Abstract: A controller includes an operating member operable by user's depression, and a touch detection device constructed to detect a depressing touch on the operating member. The touch detection device includes a movable contact pattern provided on the lower surface of the operating member, and a fixed contact pattern disposed underneath the operating member. One of the fixed and movable contact patterns is a coil-shaped contact pattern while the other of the fixed and movable contact patterns is a uniform surface pattern, at least one of the fixed and movable contact patterns has flexibility, and at least one of the fixed and movable contact patterns has a surface slanted from the center of the coil toward the outer peripheral edge of the coil. The coil-shaped contact pattern comprises first and second contact elements constituting a dual coil pattern.

Abstract: One electrode and another electrode adjoining an upper end region of the one electrode in an operating direction of a fader sensor are divided by a boundary line extending zigzag in a generally M shape transversely relative to the operating direction, so that upper and lower apex portions of the one electrode and the other electrode bite into each other. Similarly, the one electrode and another electrode adjoining a lower end region of the one electrode each other are divided by a boundary line extending zigzag in a generally M shape transversely relative to the operating direction. As a finger touches the fader sensor, the finger simultaneously touches the three electrodes, and corresponding output signals are output therefrom. A weighted average of the output signals is calculated so that position information of the finger having touched the sensor can be acquired with a high resolution.

Abstract: A controller includes an operating member operable by user's depression, and a touch detection device constructed to detect a depressing touch on the operating member. The touch detection device includes a movable contact pattern provided on the lower surface of the operating member, and a fixed contact pattern disposed underneath the operating member. One of the fixed and movable contact patterns is a coil-shaped contact pattern while the other of the fixed and movable contact patterns is a uniform surface pattern, at least one of the fixed and movable contact patterns has flexibility, and at least one of the fixed and movable contact patterns has a surface slanted from the center of the coil toward the outer peripheral edge of the coil. The coil-shaped contact pattern comprises first and second contact elements constituting a dual coil pattern.

Abstract: A slitting mechanism for a card cutting machine including a pair of rotating shafts having conveying rollers and cutting disks with cutting edges secured thereto. The slitting mechanism also includes a plate positioned in the space between adjacent cutting disks on one of the rotating shafts. The plate includes a sharp tip for contacting and dropping down chips caught in the space between adjacent cutting edges. Moreover, a sliding clutch is utilized to prevent rubbing and damaging of a sheet when the conveyance of the sheet is temporarily stopped. The sliding clutch is fitted on the drive shaft of the pair of rotating shafts for transferring power from a power source to the drive shaft. The clutch slides when a load is applied to the rotating shafts to stop the transfer of power to the rotating shafts and to prevent the conveying rollers from rubbing and damaging the sheets.

Abstract: A card cutting machine is disclosed herein, which includes a feeder and a cutting unit. A sheet with a mark affixed to an end thereof is conveyed from the feeder to the cutting unit, where it is cut into a desired card size. The machine further includes a mark reading device mounted in a sheet passage between the feeder and the cutting unit for detecting the mark affixed on the sheet, whereby only desired sheets are passed through the cutting unit.

Abstract: A quality control system in a material processing mill. The mill may include several different processing machines for performing several different processing steps to produce several different intermediate products. Each processing machine is provided with a sub-processor for monitoring production information associated with the processing machine and quality information associated with the intermediate product produced by the processing machine. The quality and production information from the various sub-processors are directed to a main processor, which records a history of the processing of the various intermediate products.

Abstract: A sliver can conveying system comprising carriages having vertically movably suspended cages, and adapted for traveling overhead in a spinning factory along a path provided between stations of the factory, each of the carriages being capable of holding cans in the cages, and movable between the positions where they are loaded and unloaded with full cans, and the positions where they are loaded and unloaded with empty cans, thereby enabling the exchange of the full and empty cans.

Abstract: A sliver can conveying system comprising carriages having vertically movably suspended cages, and adapted for traveling overhead in a spinning factory along a path provided between stations of the factory, each of the carriages being capable of holding cans in the cages, and movable between the positions where they are loaded and unloaded with full cans, and the positions where they are loaded and unloaded with empty cans, thereby enabling the exchange of the full and empty cans.