Abstract: To reduce the effects of the contaminants in the measurement of microorganisms and the reduction of the time necessary for the measurement. Measurement is performed of the microorganism prior to and following culture, and the difference between the two is found. This prevents errors caused by the effect of contaminants contained in the specimens. Since the measurement of the microorganism is performed by means of a flow cytometer, the microorganisms can be measured even when the culture period is short. Moreover, the measurements are accurate, since the contaminants are not measured. Furthermore, the growth form of the microorganisms can be determined by measuring the changes in the intensity of the light emission over the duration of emission of the forward scattered light detected by means of a flow cytometer.

Abstract: An amusement park includes a plurality of rides, each ride being provided with car support mechanisms. Each car support mechanism is configured to receive and support an automotive vehicle filled with at least one passenger.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for manufacturing a water-in-oil type water-containing chocolates by mixing chocolate foodstuff with aqueous components, wherein sucrose-fatty acid ester, whose HLB value is 3 or less and the number of carbon atoms in its main constituent fatty acid is 16-18, and polyglycerin polyricinoleate is each used in the range of 0.05 wt. % to 5.0 wt. % with respect to the chocolate foodstuff.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a highback support which is pivotally mounted to a support member. A lever mechanism fixed to a backside of the highback support includes a lever which selectively engages a portion of the support member and provides mechanical advantage for setting and releasing the highback support between a support position and a release position. In the support position, the highback support is positioned to engage the back of a snowboard boot to provide a rigid surface against which a snowboard rider can lean for steering. In the release position, the highback support is free to pivot making it possible for the snowboard rider to walk easily.

Abstract: In a sheet conveying unit, two conveying sections turn linked and spaced apart such that sheet jams arising in the course of conveyance through the conveying sections can be easily cleared single-handedly. Wherein the sheet-conveying unit functions to turn over, convey and store sheets in a dual-sided copying section inside a copying machine main body (1), it may include a main frame (30) that is withdrawable frontward from the copying machine main body (1); an intermediate tray (31) storing the reversed sheets; a lower conveyor (32); an upper conveyor (33); and a linkage (34). The upper and lower conveyors (33, 32) have upper and lower conveying guides (50, 45) and upper and lower conveying rollers (51, 46), respectively, and both conveyors are open/closable on the main frame (30) disposed above the intermediate tray (31).

Abstract: A soft bait lure includes a lure main body (1) formed with an elastic synthetic resin material to have an outer shape resembling a small fish and particles of glass material (2) that are mixed in a lower half portion of the lure main body (1). The lure main body (1) is formed of an elastic material such as vinyl polychloride, polychloroprene rubber, polyisoprene rubber, or natural rubber, etc. The glass material (2) is mixed in a lower half portion of the lure main body (1).

Abstract: A biodegradable lubricant base oil of satisfactory low-temperature fluidity, oxidative stability and lubricity, and having a low cloud point, is disclosed. The lubricant base oil is manufactured by mixing and subjecting the following simultaneously to an ester-interchange reaction in the presence of an enzymatic catalyst: (A) 30 to 60% by weight of a fat/oil containing 20% by weight or more trans-isomeric fatty acids, 60% or more by weight mono-ene fatty acids having 16 or more carbons, and 12% or less by weight di-ene fatty acids having 16 or more carbons; (B) 5 to 35% by weight of a fat/oil wherein substantially none of the fatty acids is trans-isomeric, and including 60% or more by weight mono-ene fatty acids having 16 or more carbons, and 12% or less by weight di-ene fatty acids having 16 or more carbons; and (C) 15 to 45% by weight of either a fat/oil comprising 80% by weight or more medium-chain saturated fatty acids, or medium-chain fatty acids, or lower alcohol esters of medium-chain fatty acids.

Abstract: A method of using a cleansing composition for cleansing a quantitatively aspirating sampling probe in an automated hematological analyzer is disclosed. The cleansing composition employed in the method is formulated to cleanse instantaneously on contact, and practically eliminates carry-over of hematological sample material, assaying reagents or of the cleansing composition itself. The cleansing composition is an acidic aqueous solution of pH 5.0 or less, including (1) a substance having a primary amino group; and (2) one or more nonionic surfactants selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkyl ester and polyoxyethylene sorbitan ester. Assay-material contaminated surfaces of the sampling probe are contacted with a cleansing amount of the cleansing composition.

Abstract: A brake lever arm is mounted to a base member, with the base member fixed to a bicycle handlebar. The lever arm is pivotal about a pivot point on the base. The lever arm includes an adjusting mechanism that adjusts the position of the lever arm when the lever arm is in a brake dis-engaged position. The adjusting mechanism is slideable in grooves in the lever arm such that the adjusting mechanisms may be moved to positions that are differing distances away from the pivot point. The adjusting mechanism includes a contact member that engages a brake cable connected to the lever arm when the lever arm is moved from the brake dis-engaged position toward a brake engagement position. The position of the contact member with respect to the pivot point determines the effect movement of the lever arm has on the cable. In this manner, the adjusting mechanism adjusts the length of the stoke or travel of the lever arm from the brake disengaged position to the brake engagement position.

