Abstract: An automated system for preparing a plurality of cytological specimens from a plurality of fluid samples in vials includes an apparatus for collecting a monolayer of cells from each sample and transferring the cells to a microscope slide for fixing, staining, and inspection. The system includes a first loading station for receiving the sample vials, a second loading station for receiving consumables such as filter membranes, a slide dispenser, and an unloading area for removing completed specimen slides. To maintain one-to-one correlation between the samples and specimens produced therefrom, the system includes a subsystem for identifying each sample and permanently marking each slide with corresponding indicia prior to transferring the specimen thereto.

Abstract: A curable film-forming composition is provided that on curing produces a coating, comprising in a medium (i) 10 to 90 percent by weight based on the total weight of resin solids in the film-forming composition of a crosslinking agent; (ii) 10 to 90 percent by weight based on the total weight of resin solids in the film-forming composition of a polymer containing a plurality of functional groups reactive with the crosslinking agent; and (iii) 20 to 85 percent by volume based on the total volume of the film-forming composition of particles having a mean particle size less than 100 nm. The particles further have an index of refraction sufficiently similar to that of the polymer of (ii) to minimize haze, and have an affinity for the medium sufficient to keep the particles suspended therein. The affinity of the particles for the medium is greater than the affinity of the particles for each other, thereby preventing agglomeration of the particles within the medium.

Abstract: A coating composition comprising a phenolic resin, an alkoxy silane, and an acid. The coating composition of the present invention promotes adhesion between a multiple layer coating composition and a substrate and between the respective layers of the multiple layer coating composition.

Abstract: An automated system for preparing a plurality of cytological specimens from a plurality of fluid samples in vials includes an apparatus for collecting a monolayer of cells from each sample and transferring the cells to a microscope slide for fixing, staining, and inspection. The system includes a first loading station for receiving the sample vials, a second loading station for receiving consumables such as filter membranes, a slide dispenser, and an unloading area for removing completed specimen slides. To maintain one-to-one correlation between the samples and specimens produced therefrom, the system includes a subsystem for identifying each sample and permanently marking each slide with corresponding indicia prior to transferring the specimen thereto.

Abstract: Novel imine functional copolymers are provided containing a plurality of groups of the structure: where R1 is hydrogen or methyl; R2 is hydrogen or an alkyl group having from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms; R3 is an alkyl or aryl group having from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, or R3 is bonded to R2 and forms part of a five- or six-membered ring; and Y is a divalent linking group having from about 3 to about 15 carbon atoms. The composition is useful in film-forming compositions curable at ambient temperature and above.

Abstract: An aqueous two-component polyisocyanate coating composition is based on an essentially isocyanate-free emulsifier that comprises the reaction product of:(i) an isocyanate and(ii) a member selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy functional polyalkyl ethers containing at least five ethylene oxide, alcohols different from said polyalkyl ethers, amine compounds, and combinations thereof. The hydroxy functional polyalkyl ether is provided in a quantity sufficient to react at least one equivalent of isocyanate groups in polyisocyanate (i), and the total amounts of reactants (ii) are sufficient to react all of the isocyanate groups of the polyisocyanate (i).

Abstract: Disclosed are aqueous, single-component coating compositions that contain as the primary binder component a polyurea which is the reaction product of:(a) a polymeric component containing at least one polymer based on olefinically unsaturated compounds and containing isocyanate-reactive groups comprising primary amino groups and/or secondary amino groups, with the optional additional presence of hydroxyl groups; and(b) a polyisocyanate component containing polyisocyanate groups in amounts sufficient to provide an NCO/NH equivalent ratio of about 0.5:1 to 1:1.

Abstract: A two-component coating composition is disclosed wherein the binder components comprise: (a) an amino component comprising an aqueous solution and/or dispersion of at least one polyacrylate containing amino groups in a quantity sufficient to make said polyacrylate soluble and/or dispersible in water upon neutralization with acid; and (b) a polyisocyanate component containing free isocyanate groups. Also disclosed is the method of emulsifying component (b) into component (a).

