Abstract: There is provided a flow control element for use with a drinking cup cap having a first mating member in fluid communication with a spout aperture. The flow control element has a first stack and a first valve. The first stack has an upper portion that can be positioned to be removably sealed in or with the cap. The first valve is defined in a sidewall of the first stack and is configured to provide selective fluid communication with the spout aperture.

Abstract: There is provided a flow control element for use with a drinking cup cap having a first mating member in fluid communication with a spout aperture. The flow control element has a first stack and a first valve. The first stack has an upper portion that can be positioned to be removably sealed in or with the cap. The first valve is defined in a sidewall of the first stack and is configured to provide selective fluid communication with the spout aperture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a standardized mechanical interface (SMIF) reticle pod that is configured to provide a controlled environment for supporting a reticle wherein the controlled environment is maintained substantially free of crystal growth causing contaminants. Accordingly, there is provided a layered filter with filter elements capable of filtering particulates and adsorbing gaseous contaminants. The filter has an inwardly facing face generally planar shaped with a surface area that is substantially half or more of the area of the reticle face. The inwardly facing face is placed in close proximity to the reticle patterned surface and has an area that is a significant fraction of the reticle patterned surface area. The SMIF pod is also provided with a purge system configured to inject a very dry gas within the controlled environment to flush the controlled environment of contaminants as well as to regenerate the filter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a standardized mechanical interface (SMIF) reticle pod that is configured to provide a controlled environment for supporting a reticle wherein the controlled environment is maintained substantially free of crystal growth causing contaminants. Accordingly, there is provided a layered filter with filter elements capable of filtering particulates and adsorbing gaseous contaminants. The filter has an inwardly facing face generally planar shaped with a surface area that is substantially half or more of the area of the reticle face. The inwardly facing face is placed in close proximity to the reticle patterned surface and has an area that is a significant fraction of the reticle patterned surface area. The SMIF pod is also provided with a purge system configured to inject a very dry gas within the controlled environment to flush the controlled environment of contaminants as well as to regenerate the filter.

Abstract: There is provided a flow control element for use with a drinking cup cap having a first mating member in fluid communication with a spout aperture. The flow control element has a first stack and a first valve. The first stack has an upper portion that can be positioned to be removably sealed in or with the cap. The first valve is defined in a sidewall of the first stack and is configured to provide selective fluid communication with the spout aperture.

Abstract: A tray for handling and retaining a plurality of small components comprising a rigid body portion with a plurality of pockets formed therein. Each of the pockets has an elastomeric contact surface for contacting and retaining a component. The contact surface may be formed from a thermoplastic material having a surface energy between 20 dyne/cm and 100 dyne/cm, and a surface electrical resistivity of between about 1×104 ohms/square and 1×1012 ohms/square. The material for the contact portion may be urethane, polybutylene terephthalate, polyolefin, polyethylene terephthalate, styrenic block co-polymer, styrene-butadiene rubber, polyether block polyamide, or polypropylene/crosslinked EDPM rubber.

Abstract: There is provided a flow control element for use with a drinking cup cap having a first mating member in fluid communication with a spout aperture. The flow control element has a first stack and a first valve. The first stack has an upper portion that can be positioned to be removably sealed in or with the cap. The first valve is defined in a sidewall of the first stack and is configured to provide selective fluid communication with the spout aperture.

Abstract: A tray for handling and retaining a plurality of small components comprising a rigid body portion with a plurality of pockets formed therein. Each of the pockets has an elastomeric contact surface for contacting and retaining a component. The contact surface may be formed from a thermoplastic material having a surface energy between 20 dyne/cm and 100 dyne/cm, and a surface electrical resistivity of between about 1×104 ohms/square and 1×1012 ohms/square. The material for the contact portion may be urethane, polybutylene terephthalate, polyolefin, polyethylene terephthalate, styrenic block co-polymer, styrene-butadiene rubber, polyether block polyamide, or polypropylene/crosslinked EDPM rubber.