Abstract: A piezoelectric element is manufactured in a method including forming an adhesion layer of zirconium above a zirconium oxide insulating film, forming a first electrode above the adhesion layer, forming a piezoelectric layer of a complex oxide containing bismuth above the first electrode, and forming a second electrode above the piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: A mechanical garment press assembly enables users to mechanically press garments during travel and may be stored or carried in combination with standard carry-on luggage. The garment press assembly comprises opposed outer resilient planar members, each of which has a hinge end and a clamp end. A hinge member flexibly interconnects the hinge ends. Clamping structure clamps the clamp ends toward one another after a (wrinkled) garment section is received intermediate the opposed outer planar members for imparting primary wrinkle-removing forces into the target garment section. Tension members interconnect the hinge ends to the clamp ends and retain the resilient members is bowed tension for imparting secondary wrinkle-removing forces into the target garment section. Various portable assemblies are contemplated based on the foregoing basics as well as a home-based version. Certain garment pressing methods are also described based on the foregoing basics.

Abstract: A vertical-type clothes press, in which clothes such as pants or the like held between a fixed board and a movable board can be pressed for smoothing or creasing, includes a mount base, a fixed board vertically mounted thereon and having a heater, a movable board having a hollow structure for hot-pressing clothes held between itself and the fixed board, a hinge mechanism which rotatably connects the lower ends of the fixed board and the movable board and mounts the movable board openably and closably on the fixed board opposite to each other, a lock mechanism for holding the movable board against the fixed board, a press sheet having one end attached to the connection between the fixed board and the movable board and rotatably provided between the movable board and the fixed board, reinforcements provided along the side end faces of the press sheet in a vertical direction, and a bias device provided on the opposite side of the hinge mechanism for pulling clothes or the like held between the fixed board and th

Abstract: A trouser press has a pair of similar elongated boards each having a pair of generally parallel, vertical, and longitudinal edges and upper and lower transverse edges bridging same and a heating plate similar to and between the boards and having respective such longitudinal and transverse edges. The plate and normally the boards also are formed at the respective upper edges with cutouts so that a pair of trousers can be positioned with one trouser leg on one side of the plate, one trouser leg on the other, the trouser waistband generally at the upper edges, and the trouser crotch at the cutout. Hinges attach the boards and plate together in registration with the heating plate sandwiched between the boards for pivoting of each of the boards relative to the plate. Grippers are provided at the upper edges for securing the trouser waistband in the press and clips are provided generally at the lower edges for securing the trouser legs in the press.