Abstract: A semiconductor wafer imaging system for imaging a semiconductor wafer includes shroud panels defining a black box, a camera positioned in the black box for imaging the semiconductor wafer, and an illumination panel for directing diffuse light to the semiconductor wafer. A portion of the diffuse light is reflected off the semiconductor wafer and the camera images the semiconductor wafer by detecting the reflected diffuse light.

Abstract: A method of conforming upper and lower detached edge portions of a label to upper and lower contoured sections of a container, includes moving the container along a travel path, and heating at least the upper and lower detached edge portions of the label to a sufficient temperature to achieve a sufficient degree of plasticity as the container moves along the travel path. The method also includes moving the container between a compression plate and a vertically oriented belt disposed about at least two rotatable drums, thereby applying pressure to at least a portion of the label. The method further includes applying pressure to the upper detached edge portion of the label with a first linear brush held in a rigid supporting structure, and applying pressure to the lower detached edge portion of the label with a second linear brush held in a rigid supporting structure.

Abstract: A method of conforming upper and lower detached edge portions of a label to upper and lower contoured sections of a container, includes moving the container along a travel path, and heating at least the upper and lower detached edge portions of the label to a sufficient temperature to achieve a sufficient degree of plasticity as the container moves along the travel path. The method also includes moving the container between a compression plate and a vertically oriented belt disposed about at least two rotatable drums, thereby applying pressure to at least a portion of the label. The method further includes applying pressure to the upper detached edge portion of the label with a first linear brush held in a rigid supporting structure, and applying pressure to the lower detached edge portion of the label with a second linear brush held in a rigid supporting structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for conforming a label to the contour of a container. The apparatus includes a conveyor configured to move the container along a travel path, a heat source positioned along the conveyor and configured to heat at least a portion of the label to a sufficient temperature to achieve a sufficient degree of plasticity as the container moves along the travel path, and a mechanical pressure applicator positioned along the conveyor downstream from the heat source. The mechanical pressure applicator is configured to apply pressure to at least a portion of the heated label to conform it to the contour of the container as the container moves along the travel path. The method includes heating at least a portion of the label to a sufficient temperature to achieve a sufficient degree of plasticity, and applying mechanical pressure to at least a portion of the heated label to conform it to the contour of the container.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for conforming a label to the contour of a container. The apparatus includes a conveyor configured to move the container along a travel path, a heat source positioned along the conveyor and configured to heat at least a portion of the label to a sufficient temperature to achieve a sufficient degree of plasticity as the container moves along the travel path, and a mechanical pressure applicator positioned along the conveyor downstream from the heat source. The mechanical pressure applicator is configured to apply pressure to at least a portion of the heated label to conform it to the contour of the container as the container moves along the travel path. The method includes heating at least a portion of the label to a sufficient temperature to achieve a sufficient degree of plasticity, and applying mechanical pressure to at least a portion of the heated label to conform it to the contour of the container.

Abstract: An apparatus, formulation and method for cleaning soils, such as paint drips or splashes, from the outside surface of filled aerosol paint cans and other articles is provided. The apparatus comprises a plurality of reservoirs containing liquids for cleaning and rinsing articles. Articles to be cleaned travel on a conveyor system comprised of one or more mechanical conveyors. During the cleaning operation, one or more brushes apply cleaning solution to the articles, an air knife blows excess cleaning solution and/or solid soils off of the articles, and a jet spray rinses the articles. Another air knife may be used to dry the cleaned articles. The apparatus also includes a plurality of recirculation devices for removing solids from the cleaning and rinsing liquids so that these liquids may be reused in the cleaning operations. A cleaning formulation comprised of a glycol ether and hydrocarbon solvent is also provided.

Abstract: A system of energy form generating and transmitting devices that allow direct visualization during removal of disc tissue material from the human body discs which are located between vertebrae of the back, during percutaneous discectomy. Energy form generators are controlled and coordinated within a modularized console. Energy form transmitters are placed partially within the disc and are coordinated in the same physical structure to minimize size.A coordinated system of surgical devices which create a space in the disc (21), (71), (172), illuminate the disc space (20), (120), removed disc material (21), (71), (122), under direct visual control from the posterior aspect of the disc (134), (128), and provide a means for transporting debris (22), (23), (172), (166), (78), from the disc during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A system of related surgical device used to remove pathological tissue from the central nervous system under continuous, direct visual control, consisting of components which illuminate, provide visualization, use an energy source to resect and remove tissue, protect surrounding normal structures, and control bleeding, while these system components remain in their functional positions during the entire tissue removing process.

Abstract: An endoscopic resecting system views and resects a grouting agent or osseus tissue from the femoral canal during revision hip surgery. The endoscopic system includes a compartmentalized tube, a visualizing device, an illuminating device, a first resecting mechanism, an irrigating apparatus and an aspirating apparatus. The compartmentalized tube has a first compartment of a first set of dimensions and a second compartment of a second set of dimensions larger than the first set of dimensions. A portion of the visualizing device is disposed in the first compartment so it directly views the grouting agent. A portion of the resecting mechanism is disposed in the second compartment. A portion of the irrigating apparatus is disposed in the first compartment. A portion of the aspirating apparatus is disposed on the second compartment so that it removes debris created during the process of resection.

Abstract: An endoscopic resecting apparatus views and resects a target tissue. The endoscopic resecting apparatus includes a sleeve, a compartmentalized tube, a visualizing device, an illuminating device, a first resecting mechanism, an irrigating apparatus, an aspirating apparatus, a gas insufflation apparatus, and an apparatus to instill a drug. The compartmentalized tube is disposed in the sleeve and has a first compartment of a first set of dimensions and a second compartment of a second set of dimensions larger than the first set of dimensions. A portion of the visualizing device is disposed in the first compartment so that it directly views the target tissue. A portion of the resecting mechanism is disposed in the second compartment so that it resects the target tissue. A portion of the irrigating apparatus is disposed in the first compartment. A portion of the aspirating apparatus is disposed in the second compartment so that it removes the resected target tissue.