Abstract: A personal thermal garment has a shell and a thermal insert that overlay and cover a substantial portion of the back and the chest of a user. The shell has inner and outer layers that are interconnected to define a chamber between the layers, the chamber extending substantially throughout the shell and overlaying a substantial portion of the back and chest of the user. An access opening to access the chamber is provided in the shell. The thermal insert can be preheated to warm the user or can be precooled to cool the user. The thermal insert substantially conforms to the chamber and has a body portion with two leg portions that extend in the same general direction from the body portion. The insert body substantially overlays and covers the back of the user, with one of the two legs extending over one of the user's shoulders, and the other of the two legs extending over the other shoulder.

Abstract: A retroreflective garment constructed of flame resistant fabric. The garment is light-weight and can be single or double layered. Garments that can be constructed of flame resistant fabric with retroreflective elements applied thereon include garments such as, for example, shirts, pants, coveralls, jumpsuits, jackets, gloves, hats, etc. The flame resistant fabric has a coefficient of retroreflection of about 10 to about 500 candelas per lux per square meter. In addition, the retroreflective elements cover at least about 5 percent of the outer surface of the flame resistant fabric.

Abstract: The present invention is a portable sanitation device comprising a stall that houses and maintains a conventional toilet. Coupled to the toilet is a water source and coupled to the stall is a removable and separate septic tank. The water source will render a flushable unit that permits the waste to travel from the toilet to a separate and removable septic tank. Other features can be added for enhancing the present invention, such as, but not limited to: a sink coupled to the water source; a light source interiorly and/or exteriorly located; a urinal coupled to the water source; a tissue dispensing apparatus; a soap dispenser; a vent; shower head coupled to the water source; a capacity gauge coupled to the septic tank; and a by-pass valve located within the waste line of the toilet to the septic tank for enabling capability of by-passing the septic tank and tapping into an existing sewage line.

Abstract: The present invention a modified skimmer lid for use with a pool pump assembly having a pump, a skimmer chamber and a removable skimmer lid for the skimmer chamber, the modified skimmer lid comprises a skimmer lid base adapted to seal and mate with said skimmer chamber, a compressed air inlet integrally part of said modified skimmer lid for communicating and introducing compressed air into said skimmer chamber and for purging existing pool lines with compressed air, such that existing water lines need not be disturbed or removed.

Abstract: A device for fixing a showerhead in a position on a wall slide bar includes a casing having top and bottom surfaces each extending transversely relative to the longitudinal direction of the bar and having cylindrical bore through the casing for receiving the bar. The device includes a brake pad that is engageable with the bar, and first and second pushbuttons, each of which is operable on the pad to engage the pad in a first position to engage the bar to fix the device in a specific position on the bar, and in a second position to disengage the pad from the bar, allowing the device to be moved longitudinally along the bar. The first pushbutton is in the top surface of the casing and is pressed in a first direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bar and toward the bottom surface of the casing to move from its first position to its second position.

Abstract: An above ground pool having identical sized panels coupled together to form the perimeter of the pool. Post structures located at the union of adjacent panels include angle members that span the union of adjacent panels and determine the angle at which adjacent panels extend with respect to each other. Different sets of angle members can be utilized to form different angles between adjacent panels to establish different sizes of pools having different numbers of panels.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for bathing body parts, such as the feet. The apparatus includes a bath chamber for containing fluid, such as water, and receiving the body part therein. The bath chamber includes a bottom surface and a wall structure extending upwardly therefrom. A pump is disposed adjacent to the bottom surface of the bath chamber, and a bubble egress tube is provided in communication with the pump and the bath chamber bottom surface. The bubble egress tube has a continuous configuration which traverses a surface area of the bath chamber bottom surface having a width dimension greater than the width of the egress tube. Air from the pump is directed into the bath chamber through egress holes formed in the bubble egress tube, thereby generating air bubbles in the fluid contained in the bath chamber.

Abstract: A play yard has an oval-shaped upper frame. The upper frame is made of two u-shaped tubes and is supported by two vertical posts at either end of the play yard. The ends of each of the u-shaped tubes of the upper frame are connected to each post so as to be able to rotate about the posts. Located on each post is a slider which can slide up and down the post. Each slider is held in place by a button on each post. Diagonal support braces connect the sliders to each of the u-shaped tubes of the upper frame. When the play yard is in use, the upper frame is supported by the two vertical posts and the diagonal support braces located on either side of the play yard. The lower end of each post is connected to two opposing cantilevered legs at a hub. Each of the legs is substantially u-shaped and is pivotally connected at the hub in order to be able to rotate about the posts.

