Abstract: Various implementations include a slide fastener that has a blocking element on one stringer that prevents engagement compatibility with standard elements on the other stringer. For example, at least one blocking element is coupled to a first stringer, and first and second blocking coupling elements are coupled to a second stringer. The contour of the blocking element and the contour of the blocking coupling elements are different from the contour of the standard elements on the stringers such that the standard elements do not engage with the blocking element or the blocking coupling elements in an alternating arrangement. However, the contour of the blocking element and contour of the blocking coupling elements allow for the engagement of the blocking element with the blocking coupling elements in an alternating arrangement.

Abstract: Various implementations include a slide fastener that has a blocking element on one stringer that prevents engagement compatibility with standard elements on the other stringer. For example, at least one blocking element is coupled to a first stringer, and first and second blocking coupling elements are coupled to a second stringer. The contour of the blocking element and the contour of the blocking coupling elements are different from the contour of the standard elements on the stringers such that the standard elements do not engage with the blocking element or the blocking coupling elements in an alternating arrangement. However, the contour of the blocking element and contour of the blocking coupling elements allow for the engagement of the blocking element with the blocking coupling elements in an alternating arrangement.

Abstract: Open-ended slide fastener assemblies with improved operability. In some examples, the slide fastener assemblies are watertight and/or airtight. The slide fastener assemblies include one or more sliders and box and pin mechanisms integrated with the slide fastener. The pin mechanism need not be inserted into the box at the same time it is inserted into the slider, permitting the slide fastener to be operated even when it is not visible or easily accessible.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a polisher configured to polish a substrate using a polishing liquid, a first cleaner configured to clean the substrate polished by the polisher using sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide water, a second cleaner configured to clean the substrate cleaned by the first cleaner using a basic chemical liquid and hydrogen peroxide water, and a drier configured to dry the substrate cleaned by the second cleaner.

Abstract: Various implementations include a slide fastener with head to head sliders that prevents the sliders from moving apart from each other unintentionally and prevents liquid from flowing through the slide fastener. The slide fastener includes first and second sliders that are slidably coupled to a pair of interlocking stringers. The slide fastener also includes slider covers that are each coupled to a respective slider. The slider covers engage each other when the sliders are pulled together. In some implementations, the engagement of the slider covers prevents unintentional separation and/or prevents liquid from flowing out of or into a cavity defined by an inner side of the slider covers that extends around facing front faces of the sliders on one side of the interlocking stringers.

Abstract: A fastening device includes a first tape portion and a first fastening portion joined thereto, the first fastening portion defining a first side surface and a second side surface opposite thereto, the first fastening portion including a plurality of fastening elements extending from the first side surface, the plurality of fastening elements arranged lengthwise along a lengthwise direction of the fastening device, each adjacent pair of fastening elements offset by a pitch distance and defining a fastening gap therebetween, each of the plurality of fastening elements including an engagement portion extending in a direction parallel to the lengthwise direction, each of the plurality of fastening elements being asymmetric about a protrusional centerline of the fastening element, the fastening device being a first fastening device configured to be joined to a second fastening device comprising a second fastening portion having the same geometry as the first fastening portion.

Abstract: A fastening device includes a first tape portion and a first fastening portion joined thereto, the first fastening portion defining a first side surface and a second side surface opposite thereto, the first fastening portion including a plurality of fastening elements extending from the first side surface, the plurality of fastening elements arranged lengthwise along a lengthwise direction of the fastening device, each adjacent pair of fastening elements offset by a pitch distance and defining a fastening gap therebetween, each of the plurality of fastening elements including an engagement portion extending in a direction parallel to the lengthwise direction, each of the plurality of fastening elements being asymmetric about a protrusional centerline of the fastening element, the fastening device being a first fastening device configured to be joined to a second fastening device comprising a second fastening portion having the same geometry as the first fastening portion.

Abstract: Open-ended slide fastener assemblies with improved operability. In some examples, the slide fastener assemblies are watertight and/or airtight. The slide fastener assemblies include one or more sliders and box and pin mechanisms integrated with the slide fastener. The pin mechanism need not be inserted into the box at the same time it is inserted into the slider, permitting the slide fastener to be operated even when it is not visible or easily accessible.

