Patents Issued in August 2, 2001
  • Publication number: 20010010198
    Abstract: A railcar unit has a pair of opposed side sills that are joined by structure that performs the function of a web in a deep beam or bracing in a truss. The joining structure is able to transmit loads that are applied transversely to the longitudinal direction of the car from one sill to the other, and is also able to transmit a bending moment couple, in the form of opposite longitudinal tensile and compressive forces, also transmitted to the side sills. The locations at which the transverse forces are imposed on, or by, the intermediate structure have longitudinal slip. When the railcar unit is placed in longitudinal tension under draft loads, the longitudinal slip allows the floor structure not to be subject to the longitudinal draft loads. In the embodiment described the joining structure serves the additional function of acting as a floor panel for vertical loads carried within the well car unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventor: James W. Forbes
  • Publication number: 20010010199
    Abstract: A machine for cutting cloths and for applying borders thereto, particularly for manufacturing mattresses starting from at least one component sheet which is wound in a roll, which comprises a framework, means for moving the cloth in an advancement direction and along a horizontal plane of arrangement, two sewing machines which are arranged upstream of the movement means and are adapted to form longitudinal stitch lines along the lateral edges of the cloth, a cloth finishing assembly which is arranged downstream of the movement means and comprises a sewing machine which is adapted to produce at least two parallel stitch lines which lie transversely to the advancement direction of the cloth, and a cutting element which is adapted to produce an intermediate separation cut between the two stitch lines, so as to separate the portion of cloth that lies downstream of the assembly from the one that lies upstream thereof, the sewing machines of the pair being each provided with a support for a roll of a strip of fabri
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: RESTA S.r.l.
    Inventor: Roberto Resta
  • Publication number: 20010010200
    Abstract: The improved flying ski is designed to be towed behind a conventional powered watercraft utilizing a standard ski tow rope or similar device having a handle that can be held by a human rider. In use, the rider is seated on the seat of the flying ski and towed by the watercraft. The improved flying ski comprises an elongate board and a seat that extends generally perpendicular to and upward from the board to support the seated rider's buttocks. The rider's legs extend toward the front of the board and are secured by a pair of foot holders that attach to the board. An elongate strut extends generally perpendicular to and downward from the board and couples the seat to a planing blade. The planing blade advantageously has a front blade and a rear blade interconnected by a fuselage. The improved flying ski accommodates a variety of rider skill levels by incorporating a mechanism and system that allows the rider to selectively adjust performance characteristics of the ski.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: Robert C. Woolley
  • Publication number: 20010010201
    Abstract: Unflurred flags are protected by equipping flag poles with a flag protector. The flag protector for protecting an unflurred flag includes a tubular chamber housing an internal cavity for the unflurred flag which chamber is vertically mounted along a staff of the flag pole. The tubular chamber includes a rope passageway communicating through the internal chamber for raising and lowering the flag with a rope along the staff. The tubular member is capped with a protective closure for protecting the unflurred flag stowed within the tubular chamber from the elements. A slotted deformable and flexible dome capping the tubular member which will deform upon pressure by an emerging flag drawn against the dome so as to provide a flag passageway and allow the flag to be pulled from and into the internal chamber after which the dome returns to its original dome configuration provides a particularly effective cap for the flag protector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: Alfred C. Otterness
  • Publication number: 20010010202
    Abstract: The production efficiency of silicon single crystal produced by additional charge or recharge method is improved by avoiding loss due to undissolved portion of poly-silicon rod supplied in the additional charge or recharge. A poly-silicon rod 20 as an additional charge is brought down in a silicon melt 11 in a crucible 10, while being directly supported by a seed crystal 40. The poly-silicon rod 20 is brought down to be totally supplied to the silicon melt 11, and then silicon single crystal 44 is pulled using the seed crystal 40.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: Kuniharu Inoue, Jiro Inoue, Hazimu Ohnishi, Hisao Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20010010203
