Abstract: The case has a molded plastic card member, and a lid specifically configured to mate with the card member to define an enclosed area. The lid is connected to the card member by a hinge adjacent one edge thereof so as to be foldable between an open position away from the card member, and a closed position against the card member to define the enclosed area. The card member and the lid preferably each have tabs extending from side edges opposite the hinge, each tab having a hole generally alignable with a corresponding hole in the other tab, for the installing of a closure such as a thick plastic loop not generally severable without a tool. The card member and lid define between them a number of openings through the enclosed area particularly sized for portions of tool components and/or extra tool components to extend therethrough generally parallel to the card member, for visibility and preferably manipulation, without it being possible to remove them as long as the case is closed.

Abstract: The bed system has a rectangular frame, with a mattress assembly mounted on the frame. The mattress assembly has upper and lower wooden strip layers and intervening foam blocks. Each wooden strip layer has a plurality of relatively thin, somewhat flexible laterally-oriented wooden strips arranged in proximity to each other from top to bottom of the frame, with each strip extending from one side panel to the other side panel. There are three foam blocks, namely two outer foam blocks and one central foam block, running from head to foot of the bed between the wooden strip layers. A padded layer, preferably of foam approximately 5 cm thick, is positioned on top of the mattress assembly, extending substantially across the full width and length of the mattress assembly. Preferably positioned on top of the padded layer is a sheep's wool mattress pad, also with a cotton cover. Conventional sheets can be used to cover the mattress assembly, padded layer, and mattress pad.

Abstract: A hollow handle accommodates a reversible shaft with a different functionality at each end. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, a first end of the shaft is configured with an integral telescoping magnetic pick up tool, and a second end of the shaft is adapted to receive modular double-ended screwdriver bits. The reversible shaft is retained within the handle by a conventional spring loaded ball configuration located at the mid-point of the shaft and is prevented from rotating within the handle by preferably two wings projecting radially outwardly from the shaft. The spring loaded ball and the two wings are retained within a corresponding recess and two co-operating slots, respectively. The recess and slots are defined in a metal sleeve molded into the handle.

Abstract: A tool case with a storage space which is accessed from the underside of the tool case. The storage space may be fitted with various pre-assembled snap-in storage modules to provide the user with the flexibility of storing a wide variety of items in a wide variety of ways, depending on the user's needs. For example, the compartment may be fitted with a snap-in module comprising a series of rotating storage containers according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. Alternatively, the snap-in modules can comprise a series of sliding drawers, or a single rotating storage container, or any other tool or component holder. In the invention, a rectangular opening is defined within the bottom surface of the box portion of the tool case. Interior walls project upwardly from the edge of the opening to preferably define a storage space which accommodates a snap-in module.

Abstract: The system is for loading or unloading parts onto or from trays. The same system may be used for either function. A stack of trays loaded on a cart is wheeled into a first cart docking bay. A second cart is positioned in a second cart docking bay beside the first bay, to receive processed trays. A first tray elevator lifts the first cart and trays, or just the trays, to align the uppermost tray with a tray singulator and clamping mechanism. The tray is singulated, i.e. first supported at a lip by retractable opposing support rails and then separated from the stack by operation of the elevator to lower the tray stack, and is then clamped in a precise position. It is subsequently unclamped and shuttled laterally into alignment above the second cart, onto identical retractable support rails, where it is similarly clamped in a precise position.

Abstract: Described is a discharge container mat for use under most barbecues in order to over come the problems associated with the dripping and spilling of grease and fat which falls from barbecues, mostly during the cooking process. The discharge container mat, by virtue of a combination of multiple projections in the surface of the mat and a retaining wall, provides a means of effectively catching and retaining such drips. In an embodiment of the mat there is further provided a filter means which allows for the release of water from the container portion of the mat whilst retaining the collected grease and fat.

Abstract: In the indexing mechanism, for producing rotary indexing of a primary sprocket or pulley, a locking bracket is operable to alternately lock or unlock the primary sprocket or pulley. At the same time, the locking bracket alternately unlocks or locks an endless chain or synchronous belt at a locking location. The chain or synchronous belt passes around the primary sprocket or pulley and past the chain or synchronous belt locking location. The chain or synchronous belt has first and second loops between the primary sprocket or pulley and the chain or synchronous belt locking location, on opposite sides thereof. First and second secondary sprockets or pulleys are mounted on the ends of first and second cylinder rods respectively, each secondary sprocket having one of the loops passing over it. The locking bracket is moved between two positions, to lock either the sprocket or pulley, or the chain or synchronous belt at the locking location.