Abstract: Disclosed are aqueous, single-package or two-package coating compositions having pH above 7.0 that contain as the binder a polyurea which is the product of a polyisocyanate and an anionic amino polymer synthesized in water from olefinically unsaturated monomers including primary or secondary amine containing monomers, the monomers being substantially free of acid groups. The polymerization of the amino polymer is carried out in the presence of an azo initiator dispersed in water by neutralization of acid groups present on the initiator.

Abstract: A load chamber of a load lock is provided with a vertical air curtain which isolates the load chamber from the general clean room environment. Horizontal air flows generated in the load chamber bathe wafers held horizontally in the chamber with filtered air. These horizontal air flows are captured by the air curtain and recirculated to filters which provide horizontal and vertical air flows in the load chamber. If desired, the vertical and horizontal flows may be driven by the air supply mechanism of the clean room itself.

Abstract: Wafer transfer apparatus for horizontal transfer of a wafer between a cassette and an input station of a vacuum processing system includes a wafer transfer arm with a primary section linked to a secondary section so as to move a wafer in a straight line to a location and orientation station and then to the input station. The actual location of the wafer center and the angular orientation of the wafer flat are determined, and the wafer is rotated to a desired angular orientation at the location and orientation station. A solar cell is used to sense actual wafer position by sensing the wafer edge as it is rotated. The required correction and rotation are calculated from the solar cell output. As the wafer is transferred to the input station, correcting displacements are added to the movement so that the wafer is accurately positioned at the input station. A strain gauge is used to reliably sense wafer presence or absence on the transfer arm.

Abstract: A rack for use in carrying recorded discs through a cleaning operation includes a substantially C-shaped rod having a hook at its top end and three sets of spaced posts extending from the sides of a circular bottom portion. A separate plastic spindle is mounted on each of the posts with each spindle having a plurality of spaced annular grooves in its outer surface. The recorded discs are adapted to be set in the grooves in the spindles to support the discs on the rack.

Abstract: A nozzle for directing a flow of lubricant particles vertically downwardly onto the surface of a disc moving horizontally across the discharge opening of the nozzle includes a pair of side plates which are secured together by end plates to form an enclosure having a narrow discharge opening at the bottom edge. The side plates are substantially in the form of isoceles trapezoids having a bottom edge wider than its top edge and having the end plates extending between the nonparallel edges of the side plates. An inlet port is connected to the top edges of the plates. The side plates have on their inner surfaces adjacent their bottom edges a groove which extends along the bottom edges to the end plates. The grooves are adapted to catch any lubricant which flows down the inner surfaces of the side plates and direct such lubricant to the ends of the discharge opening where the lubricant can drip from the nozzle.

Abstract: A system and process for the safe supply, distribution, and delivery of a highly volatile and flammable liquid from a contained source of supply of the liquid remote from a closed work environment to a process area within the closed work environment includes a pipeline extending from within the contained supply to the process area within the closed work environment to provide for the delivery of the liquid from the supply to the process area. The system further includes a protective casing spaced from and completely enclosing the pipeline from a point on the pipeline adjacent the process area to a point on the pipeline closely adjacent the pipeline's entry into the closed work environment. The protective casing opens outwardly of the closed work environment to thereby trap within the space existing between the casing and the pipeline any vapors that may be escaping from the liquid within the pipeline for exhausting of the same outwardly of the closed work environment.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a novel method of forming a flexible, tapered end on a thermoplastic molding strip. The strip is of the type having a top surface shaped to provide desired protective and/or decorative functions. The bottom surface is generally flat for bonding to a desired article such as a side panel or door of an automotive vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises removing a V-shaped notch from the end of the strip, with the opening of the V at the end, to form adjacent triangular shaped legs. The notched end is then bent to stretch the bottom surface and the legs are drawn together to form the taper. The edges of the legs adjacent the taper are bonded together only at the pointed end. Multiple cuts are then made into the bottom surface of the strip, perpendicular to the line formed by closing the notch, between the tip and the original apex of the notch.