    Abstract: A molecular beam source comprising a crucible having an opening, and a heater mounted to the crucible for evaporating by heating a molecular beam generating material accommodated in the crucible to emit a molecular beam from the opening, wherein the crucible has an accommodating section for accommodating the molecular beam generating material, a bent portion provided between the opening and the accommodating section so that the molecular beam generating material accommodated in the accommodating section does not face the opening directly, and a narrowed portion between the bent portion and the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: Takaya Nakabayashi, Shuji Makino
  • Publication number: 20010010204
    Abstract: A substrate transfer system is used in an in-line film deposition system. The substrate transfer system is provided with an auxiliary vacuum chamber and a main vacuum chamber. The auxiliary vacuum chamber has a plurality of first substrate cassettes. The main vacuum chamber is communicated with another vacuum chamber through which carriers are transferred along a transport path. The main vacuum chamber has two robots and a plurality of second substrate cassettes arranged in parallel on which the substrates is placed. The second substrate cassettes are arranged between the two robots. The substrates are disk-shaped substrates having center holes. The center holes are utilized as hook parts during a pickup operation. Thereby the method of mounting substrates in the holders of carriers etc. is improved without changing the operating speed of the robots. Therefore the amount of substrates transported per unit time is increased and the processing capacity of the substrate processing system is enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: ANELVA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Terushige Takeyama, Nobuhito Miyauchi, Takashi Shiba
  • Publication number: 20010010205
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for adjusting a discharge width of a powder feeder. The system includes a supply hopper that is spaced from the powder feeder. The powder feeder includes a receiving opening and a discharge opening and at least one adjustable wall. Preferably, two adjustable walls are provided. Movement of the two adjustable walls provides variations in the width of the discharge opening and therefore facilitates use of the powder feeder on target volumes or target areas having different widths. A rotatable auger brush is in communication with the supply hopper for causing powder withdrawn from the supply hopper to be transported to the powder feeder and disposed uniformly across the receiving opening of the powder feeder. The brush is immersed within the powder and extends across the receiving opening of the powder feeder, and maintains a filled level powder feeder. The powder feeder is particularly well-suited for use in a coating apparatus, as well as a dual-side coating apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: Phillip Rodenberger
  • Publication number: 20010010206
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for dispensing a small volume of a selected liquid, such as a biological sample or reagent, onto a substrate. The device includes a tube adapted to contain the liquid. An elongate fiber is disposed within the tube for axial movement therein between raised and lowered positions. Upon shifting or oscillating the fiber between its raised and lowered positions, a liquid spot can be formed at a selected position on the substrate. The device is readily adaptable for the production of micro-arrays having a great number of individual spots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: PE Corporation (NY)
    Inventors: Zbigniew Bryning, Charles S. Vann
  • Publication number: 20010010207
    Abstract: A plasma process apparatus includes a dielectric plate to emit plasma to a chamber interior, and dielectric plate support members to support a dielectric plate. A plurality of gas introduction holes to supply reaction gas to the chamber interior are provided at the dielectric plate support members. The outlet of the gas introduction hole is open at the side facing the surface of substrate 8, and arranged at a peripheral region outer than dielectric plate 5. Ground potential is applied to a chamber lid and the dielectric plate support members, and bias voltage is applied to the substrate. Accordingly, a low-cost plasma process apparatus that can process uniformly a substrate of a large area using uniform plasma can be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: Naoko Yamamoto, Takamitsu Tadera, Tatsushi Yamamoto, Masaki Hirayama, Tadahiro Ohmi
  • Publication number: 20010010208
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for variably discharging one or more ingredients on an animal is provided. Water is not included as an ingredient. The ingredients are discharged through a nozzle operatively connected to a valve. The animal is detected by a either an ultrasonic sensor, a. diffused deflective infrared sensor, or single sensing probe sensor. A variety of structural members for selectively positioning the apparatus in relation to the animal are included. A controller is provided that is programmable for varying the discharge on the animal from a continuous application to a variety of interrupted sequences. The apparatus includes a timer assembly for scheduling applications on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: John S. Greeson
