Abstract: An oxygen emitter which is an electrolytic cell is disclosed. When the anode and cathode are separated by a critical distance, very small microbubbles and nanobubbles of oxygen are generated. The very small oxygen bubbles remain in suspension, forming a solution supersaturated in oxygen. A flow-through model for oxygenating flowing water is disclosed. The use of supersaturated water for enhancing the growth of plants is disclosed. Methods for applying supersaturated water to plants manually, by drip irrigation or in hydroponic culture are described. The treatment of waste water by raising the dissolved oxygen with the use of an oxygen emitter is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for forming an homogeneous mixture of chromatography media in a vessel. The invention also relates to methods and apparatus for transferring the homogeneous media from the vessel into a second vessel in preparation for packing a chromatography column. The invention can also be used directly to pack the column with homogeneous media.

Abstract: A filter with filter chambers disposed in an annular zone on a rotatable common disc has a multitude of separate flow passages, each flow passage containing within its flow stream at least one filter chamber on the common rotatable disc, and each identical flow passage is rotated around the axis of rotation of this common rotatable disc, thus multiplying the flow capacity of a rotatable disc filter by using the same disc to filter multiple streams. The rotatable common filter disc is disposed within a slot formed by body blocks and spacer blocks and rotates around a hub, the spacer blocks and hub controlling slot width such that rotatable metal to metal seals form between the disc and the body blocks in contact with a surface of the disc, forming leak free seals. The rotation of the rotatable common disc causes filter chambers, sealed within the slot, to change filter chambers as material accumulates within the filter chambers.

Abstract: A separator separates water and oil. An outer housing has an inner volume and an inner housing. One port in the inner housing receives influent mixed liquids. Another port from the inner housing discharges water outside the outer housing and defines a static liquid level. An outlet above the static level from the inner housing to the inner volume allows oil held in the inner housing to flow to the outlet. Surges of influent temporarily raise liquid levels, so oil passes the outlet to the inner volume. A supplemental separator in the outer housing removes oil from the inner volume.

Abstract: A combined filter apparatus includes a first filter element, a second filter element disposed in stacking arrangement to the first filter element, a housing enclosing the filter elements, a seal sealing the dirty side of the first filter element from the dirty side of the second filter element, a first inlet disposed in the housing for fluid flow to the first filter element, a second inlet disposed in the housing for fluid flow to the second filter element, and an outlet disposed in the housing for fluid flow from at least one of the filter elements.

Abstract: A mat for drying glassware or stemware includes a plurality of elevating portions, a plurality of notches in the elevating portions, a plurality of openings on a surface of the mat; and a plurality of ribs. The aerated design of the mat allows airflow through glasses to insure streak and spot-proof drying. A tray may be combined with the mat to catch runoff water dripping from the glass through the openings in the mat. The non-slip surface of the mat prevents delicate wine glasses from touching and prevents breakage.

Abstract: A suspension rack includes a main board, at least one support seat detachably mounted on the main board and having a first plate formed with a plurality of limit slots and a second plate formed with a plurality of passages, and a plurality of screwdrivers each having a handle supported by the first plate, a reduced neck limited in a respective limit slot and a shank extended through a respective passage. Thus, the reduced neck of each of the screwdrivers is limited between the respective limit slot and the respective passage, so that each of the screwdrivers is limited by the support seat, thereby preventing each of the screwdrivers from being detached from the support seat freely so as to achieve a temporary anti-theft effect.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting musical instruments including at least one center pipe, at least one base to support the center pipe, at least one tubular arm pipe, wherein one end of the arm pipe is coupled to the center pipe, at least one clamp structure that can be coupled to the other end of arm pipe, capable of locking into the arm pipe while grasping at least one rod. The rod can support at least one musical instrument. The rod can be surrounded by a flexible bushing and clamps to hold the rod in place.

Abstract: A grid wall display system and grid wall brackets for use therein, the grid wall brackets configured to removably secure to adjacent vertical supports and to securely retain a grid wall panel therebetween, without requiring permanent attachment or hardware to secure the grid wall panel to the bracket or the bracket to the vertical supports. The grid bracket includes a first rearwardly extending attachment tab including an upward projection and a downward projection, each projection designed to allow the bracket to fit within or clear the slots of the slotted vertical support when pivoted or tipped at an angle with respect to the position of the vertical support, but also to prevent removal or slippage of the bracket when the grid wall itself is installed or repositioned thereon.

