Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing syringes. Said method comprises fixing a needle to a syringe body by use of an adhesive followed by subjecting the syringes thus obtained to heat treatment. The invention further relates to a method of reducing leachables and/or extractables in prefilled syringes, said method comprising heat treating pre-fabricated syringes at a temperature of at least 40° C. before filling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a selected region of a metal layer, used to form a metal card, by annealing the selected metal region so the selected region becomes soft and ductile, while the rest of the metal layer remains stiff. The softened, ductile, selected metal region can be embossed with reduced power and with reduced wear and tear on the embossing equipment. Alternatively, the annealed metal layer can undergo additional processing steps to form an assembly which can then be embossed. The method may include the use of a fixture for holding the metal layer, with the fixture having a window region for enabling heat to be applied to soften the region of the metal layer within the window region. The fixture includes apparatus for cooling the portion of the metal layer outside of the window region and for preventing the temperature of the metal layer outside the window region from rising above predetermined limits.

Abstract: An oven assembly for baking coatings applied to an object includes a housing with a header receiving pressurized air from a ventilator disposed outside the oven. A heater provides heat to the pressurized air received from the ventilator raising the temperature of the pressurized air to between about two and four times curing temperature in Fahrenheit degrees of the coatings applied to the object. The header extends from the heater into the housing. The header has nozzles disposed at spaced locations directing pressurized air at the temperature being between about two and four times the curing temperature in Fahrenheit degrees of the coating applied to the object toward predetermined locations on the object.

Abstract: Heating provided by a burner that combusts hydrocarbon fuel can be provided at a sequence of different heat transfer rates by adjusting the total oxygen concentration of oxidant streams fed to the burner. A burner with which the method can be practiced is also disclosed.

Abstract: A porous media, a housing containing a porous media and methods for fabricating the housing containing a porous media are provided. The porous media is composed of varying amounts of sorptive binding particles in combination with polymer particles, for example silica particles mixed with polyethylene beads. The porous media is sintered into target housings, for example pipette tips, for use in desalting, purifying and separating biomolecules in target samples. The porous media is also formed into porous media discs via pressure and heating for insertion into housing devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for heat treating semiconductor wafers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a heating device which contains an assembly linear lamps for emitting light energy onto a wafer. The linear lamps can be placed in various configurations. In accordance with the present invention, tuning devices which are used to adjust the overall irradiance distribution of the light energy sources are included in the heating device. The tuning devices can be, for instance, are lamps or lasers.

Abstract: A guidewire for partial placement within a body of a patient is disclosed. The guidewire is employed to assist in the insertion of a medical device into the body, such as the placement of a catheter into the patient's vasculature. In one embodiment, the guidewire defines an elongate body that includes a distal segment. The distal segment includes a shape memory material that enables at least a portion of the distal segment to be deformed by a user prior to placement of the guidewire in the body of the patient. The shape memory material enables the guidewire to maintain the deformation of the distal segment portion after being deformed by the user.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of making shaped bodies comprising providing a substantially uniform temperature and gas flow throughout the shaped body as a function of reaction time. The disclosure further relates to methods of making shaped bodies substantially uniformly oxidized. The methods comprise setting at least one shaped body and performing at least one firing of the at least one shaped body. The present disclosure further relates to shaped bodies made according to the methods disclosed.

Abstract: A heater device includes a container formed from a vapor impervious material and having a quantity of heat generating material therein. Also provided is an activation material proximate the container. A seal on the container is adapted to be opened to transfer the activation material into contact with the heat generating material to generate heat and be resealed to contain the reaction products generating the heat.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and method of barrel toasting. In particular, an apparatus and method for consistently toasting the inside surface of a barrel, generally a barrel made of oak. Barrel toasting has traditionally been carried out on a barrel by barrel basis, by the cooper, according to wine or spirit-makers' specifications. The cooper draws upon his/her experience in order to determine the length of time and intensity of heat the barrel should be subjected to, so that the barrel is subjected to a reasonably consistent light, medium, medium plus or heavy toast. The present invention attempts to provide an apparatus and method for repeatability and uniformity in barrel toasting by monitoring the temperatures of the barrel being toasted and comparing these against a predetermined optimum range.

