Abstract: The invention relates to an alkaline (basic), refractory ceramic hollow item.

Abstract: An anode for use in electroplating semiconductor wafers, comprising a metal plate formed from a generally continuous casting process that is essentially free of voids or cracks, the casting being thermo-mechanically worked until the anode has an average grain size of less than 100 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A cardiovascular valve system including a permanent base unit that is affixed to the patient using conventional sutures or staples, and a collapsible valve having a collapsible frame that mates with the permanent base unit, and supports valve leaflets. An installed collapsible frame may be re-collapsed and disengaged from the permanent housing. A new collapsible valve is then installed, to resume the function of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A vial docking station for simultaneously sliding the spouts of a plurality of liquid medicament vials into an engaged position with matching receptacles of a like plurality of liquid reconstitution diluent bags.

Abstract: A disposable neonatal patient ventilator circuit for an automatic ventilator. All components that are exposed to contamination from the patient are packaged together in a disposable unit external to the automatic ventilator. The automatic ventilator has a receptacle with a pressurized breathable gas supply port, a breathing control circuit port, and preferably a patient monitoring port. The disposable neonatal resuscitator unit matches the ports on the automatic ventilator with a removable plug having a pressurized breathable gas supply connector mating the gas supply port of the receptacle; a breathing control circuit connector mating the control circuit port of the receptacle and a monitoring connector mating the monitoring port of the receptacle. A patient interface such as a tracheal insertion tube or mouth insertion manifold has an inlet and an outlet each in flow communication with the neonatal patient's airway.

Abstract: A Li-ion or Li-ion polymer battery, comprised of a battery assembly having a plurality of generally planar cathode sections, each having a flat, metallic cathode current collector tab extending therefrom. A cathode tab weldment joins the cathode current collector tabs together with a cathode battery lead, and an anode tab weldment joins the anode current collector tabs together with an anode battery lead. A battery package contains the battery assembly with the anode tab weldment and the cathode tab weldment within the package and the anode and cathode battery leads extend through the package. A protective insert within the battery package surrounds the anode and cathode tab weldments and isolates the weldments from the battery package. The insert surrounds the battery leads where the battery leads extend through the package.

Abstract: A method of supporting a plastic container exposed to elevated temperatures during product filling and packaging to eliminate heat and internal pressure induced distortion, internal vacuum distortion, or structural failure. Plastic containers usually have a body with exterior configuration and a sealable open mouth. The invention provides a method of hot filling, pasteurising and retort processing of conventional containers during product filling where at least a portion of the container is confined in a support casing having an interior cavity mating the exterior configuration of the container body portion. The product is then introduced into the container, and the container mouth is sealed. A positive pressure is induced within the sealed container while the container is exposed to a product processing temperature. An unsupported PET container exposed to high heat and internal pressure variations would distort or fail.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for wet etching an edge of a semiconductor disk.

Abstract: A method of applying a metal onto a copper layer, comprising the steps of: stabilizing a surface of a copper layer by applying a stabilization layer thereto, the stabilization layer comprised of zinc oxide, chromium oxide, nickel, nickel oxide or a combination thereof and having a thickness of between about 5 Å and about 70 Å; and vapor depositing a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, nickel, chromium, copper, iron, indium, zinc, tantalum, tin, vanadium, tungsten, zirconium, molybdenum and alloys thereof onto the stabilized surface of the copper layer, and a sheet material formed thereby.

Abstract: A refractory ceramic plate and an accompanying wall structure for an incinerator, such as a garbage incinerator. The refractory ceramic plate has at least two recesses arranged on a main surface of the plate, wherein a blind hole runs from each recess to the interior of the plate. The wall structure features a furnace wall, in which numerous pipes spaced apart from each other, through which a fluid can flow, are arranged. Anchors are secured to sections of the furnace wall with one end, and project essentially perpendicularly from the furnace wall. A hollow space is formed between the furnace wall and the refractory ceramic plates spaced parallel apart from the furnace wall. Joints are formed between boundary regions of the refractory ceramic plates on main surfaces thereof, facing the furnace wall. The anchors lie in the joints, with free ends embedded in a heat-resistant filling. A heat-resistant, deformable compensating layer is provided in the joint area between adjacent plates.

Abstract: A sheet material, comprised of a copper foil treated to have a stabilization layer thereon. The stabilization layer is comprised of zinc oxide, chromium oxide or a combination thereof having a thickness between about 5 Å and about 70 Å. A vapor deposited resistive material is provided on the stabilization layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an analysis gas-cooling device with a circuit for a cooling agent, which flows through a compressor, a liquefier, and an evaporator.

Abstract: A battery section for a Li-ion and/or Li-ion polymer cell, comprised of: a planar metal mesh layer having a body portion and a coplanar tab portion defining a battery lead extending from one edge of the mesh layer; electrode film laminated to opposite surfaces of the body portion of the metal mesh layer; and a protective layer on at least one side of the tab, the protective layer having a portion of the tab that is adjacent to the electrode film, the protective layer comprised of an outer polymer layer and an inner adhesive layer adhering the outer polymer layer to the portion of the tab.

Abstract: A device for electrostatically separating different kinds of crushed plastic pieces and correctly sorting them according to kind. The device has a classifying section (40) for classifying plastic pieces according to size, a frictional charging device (17), a pair of drum type electrostatic separating devices (41), and collecting sections (26) disposed below the electrostatic separating devices. Partition walls (52-55) for partitioning the collecting sections are constructed to be horizontally movable according to the fall positions associated with the polarity and amount of electric charge of each plastic piece (16). Therefore, separation can be correctly effected without changing the voltage from a high voltage power source device (24).

Abstract: The invention provides a method of managing a mutual fund brokerage wherein subscribers, intending to purchase mutual fund portions in at least one mutual fund, enter into a service contract with the mutual fund brokerage. Each subscriber pays to the brokerage a subscription charge and the brokerage maintains a separate portfolio of mutual fund portions for each subscriber and a separate subscriber account balance including payments of subscription charges received from each subscriber. The brokerage executes a number of mutual fund portion purchase/sell transactions on behalf of a trading subscriber with a target mutual fund selected by the trading subscriber. The improvement relates to not charging front-end or back-end loaded commissions, together with the rebating of trailer fees from no-load funds where all service fees received by the brokerage from each paying mutual fund are apportioned pro rata for each portion of said paying mutual fund in each subscribers portfolio.

Abstract: A hammer (14) coupled to an ultrasonic vibrator (15) is actuated to apply vibrations to a wrapping material (10) with irregularities in composition and thickness so that the wrapping material (10) can be fusion-bonded with uniform strength. The surface temperature of the wrapping material (10) measured by an infrared sensor (30) is sent to a control unit (22), and a controller (23) sends a control signal (24) to a variable-voltage source (25). The variable-voltage source (25) controls the amplitude of vibrations of the hammer (14) by temperature feedback to make uniform the generation of heat in the wrapping material (10).

Abstract: An electric fuse is comprised of a tubular fuse casing formed of an electrically insulating material. A first conductive component is attached to a first end of the casing and a second conductive component is attached to a second end of the casing. A first conductive path is formed through the tube between the first and second conductive components. The conductive path includes a fusible element having a first resistance. A second conductive path is formed along the exterior of the tubular fuse casing. The second conductive path is in parallel to the first conductive path and has a second resistance greater than the first resistance. The second conductive path includes an indicator component. The indicator component is comprised of first layer comprised of a colored material, and a second layer comprised of an electrically conductive material deposited onto the first layer. The second layer has a region of increased resistance.