Abstract: An inflatable body comprising an airtight envelope enclosing a core of batting material, having tensile elements extending from upper to lower surface thereof and having the upper and lower surfaces thereof bonded to the envelope.The process of making the body comprises first laying down two sheets of air impervious film with the core positioned therebetween. The tensile elements are bonded to the sheets. Simultaneously or separately from bonding to the core, the edges of the sheets are sealed together and a valve assembly bonded between or inserted in one of the sheets to allow control of the air volume and pressure within the assembly.

Abstract: Methods of fabrication for electronic modules having electrically interconnected side and end surface metallization layers and associated electronic modules are set forth. The methods include providing a stack comprising a plurality of stacked IC chips. A side surface thin-film metallization layer is formed on the stack. Next, an end surface thin-film metallization layer is formed the stack such that the side surface and end surface thin-film metallization layers directly electrically interconnect. Alternatively, each IC chip of a stack may include an end surface metallization layer such that separate formation of an end surface metallization layer on an end surface of the stack is unnecessary. The methods also include forming an electronic module by first providing a long stack of IC chips, testing the chips of the stack, and then segmenting the long stack into multiple small stacks of functional IC chips based upon the test results.

Abstract: Methods of fabrication for electronic modules having electrically interconnected side and end surface metallization layers and associated electronic modules are set forth. The methods include providing a stack comprising a plurality of stacked IC chips. A side surface thin-film metallization layer is formed on the stack. Next, an end surface thin-film metallization layer is formed the stack such that the side surface and end surface thin-film metallization layers directly electrically interconnect. Alternatively, each IC chip of a stack may include an end surface metallization layer such that separate formation of an end surface metallization layer on an end surface of the stack is unnecessary. The methods also include forming an electronic module by first providing a long stack of IC chips, testing the chips of the stack, and then segmenting the long stack into multiple small stacks of functional IC chips based upon the test results.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling thermally massive parts includes directing a chilled gas onto an electrical component travelling on the belt of a continuous furnace. The belt is divided into a series of hot and cold zones to provide thermal stressing to the electrical component to detect early life failure. As the component cools, a constant thermal stress is maintained by either lowering the temperature or increasing the flow rate of the chilled gas.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for spin coating a substrate with a liquid material which prevents the material from contacting the edge or backside of the substrate or forming an edge bead at the periphery of the substrate is disclosed. A spin chuck is equipped with a conformable elastomer which seals the edge of the substrate and forms a continuous surface with a planar surface of the substrate for the liquid material to flow off the substrate unimpeded during the spin coating process. As the elastomer is resilient, small variations in substrate size and shape are automatically compensated. None of the substrate area is lost to masking and/or removal processes as in the prior art, allowing the entire substrate area to be available for further processing.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for safely playing a catching, hitting, or throwing game with an infant or disabled adult. The object to be caught, hit, or thrown is made the base of a pendulum and the object is caught, hit, or thrown near the most elevated position/location of the arc of the pendulum, at which the object comes to rest and where it is therefore easiest to catch, hit, or throw. Means are included to avoid hazards of hanging, strangling, choking, and contusions.

Abstract: A flexible pad is disclosed for supporting a load above an underlying surface. The pad is thermoformed from closed cell material comprising a plurality of closed cells. A substantial portion of the cells are elongated in a direction generally parallel to ribs and velleys formed in the upper and lower surface and lower surfaces of the pad.

Abstract: A two dimensional, surface-emitting array of semiconductor lasers. Lasers disposed on a semiconductor substrate emit light in a direction substantially parallel to the substrate surface into a high index material in which the lasers are embedded. Internal reflectors composed of a low index material, also embedded in the high index material, reflect the laser beams to the surface of the array. The indexes of the low index material and the high index material are chosen so that none of the light enters the internal reflector, and all light is reflected to the laser array surface.

Abstract: A method for causing an open circuit in an electrical conductor is provided, including the steps of: conducting a direct current through the conductor; and applying heat at a selected location on the conductor whereat it is desired to cause the open circuit of the conductor.

