Abstract: An adjustment error in a photolithographic stepping printer is detected by applying photoresist to a semiconductor wafer, and exposing the wafer to substantially identical light images in multiple locations using a stepping printer. The light images are defined by an optical reticle and include a plurality of lines or other features that are spaced from each other at approximately the resolution limit of the printer. Developer (16) is applied to the wafer to produce visible images corresponding to the light images. The visible images function as diffraction gratings which reflect light from the wafer. The visible images are inspected optoelectronically or manually. An adjustment error is determined to exist if the visible images appear substantially identical but are uneven or otherwise abnormal.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises first and second side pieces configured to be hingedly connected and to form a first and second cavity, a lid, and a front piece configured to form a third cavity with the first and second side pieces. Also included are a handle, a biasing device configured to be positioned outside the first cavity, and a rotating blocking device configured to rotate based on movement of the handle and the biasing device, such that handle and rotating block device are returned to a stationary position based on the biasing device. Finally, the apparatus includes a resilient sealing device that is configured to interact with the rotating blocking device to close a first opening between the first and second cavities and a swinging blocking device configured to close a second opening between the first and third cavities. Also according to the present invention, in another embodiment the closing device includes a holding device that has first through forth side walls and a base.

Abstract: A paint removing device is adapted for attachment to a hand held rotary grinder for fast, efficient removal of paint from a surface. The device includes a disc with abrasive platelets arranged in a ring around the periphery of the disc, leaving a central area free from abrasive particles. Rotation of the disc at high speeds removes paint from the entire area encompassed by the disc.

Abstract: A vehicle for transport, fork lift or delivery route operations, for example, includes on-board peripherals which are coupled through a Local Area Network (LAN) into a data system. A LAN data bus provides selective access to the peripherals or data devices such as, for example, a large area display, a keyboard, a printer and a data terminal. The data system controls or provides data on tasks executed by or in connection with the operation of the vehicle. To increase the versatility of the vehicle, the data terminal, multiple data terminals, or any of the other data devices may be removably coupled to the LAN to be operable externally of the vehicle. A mobile mount adapter provides a secure electrical connection of a respective data terminal to the LAN to removably incorporate the data terminal into the data system. The data terminal includes base contact areas which are contacted by spring contacts of the adapter.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus are disclosed for evolving successive populations of molecular structures and evaluating each evolved structure of each population with desired physical and/or theoretical properties. An initial population of molecules is provided in terms of representations of a number of member molecules. Evaluation is performed by a fitness function, which compares the initial population and evolved generations of member representations with the set of desired properties to provide a numerical measure or value of fitness for each structure. That numerical value indicates how closely the compared member representation corresponds with the set of desired properties. The next population is generated by changing the structure of selected molecules of a population dependent upon the numerical measure of fitness, and the process repeats. Subsequent populations evolve towards ever-better fitness. The process is terminated when an acceptable molecule evolves.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for repetitively taking samples of a predetermined quantity of a test gas in a liquid and introducing these samples to a test chamber. Each sample is agitated to release therefrom the test gas. The released gas is then conveyed to a sensor, which monitors the released gas for the presence of a concentration above the threshold level to produce an alarm indicative thereof. The samples of the test gas in a liquid may be repetitively taken from one zone of a plurality at a time until each zone is sampled. After one sample has been tested in the test chamber, it is discharged therefrom and the test chamber is flushed with a sample of the liquid and test gas taken from the next zone of the plurality before introducing the next sample from the same, next zone.

Abstract: A shield assembly is disclosed for use with a stove, which comprises a stove top with a work surface, a heating mechanism disposed on the horizontal top surface and at least one control knob affixed to the work front surface. The shield assembly comprises a shield made of a material transparent to visible radiation, and a mechanism affixed to the shield assembly for releasably securing the shield assembly to the vertical front surface at a point intermediate the control knob and the heating mechanism.