Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator or filter including a first conductive layer, one or more electrodes patterned in the first conductive layer which serve the function of signal input, signal output, or DC biasing, or some combination of these functions, an evacuated cavity, a resonating member comprised of a lower conductive layer and an upper structural layer, a first air gap between the resonating member and one or more of the electrodes, an upper membrane covering the cavity, and a second air gap between the resonating member and the upper membrane.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming through-vias are presented, for example, a method for forming a via in a portion of a semiconductor wafer comprising a substrate. The method comprises forming a trench surrounding a first part of the substrate such that the first part is separated from a second part of the substrate, forming a hole through the substrate within the first part, and forming a first metal within the hole. The trench extends through the substrate. The first metal extends from a front surface of the substrate to a back surface of the substrate. The via comprises the hole and the first metal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming through-vias are presented, for example, a method for forming a via in a portion of a semiconductor wafer comprising a substrate. The method comprises forming a trench surrounding a first part of the substrate such that the first part is separated from a second part of the substrate, forming a hole through the substrate within the first part, and forming a first metal within the hole. The trench extends through the substrate. The first metal extends from a front surface of the substrate to a back surface of the substrate. The via comprises the hole and the first metal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer port interface apparatus having a compound swivel. The apparatus comprises: a computer port connector portion configured for mated coupling with a computer port, a compound swivel portion, and a peripheral portion operatively coupled to the computer port connector portion. The peripheral portion may include an integral peripheral device or a connector for mated coupling with a device. The computer port connector portion and peripheral portion extend at angles from opposing ends of the compound swivel portion. The compound swivel portion comprises two or more swivels in series. Each swivel is operatively coupled to a swivel stop assembly configured to limit relative rotation of the swivel to a predetermined range. Swivelling allows reorientation of the peripheral portion and a device coupled thereto to facilitate operation. Swivel stop assemblies protect portions of the apparatus and/or facilitate operation.

Abstract: A caddy for holding a pastry bag comprises a receptacle having an open end, a closed end, an internal surface connecting the open and closed ends, and a plurality of fins projecting from the internal surface of the receptacle toward a central longitudinal axis of the receptacle. The fins define a tapered framework of contact ridges for contacting the pastry bag to reduce the surface area of contact between the pastry bag and the internal surface of the receptacle. A container removably receives the receptacle and holds a heat transfer medium for surrounding an external surface of the receptacle.

Abstract: A dispenser is disclosed which is capable of dispensing articles from two locations. The dispenser includes first and second members pivotally connected together by a first hinge to form a first entrance into the dispenser. The first and second members are capable of housing a plurality of wet or dry, sheet-like articles. The first entrance provides reach-in access wherein multiple sheet-like articles can be withdrawn at one time. The second member also has a second entrance formed therein from which the sheet-like articles can be individually withdrawn. The dispenser further includes a third member secured to the first member by a hinge that is coaxially aligned with the first hinge. The third member is capable of pivoting on its hinge to cover the second entrance.

Abstract: A pillar structure that is contacted by a vertical contact is formed in an integrated circuit. A hard mask is formed and utilized to pattern a least a portion of the pillar structure. The hard mask comprises carbon. Subsequently, the hard mask is removed. A conductive material is then deposited in a region previously occupied by the hard mask to form the vertical contact. The hard mask may, for example, comprise diamond-like carbon. The pillar structure may have a width or diameter less than about 100 nanometers.

Abstract: An oven includes: an inlet elevator having multiple receiving bays for receiving a piece to be heated in the oven where the receiving bays are stacked vertically and the elevator is configured to move up or down to align a receiving bay; a mandrel having multiple shelves to correspond a shelf to a bay of the inlet elevator, each shelf configured to support a piece received from the inlet elevator, the mandrel configured to rotate each piece on a shelf between a loading position, a baking position, and an unloading position; an outlet elevator having multiple receiving bays for unloading a piece heated in the oven, the unloading bays are stacked vertically and the elevator is configured to move up or down to align an unloading bay with a material handling system moving the heated pieces; and a microwave generator configured to heat at least one of the pieces when the pieces are in the baking position. A method of heating a material is also provided.

Abstract: A method of formation of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator or filter which is compatible with integration with any analog, digital, or mixed-signal integrated circuit (IC) process, after or concurrently with the formation of the metal interconnect layers in those processes, by virtue of its materials of composition, processing steps, and temperature of fabrication is presented. The MEMS resonator or filter incorporates a lower metal level, which forms the electrodes of the MEMS resonator or filter, that may be shared with any or none of the existing metal interconnect levels on the IC. It further incorporates a resonating member that is comprised of at least one metal layer for electrical connection and electrostatic actuation, and at least one dielectric layer for structural purposes. The gap between the electrodes and the resonating member is created by the deposition and subsequent removal of a sacrificial layer comprised of a carbon-based material.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator or filter including a first conductive layer, one or more electrodes patterned in the first conductive layer which serve the function of signal input, signal output, or DC biasing, or some combination of these functions, an evacuated cavity, a resonating member comprised of a lower conductive layer and an upper structural layer, a first air gap between the resonating member and one or more of the electrodes, an upper membrane covering the cavity, and a second air gap between the resonating member and the upper membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a pastry bag comprises a caddy and an ice-bath container that removably receives the caddy. The caddy includes a tapered receptacle and a flange arranged externally about the tapered receptacle. The container includes a first wall having a generally planar external surface, a second wall adjacent the first wall, the second wall having a generally planar external surface, and a third wall adjacent the second wall. The third wall includes an external surface engaged by the flange and an opening configured to allow insertion of the tapered receptacle into the interior of the container. The flange and/or the external surface of the third wall are configured so that the tapered receptacle is inclined relative to a support surface (e.g. a tabletop) whether the container is placed on its bottom (the first wall) or on its side (the second wall).