Abstract: A tray for components is disclosed. The tray has a tray body having a bottom end mounted with a magnet characterized in that the circumferential edge of the tray body is mounted with a securing module having an engaging slot which urgingly engages with the edge of the tray body, and the securing module is provided with a center shaft for the through-mounting of the tray having a recess.

Abstract: An apparatus for bidirectionally translating and positioning loads under tension includes a linear hydraulic actuator suspendible from a hoist such as a crane and is useable to support, raise and lower heavy loads in precisely controllable small incremental distances. The apparatus utilizes a strain-gauge type load cell positioned between an upper end of the actuator and an upper anchor connector eye suspendible from a crane. A digital display device operatively coupled to the load cell provides an accurate indication of static weight of a load supported by a load connector eye attached to a lower end of a piston rod protruding from the actuator, and accurate and immediate indications of any load weight deviation resulting from contact of a load with an obstruction while being raised or lowered. A pressure relief valve is provided to enable flow of hydraulic fluid from the actuator cylinder to a fluid reservoir to prevent inadvertent over-pressuring of the cylinder.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device comprising a combination: of at least two individual flasks or containers (1, 2) mutually linked by all or part of their undersides (3), and of a removable fixing system (4) essentially comprising a suction cup and/or a rod (6) provided with a hook, while one of said flasks comprises in said underside a cavity which, alone or in combination with a similar cavity located on the underside of another flask of said combination of flasks, defines a recessed space wherein the head of said suction cup and/or said rod provided with a hook can penetrate and remain force- or spring-locked, with the possibility of being eventually rotated and separated by a simple manual effort.

Abstract: A container base that is capable of withstanding an internal pressure and further capable of causing an even deflection, such as that created by introducing liquefied gas during a hot filling process. The base includes a heel with a standing ring disposed at a lower portion thereon. A generally concave push up portion extends radially inward from the standing ring portion. At least two reinforcing rings are disposed on the push up portion, wherein the reinforcing rings diminish uneven deflection to prevent the container from tipping while resting on a flat surface.

Abstract: A bottle made of a plastic material, including a body surmounted by a neck including a dispensing opening. The neck and the body are made in two separate parts which are assembled together in order to connect the interior of the body to the dispensing opening, the neck includes an axial sealing skirt which is mounted on an axial bearing surface formed on the upper portion of the body. The bottle further includes a shrunk-on collar, the lower portion of which is arranged to axially cover at least the connection area between the neck and the body. The connection of the neck to the body is produced by combining a tight fitting of the exterior surface of the sealing skirt over the interior surface of the bearing surface, and radial clamping of the lower portion of the shrunk-on ring onto the exterior surface of the bearing surface.

Abstract: A cap for use with bottled water dispensing systems. The cap includes a main cap and a liner. The main cap has an opening which receives and seals against a probe. The liner is gripped between the main cap and the bottle neck and has a outside part and an inner movable part. The inner movable part is linked to the outer part by a large connecting section that serves as a hinge, and breakable or frangible connecting section. When the bottle is lowered onto the dispensing system, the probe enters into the opening in the main cap, breaks the frangible connection, and pushes the inner movable part open like a flap. The liner, at the location of the large connecting section, is resilient such that the inner movable part tends to close when the bottle is removed from the dispensing system.

Abstract: A seal and saver container is composed of a bottle and a cover. The bottle has an opening bored at its top and a blocking ring positioned around its inner wall. The cover placed on the top of the bottle is provided with a first upper cover, a second upper cover, a compression spring, a sleeve, an anti-leaking ring and a grip. In using, place the cover on the bottle and move the grip to keep it tilted aside, so that the sleeve is dragged to move up and simultaneously the anti-leaking ring is also moved up to keep its bottom squeezed to project outward so as to lock with the blocking ring of the bottle. So, the opening of the bottle is totally sealed up to prevent the liquid in the bottle from leaking out.

