Abstract: In accordance with a feature of the present invention, an ink jet printing assembly includes a plurality of nozzles having a respective ink-ejection opening arranged to form at least one nozzle group. The ink-ejection opening of each of the nozzles that form a nozzle group has a size essentially equal to a corresponding size of the ink-ejection openings of all other nozzles of the group. Each of the nozzles of a group are respectively adapted to produce a different print density when actuated by an input signal.

Abstract: An imaging device is disclosed wherein light used to image an object (imaging light) and light used to determine the position of the imaging device relative to the object (positioning light) pass through the same optical device. Imaging light is directed from an imaging portion of the object to a linear photosensor array. Positioning light is directed from a positioning portion of the object to a two-dimensional photosensor array. In one embodiment of the imaging device, the imaging light and positioning light have different wavelengths and are directed to their respective locations by the use of a beam splitter. In another embodiment of the invention, the imaging light and positioning light are directed to their respective locations by diffracting the light with a lens.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system having a replaceable set of ink-related components which are installed together and replaced together with a single ink delivery system for each different color of ink. The set includes an ink printhead with an inlet port, an ink supply module, and a printhead service module, each of which is manually mountable by a user onto an inkjet printer. The ink supply module contains enough ink to completely replenish an entire printhead reservoir several times before the expected useful life of the printhead has expired, at which time a user can replace the entire set of ink-related components for a particular color. Similarly, the printhead service module is designed for reliable performance for the expected useful life of the printhead. This system enables the entire ink delivery system to be replaced for different printing needs, such as replacing indoor dye-based inks with outdoor pigment based inks.

Abstract: A desensitizing agent for the cleaning and treatment of sensitive teeth comprising a copolymer having repeating hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions. Preferred examples include polysoaps such as: a monovalent salt of a hydrolyzed copolymer of an &agr;-olefin and maleic anhydride:, e.g., structually represented as: The copolymer forms micelles in aqueous dispersions such as toothpaste and mouthwash formulations. When applied thereon by brushing or rinsing or other method of application, the copolymers occlude the tubules and seal them off from the external oral environment and thereby alleviate the pain caused by the tooth's sensitivity.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a split gate flash memory cell having a thin floating gate and a sharp poly tip in order to improve the erasing and programming speed of the cell. The method involves the use of an oxide other than the poly oxide that is conventionally employed in forming the floating gate, and also using to advantage a so-called “smiling effect” which is normally taught away. The smiling effect, or an uneven thickening of an oxide layer, comes into play while growing interpoly oxide where concurrently the oxidation of the polysilicon gate advances in such a manner so as to form a sharp and reliable poly tip. The invention is also directed to providing a split gate flash memory cell having a thin floating gate and a poly tip therein.

Abstract: An improved cleaning composition is provided for shower and tub surfaces which is of the “shower rinsing” type, requiring no scrubbing, wiping, or immediate rinsing. The composition comprises: (a) a glycoside surfactant, the total amount of said surfactant being present in a cleaning effective amount; (b) a chelating agent, said chelating agent present in an amount effective to enhance bathroom soil removal in said composition; and (c) the remainder, water. A solvent such as isopropyl alcohol may also be added. The employment of a glycoside surfactant, especially one having an HLB value of greater than 13, remarkably improves the performance of such a shower rinsing composition both with respect to surface appearance streaking and filming and also bathroom soil and soap scum removing ability.

Abstract: A electro-mechanical grating device for diffracting an incident light beam has a base which defines a surface. A spacer layer is provided above the base, said spacer layer defining an upper surface of said spacer layer. A longitudinal channel is formed in said spacer layer, said channel having a first and second opposing side walls and a bottom. The side walls are substantially vertically disposed with respect to the bottom, and said channel having a constant cross section along the entire length of the mechanical grating device. A plurality of spaced apart deformable ribbon elements are disposed parallel to each other and span the channel. The deformable ribbon elements are fixed to the upper surface of the spacer layer on each side of the channel. A bottom conductive layer is provided within said base and said bottom conductive layer is limited essentially to the cross-section of the channel.

Abstract: A sensing circuit of a thermal mass flow sensor provides enhanced precision control of heating and temperature sensing coils used for fast sensing responses. The sensing circuit includes a pair of coil servo loops achieving servo loop control of the sensing coils in each servo loop. The current paths in the servo loop include a main current path carrying low levels of current and minor current paths carrying very small levels of current. These small levels of current have insignificant current levels compared to the levels of current in the main current path. The single main current path in the servo loop allows nearly all of the current from the primary servo amplifier to be used for driving the coils, thereby improving the efficiency of the coil servo loop. The heating and sensing coil in each servo loop is coupled to an integration network for measuring power provided to the coil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid composition suitable for bleaching fabrics comprising a peroxygen bleach, from 0.001% to 10% by weight of the total composition of propyl gallate, and from 0.001% to 10% by weight of an antioxidant. These compositions are suitable for bleaching soiled fabrics, and especially pretreating fabrics while being safe to the fabrics and colors.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing contamination in a local work or dispensing station area. Whereby air flows through the operator's localized breathing area constantly, and therefore reduces or eliminates local eddying and pooling of contaminants.

