Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for verification of non-violation of the integrity of a system or the identity of an object. An authentication seal is used, comprising a physical authenticator with bubbles (3) produced by a chaotic process on the production thereof, a characteristic of which is to be always unique and non-reproducible. A representation of said identifier with bubbles is stored in the form of an image and/or digitally in a database local or remote to the address (17), for authentication of the assignment of the identifier in situ or on the object for protection. Said authenticator is provided with a physical connection (16) which permits connection to the site or object for identification. Any attack on the integrity of the seal, whether on the authenticator and/or the connection, irreversibly alters the total seal such as to render the same un-reusable.

Abstract: This invention involves a reading process for three-dimensional means of identification (100) that are unique and non-reproducible (100), containing a mixture of at least two materials (110 and 120) that are distinguishable from one another (110 and 120), remarkable in that it consists of one part to recognize the internal heterogeneous structure of the means of identification (100) in two dimensions, and another part to verify and prove its third dimension to render falsification impossible. This characteristic reduces the amount of storage memory as well as the length of time necessary to perform the operations of reading, acquisition, and comparison usually conducted in such processes. The invention also involves a device that implements said process as well as a means of identification adapted to said process.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing electronic modules with ball connector (7) or integrated preforms capable of being soldered on a printed circuit (3) and a device for implementing said method. The invention concerns a method for producing electronic modules in the form of ball housings combining a ball grid array (7) or geometrically identical preforms for interconnecting or shielding and surface-mounted components (2) on the same surface of a substrate (1), thereby enabling said module to be directly connectable by soldering on a printed circuit (3). The balls (7) and the components (2) are transferred in one single step onto the substrate (1) by means of a gripping device adapted to the topography of the module to be produced.

Abstract: Identification and authentication procedure without specific reader of a three-dimensional identifier (1), (9), (10), (11) attached to an object or living being by using sensory capabilities of the human being notably its stereoscopic vision capabilities (A) and its tactile sense (A?) permitting the appreciation of the particularity of the identifier which renders the latter difficult or impossible to reproduce which are, for example, heterogeneities mixed in a transparent material or surface ridges and/or cavities. The identification or reading is then carried by the visual comparison (B) of a two-dimensional representation image (2) of the identifier (1) (9) (10) (11) stored in a database (4) accessible by a network (5) and the identifier himself.

Abstract: A system and method for drying particulate material in a dual flow hopper employs multiple flow paths by which heated gas is inserted into the hopper at different levels. Gas is extracted from the hopper and is divided for flow along two flow paths, one of the flow paths receiving gas that has been dried and the other flow path receiving gas that has not been dried.

Abstract: A method for making transactions secure based upon a card-type medium (2) comprising a number (4) and a remote database (5) connected to a telecommunications network. A unique and non-reproducible identifier (3) in the form of a bubble code is physically affixed to the card (2) comprising a number (4) contained either on a magnetic strip, of a bar code, or in an electronic label. One representation of this identifier (6) and or (7) is stored in the remote database (5) at the same number (4) as that present on the medium. This identifier (3) constitutes an unforgeable link between the magnetic strip (1) and the database (5). When a call is made to the remote database by means of the number recorded on the card, a link authentication is performed by comparing the representation of the identifier stored in said database and the actual identifier.

Abstract: Device for filling multiple blind holes. The invention involves a device that permits the filling of blind holes in an effective and controlled manner. It is composed of a mobile body (1) in airtight contact with the surface (10) containing the hole openings. The body (1) contains two slots, the first (2) of which is kept airtight from the exterior of the device and from the second slot (5), is separate and parallel to the direction of travel of the device, and is larger than the largest opening. The first slot exposed to the openings while moving is connected to a vacuum chamber (3), while the second slot exposed to the openings is connected to a reservoir (6) containing the product (7) to be transferred.

Abstract: A filling device for and a method of filling balls in an array of apertures in a ball-receiving element, the filling device comprising: a housing including an opening at a lower surface thereof and defining in part a chamber for containing a supply of balls, the housing being in use movably disposed over a ball-receiving element including an array of apertures; and distribution means disposed within the housing for distributing balls contained in the chamber such as to maintain a limited number of layers of the balls over at least a region of the opening in the housing.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing and soldering electrical connection beads (1) on mounting lands (2) for electronic circuit or component (3) electrical connection. The invention further concerns the device for implementing said method. The invention is characterized in that it essentially comprises the following steps: the operations for filling the stencil screen openings (4) by means of a squeegee (6) or the like and hot refusion are carried out with the stencil screen positioned above the substrate; the stencil screen (4) positioned on the component (3) during refusion is separated from the component after refusion but before the beads (1) are solidified, the latter being still in liquid state such that the balls that are being formed acquire their balanced position and their strictly identical spherical shape whatever their number; after the beads are solidified, the denatured binder is cleaned out.

Abstract: A filling device for and a method of filling balls in an array of apertures in a ball-receiving element, the filling device comprising: a housing including an opening at a lower surface thereof and defining in part a chamber for containing a supply of balls, the housing being in use movably disposed over a ball-receiving element including an array of apertures; and distribution means disposed within the housing for distributing balls contained in the chamber such as to maintain a limited number of layers of the balls over at least a region of the opening in the housing.

Abstract: A capillary squeegee and a method utilizing a capillary squeegee for screen printing liquid product onto a substrate through apertures in a printing screen on translation thereover, the squeegee including a capillary element for delivering liquid product from a pressurizable reservoir to a printing screen, wherein the capillary element is configured to provide a flow resistance which is such as to prevent flow therefrom when not pressurized and allow flow therefrom when pressurized; and first and second sealing lips which, during screen printing, both together contact the printing screen, wherein the sealing lips are disposed, in oppositely-inclined relation, to opposed edges of the capillary element in the direction of translation and define a delivery aperture therebetween, the delivery aperture having size suited to the substrate.

