Abstract: An electric meter comprises an electronics housing and a meter base. The electronics housing defines a front panel and includes a first plurality of option board guides. A main meter board is disposed substantially parallel to the front panel. The meter base defines a rear panel of the electric meter. The meter base includes a plurality of housing guides for receiving the electronics housing and a second plurality of option board guides disposed substantially perpendicularly to the rear panel. The second plurality of option board guides are adapted to receive an option board and to position the option board substantially perpendicularly to the main meter board of the electronics housing during assembly of the electronics housing to the meter base. The housing guides in combination with the first and second pluralities of option board guides enable blind assembly of the electronics housing to the meter base.

Abstract: Metal residue on a semiconductor surface resulting from metal chemical mechanical polishing (“CMP”) process are eradicated using a dry clean process. The dry cleaning uniformly removes or substantially eliminates metal residue from the surface of the semiconductor. An unintended metal short that may be present due to the residue may thereby be eliminated by adjusting the dry cleaning process based on a type of dry cleaning material, and type and a thickness of the residue.

Abstract: Metal residue on a semiconductor surface resulting from metal chemical mechanical polishing (“CMP”) process are eradicated using a dry clean process. The dry cleaning uniformly removes or substantially eliminates metal residue from the surface of the semiconductor. An unintended metal short that may be present due to the residue may thereby be eliminated by adjusting the dry cleaning process based on a type of dry cleaning material, and type and a thickness of the residue.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in a process for delivering a fabric refreshening active to a fabric. This improvement includes delivering the active to the fabric in a conventional clothes dryer such that the heat and tumbling action provided by the dryer delivers the active to the fabric while damp to thus provide refreshing properties to the fabric. The invention also relates to a product for delivering the active as noted. The active is generally applied to the fabric at a temperature in the range of 125 to 145° F., and comprises hydrogen peroxide. The refreshening active may include a fragrancing agent so that the fabric is fragranced as the refreshening agent is applied. Preferably, the refreshening active is initially placed in a container that is placed in the dryer, wherein the container does not release the agent until a desired temperature is reached.

Abstract: An edge protection process for semiconductor device fabrication includes forming a protective layer on the circumferential edge region of a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate is placed in a plasma atmosphere and trench structures, such as deep trenches and shallow trench isolation structures are etched in the substrate. The protective layer substantially prevents the etching of the circumferential edge region, such that the formation of black silicon is substantially minimized during the etching process.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of housings for an automatic meter reading device permit the automatic meter reading device to be mounted on a meter such as a water meter, or on a wall remote from the meter. A removable portion of the housing can be separated from a body of the housing when the housing is used to mount the automatic meter reading device on the meter.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a trench capacitor with a reduced resistance in a buried strap window for use in a memory circuit such as a dynamic random access memory circuit may be realized by reducing the number of polysilicon layers that are deposited. The method includes the deposition of a collar material followed by a dry etch of the collar material. The collar material is etched away from the top region leaving a layer of collar material on the wall of the trench between the surface of the first polysilicon layer filling the bottom of the trench and the upper region where the collar material was removed. The second polysilicon layer may be deposited after the collar material has been etched for making contact to other devices.

Abstract: In a semiconductor manufacturing process for a dynamic random access memory, a buried insulator layer such as a buried SIMOX layer between trench capacitors isolates the capacitor from the access transistor, limiting leakage, improving device performance and simplifying manufacturing.

Abstract: An edge protection process for semiconductor device fabrication includes forming a protective layer on the circumferential edge region of a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate is placed in a plasma atmosphere and trench structures, such as deep trenches and shallow trench isolation structures are etched in the substrate. The protective layer substantially prevents the etching of the circumferential edge region, such that the formation of black silicon is substantially minimized during the etching process.

Abstract: A game includes the opportunity for a bonus award. As part of the play of a game, such as a game of video poker, one of the possible winning outcomes is selected and designated a bonus winning outcome. If the player receives that outcome as a result of game play, the player is paid a bonus which is larger than the normal payout for that outcome. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the bonus is funded from a progressive pool. Various embodiments of the invention comprise methods of determining a bonus in a game environment where multiple denomination bets may be placed and where a bonus is awarded for outcomes having different probabilities of occurring.

