Abstract: A thermochromic opaque/transparent composition is capable of exhibiting change in transparency together with change in color in response to temperature variation, a laminate member employing the same, and a three-dimensional article capable of concealing and revealing the interior, utilizing the laminate member. A thermochromic opaque/transparent composition is composed of dispersion, in vinyl chloridevinyl acetate copolymer matric resin, which has been obtained by blending with hindered amine compound selected from piperidine derivatives within a particle size range of 0.1 to 2.0 .mu.

Abstract: A reversible thermochromic composition develops fluorescent color of yellow, yellowish orange, orange, reddish orange, or red with a high color density and high color brightness, yet gives no residual color under non-color-developing conditions, and has remarkably improved light resistance. The reversible thermochromic composition, comprising a solubilized mixture of three components of (a) an electron-donating color-developing organic compound selected from pyridine types, quinazoline types, and bisquinazoline types of compound, (b) an electron-accepting compound for the electron-donating color-developing organic compound, and (c) a compound serving as a reaction medium for causing reversibly an electron exchange reaction between the components (a) and (b) within a specified temperature range.

Abstract: A thermochromic color-memory compositions exhibiting high color contrast between high color density in a colored state and sufficiently low color density in a decolored state with high freedom of selection of the reaction medium, and highly useful as a thermochromic material. The thermochromic color-memory composition comprises a homogeneous solubilized mixture of essential three components of (a) an electron-donating color-developing organic compound, (b) an electron-accepting compound, and (c) a reaction medium for controlling a color reaction of the component (a) with the component (b); the component (c) being selected from aliphatic ketones of 10 to 22 total carbons and aryl alkyl ketones of 12 to 24 total carbons; and the composition changing the color thereof with a large hysteresis width (.DELTA.H) of from 8.degree. C. to 80.degree. C.

Abstract: A color variation inducing device is positioned in contact with or in the proximity of or effects action through air blowing means on a thermally color-varying article provided with a thermally color-varying layer, thereby inducing color variation in the thermally color-varying layer. The device comprises an electrothermal converter device provided with a heat absorbing portion and a heat generating portion based on Peltier effect, a radiator connected to the heat generating side of the electrothermal converter device, and a casing for housing and supporting the electrothermal converter device, wherein the electrothermal converter device is rendered functionable under the application of a DC voltage in such a manner that the heat absorbing side thereof exhibits a temperature reduction of at least 3.degree. C. with respect to the ambient temperature, within an ambient temperature range from 10.degree. to 35.degree. C.

Abstract: There are provided a thermochromic opaque composition capable of exhibiting change in transparency together with change in color in response to temperature variation, a laminate member employing the same, and a three-dimensional article capable of concealing and revealing the interior, utilizing the laminate member. The thermochromic oaque composition is formed by dispersing a thermochromic material, capable of developing and erasing color by an electron donating-accepting reaction, in small particles in vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate matrix resin. The above-mentioned structure realizes reversible change in transparency, together with change in color, in response to temperature variation, with hysteresis with a temperature difference of 10.degree. C. at minimum to 50.degree. C. between the high and low trigger temperatures.

Abstract: There is provided aqueous ink of high viscosity for writing instrument, capable of maintaining stable dispersed or dissolved state of the coloring material even after a prolonged period and exhibiting high fluidity under a shearing force applied by the writing operation in the ball point pen.The ink contains, as essential components, a coloring material, succinoglycan which is an organic acid-modified heteropolysaccharide composed of glucose and galactose as component monosaccharides, and aqueous medium in which water constitutes at least 50 wt. %.

Abstract: An electrothermal color-varying instrument for inducing color change in a color-varying layer includes a heat generating element composed of a sintered barium titanate thermistor in face-to face contact with a heat transmitting member having a heating end portion for transmitting heat to the thermal color-varying layer. The thermistor has:(i) a positive temperature coefficient on the electrical resistance within a temperature range from 25.degree. C. to 70.degree. C.;(ii) a volume resistivity at 25.degree. C. (.rho..sub.25) within a range of 9.8.times.10.sup.-3 to 2.97.times.10.sup.5 .OMEGA..multidot.cm; and(iii) a ratio (.rho..sub.70 /.rho..sub.25) of the volume resistivity at 70.degree. C. to that at 25.degree. C. within a range of 5.ltoreq.(.rho..sub.70 /.rho..sub.25).ltoreq.400.The electrothermal heat generating element generates heat under the application of a voltage in the range of 0.8 to 40 volts and maintains a saturated heating temperature within a range of 30 to 100 degrees C.

Abstract: A thermochromic laminate member capable of reversible change from a metallic luster color to a colorless state, comprises a first layer for regulating the wavelength of reflected light, composed of a metal luster pigment, which consists of natural mica surfacially covered with titanium oxide and has a grain size of 5 to 100 .mu.m, and a film forming material; anda second layer composed of a thermochromic material, which consists of an electron donating compound, an electron accepting compound, and an organic medium enabling a reversible color-forming reaction between said compounds and has a luminocity value of 6 or lower in the colored state and a luminocity value of 8 or higher in the colorless state, and a film forming material.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electrothermal color-varying device inducing color change in a thermally color-varying layer by heat generation in an electrothermal heat-generating member, in which the heat-generating member is composed of a non-metallic member having a positive temperature coefficient on the electric resistance at least in a temperature range 25.degree. C. to 65.degree. C. and a particular volume resistivity, is adapted to generate heat by the application of a low voltage and is capable of self-control of the saturated heating temperature at an arbitrary temperature within a range of 25.degree. C. to 65.degree. C., whereby improved safety is achieved without the danger of overheating or current leakage. Also there are disclosed toys utilizing such color-varying device.

