Abstract: Dry etching of a metal oxide film exposed without being coated with a photoresist is carried out with plasma of a gas obtained by mixing hydrogen iodide with at least one gas selected from the group consisting of a group consisting of fluorine gas and fluorine-based compound gases and a group consisting of nitrogen gas and nitrogen-based compound gases, and then after the exposing of the above mentioned photoresist film to plasma of oxygen gas, the remaining photoresist film is removed by etching with plasma of a gas obtained by mixing oxygen gas with at least one gas selected from the group consisting of a group consisting of fluorine gas and fluorine-based compound gases and a group consisting of nitrogen gas and nitrogen-based compound gases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a molded part (10) which is configured by initially forming a tubular body (2) with a soldered flange (7). Subsequently, the body (2) is shaped in a mold (8) by securing the flange (7) under high internal pressure to shape the form part or the preform (10). Thus, preforms with a secured flange that can be used to connect said preforms to other parts can be easily obtained.

Abstract: An inductive plasma torch operating at atmospheric pressure is used for wafer or glass substrate processing. Said torch employs a linear type of plasma confinement. This linear torch is particularly suitable for photoresist etching and processes in which it has the advantages of high chemical isotropic etch rate and low plasma damage.

Abstract: An energy beam driven rapid fabrication system, in which an energy beam strikes a growth surface to form a molten puddle thereon. Feed powder is then injected into the molten puddle from a converging flow of feed powder. A portion of the feed powder becomes incorporated into the molten puddle, forcing some of the puddle contents to freeze on the growth surface, thereby adding an additional layer of material. By scanning the energy beam and the converging flow of feed powder across the growth surface, complex three-dimensional shapes can be formed, ready or nearly ready for use. Nearly any class of material can be fabricated using this invention.

Abstract: In general, the present invention pertains to an apparatus and control system for working sheet material employs a tilting mechanism which automatically tilts a head about a theoretical point disposed upon the sheet material. In another aspect of the present invention, the head is defined as a laser head and the pivot point corresponds with the laser beam focal point. A further aspect of the present invention provides a seam tracking device and control system which automatically adjust a welding head height relative to the sheet material as a datum rather than relative to a gantry or other structure supporting the welding head. In yet another aspect of the present invention, an optical seam tracking device is employed to automatically tilt the welding head along differing rotational planes. In still another aspect of the present invention, various axial slides are employed in combination with a gantry.

Abstract: A silicon wafer process fixture having various silicon members secured together. The fixture may include a plurality of generally elongate silicon support member secured to a generally planar silicon base. The silicon members may be composed of monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, or virgin polysilicon.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for trimming dye coated on a recordable disc substrate during production of an optical memory disc which includes a substrate rotation assembly for rotating the disc substrate, an optic assembly for directing a laser beam directly upon the rotatable substrate to trim the dye coated thereon, and a process byproduct removing assembly for removing the trimmed byproducts from the substrate.

Abstract: A method for forming through holes, which has laser beam as the light source to project the laser beam to the work object using an optical system through a photomask for the formation of through holes on the work object by ablation processing, comprises the steps of increasing the concentration of the optical processing energy contributing to the process using the reflected beam created from the work object in the laser ablation processing; and forming each of through holes having the configuration enabling the narrower end to be changed to the wider end in the incident direction of laser beam. With the structure thus arranged, it becomes possible to increase the energy concentration that contributes to the process as compared with the usual ablation processing, because the reflected beam created in the ablation processing can be utilized again for the optical processing.

Abstract: A low carbon metal-core weld wires for gas shielded welding operations having a low carbon steel sheath with a carbon content not more than approximately 0.008% C. A metal-core composition of the weld wire has little and preferably no fluxing agents, so that the weld deposit produced thereby has no more than occasional slag islands formed thereon. The metal-core composition may have carbon added thereto to improve the mechanical properties of weld deposit produced thereby, and the metal-core composition is between approximately 16% and approximately 20% of a total weight of the metal-core weld wire. The low carbon metal-core weld wire has a relatively low fume generation rate and produces weld deposits with excellent mechanical properties.

