All The Claims

1. A phase detecting apparatus that detects a phase difference between signals, comprising:
a phase comparing section that sequentially delays a second input signal relative to a first input signal, according to a set value, and that compares a phase of the second input signal to a phase of the first input signal each time a relative phase between the input signals changes; and
a delay adjusting section that adjusts in advance a delay amount of a signal in the phase comparing section, wherein the delay adjusting section includes:
a signal generating section that generates a first adjustment signal and a second adjustment signal, which has a period that is shorter than a period of the first adjustment signal by an amount corresponding to the set value, and inputs the first adjustment signal and the second adjustment signal to the phase comparing section as the first input signal and the second input signal, respectively; and
an adjusting section that adjusts a delay amount of the phase in the phase comparing section based on the phase comparison result by the phase comparing section between the first adjustment signal and the second adjustment signal.
2. The phase detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the phase comparing section sequentially delays the second input signal relative to the first input signal by a constant amount, and
the signal generating section generates the second adjustment signal to have a period that is shorter than the period of the first adjustment signal by an amount substantially equal to the constant value.
3. The phase detecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the signal generating section includes:
a first oscillator that generates the first adjustment signal;
a second oscillator that generates the second adjustment signal; and
an oscillation control section that causes the first oscillator and the second oscillator to synchronously begin oscillating.
4. The phase detecting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
the phase comparing section includes n stages of sampling circuits connected in cascade, where n is an integer, the sampling circuits delaying the phase of the second input signal relative to the first input signal by a constant value and performing sampling, and
the adjusting section adjusts the delay amount of the phase of the second input signal relative to the first input signal in each k-th stage sampling circuit, where k=1, 2, . . . , n, based on a sampling result using k-th pulses of the first adjustment signal and the second adjustment signal input to the phase comparing section.
5. The phase detecting apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a counter that counts a number of pulses of the first adjustment signal and the second adjustment signal output by the first oscillator and the second oscillator, wherein
when the delay amount in the k-th stage sampling circuit is being adjusted, the oscillation control section stops the oscillation of the first oscillator and the second oscillator when the count results for the number of pulses for each of the first adjustment signal and the second adjustment signal reach k and repeats a process for synchronously initiating new oscillation a predetermined number of times, and
the adjusting section adjusts the delay amount in the k-th stage sampling circuit such that sampling results repeatedly acquired for the k-th pulses of the first adjustment signal and the second adjustment signal by the k-th stage sampling circuit become predetermined results.
6. The phase detecting apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a counter that counts a number of pulses of the first adjustment signal and the second adjustment signal output by the first oscillator and the second oscillator, wherein
the oscillation control section stops the oscillation of the first oscillator and the second oscillator when the count results for the number of pulses for each of the first adjustment signal and the second adjustment signal reach n, and repeats a process for synchronously initiating new oscillation a predetermined number of times, and
the adjusting section adjusts the delay amount in the k-th stage sampling circuit such that sampling results repeatedly acquired for the k-th pulses of the first adjustment signal and the second adjustment signal by each sampling circuit become predetermined results.
7. The phase detecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
the first oscillator and the second oscillator generate the first adjustment signal and the second adjustment signal such that a product of a stage number of the sampling circuit and a period difference between the first adjustment signal and the second adjustment signal becomes substantially equal to a period of the first adjustment signal, and synchronize the pulses of the first adjustment signal and the second adjustment signal for each of a plurality of predetermined time periods, and
the adjusting section adjusts the delay amount in each k-th stage sampling circuit such that the sampling results of the k-th pulses of the first adjustment signal and the second adjustment signal acquired by the k-th stage sampling circuit in each of the predetermined time periods become predetermined results.
8. The phase detecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
the adjusting section adjusts the delay amount in each sampling circuit such that a ratio of sampling results indicating an H logic value to sampling results indicating an L logic value becomes one to one in the sampling circuit.
9. The phase detecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
each sampling circuit includes:
a first transmitting section that transmits the first input signal input thereto to a sampling circuit at a later stage;
a second transmitting section that transmits, with a delay amount relative to the first transmitting section that is equal to a value corresponding to the set value, a second input signal input thereto to a sampling circuit at a later stage; and
a sampling section that samples one of the first input signal transmitted by the first transmitting section and the second input signal transmitted by the second transmitting section using the other of the first input signal and the second input signal, and

the adjusting section adjusts the delay amount of at least one of the first transmitting section and the second transmitting section such that the sampling results of each sampling section become predetermined sampling results.
