Abstract: An optical reader which enables optical codes to be read on objects carried on a supporting plane which is provided with a conveyor for moving the objects along a feeding direction. The apparatus comprises a laser beam scanner, a data processing unit connected to the scanner, a first scanner for generating at least a first scan in a first scan plane, so as to measure the instantaneous distance of at least one point on the surface of each of said objects from the scanner, a second scanner for generating a plurality of second scans in a second scan plane, different from the first, so as to read the optical code on the object; and a data processing unit for adjusting the laser beam focal setting according to the distance measured with the first scan.

Abstract: A housing is provided with an abutment face formed inside thereof so as to define an insertion opening, to which a electric wire terminal is inserted, and a chamber for accommodating the inserted terminal. The terminal penetrates a gel member before being inserted to the chamber. A holder is provided with an insertion passage through which the terminal passes before penetrating the gel member. The holder is engaged with the housing while being movable between a provisional engagement position and a plenary engagement position. The gel member is compressed against the abutment face of the housing when the holder is placed in the plenary engagement position. The gel member is held by the holder without compressing against the abutment face, when the holder is placed in the provisional engagement position.

Abstract: An eyeglass-frame-shape measuring device for measuring a lens frame shape of an eyeglass frame has a holding mechanism for holding the frame in a predetermined condition, a feeler movable while being kept in contact with a frame groove of the frame held by the holding mechanism, a measuring mechanism for obtaining information (rn, &thgr;n) on radius vector of the frame based on an amount of movement of the feeler, a moving mechanism having a first motor for moving the feeler in a direction of the radius vector of the frame, and a control mechanism for variably controlling driving of the first motor during measurement based on the information on the radius vector obtained by the measuring mechanism.

Abstract: A recording head is so designed that a plurality of nozzle openings for each of the nozzle opening arrays are arranged at intervals of at least four or more print-pitches in the sub-scanning direction, that the nozzle opening arrays are divided into at least two groups, that the nozzle opening arrays belonging to each of the groups are positioned along the same line in the main scanning direction, and that the groups are shifted away from each other at least two print-pitches in the sub-scanning direction. Dots of different groups do not contact each other during printing, and when printing for one scan line is completed, a recording medium is fed a number of print-pitches that corresponds to the nozzle opening count, so that a paper feeding distance error can be constant.

Abstract: A self-cooling package for beverages that includes a cooling device internal to the package and connection to a pumping device external to the package. The internal cooling device is by a cavity filled with a coolant that evaporates under the effect of a depression.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus comprises at least one laser stimulating ray source for emitting a laser beam and a light detector for photoelectrically detecting fluorescent light released from an image carrier upon an excitation by the laser beam. The light detector can detect light having wavelength shorter than 700 nm with high sensitivity. The apparatus further comprises a filter provided in front of the light detector that is made of a material to able cut light having wavelength of the laser stimulating ray and emits a fluorescent light having a peak wavelength equal to or longer than 700 nm upon excitation by the laser stimulating ray. According to the thus-constituted image reading apparatus, it is possible to read fluorescent images with high sensitivity.

Abstract: A glow plug includes a metallic sleeve 1; a cylindrical metallic shell 2, which holds the metallic sleeve 1; a terminal electrode 3, which is attached into the cylindrical metallic shell 2 while being insulated therefrom; a ceramic heating member 4, which is fitted into the metallic sleeve 1; and a glass coating layer 5. In the glow plug, a portion of an ion detection electrode 411 is exposed at the surface of an insulator 44 of the ceramic heating member 4. The exposed portion is coated with a glass coating layer 5, which is formed in such a manner as to extend all around the insulator 44 of the ceramic heating member 4 and has a thickness of 10-200 &mgr;m and a softening point of not lower than 600° C.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device, a plurality of transistor elements, each of which is formed by a channel region, a source region, and a drain region, are provided on a substrate, this semiconductor device further having a first element separation region that is made of insulating material and formed by a foot that protrudes form the substrate surface between the transistor elements of a pair of neighboring transistors (6) and (6′) or (6′) and (6″) toward the inside of the substrate and a wing that is connected to the foot (7), and that extends so as to cover the top of either the drain region or the source regions of each of the neighboring transistor elements (6) and (6′).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to developer solution trapping chips for use in a peel-apart type instant film unit, wherein the developer solution trapping chips are manufactured by cutting a continuous chip blank obtained by contour extrusion, which sets quickly, exhibits little deformation when wound on a reel, and produces a limited amount of swarf in cutting operation. The developer solution trapping chips are made of glycol-modified polyester and have preferably a trapezoidal or semicircular cross section.

