Abstract: Tire track system (A) of the invention comprising attachable tire tracks (1), inner metal tracks (2), rigidified pins (3), track locking pins (4), front stretcher hooks (5), rear stretcher hooks (6), lock piece of rear stretcher (7), jamming capsules of steel rope (8), a steel rope of rear stretcher (9) a steel rope covering of rear stretcher (10) and a front stretcher rubber (11) is provided. The system of the invention is capable to be attached or covered to the vehicle tires and it is operative in all winter conditions, inexpensive, easy to attach/detach and protective for vehicle tires in contrast to chains which have a breaking off problem, harm to vehicle tires, front equipments such as vehicle axle, ball bearings or other equipments due to vibration or impacts.

Abstract: A tyre includes an inner surface, at least one monitoring device adhered to the inner surface, and a damping element interposed between the inner surface and the at least one monitoring device. The damping element includes at least one layer of resilient material. The resilient material has a Shore A hardness (measured at 23° C. according to ASTM Standard D2240) greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 40, and an elastic rebound (measured at 23° C. according to ASTM Standard D1054) less than 60. A method for installing the at least one monitoring device includes selecting a portion of the inner surface where the at least one device is to be installed and adhering the at least one device to the selected portion. A kit for installing the at least one monitoring device includes the at least one monitoring device and the damping element.

Abstract: This invention provides a rubber composition capable of improving a steering stability of a tire and being excellent in the vulcanization productivity and extrusion workability, and more particularly a rubber composition comprising a rubber component composed of at least one of natural rubber and diene-based synthetic rubbers, a filler at least containing an inorganic filler, a specified compound having excellent compatibility with the rubber component and affinity for the inorganic filler, and sodium borate.

Abstract: A heavy duty tire comprises a bead filler disposed in each bead portion (4). The bead filler (8) comprises: a main layer (13) having a complex elastic modulus E*2 of from 2.0 to 6.0 Mpa; and a fastening layer (12) having a complex elastic modulus E*1 of from 20 to 70 Mpa. The fastening layer comprises a base portion (12B) and an axially inner portion (12A) to have a L-shaped cross section. The height Ha of the axially inner portion (12A) is 35 to 100 mm and not more than the height Hb of the main layer (13), and the radial height Hb is 40 to 100 mm, each from the bead base line.

Abstract: Provided are a run-flat supporting body whose durability is enhanced while a large number of through holes are formed in an annular shell thereof, and a tire/wheel assembly. The run-flat supporting body (1) is configured of the annular shell (2) and elastic rings (3) and (3). The annular shell (2) works as a supporting surface on an outer peripheral side, and bifurcates into two leg portions on an inner peripheral side. In addition, the annular shell (2) is provided with a large number of the through holes (4) in wall surfaces thereof. The elastic rings (3) and (3) are attached respectively to the two leg portions of the annular shell (2). The run-flat supporting body 1 is supported on a rim of a wheel with the elastic rings (3) and (3).

Abstract: There is provided a tire for motorcycle having a carcass as a bone structure extending between and connecting a pair of bead cores, at least one circumferential belt layer fabricated by spirally winding a cord along the circumferential direction of the carcass, and at least one inclined belt layer fabricated by arranging multiple cords extending obliquely with respect to the equatorial plane of the tire in parallel with each other, the circumferential and inclined belt layers being disposed radially outward of a crown portion of the carcass, wherein the circumferential belt layer has a distribution of placement density of cords which decreases from the equatorial plane toward the shoulder portion of the tire to, thereby, satisfy both of the high-speed durability and driving performance by improving various characteristics especially during cornering.