Abstract: An adjustable collapsing cot is disclosed which can be utilized in numerous situations including evacuations and military operations. The cot includes an outer frame member and an inner frame member which are both preferably divided into two sections and are both pivotable approximate their center point. Either section of the inner frame member can be adjusted to one or more elevation angles with respect to the outer frame member as desired by the user. A spring loaded webbing material is provided to safely support and cradle the user. Preferably, a mattress is provided and is disposed on top of the spring loaded webbing. One or more restraint belts can be provided to safely secure the user while he or she is utilizing the cot. Several accessories items, including an intervenes pole, message flag and miscellaneous item bag/compartment can be provided and attached to the cot. When it is desired to move the cot, the cot can be folded into an easily transportable configuration.

Abstract: A beach chair has a frame, a plurality of leg assemblies, a main frame cover, an auxiliary cover, fasteners for the main frame cover and the auxiliary cover, and two openings within the main frame cover (one for receiving a person's face, the other for receiving a person's abdomen). The frame includes an upper rectangular shaped support main frame having each corner connected to a leg assembly. In use, the beach chair is unfold by pivoting the legs downward from the main frame into locking positions. The main frame cover is also divided into three unseparated sections which equally conform to the three sections of the main frame.

Abstract: A bed comprises a fluid supply and a bed support coupled to the fluid supply. A patient support surface is configured to couple to the bed support.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an alternating pressure pad comprising at least two sets of inflatable cells, each set being alternately inflated and deflated, wherein at least one cell in each cell set has further means, such as, for example, circumferential internal membranes or external straps, to accelerate the deflation of the at least one cell.

Abstract: Nailing tool capable of previously nailing a connecting member with a tip, including: a stem body; a striking member, a top end of the striking member being formed with a cavity, the striking member being fitted in an axial tunnel of the stem body and slidable along the tunnel; a resilient member disposed between the striking member and the stem body, when not subject to external force, the resilient member keeping forcing the striking member upward; a pull member connected with the striking member for an operator's hand to operate so as to drive the striking member toward the bottom end of the stem body; and a press button pivotally connected with the stem body. When the striking member is moved downward, the press button latches the striking member at a position ready for striking. When the press button is pressed, the striking member is unlatched and resiliently bounded by the resilient member toward the top end of the stem body.

Abstract: A horizontally oriented laundry washing machine which includes automatic balancers is operated at a speed below the stick speed for the laundry load to redistribute portions of the load in the wash basket. By monitoring a condition of the machine indicative of the level of balance of the load, and selectively accelerating and decelerating the wash basket about the stick speed, the load can be redistributed so that the load imbalance is sufficient low to speed up the wash basket through its natural resonant frequencies.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of hydroxystilbenes for dyeing, to ready-to-use dye compositions comprising them, to a dyeing process using them and to a multi-compartment device containing the compositions used in the processes of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising a sulfonated diketopyrrolopyrrole and a Mannich-type substituted dihydroquinacridone. Such compositions are excellently suitable for dispersing fine-sized pigments (especially diketopyrrolopyrrole pigments) into polymers. They lead to pigmentations of increased stability at high temperatures.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel mixtures of sulfuric esters and specific sulfuric esters that are useful as leveling agents for the dyeing of nitrogenous fiber materials and to a process for their preparation by reacting sulfuryl chloride with specific alcohols.

Abstract: The present invention provides new compounds having the formula: 1

Abstract: A bridge apparatus is provided for extending between a stationary aircraft and a motorized passenger boarding bridge having an articulating cab floor. The bridge apparatus comprises a panel adapted to be movably coupled to the articulating cab floor. The bridge apparatus further comprises a limiter configured to inhibit movement of the bridge apparatus in at least one direction when the bridge apparatus reaches a predetermined position relative to the aircraft.

Abstract: A toothbrush comprising a handle and a head supported at one end of the handle. The head includes a portion extending from the handle and having bristles mounted thereon. The head also includes a series of bristle tuft carriers based from the handle extension portion. Each bristle tuft carrier retains at least one tuft of bristles. A region between the bristle tuft carriers and the handle extension portion includes an elastomeric material configured to provide resilient flexing of the bristle tuft carriers with respect to the handle extension during tooth brushing, so that the bristles and the bristle tuft carriers move relative to the bristles on the handle extension portion.

