Abstract: A steam iron (10) comprising a soleplate (13), a heating element (14) for heating the soleplate (13), an inlet junction(16) comprising a first inlet (28) for receiving input steam from a steam generator and a second inlet (29), a water-steam separator (18) connected to the inlet junction (16) to receive steam from the inlet junction (16) and separate steam from condensed water entrained in the steam. The steam iron also includes an evaporation chamber (19) connected to the water-steam separator (18) to receive condensed water from the water-steam separator (18) and which includes a surface heated by the heating element (14) to generate evaporated water from the condensed water. The evaporation chamber (19) is connected to the second inlet (29). The inlet junction (16) comprises a venturi effect nozzle (31) for expelling the input steam and to generate a reduced pressure in the region of the second inlet (29) to draw the evaporated water into the inlet junction (16).

Abstract: The present application relates to a steam device (1) comprising a steam chamber (8) having a steam generating surface onto which liquid water is provided to be evaporated into steam. The steam device (1) further comprises a fabric treating plate (4) comprising a fabric treating face (4A) and at least one steam vent (6) through which steam is expelled onto a fabric to be steamed. The steam device (1) further comprises an outlet flow section (21) located between the steam generating surface and the fabric treating face (4A). The outlet flow section (21) defines an indirect flow path (C) between the steam chamber (8) and the at least one steam vent (6). The steam device (1) further comprises a heater for heating the outlet flow section (21) such that liquid water which enters the outlet flow section (21)from the steam chamber (8) is evaporated into steam.

Abstract: The invention relates to a garment sanitizing device (1, 31) comprising a housing (2), a chamber (4) within the housing to receive one or more garments (14) to be sanitized. The chamber (4) comprises a bottom wall, a top wall, and opposite first and second sides each extending from the bottom wall to the top wall. The housing contains a fan (6) and one or more heating elements (10). The at least one heating element is configured to directly heat garments within the chamber by radiation, and the fan is configured to convey air via the at least one heating element to heat the air and to convey the heated air through the chamber to additionally heat the garments by the conveyed heated air.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steaming device component (4, 7, 25) comprising a passageway (16, 23, 33) having an inner surface (17, 24, 34) along which steam may flow. At least a section of the inner surface (17, 24, 34) is formed by a foam material (19, 35) having a low thermal conductivity such that the foam material (19, 35) reduces the rate of condensation on the inner surface (17, 24, 34). Since the foam material requires less heat energy to attain the same temperature as the steam, the foam material heats up quickly reducing the time in which condensation can take place on the inner surface of the steam passageway.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method of treating a fabric article so that it has a characteristic smell normally associated with garments that have been exposed to natural sunlight, the method comprising positioning a fabric article (1) to be treated in an enclosure (8) and irradiating said fabric article positioned in said enclosure with ultraviolet light with a wavelength of between 280 nm and 400 nm and so that it is subjected to a predetermined radiant exposure. A device for treating a fabric article to replicate the characteristic effect of exposing said fabric article to natural sunlight is also disclosed.

Abstract: A steam ironing device (10) provides an ionized steam output using an ionizing arrangement (30). The ionization process, in particular the high energy electric discharge used for ionization, breaks down steam particles into finer particles. As a result, a greater proportion of the steam particles generated can penetrate into the fabric of the garment being ironed, to improve fabric treatment and fabric moistening. Air ionization can also be used. The ionization process is improved by limiting the temperature of the steam.

Abstract: A steam ironing device (10) provides an ionized steam output using an ionizing arrangement (30). The ionization process, in particular the high energy electric discharge used for ionization, breaks down steam particles into finer particles. As a result, a greater proportion of the steam particles generated can penetrate into the fabric of the garment being ironed, to improve fabric treatment and fabric moistening. Air ionization can also be used. The ionization process is improved by limiting the temperature of the steam.

Abstract: A method for forming semiconductor packages is disclosed. The method involves providing a support substrate and forming at least one conductive layer thereon. The method also includes coupling the at least one conductive layer to a support face of a film substrate for securing the at least one conductive layer to the support face and removing the support substrate from the at least one conductive layer. The at least one interconnector is adhered to the film substrate for forming an interposer. The method further involves bonding a integrated circuit chip to the at least one conductive layer of the interposer and disposing a compound over the support face to thereby encapsulate the integrated circuit chip and the least one conductive layer for forming an encapsulated package therefrom. Portions of the at least one conductive layer is then exposed by removing the film substrate from the encapsulated package.

Abstract: A semiconductor package for optical sensing and method of manufacture thereof is disclosed. The semiconductor package comprises a substrate for transmitting radiation and an integrated circuit chip for sensing the radiation. A plurality of connectors for electrical transmission is disposed on the substrate and a plurality of pillars for facilitating electrical communication between the plurality of connectors and the integrated circuit chip is disposed between at least one of the plurality of connectors and the integrated circuit chip.

