Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a biodegradable resin composition, which includes step (1) of mixing a biodegradable resin, a plasticizer and a crystal nucleating agent with one another at the melting point (Tm) of the biodegradable resin or more, wherein the crystal nucleating agent is an aliphatic compound having, in its molecule, two or more of at least one group selected from an ester group a hydroxyl group and an amide group, and step (2) of thermally treating the resulting biodegradable resin composition at a temperature of from the glass transition temperature (Tg) to less than Tm of the composition, as well as a biodegradable resin composition, which contains a biodegradable resin, a plasticizer, and the above crystal nucleating agent, and which satisfies the following conditions: the haze thereof with a thickness of 0.5 mm after thermal treatment at 60° C. for 36 or 60 hours is 20% or less; the storage elastic modulus (E?) at a temperature of 25° C.

Abstract: Provided are a plasticizer for amorphous polyester resin which can give softness without hindering the transparency of the amorphous polyester resin, and an amorphous polyester resin composition superior in softness, transparency and heat resistance. A plasticizer for amorphous polyester resin, which is made of an ester of an (Aa) component selected from hydroxy aromatic carboxylic acid (AI), hydroxy condensed polycyclic aromatic carboxylic acid, hydroxy alicyclic carboxylic acid and others, and an (Ab) component selected from aliphatic alcohol, alicyclic alcohol, aromatic alcohol, phenol, alkylphenol, or alkylene oxide added products thereof.

Abstract: An additive to a polyester base synthetic resin containing a plasticizer that comprises at least one compound selected from hydroxy aliphatic monocarboxylic acid ester and carboxylic acid amide is provided. Also, a polyester base synthetic resin composition comprising a polyester-base synthetic resin, a plasticizer, and at least one compound selected from hydroxy aliphatic monocarboxylic acid ester and carboxylic acid amide are also provided. Further, the invention provides a plasticizer for biodegradable resins that can impart flexibility without disturbing the transparency of the biodegradable resins. The plasticizer for biodegradable resins comprises a compound selected from (i) to (III) below. A biodegradable composition comprises the plasticizer.

Abstract: A semi-spherical shoe 1 includes a semi-spherical surface 1A and a flat end face 1B. The semi-spherical surface 1A comprises a sliding contact region 1a which is disposed in sliding contact with a semi-spherical recess 2B formed in a piston 2, and a lead-in 1b which is located above the sliding contact region 1a or disposed toward a top (recess 1C) of the semi-spherical shoe. The lead-in 1b has a diameter D2 which is greater than the diameter D1 of the sliding contact region 1a, thereby allowing a clearance 8 to be produced between lead-in 1b and an opposing portion of the semi-spherical recess 2B in the piston 2. A reservoir of lubricant oil in a space 4 formed between the semi-spherical recess 2B and the recess 1C of the semi-spherical shoe 1 is introduced into the sliding contact region 1a through the clearance 8. A sliding system having an excellent sliding response over the prior art is provided.

Abstract: An improved scroll compressor comprises a fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll, as well as an Oldham's coupling which enables the orbiting scroll to have a orbital movement. The Oldham's ring of the Oldham's coupling is so formed that its sliding surfaces for counterpart members to slide thereon are formed by a base material containing silicon particles, while the surface of each silicon particle (remaining on the base material's surface serving as a slidable surface for counterpart members to slide thereon) is formed into a flat surface. In practice, a ratio of silicon portions formed into flat surfaces to an entire sliding area of the Oldham's coupling is in a range of 3% to 20%, preferably 5% to 15%. With the use of the scroll compressor of the present invention, it is possible to improve the wear resistance of the Oldham's ring of the Oldham's coupling and its counterpart members in the scroll compressor.

Abstract: A semi-spherical shoe 1 includes an end face 1B which is disposed in sliding contact with a swash plate 3 and a semi-spherical surface 1A which is disposed in sliding contact with a semi-spherical recess 2A formed in a piston 2. A spherical recess 1C is formed in the top portion of the semi-spherical surface 1A to define a space 4 which serves as a reservoir of lubricant oil between the spherical recess 1C and the semi-spherical recess 2B. If the volume of the space 4 which serves as a reservoir of lubricant oil is increased, an accumulation of abraded power in the spherical recess 1C which forms the space can be prevented in a favorable manner.

