Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for removing air remaining on the peripheral edge of a surface to be plated in a conventional wafer plating apparatus, and to provide a wafer plating apparatus capable of performing a more uniform plating up to the peripheral edge of the surface to be plated, and which is further capable of performing plating even with respect to a wafer coated with a seed metal. This wafer plating apparatus includes a wafer clamp 6 for holding a wafer 4, a wafer support member 7 for supporting the peripheral edge of the surface 5 to be plated, and a plating tank 2 which circulates a plating solution while making the plating solution overflow from an upper opening of the tank. The wafer plating apparatus is arranged so as to perform plating, while the surface 5 to be plated is laid face down, being in contact with the surface of the plating solution, in a state in which the wafer 4 is clamped by the wafer clamp 6 and the wafer support member 7.

Abstract: There is provided an electrolysis gas converter, which prevents excessive gas generation and can maintain a constant amount of gas conversion even if outside air conditions such as humidity changes. The converter, which provides DC current to a jointed electrochemical device 8 comprising a solid polymer electrolytic film 3 between an anode 1 and a cathode 2 having a catalytic layer on a base substrate of conductive porous material, comprises means 11 and 17 which provide a fixed current to the jointed electrochemical device 8.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrolytic production of magnesium includes a plurality of upright anode elements interspread with a plurality of cathode elements situated within at least one electrolysis compartment. At least one section, defined between two adjacent anodes and having an elongated loading inlet, is provided for receiving and melting of a substantially solid raw material. A gas discharging outlet is formed for discharging of chlorine gas developed at the plurality of anodes. A baffle is supported by the receiving anodes in the vicinity of the gas discharging outlet. The baffle prevents direct flow of a mixture of chlorine gas and fine dust particles resulted from loading of the solid raw material between the section and gas discharging outlet.

Abstract: The invention relates to the deposition of material onto surfaces of a substrate, typically respective concave and convex surfaces and provides a system whereby the substrates are held in a mutually sealed relationship by a carrier during the deposition of material onto respective surfaces thereby preventing or minimising the problem of lack of adhesion of the material on the surfaces

Abstract: A failure determining apparatus of a gas-insulated electrical appliance determining a failure, having a cylindrical metal container, a charged conductor housed in the metal container filled with an insulating gas, and a plurality of insulating spaces insulation-supporting the charged conductor from the metal container and partitioning the interior of the metal container into gas sections, comprising a high-speed developing sensor which detects a high-speed phenomenon caused by a failure such as a ground-fault or a short-circuit within the gas sections; a first failure determining circuit which determines the presence of a failure from an output of the high-speed developing sensor; a low-speed developing sensor which detects a low-speed phenomenon caused by a failure such as a ground-fault or a short-circuit within the gas sections; a second failure determining circuit which determines the presence of a failure from an output of the low-speed developing sensor; and an arithmetic control circuit which identifie

Abstract: An injection syringe 14 for injecting a gel into a capillary 111, a charging syringe 15 for charging the injection syringe 14 with the gel 10 are attached to a block 17. A check valve 16 is inserted between the both syringes, and the check valve 16 works so as to prevent the gel 10 from flowing back to the charging syringe 15. As the result, the gel charging can be automated, and accordingly the processing ability of the electrophoretic instrument can be improved.

Abstract: Method for separating the constituents of a dispersion In order to improve the efficiency of the separation of an insulating liquid (3) from a dispersum (4), in particular of water dispersed in oil, the electric conductivity (&sgr;s) of a dispersion (S) having the dispersion constituents (3, 4) is measured continuously or discontinuously. An optimum frequency (f) is calculated as a function of this conductivity. Pulsations of at least one pulsating electric field are thereby prescribed, this dispersion (S) being led through said field. This frequency (f) is preferably in the frequency range of >60 Hz-1 kHz. An electric field with a separating AC voltage (U3) can be arranged downstream of an electric field of a pulsating separating voltage (U2) of adjustable frequency (f) in the flow direction of the dispersion (S), and an electric field of a pulsating charging DC voltage (U1) can be arranged upstream.

