Abstract: A lid to selectively plug or unplug a discharge mouth of a developer container mounted to an image forming apparatus for replenishing a developer. In one embodiment of the present invention, the lid includes a body having a bottom portion and a sidewall portion defining an opening, wherein the bottom portion has an inner surface and an outer surface, and the sidewall portion has an inner surface and an outer surface. The lid additionally includes a lug having a first end and a second end defining a body portion, wherein the lug is engaged with the body at a position at the sidewall portion such that the second end of the lug and the first surface of the bottom portion define a gap g therebetween and the body portion of the lug facing away from the developer container when the lid plugs the discharge mouth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for increasing the grain size of a polysilicon layer, which includes exposing a silicon oxide wafer in a deposition chamber to an amount, effective for the purpose, of nitrogen at a flow rate of at least about 240 standard liters per minute (slm).

Abstract: An implant containing a support member and a biopolymer-based material formed integrally on a surface of the support member. The support member is dimensionally manipulatable, and the integrity of the biopolymer-based material is independent of dimensional changes in the support member. Also disclosed is a method of preparing such an implant.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and a system for determining an exposure time of a wafer photolithography process is applied to a wafer photolithography system and is used to determine the preferred exposure time for the L(N) batch production wafer. In one embodiment, at least three batches of the batch test wafers are recalled in a time sequence and the corresponding test values are obtained. A mean value of the test values corresponding to the at least three batches of the batch test wafers is calculated with a predetermined mathematical model. The calculated mean value is compared with a predetermined qualified examination value, and a margin value between the mean value and the qualified examination value is thus determined to adjust and generate an appropriate process exposure time. The preferred process exposure time is then employed as the exposure time of the L(N) batch production wafer.

Abstract: A toner supplying container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus. In one embodiment, the toner supplying container includes a first container for receiving toner and a second container for accommodating toner and providing toner to the first container. The second container is releasably mounted to the first container at a predetermined position such that the first container and second container communicate to each other. The second container is replaceable when the toner accommodated in the second container is used up by a third container that is substantially identical to the second container but has toner therein.

Abstract: An implant device including a tubular matrix made of a biocompatible and bioresorbable biopolymeric material. The matrix has a first end and a second end, a wall of a homogeneous thickness; a plurality of ridges on the wall; and a channel which is defined by the wall and extends from the first end to the second end of the tubular matrix.

Abstract: An implant that contains a membrane and a polymeric matrix covered by the membrane. Both the matrix and the membrane are biocompatible and bioresorbable. Also disclosed is a method of preparing such an implant.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a wafer edge gripping end effector. A wafer calibration tool is held in a stationary position simulating the position of a semiconductor wafer to be picked up by the wafer edge gripping end effector. A controller associated with a robot having an end effector attached to a robot arm thereto is turned off. The robot arm and end effector are moved to position where the first and second clamp structures on the end effector each engage a respective inner edge that in part defines a notch formed in the wafer calibration tool. An actuator driven movable clamp structure is manually advanced so that the movable clamp structure engages an inner edge that in part defines one of the notches formed in the wafer calibration tool. The controller is turned on and data regarding the location of robot arm, end effector and movable clamp structure is stored.

Abstract: A cell occlusion sheet membrane adapted for repairing a damaged meningeal tissue. The sheet membrane contains a layer of cross-linked, oriented biopolymeric fibers that has a thickness of 0.1 mm to 3.0 mm, a density of 0.1 g/cm3 to 1.2 g/cm3, a hydrothermal shrinkage temperature of 45° C. to 80° C., a suture pullout strength of 0.1 kg to 5 kg, a tensile strength of 10 kg/cm2 to 150 kg/cm2 , and permeability to molecules having molecular weights of 200 to 300,000 daltons. Also disclosed is a method for making the membrane.

Abstract: This invention relates to an embolization device for occluding a vessel. This device includes a matrix made of a biocompatible and biopolymeric material and a radiopaque material, wherein the radiopaque material is interspersed in the biocompatible and biopolymeric material. The matrix can adopt a linear extended form or a folded relaxed form.

Abstract: A process cartridge toner supply arrangement used in a laser printer for controlling supply of toner is constructed to include a receiving member, the receiving member having toner receiving openings and a toner accommodating portion, a replaceable supplying member, the supplying member having a toner accommodating portion and toner supplying openings, and a blocking member provided between the receiving member and the supplying member and moved to close/open the toner passage between the toner receiving openings and the toner supplying openings.

