Abstract: The invention relates to a piece (1) mounted in a fixed and rigid manner on a rigid annular collar (8) of a second piece (2) having an end opening (3). Said piece (1) comprises a transversal wall (14); an annular wall forming a skirt (15), the inner face (15a) of said skirt including a part (39a) having a larger diameter and a part (39b) having a smaller diameter; a holding toric body (45) adjacent to the inner face (15a), deformable between a retracted state and an expanded state, and filled with a swelling medium; and at least one inlet/outlet port (46) for the swelling media, communicating with the holding body (45). The dimensions of the first piece are selected in relation to those of the collar (8), in such a way as to enable the first piece to be able to be slipped onto, or removed from, the second piece (2), when the holding body (45) is in the retracted state, and to be mounted onto the collar (8) in a fixed, rigid and tight manner, when the holding body (45) is in the expanded state.

Abstract: A piece mounted in a fixed, detachable, and sealed manner, on a rigid, annular collar of a second piece having an end opening, include an annular peripheral wall having an inner face that can come into contact with the outer face of the collar. The first includes a transversal wall that can enter the opening; and an annular wall forming a skirt, the inner face of the skirt including a part with a larger diameter, a part with a smaller diameter and an intermediate part that can come into contact with the conjugated parts of the outer face by clamping. The transversal wall and the skirt form one component and are made of a material having a high degree of flexibility enabling the piece, by manual external action, to be brought into an intermediate state wherein it is sufficiently enlarged to be slipped over or removed from the second piece, while remaining in the field of elastic deformation.

Abstract: A mixing process, a spraying and dispersing device, and a mixing device for implementing the process. In the process, components are introduced into a container equipped with introduction elements and mixing elements and the contents are mixed. A mixing facilitator is provided, a spraying and dispersing device that can be connected to the container at one of its introduction element is provided, able to be in an active functional state in which it makes it possible to spray and to disperse a liquid in the container, and then, in a first phase, the base of the contents and then the components to be mixed are introduced into the container, without filling the latter, and in a second phase, the mixing facilitator is introduced into the container via an introduction element, and it is sprayed and dispersed to the components to be mixed by the spraying and dispersing device that is put into the active functional state.

Abstract: A frame delimits an inside space and includes a peripherally closed side wall and two transverse openings or one transverse opening and a transverse end wall. It is capable of allowing the airtight engagement of the open free edge of a side wall in film form of a receptacle that is at least partially deformable. It is specially designed for the creation of a 3D container. The frame is also able to act as a support for at least one functional port or attachment port of a functional element. Its axial size is adequate for delimiting a space of a size that is at least equal to the axial dimension of the functional element, so that the latter can be completely housed within the inside space.

Abstract: A device for connecting to a vessel an accessory has an active portion that includes a first, second and third member and a chamber. The first member ensures rigid attachment of the device to the vessel, defines a passageway, acts as a holder for the second member and as a translation guide between a first distal state and a second proximal state, contributes as a guide for the third member and participates in defining the chamber. The second member acts as a holder for the third member rigidly attached thereon, defines a mobile member capable of sliding between the first distal state and the second proximal state.

Abstract: A vessel includes: a pocket capable of assuming a folded state and an expanded state, processing element including an active inner portion; protection element including a side wall, a lower portion and an upper portion defining an inner space, the lower portion being attached to the upper portion of the pocket, the active inner portion being provided in the inner space when the pocket is in the folded state, the peripheral portion of the inner space about the processing element defining a protection chamber; at least one insertion and/or draining opening. The active inner portion is provided inside the pocket adjacent to the lower end portion thereof, the processing element and the protection element are independent in terms of their movements, and the height of the protection chamber is variable and automatically adapts itself based on respectively, the flat-folded, unfolded and expanded states or any intermediate state of the pocket.

Abstract: In the invention, the atmosphere in a process chamber is conditioned using a primary pump, a secondary pump, speed control means for controlling the speed of the primary pump, and at least first gas analyzer means adapted for analyzing the extracted gases upstream from the primary pump and for producing first analysis signals. First signal processing means control the pumping speed as a function of the first analysis signals, so as to determine the variation in the pressure inside the process chamber during the transient stages of the treatment. In this way, deposits and turbulence are avoided in the process chamber, as are deposits in the pumping line, so that the secondary pump can be placed in the immediate vicinity of the process chamber.

Abstract: The high density RF plasma source of this invention uses a special antenna configuration to launch waves at frequency such as 13,56 MHz. The tunability of this antenna allows to adapt actively the coupling of the RF energy into an evolutive plasma as found in plasma processings in semiconductor manufacturing. This plasma source can be used for the following applications: plasma etching, deposition, sputtering systems, space propulsion, plasma-based sterilization, plasma abatement system. In another embodiment, the plasma source is in conjunction with one or several process chambers, which comprise an array of magnets and RF coils too . These elements can be used, on one hand, for plasma confinement or the active plasma control (Plasma rotation) thanks to feedback control approach, and one the other hand, for in situ NMR Monitoring or analysis such as moisture monitoring inside a process chamber, before or after the plasma process, or for in situ NMR Inspection of wafers or others workpieces.

Abstract: In the invention, the atmosphere in a vacuum chamber (1) is conditioned using a primary pump (3), a secondary pump (2), speed control means (6, 7) for controlling the speed of the primary pump, and at least first gas treatment means (5) adapted for treating the extracted gases downstream from the primary pump (3). The vacuum chamber (1) is contained in a room (130) having a false floor (36) covering a space (37). The primary pump (3) and the gas treatment means (5) are housed in the available space (37) under the false floor (36), so that the secondary pump (2) can be placed in the immediate vicinity of the vacuum chamber (1), and the primary pump (3) is in the proximity of the vacuum chamber (1).