  • Publication number: 20010010209
    Abstract: A gas water heater including a water container adapted to be heated by a gas burner; and an enclosure surrounding the burner, the enclosure having at least one entryway adapted to allow air and fumes to enter the enclosure without igniting flammable gases or vapors outside of the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: SRP 687 Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Brendan Vincent Bourke, Zoran Valcic, Geoffrey Mervyn Whitford
  • Publication number: 20010010210
    Abstract: The device comprises a chamber (3) having at least three ports (4, 5, 6) two of which can be closed off by valves (9, 10) carried by a main thermostatic element (7) housed partially in the chamber, one valve moving away from its seat when the other moves towards its own seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: Jean Chamot, Lionel Jean Mabboux
  • Publication number: 20010010211
    Abstract: The invention relates to an operating method of an internal combustion engine. According to the method, a fuel-air mixture is rapidly combusted in order to move a piston. The fuel contained in or introduced into an occluded fresh gas is evaporated in the fresh gas, which has already been sucked into a cylinder chamber and then compressed. The fuel is then combusted and the piston is subjected to the pressure produced by the combustion gases (working cycle). After performing its working cycle, the piston ejects the waste gases from the cylinder chamber. The aim of the invention is to improve the efficiency of the internal combustion engine. To this end, the fresh gas that is compressed during the compression cycle is pressed into a first combustion chamber. The aforementioned evaporation process is then carried out in the first combustion chamber once it has been sealed off from the cylinder chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: diro GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hubert Tomczyk
  • Publication number: 20010010212
    Abstract: A fuel supply control system for an internal combustion engine wherein during startup of the engine, a fuel supply amount is calculated according to a fuel amount calculating method suitable for startup of the engine, and the calculated amount of fuel is supplied to the engine. After startup of the engine, a fuel supply amount is calculated according to a fuel amount calculating method suitable for after-startup of the engine and the calculated amount of fuel is supplied to the engine, the fuel supply amount during startup of the engine being smoothly changed to the fuel supply amount suitable for after-startup—during the transition from startup to after-startup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirohide Fujino, Masaki Ueno, Masaaki Tomii
  • Publication number: 20010010213
    Abstract: A variable intake apparatus for an in-line four-cylinder internal combustion engine includes a rotary valve 3 provided between an intermediate portion along the length of four air intake passages 41 to 44 and an intake air collecting chamber 5, and a control means switching the rotary valve 3 in triple stages in response to the engine speed. The control means is constructed such that at a low speed range, communications are blocked off between the adjacent intake passageways 41 and 42, 42 and 43, 43 and 44, at an intermediate speed range, communications are established between pairs of intake passageways 41 and 44, 42 and 43, and at a high speed range, communications are established not only between the adjacent intake passages 41 and 42, 42 and 43, 43 and 44, but also between the respective air intake passageways 41 to 44 and the intake collecting chamber 5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Umino, Tatsuya Sagano
  • Publication number: 20010010214
    Abstract: A blow-by gas passage abnormality detecting system for an internal combustion engine detects, only under the condition that the running state of the engine is idle, a leakage of a blow-by gas coming from a blow-by gas passage for returning the blow-by gas produced in the engine to an intake passage, on the basis of a parameter varying with a change in the air flow to be sucked into the engine. The abnormality such as leakage or clogging in the blow-by gas passage is detected if the ISC opening of an idle speed control valve measured as a load amount at an idle time of the engine is smaller than a predetermined value. Alternatively, the abnormality may be detected by detecting the blow-by gas pressure in the blow-by gas passage downstream of a PCV valve by a gas pressure sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshinori Maegawa, Masaaki Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20010010215
