Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method to generate optimally sized microbubbles and/or nanobubbles of hydrogen gas, oxygen gas and/or oxyhydrogen gas according electrolysis cell parameters and voltage and/or size and/or volume of water in a water reservoir or from a flow of water. In a water reservoir a control unit is operable to control water pump means to pump water at a predetermined velocity through the electrolysis cell according to the parameters of the electrolysis cell to control the average size of the nanobubbles and/or microbubbles generated, and the water flow at the predetermined velocity shears the generated nanobubbles and/or microbubbles from the electrodes into the water flow and through the water outlet of the apparatus.

Abstract: Hoist systems are provided. In one embodiment, a hoist system includes a lower platform, an upper platform, a plurality of flexible members, and a plurality of hoists. The upper platform has a plurality of rotatable support arms. The flexible members connect the rotatable support arms to the lower platform and can be extended and retracted using the plurality of hoists. If desired, the upper platform includes a plurality adjustable length support arms, and actuators may be used to extend and retract the support arms.

Abstract: Hoist systems are provided. In one embodiment, a hoist system includes a lower platform, an upper platform, a plurality of flexible members, and a plurality of hoists. The upper platform has a plurality of rotatable support arms. The flexible members connect the rotatable support arms to the lower platform and can be extended and retracted using the plurality of hoists. If desired, the upper platform includes a plurality adjustable length support arms, and actuators may be used to extend and retract the support arms.

Abstract: A programming scheme and method of programming a non-volatile memory device for multilevel operation. The scheme includes defining two or more memory states, where at least one of the memory states is programmed with a positive polarity electrical pulse and at least one of the memory states is programmed with a negative polarity electrical pulse. The method includes programming with two or more pulses, where at least one pulse has positive polarity and one pulse has negative polarity. The non-volatile memory material may be a phase-change material and the two or more memory states may be distinguishable on the basis of electrical resistance.

Abstract: An induction heating system for the manufacturing of optical memory microstructure, wherein the thermal cycle allows the process web to be rapidly heated to the relaxation and re-flow temperature, followed by cooling to the optimum separation temperature in under 10 seconds total process time. The rapid response heating system of the present invention may be achieved through the use of one or rotating asymmetrical induction heating coils which are embedded in the platen(s) of the embossing device.

Abstract: An induction heating system for the manufacturing of optical memory microstructure, wherein the thermal cycle allows the process web to be rapidly heated to the relaxation and re-flow temperature, followed by cooling to the optimum separation temperature in under 10 seconds total process time. The rapid response heating system of the present invention may be achieved through the use of one or rotating asymmetrical induction heating coils which are embedded in the platen(s) of the embossing device.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming microstructures in the surface of polymeric web materials for use as optical memory substrates. The microstructures may be formed by laminating a hot stamper to a web of material with a selective time/temperature profile. The stamper may be heated to melt flow the surface of the web and stabilize before separation. The stamper may be carried by a support that is independent of the press. The web of polymeric material may be provided with a flow enhancer to improve image formation. Also described herein are methods and apparatus for making optical memory modules, such as disks, which include novel stampers, coating applicators, and finishing systems.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming microstructures in the surface of polymeric web materials for use as optical memory substrates. The microstructures may be formed by laminating a hot stamper to a web of material with a selective time/temperature profile. The stamper may be heated to melt flow the surface of the web and stabilize before separation. The stamper may be carried by a support that is independent of the press. The web of polymeric material may be provided with a flow enhancer to improve image formation. Also described herein are methods and apparatus for making optical memory modules, such as disks, which include novel stampers, coating applicators, and finishing systems.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming microstructures in the surface of polymeric web materials for use as optical memory substrates. The microstructures may be formed by laminating a hot stamper to a web of material with a selective time/temperature profile. The stamper may be heated to melt flow the surface of the web and stabilize before separation. The stamper may be carried by a support that is independent of the press. The web of polymeric material may be provided with a flow enhancer to improve image formation. Also described herein are methods and apparatus for making optical memory modules, such as disks, which include novel stampers, coating applicators, and finishing systems.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming microstructures in the surface of polymeric web materials for use as optical memory substrates. The microstructures may be formed by laminating a hot stamper to a web of material with a selective time/temperature profile. The stamper may be heated to melt flow the surface of the web and stabilize before separation. The stamper may be carried by a support that is independent of the press. The web of polymeric material may be provided with a flow enhancer to improve image formation. Also described herein are methods and apparatus for making optical memory modules, such as disks, which include novel stampers, coating applicators, and finishing systems.

