Abstract: It is described a vacuum stabilizing device comprising a holder (100) impermeable to gases, in the form of a box open at its upper end, with edges folded and prolonged outwards to form a peripheral "wing" (104); a getter material (110) in the lower part of holder (100) inside a lower volume (II) defined by the bottom of the holder and by a lower septum (120), permeable to gases; a dryer material (130) is an upper volume (I) defined by said septum (120) and by a second upper septum (140) permeable to gases. A film (150) of a material impermeable to gases is hermetically fixed to the external part of wing (104), as to seal the whole device. A few methods for producing the device are also described.

Abstract: In order to vary a light emission angle, a light source is moved so that its position relative to a reflector is varied. In one mode, by compulsively moving the light source to one end of a movement range of the light source, the one end is set as an original position. In another mode, after the light source is compulsively moved to the one end, by detecting that the light source has reached a position preset in the movement range while the light source is being moved to the other end of the movement range, a distance by which the light source is moved from the one end to the preset position is detected and stored as control information. The subsequent operation to move the light source to a desired control position is controlled based on the original position which is the one end or based on the control information.

Abstract: A method of operating slot machines to limit a player's losses is provided. The method comprises the steps of identifying a player; tracking an amount played and an amount paid out to the player by a first slot machine; determining if the player has lost more than a predetermined loss amount; and if the player has lost more than the predetermined loss amount after one of a predetermined number of plays, a predetermined amount played, a predetermined time of play, and the player stopping further play, crediting the player the difference between the predetermined loss amount and the player's actual loss.

Abstract: Basic aluminum halides and nitrates having enhanced antiperspirant efficacy are produced by reacting (a) aluminum powder, (b) an aluminum halide or nitrate solution and (c) water at a temperature greater than about 85.degree. C. This reaction is maintained until reaction products having an Al:anion ratio of about 1.2 to 1.8 and a solution solids concentration of about 30-40 wt. % on an anhydrous basis are obtained. The products are characterized as having a Size Exclusion Chromatography Test Band having a relative retention time corresponding to Band II of a Standard Basic Aluminum Chloride Size Exclusion Chromatogram and a Band II percent aluminum value of at least about 50% and a Band III percent aluminum value of less than 20%.

Abstract: In an image clustering apparatus for classifying an image into plural clusters, modification of cluster parameter is executed by parallel processing as well as parallel processing of comparison of likelihood.

Abstract: The present invention is a toy water gun for containment and ejection of water which includes a main housing, an ejection nozzle, a bladder housing, a bladder and an outlet connection which runs from the bladder to the nozzle. The expandable bladder is located in the bladder housing and has a first end connected to the outlet connection and has a carriage attachment located at the second end. The bladder carriage attachment is moveable in the bladder housing as the bladder is expanded. In one embodiment, the bladder has a variable diameter, larger at it's front end and smaller at it's back end. In another embodiment, the bladder has a constant diameter with a wall thickness gradient. Combined variable diameters and wall thickness may be used.

Abstract: A tunnel-type conveyor oven having two types of heat sources is provided. The oven includes a conveyor for carrying items through the oven along a conveyor path. The conveyor has first and second opposite sides. A plurality of radiant heaters are located transverse to and extend across the conveyor path. The radiant heaters are spaced apart in a direction of the conveyor path. Each radiant heater includes an inner tube having a wall with a plurality of openings defined therethrough, an open first end and a second end. A burner is directed into the open first end of the inner tube. An outer tube is located around the inner tube. The outer tube has an outer surface which is adapted to radiate heat, a first end and a second end. An exhaust outlet is located on the second end of the outer tube.

Abstract: A sealed lead acid storage battery includes a monoblock container, a cover, plural assembly elements, each assembly element comprising a plurality of positive and negative electrode plates that are stacked via separators in a predetermined direction, a positive and negative electrode strap, and a positive and negative electrode terminal. The positive and negative electrode terminals protrude above the cover. The container further comprises ribs formed inside a bottom surface thereof for enabling the electrode plates to rest on the ribs. Each positive electrode plate has a pair of feet that are formed on a lower end thereof in a substantially symmetrical arrangement and further comprises a lug connected to the positive electrode strap that is disposed at a position shifting either to the left or to the right. One of the feet correspond to the position having the lug not resting on any rib, while the other foot rests on a rib.

Abstract: A microwave-excited discharge lamp (2) is constructed with a double-case structure consisting of an outer case (3) disposed in a microwave electromagnetic field, and an inner case (4) disposed inside the outer case.

Abstract: The electrical connector (1) with a socket section (2) and a plug section (3) contains a clip (4) by which the pin (5) of the plug section (3) can be clamped in the axial direction and secured against unintentional withdrawal. In addition there is protection against contact with the live parts of the connector (1) which nevertheless permits the rotation of the clip (4) so that it can be closed and opened. Essentially, the plug section (2) has a sleeve (13) which surrounds the pin (5) externally and in spaced relationship to it and is rotatable in relation to the plug section (2), which sleeve (13) is of such an axial length and inner dimensions that, with the pin (5) inserted into the clip (4), the sleeve (13) is axially movably pushed in an axial direction onto the component serving to rotate the conical section (6) of the clip (4) and at the same time is coupled thereto in the direction of rotation.

