Abstract: In a belt clip for portable electronic equipment by use of rewind urging force of a torsion coil spring, a detachment preventing mechanism of a guide shaft, serving as a shaft center of a rotational mechanism, is implemented with a simple structure so as to improve a reduction in the number of parts and yield. The respective shaft support portions 11a and 12a of a hang stopper plate 1 and both side plates 13a and 14a of a bracket 4 are combined with each other, a torsion coil spring 3 is twisted from a natural state and interposed therebetween in such a manner that a guide rod 21 is passed through a space formed therebetween, but movement of the torsion coil spring 3 to an axial direction and a change in a coil length are restrained by a groove 15 of the hang stopper plate 1 and the side plate 13a of the bracket 4.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously forming microstructures in substrates and altering their chemical character. The method involves exposing a surface portion of a substrate to light source, which is strong enough and of the appropriate wavelength to cause ablation of the substrate. The ablation of the substrate is controlled to form microstructures therein, such as channels. The ablation is conducted under a chemical atmosphere, which causes a change in the chemical functionality of the microstructures. The chemical atmosphere can be a gas, liquid or solid that is provided on the substrate surface. The method can be used to fabricate or modify microfluidic systems.

Abstract: A toilet includes a toilet bowl assembly having a toilet bowl and a trapway extending from the bottom of the toilet bowl to a sewage line. The toilet bowl has a rim channel provided along an upper perimeter portion thereof. In this toilet, the flush water flows through the rim channel in a path which is asymmetric and unidirectional along the entire perimeter portion thereof. The rim channel includes a plurality of rim openings distributed evenly along the perimeter of the rim channel. Flush water passing through the plurality of rim openings pre-wets the entire perimeter of the toilet bowl. The rim channel further includes a pair of water discharge slots which directs water directly into the toilet bowl in two powerful streams. The flush valve allowing passage of water from the water tank to the toilet bowl assembly is in the form of a valve inlet having a radiused port to generate greater energy throughput of the flush water.

Abstract: A toilet includes a toilet bowl assembly having a toilet bowl and a trapway extending from the bottom of the toilet bowl to a sewage line. The toilet bowl has a rim channel provided along an upper perimeter portion thereof. In this toilet, the flush water flows through the rim channel in a path which is asymmetric and unidirectional along the entire perimeter portion thereof. The rim channel includes a plurality of rim openings distributed evenly along the perimeter of the rim channel. Flush water passing through the plurality of rim openings pre-wets the entire perimeter of the toilet bowl. The rim channel further includes a pair of water discharge slots which directs water directly into the toilet bowl in two powerful streams. The flush valve allowing passage of water from the water tank to the toilet bowl assembly is in the form of a valve inlet having a radiused port to generate greater energy throughput of the flush water.

Abstract: A flush valve assembly for a water tank of a water closet which includes a first valve member which can be secured to the water tank and has a base sleeve position including a radiused inlet to thereby increase the discharge coefficient of the valve opening. A second valve member is coaxially and slidably mounted with respect to the first valve member so that the valve opening is created between the first and second valve members when the second valve member is removed from the first valve member. The second valve member is slidably movable between a first rest position, wherein the second valve member is seated on the base sleeve portion of the first valve member so that water cannot pass through the valve opening, and a second position, wherein the second valve member is removed from the base sleeve portion of the first valve member so that water can pass through the valve opening.

Abstract: An acoustic mechanism is provided for a microphone, by which the transmission sensitivity-vs.-frequency characteristic of the microphone can be adjusted by an easy operation. Good communication quality can be thereby invariably secured for radio communications, and a preferred communication sound can also be obtained. Elongated openings 16a and 16b that are long in a periphery direction are formed in the peripheral wall portion of a housing 11 of a microphone main unit 1. Hollow cylindrical packing 2 made of rubber, in which elongated openings 21a and 21b are formed at locations corresponding to the positions of the elongated openings 16a and 16b in the housing 11, is fitted over the housing 11 for securing. A hollow, cylindrical adjustment ring 3 where slits 32a and 32b are formed at locations corresponding to the positions of the elongated openings 21a and 21b is fitted over the periphery of the packing 2.

Abstract: The invention concerns an improved pyrogenicity test for use in automated immunoassay systems, in which a sample is incubated with a monocyte-containing reagent in a pyrogen-free assay system preferably comprising a surface coated with pyrogen-free anti-cytokine antibodies. The invention also concerns pyrogen-free assay systems coated with pyrogen-free antibodies for use in these tests. The invention also relates to a test to measure the basal production of endogenous mediators of the inflammatory response by leukocytes and a method of measuring the capacity of a leukocyte to respond to a stimuli.

