Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for managing the retention of information assets. In some embodiments, a system comprising an abstraction (e.g., provided as metadata) of the information assets stored in various information stores enables a user to manage the retention of the information assets. The system may, for example, provide screen interfaces which allow the user to define one or more information stores, one or more record classes into which the information assets should be categorized, and one or more schedules defining the retention of those assets. The user may execute queries to determine which information stores hold assets satisfying certain criteria.

Abstract: Material-recovery apparatus for obtaining usable, uniformly-dimensioned blanks from scrap. Apparatus is small, and economical in manufacture and operation, using only a single lifting jack and vertical support unit to support the tool-and-feed-roller housing. Feed-roller tensioning units for exerting downward force on rollers have a spring-biased bell-crank mechanism.

Abstract: A crystal pulling apparatus is disclosed which employs the Czochralski method. The crystal pulling apparatus is operated while a containing a crucible of molten material, while maintaining the growing chamber under a controlled pressure of less than atmospheric. In the event of a vacuum pump unexpectedly ceasing operation, power to the heater is terminated, thus allowing the molten material to solidify. In such an event, a second vacuum pump can readily be attached to the growing chamber thus restoring pressure control, and allowing power to the heater to be restored.

Abstract: A high pressure gas cleaning purge cleaning silicon oxide dust deposits from inside a dry vacuum pump while installed on a crystal grower. The high pressure gas cleaning purge is performed before or after each crystal is grown. The high pressure gas flow is injected into the inlet of the dry vacuum pump and repeatedly turned on and off to create differing turbulent flow patterns within the pump. The differing turbulent flow patterns effectively remove substantial quantities of the silicon oxide dust deposited in the pump during crystal growing.

Abstract: A high pressure gas cleaning purge cleans silicon oxide dust deposits from inside a dry vacuum pump while installed on a crystal grower. The high pressure gas cleaning purge is performed before or after each crystal is grown. The high pressure gas flow is injected into the inlet of the dry vacuum pump and repeatedly turned on and off to create differing turbulent flow patterns within the pump. The differing turbulent flow patterns effectively remove substantial quantities of the silicon oxide dust deposited in the pump during crystal growing.

Abstract: An apparatus for weighing single crystals during Czochralski crystal growing processes includes a pivotal elongated member such as a beam, a contact element and a load sensor. The load sensor can be mounted to at least one of the elongated member and a support surface of a crystal growing vessel. The beam is attached to a lift for pulling single crystals from a melt. During crystal growing, the weight of the grown crystal causes increased loading along the elongated member such that the contact element exerts an increasing force on the load sensor. The contact element and load sensor have respective contact surfaces which are shaped such that the force exerted on the load sensor corresponds substantially to the weight of grown single crystal. Typically, at least one of the contact surfaces is a rolling surface.

Abstract: Improved method for demineralizing a sugar-containing solution using an ion exchange resin in bead form wherein the volume average bead diameter is from 400 to 700 .mu.m and the bead diameter distribution is such that at least 80 volume percent of the beads have diameters which fall within a range of .+-.15 percent of the volume average diameter of the resin used.

Abstract: A process for decolorizing an aqueous sugar solution by contacting the solution with an absorbent resin, wherein the adsorbent resin is a macroporous copolymer being post-crosslinked in a swollen state in the presence of a Friedel-Crafts catalyst and functionalized with hydrophilic groups prior to contact with the aqueous sugar solution.