Abstract: A controlling mechanism for an inflatable object has a valve controlling assembly for opening/closing operation of the valve, a pressure controlling assembly for sensing pressure difference to selectively activate operation of the valve and a linkage assembly interactively arranged between the valve controlling assembly and the pressure controlling assembly to sense operation of the pressure controlling assembly and consequently operate movement of the valve controlling assembly.

Abstract: A relatively thin, rectangular shaped device with a semi-circle attachment ring. The device contains a slot in its face, which slot narrows as it reaches the center of the rectangle so that when it engages the valve stem of a cut-check valve, the valve is deformed without damage a sufficient degree so that the cut-check valve is unseated, allowing air to pass either way through the cut-check valve. The attachment ring can be secured to the product being deflated for storage and future use.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a liquid divergent device, comprising a member and a fastener mechanism that couples the member above a structure for protecting the structure by diverging overflow liquid away from the structure.

Abstract: A check valve is installed in the pressure flow line of an abrasive blaster of the type having a pop-up valve which opens under pressure and closes when depressurized to a predetermined level. The check valve is upstream of the pop-up valve and includes a having a valve chamber in communication with the pressure system for seating a valve mechanism adapted for opening and closing the valve chamber in response to the pressure level in the pressure system for closing the pressure system to back flow when the pressure in the system reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit (50) is provided with an oil cooler (180), a lubricating unit (200), a relief valve (210) and an oil pan (100). The lubricating unit (200) receives hydraulic oil cooled by the cooler (180) as lubricating oil and discharges the same to the oil pan (100). The relief valve (210) regulates oil pressure within an oil path (190) by discharging a portion of the hydraulic oil from the oil path (190). The oil cooler (180) is arranged upstream of the lubricating unit (200) and the relief valve (210), and cools the hydraulic oil flowing to the lubricating unit (200) and the relief valve (210).

Abstract: A fuel pump unit is mounted on a predetermined position in a fuel tank. There are a supporting mechanism to support the fuel pump unit at the mounting position and a holding mechanism to fixing and holding the fuel pump unit supported at the mounting position, and an opening portion through which the fuel pump unit is inserted into the fuel tank is closed by a cover member being a separate body from the supporting mechanism and the holding mechanism.

Abstract: Engine-driven hydraulic pump for an aircraft, having a first and a second pump unit which each comprise an adjustable swash plate and a piston assembly coupled with said swash plate and driven by a pump shaft, a control device for adjusting the inclination of the swash plate and a drive shaft via which the hydraulic pump can be driven by an engine of the aircraft while generating hydraulic pressure at an outlet line, characterised in that the pump units are arranged in parallel and have a respective pump shaft, which pump shafts are coupled with the drive shaft by a gear unit.

Abstract: A control module and method for operating the same includes a diurnal control valve module that opens a diurnal control valve (DCV) and an evaporative leak check module (ELCM) diverter valve control module that switches on an ELCM diverter valve. The control module includes a correlation module performs a correlation of a ELCM pressure signal and a fuel tank pressure signal and that generates a fault signal in response to the correlation when the DCV valve is open and the ELCM diverter valve is on.

Abstract: The application relates to a control device comprising a control element that can be rotated on a first functional level, an electronic controller, an electric power supply, and a base for mounting the control device. Said control device is designed to control plumbing appliances comprising a water discharge point and an electronically controlled mixing valve that has a cold water connection and a hot water connection. The flow or the temperature of the water discharged from the water discharge point can be changed by rotating the control element. The control device according to the invention is characterized in that the control element can be moved onto a second functional level by performing a lifting movement, said second functional level extending parallel to and at a distance from the first functional level.

Abstract: A stopcock is provided with multiple ports joining multiple fluid conduits leading between fluid sources and fluid destinations. A central hub manifold resides within a valve body supporting the ports, and can rotate relative to the valve body. Fluid flow paths within the central hub are selectively aligned or not aligned with the ports. The stopcock indicates which ports are open by providing marks corresponding with positions of the ports. When the marks are visible, the corresponding ports are open. With different positioning of ports and different configurations of fluid flow paths within the central hub, stopcocks having different numbers of operable positions are provided including two, three, four, six and eight way stopcocks. By providing an axial flow path through a central axis of the central hub intersecting the embedded fluid flow paths within the central hub, still further numbers of operational states are provided.