Abstract: A heating appliance such as an electric heating blanket having a control circuit which controls the application of power to the heating element of the blanket based on the condition of the heating element. The circuit senses the voltage at the end of the heating element in order to determine if the heating element has a short or an open circuit condition therein. Under normal conditions, the sensed voltage will be above a predetermined threshold value. If the sensed voltage falls below the threshold value, the control circuit shuts off power to the heating element. The control circuit will keep power off until the fault condition has been corrected and power has been removed and reapplied to the control circuit.

Abstract: A control is provided for an electrical appliance having at least one electrical operating device associated with a working area, particularly for an electrical cooking appliance with a heating element and a glass ceramic area as the working area. The control has a power unit for supplying the operating device with electric power, as well as a control unit adapted to the power unit for controlling the latter. The control unit is housed in an operating unit, separate from the electrical appliance and which comprises operating elements and display devices for displaying the operating states of the electrical appliance or the control. For the control-effective connection between the control and power units, there is a coupling device positioned laterally alongside the glass ceramic cooking area and which permits a fitting of the operating unit outside the glass ceramic cooking area in a docking position, where the control unit and power unit are power-effectively connected.

Abstract: A shielding method for achieving highly uniform temperatures in liquids during microwave heating by substantially enhancing vertical mixing currents in said liquids, making determinations of final temperature reached in said liquids either by touch or the use of a temperature indicator efficacious, comprising: a electrically conductive shield having very low impedance at microwave frequencies; having, a generally cylindrical shape, and dimensions chosen to accommodate a variety of microwaveable containers. said shield: to be concentric with a microwaveable container, containing a liquid to be heated by microwave radiation; and, to be located so as the top edge of said shield is at or above a vertical level corresponding to the level of the liquid in said container; and, to be of sufficient height as to cover at least 10% of the height of the liquid in said container.

Abstract: Manufacturing steps for a cathode ray tube or a glass bulb for the cathode ray tube are controlled in such a manner that a two-dimensional matrix code 3 comprised of a plurality of dots is marked by laser in an outer side surface of a glass bulb 1, 5, the two-dimensional matrix code 3 containing the information which can identify individually glass bulbs, and the manufacturing steps are conducted by using a computer and the particulars specified by the serial information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermoformed containers and processes of making thermoformed containers. The containers are cost effective, can be produced from post-consumer recycled material and, in many cases, can be classified as recyclable.

Abstract: A container for dispensing a predetermined amount of liquid through a dispensing tube is disclosed. A valve is dimensioned to contain and dispense a predetermined about of liquid and dispense the liquid through a dispensing tube in contact with the valve. The liquid is in fluid contact with the inlet port when the base is in a first position and out of fluid contact with the inlet port when the base is in a second position. Thus, the valve fills with liquid when the container is in a substantially horizontal position while angling the container removes the liquid from contact with the valve and stops the fluid flow. Preferably the container has a sealable, watertight lid that receives the dispensing tube and incorporates vent holes to enable airflow into the container. The fluid inlet port can be placed in the side or top of the valve. The valve can alternatively be a tube with fluid and tube inlets in fluid communication.

Abstract: A series of successive filled and closed containers for filter rod sections or other products of the tobacco processing industry is advanced stepwise along a horizontal path. When the foremost container of the series reaches a given portion of the path, it is moved forwardly and away from the next-following container into the cage of an elevator. The foremost container is opened while in or at the cage, and the cage is thereupon lifted to a level at which the opened container therein can be tilted to dump its contents into a chute, a magazine of the like. The thus emptied container is thereupon tilted back to its original orientation and is transported away to a dump, to a recycling station or to a refilling station. All of the above-enumerated undertakings are carried out automatically. The next-following container, i.e., the foremost container of the remainder of the series, is thereupon manipulated in the same way as the aforementioned foremost container, and so forth.

Abstract: A dispenser for elongated rod-like articles. The dispenser has a housing which has a trap chamber rotatable cylinder wherein the trap gravitationally captures from the bottom of a pile, one at a time, one of the rod-like articles and arcuately moves it by means of the cylinder to a downwardly facing position from whence the rod-like article falls onto a chute. The housing is loaded from a cartridge which contains the rod-like articles and is inserted on top of the housing when in use. The cylinder is constructed of a plurality of spaced apart discs each of which has a radially extending notch in alignment with one another to thereby define an elongated trap for the rod-like articles to be dispensed.