Abstract: A parking fee system includes a parking fee register in which information is maintained on one or more vehicles known to the system for which payment is made for parking, a vehicle-specific identification device from which a vehicle code of a vehicle is machine readable, and a control device for automatically reading the vehicle code from the vehicle-specific identification device for transmitting a control request message containing the vehicle code to the parking fee register, and for receiving a control information message reporting on the payment or non-payment of the parking fee and for notifying a user of the device of the information included in the control information message.

Abstract: An applicator for dispensing tape, with the tape having an adhesive on at least one face. The applicator includes a shell with a pivotably attached door. A tape cartridge is received within the door. The cartridge supports a roll of the tape, and a leading edge of the tape extends outwardly from the roll. A partial cylindrical cover member is connected to the first end of the shell for pivotable movement thereabout along a predetermined path to cover the first passageway. A slider having a first end which is pivotally connected to the cover member and having a button which extends through a first slot in the shell is movable between a first position, in which the cover member covers the first passageway, and a second position, in which the cover member is removed from the first passageway. A cutter actuator is located on the slider and is movable in response to inward pressure on the button when the slider is in the second position. A cutting tool is pivotally connected to the shell.

Abstract: Polyionic derivatives of cyclodextrins and methods for preparing these derivatives are provided in which a polyionic derivative of cyclodextrin is combined with a growth factor, preferably a heparin binding growth factor. These compositions are of low solubility and are applied directly to the location of a wound. By virtue of the low solubility, the compositions remain in place at the site of application and slowly release growth factor. In an alternative embodiment, the cyclodextrin derivatives are administered in the absence of growth factor and are used to absorb growth factor present in the body at the location of the wound in order to prevent overstimulation of the wound response.

Abstract: A device for conducting electrochemical measurements in glass or salt melts has at least one indicator electrode and one reference electrode arrangement. In order to be able to conduct very exact measurements, the tip of the indicator electrode intended to be immersed in the melt is constructed of a noble metal or noble metal alloy with at least one another noble metal, preferably iridium or an iridium alloy with other noble metals, and is mounted gas-tight in a heat-resistant tube. The indicator electrode is passed through the heat-resistant tube.

Abstract: A debris shedding buoy having a float body with a top and a bottom is provided. The buoy includes a slide rail, adapted for slidable engagement to a mooring line, is attached to the bottom of the float body. The slide rail is located in a generally centered position beneath the float body and is oriented in a first direction. A rudder device is affixed to the float body and adapted to produce a stabilizing force to maintain the float body in a quasi stable orientation with respect to a current direction, with the first direction being generally aligned to the current direction. Debris lodging against the float body overcomes the stabilizing force produced by the rudder device, causing the float body to rotate from the quasi stable orientation to a second orientation to shed the debris whereupon the float body rotates back to the quasi stable orientation.

Abstract: A carrying container that is releasably attached to various ambulatory appliances by a mounting arrangement that has a common interface. The common interface is adapted to snugly mate with several different ambulatory appliances. The carrying container includes several compartments which are dimensioned to receive articles in a snug manner to secure the same during travel.

Abstract: Prior to measuring the concentration of a nonelectrolyte in an electrolyte solution, the electric conductivity of a mixed solution containing electrolytes and the nonelectrolyte is previously measured so as to determine the correlation between the electric conductivity and the concentration of the nonelectrolyte as to the same system. The concentration of the nonelectrolyte in the mixed solution can be determined from the electric conductivity obtained by measuring the mixed solution, based on the correlation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an article of manufacture or polishing pad for altering a surface of a workpiece, such as polishing or planarizing a semiconductor device. The article includes a polymeric matrix impregnated with a plurality of polymeric microelements, each polymeric microelement having a void space therein. The article has a work surface and a subsurface proximate to the work surface. When the article is in contact with a working environment, polymeric microelements at the work surface of the article are less rigid than polymeric elements embedded in the subsurface. As the work surface of the article is abraded during use, the work surface of the pad may be continuously regenerated. In alternative preferred embodiments, the work surface may further include a minitexture and/or a macrotexture. Preferably, the minitexture is formed by fractal patterning at least a portion of the work surface.

Abstract: An ion-conductive polymer electrolyte having a high ionic conductivity and a high stability in both of physical and chemical properties is disclosed. It comprises a polymer containing at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyalkyl acrylate, a hydroxyalkyl methacrylate and vinylene carbonate as its polymerizable ingredient, and at least one electrolyte salt. An aluminum electrolytic capacitor and an electric double-layer capacitor configured with the electrolyte are also disclosed.