Abstract: A tie-down strap tensioner maintains a desired strap tension on cargo when placed on a truck flatbed or sea transport. Tie-down strap tensioners are made of rubbery-type resins that remain compressive in the amount of hand applied pressure on the strap assigned to a given cargo container shape. The tie-down strap tensioner has at least three different embodiments: one is for round or radius corners such barrels, one is for square corners such as boxes, and one is for either or both round and square corners. Each tie-down strap tensioner has an upper surface and a lower surface and the lower surface has extending members that are compressive in amount of tension applied to the strap thus accommodates the shape of the cargo container selected which remains expandable to its original shape.

Abstract: A tie-down strap tensioner maintains a desired strap tension on cargo when placed on a truck flatbed or sea transport. Tie-down strap tensioners are made of rubbery-type resins that remain compressive in the amount of hand applied pressure on the strap assigned to a given cargo container shape. The tie-down strap tensioner has at least three different embodiments: one is for round or radius corners such barrels, one is for square corners such as boxes, and one is for either or both round and square corners. Each tie-down strap tensioner has an upper surface and a lower surface and the lower surface has extending members that are compressive in amount of tension applied to the strap thus accommodates the shape of the cargo container selected which remains expandable to its original shape.

Abstract: The packaging system includes an enclosure having an interior volume. A wafer stack, comprising plural wafers and separators in contact with the wafers, is located in the interior volume. The separators have raised bumps extending from each side. The bumps create spaces that allow air to flow therethrough. The separator film intercepts and captures airborne molecular contaminants belonging to organic and inorganic chemical families. In addition, the film is dissipative to static discharge. Furthermore, the bumps provided by the separators protect the fragile wafers from damage due to mechanical shock. The separators are also provided with a peripheral ring or embossment, which contacts the wafer edges and further protects the wafers from damage to mechanical shock. Air cushions can be provided in the wafer stack, which cushions are provided with bands to regulate the compression.

Abstract: The packaging system includes an enclosure having an interior volume. A wafer stack, comprising plural wafers and separators in contact with the wafers, is located in the interior volume. The separators have raised bumps extending from each side. The bumps create spaces that allow air to flow therethrough. The separator film intercepts and captures airborne molecular contaminants belonging to organic and inorganic chemical families. In addition, the film is dissipative to static discharge. Furthermore, the bumps provided by the separators protect the fragile wafers from damage due to mechanical shock. The separators are also provided with a peripheral ring or embossment, which contacts the wafer edges and further protects the wafers from damage to mechanical shock. Air cushions can be provided in the wafer stack, which cushions are provided with bands to regulate the compression.

Abstract: An inexpensive and disposable dispenser has few parts. The dispenser has a housing with a reservoir of fluid therein. The housing has a valve seat and a valve. The valve is biased in a closed position by resilient spring arms. Each spring arm has a fixed end coupled to the housing and a free end that contacts a rounded or inclined surface of the valve in a location that is offset from a centerline of movement. As the valve moves to an open position, the spring arms flex with the free ends moving apart. When the spring arms straighten and the free ends move closer to each other, the valve is moved to the closed position. The dispenser can be manipulated by a hand or by a massager. A massager imparts vibrations to the valve by way of the housing and the spring arm. The dispenser can be used to work the fluid into an object such as human skin.

Abstract: The packaging system includes an enclosure having an interior volume. A wafer stack, comprising plural wafers and separators in contact with the wafers, is located in the interior volume. The separators have raised bumps extending from each side. The bumps create spaces that allow air to flow therethrough. The separator film intercepts and captures airborne molecular contaminants belonging to organic and inorganic chemical families. In addition, the film is dissipative to static discharge. Furthermore, the bumps provided by the separators protect the fragile wafers from damage due to mechanical shock. The separators are also provided with a peripheral ring or embossment, which contacts the wafer edges and further protects the wafers from damage to mechanical shock. Air cushions can be provided in the wafer stack, which cushions are provided with bands to regulate the compression.