Abstract: A molecular recognition layer 21 is formed on a sensor face 6a of a chemical CCD 1 having such a structure that a plurality of potential wells 6 constituted to change a depth corresponding to a chemical quantity are arranged two-dimensionally, electric charges are injected into the potential wells 6, and the chemical quantity is converted into an electric charge corresponding to the sizes of the potential wells. Thus, it is provided a novel and useful molecular recognition type chemical CCD capable of measuring an ultramicro chemical substance with an ultrahigh sensitivity at a molecular level.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for supplying a soluble metal compound to an electrolyte solution uses a powder wetting device in a loop from a working tank. The powder wetting machine supplies the powdered metal compound directly into the electrolyte solution which rapidly dissolves to replenish the electrolyte compound during the treating process. The process and apparatus are particularly suitable for replenishing the metal salts consumed during an electroplating process.

Abstract: A bipolar cell for the electrowinning of aluminum has bipolar electrodes each comprising a carbon cathode body having on one side an active surface on which aluminum is produced and connected on the other side through an oxygen impermeable barrier layer to an electrochemically active anode layer having an oxygen evolving iron oxide-based outer surface. The anode layer may comprise a metal-based anode substrate and a transition metal oxide-based outside layer, in particular an iron oxide-based outside layer, which either is an applied layer or is obtainable by oxidising the surface of the anode substrate which contains iron. During operation, the anode layer can be kept dimensionally stable by maintaining in the electrolyte a concentration of transition metal species which are present as one or more corresponding transition metal oxides in the electrochemically-active layer.

Abstract: Described is a process for the electrochemical fluorination of a substrate, the process comprising the steps of: providing a substrate comprising at least one carbon-bonded hydrogen; preparing a reaction solution comprising the substrate and hydrogen fluoride; passing electric current through the reaction solution sufficient to cause replacement of one or more hydrogens of the substrate with fluorine, the electric current being interrupted through a current cycle defined by current levels comprising an elevated current and a reduced current; wherein the current varies in such a manner that the resistance of the cell operated with interrupted current is lower than the resistance of the cell operated with non-interrupted current.

Abstract: A sensor for the detection and measurement of an analyte in a biofluid. The sensor includes two enzymes. One type of sensor measures the concentration of hydrogen peroxide using a thermostable peroxidase enzyme that is immobilized in a redox hydrogel to form a sensing layer on a working electrode. This sensor also includes a hydrogen peroxide-generating second enzyme which is insulated from the redox hydrogel and electrode. This second enzyme generates hydrogen peroxide in response to the presence of an analyte or analyte-generated compound. The second enzyme may be insulated from the electrode by placement of an electrically insulating layer between the sensing layer and the second enzyme layer.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a biosensor in which an immobolized carbohydrate or a derivative thereof is used to generate a detectable signal when a protein, a virus or a cell is bound to the carbohydrate surface. The sensor is an optical sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, an electrochemical electrode or a thermistor. A method of binding carbohydrates to a gold surface is also described.

Abstract: A unique container system for holding and cleaning a soft contact lens over a period of time. The system includes a container base having a substantially dry cavity. A hydrophilic fixation and cleaning member is wetted and disposed within the substantially dry cavity. The contact lens is placed on the hydrophilic fixation member and held in a desired orientation while remaining hydrated due to the moisture from the hydrophilic fixation member. Also, a cover is disposed over the substantially dry cavity to enclose the hydrophilic fixation member and the contact lens during storage.

Abstract: A golf club locking device attachable to a golf club bag having a main portion divided into one or more compartments and a mouth portion forming openings in the bag for receiving golf clubs in the compartments. The golf club locking device comprises a locking member and a main member which fastens to the mouth of the golf club bag and includes openings corresponding to the compartments. The locking member is coupled to the main member and slides linearly in relation to the main member between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the openings are constricted thereby preventing removal of clubs from the golf bag. The locking device is manufacturable as integral component of a golf bag.

Abstract: A child-resistant unit does holder includes a blister pack having a plurality of protrusions formed in a sheet and a unit dose disposed in each of the protrusions. The pack is slidably received in a sleeve which covers the protrusions to prevent a unit dose being dispensed from the pack. A releasable detent mechanism prevents slidable removal of the pack from the sleeve, and at least one of the protrusions forms a detent of the detent mechanism.

