Abstract: Wafer tongs for grasping semiconductor wafers and the like are provided with a pair of jaws and at least one wafer-contacting stop limiting the reach of the jaws onto the surface of a wafer from the wafer edge. The stops may take the form of jaw guides which extend from one jaw towards the other to maintain alignment of the jaws. In one embodiment, the guides are carried by a clip movably attached to one jaw for forward or rearward movement thereon to adjust the reach of the jaws onto a wafer. The forward ends of the jaws may be resilient so as to engage and flatten against surfaces of the wafer to improve the grip of the jaws and reduce wafer breakage.

Abstract: A band sealer for sealing thermoplastic bags including superposed endless heat transfer bands and conveyor chains with adjacent bag-engaging and return runs immediately above rigid frame plates, a motor connected by chain driven and meshed pinions driving the conveyor chains, the sealing bands driven from band wheels overlying the chains, mounting brackets beneath the wheels with upstanding stub shafts upon which the wheels are journaled, each band wheel having a ring gear meshed with a pinion beneath the wheel and a sprocket coaxial with the pinion and meshed with the adjacent chain for driving the wheel.

Abstract: A hot plate with a base and a heater plate, both the heater plate and the base being hollow and filled with an expanded and voluminously enlarged foam epoxy encapsulating the lead and power wires and pressing the electric resistance heater ribbon firmly against the ceramic top deck and extruding around the closure plate to seal and secure the entire heating plate and base in single unitary units. The method disclosed includes the pouring of the foaming epoxy system wherein the epoxy expands and creates a pressure within the cavities or chambers of the hot plate and urges the resistance heater firmly against and in intimate engagement with the top deck of the ceramic panel by reason of the growth of the foaming epoxy which seals and insulates against heat migration.

Abstract: A hygienic phlebotomist's tray for restraining the spread of contamination such as blood, phlegm, etc., and hence reducing disease transmission as the tray is transported by a phlebotomist from patient to patient in a hospital. Fresh lengths of sheet material are consecutively advanced beneath the tray as the phlebotomist moves to consecutive patients, the sheet material protecting the bottom of the tray from contact with contaminated surfaces such as overhanging bed tables. A take up roll winds up the thus-contaminated lengths of sheet material with the contaminated side of the material facing inwardly of the take up roll.

Abstract: A holder for tape cassettes comprising a long, thin, flat housing having one side opening to form an entrance for a tape cartridge cassette to be inserted therein, there being a spring in strip or leaf form arched at the bottom of the housing in engagement with the cassette to thrust the cassette outward through the entrance, one end of the strip being secured adjacent the bottom of the housing, the other end being shaped to form a lock to retain the front corner of the cassette in the housing and being retractable away from the entrance as the strip is arched during ejection of the cassette.

Abstract: A holder for tape cassettes and having a thin and flat housing and one narrow side through which the cassette is inserted. A leaf spring in the housing to thrust the cassette outwardly through the entrance, the leaf spring being arranged to be retained in the housing in flexed condition and essentially locked in tensioned position, and a spring-pressed element retaining the cassette in the housing adjacent the tensioned ejection member or spring.

Abstract: A holder for a tape cassette forming a U-shaped housing with shanks to fit over the projections which laterally flank the long open side of the cassette, the holder having one end wall and a spring bearing against the end wall to urge the cassette longitudinally of the housing, the other end of the housing having a latch retaining the cassette in the housing, and arms and cams which fit into the tape reels of the cassette.

Abstract: A holder for a tape cassette including a substantially flat elongate and thin housing having one narrow side open to admit entrance of the cassette, a leaf spring within the housing opposite the entrance to bear directly against the cassette for thrusting the cassette outwardly, a latch molded integrally of the housing and forming a part of one wall of the housing to retain the cassette, and tape reel holding cams spring pressed into the interior of the housing for insertion into the reel hubs of the cassette.

Abstract: Protective, removable, flexible insulated sheaths are employed on heat-softened temples of eyeglasses during fitting of the glasses to the head of the wearer to prevent injury or discomfort to the wearer. The temples are allowed to cool and harden while held in position on the head.

Abstract: A substrate stripping and cleaning apparatus including a closed bowl with an exhaust vent and a liquid drain, a rotating turntable in the bowl carrying baskets of substrates, a spray post with multiple fluid passages, orifices and spray nozzles directing rinsing spray outwardly against the turntable and substrates, rinsing water manifold pipes on the turntable and revolving therewith and having nozzles directing rinsing water to all portions of the inner surfaces of the bowl, the pipes being supplied with water through passages in the drive shaft for the turntable.

