Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for taping the lead (10) and tail (20) ends of a web (12) during winding of the web onto a core (14), in which a vacuum drum (72) advances tape (66) past a cutter (126) to provide tape strips (16,22) to be applied when the drum initially is lowered into contact with the empty core and subsequently is raised and lowered again by a cylinder (36) into contact with the fully wound core.

Abstract: The molded container body (10) and molded lid panel (34, 46, 48) are joined by a light and moisture impervious seal membrane (54) which fixedly adheres to the upper surface of the lid panel but peelably adheres to the upper surface of a peripheral flange (20) on the container body, thus permitting one lid portion (46) to be raised to an open position by peeling the seal membrane away from flange (20) and pulling upward, without removing the seal membrane from the lid panel.

Abstract: A spool (10) has a first elongate slot (22) in an outer surface (12) of the spool (10) core for receiving an end portion (14a) of a strip (14) of web material, such as a strip of photographic film. The core surface has another elongate slot (24) for receiving the flange (26b) of a clip (26) used for retaining the web material on the spool. The clip has a semi-cylindrical portion (26a) that surrounds the spool core and holds part of the web material against the core surface.

Abstract: A spool for photographic film has a generally cylindrical core with flanges at the end portions of the core. A slot through the core receives an end portion of the film that is to be wound onto the spool. Hooks in the slot are engaged with the film through apertures in the film for attaching of the film to the spool. In order to avoid locking of two spools together during bulk handling, as can occur when a flange of one spool enters the slot of another spool, the outer edge of one wall defining the slot is chamfered and generally V-shaped. The edge of the wall forms a large obtuse angle and is substantially aligned with the tip ends of the hooks so that the chamfered wall and the tip ends prevent a spool flange from becoming locked in the slot of another spool.

Abstract: A spool for a strip of film or other web material has a core and an elongate slot through the core for receiving an end portion of the strip. A separate keeper for retaining the end portion in the slot includes a first portion that is snapped into the slot and holds the end portion firmly against one surface of the slot. The keeper has a second portion that is engageable with the strip outside the slot for holding the strip against an arcuate portion of the core. The keeper can be latched in either a first position in which the keeper is partially inserted into the slot during insertion of the end portion into the slot, or a second position in which the keeper is fully inserted into the slot.

Abstract: A film magazine is disclosed which comprises a light-tight casing and a spool rotatable therein. A leader has one end attached to the spool and extends outside the casing for splicing to light-sensitive film. The splice is retracted into the casing during spooling operations, and means are provided to prevent the splice between the film and the leader from being pulled from the magazine.

Abstract: An air-bearing center-guiding apparatus 10 and a method are disclosed for supporting and laterally center-guiding thin flexible webs of paper or plastic under 15 mils in thickness. The apparatus comprises a web support and guide member 22 having an inner surface and an outer web-facing surface. Parallel rows of elongated spaced-apart guide apertures 34 extend longitudinally along edge regions of the web. Each guide aperture 34 is formed from a cylindrical opening in the web support and guide member 22 and extends substantially perpendicular to the web. Within each aperture a flat-sided dowel 60 is mounted to define a flow passage shaped in cross-section like a segment of a circle 62. Each circular-segment guide aperture 34 has a straight side 54 and a curved side 52 for directing a jet of air against the web edge 56. A plurality of the circular-segment guide apertures 34 develop a guiding force for holding lateral movement of the web to plus or minus 0.001 inch (0.0254 mm).

Abstract: An air-bearing center-guiding apparatus is disclosed for supporting and laterally center-guiding thin, flexible webs of paper or plastic under 15 mils in thickness. The apparatus comprises a web support and guide member 10 having an inner surface 58 and an outer web-facing surface 60. The web support and guide member 10 comprises a base member 14 for supporting an inner ring 22, an end cap 38, and a center ring 28 interposed therebetween. Parallel, circumferentially extending rows of circumferentially elongated and spaced-apart guide apertures 62 are provided in the web support and guide member 10 along edge regions of the web. The guide apertures 62 are formed between end surfaces 46 of the center ring 28 and interengaging end surfaces of the inner ring 22 and end cap rings 38.

Abstract: The apparatus forms one-to-one reticle images on a wafer. The apparatus includes means for holding a reticle containing an image pattern corresponding to the size of the desired wafer pattern. An illumination system substantially uniformly illuminates the reticle pattern. A one-to-one stationary projection optical system projects an image of the reticle pattern onto a predetermined focal plane. Suitable means such as a vacuum chuck holds the wafer. An alignment system steps and orients a wafer chuck to register markings on the individual sides of the wafer with the projected image of corresponding markings on the reticle. A fluid servo system acts on the chuck to hold at least a portion of the wafer in the predetermined focal plane of the projection optical system.

Abstract: An improved control valve for double-acting piston and cylinder asemblies is disclosed in which pressure for actuating a regeneration valve to direct hydraulic fluid from the contracting side of the piston to the expanding side, is controlled by a cylindrical check valve apparatus (86-112) which surrounds the valve plunger and controls the pressure of fluid flowing from the contracting side to the reservoir.