Abstract: Recock handle assemblies for bottom loading couplers and bottom loading couplers comprising the same are disclosed. The recock handle assemblies for bottom loading couplers may include a lever portion comprising a first lever arm, a second lever arm and a lever bar oriented in a substantially u-shaped configuration. A handle portion may be joined to the lever portion with a first pivot block and a second pivot block, the handle portion comprising a first connecting leg, a second connecting leg, and a bail. The first connecting leg and the second connecting leg may be positioned in a first plane and the bail is non-coplanar with the first plane. A first base plate may be pivotally coupled to the first pivot block. The first base plate may include a first body guide member and a first sleeve guide member. A second base plate may be pivotally coupled to the second pivot block, the second base plate comprising a second body guide member and a second sleeve guide member.

Abstract: A valve component for a faucet includes a base material, a strengthening layer provided above the base material, and an amorphous diamond material provided above the strengthening layer. The amorphous diamond material having a hardness that is at least 20 GPa and less than 45 GPa and a modulus that is at least 150 GPa and less than 400 GPa.

Abstract: A flow discharge device, such as a bleed assembly in a gas turbine engine, comprises a discharge outlet member 38 having a skirt 44 which is accommodated telescopically in a housing 36 so as to be displaceable with respect to a wall 27 of a duct 22 from a retracted position (FIG. 2) in which slots 48 in the skirt 44 lie outside the duct 22, and an extended position (FIG. 3) in which the slots 48 open into the duct 22 for the discharge of a secondary fluid into the flow in the duct 22. The discharge outlet member 38 is moved to the extended position by the pressure of the secondary fluid acting on a silencer element 46. A spring 52 returns the discharge outlet member to the retracted position when the flow of the secondary fluid is terminated.

Abstract: To provide conditioned fluid flows, a base body has a main flow duct formed therein with a bypass duct that is branched off from and led back to the main flow duct. An exchangeable flow conditioning insert includes a flow resistance element and is adapted to be arranged in the main flow duct relative to the bypass duct in an axial installation position such that the flow resistance element generates a pressure difference between ports of the bypass duct at the main flow duct.

Abstract: A modularly structured unit is comprised of a flow resistance element and an orifice plate adjacent thereto, preferably for use in the main flow duct of a thermal mass flow rate measuring or control device. The flow resistance element can be combined with various orifice plates having different opening diameters.

Abstract: A security cap (1) for selectively closing an open end (3) of a pipe (5). The security cap (1) includes inner and outer cap assemblies (7, 11), at least one latch (17), and a driving assembly (21). The outer cap assembly (11) is rotatable with respect to the inner cap assembly (7), and along with it, is intended to cover the open end (3) of the pipe (5). Each latch (17) is cooperable with the inner and outer cap assemblies (7, 11), and displacable with respect to the cap assemblies (7,11) so as to be operated between first and second configurations, wherein in the first configuration, each latch (17) is drawn away from an outer groove (19) of the open end (3) of the pipe (5) thereby enabling the security cap (1) to be removed from the open end (3) of the pipe (5), and wherein in the second configuration, each latch (17) is engaged with the outer groove (19) thereby preventing the security cap (1) from being removed from the open end (3) of the pipe (5).

Abstract: Embodiments provide an apparatus and methods for providing a nonlabor-intensive process for preventing backfill entering, or environmental factors eroding, a cavity formed in the ground. Preventing cavity degradation involves constructing a chemically-inflatable bag that separates two or more chemical reactants by creases and cylindrical coils formed in the chemically-inflatable bag. The creases typically act as watertight releasable seals that separate the chemical reactants while the cylindrical coils resist unintentional compromise of the releasable seals. However, the cylindrical coils are designed to give way upon the user applying an unfurling action on the chemically-inflatable bag; thus, furnishing a passageway for the chemical reactants to intermix and initiate a chemical reaction. The chemical reaction produces carbon dioxide as a by-product, which expands the chemically-inflatable bag from a collapsed condition to an inflated condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to well tubings, in particular oil well tubings, having an improved resistance to abrasion and corrosion. A well tubing comprises a plurality of tubing sections each having a bore and an inside diameter, wherein at least part of the tubing sections has polymer liners disposed within said bore of said tubing section, characterized in that said polymer liners are comprised of crosslinked polyethylene.