Abstract: A semi-spherical shoe 1 includes a semi-spherical surface 1A and an end face 1B. The semi-spherical surface 1A comprises a sliding contact region 1a which is disposed in sliding contact with a semi-spherical recess 2B formed in a piston 2, and non-sliding contact regions 1b, 1b′ which are not disposed in sliding contact with the semi-spherical recess 2B. The non-sliding contact regions 1b, 1b′ have a surface roughness greater than the surface roughness of the sliding contact region 1a. The non-sliding contact regions 1b, 1b′ function as a lead-in of a lubricant oil to the sliding contact region 1a. As a consequence, there is provided a semi-spherical shoe 1 having an excellent sliding response as compared with a conventional arrangement in which the semi-spherical surface 1A has a uniform surface roughness over the entire region thereof.

Abstract: A semi-spherical shoe 1 has a convex semi-spherical surface 1A which is disposed in sliding contact with a semi-spherical recess 2A formed in a piston 2. The convex semi-spherical surface 1A is defined by a convex surface of a revolving body which is formed when an arc of a circle having a radius of R2 and having a center C offset from the axis L of the semispherical shoe in an direction orthogonal thereto is rotated about the axis L as a center of rotation. A lead-in 1G which is arcuate in section is formed toward the top of the convex semi-spherical surface 1A and maintains a clearance 7 with respect to the semi-spherical recess 2A. A lubricant oil which is stored in a space 4 is smoothly supplied onto a sliding surface 1F through the clearance 7. The invention provides a semi-spherical shoe 1 having a good sliding response and an increased length of useful life.

Abstract: An improved scroll compressor comprises a fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll, as well as an Oldham's coupling which enables the orbiting scroll to have a orbital movement. The Oldham's ring of the Oldham's coupling is so formed that its sliding surfaces for counterpart members to slide thereon are formed by a base material containing silicon particles, while the surface of each silicon particle (remaining on the base material's surface serving as a slidable surface for counterpart members to slide thereon) is formed into a flat surface. In practice, a ratio of silicon portions formed into flat surfaces to an entire sliding area of the Oldham's coupling is in a range of 3% to 20%, preferably 5% to 15%. With the use of the scroll compressor of the present invention, it is possible to improve the wear resistance of the Oldham's ring of the Oldham's coupling and its counterpart members in the scroll compressor.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a washing machine having a simple-structured mechanism for correcting the balance of the drum. In an embodiment of the present invention, plural water-holding chambers are located at the back of the drum around the rotation axis. The water-holding chamber has an opening for introducing water from a water discharge port 15. At the start of an extracting operation, all the water-holding chambers are emptied by rotating the drum at low speed. After that, when the eccentric load due to an uneven distribution of the laundry is greater than an upper limit value, the drum is rotated at a preset speed and a water supply valve is opened. Thus, the water from the water discharge port 15 is supplied into all the water-holding chambers, and the water is held in the water-holding chamber by the centrifugal force.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for analyzing a breath sample provide user-friendly operation and analysis. The method and apparatus provide automatic operation and coordination of operation of an absorbent sample tube, including desorbing means, a chromatographic precolumn, a chromatographic main column, a detector, a data processor, a sample receiving tube for receiving exhaled breath sample, a sample loop for aspirating a prescribed quantity of breath sample from the sample receiving tube, a sample valve, a standard gas reservoir, and a standard gas valve. All of the foregoing are operated automatically in such that start cycles, detector cycles, fault detection cycles, standardizing, analysis, shutdown and end cycles are performed in a way which allows straightforward and simple measurement of breath sample by a user.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for analyzing a breath sample provide user-friendly operation and analysis. The method and apparatus provide for automatic operation and coordination of operation of and absorbent sample tube, including desorbing means, a chromatographic precolumn, a chromatographic main column, a detector, a data processor, a sample receiving tube for receiving exhaled breath sample, a sample loop for aspirating a prescribed quantity of breath sample from the sample receiving tube, a sample valve, a standard gas reservoir, and a standard gas valve. All of the foregoing are operated automatically in such that start cycles, detector cycles, fault detection cycles, standardizing, analysis, shutdown and end cycles are performed in a way which allows for straightforward and simple measurement of breath sample by a user.