Abstract: High performance integrated circuits generally have high heat generating capabilities. During powering up of these integrated circuits under typical operating conditions, heat generation is unavoidably accelerated. When the accumulated heat is not adequately dissipated, the high temperature of the integrated circuits will lead to overheating which in turn, causes irreversible damage to the integrated circuits. Conventional thermal management methods using bumps of a ball grid array (BGA) as heat paths to a heat sink has low thermal transmissibility due to the substantially spherical shape thereof. Metallic columns formed by vias in substrates have dimensional restrictions that also limit thermal transmissibility thereof. Coupling of semiconductor device directly to a heat sink formed in a substrate will also require undesirable structural modifications to the substrate, for example a concavity formed therein, for accommodating the integrated circuit therewithin.

Abstract: A fluid flow test device comprising: a chromatography path of aqueous wicking material on which is deposited at an upstream site at a selected delivery time an aqueous biological sample to be tested for the presence or absence of a target material; a capture material bound to the wicking material at a test site downstream of the upstream site, the capture material having a functionality that binds to a first locus on the target material upon wicking of the target material downstream to the test site; a visual label material having a functionality that binds to a second locus on the target material, the chromatography path having a site upstream of the test site at which the visual label material is begun to wick at a predetermined point in time after the first delivery time such that the visual label material does not intermix with the aqueous biological sample within the chromatography path.

Abstract: Described are flavor composition, flavor component, perfume composition and perfume component-containing microparticles which are particulate matrices composed of: (a) an olfactorily active component (e.g., perfume component); (b) silica; and (c) a saccharide composition which is a mixture of mannitol and maltose. The microparticles are useful in augmenting, enhancing and/or imparting aroma and/or taste (over relatively long periods of time in a controllably releasable manner) to perfume compositions, perfumed articles (e.g., deodorancy and antiperspirant sticks), foodstuffs, chewing gums, beverages and the like. Also described is a process for preparing the above-mentioned microparticles using, in sequence, (1) adsorption of the olfactorily active material onto silica followed by (2) a blending/extrusion step followed by (3) at least one particularization step.

Abstract: Described are flavor composition, flavor component, perfume composition and perfume component-containing microparticles which are particulate matrices composed of: (a) an olfactorily active component (e.g., perfume component); (b) silica; and (c) a saccharide composition which is a mixture of mannitol and maltose. The microparticles are useful in augmenting, enhancing and/or imparting aroma and/or taste (over relatively long periods of time in a controllably releasable manner) to perfume compositions, perfumed articles (e.g., deodorancy and antiperspirant sticks), foodstuffs, chewing gums, beverages and the like. Also described is a process for preparing the above-mentioned microparticles using, in sequence, (1) adsorption of the olfactorily active material onto silica followed by (2) a blending/extrusion step followed by (3) at least one particularization step.

Abstract: Described are controlled, time-release microparticulate active and bioactive compositions (including perfuming compositions) for targeted delivery to services such as skin, hair and fabric and the environment proximate thereto, where the active and bioactive materials have a calculated log.sub.10 P values of between 1 and 8 (P being the n-octanol-water partition coefficient). Such compositions include the active or bioactive material in single phase, solid solution in a wax or polymer matrix also having coated thereon and/or containing a compatible surfactant. Also described are processes and apparatus for preparing such compositions and processes for using same. Furthermore, certain component(s) of the aforementioned compositions in combination with one another are novel, and other components have novel uses in increasing fragrance substantivity.

Abstract: A toroidal manifold sparger having a hollow toroid member with an upper portion and a lower portion and having a plurality of first openings substantially evenly spaced along the lower portion thereof and all oriented perpendicular to the upper portion in a first and vertically downward direction, a plurality of second openings substantially evenly spaced along the lower portion of the toroid member and all oriented in a second direction, the first openings and the second openings being spaced apart from each other, each of the openings having a trajectory such that the trajectory of all of the first openings is parallel to each other and in a downward direction, and the second openings having a trajectory that radially inwardly converges in a downward direction, the first and second openings being the only openings in the lower portion, the toroid member being suspended from the upper portion.

Abstract: An encapsulated flavoring and coloring agent is made by spray chilling.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a fragrance containing solid particle for incorporation into laundry detergent by selecting a fat component such as a fatty acid glyceride, heating said fat component to an elevated temperature sufficient to form a molten melt thereof, selecting a solid surface active agent from the group consisting of SPAN.RTM. surfactants with an HLB of 4.3 to 8.6, heating the surface active agent to form a molten melt thereof and then combining the melts with an aroma chemical to form a mixture. The melt is rapidly cooled to form a solid material.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a substantially dry edible flavor fiber product by admixing water, a powdered flavor, a binder and fiber together and extruding the resulting mixture. The process can be carried out by first admixing a powdered flavor material with a fiber to form a flavor-fiber and mixture, then the flavor-fiber mixture is introduced into an extruder where water is simultaneously introduced and the resulting composition, containing water, fiber and flavor is extruded to form a product. The flavor fiber product can be an instant beverage, such as chocolate.

Abstract: An alcohol-free transparent perfume is disclosed containing an alcohol-free perfume base, water and a stable transparent oil-in-water microemulsion flavor concentrate formed of water, at least one hydrophobic perfume oils, at least one cationic surfactant and at least one non-ionic surfactant in the absence of lower alkanols wherein the mixing ratio of water, oil and surfactant is defined according to the shaded area of FIG. 1.

Abstract: A toroidal sparger is disclosed for use in a fluidized spray chilling system for the production of encapsulated flavoring and coloring agents.