Abstract: A dispenser comprising a valved aerosol container and a unitary flexible barrier member having a wall portion terminating in sealing means, which sealing means is joined to the container in either a top seal or bottom seal relationship. The wall portion has first and second wall portions, the first wall portion terminating in a central piston region and the second wall portion terminating in a sealing flange, the wall portion being steeply frusto-conical and sufficiently thick and rigid to be free-standing before incorporation into a container. The barrier is nestable with like barriers.

Abstract: A suit hanger includes a hook having a straight portion and a frame connected to the hook. The frame has an articulating section in a middle thereof, thereby allowing the frame to be folded at the articulating section along a pivotal axis that is at an angle with an extending direction of the straight portion of the hook.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a base plate having features enabling mounting on a person's belt or pocket. A cradling device is adapted for receiving a hand tool and for clamping the hand tool A biasing device is adapted for moving the tool clamping device between a tool receiving position and a tool clamping position so as to make the tool available for use and to place the tool within reach when it is needed respectively. When the tool is removed from the clamping device the it is automatically unclamped. When the tool is placed into the clamping device it is automatically clamped in place.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a method of forming a semiconductor chip assembly. A substrate is provided. Such substrate has a pair of opposing surfaces and circuitry formed on one of the opposing surfaces. A semiconductor chip is joined to the substrate. The semiconductor chip has bonding regions thereon. A plurality of wires join to the circuitry and extend over the bonding regions of the semiconductor chip. The wires are pressed down to about the bonding regions of the semiconductor chip with a tool. The tool is lifted from the wires, and subsequently the wires are adhered to the bonding regions of the semiconductor chip. The invention also encompasses an apparatus for forming wire bonds from circuitry on a substrate to a semiconductor chip joined to the substrate. Such apparatus comprises a support for supporting the substrate and the semiconductor chip.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of forming improved wire bonds between the contact pads on semiconductor devices and individual lead frame fingers of a lead frame. The apparatus and method includes the use of a penetrating individual independent lead finger clamp during the wire bonding process to provide increased stability of the individual lead finger for improved bonding by the clamp penetrating a portion of the lead finger being bonded. If desired, the apparatus and method also provides for the use of either a penetrating or non-penetrating fixed clamp for the lead fingers during the wire bonding process in addition to the penetrating individual independent lead finger clamp during the wire bonding process to provide increased stability of the individual lead finger for improved bonding.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for releasing solder spheres during the locating and/or placing of a pattern of conductive preforms 32 on a respective pattern of electronic pads 14 on a receiving substrate 12 for such uses as a Ball Grid Array component 24. The release mechanisms are of either compliant mechanical 11, vibratory 90, air pressure 100 or 120, or sound pressure waves 140. Additionally, a method and apparatus is disclosed for the electrical inspection for presence or absence of the complete pattern of conductive preforms.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a method of making solder bump interconnections or BGA ranging from chip-level connections to either single chip or multichip modules, flip-chip packages and printed circuit boards connections. According to the method of the present invention, a die wafer or a substrate with a conductive contact location is positioned in close proximity and aligned with a mold wafer having a pocket corresponding to the contact location of the die wafer. A source of a molten solder is also provided which interconnects with the mold wafer. The molten solder from the source is introduced into the pocket of the mold wafer such that the molten solder wets the contact location aligned with the pocket. Before the molten solder inside the pocket is allowed to solidify, the die wafer and the mold wafer are separated from each other.

