Abstract: A forensically sound image of a computer readable storage medium can be transferred across a low bandwidth communications network. The method can include the step of scanning an image of the computer readable storage medium for redundant data, the redundant data duplicative of locally stored data. The method can also include generating a skeleton image based on the image of the computer readable storage medium by excluding the redundant data from the image of the computer readable storage medium. The method can include transmitting, by a transmitting device, the skeleton image over the communications network to a receiving device to enable reconstruction of an image copy of the computer readable storage medium using the skeleton image and the locally stored data. A receiving device can reconstruct a bit-for-bit copy of the image of the computer readable storage medium.

Abstract: A forensically sound image of a computer readable storage medium can be transferred across a low bandwidth communications network. The method can include the step of scanning an image of the computer readable storage medium for redundant data, the redundant data duplicative of locally stored data. The method can also include generating a skeleton image based on the image of the computer readable storage medium by excluding the redundant data from the image of the computer readable storage medium. The method can include transmitting, by a transmitting device, the skeleton image over the communications network to a receiving device to enable reconstruction of an image copy of the computer readable storage medium using the skeleton image and the locally stored data. A receiving device can reconstruct a bit-for-bit copy of the image of the computer readable storage medium.

Abstract: A filtration assembly for filtering polymer fluids at varying flow rates includes at least two filter housing assemblies releasably attached to a filter support or main block. Polymer fluid is delivered to the filter housing assemblies via an inlet passage in the main block, and filtered polymer fluid is transported from the filter housing assemblies to an outlet passage in the main block. One end of each filter housing assembly is attached to the main block and includes an inlet port for receiving polymer fluid from the inlet passage and an outlet port for delivering filtered polymer fluid to the outlet passage. A single valve disposed on the main block selectively alternates fluid flow between the main block and each filter housing assembly.

Abstract: A filtration assembly for filtering polymer fluids at varying flow rates includes at least two filter housing assemblies releasably attached to a filter support or main block. Polymer fluid is delivered to the filter housing assemblies via an inlet passage in the main block, and filtered polymer fluid is transported from the filter housing assemblies to an outlet passage in the main block. One end of each filter housing assembly is attached to the main block and includes an inlet port for receiving polymer fluid from the inlet passage and an outlet port for delivering filtered polymer fluid to the outlet passage. A single valve disposed on the main block selectively alternates fluid flow between the main block and each filter housing assembly.

Abstract: A synthetic fiber is formed with a plurality of longitudinally-extending cavities (16, 54 and 64) which hold a medicament that is intended to be absorbed into tissue brought into contact with the fiber. The fiber can be formed by dissolving a soluble polymer component 14 of an extruded plural-component fiber 10, leaving cavities 16 that extend inward from the outer surface of the fiber in the locations of the dissolved polymer. After the fiber has been exposed to a solvent, the cavities left by the dissolved component are filled with a medicament 18. Specifically, the cavities are filled with a medicament that is mixed with a viscous carrier which solidifies within the cavities. The fibers can be used to make sutures, textile prostheses for insertion into the body, and epidermal pads and bandages. Fibers having internal cavities 64, i.e.

Abstract: A synthetic fiber is formed with a plurality of longitudinally-extending cavities (16, 54 and 64) which hold a medicament that is intended to be absorbed into tissue brought into contact with the fiber. The fiber can be formed by dissolving a soluble polymer component 14 of an extruded plural-component fiber 10, leaving cavities 16 that extend inward from the outer surface of the fiber in the locations of the dissolved polymer. After the fiber has been exposed to a solvent, the cavities left by the dissolved component are filled with a medicament 18. Specifically, the cavities are filled with a medicament that is mixed with a viscous carrier which solidifies within the cavities. The fibers can be used to make sutures, textile prostheses for insertion into the body, and epidermal pads and bandages. Fibers having internal cavities 64, i.e.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabric is formed from a spunbond process by extruding generally ribbon-shaped fibers 126 through slot-shaped orifices 124 of a spinneret 122. The ribbon-shaped fibers are rapidly quenched after extrusion to achieve a substantially uniform molecular orientation throughout a transverse cross section of the fibers, yielding stronger fibers. The rapid quenching results largely from the relatively high aspect ratio (thinness) of the fibers and the relatively large surface area of the fibers, which permits the fibers to quickly cool throughout the transverse cross section. The ribbon-shaped fibers are drawn longitudinally by an aspirator 128 that exerts a generally downward force produced by an air stream that longitudinally stretches and transversely attenuates the ribbon-shaped fibers in such a manner that the transverse cross-sectional shape of the ribbon-shaped fibers enhances the interaction between the air stream and the ribbon-shaped fibers to maximize the downward force.