Abstract: A reflow module of a reflow oven including a reflow fixture housed within a compartment of the reflow oven, removable side ports attached to the reflow fixture for controlling air flow through the reflow module and a chamber housing encasing the reflow fixture within the compartment of the reflow oven. A reflow oven incorporating the reflow module may include a reflow fixture having a plurality of air tubes and at least one orifice fixture plate removably attached to the reflow fixture, wherein the at least one orifice fixture plate includes a plurality of orifices for directing airflow into the plurality of air tubes.

Abstract: A computer system that processes mixtures of signals, such as speech and noise sources derived from multiple simultaneous microphone recordings, in order to separate them into their underlying sources. A source separation routine optimizes a filter structure by minimizing cross powers of multiple output channels while enforcing geometric constraints on the filter response. The geometric constraints enforce desired responses for given locations of the underlying sources, based on the assumption that the sources are localized in space.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming through-vias are presented, for example, a method for forming a via in a portion of a semiconductor wafer comprising a substrate. The method comprises forming a trench surrounding a first part of the substrate such that the first part is separated from a second part of the substrate, forming a hole through the substrate within the first part, and forming a first metal within the hole. The trench extends through the substrate. The first metal extends from a front surface of the substrate to a back surface of the substrate. The via comprises the hole and the first metal.

Abstract: An apparatus is described incorporating an interposer having a cavity for a portion of an antenna structure, having conductor through vias, a top Si part having interconnection wiring and having pads for electrically mounting an integrated circuit chip thereon, wherein the top Si part mates with the interposer electrically and mechanically. The interposer and top Si part may be scaled to provide an array of functional units. The invention overcomes the problem of combining a high efficient antenna with integrated circuit chips in a Si package with signal frequencies from 1 to 100 GHz and the problem of shielding components proximate to the antenna and reduces strain arising from mismatching of TCEs.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide and immunogenic fragments thereof are described together with their variants and derivatives as novel immunogenic agents for treating or preventing Helicobacter infection in a mammalian host. The polypeptide comprises a C-terminal portion of a Helicobacter catalase, which portion lacks significant amino acid sequence identity with human catalase, wherein the polypeptide is other than full-length Helicobacter catalase.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to personal care compositions and personal care products. More particularly, the disclosure relates to personal care compositions and personal care products that impart perceivable aesthetic benefits of increased softness, quietness and drapability to the skin or hair of a user. To achieve the perceivable aesthetic benefit, a liquid composition containing water, a skin aesthetic agent selected from fatty acids, fatty alcohols, fatty acid derivatives, fatty alcohol derivatives, and/or combinations thereof, an acidifying agent, and an emulsifying agent may be incorporated into the personal care compositions and personal care products.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to personal care compositions and personal care products. More particularly, the disclosure relates to personal care compositions and personal care products that impart perceivable aesthetic benefits of increased softness, quietness and drapability to the skin or hair of a user. To achieve the perceivable aesthetic benefit, a protonated skin aesthetic agent selected from fatty acids, fatty alcohols, fatty acid derivatives, fatty alcohol derivatives, and/or combinations thereof, may be incorporated into the personal care compositions and personal care products. To produce the liquid composition, a deprotonated skin aesthetic agent is first provided. The deprotonated skin aesthetic agent is added to an aqueous liquid solution. The aqueous liquid solution is then acidified with an acidifying agent to protonate the deprotonated skin aesthetic agent. Finally, the aqueous liquid solution is incorporated onto a wipe substrate.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire has at least one carcass reinforcing ply and a pair of opposing bead portions. Each bead portion has a bead core and a bead apex, while the carcass reinforcing ply has a main portion and two turnups, with one turnup extending from each end of the main portion and having a terminal end. In each bead portion, there is a minimum distance DMIN between the carcass main portion and the carcass turnup, as measured perpendicular to the tire equatorial plane EP. The distance DMIN is not less than 50% of the maximum bead core width WB as measured perpendicular to the equatorial plane EP. In each bead portion, radially outward of the minimum distance DMIN, a radially outermost portion of the carcass turnup extends at an angle so the radially outermost portion of the carcass turnup is divergent from the carcass main portion.