Abstract: Improved anti-reflective coating compositions for use in integrated circuit manufacturing processes and methods of forming these compositions are provided. Broadly, the compositions are formed by heating a solution comprising a compound including specific compounds (e.g., alkoxy alkyl melamines, alkoxy alkyl benzoguanamines) under acidic conditions so as to polymerize the compounds and form polymers having an average molecular weight of at least about 1,000 Daltons. The monomers of the resulting polymers are joined to one another via linkage groups (e.g., —CH2—, —CH2—O—CH2—) which are bonded to nitrogen atoms on the respective monomers. The polymerized compound is mixed with a solvent and applied to a substrate surface after which it is baked to form an anti-reflective layer. The resulting layer has high k values and can be formulated for both conformal and planar applications.

Abstract: A discharge outlet is provided for attachment to a double wall containment tank assembly having an inner tank and an outer containment vessel. The discharge outlet includes a conduit fluidically connected to the fluid receiving chamber of the inner tank and extending exteriorly of the outer containment vessel, a flexible annular sealing member positioned between the inner tank and the outer containment vessel, and couplers for attaching the sealing member to the inner tank and the outer vessel in surrounding relationship to the conduit. The containment area between the two tanks which is designed fro containing spills from the inner tank is thereby fluidically isolated form the access opening through which the conduit passes.

Abstract: Heat-expandable molded synthetic resin seal and baffle components adapted for use in automobile body cavities or the like are provided which are designed to preferentially expand upon heating in desired directions and to a desired degree, in order to properly seal irregular or special cavity shapes. The molded components of the invention have selected body surface portions thereof UV crosslinked to a depth of up to about 0.5 mm, while other portions of the molded body are not crosslinked; upon heating, the crosslinked portions expand at a slower rate and to a lesser extent than non-crosslinked body portions. The preferred synthetic resin includes a grafted anhydride polymer, a terminal epoxide polymer additive, a blowing agent, a UV photoinitiator and a UV crosslinkable resin system.

Abstract: A suspension member for objects, preferably pictures, at a vertical surface. The device is intended to enable an exact positioning of a picture frame in a vertical direction in such a way that the picture hangs exactly straight. The suspension device comprises a base element for fastening of the suspension device, an elongated element, displaceably provided in relation to the base element, a suspension memeber which is provided on the elongated element and positioning structure arranged to enable a positioning of the elongated element in its longitudinal direction in relation to the base element, wherein the positioning structure is arranged to adjust in a continuous manner the elongated element in relation to the base element.

Abstract: A temperature-regulating induction heating system is provided which comprises an induction heater (20) having apparatus (36, 38, 40) for receiving RFID transmissions and an induction heatable object (22) with an RFID tag (50). The heater (20) includes a component (28) for generating a magnetic field, control circuitry including a microprocessor (32) coupled with the component (28) for selectively initiating and terminating generation of a magnetic field; the receiving apparatus (36, 3 8, 40) provides information to the microprocessor (32) causing initiation of a heating algorithm for the object (22). In preferred forms, the tag (50) and apparatus (36, 38, 40) are designed for two-way information transfer, thereby permitting continuous updating of the information carried by tag (50). In this way, if induction heating of the object (20) is interrupted, it maybe resumed to nevertheless achieve a desired regulation temperature.

Abstract: A spout (10) for mounting on a liquid container (12) to provide controlled dispensing of liquid therefrom includes a manual control for stopping the flow of liquid through a pouring tube (22) and an automatic control to prevent spills due to overfilling. Manual control over the amount of liquid flowing through the pouring opening of the spout (10) is provided by a preferably tubular rod (26) having a stop (28) mounted at one end and a push button actuator (34) at the other end of the rod (26). The spout (10) includes a body (24) with the pouring tube (22) extending from one side and the push button (34) for opening the stop (28) to dispense liquid on the other side of the body. The automatic control is provided through a vent tube (30) which extends through a port in the pouring tube (22) and is connected to the tubular rod (26) which is provided with at least one hole.

Abstract: A preferred medicament dispensing station (10) includes a computer (16) with a bar code reader (18) and a printer (20) coupled therewith. When filling a prescription from a supply container (12) of a medicament, the bar code reader (18) scans the bar code (28) on the container (12) and a computer (16) compares the bar code data with prescription data to determine a match before activating a printer (20) to print a prescription label (30) for the prescription. The preferred station (10) also includes databases (26) including an attribute database and a language database. The computer (16) activates the printer (20) to print medicament indicia on the prescription label (30) representative of physical attributes of the medicament including a word description (32) such as the shape, color pattern, color, scoring and form and an image (34). The computer (16) is operable also to prompt the printer (20) to print prescription data on the same label or on a second label in a second language.

Abstract: A modular, dropout passenger oxygen mask container (10) is provided which allows the container (10) to be used in a variety of different aircraft mask deployment areas presenting respective openings (20) without container modification. The container (10) includes a box (14) having an openable lid (16) and a universal series of component mounts (36-54) in the walls thereof which allow attachment of physically separate oxygen inlet, lid latch and mask oxygen valve components (72,74,76) at multiple locations within the box (14). The components (72,74,76). A separate cover (18) is attached to the lid (16) and is designed to mate with a specific opening (20); preferably, the cover (18) is affixed to lid (16) by means of Velcro (68,70).

