Abstract: A simple but effective concept of using nylon, polypropylene or other flexible filament 2 as brush to create ring seals for pneumatic transfer carriers, thus affecting a virtually air tight seal 6 as well as superior durability due to the low coefficient of friction between the plastic brush filament and the conduit 7 through which it passes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laser cutting a target material is disclosed. The method includes the steps of generating laser pulses from a laser system and applying the laser pulses to the target material so that the laser pulses cut through the material. The laser pulses have an approximately ellipse shaped spot, have a temporal pulse width shorter than about 100 nanoseconds, and have an energy density from about 2 to about 20 times the ablation threshold energy of the target material. The laser pulses are applied to the material such that the major axis of the ellipse shaped spot moves parallel to the cutting direction. The spot has a leading edge and a trailing edge on the major axis, and the energy density of each laser pulse increases from zero to a maximum along the leading edge and decreases back to zero along the trailing edge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laser cutting a target material is disclosed. The method includes the steps of generating laser pulses from a laser system and applying the laser pulses to the target material so that the laser pulses cut through the material. The laser pulses have an approximately ellipse shaped spot, have a temporal pulse width shorter than about 100 nanoseconds, and have an energy density from about 2 to about 20 times the ablation threshold energy of the target material. The laser pulses are applied to the material such that the major axis of the ellipse shaped spot moves parallel to the cutting direction. The spot has a leading edge and a trailing edge on the major axis, and the energy density of each laser pulse increases from zero to a maximum along the leading edge and decreases back to zero along the trailing edge.

Abstract: The present invention concerns animal kennels or crates that provide a means for housing, containing and training animals, and in particular, domesticated house pets such as dogs and cats. The crate is collapsible so that it can be disassembled and transported in a convenient fashion. The crate is comprised of side panels, end panels and a top panel that define the boundaries of the crate. These panels are secured together through the use of edge pieces that are strong enough to maintain the integrity of the crate when placed under the stresses associated with an animal trying to escape, while also being flexible enough to provide for an easy means of assembling and disassembling the crate. Corner caps are placed on the corners of the crate and a removable base can be clipped to the crate. The edge pieces and corner cap also provides the crate with an aesthetically appealing appearance that reduces the perception of crates being cruel to the animal.

Abstract: A computer-based system for designing and using three-dimensional environments over a bandwidth limited network such as the Internet. The system allows an environment to be specified as a series of two-dimensional grids of text characters. Each character occupies a single grid position and represents an object in the environment. Objects can be given characteristics such as texture maps, and associated images and sounds that are triggered by events such as a user approaching the object. An object or image can be a hyperlink so that, when clicked or moved upon, the user is transported to a new location. A basic set of objects and media (images and sounds) is provided so that a designer of an environment does not have to perform low-level three-dimensional modeling. Objects can behave differently when placed near one another. For example, walls fuse together to provide a longer wall.

Abstract: An improved high average power, high brightness laser system. The laser system comprises an XeCI excimer amplifier, an XeCI excimer preamplifier, a means for generating a picosecond seed pulse tailored for the XeCI preamplifier and the XeCI amplifier and a means for focusing the output pulse laser beam onto a spot smaller in area than 100.times.10.sup.-6 cm.sup.2. We first produce a seed laser beam consisting of a series of bunches of short duration pulses with a bunch frequency in excess of 100 pulses per second. These seed laser pulses are produced by a Nd:YAG pumped dye laser oscillator with a cavity dumper. The pulses in the beam are preamplified in a multipass preamplifier and the pulses are then multiplexed in a pulse train generator into a larger number of lower power pulses.

Abstract: A transparent chuck is used to force a semiconductor wafer to take a prescribed shape. Any gap which is formed between the chuck and the wafer can be imaged through the transparent chuck. An interferometer is used to illuminate the gap with a narrow band illumination to create interference fringes in the gap. The fringes can be electronically imaged to create a digital input to a computer. Merit functions corresponding to the total volume of fringes in the gap or to the summation of nearest neighbor slopes of such fringes provide a measure of the thickness of such gap.

Abstract: An electric connector has a male connector housing and a female connector housing. The male connector housing is provided with slits substantially parallel with the engagement direction and cam plates respectively rotatable in the slits and integrally connected by a connecting member having a handle portion. The female connector housing is provided with an insertion guide wall extended from the bottom wall toward the mating face of the male connector housing, and vertical members erected at positions at the edge of the insertion guide wall corresponding to the slits. The small force to rotate the cam through a predetermined angle is converted into the pressure of the cam on the vertical members, and the male connector housing is pushed to the regular engagement position by reaction against the pressure.

Abstract: The atmospheric pressure actuated alarm of the present invention comprises a pressure transducer which senses the atmospheric pressure and produces an electrical transducer signal in response thereto. A difference amplifier is connected to the pressure transducer for measuring the transducer signal and for producing an output signal whenever the transducer signal is of a magnitude outside a predetermined range. An operational amplifier is connected to the difference amplifier for amplifying the transducer signal. A latch is connected to the operational amplifier for receiving the amplified signal. A signal alarm and a power source are connected in series with the latch. The latch is changeable from an open condition to a closed condition in response to the amplified signal being greater than a predetermined magnitude. When the latch moves to the closed condition, it connects the power source to the alarm signal and causes actuation of the alarm signal.

Abstract: A dispensing head having a plurality of prong-like nozzles is useful for impregnating meat with tenderizing and flavoring liquids. It may be fitted onto a pressure dispenser of the conventional type containing a bag to hold the liquid, a gas pressure space thereabout, and a reciprocable dispensing valve. The head so utilized has an inlet leading to a flushable chamber communicating to several prong-liked nozzles which project on parallel axes from a meat pressing surface, preferably having a rim. Pressing this surface so spreads the meat against the sides of the nozzles as to seal them against the escape of liquid dispensed under superatmospheric pressure, thus forcing it to impregnate the meat. The dispensing head is readily flushed; and provisions are made for re-mounting on the valve stem without discharging the contents of the container.

Abstract: A dispenser head having a plurality of prong-like nozzles is useful for impregnating meat with tenderizing and flavoring liquids, and similar purposes. It may be fitted to a conventional pressurized dispenser of the type having a tubular stem. Preferably constructed in two parts, the lower or manifold part has a bottom inlet; the upper or outlet part has a number of prong-like nozzles on parallel axes; and interfitting portions provide sealed passages to distribute the dispensed liquid to the nozzles.