Abstract: A method of removing photoresist or redeposited material from a substrate or other surface using a carbon dioxide jet spray. A substrate having photoresist or redeposited material on its surface is disposed in an environmental enclosure. A carbon dioxide jet spray is generated and directed onto the surface of the substrate and photoresist or redeposited material. The carbon dioxide jet spray cools or freezes the material and causes a mismatch in the thermal coefficient of expansion of the material and the substrate. The material debonds from the substrate due to the induced thermal shock to the material. This rapid shrinkage loosens the material and allows the solid particles in the spray to knock the material from the surface of the substrate. The removed photoresist or redeposited material may be collected in a filter, and removed.

Abstract: The ratchet mechanism has a body which is secured to the tool's handle, and an output shaft which extends axially from the distal end of the body. The output shaft has a splined portion which is secured rotatably within a generally cylindrical axial cavity in the distal end of the body. Two pins are mounted to project through the body of the mechanism, on a rocker for example. Depending on the position of the rocker, one or the other or both of the pins extend(s) into the splines. The pins are configured such that one permits rotation of the splined portion in one direction and prevents rotation in the opposite direction, and the other pin permits rotation in the opposite direction and prevents rotation in the first direction. There are thus three operating positions, namely "left", "right" and "locked".

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an apparatus and method for cleaning large glass plates each having first and second major surfaces is provided. The apparatus (10) includes an enclosure (14) which maintains a cleaning environment in which a glass plate (42) is decontaminated. An actuated support member (40) vertically translates the glass plate (42) into the enclosure (14) where it is supported with its first (46) and second (48) major surfaces substantially perpendicular to a ground plane defined by the floor space (12) occupied by the apparatus (10). A pair of opposing arrays of jet spray nozzles (62 and 64) coupled to a pressurized supply of liquid carbon dioxide (94) is provided for simultaneously directing carbon dioxide snow particles (96) in directions of the first and second major surfaces (46 and 48) of the glass plate (42), thereby removing contamination therefrom. The carbon dioxide snow particles (96) sublime within the cleaning environment of the enclosure (14).

Abstract: A shredding apparatus includes a rotor having rows of tines projecting generally radially outwardly therefrom, and also a housing surrounding the rotor having rows of tines projecting generally radially inwardly therefrom. The rotor tines and stator tines have staggered positions, with one or more of the rotor tines passing between adjacent stator tines. Material inserted into an inlet at the top of the housing is caught by the rotor tines and pulled past the first row of stator tines. That first row has fewer tines than does each row of tines on the rotor, whereas the final row has the same number of tines as each row on the rotor. The opposing faces of the tines on the rotor and stator are flat, with a small clearance between passing tines, of typically about 1/8 of an inch. The passing flat faces on the tines are at a slight angle to each other, the outer ends of rotor tines passing stator tines ahead of the inner ends in a scissors-like fashion.

Abstract: In the invention, a hexagonal lid is pivotably connected to a generally flat body. A number of conventional hex keys of different sizes are secured within a plurality of plastic retaining members molded to the body such that both ends of the hex keys project out of the lid through notches in opposing sides of the lid to allow the consumer to touch the hex keys. The long ends of the hex keys project downwardly out of the lid generally parallel to the side edge of the body, and the short ends of the hex keys project out of the lid onto the top portion of the body parallel to the top edge of the body. Unauthorized removal of the hex keys at the point of sale is prevented by a block secured to the top portion of the body by a clip which penetrates a slit defined in the body.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning disks during processing. The apparatus is used with a disk processing system having a conveyor belt for transporting a disk carrier containing disks. The conveyor belt and the disk carrier have openings therein. A cleaning station is disposed above the conveyor belt and has an opening therein that isolates the cleaning station from the processing system. The cleaning station has a recirculating blower system, a laminar flow screen, a HEPA filter, and a ducting system for recirculating purified air or inert gas. A carbon dioxide jet spray cleaning system is provided that has a plurality of sets of jet spray nozzles disposed in the cleaning station that are coupled by way of manifolds to a liquid carbon dioxide tank that supplies liquid carbon dioxide to the nozzles.