Abstract: A peripheral device on a network has a client function to retrieve data and or to update data in another network resource. The peripheral device also has its own device dependent functions such as printing, copying, faxing and scanning. The peripheral device outputs data retrieved from another network resource and or inputs new data for updating the data existing in another network resource. The retrieving and updating functions are performed by a client control unit of the peripheral device.

Abstract: A method of preparing a pouring tube such as a submerged entry nozzle (SEN) for use in a continuous casting machine includes steps of preheating at least one portion of the pouring tube by exposing the pouring tube to intensive radiative heat transfer; and installing the preheated pouring tube into a continuous casting machine. In the preferred embodiment the source of intensive radiative heat transfer is a high intensity infrared heat source that is capable of preheating the pouring tube to a temperature of up to 2000 degrees F. within seven to ten minutes. This compares with conventional gas preheating techniques that typically take over thirty minutes and thus require many steel producers to keep an SEN on constant preheat. By eliminating this necessity, the pouring tube may be prepared for use more quickly and in an environmentally sounder manner than through conventional preheating processes.

Abstract: A container for storing and transporting device containing radioactive materials used for medical procedures is disclosed. Such devices may include a radioactive shielding material which contains a portion of the radioactivity emitted by the radioactive material. The container has an upper portion and a lower portion, and at least one of the portions includes a radiation shielding material, such as lead, steel or other appropriate shielding materials. Devices containing radioactive material are placed within the container. The container secures the devices against lateral movement within the container. The radiation shielding material of the lower portion of the container may cooperate with the radiation shielding material of the device to contain more of the emitted radiation than is contained by the device alone. The container and the holder may be sterilizable to allow such devices to be transported and sterilized for medical use.

Abstract: Certain characters and symbols are often erroneously recognized as non-solid periodic lines such as dotted lines and single chain lines. The erroneous recognition stems out from recognition criteria which are generally based upon the characteristics of the line elements such as height, width and a distance between the elements. To substantially eliminate the erroneous recognition, one preferred embodiment according to the current invention substantially eliminates erroneous candidates for non-solid periodic lines based upon a distance to adjacent text characters.

Abstract: The color toner application level is flexibly adjusted to save the toner consumption by lowering the developing bias voltage value while color balance is maintained by adjusting gamma characteristics. The toner save mode is invoked based upon the detection of substantially unequal toner consumption among color components.

Abstract: A facility including an inclined plane for sliding for which snow is used, a snow producing apparatus for producing snow from water and supplying the snow to the facility, and an air jet apparatus for forming an air roof by air flow so that the air roof covers space over the facility, are provided. The air roof covers space over the facility for which artificial snow is used, thus making the building of a roof and the like unnecessary and lowering building costs. The inside of the facility is opened to the fresh air by stopping the supply of air for forming the air roof, which makes special equipment for measures against exhaust gas unnecessary.

Abstract: A closure for dispensing a viscous material such as mustard or ketchup from a container includes a threaded closure body having a dispensing orifice through which viscous material may flow during dispensing, and a collection space for collecting a volume of thin liquid that may form on top of the viscous material during storage. The collection space acts to intercept the thin liquid as the container is inverted to dispense the viscous material. As the material continues to be dispensed, the thin liquid is re-mixed into the material, thereby keeping the solid to liquid ratio of the material in the container relatively constant. A method of dispensing viscous material such as ketchup or mustard is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a fine particle-removing device connected to an exhaust path for a combustion exhaust gas, for removing fine particles contained in the exhaust gas. The apparatus has filter units, a fuel injection nozzle and an ignition device. The filter units are made of porous ceramic partitions that form a plurality of narrow paths extending in the flowing direction of the exhaust gas. The porous ceramic partitions capture the fine particles contained in the exhaust gas when the exhaust gas is introduced into one side and exhausted from the other side of each path. The fuel injection nozzle injects a fuel into exhaust gas intake portions of the filter units to burn the fine particles captured on the porous ceramic partitions.

Abstract: An article for use in applying an electrical stimulus to a pedicle area of an antlered animal includes a clamp for securely attaching the article to the pedicle area and an attached electrode for establishing electrical contact with the pedicle area. The article may be used in conjunction with a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) system to anesthetize the pedicle area for harvesting purposes, or as part of a system to provide long or short term electrical stimulation to the pedicle in order to enhance blood flow to the area. Processes of applying electrical stimulation to the pedicle area to stimulate growth are also discussed.

Abstract: An infant blanket/towel is provided having one or more teething elements and/or pacifiers attached thereto. The invention is conveniently used by draping the blanket/towel across the infant's chest and stomach and initially providing one of the teething or pacifier elements into the infant's grasp. When and if the infant drops the teething or pacifier element, the element does not fall to the floor or otherwise out of the infant's reach. Because the blanket/towel generally remains draped across the infant, the pacifier or teething element merely slips down onto the infant's chest. By the infant's natural tendency to grip the blanket/towel and thrust the blanket/towel into its mouth, the infant frequently can relocate the pacifier or teething element and re-position it into its mouth.

Abstract: An automatic text inputting method and a system inputs text from multiple pages such as in a book by automatically turning pages, optically converting text image on each page into character data and determining an end of a specified unit of text. For example, the specified unit of text includes an article in a magazine and a chapter in a book. Additionally, in a selected group of text, a representative word is also automatically selected.

Abstract: The system and method of controlling the olfactory stimuli release a specified aroma-causing agent from a first specified location in environment. In order to simulate the movement of the released aroma-causing agent in space, the same aroma-causing agent is released from a second specified location in the environment.

Abstract: Described are reduced calorie edible plastic fat compositions based on mixtures of triglycerides being various combinations of short (C2 to C4), saturated long (C16 to C22), and monounsaturated long (C16 to C22) chain fatty acid residues, and the use of such compositions in edible compositions such as shortenings and margarines.

Abstract: A composite closure for a container has an outer band with a partial toroidal hook that overhangs a crown around the periphery of an insert cover disk. As the closure is tightened on the container, the hook bears downwardly on the crown of the disk and urges the disk against the container rim. The hook has several vents formed on its underside to enable air communication. A lower, inner edge of the hook is spaced apart from the disk to provide communication with the vents from the environment. An annular recess is formed on the underside of the hook, and is in communication with the vents and with a gap formed between an outboard wall of the crown and an inboard sidewall of the hook. A retaining bead is formed on a skirt below the hook to retain the disk. The bead is spaced apart from the disk when the closure is assembly to a container to enable communication from the environment through the vents to the threads.

Abstract: A system for transferring preforms to an oven starwheel of a blowmolding manufacturing facility includes a transport mechanism that is constructed and arranged to be able to hold at least one plastic preform member, a first sensor for sensing a transport speed of the oven starwheel, and a controller for controlling movement of the transport mechanism The controller receives input from the first sensor so that it may instruct the transport mechanism to transport a preform to the oven starwheel at a speed that will closely match the speed of the oven starwheel. The controller is also programmed to instruct the transport mechanism to receive preforms from a supply of preforms at a speed that is less than the speed of the oven starwheel. This reduces the potential for jamming at the interface between the preform supply and the transport mechanism.