Abstract: Formula (I) wherein R1 and R2 each independently from each other are a residue of an organic dye: Y1 and Y2 each independently from each other are unsubstituted or substituted, straightchain or branched, interrupted or uninterrupted —C1-C10alkylene-; —C5-C10cycloalkylene-; C5-C10arylene; or —C5-C10arylene-(C1C10alkylene)-; Z1 and Z2 independently from each other are Formula (II) are each independently from each other hydrogen; or unsubstituted or substituted, straight-chain or branched, monocyclic or polycyclic, interrupted or uninterrupted C1-C14alkyl; C2-C14alkenyl; C6-C10aryl; C6-C10aryl-C1-C10alkyl; or C5-C10alkyl(C5-C10aryl); r, q and n independently from each other are 0 or 1, if n is 0, Z3 is hydrogen; and if n is 1, Z3 is —S—; with the proviso that the method does not comprise treating the fiber with an enzyme of the type of a protein disulfidisomerase (EC 5.3.4.1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a dye of the formula I wherein the phenylene ring A is unsubstituted or singly or multiply substituted by C1-C4-alkyl, halogen, aryl, CF3, CN, C1-C4-alkoxy, COR1, COOR1, CONR2R3, SO2R1 or SO2NR2R3, wherein R1 is C1-C4-alkyl, which is optionally substituted, or is aryl, R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, which is optionally substituted, or aryl; R4 is C1-C4-alkyl; X is hydrogen, Cl or Br, Y is OH or NHR4; and Z1 and Z2 are independently hydrogen or halogen. The invention also relates to a method for the production of the dye of the formula (I). The invention further relates to a colored polyurethane and method of producing the colored polyurethane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous liquid formulations comprising 5-30% by weight of a dye composition comprising 25-85% by weight of Direct Brown 44 15-75% by weight of Direct Yellow 11 and/or of a dye obtainable by reduction or thermal treatment of Direct Yellow 11 0-15% by weight of one or more blue direct dyes and 0-10% by weight of one or more red direct dyes all based on the dye composition 0.5-15% by weight of one or more alkylamines whose one, two or three alkyl radicals may each be substituted by one or two hydroxyl groups and/or amino groups and/or interrupted by one or two oxygen atoms in ether function, based on the total weight of the aqueous liquid formulation, the sodium content of the liquid formulation not exceeding 0.3% by weight, and also their use for dyeing cellulose material especially paper.

Abstract: An article of apparel having a substrate layer and an incised layer is disclosed. The substrate layer is at least partially formed from a material having a first degree of stretchability. The incised layer is secured to the substrate layer and at least partially formed from a material having a second degree of stretchability, the first degree of stretchability being greater than the second degree of stretchability. In addition, the incised layer includes at least a first incision and a second incision that are concentric, the first incision being positioned within the second incision.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a swimming pool cleaning vehicle including a housing having an outer shell and defining a hollow interior. The housing having at least one intake port and at least one outlet port. The intake port(s) being located adjacent the drive mechanism. The pool cleaning vehicle includes a drive mechanism which in different embodiments has pairs of wheels and/or rollers and various combinations thereof for moving the vehicle. The vehicle includes a bottom and the bottom is concaved inwardly toward the interior.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to the remote cleaning of outer surfaces of windows or facades of high rise buildings without the need for workers located outside the building wall. In fact, the cleaning operation effectively duplicates the conventional manual cleaning operation, such that a minimum of cleaning liquid is used, and no means is required for removal of excess cleaning liquid. The apparatus comprises a rectangular master frame and a parallelogram sub-frame contained therein, suspended from the top of the building to a position opposite a window to be cleaned. A novel cleaning tool, including mechanical scrubbing means e.g a brush and mechanical scraping means e.g. squeegee and a washing liquid spray means, is carried on an insertion tool attached to the parallelogram sub-frame, and brought to bear against the window outer surface to be cleaned, as required.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric toothbrush (10) having a rechargeable energy store (24) that is arranged in an inner space (36) in the body (12) of the toothbrush (10). The inner space (36) is sealed by a primary sealing element (56) against splash water and other detrimental influences. At least one contact element (28) for an external power supply unit (46) produces an electrically conductive connection to the energy store (24). The contact element is located either within the inner space (36), it being possible for the primary sealing element (56) to be removed for charging purposes, or outside the inner space (36), in which case it is optionally protected by an additional secondary sealing element (76). The invention also relates to a process for producing such a toothbrush.

