Abstract: An apparatus for exhausting coating materials used in the process of spin coating a top surface of a wafer, the wafer having an edge and a bottom surface that is supported and rotated by a rotatable chuck attached by a shaft to a spin motor. The apparatus includes a bowl having an exhausted drain configured to receive excess liquid and vapor from the spin coating and an assembly configured to maintain the drain at a negative pressure differential relative to the bowl. In a preferred embodiment, a baffle is attached to the bottom to limit the flow of the liquid and vapor into the drain to a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A coating nozzle includes an elongate nozzle body having a coating solution reservoir defined longitudinally therein for being supplied with a coating solution from an external coating solution supply. The elongate nozzle body also has a coating solution holder defined therein and opening away from the coating solution reservoir, for holding a coating solution against falling off as droplets under surface tension of the coating solution. A plurality of passages are defined in the elongate nozzle body and held in communication with the coating solution reservoir and the coating solution holder, for supplying the coating solution from the coating solution reservoir to the coating solution holder. The arrangement of the reservoir, the solution holder and the passages in the elongate nozzle body assures that a uniform layer of coating solution is deposited by the nozzle on a surface of a planar substrate.

Abstract: A system for applying a coating to an article of manufacture comprises a first conveyor assembly which conveys articles through a coating booth for application of a coating. The first conveyor assembly has a section aligned with and in close proximity to a section of a second conveyor assembly at which the articles are transferred to the second conveyor assembly. The second conveyor assembly transports the articles to a bake oven wherein the coating is baked on the articles. By this arrangement, residual coating material is not baked on the carriers of the first conveyor assembly and hence coating removal processes to clean the carriers are avoided.

Abstract: A vacuum control and detection system for a semiconductor fabricating apparatus includes a vacuum line connected to a plate for holding a semiconductor wafer to be processed. An electromagnetic valve is connected to the vacuum line for selectively opening and closing the vacuum line. A control unit receives a wafer sensing signal from the plate, and supplies an actuating voltage to the electromagnetic valve to open the vacuum line and securely hold the wafer to the plate via a vacuum force. A time delay device also receives the actuating voltage from the control unit and outputs a wafer holding signal to the control unit after a 2-3 second time delay. After wafer processing operations are completed, the control unit deactivates the actuating voltage supplied to the electromagnetic valve and the time delay device to close the vacuum line and release the vacuum force on the wafer.

Abstract: Bottom insulating bricks are laid on a casing bottom and side insulating bricks are disposed along casing sides. Bottom lining bricks are laid on the bottom insulating bricks and side lining bricks are disposed along the side insulating bricks. The side lining bricks are each provided with a projection formed at the upper portion thereof in such a manner as to project toward the side insulating bricks and with a downward face formed on the bottom of the projection to extend in the horizontal direction The side insulating bricks are each provided with a convex portion formed at the lower portion thereof in such a manner as to project toward the side lining bricks and with an upward face formed on the top of the convex portion to extend in the horizontal direction. The engagement between the downward face and the upward face prevents the rising of the side insulating brick.

Abstract: A stripe applicator device that facilitates the accurate and efficient striping of a membrane with a reagent solution while avoiding cross-contamination between adjacent reagent stripes, preferably has a pay-out assembly, an applicator assembly having a plurality of nozzles aligned along a line that forms an obtuse angle with the line of travel of a membrane material from the pay-out assembly, a drying chamber and an take-up assembly having a pinch-roller assembly driven by a motor to draw the membrane material from the pay-out assembly through the applicator assembly and drying chamber.

Abstract: A glue sizing mechanism includes a container secured to the bottom of a pair of walls. A coil of sheet member is rotatably supported on the walls. A roller has the ends slidably engaged in the walls and a pair of cams are engaged with the ends of the roller for moving the roller up and down. A cover is pivotally secured to the walls for covering the roller and includes a panel having a groove for engaging with a knife. A rule includes two extensions secured to the walls for measuring the width of the sheet member.

Abstract: Untreated wood chips are fed to treatment, e.g. steaming at substantially atmospheric pressure, using a mechanical conveyor. Steaming may be accomplished utilizing a vertical chip bin with one dimensional convergence and side relief fed by a horizontal conveyor (e.g. screw conveyor) having a physical restriction which insures formation of a chip plug to prevent leakage of gas through the conveyor housing inlet. The physical restriction may be a generally vertical hinged plate, with an opening containing elastomeric material through which the shaft of the conveyor may pass, or a stationary generally vertical plate with one or more openings, which openings also may be covered with yielding flexible material and with the degree of sealing provided controlled by the speed of rotation of the conveyor shaft.

Abstract: A porous silica body with a density of 0.1 g/cm.sup.3 to 0.5 g/cm.sup.3 and a density variation of less than 30% is subjected to a first heat-treatment in an ammonia-containing atmosphere, a second heat-sintering in non-oxidizing atmosphere, and further heat-treatment at a temperature in the range of 1400.degree. C. to 2000.degree. C. under an increased pressure of 500 kg/cm.sup.2 or more in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: A rice cooker is placed on a turntable, and uncooked rice is poured thereinto. As the uncooked rice is poured-in, a motor rotates the turntable alternately clockwise and counterclockwise to cause the rice to be evenly distributed therein. The cooker carries a signal emitter which is received by a receiver that is connected to the motor for controlling the motor.

Abstract: A process for using paper in high speed converting or reprographics operations, comprising the steps of providing paper sized under alkaline conditions with alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA) and 2-oxetanone that is not solid at 35.degree. C., and using the paper in high speed converting or reprographic operations. A process for making paper under alkaline conditions comprising the steps of providing sizing agent comprising alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA) and 2-oxetanone that is not solid at 35.degree. C., and sizing the paper with the sizing agent.

