Abstract: The present invention provides a system 10 for construction of formwork where a settable compound is pourable into a cavity in the formwork and retained by the formwork to set to form a completed structure. The formwork comprises structural panels 12, 14 connected by adjustable connectors 34 for varying the spacing between the panels.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and devices for coating stents are described herein.

Abstract: An engagement head for engaging a porous substrate includes at least two pin sets, each pin set including a plurality of pins arranged in a plurality of parallel pin rows at a predetermined pin angle, wherein pins of immediately neighboring pin rows are arranged such that pin angles for the pins in a pin row are inversely symmetrical to pin angles for the pins in a neighboring pin row. The pins of a pin row move collectively in the same direction when a pin set is extended, which direction is determined by the pin angle of the pin row, whereby neighboring pin rows move in opposite longitudinal directions from one another when the pin set is extended. The pin sets may be extended and retracted in unison by a single actuation source.

Abstract: A conveying device for a deposition device includes a transport device and a carrier. The transport device includes a main body, two wheels, a connection shaft, and a first bevel gear. The connection shaft is mounted on the main body. The two wheels are mounted on two opposite ends of the connection shaft. The first bevel gear is sleeved on the connection shaft. The carrier includes a revolving frame, a rotating shaft, a second bevel gear, and at least one carrying bar. The rotating shaft is mounted on the revolving frame. The second bevel gear is sleeved on one end of the rotating shaft and meshed with the first bevel gear. The revolving frame rotates relative to the rotating shaft. The at least one carrying bar is mounted on the revolving frame and driven by the rotating shaft to rotate. Each carrying bar includes supporting elements for carrying workpieces.

Abstract: Mandrel coating assemblies are provided, as well as methods for coating endoluminal medical devices with a therapeutic agent using the mandrel coating assembly. The endoluminal medical device may be a stent, valve or other medical device, and may include a plurality of interconnected members defining a lumen and plurality of openings positioned along the abluminal surface in communication with the lumen. The mandrel coating assembly may be configured to minimize the coating penetration on the luminal surface of the medical device and/or incidence of webbing or agglomerations of the coating within the openings between the struts.

Abstract: A system is provided that is capable of supporting an object during application of surface coating that would enable access to multiple surfaces of the object while minimizing the impact on any surface that has not dried. The system provides stable support for the object during the application process and allows the coatings of all surfaces to dry with minimal effect on the coated surface. The system comprises a plurality of support units. Each support unit comprises a base portion and a contact portion. Each base portion is adapted to rest stably upon a work platform and contact portion is adapted to contact an underside of the object during application of surface coating. The plurality of support units together supports the object above the work platform.

Abstract: A fixture that allows for quickly preparing, painting and finishing a plurality of door panels that have opposed side surfaces interconnected by a relatively narrow edge. The fixture includes upper and lower horizontal support bars. A plurality of spaced vertical support bars extend between and are slidably attached to the upper and lower horizontal support bars so that the spacing between vertical support bars may be adjusted to accommodate the size of the door panels. A plurality of mounting stations are on the vertical supports. A pair of pins are received by the mounting stations and engage the opposite edges of a panel for pivotal movement, painting and finishing of the panel there between.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a glass substrate efficiently via prevention of foreign matter adhesion to a glass substrate as to chemical strengthening. Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a glass substrate for a recording medium possessing the step of conducting a chemical strengthening process by which a glass substrate held by a holding jig and the holding jig are immersed in a chemical strengthening solution, and 1st alkali metal ion on a surface of the glass substrate is substituted by 2nd alkali metal ion having a larger ion diameter than that of 1st alkali metal ion contained in the chemical strengthening solution, wherein the holding jig possesses a member of material made of a metal comprising an alkali metal element, or a metal film comprising an alkali metal element to cover a surface of the holding jig from the very beginning of the chemical strengthening process.

