Abstract: A probe apparatus includes a stage, a first and a second imaging device, a first and a second imaging optical unit, and a projection optical unit. The stage is movable in horizontal and vertical directions. The first imaging device picks up an image of a probe needle which is made to contact with an electrode of a device formed on a surface of the substrate. The first and second imaging optical units include optical systems for performing an image pickup by using the first and second imaging devices, respectively. The second imaging device picks up an image of the electrode held on the stage. The projection optical unit includes an optical system that projects an optical target mark, used in a position alignment of the first and the second imaging device, onto each of image forming units of the first and second imaging devices at the same time.

Abstract: A probe apparatus includes a stage, a first and a second imaging device, a first and a second imaging optical unit, and a projection optical unit. The stage is movable in horizontal and vertical directions. The first imaging device picks up an image of a probe needle which is made to contact with an electrode of a device formed on a surface of the substrate. The first and second imaging optical units include optical systems for performing an image pickup by using the first and second imaging devices, respectively. The second imaging device picks up an image of the electrode held on the stage. The projection optical unit includes an optical system that projects an optical target mark, used in a position alignment of the first and the second imaging device, onto each of image forming units of the first and second imaging devices at the same time.

Abstract: Flat article feeding apparatus comprises a feeder comprising a feed belt for feeding approximately flat articles one by one in a feeding direction and a predetermined number of idler pulleys. The idler pulleys are individually urged towards the feed belt so that the idler pulleys are in contact with one of the flat articles that is fed on the feed belt as a particular article. The idler pulleys are driven so as to feed the particular article reversedly relative to the feeding direction. The apparatus is applicable to feeding the flat articles successively to a utilizing device which is typically a bar code printer. For this purpose, the feeder and the idler pulleys are controllably driven in response to a completion signal which the utilizing device produces upon completion of a predetermined process.

Abstract: The invention provides a machine for aligning and feeding flat articles such as letters, postcards, and the like. The flat articles are transported while in a standing mode and while being vibrated to align them. A conical roller is rotatably mounted near the end of the transport path and is oriented to direct the articles in a direction opposite the direction of travel. The conical roller has at least one flat side to vibrate the standing articles so that they will feed one-by-one.

Abstract: The invention is pesticidal granular bait compositions useful for the control of ants and a method of controlling ants using the composition.

Abstract: The invention can accurately feed flat articles one-by-one. The packing density of flat articles in a hopper section is correctly detected even if they have various and indefinite shapes and conditions, such as mail, envelopes, cards and other flat articles. These articles are transferred from the hopper section to a feed mechanism section, in response to the detected packing density. The flat articles are transferred to the feed mechanism section in accordance with the distance between the centers of the flat articles while they are in the hopper section, the distance inversely corresponding to the packing density of the flat articles. Light reflection is preferably used in order to detect the distance between the centers of the flat articles.

Abstract: A mail sorter has a sort code reader which sequentially reads the sort codes on each piece of mail, a processor for determining the order in which the mail is to be sorted, primary sort storages, and secondary sort storages. After the sort codes are read and processed, the mail is first sorted into the primary sort storages forming groups of mail sorted according to the determined order of sorting, although the mail in each group is unsorted. Thereafter, the mail in each primary sort storage is sorted into the secondary sort storages according to the determined order of sorting and the mail is subsequently extracted from the secondary sort storages and stored.

Abstract: SY-1 substance has the following formula: ##STR1## The SY-1 substance and esters and salts thereof are antibiotics which have antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anticoccidial activity and also increase feed-utilization efficiency in ruminants.

Abstract: An automatic flat-article separating apparatus for mail handling is disclosed. The apparatus has an article transport path, an ejecting route, a suction belt, a thickness detector installed on the transport path and a roller assembly for compressing the flat article to the suction belt. The thickness detector determines the acceptable limits of the material passing on the transport path and when the article is within that predetermined range, the roller is activated to compress the flat article.