    Abstract: A device for controlling an internal combustion engine having an arrangement for recording operating parameters of the internal combustion engine, such as engine speed, load, and coolant temperature; an arrangement for providing a signal related to a desired drive torque of the internal combustion engine (engine torque) as a function of the recorded performance quantities; and an arrangement for converting the engine torque into control signals for at least one of the variables air supply or fuel supply to the internal combustion engine, as a function of the coolant temperature tmot and of a predefinable maximum allowable coolant temperature limit tmotmax, a torque control value being determined which ultimately determines the allowable engine torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: Peter Kaltenbrunn, Werner Hess
  • Publication number: 20010010216
    Abstract: There is provided a common rail for a diesel engine in which fatigue strength against inner pressure is increased by reducing the difference in hardness or elongation between a steel surface and a nonmetal inclusion on the inner surface of, or in the surface layer of, a rail and lowering the degree of concentration of fatigue stress. The common rail includes a main pipe rail having a circulating passage extending in its inside in the axial direction thereof, branch holes formed in an axial peripheral wall portion of the main pipe rail, and branch connectors connected to the respective branch holes integrally or via separate connecting members, and a Ni-diffused fatigue strength reinforcing layer which is formed by heating a Ni layer plated in advance is formed on at least a portion of an inner circumferential surface of the common rail. The increased strength and the action of the fatigue strength reinforcing layer lowers the degree of fatigue concentration to increase fatigue strength against inner pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: Masayoshi Usui, Kikuo Asada
  • Publication number: 20010010217
    Abstract: A delivery pipe of a fuel supply system for injectors mounted on a cylinder head is divided for each injector or a group of injectors. Divided pipe parts are coupled with each other through a flexible member to allow flexing of the delivery pipe. Each injector is connected with the delivery pipe through a flexible coupling member and with the cylinder head through a flexible cushioning member. Alternatively, a fuel passage is formed in the cylinder head in place of the delivery pipe to supply fuel to the injectors after heating in the cylinder head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Sato, Tokio Kohama, Kimitaka Saito
  • Publication number: 20010010218
    Abstract: A stroke identifying unit, for an electronic fuel injection control system of an engine, can identify cylinder strokes without detection of the rotation of the engine's camshaft. The stroke identifying unit includes a crank pulse generator for detecting a phase of a crankshaft of the engine. In a four cylinder engine, an intake pressure sensor detects the combined intake pressures in the second to fourth intake pipes, communicating with the second to fourth cylinders. A fuel injection control unit identifies strokes of the first to fourth cylinders on the basis of a relationship between the detected phase of the crankshaft and the detected intake pressures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryutaro Yamazaki, Nobuhiko Ito, Yasuo Iwata
  • Publication number: 20010010219
    Abstract: When a leakage fault occurs in the evaporated fuel processing system of a fuel tank, a control system reliably prevents leakage of the evaporated fuel from the point where the leakage fault has occurred. The fuel tank and a canister are connected to each other via a charge passage having a bypass valve, and the canister and an intake passage of an engine are connected to each other via a purge passage having a purge control valve. When a leakage fault occurs in the fuel tank (or the charge passage upstream of the bypass valve), the bypass valve and the purge control valve are opened and an atmosphere release control valve provided on the canister, is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Isobe, Manabu Niki, Takashi Iwamoto, Hiroyuki Ando, Kojiro Tsutsumi
  • Publication number: 20010010220
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for determining a failure of an oxygen concentration sensor, which is capable of determining a failure of the oxygen concentration sensor accurately and promptly. The oxygen concentration sensor 25 is arranged at a location downstream of a catalyst 8 in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine 3. The apparatus 1 measures a time period elapsed after termination of a fuel cut-off operation, and calculates an integrated amount SUMSVS of exhaust gases exhausted after the termination of the fuel cut-off operation (step S13). A failure of the oxygen concentration sensor is determined depending on whether or not a signal value SVO2 of a signal from the oxygen concentration sensor 25 has crossed a predetermined threshold value #SVO2CHK (steps S51, 55).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Shinjyo, Hiroshi Kitagawa, Toshihiro Mibe
  • Publication number: 20010010221
