Abstract: The invention is directed toward melt-processable lactide polymer compositions, processes for manufacturing these compositions, and articles made from these compositions. The compositions include a first phase, which contains a polylactide-based polymer, and a second phase which includes elastomer. The elastomer is present in an amount sufficient to provide a polymer composition having an impact resistance of at least about 0.7 ft-lb/in. after the melt-processable polymer composition has been injection molded into bars and tested according to ASTM D256 (1993) method C. Preferably, the compositions also include a reactive compatibilizing agent. Methods of making these compositions and articles made from these compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A potentiometer element housed in an anchoring body which is provided at the extremities of its walls with a plurality of lugs which are deformable angularly in order to hold the potentiometer element, also incorporating a control shaft wherein the insertion extremity of the shaft presents a groove which forms two elastic lugs which, when brought closer to each other permit the removal and replacement of said control shaft. The potentiometer element is also characterized in that, in the system of contacting the resistive track with the ends of the corresponding terminals, there are provided two or more protuberances which act as springs, and terminals present a notch so as to facilitate the bending and to reduce the recovery effect.

Abstract: A method for constructing a laminate comprising two layers, including an acrylic homopolymer layer and a microporous PTFE layer wherein the acrylic layer is a felt and is pretreated by immersion into an adhesive solution and introduced to the PTFE layer and subjected to heat and pressure to form a laminate useful as a filtration material. A laminate useful as a filtration material is formed by the immersion process.

Abstract: The present invention determines whether a filter is used for reading and writing on a disk to correct repeatable runout. The invention estimates the magnitude of repeatable runout for each disk by measuring the maximum absolute value of a state variable of a filter when the disk is turned on or when the disk returns from a sleep mode, and compares the measured value to a predetermined criterion such as the track width. If the magnitude of the repeatable runout is less than or equal to the predetermined criterion, the filter is not used. If the magnitude of the repeatable runout exceeds the predetermined criterion, the invention reads and writes data using the filter.

Abstract: A piezoelectric fan comprises at least one piezoelectric element having a rectangular piezoelectric plate of large aspect ratio, made from a piezoelectric material, and conductive metal layers provided on both surfaces of the piezoelectric plate. At least one of the conductive metal layers has a plurality of reinforcing ribs extending parallel to the long side of the piezoelectric element and formed integrally with the conductive metal layers or as a separate member collectively. The reinforcing ribs increase the long side direction rigidity of the piezoelectric element. As a result, the long side direction or lateral mode resonance of the piezoelectric element can be suppressed, thus increasing the blow efficiency of the piezoelectric fan.

Abstract: A new concept of assembly furniture comprises frame components and panels which fit in grooves in the frame components together with fixing members for fixing frame components to each other at their ends, for example, parallelepedic furniture units. The frame components furthermore have formations in them, for example, a set of holes of standardized pitch into which elongate members which have matching formations at their ends can fit when the frame components are assembled. These elongate members with formations at their ends allow for the mounting of hinges, drawer runners and shelf supports and the like without the necessity for drilling, screwing or any other fastening approach. The key feature of the assembly furniture is that it is capable of being disassembled and reassembled into different kinds of furniture by the owner thereof.

Abstract: A distance sensing system employs an optical triangulation system and a position sensitive device (PSD). The PSD generates a pair of current signals when a target reflects light from a light source back to the surface of the PSD. An automatic power control circuit is used to keep one of the current signals a constant value. The position of the reflected light spot on the PSD is linearly proportional to the other current generated by the PSD according to the formula:Y=C.times.I2Where Y is the spot position and C is a normalization constant. The signal I2 is processed to extract distance information relative to the target.

Abstract: A integral magnetic head and suspension and method for making the same. The integral head and suspension are fabricated completely on silicon (Si) wafers using semiconductor processes. A N+ silicon layer is disposed over a P- silicon wafer. The N+ silicon layer and the P- silicon wafer are thermally oxidized to generate a bottom silicon oxide layer opposite the N+ layer side of the wafer and a top silicon oxide layer on the N+ side of the wafer, and to drive the N+ silicon into the P- silicon wafer. A layer of polysilicon is disposed over the silicon oxide layer on top of the N+ silicon layer and is then patterned to define the head structure and suspension structure as one piece. Then, a magnetic head is disposed on the polysilicon. Finally, the magnetic head and suspension are separated from the wafer by removing the first silicon oxide layer by a chemical etchant and the P- silicon wafer by selective etching.

Abstract: A picture tube device comprises a CRT and a deflection yoke having a terminal board cover, wherein an adjustment tool is not completely extracted from through holes and can be smoothly shifted between through holes, and the position of another through hole can be confirmed and determined without visual confirmation, so that the position among the through holes can be easily determined. A correction circuit comprising variable resistors for correcting misconvergence is employed on a printed board installed on the deflection yoke. The printed board is covered with a terminal board cover made of insulating material and through holes for inserting an adjustment tool for adjusting the adjustment areas of the variable resistors are formed in the terminal board cover. The through holes are connected to each other with guiding grooves.