Abstract: A door mat with the dirt-removing and water-absorbing features includes several stripes of dirt-removing layers and water-absorbing layers disposed alternately on the surface of a bottom pad, thereby forming a stepping surface. Therefore, the invention can effectively remove dirt and absorb water on the bottom of shoes.

Abstract: The invention is a fun shower brush. The brush has a bubble-making device on its top part. Different kinds of brush can be fitted into the front of the shower brush to meet the needs of the user. This design makes the brush suitable for use by the general public and the bubble-making device makes showering more fun.

Abstract: The invention is a fun shower brush. The brush has a bubble-making device on its top part. Different kinds of brush can be fitted into the front of the shower brush to meet the needs of the user. This design makes the brush suitable for use by the general public and the bubble-making device makes showering more fun.

Abstract: A suction brush for a vacuum cleaner includes blocking members mounted front and rear, to a brush body bottom surface to seal off the periphery of a suction inlet formed thereon and to generate a high suction force between a surface to be cleaned and the suction inlet during cleaning, wherein the front blocking member is pivotably mounted to the brush body when one end thereof is connected thereto, and includes blocking arms to maintain the high suction force between the suction inlet and the surface to be cleaned while being alternately brought into close contact therewith when the brush body moves forwards or backwards; and the first blocking arm includes a plurality of air suction apertures to restrict passage of air flowing into the suction inlet while the first blocking arm is in close contact with the surface to be cleaned when the brush body moves forwards.

Abstract: A cleaning or sterilizing apparatus combined with an UV lamp consisting of an upright compact vacuum cleaner (26) comprising a dust container (27) with a transparent bottom (28) and a suction nozzle (34) incorporated in the bottom (28) and a protective housing (31) which covers the dust container (27) and which incorporates a fan (53) with a centrifugal dust filter (54) and an UV germicidal lamp fixture (14) for destroying micro-organisms on a surface to be cleaned and inside the dust container (27). The dust filter (54), which consists of a cylindrical grating (62) with or without a cylindrical paper filter (63), is mounted to the cylindrical opening (59) of the fan's impeller (53a) and located partly outside of the fan's casing (60) but inside the dust container (27).

Abstract: A device for supporting and attaching a wiper blade and a blade mounting thereof on a wiper carrier includes a connector including two halves connectable to each other and configured in a connected position to support and lock the blade and said blade mounting. Each connector half includes a projecting component configured to engage with a matching component, one on said blade and the other on said mounting respectively.

Abstract: A non-bracket windshield wiper includes an H-shaped and smoothly arched elastic metal bow strip having a middle neck and two longitudinal crevices at two sides of the neck, a holder frame mounted with a packing member and riveted to the middle part of the elastic metal bow strip for mounting to a windshield, two holding strips respectively coupled to the longitudinal crevices of the elastic metal bow strip, two back rubber strips respectively coupled to two top engagement structures of the holding strips, a rubber wiper blade coupled to two bottom engagement structures of the holding strips, and two end caps respectively capped on the two ends of the elastic metal bow strip.

Abstract: A powered blower/vacuum unit includes a base portion having a housing and a power air-moving device for creating an air stream. A generally rigid, elongate tube is adapted to permit at least the air stream to flow through the tube. The tube includes a fluid inlet disposed at a first end, a fluid outlet disposed at a second end, and at least one accordion relief structure disposed generally between the first and second ends and adapted to act as a resilient shock absorber. In one example, the accordion relief structure includes at least one internal rib and at least one intermediate flexible section located adjacent to each internal rib. In another example, a coupler is adapted to be removably attached to the housing and non-removably attached to the tube. In another example, a portion of the accordion relief structure is adapted to act as a positive stop for the coupler.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner set includes a vacuum cleaner and a cleaner mount. The vacuum cleaner includes a main body that is detachably mounted on a mount having a cord reel, a motor and a battery that are provided in the main body, an AC power source that is provided in the main body and connected to a power outlet by the cord reel, a charging device receiving power from the AC power source and charging the battery, and a control unit selecting one of power output from the battery and power output from the AC power source.

Abstract: A flexible hose includes a hose body and a plurality of pleats formed on an outer circumferential surface of the hose body by predetermined intervals to give flexibility to the flexible hose. Each of the plurality of pleats includes an entering portion formed to be inclined to the outer circumferential surface of the hose body, and a head portion formed vertical to the outer circumferential surface of the hose body to extend from the entering portion, to be in fluid communication with an inside of the hose body via the entering portion.