Abstract: A device for galvanic coating of a piston has a pot-shaped interior for accommodating the piston and an electrolyte fluid, a holder device for fixing the piston in place, a cover that is structured like a shutter and leaves only the surfaces of the piston that are to be coated uncovered, a first electrical contact that is connected with an anode and with the plus pole of a direct voltage source, and a second electrical contact that connects the piston with the minus pole of a direct voltage source. The piston can be simply and quickly attached to the holder device, since the holder device is in plate shape, and has an oblong centering device, the length of which corresponds to the radial inside diameter of the piston to be coated so that the piston can be pushed onto the centering device by way of its underside.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and devices for coating stents are described herein.

Abstract: A painters stand comprising a pair of extensible supports for rotatably securing a workpiece therebetween. Each support is comprised of a stanchion having a collar mounted thereon with a plurality of divergent legs extending therefrom with the stanchion having an intermediate workpiece support approximate the top end and a receiver for a workpiece fastener that will be fastened to a workpiece end whereby the workpiece can be supported between the stanchions. Once mounted in the workpiece receiver a plurality of radially positioned apertures are provided within the workpiece fastener so that one can be selectively co-aligned with a workpiece receiver aperture for insertion of a pin to secure the workpiece while a desired operation is performed, such as sanding and or painting.

Abstract: With abluminal side of a stent masked, the luminal side of the stent is selectively coated with a substance, such as an anti-coagulant, a platelet inhibitor and/or a pro-healing substance. The stent can be masked by inserting it into a rigid mandrel chamber or by compressing a masking sleeve onto the outer side of the stent. A spray nozzle inserted into the masked stent spray coats the substance onto the luminal side. The sprayed coating can be cured onto the stent such as by inserting an electrical-resistance heater bar into the stent.

Abstract: The device to hold a door for painting supports a door while leaving the outer faces of the door exposed for the application of paint. The device includes a base having a securement member mounted thereon. The securement member may be selectively positioned in the longitudinal direction with respect to the base. A vertical support is releasably received by the securement member and projects upwardly therefrom. An upper horizontal support is releasably mounted to the vertical support and projects forwardly therefrom. The upper horizontal support is user-adjustable in the vertical direction, and the forward portion is received by the lock-receiving opening formed in the door. The lower edge of the door is mounted on a lower horizontal support, which is releasably secured to a forward portion of the base and extends forwardly therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and device, which is suitable for use in an operating theater just prior to implantation, for selectively applying a medical coating to an implantable medical device, for example a stent. Disclosed is a device for use with a stent deployed on a catheter balloon. The device is configured to apply a medical coating of a desired thickness to the surface of a stent only. This is done by use of a drop-on-demand ink-jet printing system in association with an optical scanning device. The device is further configured so as to, if necessary, apply a plurality of layered coats, each layered coat being of a different coating material, and if appropriate, different thickness. The section of the housing in which the stent is held during the coating procedure is detachable from the housing base. The detachable housing section may be easily cleaned and re-sterilized or simply disposed of.

Abstract: A stent mandrel fixture for supporting a stent during the application of a coating substance is provided. A method supporting a stent during the application of a coating substance is also provided.

Abstract: A wafer lift pin structure for lifting a semiconductor wafer includes: a through-hole penetrating through a susceptor; an upper guide fixedly fitted inside the through-hole, a lift pin constituted by an upper part, a middle part, and a lower part and inserted in the upper guide; and a lower guide attached to the underside surface of the susceptor, wherein the lift pin is suspended from the lower guide at the middle part of the lift pin at the lower position. The middle part has a diameter greater than that of the upper part and that of the lower part, and has a weight heavier than that of the upper part and that of the lower part.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for supporting a stent and a method of using the same to coat a stent is disclosed.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for supporting a stent and a method of using the same to coat a stent is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for holding an article to be painted coated with a stand. In one embodiment the stand comprises (a) a first leg, (b) a second leg, (c) an upper connecting member attached to the first and second legs at an upper elevational position, (d) a base connecting the first and second legs at a lower elevational position, (e) at least part of the upper connecting member being insertable in a hardware opening of the article, and (f) the base extending on at least two sides of the article.

