Abstract: Sliced potato products are prepared for refrigerated storage and distribution while retaining the characteristics of wholesome, freshly sliced potatoes for a minimum of 45 days. The potatoes may be peeled, or unpeeled, and cut into any sliced configuration, such as French fries, crinkle cuts, or homefries. The potato pieces are then washed, dewatered, and sterilized in a hot oil blanch. The cut potatoes are then mechanically chilled and packaged in an inert atmosphere which utilizes CO.sub.2 as a component. The packaged potatoes are stored and distributed under refrigeration until ready for use.

Abstract: A process for producing expanded corn snack products. The products are preferably made in a fluted ring shape, and have an expanded, airy texture. The process for producing the products includes successive cutting steps wherein the corn is comminuted to a relatively narrow particle size distribution with most of the corn retained on a #40 or #60 mesh screen. The corn is comminuted by impelling whole cooked corn kernels against a blade and through a screen having a ratio of open area screen material of from about 1:1 to about 3:1.

Abstract: A process for layering a low reflectivity metal layer on a semiconductor wafer for decreasing the optical reflectivity and increasing the optical absorptivity of the metal layer for laser processing. The process includes: depositing a metal layer, such as aluminum, over a substrate, roughening the surface of the metal layer by chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) while injecting a silicon oxide slurry over the surface and then laser processing the metal. The roughened metal surface has an increased surface area and irregular surface features that help absorb incident laser radiation with less reflectance.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a CMOS integrated circuit having both P-channel and N-channel areas in the substrate. The process forms a single self-aligned mask to define the positions of both of the channel areas on the substrate. The process includes: depositing a maskable material on the substrate; photopatterning and etching the maskable material to expose a pattern of areas on the substrate; tailoring the pattern of areas as P-channel or N-channel; depositing a second material over the maskable material and over the tailored areas of the substrate; chemically mechanically polishing (CMP) the second material to an endpoint of the maskable material; selectively etching the maskable material to expose a second pattern of areas on the substrate aligned with the first pattern of areas; and then tailoring the second pattern of areas as P-channel or N-channel.

Abstract: The invention comprises a dough preform which when fried, produces a snack chip product having a predetermined level of surface bubbling. The dough preform has outer dough portions having substantially less moisture than inner dough portion. The dough preform is made by a process that includes sheeting a dough having from about 30% to about 55% moisture, removing a portion of the moisture from the dough sheet, at a greater rate from the outer dough portions than from the inner dough portion and then frying the partially dried dough prior to any significant equilibration of moisture between the outer and inner dough portions. The moisture can be removed from the dough sheet or preform by heat, air movement or a combination of the two.

Abstract: A solar cooking apparatus, and method for its use, wherein the apparatus comprises an offset focus reflecting parabolic dish and a food receptacle located at or outside of a cylinder defined by the periphery of the dish. The dish is rotatably affixed to a base member in a manner permitting infinite settings to track the sun through azimuth and elevation. The food receptacle is adjustable from maximum heat at the focal point of the dish to lesser heat at a defocused point away from the focal point. The offset focus parabolic dish preferably has a diameter equal to or less than the radius of a prime focus parabolic dish from which it is taken.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding integrated circuit parts for inspection for cracks, holes, or other defects. The apparatus permits inspection of the top, bottom and both sides without need for the inspector to change position. The parts are slidably retained within the apparatus between upper and lower tracks. The upper and lower tracks pivot relative to one another, and relative to a base member, about a common pivot point.

Abstract: Corrugated snack food pieces are fabricated from a dough directed through a pair of mated corrugated sheeting rolls. The dough is impressed with the corrugated pattern of the sheeting rolls and subsequently cut into individual snack food pieces. The dough is fed directly into the sheeting rolls so that no prior memory is imparted to the dough sheet prior to receiving its corrugated shape. The corrugated sheeting rolls may be scored transverse to the corrugations to provide transverse webs of dough between adjacent corrugations.

Abstract: A reversed or missing lead frame apparatus that detects the presence or absence of a unique aperture by completing or opening an electrical circuit thereby providing indication or an alarm when the circuit resistance is not within an expected range of resistance values that is dependent on the total number of lead frames being tested.

Abstract: An exercise vehicle is provided with excellent stability in turns and realistic rowing motion for propulsion. An operator sits on a moveable seat with his feet straddling a drive member which is moved in a forward and backward plane for propulsion, while grasping steering handles at the end of the drive member. A front axle is pivoted between a pair of inclined planes against which the axle bears, pushing down the frame during a turn to induce a sideways cant of the frame when turning. The device may be used either indoors or outdoors to provide conventional rowing motion for exercise and pleasure.

Abstract: An adapter for a single-stage trigger weapon which converts the trigger system from a single-stage trigger with a constant trigger pull force to a two-stage trigger pull system, wherein the required second-stage pull force is perceptibly greater than the required first-stage pull force. The increase in the trigger pull force occurs immediately prior to hammer release and provides the shooter with an indication of imminent weapon discharge. The adapter pivots about a fulcrum between the first and second stages.

Abstract: A process for monitoring a system by comparing learned observations acquired when the system is running in an acceptable state with current observations acquired at periodic intervals thereafter to determine if the process is currently running in an acceptable state. The process enables an operator to determine whether or not a system parameter measurement indicated as outside preset prediction limits is in fact an invalid signal resulting from faulty instrumentation. The process also enables an operator to identify signals which are trending toward malfunction prior to an adverse impact on the overall process.

Abstract: The invention comprises a dough preform which when fried, produces a snack chip product having a predetermined level of surface bubbling. The dough preform has outer dough portions having substantially less moisture than inner dough portion. The dough preform is made by a process that includes sheeting a dough having from about 30% to about 55% moisture, removing a portion of the moisture from the dough sheet, at a greater rate from the outer dough portions than from the inner dough portion and then frying the partially dried dough prior to any significant equilibration of moisture between the outer and inner dough portions. The moisture can be removed from the dough sheet or preform by heat, air movement or a combination of the two.

Abstract: A device useful to store transport objects retained thereon, and to be retained by the adjustable stage of a microscope for viewing under the microscope. A spring-loaded movable bracket retains the object, such as a lead frame comprising a plurality of semiconductor chips dice, on a planar surface. The movable bracket is affixed to a rod which extends through the device and which manipulates the movable bracket from an open loaded position to a closed position with the object held securely on the device.

Abstract: A vending machine, coin-operated self-service machine, utility meter etc., is provided with a counting mechanism which is inexpensive and simple in construction and easy to operate. The device comprises a binary counting device capable of storing cumulative counts of transaction information. The binary counts are converted in a parallel to serial converter and ultimately pulsed in a series of long and short pulses to an LED. The vending machine, self-service machine, etc., is provided with a bar code serial number, and a bar code reader reads and stores both the serial number and the transaction information delivered through the LED. Software is provided to permit the storage of transaction count information based upon the serial number of a particular machine.