Abstract: A method for depositing a CdTe layer on a substrate in a vacuum chamber by means of physical gas phase deposition is provided. The substrate is heated to a coating temperature before the deposition process and then guided past a vessel in which CdTe is converted into a vapour state, a gaseous component with an increased pressure (compared to the vacuum in the vacuum chamber) flowing through at least one inlet, against the substrate surface to be coated, such that the gaseous component is adsorbed on the substrate surface to be coated before the substrate is guided past the at least one vessel.

Abstract: A method is presented for fabricating an array of sensors on an object having a non-developable surface. The method includes: growing an epitaxial structure on a substrate; bonding, without the use of an adhesive, the epitaxial structure to a flexible membrane to form a device structure; forming an array of sensors from the epitaxial structure of the device structure using photolithographic techniques; cutting the device structure into segments; and bonding the segments onto the target object.

Abstract: A turntable that can be used with a machine for wrapping loads with packaging material includes a turntable assembly having a first support assembly and a load support surface supported for rotation on the first support assembly. A second support assembly contacts a floor surface, and a plurality of load cells disposed between the first and second support assemblies space the first support assembly and the load support surface above the floor surface. In use, the load cells sense a weight of a load on the load support surface.

Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus and methods for handling mailpieces. A mailpiece handling device includes a substantially horizontal deck for receiving a mailpiece. The device also includes a substantially vertical registration wall that extends upwardly from an edge of the deck. The device further includes a disk mounted for rotation in a circular opening in the deck adjacent the registration wall. The disk has a substantially horizontal surface. In addition, the device includes an arm mounted above the disk so as to be pivotable in a horizontal direction. Also, the device includes a steering member mounted at a free end of the arm. The steering member is for applying downward pressure to a mailpiece that is in contact with the disk.

Abstract: The invention aims at obtaining a simplified and compact construction of a gravimetric metering device (1) for bulk products, comprising a large discharge section per activation zone (A) and transfer zone (F) for supplying the bulk product into a rotor (2) rotated in a horizontal plane, with transfer tools (3) extending mainly in the radial direction, an emptying station (E) offset relative to the transfer zone (F), and a weighing platform (W) arranged therebetween in the peripheral direction, provided with a force measuring device (20) for determining the weight of the bulk product transported. The invention is characterized in that the transfer tools (3) are mounted so as to be uncoupled from one another in at least one degree of freedom.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus having a weighing system, a drive system, and a vertical force minimizing system is described. The weighing system may include a load receiving surface and a plurality of load cells. The drive system may be any system which may cause the load receiving surface to rotate about its vertical axis. The vertical force minimizing system may be any system which may reduce the amount of vertical force that may be applied to the load cells through the drive system while effectively transmitting necessary forces in the transverse direction to provide rotational motion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically weighing portions of semi-solid matter using a weigh station having a rotating receptacle which receives the portion so that an accurate weight indication of the portion can be taken, and propels the portion from the weigh station to a further conveyor or processing system, a drive motor which powers the weigh station through a disengageable motor drive connection, and a weight signal processor which converts and stores the weight indications as weight data and transmits appropriate control signals to the drive motor, whereby variations in the weight of each portion are measured and evaluated to control the further processing of each portion, according to whether the portion weight is within predetermined parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously producing constant weight portions of semi-solid matter, such as bread dough, from a large mass through a dividing mechanism whereby portions are formed on a receptacle which receives the portion so that an accurate weight indication of the portion can be taken. By separating portions of the mass with the divider, when the weight of the mass on the receptacle reaches a predetermined shutoff weight, constant weight portions are achieved. A drive motor may power the receptacle through a selectively disengageable motor drive connection, which can be disengaged to allow accurate weight indications. Variations in the weight of portions from a target portion weight may be minimized by automatically adjusting the shutoff weight at which the portion is separated by the dividing mechanism, according to the difference between the portion weight and the target weight.

Abstract: In a method and arrangement for controlling a dynamic scale, the conveying speed of a conveyor belt for items of mail in the dynamic operating mode is independent of the format of the pieces of mail. During dynamic weighing, a controller of the scale deactivates the normal speed regulation for a DC motor and an unregulated pulsed voltage is applied to the DC motor. By an interaction of the motor with a tensioning device for a defined setting of the conveyor belt tension and due to a vibration-damped structure of the conveying arrangement of the scale, the conveying speed changes dependent on the weight of the piece of mail in a measuring time range.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of increasing the extent of a desired biaxial orientation of a previously formed non-single-crystal structure by contacting said structure with an oblique particle beam thereby forming in the structure a nucleating surface having increased desired biaxial orientation. The method can further include a step of epitaxially growing the crystalline formation using the nucleating surface to promote the epitaxial growth. The invention also provides a crystalline structure containing a nucleating surface formed by contacting a previously formed non-single-crystal structure with an oblique particle beam, from 0 to 10 adjacent orientation-transmitting layers, and a crystalline active layer. In this structure, the active layer is oriented in registry with the nucleating surface.