Abstract: A system for drying particulate material in a drying hopper (DH) has a plurality of gas flow paths, one (FP1) of which extends from a compressed gas inlet (16) to a first sub-system (SS1) that includes a membrane dryer(MD) and a heater (EH′), whereby dried and heated gas is supplied to a lower portion (36) of the hopper, and another (FP2) of which extends from the inlet (16) to a second sub-system (SS2) that includes a mixing device (30) and a heater (EH). The mixing device uses compressed gas to induce a flow of gas from the hopper and mixes the compressed gas with gas withdrawn from the hopper. The mixed gases are heated and supplied to a second portion (34) of the hopper.

Abstract: A device (14) for implementing a method for setting on a substrate (2) interconnecting balls or preforms (1) comprising the following phases: storing in bulk the preforms (1); seizing in ordered position the preforms (1) with an adapted gripping device (9); setting the preforms (1) on the substrate (2) with the gripping device (9). Said device (14) is charaterized in that it consists of at least a matrix for storing the preforms, said matrix comprising a floor capable of acting as stop for the preforms when the matrix is being filled thereby enabling the implementation of a method whereby the passage from bulk storage to ordered storage is performed in masked time. The device is useful for incorporating or replacing balls in substrates of electronic components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out the deposition of a paste like and/or viscous material, such as solder paste, on a substrate through the apertures or openings of a stencil are provided for use, for example, in screen printing in the mounting of components on a printed circuit board. A hollow receptacle for the material is provided with a lower aperture which is orientated towards the stencil. The lower aperture of the receptacle is delimited defined such that its length is adjusted to the dimensions of the substrate and that its width is a function of the speed of execution of the screen printing. This delimitation is implemented by sealing members preferably comprising two wipers on respective sides of the aperture, transverse with respect to the direction of displacement of the receptacle, orientated one towards the other and inclined with respect to the horizontal between the wipers at an angle of between 120° and 180°.

Abstract: A stencil (8) with a tension part combined with an operational device allowing deposition of solder paste to replace constituents on an electronic board. The stencil consists of a flat sheet (1), of rectangular shape, made of synthetic flexible material or metal and outfitted with transfer openings (2) for transferring and distributing a product. Two of the parallel sides of the sheet are connected to rigid and mobile vertical tabs (3) in an affixed position on a tension unit of the sheet. The other two parallel sides of the sheet, orthogonal to the former ones, are extended with flexible walls (6), orthogonal to the sheet. Bead folds (7) separate the perforated sheet and each of the flaps and delimit the sheet. The flaps freely rotate around the folds. The invention also has an operational device consisting of arm (20) with several jointed strands outfitted with a sole means of locking (22) its joints. The stencil may be configured and moved in accordance with 6 degrees of freedom.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for control of moisture content of material such as thermoplastic pellets (80) in a hopper (30) is controlled by supplying dehumidified air from a dessicant bed (90) to the hopper (30) and returning air from the hopper (30) to the dessicant bed (90). A dew point sensor (10) in the return air path determines the moisture content of the material (80) in the hopper (30), and when the dew point drops to a pre-set level, a diverter (134) causes the return air flow to bypass the dessicant bed (90) and to be re-supplied to the hopper (30) without dehumidification. Two dessicant beds are provided, one of which is on-process while the dessicant in the other is regenerated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out the deposition of a paste like and/or viscous material, such as solder paste, on a substrate through the apertures or openings of a stencil are provided for use, for example, in screen printing in the mounting of components on a printed circuit board. A hollow receptacle for the material is provided with a lower aperture which is orientated towards the stencil. The lower aperture of the receptacle is delimited defined such that its length is adjusted to the dimensions of the substrate and that its width is a function of the speed of execution of the screen printing. This delimitation is implemented by sealing members preferably comprising two wipers on respective sides of the aperture, transverse with respect to the direction of displacement of the receptacle, orientated one towards the other and inclined with respect to the horizontal between the wipers at an angle of between 120° and 180°.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for prolonging the usage life of an optical element under the irradiation of an intensive laser beam. The method employs a continuous mechanical motion to enlarge the effective interaction area and the volume of the laser beam within the optical element. In an embodiment, the apparatus is used for harmonic generation of a laser beam within a BBO crystal. A motor is used to drive the BBO crystal mounted on a pair of translation slides. The crystal is moved on a circular path spiraling within a predetermined area while its optical axis remains in the same orientation in relation to a laser beam. The phase matching angle of the BBO is maintained during the movement, and the usage life of the BBO crystal is increased by many orders of magnitude.

Abstract: Apparatus for electrically, detachably attaching a monitor such as a glove monitor between a health care worker and a patient utilizing a particular magnetic, electrical connection so that the health care worker can easily connect and disconnect from electrical connection to the patient for movement about the room or elsewhere.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for precisely controlling and determining the location of the interaction point of a surgical laser beam, and for controlling the shape of the cornea during ophthalmic surgery. A transparent applanator plate is placed in contact with the cornea of a patient's eye. The applanator plate creates a fixed positional frame of reference from which a laser beam control system can determine the desired point or points at which to focus the surgical laser beam. A surgical tip at the distal end of an articulated arm having flexible joints is placed in contact with the applanator plate and follows any motion of the patient's eye and directs the laser beam to the surgical tip. The applanator plate also provides a means to control the contour of the index of refraction boundary between the corneal epithelium of the patient's eye and the air.