Abstract: The apparatus forms one-to-one reticle images on a wafer. The apparatus includes means for holding a reticle containing an image pattern corresponding to the size of the desired wafer pattern. An illumination system substantially uniformly illuminates the reticle pattern. A one-to-one stationary projection optical system projects an image of the reticle pattern onto a predetermined focal plane. Suitable means such as a vacuum chuck holds the wafer. An alignment system steps and orients a wafer chuck to register markings on the individual dies of the wafer with the projected image of corresponding markings on the reticle. A fluid servo system acts on the chuck to hold at least a portion of the wafer in the predetermined focal plane of the projection optical system.

Abstract: The apparatus forms one-to-one reticle images on a wafer. The apparatus includes means for holding a reticle containing an image pattern corresponding to the size of the desired wafer pattern. An illumination system substantially uniformly illuminates the reticle pattern. A one-to-one stationary projection optical system projects an image of the reticle pattern onto a predetermined focal plane. Suitable means such as a vacuum chuck holds the wafer. An alignment system steps and orients a wafer chuck to register markings on the individual sides of the wafer with corresponding markings on the reticle. A fluid servo system acts on the chuck to hold at least a portion of the wafer in the predetermined focal plane of the projection optical system.

Abstract: A thin film strain gage transducer includes temperature compensation resistances on an unstrained portion of the flexure element of the transducer. The compensation resistances are formed of the same material as the electrical leads interconnecting the strain gage resistances and also are deposited simultaneously with the electrical leads during manufacture.

Abstract: A system for priming liquid ink writing instruments such as ink jet writers and capillary ink pens is disclosed. A source of ink is pressurized to force ink through the ink jet or other pen so that a small droplet is formed at the jet or pen outlet. As the drop forms at the jet or pen, it is eventually drawn away into an adjacent orifice, due to capillary action. An integrated priming pump serves both to pressurize the ink source to form the ink droplet and to apply a vacuum to the orifice to remove the ink drawn away by capillary action. A pressure release valve ensures that the ink jet or pen is not overpressurized during priming. In ink jet applications, the drop removal orifice is formed as a portion of the droplet charging ring.

Abstract: A thin film strain gage is deposited on a flexure beam under controlled deposition conditions such that the dielectric parts thereof are normally in a compressive state. During use, when the strain gage is flexed in a manner tending to place parts thereof in tension, the dielectric parts are instead maintained either in compression, which is their more resistant state against mechanical fracture, or only in slight tension. Specifically, the dielectric films are deposited by sputtering with the substrate negatively biased, with the deposition rate and substrate temperature maintained at predetermined levels for enhancing compressive deposition.

Abstract: In a charger for the battery of an electric vehicle, a stable time of day clock is provided to initiate charging at a preselected time of day, and to control at least a portion of the charge cycle. The clock can be set in accordance with the schedule established for the vehicle so that charging will be accomplished automatically during the scheduled time of day when the vehicle is not in use. In the case of a fleet of such vehicles, at the termination of use, each driver simply parks the vehicle and connects an AC power line; charging for each vehicle will be initiated as determined by the clock associated therewith. An indicating system is provided to advise the driver that power has been properly connected and charging will commence at the appropriate time.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided an electrographic recording apparatus for recording on an electrostatic charge retentive record medium and a driver circuit suitable for use therein. The apparatus comprises a plurality of recording electrodes mounted in close proximity to the record medium. A plurality of complementary electrodes are mounted in electrical cooperative relationship with the recording electrodes. Improved driver circuits are provided for applying a voltage to the electrodes. The driver comprises a current branch to which the electrode is connected. A current control is provided for supplying a current through the current branch, which current biases diodes to force the electrode to a reference potential. The current further charges an electrical storage element. To apply a high voltage to an electrode, the current control blocks the current flow. The potential stored in the storage element which causes a base-emitter current flow to forward bias the transistor.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the location of monitored objects within a monitored area wherein signpost units are positioned at the intersections of first and second coordinate grid lines and each signpost unit transmits a signpost code comprising a first portion corresponding to the first coordinate grid line and a second portion corresponding to the second coordinate grid line. The first coordinate grid lines are assigned numbers sequentially increasing in a first direction and the second coordinate grid lines are assigned numbers sequentially increasing in a second direction. The signpost unit output signals encoded with the signpost codes are received via vehicle units located in the monitored objects and the unique signpost codes are utilized to determine the location of the monitored object relative to one of the signpost units including the direction of the monitored object from the signpost unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling plasma etching processes in which a thin layer is etched away to expose a substrate. Coherent light is directed onto the surface being etched, so that the change in reflectivity of the surface upon exposure of the underlying substrate produces a detectable change in the characteristics of the light reflected. A derivative detector having a variable timer is provided to sample continuously the reflected light and provide a control signal in response to a predetermined change in the characteristics of the light reflected, which is used to terminate the plasma etch process before an overetch condition occurs. The method and apparatus of the invention will detect a desired end point of etching through insulation to an underlying metal substrate, through metal to an underlying insulation substrate, through one insulation type to an underlying substrate of another insulation type and through one metal to an underlying substrate of another metal.