Abstract: Metal residue on a semiconductor surface resulting from metal chemical mechanical polishing (“CMP”) process are eradicated using a dry clean process. The dry cleaning uniformly removes or substantially eliminates metal residue from the surface of the semiconductor. An unintended metal short that may be present due to the residue may thereby be eliminated by adjusting the dry cleaning process based on a type of dry cleaning material, and type and a thickness of the residue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to eglin c variants which inhibit proteases, and in particular to eglin c mutants at adventitious contact sites. The present invention also relates to eglin c variants which comprise mutations in both adventitious contact sites and at reactive loop sites. The present invention further relates to methods of preparing the eglin c variants, and methods of using the eglin c variants for treatment of diseases including acute bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.

Abstract: A sustained release composite is made from a three-dimensional piece of calcium silicate having a xontolite structure and in which are fibers of textile glass and borosilicate glass, and an active agent. The active agent can be a fire starting material, a fragrance, or a masking fragrance.

Abstract: A therapeutic eye and eyelid cover provides heated saturated air to the covered tissue and a transparent front (18, 19) to enable clear vision during use. The cover includes heating means (17) and means (22) for saturating the air enclosed against the face with water vapor, preventing evaporation from the eye and eye lids and enhancing heat transfer to the covered tissue. The transparent front is constructed to prevent condensation and maintain clear vision at all times during use.

Abstract: A therapeutic eye and eyelid cover provides heated saturated air to the covered tissue and a transparent front (18, 19) to enable clear vision during use. The cover includes heating means (17) and means (22) for saturating the air enclosed against the face with water vapor, preventing evaporation from the eye and eye lids and enhancing heat transfer to the covered tissue. The transparent front is constructed to prevent condensation and maintain clear vision at all times during use.

Abstract: A stator core (20) and manufacturing frame (40) combination, a stator core plate punching member (30), and methods of rolling a core body (22) without risk of significant damage to the core body (22) are provided. The combination preferably includes a stator core (20) having a substantially cylindrical and elongate core body (22). The core body (22) preferably includes a plurality of plate punching members (30). Each of the plurality of plate punching members (30) has a substantially smooth outer surface (32). The combination also preferably includes a manufacturing frame (40) positioned to substantially underlie the core body (22). The frame (40) preferably includes a plurality of spaced-apart rollers (45) each positioned to contact the substantially smooth outer surface (32) of each of the plurality of place punching members (30).

Abstract: A stator core (20) and manufacturing frame (40) combination, a stator core plate punching member (30), and methods of rolling a core body (22) without risk of significant damage to the core body (22) are provided. The combination preferably includes a stator core (20) having a substantially cylindrical and elongate core body (22). The core body (22) preferably includes a plurality of plate punching members (30). Each of the plurality of plate punching members (30) has a substantially smooth outer surface (32). The combination also preferably includes a manufacturing frame (40) positioned to substantially underlie the core body (22). The frame (40) preferably includes a plurality of spaced-apart rollers (45) each positioned to contact the substantially smooth outer surface (32) of each of the plurality of place punching members (30).

Abstract: An integrated semiconductor circuit, in particular a semiconductor memory circuit, having at least one integrated electrical antifuse structure is described. The antifuse structure is located within an insulated well composed of semiconductor material.

Abstract: A power generation system (10) including an apparatus for attaching a generator stator core (20) to a frame support (30) and associated methods are provided. The system (10) preferably includes a stator core frame support member (30) and a generator stator core (20) including a plurality of keybars (22) positioned spaced-apart and extending along outer peripheral portions of the generator stator core (20). The generator stator core (20) is positioned to overlie the stator core frame support member (30). The system (10) further includes a core supporter (40) connected to the stator core frame support member (30) and positioned to contact the generator stator core (20). The core supporter (40) includes first (43) and second (44) core connectors (42) for stabilizing the power generation system and relieving vibration and eliminating lateral movement of the generator stator core (20) during operation.

Abstract: A valve lock for securing the handle of a pipe. The valve lock includes a first housing having first and second contact points for engaging the pipe and a retention chamber that receives the handle. The first housing is in a final position to prevent rotation of the handle when the retention chamber receives the handle and the first and second contact points are seated against the pipe. A second housing has a third contact point for engaging the pipe and a lock member for disposition relative to the first housing when the first housing is in the final position and the third contact point is seated against the pipe. The lock member receives the shackle of a padlock to secure the lock member to the first housing.