    Abstract: A simulated gun for use with a disk-shaped or substantially disk-shaped flying member made of a metal as a bullet for discharging it forward, the simulated gun comprising: a gunbarrel having the hollow whose cross section along a direction normal to a flying direction of the flying member is vertically long and has vertical and horizontal dimensions set substantially equal to the diameter and the thickness of the flying member, respectively, and a flying member hitting position being set at the inner back position of the gunbarrel; a hammer provided at the inner back position of the gunbarrel, reciprocatingly movable between an advanced position where it hits the rear part of the flying member set at the flying member hitting position and a retracted position which is located in a rearward from the advance position, and adapted to hit the flying member set at the flying member hitting position, and a trigger for reciprocatingly moving the hammer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: KONAMI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koichi Nishio, Yuji Tamura, Satoshi Ueda
  • Publication number: 20010010222
    Abstract: A solar energy power system is provided that is effective to use an underlying supporting medium as a heat storage medium. A plurality of lengths of solar energy collector panels are arranged in abutting relationship on the ground and in thermal transfer contact with the supporting medium. Each one of the solar energy collector panels includes a length of flexible uninsulated base layer for unrolling along the supporting medium to form the plurality of abutting solar collectors. Heat within a flowing liquid in the panels is transmitted through the uninsulated base layer to and from the supporting medium. A power plant is connected to receive the heated liquid and convert the energy in the heated liquid to output electrical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: Melvin L. Prueitt
  • Publication number: 20010010223
    Abstract: Aerosolizable formulations are disclosed comprised of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, a pharmaceutically active drug or detectably labeled compound and a compound which is recognized by its distinct color, taste and/or smell even when present in a small amount and a low concentration. Examples of such compounds include menthol, peppermint, cinnamon and vanilla flavors and water soluble dyes. The compounds can be designed so that they are only detectable by a specific area of the tongue or seen under a certain wavelength of light. The degree of detection of the color, taste or smell of the compound is an indication of the degree of success in the delivery of an aerosolized formulation to a patient. The formulation is preferably delivered from a device which monitors and records information relating to the patient's respiratory movement and also scans and analyzes the aerosol prior to inhalation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: Igor Gonda
  • Publication number: 20010010224
    Abstract: A nozzle comprised of a thin, flexible membrane material having a plurality of pores is disclosed. In one embodiment, the pores have an unflexed exit aperture diameter in the range of about 0.5 to about 2 microns (preferably about 1 micron) and are positioned substantially uniformly in the material, preferably about 50 microns apart. The nozzle preferably has a conical or trumpet-shaped cross-section. In another aspect of the invention, the exit aperture of the nozzle is surrounded by an elevated area protruding above the substantially planar exit side of the membrane in order to prevent intrusion of liquid back into the nozzle. The nozzle can be used to form an aerosol containing a pharmaceutical composition from the exit side of the nozzle upon forcible application of the composition to the entrance side of the nozzle. This aerosol can be used to administer the pharmaceutical composition, for example, to the eye or to a selected portion of the respiratory tract.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: Igor Gonda, Jeffrey A. Schuster, Rajesh S. Patel
  • Publication number: 20010010225
    Abstract: The emergency flight safety device for flight crew members (3) of an aircraft in an emergency situation comprises a full-face mask (1) and a display (31) which is integrated into the full face mask (1), displays flight data and ensures that the crew (3) has access to essential information even in the case when smoke largely blurs the view in the aircraft cabin. The emergency flight safety device further comprises an oxygen and air supply apparatus (14-18) for supplying oxygen and air to the interior of the mask (1). The oxygen and air supply apparatus (14-18) is equipped with means for the purification of polluted cabin air in order to prevent the crew member (3) from being intoxicated by poisonous smoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: Leo Keller
  • Publication number: 20010010226