Abstract: An electronic coupon system and a method of processing electronic coupons are provided utilizing a coupon card on which data representing selected coupons may be stored for subsequent redemption at a point-of-sale terminal. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an electronic coupon system is provided including, a coupon card, an in-store kiosk, a point-of-sale terminal, a host computer, and a coupon data processor. The host computer is in communication with the in-store kiosk and the point-of-sale terminal. The in-store kiosk includes a user interface and a coupon card interface. The point-of-sale terminal includes a transaction data interface and a point-of-sale coupon card interface. The coupon data processor is programmed to correlate the transaction data with the coupon data read from the coupon card by the coupon card interface and to reduce the product sale price by an amount indicated in the coupon data.

Abstract: A method of transparentizing a cellulosic substrate which is suitable for use as a mailer or envelope having at least one transparentized portion is provided. The method includes the application of a transparentizing composition to a substrate by a flexographic printing apparatus in which one or more of the transparentizing composition, the substrate, and the transfer rollers of the printing apparatus are preferably cooled prior to application in order to raise the viscosity of the composition and allow more of the composition to be transferred to the substrate surface. A primer composition may also be applied to the substrate prior to application of the transparentizing composition in order to aid in penetration of the transparentizing composition.

Abstract: An improved case packer machine is disclosed, of the type where containers are dropped through grid fingers to an empty case positioned on a lift table. The case packer machine of the present invention includes a flap opener which includes a pair of shoes mounted to an air cylinder. The shoes are extended by the air cylinder to contact and open the leading flap. The lifting table of the present invention is motor driven and controlled to limit the shock loading experienced by the containers as they are positioned within the cases. The lifting table includes a pair spur gears driven by the motor in meshing arrangement with a pair rack gears each mounted to a table and a novel gear guide to maintain proper engagement between the racks and gears and further to provide for backlash adjustment between the gears.

Abstract: A damping system for a rail car truck utilizes friction wedges supported on side springs to damp relative movement between the rail car truck bolster and the side frames supporting it. Each friction wedge has a generally triangular shape with an angle &thgr; defined between a vertical friction surface which bears against a side frame and a sloping friction surface which moves relative to the bolster. The angle &thgr; and the force P of each side spring are defined by Fw W .

Abstract: A pattern of coating is applied to a label, such that the coating covers the periphery, including a portion of the top surface of the label, and overlaps onto the liner ply area adjacent to the label. The coating is selected to form a stable and resistant film that spans continuously along the label edge and liner surfaces. The coating reduces adhesive ooze when the label is exposed to elevated ambient temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: Gift card forms and methods of making and using gift card forms are disclosed. The gift card form permits uniquely messaging each gift card. An appropriate gift card form can be printed at a time after manufacturing to allow a vendor to personalize the gift card. Additionally, order information, such as billing information, can be printed on the gift card form at the same time that the gift card is personalized. The gift card form can be kept as a record with the order information.

Abstract: A centrifugal chiller includes both a unit-mounted full-voltage starter and a unit-mounted reduced-voltage starter. The chiller is rather large with a rated cooling capacity of at least 300 tons and is driven by a motor that is powered by at least 2,000 volts. The chiller includes an evaporator shell and a condenser shell in a staggered arrangement to provide a combined height of between 6 and 12 feet and a combined width of between 5 and 8.5 feet. The staggered arrangement of the shells plus mounting the two starters at opposite sides of the motor provide a chiller whose outer dimensions permit the chiller to be shipped as a single package without exceeding certain shipping limits.

Abstract: A form comprises a cellulosic sheet having a perforation defining a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may define either a card or alternatively a label, and is impregnated with a waterproofing polymerizable composition. The first portion is preferably resistant to water, and is receptive to inks. As such, user variable indicia may be applied anywhere on the sheet including the first portion. For applications requiring a label, an adhesive and liner ply may be applied to the back of the sheet. The liner ply includes a release coating in register with the first portion defining the label, such that, upon removing the label from the sheet, a substantial portion of the adhesive remains with the label.

Abstract: A fin tube heat exchanger. The fin tube heat exchanger comprises: a first tube row including a plurality of tubes; and a second tube row including a second plurality of tubes. The first and second tube rows includes a slab portion respectively in contiguous parallel relation with the counterpart slab portion of the other tube row. Each of the first and second tube rows includes a respective first and second spread portion wherein the first and second spread portions are in diverging non-contacting relation with respect to each other.

Abstract: A modular sliding door grid including a sliding door mounted on a low profile frame. The sliding door is actuated by at least one pivot bar, connected at one end to the sliding door and at the other end to a mechanical linkage. Actuation of a frame bar in a forward direction urges the mechanical linkage in a forward direction and causes the pivot bar to move around a center-point such that the sliding door moves in a backward direction. The backward movement of the sliding door removes support for a case load positioned on the sliding door so that the case load drops.