Abstract: A member of an element for feeding fluid and pasty products in cylinder or sleeve form, able to withstand high thermal transitions, comprises, arranged concentrically relative to each other, a part made of ceramic material (6, 16) intended to come into contact with the fluid and a support made of polymer material (14, 22) overmoulded on the part made of ceramic material (6, 16). The part made of ceramic material (6, 16) has, on its external lateral face, at least one relief (24) comprising at least one dextrogyral helical groove and at least one levogyral helical groove that extend over the surface of the ceramic part in contact with the support made of polymer material which both prevent any relative movement of this part (6, 16) and of the support (14, 22), and distribute the tensions that can be produced by high temperature differentials.

Abstract: Described herein is an article comprising a cold shrinkable hollow body having at least one open end, and at least a portion of the inner surface of the hollow body having one or more protrusions.

Abstract: The industrial two-layer fabric has at least warp binding yarn pairs having an upper side warp and a warp binding yarn arranged vertically. On the upper side, between knuckles that two adjacent upper side warps have formed by passing over one or two upper side wefts, a warp binding yarn passes over one upper side weft to form a knuckle, whereby knuckles of the upper side warp, the warp binding yarn, and the upper side warp are formed in the mention of order over the one upper side weft. In the industrial two-layer fabric thus formed, the knuckle of the warp binding yarn does not protrude further than the knuckle of the upper side warps.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a metal cable having two layers (Ci, Ce) of construction M+N, comprising an inner layer (Ci) having M wires of diameter d1 wound together in a helix at a pitch p1, M varying from 2 to 4, and an outer layer (Ce) of N wires of diameter d2, wound together in a helix at a pitch p2 around the inner layer (Ci), the method comprising the following steps performed in line: a step of assembling the M core wires by twisting to form the inner layer (Ci) at a point of assembling; downstream of the point of assembling of the M core wires, a step of sheathing the inner layer (Ci) with a diene rubber composition called “filling rubber”, in the raw state; a step of assembling the N wires of the outer layer (Ce) by twisting around the inner layer (Ci) thus sheathed; and a step of twist balancing. Also disclosed is a device for implementing such a method.

Abstract: The apparatus and methods of the present invention in a broad aspect provide enhanced safety wine glass pouring fulcrums in a resilient collar that frictionally engages the neck of a wine bottle in a non-rotational relationship below the bottle outlet to position the outer frictional surface of the collar where it will radially compress to form a stable pivot point for the wine bottle when pressed against the edge of a wine glass. The outer surface of the collar can be hydrophobic or hydrophilic and may be smooth or porous.

Abstract: A funnel including a receiving chamber for receiving a fluid, a spout depending from a bottom portion of the receiving chamber and adapted to be placed at least partially in an opening of a receiving container for transferring the fluid from the receiving chamber to the receiving container, and a flexible support leg extending from the receiving chamber and configured to be at least partially placed in the opening of the receiving container to more securely position the spout in the opening.

Abstract: A device for bottling liquids into containers with at least one filling member (2), which fills the liquids into the containers, and with a covering device (4), which covers the filling member (2) at least temporarily in order to prevent the egress of liquid from the filling member (2), this covering device (4) being both pivotable about a pre-set pivot axis (X) and displaceable about a pre-set displacement direction (S), and with at least one driving device (10) for producing the movements of the covering device (4). According to the invention the driving device (10) serves to produce both the pivoting movement and the displacement movement of the covering device (4), and the driving device (10) is designed in such a way that the pivoting movement and the displacement movement take place in an at least partially staggered manner time-wise with respect to each other.

Abstract: A mixing, processing, sealing and bottling machine for substances used to prepare cosmetics is provided. The machine is driven by external means and includes a cabinet, where command panels are externally placed and a bottling station. The devices are used by a user to prepare cosmetics and related products comprising chemicals or natural substances prescribed in personal formulas originating from prescriptions from professionals or pre-programmed formulations. The machine can be connected to a printing device for printing the formula or recording means for recording the formula.

