Abstract: The disclosure relates to an assembly for storing, dispensing, disposing, and shipping medical products such as sharps or pharmaceuticals. The assembly includes an outer container, an inner container, a unit configured for storing and dispensing unused medical products such as sharps or pharmaceuticals, and for receiving used medical sharps or unused pharmaceuticals. The inner container is adapted to receive the unit, and the outer container is adapted to receive the inner container.

Abstract: Although there are several inventions disclosed herein, the present application is directed to a reactor for electrochemically processing a microelectronic workpiece. The reactor comprises a movable electrode assembly that is disposed for movement along a motion path. The motion path includes at least a portion thereof over which the electrode assembly is positioned for processing at least one surface of the microelectronic workpiece. A cleaning electrode is located along the motion path of the movable electrode assembly. In one embodiment, a programmable controller is connected to direct the movable electrode assembly to move to the cleaning electrode during a cleaning cycle. At that time, the programmable controller connects the movable electrode assembly as an anode and the cleaning electrode as a cathode for cleaning of the movable electrode assembly.

Abstract: End-effectors may be used to grasp microelectronic workpieces for handling by automated transport devices. One such end-effector includes a plurality of end-effectors and a detector adapted to detect engagement of the edge of the workpiece by at least one of the abutments. An alternative end-effector includes at least three abutments, at least one of which is resiliently connected to an actuator for movement between a retracted position and a deployed position wherein it engages a workpiece.

Abstract: End-effectors and associated control and guidance systems and methods are disclosed. A transfer device in one embodiment includes a base unit, an arm carried by the base unit and movable relative to the base unit, and an end-effector carried by the arm and rotatable relative to the arm. The end-effector includes two grippers, at least one being movable toward and away from the other between a grip position and a release position. A transmission is coupled between a motor and the movable gripper to receive an input force from the motor and apply an output force to the gripper that increases as the gripper moves to the grip position.

Abstract: A sharps container for only one medical pen needle is configured with an elongated, hollow shield having an axially extending recess at a first end thereof. The recess is sized to receive the outer diameter of a pen needle hub. A cover member, sized for closing off the first end of the shield, is connected to the shield by means facilitating movement of the cover member between (i) a first position adjacent to a side of the shield and (ii) a second position abutting the first end of the shield. Locking means may be used for locking the cover member in the second position. The container has dual utilizations, first as a container for only one used medical pen needle and alternatively as a container for only one unused medical pen needle.

Abstract: A sharps container for pen needle assemblies includes an open top-type receptacle, a cover and a manually movable means. The manually movable means is rotatably positioned on the cover and has portions collectively forming a cup-like means for receiving a used pen needle assembly when the manually movable means is in an open position. When the manually movable means is in a closed position, the used pen needle assembly is transferred by gravity to the bottom of the receptacle.

Abstract: A sharps container for safe storage of used pen needles comprises a housing within which is rotatably mounted a used pen needle receiving and ejecting means. Used pen needles are inserted into the receiving means. The receiving and ejecting means is rotated; during the rotation, cam follower means connected to the ejecting means engages cam means within the housing to cause the ejection of the used pen needle into the housing.

Abstract: A sharps container for (i) safe transportation and dispensing of a large number of unused pen needle assemblies, and (ii) safe storage of used pen needle assemblies. The unused pen needle assemblies may be connected to a flexible tape and are removed from a storage receptacle via an exit opening in the receptacle.

Abstract: UV curable adhesives are provided that comprise epoxidized monohydroxylated polydiene polymers, hydrogenated hydroxylated polydiene polymers, and selectively hydrogenated starblock copolymers. The adhesive formulations provide both excellent room temperature properties of tack and peel and excellent holding power at temperatures as high as 95° C.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing dimming control of an electronic ballast circuit that includes a electronic ballast circuit that is electrically connected to a plurality of input voltage terminals that can receive alternating current and the electronic ballast circuit is electrically connected to the plurality of fluorescent lamp terminals. There is at least one light sensor that is electrically connected to the electronic ballast circuit so that the electrical power applied at the plurality of fluorescent lamp terminals can be proportionally modified in relationship to the ambient light received by the at least one light sensor. Also, there is a plurality of switches that are electrically connected in one-to-one corresponding relationship to a plurality of resistive loads so that the electrical power applied at the plurality of fluorescent lamp terminals can be set at a plurality of predetermined lighting levels.