10. The phase detecting apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:
a frequency measuring section that measures oscillation frequencies of the first oscillator and the second oscillator; and
an adjusting section that adjusts the oscillation frequencies of the first oscillator and the second oscillator based on the measurement results of the frequency measuring section.
11. A test apparatus that tests a device under test, comprising:
the phase detecting apparatus according to claim 1 that detects a phase difference between a signal output by the device under test and a predetermined reference signal; and
a judging section that judges acceptability of the device under test based on the detection result of the phase detecting apparatus.
12. An adjusting method for adjusting in advance a delay amount of a second input signal using a phase detecting apparatus that sequentially delays the second input signal relative to a first input signal, according to a set value, and that compares a phase of the second input signal to a phase of the first input signal each time a relative phase between the input signals changes, the adjusting method comprising:
generating a first adjustment signal and a second adjustment signal, which has a period that is shorter than a period of the first adjustment signal by an amount corresponding to the set value;
inputting the first adjustment signal and the second adjustment signal to the phase detecting apparatus as the first input signal and the second input signal, respectively; and
adjusting a delay amount of the phase in the phase detecting apparatus based on sampling results by the phase detecting apparatus for the first adjustment signal and the second adjustment signal.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. A method for determining whether or not a developer container to contain developer is attached to the main body of an apparatus comprising the following steps of:
detecting information of the magnetic permeability of developer in said developer container;
determining whether or not said developer container is attached to said main body of the image forming apparatus in accordance with an output obtained in said step of detection.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in said step of determination, whether or not said developer container is attached to said main body of the image forming apparatus is determined in accordance with plural outputs obtained in a designated time in said step of detection.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein in said step of determination, whether or not said developer container is attached to said main body of the image forming apparatus is determined in accordance with a difference between a first output and a second output obtained in said step of detection.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein in said step of determination, said developer container is determined to be attached to said main body of the image forming apparatus if the difference is out of a designated range.
5. The method according to claim 3, wherein in said step of determination, said developer container is not determined to be attached to said main body of the image forming apparatus if the difference is within the designated range.
6. The method according to claim 2, wherein in said step of determination, whether or not said developer container is attached to said main body of the image forming apparatus is determined in accordance with the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the outputs obtained in said step of detection.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein in said step of determination, said developer container is determined to be attached to said main body of the image forming apparatus if the difference is out of a designated range.
8. The method according to claim 6, wherein in said step of determination, said developer container is not determined to be attached to said main body of the image forming apparatus if the difference is within the designated range.
9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:
indicating the result of determination made in said step of determination on the display of said main body of the image forming apparatus.
10. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of:
agitating the developer in said developer container by a specific agitating cycle, said designated time including the specific agitating cycle.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein in said step of agitation, the agitation is made by use of a magnetic member moving near the detecting portion in said step of detection.
12. The method according to either one of claim 1 to claim 11, wherein the developer is a magnetic developer.
13. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a developer container to contain developer, said developer container being attachable to the main body of an image forming apparatus or detachable therefrom;
detecting means for detecting information of the magnetic permeability of developer in said developer container; and
determining means for determining whether or not said developer container is attached to said main body of the image forming apparatus in accordance with an output obtained in said step of detection.
14. The apparatus to claim 13, wherein said determining means determines whether or not said developer container is attached to said main body of the image forming apparatus in accordance with plural outputs of said detecting means in a designated time.
15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said determining means determines whether or not said developer container is attached to said main body of the image forming apparatus in accordance with a difference between a first output and a second output obtained by said step of detection.
16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said determining means determines that said developer container is attached to said main body of the image forming apparatus if the difference is out of a designated range.
17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said determining means determines that said developer container is not attached to said main body of the image forming apparatus if the difference is within the designated range.
18. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said determining means determines whether or not said developer container is attached to said main body of the image forming apparatus in accordance with the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the outputs obtained by said detecting means.
19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said determining means determines that said developer container is attached to said main body of the image forming apparatus if the difference is out of a designated range.
20. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said determining manes determines that said developer container is not attached to said main body of the image forming apparatus if the difference is within the designated range.
21. The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising:
displaying means for indicating the result of determination made by said determining means.
22. The apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising:
agitating means for agitating the developer in said developer container by a specific agitating cycle, said designated time including the specific agitating cycle.
23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said agitating means is provided with a magnetic member moving near the detecting portion by said detecting means.
24. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said detecting means is provided for said main body of the image forming apparatus.
