Abstract: Golf regulations have recently changed so that the golf flagstick or flag no longer is required to be removed during play. It is important to be able to retrieve the ball, and this device, which is slightly smaller than the diameter of the golf club hole will be placed on the lower end of the golf flag stick. The device will be hidden from view when the flagstick is in the golf hole. The golfer retrieves the ball by pulling up on the flagstick until the ball rolls out of the cup. This device to retrieve the ball will prevent damage to the putting surface.

Abstract: Intraurethral devices and methods for controlling urinary incontinence are disclosed. An intraurethral device in accordance with an illustrative embodiment may include an elongated sheath, a bladder retention element, a meatal retention element, and an adjustable bladder control valve that can be used to regulate the flow of urine from the bladder. An optional adjustment tool may be inserted into the bladder control valve and rotated to either increase or decrease the opening pressure of the valve, as desired.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a packing control system for a rear loading, rear discharge refuse packing body that enables adjustability in the overall weight distribution of the packed refuse. The packing density control system involves controlling the resistance of the packing/ejection panel against which refuse is packed in a rear loading refuse collection truck body so that the force necessary to cause the panel to retreat toward the front of the truck as refuse is packed in front of it can be varied in accordance with the desired density profile of the load as it is packed.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing apparatus has a polishing station, a transfer station, a carrier head to support a substrate, a rotatable carousel supporting the carrier head, a carousel drive shaft coupled to the carousel to rotate the carousel, and a carousel drive system. The carousel is rotatable between a first position in which the carrier head is in the polishing station and a second position in which the carrier head is in the transfer station. The carousel drive system includes a drive motor, a gear reduction box coupled to an output of the drive motor, and a brake system coupling the gear reduction box to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A suspension package includes upper and lower covers. The covers include oval exterior walls that define oval product-receiving wells. Oval mounting rings are mounted to the covers to support resilient films over the wells. The covers define generally rectangular inner exterior walls that support hinges along a hinge axis. By combining rectangular covers adjacent to hinges with oval covers spaced from the hinges, material costs are reduced and fabrication is simplified.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing apparatus has a platen with a cavity with an opening to the top surface of the platen. A polishing pad is located at an upper surface of the platen. A flexible membrane is positioned in the cavity to define a first and a second volume. A pressure source is connected to the second volume to flex the membrane, and a lifting member is positioned in the first volume so that flexing of the membrane extends the lifting member through the opening to lift the substrate off the polishing pad. Alternately, de-ionized water may be forced through a passage in the platen and an aperture in the polishing pad to lift the substrate.