Abstract: A portable bracket for an electronic transducer used as a "fish-finder" and which is easily attached to and detached from the transom of a boat. The bracket includes a springy transom connector having opposed legs spring-pressed inwardly towards each other and configured to hook over the upper ledge of the transom of a boat, the legs pressing inwardly on opposed walls of the transom. An upright transducer mounting post is rigidly mounted to the outer leg of the transom connector and extends downwardly below the latter. A transducer clamp is rigidly mounted to the lower end of the mounting post and includes spring-loaded, opposed arms positioned to clamp onto and retain between them an electronic transducer in a depth-sensing position below the bottom of the boat. The legs of the transducer clamp are capable of separating slightly against spring pressure to absorb shock when the mounting post is forced rearwardly as when a submerged obstacle in the water is encountered.

Abstract: A combination highway and rail vehicle having front and rear sets of tires and front and rear sets of rail guide wheels. The front guide wheels are carried by a wheel suspension which swings the guide wheels into contact with the rails forwardly of the front tires and simultaneously raises the front tires, against the force of tire suspension springs, to positions above the rails. As a result, the front tires, which may be wider apart than the rails, are lifted out of the way, and the rear tires of the vehicle are required to carry a substantially greater portion of the weight of the vehicle plus its load, thereby increasing the traction between the rear tires and the rails.

Abstract: An injection molded fluorocarbon resin plastic fitting for connection with plastic tubes preferably of fluorocarbon resinous material, the fitting including a sleeve with internal tube-receiving bore flared at the end of the sleeve, a plastic nut with a ferrule integral thereof and with a conical wedging shape identical to the wedging shape of the flared sleeve inner periphery, the flared inner periphery of the sleeve also having a sharp angled conical surface deforming the ferrule when tightened and embedding the ferrule in the tubing which is preferably grooved.

Abstract: The jet power unit of a water craft is provided with a steering plate which is deflectable upwardly but which is continuously oriented in the direction of but spaced below the flow of water from the jet. The jet power unit preferably includes movable steering deflectors at its exhaust port which steer the craft by deflecting the jet flow to one side or the other, the steering plate including linkage means for pivoting the plate relative to the craft in response to movement of the jet deflectors to maintain the plane of the steering plate parallel to the direction of jet flow.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of producing a Leporello folding of a web of material including a pair of rollers driven by unidirectional drive devices and continually revolved in a same direction and directing the web of material upwardly between the nip of the rollers, a pair of belt conveyors receiving the web of material, the conveyor belts travelling in the same direction, and reversing frequently to carry the web first in one horizontal direction and then in the opposite horizontal direction, a receptacle receiving the web folded on the conveyor belts and containing a weight for maintaining pressure between the web and the conveyors and a drive apparatus continually driving the rollers slightly slower than the conveyor belts.

Abstract: Apparatus for the treatment of non-conductive foils or the like by subjecting them to a corona discharge of the type including two elongated electrodes with a gap between them and means for passing the foil or other sheeting through the gap has one of its electrodes, which is preferably the positive electrode, in the form of a profiled roller. The profile of the electrode roller comprises a series of ridges with troughs between them extending along the length of the roller parallel to its axis. The second electrode is also preferably in the form of a roller which has a smooth surface and is coated with dielectric material.

Abstract: In a universal motor particularly adapted for operating a compact winch, triggering the dynamic braking, as may be required in an overhauling load condition by applying a pulse of current through the field winding as to produce a magnetic field to assuredly cause the armature to start generating a current which is directed through the field winding and load resistance, the pulse of current being supplied from a condenser connected in shunt with the field winding or the condenser may be connected in series with the field winding and in shunt with the switch by which the field winding is connected to the supply line; a time delayed switching shorting the dynamic braking resistance to increase the generated current and produce renewed or a second dynamic braking effect to reduce the speed of the motor sufficiently to allow the worm and worm gear speed reduction to lock against further rotation under influence of the winch drum; and low speed braking being increased to produce stopping of the motor and winch drum

Abstract: A mixing apparatus including a mixing chamber with a reciprocating valve piston and a separate "recycle" chamber with a reciprocating grooved plunger. Piston and plunger are controlled in unison by a piston and cylinder assembly. In the "open" position of the valve piston pressurized components supplied through inlet conduits may enter the mixing chamber. In the "closing" position of the valve piston, the components supplied are by-passed across the grooved plunger back to their respective reservoirs.

Abstract: A distortion-resistant wafer basket with an open top for insertion and removal of wafers and opposed side and end walls with the side walls having lower portions offset inwardly. An end wall is provided with a transverse indexing bar across its width and gussets joining opposing side walls with the indexing bar and spaced axially inwardly of the outer surface of the end wall. The gussets strengthen the end wall against distortion, and co-act with the offset side walls to stiffen the basket and to restrain twisting or bowing of the side walls.

Abstract: A tower supporting loads at heights up to 180 feet and higher, the tower being tubular and tapered convergently in an upward direction, the tower being filled with concrete throughout a major portion of the height.