Abstract: A method and apparatus for making bread wherein the duration of kneading is set at a predetermined value, and the kneading stage is divided into (1) an early kneading stage wherein either cool or warm air is blown onto the dough at the start of kneading to bring the dough temperature, within a short time period, close to the optimum kneading temperature and (2) a later kneading stage wherein cool air and warm air are blown onto the dough in an alternating mode in order to maintain the dough temperature close to the optimum kneading temperature.

Abstract: An automatic bread baking machine wherein, at a predetermined time prior to a preset time, water is supplied into a container, in which the ingredients of bread are mixed into the water by rotating a rotary vane provided in the container, producing dough. A fixed rod is provided in the container adjacent to and spaced from the rotary vane, and the dough is twined around the fixed rod by the rotary vane and kneaded at comparatively low speed by the cooperation of the rotary vane and the fixed rod. The dough temperature is sensed by a temperature sensor disposed in the fixed rod, and when the sensed temperature has reached a predetermined value, the dough kneading operation is terminated. The water is supplied into the container from a water tank covered with a heat-insulating layer. An ice box for containing ice is provided in the water tank, and when the ambient temperature is higher than a predetermined value, cold water is supplied to the container.

Abstract: A self-sustaining solenoid which is adapted so that when applying an operating current to a coil, a moving iron core disposed in the coil is attracted into contact with a fixed receiver. A magnetic yoke is provided to extend between the fixed receiver and the end portion of the moving iron core projecting out of the coil, and a permanent magnet is disposed on the magnetic yoke at least at one end in the direction of movement of the moving iron core. When the moving iron core is held in contact with the fixed receiver, magnetic fluxes emanating from the permanent magnet mostly pass through the moving iron core, the fixed receiver and the magnetic yoke, and even if the operating current is cut off, the moving iron core is retained in contact with the fixed receiver.

Abstract: A portable electronic calculator which has incorporated therein a writing instrument. A miniature electronic calculator is built in a rectangular, elongated body. A cover made of metal covers a control panel for the electronic calculator and a display part, and the cover is mounted on the body to be removable therefrom by sliding the cover in the lengthwise direction of the body. The side marginal portions of the cover are bent inwardly for engagement with both side surfaces of the body to reinforce the body when the cover has been mounted thereon.

Abstract: On one end face of a case, a heating unit, a burner and a firing portion are aligned in this order, and a tubular windshield is mounted on the end face of the case to surround substantially entirely the burner. The windshield has formed therein an opening on the side of the heating unit, through which a lighter flame emitted from the burner is directed to the heating unit to set it alight when the case is turned down so that the heating unit lies above the burner.

Abstract: Sixty strip-like phosphor display elements are formed on an insulated substrate to extend radially from its center at equiangular intervals, and inner and outer grids are disposed substantially concentrically with the radially extending phosphor display elements in opposing relation thereto. A thermo-electron emissive heater is disposed in opposing relation to the inner and outer grids on the opposite side from the phosphor display elements. A drive-display circuit provides, on a time-shared basis, a short hand display by selecting one of the phosphor display elements corresponding to an hours signal and applying a voltage to the inner grid alone, and provides a long hand display by selecting one of the phosphor display elements corresponding to a minutes signal and applying voltages to both the inner and outer grids.

Abstract: A pen type electronic digital calculator in which keys are arranged in three rows on one half part of the tubular body in its lengthwise direction and when the three rows of keys are held substantially horizontal, the top surface of each key of the central row is higher than the top surfaces of the keys of the other rows. The keys of the respective rows are mounted so that they are longitudinally spaced from the keys of adjacent rows, and each key is disposed at the center of a recess formed in the tubular body.

Abstract: A portable electronic calculator comprises a calculator body which supports a keyboard consisting of a single elongated row of keys each of which is adapted to be tilted in any one of four directions by the finger tip of a user to input a selected one of four different information signals from said key to a calculator circuit located within the body. The results of the calculation are supplied to an indicator circuit in the body for viewing by the user through an elongated indicator opening which is disposed in alignment with the row of keys.

Abstract: A writing instrument internally houses a miniature electronic calculator which includes a key input section comprising a single key which is subjected to a rotational or translational movement to select one of a plurality of switches. When the key is depressed against a bias applied thereto while in a position in which it has selected one of the switches, the selected switch is controlled thereby to input an associated information into an arithmetic unit of the calculator. The instrument case or key is marked with indicia which designate the key positions for the convenience of selecting input informations. The key input section comprises an insulating substrate on which an array of a plurality of stationary contacts are formed along the direction of movement of the key, a flexible insulating film disposed in opposing relationship with the stationary contacts, and a movable contact deposited on the side of film which faces the stationary contacts so as to extend in the direction of movement of the key.

Abstract: A jack is provided in which a movable contact is driven away from a fixed contact upon insertion of a plug and returns into abutting relationship with the fixed contact upon withdrawal of the plug. The movable contact comprises an electrically conductive, rigid body which is rotatably mounted at its one end, and is biased toward the fixed contact by means of a coiled spring. When the plug is inserted, the movable contact is displaced against the resilience of the coiled spring to move away from the fixed contact, while when the plug is withdrawn, the resilience of the coiled spring urges the movable contact into abutting relationship with the fixed contact.