Abstract: There is provided a filling method which is capable of suppressing uneven distribution of particle diameter and suppressing property decrease of the particulate water-absorbing agent. The method for filling the particulate water-absorbing agent according to the present invention includes a abutting step for making a member for filling the particulate water-absorbing agent abutted on a vibrator; a supplying step for supplying the particulate water-absorbing agent to the member for filling; and a vibration step for vibrating the particulate water-absorbing agent present in the member for filling by vibrating the vibrator. Preferably, the supplying step is performed by dividing into a plurality of times. Preferably, the vibration step includes an intermediate vibration step performed at a stage where a part of a plurality of times of the supplying steps is completed, and a final vibration step performed at a stage where all of a plurality of times of the supplying steps is completed.

Abstract: A device for quickly and easily filling bags with sand, dirt, or other particulate material that is operable by a single individual. The device is adapted to decrease the amount of energy exerted by individuals in filling such bags. The device may also be constructed in a collapsible manner for ease of transportation.

Abstract: A beverage filling assembly and a cam apparatus for a beverage filling machine is disclosed. A cam housing defines a first aperture along a central axis and a second aperture transverse to the central axis with a filling valve aligned with the second aperture. The cam member is rotatably disposed in the first aperture and includes a shaft portion and an eccentric portion aligning with the filling valve. A lever is connected to the cam member for concurrent movement with the cam member. A bearing sleeve defines an orifice for receiving the shaft portion. The bearing sleeve is formed of a self-lubricating material for preventing frictional engagement between the cam housing and the shaft portion. The bearing sleeve includes a flange adjacent the cam housing for preventing movement of the bearing sleeve axially along the central axis during operation. The bearing sleeve is removable from the shaft portion during servicing.

Abstract: System for replenishing washing or cleaning agents, comprising a spout placeable on the opening of a bottle and having a first collar with a fastener for fastening the spout to a bottle, a second collar with a fastener for fastening a closure and/or metering cap on the spout, a wall extending from the first collar or second collar, a funnel, and an adapter element connectable to the pouring opening of a replenishing container and that comprises a cylinder element and a peripheral collar, a membrane for closing the replenishing container and preventing leakage of washing or cleaning agents out of the replenishing container, wherein the cylinder element of the adapter element has a guide groove configured such that the cylinder element can be detachably placed over the funnel and the web of the spout, whereby the positioning of the adapter element relative to the spout is determined.

Abstract: A clip is provided for use with a fuel dispensing device having a nozzle equipped with bellows, wherein the fuel dispensing device requires movement of the bellows away from the nozzle tip to a dispensing position to dispense a fuel. The clip holds the bellows at least at the dispensing position so the fuel can be dispensed with one hand, even for shallow fuel tanks.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting dado cuts in a board includes a first base member that includes an adjustment for surrounding a fence. A pair of rods extend away from the first base member and are attached to a first rail. A second base member includes a pair of spaced apart holes through which each of the pair of rods passes. A locking lever is used to secure the second base member in position relative to the pair of rods. The second base member is mounted over the rods in either of two ways. Each side of the second base member provides an indication as to where and edge of the dado cut will occur in a board. The width of the dado cut is readily adjustable by urging the second member into the desired position and by actuating the locking lever.

Abstract: An apparatus for clipping ends of a book of sheets comprises a first detector for detecting a first end of the book of sheets, a clipper positioning system and a first clipper including a knife. The clipper positioning system is adapted to automatically position the first clipper to a proposed first clipping position based on the detected first end of the book of sheets. A method of processing a plurality of sheets comprises assembling the plurality of sheets into a book of sheets, detecting a first end of the book of sheets to propose a first position for clipping the book of sheets, positioning a first clipper based on the detected first end of the book of sheets, advancing the book of sheets to an infeed conveyor, detecting, the presence of the book of sheets in the infeed conveyor, advancing the book of sheets to the first clipper, clipping the first end of the book of sheets, and advancing the book of sheets from the first clipper.

Abstract: A method for producing coloured layers on zinc, aluminium, magnesium or alloy surfaces. The surfaces are brought into contact with an aqueous treatment solution which is devoid of chrome, said solution containing, in total, 3-35 g/l persulfate ions and/or peroxodisulfate ions and not more than 10 g/l ammonia or ammonium ions, it has a pH value in the region of between 10-12 and a temperature in the range of between 30-80° C. The surfaces are brought into contact with the treatment solution for a period in the region of 0.5-5 minutes and optionally, they are covered with a coating based on organic polymers. The invention further relates to metal parts treated according to said method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing hardened profiles, in particular hardened open profiles, wherein the component is at least partly heated to above the austenitizing temperature of the base material and after heating the component is cooled at a rate above the critical hardening rate, the energy necessary for the heating being introduced at least partly by induction, wherein free edges are provided in the component to adjust a temperature or hardness gradient over the cross section of the component, the size, type and extension of the edges being set for a desired degree of hardness and/or hardness gradient.

