Abstract: A process for controlling combustion of burners arranged in a plurality of respective control zones divided in a furnace, includes the step of repeating a cycle of successively subjecting the burners to combustion for a short time. At least one temperature sensor is fitted in each control zone, a time period during which each burner is subjected to combustion is controlled according to a difference between a temperature detected by the corresponding temperature sensor and a preset temperature in a respective control zone. An apparatus is also disclosed for effecting such a controlling process.

Abstract: A piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator comprising a substrate, a plurality of electrodes in the form of strips formed on at least one surface of the substrate such that the electrode strips are spaced from each other in a direction parallel to the substrate surface, and a piezoelectric/electrostrictive portion which is disposed between the adjacent strips of the electrodes in the spacing direction, and in contact with the adjacent electrode strips, so that the piezoelectric/electrostrictive portion produces a flexural displacement or force due to at least the longitudinal mode of converse piezoelectric or electrostrictive effect upon application of a voltage between the adjacent electrode strips.

Abstract: A ceramic honeycomb structure is disclosed which includes a ceramic honeycomb body having a matrix of partition walls forming a multiplicity of cells extending in an axial direction of the honeycomb body. The radially outermost array of the cells are open to an outside of the honeycomb body in radial directions thereof, to provide a plurality of grooves formed in an outer periphery of the honeycomb body to extend in the axial direction. The honeycomb structure further includes an outer coating which fills at least the grooves to cover the outer periphery of the ceramic honeycomb body, so as to provide an outer surface of the honeycomb structure. Also disclosed are a process of producing such a honeycomb structure, and a coating material used for forming the outer coating as described above.

Abstract: A non-magnetic single crystal of Mn--Zn ferrite obtained by a solid phase reaction process including the steps of contacting a seed single crystal ferrite with a polycrystal crystal ferrite and producing the single crystal by growing the single crystal in a direction from the seed single crystal toward the polycrystal under heating. The single crystal of Mn--Zn ferrite has a composition defined by points A, B, C, D and E in a three-phase diagram of Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 --MnO--ZnO, in which:A: Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 40 mol %, MnO 10 mol %, ZnO 50 mol %;B: Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 40 mol %, MnO 35 mol %, ZnO 25 mol %;C: Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 70 mol %, MnO 5 mol %, ZnO 25 mol %;D: Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 70 mol %, MnO 2 mol %, ZnO 28 mol %; andE: Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 48 mol %, MnO 2 mol %, ZnO 50 mol %.

Abstract: An electronic device, placed in an impregnable envelope and electrically connected between an electronic sensor and a taximeter or chronotachograph, tests at least one of the internal characteristics of the active dipole present between two output wires of the sensor or electrical characteristics of a signal present at its terminals. The test values are then compared with one or several reference values. An electronic anti-fraud action is triggered in the event of non-conformity between the test values and the reference values. One anti-fraud action includes preventing the functioning of the taximeter or chronotachograph.

Abstract: A method for engraving and/or etching comprising the steps of: (a) a process for exposing, to light, a layer of a water-soluble resin composition of a laminated photo-sensitive film which comprises a supporting sheet, a image mask-protection layer peelablly adhered to the supporting sheet and a layer of a water-soluble resin composition having photocrosslinkability to thus cause crosslinking of the exposed area of the resin layer to thereby form a predetermined pattern on the resin layer; (b) a process for dissolving out the non-crosslinked portion of the layer of the water-soluble photo-sensitive resin composition by developing the layer with water to thus from an image-carrying mask which is constituted from the crosslinked area of the photo-sensitive resin composition remaining on the image mask-protection layer; (c) a process for adhering the photo-sensitive laminate film on which the images are formed to the surface of a material to be processed; (d) a process for peeling off the supporting sheet from th

Abstract: The present invention relates to image-formation on any selected kind of objective body. The characterizing features reside in such that, based upon fed image data, required images are formed on an image-transferable sheet acting for image carry-over service and in reliance on sublimation image transfer technique, and then, by the use of said sheet with said images thus formed thereon, the formed images thereon are transferringly applied on the objective body. By adopting the above measures, the objective body can be formed sharply and clearly with any desired images, irrespective of kind and configuration thereof, with such superior results of highly improved unity and solidability between the formed images and the objective body to be decorated with.

Abstract: A thermal transfer sheet including a substrate film, a recording agent layer formed on one surface of the substrate film, and a back surface layer formed on the other surface of the substrate film, the back surface layer containing at least one lubricant having a heat decomposition temperature of 200.degree. C. or above including a thermal transfer sheet comprising a substrate sheet, a thermally transferable colorant layer formed on one surface of the substrate sheet and a back surface layer formed on the other surface of the substrate sheet, said back surface layer containing a phosphoric ester surfactant, an alkaline substance and a binder. A thermal transfer sheet comprising a substrate sheet, a thermally transferable colorant layer formed on one surface of the substrate sheet and a back surface layer formed on the other surface of the substrate sheet, the back surface layer comprising a resin binder and particles having a Mohs hardness of less than 3.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a ceramic member applies mechanical stress to the member by application of mechanical force and simultaneously applies thermal stress by creating a temperature gradient in the member by localized heating of a portion thereof. The mechanical stress is impact stress or may be applied by application of a static load to the ceramic member. The method is especially applied to the proof-testing a plurality of ceramic members for quality assurance, particularly engine valve members.