Abstract: A screen for cleaning a pulp suspension including an additional screen basket in the infeed area for pre-screening.

Abstract: A sieving device and the operation of a sieving device are proposed. The sieving device has a supporting frame which can be made to vibrate and a vibration frame which is held so as to be able to vibrate freely in relation to said supporting frame. A simple, compact design which provides good sieving and conveying performance is achieved in that the vibration frame is spring-elastically coupled to the supporting frame by helical springs, with the main spring axes of the spring elements extending in the direction of vibration of the tension waves. Furthermore, guiding elements for movable bearing arrangement of the vibration frame on the supporting frame are provided. The sieving device is operated in particular at a vibration frequency of at least 850 vibrations per minute at an average speed of approx. 11 m/s and at an average acceleration of the vibration frame relative to the supporting frame of approx. 2.2 m/s2.

Abstract: A unit box (11) containing a bank-note conveyor belt unit (4) and a bank-note identifying unit (5) and not containing a bank-note accommodating unit, is provided in an openable and closable fashion with respect to a body (3) of a bank-note processing device (1), so that a conveyor belt (21) facing the side of a bank-note input opening (2) is exposed when the unit box (11) is opened.

Abstract: Wastewater from a chemical-mechanical polishing process (CMP) used in semiconductor chip fabrication has hitherto been, and is still being, discharged into the public sewage system after chemical neutralization and sedimentation. This has the drawback that water consumption is considerable. It is therefore an object of the invention to reduce the total amount of wastewater produced that has to be discharged. This is achieved by the wastewater to be treated being subjected to an ultra-filtration. This allows the treated CMP wastewater to be reused within the plant. In particular, it can be recycled in order again to recover therefrom deionized water of a very high purity for operational purposes, e.g. for CMP.

Abstract: The equipment for desalination of water by reverse osmosis comprises: a pump 1 for drawing the water to be salinated, a high pressure pump 25, a cylindrical block 8 housing two pistons 3, 4 connected to one another by a shaft 5 and disposed, freely slidable and liquid-tight, within respective cylinders 6, 7 being part of the same block (8) and separated from one another by a central plate 9, the latter being liquid-tight; the equipment further comprises an exchange valve 14 controlled by the position of said pistons 3, 4, as well as a cylinder or, in general, one or more containers, possibly arranged in series, in parallel or in series/parallel 15, containing one or more reverse osmosis membranes (16).

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for micro-filtering solid particles suspended in a liquid stream comprising: a couple of coaxial filtering discs (5, 6, 20, 21, 91, 92, 93, 94) rotating around its own axis (71) arranged horizontal and normal to direction of the flow to be treated and at least a partially cylindrical wall (7) defining together with the rims of said couple of discs a hydraulic sealing coupling so as to enclose the liquid treating space comprising at least the rotation axis. Each disc of said couples of discs is provided with one or more washing ramps (14, 15) arranged outside said treating chambers and provided with nozzles throwing water against said discs at the portions emerging (51, 61) from the treating chamber. The washing water is collected by at least a liquid conveyance channel (8) feeding the liquid back to the purification plant arranged upstream said machines.

Abstract: A three zone, reinforced, continuous, geometrically symmetrical microporous membrane including a porous support material encapsulated within a middle zone disposed between an upper zone and a lower zone wherein at least one of the three zones has a pore size at least about twenty (20%) percent greater than the pore size of the other two zones is disclosed. Apparatus and methods for fabricating three zone reinforced, continuous, geometrically symmetrical, microporous membrane are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a process for biological wastewater purification. According to the invention an activation tank (10) is provided in which, with feed of a catalyst, wastewater constituents are degraded by degradation means (11), for example microorganisms, suspended in the wastewater. In the activation tank (10) is disposed at least one lamellae pack (50) in or on which the degradation means (11) suspended in the wastewater are separated out by sedimentation to fall as thickened sedimentation means sludge (11′) to the bottom region (15) of the activation tank (10). In the said bottom region (15) of the activation tank (10) is provided forced recirculation (20, 22) of the degradation means, which takes up the thickened degradation means sludge (11′) and recirculates it as suspended degradation means (11) back to the activation tank (10).

