Abstract: Compositions comprising N-acetylamino acids and/or related N-acetyl compounds are useful to alleviate or improve various cosmetic conditions and dermatological disorders, including changes or damage to skin, nail and hair associated with intrinsic aging and/or extrinsic aging, as well as changes or damage caused by extrinsic factors. The N-acetylamino acid and/or related N-acetyl compound composition may further comprise a cosmetic, pharmaceutical or other topical agent to enhance or create synergetic effects.

Abstract: An electronic tag (30, 40) is provided comprising a contactless integrated circuit (10) and a main coil antenna (Ls) comprising at least two distinct non-coplanar and/or non-coaxial windings (Ls1-Ls4) arranged in series. Applications to the reading of a tag from any face of a three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A progressive jackpot is awarded in a craps game. Three dice are used in the come-out roll. The progressive jackpot is funded with an ante from each player who places a bet in the craps game. A chance to win the progressive jackpot is initiated whenever a first predetermined outcome occurs in the come-out roll. The progressive jackpot is awarded to the current players if a roll subsequent to the come-out roll having a first predetermined outcome has a second predetermined outcome. The outcome of at least two of the dice in the come-out roll are used to determine the outcome of the craps game only if the come-out roll does not achieve the first predetermined outcome.

Abstract: Composition for use in a water tank in the kitchen or sanitary sector, characterized by a basic composition essentially evolving its function following addition to a first water filling of the water tank, in the form of a tablet and at least one particle, with at least one core, which comprises at least one substance evolving its function essentially following an at least partial emptying of the first water filling from the water tank and the inflow of fresh water and a covering substantially completely surrounding the core or cores comprising at least one compound, whose solubility increases with decreasing concentration of a specific ion in the surrounding medium, the at least one particle being so arranged in or on the tablet that the surface of the particle or particles is at most only partly in direct contact with the surface of the basic composition surrounding the same and the concentration of the specific ion in the local environment of the particle or particles is sufficiently high up to a substantia

Abstract: The present invention provides a high-capacity sealed nickel-metal hydride storage battery superior in high-current discharge, without extending the injection time of an electrolyte. This battery includes an electrode group, a metal case for accommodating the electrode group, and a seal plate provided with a safety vent, for sealing an opening of the case, and the electrode group has a structure in which, round a non-sintered type cylindrical electrode of one polarity, a non-sintered type hollow cylindrical electrode of the other polarity and a non-sintered type hollow cylindrical electrode of the one polarity are layered alternately in the form of concentric circles with a separator between the electrodes.

Abstract: An optical disk includes a land and a groove. On this optical disk, data is recorded on both the land and the groove. A distance between the center of the land and the center of the groove adjacent to the land is 0.28 &mgr;m or more. The optical disk has a data efficiency of 80% or more. Thus, an optical disk having a storage capacity of 25 GB or more can be provided.

Abstract: Device (10) and method to optimize the combustion of hydrocarbons able to be used as fuel and mixed with air containing oxygen, said device (10) comprising means (20, 23) to generate a magnetic field, advantageously of the pulsating type, in correspondence with a fuel feed pipe (13).

Abstract: In order to provide a nickel-metal hydride storage battery capable of preventing the formation of a minute chemical short circuit between the positive and negative electrodes while exhibiting an excellent self-discharge resistance, a nickel positive electrode plate is formed by filling an active material mainly composed of a hydroxide of nickel into a porous sintered nickel substrate, followed by further forming a layer of a manganese compound containing manganese with a valence of 2 or more on the surface thereof, and an alkaline storage battery is configured by using this nickel positive electrode plate.

Abstract: A developing device 4 includes a developing roller 10 that faces a drum 1, a supplying roller 11 that supplies the toner to the developing roller 10, and a toner container 15 for storing the toner. A toner layer forming roller 12 contacts the developing roller 10 and rotates in the same direction as the developing roller 10. A part of the toner is transferred from the developing roller 10 to the peripheral surface of the toner layer forming roller 12 to form a toner layer. The thickness of the toner layer on the toner layer forming roller 12 is regulated by a blade 13. According to the rotation of the toner layer forming roller 12, the toner layer is carried outside the toner container 15, where the toner layer is transferred to the peripheral surface of the developing roller 10.