Abstract: An exemplary hot press (2) for bonding electronic devices (31, 32) includes a hot-head (24) and a control device (28). The hot-head includes a plurality of heating members (241). The hot-head includes a plurality of heating members (241) and a pressing end (243) joining same ends of the heating members. The pressing end is configured for pressing a bonding portion of one of the electronic devices. The heating members are configured for converting input electrical energy into heat and transferring the heat to the bonding portion of said one of the electronic devices via the pressing end. The control device is electrically connected with the heating members and configured for controlling the amount of the heat generated by each heating member.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for making an intermediate transfer member. The process includes forming an endless belt by seaming two ends of a substrate material to form a seam. A smoothing layer is applied on top of the endless belt using a rotary cast process wherein said intermediate transfer member has a continuous seamless top surface. In a preferred embodiment the endless belt is formed by adhering at least two layers of a substrate to form a belt having an inner and outer seam.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adhesive bond of a substrate material (1), whose surface and surface-near solid area contain polymer compounds with low active surface energy, and another material (4) and a method for the production of a corresponding adhesive bond. The invention more particularly relates to an adhesive metallized fluoropolymer, such as polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE), as a base material for printed circuit boards having a very high structural density (fine and very fine printed circuit boards) used in the GHz range and to a method for adhesive metallization of a corresponding fluoropolymer. According to the invention, the adhesive bond is formed by a nanostructured transition area (6), containing nanocomposites, between the substrate material (1) and the other material (4), inside which the substrate material (4) which is nanostructured changes into the other material (4). The nanocomposites are composed of substrate material (1) and the other material (4).

Abstract: A system for making a laminate, which includes first and second metal layers and a core layer of a foam material sandwiched between and bonded adhesively to the first and second metal layers, is disclosed. The system includes: an extruder for extruding the core layer; an adhesive-applying unit disposed downstream of the extruder for applying an adhesive onto the extruded core layer; and a roller unit disposed downstream of the extruder for conveying the core layer and the first and second metal layers along a processing line and for pressing the core layer and the first and second metal layers into the laminate. The roller unit includes a pair of first rollers. At least one of the first rollers is formed with a first shape-forming structure corresponding to a bent structure to be formed on at least one of the first and second metal layers. A method for making the laminate is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to form an image on a substrate. The method supplies an adhesive applicator (200) comprising a housing (210), a porous carrier (220) disposed within said housing and extending outwardly therefrom, and an adhesive releaseably disposed within that porous carrier. The method further provides a substrate (510) and a plurality of particles (810). The method contacts all or part of the substrate with an adhesive-coated image-bearing surface (320) to form one or more adhesive-bearing portions (610) on the substrate (510). The method then disposes the plurality of particles (810) onto those one or more adhesive-bearing portions (610) of the substrate (510) to form an image on the substrate.

Abstract: In a method for making a window covering the user selects a first segment of cellular material in which there is a top cell having a top surface, at least one glue line on the top surface and a strip of fabric on the at least one glue line. The strip of fabric and at least a portion of the glue line are removed from the top surface of the top cell. and a second glue line is applied to that top surface. A second segment of cellular material is place over the second glue line on the top surface of the top cell of the first segment. The glue line cures and bonds the second segment of cellular material to the first segment of cellular material. If the cellular material has tabbed cells the processes can be used to join the tabs of the two segments together.

Abstract: A tubesheet is formed at the end of a module containing polymeric material for gas separation, by immersing the end of the module in an epoxy material, or its equivalent. A vacuum, or partial vacuum, applied at or near the opposite end of the module, tends to draw the epoxy material towards the source of the vacuum, and results in a tubesheet having a desired thickness, even though the epoxy material may have relatively high viscosity. The method produces effective tubesheets, while minimizing the degree to which the tubesheet covers the otherwise useful surface area of the polymeric material. The method thus produces gas-separation modules having enhanced productivity.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for forming a micro blind via on a copper clad laminate (CCL) substrate. A CCL substrate having a dielectric layer sandwiched by a first copper layer and a second copper layer is prepared. A laser absorbing layer is formed on the first copper layer. The laser absorbing layer is subjected to laser drilling. A micro blind via is drilled into the first copper layer and the dielectric layer in one step.

Abstract: This invention relates to a loop fabric laminate bearing a graphic image and methods for printing such images on the back surface of the backing layer of the laminate. The loop fabric laminate is characterized by the presence of recessed and unrecessed areas in the backing layer, and the presence of ink deposited and retained in place in the recessed and unrecessed areas, with void defects of greater than 0.5 mm in largest dimension being present at a frequency of less than one void defect per square centimeter of printed area.