Abstract: This invention is related to a method for recovery of aqueous wash in a phosphate chemical conversion of a shaped metal product involving carrying out chemical conversion and subsequent cleaning with water,

Abstract: A separating device for separating particles from fluid in which an inlet passage is defined in the body member of the device for receiving the fluid and an outlet passage extends parallel to the inlet passage for discharging the fluid. A chamber is connected to the inlet passage for receiving the fluid from the inlet passage, and a separator is disposed in the chamber for separating particles from the fluid as the fluid flows through the chamber. A cover is connected to the chamber and the outlet passage for receiving the separated fluid, reversing the direction of the separated fluid and directing the separated fluid to the outlet passage for discharge from the body member. The cover can be a filter unit for providing additional filtering of the fluid.

Abstract: A showcase assembly unit for the showcase structure is disclosed, which includes a roller support frame and a plurality of parallel sets of rollers mounted on the roller support frame, wherein the rollers in each set of rollers are mounted rotatably and arranged one after another from the rear end toward the front end of the roller support frame, and a plurality of individual articles, such as canned foods or drinks, may be placed across two or more parallel sets of rollers and are capable of moving one by one from the rear end toward the front end of the roller support frame.

Abstract: A reaction byproduct which is generated when a ferro-dielectric material film is etched is removed without giving adverse effect on the semiconductor element. After the etching of the ferro-dielectric material film, a wetting process may performed using an aqueous solution of phosphoric acid. After the ferro-dielectric material film is etched using the resist as the mask, the wetting process is also performed using the aqueous solution of phosphoric acid before and after the ashing of resist.

Abstract: The present invention relates an etch process of a dielectric film deposited on a substrate, characterized by using a chamber of PECVD type having an upper electrode coupled with a RF source and a lower electrode connected to ground on which a silicon substrate is placed. The etch of the dielectric film is obtained by means of a plurality of active gases mixed with at least one conveyance gas so as to obtain a low rate of etch and an uniform etch of said deposited dielectric film.

Abstract: A micromachined fluid handling device having improved properties. The valve is made of reinforced parylene. A heater heats a fluid to expand the fluid. The heater is formed on unsupported silicon nitride to reduce the power. The device can be used to form a valve or a pump. Another embodiment forms a composite silicone/parylene membrane. Another feature uses a valve seat that has concentric grooves for better sealing operation.

Abstract: An electromagnet according to the present invention comprises a fixed core 1 formed by side legs 2b provided on both sides of a central leg 2a produced by laminating a plurality of steel plates, and a yoke 2c for connection between the central leg and the side legs, the central leg, the side legs, and the yoke being integral with each other; an exciting coil 4 wound around the central leg 2a; and a moving core 3X opposed to the central leg and the exciting coil which is moved along the side legs; wherein length of the side legs 2b is longer than that of the central leg; and the moving core 3X opposed to the central leg 2a has a projection 3a extending to the central leg side. Therefore, occurrence of eddy current is reduced and attractive force is increased.

Abstract: The machining liquid (7) comprises a load (9) of particles contained in a dielectric liquid (8). The particles are carbon microfibers (10), sectioned or not, having a diameter (e) comprised between 0.2 and 8 micrometers and a length (l) which is a function of the machining gap (G) provided between the electrode-tool (5) and the electrode-workpiece (6). Thanks to this load of carbon microfibers of well-defined dimensions and geometry, the electro-erosion output, the precision of machining, the condition of the surface obtained and the ability to replicate machining performances, are considerably improved.

Abstract: A welding device for butt welding of bars, blooms, slabs, or billets produced by continuous casting comprises a roller conveyor for simultaneous conveying of at least two bars along a rolling line, jaws for gripping bars, electric power supplies which are set in contact with the surfaces of the two bars, for carrying out a welding operation. The electric power supplies are provided with respective positioning and actuating means, controlled by an actuation device which actuates them independently from one another during setting in contact and detachment of the bars.

Abstract: A laser welding apparatus for use in industrial processing, which is operable to emit laser energy to weld blanks and the like together along a seamline. The emitted laser energy comprises a multiple beam of two or more coherent light sources. The apparatus is adapted to selectively reposition the orientation of the multiple beam relative to the seamline to compensate for gaps between the abutting portions of the workpieces to be joined.

