Abstract: A system for dispensing mixed beverages has a processor to control the liquid dispensed at an outlet in dependence upon the demand of a user as input to a keypad. Carbonated water is fed to the outlet by way of tubing and a syrup concentrate is also fed therto by way of a tubing. The water and syrup is mixed in the correct quantities by way of respective proportional valves which adjust the quantity or flow rate of the two consituents fed through a mixing chamber in accordance with flow rate readings provided to the processor by respective flow transducers. The flow transducers measure the speed of flow ultrasonically and are able to provide flow rate readings at a rate of 50 per second. The proportional valves are able to adjust the quantities fed to the mixing chamber at a similar rate such that the mix can be reliably determined even if there are transitory pressure drops or viscosity changes in the system.

Abstract: A specific color field recognition apparatus and method are disclosed. A mechanism fetches a first image including a specific color and a second image with the specific color eliminated therefrom by picking up an image of an object having a specific color field to be recognized. A device produces a first density histogram and a second density histogram representing the number of pixels for each tone with respect to the first image and the second image, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a bra for the support and compression of the breasts of a woman suffering from post-partum breast engorgement, enlargement, or other conditions of the breasts. The bra includes a front panel connected to a back panel forming a garment. The garment is separable and includes connectors at the separation. The connectors are selectively connectable to provide an adjustable girth size of the garment. Variation in the girth size provides adjustable compression. The present invention also concerns warm or cold compresses in combination with a bra for the support and compression of breasts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pulsator of a washing machine. A rotating plate which rotates by a driving part, is provided. A plurality of vanes are radially positioned at a predetermined distance apart from each other on the rotating plate. An irregular water flow generating part rotatably mounted on the rotating plate, is provided for generating an irregular water flow. When the rotating plate rotates, the irregular water flow generating part rotates in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of the rotating plate to change a regular washing water flow generated by the plurality of vanes into an irregular water flow. The washing ability of the washing machine is improved and the tangling of clothing can be prevented. Further, the manufacturing cost of the washing machine can be reduced.

Abstract: Processes for preparing polypeptides, such as G-CSF or analogues thereof, in which fermentation is carried out in the presence of at least one amino acid which is present in an amount sufficient to give improved accumulation of the polypeptide. The amino acid may be threonine and/or leucine which is present in the growth medium at a concentration of, for example, about 1.25 to 5 g/l.

Abstract: The invention relates to vectors which include an inducible selection gene and a sequence which codes for a heterologous polypeptide. In a particular example the selection gene comprises the tetA and tetR genes. The vector may also include a sequence which is capable of conferring stability on the vector, such as the cer sequence, a transcription terminator, such as gene 32 from bacteriophage T4, a ribosome binding site, and a multi-cloning site. Hosts transformed with the vector, processes for preparing these hosts, and processes for preparing polypeptides using these hosts.

Abstract: A rapid-response solenoid-operated fuel injector for diesel engines is provided which includes a solenoid-operated valve member and a needle valve. The solenoid-operated valve member selectively establishes fluid communication between a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet. The needle valve is moved to selectively open and close a spray hole through which the fuel is sprayed. The solenoid-operated valve member is exposed at its head to the fuel pressure within a pressure control chamber supplied from the fuel inlet and has formed therein a pressure balancing chamber communicating with the pressure control chamber through a first orifice. The pressure of fuel within the pressure balancing chamber acting on the solenoid-operated valve member to block the fluid communication between the fuel inlet and outlet is balanced with the pressure of fuel within the pressure control chamber acting on the solenoid-operated valve member to establish the fluid communication between the fuel inlet and outlet.

Abstract: A structure of absorbing impact energy using a non-metallic interior material for an automobile is provided. The interior material is arranged on the inside of an inner panel of a structure member which includes the inner panel and an outer panel and is formed to have a closed structure in cross section taken along an horizontal imaginary plane. An energy absorbing space in defined between the inner panel and the interior material. A non-metallic energy absorber formed separately from the interior material is mounted on the inner panel or the interior material so as to be arranged in the space.

Abstract: A DNA which has the sequence shown in FIG. 5 and which defines a gene promoter region has been isolated from maize roots. The promoter may be used for driving expression of foreign genes in the roots of plants. This is particularly useful for expressing an insecticidal toxin, such as a delta-endotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis, to impart resistance to insect attack on the roots of plants by Coleopteran insects.

Abstract: A lead frame for a semiconductor chip package, including a die pad onto which a semiconductor chip will be attached; leads which will be electrically connected to the chip; and side rails supporting the leads and the die pad; a second metal being contact with the rails, this second metal having a higher standard electrode potential than that of the copper metal or alloy of which the remainder of the lead frame is made.

