Abstract: The present invention relates to the process of die bonding semiconductor integrated circuit microchips with adhesive deposited from microjets in a precise pattern. Print-head technology equivalent to that used in inkjet printers is used to apply the adhesive substance (most commonly an epoxy). The use of microjets in an "array printhead" to deposit an adhesive pattern provides advantages in the ability to control the location and size of the adhesive droplets with a high degree of precision. The method also provides for individual actuation of the microjets providing the ability to rapidly change from pattern to pattern without the need to change and clean heads and equipment or to provide multiple heads. The method has application in standard die bonding as well as "flip-chip" processes using "bumped dies.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing semiconductor devices is disclosed which incorporates an array of bases formed on a plastic sheet. Each base in the array includes individual leads used to connect the semiconductor die to an external circuit. To keep the plastic sheet from flexing during assembly the plastic sheet is placed between a foundation and an anchor grid, where the foundation provides a rigid platform for the plastic sheet and the anchor grid hold the sheet to the foundation. Once the semiconductor dies have been attached to the bases, a protective cap is placed over the die. An adhesive sheet is then place over all the caps in the array allowing the array to be milled to separate the individual packages without scattering the devices.

Abstract: Arrays of electro-mechanical dispensers are used to form extremely small drops of fluid and locate them precisely on substrate surfaces in miniature arrays. The printed arrays may consist of DNA, immunoassay reagents or the like. A positioning support such as an X-Y table moves the dispensing devices and substrate surfaces relative to each other to locate the drops on the substrates in predetermined patterns. Arrays of probes as dense as one thousand per square centimeter with center-to-center spacing as small as twenty-five micrometers are formed.

Abstract: A method is presented for releasing petroleum and hydrocarbon products sorbed onto or entrained by organic natural fibers in an aqueous medium through the use of enzymes to degrade the organic natural fiber sorbents utilized for oil spill cleanup, the method provides an opportunity for achieving responsible separation of oil from oil spill sorbent materials. Natural organic fibers which have been utilized to adsorb petroleum and hydrocarbon products are separated from these petroleum and hydrocarbon products by reducing the natural organic fiber links to the point that the adsorbed or entrained oil no longer has sufficient binding surface or fiber link to remain held by the fibers, thus floats to the surface of the aqueous medium. Aqueous medium enzyme compositions are provided which are suitable for degrading organic natural fibers inclusive of cellulose-based and protein-based fibers resulting in release of adsorbed, absorbed and/or entrained petroleum products.

Abstract: A lens structure and electronic control system is provided for use in eyeglasses. The lens structure is formed by a pair of lenses with a transmission layer formed by an electro-optic material is disposed therebetween. The transmission layer is used to control the amount of light that is transmitted through the lens structure by placement of a variable voltage placed across it. The transmission layer can be formed by either a dichroic dye or by a ferro-electric material such as PLZT. The electronic control system uses a photoamperic sensor placed behind the lens structure to develop a current proportional to the transmitted light. The current is converted into a voltage which is compared to a desired transmission range. If the sensed transmission level is outside the desired range the control circuit causes a power supply to add or decrease the charge across the lens as necessary to bring the transmitted light level back into the desired range.

Abstract: A clothes hanger with a storable hook provides convenient suspension of a garment therefrom without being limited as to length by a neck opening of the garment. In a preferred embodiment, a clothes hanger has a hook portion which is rotatable relative to a body portion, and which is pivotably storable in the body portion. The body portion is hollow and includes two sides which, when joined together, permit both rotatable and pivotable attachment of the hook portion to the body portion and form an opening through which the hook portion may be inserted into the body portion.

Abstract: Depoling and aging of a piezoelectric transducers used at elevated temperatures is controlled by poling the transducer, applying a bias voltage in the same direction as the transducer is poled to maintain the piezoelectric transducer at an elevated potential, and applying a drive voltage having a lesser magnitude than the bias voltage to induce elastic strain in the transducer.

Abstract: A sound reproduction system includes a plurality of loudspeakers arranged in a spaced array which extends onto opposite sides of a center point. The spaced array includes a first pair of loudspeakers equally spaced apart from the center point and disposed at opposite ends of the array and a second pair of loudspeakers spaced inwardly from the first pair and also positioned on opposite sides of and equally spaced from the center point. The sound reproduction system further includes a low-pass filter having an input coupled to an output of a signal generator and an output coupled to an input of each one of the first pair of loudspeakers and a first band-pass filter having an input coupled to the output of the signal generator and an output coupled to an input of each one of the second pair of loudspeakers.

