Abstract: Apparatus for the treatment of a wiping solution, which includes ink flocculation apparatus for flocculating ink contained in a used wiping solution by the addition of a flocculant to the used wiping solution; solid-liquid separation apparatus for separating, into sludge and a filtrate, the used wiping solution containing the ink which is flocculated by the ink flocculation apparatus through filtration of the used wiping solution; distilled water production apparatus for producing distilled water and a concentrated solution through heating of the filtrate which is separated by the solid-liquid separation apparatus; water recycling apparatus for recycling the distilled water which is produced by the distilled water production apparatus as a raw material of a wiping solution; and post treatment apparatus for separating the concentrated solution into steam and a solid residue through heating of the concentrated solution which is produced by the distilled water production apparatus.

Abstract: Novel devices for synthesizing ferrate and uses thereof are described. One aspect of the invention relates to devices and systems for synthesizing ferrate at a site proximal to the site of use.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for collecting and processing whole blood. Whole blood is collected at several remote donor sites and transported to a central blood-processing center, where information regarding demand for blood products is used to direct processing of whole blood into blood products. Whole blood is initially collected in collection bags unattached to satellite bags instead of commonly used multiple bag sets. When the determination is made at the blood processing center as to which blood products are to be made, the appropriate satellite bags and/or other system components are sterile docked to the blood-collection bag and the whole blood is processed. The use of blood-collection bags initially unattached to satellite bags eliminates waste and simplifies the transportation and processing of whole blood. Also disclosed are blood collection systems that remove leukocytes and collect whole blood into blood-collection bags unattached to satellite bags.

Abstract: This invention comprises a method and an apparatus for separating solids from fluids in fluids containing high total suspended solids and where the solids are of a broad particle size including ultra fine particles. A fluid volume is passed through a filter element thereby separating the solids from the liquid. The solids deposited on and in the filter element are cleaned from the filter element by a continuous backwashing process using pressurized filtered fluid in excess of the fluid pressure of the fluid on the intake side of the filter. The rate at which backwashing occurs and the pressure of the pressurized filtered fluid used in backwashing is increased when the pressure differential between the intake and outlet volumes increases.

Abstract: Pollutants are extracted from sub-surface water using an aqueous solution of cyclodextrin and a vertical circulating well. Complexes of the pollutant and cyclodextrin are recovered from the bottom of the well. When the pollutant is volatile, the complexes are separated into pollutant and cyclodextrin by air stripping.

Abstract: A method for reducing the toxicity of onium compounds, such as ammonium compounds and phosphonium compounds, by the addition of an anionic polymer is described. Suitable anionic polymers include, but are not necessarily limited to, polycarboxylic acids, polysulfonic acids, polyphosphoric acids, polyphosphonic acids, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and an apparatus for separating dry matter from liquid, comprising providing an enclosed separation environment capable of being pressure regulated, and in said enclosed separation environment contacting at least one filter with a suspension accumulating dry matter on the at least one filter and passing the at least one filter through at least one set of rollers, whereby liquid is removed from the at least one filter, followed by removing the substantially dry filter cake from the at least one filter, wherein the above is performed in the same enclosed separation environment either under vacuum or overpressure.

Abstract: A method and a system for separating a mixture that comprises an oil-water emulsion together with gas. The system comprises a separator tank (11) for separating oil from water in the emulsion, and means for separating gas from the emulsion. The means (7) for separating the gas from the emulsion is arranged separately upstream of the separator tank (11).

Abstract: A symmetric wedgelock system includes a compression device having a longitudinal axis; a plurality of segments arranged along the compression device including at least one drive segment at each end and at least one working segment in between each working segment including at least two sections having diverging sides forming a concave wedge facing an associated drive segment; each drive segment having converging sides forming a convex wedge facing an associated working segment; the compression device includes an adjustment device for applying a compressive force along the longitudinal axis to drive the convex wedges of the drive segment into the concave wedges of the working segment to drive apart laterally the sections of the working segment.

Abstract: A product storage and merchandising unit adaptable for attachment to the underside portion of existing product merchandising equipment, the present unit having a plurality of openings positioned adjacent at least a portion of either the top or bottom portion of each of the opposed side portions thereof, the openings being adaptable for receiving appropriate attachment members for attaching the unit to the underside portion of the product merchandising equipment located thereabove. The attachment members may take the form of hook members, tie-type fasteners or other appropriate members, each attachment member being engageable with both the existing product merchandising equipment and at least one of the openings associated with the opposed side portions of the unit. In one embodiment, at least two sets of openings positioned in spaced apart parallel and aligned relationship to each other are associated with each of the opposed side portions of the unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for the organizing, storage, display and removing clothing accessories and the like, wherein the apparatus may be, optionally, hanged in a clothing closet or placed on a stand for easy access thereto. The apparatus may be characterized as a multi-layer, laminated structure comprising outer, rigid layers on either side of an inner, pliable layer. Apertures in the outer layers cooperate with slits in the inner layer to form garment holding channels suitable for placing clothing accessories. Clothing accessories such as ties, scarves, belts, and the like may be placed on the apparatus.