Abstract: A weigh feeding apparatus has a plurality of compartments to hold a material that is fed into the compartments and a scale for weighing the material held in the compartments. The compartments are configured to revolve about an axis at a substantially constant rate and the scale is configured to produce a signal determined by the weight of the material held in the compartments. The signal is capable of being used to control the rate at which material is fed into the compartments.

Abstract: An apparatus for metering a plurality of different liquid or pasty masses to a receiving container including: first support for supporting containers for the masses in fixed positions; a fixedly disposed annular frame bearing a number of dispensing nozzles controllable by a fixedly disposed control device and each individually connectable to said containers via respective conduits; a second support controllable by the control device for supporting a receiving container such that this receiving container is displaceable in an annular path corresponding with the annular form of the frame and can be placed temporarily beneath a chosen dispensing nozzle for receiving mass dispensed by this dispensing nozzle; a weighing device on which a receiving container can be placed, which weighing device can supply weight signals to the control device; wherein the weighing device is disposed fixedly and supports the second support.

Abstract: In a microwave oven, a turn table rotates once in a period TX. During one rotation of turn table, a control circuit usually detects six pulse signals. Control circuit detects a weight of food placed on turn table based on detected intervals TA, TB, and TC of pulse signals. Note that, if six pulse signals are not detected during one rotation of turn table, the control circuit retries detection of the pulse signals and detects the weight of food placed on turn table based on TA, TB, and TC for a subsequent rotation of turn table.

Abstract: A lot control and part handling apparatus having a base adapted to support the apparatus and a plurality of containers. Each of the containers is shaped to be filled with and retain therein multiple parts having a predetermined cumulative weight. A container support table is mounted on the base for rotation about a generally vertical axis and has a plurality of container support stations on which the containers are removably supported. A motor selectively rotates the container support table to sequentially position each of the container support stations at a fill position at which the parts are loaded into one of the containers. A weighing apparatus is positioned in vertical registry with the fill position and includes a scale with a vertically reciprocating lift member thereon which selectively and sequentially engages an associated one of the containers.

Abstract: The new invention proposes a rotary receptacle scale, wherein the weighing receptacle 2 is moved with a rotating drive by 180.degree. from the filling position into the emptying position. The weighing receptacle 2 is enclosed by a casing 1. The weighing receptacle 2 and the casing 1 are constructed in a manner similar to a lock rotor and lock wheel housing with respect to the movement function. The receptacle scale itself accordingly corresponds to increased hygienic requirements and can also be provided with a pressure-resistant casing at low cost.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a rotary table which is disposed inside a heating chamber such as to mount a food to be heated, and a motor which rotates the rotary table. The rotary table and the motor are integrally supported in a floating state by a resilient member, thereby allowing the food and the rotary table to vibrate or move vertically. This vertical vibration or movement is measured by employing a detector, and the weight of the food is measured from the output of the detector. The rotary table is provided with a biasing means interlocked with a door for regulating the height of the rotary table or stabilizing the same when the door is opened. In the case where the vibration of the rotary table is particularly detected, the rotary table is forced to vibrate by the action of the biasing means thereby allowing highly accurate measurement of the weight of the food.

Abstract: A dispersing supply apparatus for use in an automatic weighing system includes a dispersing table which receives articles that drop from supply means. Means are provided for simultaneously subjecting the dispersing table to both rotation and reciprocating vertical motion to rotate the articles and oscillate them up and down, thereby preventing the articles from becoming entangled and assuring that the articles will be dispersed outwardly of the table in a uniform manner by centrifugal force.

Abstract: For the accurate metering of tobacco portions in the course of the packing of the latter, rough portions (28) are first produced by separation from a strand of tobacco and brought to the desired weight (desired portion 15) by adding difference portions measured in a fine metering device (12, 13). The rough portions (28) are fed in each case by an intermediate conveyor (13), which is in the form of a star feeder, to one of two balance receiver members (32, 33), which are likewise in the form of star feeders and each of which is connected to a precision balance (43, 44).

Abstract: A device for continuous, gravimetric metering and pneumatic conveying of pourable material provides that a material stream is conveyed over a measuring path while charging a load measuring device and the product of moment load and conveying speed is formed. The conveyor is in the form of a rotor having an essentially vertical axis and conveyor pockets in the form of chambers or cells which are moved with the rotor in a circular orbit over the measuring path. A housing surrounds the rotor in a pressure tight manner and includes a charging aperture and an emptying aperture which are rotationally displaced from one another. A load measuring device is connected to the housing and a tachometer is provided for measuring the angular velocity of the rotor. A pneumatic conveying system is provided which has feed lines respectively communicating with an air feed aperture in the housing and the emptying aperture.