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for recovering additional expansion agent in a process for the expansion of tobacco or another agricultural product are disclosed. One embodiment is a method for recovering additional expansion agent in a process for the expansion of tobacco or another agricultural product, the process having a multi-step depressurization sequence including at least first and second depressurization steps for depressurizing an impregnation vessel, which includes the following steps: withdrawing substantially all of an amount of an expansion agent in the impregnation vessel at about the end of the second depressurization step during the multi-step depressurization sequence; and transmitting at least a portion of said amount of expansion agent to a low-pressure gas tank. In one embodiment, the expansion agent is carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: Truman W. Ellison
    Inventors: Donald A. Baehl, Jack B. Knight, Truman W. Ellison
  • Publication number: 20010010227
    Abstract: In a mascara brush comprising a multiplicity of bristles fixed between two helically twisted wire segments, with bristles or tufts of bristles with varying radial lengths extending from the wire core formed by the helically twisted wires, provision is made for the tips of tie shorter bristles to be located essentially on a nearly rotation-symmetrical, especially cylindrical, inner envelope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: Norbert Dumler
  • Publication number: 20010010228
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of suppressing etchrate of quartz hardware in semiconductor processing chamber during plasma-enhanced cleaning. In one embodiment, the method of the present invention comprises the steps of: (a) introducing a mixture of fluorocarbon gas, oxygen, and water vapor into the chamber; and (b) activating the mixture to form a quartz-safe plasma cleaning gas. According to the present invention, the presence of water vapor substantially suppresses etching of quartz hardware. Etchrate of the polymer contaminants, however, is substantially unaffected. In one embodiment of the invention, the fluorocarbon gas comprises CF4, and, water vapor is introduced at a rate of at least 60 standard cubic centimeters per minute (SCCM).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: VLSI TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: WING-KEI AU, RAMIRO SOLIS
  • Publication number: 20010010229
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of processing a semiconductor structure, involving the steps of providing the semiconductor structure having a patterned resist thereon; stripping the patterned resist from the semiconductor structure, wherein an amount of carbon containing resist debris remain on the semiconductor structure; and contacting the semiconductor structure with ozone thereby reducing the amount of carbon containing resist debris thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: R. Subramanian
    Inventors: Ramkumar Subramanian, Khoi A. Phan, Bharath Rangarajan, Bhanwar Singh, Sanjay K. Yedur, Bryan K. Choo
  • Publication number: 20010010230
    Abstract: A method for cleaning surfaces with a mixture containing water and wood chippings, a specific mixture, and the use of said mixture as a cleaner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: Manfred Gerlach, Bernhard Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20010010231
    Abstract: A foldable umbrella includes a post; a stationary hub secured to an upper end of the post; a canopy centrally secured to the stationary hub; a sleeve slidably mounted on the post; a plurality of radially oriented ribs secured to the canopy in equiangularly spaced relation, each rib having a radially inner end and a radially outward end; a plurality of foldable strut assemblies, each strut assembly connected between the sleeve and a respective one of the ribs, each strut assembly including a first strut having one end pivotally connected at a first pivot point to the sleeve and a second end pivotally connected to a respective one of the ribs at a second pivot point spaced radially outwardly from the radially inner end of the rib, a second strut having one end pivotally connected at a third pivot point to the stationary hub and a second end pivotally connected at a fourth pivot point to an intermediate point of the first strut, and a third strut having one end pivotally connected at a fifth pivot point to an in
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: Gary D. Johnson, Ruth Hochfeld, Alfonso Murcia, Frank Holloway
  • Publication number: 20010010232
    Abstract: A collapsible structure has first and second wall panels, each wall panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, a frame retaining sleeve for retaining the respective frame member, and a fabric material substantially covering each frame member to form the panel for each frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. The fabric assumes the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member. The foldable frame member for each wall panel further includes a top side and a bottom side, with the frame retaining sleeve of the first wall panel stitched along the length of its top side to the frame retaining sleeve along the length of the top side of the second wall panel to form a hinged connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: Yu Zheng
  • Publication number: 20010010233