Abstract: In an illumination apparatus for emitting light generated by a luminous body to the outside through a probe 106, a wiper cover 110 is attached to a smoothly rotating rotary ring 108 such that a brush 112 comes into contact with the outer columnar face of a lamp cover constituted by the probe 106, a bottom cap 105, and a head cap 107. Also, a wind receiving member 113 is attached to the wiper cover 110 such that a wind receiving surface becomes a plane perpendicular to a moving direction of the wiper cover 110.

Abstract: A remote-controlled mobile cleaning device for removal and collection of high radioactive waste debris in a spent nuclear fuel process and fabrication area, such as a hot-cell, is disclosed. The device includes navigation means for moving it to the desired cleaning location and climbing over such obstacles as electrical cables and pneumatic tubes placed on the hotcell floor to be cleaned, suction and collection means for dislodging, filtering, and capturing high radioactive waste debris, and cover means for protecting suction and collection means. The device that is operated by remote control cleans and collects loose dry spent nuclear fuel powder and other high-radioactive waste debris adhered to both the contaminated in-cell floor and the in-cell spent nuclear fuel process and fabrication equipment, without spreading inside the hot-cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suction attachment (9) for a vacuum cleaner. The suction attachment comprises a foot (11), a suction opening (15) extending in an imaginary plane (13), and a connection member (23) for connecting the foot to a suction channel (17) of the vacuum cleaner. The foot is provided with a brush (67, 69), which is displaceable by means of an adjusting device from a first position, in which the brush is recessed in the suction opening, to a second position, in which the brush protrudes from the suction opening.

Abstract: A tile fixing strip comprising a plurality of convex pieces and concave pieces, wherein, neighboring convex pieces and concave pieces are fastened to each other. The convex piece and the concave piece respectively has the formation of a dent, so that when the entire tile fixing strip is arranged crosswise on the slope of a house roof to accommodate the placement of the tiles, the joined convex pieces and concave pieces provide accommodation to fasten the tiles. The reinforced surface shape and structural strength of the convex pieces and concave pieces will prevent deformation. The dents of the convex pieces and concave pieces provide channels for heat radiation, ventilation and rainwater drainage to the tiles on the slope of a house roof. To conclude, it is a tile fixing strip that is resistant to deformation, contributing to heat radiation, ventilation and water drainage.

Abstract: Handle for accumulator battery comprising a central grip and two steps on each side of the grip. The outer end walls of the steps have rounded perimeters. Each outer step is provided with an oval opening intended to cooperate with a respective pivot which the battery cover has on its opposite sides. The oval shape of the pivot cooperates with the oval shape opening due to their orientation to prevent removal of the handle at either a folded down or upraised orientation. The span of the first steps of the handle covers the terminals of the battery, and each first step permits anchoring of the cover-pieces over the terminals.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sealing spring fastener, which comprises a U-shaped structure, on which an elastic body has been incorporated. The elastic body has a hermetically closed cavity within the U-shaped structure. The sealing spring fastener can form an assembly with an extension of a panel, preferably a plastic panel. The assembly or the fastener by itself can be engaged into the slot of a solid sheet, preferably a metal sheet, in a manner that one side of the sheet is sealed from the other side of the sheet in the vicinity of the slot. In a preferred version, the sealing fastener comprises a substantially non-elastic tough casing around portion of the elastic body in order to avoid rapture during insertion of the fastener into the slot.

Abstract: A fluidtight zip fastener includes a pair of fluidtight zip fastener carrying tapes each having a base tape with a soft covering layer. Sewn to each carrying tape is in an offset position a continuous coupling member row. A zip fastener slider is provided for transferring the zip fastener carrying tapes into an open and closed position. The slider has lower and upper plates and a slider wedge interconnecting the plates. A guide border is shaped in a central area of the slider wedge. For increasing the sealing action of the zip fastener in an end position of the slider, the interconnected two ends of the zip fastener carrying tapes are provided with a dimensionally more confined and consequently an overpressing-ensuring elastomer guiding the slider over its guide border shaped onto the slider wedge.

