Abstract: The present invention provides a masterbatch method for producing a polyester resin and articles thereof; comprising reacting following materials uniformly at a temperature equal to or greater than the melting point of a polyester, the materials comprising: (1) 100 parts by weight of saturated straight-chain polyester A; (2) 1 to 10 parts by weight of binder masterbatch D comprising: a mixture containing a compound having two epoxy groups and a compound having an average number of epoxy groups of 2.1 or more; (3) 0.25 to 10 parts by weight of catalyst masterbatch G comprising: a metal carboxylate, whereby the melt viscosity of the polyester increases so that the melt flow rate (MFR) becomes 50 g/10 min or less, and the degree of swelling of the polyester increases to between 5% and 200%, thus resulting in a high-quality resin having excellent mechanical properties. The resin can be advantageously used for films, sheets, foamed materials, pipes, cushioning, heat insulators, packing materials, and so forth.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bag for packaging food products whose materials can be easily recycled. A bag for packaging food products is formed of a laminated film having a structure of polyester-type sealant layer with a low melting, point/barrier layer (vapor-deposited layer of ceramic or metal)/polyester-type heat resistant layer with a high melting point. The bag is formed by heat sealing the film such that the polyester-type low melting point sealant layer forms an inner side.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine control unit for hybrid vehicle makes an electric motor function as a main driving source for the vehicle under a predetermined condition and at the same time, controls a hybrid mechanism so as to warm up the internal combustion engine. If a requested engine output to the internal combustion engine exceeds a predetermined output or if an accelerator opening degree exceeds a predetermined opening degree, the same control unit changes the operating condition of the internal combustion engine from the warm-up operation condition to an operation condition fitting to the requested engine output.

Abstract: A design information disclosure system (1) comprises a design information managing system (3) for storing design information produced on the basis of a given format, a terminal system (10), connected to a communication network (2), having a terminal (9a, 9b, . . . , 9n) with an electronic mail function, and a design information disclosing system (4) connected to the communication network (2). The disclosing system (4) has a format converter (17) and a storage to establish a TIFF file (18). The format converter receives design information at a predetermined timing when the design information is made to be stored into the design information storing system and converts the received design information into a format displayable on the terminal. The TIFF file is used to store the format-converted design information as terminal-use design information. The terminal system is configured to display on the terminal the terminal-use design information through the electronic mail function.

Abstract: In the multi-value modulation apparatus, one optical intensity detecting unit detects optical intensity of a modulation optical signal generated by one optical modulation signal generating unit and output from the variable optical attenuator. The detected optical intensity is provided to the comparator. Another optical intensity detecting unit detects optical intensity of a modulation optical signal output from another optical modulation signal generating unit. The attenuator attenuates the optical intensity detected by the another optical intensity detecting unit, and provides it to the comparator. The output of the comparator is provided to the optical variable attenuator as a control signal. The variable optical attenuator controls optical intensity of the modulation optical signal based on the control signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing an electrochromic device in which to provide an opening in the surface of each of the two electrically conductive substrates of the cell, not in the end surface of the opposed substrates, to insert into one of the openings an elastically deformable sealing member; to fill the inside of the cell by vacuum-injecting an electrolyte or the precursor thereof through the other opening which remains open; to push the sealing member up to the opening for injecting the electrolyte or the precursor so as to dose this opening as well; and to bond the sealing member extending through the two openings to each of the substrates with an adhesive.

Abstract: The optical transmitter comprises a light source which inputs continuous optical signal and a driving circuit which inputs driving signal to an optical modulator of Mach-Zehnder type. A photo coupler separates a part of the output of the optical modulator. A photo diode converts this part into electric signal. A band-pass filter and a pre-amplifier extract a frequency component of the driving signal contained in the electric signal. A mixer conducts synchronous detection between the driving signal and the extracted frequency component. Finally, a bias voltage control circuit controls a bias voltage based on a result of the phase comparison.

Abstract: The optical transmission apparatus has a Mach-Zehnder optical modulator, a light source for applying an optical signal of a continuous light to the optical modulator, a driving circuit for inputting a driving signal into the optical modulator, a branching filter for taking out a part of an output optical signal, a photodiode for converting the taken-out output optical signal into an electric signal, a band pass filter for extracting a frequency component of a driving signal included in this electric signal, an error signal generator circuit for generating an error signal of a bias voltage that minimizes a value of the extracted frequency component, and a bias voltage control circuit for applying a bias voltage added with this error signal to the optical modulator.

Abstract: The optical transmission apparatus has an optical modulator of Mach-Zehnder type, a light source which supplies an optical signal to the optical modulator, a branching filter for taking out a part of an output optical signal, an optical spectrum monitor for monitoring an optical spectrum of an output optical signal taken out, an error signal generator circuit for generating an error signal that shows a bias voltage error based on a result of this monitoring, and a bias voltage control circuit for applying a bias voltage added with this error signal to the optical modulator.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine control unit for hybrid vehicle makes an electric motor function as a main driving source for the vehicle under a predetermined condition and at the same time, controls a hybrid mechanism so as to warm up the internal combustion engine. If a requested engine output to the internal combustion engine exceeds a predetermined output or if an accelerator opening degree exceeds a predetermined opening degree, the same control unit changes the operating condition of the internal combustion engine from the warm-up operation condition to an operation condition fitting to the requested engine output.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing an electrochromic device providing an opening in the surface of each of the two electrically conductive substrates of the cell, not in the end surface of the opposed substrates, to fill the inside of the hollow cell with an electrolyte or the precursor thereof by injecting through the injection port, to seal temporarily the injection port with a material which can be deformably inserted into the port and to seal secondarily the temporarily sealed port by applying thereon only an adhesive or a sheet-like member over the adhesive.

