Abstract: A new card connector has a connector element which has, at its opposite ends, projection portions, and a frame element which has a projection guide having a laterally elongated portion in parallel to a card insertion-withdrawal direction at a coupling portion between the frame element and the connector element. When the frame element is coupled with or released from the connector element fixed to a mounting board, an upper side of the laterally elongated portion of the projection guide of the frame element is guided by the projection portion of the connector element so that any contact is prevented between a grounding metal plate of the frame element and pin contacts of the connector element.

Abstract: In order to provide a ferrule for an optical-fiber connector used for good organization of an optical communication network, the ferrule for an optical-fiber connector is made of a crystallized glass having a composition which consists essentially of, by weight percent, 60-70% of SiO2, 16-25% of Al2O3, 1.5-3% of Li2O, 0.5-2.5% of MgO, 1.3-4.5% of TiO2, 0.5-3% of ZrO2, 2-6.5% of TiO2+ZrO2, 1-5.5% of K2O, 0-7% of ZnO, and 0-3% of BaO. The crystallized glass includes 30-70 volume % precipitation of &bgr;-spodumene solid solution or &bgr;-quartz solid solution having an average grain size not greater than 2 &mgr;m. In addition, the crystallized glass has a bend strength of 200 MPa or more and a thermal expansion coefficient of −10˜50×10−7/° C. at a temperature between −50 and 150° C.

Abstract: Process for the efficient production of a substantially dust-free, free flowing granular L-Lysine in which the L-Lysine content is adjustable. Cells are removed from a fermentation broth containing L-Lysine to make a substantially cell free L-Lysine broth. Water is removed from the L-Lysine broth to form a concentrated L-Lysine broth. The L-Lysine content of the concentrated L-Lysine broth may be adjusted to be between about 35% and 76%, measured as a percent of freebase per kg, by adding material containing L-Lysine to provide an enriched L-Lysine broth. The enriched L-Lysine broth is agglomerated by means of an atomized spray of the enriched L-Lysine broth directed onto a fluidized bed of percolating L-Lysine particles. The L-Lysine particulates act as seeds for the agglomeration process wherein the L-Lysine particulates grow in size to provide a substantially dust-free, free flowing granular L-Lysine.

Abstract: A node contact hole is formed in an inter-level insulating layer through an anisotropic etching using an inner conductive side wall formed in a primary opening as an etching mask, and an outer conductive side wall concurrently formed from a doped polysilicon together with a conductive plug in the node contact hole increases the surface area of a storage node electrode of a stacked storage capacitor.

Abstract: A bimodal electrophotographic apparatus and process which incorporates capabilities for making both positive and reversal copies. One surface of a layer of a zinc oxide coated paper, or the like, is given an initial electrostatic charge. The charged surface is then exposed to an image having light and dark areas for causing surface charge to dissipate, in varying degree depending on the amount of light striking the charged paper, in the exposure areas. A charged toner is applied to the zinc-oxide-coated paper by a magnetic brush. In the reversal mode, the brush has a bias potential. The brush is formed by an aggregation of magnetic toner particles clinging to the outside of a cylindrical sleeve while magnets inside the sleeve rotate. The toner collects on the paper to form an image depending upon where the charge is dissipated.

Abstract: A document switch senses the movement of a plurality of cards, or the like, as they pass through a path of travel. A pivotable assembly has first and second pivoted arm members including a sensing arm mounted on a pivotable element. In its initial position, the sensing arm projects into the path of card travel. When the card appears, the sensing arm is moved out of its initial position, and a contact mounted on the assembly opens to sense an engagement of the arm with a card. Continued travel of the card moves the arm against a stop which withdraws it from the path of travel and resilient means brings the sensing arm into engagement with the underside of the card. A leaf spring presses against the card to retain it in a guide plane as it travels away from the sensing arm and into the nip of take-up rollers.

Abstract: A microfilm system stores document on film for compact and secure filing. Full-size paper copies may be made of any document in the file. A single, attractively styled, compact housing contains a preferably manually fed camera, with an electrophotographic 16 mm roll film packaged in a cassette for easy film loading and unloading. The film is processed immediately after each image is recorded so that it is ready for instant retrieval. A bar code is recorded adjacent each image, responsive to a keyboard operation. During retrieval, a high-speed film transport searches for a designated bar code. Once an image is found, it may be projected on either a screen or paper in a printing system.

Abstract: A first part of the inventive instrument comprises an insertion and removal device in the form of a maneuverable catheter which may be inserted through the mouth or nostril, pharynx, and esophagus into the stomach. In one form, the catheter includes an outer sheath which protects the human body while a tool extending coaxially through an inner sheath is being manipulated. The tool includes a remotely operated pair of tweezers for holding or releasing a loop on insertion or seizing and holding the loop on removal of the second part of the inventive instrument. An alternate device for capturing and holding the second part of the inventive instrument uses an electromagnet. The second part of the inventive instrument comprises a self-compressing, open-ended, balloon-like tube for implantation in and lining of the digestive tract, especially in the intestine, to prevent food from being absorbed into the villi.

