Abstract: A disc handling mechanism is disclosed that transfers a disc between a multi-disc storage rack and a cartridge-type disc player. The disc handling mechanism includes a dedicated cartridge that moves between the storage rack and the disc player, plus mechanisms for transferring the disc between the storage rack and the cartridge. The invention includes a cartridge transfer mechanism for moving the cartridge between a first position adjacent the storage rack and a second position adjacent the player, disc feed mechanism for transferring a disc from the storage rack to the cartridge, and disc extraction mechanism for transferring the disc from the cartridge to the storage rack.

Abstract: An automatic disc changer apparatus operable for selecting and loading any one of a plurality of data discs onto multiple disc players or other data input/output device is disclosed. The disc changer apparatus includes a disc storage rack that stores the discs in a toroidal arrangement, a disc selecting mechanism for selecting a disc for loading onto the data input/output device, a plurality of disc players, and a plurality of disc handling mechanisms, each associated with a disc player, for transferring a selected disc from the disc storage rack to the disc player.

Abstract: An automatic disc changer apparatus operable for selecting and loading any one of a plurality of digital data discs onto the spindle of a disc player or other data input/output device is disclosed. The disc changer apparatus includes a disc storage rack that stores the discs in a toroidal arrangement surrounding the disc player, a disc selecting mechanism for selecting a disc for loading onto the data input/output device, a disc staging mechanism for transferring the selected disc from the disc storage rack to a position adjacent to the data input/output device, and a spindle loading mechanism for loading the selected disc onto the spindle of the data input/ouput device.

Abstract: A voltammetric cell, particularly for the determination of trace elements in a liquid, such as water, comprises a cover in which the measuring electrode and a reference electrode are mounted and which sealingly engages the cell vessel so that the contents of the latter will be sealed from contamination by the environment during the measuring process. The exchangeable measuring electrode has an analysis cup or crucible within the vessel into which the electrode can be inserted the bottom of the vessel having a configuration complementary to the external configuration of the replaceable crucible or cup. The cup may have a downwardly tapering frustoconical configuration and the base of the vessel can have a corresponding downwardly tapering recess accommodating at least the bottom of the cup.

Abstract: A voltammetric cell, particularly for the determination of trace elements in a liquid, such as water, comprises a cover in which the measuring electrode and a reference electrode are mounted and which sealingly engages the cell vessel so that the contents of the latter will be sealed from contamination by the environment during the measuring process. The exchangeable meauring electrode has an analysis cup or crucible within the vessel into which the electrode can be inserted, the bottom of the vessel having a configuration complementary to the external configuration of the replaceable crucible or cup. The cup may have a downwardly tapering frustoconical configuration and the base of the vessel can have a corresponding downwardly tapering recess accommodating at least the bottom of the cup.

Abstract: A positive displacement flow through fluid pump especially useful for dispensing exact volumes of photoresist on a silicon wafer uses a bellows for the main pumping component. The bellows is capped at both ends and they include slugs which extend into the interior of the bellows to minimize the static volume. In addition, internal porting is provided in the slugs to effectively wash or purge the convolutions of the bellows which results in continuous cleaning.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and method for automatically withdrawing silicon wafers or like articles from a supply magazine, transporting the same on a fluid bearing to a station where such articles are pre-aligned in sequence prior to treatment thereof at an adjacent mask aligner or like mechanism, and automatically discharging the articles following such treatment thereof onto another fluid bearing for transportation thereof into a discharge magazine. Improved sensor means is provided in conjunction with the supply magazine and discharge magazine for automatically indexing such magazines to feed and receive wafers in sequence moving relative thereto.