Abstract: A closed-loop area detecting method includes the steps of: reading a dot matrix from bi-level image data, the dot matrix comprising a target dot and two or more contiguous dots contiguous to the target dot; performing a first pattern matching to detect whether a dot matrix coincides with one of a plurality of first patterns so as to set a first flag for each dot; performing a second pattern matching to detect whether a dot matrix coincides with one of a plurality of second patterns so as to set a second flag for each dot; repeating the above mentioned first and second flag setting so that the second flags for all the dots of the image data are set; and detecting a dot of the image data as lying in the inside of a closed-loop area when the second flag is set to a first value, and detecting a dot of the image data as lying on the outside of the closed-loop area when the second flag is set to a second value. An image processing apparatus utilizing the closed-loop area detecting method is also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a retrievable bridge plug for use in down-hole casing or tubing conduit. A problem exists in known plugs, namely slippage thereof within the casing resulting in breakage of a seal therebetween. The present invention provides a plug which can be set by urging outermost and innermost cylindrical members relative to one another in their longitudinal directions in so doing anchoring slips 19a, 19b and locating a packing element 11a, 11b on an inner surface of the casing, biasing means 30a, 30b providing a predetermined force to the packing element 11a, 11b greater than that required to provide a seal whereby the plug is retained within the casing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is shown for subjecting animal carcasses immediately after slaughter and evisceration to residence for a specific time period in a steam chamber for the purpose of preheating the skin of the carcasses to assist in controlling the moisture absorption of the carcasses in a chiller as well as for sterilization of the carcasses to kill harmful bacteria on all exposed surfaces of the eviscerated carcasses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a breathable and impermeable insert intended for use in the clothing industry. In a preferred embodiment, the insert comprises a microporous polymer foam layer embedded in a textile substrate. The foam layer is mechanically reinforced by a textile substrate, and, due to the flexibility of the foam, the textile retains most of its feel and flexibility. The foam is water vapor permeable, but liquid water impermeable. Methods for easily producing breathable textile inserts are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a dough slice conveying apparatus in which a dough slice can peel off from the reversing part in the terminal of a front side conveyer belt without being deformed and without being dropped between the front side conveyer belt and the rear side conveyer belt, and is then transferred onto and conveyed by the rear side conveyer belt without being folded but in an unfolded condition. The dough slice conveying apparatus is provided with a knife edge having a front end part whose curvature is 2.1T to 11.7T where T is a thickness of the dough slice, and the space between the reversing part in the terminal of the front side conveyer belt and the reversing part in the start end of the rear side conveyer belt is set to less than 0.1R where R is a minimum diameter of the dough slice.

Abstract: A superconducting bearing device includes a permanent magnet on a rotor, with a superconductor placed opposite the magnet. Flux trapped in the superconductor during cooling helps to stabilize the rotor. More specifically, the permanent magnet is mounted on the rotor so that, as the rotor rotates, its rotation does not alter the magnetic flux distribution around the axis of rotation of the rotor. The superconductor permits penetration of the magnetic flux from the magnet, being spaced from the magnet by a distance that permits a predetermined quantity of the magnetic flux to penetrate it, while not permitting rotation of the rotor to alter the distribution of the penetrating magnetic flux.

Abstract: A polycrystalline silicon film pattern 3 having a thickness of below 120 nm is formed on a silicon oxide film 2 provided on the principal surface of a silicon substrate 1. The polycrystalline silicon film pattern 3 is covered with a boron silicate glass film 4. By heat treatment, boron is diffused from the boron silicate glass film 4 to the polycrystalline silicon film pattern 3 to form a polycrystalline silicon resistance element 5 containing boron at a density of above 1.times.10.sup.19 atoms/cm.sup.3. As a result, the temperature coefficient of the resistance element 5 comprising the polycrystalline film can be reduced.

Abstract: A dispersion-strengthened copper alloy is disclosed having an exceptional combination of strength, ductility, and thermal conductivity. The copper alloy comprises: copper, 0.01 to 2.0 weight % boron and 0.1 to 6.0 weight % cobalt, and cobalt-boride disperoids that range in size between 0.025 and 0.25 microns in diameter. A copper alloy is made by rapid solidification of the melt into a powder. Strong, thermally conductive articles can be made by compacting the powder at temperatures below the melting temperature of the copper alloy.

Abstract: A control mechanism is provided for a turnstile of the type comprising a plurality of arms which meet at a central hub and are rotatable on a rotational axis. The turnstile is adapted to stop in a position with an arm forming a barrier across a passageway and is operable to rotate through an arc defined by the angle between adjacent arms when the control mechanism is actuated to allow a person to pass through the passageway. The control mechanism comprises a first gear wheel adapted to be mounted to the turnstile to rotate therewith on the rotational axis of the turnstile, and second gear wheel adapted to be driven by the first gear wheel. A drive means connects the first and second gear wheels together, and a release mechanism is adapted to co-act with the second gear wheel to releasably lock the second gear wheel against rotation each time said turnstile has rotated through the arc. An actuating mechanism is adapted to operate the release mechanism.