Abstract: The device serves for the automated handling and intermediate buffering of manufacturing components, whereby the components are suspended with the hooks 4 on the racks 1 which are conveyed as a series of racks. Provision is made for a crossbeam 9, 9′ comprising the two inwardly directed bars or gutters 10, 42, 59, 56, 58, 8 for receiving the load, which oppose each other and are located within the crossbeam. The elements 14, 48, 46, 61 for introducing the torque when the device is handled are arranged on the racks 1. The racks 1 comprise back-up surfaces located on the front and rear sides. Furthermore, the racks 1 comprise the hooks 4, clamps, fastening points or fastening rails, which are located on the underside or on secondary surfaces and are directed downwards. Provision is made for support surfaces for supporting shelf boxes or conveyor systems.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for holding an article to be painted coated with a stand. In one embodiment the stand comprises (a) a first leg, (b) a second leg, (c) an upper connecting member attached to the first and second legs at an upper elevational position, (d) a base connecting the first and second legs at a lower elevational position, (e) at least part of the upper connecting member being insertable in a hardware opening of the article, and (f) the base extending on at least two sides of the article.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for preventing the misplacement of a cassette pod on the loadport of a process machine are described. In the method, a cassette pod that is equipped with an identification tag on a front panel is first provided, a process machine that is equipped with a loadport for receiving the cassette pod is then provided, at least one position verification block is mounted on the loadport at a first preset position, and then at least one position verification finger is mounted on the front panel of the cassette pod corresponding to the first preset position of the at least one position verification block such that when the cassette pod is placed on the loadport, the at least one position verification finger does not interfere with the at least one position verification block.

Abstract: A chucking device of the present invention includes an annular elastic member sandwiched between an upper and a lower member. A rod is slidable up and down in a bore formed in the upper and lower members and is partly positioned in the elastic member. The rod presses the elastic member radially outward when raised or lowered, thereby causing the chucking device to chuck a hollow, cylindrical base. The elastic member contacts the inner periphery of the base over a minimum of area and surely, closely contacts it for thereby implementing desirable sealing. The chucking device can therefore form a uniform film on the outer periphery of the base.

Abstract: A paint rack system for consolidating doors and shutters for spray painting and storing in an organized assembly. The system generally comprises an elongate base having opposite ends and a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis of the base is extended between the ends of the base, such that the ends of the base define a base length therebetween. A plurality of ground engaging members are coupled to the base. An elongate main beam has opposite ends and a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis of the main beam is extended between the ends of the main beam, and the ends of the main beam define a main beam length therebetween. The main beam is slidably mounted to the base, with the main beam being rotatably mounted to the base such that the main beam is rotatable about an axis of rotation being upwardly extended from the base. The axis of rotation is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining at least one wafer sample in a desired orientation. The apparatus includes at least one support member that contains at least one slot having outwardly biasable opposing faces adapted to grip at least a portion of at least one wafer sample therein in a desired orientation. In addition, a handle may be attached to the at least one support member for facilitating manipulation and/or support thereof. Bending bars may also be attached to the at least one support member to facilitate application of a bending force to the at least one support member to aide in causing the at least one slot therein to open. When in an open position, each slot can receive at least a portion of a corresponding wafer sample therein or release a corresponding wafer sample therefrom.

Abstract: Support fixtures to aid in painting or otherwise finishing doors is disclosed. When four of these support fixtures are attached to the end corners of a door they support the door above the adjacent surface and the door can be turned using the attached handles. This allows all desired surfaces of the door to be finished at one time. A second door similarly equipped with these support fixtures can be likewise finished and then stacked on top of the first door with the finished surfaces of both doors maintained apart. These support fixtures are portable and reuseable.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer comprising a single crystalline lattice suitable for use in the manufacture of integrated circuits, namely computer chips and dies, wherein a diameter of the wafer is greater than approximately 150 millimeters and wherein the wafer includes a first hole extending through the wafer. The hole is adapted to facilitate handling of the wafer without directly contacting a surface of the wafer. The wafer preferably includes a primary flat and the first hole includes a flat side having a predetermined and known orientation with respect to the primary flat of the wafer. In one embodiment, the wafer further includes a guide hole formed near the first hole such that the center-points of the first hole and the guide hole are oriented with a predetermined and known orientation with respect to the primary flat of the wafer.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting substrates to and from at least one device (1) for holding substrates (2), the at least one device having a substrate support (5) disposed in a vacuum chamber (4, 4', 4"). The apparatus includes at least one displaceably disposed gripper (75), which can be displaced by a mechanical and/or electro-magnetically or magnetically operating positioning device (130) between a substrate gripping position and a substrate release position, and a centering device (157, 157', 161) for centering a substrate relative to the substrate support in conjunction with transport of the substrate by the apparatus to the substrate support.

