Abstract: A dump vehicle with a positively controlled opening gate is disclosed. The vehicle includes a frame, a dump bed mounted on the frame and having a floor, front and side walls and a rear opening through which material can be discharged from the bed, and a gate having a pair of lateral edges and a lower edge. The gate is pivotally mounted adjacent the rear opening and has a closed position in which the gate blocks the rear opening to prevent discharge from the bed through the rear opening. The vehicle further includes a gate control mechanism connected to the gate. The gate control mechanism is adapted to selectively raise the gate from the closed position to allow metered discharge of material or to release the gate from the closed position so that the gate may pivot away from the rear opening to allow unmetered discharge of material.

Abstract: Lotion compositions for applying topically to skin include a barrier-forming polymer mixture and an anti-microbial agent. The polymer dries on skin to form a barrier which prevents pathogens, solvents and petrochemicals from penetrating into the skin. The barrier is resistant to being washed off for at least several hours, during which time the antibacterial agent effectively kills a broad spectrum of bacteria within seconds after contact.

Abstract: A method of veneering across a elongate corner on an elongate core involving providing a sheet of veneer sized to cover a desired portion of the core including an expanse on each side of the corner with the veneer having a core side for placement against the core and an exposed side opposite the core side. An elongate groove is formed in the core side of the veneer with the groove having a generally triangular cross-section with an open side substantially coplanar with the core side of the veneer and two interior sides extending into the veneer to a point near but not reaching the exposed side of the veneer where the angle between the interior sides being configured to match the angle of the corner. Lastly the veneer is applied to the core with the groove aligned over the corner and veneer on either side of the groove folded down against the core to thereby bring the two interior sides of the groove together.

Abstract: A personalized toy and a method for marketing a toy through the use of computer screen images, and of manufacturing a personalized toy. The personalized toy is manufactured as ordered by a customer. Several different configurations of components that may be assembled as part of a finished toy are provided. Computer screen images of the different configurations of at least one of the components are displayed on a computer, and a customer viewing the displayed images is allowed to record a selected configuration of component, to be assembled as part of the personalized toy. A representational image of the toy incorporating the selected configuration may be displayed.

Abstract: A quality control apparatus for a beverage held in a beverage container. The apparatus includes a sensor configured to be in thermal communication with the beverage and detect attainment of a first predetermined temperature. The apparatus also includes a timer coupled with the sensor. The timer is configured to commence timing in response to detection of the attainment of the first predetermined temperature by the sensor. The apparatus also typically includes an indicator coupled to the timer and configured to indicate to a user a status of the timer.

Abstract: A method of treating a piece of lumber including the steps of a) analyzing the lumber to detect a surface defect at a site on the lumber; b) removing at least a portion of the surface defect to form an opening in the lumber at the site of the defect; c) drying the lumber using a process wherein moisture is allowed to escape from the lumber through the opening; and, d) inserting a solid plug in the opening to refill the opening in the lumber.

Abstract: A system for supplying a slurry of a liquid containing suspended particles to a semiconductor processing machine, where the slurry is used in processing semiconductor wafers, is disclosed. The system includes a supply of slurry and a delivery subsystem operatively associated with the supply of slurry, the delivery subsystem being configured to deliver slurry to the semiconductor processing machine. The supply typically is configured to provide slurry from a location remote from the semiconductor processing machine to a location proximate the semiconductor processing machine, where the slurry at the location proximate the semiconductor processing machine is unpressurized. The delivery subsystem typically is configured to agitate slurry in the basin by flowing the slurry through the basin, thereby inhibiting the settling of suspended particles in the slurry.

Abstract: A system for regulating pressure in a sealed chemical storage tank. The system includes a vent passage connected to the tank, through which gas may pass into and out of the tank. The vent passage includes a first enclosed region having a first volume and a second enclosed region having a second volume. A volume of liquid, which is less than each of the first and second volumes, is associated with the vent passage to selectively constrain the passage of gas through the vent passage. Increased pressure in the tank moves the liquid into the second enclosed region. The second enclosed region is constructed to accommodate the volume of liquid to allow gas to pass. Vacuum in the tank moves the liquid into the first enclosed region. The first enclosed region is constructed to accommodate the volume of liquid to allow gas to pass.

Abstract: A thermal board is used for bonding wires in semiconductor manufacturing process for providing high temperature to increase the wire bonding efficiency while preventing the die paddle of a lead frame from being oxidized. The thermal board has a base board and a platform disposed on the base board. The platform has a center portion defined therein a chamber to receive the die paddle. A plurality of supporting posts are formed on the bottom of the chamber to support the die paddle so that the die paddle does not directly contact with the bottom of the chamber.

Abstract: A folding chair is disclosed. The folding chair has a pair of front legs each having an aperture defined therethrough. A tab is formed on an inside of each of the front legs and has a first orifice defined at an upper end thereof and aligned with the aperture. A protrusion is defined below the first orifice and a second orifice defined through the protrusion. A pair of links each have a hole defined at a first end thereof pivotally mounted on the front leg by a first pivot pin inserted through the hole, the aperture and the first orifice. A pair of rear legs are pivotally mounted with the links by a second pivot pin respectively. A seat plate pivotally mounted between the rear legs has two openings respectively defined at opposite sides thereof and is pivotally mounted on the tabs by two third pivot pins respectively inserted through the second orifices and the openings.

Abstract: A shoulder prosthesis having a head and an elongate stem portion including a proximal end connected to the head, a distal section for insertion into a medullary canal of a humeral bone and an alignment section disposed between the proximal end and distal section. The alignment section includes a plurality of reference marks positioned to facilitate placement of the prosthesis in the bone at a previously-determined position.

Abstract: A method for conducting a computerized simulation of a collision between at least two objects. The method includes creating a representation of each of the objects. Each representation is typically is a mesh of nodes and surface elements. The method also typically includes colliding the representations of the objects such that the representations contact each other, and at least a first representation experiences a respective deformation at each of a plurality of contact points. In addition the method typically includes, for at least a subset of the plurality of contact points, computing a respective local collision force associated with the deformation at such contact points, and calculating a resultant generalized collision force acting at a predetermined point associated with the first representation based on the local collision forces. Typically, the respective local collision force is related to a distance the region of the representation is deformed by a deformation relationship.

Abstract: A portable outdoor cooker is provided which includes a round, sheet-like heat transfer plate adapted for easy movement between operative and inoperative positions by a single person. The heat transfer plate has an upwardly facing convex cooking surface with a downwardly directed outer rim around the periphery. The convex cooking surface is smooth and continuous and has sufficient slope to cause any juices produced by cooking food to run off the outer rim. A drip pan is disposed under the outer rim to collect the juices. The portable outdoor cooker also includes a frame assembly with a stand, a suspension device and a shell. The frame assembly is configured to support and position the heat transfer plate, drip pan and burner in relation to one another. The shell includes open top and bottom ends and a sidewall. The sidewall surrounds and deflects wind from the burner. The heat transfer plate rests upon the suspension device and is thereby positioned over the burner in the operative position.