Abstract: A structure of a bond pad to prevent probe pin contamination is disclosed herein a first conductor layer is formed on the substrate. A passivation layer including a titanium nitride layer, a silicon nitride layer, and a silicon oxide layer is formed on the first conductor layer. A photoresist layer is patterned on the passivation layer to define a contact hole, and then etching the passivation layer using the photoresist layer as a mask to form the contact hole. A second conductor layer serving as a top metal of bond pad harder than the first conductor layer is selectively deposited on the first conductor layer, and filled in the contact hole. The present invention can reduce a probe pin contamination so that extend the probe pin lifetime using this selective deposition technique to form the pond pad structure. Additionally, the structure can prevent the contact resistance between the probe pin head and the bond pad increasing, and reduce the probe pin overkill ratio.

Abstract: An air conveying duct has a foam core sealed on the inside and reinforced on the outside. The duct absorbs noise and neither introduces impurities into the air nor collects impurities from the air.

Abstract: A method for an accelerated test of semiconductor devices comprises the steps of determining a relational expression t.sub.1 =t.sub.2.sup.m between an information holding lifetime t.sub.1 at a temperature T.sub.1 and another lifetime t.sub.2 at another temperature T.sub.2, expressing the exponent m as a function of the temperature that is proportional to the Boltzmann's factor, and calculating the information holding lifetime t.sub.2 at the temperature T.sub.2 on the basis of the information holding lifetime t.sub.1 at the temperature T.sub.1 using the relational expression.

Abstract: By setting full group reversal control gates to a logical voltage "H", memory cells on all bit lines of a memory cell array block are connected to a reversal voltage supply circuit so that a group reversal operation is performed. When one of the group reversal control gates is set to the logical voltage "H", the memory cells on the bit lines having either even or odd numbers of the memory cell array block are connected to the reversal voltage supply circuit so that a partial group reversal operation is performed. When one of column selection gates is set to the logical voltage "H", the selected bit line is connected to the reversal voltage supply circuit. Consequently, a line reversal operation for the memory cell connected to the selected bit line is performed. Thus, the high-speed reversal operation which fully controls the offleak current of the memory cell can be implemented and the low-voltage operation can be realized by changing the operation unit for performing the reversal operation.

Abstract: A transfer member includes a dyeing layer transfer member, which has a lubricating heat-resistant layer on the reverse surface of a first base material and laminated layers of a parting layer and a dyeing layer on the obverse surface, an ink transfer member, having a lubricating heat-resistant layer on the reverse surface of a second base material and the laminated layers of an adhesive layer and an ink layer, an intermediate member having a functional layer on a third base material, and an image-receptor.

Abstract: Dermatological compositions described herein using from about 21 to about 40 wt-% urea with skin protectants of an oleaginous nature for treating a variety of dermatological conditions manifested by dry skin. The composition does not require use of traditional preservatives.

Abstract: A plant protector constructed and arranged to provide a protective cover on the surface of the ground around a plant, formed of two identical separate semicircular half-sections which interlock at diametrically extending center wall sections to form a bowl-like structure with an upstanding outer wall, a flat bottom with drain openings, a center opening extending into each half-section to accommodate a plant stem, and an outer skirt depending from an upper edge of the outer wall.

Abstract: A cell that is excellent in discharge characteristics and cycle characteristics is provided by filtering an active material paste, which contains an active material, a binder resin solution, and a conducting agent added as required, at least one time by a filter while stirring the active material paste in a stirring apparatus that has a stirring blade, and then coating a current collector with the active material paste. An active material paste is circulated and filtered by a feeding pump and a filter while being stirred in a stirring apparatus that has a stirring blade. Then, the active material paste is fed to another filter by a metering pump and filtered, and then, a current collector (backing) is coated with the active material paste. Then, the active material paste is dried in a dry zone and taken up by a take-up roller.

Abstract: An apparatus for diluting a liquid concentrate with a liquid diluent to form a use solution is provided. The apparatus includes an aspirator having a first inlet port, second inlet port, and an outlet port. A liquid diluent conducting means is connected to the first inlet port and a liquid concentrate conducting means is connected to the second inlet port of the aspirator for supplying thereto the liquid diluent and liquid concentrate respectively. Movement of a shut off valve and actuator valve operator controls both the shut off valve which is in fluid communication with the outlet port and the actuator valve which is in fluid communication with the liquid diluent conducting means to control flow of the liquid diluent.

Abstract: A valve actuating apparatus is provided for operating a valve between an open and closed position. The valve actuating apparatus includes an actuator having an output member with the actuator providing reciprocating motion to the output member upon energization of the actuator. A guide member having a detent therein is connected to the output member of the actuator. The apparatus includes a clutch assembly having a housing, an electromagnet assembly, an engagement member, and a housing opening with the engagement member disposed in the housing between the electromagnet assembly, and the housing opening. The housing opening is adapted to receive the guide member therein such that the clutch assembly and a portion of the guide member are slidably connected. The electromagnet assembly is selectively energized to force the engagement member against the guide member disposed in the housing opening.