Abstract: A reusable assembled box and a method of transport thereof are provided, in that the box has a base with greater strength, and is capable of disassembled into compact pieces facilitating sending back thereof, thus reducing a transport cost and enabling reuse of the box in higher frequency. The box comprises a first member, a second member, and coupling members. The first member is in a substantially rectangular shape, comprises a base and a pair of opposing side walls folded up from the base. The second member is in a substantially rectangular shape and comprises a base, overlain on the base of the first member, in a shape substantially identical to that of the first member, and a pair of side walls adjacent to the walls of the first member. The coupling members detachably couples upper end corners of adjacent side walls of the first and second members assembled into a box by overlaying the bases of the first and second members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a bottom closure of a container employing multiple assembly lines and including a universally foldable seal fin as a part of the bottom closure. A novel blank for the container is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of secured card issuance from a card issuing machine, as well as a system for card issuance, that is designed to address many of the security concerns surrounding automated, self-service card issuance. The invention relies upon a combination of measures to enhance the security of the card issuance process. The security measures include tracking and auditing of the cards from a card loading site up to the time of card issuance to the customer, controlling physical access to the cards, and real time reporting and monitoring of card transactions and subsequent inventory changes.

Abstract: A card, generally rectangular, for maintains a material in a fixed position is dimensioned to interact with the disclosed holding plate for use with a spectrophotometer. A pair of polygon windows within the card are aligned with the window of the holding plate which aligns with the window of the spectrophotometer. Sealing means secure the card to itself when folded and retain the material overlaying the window within the folded card. A fabric recess preferable encompasses one of the windows and a fabric adhesive, preferably releasable, maintains the fabric swatch in position. The fabric adhesive can be placed within the fabric recess or encompassing an opposing window. The cards are stored within a pocketed holder having pockets dimensioned to individually store multiple cards on a sheet. The holding plate is dimensioned to be received and affixed to a spectrophotometer. A slot, open at one end of the holding plate, retains the cards.

Abstract: Shower heads are disclosed providing for varying types of spray. One spray head provides three different spray patterns, each of which provides spray through outlets at different force levels.

Abstract: Shower heads are disclosed providing for varying types of spray. One spray head provides three different spray patterns, with two of the patterns having pulsing impellers which can pulse at different speeds from each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrostatic rotary atomizer for coating purposes, with an aerostatic, if appropriate multi-part bearing 3 absorbing axially and radially directed forces and intended for a shaft 4 mounted in suspension in an air gap 21 and carrying an atomizer bell 5.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for chopping food, in particular ice cubes, which includes a container body (2) subdivided into an upper processing zone (20) and a lower collecting zone (21). The rotary chopping tool (3) received in the processing zone (20) serves to comminute the food materials. A sieve (4; 25; 26) is provided in the transition region from the processing zone (20) to the collecting zone (21). The device of the invention has the advantage of enabling both foodstuffs and ice cubes to be reduced to defined sizes readily. In addition, ice cubes may be reduced without major amounts of energy being absorbed by the chopping tool (3) and without the reduced parts beginning to melt.

Abstract: An open throat crop material processor for disintegrating baled crop material comprises a container having front and back walls and two side walls, a disintegrator and at least two rollers for manipulating the bale mounted within the container in parallel between the front and the back walls and a discharge opening that is at the bottom of the first of the side walls of the container. The sides of the discharge opening are defined by the front and back walls, the bottom of the opening is defined by the second side wall that extends under the disintegrator and the top of the opening is defined by the first side wall that extends down to below one of the manipulator rollers. The crop material processor further includes an elongated baffle located adjacent the disintegrator on the discharge opening side of the processor. The baffles may have a planar or curvilinear surface facing the disintegrator and the ends of the baffle may be fixed to or moveably mounted to the front and the back walls.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for a wound wire that is relatively stiff such as electrical wires, cables or similar. According to a first aspect of the invention, the device comprises a shaft; a hub rotatively mounted around the shaft, the hub comprising a central core and a plurality of arms extending radialy outwardly therefrom and at least partially around the wound wire for containing the wound wire and restraining an innermost spire thereof; and guiding means connected to the shaft for guiding the wire extending from the innermost spire as a free end of the spire is being pulled. According to another aspect of the invention, the device comprises a shaft, a body rotatively mounted on the shaft, a hub mounted around the shaft, and guiding means connected to the body.

Abstract: A seat belt tension adjuster adjusts tension on a seat belt wound on a reel by a biasing spring. The tension adjuster includes a biasing force adjusting mechanism situated between the reel and the spring for adjusting a biasing force transmitted from the spring to the reel depending on a rotational angular position of the reel. The biasing force adjusting mechanism includes a cam for gradually changing the biasing force based on the rotational angular position of the reel. The tension adjuster can freely set the withdrawing force and the winding force of the seat belt.