Abstract: Composition for use in a water tank in the kitchen or sanitary sectors characterized by a basic composition essentially evolving its function following addition to a first water filling of the water tank, in the form of a tablet and at least one particle, with at least one core, which comprises at least one substance evolving its function essentially following an at least partial emptying of the first water filling from the water tank Ad and the inflow of fresh water and a covering substantially completely surrounding the core or cores comprising at least one compound, whose solubility increases with decreasing concentration of a specific ion in the surrounding medium, the at least one particle being so arranged in or on the tablet that the surface of the particle or particles is at most only partly in direct contact with the surface of the basic composition surrounding the same and the concentration of the specific ion in the local environment of the particle or particles is sufficiently high up to a substan

Abstract: A humidifier includes a housing, a fan assembly, a wick assembly, a first humidity sensor, a second humidity sensor, and a controller. The housing has an air inlet, an air outlet, and a reservoir for holding water. The fan assembly creates an airflow through the housing from the inlet to the outlet. The wick assembly is in fluid communication with the water in the reservoir and extends into the airflow within the housing for adding moisture to the airflow. The first humidity sensor measures an ambient air relative humidity and produces a first signal corresponding to the ambient air relative humidity. The second humidity sensor measures an outlet air humidity and produces a second signal corresponding to the outlet air humidity. The controller is in electrical communication with the first and second humidity sensors. The controller receives the first and second signals and performs calculations to produce an output signal.

Abstract: A vibration isolator includes a first metallic mounting member; a metallic body member disposed away from the first metallic mounting member in the vibration input direction; an elastic body portion elastically connecting the first metallic mounting member and the metallic body member; and a second metallic mounting member. The metallic body member includes a flange portion protruding radially outward from a part of its end facing the first metallic mounting member and a first protrusion protruding radially outward from the remaining part of the end to a greater extent than does the flange portion. The opposite end of the metallic body member is plugged with a seal member to thereby form a liquid chamber within the metallic body member. The second metallic mounting member is fixedly press-fitted onto the metallic body member and includes a second protrusion. The first and second protrusions are superposed to thereby form a stopper portion. The stopper portion is covered and held by a stopper covering portion.

Abstract: Method and device to make holes for components of wings for doors or windows comprising a frame consisting of uprights (14) on which blinds (16) oscillating with respect to an axis are mounted. The method provides to calculate the number of blinds (16) which can be applied in the wing and the interaxis “p” of the assembly holes (17) by dividing the height of the wing gap by the height of said blinds (16), rounding up the result of the division to obtain a whole number, calculating the overlap value between each blind (16) relation to the number of blinds (16) to be applied and comparing the overlap value obtained from this calculation with a pre-defined minimum value.

Abstract: In a high-frequency impedance type magnetic head having high impedance and capable of efficiently detecting a change in impedance, an electrically conductive metal film is sandwiched between two soft magnetic films, and the two soft magnetic films form a portion of a magnetic path. The thickness of one soft magnetic film is smaller than the thickness of the other soft magnetic film. The electrically conductive metal thin film has a pair of electrodes at respective ends thereof, to which are connected an oscillator for applying a high frequency carrier signal to the electrodes and a high frequency amplifier having a demodulator circuit. Further, an electrically conductive metal film winding is provided, and a DC current is applied to the electrically conductive metal film winding at the time of reproduction, while on the other hand, a signal current is applied to the electrically conductive metal film winding at the time of recording.

Abstract: A knee joint endoprosthesis is provided having a femoral part (1) that can be linked with a shank part to be anchored in the femur, the femoral part being provided with two runners (2, 3) interlinked ventrally via a bridge. A tibia plateau part (5) interacts with a shank part to be anchored in the tibia and is provided with two slide guides (6) in which the runners (2, 3) of the femoral part (1) can roll off and slide. With increasing bend of the knee joint and upon exceeding a predetermined bending angle, the femoral part is allowed to perform an increasing rotation relative to the tibia plateau part (5).

Abstract: A method of producing an electrode alloy powder is disclosed, wherein, to provide an electrode alloy powder capable of yielding an alkaline storage battery excellent in high-rate discharge property, self-discharge property and cycle life, a first step of immersing a starting powder comprising a hydrogen storage alloy containing 20 to 70 wt % of Ni in an aqueous solution containing 30 to 80 wt % of sodium hydroxide at a temperature of 90° C. or higher and a second step of washing with water the powder which has been subjected to the first step are conducted.

Abstract: A child-resistant container for holding an item includes a housing and a tray that is pivotably connected to the housing for pivotable movement between a closed position in which the tray is in the housing for preventing access to the item and an open position in which the tray extends out of the housing for exposing the item. A latch in the form of a flexible member is connected to the tray and is biased to engage the housing when the tray is in the closed position. A lock assembly is connected to the housing and is engageable with the tray when the tray is in the closed position. In use, the tray is secured in the closed position by the latch and the lock and is angularly displaceable from the closed position to the open position upon the simultaneous application of a first force to the latch, a second force to the lock and a torque to the tray.

Abstract: A toy vehicle has a tractor and trailer that is countable to the tractor. The tractor includes a tractor hitch assembly and an operating assembly for propelling the tractor in forward and reverse directions and for turning the tractor 360° in place. The trailer has a trailer body and a tongue extending therefrom with a trailer hitch assembly connected to the trailer tongue. The tractor and trailer hitch assemblies are arranged and countable together to enable relative pitch and roll between the tractor and trailer and rotation of the tractor under the trailer tongue at least on a flat surface.