Abstract: A method of operating a bake plate disposed in a semiconductor processing chamber having a face plate opposing the bake plate includes providing a temperature control signal to the bake plate and measuring a face plate temperature associated with the face plate. The method also includes determining a difference between the face plate temperature and a predetermined temperature and modifying the temperature control signal provided to the bake plate in response to the determined difference.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for producing a ceramic member by firing a formed body with a firing furnace. The firing furnace is equipped with 1) a muffle formed in a manner so as to ensure a space for housing the formed body to be fired; 2) a heater or a heat generator serving as the heater, which is placed outside the muffle; and 3) a plurality of heat insulating layers made of carbon, fixed by stoppers made of carbon, and formed in a manner so as to enclose the heater or the heat generator. The method fires the formed body with the firing furnace to form the ceramic member, and heats the muffle and the space for housing the formed body with the heater or the heat generator.

Abstract: A method for when preheating a ladle for use in steelmaking where less fuel is consumed in heating the ladle efficiently accurately to a controlled temperature. A temperature of a preheating process is varied by controlling a burner of the heating unit based on measurements of refractories of the ladle taken by a pyrometer. The heating unit includes an emissive coating for reducing heat loss and efficient heating during the preheating process. The heating unit also includes valve mechanisms for accurately varying a flame size of the burner of the heating unit during an idle stage of the preheating process.

Abstract: A heater for a wheel well includes a layer of material contoured to fit within a top of a wheel well of a vehicle. A heating element is coupled to the layer of material, and an electrical connector is coupled to the heating element and adapted to be coupled to a power source within the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for thermal processing of products contained in a container (2) and a bag obtained by executing said process. According to the invention, the method consists of: a) forming during a thermoforming step at least one boss in the inner zone of the protective film delimited by the peripheral zone for fixing the film to an edge of the container, b) boring a degassing orifice in the inner zone of the film, c) placing the valve on the film above the degassing orifice, d) fixing the peripheral zone of the film to the edge of the container, previously filled with products, e) subjecting the container now filled and closed container to thermal processing, during which the valve opens when the temperature of the products reaches a first given value, allowing degassing of the products, and on completion of which the valve closes when the temperature of the products reaches a second given value.

Abstract: Heating provided by a burner that combusts hydrocarbon fuel can be provided at a sequence of different heat transfer rates by adjusting the total oxygen concentration of oxidant streams fed to the burner. A burner with which the method can be practiced is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a candle heater includes a heating element that is attached to a decorative cover. The heater is adjustable in size allowing it to fit around different sizes and shapes of candles at various positions on the container. The heater allows a person to melt a desired amount of the candle wax increasing the speed and safety of the heater. The heater presents various different ornamental designs which improve the aesthetics of the candle.

Abstract: A phase transition golf ball comprises a phase transition material. The phase transition material may optionally include a microwave susceptor or an induction susceptor. The phase transition material preferably comprises an ethylene acid copolymer, or an ionomer of an ethylene acid copolymer. The performance of the phase transition golf ball, for example its hardness or compression, is adjusted by inducing a complete or partial phase transition in the phase transition material. The extent of the adjustment in performance is correlated with the extent of the phase transition. Preferably, the phase transition is reversible and repeatable and takes place at temperatures that might be achieved through the use of common household appliances. Also preferably, the phase transition material returns to its original state over an extended period, for example hours or days.

