Abstract: A drive IC is provided for suitably driving piezoelectric elements of an ink jet printer. The drive IC includes a plurality of drive output pads, a plurality of data input pads for feeding plural kinds of drive data, a plurality of shift registers each connected to a corresponding one of the data input pads, a plurality of analog switches connected to each of the drive output pads, and a selecting circuit for selectively feeding one of plural kinds of drive voltages to each of the drive output pads through a selected one of the analog switches according to the drive data.

Abstract: A method is provided for purifying raw water taken from a raw water reservoir. The method includes the steps of subjecting the raw water to magnetic treatment, causing the magnetically treated water to flow through a filter medium in a first direction for purification of the treated water, and discharging the purified water into the raw water reservoir. The method further includes the steps of causing the magnetically treated water to pass through the filter medium in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and discharging the oppositely passing water into the raw water reservoir. The apparatus for realizing the above method includes a water intake assembly, a filter assembly and a water discharge assembly. A magnetic treatment device is mounted on the water intake assembly for subjecting the raw water to magnetic treatment. A switching device is operated to cause the magnetically treated water to flow through the filter assembly selectively in the first and second directions.

Abstract: An end fitting for use in a remote control cable assembly of the type having a control cable that includes a conduit and a wire-like strand or core element. The end of the strand is typically attached to a slider rod that extends within a swivel tube. The swivel tube is supported within a swivel socket provided in the end fitting. The end fitting allows for easy rotation of the end fitting relative to the axis of the conduit and provides for isolation against noise and vibration transmission, while not adding additional lash into the cable system from the rotating end fitting joint. The end fitting has four pieces, a molded sleeve, conduit isolator, outer fitting (side entry fitting) and end cap. The conduit isolator, end cap, molded outer fitting and molded sleeve, are toleranced such that when they are assembled, they have a slight interference and thus reduce the lash generated by the rotational joint.

Abstract: A card printer includes a card supply mechanism (20) for forwardly feeding cards one after another from a stack thereof held by a card stocker (21), a card carrier table (20) having an upper surface for supporting each of the cards fed from the card supply mechanism (20). The card carrier table is reciprocatively movable forwardly and rearwardly. The card printer further includes a printhead (90') located above the card carrier table (60). The printhead selectively assumes a position contacting each card on the card carrier table (60) via an ink ribbon (R) and a position upwardly spaced from the card. The card printer further includes a card discharge mechanism (120) for picking up a printed card from the card carrier table (60) moved to a forward position and for discharging the printed card.

Abstract: A cooling device is provided for cooling at least one computer component device in a main frame. The cooling device comprises a case and at least one fan assembly. The case is mounted adjacent to the computer component device, and is provided with at least one first opening communicating with air outside the main frame and at least one second opening facing the computer component device. The fan assembly is mounted in the case to suck the air outside the main frame through the first opening and directly ventilate the computer component device through the second opening.

Abstract: A method for fabricating electrodes of a capacitor over a semiconductor substrate is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: forming a base insulating layer over the semiconductor substrate; forming a stacked layer, including an insulating layer and a mask layer, over the base insulating layer; defining the stacked layer to form an opening to the base insulating layer; forming a first conducting layer over the stacked layer; forming a spacer on the sidewall of the first conducting layer in the opening; etching the bottom of the opening by using the mask layer and the spacer as a mask to expose a portion of the semiconductor substrate; forming a second conducting layer in the opening to electrically connect the exposed semiconductor substrate; and removing the spacer to leave the first and the second conducting layers as a capacitor electrode.

Abstract: The effluent monitoring system generates an action perform signal for controlling a sampler device or an alarm in response to detecting a plurality of probe inputs receiving signals from a plurality of effluent property detecting probes. A variable and dynamic response to the probe inputs is provided. A plurality of monitoring parameter sets are stored in a memory along with a state number value, and the system may change state number in response to exceeding a threshold value which will result in the system being responsive to a new set of monitoring parameters in order to respond in a variable and dynamic manner. The sampling rate and the rate of recording values of the probe inputs can also be dynamically varied in response to the probe inputs themselves.

Abstract: In a microscope having one or more separate lenses 11a to 11d arranged in side-by-side relationship within an area equal to or smaller than that of an objective lens for guiding separate beams of viewing light L respectively, the separate lenses 11a to 11d are located off the optical axis S which extends across the center of the objective lens, and a single illumination input 13 is provided across the optical axis S for directing an illumination light R along the optical axis S through the objective lens to a target area to be viewed.

