Abstract: A film structure and deposition method for creating laminated Fe—M—N and Fe—M—O—N films which retain good anisotropy after HA annealing are provided. Interleaved layers of thin alumina laminations between the Fe—M—[O]—N layers and sublayer alumina nanolaminations within the Fe—M—[O]—N layers create stable magnetic anisotropy in the film. The magnetic anisotropy in the film survives HA annealing at hardbake resist curing conditions in wafer manufacturing processes for GMR magnetic recording heads.

Abstract: Methods for effecting monomolecular adhesion are described. Adhesion may be effected by contacting a first and second bonding surface, wherein a first reactant for a chemical bonding reaction is plurally present on the first bonding surface, a second reactant for the chemical bonding reaction is plurally present on the second bonding surface, and the surfaces are contacted for a time and under conditions sufficient to permit the chemical reaction to bond a sufficient number of first reactants to second reactants to attach the bonding surfaces. A molecular linker may optionally be used. Methods for producing multi-laminate structures, wherein successive layers are monomolecularly bonded, are described, as are multi-laminate structures so constructed.

Abstract: Pictorially adorned drinking container (10) having integral audio playback, including a two-part structure with an upper part forming a drinking cup (12) and a lower or base part forming a chamber (16) for containing electronically recorded data (38) and means for using the data (18) to generate an audible message and/or music segment. The two parts are removably connected together to form a single unit. Affixed to the exterior of the unit by painting, silk-screening or other graphics replication process is the depiction f a memorable sports event or the related to the depicted event and an electronic mechanism which, upon user actuation (54, 48), plays back (50) the sound track so as to enable the cup user to relive the experience or event depicted (60).

Abstract: A pet ramp assembly including a pair of elongated, molded first and second ramp components hinged together at adjoining ends by a simple pivot pin. A pair of side-locking pins serve the dual purpose of locking the folded structure together and alternatively locking the extended ramp-forming structure in its extended configuration while simultaneously providing additional structural support at the pivot point. The apparatus is made of light-weight, injection molded plastic material, and is provided with a non-slip surface on its upper side. The ground-engaging end and vehicle-engaging end are also specially configured to prevent slippage and dislodgment during use. The apparatus also includes disconnectable legs for allowing the ramp assembly to be used as a grooming table, examination table, game-cleaning table etc.

Abstract: An interface for expanding the number of SCSI hosts that can access a storage array includes a SCSI interface chip for receiving a SCSI command from a host via a SCSI bus, a domain indicator for providing a domain number assigned to the SCSI chip, a memory device for storing data and code, and a processing unit responsive to the code and operative to generate a device address from the domain number, the target number, and the logical unit number, and to execute the SCSI command with a particular device of the storage array corresponding to the device address. The domain indicator may be either hardware based (e.g., a mechanical selector switch) or software based (e.g. written to a data storage device of the interface via a SCSI host or WIE the storage array).

Abstract: A system for the processing of materials includes a freezing section and a thawing section, with elongated channels extending through both sections, and gates between the sections and at the output of the thawing section. Large blocks of frozen material are slid from the freezing section to the thawing section; and a new batch of material is frozen with the heat from the freezing section used to thaw the blocks of frozen material. A harvest bar with dogs extending into the frozen material traverses at least a freezing section, and spray nozzles associated with the harvest bar may be used for cleaning the system.

Abstract: A high speed Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller (APIC) system includes a plurality of local units for prioritizing and passing interrupts, an Input/Output (I/O) unit for feeding interrupts to the local units, and a serial link data transmission system for interconnecting the I/O unit and the local units. The I/O unit and each local unit have a parallel I/O interface.

Abstract: An safety shut off valve automatically shuts off in response to seismic or other shock wave forces of a predetermined magnitude and thereafter automatically reset when there is no discernible excess gas flow due a downstream broken or leaking pipe. The shut off valve generally includes a housing having a mass spring system mounted therein for translating lateral seismic and other shock forces exerted against the housing to an axially movable magnet for decoupling a valve member plate attracted thereto allowing it to block the downstream fluid communication path. A small bypass flow permits the valve member plate to be automatically reset in engagement with the magnet when the atmospheric pressure upstream of the plate is substantially equal to the atmospheric pressure downstream of the plate.