Abstract: The use of S(−)sodium 2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propionate (the sodium salt of S(+)-ibuprofen) in pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of inflammation, pain and pyrexia is described. Preferred compositions comprise S(−)sodium 2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propionate dihydrate. Processes to prepare S(−)sodium 2-(4-isobutyl-phenyl)propionate and its use in a process to prepare S(+) 2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propionic acid of high enantiomeric purity are also described.

Abstract: A fixing device bias control system compensates for variations in media resistivity by controlling a bias supplied to a fixing device, such as a fuser, in an electrophotographic imaging device. Media resistivity may change dependent upon on the environmental conditions to which the media is exposed. A reduction in the moisture content of the media, as occurs after the first pass of a duplex imaging operation or in low humidity environments, will significantly increase the media resistivity. An increase in the resistivity of the media can result in toner adhering to the fuser, causing contamination on the fuser and image defects. The fixing device bias control system supplies a bias, having the same polarity as the charge on the toner, to a fusing roller included in the fuser to repel the toner, thereby reducing fuser contamination and image defects. In a first embodiment, the fixing device bias control system controls the bias based upon exposure of the media to the fixing process.

Abstract: A rotary damper assembly for controlling the flow of a fluid includes inner and outer hollow cylinders, each having one or more side wall apertures, the inner cylinder being nested within the outer cylinder in a manner to permit relative axial rotation of the cylinders about a common longitudinal axis, the inner cylinder receiving the fluid flow at an axial inlet, and the flow of fluid through the assembly being proportional to the degree of alignment of the cylinder apertures.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a motorcycle including an engine having an output shaft and a transmission having an input shaft parallel to the output shaft and coupled to the output shaft. The engine includes a crankcase having a first interface portion with a first non-horizontal mounting surface. The transmission includes a transmission case having a second interface portion with a second non-horizontal mounting surface arranged to engage the first non-horizontal mounting surface. The second interface portion of the transmission case includes at least one fluid passage for the flow of fluid to or from the engine.

Abstract: At least two light beam detection units are spaced at a predetermined distance and provided in the scanning direction of a surface to be scanned. A light beam is emitted to the light beam detection unit provided on a scanning start side, by lighting a light beam source which is employed to scan the surface linearly during a scanning period equivalent to 1 dot during scanning. A light beam is emitted to the light beam detection unit provided on a scanning end side, by lighting the light beam source during the scanning period after elapse of a light-off period computed from a previously designed scanning speed and the predetermined distance. Based on a detection result of the light beam detection unit provided on the scanning start side and a detection result of the light beam detection unit provided on the scanning end side, scanning characteristics required of the light beam are evaluated.

Abstract: A soap bar comprises 40-85% soap, 1-40% water immiscible benefit agent 1-40% solid water soluble carrier and 5-25% water. The carrier is initially mixed with the benefits agent to form a premix which is subsequently dispersed into the soap. Suitable benefit agents are oils and humectants whereas suitable carriers are starches, modified starches and water soluble solid polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stainproof-treating agent which comprises (A) 0.05 to 30 percent by weight of a nonvolatile resin ingredient, (B) 0.05 to 30 percent by weight of a nonvolatile ingredient of at least one oxide sol selected from the group consisting of an aluminum oxide sol, a silica sol, a zirconium oxide sol and an antimony oxide sol, (C) 1 to 50 percent by weight of an organic solvent and (D) 40 to 99 percent by weight of water, wherein the resin of the ingredient (A) has a solubility parameter of 10 or more and is insoluble in water at 25° C., a method for stainproof-treating by using the stainproof-treating agent and a stainproof-treated article obtained by the method for stainproof-treating. The stainproof-treating agent of the present invention can be applied on a substrate without requiring a special device and can provide excellent stain resistance by modifying a substrate surface hydrophilic by a simple work.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which processes image data either in a character image reading mode or a character/photo mixed-image reading mode. The apparatus includes an MTF filter that emphasizes the image data, a smoothing filter that smooths the image data, a memory that stores white data, a mesh-screen image judging device that judges whether the image data is a mesh-screen image in the character image reading mode and the character/photo mixed-image reading mode, and an isolated-pixel judging device that judges whether the image data is an isolated-pixel. A first selection device selects an output of the MTF filter when the isolated-pixel judging device judges the image data to be a non-isolated-pixel and selects the white data when the isolated-pixel judging device judges the image data to be an isolated-pixel, when the mesh-screen image judging device judges the image data to be a non-mesh-screen image.