Abstract: A cap (1; 51) for an NMR sample tube (52) having an inner bore (3) for receiving an open end (54) of an NMR sample tube (52), wherein the inner bore (3) has a narrowing for sealing a received NMR sample tube (52) against the cap (1; 51) along the outer periphery of the NMR sample tube (52), is characterized in that the narrowing is designed as an inner sealing lip (4). The cap provides good sealing between the cap and the NMR tube, and the cap can be produced from a plurality of materials, in particular, materials with good chemical resistance to NMR solvents.

Abstract: A closure for a container having a container opening is provided herein. The closure includes an annular top having an inner skirt depending downwardly from an inner perimeter of the annular top and having an outer skirt depending downwardly from an outer perimeter of the annular top. An annular bottom extends radially inward from the inner skirt, and the annular bottom has defined thereon a dispensing aperture positioned adjacent to the container opening when the closure is mounted to the container. A sealing member is formed to the annular bottom for closing the dispensing aperture. The outer skirt optionally includes a hingedly flexible flap having one or more gussets dimensioned to cooperate with the anti-rotation structure of a neck finish.

Abstract: A beverage container with a grip formed in side and bottom walls thereof. The grip includes a V-shaped groove on a side wall that receives a finger of a consumer (e.g., a thumb or set of fingers) and a recess formed in a bottom wall of the container to receive one or more other fingers of the consumer's hand. When gripped in this fashion a lower corner of the bottle may be located in the palm of the consumer's hand. The groove in the side wall is formed in the side wall sufficiently close to the bottom wall to allow the hands of most consumers to use the grip. The V shape points upward. Either side of the V can be used depending on whether the consumer wishes to grip with their right hand or their left hand.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave device configured by forming an oxide layer 2 on a piezoelectric substrate 1 composed of a lithium tantalate single crystal or a lithium niobate single crystal and having weak pyroelectric properties having a lower oxygen content than a stoichiometric composition ratio, and forming thereon an IDT electrode 3. There is no static destruction of a minute electrode due to the pyroelectric effect of the piezoelectric substrate having weak pyroelectric properties, and frequency characteristics are not degraded.

Abstract: An electroplating method that includes: a) contacting a first substrate with a first article, which includes a substrate and a conformable mask disposed in a pattern on the substrate; b) electroplating a first metal from a source of metal ions onto the first substrate in a first pattern, the first pattern corresponding to the complement of the conformable mask pattern; and c) removing the first article from the first substrate, is disclosed. Electroplating articles and electroplating apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: An indium cap layer is formed by blanket depositing indium onto a surface of metallic interconnects separated by interlayer dielectric, and then selectively chemically etching the indium located on the interlayer dielectric leaving an indium cap layer. Etchants containing a strong acid are provided for selectively removing the indium.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating devices having small feature sizes are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method comprises forming a patterned first mask layer overlying a subject material layer and isotropically etching the patterned first mask layer. A second masking layer is deposited overlying the patterned first mask layer and the isotropically-etched patterned first mask layer is exposed. The isotropically-etched patterned first mask layer is removed and the subject material layer is etched to form a feature therein.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for etching a metal layer disposed on a substrate, such as a photolithographic reticle, are provided. In one embodiment, a method is provided for processing a substrate including positioning a substrate having a metal photomask layer disposed on a optically transparent material in a processing chamber, introducing a processing gas processing gas comprising an oxygen containing gas, a chlorine containing gas, at least one of trifluoromethane (CHF3), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), hexafluoroethane (C2F6) or ammonia (NH3) and optionally a chlorine-free halogen containing gas and/or an insert gas, into the processing chamber, generating a plasma of the processing gas in the processing chamber, and etching exposed portions of the metal layer disposed on the substrate.

Abstract: A plasma etching method includes accommodating a target substrate in a processing chamber; supplying a processing gas from a processing gas supplying mechanism disposed to face the target substrate and configured to be able to supply different processing gases to a central portion and a peripheral portion of the target substrate; and generating a plasma of the processing gas to perform a plasma etching on a lower organic resist film formed on the target substrate by using, as a mask, an intermediate layer made of an inorganic material and an upper photosensitive resist film that are formed on the lower organic resist film. As the processing gas, a gas containing CH4 gas is supplied, and a flow rate of the CH4 gas supplied to the peripheral portion is set to be higher than a flow rate of the CH4 gas supplied to the central portion.