Abstract: A recording medium and a recording method are provided which can realize an image having excellent storage stability. An ink composition comprising a colorant of at least one dye selected from the group consisting of a stilbene azo dye, a triphenylmethane dye, and a xanthene dye is used, and the recording medium having a recording layer comprising silica and a binder, wherein the binder comprises a polymer component, 5 to 55% by weight of a polymer component of the binder is a styrene/butadiene latex, and 20 to 45% by weight of the styrene/butadiene latex is derived from a butadiene monomer.

Abstract: There is provided a container closure which is easy to manufacture and also easy to open. The container closure is provided with a peripheral section adapted to be attached to a peripheral edge portion of the top opening of a container body, and a panel section which is surrounded by the peripheral section. The panel section has a plastic material layer on the face of a gas blocking substrate, and a score line providing a weakened region in the plastic material layer on the periphery of the panel section. The panel section is provided with a pulling tab for allowing a container to be opened along the score portion by raising the pulling tab. The pulling tab is integrally molded with the plastic material layer of the panel section through a thin hinge so that the pulling tab can be pulled up with respect to the panel section.

Abstract: An electrode for an electrochromic device is disclosed having an electrically conductive substrate and a plurality of capacitive members arranged on the substrate, each of the capacitive members containing fine particles bound together with a binder, the fine particles having electric capacity of not less than 1 farad/g, the binder in the capacitive member having degree of swelling of not higher than 20 mass % when measured after the binder in the capacitive member is immersed in .gamma.-butyrolactone at 25.degree. C. for 24 hours. Also disclosed is an electrochromic device having the above electrode as a counterelectrode, an electrochromic electrode, and an electrolyte interposed therebetween.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a surface modified rubber and a seal material which enable obtaining a rubber molding being excellent in nonadherence, low friction, abrasion resistance and plasma resistance while retaining strength, compression set, sealing capability and deformation follow-up properties inherently possessed by a rubber material. The process for producing a surface modified rubber according to the present invention comprises contacting a treatment liquid containing a monomer having a polymerizable double bond, a polymerization initiator and a solvent with a rubber base material; and heating the thus contact treated rubber base material so that the monomer is polymerized to thereby modify the rubber base material at its surface and vicinity thereof.

Abstract: A laser apparatus comprises storage means for storing a power source voltage of each pulse at the time of continuous pulse oscillation for one cycle, with each voltage correlated with an identifier which specifies the respective pulse, and output control means for, when a pulse is generated, reading from the storage means the source voltage of a pulse having the same identifier, and performing pulse oscillation on the basis of the source voltage. Thus the influence of the spiking phenomenon during a burst mode operation is eliminated as much as possible, and thereby the accuracy of laser beam machining is still more improved.

Abstract: Vehicle-installed internal combustion engine control apparatus and method maintain a good operating condition of the internal combustion engine even if the opportunity of control learning is limited. To adjust the closed-state opening of a throttle valve, that is, opening of the throttle valve under a non-load condition, feedback control of the opening of the throttle valve is performed so that the idle speed approaches a target revolution speed, while the non-load idling of the engine is being performed. A feedback correction amount for the feedback control is stored as a learned value. The learned correction value is reflected in the next and later operations of the closed-state opening control of the throttle valve, so that a proper closed-state opening of the throttle valve is set. During the learning of the feedback correction amount, the engine is inhibited from being stopped.

Abstract: The present invention prevents a decrease in efficiency due to energy circulation in a power transmission path in a power output apparatus having an engine and a motor as power source. In the power output apparatus, a planetary gear 120 has a sun gear shaft linked with a generator MG1, a ring gear shaft linked with a motor MG2, and a planetary carrier linked with an output shaft of an engine 150. The power output apparatus carries out a control procedure to avoid energy circulation, which goes through the planetary gear 120, the motor MG2, and generator MG1, and the planetary gear 120, and thereby prevent a decrease in efficiency. The energy circulation occurs when the motor MG2 converts the power output from the engine 150 to electric power and the generator MG1 carries out power operation with the regenerated electric power.

Abstract: An ink jet recording medium is disclosed, comprising a base having provided on one side thereof a recording layer having an ink receiving layer whose surface is smoother than plain paper's and on the other side thereof a coating layer comprising an aqueous binder containing 10 to 40% by weight of a higher fatty acid salt to a coating weight of 0.1 to 0.3 g/m.sup.2. An ink jet recording medium is also disclosed, comprising a base having provided on only one side thereof a recording layer, said recording layer having a coefficient of dynamic friction of 0.65 to 0.75 in mutual friction, the back surface of said base having a coefficient of dynamic friction of 0.15 to 0.25 in mutual friction, and the coefficient of static friction between said recording layer and said back surface is 0.55 to 0.65. The ink jet recording medium is prevented from being double-fed and can be transferred at improved precision, thereby providing high quality images.

Abstract: A method for making a hydrogen storage alloy comprises subjecting a bulky hydrogen storage alloy to a first thermal treatment at a temperature ranging from 800.degree. to 1100.degree. C., cooling the thus treated alloy, grinding the cooled alloy to pieces having an average particle size of 20 .mu.m or below, and subjecting the pieces to a second thermal treatment in vacuum or in an atmosphere of an inert gas at a temperature of 200.degree. to 1050.degree. C. to obtain an alloy product. A hydrogen storage alloy obtained by the method is also described.