Abstract: A welding apparatus, for welding pipe sections (1, 2) together to form an underwater pipeline, is arranged to weld pipe sections (1, 2) together when they are in a generally upright orientation with the bottom of an upper pipe section (2) abutting the top of a lower pipe section (1) that defines the end of a pipeline. The welding apparatus includes a rotary equipment holder (5) mounted for rotation about a generally vertical axis (8) and having a central opening (5A) through which pipe sections (1, 2) are able to pass as a pipeline is laid, a plurality of welding heads (12) angularly spaced about the rotary equipment holder (5), each head (12) being associated with a respective sector of the rotary equipment holder, and a welding head guide assembly (11) for fixing around a pipe section (1). The guide assembly (11) includes a guide track (14) for guiding movement of each of the welding heads (12) around the pipe section (1).

Abstract: In a glow plug and a spark plug, the surface of a main metal shell is coated with a chromate film in which the quantity of trivalent chrome is 95 wt % or more of the contained chrome components and which has a thickness of 0.2 &mgr;m to 0.5 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A silicon wafer is heated from an initial pre-heating temperature (T0) up to a first annealing temperature (T1) by a rapid heating up step using an IR lamp. A first annealing is executed at the first annealing temperature (T1). Successively, while the silicon wafer is maintained at a second annealing temperature (T2) lower than the first annealing temperature (T1), a second annealing step is executed by a resistive heating furnace. A thermal oxidation can be executed as the second annealing step. To do so, an equipment for manufacturing a semiconductor device in the present invention is provided with: a heating device having an IR lamp and a resistive heater; an annealing tube having on a surface thereof a plurality of concave portions in such a way that each bottom approaches a central line; a resistive heater wrapped around this annealing tube; and an IR lamp movably inserted into and pulled out from the concave portion from the external.

Abstract: An oven particularly suitable for dental materials is provided with a firing plate on which a calibration apparatus can be removably located. The calibration apparatus includes a meltable element whose melting is detectable by a detecting device. The calibration apparatus is additionally provided with a control device. The firing plate includes a device for receiving therein the calibration apparatus including a non-electrically conducting support for supporting two electrically conducting contact posts of the calibration apparatus.

Abstract: A fluid heating apparatus is provided which comprises a heat-generating bent tube formed of an electrically conductive material in a tubular configuration and having opposite ends connected in communication to piping through which fluid to be heated is passed, a coil provided outside the heat-generating bent tube and wound to surround the heat-generating bent tube, and a power supply unit for feeding a high-frequency current through the coil. The fluid heating apparatus suppresses the generation of particles in the path of the fluid and may be used to heat gas or liquid in an apparatus for processing semiconductor substrates and flat panel substrates.

Abstract: An abuse-tolerant microwave food packaging material includes repeated sets of metallic foil or high optical density evaporated material segments disposed on a substrate. Each set of metallic segments is arranged to define a perimeter having a length equal to a predetermined fraction of the operating or effective wavelength of an operating microwave oven. The repeated sets of segments act both as a shield to microwave energy and as focusing elements for microwave energy when used in conjunction with food products, while remaining electrically safe in the absence of the food products.

Abstract: A rotational antenna has a circular portion having a disc-like shape and a cylindrical portion connected to the central portion of the circular portion, and rotates in a direction perpendicular to the sheet with the cylindrical portion serving as an axis. By driving a motor, the motive power is transmitted via a motor shaft and the cylindrical portion to the rotational antenna, thereby rotating the rotational antenna. A bearing serves the function of a spacer between the cylindrical portion and a waveguide. A spacer is attached on an upper surface of the circular portion. The dimension in the direction of height of a spacer is greater than the distance in the direction of height between a bottom plate and a portion in the vicinity of the central portion of the rotational antenna. Thus, the rotational antenna deflects from its central portion toward its outer edge portion, and is fixed with respect to the up-down direction by spacers and the bearing.