Abstract: A Ni—Fe—Cr—Mo alloy containing a small amount of Cu and correlated percentages of Nb, Ti and Al to develop a unique microstructure to produce 145 ksi minimum yield strength. The unique microstructure is obtained by special annealing and age hardening conditions, by virtue of which the alloy has an attractive combination of yield strength, impact strength, ductility, corrosion resistance, thermal stability and formability, and is especially suited for corrosive oil well applications that contain gaseous mixtures of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. The alloy comprises in weight percent the following: 0-15% Fe, 18-24% Cr, 3-9% Mo, 0.05 3.0% Cu, 3.6-6.5% Nb, 0.5-2.2% Ti, 0.05-1.0% Al, 0.005-0.040% C, balance Ni plus incidental impurities and a ratio of Nb/(Al+Ti) in the range of 2.5-7.5. To facilitate formability, the composition range of the alloy is balanced to be Laves phase free.

Abstract: The invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a process for the heat treatment of a cylinder head-type casting made from an aluminium alloy, in particular an alloy of aluminium, of silicon and of magnesium, and where appropriate of copper, comprising the steps of: —solution annealing (L) of the part for a time between three and ten hours; —quenching (S) of the part in air or in a fluidized bed; —tempering (H) of the part at the peak of resistance, or in the vicinity of the peak of resistance to attain a level of resistance of the part at least equal to 85% of the maximum level of resistance at the tempering temperature in question. According to a second aspect, the invention relates to the castings obtained at the end of the process according to the invention, and which have an improved fatigue resistance.

Abstract: An improved priming mix of the type including an initiator, fuel, and oxidizer, and pyrotechnic component. The improvement being the inclusion of between about 3% and about 20% propellant superfines, the superfines comprising particles less than 100 ?m.

Abstract: A detachable handbag assembly, which comprises a main bag, a cosmetic bag and a wallet. The assembly further includes means to detachably secure the cosmetic bag and the wallet to the exterior of the purse. These detachable means are disposed on the handbag, cosmetic bag and wallet at suitable locations. The cosmetic bag and wallet can also be secured together using the detachable means.

Abstract: Handbags useful for carrying and containing various and sundry items typically carried in handbags are provided with added capability of functioning as a pet leash. A tether suitable as a leash is attached to a handbag as provided herein, ensuring a pet-owning user is never without a leash for their pet when traveling or other activities including shopping. A tether as provided and structured herein additionally conveniently functions as a shoulder strap for a handbag and in alternate configurations may be hidden from view by being tucked inside the main pouch of such handbags, when they are used as a clutch.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire capable of reducing air column resonance arising from circumferential grooves without changing the shape of unilaterally open-ended lug grooves. Lug grooves 20 are formed in land portions 15, which are defined by the circumferential grooves, and each of the lug grooves 20 consists of a lateral groove portion 21, which extends axially to open at one end into the circumferential groove and communicate at the other end with a sub-groove 12 provided in the land portion 15, and an oblique groove portion 22, which extends in a direction intersecting with the tire axial and circumferential directions to communicate at one end with the sub-groove 12 and terminate at the other end within the land portion 15. Also, the lateral groove portion 21 of the lug groove 20 is provided with a projection 23 protruding toward the tread surface from the bottom of the lug groove 20 and having a height smaller than the height H of the land portion 15 as measured from the bottom of the lug groove 20.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire for supporting a load by working in tension comprising a generally annular inner ring, a generally annular outer ring, and an interconnected web having a plurality of web elements and comprising a plurality of generally polygonal openings. Web elements are sized, curved, oriented, and comprised of varying thicknesses of material which facilitates buckling when subjected to a compressive load. By buckling, those elements in a deformed portion of the tire between a wheel and a footprint region where the tire contacts a surface can assume a significantly reduced portion of the load, if any. This causes web elements in other portions of the interconnected web to operate in tension to support the load.

