Abstract: A lift truck sideshifting carriage has an upper transverse slide guide with an upwardly-protruding first lip for slidably supporting an upper transversely-extending slide of a sideshifting frame. The sideshifting frame has a second upwardly-protruding lip for supporting the load-handling implement of the lift truck. The slide guide has a transversely-extending reinforcing portion which protrudes forwardly from beneath a forwardly-facing surface of the first lip, and extends throughout at least a major portion of the transverse length of the slide guide. A sideshifting motor, for moving the sideshifting frame transversely with respect to the slide, is mounted to the slide guide externally beneath the reinforcing portion of the slide guide. The forwardly-protruding reinforcing portion of the slide guide and the upwardly-protruding first lip of the slide guide are formed monolithically and homogeneously as a single member.

Abstract: A fluid power load-clamping system includes at least one fluid valve for variably regulating the maximum fluid pressure causing closure of the clamp. Preferably the valve increases the maximum fluid pressure automatically in relation to the measured magnitude of the weight of the load to regulate the load-gripping force. A controller causes the valve to permit a relatively high maximum fluid pressure as the clamp closes toward the load to enable high initial clamp closure speed. Thereafter the valve automatically reduces the maximum pressure as the clamping surfaces close into a predetermined relationship with the load, and then increases the maximum pressure to regulate the gripping force. Other preferable features include continuous weight-responsive automatic regulation of the gripping pressure while the load is supported by the clamp, and compensation of the weight measurement for the longitudinally-extensible position of the lifting mechanism, to maximize the accuracy of the load-weight measurement.

Abstract: A system for low-current testing of a test device includes a probing device for probing a probing site on the test device. The probing device includes a dielectric substrate having first and second sides, an elongate conductive path on the first side of the substrate, an elongate probing element connected to the elongate conductive path so as to extend in a cantilevered manner beyond the substrate, and a conductive area on the second side of the substrate. The probe housing is matingly detachably engageable with the probing device.

Abstract: A wafer probe station is equipped with an integrated environment control enclosure substantially surrounding a supporting surface for holding a test device, such enclosure limiting fluid communication between the interior and exterior of the enclosure and preferably also providing EMI shielding and a dark environment. The limited communication between the interior and exterior of the enclosure is kept substantially constant despite positioning movement of either the supporting surface or probes. The positioning mechanisms for the supporting surface and probes each are located at least partially outside of the enclosure.

Abstract: A probe station for probing a test device has a chuck element for supporting the test device. An electrically conductive outer shield enclosure at least partially encloses such chuck element to provide EMI shielding therefor. An electrically conductive inner shield enclosure is interposed between and insulated from the outer shield enclosure and the chuck element, and at least partially encloses the chuck element.

Abstract: A chuck for a probe station.

Abstract: A diaphragm (12) for use with a fluid carrying conduit (70) or outer body (14) where the diaphragm (12) has a convex outer surface (26), a concave inner surface (28), a slit (32) extending from surface (26) to surface (28), and a notch defined by two walls (40, 42) at outer surface (26). The walls (40, 42) preferably diverge towards the outlet end (20) so that upon deflection of diaphragm (12), a greater minimum gap (46) for fluid movement is created when compared to the minimum gap (48) of a diaphragm not having the notch. The notch may have a cross section shape of a “V”, a “U”, or a three section rectilinear form, and may be formed at either surface depending upon the direction of diaphragm deflection.

Abstract: A probe station includes a fully guarded chuck assembly and connector mechanism for increasing sensitivity to low-level currents while reducing settling times. The chuck assembly includes a wafer-supporting first chuck element surrounded by a second chuck element having a lower component, skirting component and upper component each with a surface portion extending opposite the first element for guarding thereof. The connector mechanism is so connected to the second chuck element as to enable, during low-level current measurements, the potential on each component to follow that on the first chuck element as measured relative to an outer shielding enclosure surrounding each element. Leakage current from the first chuck element is thus reduced to virtually zero, hence enabling increased current sensitivity, and the reduced capacitance thus provided by the second chuck element decreases charging periods, hence reducing settling times.

Abstract: A waste container has an axle assembly comprising an axle with opposing axle end caps adapted to mount the wheels of the waste container. The axle comprises a metal rod encapsulated in plastic. An annular axle groove is formed near the ends of the axle in the encapsulating plastic. The metal rod provides the necessary strength for the axle and the encapsulating plastic protects the rod from corrosion while permitting the formation of the annular axle grooves used for mounting the axle to the wheel. The axle can easily be injection molded, reducing the cost and manufacturing time of prior axles while still providing corrosion protection.

Abstract: A stack of plastic T-shirt type bags for use with a dispenser. Each bag in the stack has a pair of handles with aligned apertures for receiving the prongs of the dispenser. The stacks are retained in alignment by a releasable flap on the periphery of the aperture in each aperture integral with the bag. The stack provides for the releasable securement of adjacent flaps together for retention of bags in overlying aligned relation in the stack. Each bag has at least one discrete region of weakness between each aperture and the inward side of the respective handle stack which can be broken for detachment of a bag from the dispenser. The stack is adapted to dispensers with prongs carrying surface projections (i.e. transverse ridges) to restrict unwanted sliding of the stack along the prongs.