Abstract: A holder for an ice cream having a stick includes a handle having a drip-receiving cavity. A drip catchment member is attached to or formed integrally with the handle and includes a catchment surface for receiving drips from the ice cream. A stick-receiving aperture receives the stick to support the ice cream above the catchment surface and a drain enables any drips caught by the catchment surface to migrate into the cavity.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant gas cylinder and gas delivery system includes an electroless nickel-phosphorous layer overlying the inner surface of a steel alloy cylinder. The nickel-phosphorous layer has a thickness of at least about 20 micrometers and a porosity of no greater than about 0.1%. The electroless nickel-phosphorous layer has a phosphorous content of at least about 10% by weight and a surface roughness of no greater than about 5 micrometers. Prior to introducing liquefied gas into the gas cylinder, a cleaning process is carried out using a two-step baking process to clean the surface of the nickel-phosphorus layer. The nickel-phosphorous layer substantially reduces the contamination of liquefied corrosive gasses stored in the gas cylinder by metal from the steel wall surface underlying the nickel-phosphorous layer.

Abstract: Inner containers for household devices in the form of a drum composed of an inner and an outer wall with a shear-resistant connection between the two walls, where both the inner and outer walls have been built up from a thermoplastic.

Abstract: A bin comprising a vessel and a pivoting lid that can be moved between an open position and a closed position. The lid and the vessel are arranged in such a manner that the air leaving the vessel during closure of the lid and when the lid is close to its closed position is forced to turn at least twice, being forced to pass between substantially vertical surfaces belonging respectively to the lid and to the vessel, at least at the front of the lid, preferably at least at the front of the lid and on both sides therefore, and more preferably still all round the four edges of the lid, so as to encourage the creation of raised pressure inside the vessel, which raised pressure tends to brake the displacement of the lid towards its closed position.

Abstract: A bulk-solid metering system has a support structure. A feed hopper is mounted with respect to the structure and has an upper edge. In the improvement, the structure includes an upper member and the upper edge is below such upper member. The structure defines a lateral opening sized and shaped to permit the feed hopper to be withdrawn laterally through the opening. The feed hopper includes a spout extending therefrom. In a highly preferred embodiment, the lateral opening is positioned to permit withdrawal of the feed hopper in a direction away from the spout. The feed hopper is configured to promote very good mass flow as well as to permit agitation in that, in one embodiment, it has a body made of flexible material. There is a hopper upper flange and the spout is spaced below such flange. The body has a first cross-sectional shape, e.g., circular, adjacent to the upper flange and has a second cross-sectional shape, e.g., ellipse-like, intermediate the upper flange and the spout.

Abstract: The invention concerns a liquid perfume sample including a product container, a pump and a thruster. The container is made of glass and has an external plastic sheath.

Abstract: A pump for use with a device for containing and dispensing a product may include a single-piece vessel of unitary construction defining a variable-volume chamber. The vessel may include a first wall and a second wall. The pump may include an inlet slit on the first wall, the inlet slit being configured to open one way in response to a decreased pressure in the chamber. The pump may also include an outlet slit on the second wall, the outlet slit being configured to open one way in response to an increased pressure in the chamber. The vessel may be configured to deform from a first position occupying a first volume to a second position occupying a second volume in response to a pressure applied to the vessel. The pump may be used in combination with a container to form a device for containing and dispensing a product.

Abstract: A resealable single-piece push-pull dispensing closure is disclosed that includes a circumferential skirt, a top member circumferentially coupled to the skirt, and a sipper spout. The sipper spout extends upwardly from the top member and has a curved sipper surface that truncates to from a substantially flat landing surface. Plural apertures are disposed in the landing surface, and apertures may be disposed at a periphery of the sipper surface. The curvature of the sipper surface has a constant cross section curvature throughout the width of the sipper surface. A user's lip may rest on the sipper surface while drinking directly therefrom, or the top member may have a concave portion in which a user's lip may rest during drinking.

Abstract: This invention provides a backpack for carrying a load on the back of a user. The backpack includes a pliable sack, a frame, and a frame support member. The frame includes a first and second frame members. The frame support member removably communicates with the first and second frame members to prevent the first and second frame members from being moved into a position parallel and adjacent each other when the frame support member is in communication with the first and second frame members. The frame support member may be removed from communications with the first and second frame members.