electric current transmission performance, without a need of going through particularly complex steps, are provided. When joining together oxide superconductors by use of a solder composed of an oxide superconducting material, a finally solidified portion of the solder is positioned in a region where a transmission path of electric current flowing between oxide superconductor base materials as joined together is not obstructed by, for example, disposing the solder on a face of the oxide superconductor base materials, other than butting surfaces of the oxide superconductor base materials, so as to straddle both the base materials like bridge-building, or by, for example, shaping junction faces of the oxide superconductor base materials such that at least portions of the butting surfaces thereof are in the shape of sloped open faces, parting from each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring micro-balls in accordance with the present invention, includes a suction head in which a plurality of suction pits are open for holding the respective micro-balls, a head holder to which the suction head is detachably coupled, a suction device communicating with a suction chamber in the head holder, for allowing the suction pits to hold the micro-balls by decompressing the interior of the suction chamber, and a holder transporting device to which the head holder is mounted, wherein the holder transporting device are movable between a sucking position at which is placed a pallet on which the micro-balls to be held by the suction pits, a transferring position at which is placed a working object to which the micro-balls held by the suction pits, and a head exchanging position at which the replacement of the suction head is carried out relative to the head holder.

Abstract: A connector for use with a circuit substrate having a plurality of elongated conductors. A solder ball is fused to the end of the conductors for connection of the connector to a circuit substrate. Method for attaching the solder ball to the end of the conductors using a solder paste with or without a preformed solder ball. The conductors are fitted into passages of an interface member. A tail end of each conductor terminates in a well in a surface of the interface member that facilitates the attachment of solder ball to the end of the conductors. The passages in the interface member hold the conductor tail ends in place while providing a clearance around the conductor to accommodate the effects of thermal expansion and contraction.

Abstract: Recloseable, cuboidal folding box 1 having a front side wall 11, a rear side wall 12, a right-hand side wall 13, which-connects the front side wall 11 and the rear side wall 12, and a tab-forming section 14, having a base closure 20, which is formed by four base closure flaps 21, 22, 23, 24, having a top closure 30, which is formed by four closure flaps 31, 32, 33, 34, it being possible for two base closure flaps 21, 22 and/or two closure flaps 31, 32 to be adhesively bonded to one another, having a tear-open tab 40, which is integrated in the rear side wall 12, is retained in the rear side wall 12 by means of a weakening or predetermined tearing line 41 and is connected to a closure flap 32 of the top closure 30 via a folding line 302, and having at least one inner rear wall 15 which is attached to the tab-forming section 14 and on which if appropriate an intermediate wall 16 and, adjoining the intermediate wall 16, an inner front wall is [sic] articulated, it being the case that the tab-forming se

Abstract: A statistical basis for use in a self-scanning checkout system determines how many items to check in a shopper's shopping cart for incorrect or missing scans as well as which particular or types of items to check to determine if they were properly scanned, if the shopper is determined to be audited. The present invention does not audit every customer, but rather determines whether a given shopper or customer is to be audited on a given shopping trip based upon obtaining a minimum checkout loss for such customer. The methodology determines how many items to check for a given shopper as well as which particular items to check for that shopper.

Abstract: Combined system of automatic selling of products and services, useful to be included in all types of automatic vending machines, that comprises the inclusion in an automatic machine (1), of a module (21) that has service operating means, the machine (1) having the corresponding product selection pushbuttons (5) and a service selection push button (4), the service module (21) having a display (7) designating the payment means for the service designated on display (3) of the automatic machine when the service is selected, as well as the service operating buttons (12) and service rendering elements (14), the service control circuit (13) being controlled by the main control electronics (8) and connected to the telephone line (15).

Abstract: An optical code reader comprises a casing (1) consisting of at least two portions (2, 3) connected together, a first portion (2) defining the main reader body and the second portion (3) defining a closure element for that part (5) of the body supporting at least the reader optical members; at least a part (10) of the said casing (1) has a coloration which depends on at least one control signal, this coloration being chosen on the basis of the type of use for which the reader is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for correcting a bar width comprises a detecting section calculating a reference bar width serving as a reference of bar widths, a first calculation section calculating an average value of a plurality of reference bar widths, a second calculation section calculating an error value between a bar width of a bar to be corrected and the reference bar width calculated by the detecting section, and a correcting section correcting the bar width of the bar to be corrected by using the calculated average value when the calculated error value is not less than a predetermined value.