Abstract: A two dimensional, surface-emitting array of semiconductor lasers. Lasers disposed on a semiconductor substrate emit light in a direction substantially parallel to the substrate surface into a high index material in which the lasers are embedded. Internal reflectors composed of a low index material, also embedded in the high index material, reflect the laser beams to the surface of the array. The indexes of the low index material and the high index material are chosen so that none of the light enters the internal reflector, and all light is reflected to the laser array surface.

Abstract: A method of making a self-inflating air mattress comprising an open cell foam core enclosed within, and bonded to, upper and lower sheets. Each sheet is made by heat laminating to an outer substantially nonstretching fiber layer an intermediate solid polymer film layer to which is then heat laminated an inner solid polymer film layer having a melting temperature at which the intermediate film layer is structurally stable. The sheets are pressed against the foam core by heated platens, and afterwards cooled. These particular sheets form a reliable bond and alleviate a problem of creating air leaks through the intermediate film layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a metal pattern on a solar cell comprising the steps of forcing a molten metal through an aligned array of orifices by use of gas pressure; vibrating the aligned array of orifices to form the molten metal issuing from the orifices into metal droplets; moving a solar cell collinearly with the aligned array of orifices; and allowing each series of metal droplets from a single orifice to fall onto a specific region of the solar cell to build up a metal layer of increasing thickness, each metal droplet being permitted sufficient time to solidify prior to allowing the next metal droplet to strike the metal layer.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a semiconductor device in a thin film of a monocrystalline semiconductor material supported on the surface of a substrate. In the process a thin film of a monocrystalline semiconductor material is formed on a substrate. The film of monocrystalline semiconductor material is doped at various depths with various types and concentrations of dopants. Thereafter, contacts are established at various depths of the doped thin film. In one embodiment, a thin film of a non-monocrystalline semiconductor material is deposited on a substrate. The thin film of non-monocrystalline semiconductor material is doped in situ as it is being deposited with various doping impurities to provide various types and concentrations of doping impurities at various depths. The thin film of non-monocrystalline semiconductor material has at least one tapered region terminating in a point. The thin film of non-monocrystalline semiconductor material is traversed with a particle beam.

Abstract: Two sheets of an air impermeable plastic coated fabric are placed horizontally, with a core of a resilient open cell foam material positioned between the two sheets. Heated platens are applied to this layup, followed by applying a vacuum to the interior, cooling the assembly, and then moderately pressurizing the then bonded assembly.

Abstract: Two sheets of an air impermeable plastic coated fabric are placed horizontally, with a core of a resilient open cell foam material positioned between the two sheets. Heated platens are applied to this layup, followed by applying a vacuum to the interior, cooling the assembly, and then moderately pressurizing the then bonded assembly.

Abstract: A self-inflating air mattress comprising an airtight flexible jacket enclosing a core of a resilient, open cell, lightweight foam material, substantially the entire upper and lower portions of which are bonded to the envelope. The process of making this mattress comprises first laying down two sheets of an air impermeable plastic coated fabric, with the core positioned between the two sheets. Heated platens are applied to this layup, followed by applying a vacuum to the interior, cooling the assembly, and then moderately pressurizing the then bonded assembly.

Abstract: A windshield wiper imparting hydrophobic properties to a surface over which it moves is prepared from a polymerized silicone elastomer having about 3 to 20 parts per hundred of a dispersed filler selected from silica, mica, molybdenum disulfide, and tetra fluoro ethylene, and about 0.2 to 10 parts per hundred of an additive of dicoco dimethyl ammoniumchloride or an acetate salt of a copolymer with the formula ##EQU1## and X has a total value of from 10 to 400 inclusive. Also disclosed is a method of imparting repellency to a windshield by immersing a wiper in an alcohol solution containing about 50 weight percent of the acetate salt of the copolymer named above.

Abstract: A method of packaging a self-inflating air mattress comprising an open cell foam core and an air impervious envelope. A plurality of mattresses are stacked intermittently between forming boards and evacuated. Each bag is then rolled up and placed in a flexible tubular container and the vacuum released on the mattress to provide a sung package. To remove the mattress, the container and mattress are compressed, the inflating valve closed, and the mattress slipped from the container.