Abstract: A foolproof device used in a process cartridge for an image forming apparatus, where the process cartridge has a developing device and a toner container, includes female engagement portions of two different sizes formed in the toner container, projections formed in the toner container, and male engagement portions of two different sizes formed in the developing device and adapted for guiding correct installation of the toner container in the developing device and securing the toner container to the developing device.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring thicknesses of ultra-thin gate oxide layers are provided. In the method, a substrate that has a thin gate oxide layer formed on top is first heat treated at a temperature between about 400° C. and about 800° C. under a sub-atmospheric pressure for at least 10 seconds. The substrate is then immediately transferred, i.e., within 10 minutes, to a thickness measuring device for the accurate measurement of the thickness of the gate oxide layer. The apparatus can be provided by mounting a heating chamber juxtaposed to a thickness measuring device, such as an ellipsometer so that substrate can be immediately transferred therein between after a heat treatment step is completed. The heat treatment step of the present invention novel method is efficient in preventing the deposition of moisture and organic residue onto the surface of the thin gate oxide layer.

Abstract: A foolproof device used in a process cartridge of an image forming apparatus formed of a developing device and a toner container is constructed to include female engagement portions of two different sizes formed in the toner container, and male engagement portions of two different sizes formed in the developing device and adapted for guiding correct installation of the toner container in the developing device and securing the toner container to the developing device positively.

Abstract: A process cartridge toner supply arrangement used in a laser printer for controlling supply of toner is constructed to include a receiving member, the receiving member having toner receiving openings and a toner accommodating portion, a replaceable supplying member, the supplying member having a toner accommodating portion and toner supplying openings, and a blocking member provided between the receiving member and the supplying member and moved to close/open the toner passage between the toner receiving openings and the toner supplying openings.

Abstract: A sliding cover device arrangement for controlling toner passage between a toner container and a developing device of an image forming apparatus, wherein the developing device has a plurality of toner receiving openings formed thereon, and the toner container is adapted for holding toner and supplying toner to the developing device, and has a plurality of toner supplying openings formed thereon corresponding to the plurality of toner receiving openings.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring thicknesses of ultra-thin gate oxide layers are provided. In the method, a substrate that has a thin gate oxide layer formed on top is first heat treated at a temperature between about 400° C. and about 800° C. under a sub-atmospheric pressure for at least 10 seconds. The substrate is then immediately transferred, i.e., within 10 minutes, to a thickness measuring device for the accurate measurement of the thickness of the gate oxide layer. The apparatus can be provided by mounting a heating chamber juxtaposed to a thickness measuring device, such as an ellipsometer so that substrate can be immediately transferred therein between after a heat treatment step is completed. The heat treatment step of the present invention novel method is efficient in preventing the deposition of moisture and organic residue onto the surface of the thin gate oxide layer.

Abstract: A toner container used with a developing device in an image forming apparatus is disclosed having a toner accommodating portion adapted for accommodating toner; a stirring member adapted for stirring toner in the toner accommodating portion, toner supplying openings for output of toner from the toner container to the developing device, a sliding cover adapted for closing/opening the toner supplying openings, and projections respectively protruded from the sliding cover and adapted for engaging into toner receiving openings of the developing device for enabling the toner container to be moved relative to the sliding cover and the developing device to close/open the toner supplying openings.

Abstract: A sheet membrane containing a layer of oriented biopolymeric fibers. The membrane has a thickness of 0.1 mm to 3.0 mm, a density of 0.1 g/cm3 to 1.2 g/cm3, a hydrothermal shrinkage temperature of 50° C. to 85° C., a suture pullout strength of 0.1 kg to 5 kg, a tensile strength of 10 kg/cm2 to 150 kg/cm2, and permeability to molecules having molecular weights of 200 to 300,000 daltons.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a wafer edge gripping end effector. A wafer calibration tool is held in a stationary position simulating the position of a semiconductor wafer to be picked up by the wafer edge gripping end effector. A controller associated with a robot having an end effector attached to a robot arm thereto is turned off. The robot arm and end effector are moved to position where the first and second clamp structures on the end effector each engage a respective inner edge that in part defines a notch formed in the wafer calibration tool. An actuator driven movable clamp structure is manually advanced so that the movable clamp structure engages an inner edge that in part defines one of the notches formed in the wafer calibration tool. The controller is turned on and data regarding the location of robot arm, end effector and movable clamp structure is stored.