Abstract: A dual disc pump in which the suction disc is phased to lag by more than 180° behind the pressure disc.

Abstract: A tripes cleaning apparatus having a suspended, rotatable drum that presents an outer cylindrical surface on which the tripes are supported. The drum includes sets of flighting so as to facilitate arrangement of the tripes on each portion thereof in a single-layered helical orientation. A nozzle is associated with each set of flighting so that a low pressure cleaning fluid can be flushed through the tripes as the drum is rotated. Each nozzle is preferably activated to disperse cleaning fluid by bending the nozzle relative to its normally straight configuration, and a J-hook projects from the drum adjacent each nozzle to releasably hold the nozzle in the open, bent configuration and help retain the tripes against the drum. The apparatus further includes a spray bar operable to clean the outside of the tripes.

Abstract: Temperature self-regulating food delivery systems are provided having a magnetic induction heater (32, 126) and an associated food container (76, 124) equipped with an essentially permanent ferromagnetic heating element (82, 100, 128). The heater (32, 126) and heating elements (82, 100, 128) are designed so as to heat the element (82, 100, 128) to a user-selected regulation temperature when the elements (82, 100, 128) are coupled with the heater's magnetic field, and to maintain the temperature in the vicinity of the regulation temperature indefinitely temperature regulation is a heating achieved by periodically determining at least two parameters of the heaters resonant circuits related to the amplitude of the resonant current passing therethrough during heating and responsively altering the field strength of the magnetic field. Preferably, the value of the resonant circuit amplitude and the rate of change of the amplitude are determine.

Abstract: An orthopedic device (10) is provided for the treatment of physical disorders characterized by region(s) of localized, undue compression of body tissue leading to nerve compression and/or damage, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. A carpal tunnel syndrome treatment device (10) in accordance with the invention includes a central, resilient, stretchable tensioning segment (12) with a plurality of relatively less stretchable adhesive straps (14-18) secured to the segment (12). In use, the segment (12) is placed on the back of a patient's hand (20), whereupon the straps (14-18) are pulled and adhered to the patient's palm in a fashion to expand the segment (12). In this orientation, the control segment (12) exerts continuous yielding or tensile forces through the straps (14-18) which in turn reduces carpal tunnel syndrome nerve compression and alleviates symptoms.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and an apparatus for the quantitative determination of particles in fluid. The apparatus of the invention includes an emitters set of one or more light emitters, in combination with a detector set of one or more light detectors sensitive to the output of the emitters. During analysis of the sample, data from a plurality of signal paths between the emitter and detector sets are gathered. This information is subsequently evaluated by comparison with known data for different fluid particle contents. Some differentiation between different particles in a fluid sample are possible in many embodiments. Typical uses include analysis of milk and dairy fluids, blood samples, lubricants, suspensions of pigments, etc.

Abstract: A bottle rocket launcher is provided for rockets constructed for educational and entertainment purposes out of synthetic resin bottles used primarily for soft drinks. The rocket launcher includes a bottle plug for filling the bottle rocket with compressed gas such as air and guiding it as it exits the launcher, a release mechanism for initially retaining and then selectively releasing the rocket adjacent its nozzle, and a base. The release mechanism provides multiple hooks which grab a rim adjacent the nozzle, and selectively and simultaneously releases each of the hooks, whereby the upward force applied by the compressed gas against the liquid causes the hooks to slide off of the rim and permits the rocket to lift off of the launcher.

Abstract: Anti-reflective compositions are prepared from cellulosic binders with improved etch rates.

Abstract: Synchronized receiver circuitry and methods are provided for a spread-spectrum communications system which includes a transmitter for generating a data-modulated carrier signal encoded with a predetermined discrete-stepped, cyclical pseudo-random noise code sequence, and a receiver for despreading and demodulating the encoded spread-spectrum modulated carrier signal. The receiver has a pseudo-random noise code generator, a mixer connected to the pseudo-random noise code generator for mixing the encoded spread-spectrum modulated carrier signal with the code sequence provided by the pseudo/random noise code generator to despread the carrier signal, and an indicator in the receiver for generating a received signal strength indicator analog signal. The synchronized receiver includes a clock which provides a frequency output corresponding to the frequency of the clock driving the pseudo-random noise code generator in the transmitter.

Abstract: An vertical dryer (10) is provided having a plurality of individual dryer decks (12-18) including alternating fan and heater decks (14, 16), an air circulation assembly (11), and an upright, common plenum chamber (26) in communication with the decks (12-18). The assembly (11) is operable to create a continuous drying air stream which passes upwardly in countercurrent flow relationship to product on the decks (12-18). Also, the assembly (11) serves to pass the drying air stream into, through and out of the plenum (26) at the level of each heater deck (16); in the plenum (26), the air stream velocity is decreased, causing particulate fines to fall out of the stream for collection. The use of the common plenum (26) also allows independent control of the decks (12-18) in terms of air flows therethrough and recirculation characteristics.

Abstract: A pressurized tank dispenser assembly generally includes an extractor valve and a relief valve component mounted on a common fitting which may be held to a tank by a securement ring. The extractor valve permits pressurizing the tank and dispensing liquid by the attachment of a coupler thereon without the need for tools, while the relief valve component includes both vacuum relief and overpressure relief valves. The fitting is attached to the tank by the annular securement ring, whereby only a single opening through the tank is necessary to perform all operating functions of the tank.