Abstract: Methods of operating an electromagnet of an ion source for generating an ion beam with a controllable ion current density distribution. The methods may include generating plasma in a discharge space of the ion source, generating and shaping a magnetic field in the discharge space by applying a current to an electromagnet that is effective to define a plasma density distribution, extracting an ion beam from the plasma, measuring a distribution profile for the ion beam density, and comparing the actual distribution profile with a desired distribution profile for the ion beam density. Based upon the comparison, the current applied to the electromagnet may be adjusted either manually or automatically to modify the magnetic field in the discharge space and, thereby, alter the plasma density distribution.

Abstract: A wafer holding device for etching process, includes a base pallet; a cover pallet disposed on the base pallet, the cover pallet having at least one receiving hole defined therein; a base pad located on the base pallet and contained in the receiving hole; and a wafer jig placed on the base pad and contained in the receiving hole. At least one gas-diluting recess is formed in a surface of the cover pallet, the surface being spaced away from the base pallet, the gas-diluting recess being communicated with the receiving hole to dilute byproduct gases generated during the etching process. The invention also discloses a method for controlling etch rate of a wafer to be etched during an etching process.

Abstract: A dielectric barrier discharge plasma generator includes a dielectric chamber. The chamber contains or incorporates a solid surface that is to be treated with non-thermal plasma. The dielectric chamber can be substantially sealed and confine an atmosphere therein. An atmosphere control system is provided for controlling the atmosphere within the chamber. At least one or two electrodes are located outside of the dielectric chamber. When actuated by an appropriate source of plasma generating electrical power the electrodes cause the generation of a solid surface modifying non-thermal plasma in a plasma zone within the dielectric chamber. A transport system is provided for moving the electrode and the dielectric chamber relative to one another. A plasma zone is confined within the dielectric chamber adjacent to the electrodes, and remains substantially stationary relative to the electrodes. The dielectric chamber carries the solid surface through the plasma zone.

Abstract: A process is provided for removing polymer from a backside of a workpiece. The process includes supporting the workpiece on the backside in a vacuum chamber while leaving a peripheral annular portion of the backside exposed. Gas flow is confined at the edge of the workpiece within a gap at the edge of the workpiece, the gap configured to be on the order of about 1% of the diameter of the chamber, the gap defining a boundary between an upper process zone containing the front side and a lower process zone containing the backside. The process further includes evacuating the lower process zone, generating a plasma in an external chamber from a polymer etch precursor gas, and introducing a by-product from the plasma into the lower process zone. The process further includes pumping a purge gas into the upper process zone to remove polymer etch species from the upper process zone.

Abstract: A process is provided for removing polymer from a backside of a workpiece. The process includes supporting the workpiece on the backside in a vacuum chamber while leaving a peripheral annular portion of the backside exposed. The process further includes confining gas flow at the edge of the workpiece within a gap at the edge of the workpiece on the order of about 1% of the diameter of the chamber, the gap defining a boundary between an upper process zone containing the front side and a lower process zone containing the backside. A first plasma is generated in a lower external chamber from a polymer etch precursor gas, and an etchant by-product is introduced from the first plasma into the lower process zone. A second plasma is generated in an upper external plasma chamber from a precursor gas of a scavenger of the etchant by-product, and scavenger species are introduced from the second plasma into the upper process zone.

Abstract: A process is provided for removing polymer from a backside of a workpiece. The process includes supporting the workpiece on the backside in a vacuum chamber while leaving a peripheral annular portion of the backside exposed. The process further includes confining gas flow at an edge of the workpiece within a gap at the edge of the workpiece on the order of about 1% of the diameter of the chamber, the gap defining a boundary between an upper process zone containing the front side and a lower process zone containing the backside. A first plasma is generated in a local plasma chamber from a polymer etch precursor gas. The process includes directing a localized stream of an etchant by-product from the first plasma onto a target portion of the backside of the workpiece, the target portion having a diameter corresponding to a diameter of the stream, while rotating the workpiece.