Abstract: An end fitting for use in a remote control cable assembly of the type having a control cable that includes a conduit and a wire-like strand or core element. The end of the strand is typically attached to a slider rod that extends within a swivel tube. The swivel tube is supported within a swivel socket provided in the end fitting. The end fitting allows for easy rotation of the end fitting relative to the axis of the conduit without adding additional lash into the cable system from the rotating end fitting joint. The end fitting has two pieces, a molded sleeve and a rotating fitting. The molded sleeve is fastened directly onto and along the longitudinal axis of the conduit such that the molded sleeve is fixed against longitudinal movement relative said conduit end. The molded sleeve includes a partial spherical ball portion and a cylindrical portion. The rotating fitting is rotatably disposed about the molded sleeve and is used to attach the conduit end to a support structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a splinter shield comprising a protective cover (20) for a substantially plane, circular tool, e.g. a cutting wheel (6), circular-saw blade or the like, which is rotatable about a rotation axis (31) and which, together with the splinter shield, can be fitted on a tool carrier (5) on a manually operated machine (1), which protective cover (20) is intended to house a section of the tool and has a through-running fixture hole (27) for the splinter shield on the side facing the tool carrier. What distinguishes the invention is that the side of the protective cover which contains the fixture hole is double-walled around the fixture hole, the walls (30, 60) in a region around the fixture hole being arranged at a distance (H) apart.

Abstract: Vegetables or macerated vegetables were washed with water passed through ion-exchange resins capable of removing NO.sub.3 - and NO.sub.2 -ions to remove nitrate nitrogen harmful to human body, then pulverized by freeze-drying. Then, powdered vegetable juice is obtained by adding components effective for healthy life thereto.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fastening element with a torque-limiting function, comprising on the one hand a fastening member (2, 2') with working threads (4), that is to say threads which are active for the fastening function of the element, and on the other hand a gripping member (3, 3') which is arranged so as to be capable of being turned with the aid of a spanner, wrench, screwdriver or other tool for attaching the fastening element (1, 1') and connected or connectable to the fastening member (2, 2') via torque-transmitting threaded connection (5, 6/17, 18) with sufficient strength in order to be capable of transmitting to the fastening member torque of the size for which the fastening element is intended, and in which the gripping member is arranged to be unscrewed and turned relative to the fastening member, on attachment of the fastening element, only when the torque exceeds a given predetermined torque.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a capacitor over a semiconductor substrate is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in the photoresist development process of an integrated circuit fabrication is provided to improve the uniformity of development. The apparatus includes: a holder which includes a vertical spindle and a chuck fixed on the top of the vertical spindle, for horizontally holding a semiconductor wafer; a liquid feeder disposed above the holder, for supplying a developer onto the semiconductor wafer; a cup-type housing disposed under the holder, wherein the bottom of the cup-type housing includes a valve for draining the developer and a hole for allowing the vertical spindle to penetrate through; and a hoisting instrument fixed on the bottom of the cup-type housing, so that when the cup-type housing is lifted, the edge of the semiconductor wafer tightly contacts the sidewall of the cup-type housing, thereby forming a dish-like container for containing the developer.

Abstract: A process for making a solid electrolytic capacitor is provided which comprises the following steps. First, a capacitor element is prepared which includes a capacitor chip and an anode wire projecting from the capacitor chip. Then, the anode wire of the capacitor element is brought into contact with an anode lead. Finally, the anode wire is bonded to the anode lead at a connecting portion spaced from a tip of the anode wire.

Abstract: A lock bar assembly for use in a stacking file of the type separate first and second drawer modules that are connected to one another to form a cabinet. Each drawer module includes at least one drawer that is selectively slidable between an open position and a closed position. A snap-on connector allows two or more distinct lock bar portions to function as a single integrated lock bar for preventing simultaneous movement of the first and second drawers from their closed position to their open position. The snap-on connector simplifies connection of the lock bar portions.

Abstract: Full color images are formed by electrophotography which utilizes a rotary member having an endless photosensitive surface which has a plurality of different band regions divided in a direction perpendicular to a rotational direction of the rotary member. The photosensitive surface is electrostatically charged, and the plural band regions are simultaneously irradiated each with light of a different color to electrostatically form a different latent image in each of the band regions. Then, the latent images of the respective band regions are developed to provide a set of differently colored images which are transcribed onto a recording medium. After the set of differently colored images is transcribed onto the recording medium, the recording medium is indexed in a direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the rotary member.