Abstract: A rare earth oxide matrix (composition of matter) is formed which emits (upon heating) heavy metal oxide anions (oxyanions) into a gas phase, wherein the anions are emitted with high intensity, and wherein longevity of life of the composition of matter is retained. The matter is formed by blending a major component of a rare earth oxide, Europium oxide (Eu.sub.2 O.sub.3) or Ytterbium oxide (Yb.sub.2 O.sub.3), with a minor component of a Barium (Ba), Calcium (Ca) or Strontium (Sr) salt of a heavy metal oxyanion. Heavy anions are emitted upon heating the composition of matter to a predetermined temperature of about 800.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for dehydrating food products particularly suited to the dehydration of potatoes for use in the preparation of hashbrown potatoes, and the product of said process. In accordance with the process of the invention, a food product is prepared into separate pieces for drying. The separate pieces are then coated with a dry mixture which includes a separation particulate which maintains separation between adjacent pieces such that the pieces may be more efficiently and effectively hot air dried. The dry mixture may also include ingredients which react with moisture on the food product surface to form the adhesive surface for adhering the dry mixture to the food product. For the preparation of hashbrown potatoes, the dry mixture may include spices, browning ingredients, and patty-binding ingredients. For the preparation of casserole potato dishes, the dry mixture may include spices, dehydrated vegetables and cheeses, and a thickening agent.

Abstract: NMOS and PMOS devices are formed in a split-polysilicon CMOS process using independent thickness transistor gate spacers, and using a silicon nitride layer as a mask for the p-channel region during an n+ source/drain implant step of the n-channel region. The p-channel spacer is formed significantly thicker than the n-channel spacer, thereby reducing lateral diffusion of p-type dopant species under the p-channel gate and avoiding short channel effects to improve device reliability and performance. P-channel transistor junction depth and lateral diffusion is further reduced by performing an n-channel arsenic source/drain implant before the p-channel source/drain boron difluoride implant, although the p-channel transistor gate is etched before the n-channel gate. Moreover, since the p-channel transistor gate is etched before the n-channel gate, the p-channel gate sidewalls are reoxidized as well as the n-channel gate sidewalls for improved gate oxide integrity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus has been developed for combining groundwater monitoring wells with unsaturated-zone vapor sampling ports. The apparatus allows concurrent monitoring of both the unsaturated and the saturated zone from the same well at contaminated areas. The innovative well design allows for concurrent sampling of groundwater and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the vadose (unsaturated) zone from a single well, saving considerable time and money. The sample tubes are banded to the outer well casing during installation of the well casing.

Abstract: This invention discloses a D.C. magnetic latching solenoid that retains a moving armature in a first or second position by means of a pair of magnets, thereby having a zero-power requirement after actuation. The first or second position is selected by reversing the polarity of the D.C. voltage which is enough to overcome the holding power of either magnet and transfer the armature to an opposite position. The coil is then de-energized.

Abstract: A rear-seat air bag restraint device is disclosed that prevents an individual, or individuals, from continuing violent actions while being transported in a patrol vehicle's rear seat without requiring immediate physical contact by the law enforcement officer. The air bag is activated by a control switch in the front seat and inflates to independently restrict the amount of physical activity occurring in the rear seat of the vehicle while allowing the officer to safely stop the vehicle. The air bag can also provide the officer additional time to get backup personnel to aid him if the situation warrants it. The bag is inflated and maintains a constant pressure by an air pump.

Abstract: Data is fetched from one port of a multi-port memory circuit and loaded into another port of the same circuit for pre-loading a serial pipeline. A random access port of a DRAM circuit is used to pre-load a data signal into a serial output pipeline buffer associated with a SAM circuit in a VRAM device. The random access port accesses a particular column associated with a TAP address and reads the data for loading the first bit into the serial output buffer. The next data bit is loaded from the SAM into the serial port buffer when the first bit is output to the serial port. The time between serial clock pulses associated with the serial data path and output buffer is reduced to about 15 ns.

Abstract: A portable vapor generator is disclosed that can provide a controlled source of chemical vapors, such as, narcotic or explosive vapors. This source can be used to test and calibrate various types of vapor detection systems by providing a known amount of vapors to the system. The vapor generator is calibrated using a reference ion mobility spectrometer. A method of providing this vapor is described, as follows: explosive or narcotic is deposited on quartz wool, placed in a chamber that can be heated or cooled (depending on the vapor pressure of the material) to control the concentration of vapors in the reservoir. A controlled flow of air is pulsed over the quartz wool releasing a preset quantity of vapors at the outlet.

Abstract: A method for removing film from a substrate, and more particularly, photoresist from a semiconductor wafer, by a shear stress process. A wafer is coated with a medium having coefficients of thermal expansion and elasticity, such as water, and then cooled. The cooling causes shear stress to occur between the photoresist and the wafer, thereby loosening the photoresist from the wafer. The wafer is then heated to remove the medium and photoresist from the wafer. The coating, cooling and heating steps are repeated until all of the photoresist is removed. Relative to the prior art, this invention provides a novel process for removing film from a substrate that minimizes expense; substantially cuts processing time; is less complex; less hazardous; and environmentally favorable.