Abstract: A splint comprises a core made of a thin metallic rod and a cushion made of resinous foam for covering upper and lower sides of the core. The cushion has an injury-facing side which forms a gutter-shaped concave.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical plug capable of preventing an overheating of electric wires of an electric cord connected to the electrical plug, and of preventing an accidental disconnection of the electric cord, thereby being very safe and very long-lasting. A plurality of plug terminals of the electrical plug are inserted into a wall outlet in order to supply an electric power to an electrical appliance. An electric cord electrically connects the electrical appliance to an electrical source. A first electric wire and a second electric wire are connected to the plug terminals, respectively. A plug body supports a connection between the plug terminals and the electric cord. Preferably, the plug body is made of a polyamide by using an injection molding process. A supporting portion for supporting the first electric wire and the second electric wire protrudes level to a center line of the main body and from one face of a main body of the plug body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the treatment of dried aspartame characterized in that, in a first separation step, particles smaller than 50 .mu.m are removed, with the aid of a stream of air, from aspartame having a particle size distribution with which more than 5 wt. % of the aspartame has a particle size of less than 20 .mu.m and more than 10 wt. % of the aspartame has a particle size of more than 400 .mu.m, and that in a second separation step the product resulting from the first step is subjected to a screening step using a screen that separates at a value between 150 and 250 .mu.m, after which the fraction of the smaller particles thus obtained is recovered as a first product and the fraction of the larger particles is recovered as a second product or is optionally subjected to a further separation step using a screen that separates at a value between 400 and 1000 .mu.m, the fraction of smaller particles thus obtained being recovered as the second product.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a leakage measurement apparatus includes a volume metering device having a diaphragm which is displaced in accordance with a change in volume of the measurement medium leaked from an object and transmitted to the diaphragm. The volume of the leakage is calculated based on the change of the displaced amount of the diaphragm. In this way, the amount of leakage can be measured directly from the change in volume of the measurement medium. Further, the volume of the leakage can be measured without being affected by a change in pressure, and the accuracy of measurement can be improved.

Abstract: An array of M.times.N thin film actuated mirrors for use in an optical projection system comprises an active matrix, an array of M.times.N thin film actuating structures, each of the thin film actuating structures being provided with a first and a second actuating parts, each of the first and second actuating parts including at least a thin film layer of a motion-inducing material, a pair of electrodes, each of the electrodes being provided on top and bottom of the motion-inducing thin film layer, an array of M.times.N supporting members, each of the supporting members being used for holding each of the actuating structures in place by cantilevering each of the actuating structures and also for electrically connecting each of the actuating structures and the active matrix, and an array of M.times.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multipurpose auxiliary brush for complementing a cleaning function of a main brush and for enabling a vacuum cleaner to perform various cleaning jobs, regardless of an object and place to be cleaned. A knife-type brush of the multipurpose auxiliary brush is adapted to clean a recessed surface such as a doorframe, a windowframe, or a recessed place in a room. The multipurpose auxiliary brush is mounted to a hose assembly of the vacuum cleaner through an end of the knife-type brush. A haired brush of the multipurpose auxiliary brush is adapted to clean a recessed cleaning surface on which dust or other foreign substances has piled up, such as a doorframe, a windowframe, or a recessed place in a room. The haired brush is slideably positioned on a first portion of the knife-type brush. A plurality of hairs made of a synthetic thread are attached to an end of the haired brush.

Abstract: A kit comprising (i) a chemiluminescent chemical capable of emitting visible light on contact with animal blood, (ii) a peroxy oxidizing agent contained in a disposable packet, (iii) an aqueous solvent which is free from components that would inhibit the functioning of component (i), (iv) a vessel suitable for mixing components (i), (ii) and (iii), and (v) a device for delivering the resulting mixture as a spray to an area of terrain suspected of having blood deposits thereon, whereby said spray upon contact with said blood will luminesce and emit visible light enabling recognition by the hunter of the presence of said blood and to assist in tracking and locating said wounded game animal. Use of a luminol compound is preferred.

Abstract: NTSC convergence adjusting data corresponding to a plurality of portions on a display screen is stored in a data storage section in advance. Convergence adjusting data is stored in a field memory in a NTSC scanning mode. Adjusting data transferred to the memory is supplied to a vertical interpolation circuit, and interpolation adjusting data between the adjusting points is created using the plurality of adjusting data and interpolation coefficients. Data output from the vertical interpolation circuit is A/D-converted, and supplied to a deflection coil through a low pass filter as a convergence correction signal. In a PAL scanning mode, PAL convergence adjusting data is created with use of NTSC convergence adjusting data by a control microcomputer so as to be stored in the frame memory.

Abstract: A method for controlling water supply in an automatic ice maker comprises the steps of establishing a table for a water supply time versus a non-load current; starting a timer for measuring the water supply time after turning on a water supply motor; detecting the current in the water supply motor by using a hall sensor; turning off the water supply pump and displaying the depleted state of a water supply reservoir when the water supply motor current detected by the hall sensor is equal to or lower than the non-load current; determining a water supply time, from the table, corresponding to the detected water supply motor current, when the detected current is higher than the non-load current; and turning off the water supply motor after resetting the timer if the current time of the timer is same or more than the determined water supply time.

Abstract: A wheel balancing machine that includes a lighting device to illuminate the inside of the wheel or rim bowl facing the wheel balancing machine. Illumination preferably occurs in an area above the shaft on which the wheel is mounted and improves the task of correctly positioning and attaching balancing weights.