Abstract: The invention provides a buckle which is formed from a buckle main body and an insert-in body, and which has a good appearance in which a belt attaching portion is hidden from view. The buckle is formed from a buckle main body and an insert-in body. The insert-in body is provided with engaging rods and a guide rod. The engaging rods are provided at both sides of a base portion of the insert-in body and have engaging portions which engage with engaging holes of the buckle main body. The guide rod is provided at a center of the base portion and can be inserted into an insert-in hole of the buckle main body. At an opposite surface of the base portion are provided a lower surface plate having a belt attaching portion, and an upper surface plate which covers a surface of the lower surface plate. A belt insertion hole into which the belt is inserted is formed between the upper surface plate and the lower surface plate. The buckle main body is formed from an upper surface plate, a lower surface plate and side walls.

Abstract: A multi-point buckle assembly includes a body having a top opening on a top surface, a plurality of side openings, and a plurality of channels, a release button disposed within the top opening, a plurality of main tongues, and a plurality of side tongues, wherein each of the plurality of main tongues is adapted to fit into each of the plurality of side openings and each of the plurality of side tongues is adapted to fit into each of the plurality of channels.

Abstract: A mini-modular manufacturing environmental chamber for processing and transporting semiconductor devices is disclosed. The cylindrical chamber is provided with a conveyer assembly that transports items within the chamber and divides the interior into two sections. Also included within the chamber are a power and control bus for process equipment located therein and a mounting assembly for securing the process equipment. Multiple environmental chambers can be connected by interconnect units and the chambers can be arranged in rows and columns to produce an array of manufacturing chambers useful for various semiconductor and microelectronic machine manufacture (MEMS) processing steps.

Abstract: A fabricating method of a piezoelectric/electrostrictive device including a driving portion having thin plates facing each other and a film-like piezoelectric/electrostrictive element formed on the surface of at least one thin plate of the thin plates, and a fixing portion and a movable portion in rectangular solid form. The thin plates are spanned so that the side faces of the movable portion and the fixing portion are continuous. The fabricating method includes steps of preparing a laminated body of green sheets comprising at least one green sheet to constitute the thin plate, and at least one green sheet with at least one hole formed thereon, sintering a green-sheet laminated body, and forming a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element on an outer surface of the thin plates of the sintered body obtained.

Abstract: An in-line roller skate has a wheel frame that includes replaceable sidewalls. The in-line roller skate includes a boot having a sole surface with toe and heel portions, a wheel frame, and a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted within the wheel frame. The wheel frame includes a toe plate which is affixed to the toe portion of the sole surface, a heel plate which is affixed to the heel portion of the sole surface, and first and second spaced-apart, downwardly extending sidewalls that are devoid of transverse projections. The frame is formed by releasably attaching the first and second sidewalls to the respective lateral faces of the toe and heel plates.

Abstract: An insulating material and the method of applying the insulating material to products and systems. The material, method and system may be applied to tubulars used in deep water projects. The insulating material is composed of ceramic particles, epoxy and an acrylate monomer that is a precurser to an acrylic resin, and additives. Equal volumes of a epoxy component mixtures and a curing agent component mixture when heated and mixed together create a liquid insulating material that can be applied to the outer surface of pipe involving a repetitive series of steps controlled by an operator at a main control panel. Pipe unrolled from a pipe reel is straightened and heated. In a heated retort, liquid insulating material is applied to the surface of pipe and cured to the final insulation coating. The final coated pipe can be replaced on the reel for shipment to the job site.

Abstract: A nut member 5 for moving forward and rearward by rotating a feed screw 4 by a stepping motor 28 and a transfer table 7 for transferring a workpiece W are elastically connected by a spring means 24 in transferring of the workpiece to thereby allow the nut member 5 to overrun by flection of the spring means 24, to allow the stepping motor 28 to rotate excessively in a cushioned manner, and to obtain a thrust for pushing the workpiece against an object after the transfer table 7 reaches the transfer end of the workpiece.