Abstract: A deskewing document transport device delivers individual documents one at a time into the nip of a pair of pickup rollers. The documents are gravity fed from an angled panel into the nip. A curved guide finger is positioned near the bottom of the angled panel and confronting one of the pickup rollers in order to form a curved gap which causes the documents to curl slightly as they approach the nip. A horizontal table is positioned under the curved gap so that, if the document is skewed, the leading edge of the curled document is lightly pressed against the table for deskewing the document as it passes through the gap. The inventive transport device is particularly well-suited for use with a microfilming camera.

Abstract: A personal appliance comprises a vacuum chamber and a steam-generating chamber. Steam or other heat is applied to an area of human skin for a period which is long enough to open pores, melt any wax-like substances within the pores, and otherwise cause the skin to be cleaned. Thereafter, a mild suction is applied to the steamed area which lifts the softened debris out of the open skin pores. In some instances the suction may be applied in a pulsating manner to massage the skin.

Abstract: A microfilm reader/printer has a plurality of interchangeable film carriers to accommodate microfiche of different sizes and format. The film carriers are normally latched into two orthogonally oriented pairs of spaced, parallel rails so that film movement is limited. However, if a film carrier is unlatched from said rails, one of the carriers may be interchanged for another.

Abstract: A single sensor system reads a traveling bar code comprising a plurality of marks separated by spaces. Each of the marks may have either of two durations and each of the spaces has a uniform duration. The bar codes are transported, relative to the sensor, at any of many different speeds so that the signals generated by the sensor may have unpredictable durations. The inventive reader determines the speed at which the bar code is being transported and interprets the signals generated by the bar code marks according to the determined speed. As used herein, the reference to "any of many different speeds" recognizes that different bar code transport devices, owing to their own inherent characteristics, may operate at different speeds although the speed for any given code transport device will tend to be fairly uniform. In some embodiments, the invention accommodates speed fluctuations in the operation of a single transport device.

Abstract: The inventive ink jet printing system is driven from a repertoire data storage medium such as perforated tape or cards, magnetic tape or cards, or the like, on which the stored data may be changed, updated, increased or decreased, or deleted in whole or in part. The data read from this storage medium is fed into a microprocessor which directs a ganged multiplicity of ink jet printing heads, to simultaneously printout a plurality of lines of type. A transport mechanism picks up and feeds paper, magazines, or the like through a printing station where the ganged ink jets print out responsive to the data supplied from the repertoire storage medium. A number of housekeeping functions are carried out simultaneously, to insure that ink is delivered to and collected from the nozzles of the printing heads.

Abstract: A pair of glass flats are mounted in a removable carrier frame assembly, which is adapted to be inserted into a microfilm reader/printer. Supports on the carrier frame may be rested upon a front panel of a reader/printer in order to facilitate an alignment and an insertion of the carrier. A solenoid controlled mechanical linkage normally holds the glass flats in an open position except when the film is actually being projected. Then, they close. Signals are sent back to indicate to the reader/printer whether the flats are opened or closed and to control it in response thereto.

Abstract: A therapeutic heating pad which is not hot to the touch provides substantial infrared radiation to a user. Accordingly it can be used for extended periods without feeling uncomfortable to the skin, while imparting deep therapeutic heat to the user. The heating pad is comprised of a radiant heat generating layer having a plane surface comprising means for radiating heat evenly from its surface, a pair of flexible electrically insulating and radiation permeable layers located adjacent and covering opposite sides of the layer, a thermal insulation layer disposed against and covering one of the electrically insulating layers, a radiation reflective layer disposed against and covering the outside surface of the thermal insulation layer, and a sealed radiation permeable envelope enclosing the entire heater.

Abstract: A personal appliance comprises a vacuum chamber and a steam-generating chamber. Steam is applied to an area of human skin for a period which is long enough to open pores, melt any wax-like substances within the pores, and otherwise cause the skin to be cleaned. Thereafter, a mild suction is applied to the steamed area. In some instances the suction may be applied in a pulsating manner to massage the skin.

Abstract: A handsaw has a main blade and an auxiliary cutting blade with specialized fingers. The cutting blade is held tautly between two points disposed on opposite ends of the main blade. Interlocking teeth prevent the two blades from springing apart without interfering with the tautness of the cutting blade. The vertical projection of the cross section of the two blades is the same as the vertical projection of one blade alone, so that the two combined saw blades easily follow their own kerf.

Abstract: A fishing lure has a two-piece body which is hinged together at a central region, with the hinge being vertically oriented. The hinge has enough play to enable slight twisting motion in the tail region. The lure floats upright when the hooks rest upon the bottom. One embodiment simulates a dying fish. The lure sinks away from its attached line in order to reduce snagged lines.

Abstract: A charge-sensitive switch is described sensitive to the adjacency of, or transfer of charge from a person, for controlling lamps, appliances, motors, etc. The switch contains an over-current sensor for detecting excess load current, and takes action to shut off the current. It can also switch successive loads, as would be required in a tri-light lamp. The input sensitivity of the switch is adjustable so as to be able to switch in the presence of an adjacent charge, as would be required for proximity detection in a burglar alarm.