Abstract: An image potential control system is adapted to control an image potential of a photosensitive body of an image forming apparatus which includes controlled systems including the photosensitive body and carries out an electrophotography process. The image potential control system includes a storage for storing at least controlled variables of the controlled systems and a control program, and a processing unit for controlling the controlled variables based on the control program and for adjusting a dark portion potential and a bright portion potential of the photosensitive body using a neural operation. The processing unit includes an adjusting part for comparing a learned characteristic of a reference image forming apparatus and a characteristic of the image forming apparatus and adding differences between the characteristics to input data or output data of the neural operation as adjusting values.

Abstract: A color correction apparatus includes a preprocessor for generating a minimum value signal, a set of difference signals, and a selecting signal in accordance with values of input XYZ color data, the minimum value signal indicating a minimum value among the input XYZ color values, the difference signals indicating differences between the minimum value and the remaining values of the input XYZ color data, and the selecting signal being used to select one of unit triangular prisms in XYZ color space, a first part for computing a first signal of output color data through interpolation being performed, using predetermined values of output colors corresponding to lattice points of the selected unit triangular prism, in accordance with a value of the minimum value signal and in accordance with values of the difference signals, a second part for computing a second signal of the output color data in accordance with the value of the minimum value signal, and a third part for generating a third signal indicating the out

Abstract: An apparatus and method is shown for reforming the bottom of a container. A number of tooling rams each have a reforming roller supported by a roller mounting block that allows the reforming roller to travel along a circular orbital path of varying diameter in a plane perpendicular to the roller mounting block axis and having a center of curvature position coextensive with the container axis. Guide cams that slide along cam surfaces formed in slots in the roller mounting block are supported on a cam mounting block. The cam mounting block is supported on a tooling drive shaft that rotates the cam mounting block about its axis coextensive with the container axis while the tooling drive shaft is supported rotatably in and moved axially with a tooling ram that moves axially toward or away from the container. Axial and rotational movement of the cam mounting block is converted to radial and rotational movement of the reforming roller through the interaction of the guide cams with the roller mounting block.

Abstract: An assembly includes an overrunning clutch, a rolling bearing and a casing supporting them. An overrunning clutch-supporting portion of the casing has inwardly protruding portions that inter-engage with raised portions on an outer ring of the overrunning clutch in the direction of rotation of the outer ring. As a result, a clearance is defined between the inwardly protruding portions of the overrunning clutch-supporting portion and the raised portions of the outer ring. The overrunning clutch is automatically centered to a rotation shaft when used. An elastic ring is interposed in a predetermined compressed state between the outer ring and the overrunning clutch-supporting portion. Frictional resistance is produced between the outer ring and the overrunning clutch-supporting portion preventing the overrunning clutch from becoming shaky in the casing. The overrunning clutch is pressed against the casing by a spacer to produce the same frictional resistance between the overrunning clutch and the casing.

Abstract: An electronic filing apparatus has a scanner which successively scans documents, and a memory portion which temporarily stores image information supplied from the scanner, the memory portion having a storage capacity enough to hold the quantity of information from two documents. The apparatus also successively records information from the memory to a disk storage medium, to register a plurality of the documents. The apparatus has respective first and second control means for the scanner and recording portion, so that, as a previously scanned document is written onto the disk storage medium from the memory, a successive document is being scanned and entered into the memory. This arrangement provides fast and efficient storage of successively scanned documents from among a plurality of documents.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a TFT of a SRAM in a highly-integrated semiconductor device, to enlarge the grain size of a polysilicon film, includes steps of depositing amorphous silicon film under a pressure capable of maintaining a uniform thickness thereof, and forming a polysilicon film which has a maximized grain size in the same tube that the amorphous silicon film has been deposited, while performing an annealing process by raising the temperature to 600.degree.-650.degree. C. for 4-10 hours under the pressure which is lowered to approximately 10.sup.-3 Torr. The polysilicon film having a maximized grain size is utilized as the channels of the TFT.

Abstract: A hollow soft flexible rubber-like fish lure has reactive propeller-like surfaces which cause the lure to rotate about its axis in response to movement through the water. The propeller-like surfaces consists of two diametrically-opposed "blades" to provide a flattened contour. The rearward end of the lure also has a flattened contour in the same plane as the propeller. The overall flattened contour of the lure causes it to float when it strikes the surface of the water, and to create an unusual splash when a flattened side rolls over and strikes the surface of the water.

Abstract: A video interface system can cope with a plurality of printers having different clock signal frequencies with reduced timing skew between image data and a clock signal. The video interface system interfaces an image data supplying apparatus, such as a host computer, with a printer. The video interface system comprises a reference clock signal sending unit, provided in the image data supplying apparatus, for sending back a reference clock signal supplied by the printer by means of a loop back control. A shift register is provided in the image data supplying apparatus, and sends image data to the printer in synchronization with the reference clock signal supplied by the printer.