Abstract: Disclosed is an IC card having a connector wherein a socket or a jack can be inserted in a direction that is parallel to the face of the IC card. The connector includes a connector body having a rotatable housing attached thereto. The housing has an opening by which a socket or a jack can be fitted and secured to the connector body. When a socket or a jack is not connected to the IC card, the housing member can lie level along the face of the IC card but when a socket is to be connected, the housing can be raised such that it is almost perpendicular to the face of the IC card. The socket or the jack can therefore be inserted parallel to the face of the IC card.

Abstract: A method of continuously producing a carbide from a moisture-containing organic substance allows for the recycling of the organic substance, which is conventionally thrown away waste. The method includes a dewatering process for removing water from the moisture containing material. A moisture adjustment process removes more water from a dewatered cake. A carbonization process continuously carbonizes the moisture adjusted material. During the moisture adjustment process, a carbide produced during the carbonization process is mixed in the dewatered cake to remove the moisture therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus for clarifying water. The apparatus includes a mixing chamber for mixing the water to be clarified with pressurized water and air to obtain a mixture in which particles attached to air bubbles are suspended. The mixing chamber is connected to a flotation tank which holds a body of water whose upper surface is maintained at a predetermined level. The mixture, including the particles attached to air bubbles, is delivered by a distribution pipe from an upper part of the mixing chamber onto the surface of the water in the tank so that the floatables come to a floating position on the surface without causing agitation or turbulence below the surface. A skimmer rake skims the floatables to an outlet where they are removed from the tank leaving the water at the bottom of the tank clarified.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for driving a discharge lamp, the discharge lamp having first and second electrodes, each of the first and second electrodes having first and second terminals. The apparatus includes a switching circuit coupled to the first terminals of the first and second electrodes of the discharge lamp for supplying a high frequency signal to the discharge lamp for igniting the discharge lamp. A starting circuit is provided connected to the second terminals of the first and second electrodes of the discharge lamp and including an inductor and capacitor connected in parallel across the discharge lamp. Alternately, a thermister is provided between parallel connected conductor and capacitor and one of the second terminals of the first electrode of the discharge lamp. Furthermore, circuitry is provided which is connected between the switching circuit and the thermister for deactivating the switching circuit when the thermister is heated to a specified temperature.