Abstract: The present invention provides a support for enabling a door to be painted or finished conveniently without interference or obstruction. The support is an elongated member having first and second ends. Adjacent to one end, the member includes a hole and a flange structure with another hole aligned with the hole in the member for removably receiving a nail such that the sharp tip and a portion of the nail is exposed. In use, the nail is set in the top edge of the door and the second end of the support is rested against a wall. Thus supported, there is unobstructed access to the two long side edges and two main sides of the door. A fulcrum is provided along the member, more closely adjacent to the end with the flange structure than to the other end, to assist in levering the member, particularly the nail, free of the door after it is finished.

Abstract: A resin coating system having an endless conveyor for passing components to be coated with resin successively through a preheating station, a resin coating station, and a gelification station. Coated components are exchanged with uncoated components at a transfer station along the conveyor between the gelification station and the preheating station. If an uncoated component is not ready to be transferred into the coating system or later processing machines are not ready to receive a coated component, then exchange of coated and uncoated components does not take place at the transfer station, and the coated component reapproaches the preheating and coating stations. A system and method for allowing coating of uncoated components to be completed while coated components passing through the coating station are prevented from being recoated is also provided.

Abstract: A carrier plate (15) has essentially circular openings (11) for receipt of smaller diameter circular magnetic memory disks (20). Each disk has a plugged aperture, a planar annular band (23) on each side for receiving magnetic media (8), an outer peripheral edge (24) and a chamfer (22) therebetween. An integral stump segment (30) and a pair of integral U-shape channel retainers (40) extend from plate opening (11) to a position overlapping disk chamfer (22) to prevent a disk resting vertically on the stump segment (30) from falling out of the plate (15). Vertical holding walls (40) extend integrally and downwardly from a rear leg of the channel to insure vertical orientation of the disk (20) and stop walls (50) extend integrally and upwardly from that rear leg to prevent overtilting of the disk during its insertion into the plate (15). Gaps (31, 32, 33) are provided between the disk peripheral edge (24) and the opening (11) over about 248.degree.

Abstract: A door painting fixture which will hold a door in generally vertical position with the door being supported for rotational movement about a centrally located vertical axis to enable a door to be completely painted by the use of any of several well known paint applying techniques without the necessity of the painter moving to opposite sides of a door or lifting the door and manually rotating it 180.degree.. The fixture includes opposed, vertically spaced and aligned pins having tapered or pointed facing ends to engage the top and bottom edges of a door at a center point thereof with the pins being supported by a stand having laterally extending arms supporting the pins with the upper arm including a spring arrangement to bias the upper pin towards the lower pin to retain the door in position in the fixture. The lower arm of the stand includes a structure to frictionally retain the door in 180.degree.

Abstract: A wafer hanger has a rod member and a supporting member. The rod member is inserted into respective notches formed in semiconductor wafers, and then placed on the supporting member. The wafer hanger holding the wafers is put into a furnace for heat treatment of the wafers. Since the wafers are hung from the rod member, plastic deformation due to the gravity of the wafers is not caused in the wafers.