Abstract: A system and method for the selective etching or removal of encapsulating material from an encapsulated object, such as a semiconductor, includes depositing an encapsulant-removal agent, such as a solvent or acid, onto the surface of the object. A flow of heated gas, such as an inert gas, is directed onto the deposited agent to effect the heating thereof and promote the removal of the encapsulating material. In general, the flow of heated gas is sufficient to cause the formation of a depression or depression-like concavity in the surface of the removing agent to promote the removal process. In a preferred embodiment, a pipe is provided with an internal heater to heat the gas flow there through and a nozzle at one end to direct the gas flow toward and onto the deposited removal agent.

Abstract: A mounting device for an electric component includes a thermocompression bonding head with a pressure bonding member made of a predetermined elastomer, the pressure bonding member provided in a head main body, and a pressing force adjusting mechanism for adjusting a pressing force corresponding to a region on a pressure bonding surface of the pressure bonding member, wherein the pressure bonding member is pressed at a predetermined pressure toward an electric component placed on a wiring board.

Abstract: The invention comprises improvements to transparent/translucent panel systems including two spaced flat panels and a series of elongated, abutting, rotatably mounted transparent/translucent light-controlling members disposed between the panels in which the light-controlling members are at least partially tubular or have annular members along their length to facilitate rotation of the light-controlling members and include a light-blocking surface including improvements to ensure continued efficient operation when the panel systems are subjected to flexure or deflection and possible permanent deformation.

Abstract: An articulated arm for an awning has an articulation part and an arm profile which are inserted one into the other. Furthermore, pull-off protection is present. The articulation part and the arm profile are inserted one into the other with a press fit, and the pull-off protection is designed as a claw present between the articulation part and arm profile.

Abstract: A retractable window shade with multiple shading gradations has a guide rail, two shade bodies and two cord assemblies. The guide rail has two one-way arresting mechanisms. The two shade bodies have different opacities and each shade body has a top side mounted on the guide rail and a lower section. The cord assembles are respectively mounted through the one-way arresting mechanism and connected to the lower sections of the of the shade bodies. The cord assemblies are pulled to rise the lower sections of the shade bodies. When the force for pulling one shade body is released, the cords are selectively arrested by the one-way arresting mechanisms to hold the shade body in a proper position. By expanding both of, one of or none of the shade bodies, the retractable window shade provides a proper proportion of shading sunlight with appropriate, comfortable and mild brightness.

Abstract: A blind device includes a flexible screen body with interconnected shielding sections, and a counterweight unit provided on a lowermost one of the shielding sections. The counterweight unit includes vertically extending left and right side bars provided respectively at left and right edges of the lowermost shielding section, and a horizontally extending bottom bar retained at a bottom edge of the lowermost shielding section. The counterweight unit is convertible from a screen-stretching state, where the lowermost shielding section is stretched by the side bars, to a screen-foldable state, where folding of the lowermost shielding section in a vertical direction is permitted by the counterweight unit.

Abstract: A follower for a window accessory within an insulated glass assembly. The follower includes a body having first and second sides adapted to face first and second spaced glazing panels. The follower further includes at least one magnet within each of the two sides, so that the follower will couple with a magnetic operator placed on either of the glazing panels. The follower yet further includes wheels having a diameter larger than the width of the body to rotatably support the follower against either of the glazing panels.

Abstract: An adjustable structure of a curtain for adjusting the angle of curtain blade comprises a winding tube disposed in an upper rail of a curtain, a pulling string for controlling the rise and fall of the curtain winds around the winding tube and is then passed through curtain blades. One end of the winding tube is disposed with a rubbing wheel for hanging the top end of a suspending string that is provided for insertion of the curtain blades. Thereby during the rise and fall of the curtain blades, the suspending string is pulled towards the rotating direction of the winding tube firstly, so that the angle of the curtain blades is adjusted.