Abstract: A packaging system, hereinafter referred to as the Critical Packaging System, relates to critical issues that associate with sensitive articles such as IC wafers before, during and after shipment phases. The system employs a choice of two or more specialty designed containers, and any one selected design having choices of two or more methods by which to avoid, reduce and/or eliminate wafer damage from breakage, scratches and/or corrosion during shipment phases. For the purpose of maximizing product yield during packaging phases a special apparatus is used to insert wafers within containers without scratch damage. The following programs are used in packaging: (1) Quality Assurance/Certification, (2) Critical Factor Monitoring, and (3) a Recycle and Refurbish Program. These programs are specifically designed to achieve new levels of product yields, reduce product cost, and landfill impact.

Abstract: An IC wafer shipping container has therein a stack of IC wafers. At least one side of each wafer has raised, conductive bump pads. A separator is located between two wafers. The film separators each have a dissipative layer and an insulating layer. The separators are cushioned to protect the wafers from mechanical shock and electrical shock. The separators are cushioned by embossing.

Abstract: A container for integrated circuit wafers provides protection for the wafers from mechanical shock and electrical charges. The wafers are mechanically protected by top and bottom cushions and side cushions. The top and bottom cushions each have foam within a membrane or film enclosure. The enclosure has openings so as to allow gas to pass in and out. The side cushions have resilient projections that protect the edges of the wafers. The side cushions are interposed between flanges of the top and bottom cushions. The individual wafers are separated from each other by leaf separators made of film. The film for the separators and the top and bottom cushions can be the same type. The film has a first layer made of a polymer with dissipative material therein and a second layer made of a polymer without the dissipative material. The first and second layers are coupled together. The insulating layer is placed into contact with a circuit side of the wafer. The dissipative material can be carbon.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and package for packaging contaminant-sensitive articles such as semiconductor wafers on shock absorbers in a sealed rigid plastic enclosure such as a box or the like which may be enclosed within another sealed enclosure wherein the sealed enclosures are each provided with a self-sealing member together with a hollow needle connected to a source of purging gas and a vacuum source for selectively piecing one or more of the self-sealing members to communicate the gas and vacuum sources with a selected one of the enclosures interiors for purging and/or evacuating the enclosures interiors to remove ion contaminants, moisture, oxygen, plastic particles, etc. whereby corrosive activity on the articles is eliminated and the sealed condition of both enclosures is maintained after the contaminants, etc.

Abstract: Sensitive articles, such as IC wafers can be maintained in a contamination-free condition. A base member is provided for supporting one or more of the sensitive articles. A cover is provided for sealing engagement with a base member so as form a sealed unit. The sealed unit has an interior. The sealed unit is positioned at a storage position. A particle-free ionized gas is passed though the interior to bathe the articles supported therein with the gas at the storage position. The sealed unit is moved with the articles to an access position on associated processing equipment. The cover is removed from the base to expose the articles. The exposed articles are bathed continuously at the access position with a particle-free ionized gas. The articles are moved sequentially between the access position and a processing position on the associated processing equipment. The articles are bathed with a particle-free ionized gas during the moving steps.

Abstract: A package for storing contaminant-sensitive articles in a contaminant-free environment featuring a pair of polymeric material circular half-sections having a bottom wall and a side wall.