Abstract: Provided are a laminate having superior adhesion between a thermoplastic resin composition layer and rubber adhesive layer and superior durability in use, and a pneumatic tire comprising the laminate. This laminate comprises a thermoplastic resin composition layer and a rubber composition layer, wherein the thermoplastic resin composition layer comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer having an ethylene unit content of 20 to 50 mol %, an aliphatic polyamide having a molar ratio of methylene group to amide group of less than 5.4, and a meta-xylenediamine-adipic acid polycondensate; and wherein the rubber composition layer comprises 100 parts by weight of rubber component and 30 to 120 parts by weight of a wet-process silica having a BET specific surface area of 100 to 300 m2/g.

Abstract: A tire includes a rim protector (20) positioned on an outside in an axial direction of a sidewall. The rim protector (20) includes a main portion (34), an outer portion (36) and an inner portion (38). The main portion (34) has a large number of blocks (44). The blocks (44) are arranged in a circumferential direction. The main portion (34) further has a first slit (46), a second slit (48) and a large number of third slits (50). The first slit (46) is extended in the circumferential direction. The second slit (48) is extended in the circumferential direction. Each of the third slits (50) is extended in a radial direction. The third slit (50) reaches the second slit (48) from the first slit (46). Each of the blocks (44) is surrounded by the first slit (46), the second slit (48) and two of the third slits (50).

Abstract: A tire comprising at least one carcass-type reinforcing structure and comprising a crown reinforcing structure having at least one working layer.

Abstract: A vehicle of motorcycle type comprising at least two axle systems each equipped with a mounted assembly consisting of a wheel and a tire. Each of the tires comprises, in each sidewall, at least one additional layer of reinforcing elements forming with the circumferential direction an angle of between 20° and 60°, the orientation of the reinforcing elements of the additional layer in a sidewall being symmetrical to the orientation of the reinforcing elements of the additional layer in the other sidewall in relation to the equatorial plane, the angle formed by the plane comprising a reinforcing element of an additional layer with a radial plane comprising the radially inner end of said reinforcing element being oriented in the direction of rotation of the mounted assembly corresponding to the forward movement of the vehicle in the rear tire and in the opposite direction in the front tire.

Abstract: To provide a polymer composition that is good in durability and anti-air permeability, and has a superior adhesive property to adjacent rubber and processability. A polymer mixture containing a styrene-isobutylene-styrene triblock copolymer in a range from 99 to 60% by mass and a polyamide-based polymer in a range from 1 to 40% by mass that contains polyamide in the molecular chain thereof and has a Shore D hardness of 70 or less, a polymer composition containing the polymer mixture, and the polymer composition are used as some members of a tire.

Abstract: A jamming detection method and a sheet laminating apparatus using the jamming detection method are provided. The sheet laminating apparatus includes a laminating channel, a laminating roller assembly, a distance senor, a document sensor and a controller. The distance senor is used for measuring a moving distance of a document. The document sensor is used for detecting a transmitting status of the document. According to the moving distance of the document and the transmitting status of the document, the controller discriminates whether a jamming condition of the sheet laminating apparatus occurs.

Abstract: The method of assembling a light scanning apparatus is capable of fine-adjusting a scanning angle and resonance frequency of a mirror section. The method comprises: a step of measuring the scanning angle and resonance frequency of the mirror section, with actuating a vibration source, in a state where a substrate holding member is temporarily fixed on a base member; a step of moving the substrate holding member, in the longitudinal direction of a substrate after releasing the temporarily-fixed state of the substrate holding member; a step of fine-adjusting a substrate-holding position by repeating the step of moving the substrate holding member; and a step of fixing the substrate holding member after the substrate-holding position is set.

Abstract: The present invention provide an apparatus for manufacturing a bonded substrate that suppresses a defect in the bonded substrate. When the pressure in a vacuum chamber is at the atmospheric level, upper and lower chuck units respectively attract substrates through vacuum. When the vacuum chamber is depressurized, each chuck unit electrostatically attracts the associated substrate. During the depressurization of the vacuum chamber, the pressure for attracting each substrate to the associated chuck unit is controlled to be equal to the pressure in the vacuum chamber. This prevents each substrate from falling from or moving relative to the associated chuck unit. The first and second substrates are thus bonded together as accurately aligned.