Abstract: A slide fastener includes a first tape with a plurality of first elements, a second tape with a plurality of second elements, and a slider element configured to interface with the first tape and the second tape. The slider element includes a body portion and a removable portion that are configured to selectively mechanically engage/disengage with one another.

Abstract: A slide fastener includes first and second rows of slide elements and first and second tapes secured with the respective rows of slide elements. The slide elements of the first row of slide elements are configured to engage with slide elements of the second row of slide elements and each slide element of the first and second rows includes a base, a head, a neck extending between the base and the head, a top surface, a facing surface, and one or more shoulders. A first vertical distance between a lowermost surface of the head and the first end of the first tape is greater than a second vertical distance between a lowermost surface of the base and the first end of the first tape.

Abstract: When a polishing pad is attached to a polishing table, the polishing pad can be easily positioned on and attached to the polishing table and air pockets are prevented from forming. As a position guide member 130 is inserted into a guide hole 109 with an attachment surface of a polishing pad 108 downward, the polishing pad 108 is positioned on and attached to a polishing table 110. At this time, the guide hole 109 of the polishing pad 108 is guided by the position guide member 130 and the polishing pad 108 is easily positioned so as to match the upper surface of the polishing table 110 with the outer periphery thereof. Then, as release paper is gradually peeled off from a rear surface of the polishing pad 108, the portion where the release paper is peeled off is attached to the polishing table 110.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a polisher configured to polish a substrate using a polishing liquid, a first cleaner configured to clean the substrate polished by the polisher using sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide water, a second cleaner configured to clean the substrate cleaned by the first cleaner using a basic chemical liquid and hydrogen peroxide water, and a drier configured to dry the substrate cleaned by the second cleaner.

Abstract: A dressing apparatus capable of bringing an overall dressing surface of a dresser into uniform sliding contact with a polishing surface of a polishing pad and capable of uniformly dressing the overall polishing surface of the polishing pad is disclosed. The dressing apparatus includes a dresser configured to rub against a polishing surface to dress the polishing surface that is used for polishing a substrate, a dresser shaft that applies a load to the dresser, at least one load-applying device configured to apply a downward load to a part of a peripheral portion of the dresser, and an operation controller configured to control operation of the load-applying device.

Abstract: A slide fastener includes a first tape with a plurality of first elements, a second tape with a plurality of second elements, and a slider element configured to interface with the first tape and the second tape. The slider element includes a body portion and a removable portion that are configured to selectively mechanically engage/disengage with one another.

Abstract: A slide fastener includes first and second rows of slide elements and first and second tapes secured with the respective rows of slide elements. The slide elements of the first row of slide elements are configured to engage with slide elements of the second row of slide elements and each slide element of the first and second rows includes a base, a head, a neck extending between the base and the head, a top surface, a facing surface, and one or more shoulders. A first vertical distance between a lowermost surface of the head and the first end of the first tape is greater than a second vertical distance between a lowermost surface of the base and the first end of the first tape.

Abstract: Slide fasteners configured such that opposing elements engage with one another in a non-planar relationship. The elements may engage one another, for example but not limited to, at an angle between approximately 60 degrees and approximately 179 degrees. In some embodiments, each element includes a head and at least one shoulder with angle keeping surfaces and engagement surfaces that abut corresponding surfaces when engaging with a corresponding element to interlock the heads and shoulders of opposing elements. Slide fasteners of the invention may be well suited for use with curved surfaces, corners, ridge lines, edges, or the like of an article.

Abstract: Open-ended slide fasteners that are watertight and/or airtight. The slide fasteners include box and pin mechanisms integrated with the slide fastener and configured to compress the tape edges and create a water and air tight seal, thus eliminating the need for installing a separate component after the slide fastener has been manufactured.

Abstract: Open-ended slide fasteners that are watertight and/or airtight. The slide fasteners include box and pin mechanisms integrated with the slide fastener and configured to compress the tape edges and create a water and air tight seal, thus eliminating the need for installing a separate component after the slide fastener has been manufactured.