Abstract: A brush cassette is detachably loaded to an endoscope washer disinfector for washing and disinfecting an endoscopic duct of an endoscope. The brush cassette comprises a washing brush, a chamber accommodating the washing brush, and a brush delivery duct that allows the washing brush to pass therethrough toward the duct of the endoscope. Further the brush cassette comprises a fluid supply duct that allows a chemical to pass therethrough toward the chamber; a drive member used for moving back and forth the washing brush between the chamber and the duct via the brush delivery duct; a means that prevents air from accumulating in the chamber; and a remaining-fluid discharge duct that allows the chemical remaining in the chamber to be discharged outside therethrough. The preventing means is a duct discharging the air or a deflection member deflecting is the chemical toward a region in which the air is to accumulate.

Abstract: A mop cleaner usable in combination with a vacuum cleaner unit for cleaning a mop head, the mop cleaner being also usable with a vacuum cleaner hose, the mop cleaner comprising: a frame, the frame defining a vacuum cleaner support for supporting the vacuum cleaner unit; a substantially elongated mop head guide for guiding the mop head therealong, the mop head guide being mounted to the frame, the mop head guide defining an opening and a mop cleaning suction nozzle, the opening leading into the mop cleaning suction nozzle; a valve, the valve defining a mop cleaning inlet, a vacuuming inlet and an outlet, the outlet being connectable to the vacuum cleaner for allowing the vacuum cleaner unit to apply a vacuum to the outlet; a mop cleaner tube extending between the mop cleaning suction nozzle and the mop cleaning inlet for fluidly coupling the mop cleaning suction nozzle and the mop cleaning inlet to each other; wherein the valve is configurable between a mop cleaning configuration in which the suction nozzle is

Abstract: A powered blower/vacuum unit includes a base portion having a housing and a power air-moving device within the base portion. A tube is provided that is formed by a first manufacturing operation, such as a blow molding process. The tube extends a relatively large distance away from the housing and air flows through the tube along a relatively large distance. A coupler is also included for coupling the tube to the housing. The coupler is separately formed by a second, different manufacturing operation, such as an injection molding process. The coupler includes a plurality of one-way snap-in features configured to engage a plurality of receiver features located on the tube to non-removably attach the coupler to the tube. The housing can also include at least one male component and the coupler can include at least one complementary female component for securing the coupler to the housing.

Abstract: The bagger attachment for a leaf blower has a large container that accommodates full size trash bags. The container is a barrel mounted on a wheeled cart and includes a cover that is hinged to the container and securely closed by a C-clamp. The exhaust conduit of a leaf blower is secured in an aperture in the cover. A filter is mounted on the cover to allow air from the vacuum to escape the container, permitting the collected leaves and debris to remain inside the container. A flexible hose is attached to the suction end of the blower for pulling the leaves and debris into the container. A trash bag is placed in the container. The container also includes a pivoting platform inside the barrel for supporting the trash bag thereon. A door is provided for allowing access to the interior of the container.

Abstract: A cleaning device for surgical instruments including a body and an abrasive cleaning surface. The body defines a mounting interface, an instrument opening, and an interior volume. The mounting interface is engaged with a vacuum source, such as a surgical evacuator, to place the interior volume in fluid communication with the vacuum source. The abrasive cleaning surface is disposed within the interior volume proximate the instrument opening whereby the surgical instruments can be inserted through the instrument opening to engage the abrasive surface and thereby clean the instruments. In some embodiments, the cleaning device is placed in an outer sealed package to maintain the sterilized condition of the device which may be discarded after a single use to thereby provide a convenient pre-sterilized and disposable cleaning device. A method of cleaning a surgical instrument is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner device has a nozzle which, via a pivotal connection, is connectable to a lower end of a vacuum cleaner pipe which, at its upper end via a vacuum cleaner hose is connectable to a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner pipe has inner and outer parts which are longitudinally displaceable in relation to one another, and a joint whose pivot axis is parallel with the pivot axis of the connection. The joint of the vacuum cleaner pipe is disposed on the inner section and, for locking of the joint, is insertable in the outer section.