Abstract: Mountable hanger apparatus and a kit of parts therefore for affixing preferably to door hinges. The hanger apparatus comprises an elongated member having top, intermediate, and bottom segments, all of which are longitudinally interconnectable along the axis of the elongated member. Each intermediate segment has end portions each directly interconnectable both rotatably and longitudinally with an end portion of a remaining segment. Preferably, each segment includes a tubular member having a passageway extending therethrough. All but the bottom end segment has one end portion swaged to a reduced diameter for insertion into an unswaged end portion of another tubular member. Resultantly, each intermediate segment can swivel or rotate independent of the top and bottom end segments. Support arms are fixedly attachable to each of the segments of the elongated member, and mounting brackets are fixedly attachable to the top and bottom end segments.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a modular free-standing shelving system having a basket is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of risers having a first end and a second end and at least one shelf having a plurality of ends, a plurality of sides, and a plurality of sockets. The ends and sides of the shelf encompass an area including a plurality of walls and a recessed surface. The walls connect the recessed surface to the ends and sides, which comprises a majority of a surface area of the shelf.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of self-raising a mast for a crane having an upper works rotatably mounted on a lower works and a boom pivotally mounted on the upper works, the boom being supported by boom hoist rigging and a mast pivotally connected to the upper works. The crane further includes a self-raising mast assembly for controlling the position of the mast when the mast is not connected to the boom and is not supportable by the boom hoist rigging. The self-raising mast assembly comprises a mast raising yoke pivotally connected to the upper works, a hydraulic mast raise cylinder pivotally connected between the upper works and the mast raising yoke, and a hydraulic system for controlling the mast raise cylinder.

Abstract: The problem of spontaneous removal of accumulated coins from a bottle kept as a coin bank. Is obviated by a lockable, slotted cap which, however, can be removed at the will of the owner when the owner deems that the savings objective has been achieved.

Abstract: A closure-container package is shown and described comprising a container having a shoulder and a neck extending upward from the shoulder and having an external thread extending helically about the neck, a closure having a top wall and skirt depending from a peripheral edge of the skirt, the skirt having an internal thread mating with the external thread of the container neck, the closure having a rotary seal depending from the closure, the closure and container each having at least one on-direction stop mechanism operably engaged, the closure-container package having a child resistance feature and, the closure having a tamper indicating band with ratchets on an interior surface engaging ratchets on the container neck.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a cork from a bottle in which an anchor is embedded in the cork and a cork-pulling sleeve is provided for engaging the anchor for removal of the cork. The cork-pulling sleeve includes inner threads that mate with external threads on the neck of the bottle, and rotation of the cork-pulling sleeve in relation to the bottle extracts the cork.

Abstract: A closure for a fitment is provided with an outer side wall extending downwardly therefrom and spaced from an inner sealing ring wherein the outer side wall adjacent the top wall is provided with a plurality of spaced inwardly extending ribs, adapted for embedding into a lip at the outlet of a fitment neck.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of an MR thin-film magnetic head with an MR film and lead conductors overlapping each other, includes a step of depositing a conductor layer on at least the magnetoresistive effect film, a step of forming a cap layer patterned on the deposited conductor layer, and a step of dry-etching the deposited conductor layer through a mask of the patterned cap layer using an Ar gas and an O2 gas, an O2 gas or a N2 gas so as to pattern the deposited conductor film to form the lead conductors.

Abstract: There is provided an optical element which can be handled with ease and mounted on a supporting means for supporting it with high precision and efficiency in the course of manufacturing it, and also there is provided a method for manufacturing such an optical element as described above. A lens element 100 is an optical element which is mounted on a supporting substrate provided with a groove for mounting the lens element. The lens element 100 includes a handling portion 120, a side wall 162a which are brought into contact with the groove for mounting use, and a lens portion 180a. The thickness of the lens portion 180a in the optical axis direction thereof is able to be set arbitrarily.

