Abstract: A hand-held device for reducing the size of food items, for example by slicing or grating. The disclosed device has a slicing drum transversally inserted into an aperture on a lateral wall of a casing. Preferably, both the drum and its size reducing members, such as blades, are removable. Ideally, the drum can be inserted in an aperture on either of two opposing lateral walls so that the device may be easily used by both right-handed and left-handed people. A slicing compartment is formed by the casing and the slicing drum. A grip handle extends from the casing and preferably has an arm cover, which may open to a storage receptacle intended for storage of additional blades. The slicing drum is engaged with a crank lever assembly for rotation. A distal wall of the casing is preferably curved to form a tangential relationship with the slicing drum to, along with gravitational force, advance a food item to be reduced in size.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a portable blackbody furnace comprising a metallic body, a cylindrical cavity with a tapered end in the metallic body, a shielding plate positioned at an open end of the cylindrical cavity, at least a first heaters positioned in the shielding plate, a plurality of second heaters positioned around the metallic body, and a plurality of thermometers positioned in the metallic body. Preferably, the heat capacity of the metallic body is larger than 200 Joules/K, and has radial thickness larger than 5 mm. There are grooves formed on the outer wall of the metallic body, and the second heaters are heating wires embedded inside the grooves. In addition, the flow direction of the current between two adjacent heating wires is opposite to eliminate the magnetic field generated from the current flow.

Abstract: An optical disk drive module installed in a flat panel display personal computer is provided for lifting up and lowering a disk drive. The optical disk drive module includes a chassis module and a drive carrier. The chassis module is disposed at a rear side of a flat panel display of the flat panel display personal computer. The drive carrier is rotatably disposed in the chassis module for positioning the disk drive. A user can utilize the optical disk drive module to raise up the disk drive so as to position the disk drive at the rear side of the flat panel display. Similarly, the user can also utilize the optical disk drive module to lower the disk drive so as to expose the disk drive below the flat panel display.

Abstract: A fixing device for attaching an auxiliary card in a personal computer. The fixing device includes a hole formed at each end of a securing module and a main body. The main body includes an elastic portion at a top end of the main body, two arms located at the two ends of the main body, and two engaging portions, one located on each arm. The engaging portions are inserted into the holes at the ends of the securing module, coupling the main body and the securing module, while allowing the main body to partially rotate around the securing module. The elastic portion is used to elastically clamp the auxiliary card in place.

Abstract: A guiding mechanism, comprising: at least one guiding rod, at least one base and a fastening device. The guiding rod can provide a reading head of optical storage carrier player to move along the longitudinal axis of the guiding rod. The base that connects with one end of the guiding rod arranges with at least: an receiving slot arranged to one surface of the base has an appropriate depth to provide one end of the guiding rod to be placed in, an opening arranged at an appropriate position under the receiving slot, and a deformation portion arranged at the upper portion of the base has an appropriate thickness. The fastening device can connect with the base to provide a fixation for the guiding rod.

Abstract: An optical disk drive module installed in a flat panel display personal computer is provided for lifting up and lowering a disk drive. The optical disk drive module includes a chassis module and a drive carrier. The chassis module is disposed at a rear side of a flat panel display of the flat panel display personal computer. The drive carrier is rotatably disposed in the chassis module for positioning the disk drive. A user can utilize the optical disk drive module to raise up the disk drive so as to position the disk drive at the rear side of the flat panel display. Similarly, the user can also utilize the optical disk drive module to lower the disk drive so as to expose the disk drive below the flat panel display.

Abstract: A fixing device for attaching an auxiliary card in a personal computer. The fixing device includes a hole formed at each end of a securing module and a main body. The main body includes an elastic portion at a top end of the main body, two arms located at the two ends of the main body, and two engaging portions, one located on each arm. The engaging portions are inserted into the holes at the ends of the securing module, coupling the main body and the securing module, while allowing the main body to partially rotate around the securing module. The elastic portion is used to elastically clamp the auxiliary card in place.

Abstract: A guiding mechanism, comprising: at least one guiding rod, at least one base and a fastening device. The guiding rod can provide a reading head of optical storage carrier player to move along the longitudinal axis of the guiding rod. The base that connects with one end of the guiding rod arranges with at least: an receiving slot arranged to one surface of the base has an appropriate depth to provide one end of the guiding rod to be placed in, an opening arranged at an appropriate position under the receiving slot, and a deformation portion arranged at the upper portion of the base has an appropriate thickness. The fastening device can connect with the base to provide a fixation for the guiding rod.

Abstract: A modular point-of-sale transaction apparatus comprising a modular portion having a printer mechanism mounted within a housing thereof and having structure providing a terminal platform for supporting a transaction terminal in a prearranged position forward or rearward of the printer mechanism. The housing for the printer and the platform for supporting the transaction terminal are formed in size and shape and location such that the combination of the modular portion and the transaction terminal has substantially the appearance of a single integrated terminal and printer apparatus.