Abstract: To present a manufacturing method of a magneto-resistive effect type head capable of manufacturing a magneto-resistive effect type head with stabilized head characteristics. A magneto-resistive effect type head is manufactured in a method comprising a step of forming a magneto-resistive effect film (30) in a trapezoidal shape (30A) having a specified abutting angle &thgr;1 by means of ion milling through a resist mask of overhang structure, a step of forming bias magnet films (31) for filling in sides of the magneto-resistive effect film (30), and a step of forming an electrode film (33) to overlap partly with the magneto-resistive effect film (30) through the resist mask. The angle of the ion milling is 5° or less to the normal of the substrate surface. The angle of ion beam sputtering when forming the electrode film (33) is 30° or less to the normal of the substrate surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading battery plate groups into a battery box. The apparatus includes a compression frame which includes a number of relative movable walls and stops for gripping and retaining battery groups. The wall carry guide shins for projecting into respective cells in a battery box and guide the groups into the cells as they are pushed by a pusher. The movable nature of the walls allow the groups to be loaded into frame, when it is in released position. The walls can then be drawn together compressing the groups and retaining them in a compressed state as they are loaded.

Abstract: There is provided a plurality of component mounting apparatuses for sucking a plurality of components by a mounting head section and successively mounting the components onto a board located at a board positioning section. By arranging the component mounting apparatuses in parallel to one another, and a board transfer path is provided so that it penetrates the component mounting apparatuses. Even when the number of components to be mounted onto the board increases, the components are mounted on the component supply tables of the component mounting apparatuses as distributed thereto, and therefore, the whole apparatus is not dimensionally increased. The component supply tables are fixedly installed to become free of vibration, and the mounting head section executes the suction and the mounting of the plurality of components. Therefore, the component mounting operation speed can be remarkably increased.

Abstract: Blocks of material are prepared in a variety of shapes and sizes to be used in the fabrication of models for dental restorations. The material comprises a partially sintered ceramic material. The blocks are used to manufacture molds using CAD/CAM methods and equipment. The molds are useful in the manufacture of dental restorations using ceramics, metals, alloys, or powders thereof, and composite materials. The models milled from the blanks may be used to manufacture a variety of dental restorations including, but not limited to, crowns, bridges, space maintainers, tooth replacement appliances, orthodontic retainers, dentures, posts, jackets, inlays, onlays, facings, veneers, facets, implants, abutments, splints, partial crowns, teeth, cylinders, pins, and connectors.

Abstract: An inner cutter for an electric rotary shaver, the inner cutter comprising a cutter supporting member and an inner cutter body. The cutter supporting member has a ring-form body formed in a shape of a flat plate and is provided with a plurality of upright supporting portions that rise from an outer-circumferential edge of the ring-form body and are lined up side by side. The inner cutter body is formed on the tip end of each one of the upright supporting portions. Gaps are formed between adjacent upright supporting portions, and ribs are provided between the adjacent upright supporting portions, thus allowing cut hair to be discharged out of the inner cutter through openings defined by the adjacent upright supporting portions and ribs.

Abstract: The invention relates to an operating substance tank (1) which is especially for a portable handheld work apparatus (2). The tank (1) has a fill opening (3) and a suction connection (4). The tank is configured from a first housing part (6) and a second housing part (7) connected to the first housing part (6). In this way, the tank is built up in a simple manner and is operationally reliable. A valve (8) is formed in the interior of the tank (1) so that a valve member (9) is held by the first housing part (6) and the valve member (9) comes into seal-tight contact on an opening (10) of a through bore (11) on the second housing part (7). The valve (8) functions especially as an aerating valve for the tank (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to an operating substance tank (1), especially for a portable handheld work apparatus (2) having a fill opening (3) and an outflow opening (4). The operating substance tank (1) is configured from a first housing part (6) and a second housing part (7) connected to the first housing part in order to configure the operating substance tank (1) in a simple assembly so that the operating substance can be made available without disruption. A filter wall (8) is configured as one piece from a housing part (6) and partitions the tank housing (5) of the operating substance tank (1) into at least two spaces (9, 10).

Abstract: Shears (1) preferably constructed as hand-held garden or pruning shears or secateurs has two shear elements (8, 9) pivotable against one another about a pivot axis (5) and which have engaging portions (15, 16) for mutual cutting engagement and which in the opened state of the shears form a shear mouth widening from the pivot axis becoming smaller on closing the shears. According to the invention rubber-like holding means (20) are provided for retaining cutting material introduced into the shear opening during the cutting process and which only act up to the completion of the cutting process, i.e. until the cutting material is cut through, so that the cut cutting material is released by the shears without it being necessary to open the latter again for this purpose.