Abstract: A pump liner is used to direct a laminar flow of purge gas across a workpiece to remove contaminants or species outgassed or otherwise produced by the workpiece during processing. The pump liner can take the form of a ring having a plurality of injection ports, such as slits of a variety of shapes and/or sizes, opposite a plurality of receiving ports in order to provide the laminar flow. The flow of purge gas is sufficient to carry a contaminant or outgassed species from the processing chamber in order to prevent the collection of the contaminants on components of the chamber. The pump liner can be heated, via conduction and irradiation from a radiation source, for example, in order to prevent the condensation of species on the liner. The pump liner also can be anodized or otherwise processed in order to increase the emissivity of the liner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for trimming the edges of a float glass ribbon whose thickness can vary between 0.4 mm and 24 mm in which a specific depth crack is generated for the respective thickness. The depth of the crack is actively influenced by energy introduced by means of a laser which is controlled as a function of the surface temperature of the float glass ribbon and by a subsequent cooling whose acting period is variable. To ensure a permanently reliable process, the severing crack and the thickness of the float glass ribbon are detected in order to initiate a new initial crack immediately in the event that the severing crack should break up and so that a cutting unit comprising the scribing device, the beam-shaping optics and the cooling nozzles is always at a constant vertical distance from the surface of the float glass ribbon. The method and apparatus are distinguished particularly by the fact that only a low laser power is required.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for inner wall toasting of casks for wine guard by hot air convection, with controlled temperature which allows setting desired cask heating time and temperature. The process comprises: (a) connecting the inside of the cask to mechanical elements to form a hermetic toasting chamber wherein no aromatic compounds are liberated to the outside; (b) circulating an air stream within said chamber; (c) directly or indirectly heating said air stream to a temperature varying from 140° C. to about 230° C.; (d) directing said air stream to the inner cask walls; (e) capturing said air stream at the cask outlet; (f) directly or indirectly reheating said captured air stream to a temperature between 140° C. to about 230° C.; (g) recycling said reheated air stream to the inner cask walls; and (h) maintaining stage (g) for a required time to achieve the desired temperature and/or toasting.

Abstract: An apparatus for subjecting a rare earth alloy block to a hydrogenation process includes a casing, gas inlet and outlet ports, a member arranged to produce a gaseous flow, and a windbreak plate. The casing defines an inner space for receiving a container. The container includes an upper opening and stores the rare earth alloy block therein. A hydrogen gas and an inert gas are introduced into the inner space through the gas inlet port, and are exhausted from the inner space through the gas outlet port. The gaseous flow is produced by a fan, for example, in the inner space. The windbreak plate is disposed upstream with respect to the gaseous flow that has been produced inside the inner space. Also, the windbreak plate reduces a flow rate of the gaseous flow that has been produced near the upper opening of the container.

Abstract: An improved process of curing resin-bonded refractory brick lining of a ladle within a housing by heating the brick in air at an effective temperature to produce resin vapors and transferring the vapors from the ladle comprising transferring the vapors at a temperature above the condensation temperature of the transferred vapors to an auxiliary burner to effect combustion of the transferred vapors to produce non-toxic gases. The process provides an efficacious and environmentally sound treatment of resin-bonded refractory bricks.

Abstract: Nanobacteria contribute to pathological calcification in the human and animal body, including diseases such as kidney stones, salivary gland stones, dental pulp stones and atherosclerosis. The present invention provides methods for sterilizing articles contaminated with nanobacteria. The present invention also provides methods of treating patients infected with nanobacteria. In particular, the present invention provides a method for preventing the recurrence of kidney stones in a patient that has suffered from kidney stones, comprising administration of an antibiotic, a bisphosphonate, or a calcium chelator, either alone or in combination, in an amount effective to inhibit or prevent the growth and development of nanobacteria.

Abstract: Nanostructured non-stoichiometric non-equilibrium materials are disclosed. Novel electromagnetic materials and their applications are discussed. More specifically, the specifications teach the use of nanotechnology and nanostructured materials for developing novel electrical devices and products.

Abstract: A ladle after teeming for a continuous casting and a subsequent slag discharge is mounted on a ladle truck and then moved by the ladle truck to a tapping station. The ladle on the ladle truck is then stationed over a predetermined stand-by time and is then immediately moved to a tapping position to receive a molten steel from a converter. The ladle is quickly heated during the stand-by time, by a regenerative-type burner system carried by a ladle lid which is attached to the ladle to cover the top opening of the ladle. This allows the tapping temperature of the molten steel to be set to a low level, offering advantages such as a remarkable reduction in the consumption of carbonaceous materials as the temperature controller, as well as extended life of ladle refractories through suppression of thermal attack. At the same time, consumption of fuel gas for heating the ladle by the burner system is reduced to contribute to saving of energy.