Abstract: The level of a laser beam is controlled to the maximum level detectable by a sensor, and light transmitted through the pattern is normalized with branched light. The laser beam level is made up for variations, and noise at zero and saturation levels are removed. Data thus can be taken out, in which noise in edge portions is always at a constant level. It is thus possible to increase the pattern image accuracy and obtain sharper image.

Abstract: An end-processed coaxial cable structure includes a plurality of coaxial cables, each having i) a central conductor surrounded by a dielectric layer, ii) a shielding layer surrounding the dielectric layer, and iii) a jacket layer surrounding the shielding layer. End portions of the coaxial cables have jacket layers removed to expose shielding layer end portions. Metal ground bars are fixed with solder to the shielding layer end portions. The shielding layer end portions are shorter than a width of the metal ground bars so that the shielding layer end portions do not project to the outside of the metal ground bars.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for telecommunication applications such as ASDLNDSL UMTS/GPRS wherein the conversion is realized in current mode instead of voltage mode. The power consumption is thereby reduced and the converter is adapted to be used in (low voltage) battery operated products. The structure of the converter is also simplified because summing of currents is easier than summing of voltages. The converter comprises at least a first set of N=64 first current cells (CC) coupled in parallel between lines (L+, L−) of a differential current bus. Each first current cell comprises a current source (ICC) to supply a first additional current (64×Iref) to the current bus under control of first comparator circuits (COMP1+, COMP1−). The first comparator circuits of the current cells are coupled in cascade and activated step-by-step one after each other.

Abstract: A rolling bearing contains no more than 0.3 wt % of nitrogen in a grinding allowance portion after carbonitriding and hardening heat treatments, contains from 0.9 wt % (inclusive) up to 1.6 wt % (inclusive) of carbon and from 0.05 wt % (inclusive) up to 0.3 wt % (inclusive) of nitrogen in the surface layer of the finished part and has a nitrogen gradient of no more than 0.5 wt %/mm in the surface layer of the finished part. The rolling bearings are improved in grinding efficiency and which have their rolling life extended significantly.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing method and apparatus for processing m-value (m is an integer at least equal to two) digital information data to produce recording data, for recording the recording data on an optical recording medium, for reading recording data from the optical recording medium, and for processing the read recording data to reproduce the information data as reproduced data. A predetermined relationship is established between information data x and n (n is an integer at least equal to two) of recording data y1-yn, and another predetermined relationship is established between reproduced data z and the recording data y1-yn.

Abstract: A stator for an automotive alternator includes a stator core having a number of slots, and a polyphase stator winding installed in the slots, the stator winding being constructed by joining a number of segments of electric conductor, and the stator winding includes a second coil-end portion formed at a first axial end of the stator core, the second coil-end portion being constituted by turn portions of the segments, and a first coil-end portion formed at a second axial end of the stator core, the first coil-end portion being constructed by joining end portions of the segments so as to form a lap winding, each phase of the stator winding being constructed by forming a bridging connection between first and second winding sub-portions each constituting two turns of a lap winding per circumnavigation of the stator core, and the segments of each phase of the stator winding constituting a bridging connection connecting portion between the first and second winding sub-portions, a lead point, and a neutral point bein

Abstract: An apparatus for curing a photocurable coating provided on a fiber, includes an irradiator tube having an upstream end on which an injection assembly is provided, and a downstream end on which an exhaust assembly is provided. The injection assembly receives an inert gas flow. The injection assembly includes a diffuser that splits the inert gas flow into a counter flow and a tube flow. The counter flow is directed counter to the travel direction of the fiber, and the tube flow is directed in a laminar fashion through the irradiator tube. The exhaust assembly has a vent though which the tube flow is drawn, and an air opening provided between a downstream end of the irradiator tube and the exhaust vent.

Abstract: To exactly obtain a volumetric efficiency or ignition timing corresponding to a shift amount in rotational angle or phase of a camshaft relative to a crank shaft operably connected therewith even if the opening/closing timing of an exhaust valve and an intake valve is changed so as to optimally control an fuel injection amount or ignition timing, the fuel injection amount or the ignition timing is controlled by calculating a fuel control parameter or an ignition timing control parameter on the basis of an intake pressure and a rpm of the engine. When the valve timing is changed, the amount of change in the valve timing is detected so that the fuel control parameter or the ignition timing control parameter is compensated for on the basis of the change amount thus detected.

Abstract: A frame for rimless spectacles is provided which has no protuberances projecting from both surfaces of lenses, provides an improved effective field of view, and can be fabricated with ease. Blind holes are formed in nose- and temple-side edge surface portions of each spectacle lens, respectively. A pin-like projection is formed on each of nose-side and temple-side contact plates, and is inserted and fixed in the corresponding blind hole by using an adhesive.