Abstract: A clutch disk assembly 1 includes a clutch plate 3, a retaining plate 4, a hub 5 and a large torsion springs 8. The clutch and retaining plates 3 and 4 have first convex portions 13. A first window 17 corresponding to the first convex portion 13 is formed in a flange 5a of the hub 5. The large torsion spring 8 is arranged in the first convex portion 13 and the first window 17 for circumferentially coupling the clutch and retaining plates 4 and 5 to the flange 5a.

Abstract: A chocolate composition manufacturing method by which a chocolate is produced that has improved oral dissolvability, and at the same time that is workable within the particular constraints of equipment for producing formed chocolate confections or confectionary products including molded or otherwise formed chocolate. These properties are achieved by composing the chocolate to be 35-60% by weight fatty oil and including in the chocolate composition an emulsifier of below 10 iodine value, selected from glycerol esters of fatty acids and poly-glycerol fatty acid esters, i.e., those in which constituting fatty acids are saturated, such that after roll-milling and conching the chocolate composition, its Casson plastic viscosity at 45.degree. C. is 40 to 600 poises.

Abstract: A master gear 11 for a spinning reel transmits a rotational torque of a handle assembly 1 to a rotor 3 via a pinion gear 12. The master gear 11 includes a master gear shaft 10, a gear attachment portion 11a, and a gear member 11b. The master gear shaft 10 is rotatably supported by a reel main body 2 at both ends thereof, and has a first female screw portion 10b and a second female screw portion 10d formed on both end surfaces thereof. The gear attachment portion 11a includes a flange portion 11d which is formed on an inward position with respect to a portion of the gear attachment portion 11a at which rotation of the master gear shaft 10 is supported. The gear member 11b includes a disk portion 11e and a face gear portion 11f. The disk portion 11e is non-rotatably coupled to the flange portion 11d of the gear attachment portion 11a. The face gear portion 11f is formed on an outer peripheral portion of the disk portion 11b, and is adapted to couple with the pinion gear 12.

Abstract: A fishing reel is constructed with a drag mechanism disposed between a first end of a spool shaft and a spool limiting relative rotation between the spool and the spool shaft. A rotor disposed around the spool is rotated in response to rotation of a handle on the housing for reeling in a fishing line. The handle is connected to a face gear disposed within the housing. A pinion gear contacts the face gear transmitting torque there from to a rotor shaft and then to the rotor. A sub-drag mechanism is mounted within a housing proximate a second end of the spool shaft which selectively limits relative rotation between the spool shaft and the housing. A sub-drag mechanism actuation mechanism is disposed on the same side of the face gear as the pinion gear for locking and unlocking the spool shaft against rotation within the housing, thus enabling and dis-enabling the sub-drag mechanism.

Abstract: A spinning reel master gear 11 (face gear) is a gear provided on a handle shaft 10 of a spinning reel, and comprises a circular plate 11a, and a tooth ring 11b manufactured of zinc alloy that is formed by a post-molded insert process on the perimeter of the circular plate 11a, which is manufactured of aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A casing unitarily housing the photosensitive drum and developing device of a xerographic imaging system such that the thus composed imaging unit is retained in a predetermined operational position removably installed into a printing machine. The casing is configured such that when the imaging unit is removed from the printing machine, the imaging unit is retained in a posture equivalent to the predetermined operational orientation. Toner and developing agents are thus held in a steady state within the imaging unit, which particularly is an imaging unit in a lateral-transfer, vertical sheet-transport xerographic printing machine.

Abstract: A lockup damper included in a lockup mechanism 8 of a torque converter 1 includes a piston member 9, a driven member 10, coil springs 13 and seat members 40. The coil spring 13 is arranged between the piston member 9 and the driven member 10. The seat member 40 is attached to the driven member 10, has a loose-fit portion 40c loosely fitted to the end of the coil spring 13, and restricts the radially outward movement of the end of the coil spring 13 by the loose-fit portion 40c fitted into the coil spring 13.

Abstract: For a freestyle snowboard boot directed to so-called step-in bindings, a stance support system is disclosed, composed principally of a stance support shank; a bearing mount structured to be attachable to a snowboard boot heel counter, supporting a bearing having a bearing surface that is at least partially pivotal; and a shank retainer fitting structured to be attachable to the leg portion of the snowboard boot. One end of the shank is formed as a rocker for riding on the pivotal surface of the bearing, wherein it is rockable from an upright orientation through an instep-ward cant, and is rigidly restrained uprightly from rocking outward beyond the cant. The other end of the shank is a lever end engagable into the retainer fitting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe lacing configuration for an article of footware such as a boot, where the boot is provided with two rings, one ring supported on either side of the boot proximate an ankle supporting portion of the boot. A long strap is looped through the two rings such that the long strap defines an elongated C-like shape. Each end of the long strap is formed with eyelets. A lace extends through eyelets formed in the boot in a traditional criss-cross manner, and the lace further extends through the eyelets formed in the long strap. The long strap has the effect of doubling the force applied to the lace in a manner similar to that of a block and tackle thus improving the lace tightening characteristics of the boot.