Abstract: A method and system for three-dimensional imaging of objects, including integrated circuit interconnections and many other microelectronic assemblies and miniature parts, is used to greatly improve the efficiency of triangulation-based laser line scanning systems. A scanning beam is incident at a normal angle to the X,Y inspection plane with the scan line oriented at 45.degree., diagonal to an axis defining a first direction of motion. Motion of the imaging head along the axis is used to acquire line scan images in the non-orthogonal coordinate system having symmetry about the orthogonal axes of motion.

Abstract: A leadframe has conductive fingers with an insulating film located on a first portion of the fingers. The insulating film has openings into which contact pads formed of a noble metal are provided. Pads on a chip are wire bonded to these contact pads on the leadframe. The first portion is encapsulated in a molded package. The structure inhibits silver migration, provides insulation between wires and leadframe, and provides improved adhesion between plastic package and leadframe. A single insulating film with openings for providing the contact pads provides all these features.

Abstract: A nozzle and container cleaning system for rinsing and washing the interior of a flexible container. The system comprises a bulk bag dispenser having a concentric reducer and a pair of nozzles. The nozzles comprise an inner and outer cylinder, where the outer cylinder penetrates through the wall of the reducer, so that it communicates with the interior of the bag. The inner cylinder has a conduit and is slidably mounted within the outer cylinder and has an extended and retracted position. The conduit is connected to a fluid source which provides a pressurized fluid, either liquid or gas. The fluid is forced through a set of orifices in the inner cylinder and into the interior of the bag when the inner cylinder is between its two positions, thus expanding and rinsing the interior of the bag. The orifices have a notch positioned proximate to where the orifices exit the inner cylinder to better adjust the spray pattern of the fluid.

Abstract: A method and system for three-dimensional imaging of objects, including integrated circuit interconnections to improve the efficiency of triangulation-based laser line scanning systems. A scanning beam is incident at a normal angle to the X,Y inspection plane with the scan line oriented at 45.degree., diagonal to an axis defining a first direction of motion. Motion of the imaging head along the axis is used to acquire line scan images in the non-orthogonal coordinate system.

Abstract: A leadframe has conductive fingers with an insulating film located on a first portion of the fingers. The insulating film has openings into which contact pads formed of a noble metal are provided. Pads on a chip are wire bonded to these contact pads on the leadframe. The first portion is encapsulated in a molded package. The structure inhibits silver migration, provides insulation between wires and leadframe, and provides improved adhesion between plastic package and leadframe. A single insulating film with openings for providing the contact pads provides all these features.

Abstract: A net for covering raked leaves and similar plant debris. The net is bounded on two sides by two telescoping poles. A chain links the ends the ends of the two poles, and a second chain links the remaining ends of the two poles. The net is thus weighted to hug the ground and resist displacement by the wind. The net, being flexible, accommodates leaf piles of different volumes and dimensions. The telescoping poles and flexible chains both hold the net down by gravity, and also influence the overall configuration of the net. Opposing sides of the net attached to the poles remain straight, although of variable length due to telescoping. Opposing sides of the net attached to the chains are reconfigurable due to flexibility of the chains. The net is useful for immediately covering collected leaves, and preventing dispersion by the wind. Also, the net is suitable for longer term use in composting. Rings attached the poles enable stakes to secure the net in place for composting or other long term uses.

Abstract: A wheeled plow shovel for plowing leaves or snow in a desired direction. The inventive device includes a main panel having a pair of wheels and a scraper blade extending downwardly therefrom. A handle is mounted to the main panel to permit manual manipulation of the device over a ground surface during a plowing procedure. In addition, a pair of slidably mounted wings can be extended laterally of the main body to increase a transverse width of the plowed area.

Abstract: A cremation urn having a first container adapted for receiving the cremated remains of a deceased person, and a second, concealed container for storing memorabilia. The second container serves as the closure for the first, thus, the second container is substantially contained within the first container, inconspicuous but accessible to a user for the purpose of viewing objects contained therein. The second container is closed with a plug that may carry a vase for holding cut flowers, greenery and so forth. Preferably, the urn has identical openings at opposing ends, so that the first container may close either opening and the other opening can be closed by a plug.