Abstract: A chemical enhancer for ruminant animal digestion of organic matter roughage is presented, the addition on a ppm based of total feed ration of one or more formate salts to the ruminant diet improves or enhances the digestibility of low digestible roughage allowing the treated roughage as a substitute for more traditional and expensive feed rations such as alfalfa hay without loss of energy available to the animal. The use of formate salts in the ppm range based on total diet increases the anaerobic microbial activity thus enhancing digestibility rather than just enhancing the availability of dissolved organics and can be utilized in feedlot roughage rations for improved weight gain, range cattle weight maintenance and milk production for mother cows, dairy roughage diets providing milk production in a safe and an environmentally friendly methodology to both meat and milk production.

Abstract: A light-weight golf club holder fits over the crossbars of a golf bag and holds clubs on both sides of the crossbar. A second version fits the intersection of two crossbars and holds clubs in the angles formed by the crossbars.

Abstract: A locking assembly for the plunger of a syringe locks the plunger head inside the body of the syringe when the plunger is depressed at the end of an injection cycle. The inner wall of the syringe body has a constriction which projects inwardly toward the center. The head of the plunger has a catch adapted to cooperate with the constriction and hook the plunger when the plunger is depressed. A flexible shield or seal member is mounted on the plunger head adjacent the catch to prevent trapping of air bubbles under the catch during movement of the plunger while the syringe is being filled with injection fluid and readied for use. The locking assembly is particularly suited for use with a retractable syringe design.

Abstract: Electronic security system for controlling access to an automotive vehicle. The security system includes a computer system having a processor subsystem connected to selectively enable or disable an ignition system of the automobile and a memory subsystem having ignition, valet and reprogramming key codes and first, second and third validation codes stored therein. To control access to the vehicle, an encoded signal containing a device code and an authorization code is propagated to the processor subsystem where the codes are compared to the ignition key, valet key, reprogramming key and validation codes. If the propagated device and authorization codes match the ignition key and first validation codes, the processor subsystem enables the ignition system for a pre-selected time period. If the propagated device and authorization codes match the valet key and second validation codes, the processor subsystem enables the ignition system.

Abstract: A tamperproof retractable non-reusable syringe has a one piece hollow outer body with a barrel for a slidable plunger, a transition zone and a smaller diameter nose portion. An elongated needle holder and spring combination is installable from the rear of the outer body, guided into the nose portion and held by cooperating inwardly and outwardly facing surfaces oriented in the direction of retraction at the most constricted part of the transition zone where the nose begins. The plunger has an opening with a dislodgable stopper for receiving parts of the retraction mechanism. The stopper and the head of the needle holder are of significantly reduced diameter from the injection fluid chamber to resist blowing out prematurely. In one embodiment the head of the needle holder is surrounded by a separable retainer member which is slidingly removed by contact with the tip of the plunger after the stopper is mostly or fully removed to avoid cumulation of force required for retraction after the injection.

Abstract: A power distribution box is provided with built in surge suppression capabilities that can be service without interrupting power to downline circuits powered from the power distribution box. A socket is wired directly to the busses supplying power to the circuit breakers in the power distribution box. The socket is designed to accept a surge suppression module that can be removed and replaced while the electrical connections in the socket are "hot." To prevent accidental electrocution the electrical contacts of the socket are place below the surface of the socket. Additionally, the stab-in connectors of the socket and the corresponding stabs of the surge suppression module are arranged in such a way as to ensure that the module is properly polarized when inserted into the socket.

Abstract: A soft splint structure is wrappable around a patient's jointed limb. A plurality of interconnected elongated soft fabric sleeves are flexibly connected at their side edges to form a unitary structure. The sleeves define individual pockets which are partially filled with flowable lightweight expanded foam beads or other material which does not absorb moisture and freely passes air and moisture through the structure. The lightweight structure forms a soft splint which is wrappable around a patient's jointed limb and secured in place with a quick fastening means. The splint is quickly and easily installed and removed. When compressed, the sleeve members resist bending to keep a patient's limb in an unflexed extended position. In an extremely lightweight construction, the structure readily passes air and moisture therethrough and quickly dries in air after washing.