25. The apparatus according to either one of claim 13 to claim 24, wherein the developer is a magnetic developer.

1. A process for operating an air jet spinning machine having at least one spinning station (2) comprising a vortex chamber (1),
wherein a fibre strand (3) is fed during the spinning process to the vortex chamber (1) in a spinning direction,
wherein the fibre strand (3) receives a twist inside the vortex chamber (1) with the aid of an airstream, so that a yarn (4) possessing the twist is formed from the fibre strand (3),
wherein the yarn (4) having the twist is withdrawn from the vortex chamber (1) with the aid of a withdrawal device (5),
wherein the yarn (4) withdrawn from the vortex chamber (1) is monitored for yarn faults (18) by a yarn monitoring device (6) arranged downstream of the vortex chamber (1)
characterized in that the spinning process is interrupted when a yarn fault (18) is detected in such a way that the yarn (4) detaches itself from the fibre strand (3) and a yarn end forms, and that subsequent to the interruption of the spinning process, a piecing process, partly carried out by the spinning station (2) is initiated, in which the following steps are carried out:
suctioning of the yarn end with the aid of a first suction unit (7) of the spinning station (2) in the area between an outlet opening (8) of the vortex chamber (1) and the withdrawal device (5),
cutting the end section of the yarn (4) containing the yarn fault (18) in the area of the first suction unit (7) with the aid of a yarn cutting unit (9) of the spinning station (2),
returning the yarn end of the remaining yarn (4) opposite to the spinning direction through the vortex chamber (1) with the aid of an air stream generated by at least one air injection nozzle (32), which air stream is directed in the vortex chamber (1), or respectively, a withdrawal channel (14) through which the yarn passes, of a yarn forming element (15) projecting into the vortex chamber (1)
seizing of the yarn end in the area of an inlet opening (16) of the vortex chamber (1)
preparing the yarn end for an attachment of the yarn end to the end section of the fibre strand (3),
putting into operation of the withdrawal device (5)
superimposition of the yarn end still located outside of the vortex chamber (1) to the end section of the fibre strand (3),
joint drawing in of the yarn end and the end section of the fibre strand (3) into the vortex chamber (1),
resumption of the spinning process by continued feed of the fibre strand (3) into the vortex chamber (1) and withdrawal of the yarn (4) formed in the vortex chamber (1).
2-17. (canceled)

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A split loading funnel for guiding a gob of molten glass that includes:
two or more individual funnel segments, each of which includes an interior guide surface, the two or more individual funnel segments being arranged relative to one another so that the interior guide surfaces of the individual funnel segments cooperate to define a guide passage having a longitudinal axis, wherein the guide passage has a cross-sectional area that is larger than a cross-sectional area of the gob of molten glass.
2. The split loading funnel set forth in claim 1, wherein the two or more individual funnel segments comprise a first funnel segment with a first concave interior surface and a second funnel segment with a second concave interior surface.
3. The split loading funnel set forth in claim 1, wherein the split loading funnel comprises:
a first funnel segment that includes a lower portion and a lateral flange extending from each side of the lower portion, wherein the lower portion of the first funnel segment has a first concave interior guide surface; and
a second funnel segment that includes a lower portion and a lateral flange extending from each side of the lower portion, wherein the lower portion of the second funnel segment has a second concave interior guide surface;
wherein the lateral flanges of the first funnel segment are secured to the lateral flanges of the second funnel segment by mounting blocks so that the first and second concave interior guide surfaces face each other and define the guide passage.
4. The split loading funnel set forth in claim 3, wherein the first concave interior guide surface has a cross-sectional profile and the second concave interior guide surface has a cross-sectional profile.
5. The split loading funnel set forth in claim 4, wherein the cross-sectional profiles of the first and second concave interior guide surfaces are the same.
6. The split loading funnel set forth in claim 4, wherein the cross-sectional profiles of the first and second concave interior guide surfaces are different.
7. The split loading funnel set forth in claim 3, wherein the guide passage extends to an outlet of the split loading funnel that has an exit.
8. The split loading funnel set forth in claim 7, wherein the first funnel segment further includes a upper portion having a first concave interior surface angled outwardly from the first concave interior guide surface, wherein the second funnel segment further includes a upper portion having a second concave interior surface angled outwardly from the second concave interior guide surface, and wherein the first and second concave interior surfaces of the upper portions face each other to define an inlet, the inlet having an entrance to the split loading funnel and a inlet from which the guide passage extends down to the outlet.
9. The split loading funnel set forth in claim 3, wherein the mounting blocks are tapered to angle the first and second interior guide surfaces towards one another so that the cross-sectional area of the guide passage progressively decreases down the longitudinal axis from the inlet of the inlet to the exit of the outlet.