Abstract: A device for the eradication of fire ants includes a reservoir for the introduction of liquid insecticide, a conduit that transports liquid insecticide from the reservoir to a dispersion manifold, and a pointed tip to facilitate pushing the device into the ground. The manifold has a main passage in fluid communication with the interior of the conduit and a plurality of lateral holes in communication with the main passage that lead to the exterior surface of the manifold. The exterior surface of the manifold has an annular channel where the holes emerge from the manifold to space the holes apart from the dirt of the wall of the bore hole formed as the device is pushed into the ground. This gap helps to keep the holes free of dirt and soil particles so the pesticide can flow freely from the device. The reservoir is sized to hold an effective amount of insecticide, approximately one quart or more.

Abstract: Control of the local environment during pulsed laser removal of thin film circuit metallurgy is used to change the nature of the top surfaces. Interconnecting such laser treated surfaces with LCVD films results in different growth morphologies, dependent on the nature of the surface created and the debris generated during the ablation process. Flowing helium across the surface during the ablation process results in improved growth morphologies for the same laser writing conditions. A low power laser scan is used to induce metal deposition on the substrate without surface damage. This is followed by several scans at an intermediate laser power to deposit the desired thickness of metal (e.g., about 8 .mu.m). Lastly, a high power laser scan is used, either at the points of intersection between the existing metallurgy and the metal repair or across the entire deposit area. Thermal spreading or blooming is reduced by modulating the intensity of the laser source.

Abstract: Solder flux compositions and pastes made therefrom, consisting essentially of solder metal powder, an amount of non-corrosive water soluble flux, said water soluble flux comprising a mixture of 2 non-corrosive water-soluble components, one of which is a non-halogenated amine, preferably triethanolamine and the other of which is an organic moiety with a polar group, preferably GAFAC RE-610.

Abstract: Thin-film electrical circuits are interconnected by a process comprising the steps of partially ablating the existing thin-film conductor at the connection point(s) by means of a pulsed laser and depositing a thin-film metal interconnection over the desired area, which includes the area(s) of the existing thin-film circuit that were exposed the pulsed laser.

Abstract: A process for generating a capacitive servo pattern on a magnetic storage disk, comprising the steps of: (1) coating the disk with a solution of noble metal compound to form a film of the compound on the disk, (2) exposing said film to radiation through a mask to generate an image on the film, and (3) plating the disk on the areas exposed to radiation.

Abstract: A system for locating a feature of an object disposed in a frame includes a spot projector for projecting a spot in the general vicinity of the feature and an imaging device with a limited field of view. The spot projector is a precision device which projects the spot towards a preselected location on the frame. When the spot and the feature are in the field of view of the imaging device, the absolute location of the feature is determined from its selective distance to the spot. Provisions are also made for determining depth or relief information about the object.

Abstract: In the present system, the thickness of an object with two surfaces is determined by forming two geometric images on the surfaces in a superimposed relationship. The images are viewed by two video cameras and their relative positions with respect to two corresponding references are determined. These relative positions are used to measure the thickness of the object.

Abstract: A process for depositing and tightly binding noble metal seeds onto a substrate by coating the substrate with a very thin layer of a polymer which complexes with a noble metal compound and contacting the layer of polymer with a noble metal compound which forms a complex with the layer of polymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to flame retarding compositions comprising flame retardants selected from pentate salts and nitrogen-containing phosphates wherein one or both are encapsulated in a material to reduce contacts between the flame retardants during processing and to thus reduce or eliminate pre-reaction between the two flame retardants, which pre-reaction, normally leads to degradation of flameproofing properties of the compositions. The invention is also directed to flame retardant polyurethane compositions containing a polyurethane resin and both of the flame retardants. As between the flame retardants, amount of the phosphate is about 10-99% whereas amount of the pentate salt is about 90-1%, on weight basis. In the polyurethane compositions, combined weight of the two flame retardants is about 10-60%, based on the weight of the polyurethane resin and the two flame retardants.

Abstract: This invention relates to flame retarding compositions comprising a pentate salt selected from melammonium pentate and the pentate salt of ammelide, and a nitrogen-containing phosphate selected from amine phosphates, ammonium phosphates, and ammonium polyphosphates in amount of 25 to 95 volume % phosphate to 75 to 5 volume % pentate salt which produce unexpected results in thermoplastic polyurethane compositions in terms of oxygen index, and UL-94 rating. This invention also pertains to polyurethane compositions containing a thermoplastic polyurethane resin and a flame retarding combination of a pentate salt and a phosphate, defined above, in amount of 10 to 35 volume % of the two flame retarding components based on the total volume of the resin plus the two flame retarding componets. An aryl phosphate can also be included to enhance the flame retarding properties of thermoplastic polyurethanes. Such polyurethane compositions are intumescent, drip retardant, and are halogen-free.