Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for blending or infusing tea. The device has a shaft having an elongated portion, a loose tea compartment and a tea bag compartment. The loose tea compartment is positioned at a point along the elongated portion of the shaft, and includes a housing that has at least one surface with a plurality of perforations, and a reclosable door. The tea bag compartment is also positioned at a point along the elongated portion of the shaft, and embodies a housing that has a reclosable door, a retainer to hold one or more tea bags in place, and an opening. The present invention further includes systems and methods that utilize the device.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid atomizing spray gun of the general type that produce single, finite bursts of gas/liquid mixture which overcomes disadvantages of prior designs in that it does not depend for pressurizing and propelling gas on the squeezing of a trigger while aiming the device throughout the spraying stroke and in which a gas compressing piston is not driven by or otherwise directly mechanically linked to a trigger. These and other objectives are achieved in part by providing a spray gun with a chamber containing a gas tight piston that is reciprocable within the chamber, but wherein the piston is not reciprocated by the trigger. Instead, the piston is independently drawn to a rearward position for drawing gas into the chamber through a one way gas intake valve by the creation of a partial vacuum within the chamber. The piston is then released and biased forward to compress the gas within the chamber.

Abstract: A rapid thermal processor for heat treating and cooling semiconductor material in an elongated process chamber having a base, side and top walls which enclose a heater plate assembly through which thin pins longitudinally move to carry workpieces vertically to and from the heater assembly. A cooling shutter is adapted in the chamber to shield the workpiece from the heater plate when the cooling process takes place. The chamber has gaseous ambient control means which regulates the type of atmosphere or vacuum in the chamber during heat processing of the workpieces.

Abstract: A rapid thermal processor for heat treating and cooling semiconductor material is an elongated process chamber having a base, side and top walls which enclose a heater plate assembly through which thin pins longitudinally move to carry workpieces vertically to and from the heater assembly. A cooling shutter is adapted in the chamber to shield the workpiece from the heater plate when the cooling process takes place. The chamber has gaseous ambient control means which regulates the type of atmosphere or vacuum in the chamber during heat processing of the workpiece.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning articles in volatile solvent is provided wherein the article to be cleaned is situated in a solvent collector with siphon tube attached above a reservoir of solvent and below a water-cooled vapor condenser, the solvent being heated to boiling to generate solvent vapors to bathe the article in solvent vapors and condensate which forms on the condenser and drips into the collector below to wash impurities from the article, the condensed solvent also boiling and rising in the collector until the siphon height is reached, whereupon solvent and impurities siphon from the collector and the cleaning cycle recommences.