Abstract: A character recognition system includes a scanner for scanning a character to be processed to produce a character data, which is processed in a predetermined manner to extract a character feature, preferably contour information of the character. Preferably, a plurality of predetermined directionality codes each associated with a unique pixel arrangement pattern are prepared and they are assigned to the contour depending on the local pixel arrangement condition. The contour information defined by such directionality codes is further processed to define a histogram or feature vector of the directionality codes which is compared with a first group of reference characters without inclination and a second group of reference characters with inclination. When a predetermined condition is met, then the mode of operation is switched such that an unknown character is compared with only one of the first and second groups of reference characters.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprises a non-woven fabric sheet to come in contact with the skin of a user and an absorbent layer provided under said non-woven fabric sheet, said non-woven fabric sheet comprising polyester oligomer fibers having a hydrophilic group at least on the surface side to come into contact with the skin of a user so that said surface gets hydrophilic.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprises a base material of fibers a part or all of which fibers are hydrophobic and a water-absorbent polymer a part or all of which is in the form of substantially spherical particles and has been bonded to said fibers to surround them. Fixation of the polymer is secured. Softness of the base material is maintained.

Abstract: A polymer in the form of particles is water-insoluble and water-sellable, containing carboxyl or carboxylate groups. It has a physiological saline absorption quantity of 40 to 90 grams per one gram of the polymer, a physiological saline absorption rate of at least 8 ml per 0.3 gram of the polymer, a gel strength of 33 to 200 g/cm2 when it has been swollen to saturation with ion-exchange water. It is useful as an absorbent in a sanitary article.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin composed of a liquid-permeable surface material in contact with the skin, a liquid-impermeable leakproof material and an absorbing member inserted between the surface and leakproof materials, characterized in that said absorbing member is composed of, in the order of contact with the skin, a primary absorbent paper, a mixture of a fluff pulp and a super-absorbent polymer, and a secondary absorbent paper, and that the secondary absorbent paper is covered at least partly with the primary absorbent paper.

Abstract: A pair of metallic thin films are attached to opposite surfaces of a heat resistive thin film, and the heat flux through the heat resistive thin film is determined by measuring the temperature gradient therein while using the metallic thin films as resistance thermometer elements.

Abstract: A picture processing apparatus comprising (1) a picture memory for storing a quantized picture of an original, which original includes skew detection marks, (2) a skew detector for detecting the skew of the quantized picture by the skew detection marks on the original, (3) a frame detector for detecting the frame in which the picture on the original is enclosed, (4) a picture-processing area designation apparatus for designating the portion of the picture to be processed and edited in accordance with the frame detection information obtained from the frame detector, (5) a skew corrector for reproducing the quantized picture within the area designated by the picture-processing area designation apparatus, with correction of skew (if any), from the picture memory, and (6) a skew mode selection switch for the skew corrector for selecting whether or not the aforementioned skew correction shall be performed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sanitary napkin having high liquid absortivity and excellent touch to the skin. The napkin is comprised of an internal absorbent medium and a covering fabric. The covering fabric has an integrated two layer structure wherein each layer is made from different compositions of heat fusible and hydrophobic fibers.

Abstract: A character data processing apparatus discriminates machine-printed characters and hand-printed characters from each other and identifies a class of characters such as kanas (Japanese syllabary) or Kanjis (Chinese characters used in Japan). Characters filled by hand in the blanks on a form carrying machine-printed characters are also transformed automatically into machine-printed characters. Furthermore, characters corrected by hand on a document are transformed into machine-printed characters.

Abstract: A tampon applicator comprises an outer cylinder containing an absorber and first and second inner cylinders for pushing out the absorber, wherein the first inner cylinder is fitted slidably into the outer cylinder, the second inner cylinder is fitted slidably into the first inner cylinder, and the second inner cylinder is provided on the outer surface thereof with a projection(s) having means for significantly changing the size thereof in the radial direction, which projection(s) is(are) kept in the first inner cylinder before use but serve to transmit a pushing-out pressure to the first inner cylinder at the time of the application.

Abstract: A tampon comprising an absorbent formed by compression molding of fibers having (A) a dry strength of at least 4.0 g/d (grams/denier), (B) a wet strength of at least 3.0 g/d, (C) a wet strength at a 5% elongation of at least 1.0 g/d, and (D) a wet elongation lower than 3.0% under a load of 0.5 g/d.

Abstract: A tampon is disclosed comprising an outer cylinder, a push-out portion which is slidingly fitted into the outer cylinder from the rear end thereof and is adapted to be pushed towards the forward end of the outer cylinder, and an absorbing member contained in said outer cylinder, wherein at least one hole is formed on the outer cylinder at a position behind the absorbing member. The push-out portion is formed by a cylinder having at least one push-out piece having a width slightly smaller than the length of the hole on the outer cylinder in the circumferential direction, the number of the push-out pieces being the same as the number of the holes in the outer cylinder. Before application of the tampon, the push-out piece is kept in contact with the outer face of the outer cylinder by being inserted through the hole in the outer cylinder.

Abstract: An applicator-type tampon in which a mass of absorbent material is contained in an outer cylinder and a pusher structure has pusher members movable through one or more openings in the side wall of the outer cylinder for displacing the mass of absorbent material from the outer cylinder into the vagina.

Abstract: A tampon comprises an applicator having an outer cylinder and an absorbent material push-out portion and an absorbing material contained in said applicator, characterized in that the inner diameter of the rear end portion of said outer cylinder is smaller than the inner diameter of the barrel portion of said cylinder and said absorbent material push-out portion has a cavity in the center thereof and comprises a push-out top end contained in said outer cylinder and an inserting supporting piece connected to said push-out top end and folded outwardly from outer cylinder.

Abstract: A unit dosage form comprising one or more active ingredients and a water-soluble binder in which the water-soluble binder comprises, as a main component, a product obtained by condensing a polyoxyethylene alkyl, alkylphenyl or alkenyl ether having the following formula (I):r-o--(ch.sub.2 ch.sub.2 o).sub.n H (I)wherein R is alkyl or alkenyl having 8 to 22 carbon atoms or alkylphenyl group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, and n is an integer of from 50 to 500, with 1-epoxyethyl-3,4-epoxycyclohexane having the following formula (II): ##STR1## the molar ratio of the compound of the formula (II) to the compound of the formula (I) being in the range of from 0.05 to 2.5.

Abstract: A gelatinous fragrance-imparting composition comprising a gel substrate, a perfume, at least one first additive selected from the group consisting of phosphates having the formula:(M).sub.m (H).sub.3-m PO.sub.4 .multidot.xH.sub.2 O (I)wherein M is sodium, potassium or ammonium, m is an integer of from 1 to 3, and x is 0 or an integer of from 1 to 12,And carbonates having the formula:(M).sub.n (H).sub.2-n CO.sub.3 .multidot.xH.sub.2 O (II)wherein M and x are as defined above and n is an integer of 1 or 2, and at least one pH adjusting agent selected from phosphates and carbonates having the above formulas (I) and (II), with the proviso that said pH adjusting agent is different from said first additive, and wherein the pH of the composition is in the range of from 6.0 to 10.0.