10. The split loading funnel set forth in claim 8, wherein the mounting blocks are tapered along their lengths to angle the first and second interior guide surfaces towards one another so that the cross-sectional area of the guide passage varies down the longitudinal axis.
11. The split loading funnel set forth in claim 1, wherein the interior guide surfaces of the multiple individual funnel segments are heat-treated or coated to provide wear resistance, limit heat transfer, or lower friction.
12. An apparatus for delivering a gob of molten glass into a blank mold, the apparatus including:
a loading funnel holder that defines at least one opening; and
a split loading funnel carried by the funnel holder, the split loading funnel comprising two or more individual funnel segments, each of which includes an interior guide surface, that are arranged relative to one another so that the interior guide surfaces of the individual funnel segments cooperate to define a guide passage having a longitudinal axis.
13. The apparatus set forth in claim 12, further comprising a funnel mount rotatably received in the at least one opening of the loading funnel holder to rotatably mount the funnel to the funnel holder, wherein the funnel mount includes a circular frame and two opposed, spaced apart legs depending from the circular frame, each of the two opposed legs having a shoulder and a pair of elongated ridges that define a vertical groove extending downward from the shoulder.
14. The apparatus set forth in claim 13, wherein the split loading funnel comprises:
a first funnel segment having a lower portion that has a first concave interior guide surface and a lateral flange extending from each side of the lower portion of the first funnel segment; and
a second funnel segment having a lower portion that has a second concave interior guide surface and a lateral flange extending from each side of the lower portion of the second funnel segment;
wherein the lateral flanges of the first funnel segment are secured to the lateral flanges of second funnel segment by a pair of interposed mounting blocks, each of the mounting blocks having a protruding vertical guide and a protruding horizontal stop located above the guide, the protruding vertical guides of the mounting block being received in the vertical grooves of the depending legs of the funnel mount such that the stops of the mounting blocks rest against the shoulders of the depending legs.
15. The split loading funnel set forth in claim 14, wherein the guide passage extends to an outlet of the split loading funnel that has an exit, and wherein the mounting blocks are tapered to angle the first and second interior guide surfaces towards one another so that a cross-sectional area of the guide passage progressively decreases down the longitudinal axis towards the exit.
16. The split loading funnel set forth in claim 14, wherein the first concave interior guide surface has a cross-sectional profile and the second concave interior guide surface has a cross-sectional profile.
17. The split loading funnel set forth in claim 16, wherein the cross-sectional profiles of the first and second concave interior guide surfaces are the same.
18. The split loading funnel set forth in claim 16, wherein the cross-sectional profiles of the first and second concave interior guide surfaces are different.
19. The split loading funnel set forth in claim 12 wherein the split loading funnel comprises:
a first funnel segment having a lower portion that has a first concave interior guide surface and a lateral flange extending from each side of the lower portion of the first funnel segment; and
a second funnel segment having a lower portion that has a second concave interior guide surface and a lateral flange extending from each side of the lower portion of the second funnel segment;
wherein the lateral flanges of the first funnel segment are secured to the lateral flanges of second funnel segment by a pair of interposed mounting blocks, each of the mounting blocks is generally T-shaped with generally rectangular portions positioned between the opposed confronting lateral flanges of the funnel segments, and semi-cylindrical portions extending from radially outward ends of the rectangular portions and having semi-cylindrical radially outwardly-facing mounting surfaces.
20. A process for delivering a gob of molten glass from a gob delivery system to a blank mold, the process comprising:
providing an apparatus that includes a split, rotatable, loading funnel carried by a funnel holder and having two or more individual funnel segments that are arranged relative to one another to cooperatively define a guide passage having a longitudinal axis;
locating the funnel above a mold cavity of a blank mold so that the guide passage is vertically aligned with the mold cavity;
delivering a gob of molten glass from a deflector to the mold cavity through the guide to passage of the funnel, the deflector having a chute that includes a base and two side walls extending outwardly from the base; and
moving the funnel away from the mold cavity after the gob of molten glass has been introduced to the mold cavity.
21. The process set forth in claim 20, further comprising:
rotating the funnel to index the guide passage of the funnel relative to the chute of the deflector.
22. A glassware forming machine that includes:
a blank mold for forming a molten glass gob into a glass parison;
a funnel positioned above said blank mold for guiding molten glass gobs into said blank mold, wherein said funnel is circumferentially split to include segments; and
blocks for adjusting the funnel segments with respect to each other.
23. The machine set forth in claim 22 wherein said split funnel has at least two segments with opposed glass-contacting surfaces that are not mirror images of each other.