Abstract: A spunbond web formation apparatus includes a spinneret (1) of a spin pack (2) that extrudes an array of fibers (5) that are drawn into an aspirator (6). The attenuated fibers (8) discharged from aspirator (6) are deflected sideways by a Coanda device (7) that entrains the exiting air stream along with the fibers. The fibers are deposited on a vertically moving belt (9) and subsequently bonded by calender rolls (20, 21) to form a non-woven spunbond web. The spinning distance L is adjusted by vertically moving the aspirator (6), while the laydown distance M is adjusted by horizontally moving the belt (9) or aspirator (6) or by adjusting the size of the Coanda device (7). Deflection of the fibers exiting the aspirator permits the spinning distance L to be adjusted independently of the laydown distance M, without having to move the spin beam or adjust the height of the web-forming belt.

Abstract: A bond head is provided for a wire bonding machine having a linear axis frame, a rotary axis frame, a bond tool and a wire clamp. The linear axis frame is vertically linearly displacable along a linear axis, while the rotary axis frame is rotationally displacable along a rotary axis. A pivotal connector is provided which pivotally connects the rotary axis frame to the linear axis frame, enabling the rotary axis frame to rotate independent of linear displacement of the linear axis frame. The bond tool is connected to the rotary axis frame and is vertically linearly displacable in response to vertical linear displacement of the linear axis frame and rotationally displacable in response to rotational displacement of the rotary axis frame. The wire clamp is connected to the linear axis frame and is vertically linearly displacable in response to vertical linear displacement of the linear axis frame, while the wire clamp is maintained rotationally stationary during rotational displacement of the rotary axis frame.

Abstract: A wire conveyance system is provided for a wire bonding machine having, in series, a first wire handler, a wire slacking device and a second wire handler. The wire slacking device includes a wire support chamber having a substantially enclosed bottom, opposing first and second vertical sidewalls, a substantially open top, a back opening and a front opening. The wire slacking device further includes a pressurized fluid source and first and second fluid orifices for receiving a pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid source. The fluid orifices extend through the first or second sidewall of the wire support chamber with the second fluid orifice being positioned downstream of the first fluid orifice. First and second fluid paths are provided in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid source via the first and second fluid orifices. The first and second fluid paths extend upward between the first and second sidewalls of the wire support chamber and out the open top.

Abstract: Improved ultrasonic wire bonders, and improvements to ultrasonic wire bonding transducers that are used with such ultrasonic wire bonders. The improvements to the ultrasonic wire bonding transducer includes driver-node mounting of the transducer and a clamping arrangement for a bonding tool in the transducer. The driver-node mounting of the transducer is achieved by mounting it in the ultrasonic bonder such that a 3/4--wavelength distance is created between a mounting bracket of the transducer and a distal end of the transducer at which the bonding tool is disposed. As a result, vibrational problems caused by the transducer not being located at the node are eliminated. The driver-node mounting aspect of the present invention provides a shorter overall transducer and concentrates the mass at the driver end for less tool impact, and reduces manufacturing variables related to achieving a one-half wavelength distance between the driver node and the transducer node.

Abstract: A distribution plate for use in a fiber-forming spin pack assembly has a thickness of from about 0.004 inches to about 0.060 inches. One or more flow channels are formed in at least one surface of the distribution plate. The flow channels are in the form of slots having a depth less than about 0.016 inches, not exceeding about 75% of the thickness of the distribution plate. There are also apertures through the thickness of the plate which connect to said slots.

Abstract: An apparatus for extruding a wide variety of plural-component and mixed monocomponent fiber configurations in a spin pack which utilizes one or more disposable distributor plates in which distribution flow paths are formed on one or both sides to distribute the polymer components to appropriate spinneret inlet hole locations. The etching process, itself inexpensive as compared to drilling, milling, reaming, etc., permits very thin metal plates to be employed, rendering the fabrication expense for the plates small, relative to the remainder of the spin pack, as to justify discarding or disposing of the plates rather than periodically cleaning them. The etching process also permits the etched distribution paths to be small and densely packed, whereby the spinneret orifices can be more densely packed in the spinneret and staggered as between rows and columns so as to increase the fiber yield per given spinneret surface area.