Abstract: A penpoint assembly includes a penpoint which is made of a metal plate cut off at both side edges to form a taper toward the writing tip. A slit is provided extending from the front end of the writing tip to the vicinity of the rear end of the writing tip along the center line of the penpoint. The penpoint is bent at the writing tip to form small bent projections at both sides of the slit, the bent portion surrounding a small space. An ink guide core extends under the slit and communicates at the tapered portion of the ink guide core with the slit. A support member supports the ink guide core and penpoint. A writing instrument includes the penpoint assembly, the support member being integrally formed with an ink flow regulating portion, so that ink in an ink storage member in the rear portion of a penholder is guided to the writing tip through the ink guide core.

Abstract: A thermochromic laminate member comprises a thin transparent iridescent film laminated on a thermochromic layer 2, and exhibits rainbow-color pattern. The thermochromic layer shows reversible change between a first colored state and a second colored state by a temperature change.

Abstract: A temperature-sensitive color-changeable composite fiber wherein (A) a thermally color-changeable polymer phase (phase A) composed essentially of a thermally color-changeable material and a thermoplastic polymer having a melting point or a softening point of 230.degree. C. or lower, the content of the thermally color-changeable material being 0.5 to 90% by weight and (B) a protective polymer (phase B) composed essentially of a fiber-forming thermoplastic polymer are brought into contact with each other, (i) the protective polymer phase (phase B) occupying at least 60% of the fiber surface area, and (ii) the protective polymer phase (phase B) occupying 20 to 95% by weight relative to the overall fiber. The composite fiber of this invention has reversibly thermally color-changeable performance of excellent temperature-sensitive color-changeability, color vividness, washing durability and light resistance.

Abstract: A writing instrument's cap includes a main cylinder; and an inner cylinder fixedly fitted in the main cylinder includes: a cup-shpaed upper portion having a bottom, an annular flange provided to an upper end thereof, and a large diameter portion provided below the annular flange; and a cylindrical lower portion extended from the bottom of the cup-shaped upper portion in such a manner that the cylindrical lower portion is opened at the other end, wherein a vent member for communicating an interior of the cap with an outside air is provided to a wall of the cup-shaped upper portion.

Abstract: A small and lightweight compressor has a motor which generates rotational drive which is converted into reciprocating movement to actuate an air compressing mechanism to thereby discharge compressed air. Three or more air compressing members are successively operated with a phase difference therebetween to thereby continuously discharge a smooth current of compressed air out of a discharge hole. The compressor can be part of a spray apparatus with an air brush in which a movable needle valve is inserted in a liquid path. The needle is moved by operation of a rod 70. Compressed air from the compressor is communicated with the air path to thereby spray the liquid. The air brush has a control surface which is the upper surface of a base portion of the rod, which is pivotable with respect to the body. A sliding member is axially movably disposed so that when the rod is actuated (manually usually), the amount of movement of the rod (i.e.

Abstract: An toy set having at least one section which bears a color memory dye of an electron-supplying organic coloring compound, an electron accepting compound and an ester. The color memory dye assumes a first color below t1 (.degree.C.) and a second color above t2 (.degree.C.), wherein t2>t1, 0.ltoreq.t1, t2.ltoreq.50.degree. C. and 5.ltoreq.t2-t1.ltoreq.35. Both the first and second colors can be displayed between t1 and t2. For the purpose of determining the proper temperature range for a color characteristic, temperature-sensitive visual indicators are provided.

Abstract: An artificial plant having at least one section which bears a color memory dye of an electron-supplying organic coloring compound, an electron accepting compound an an ester. The color memory dye assumes a first color below t1 (.degree. C.) and a second color above t2 (.degree. C.), wherein t2>t1, 0.ltoreq.t1, t2.ltoreq.50.degree. C. and 5.ltoreq.t2-t1.ltoreq.35. Both the first and second colors can be displayed between t1 and t2.

Abstract: A color memory toy set has a color memory toy with surface, at least one portion of the surface being provided with a color memory temperature-sensitive color changing layer colored with a coloring material including a color memory temperature-sensitive dye exhibiting hysteresis characteristics in response to temperature change between a colored state and a colorless state or between a color (I) state and a color (II) state. The toy set also includes a writing pen for either causing an image to appear or disappear on the color memory temperature-sensitive layer by drawing the image on the layer to change the color state of the drawn portion into a first state, or for causing an image to appear or disappear on the color memory temperature-sensitive layer by drawing the image on the layer to change the color state of the drawn portion to a second state.

Abstract: In the application instrument provided in accordance with the present invention, an operating member inserted in the middle cylinder so as to be movable backward and forward in the axial direction thereof is operated so that a valve mechanism provided in the front portion of the middle cylinder is operated to supply the penpoint with the applied liquid stored in the rear portion of the middle cylinder. The valve mechanism includes a valve seat having a valve hole, a valve spindle provided with a valve element for opening and closing the valve hole, and a stretchable member for moving the valve spindle backward and forward. The stretchable member is elongated and shortened in the axial direction of the middle cylinder as the bent portions of the bent arms are bent less and more, respectively. The operating member is disposed behind the valve mechanism.