Abstract: A rectangular substrate dividing apparatus, which can divide a rectangular substrate in a smaller space, accommodate devices, formed as individual pieces by the division, into device cases, and pick up the devices reliably and efficiently from a protective tape affixed to the back of the rectangular substrate, is provided. This apparatus separates a rectangular substrate, to whose back a protective tape is affixed and on which a plurality of devices are partitioned by a lattice of scheduled-separation lines, along the scheduled-separation lines to divide the rectangular substrate into the individual devices, and accommodates the devices in device cases. In a cutting-responsible region, the rectangular substrate is carried out of cassettes, cut by a cutter, and then cleaned by a cleaner. In a tape peeling-responsible region, the devices are picked up with the protective tape being peeled off. In a device accommodation-responsible region, the picked-up individual devices are accommodated into device cases.

Abstract: A detecting apparatus and method for detecting deformation of a fixed mold plate of an injection molding machine. The apparatus includes a mounting member and an elastic member that is received in the through hole of the mounting member and generally positioned at the center thereof. The apparatus also has a contacting member that is received in the through hole and positioned near or at the first end surface, and a sliding member that is slidably received in the through hole near or at the second end surface. A blocking member is attached to the second end surface of the mounting member. A pressure sensor is fixed between the blocking member and the contacting member.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method of separating a mold, included in a template, from a layer disposed on a substrate, the method including, inter alia, applying a separation force to the template to separate the template from the layer; and facilitating localized deformation in the substrate to reduce the separation force required to achieve separation.

Abstract: A product change method for a cigarette manufacturing machine, wherein an input hopper receives a first type of shredded tobacco from a supply header, and feeds it to at least one channel for forming, on a conveyor, a bead of tobacco, which is released onto a paper strip travelling along a forming table for forming a continuous cigarette rod; the method provides for cutting off supply of the first type of shredded tobacco to the header, emptying the header, cutting off communication between the header and the input hopper, cutting off supply of the paper strip, keeping the manufacturing machine running to form a waste stream of shredded tobacco of the first type and empty the manufacturing machine, and feeding a second type of shredded tobacco through the supply header and the input hopper to fill the manufacturing machine completely before starting up supply of the paper strip.

Abstract: When manufacturing an optical recording medium by forming a resin layer on a surface of a substrate and then forming a center hole that passes through the substrate and the resin layer, a method of manufacturing an optical recording medium according to the present invention forms the center hole by forming, in the resin layer, a circular cut with a larger diameter than the center hole so as to surround a formation position of the center hole and then pressing in a punching blade for forming the center hole from a rear surface side of the substrate. By doing so, detachment of the resin layer and the production of burrs at or near the center hole can be avoided while reducing the manufacturing cost.

Abstract: An earplug shaping device shapes a compressible earplug prior to insertion of the earplug into a user's ear canal. The device includes upper and lower structural elements which slidingly engage one another. Each of the upper and lower structural elements include a shaping surface. The shaping surfaces oppose one another and are inclined relative to one another. Various embodiments of the earplug shaper employ a slot in communication with a receiver which allows for the shaping of earplugs attached to a cord.

Abstract: Polymer nanocomposite implants with nanofillers and additives are described. The nanofillers described can be any composition with the preferred composition being those composing barium, bismuth, cerium, dysprosium, europium, gadolinium, hafnium, indium, lanthanum, neodymium, niobium, praseodymium, strontium, tantalum, tin, tungsten, ytterbium, yttrium, zinc, and zirconium. The additives can be of any composition with the preferred form being inorganic nanopowders comprising aluminum, calcium, gallium, iron, lithium, magnesium, silicon, sodium, strontium, titanium. Such nanocomposites are particularly useful as materials for biological use in applications such as drug delivery, biomed devices, bone or dental implants.

Abstract: The present invention provides phyllosilicates edge modified with anionic surfactants, composite materials made from the edge modified phyllosilicates, and methods for making the same. In various embodiments the phyllosilicates are also surface-modified with hydrophilic lipophilic balance (HLB) modifying agents, polymeric hydrotropes, and antioxidants. The invention also provides blends of edge modified phyllosilicates and semicrystalline waxes. The composite materials are made by dispersing the edge modified phyllosilicates with polymers, particularly polyolefins and elastomers.

Abstract: Disclosed is clay material, the particles of which are intercalated with a compound comprising a saturated isoprene oligomer bonded to a polar group. In a preferred embodiment the polar group is a quaternary ammonium radical. Further disclosed is a nanocomposite comprising C2-C3 &agr;-olefin polymer material, and, dispersed in the matrix of the olefin polymer material, exfoliated clay material, the particles of which before exfoliation were intercalated with said compound.

Abstract: This invention discloses a polymeric magnet composition that is particularly useful for extrusion into thermoplastic magnetic tubing, said polymeric magnet composition being comprised of (1) from 2 to 8 parts by weight of a rubbery polymer which is comprised of repeat units which are comprised of (a) butyl acrylate, (b) at least one member selected from the group consisting of methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate and ethyl acrylate, (c) acrylonitrile, (d) styrene, (e) a surfactant selected from the group consisting of sulfonates and sulfate derivatives, (f) a dispersant selected from the group consisting of aromatic formaldehyde condensation products and polycarboxylates and (g) a crosslinking agent; (2) from 2 to 8 parts by weight of a styrene-butadiene resin; (3) from 80 to 90 parts by weight of a magnetic powder; and (4) from 1 to 8 parts by weight of an internal lubricant.

Abstract: A material for producing a building material or a shaped article, wherein said material comprises a melt-mixture of thermoplastic material and rubber material.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of decomposition treating a waste article having cured thermosetting resin comprising the steps of: (a) bringing the waste article having cured thermosetting resin into contact with a decomposing fluid containing a solvent, which can decompose the resin, in a decomposition bath and (b) heating the fluid at a temperature not lower than 250° C. and lower than the critical temperature of the solvent. Thereby, a waste article containing cured thermosetting resin is easily decomposed and waste resins and other components therein are recycled and reused as resources.