Abstract: A workpiece is supported on the backside in a vacuum chamber while leaving at least a peripheral annular portion of a backside of the workpiece exposed. The process first increases the temperature of the workpiece starting at a temperature below about 200 degrees C. The edge of the workpiece is confined so as to establish a gap at the edge on the order of about 1% of the diameter of the chamber, the gap corresponding to a boundary between an upper process zone containing the front side and a lower process zone containing the backside. Before the workpiece temperature exceeds about 200 degrees C., backside polymer is removed using a first plasma containing polymer etch species in the lower process zone. After the workpiece temperature reaches about 300 degrees C., photoresist is stripped from the workpiece front side using by-products of a second plasma containing a photoresist strip species in the upper process zone.

Abstract: A process is provided for removing polymer from a backside of a workpiece and/or photoresist from a front side of the workpiece. For backside polymer removal, the wafer is positioned near the ceiling to above a localized or remote plasma source having a side outlet through the sidewall of the chamber, and backside polymer is removed by rotating the workpiece while flowing plasma by-products from the side outlet to the wafer backside. For front side photoresist removal, the wafer is positioned away from the ceiling and below the side outlet of the localized plasma source, and front side photoresist is remove by rotating the workpiece while flowing plasma by-products from the side outlet to the wafer front side.

Abstract: A substrate processing method that can remove a silicon nitride film without damaging a thermally-oxidized film. A substrate having at least a thermally-oxidized film and a silicon nitride film formed on the thermally-oxidized film is heated to a temperature of not less than 60° C. Then, hydrogen fluoride gas is supplied toward the substrate.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a silicon nitride etching bath provides the etching bath including phosphoric acid heated to an elevated temperature. The concentration of silicon in the phosphoric acid is controlled to maintain a desired level associated with a desired silicon nitride/silicon oxide etch selectivity. Silicon concentration is measured while the silicon remains in soluble form and prior to silica precipitation. Responsive to the measuring, fresh heated phosphoric acid is added to the etching bath when necessary to maintain the desired concentration and silicon nitride:silicon oxide etch selectivity and prevent silica precipitation. The addition of fresh heated phosphoric acid enables the etching bath to remain at a steady state temperature. Atomic absorption spectroscopy may be used to monitor the silicon concentration which may be obtained by diluting a sample of phosphoric acid with cold deionized water and measuring before silica precipitation occurs.

Abstract: A glass composition suitable for reactive ion etching.

Abstract: A wire collecting mechanism for cutting and collecting a metal wire used in a wire-cut electrical discharge machine includes a first guide roller and a second guide roller movable relative to the first guide roller for clamping the metal wire that passes between the first guide roller and the second guide roller. A wire cutter is moveable relative to the metal wire for cutting the metal wire that is clamped. A wire collecting box is provided with a mouth facing the metal wire and a suction force towards an inside of the wire collecting box. A press roller is movable relative to the metal wire for pressing and forcing a cutting piece of the metal wire into the mouth of the wire collecting box, such that the cutting piece of the metal wire can be sucked into the wire collecting box.

Abstract: The electrode wire according to the invention comprises a brass core (1) covered with a ? phase brass coating (2) having a structure fragmented into blocks (2a) between which the core (1) is exposed. The blocks (2a) have a thickness (E2) with a narrow distribution and produce a coverage of the core (1) according to a coverage rate greater than 50%. This produces a regular fragmentation of the coating, which improves the finish state of the machined parts.

Abstract: A device for cleaning a bevel edge of a semiconductor substrate. The device includes a lower electrode assembly that has a top surface and is adapted to support the substrate and an upper electrode assembly that has a bottom surface opposing the top surface. The lower and upper electrode assemblies generate plasma for cleaning the bevel edge of the substrate disposed between the top and bottom surfaces during operation. The device also includes a mechanism for suspending the upper electrode assembly over the lower support and adjusting the tilt angle and horizontal translation of the bottom surface relative to the top surface.

Abstract: Provided is a detection method of detecting presence or absence of an object to be detected in an object hold portion that is used together with an irradiation portion that irradiates the object to be detected with a heat ray, holds the object to be detected, and has an opening, the detection method including: imaging an image signal in a predetermined region having the opening by an imaging device; and making an irradiation optical path of the irradiation portion and an imaging optical path of the imaging device substantially coincide with each other within the opening by an optical unit.