Abstract: A hembar includes front and rear walls and top and bottom spline channels adjacent a top and a bottom of the hembar. Each spline channel receives a spline in an oblique orientation to a vertical line and is arranged to conceal the channel from any viewing location in front of the hembar. A shade fabric is received in the channels through longitudinal slots and the splines are received through an open end. A notch opposite the slot receives part of the shade fabric to facilitate spline insertion. A pocket for a weighting element is off-centered such that it is closer to the rear wall. The hembar is assembled using a support member having obliquely angled walls to support the hembar with one channel horizontally oriented. The front and rear walls of the hembar may be covered by the shade fabric in a full wrap option.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device comprising a screen (2) presenting flexible side edges (4) having an overthickness (4?), this screen (2) being equipped with one cable or with several juxtaposed cables (21), incompressible in their lengthwise direction, extending parallel to the side edges (4) of the screen so as to enable the application of a thrust force on these side edges (4) in their longitudinal direction to move the screen to its closed position, this cable or cables (21) being located in the neutral surface (24) of said edges (4) formed on bending of the latter and being fixed with respect to the screen (2) in an unremovable way; the overthickness comprises a flexible strip (8) made of an elastic material, wherein the cable or cables (21) are incorporated, as well as two notched belts (9, 10) being located the one with respect to the other on each of both sides of the curtain (2).

Abstract: A sun shade apparatus of the present invention has a pair of cables provided so as to be movable in outer tubes. A curtain has its opposite ends connected to ends of each cable and is stretched with the movement of the cables. At least one of the outer tubes is divided into a first tube and a second tube between which a length adjusting mechanism is interposed. The length adjusting mechanism consists of a first connecting member having a female thread formed therein, and a second connecting member having a male thread formed on its outer surface and having a cylindrical portion which is screwed into the female thread of the first connecting member. A fastening nut member which abuts against an end surface of the first connecting member is provided on the cylindrical portion.

Abstract: A sun shade apparatus of the present invention has a curtain capable of shielding a window portion of a door. The curtain can be stretched between a shielding state and an open state on the window portion. The apparatus has a motor, a cable provided so as to be capable of being forced out or drawn in by the operation of the motor, and a connector connecting the cable and the curtain to each other. The curtain is stretched with the operation for forcing out or drawing in the cable. The connector has a connection release mechanism releases the cable and the curtain from the state of being connected when a load equal to or higher than a predetermined value is applied against the operation for forcing out or drawing in the cable.

Abstract: A sun shade apparatus of the present invention having a cable provided so as to be capable of being forced out or drawn in, a connector connecting the cable and a curtain to each other, a guide rail provided on a window portion, and a slide member attached to the curtain and slidable on the guide rail. The curtain is stretched with the operation for forcing out or drawing in the cable. The guide rail has a bracket for fixing the guide rail on a vehicle door panel. One end of the bracket is engaged with a flange portion of the door panel, while the other end is fixed on the door panel by a fixing member.

Abstract: A non-compression vessel, such as a digester, is employed for the chemical preconditioning of the chips followed by a fiberizing device to break the preconditioned chips down to fiber bundles, which are then washed before a high consistency chemical treatment. The digester may be one such as used in conventional chemical pulping of wood with or without screens for the extraction of chemical. If extracted this chemical could be recirculated to the digester with treatment in the circulation loop such as heating or the addition of dilution or other chemicals. This digester may be hydraulic or vapor phase (that is contain a vapor space within the digester), and operate in either a continuous or batch fashion. This digester allows for the discharge of material without the use of a screw mechanism. The digester treated material is then defiberized to convert the chips into course fiber bundles, which then is washed and dewatered.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the treatment of a fibre material comprising the step of contacting the fibre material in an aqueous medium with a chelating agent and a polymer having following general formula wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms, R2 is —COOM or —CH2COOM, M is a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal ion, an alkaline earth metal ion, an ammonium ion or a mixture thereof, n, m and k are molar ratios of corresponding monomers, wherein n is 0 to 0.95, m is 0.05 to 0.9, and k is 0 to 0.8, and (n+m+k) equals 1, and the weight average molecular weight is between 500 and 20,000,000 g/mol. The invention also relates to a composition comprising a chelating agent and the above polymer.

Abstract: A tissue sheet having a deep discontinuous pocket structure provides improved durability as measured by the ratio of the cross-machine direction tensile energy absorbed to the cross-machine direction tensile strength.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for maximizing water removal from an absorbent web in a press nip. The present invention uses a pressing unit having a blanket with a void volume and with a pressure profile that maximizes water removal in the press section or on the Yankee dryer of a paper machine. The pressure profile of the pressing unit according to the present invention has a very steep pressure drop at and/or following the exit of a pressure distribution curve in order to maximize water removal by minimizing rewet of the web. The improved pressure profile according to the present invention results in increased water removal and/or improved line speed. The void volume further increases water removal and/or improves line speed.