Abstract: An apparatus for extruding a wide variety of plural-component and mixed monocomponent fiber configurations in a spin pack which utilizes one or more disposable distributor plates in which distribution flow paths are formed on one or both sides to distribute the polymer components to appropriate spinneret inlet hole locations. The etching process, itself inexpensive as compared to drilling, milling, reaming, etc., permits very thin metal plates to be employed, rendering the fabrication expense for the plates small, relative to the remainder of the spin pack, as to justify discarding or disposing of the plates rather than periodically cleaning them. The etching process also permits the etched distribution paths to be small and densely packed, whereby the spinneret orifices can be more densely packed in the spinneret and staggered as between rows and columns so as to increase the fiber yield per given spinneret surface area.

Abstract: An improved continuous large area polymer filter employs a single valve to control molten polymer flow into and out from at least two but preferably three or more filter assemblies. In a neutral position the valve apportions flow equally to each of the filter assemblies. When filters in any one of the assemblies becomes clogged and requires cleaning or replacement, the valve is repositioned to prevent flow into and out from the clogged assembly while continuing to apportion flow among the remaining assemblies. A small amount of polymer is bled from the selected assembly to effect depressurization and the assembly is removed, restored to function and replaced. The valve is repositioned to allow a slow bleeding of polymer into the restored assembly and the bleed valve is opened to allow air and air entrapped polymer to be removed from the assembly before returning it to service.

Abstract: An apparatus for extruding a wide variety of plural-component and mixed monocomponent fiber configurations in a spin pack utilizes one or more disposable distributor plates in which distribution flow paths are formed on one or both sides to distribute the polymer components to appropriate spinneret inlet hole locations. The distributor plates are inexpensive compared to drilled, milled, reamed, etc., plates and may be very thin, rendering the fabrication expense for the plates small, relative to the remainder of the spin pack, as to justify discarding or disposing of the plates rather than periodically cleaning them. The distribution paths may be small and densely packed, whereby the spinneret orifices can be more densely packed in the spinneret and staggered as between rows and columns so as to increase the fiber yield per given spinneret surface area.

Abstract: A method for extruding a wide variety of plural-component fiber configurations in a spin pack utilizes one or more disposable distributor plates in which distributor flow paths are etched on one or both sides to distribute the polymer components to appropriate spinneret inlet hole locations. The etching process permits the distribution paths to be sufficiently small to facilitate issuing multiple discrete polymer component streams axially into each spinneret orifice inlet hole, whereby the resulting extruded fiber can be made up of at least one hundred side-by-side sub-fibers. If the adjacent sub-fibers are weakly bonded, they can be readily separated by agitation to significantly increase the effective yield from the spin pack and provide very fine and uniform fibers.

Abstract: A parallel-gap welder applies a precisely controlled force to the weld head (40) by means of a solenoid (60) having a plunger (72) aligned with the axis of the welding electrodes (50,52). To precisely control the amount of force applied by the solenoid a load cell (80) is interposed between the weld head (40) and the solenoid plunger (72) to provide a feedback force signal (158) indicative of the force applied by the solenoid. The feedback force signal is used to control current through the solenoid coil (68) and thereby servo the applied force to a force command input. The solenoid plunger (72) and load cell (80) are axially aligned with the axis of the electrodes (50,52) and solenoid force is applied through a universal joint (76,78) connection to assure an in-line driving force on the electrodes.

Abstract: Two parallel elongated closely spaced electrodes for welding electronic circuit components are mounted for limited rotation about an axis extending generally longitudinally of the electrodes to allow the electrode pair to be oriented with respect to a workpiece without angularly moving the workpiece. The electrodes are mounted in a pair of mutually aligned and mutually insulated bobbins against which are firmly pressed a pair of contacts for conducting weld current between the electrodes. The bobbins and the electrodes mounted therein are free to rotate relative to the fixed contacts, but the latter are firmly pressed against the bobbins to provide increased contact pressure and decreased electrical resistance between the contacts and bobbins and to provide a relatively large surface area for such contact.

Abstract: Wire bonds are closely spaced about the edge of a semiconductor chip device (150) in an orthogonal array. Even though the wires may have a fan out pattern to their second bond locations, close spacing of the first bond pads is achieved by use of rectangular pads (154) having their long dimensions all perpendicular to the chip edge, making all of the first bonds along lines perpendicular to the chip edge and then bending the wire to extend to the second bond.