Abstract: First link members (56A and 56B), a pair of second link members (57A and 57B), and three head holders (51R, 51G, and 51B) are installed rotatably. Rotational pivots (50A and 50B) provided at intermediate portions of the second link members (57A and 57B) and a reference nozzle of the reference head holder (51R) are positioned on the same line in a main scanning direction. The reference head holder (51R) is rotated about the reference nozzle, and the other head holders (51G and 51B) are also rotated simultaneously. The head holders (51G and 51B) are formed to be movable parallel to a sub scanning direction, irrespective of the rotation angles thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a soft-cup package (29) for smoking articles wherein the outer wrap material (10) is a paperboard or cardboard material having the ability to collapse along lines of weakening (26, 28) in the side panels (16, 20) as smoking articles are removed from the package (29). The invention also includes further means of collapse along lines of weakening (14.2, 18.2) in the base panel (14.1, 18.1). Retaining means may he provided by a collapsed side panel (20) and a dummy stamp or seal (34) across the top walls of the package (10) to hold captive the remaining exposed smoking articles (46).

Abstract: A method of the gasification of coal using oxygen and steam is provided wherein the coal is gasified at a temperature of from 1000 to 2500° C. and a pressure of from 1 to 100 kg/cm2 using oxygen generated by electrolyzing water and steam having a temperature of from 300 to 600° C. attained by heat exchange heat with a high temperature gas generated by the coal gasification. In the method, a remarkably higher efficiency and low carbon dioxide emission is attained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the debonding and sand core removal of sand cores from cast parts, the heat treating of metal parts and the removal of organic contamination from metal parts, which is utilizing a fluid bed furnace having an improved fluidizing gas distributor which discharges fluidized gas in a downward direction away from the parts in the fluidized bed.

Abstract: A light cover, such as a prismatic lens, includes a generally planar rectangular floor with curved walls rising from a periphery of the floor. The curved walls terminate in outwardly turned flanged-type lips create an upper periphery or opening of the lamp cover. A pair of parallel or spaced apart rails extend around the upper periphery. An interstice is formed between the pair of rails. When the outwardly turned flange-type lips are urged against a sealing or washer-type material, the sealing or washer-type material is urged into the interstice thereby forming an improved watertight seal.

Abstract: The semiconductor wafer containment device or wafer box includes a base with a planar floor and a cylindrical wall arising therefrom. A double concentric wall structure includes slots which receive body chip wafer pins which extend into the space formed between the inner cylindrical wall and the wafer so as to cushion the semiconductor wafers and prevent movement of the semiconductor wafers during transportation. Alternately, a single cylindrical wall includes slots which receive extruded finned pins which include fins which extend inward into the space formed within the cylindrical wall so as to cushion the semiconductor wafers and prevent movement of the semiconductor wafers during transportation. The semiconductor wafer containment device or wafer box further includes a lid which is engaged by the base thereby capturing the extruded finned pins during transportation.

Abstract: A horizontal form, fill and seal machine has a hollow forming box into which a continuous film is longitudinally fed from a packaging film supply. The forming box has a top, sides and open inlet and outlet ends. A pair of guide bars extend from the outlet end of the forming box adjacent the forming box sides and extending away from the inlet end. The forming box transforms the flat packaging film into a film envelope that extends about the guide bars and has a product-receiving surface that rests on a conveyor between the guide bars. Sealing bars are provided to join the longitudinal edges of the packaging film together and to form seals across the envelope at package length intervals after each deposit of product onto the product-receiving surface. A zipper attaching mechanism applies zipper to the film upstream of the forming box.

Abstract: A method for making a reclosable bag (56) with gussets (36, 38) in which a zipper profile (16) is attached to bag-making film (10), while leaving side margins (20, 22) of the film. The film (10) is folded as a tube (26). Gusset-forming wheels (34, 35) indent the tube (26) to form the side gussets (36, 38). The side gussets (36, 38) are sealed to the tube (26) and/or the zipper profile (18) with the profile sealed to the tube. The tube (26) is sealed and cross-cut to form the bag (56). In an alternative method, lengths of tubular gusset material (112) are positioned on a lower web (110) of film (101) transverse to a bag-forming direction. A zipper (124) is sealed in the bag-forming direction to the webs (108, 110), and the gusset material (112). The webs (108, 110) and the material (112) are sealed to each other to form an end seal (140) as well as cross-cut and sealed to form the gussets (144, 148) of a reclosable bag (147).

Abstract: The apparatus is a cross fader with dual optocouplers which communicate first and second audio signals. A manually controlled blade shutter travels along a linear path wherein at a first end of the path, a first edge of the blade shutter is inserted into the first optocoupler thereby attenuating or cutting the first audio signal. Likewise, at a second end of the path, a second edge of the blade shutter is inserted into the second optocoupler thereby attenuating or cutting the second audio signal.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a film for forming reclosable bags includes moving the film and attaching to the film sequentially and crosswise with reference to the direction of movement of the film, a fastener including a first strip supporting at least one reclosable profile engaged with another reclosable profile that is complementary thereto and that is supported by a second strip or a part of the first strip, which will subsequently be attached to the film. Each strip includes at least one web extending substantially mostly sideways on one side of the profiles. The above arrangements make possible special fasteners that include sliders, gasket membranes, fasteners inverted within the bag, peel-seals and hinged fasteners.

Abstract: A slider (10), a slider insertion apparatus (50) and a method for inserting the slider (10) on an interlocked fastener or zipper (25) of a reclosable bag (44). A loading rack (58, 72) feeds individual sliders (10) to the slider insertion apparatus (50) wherein the slider (10) is inserted on the interlocked profiles (24, 28) being held by a zipper guide (56). After insertion, a keeper (15) and retaining shoulders (19, 20) of the slider (10) secure an interlocking member (22) of the profile (24) from unintentional engagement with an interlocking member (26) of the opposing profile (28). A positioner (200) is used to move the inserted slider (10) and/or to move the attached reclosable bag (44) in conjunction with driving rollers (217) of a vertical form-fill-and-seal machine.

Abstract: A payment system automatically provides objective information and sets remuneration for objective information to high-rate. A payment system comprises multiple communication terminals and multiple information processing apparatuses. The information processing apparatus transmits remuneration expectation information indicating remuneration for transmission of objective information to a communication terminal. The communication terminal references remuneration expectation information, determines transmission destination of objective information according to a predetermined standard, and transmits objective information to the transmission destination, so that remuneration information is received.

Abstract: The apparatus is a cross fader with a slide assembly which slidingly traverses a path defined by two parallel guide rods which pass through a partially open channels in the slider of the slide assembly. Tension plates are secured by self-tapping screws within recesses laterally adjacent to open portions of at least one of the channels. The tension plates are urged radially against the guide plates, so that the tighter the screws are secured, the tighter the tension plates are urged against the guide rods and the more frictional resistance is generated when the user moves the slider.

Abstract: A secure method for sending registered, authenticated electronic documents. The invention validates sender and recipient identities, provides for non-repudiation of authenticated documents by sender and recipient, provides an evidence trail, and protects the integrity of the document. The invention is constructed so that a sender can be supplied with proof that the intended recipient received and opened an authenticated document. A neutral third party acts as a document registration agent, and witness to the transmission and receipt of the authenticated document. In the event of a dispute between sender and recipient, the third party can provide an irrefutable record of the contents of the document and of the history of the transmission and receipt of the document Because the third party never has possession of the electronic document, the method provides maximum privacy for sender and recipient. The method is readily adaptable to both key recovery and key escrow.