Abstract: A method for establishing an encrypted communication channel between a first apparatus and a second apparatus by using a session management apparatus. The method includes: establishing a first encrypted communication channel between the session management apparatus and the first apparatus by performing mutual authentication between the session management apparatus and the first apparatus; establishing a second encrypted communication channel between the session management apparatus and the second apparatus by performing mutual authentication between the session management apparatus and the second apparatus; and exchanging key information between the first apparatus and the second apparatus via the first encrypted communication channel and the second encrypted communication channel so as to establish an encrypted communication channel between the first apparatus and the second apparatus.

Abstract: A version update method is provided for updating a version of a communication system application program installed in a plurality of terminals connected to a communication network and operating between at least two terminals. The method includes: starting communications between the two of the plurality of terminals; exchanging version information of the communication system application program between the two terminals communicating with each other and making a comparison between the version information held in one terminal and that in the other; making a request for transmitting the communication system application program file of the version not held in either terminal; and transmitting the communication system application program file of the specified version to the terminal making the request.

Abstract: A switching valve assembly 32 for use in a mixing faucet is disclosed. The switching valve assembly comprises a switching valve assembly 32 for use in a mixing faucet, which comprises a manual operation member 36 adapted to be moved in response to a pressing operation by a user, a push rod 35 having a base end joined to the manual operation member, a pilot valve 40 disposed relative to a distal end of the push rod, a coil spring 42 interposed between the pilot valve and the distal end of the push rod, a diaphragm main valve 46 having a pilot-valve port designed such that the pilot valve is selectively brought into contact therewith and separated therefrom, a pressure chamber 48 formed on the side of a back surface of the main valve to contain a part of the push rod, the pilot valve and the coil spring, and a valve seat 52 designed such that a front surface of the main valve is selectively seated thereon and unseated therefrom.

Abstract: A pressure reducing valve comprises a valve support member provided with a water passage, a valve seat fitting on the portion of the valve support member primary side relative to the secondary side end of the water passage, a cup-shaped valve body fitting on the secondary side end of the valve support member to slide and capable of abutting the valve seat at the open end, while enclosing the secondary side end of the water passage at the cylindrical portion, a seal member for sealing the sliding contact part between the valve support member and the valve body, and a resilient member disposed in the valve body to force the valve body away from the valve seat.

Abstract: A method for establishing an encrypted communication channel between a first apparatus and a second apparatus by using a session management apparatus. The method includes: establishing a first encrypted communication channel between the session management apparatus and the first apparatus by performing mutual authentication between the session management apparatus and the first apparatus; establishing a second encrypted communication channel between the session management apparatus and the second apparatus by performing mutual authentication between the session management apparatus and the second apparatus; and exchanging key information between the first apparatus and the second apparatus via the first encrypted communication channel and the second encrypted communication channel so as to establish an encrypted communication channel between the first apparatus and the second apparatus.

Abstract: A switching valve assembly 32 for use in a mixing faucet is disclosed. The switching valve assembly comprises a switching valve assembly 32 for use in a mixing faucet, which comprises a manual operation member 36 adapted to be moved in response to a pressing operation by a user, a push rod 35 having a base end joined to the manual operation member, a pilot valve 40 disposed relative to a distal end of the push rod, a coil spring 42 interposed between the pilot valve and the distal end of the push rod, a diaphragm main valve 46 having a pilot-valve port designed such that the pilot valve is selectively brought into contact therewith and separated therefrom, a pressure chamber 48 formed on the side of a back surface of the main valve to contain a part of the push rod, the pilot valve and the coil spring, and a valve seat 52 designed such that a front surface of the main valve is selectively seated thereon and unseated therefrom.

Abstract: A version update method is provided for updating a version of a communication system application program installed in a plurality of terminals connected to a communication network and operating between at least two terminals. The method includes: starting communications between the two of the plurality of terminals; exchanging version information of the communication system application program between the two terminals communicating with each other and making a comparison between the version information held in one terminal and that in the other; making a request for transmitting the communication system application program file of the version not held in either terminal; and transmitting the communication system application program file of the specified version to the terminal making the request.

Abstract: A pressure reducing valve comprises a valve support member provided with a water passage, a valve seat fitting on the portion of the valve support member primary side relative to the secondary side end of the water passage, a cup-shaped valve body fitting on the secondary side end of the valve support member to slide and capable of abutting the valve seat at the open end, while enclosing the secondary side end of the water passage at the cylindrical portion, a seal member for sealing the sliding contact part between the valve support member and the valve body, and a resilient member disposed in the valve body to force the valve body away from the valve seat.

Abstract: A faucet support member for fixing a faucet in a mounting hole made in a base plate, comprising tightening members which are fixed to a support seat, which is provided to support a base end portion of the faucet, by connectors so that the tightening members are pivotable with the connectors and slidable along the connectors, and which are formed so that the tightening members can be inserted into the mounting hole when the front end portions thereof are directed inward, and open beyond the diameter of the mounting hole when the front end portions of the tightening members are directed outward; and members for preventing the tightening members, opening beyond the diameter of the mounting hole, from being turned further, the tightening members opening beyond the diameter of the mounting hole being moved toward a bottom surface of the support seat to hold the base plate between the bottom surface of the support seat and an upper surface of the tightening members and support the faucet on the base plate.