    Abstract: A valve insertion method without stopping passage of fluid, wherein, first, a part of an already-installed pipe is enclosed air-tightly with a valve casing, a milling type cutting tool which has cutting edges on a free end surface and an outer circumferential surface thereof, and a gate being housed in the valve casing with the gate and the cutting tool fixed thereto. The gate and cutting tool are provided in positions spaced from each other in the axial direction of the already-installed pipe. A worker then feeds the cutting tool in the radial direction of the already-installed pipe as he has the cutting tool make cutting motions for cutting the pipe by the rotation of the cutting tool. The valve casing is then turned in the circumferential direction of the already-installed pipe as the cutting motions are kept made, whereby a cut groove cut in the direction of the range of the whole circumference of the pipe is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Sato, Tamotsu Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20010010234
    Abstract: A gas valve assembly for use with a gas grill includes a t-shaped manifold with an inlet fluid port that branches out into a pair of valve ports. A pair of gas valves each have an outwardly extending neck that is received within the valve ports of the manifold. A stop means locates the valves a predetermined distance from one another to improve manufacturability. An anti-rotation means minimizes rotation between each valve and the manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: William L. Hillis
  • Publication number: 20010010235
    Abstract: An improved hose is used to install loose fill insulation. The hose includes projections extending from an inner surface which serve to condition the insulation as it proceeds through the hose and is dispensed. In a first embodiment of the present invention, the projections are formed so as to be perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the hose. In a second embodiment of the present invention, the projections are formed so as to be angled, by an angle less then ninety (90) degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the hose. In a third embodiment of the present invention, the projections are formed with a serrated edge. In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the projections are formed as part of a cap member which is disposed around the periphery of the hose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: CertainTeed Corporation
    Inventors: Maurice James Kelley, Thomas Cuthbertson, Edward Pentz, David M. Kawano, John Carre
  • Publication number: 20010010236
    Abstract: Method for face-to-face weaving pile fabrics whereby warp yarns (1)-(15) of a series of warp yarn systems are interwoven with weft yarns (16), (17), (18) in order to weave a top (19) and a bottom backing fabric (20), whereby pile warp yarns (11)-(15) are alternately passed around a weft yarn (16), (18) of the top backing fabric (19) and the bottom backing fabric (20) so that they form pile, whereby per warp yarn system at least two non-pile-forming pile warp yarns (11)-(15) are inwoven in one and the same backing fabric (19), (20) and according to this invention are divided per warp yarn system into at least two groups each with at least one pile warp yarn, so that the weft yarns (11, 13), (12); (14), (15) of different groups extend respectively at a different level in the backing fabric, and whereby finally the pile-forming pile warp yarns are cut through between the two backing fabrics so that two fabrics are obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: Andre Dewispelaere, Ludo Smissaert
  • Publication number: 20010010237
    Abstract: An apparatus for adding coolant to a cooling system of a motor vehicle includes a cap with a resilient sleeve that expands against the inside walls of a radiator filler neck to provide an airtight connection. A valve attached to the cap controls the flow of air and coolant through the cap. A gauge on the cap indicates the pressure inside the radiator. A venturi assembly connected to the valve provides a source of vacuum for evacuating air from the cooling system. Thereafter, coolant is drawn through the cap by the vacuum created in the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: Thomas L. Klamm, Phil Trigiani
  • Publication number: 20010010238
    Abstract: A cassette is described including a housing, an inner reservoir located within the housing, a valve coupled to the inner reservoir and coupled to the housing, and a delivery conduit coupled to the inner reservoir and emerging from the delivery opening of the cassette. The cassette also includes a dispensing apparatus that defines a passage and has a first activating device that opens the valve of the cassette. The dispensing apparatus also has a second activating member capable of establishing fluid communication with a medicant container. A method of mixing a powdered drug and a liquid includes establishing fluid communication between the reservoir and the medicant container, dispensing at least a portion of the liquid into the medicant container, and transferring the mixed drug into the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: SIMS Deltec, Inc.
