Abstract: A vale unit includes a valve frame and two valve plates. The valve frame defines a valve opening. The valve plates are formed with protrusions. Each of the valve plates has a connecting end that is formed with a notch. The connecting ends are connected to each other. The protrusions protrude from peripheries of the notches. Each of the protrusions has a contact end. The contact ends cooperatively define a gap therebetween. The valve plates are co-rotatable about an axis between a closed position, in which the valve plates substantially close the valve opening, and an opening position, in which the valve plates open the valve opening. The gap has a width varying in response to co-rotation of the valve plates between the opening position and the closed position.

Abstract: Described is a method and system for measuring parameters of a structure on a substrate, such as a via or a through-silicon via (TSV) using an imaging X-ray metrology system. A previously-trained Support Vector Machine (SVM) model is used to extract structure parameters from the acquired structure X-ray images. Training of the Support Vector Machine (SVM) model is accomplished by using a library of actual or simulated X-ray images, or a combination of the two image types, paired with structure parameter sets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to norbornene-ester-based derivatives, to a method for preparing same, and to the uses thereof. This compound may be used as a plasticizer which can replace a phthalate-based plasticizer.

Abstract: An oral care implement, such as a toothbrush (100), comprises a handle (110) and a head (120). A plurality of tooth cleaning elements (130) may be provided on a front surface (121) of the head (120). The head (120) is formed by a plurality of spaced-apart segments (140-145) made of a rigid material. The segments (140-145) are isolated from one another by channels (157-159B) containing an elastomeric material (146) that flexibly connects the segments (140-145) together. The oral care implement further comprises an elastomeric soft tissue cleaner (200) located on a rear surface (122) of the head (120) opposite the front surface (121) of the head (120). Each of the segments (140-145) comprises a protuberance (163-169) made of the rigid material that extends through the elastomeric soft tissue cleaner (200) and is exposed therethrough.

Abstract: An oral care implement includes a releasable sensory material that invokes a sensory response when in contact with tissues or surfaces of a mouth of a user. In one embodiment, an element is provided that is visually indicative of the sensory response. The oral care implement may also include a soft tissue cleaner provided with the sensory material.

Abstract: An toothbrush having a handle and a head. The handle may include a first component and a second component covering at least a portion of the first component. The first and second components may be chemically compatible. The first and second components may both comprise a hard polyolefin. The first and second components may have different transparencies. In one aspect, the first component may be opaque and the second component may be transparent or semi-transparent. In some aspects, the handle may also include a third component comprising a thermoplastic elastomer. Furthermore, there may be at least one projection extending outwardly from an outer surface of the first component.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in-situ optical monitor (ISOM) system and associated method for controlling plasma etching processes during the forming of stepped structures in semiconductor manufacturing. The in-situ optical monitor (ISOM) can be optionally configured for coupling to a surface-wave plasma source (SWP), for example a radial line slotted antenna (RLSA) plasma source. A method is described to correlate the lateral recess of the steps and the etched thickness of a photoresist layer for use with the in-situ optical monitor (ISOM) during control of plasma etching processes in the forming of stepped structures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to norbornene-ester-based derivatives, to a method for preparing same, and to the uses thereof. This compound may be used as a plasticizer which can replace a phthalate-based plasticizer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to norbornene-ester-based derivatives, to a method for preparing same, and to the uses thereof. This compound may be used as a plasticizer which can replace a phthalate-based plasticizer.

Abstract: An oral care implement, such as a toothbrush, comprising a flexible head formed of a plurality of flexibly connected segments. In one embodiment, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising a handle and a head. The head can be formed by a plurality of spaced-apart segments constructed of a rigid material and separated by a channel containing an elastomeric material. An elastomeric cleaning element comprising, a base portion and an upper portion extends form a front surface of the head. The elastomeric cleaning element extends from and is connected to the elastomeric material of the channel so that the base portion overlies a portion of each of the front surfaces of the segments on opposing sides of the channel. In another embodiment, the invention can be the elastomeric cleaning element itself, irrespective of the type of head in which it is incorporated. In yet another embodiment, the base portion can be tapered.

Abstract: An oral care implement that emits a scent. In one aspect, the invention is directed to a toothbrush comprising: a base component having a gripping region and an oral engaging region, wherein said base component comprises a first scenting agent; and a second component covering at least a portion of said base component in said gripping region, to control a rate of release of said first scenting agent from said base component in said gripping region.

Abstract: An oral care implement, such as a toothbrush. In one aspect, the invention is an oral care implement comprising a handle and a head. A plurality of tooth cleaning elements may extend from a front surface of the head, which is formed by a plurality of spaced-apart segments formed of a rigid material, wherein the plurality of segments include a cruciform segment integrally formed with and extending from a distal end of the handle, a first pair of segments located on opposite sides of a longitudinal portion of the cruciform segment, and a second pair of segments located on opposite sides of the longitudinal portion of the cruciform segment, the first pair of segments located on an opposite side of a transverse portion of the cruciform segment from the second pair of segments. The segments of the first and second pairs are flexibly connected to the cruciform segment.

Abstract: A storage medium disposed in a television is provided. A code of a television software system is stored in the storage medium. The television software system includes a first application, a second application and an application management module. The first application has a first function library. The second application has a second function library different from the first function library. The application management module manages the first application and the second application according to the first function library and the second function library, respectively.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing metal-based, high-aspect-ratio microscale structures (HARMs), for example microchannels in a heat exchanger. The preferred manufacturing method operates in a continuous mode, and employs low-temperature rolling of metals. A process is disclosed for bonding metal microchannel sheets or plates to flat metal sheets or plates to form single-, double-, and multiple-layered microchannel structures. The process can operate at much lower temperatures than prior methods of compression microscale molding of metals, at room temperature or even lower.