Abstract: A method of forming an opening through a substrate includes etching into the substrate from a first side so as to form a first portion of the opening, etching into the substrate from a second side opposite the first side so as to form a second portion of the opening, continuing etching into the substrate from at least one of the first side and the second side toward the other of the first side and the second side so as to communicate the first portion and the second portion of the opening, and etching into the substrate from an interface between the first portion and the second portion of the opening, including etching toward the second side of the substrate and forming a third portion of the opening.

Abstract: In producing an etalon, a thickness of an etalon base plate is measured, and the etalon base plate is placed in a process chamber. Then, a gas having a chemical reactivity with respect to a material of the etalon base plate is introduced into the process chamber, and a surface of the etalon base plate is etched for only a predetermined time corresponding to a thickness of the etalon base plate, thereby obtaining the etalon having a desired thickness.

Abstract: A planarization method using anisotropic etching can be applied to planarize an insulating layer with an uneven surface on a substrate. H2SO4, H3PO4, HF and H2O are mixed to form an etching solution. The substrate is placed into the etching solution to make the etching solution pass the surface of the insulating layer at a flow rate to etch the insulating layer. After a period of etching time, the insulating layer with a more planar surface can be obtained.

Abstract: A method for etching a nickel-vanadium alloy is described. The etching of the nickel-vanadium alloy is conducted using an etchant that comprises sulfuric acid. Further, the etching rate of the nickel-vanadium alloy is controlled based on the electrolytic reaction between the etchant and the nickel-vanadium alloy thin film.

Abstract: A fixing structure for a welding electrode and a welding head is shown which enable improvement of durability of a welding electrode, improvement of work efficiency in welding , and a reduction of time required for welding and also which make it possible to execute welding for an extended time with high reliability. In the fixing structure, a fixed section of a welding electrode is inserted via a thermally conductive material into an inserting section of a fixing base and a peripheral surface of the fixed section of the welding electrode is uniformly contacted to the fixing base to affix the welding electrode to the fixing base.

Abstract: A welding device includes a holder for a weld part (1) adapted to be moved substantially perpendicularly to, and away from, a surface of a workpiece (2) on which the weld part (1) is to be welded. An arc producing system produces an arc between the weld part (1) and the surface of the workpiece (2) with the arc generating a magnetic flux. A field former (3) includes a low-retentivity steel and provides a flux path for the magnetic flux generated by the arc.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming simulated wear patterns and designs in denim pants using laser rays. The apparatus includes an indexable carousel having a plurality of circumferentially spaced pant-supporting mandrels that are sequentially indexable to a plurality of stations located about the carousel, including a loading station, a laser station, and an unloading station. The mandrels each comprise articulated linkage that is selectively actuatable between a retractable condition that permits positioning of a pair of pants onto the mandrel at the loading station and an expanded condition that tautly supports the pants in predetermined position at the laser station such that a laser generated pattern can be formed at predetermined locations on the pants.

Abstract: A method of producing batches of micro particles, comprises:

Abstract: In a laser beam machining method for a wiring board, a machined portion of the wiring board is irradiated with a pulsed laser beam for a beam irradiation time ranging from about 10 to about 200 &mgr;s and with energy density of about 20 J/cm2 or more, thereby machining the wiring board, for example, drilling for a through-hole and a blind via hole, grooving, and cutting for an outside shape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting a nonmetallic substrate capable of reducing steps and time for cutting a nonmetallic substrate and contaminants of the substrate. An initial crack is previously formed on a nonmetallic substrate by applying laser beams and coolant on the nonmetallic substrate and a scribe crack is formed on the nonmetallic substrate by applying the laser beams to the initial crack. The nonmetallic substrate is cut along the scribe crack by rapidly heating and cooling the portion of the scribe crack using the laser beams and coolant.

Abstract: An arrangement for machining workpieces by a laser, particularly for cutting, perforating, notching, engraving, drilling and inscribing workpieces with three-dimensional structures of different sizes. The laser beam is directed to the workpiece, which is fixed on a holding device, by means of a robot-guided articulated mirror arm and a laser scanner. The laser beam is guided by a coordinated time-controlled and position-controlled deflection of the articulated mirror arm and of the mirror elements of the laser scanner.

Abstract: A heatable window (e.g., vehicle windshield) includes a heatable layer including one or more conductive layers. The heatable layer may be a single layer conductive coating, or alternatively may be a multi-layer heatable coating including one or more dielectric layer(s) in addition to one or more heatable conductive layer(s). Bus bars are provided so that a voltage may be applied across at least one conductive layer of the coating, in order to heat the layer so that the coating generates heat for defogging, deicing and/or desnowing the window. At least a portion of one of the bus bars includes both an underlying conductive base layer portion, and an overlying conductive braid portion that is conductively attached to the conductive base portion. The braid portion significantly increases the current capacity of the bus bar portion if so desired.