Abstract: A segregated waste collection system for collecting segregated waste from a distant location and moving the collected segregated waste to a centralized collection station, while maintaining the segregated state of the waste. The segregated waste collection system comprises a waste container, a transfer container, and a collection vehicle, each of which has corresponding compartments for storing the segregated waste. The waste from the waste container is transferred to the transfer container and is then transferred to the collection vehicle. A deflector on the transfer container aligned with the transfer container divider and operable between a fill position and a dump position. In the fill position, the divider deflects the waste container contents from the waste compartments into the corresponding transfer compartments. In the dump position, the deflector deflects the contents from the transfer compartments into the corresponding storage compartments.

Abstract: A lift truck clamp for handling stacked loads of different sizes has a pair of opposing clamping assemblies, one of which has a pair of clamp arms movable selectively toward and away from the other clamping assembly under the control of a pair of fluid power actuators. A linkage mechanism interconnects the pair of clamp arms so as to permit relative movement therebetween to enable the clamp arms to move asynchronously toward the other clamping assembly. The linkage mechanism includes a stop assembly preventing more than a predetermined misalignment of the pair of clamp arms, and a spring assembly imposing a yieldable biasing force biasing the pair of clamp arms toward alignment with respect to each other.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a sustained release drug delivery system which comprises a core of active ingredient, an enteric coating, a second coating of active ingredient and lastly a readily gastric-soluble protective coating. In another embodiment, the sustained release drug delivery system comprises a core of active ingredient, an enteric coating; a second coating of active ingredient; a second enteric coating and a third coating of active ingredient The sustained release dosage form of this invention is useful for pharmaceutically active ingredients that have limited aqueous solubility, especially phenytoin sodium, and other pH dependent soluble drugs.

Abstract: A wafer probe station is equipped with an integrated environment control enclosure substantially surrounding a supporting surface for holding a test device, such enclosure limiting fluid communication between the interior and exterior of the enclosure and preferably also providing EMI shielding and a dark environment. The limited communication between the interior and exterior of the enclosure is kept substantially constant despite positioning movement of either the supporting surface or probe holders. The positioning mechanisms for the supporting surface and probe holders each have portions located at least partially outside of the enclosure for transferring movement mechanically to the surface or holders, respectively.

Abstract: A membrane probing assembly includes a support element having an incompressible forward support tiltably coupled to a rearward base and a membrane assembly, formed of polyimide layers, with its central region interconnected to the support by an elastomeric layer. Flexible traces form data/signal lines to contacts on the central region. Each contact comprises a rigid beam and a bump located in off-centered location on the beam, which bump includes a contacting portion. After initial touchdown of these contacting portions, further over-travel of the pads causes each beam to independently tilt locally so that different portions of each beam move different distances relative to the support thus driving each contact into lateral scrubbing movement across the pad thereby clearing away oxide buildup. The elastomeric member backed by the incompressible support ensures sufficient scrub pressure and reliable tilt recovery of each contact without mechanical straining of the beam.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously forming composites comprising filler materials and thermoactive materials, particularly waste cellulosic materials and waste thermoplastics, are described. One embodiment of the apparatus includes either a batchwise or continuous mixer, such as a cyclone, for forming mixtures comprising filler and thermoactive material. The mixtures are conveyed to a continuous consolidation apparatus. Alternatively, the mixtures may be densified in a densifying apparatus before entering the consolidation apparatus. The consolidation apparatus includes a hot-gas distribution system having plural paired gas cells, such as rollers or hoods, for applying hot air to the charge. A first cell of each pair applies gas to the mixture. The second cell of each pair operates at a pressure less than that of the first cell, thereby creating a pressure differential across the charge.

Abstract: A probe station for probing a test device has a chuck element for supporting the test device. An electrically conductive outer shield enclosure at least partially encloses such chuck element to provide EMI shielding therefor. An electrically conductive inner shield enclosure is interposed between and insulated from the outer shield enclosure and the chuck element, and at least partially encloses the chuck element.

Abstract: A waste container having a wheel assembly comprising an axle assembly on which are slidably mounted a pair of wheels. The axle assembly comprises a pultruded shaft with opposing end caps. The end caps have an indentation for receiving a retainer to retain the wheels on the shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a waste container of the type typically used in residential waste collection systems. The waste container includes a container body having opposing side walls that extend upwardly from a bottom wall to form a waste compartment with an open top for access thereto. The bottom wall of the container body is reinforced by a series of corrugations to increase the rigidity of the bottom wall to prevent sagging, which can result in premature wear and failure. The corrugations also increase the heat transfer rate of the bottom wall, which improves the cooling characteristics of the waste container during molding. The corrugations further provide airflow channels for the injection of air between the container body and a mold during the molding process to improve the ease of removing the waste container body from the mold and to prevent stretching in the bottom of the container during the molding process.