Abstract: A door closure device that comprises a mounting member having a top surface, a bottom surface, two side surfaces, a back surface and a front surface. The door closure device also includes at least one magnetic member mounted on the mounting member, such that it is recessed in the front surface of the mounting member. The device further includes at least one damping device mounted on the mounting member adjacent to the at least one magnetic member, wherein a portion of the at least one damping device protrudes from the front surface of the mounting member, past the at least one magnetic member on a front face thereof.

Abstract: A grip apparatus and method for use with hand held instruments and includes a hollow tubular section. An extension with a first end and a second end is connected with the hollow tubular section at the first end but not at the second end.

Abstract: A hinge pin for use with a hinge section having a bore. The hinge pin includes a hinge pin body dimensioned to fit within a bore of a hinge section and a clip having a first end attached to the hinge pin body, the clip extending along the hinge pin body and configured to be located outside the hinge section when the hinge pin body is within the bore.

Abstract: A hinge cover comprising a mounting plate, a cup, a wrap, and a bushing. In this version, the mounting plate comprises a vertical portion, a horizontal portion, a right side member and a left side member. The cup comprises a base member, a perimeter member, a right attachment member and a left attachment member. The right attachment member and left attachment member may be configured to allow the cup to slide vertically during use. The wrap comprises a right edge and a left edge. In this embodiment, the right edge is attached to the right side member and the right support member, and the left edge is attached to the left side member and the left support member. The cup is configured to slide vertically relative to the wrap during use. The bushing configured to engage the cup comprising a lower portion and an upper lip.

Abstract: Improved hinge mechanisms and hinge systems releasably conjoin elements such as doors, frames and panels. The hinges include multiple pins that can be moved to a first position in which the hinge leaves may be separated from one another, and a second position in which the hinge leaves are pivotally secured to one another.

Abstract: A hinge structure includes a knuckle having inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface being punched to protrude outwardly thereby forming a working surface defining a working region and a locking surface defining a locking region in spatial communication with the working region. The knuckle further has a slot axially extending through the inner and outer surfaces at the working region to provide resiliency thereof. A pivot shaft extends into the working region, and has a locking section and a working section. A roller unit is disposed within the locking region in such a manner to contact the shaft. When the locking section is aligned with the roller unit, the shaft is locked to the knuckle due to biasing action of the locking surface. When the working section is aligned with the roller unit, the shaft possesses a torque due to biasing action of the knuckle.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pivot assembly includes a component including a top surface and a post that extends upward from the top surface, a pivot member that can be pivoted about a pivot axis defined by the post, the pivot member having a top surface, and a retaining collar that secures the pivot member to the component, the retaining collar being positioned between the post and the pivot member.

Abstract: An automotive hinge assembly adapted to facilitate motion of a closure panel relative to a fixed body structure comprises a door component constructed from two press formed angle brackets structurally connected via a pivot pin and adapted to be mounted to a vehicle closure panel, a body component constructed from two press formed angle brackets structurally connected via a simple formed feature and the pivot pin and adapted to be mounted to a vehicle body structure, such that the pivot pin structurally assembles the two hinge components, facilitates relative rotary motion between them and structurally connects the multiple press formed angle brackets so that the resulting assembly achieves a much higher material efficiency than the prior art with an associated significant cost reduction.

Abstract: A refrigerator capable of saving time and labor for mounting a handle to a door is disclosed. The refrigerator has a main body including a storage compartment opened toward the front, a door mounted to the main body to open and close the storage compartment, a handle provided on the front of the door in the form of a long shaft extended lengthwise in a vertical direction of the door in order to open and close the door, and fastening units arranged between the handle and the door lengthwise in the vertical direction of the door to enable mounting of the handle to the door through a simple operation of pushing the handle toward the door and engaging the fastening units.

Abstract: A device and a method for serially depositing a filamentary strand into several cans of a can creel with a traversable depositing device. The depositing device comprises a conveyance means which is held in such a manner that it can be moved and which can be guided into several depositing positions. The strand is fed continuously to the conveyance means and from each depositing position at least one of the cans of the can creel can be filled by the conveyance means. In order to make the filling of a plurality of cans in the can creel as rapid and flexible as possible, the depositing device comprises a robot with a multi-axis robot arm, where the robot carries the conveyance means at the free end of its robot arm. Thus, the conveyance means can be guided, in its positioning as well as in its movements for filling the can, by the multi-axis robot arm of the robot.