Abstract: Processes and systems for producing cementitious materials from ferrous blast furnace slags. Processes comprise mixing of a source of CaO with molten slag flowing from at least one slag tap hole of a blast furnace. Sufficient CaO is mixed with the molten slag to raise the ratio of CaO to SiO.sub.2, the C/S Ratio, of the slag to between about 1.06 and 1.25, while maintaining the Base Number of the molten slag less than about 1.55. The slag is then water granulated and ground to a predetermined degree of fineness. An activator then is added to the ground granulated slag. The C/S Ratio of the granulated slag determines the degree of fineness to which the granulated slag must be ground to achieve a desired hydration rate in the resultant cementitious material. Cementitious materials with C/S Ratios in this range may be ground less finely, yet possess the same hydration rates, as other more finely ground cementitious materials.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring and spreading a high-viscosity bonding agent to a thickness of about 10 .mu.m on a bonding-agent onto a member. The device includes a squeegee table on which a bonding agent is spread, and a film moving device for feeding a film made of elastic material from one end to the other end of the squeegee table at a predetermined speed and sticking the film onto the bonding agent. The film moving device then peels the film off the spreading side at a speed at which the upper half of the bonding agent layer is peeled off from the other end of the squeegee table, whereby the thickness of the bonding agent is reduced to half of that which has been spread on the squeegee table. The film moving device then feeds the film having the bonding agent onto a member and peels off the film from the member, thereby transferring a bonding agent having a thickness of about 1/4 of the thickness of the bonding agent spread on the spreading side, not greater than 10 .mu.m, for example, to the member.

Abstract: A paint spray booth utilizes an exhaust system extending longitudinally along the path of the articles to be painted having an adjustment mechanism for varying the width of the exhaust inlets extending longitudinally for substantially the entire length of the air exhaust element and a downwardly slanting bottom surface of the exhaust elements for yielding powder overspray of uniform density to a filter media. Adjusting the width of the longitudinally extending exhaust inlet spreads an adjustable pressure drop over the slot opening. Adjusting the velocity of air flow through the exhaust elements substantially avoids powder paint build-up at the exhaust inlet. The slanted configuration of the exhaust elements, in conjunction with the adjustment mechanism, improves uniformity of filter life by providing a substantially even distribution of powder overspray to a filter media.

Abstract: A molded plastic ring having a mounting flange and a shield flange which collectively mask an automotive or truck tire during the painting of a supporting wheel. A beveled edge of the mounting flange is fitted to the wheel. The mounting flange projects from the shield flange in the range of 95 to 130 degrees. The shield flange extends from the mounting flange in a plane parallel to the wheel and overlies the tire sidewall. The ring is molded from polyethylene or other flexible materials impervious to encountered solvents, cleaners, thinners and curing temperatures. Radial slits or notches can be provided at the mounting flange to facilitate attachment and the mounting and shield flanges can exhibit arcuate curvatures, when viewed on edge.

Abstract: An under felt inclined flat former for making multilayer or monolayer sheets of paper comprising a plurality of forming units arranged along a production line. Each of the forming units is supported on corresponding rigid supports and is provided with a roller system on which the forming unit or a portion thereof rests which when the supports are removed, the selected forming unit or portion thereof can be removed from the production line for cleaning or maintenance purposes, without interrupting the operation of the former equipment. Each forming unit including means to create activity in the stock in addition to causing liquid to be drained therefrom for sheet formation.

Abstract: Optical glass preforms for use in subsequent molding processes for the production of lenses are produced which have a controlled peripheral edge wall geometry. Gobs of molten glass of predetermined weight and volume are dripped onto a lower mold surface. A pressing head including a sleeve and a plunger are lowered such that the sleeve surrounds the gob. The plunger is then depressed such that the upper mold surface of the plunger resides in a predetermined elevation above the lower mold surface thereby forcing the gob to conform to the cavity created within the sleeve and between the upper and lower mold surfaces. In such manner the sleeve serves as a form or exterior boundary for the resultant preform such that a preform is produced which requires no grinding or polishing prior to its use in subsequent molding operations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a digester for continuous cooking under raised pressure and temperature of fibre material in a vertical digester (1), where input of fibre material and cooking liquid takes place at the top of the digester, withdrawal of spent cooking liquor is carried out from at least one digester screening arrangement (1D) between the top and the bottom of the digester, and fibre material is fed out from the bottom (1C) of the digester, wherein the digester (1) is fitted with an additional digester screening arrangement (2) located at less than about 1.5 meters above the lowest screening arrangement (1B) of the digester so that the temperature in all the participatory cooking zones in the digester can be kept at essentially the same temperature level.

Abstract: A coating apparatus comprises a rotary container rotatable about a rotational axis as the center, a rotary rest table, located in the rotary container to be movable vertically and rotatable about the rotational axis as the center, for supporting a target substrate thereon, coating solution supply pipe for applying a coating solution to the target substrate, cleaning solution supply pipe for spraying a cleaning solution to an inner surface of the rotary container, a seal member provided between the rotary rest table and the bottom wall of the rotary container and capable of sealing a gap between the rotary rest table and the bottom wall of the rotary container, and connecting mechanism for connecting the rotary container and the rotary rest table so as to rotate together.

Abstract: A sprinkling device for applying powdery to granulated materials, particularly super-absorbing swelling substances (SAP-material) to a continuously moving material web in the manufacture of suction cores for sanitary napkins, disposable diapers, etc. The SAP-material is withdrawn from a supply container by a toothed belt of a conveyor system. The toothed belt has conveying troughs of varying shapes to enable an exact volumetrically metered amount of SAP-material to be disposed onto a predetermined surface of the material web.