Abstract: The present invention discloses processes for an embossing thin films that uniformly anneals the full cross section of a web of polymeric material, stabilizes the hot web while the web cools, bonds/laminates the embossed area of the web to a carrier and allows a cycle time of 10 seconds or less, preferably 3 seconds or less. Embodiments of the process incorporates a thermal embossing process to bond/laminate the polymeric web to the carrier concurrent with the embossing of the polymeric web and transfers the hot embossed web from the embossing, which allows an unembossed area of web to enter the embossing zone. This process is applicable to continuous roll-to-roll as well as intermittent motion platen embossing configurations and may be used to replicate information and/or track structure for an optical memory disk on one surface of the web. Embodiments of the present invention are particularly useful for embossing thin webs having a thickness of 600 ?m or less, preferably 125 ?m or less.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming microstructures in the surface of polymeric web materials for use as optical memory substrates. The microstructures may be formed by laminating a hot stamper to a web of material with a selective time/temperature profile. The stamper may be heated to melt flow the surface of the web and stabilize before separation. The stamper may be carried by a support that is independent of the press. The web of polymeric material may be provided with a flow enhancer to improve image formation. Also described herein are methods and apparatus for making optical memory modules, such as disks, which include novel stampers, coating applicators, and finishing systems.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming microstructures in the surface of polymeric web materials for use as optical memory substrates. The microstructures may be formed by laminating a hot stamper to a web of material with a selective time/temperature profile. The stamper may be heated to melt flow the surface of the web and stabilize before separation. The stamper may be carried by a support that is independent of the press. The web of polymeric material may be provided with a flow enhancer to improve image formation. Also described herein are methods and apparatus for making optical memory modules, such as disks, which include novel stampers, coating applicators, and finishing systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the continuous manufacturing of optical memory or optical memory substrates, and/or optical disks, which includes supplying a web of material to a substrate forming apparatus, embossing a microform image onto a polymeric film, such as an information track structure for an optical device, onto one or both sides of the web with a flat stamper and punching a hole through the web during the embossing. During the embossing, the polymeric material is heated to above the glass transition temperature (Tg). A flat stamper limits the potential for warp in the web, particularly when the web is stabilized in the stamp zone. The disclosed invention is particularly useful in the production of optical disk substrates, such as polycarbonate, having a thickness of 0.6 mm or less.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the continuous manufacturing of optical memory or optical memory substrates, and/or optical disks, which includes supplying a web of polymeric material between two mating platens, melt-forming at least one microform image, such as an information track structure for an optical device, into the web with a substantially flat stamper, heating a substantial portion of the melt formed cross section of the web of polymeric material to the melt flow temperature (Tf) of the polymeric material. The invention discloses several embodiments for melt-forming an information structure and depositing several layers onto information structure to produce an optical memory device.

Abstract: A children's kit for illuminative decoration of the exterior shell (17) of a pumpkin, without requiring a carving knife. The kit (10) consists of packaging (12), light pegs (60), a pattern sheet (30), a tool (100), and light (25). The light pegs (60) are a light transmissive material that can be colored and have a length at least equal to the pumpkin shell thickness. Each light peg (60) has a first end (66) that is convergent to pierce the exterior shell wall (17) and is operative to collect light, a shaft portion (68) to transmit light to a second end with an enlarged peg head (62). The enlarged peg head (62) protrudes above the shell surface and is operative to disperse light. The pattern (30) locates the light pegs (60) on the pumpkin shell (15), with the tool (100) used to drive the light pegs (60) through the pumpkin shell. The light (25) is placed inside the open interior of the pumpkin (14) to illuminate the light pegs (60).

Abstract: A children's kit for illuminative decoration of the exterior shell of a pumpkin, without requiring a carving knife. The kit 10 consists of packaging 12, light pegs 60, a pattern sheet 30, a tool 100, and light 25. The light pegs 60 are a light transmissive material that can be colored and have a length at least equal to the pumpkin shell thickness. Each light peg 60 has a first end that is convergent to pierce the exterior shell wall and is operative to collect light, a shaft portion to transmit light to a second end with an enlarged peg head. The enlarged peg head protrudes above the shell surface and is operative to disperse light. The pattern 30 locates the light pegs 60 on the pumpkin shell, with the tool 100 used to drive the light pegs 60 through the pumpkin shell. The light 25 is placed inside the open interior of the pumpkin to illuminate the light pegs 60.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming microstructures in the surface of polymeric web materials for use as optical memory substrates. The microstructures may be formed by laminating a hot stamper to a web of material with a selective time/temperature profile. The stamper may be heated to melt flow the surface of the web and stabilize before separation. The stamper may be carried by a support that is independent of the press. The web of polymeric material may be provided with a flow enhancer to improve image formation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for trimming dye coated on a recordable disc substrate during production of an optical memory disc which includes a substrate rotation assembly for rotating the disc substrate, an optic assembly for directing a laser beam directly upon the rotatable substrate to trim the dye coated thereon, and a process byproduct removing assembly for removing the trimmed byproducts from the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for trimming dye coated on a recordable disc substrate during production of an optical memory disc which includes a substrate rotation assembly for rotating the disc substrate, an optic assembly for directing a laser beam directly upon the rotatable substrate to trim the dye coated thereon, and a process byproduct removing assembly for removing the trimmed byproducts from the substrate.