Abstract: A remote management system where a central control apparatus for controlling machines installed in plural stores from remote on receiving data of working conditions of the machines, which is transmitted from terminals of the stores, for displaying a layout of the machines in each store, a machine kind, a layout of the store such as a wall, an entrance and a window on blocks, for example, by a coloring, a hatching of the block, on and off of the display of the block and the like.

Abstract: A remote management system where data detected by a sensor for detecting a condition of a machine is input from an input port of an interface unit of a control unit such as a microcomputer, and the interface unit is connected via a data transmission controller over a communication line with a central control apparatus which manages a machine like a washing machine from remote, and further the detected data is transmitted from the interface unit to the central control apparatus though the control unit is inapplicable to communication, while the interface unit passes the detected data of the sensor without processing and outputs the detected data to the control unit by means of setting the state of an output port thereof same as that of the input port.

Abstract: A mechanical seal for preventing the leakage of fluid through the rotary sliding contact surfaces, in which a contact surface is provided with a plurality of fine one-way grooves having outer closed end portions. The fine grooves which are inclined outwardly and rearwardly to the relative rotation can be formed in the sliding contact surface of either the rotating member or the stationary member. If the fine grooves are formed radially or inclined outwardly and forwardly, the fine grooves may be formed in the sliding contact surface of the rotating member. The mechanical seal having such fine grooves in the sliding contact surface gives a quite good sealing effect because, during the rotation of rotating members, the leakage flow of the pressurized fluid or a mixture of liquid and gas that is sealed in on the outside thereof toward the external gas existing on the inside thereof, can be avoided.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyester film having a high strength and a high modulus of elasticity, which includes preparing a polyester resin composition comprising, adding to a polyester resin, 0.1 to 10 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the polyester resin, of an additive compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the general formula (I): ##STR1## and compounds represented by the following general formula (II): ##STR2## and subjecting the resin composition to monoaxial or biaxial stretching.

Abstract: A mechanical seal for preventing the leakage of fluid through the rotary sliding contact surfaces, in which a contact surface is provided with a plurality of fine one-way grooves having outer closed end portions. The fine grooves which are inclined outwardly and rearwardly to the relative rotation can be formed in the sliding contact surface of either the rotating member or the stationary member. If the fine grooves are formed radially or inclined outwardly and forwardly, the fine grooves may be formed in the sliding contact surface of the rotating member.

Abstract: A lip seal device comprises: a case surrounding a rotary shaft; a lip having an outer peripheral base end portion secured to the case, and an inner peripheral front end portion curved towards a sealed fluid so as to be in sliding contact with said rotary shaft; and an annular groove formed in the sealing surface of the front end portion of the lip. The lip seal device further comprises an elastic retaining member arranged in such a manner that the outer peripheral base end portion secured to the case, the inner peripheral front end portion is laid over the front end portion of the so as to push the front end portion of the lip against the rotary shaft, and the front end portion of the retaining member is held spaced from the rotary shaft, whereby even when the lip seal device is vibrated or the rotary shaft vibrates, an excellent sealing effect can be expected.

Abstract: A lip seal device for sealing the gap between a housing and a rotary shaft comprises a case surrounding the rotary shaft, a lip seal attached inside the case a, support for holding the lip seal on the outer circumferential portion thereof and a seal located on the outside circumferential surface of the case. The inner circumferential portion of the lip seal is curved toward the sealed fluid. The lip seal includes a sealing surface provided with an annular groove extending continuously in the circumferential direction of the rotary shaft so that the sealing surface has a first and second sealing portion, the contact pressure of the first sealing portion on the rotary shaft being lower than the contact pressure of the second sealing portion on the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A lip seal device for sealing the gap between a housing and a rotary shaft comprises a case surrounding the rotary shaft, and a lip seal located on the case and curved toward a sealed fluid and having a sealing surface in sliding contact with an outer circumferential surfaces of the rotary shaft. The lip seal device includes a seal member on the seal surface for sealing a gap between the seal surface and the rotary shaft. The seal member includes a primary annular groove and an auxiliary seal means. The primary annular groove extends continuously in the circumferential direction of the rotary shaft. The auxiliary seal means, either projections or grooves are provided adjacent to the primary annular groove.