Abstract: Substrate processing apparatus and method, by which an outside air and a gas-phase backward flow are restrained from entering the inside of a reaction chamber during the inside of a reaction chamber is opened to the outside through a substrate carrying-in/carrying-out opening. This substrate processing apparatus, for example, a vertical CVD apparatus (200) has a gas supply system (240) and a bypass line (264). The gas supply system (240) supplies an inert gas to a space (3a) between an outer tube (1A) and an inner tube (2A) of a reaction furnace (211) in a boat loading term and a boat unloading term. The bypass line (264) exhausts an atmosphere from a reaction chamber (1a) by performing a slow exhaust operation in the boat loading term and the boat unloading term.

Abstract: A resist processing method includes (a), to a substrate having a circuit pattern with an uneven surface formed thereon, coating a photoresist solution to, by doing so, form a photoresist film, (b) subjecting the substrate to heat processing to cause a portion of the photoresist film to be chemically modified to create a modified resist layer of a substantially uniform thickness from the uneven surface of the circuit pattern, and (c) selectively removing only a resist portion unmodified at the step (b) to leave a modified resist layer on the uneven surface of the circuit pattern.

Abstract: A parts container for minimizing oxidation of heat-treated parts during transfer in an oxygen-containing environment. The container includes: a heat-resistant vessel having an interior space and including oppositely positioned first and second apertures; a heat-resistant, porous support element fluidly connected to the first aperture to provide a bottom to for the vessel; and a disposed in the interior space a plurality of fluidizable granular solids and at least one heat-treatment part. The fluidizable granular solids provide a transient protective environment for the parts after heat treatment thereby minimizing exposure of the parts to oxygen in the surrounding environment. Additional embodiments and methods of use are also described.

Abstract: An improved method of producing a fluid filled elastomeric bladder for occupant weight sensing involves annealing the bladder material prior to its installation in a vehicle seat so as to quickly relieve initial stress due to stretching of the bladder material which occurs during fluid injection. In a preferred implementation, the initial stress is relieved by immersing the fluid-filled bladders in heated water for a time period on the order of 60 seconds or more. Alternatively, the bladder material may be heated with steam or radiant heat, by injecting heated fluid into the bladder, or by injecting heated air into an empty bladder before fluid injection. In each case the initial stress is quickly relieved, substantially eliminating a potential source of error in the sensed weight.

Abstract: An apparatus for the heat treatment of workpieces comprising comprising a plurality of evacuable chambers connected through airlocks, a conveyor, preferably a circular chain conveyor for the transport of the workpieces along a path through the chambers, an electric resistance heating device, a cooling blower, and a heat exchanger, a plurality of workpieces of equal size and configuration, in particular backsaw blades, are placed tightly one on top of another and form a stack which is placed into a frame made of profile cuts, whereby the frame is capable of being coupled to a conveyor by means of suspension elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for baking powder coated parts comprises a housing having a top end and a bottom end, a heating element in the housing at the top end, defining an oven, a carrying arrangement in the housing for carrying the parts and a control station for controlling the heating element and the carrying arrangement such that the carrying arrangement carries the parts from the bottom end where the parts are attached to the carrying arrangement to the top end where the parts are heated by the heating element and to lower the carrying arrangement from the top end to the bottom end after the parts have been heated and a second batch of parts can be attached to the carrying arrangement. The control station has a first locator at the top end for indicating when the carrying arrangement is at the top and a second locator at the bottom end for indicating when the carrying arrangement is at the bottom end.

Abstract: A device for sealing a passageway in a flue from a carbon anode baking furnace, the flue being generally rectangular in shape and comprising a flue top and bottom, a headwall on either end of the flue, two walls, an opening in the flue top, at least one baffle, and a plurality of spacers which are connected to both walls of the flue, the headwall, the two walls and the flue top define a headwall port which permits fluid passage between adjoining flues; the sealing device comprises; an inflatable bladder; a means to deliver air under pressure connected to the inflatable bladder by a seal to prevent air leakage between the means to deliver air under pressure and the inflatable bladder; the inflatable bladder is long enough to extend from the flue top to a headwall and seal off the communication between flues at the headwall port when inflated.