Abstract: A thermal processing apparatus, performing processing accompanied with heating on a substrate, having an upper lamp group directed toward a prescribed direction and a lower lamp group perpendicularly intersecting with the upper lamp group is provided with a lower reflector between the upper and lower lamp groups. The lower reflector is so provided as to reflect light from lamps, included in the lower lamp group, present on both end regions in relation to the direction of arrangement. Thus, the thermal processing apparatus can efficiently irradiate an auxiliary ring with reflected light from the lower lamp group and improve temperature uniformity when heating the substrate.

Abstract: An oven includes an oven cavity, at least one heat source disposed in the cavity; and only one reversible fan disposed in the cavity, the fan is configured to change an airflow pattern in the cavity by reversing a direction of rotation.

Abstract: A lightwave oven having a cooking chamber and at least one lightwave heating device for heating food in the cooking chamber, and at least one reflector for reflecting the lightwaves produced by the lightwave heating device in the direction of the food and improve thorough cooking and browning of the food. In addition to the radiant lamps of high color temperature, separate radiant lamps of low color temperature are provided to also improve browning of the food. In each case, two radiant lamps of different color temperature can be fixed to a common holder, the holder being held on a movement device such that it can be pivoted, and the radiant lamps radiating light in different directions.

Abstract: A baking oven with a door sliding along a guide groove includes an arcuate housing, an electrical heating tube and a baking tray. A guide groove is provided on the left side plate and the right side plate attached to the housing and extends throughout the arcuate circumference of the side plates. The door has an arcuate shape and the two edges of the door are attached to the guide groove. The baking oven of the present invention is opened by sliding of the door other than the rotation of the door in the conventional one. A guide groove is provided on the two sides of the oven body, and the arcuate door slides along the guide groove toward the back direction and upward direction so as to be opened. The door is opened and closed by the gravity of itself. When the door is contaminated, the user may release the limit means and then the glass door slides out along the guide groove so as to be conveniently cleaned.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heating element with at least one electrical resistance, wherein between a surface for heating and the electrical resistance is situated a dielectric, onto which dielectric connects an ammeter for detecting a leakage current. In addition, the invention comprises a liquid container provided with such a heating element. The invention also relates to a method for detecting a temperature change in a heating element formed by an electrical resistance by measuring a leakage current discharged by a dielectric connected to the heating element.

Abstract: An oven includes an oven cavity, at least one heat source disposed in the cavity, and an oven controller operationally coupled to the heat source. The oven controller is configured to accept data regarding a number of racks and control the at least one heat source based upon the accepted data.

Abstract: A ceramic heater including a ceramic body and a heating element buried in the ceramic body under the surface of thereof is provided, wherein metal pads are disposed on the outside of the ceramic body and electrically connected to the heating element, outer leads are joined by a braze layer onto a metal plated layer covering each of the pads, and the braze layer contains an amount of 500 ppm or less by weight of palladium in a brazing metal material based on Au, Cu, or Ni. The plated layer may be formed on the surface of the metal pads which have been activated with an activating solution containing an amount of 90 ppm of less by weight of Pd, in order to reduce the Pd content as defined above in the braze layer, preventing the braze layer from being cracked and enhancing the useful life of the ceramic heater.

Abstract: A heating system for railroad switches or other movable railroad structures that substantially eliminates protruding heater elements that may be damaged. The heater elements may cast into, enclosed within or received within recesses of a tie (including a metal or concrete tie), rail or other component. In one implementation, inductive heating is used to directly heat the rail, tie or other structure.

Abstract: A method of controlling a microwave oven, in which the microwave oven includes a cooking chamber for containing food therein, a cooling fan which circulates air, a magnetron which generates microwaves and a humidity sensor which senses humidity of the cooking chamber. Cooking instruction(s) may be preset or set manually by a user. A first cooking operation is performed while preventing water from boiling off/to overflow by controlling an output power of the magnetron according to the set cooking instruction(s). A time required to perform a second cooking operation is set based on a time required to perform the first cooking operation. The second cooking operation is performed for the second cooking time while steam boiling the food.

Abstract: A method of controlling a microwave oven, in which the microwave oven includes a cooking chamber for containing food therein, a cooling fan which circulates air, a magnetron which generates microwaves and a humidity sensor which senses humidity of the cooking chamber. Cooking instruction(s) may be preset or set manually by a user. A first cooking operation is performed while preventing water from boiling off/to overflow by controlling an output power of the magnetron according to the set cooking instruction(s). A time required to perform a later cooking is set according to a time required to perform the first cooking operation. A second cooking operation is performed for the later cook time while controlling the output power of the magnetron to reduce the overall cook time of the food.