Abstract: The microfluidic dispensing device includes a patterned seal having a specified arrangement of holes and groves, and an connection plate having passages corresponding to the holes in the patterned seal. The patterned seal and the connection plate are configured to stack onto a planar substrate, such as a glass slide, and are sealed together and against the substrate by a negative pressure, or vacuum, applied through the connection plate. When the patterned seal is secured against the substrate, the grooves in the patterned seal form a network of channels for delivering fluids to specified regions on the substrate. The connection plate preferably includes one or more connectors for attaching fluid and/or vacuum lines, and optionally includes one or more sensors to monitor operation of the device. The system of the present invention also includes a device for automatically assembling and handling the microfluidic dispensing device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas analysis system for analyzing gases in an enclosure under controlled pressure, which system comprises apparatus for ionizing the gases to be analyzed, and apparatus for analyzing the ionized gases. According to the invention the apparatus for ionizing the gases to be analyzed comprises a dedicated plasma source in contact with the gases contained in the enclosure and combined with a generator for generating a plasma from the gases to be analyzed; and the apparatus for analyzing the ionized gases comprises a radiation sensor situated in the vicinity of the zone in which the plasma is generated, and connected to an optical spectrometer for analyzing the variation of the radiation spectrum emitted by the generated plasma.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas analysis system for analyzing gases in an enclosure under controlled pressure, which system comprises apparatus for ionizing the gases to be analyzed, and apparatus for analyzing the ionized gases.

Abstract: In the invention, the atmosphere in a vacuum chamber (1) is conditioned using a primary pump (3), a secondary pump (2), speed control means (6, 7) for controlling the speed of the primary pump, and at least first gas treatment means (5) adapted for treating the extracted gases downstream from the primary pump (3). The vacuum chamber (1) is contained in a room (130) having a false floor (36) covering a space (37). The primary pump (3) and the gas treatment means (5) are housed in the available space (37) under the false floor (36), so that the secondary pump (2) can be placed in the immediate vicinity of the vacuum chamber (1), and the primary pump (3) is in the proximity of the vacuum chamber (1).

Abstract: A mini-environment control device includes an individual enclosure to contain a sample and to isolate it from the external environment. An array of micropumps attached to the individual enclosure generates and maintains a controlled vacuum in the individual enclosure. Transfer means introduce the sample into the individual enclosure and extract it therefrom. The micropumps of the array of micropumps can be of a type employing the thermal transpiration effect. Temperature and pressure microsensors and a gas analyzer enable the operation of the array of micropumps to be controlled by an onboard microcomputer. The atmosphere surrounding a sample is therefore controlled.

Abstract: In the invention, the gases present in a transfer chamber are pumped out by means of a primary pump that is driven by variable-speed drive means, that is connected in series with a turbomolecular secondary pump, and that is associated with gas monitoring means for monitoring one or more appropriate characteristic parameters of the pumped gases and for producing control signals acting on the drive means of the primary pump so as to adapt its pumping speed in order to avoid any condensation or solidification of the gases in the airlock or transfer chamber. It is thus possible to optimize the speed at which the pressure is lowered, and to reduce the pollution brought into the process chamber.

Abstract: In the invention, the atmosphere in a process chamber is conditioned using a primary pump, a secondary pump, speed control means for controlling the speed of the primary pump, and at least first gas analyzer means adapted for analyzing the extracted gases upstream from the primary pump and for producing first analysis signals. First signal processing means control the pumping speed as a function of the first analysis signals, so as to determine the variation in the pressure inside the process chamber during the transient stages of the treatment. In this way, deposits and turbulence are avoided in the process chamber, as are deposits in the pumping line, so that the secondary pump can be placed in the immediate vicinity of the process chamber.

Abstract: In the invention, the atmosphere in a process chamber is conditioned using a primary pump, a secondary pump, speed control means for controlling the speed of the primary pump, and at least first gas analyzer means adapted for analyzing the extracted gases upstream from the primary pump and for producing first analysis signals. First signal processing means control the pumping speed as a function of the first analysis signals, so as to determine the variation in the pressure inside the process chamber during the transient stages of the treatment. In this way, deposits and turbulence are avoided in the process chamber, as are deposits in the pumping line, so that the secondary pump can be placed in the immediate vicinity of the process chamber.

Abstract: A mini-environment control device includes an individual enclosure to contain a sample and to isolate it from the external environment. An array of micropumps attached to the individual enclosure generates and maintains a controlled vacuum in the individual enclosure. Transfer means introduce the sample into the individual enclosure and extract it therefrom. The micropumps of the array of micropumps can be of a type employing the thermal transpiration effect. Temperature and pressure microsensors and a gas analyzer enable the operation of the array of micropumps to be controlled by an onboard microcomputer. The atmosphere surrounding a sample is therefore controlled.

Abstract: A tube for dispensing a paste bead comprising a principal paste and a central thread of a second or secondary paste. The tube comprises a skirt portion, a neck portion having an opening serving as a dispensing orifice and a shouder portion joining the skirt and neck portions. The tube further comprises a distributing member comprising a cover portion disposed between the interior of the neck portion and the interior of the skirt portion, and fixed to the interior of the shoulder portion. This distributing member comprises a plurality of longitudinal, generally tubular passages opening into the interior of the skirt portion and into the interior of the neck portion through the cover portion, the tubular passages being separated by at least one gap which is open to the interior of the tube and open to the neck portion through at least one central aperture in the cover portion. The dispensing orifice is located at least 1.5 mm from the central aperture and has a cross-section smaller than 0.