Abstract: Paper machine for manufacturing a fibre web of paper without through air drying (TAD) or pressing, comprising: a wet end, having a wire section with at least one forming wire, a clothing, being air and water permeable, and a dewatering unit for dewatering the fibre web; and a drying section, comprising a drying surface for the fibre web; and also a transfer roll for transferring the fibre web to the drying section, wherein the fibre web is supported by said clothing from the wire section all the way to and over the transfer roll. The clothing has a three dimensional structure for structuring the fibre web.

Abstract: A ticket stock and manufacturing process wherein a pulp is formulated from a blend of recycled printed papers, with added starch for enhancing sheet stiffness and reducing linting and dusting on cut edges of the stock. A preferred pulp comprises a blend of printed solid bleached sulfate plate stock, printed white groundwood-free paper, and printed groundwood paper such as printed newsprint or the like. In one embodiment, the blend comprises about 25-50 wt. % printed solid bleached sulfate plate stock, about 15-40 wt. % printed white groundwood-free paper, and about 15-40 wt. % printed groundwood paper. The printed papers are repulped with minimal mechanical refining, treated with steam injection for hydrating and softening the fibers and breaking up inks into fine particles, and formed into a web that is pressed, dried, and soft calendered. The caliper of the resulting stock is about 7 to 9 points.

Abstract: This invention relates to a paper substrate containing high surface sizing and low internal sizing and having high dimensional stability, as well as methods of making and using the composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing paper, in which a filler is pretreated and suspended to form an aqueous slurry, the aqueous slurry obtained is combined with an aqueous suspension containing cellulose fibres to form a stock, the stock obtained is treated at least with a cationic retention agent and the treated stock is filtered to form paper. Retention and optical properties are improved by the filler being pre-treated with inorganic colloidal particles having an average size less than 100 nm.

Abstract: The invention relates to water-soluble salt cores for die casting, said salt cores being produced by compressing, and then sintering, a mixture of water-soluble salts. According to the invention, there are between 4 and 5 parts by weight of borax, between 2 and 3 parts by weight of magnesium, and between 0.5 and 2 parts by weight of graphite or talc, in the mixture, for 100 parts by weight of salt. The compression is carried out under a pressure of between 300 and 900 N/mm2.

Abstract: A fugitive pattern assembly is made by preforming one or more fugitive patterns of an article to be cast, placing the preformed patterns in an injection die, and injecting fluid gating material into the die to form gating connected to the patterns. The fugitive patterns are disposed in end-to-end and/or side-by-side relation and are interconnected by the gating.

Abstract: Disclosed is a production process that can suppress the formation of large-diameter TiN or N-rich TiCN inclusions which adversely affect machinability and consequently can produce a cast steel billet or steel ingot or a steel material of a Ti-added case hardening steel having excellent machinability. The production process comprises the step of casting a steel comprising by weight carbon (C): 0.10 to 0.30%, titanium (Ti): 0.05 to 0.20%, and nitrogen (N): not more than 0.0100% into a round cast steel billet or steel ingot having a diameter of not more than 23 cm or, in the alternative, a rectangular cast steel billet or steel ingot having a short side length of not more than 23 cm.

Abstract: Disclosed, amongst other things, is: (i) a seal of a metal molding system; (ii) a runner system of a metal molding system including a seal; (iii) a barrel assembly of a metal molding system including a seal; (iv) a metal molding system including a seal; and (v) a method of configuring a seal of a metal molding system, amongst other things.

Abstract: A continuous casting furnace includes a temperature control mechanism for controlling the temperature of a metal cast as it exits a continuous casting mold in order to provide improved characteristics of the metal cast. The temperature control mechanism includes a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the metal cast, and a heat source and cooling device for respectively heating and cooling the metal cast in light of the temperature of the metal cast. A control unit determines if the temperature of the metal cast is within a predetermined range and controls the heat source and cooling device accordingly. The heat source may double as a cooling device or the cooling device may be separate from the heat source.