Abstract: An apparatus for the heat treatment of work pieces comprising comprising a plurality of evacuable chambers connected through airlocks, a conveyor, preferably a circular chain conveyor for the transport of the workpieces along a path through the chambers, an electric resistance heating device, a cooling blower, and a heat exchanger, a plurality of workpieces of equal size and configuration, in particular hacksaw blades, are placed tightly one on top of another and form a stack which is placed into a frame made of profile cuts, whereby the frame is capable of being coupled to a conveyor by means of suspension elements.

Abstract: A novel rapid thermal process (RTP) barrel reactor processes a larger batch of semiconductor substrates than was previously possible. The RTP barrel reactor is characterized by a short process cycle time in comparison to the same process cycle time in a conventional CVD barrel reactor. A rapid heat-up of the substrates is one of the keys to the shorter process cycle times of the RTP barrel reactor. The RTP barrel reactor utilizes a radiant heat source in combination with a heat controller that includes an open-loop controller for heat-up and a closed-loop controller for deposition as well as a new energy stabilizer to achieve heating a larger energy stabilizer and volume to a uniform processing temperature in times characteristic of RTP reactors.

Abstract: The present invention is designed to provide an annealing method for silicon single crystal wafers, which makes it possible to increase the number of silicon single crystal wafers processed during a single annealing process under a variety of annealing performed on silicon single crystal wafers, such as oxygen outer diffusion annealing for forming a DZ layer, annealing that generates and controls BMD for providing IG functions, and annealing that endeavors to improve and enhance GOI characteristics by eliminating wafer surface layer COP, and internal grown-in defects, and also enables the suppression of dislocation and slip in elevated temperature annealing environments. It calls for annealing to be performed by stacking up around 10 wafers, treating this group as a unit, placing this group, either horizontally or slightly inclined at an angle of roughly 0.5.about.5.degree.

Abstract: An electric arc melting furnace includes a furnace shell (1) with an electrode (3) for melting scrap by heat of arc, an air blasting port (20) for blasting air, oxygen or oxygen-enriched air into the furnace shell (1) through an air control valve (19), a carbon blasted quantity indicator (CI) for measuring quantity of carbon to be charged into the furnace shell (1), a scrap charged quantity indicator (SI) for measuring quantity of the scrap charged into the furnace shell (1), an oxygen blasted quantity indicator (OI) for measuring quantity of oxygen blasted into the furnace shell (1) and an arithmetic processor (7) for computing quantity of air required for complete combustion of carbon monoxide (23) in the furnace shell (1) in response to measured value from the indicators (CI)(SI)(OI) to control a degree of opening of the air control valve (19).

Abstract: A semiconductor processor including an enclosure with an access opening. A door assembly is supported for translational movement between aligned and displaced positions relative to the access opening. The door assembly has a main part, and an extension part which telescopically moves toward and away from the access opening. A bellows is provided between the main and extension parts. The closed door is sealed by a first face seal and a second expandable seal. A liquids trap is provided to prevent outward escape of liquids from the access opening. A drain removes liquid collected in the trap.

Abstract: The loader device comprises a cartridge-carrying carousel provided with a set of cartridge-holders in which sealed closed cartridges are mounted in removable manner, each cartridge being designed to contain a sample for processing in a space furnace, the device further comprising a control mechanism for imparting indexed rotary drive to the cartridge-holders. The carousel is mounted to one side of the furnace in such a manner that its axis of rotation is parallel to longitudinal axis of the furnace. Each cartridge-holder of the carousel co-operates with a transfer mechanism that includes a translation arm extending perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the carousel to enable each cartridge to be brought successively into a working position in which the axis of the cartridge is in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the furnace. The control mechanism for imparting rotary drive to the cartridge-holders and the transfer mechanism are activated alternately by a single electric motor.

Abstract: An apparatus for contamination-free treating semiconductor parts in a furnace. A carrier into which the semiconductor parts are placed has a cover placed over the carrier to form a boat enveloping the parts while the parts are treated in a furnace. The boat preserves an environment less contaminated than the furnace interior, and may have heating elements embedded in the carrier or cover.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the production or emission of noxious gases while continuously preheating a mixture of iron-bearing scrap charge materials for an electric steelmaking furnace operation with off-gas from, the furnace, including provision for controlled combustion within the preheating chamber. Removed gases are then treated by thermal incineration of combustible residual matter before release into the atmosphere to insure that no noxious gases are emitted.