Abstract: The invention relates to a force limiter for a seat belt retractor comprising a frame, a belt reel rotatably mounted in the frame and a drum which may be coupled with the belt reel for joint rotation. The force limiter further comprises a plastically deformable metal band that may be wound on the drum with dissipation of energy. The metal band runs through a plurality of deflection elements arranged on the frame to be deformed thereby. At least one of the deflection elements is supported on a supporting structure fixed to the frame and is arranged on the frame so as to be movable transversely to the metal band. The deflection element is provided with a stepped contact surface area for a correspondingly stepped abutment surface area on the supporting structure, whereby, when the supporting structure engages a step of the contact surface area, a retraction movement of the deflection element relative to the metal band is permitted.

Abstract: A winding machine (1) includes a yarn traversing apparatus (2) including a housing (3) having an elongated opening (11). A reversing screw thread shaft (5) has an outer surface (14), it is rotatably supported in the housing (3) and it includes en endless screw thread groove (4). A traversing yarn guide (6) includes a body (7), a shuttle (8) being designed and arranged to engage the endless screw thread groove (4), a yarn guide (9) and a guide bush (12) having an inner surface (13). The traversing yarn guide (6) is designed and arranged to be driven by the reversing screw thread shaft (4) to reciprocate in an axial direction. The yarn guide (9) is designed and arranged to project out of the elongated opening (11) of the housing (3). The inner surface (13) of the guide bush (12) is designed and arranged to at least partially surround the outer surface (14) of the reversing screw thread shaft (5).

Abstract: A bracket for fastening the support pipe of a joint arm awning on a wall comprises two flanges which are perpendicular to the wall and mounted thereon at a distance from, and parallel to, each other, wherein each flange has a support pipe bearing section in the shape of a segment of a circle and corresponding to the radius of curvature of the support pipe; wherein a first lower holding element in the shape of a segment of a circle is disposed between the flanges for pivotability relative to the flanges around the central longitudinal axis of the support pipe; and wherein a second holding element in the shape of a segment of a circle is mountable on the first holding element by screwing for the support pipe to be fixed.

Abstract: A bracket for holding a rigid duct, such as an air conditioner coolant duct in a motor vehicle, including a mounting part and a duct retaining part. The duct retaining part has a duct receptacle for a least partially surrounding the duct and including spaced, inwardly extending clamping projections for providing compressive elastic contact with the duct.

Abstract: A mount 10 for detachably mounting a screen of an in-car video entertainment system to the rear of a headrest of a vehicle comprises fixings 15 for engagement by the rear of the video screen. The mount 10 enables the video screen to be secured firmly in position against the rear surface of the headrest, so that rear-seat passengers can view the video output from a computer games device, video cassette/tape recorder or video disc player etc. The mount may be fitted to any existing headrest without any modification to the headrest being required.

Abstract: The modular wall includes a sheet pile wall 12 with support brackets 20 that provide cantilever support to a facade of interlocking rows of blocks 30-34. The support member 20 includes vertical members that extend from the top of the sheet piling part way down the length of the sheet piling. Base members 24 extend from the vertical members and are supported by angled braces 22. Horizontally extending key members rest on the base members and are affixed thereto. The key members provide a key for connecting to a slot of a first row of modular blocks. The modular blocks are stabilized by geogrid 28 that is captured in the key and slot interconnection of the modular blocks and is affixed to the sheet piling 12 or embedded in concrete fill.

Abstract: A drive circuit 270 having a differential amplifier 271, a current controller 272 formed from an n-channel MOSFET, and a drive ability control circuit sets its output drive ability in a high state only in a signal read, and otherwise sets the output drive ability in a low state to reduce power consumption. Thus, a solid-state image sensing device which can perform a high-speed read while ensuring low power consumption and wide dynamic range can be implemented. As the drive ability control circuit, for example, a current source 273 formed from an n-channel MOSFET and voltage switching by a drive change-over switch 274 can be used.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying an optical signal to a surface and collecting the light leaving the surface in response to the application of the optical signal. The optical signal and the collected light traverse an optical fiber having an end proximate to the surface which delivers light to the surface with the aid of a lens that couples the optical signal to the surface, collects the light emitted by the surface, and couples collected light into the optical fiber. A detector measures the intensity of light delivered into the optical fiber and generates a detection signal indicative of the measured intensity as a function of time. A set of actuators dither the position of the lens relative to the proximate end of the fiber. Each actuator operates at a different dither frequency and moves the lens relative to fiber along a different axis.