Abstract: A laminate sheet for protecting a thermally transferred image formed on one of surfaces of a material to be protected including a base material, a first bonding layer having one surface contacting one of surfaces of the base material and a second bonding layer having one surface contacting another surface of the first bonding layer and another surface contacting one surface of the material to be protected on which a thermally transferred image is formed. The base material including a base film having transparency to an extent through which the thermally transferred image can be observed. The first bonding layer is formed of polyethylene resin, ionomer resin, polyamide resin or polypropylene resin, and the second bonding layer is formed of polyamide resin or vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate copolymer. The laminate sheet of the structure described above is utilized for the formation of a pouch-card, a flash-card or the like.

Abstract: The optical waveguide substrate is provided with a branch-type optical waveguide. This optical waveguide is composed of a stem portion provided between one end face and the other end face of the optical waveguide substrate and a plurality of branch portions extending in parallel with the stem portion. The optical waveguide substrate is also provided with a reflecting means for reflecting light transmitted through the stem portion toward the branch portions. Preferably, the optical waveguide is provided with a dividing portion which is continued to both of the stem portion and the branch portions, and a turning portion for optically coupling the branch portion with the stem portion is provided in this dividing portion so that the light transmitted through the stem portion is reflected toward the branch portions at said turning portion. In an active-type optical waveguide device, light modulating electrodes for modulating the light propagating through the branch portions are provided along each branch portion.

Abstract: A 2-phenoxy-6-thienylmethyloxypyridine derivative represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R represents hydrogen, a halogen, cyano, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylthio, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 haloalkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylamino, or di (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl) amino;each X, which may be identical or different if n is greater than 1, represents a halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylthio, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 haloalkyl;each Y, which may be identical or different if m is greater than 1, represents a halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylthio, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 haloalkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 haloalkoxy, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 haloalkylthio;m represents an integer of 0 to 5; andn represents an integer of 0 to 3, which is useful as a herbicide.

Abstract: A piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator including a ceramic substrate, and at least one piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator unit formed on at least a portion of at least one surface of the substrate, each piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator unit having a first electrode film, a piezoelectric/electrostrictive film and a second electrode film which are laminated in the order of description, with the piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator unit formed on the substrate by heat treatment.

Abstract: A fluid-filled elastic mount wherein a fluid-tight space defined by two mounting members, an elastic body and a flexible diaphragm is divided by a partition member into pressure-receiving and equilibrium chambers communicating with each other through at least one orifice passage, and through a rotary valve which is accommodated in a valve hole in the partition member such that the rotary valve is rotatable in sliding contact with a sliding surface of the valve hole. The valve has a cutout communicating with the equilibrium chamber, and a valve portion adjacent to the valve portion, so that the orifice passage is selectively closed by the valve member and opened through the cutout in communication with the equilibrium chamber. The elastic mount includes a mechanism for converting a reciprocating movement into a rotary motion of the valve. The mechanism includes a drive rod which is connected to the valve such that the connecting point is offset from the rotation axis of the vale in the radial direction.

Abstract: An antiphotoaging face mask including a pair of sunglasses comprising a front frame member and a pair of temples extending therefrom. The antiphotoaging face mask includes a flexible plastic wrap secured to the pair of sunglasses, the wrap including a front portion that extends over the nose of the wearer, as well as lateral side portions to cover at least lateral aspects of the head of the wearer. The flexible plastic wrap includes a layer of transparent plastic material that blocks at least harmful UV rays.

Abstract: An inner seal portion (30a) of an open edge portion (1a, 1b) of a paper container (1) is aligned face-to-face with an inner peripheral heating portion of a seal-heating apparatus. An outer seal portion (30b) of the open edge portion is aligned face-to-face with an outer peripheral heating portion (4, 5, 6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 16) of the seal-heating apparatus. At least the inner peripheral heating portion (8, 17) is oscillated about an axial line thereof so as to vary the hitting position of the inner seal portion against which hot air blown from the hot air blowing holes (8a) of the inner peripheral heating portion (8) hits. Thus, the seal portion (30) of the paper container (1) can be equally and properly heated.

Abstract: A foldable cradle frame including a front foot, a rear foot, and an upper rod that are interconnected by common connecting bodies. The rear foot and the upper rod are pivotally connected to the connecting members and are rotatable through respective openings in the connecting members toward the front foot. Accordingly, the entire structure may be folded to provide a relatively compact structure. The rear foot is compressible along its axial length via an intermediate spring, to contribute to a rocking motion of the cradle. In addition, the cradle frame includes a U-shaped tubular member pivotally coupled to the front foot for receiving a portion of a cradle seat that is adapted to be fitted therewith.

Abstract: A flexible partition member for a hydraulic accumulator, which divides an interior of a shell of the accumulator into two sections that provide a gas chamber and a liquid chamber, respectively. The flexible partition member includes an integrally layered composite portion which includes at least one gas-barrier layer and at least one elastic layer, each gas-barrier layer containing a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl alcohol, and each elastic layer containing as a major component thereof a polyamide resin selected from the group consisting of nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 6-10 and nylon 6-12. The integrally layered composite portion includes two adjacent layers which include a gas-barrier layer and an elastic layer.

Abstract: A process using hydrothermally synthesized porous kaolinite as a carrier for use in a bioreactor. A carrier-biocatalyst composite body for use in a bioreactor, includes the synthesized kaolinite as a carrier and a biocatalyst fixed onto the synthesized kaoline. A bioreactor system includes a bioreactor vessel, and such a carrier-biocatalyst composite body placed in the bioreactor vessel.