Abstract: A child-resistant locking device for a flexible bag, pouch or the like having an opening and requiring child-resistant packaging which is to be filled with hazardous articles including a zipper operatively associated with the opening and movable between an open and closed position, the zipper being provided with a pull tab having an opening for actuating the zipper and a releasable lock supported on the bag operatively associated with the pull tab opening for releasably retaining the zipper in the closed position with the lock including elements requiring manual dexterity with both hands at a skill level common to an adult as opposed to a child for release.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining sensitive articles such as IC wafers or the like contaminant-free including a base member having a removable cover defining a sealed unit having an interior in which a plurality of sensitive articles are supported and through which a particle-free ionizing gas from a source on a wheeled table is continuously passed, the sealed unit being movable from a storage position on the table to an access position on associated processing without interruption of the ionized gas flow and at which the cover is removed and the supported articles continuously bathed with a particle-free, ionized gas to permit the articles to be sequentially moved to a fabricating position in the processing equipment and back to the access position while being continuously bathed with a particle-free ionized gas for subsequent assembly of the cover and base member and return of the sealed unit to the storage position.

Abstract: A method for establishing a shelf life for getters is provided. The getter absorbs one or more gasses. One type of getter that can be used is desiccant to absorb moisture. The getter is sealed in a container that is impervious to the gas that is to be absorbed by the getter. The gas impervious container is placed within a gas previous first enclosure, which is positioned in a sealable second enclosure. A gas sensitive article is also located within the sealable enclosure. The sealable enclosure is sealed about the first enclosure and the article. The getter is activated to absorb any gas within the sealed enclosure by rupturing the container through the first and second enclosures. The second container retains the ruptured first container and the exposed getter.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for maintaining articles to be processed clean, having an airtight transportable container with an inlet valve for admitting ionized gas and an outlet valve for venting gas, a purger with an interface to the container inlet valve and a vacuum pick-up and ionized gas spray wand is disclosed. A purger rack for storing multiple containers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A duct reinforcement and a method for building the reinforcement including a special tool for use in a preferred method are disclosed. The duct reinforcement icludes a support washer on each of two opposing sides of the duct to be supported and a stiff wire extending through the sides of the ducts and both washers. The portion of the wire protruding beyond each support washer on the outside of the duct forms a hook with a tip of the wire substantially opposed to the outer face of the respective support washer. A preferred form of the support washer forms a volcano-shaped contour surrounding the washer hole on the outer face so that the tip of the wire makes contact with the washer inside the crest of the volcano-shaped contour. A preferred arrangement includes a rubbery seal between each support washer and the respective side of the duct to prevent leakage from the duct.

Abstract: A duct reinforcement and a method for building the reinforcement including a special tool for use in a preferred method are disclosed. The duct reinforcement includes a support washer on each of two opposing sides of the duct to be supported and a stiff wire extending through the sides of the ducts and both washers. The portion of the wire protruding beyond each support washer on the outside of the duct forms a hook with a tip of the wire substantially opposed to the outer face of the respective support washer. A preferred form of the support washer forms a volcano-shaped contour surrounding the washer hole on the outer face so that the tip of the wire makes contact with the washer inside the crest of the volcano-shaped contour. A preferred arrangement includes a rubbery seal between each support washer and the respective side of the duct to prevent leakage from the duct.

Abstract: A low profile heat sealing iron for use in applying heat activatable tape in areas of very limited access, such as the sealing of periodic joints in air duct is disclosed. The low profile sealing iron requires only a few inches or less of clearance and has a tape guiding means that feeds the tape to the proper location for heat sealing as the iron is slid along the surface of the member on which the tape is being applied. Preferably, the iron has a handle of adjustable length which permits the sealing iron to be used on ducts measuring six to eight feet or more when the handle is extended, but having a handle only about three feet long or less for easy carrying and handling at other times. A method of using the low profile sealing iron to seal joints in air ducts is also disclosed.

Abstract: A socket insertion guide for an encapsulated electronics package having pins oriented to be inserted into socket contacts in substantially a single direction is disclosed. The socket insertion guide includes a pair of longitudinal placement guides and a pair of lateral placement guides. The guides extend beyond the distal ends of the pins and guide the movement of the encapsulated electronics package toward the socket so that the pins are inserted into the socket contacts. The guide also includes a means for orienting the proximal ends of the pins for proper insertion of the distal ends of the pins into the socket contacts.