Abstract: A tool-less blade clamps (10, 50) may include a rod (2, 52) having a slot (2a, 2c, 52c) and a guide slot (2b, 52b) formed substantially perpendicularly to the slot (2a, 2c, 52c). A control member (20, 56) may be slidably disposed within the slot (2a, 2c, 52c) and a spring (21, 57) preferably biases the control member (20, 56) towards a forward portion of the slot (2a, 2c, 52c). The rod (2, 52) rotatably supports a sleeve (11, 53). Preferably, the sleeve (11, 53) being prevented from axially displacing with respect to the rod (2, 52) when the sleeve (11, 53) rotates about the rod (2, 52). An L-shaped slot (16, 53a) may be formed in the sleeve (11, 53) and may have a blade lock slot (16b, 53ab) disposed substantially perpendicularly to a blade lock control slot (16a, 53aa). The control member (20, 53) may include a pin (22, 55) that extends through the guide slot (2b, 52b) and travels within the L-shaped slot (16, 53a).

Abstract: An archery sight comprising an elongated bracket secured to the archery bow's front sight threaded bore, and extends rearward of the bow's riser. There being at the end of the bracket a 90 degree bend that forms a laterally extending shelf. The shelf has a slot into which is mounted a vertical standing rear sight pin that is shaped like the letter Y and is attached by means of threaded bore. By aligning the distal end of the selected front sight pin or pins (by others) into the exact bottom of the junction of the Y shaped pin, the bow man is able to control the course of the arrow quite accurately.

Abstract: A level apparatus is disclosed that includes a body mounted on an elongate member. The body typically includes a laser that is capable of rotation about horizontal and/or vertical axes. The elongate member can be braced between, for example, a floor and a ceiling and the body is typically capable of longitudinal movement along an axis that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongate member. Movement of the body and other functions of the apparatus can be remote controlled.

Abstract: A self-illuminating attitude indicator for use by persons who have been buried in snow or the earth. The attitude indicator has a container partially filled with liquid and a manually operated light to illuminate the container. The liquid may be removed from the container and distributed on the snow to make the location more visible to rescuers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and device for determining the alignment, with respect to a reference direction, of a cylindrical body (10) mounted to rotate around its lengthwise axis (22). The device including a position measurement probe (20), which is calibrated to the reference direction, being attached on the end face (12) of the body or on a surface essentially parallel to the end face, which probe gathers measurement data in at least three measurement positions around the lengthwise axis each position of which differs from the other by an angle of rotation of the body, such that one position measurement at a time is being taken. Then the alignment of the body with respect to the reference direction is computed from the determined measurement data.

Abstract: A measuring tape member which is of a length substantially equal to a work piece, the member has a side which includes a first set of incremental sequentially increasing measuring units printed thereon which begin at a first point of the member and are equidistantly spatially positioned along the member through to a second point, and a second set of incremental sequentially increasing measuring units printed thereon which begin at the second point of the member and are equidistantly spatially positioned along the member through to the first point. The measuring units are positioned on the tape in a manner such that any one numerical increment of the first set is disposed adjacent a corresponding numerical unit of the second set which together represent counter parts of the total length of the work piece plus a predetermined incremental amount.

Abstract: A measuring instrument includes a spindle (11) provided to a body (1), a sleeve (31) movable in the same direction as the spindle and stoppable at a desired position, a connector (41) for connecting the sleeve and the spindle and allowing relative movement of the sleeve and the spindle in the moving direction thereof by a predetermined stroke; a pressure spring (61) accommodated in the sleeve for biasing the spindle in a direction for the spindle to abut to the workpiece through the connector, and a biasing force indicator (71) for indicating the pressure spring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for drying or heat-treating substances or products at a pressure other than atmospheric pressure. The invention relates furthermore to banana chips dried by means of this method and banana powder produced therefrom. For drying or heat-treating, the products to be treated are loaded in transport receptacles which are subsequently charged via charging lock chambers into a treatment chamber and discharged therefrom via discharging lock chambers. For drying or heat treating, at least one microwave source is provided in the treatment chamber. Furthermore, an infrared heating source may be provided. After heat-treating or drying, a resting period may be scheduled. More particularly for this purpose, a vertically-oriented conveying system is provided in the treatment chamber when a longish resting period is involved. The transport receptacle is configured dished and my comprise nets on which the products are applied.