Abstract: A method of controlling a microwave oven, in which the microwave oven includes a cooking chamber for containing food therein, a cooling fan which circulates air, a magnetron which generates microwaves and a humidity sensor which senses humidity of the cooking chamber. Cooking instruction(s) may be preset or set manually by a user. A first cooking operation is performed according to the set cooking instruction(s). A cook time required to perform a second cooking operation is set based on a time required to perform the first cooking operation. The second cooking operation is performed for the cook time while controlling the output power of the magnetron to perform a rapid cooking operation.

Abstract: A microwave oven includes a tray holding unit which stably holds both a cooking tray and a tray guide at their original positions regardless of vibration and impact applied to the cooking tray and/or tray guide. The tray holding unit includes a base part, and elastic blade parts which are formed on both sides of a lower surface of the base part and extend downward from the lower surface while being inclined outward at an angle of inclination. A stop rail is horizontally formed along an inner surface of left and right sidewalls of a cooking cavity of the microwave oven, so as to stop top edges of the base part and allows the blade parts to press down on the cooking tray. Accordingly, the cooking tray and the tray guide are stably held down by the tray holding unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shipping container. By making improvements on its structure: to add longitudinal members in the base frame, and/or to increase the wave height D between the wave crest and wave trough of the corrugated plate of the side panels, and/or to adopt steel plate in the floor, on the premise of passing ISO test, it provides a container which is lighter in tare weight, less in material consumed and lower in production cost.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a transport container, preferably made of plastic material, especially for vegetables, fruit and the like, with a floorboard (2) and several, preferably four, collapsible side walls (3, 4, 5, 6) that are arranged circumferentially on the floorboard (2) and can be folded down onto it. According to a first aspect of the invention, the floorboard (2) is provided with an essentially rectangular frame (8) in which there extends a floor profile (9) with a smooth surface, said floor profile (9) being stiffened by the provision of several bulges (10) that are formed by the curvature of the floor profile (9) in several space directions.

Abstract: A mounting structure, for a plurality of high pressure gas vessels (11a, 11b), has a block-shaped vessel mounting member (1) with a high rigidity formed with accommodating portions (5a, 5b, 9a, 9b) for accommodating first neck portions (12a, 12b) formed at one sides of the plural high pressure gas vessels and vessel base-valves (13a, 13b) and formed with a gas flow passage (6) that opens at openings (7a, 7b) of right and left side walls of the vessel mounting member (1) to allow the accommodating portions to communicate with one another. The neck portions (12a, 12b) and the vessel base-valves (13a, 13b) at the one sides of the plural high pressure gas vessels are accommodated in the accommodating portions (5a, 5b, 9a, 9b) of the vessel mounting member 1, and the plural high pressure gas vessels are mounted in the vessel mounting member (1), enabling the gas flow passage 6, formed in the vessel mounting member (1), to serve as a high pressure conduit portion.

Abstract: A container (1), especially a fluidized container, including a housing upper part (2) and a housing lower part (3) is provided. The housing parts are detachably interlinked in an annular separation zone which is provided with a sealing element. The container in accordance with the invention provides that (i) the two housing parts are interlinked by coupling elements (8, 9) that engage with one another in a positive manner and that allow a limited movement in the direction of separation; (ii) the container parts are retained in a sealing position with a predetermined separation point (7) by means of a retainer (5), in which position an elastic sealing element (10) sealingly rests against the two coupling elements; and (iii) the coupling elements acts as a limiting stop when a maximum container pressure is exceeded, the predetermined separation point is activated and the housing parts are displaced towards the direction of separation.

Abstract: A cap with a way-one valve solves two distinct problems in the field of packaging materials that emit gasses, providing both a means to prevent a package from deforming under pressure built up inside the package, and a means to reseal the package. The cap comprises an inner wall extending downwardly from an inner portion of the top wall to define a cavity. An insert valve is mounted within the cavity, forming a seal with the inside wall. The upper surface of the insert valve, inner wall, and the top wall define a chamber with a gas escape path. A septum is disposed within the chamber, the septum seated on the insert valve and sealing one or more apertures in the insert valve. The septum is capable of at least partially unseating in response to force exerted by increased gas pressure acting through the apertures.

Abstract: The tampering work can be easily detected by using the seal for sealing of a drink/food container. By providing an unseal confirmation member of which the condition changes when adhesive seal member 8A, 46A of seal for sealing 8, 46 provided on the drink/food container 1, 40 is reattached after being peeled once, the user can confirm at first sight that the drink/food container has been used.