Abstract: The present invention provides a method of joining a mating face of a first through duct to a mating face of a second duct. Specifically, the method includes bonding the first duct mating face to the second duct mating face to form a bonded structure while the ducts are supported in alignment with each other on an alignment member. Once so bonded, the alignment member may be removed from the bonded structure. Advantageously, the method of the present invention provides an approach for accurately joining ducts together such that the joint is clean, accurate, nondistorted, durable, and impermeable to metal ions. Furthermore, the resultant joints are extremely uniform, and are easy and economical to make using simple equipment, thus making the present invention particularly useful in mass production.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for encapsulating an article comprising, for example, a substantially circular turntable (12) having first and second opposed major surfaces (16 & 18), each major surface sharing an outer peripheral sidewall (20). First and second thermoplastic pre-forms (28 & 30) are fitted to sandwich the article and are sealed to encapsulate by rotating a thermoplastic band (32) onto and around the exposed seam (48) while applying pressure (70) and heat (74) to obtain a fused bonded reliable encapsulating joint (72). The method and apparatus presented are particularly well suited for encapsulating metal platens, holders, and internal parts of process equipment used in the semiconductor manufacturing industry to avoid contamination from the encapsulated metal.

Abstract: Feeding trough for a group of animals intended for slaughter and having a size variation within a predetermined range comprises separate food and water compartments positioned at horizontally spaced apart locations within the feeding trough, A front wall is provided over which the animal's head can reach into the compartments. The trough has an access opening above the front wall through which the head of the animal reaches. A hopper is provided for supplying feed to the food compartment to a predetermined depth. The access opening is dimensioned so that only one animal can reach into the compartments at a time, The food and water compartments are positioned within the feeding trough and have shapes configured so that the animal when positioned with its head in the feeding trough can move between the food and water compartments by turning its head laterally without needing to back out of the feeding trough.

Abstract: This invention relates to feeding troughs for animals, particularly pigs. The feeding trough has an elongate trough member (10) subdivided by lateral partitions into individual compartments (11). The width (7) of the compartments (11), the height (3) of a front wall (13) of a trough over which the animal's head extends, and a canopy (15, 16) which restricts the space within the compartment into which the animal's head can reach are all designed ergonomically with respect to a range of animals intended to use the trough. The base of the trough is at floor level (18) and the front wall (13) extends from said floor level (18) to a predetermined minimum brisket height (3) of a predetermined smallest size of pig intended to feed. The trough member has an inner front wall (14) which extends angularly downwards and inwards of the trough to terminate at floor level (18) and an inner rear wall (17) which extends angularly downwards to terminate at a predetermined height above floor level at said mean reach.