Abstract: The application provides airbag cushion deployment restraint systems for use in inflatable airbag cushions. The deployment restraint systems of the invention regulate deployment of an airbag cushion to provide full radial expansion of the cushion prior to final expansion of the cushion toward a vehicle occupant. The deployment restraint systems of the invention thus increase the amount of contact surface area available to a vehicle occupant early in deployment and decrease the force with which the cushion is expanded toward a vehicle occupant during a collision event, thus reducing the likelihood of injury to an out-of-position vehicle occupant.

Abstract: An integrated tool and automatic calibration systems that enable wet chemical processing chambers, lift-rotate units and other hardware to be quickly interchanged without having to recalibrate the transport system or other components to the replacement items. These tools are expected to reduce the down time associated with repairing or maintaining processing chambers and/or lift-rotate units so that the tools can maintain a high throughput. Several aspects of these tools are particularly useful for applications that have stringent performance requirements because components are more likely to require maintenance more frequently, and reducing the down time associated with maintaining such components will significantly enhance the integrated tool.

Abstract: An integrated tool and automatic calibration systems that enable wet chemical processing chambers, lift-rotate units and other hardware to be quickly interchanged without having to recalibrate the transport system or other components to the replacement items. These tools are expected to reduce the down time associated with repairing or maintaining processing chambers and/or lift-rotate units so that the tools can maintain a high throughput. Several aspects of these tools are particularly useful for applications that have stringent performance requirements because components are more likely to require maintenance more frequently, and reducing the down time associated with maintaining such components will significantly enhance the integrated tool.

Abstract: Paddles and enclosures for processing microfeature workpieces are disclosed. A paddle device having multiple paddles is positioned in an enclosure to reciprocate back and forth along a generally linear path. The clearances between the paddles, the workpiece and the walls of the chamber are relatively small to increase the flow agitation at the surface of the workpiece and enhance the mass transfer process occurring there. The paddles are shaped to reduce or eliminate electrical shadowing effects created at the surface of the workpiece during electrochemical processing. Paddles on the same paddle device may have different shapes to reduce the likelihood for creating three-dimensional effects in the flow field proximate to the surface of the workpiece. The reciprocation stroke of the paddles may shift to further reduce shadowing.

Abstract: Reactors having multiple electrodes and/or enclosed reciprocating paddles are disclosed. The reactor can include multiple electrodes spaced apart from a process location to provide virtual electrodes proximate to the process location for transferring material to or from the workpiece. A magnet may be positioned proximate to the process plane to orient magnetically sensitive material deposited on the workpiece. The electrodes may be removable from the reactor without passing them through the magnet to reduce interference between the electrodes and the magnet. The workpiece may be carried by a rotatable workpiece support to orient the workpiece for processing. At least one of the electrodes can operate as a current thief to reduce terminal effects at the periphery of the workpiece.

Abstract: Although there are several inventions disclosed herein, the present application is directed to a reactor for electrochemically processing a microelectronic workpiece. The reactor comprises a movable electrode assembly that is disposed for movement along a motion path. The motion path includes at least a portion thereof over which the electrode assembly is positioned for processing at least one surface of the microelectronic workpiece. A cleaning electrode is located along the motion path of the movable electrode assembly. In one embodiment, a programmable controller is connected to direct the movable electrode assembly to move to the cleaning electrode during a cleaning cycle. At that time, the programmable controller connects the movable electrode assembly as an anode and the cleaning electrode as a cathode for cleaning of the movable electrode assembly.

Abstract: Although there are several inventions disclosed herein, the present application is directed to a reactor for electrochemically processing a microelectronic workpiece. The reactor comprises a movable electrode assembly that is disposed for movement along a motion path. The motion path includes at least a portion thereof over which the electrode assembly is positioned for processing at least one surface of the microelectronic workpiece. A cleaning electrode is located along the motion path of the movable electrode assembly. In one embodiment, a programmable controller is connected to direct the movable electrode assembly to move to the cleaning electrode during a cleaning cycle. At that time, the programmable controller connects the movable electrode assembly as an anode and the cleaning electrode as a cathode for cleaning of the movable electrode assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods for identifying and characterizing compounds that modulate the activity of an LPA receptor.

Abstract: Although there are several inventions disclosed herein, the present application is directed to a reactor for electrochemically processing a microelectronic workpiece. The reactor comprises a movable electrode assembly that is disposed for movement along a motion path. The motion path includes at least a portion thereof over which the electrode assembly is positioned for processing at least one surface of the microelectronic workpiece. A cleaning electrode is located along the motion path of the movable electrode assembly. In one embodiment, a programmable controller is connected to direct the movable electrode assembly to move to the cleaning electrode during a cleaning cycle. At that time, the programmable controller connects the movable electrode assembly as an anode and the cleaning electrode as a cathode for cleaning of the movable electrode assembly.