Abstract: In the case of an apparatus on a spinning preparation machine, e.g. a draw frame, flat card, combing machine or the like, in particular a double-head draw frame, with at least two driven drafting systems having force-transmitting means for driving drafting rollers of the drafting systems and at least one drive motor, a coupling is present between a drive motor and a drive shaft. To allow the effectiveness and efficiency to be substantially increased in a structurally simple and cost-effective manner, the respective drive chains are connected via a respective controllable coupling to the motor and the rotational speed of the motor can be reduced for the engagement and disengagement process.

Abstract: A method for using substantial quantities of silicon powders as charge and processing it to produce a high quality silicon ingots suitable for photovoltaic use is disclosed. In a fused silica crucible, silicon feedstock containing more than about 5% by weight silicon powder is charged. The crucible with the charged silicon feedstock is placed into a furnace chamber and a vacuum is drawn to remove air. The vacuum is applied slowly. Then, the furnace chamber is backfilled with argon gas and heated to form molten silicon. Afterward, the molten silicon is solidified and annealed to form a multicrystalline silicon ingot.

Abstract: A cap-mountable flag assembly selectively displays a message. The flag assembly is mountable to the brim of a baseball type cap, and comprises a flag element, a rod or pole element, and a clip element. The flag element comprises rod-receiving, clipping arms and a message-bearing structure. The arms comprise groove-engaging protrusions. The rod element comprises an axial rod portion and a C-shaped, clip-engaging structure. The axial rod portion comprises superficial grooves extending intermediate first and second rod ends. The protrusions mate with the superficial grooves. The clip-engaging structure has coaxial clip-engaging ends. The clip element comprises cap-attachment clipping structure and rod-attachment anchoring structure. The clipping structure clip-engages the brim of a hat, and the anchoring structure rotatably receives the clip-engaging ends.

Abstract: A swivel machine for wire processing including a coiler arranged between a cutting-off/insulation-stripping unit and a second swivel arm. The cut length of wire whose leading wire-end has been processed is coiled by a coiling disk of the coiler. After the leading wire-end of the cut length of wire has been processed, it is grasped by the coiler. A belt drive then advances the wire by the desired length of the cut length of wire, and simultaneously the coiler coils the advanced wire into a coil. After the coiling operation, a linearly movable stacker unit grasps the coil, and the coiling disk releases the coil. After the trailing wire-end has been processed, the stacker unit moves further in the wire-advance direction to the deposit. While the trailing wire-end is being processed, and while traveling to the deposit, the coil is provided with a bind.

Abstract: The belt buckle has an indentation on the front surface accommodating a removable cap element held by magnetic attraction. The indentation has a stepwise bottom surface for easy removal of the cap element. In an alternative embodiment, the indentation accommodates a removable carrier member capable of integrating various functions such as electronic clock or remote control. The carrier member in turn has an indentation for removably holding a cap element by magnetic attraction. The carrier member's indentation has a stepwise bottom surface for easy removal of the cap element.

Abstract: A magnetic device used as a bookmark and a nametag. The device includes a strip of sheet material including first, second, third and fourth panels folded along first, second and third fold lines. First and second magnets, preferably of the rare earth type, are secured between selected folded panels forming clamping jaws that fasten the device to a page in a book or to clothing. Selected printed indicia information on the panels may display advertising, business card information, use instructions, and appointments so the device may serve as both a bookmark and a nametag.

Abstract: A strap retaining device with a flat bottom sheet member, a pair of opposing spacer members, a flat top sheet member, and a decorative member fixedly attached to the flat top member. A preferred embodiment includes the spacer members incorporate additional secondary spacers that help hold the main strap portion and folded strap portion more securely.

Abstract: A locking zipper includes a zip retainer and a zip fastener for zipping two elongated engaging tracks locating alongside of each other. The zip retainer includes a retention base, and a locking head integrally extended from the retention base. The zip fastener includes a sliding base and a key-free locker which is integrally provided at the sliding base and is releasably engaged with the locking head. At a zipped position, the sliding base is slid to the retention base for zipping the engaging tracks with each other that the key-free locker is locked with the locking head to securely lock up the zip fastener with the zip retainer. At an unzipped position, the key-free locker is released from the locking head such that the sliding base is slid away from the retention base for unzipping the engaging tracks from each other.

