Abstract: A solid-state imaging device in which a light-barrier layer is formed on transfer electrodes on top of a vertical pixel isolating region by an insulating film. The light-barrier layer is adapted to overlie the lateral sides of the transfer electrodes and the peripheral region of a photosensor region neighboring on the vertical pixel isolating region. By provision of the light-barrier layer, the light incident on the vertical pixel isolating region is stopped to reduce smear charges which might otherwise be intruded into the vertical charge transfer section.

Abstract: Roasted coffee beans, roasted beans or roasted cereals are extracted with a cyclic dextrin-containing liquid and/or this extract is dried to obtain an instant beverage. According to this process, valuable components of roasted coffee beans or the like are effectively extracted by the cyclic dextrin-containing liquid, and extracted soluble and aromatic components are effectively protected by the cyclic dextrin when the extract is dried to form an instant beverage. The obtained instant beverage such as instant coffee has excellent fragrance and flavor.

Abstract: A fastening device for a tiltable steering shaft assembly of the type in which, when shifted into a remote position upwardly from a pre-selected angular position, the steering wheel is automatically returned to the pre-selected angular position and locked at the same position only by depression of the steering wheel. The fastening device comprises a first manual lever arranged to release the fastening device for permitting upward movement of the steering wheel to the remote position, and a second manual lever arranged to readjust the pre-selected angular position of the steering wheel in accordance with a user's physique, in which the first manual lever is cooperable with the second manual lever in operation of the latter to carry out readjustment of the pre-selected angular position of the steering wheel in a simple manner. The fastening device further includes a mechanism for avoiding unexpected trouble caused by an error in operation of the second manual lever.

Abstract: Tea leaves are extracted with a cyclic dextrin-containing liquid and this extract is dried to obtain an instant beverage. According to this process, valuable components of tea leaves or the like are effectively extracted by the cyclic dextrin-containing liquid, and extracted soluble and aromatic components are effectively protected by the cyclic dextrin when the extract is dried to form an instant beverage. The obtained instant beverage such as instant tea has excellent fragrance and flavor.

Abstract: Alcohol-containing powders having a high alcohol content with a high alcohol yield are prepared by mixing a hydrolyzed starch comprising at least 50% of oligosaccharides having a glucose polymerization degree of up to 8 and up to 10% of saccharides having a glucose polymerization degree of up to 2 in an alcohol-containing aqueous solution and spray-drying the resulting liquid mixture.