Abstract: To improve the reliability of soldering so as to improve the quality of the products manufactured thereby. Provided is a solder nozzle having a heating beam irradiation hole formed therein for irradiating a heating beam to a solder ball placed between each of bonding pads formed in respective bonding targets. The solder nozzle comprises, in an area that is closer to its tip side than a heating beam output end part of the heating beam irradiation hole, a shift restricting device for restricting shift of the solder ball, to which the heating beam is irradiated, at least in two directions that are orthogonal to each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hard coating of ferrous metal substrates using a laser beam with diamond particles in a metal matrix produced from precursor powders of metals which bond to the diamond particles and to the ferrous substrate. The hard coating is particularly useful for white iron castings for pumps (200) used in piping tar sand and water mixtures.

Abstract: Systems and methods for etching materials are disclosed herein. Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include methods for marking at least one capillary, including etching the at least one capillary with a laser, as well as methods for reading the resulting markings using a second laser. Further embodiments incorporate the second laser within a barcode reader. Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include capillaries having outer diameters of about 2 mm. In some embodiments, the capillary is moved while the first laser marks the capillary.

Abstract: A method of forming a via hole reaching a bonding pad in a wafer having a plurality of devices on the front surface of a substrate and bonding pads formed on each of the devices by applying a pulse laser beam from the rear surface side of the substrate, wherein when a pulse laser beam having a spot diameter which satisfies D/2?d?D?2 ?m (wherein a diameter of the via hole to be formed is represented as D and a spot diameter of the pulse laser beam is represented as d) is applied in such a manner that the periphery of the spot moves along the inner circumference of the via hole to be formed, the pulse laser beam is applied at an angle of 120 to 180° from the previous application position.

Abstract: A combustor component with cooling apertures has the apertures formed by laser drilling. The machining apparatus comprises a beam generator for generating a beam for directing at the combustor component and a beam trap. The component is translated relative to the beam and the beam is directed to the beam trap and is dissipated within the beam trap.

Abstract: Systems and methods for laser processing continuously moving sheet material include one or more laser processing heads configured to illuminate the moving sheet material with one or more laser beams. The sheet material may include, for example, an optical film continuously moving from a first roller to a second roller during a laser process. In one embodiment, a vacuum chuck is configured to removably affix a first portion of the moving sheet material thereto. The vacuum chuck controls a velocity of the moving sheet material as the first portion is processed by the one or more laser beams. In one embodiment, a conveyor includes a plurality of vacuum chucks configured to successively affix to different portions of the sheet material during laser processing.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a torque arm assembly for use in an automotive vehicle utilizing a cold hybrid MIG technique to minimize the introduction of excessive heat into the welded sheet metal panel components of the assembly. Outer and inner metal panels of the assembly are formed with edges along their lengths and are mated with their overlapping edges forming a joint that is welded. The cold hybrid MIG technique involves moving the weld gun so that its weld wire tip is in contact with the outer surface of the inner panel. Applying electrical energy between the weld wire and the panel for a period of time that is sufficient to cause the tip of the weld wire to become a molten drop. Terminating the application of electrical energy and moving the weld wire away from contact to allow the molten wire drop to enter the joint and form the weld. Repeating the weld steps at a high frequency at each point along the joint to is complete the weld along its length.

Abstract: There is disclosed a heater for an automotive vehicle or other article of manufacture. The heater typically includes a first conductive medium and a second conductive medium disposed upon a carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the first conductive medium includes a first section and a second section that are electrically connected by a second conductive medium. The second conductive medium preferably exhibits a positive thermal coefficient.

Abstract: An electric blanket has a woven web of warp and weft fibers. At least a portion of the warp fibers are electrically conductive. At least a portion of the weft fibers are electrically conductive and interweave with the electrically conductive warp fibers at a first area of the web. A power source in electrical communication with the web applies a voltage to the web that produces a wide area electrical distribution at the first area.

Abstract: The present invention includes: a printing portion (12) for performing printing on a printing layer of a sheet material (5) including a sheet-like base having one surface provided with the printing layer and another surface provided with a heat-sensitive adhesive layer; a thermal activation portion (15) for heating the heat-sensitive adhesive layer of the sheet material (5) and generating an adhesive force; a temporary stock portion (14), which is disposed in a transport path for the sheet material (5) between the printing portion (12) and the thermal activation portion (15), for temporarily stocking the sheet material (5); and a casing (19) covering the temporary stock portion (14).