Abstract: A spring-loaded clamp device including a C-shaped frame having first and second substantially opposing arms interconnected by an intermediate shank, the first arm having a substantially hollow carrier sleeve aligned substantially along a clamping direction oriented substantially transverse of the second arm, and the second arm having a thin and flat anvil portion positioned opposite from the carrier sleeve and further comprising an interior clamping surface that is oriented substantially transverse of the clamping direction. A clamping rod is carried in the hollow of the sleeve for longitudinal movement in the clamping direction toward an internal face of the second arm and in an opposite unclamping direction away from the second arm. An expansive biasing member is coupled for expanding the clamping rod for longitudinal movement along the clamping direction.

Abstract: A fastening element is provided for an end area of a first strap of an item of corsetry, particularly of women's undergarments. The fastening element is to be fastened to a second strap of the item of corsetry and has an number of strap plies of which at least one strap ply has a fastening part such as at least one hook, one eye or the like. Comfort of wear is improved for a fastening element of this type with a padding provided between two strap plies. This padding is attached to at least one of the strap plies by joining it near the lateral edges of the fastening element. When the fastening element is in use, the fastening is located, at least in part, between strap plies of the fastening element.

Abstract: A corner device (10) having a main body (12) for carrying information or an ornamental pattern on an upper surface and locating formation (14) extending from one end of the main body. The locating formation locates and aligns the corner device with respect to an article before attaching the corner device to the article. The locating formation is shaped to receive the legs of a staple on either side thereof. The device also includes a folding area adapted to allow the main body to be folded over the locating formation once the corner device has been attached to the article, thereby to display the information or ornamental pattern.

Abstract: An adjustable fastener includes a male part and a female part, both of which are preferably made of soft pliable, sewable plastic. The female fastener part preferably has two or more spaced apart openings. Each having a broad portion and a narrow portion. The male fastener part has a base with an upstanding riser with a flange at the end of the riser. The female fastener part is made of a single thin wall which is sewn to the fabric of the garment. The base of the male part is also made of a single thin wall which is sewn to the fabric of the garment. The single wall construction of the female fastener part makes it more flexible, less easily seen, and not felt so much by the wearer. The female fastener part is provided with a bend between the openings so that it lies flat against the back when the male and female parts are coupled to the tightest position. The center of the riser of the male part is offset from the center of the flange.

Abstract: An aglet assembly for a shoelace includes a tubular member firmly mounted to a restriction tube fastening to the distal end of the shoelace. The first end of the tubular member is pressed to form a narrow section so as to tightly mount the tubular member onto the restriction tube. An end cap is threadedly connected the second end of the tubular member.

Abstract: A seam area, and a method of making a seam for an industrial fabric, provide for first and second fold lines oriented in the CD of the fabric. Each fold line comprises a set of land areas configured to define a set of holes, and the land areas of each set are constructed and arranged such that when the fabric is folded along the fold lines and the fold lines are aligned with each other, each folded land area of each set is offset from the folded land areas of the other set, and aligned with and receivable by an opposing hole of the other set to form a channel to receive a fastening means. The seams provide the benefits of simple, accurate and economical construction, strength, consistency with adjacent fabric surfaces, and thus reduced marking of sheets carried by the fabrics.

Abstract: A heating apparatus and process useful for drawing ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin fibers, such as polyethylene libers. The heating apparatus includes a first set of rolls and a plurality of aligned ovens. The apparatus includes a second set of rolls at the exit of the ovens which rolls are adapted to provide the desired drawing of the polyolefin fibers. The apparatus and process provide a single draw step in a heated environment, with the use of preferably four or six horizontal ovens.

Abstract: A method of forming an array of piezoelectric actuators on a membrane (18) which includes the steps of preparing a piezoelectric comb-like structure having an array of islands that are integrally connected by a continuous top portion and that form piezoelectric layers of the actuators, the islands having an electrode at a bottom side, attaching the comb-like structure with its bottom electrode to a surface of the membrane, removing the continuous top portion of the comb-like structure to thereby separate the actuators from one another, and forming top electrodes on the top surfaces of the piezoelectric layers of the actuators.

Abstract: A multi-nozzle ink jet head using piezoelectric elements and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. A head (1) has a nozzle member (10) in which a plurality of nozzles (12) are formed, a pressure chamber wall member (14) in which a plurality of pressure chambers (15) are formed, and piezoelectric type actuators that have a diaphragm (18) and a plurality of piezo elements (19) and apply pressure to each of the plurality of pressure chambers for ejecting ink from the nozzles. A rigid coating member (23, 25) is provided on inner surfaces of the pressure chamber walls or on parts of the diaphragm in contact with the pressure chamber wall member, thus increasing the rigidity of the pressure chamber walls.