    Inventor: Gail Bynum
  • Publication number: 20010010239
    Abstract: A switch-over device for a filling station is proposed which comprises at least a first and a second input (21 and 22 respectively) for a fluid which is under pressure, an outlet (9) for the fluid and flow connections (19, 29) via which each input (21, 22) can be connected to the outlet (9). A switch-over valve (42) which has a valve body (421), which can be actuated by the fluid and which in its closure position closes the flow connection (29) between the second input (22) and the outlet (9) is provided in the flow connection (29) between the second input (22) and the outlet (9). Control connections (142, 942) for the fluid are arranged in such a manner that the valve body (421) of the switch-over valve (42) is acted upon on the one side by the pressure of the fluid at the first input (22) and on the other side by the pressure of the fluid at the outlet (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: GreenField AG
    Inventor: Heinz Mutter
  • Publication number: 20010010240
    Abstract: A water dispenser for a refrigerator door having a water delivery port. The dispenser includes a base mounted to the door for forming a compartment enclosing the water delivery port. The base has an aperture for accessing the interior of the compartment and the water delivery port. A cover is pivotably supported by the base and is biased for closing the aperature. The cover pivots inwardly into the compartment for accessing the water delivery port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: Carlo Bianchi, Marco Signa, Marco Maritan
  • Publication number: 20010010241
    Abstract: A hot worked steel material, such as a bar, or tube, has a surface layer improving its fatigue strength despite the non-metallic inclusions which it may contain, or the cracks which it may have. The surface layer is formed by heating a nickel layer on the steel surface to cause the diffusion of nickel therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: Masayoshi Usui, Kikuo Asada
  • Publication number: 20010010242
    Abstract: A process for making a cast article from an aluminum alloy includes first casting an article from an alloy having the following composition, in weight percent: 1 Silicon (Si) 14.0-25.0 Copper (Cu) 5.5-8.0 Iron (Fe)   0-0.8 Magnesium (Mg) 0.5-1.5 Nickel (Ni) 0.05-1.2  Manganese (Mn)   0-1.0 Titanium (Ti) 0.05-1.2  Zirconium (Zr) 0.12-1.2  Vanadium (V) 0.05-1.2  Zinc (Zn)   0-0.9 Phosphorus (P) 0.001-0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: United States of America as represented by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Lee, Po-Shou Chen
  • Publication number: 20010010243
    Abstract: A process for making a copper base alloy comprises the steps of casting a copper base alloy containing tin, zinc, iron and phosphorous and forming phosphide particles uniformly distributed throughout the matrix. The forming step comprises homogenizing the alloy at least once for at least one hour at a temperature from 1000 to 1450° F., rolling to final gauge including at least one process anneal for at least one hour at 650 to 1200° F. followed by slow cooling, and stress relief annealing at final gauge for at lest one hour at 300 to 600° F.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: Ashok K. Bhargava
  • Publication number: 20010010244
    Abstract: In a pneumatic tire comprising a tread portion divided into a central region and both side regions, at least one rib-shaped main land part is formed in the central region and a plurality of main slant grooves are arranged so as to extend obliquely from the central region toward each tread end of the tread portion with respect to the equatorial plane to form first slant land parts among these main slant grooves, in which the first slant land part has a plane form of approximately a triangle, and a first auxiliary land part is arranged between the rib-shaped main land part and the main slant groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: Yasuo Himuro
  • Publication number: 20010010245
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprising a rubber member containing a short fiber (A′) formed by the fibrillation of a short fiber (A) whose cross section takes a sea-island structure essentially composed of at least two polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Kanenari, Riichiro Mama, Kazuto Yamakawa, Takeo Masaki, Zenichiro Shida, Junichi Ohtani, Tsuyoshi Kunugi
  • Publication number: 20010010246
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a tread portion, a pair of sidewall portions, a pair of bead portions, a radial carcass extending between a pair of bead cores and having a turnup portion, a bead filler rubber, and one or more reinforcing cord layers arranged at a side face zone ranging from the bead portion to the sidewall portion, in which the reinforcing cord layer is a layer of one or more rubberized cords spirally wound about an axial line of the tire and has an inner end in a radial direction of the tire between a position located outward from an outer periphery of the bead core in the radial direction and a position located inward from a tapered end of the bead filler rubber in the radial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: Yohei Itoi
  • Publication number: 20010010247
    Abstract: An elongate member is coated with a coating, preferably by coextrusion, and the coated elongate member is wound in a helical manner around a mandrel. The coated elongate member preferably has a square cross-sectional shape so that adjacent portions of the coated elongate member engage one another when the coated elongate member is wound around the mandrel. The coated elongate member is then heated so that the coating on adjacent portions of the coated elongate member fuse together to form an integral strcucture. Another layer of material may be provided on the radially inner or outer wall of the coated elongate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: David W. Snow