Abstract: In a combination faucet device (10) according to the invention, a movable valve member (160) slidingly moves relative to a main casing (30) to change a mixing ratio of high-temperature water supplied from a hot water port (116) to low-temperature water supplied from a cold water port (106). The movable valve member (160) is pressed by a temperature sensitive spring (130) in a first direction while being pressed by a bias spring (150) in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The temperature sensitive spring (130) is exposed to a water mixture and varies its spring constant according to the temperature of the water mixture. The temperature sensitive spring (130) accordingly moves the movable valve member (160) in a direction for decreasing the ratio of the high-temperature water to a certain position where the spring force of the temperature sensitive spring (130) balances with the spring force of the bias spring (150), thus allowing a water mixture adjusted to a target temperature.

Abstract: In a combination faucet device (10) according to the invention, a movable valve member (160) slidingly moves relative to a main casing (30) to change a mixing ratio of high-temperature water supplied from a hot water port (116) to low-temperature water supplied from a cold water port (106). The movable valve member (160) is pressed by a temperature sensitive spring (130) in a first direction while being pressed by a bias spring (150) in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The temperature sensitive spring (130) is exposed to water mixture and varies its spring constant according to the temperature of the water mixture. The temperature sensitive spring (130) accordingly moves the movable valve member (160) in a direction for decreasing the ratio of the high-temperature water to a certain position where the spring force of the temperature sensitive spring (130) balances with the spring force of the bias spring (150), thus allowing water mixture adjusted to a target.

Abstract: An automatic temperature control means 16 for automatically generating a mixed warm water of prescribed temperature by mixing an introduced hot water from a hot water inflow passage 14 and an introduced cold water from a cold water inflow passage 12 with each other at a flow rate ratio corresponding to the prescribed temperature, and a flow rate control means 19 for regulating the temperature of the discharged mixed warm water by mixing it with a hot or cold water introduced from the hot or cold water inflow passage 14 or 12 through a by-pass 18 around the former means are provided. As a result, mixed warm water of desired temperature can be easily obtained by manipulating the flow rate control means 19.

Abstract: An automatic temperature control means 16 for automatically generating a mixed warm water of prescribed temperature by mixing an introduced hot water from a hot water inflow passage 14 and an introduced cold water from a cold water inflow passage 12 with each other at a flow rate ratio corresponding to the prescribed temperature, and a flow rate control means 19 for regulating the temperature of the discharged mixed warm water by mixing it with a hot or cold water introduced from the hot or cold water inflow passage 14 or 12 through a by-pass 18 around the former means are provided. As a result, mixed warm water of desired temperature can be easily obtained by manipulating the flow rate control means 19.

Abstract: An automatic temperature control means 16 for automatically generating a mixed warm water of prescribed temperature by mixing an introduced hot water from a hot water inflow passage 14 and an introduced cold water from a cold water inflow passage 12 with each other at a flow rate ratio corresponding to the prescribed temperature, and a flow rate control means 19 for regulating the temperature of the discharged mixed warm water by mixing it with a hot or cold water introduced from the hot or cold water inflow passage 14 or 12 through a by-pass 18 around the former means are provided. As a result, mixed warm water of desired temperature can be easily obtained by manipulating the flow rate control means 19.

Abstract: A bar-like article supplying apparatus is constructed such that a tray is carried in while remaining in an erected condition on a dolly, which moves intermittently. The tray is open at an upper face thereof and is turned over and fed to drop and supply bar-like articles from the tray into a supply port. Then, the inverted tray is turned over and fed so as to be returned into an erected condition and then is carried out to a dolly while remaining in the erected condition. After the tray is carried into an occupied tray turning over mechanism by a carrying-in mechanism, the occupied tray turning over mechanism is turned over, and consequently, the inverted tray is in an inverted condition just above the supply port so that supply of the bar-like articles is started. When the tray during such supplying is transferred to an empty tray turning over mechanism, the occupied tray turning over mechanism is turned over back to allow a next tray to be carried in.

Abstract: A bubbly water outlet device comprises a swirl chamber which is connected to a water supply source and is adapted to swirl a flow, and a bubbler chamber which is connected to the swirl chamber through a discharge port provided substantially at a center of the swirl chamber. The bubbler chamber is adapted to suck air from an exterior by virtue of the inflow of water from the discharge port and is capable of discharging bubbly water.

Abstract: Articles are supplied to a conveyor by feeding primary articles from a primary supply, seriatim, to a conveyor. The conveyor is driven at a first speed consistent with the supply of primary articles so that primary articles are uniformly spaced on said conveyor. The presence of a predetermined number of supplemental articles in a supplemental supply is detected, and used to increase the speed of the conveyor to produce space on the conveyor sufficient to receive the predetermined number of supplemental articles. The predetermined number of supplemental articles are fed, seriatim, to the conveyor such that the supplemental articles are uniformly spaced on the conveyor with the same spacing that the primary articles on the conveyor.