Abstract: Disclosed is: (i) a method of a molding system, (ii) a controller of a molding system, (iii) an article of manufacture of a controller of a molding system, (iv) a network-transmittable signal of a controller of a molding system, and/or (v) a molding system having a controller, amongst other things.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for driving support rollers (7c) on a continuous casting machine for molten metals, in particular, for molten steel materials, comprising a strip guide (7) of electrically-driven individual drive support rollers (7c) or hydraulically adjustable strip support roller segments (9) for the improvement of a load equilibration control (12), whereby a total drive moment for all drives (10), determined from the normal force of the driven drive support rollers (7c) is proportionately transmitted to each drive support roller (7c) and a static base setting for the torque distribution is used as the basis for the load capacity of each drive support roller (7c).

Abstract: A process and system for manufacturing metal strips of 0.14-20 mm thickness and metal sheets of 10-100 mm thickness from slabs of thickness between 30 and 300 mm by continuous casting of the bow type. The slab upon casting is fed without discontinuity directly to the rolling step after heating in an induction furnace without any intermediate product. The rolled flat product is withdrawn as sheet upon controlled cooling, by means of cutting and withdrawal device or wound on a reel to form a coil of a continuous strip severable by cutting device downstream of a cooling system. Surface cooling devices can be provided between rolling stands. The feed speed from continuous casting to the end of rolling is increasing step by step in relation to the thickness reductions and the quality of the end product, with regulation in cascade to the downstream direction.

Abstract: Twin roll casters for casting thin steel strip comprise cooled casting rolls mounted on carriers. One roll is fixed and the other is moveable laterally and biased toward the other roll by carrier drive units acting on the moveable roll carriers. A casting pool of molten steel is supported on the rolls which are rotated to produce a solidified steel strip delivered downwardly from the nip therebetween. A gap is regulated between the rolls such that unsolidified molten metal passes through the nip between the solidified shells of the forming strip and solidifies below the nip. The carrier drive units are effective to apply to the biased roll substantially intermediate biasing forces such that the roll separation force at the casting rolls is regulated to a value between 2 and 4.5 Newtons per millimeter.

Abstract: An expansion tank comprising a bladder style water storage tank and method of use. The expansion tank includes an alarm module to sense a flooded tank condition. The system also has the ability to sense a bladder over-extended condition. The expansion tank use includes a sonic alarm and/or a visual alarm and is used in combination with a boiler or related hot water system. Method steps using the described design are also included. The hydro-pneumatic expansion tank has important utility in HVAC, boiler and potable water systems.

Abstract: A device for heating a fluid for use in carpet cleaning is provided. Specifically, the device routes a source of exhaust toward and/or around a heat exchange chamber to heat a fluid in a controlled manner. The fluid may be heated to a maximum amount when the full amount of exhaust is flowed through the heat exchange chamber. The fluid may not be substantially heated when the exhaust is flowed around the heat exchange chamber through an exhaust bypass. The fluid can also be heated to an intermediate amount by flowing some, but not all of the exhaust through the heat exchange chamber and the rest of the exhaust through the bypass.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for heat exchange, said device comprising a flow device and a collection and/or distribution device connected to the flow device at a connection point. The flow device has a pre-determined length and a flat tubular cross-section, and a fluid under a high pressure, for example an operating pressure of approximately 125 bar, flows through the same. Said flow device has a linear course over the entire length thereof, along a longitudinal axis thereof. The long side of the flat tubular cross-section of the flow device is approximately between 5 mm and 6.1 mm, and is at an angle of approximately 90°, at the connection point, in relation to a main direction of extension of the collection and/or distribution device.

Abstract: A process chamber and a method for controlling the temperature of a substrate positioned on a substrate support assembly within the process chamber are provided. The substrate support assembly includes a thermally conductive body, a substrate support surface on the surface of the thermally conductive body and adapted to support a large area substrate thereon, one or more heating elements embedded within the thermally conductive body, and two or more cooling channels embedded within the thermally conductive body to be coplanar with the one or more heating elements. The cooling channels may be branched into two or more equal-length cooling passages being extended from a single point inlet and into a single point outlet to provide equal resistance cooling.

Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning system includes a duct housing therein an evaporator, an air-mixing mechanism, and a heater core that are successively arranged along the direction in which air is delivered by a blower to flow through the duct. A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the evaporator is disposed upstream of the evaporator with respect to the direction in which the air flows through the duct. The temperature sensor has at least a portion inserted in the evaporator.