Abstract: The invention relates to the control of a tunnel furnace partitioned into a plurality of zones for heat treatment of, e.g., ceramic or glass workpieces. As usual the temperatures of the respective zones are controllable individually. Furthermore, in each of selected zones the temperature of that zone is varied from a first level to a second level during the stay of each workpiece in that zone and returned to the first level in a predetermined time after letting the workpiece out of that zone, and the length of stay of each workpiece in that zone is controlled such that another workpiece can be introduced into that zone while the preceding workpiece stays in the next zone and such that a number of workpieces can be heat treated in succession under the same time-temperature conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for loading and unloading articles, especially adapted for moving semiconductor wafers into and out of a diffusion chamber. An article support is cantilevered for moving the articles into the chamber without touching it. A separately controllable cantilvered enclosure is provided for movement over the supported wafers when necessary for protection during the loading and/or unloading procedure. An inert gas controllably flows into the enclosure to provide a controlled atmosphere for the wafers during the loading and/or unloading procedure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum purging bell type furnaces is provided. A vacuum shell unit is provided which is removably emplacible over the inner cover of the furnace and has a vacuum tight seal to the base. A vacuum is pulled both within the inner cover and within the vacuum shell to remove the ambient gas. Nitrogen is then introduced into the inner cover and within the vacuum shell. The vacuum shell is then removed and purging continues within the inner cover either with nitrogen or other desired atmosphere gas, and finally furnace is emplaced over the inner cover to heat treat the work in a conventional manner.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and a device for pre-heating waste metal for furnaces, fuel gases generated in a furnace (1) being supplied simultaneously or sequentially to two pre-heating places (3, 4) with waste metal containers (14), said flue gases being made to flow through a combustion chamber (19) provided with a burner (20) before being supplied to the pre-heating places (3, 4), said burner (20) producing a variable amount of hot gases for admixture with the flue gases from the furnace (1) and superheating thereof. After flowing through the waste metal containers (14) burnt flue gases are supplied to a gas cleaning plant (5) for flue gases and unburnt flue gases to the combustion chamber (19) for further combustion, after which the flue gases now burnt are supplied to said gas cleaning plant (5).

Abstract: An intermittent flames, heated bed type furnace and a method for heating steel plate. The furnace and method for heating solve problems inherent in conventional furnaces, namely, consuming too much energy, having low efficiency, and providing a heat which is unstable and non-uniform in quality. The invention includes a modified furnace with a special heated bed, the furnace having a wide or square body to replace the conventional rectangular type of furnace, thus enlarging its loading volume. To improve product quality, a combined or continuous operational heating sequence is substituted for the conventional intermittent or batch heating mode, thus raising labor productivity. The overall effectiveness obtained by this invention has increased from 1 to 3 times the productivity of a conventional intermittent flame furnace, while decreasing energy consumption by 30 to 70 percent. Deflection of the size of the steel plate or end is only a fraction of that specified in conventional standards.

Abstract: A manufacturing method and apparatus is provided for making building and other types of brick. The apparatus requires a minimum of excess (or surge) production, utilizes automated equipment which is highly dependable and which is easily operated and controlled. The apparatus comprises an automated low profile dryer and kiln in conjunction with an automated brick handling system including specially designed lighweight kiln cars.

Abstract: A method of heating and maintaining the temperature of heated liquids which involves storing liquid receptacles in an insulated container, then heating the liquid in the receptacles to a desired temperature. The insulated container may include a wrapper member which functions as a carrying handle for the insulated container.

Abstract: A heat recovery and storage system for use in connection with a melting furnace. In such system, heat from the exhaust gas of a melting furnace is recovered and used to preheat scrap metal and to maintain such preheated scrap metal in its preheated form until it is charged into the melting furnace.

Abstract: A manufacturing method and apparatus is provided for making building and other types of brick. The apparatus requires a minimum of excess (or surge) production, utilizes automated equipment which is highly dependable and which is easily operated and controlled. The apparatus comprises an automated low profile dryer and kiln in conjunction with an automated brick handling system including specially designed lighweight kiln cars.