Abstract: A system is provided for controlling the time at which a durable item, such as a reticle used in a lithography process in semiconductor manufacturing, is requalified for use. A counting device counts occurrences of predefined events, such as the number of jobs in which the reticle is used or the number of times it is placed in a lithography tool. The reticle is not removed from use until a limiting number of jobs or tool placements is reached, or the reticle is needed for processing the requalification job. The system also includes a requalification device for the durable item.

Abstract: The invention concerns a table, in particular for video workstations, having a height-adjustable tabletop with at least one vertical guide strut (2), furthermore having a table frame (3) with at least one table support (4) for the guide strut (2) which telescopes within it, and having at least one adjustable spring leg (5) which is arranged between the table frame (3) or the table support (4) and the height-adjustable table elements (1, 2) and has a spring. In addition, a measuring device (25) for determining the particular load on the tabletop (1) is provided, an adjusting device (9) for a spring-leg base (8) on an adjustable spring leg (5) being activated as a function of load values determined.

Abstract: A closure for the dispensing contents within a dispenser, generally comprises a post projecting upwardly from a base and a closure cap. The post has an upper solid portion, including a notch to facilitate multiple dispensing rates of the closure, connecting segments between the upper and lower portions and a cam follower. In a first dispensing position, the contents are dispensed only out of the notch. A closure cap is rotatably mounted for movement along at least a portion of the post. The post extends beyond the top of the cap in the closed position. The cap has a cam for movement of the cap with respect to said cam follower to facilitate rotation of the cap along the post. In a second dispensing position of the closure, the contents are dispensed through an upper orifice of the cover cap.

Abstract: A chip supplying apparatus for picking chips from a wafer positioned on an elastic film is disclosed. The chip supplying apparatus includes a shifting device, a clutch device, a film-expanding device, and a chip-picking device. In the present chip supplying apparatus, the input torque provided by the clutching device for driving the film-expanding device to perform a film-expanding operation is orthogonal to the resulting rotation torque of the film-expanding device. Therefore, when the film-expanding operation is performed, the film-expanding device will not shake. In other words, the present chip supplying apparatus can perform stable film-expanding operation.

Abstract: A slot machine 40, of the type having a video display screen which displays a plurality of rotatable reels 42 carrying symbols 43, is arranged to pay a prize on the occurrence of a predetermined symbol or combination of symbols. The game includes a special feature which is invoked when a special triggering combination of symbols occurs. Once the special feature is triggered a wild symbol moves around the screen progressively replacing each symbol in the display.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes a switching element for relaying electrical current to be supplied to a transformer and a controlling circuit for controlling an operation of said switching element. The controlling circuit has a first oscillator which works to continuously drive the switching element and a second oscillator which works to intermittently operate the switching element. An amount of electrical current to be supplied to the transformer is controlled by changing a duty cycle or an oscillating period of the second oscillator in accordance with a variation of the amount of load current. Further, an initiating resistance for initiating the controlling circuit and a "cut-off" circuit cutting the resistance off: it is arranged such that the resistance is "cut-off" from the controlling circuit after initiating the controlling circuit in order to avoid that a significant amount of current is consumed at the resistance after initiating the circuit.

Abstract: An adaptor attachable to a laser apparatus and to a microscope for directing a laser beam from the laser apparatus onto an object in a working plane as viewed via the microscope. The adaptor includes an optical system located in the path of the laser beam for focusing the laser beam onto an object in the working plane. The optical system includes a number of mirrors. The adaptor also includes a manipulatable mirror located between the optical system and the working plane. The manipulatable mirror is selectively manipulatable to direct the laser beam to any desired location in the working plane. Further the adaptor includes a focusser coupled to the optical system that is capable of selectively focusing and defocussing the laser beam.

Abstract: A track and field board supporting apparatus and hurdle includes a support assembly for positioning on a track or field surface, substantially vertical members emanating from said support assembly and a board holder which facilitates securing a board thereto, wherein the board is aligned properly at/over a desired location on the track.

Abstract: A triple substrate optical disk comprises a center substrate layer, a top substrate layer, a bottom substrate layer, a top adhesion layer bonding the top substrate layer to the center substrate layer and a bottom adhesion layer bonding the center substrate layer to the bottom substrate layer. The center substrate layer has a center substrate containing a top surface and a bottom surface thereof, a first recording layer deposited on the top surface of the center substrate and a second recording layer deposited on the bottom surface of the center substrate. The top substrate layer includes a top substrate and a third recording layer, wherein the top substrate has a top surface and a bottom surface thereof and the third recording layer is deposited on the bottom surface of the top substrate.

Abstract: With a device for the infinite adjustment of a telescopic rod for fixing pivotable elements into an open position and returning them into a closed position, and for raising and lowering adjustable head and leg parts of a bed, a couch and an armchair, the invention is directed to making infinite raising possible while retaining the return from the upper dead center position into the lower dead center position after the former has been reached. This is achieved by a toothed rack, a cage-like element and two toothed wheels which run along the toothed rack, are guided in the cage-like element and whose spacing can be moved by the rod from a position locking the teeth of the toothed wheels against one another into a position which disengages the teeth.

Abstract: A slot machine 10 has three rotatable reels 12 carrying symbols 14 which are controlled by stepper motors and are arranged to pay prizes on the occurrence of a predetermined symbol or combination of symbols. A jackpot prize is paid on the occurrence of three 7s on the win line. The 7s are against a clear background and when three 7s appear on the display the display colour may change to three red 7s, three blue 7s, three white 7s or three 7s of mixed colour. If the three 7s all change to a red colour, the jackpot prize is paid, otherwise a lesser prize is paid. The colouring of the 7 occurs by backlighting the 7s in the reels by means of coloured light bulbs or similar means. The presence of the above feature on a gaming machine allows that gaming machine to pay a jackpot which is several times greater than would normally be paid.

Abstract: An X-ray analyzing apparatus according to the invention includes an excitation ray generator for applying an excitation ray onto a sample, and an X-ray detector which is sealed in a vacuum container along with a cooling device; a first X-ray passing layer, where a first gas exists, is provided in a path through which the characteristic X-ray generated from the sample travels to the X-ray detector; X-ray transmission windows are provided on the first X-ray passing layer and on the vacuum container so as that the characteristic X-ray can reach to the X-ray detector through the windows; the first and second X-ray transmission windows are separated from each other so as to provide a second X-ray passing layer therebetween; and the second X-ray passing layer is arranged to be a vacuum or a second gas is circulated through the second X-ray passing layer.

Abstract: An antifungal oral composition comprising a fused mixture of itraconazole and phosphoric acid provides a high in vivo bioavailability of itraconazole.

Abstract: The present invention is a drum rim protection device designed to protect the rim of bass drums from damage when being struck by a musician. The invention comprises of two members having an outer surface, openings in their inner surfaces, one opening being holes that receives threaded rod which joins the members, the other hole being an arcuate groove sized to receive and receiving a drum rim therein. The members are joined by a pair of threaded rods which are received in a turnbuckle. The groove in each member deepens from the inner surface towards the outer surface, terminating in a cut surface to which is glued a layer of cushioning material, preferably foam rubber.