Abstract: A holder and cementing apparatus for string wound baseball cores includes six vertically downwardly depending tines arranged in a circular pattern to allow the ball to be wedged between the tines with an ejector pin moved upwardly by engagement of the ball and later forced downwardly to eject the ball with the holder supported on a trolley moving along horizontal guides from a first station where the ball is pushed upwardly by a supporting member into the ball holder to a second position inside an enclosure over a coating liquid supply where a cup is raised from below the level of the liquid to immerse the ball in the cup's liquid with movable side panels that open and close to allow the ball to enter the enclosure and to protect from liquid splatter when the ball is rotated at a high rate of speed to remove excess liquid followed by movement out of these openings to a destination station where a ball is sensed to insure proper operation.

Abstract: A carrier is provided to hold a central apertured disk while magnetic material is plated simultaneously on the annular surfaces on both sides of the disk. The carrier contains a first opening substantially the same diameter as the disk and a second opening formed about a center line offset from the center line of the first opening so as to form a recess around a portion of the edge of the first opening. The disk is inserted into the first opening and recess to block the flow of plasma and impurities from one side of the disk to the other during the disk surface coating. A two-part plug is provided for placement in and sealing the center aperture of the disk. One plug part contains a spring or magnetic means for holding the two parts together within the disk. The plug includes a knob for handling, carrying and mounting or removing the disk from the carrier.

Abstract: Spindled photographic film discs are coated with an ultraviolet light curable protective coating apparatus which receives a developer spindle carrying a plurality of film discs at a receiving station. Carry-in arms transfer the spindle into a coating station through a door and deposit the spindle at a location where the lower films on the stacked discs are partially submerged in a pool of coating liquid. A drive gear engages a spur gear on the spindle and slowly rotates the spindle for applying the coating evenly to the discs. Carry-over arms engage the spindle and carry it about the circumference of the drive gear, first lifting the spindle above the coating material and then causing the spindle to be spun at a relatively high rate for removing excess material from the discs. The carry-over arms thereafter transport the spindle through a second door and into an ultraviolet curing region while maintaining the rotation of the discs during curing.

Abstract: A pedestal and cake platter removably supported thereon having a corresponding plurality of recesses and lugs which interengage after rotation of said platter through a half turn or less on said pedestal to maintain holes in the platter vertically aligned above outwardly open recesses in the column of the pedestal forming guides. A headed pin moved horizontally beneath the platter is engaged by a guide to align it vertically beneath one of the holes with its upper end slightly beneath the hole. The pin is movable upwardly through the hole to impale cake layers on the platter. The platter and a cake plate removably positioned thereon have recesses and projections interengageable to register holes in the plate with those in the platter to pass the pins upwardly.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for coating frozen portions of a foodstuff with a granulated product with a conveyor carrying plates for supporting the portions and adapted to advance stepwise and sequentially to:depositing the granulated product on the plates,positioning the portions on the plates,supplying heat to the surfaces of the portions,coating the portions with granulated product anddischarging the coated portions from the conveyor.

Abstract: A turntable for supporting a cake is supported on an axis which can be tipped so as to facilitate the application of decoration to the side of a cake.

Abstract: A printing table with adjustably positionable, work-engageable reference pins which comprises discs rotatably mounted on the table with the top surfaces of said table and discs being coplanar; each disc having a groove within which a reference pin-carrying block is slideably disposed; and with there being latching components for respectively locking the discs and the related blocks in relative selected position. The table may also be provided with grooves and cooperating reference pin-carrying blocks.

Abstract: A drapery length marking device having a ceiling bar and a drapery length indicator each of which is disposed generally horizontally and can be moved up and down to desired positions by crank means. The ceiling bar has a series of extending pins to enable quick and accurate securement of a drapery whose hem is to be marked. The drapery length indicator is precisely positioned by operation of knobs and can be inclined, if necessary, where an inclined hem is to be made. The drapery length indicator possesses a marking ledge so that an ultraviolet pencil or other marking tool can be pressed upon the drapery against the marking ledge to make a precise line corresponding to the location of the hem. The drapery length indicator also possesses an inner marking ledge so that the hem on the lining of the drapery can be marked. The invention is preferably operated by a cranking system to lessen cost.