Abstract: A rotating body has paired anchoring projections and small projections projectingly disposed on one side thereof. On a shutter plate are formed guide holes in which the paired anchoring projections and small projections inserted in the shutter plate are slidable within a predetermined allowance angle range. When rotation input to a handle is broken during rotation input, the shutter plate is rotated respective to the rotating body in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the rotating body within the allowance angle range, and the light transmission paths are closed by the shutter plate.

Abstract: A planar X-ray detector has an X-ray charge conversion film converting an incident X-ray into electric charges, pixel electrodes provided on the X-ray charge conversion film corresponding to respective pixels arranged in an array, switching elements connected to the respective pixel electrodes, signal lines, each of which is connected to a column of switching elements, scanning lines, each of which transmits driving signals to a raw of switching elements, and a common electrode provided on the surface of the X-ray charge conversion film opposite to the surface on which the pixel electrodes are provided. The X-ray charge conversion film contains an X-ray sensitive material made of inorganic semiconductor particles, and a carrier transport material made of an organic semiconductor.

Abstract: A measuring instrument (100) and a method for measuring features (19) on a substrate (9) are described. The measuring instrument (100) has a support element (15) that is provided opposite the substrate (9). Mounted on the support element (15) is a nonoptical measurement device (23) with which a measurement of the features (19) of the substrate (9) is performed under ambient air pressure. The nonoptical measurement device (23) can be configured, for example, as an AFM (24) or an electron beam lens (40). Furthermore, in addition to the nonoptical measurement device (23), an optical lens (10) can be provided that is used for rapid location and determination of the coarse position of features (19) on the substrate (9).

Abstract: In a lithographic apparatus, a reference grating 11 mounted on the wafer table WT is illuminated with a measurement beam 20 incident in a direction independent of wafer table tilt. The diffraction orders are detected by detector 30 and used to determine the lateral shift in the wafer table resulting from a non-zero Abbe arm, and hence the Abbe arm, for calibration purposes. The detector 30 may be a detector also used for off-axis alignment of the wafer and wafer table.

Abstract: Charged-particle-beam (“CPB”; e.g., electron-beam) apparatus are disclosed that exhibit reduce image blur due to space-charge effects. With such apparatus, a reticle pattern can be imaged on a substrate with greater accuracy and higher throughput. Such results can be achieved using a charged-particle source having comparatively low emittance. An illumination-optical system directs an illumination beam from a CPB source to a reticle defining a pattern to be transferred to a substrate. A projection-optical system projection-images, on the substrate, an imaging beam that has passed through and been patterned by the reticle. The illumination-optical system includes a beam-shaping aperture that causes the illumination beam to have an annular transverse profile. The reticle is illuminated with an image of a crossover of the illumination beam. The CPB source desirably emits the illumination beam from an annular region of a cathode.

Abstract: In a paper sheet discriminating device which irradiates lights of at least two or more wavelengths from a light source to a paper sheet and receives transmitting lights which transmit through said paper sheet by a photo sensor and performs the discrimination in response to light receiving signals from the photo sensor, the paper sheet discriminating device further includes reference value setting means which adjusts a light emission quantity of the light source such that the output of the photo sensor becomes a given value in a state that a reference medium is set between the light source and the photo sensor and also stores the output value of the photo sensor which directly receives light from the light source as an adjustment reference value in a memory part, and adjustment means which adjusts the light emission quantity of the light source such that the output value of the photo sensor which directly receives light from the light source is made to agree with the stored adjustment reference value.

Abstract: A liquid conveying hose with an integral valve mounted on the end connector thereof. The valve allows the user to control the volume of the liquid at the end of the hose even though distant from the supply. The flow of liquid can be turned on or off or reduced to any volume therebetween.