Abstract: An inflatable wrapping apparatus comprises a substantially self supporting base for placing an article to be wrapped thereon, and an inflatable wrap attachable to the base for decoratively wrapping and securing the article in place. A periphery of a first portion of the wrap is matably attachable to a periphery of the base for enabling the first portion to substantially encompass and cover the article thereon. The first portion of the wrap separates the article from a second portion of the wrap, and the second portion has a dimension greater than the first portion. Upon inflating the wrap, the first portion inflates in a direction toward the base to substantially engulf and secure the article in place, and the second portion of the wrap inflates in a direction away from the base to provide a decorative feature of the wrap. In an alternate embodiment, the inflatable wrap is coupled to the base by an adjoining edge, providing a simple, single component wrapping apparatus.

Abstract: A sportsman's or athlete's water pouch backpack having a body portion connected to the person by a pair of padded shoulder straps and a quick-release, buckled hip belt. A removable bladder assembly is contained within the pack and has a bladder having a fill connection, a tube and mouthpiece valve, a handle and an internal baffle that maintains a proper bladder shape and prevents sloshing when the bladder is filled with liquid.

Abstract: The rotary engine piston and seal assembly is disclosed that improves engine efficiency and power and reduces wear on an inner housing surface. It has a somewhat cube-shaped piston and a pair of grooves running around all four sliding side surfaces. The grooves contain a series of segmented metal seals and are compressed against the mating surfaces by a group of seal springs.

Abstract: A dough-processing system for dividing a dough sheet into multiple separate portions and transporting each portion in a predetermined direction. A rotary cutter, having a multiplicity of cutting dies affixed thereon, divides the dough sheet. The cutting dies have an exterior peripheral cutting edge for cutting the linear dough sheet into two or more linear portions for further processing on standard conveyor systems and an interior peripheral cutting edge for cutting an interior portion from the snack-piece dough. The rotary cutter includes an internal helical auger rigidly affixed to an external cylindrical mandrill having first and second ends and having a multiplicity of cutting dies affixed thereon. The rotary cutter has an ever-increasing diameter funnel path for transporting the interior cut portion of the snack-piece dough into the interior of the rotary cutter and thereupon the helical auger transports it out to the side of the rotary cutter.

Abstract: A handicapped person's or child's restraining saddle having a quick-release feature that permits release of a waist belt, a chest strap, and a backrest. The quick-release is a hitch pin that passes through grommets in the belt and strap and then through a pair of aligned apertures in mating square tubes affixing the backrest to the saddle.

Abstract: A combined water field strength and conductivity meter. The meter is intended for use with a separate electroshocker for use in a body of water to produce electrotaxis in fish in order to collect the fish. The meter includes a conductivity probe which is placed within the water. Pairs of electrodes within the probe detect water conductivity and the voltage potential produced by the electroshocker. A processing unit applies and measures a known current between the first pair of electrode and measures the voltage potential between the second pair of electrodes. An LCD display connected to the processing unit displays the results so that the electroshocker may be optimally adjusted.

Abstract: A process for forming a snack product and a snack formed therefrom with discontinuous characteristics. The process includes forming a first highly cohesive dough and a second less cohesive dough matrix, combining the first and second discrete dough components into a composite dough sheet, cutting the dough sheet into a multiplicity of dough preforms, and frying the preforms to produce a snack with discontinuous characteristics.

Abstract: A method of erasing, programming, and verifying a flash electrically erasable programmable read-only memory where all cells are first erased to a high threshold voltage, preferably by simultaneous Fowler-Nordheim tunnelling, and then selected cells are programmed to a low threshold voltage using Fowler-Nordheim tunnelling. Programming is achieved by applying a negative voltage to the selected wordline and applying a positive voltage to the selected bitline. Only those cells which have both the wordline and bitline selected will have sufficient wordline-to-bitline voltage difference to cause programming. A key advantage of this new method is that a verification (read) procedure can be used to monitor for the desirable tight distribution, low threshold voltage V.sub.t on programmed cells and re-program only those cells which have a V.sub.t higher than the desired V.sub.t.

Abstract: An inventive three-point hitch assembly that attaches to the front end of a truck or pickup and supports at three points a plurality of implements or tools. It has a belt-driven power take-off for rotary tools that is controlled by an electric clutch and driven by a pulley attached below the truck engine pulley. A hydraulic lift cylinder raises and lowers the hitch and implement or tool, which by the hitch parallelogram form maintains the implements in a vertical orientation. The lift cylinder hydraulic pressure is supplied by connections to the truck power steering system via electrically controlled solenoid valves.