Abstract: A method and apparatus for venting a liquid supply of a beverage machine, e.g., by permanently open orifice and/or pressure relief valve. The orifice may always vent a heater tank, even while liquid is delivered to the tank by a liquid pump and/or while the tank is pressurized by an air pump to deliver liquid from the tank. A filter may be positioned between a heater tank and orifice and/or air pump. The pressure relief valve may be positioned between the liquid pump and the inlet side of the heater tank, e.g., so relatively cool water is released by the pressure relief valve when open.

Abstract: Aspects relating to a method and apparatus for venting a heater tank of a beverage forming apparatus using a vent valve that is opened and closed based on an operation to move a brew chamber lid between an open lid position and a closed lid position are provided. In one aspect, the vent valve may be positioned on a vent line distinct from a delivery line that delivers heated liquid from the heater tank to the brew chamber. In another aspect, at least a portion of the delivery line may extend downwardly from the top of the heater tank to a location between the top and the bottom of the heater tank. In another aspect, the at least a portion of the vent valve may be attached to the handle for movement with the handle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for venting a liquid supply of a beverage machine, e.g., by permanently open orifice and/or pressure relief valve. The orifice may always vent a heater tank, even while liquid is delivered to the tank by a liquid pump and/or while the tank is pressurized by an air pump to deliver liquid from the tank. A filter may be positioned between a heater tank and orifice and/or air pump. The pressure relief valve may be positioned between the liquid pump and the inlet side of the heater tank, e.g., so relatively cool water is released by the pressure relief valve when open.

Abstract: A well screen system includes upstream and downstream screen assemblies arranged along an axis. The assemblies each have first and second transport tubes. A first packing tube is connected to the first transport tube by first adapter and has an uppermost nozzle axially spaced from the first adapter by a first effective packing tube length. A second packing tube is connected to the second transport tube by a second adapter and has an uppermost nozzle axially spaced from the second adapter by a second effective packing tube length different than the first effective packing tube length. The downstream screen assembly second transport tube is connected to the upstream screen assembly first transport tube to alternate the effective packing tube lengths of packing tube uppermost nozzles along the screen system. Methods of making well screen systems and methods of gravel packing well screen systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for conducting biological assays which employs “virtual wells” in lieu of the physical wells of conventional array plates. Also provided are methods of processing a sample and/or culturing cells using the apparatus and systems described herein. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a first structure having a sheet layer with a plurality of discrete through holes; and a second structure coupled to the first structure, the second structure including a base layer. At least a portion of a first surface of the sheet layer of the first structure is exposed from the second structure, and a second surface of the sheet layer, opposite to the first surface of the sheet layer, is embedded in the base layer of the second structure adjacent the first surface of the base layer.

Abstract: Aspects relating to a method and apparatus for venting a heater tank of a beverage forming apparatus using a vent valve that is opened and closed based on an operation to move a brew chamber lid between an open lid position and a closed lid position are provided. In one aspect, the vent valve may be positioned on a vent line distinct from a delivery line that delivers heated liquid from the heater tank to the brew chamber. In another aspect, at least a portion of the delivery line may extend downwardly from the top of the heater tank to a location between the top and the bottom of the heater tank. In another aspect, the at least a portion of the vent valve may be attached to the handle for movement with the handle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for venting a liquid supply of a beverage machine, e.g., by permanently open orifice and/or pressure relief valve. The orifice may always vent a heater tank, even while liquid is delivered to the tank by a liquid pump and/or while the tank is pressurized by an air pump to deliver liquid from the tank. A filter may be positioned between a heater tank and orifice and/or air pump. The pressure relief valve may be positioned between the liquid pump and the inlet side of the heater tank, e.g., so relatively cool water is released by the pressure relief valve when open.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for venting a liquid supply of a beverage machine, e.g., by permanently open orifice and/or pressure relief valve. The orifice may always vent a heater tank, even while liquid is delivered to the tank by a liquid pump and/or while the tank is pressurized by an air pump to deliver liquid from the tank. A filter may be positioned between a heater tank and orifice and/or air pump. The pressure relief valve may be positioned between the liquid pump and the inlet side of the heater tank, e.g., so relatively cool water is released by the pressure relief valve when open.

Abstract: A well screen system includes upstream and downstream screen assemblies arranged along an axis. The assemblies each have first and second transport tubes. A first packing tube is connected to the first transport tube by first adapter and has an uppermost nozzle axially spaced from the first adapter by a first effective packing tube length. A second packing tube is connected to the second transport tube by a second adapter and has an uppermost nozzle axially spaced from the second adapter by a second effective packing tube length different than the first effective packing tube length. The downstream screen assembly second transport tube is connected to the upstream screen assembly first transport tube to alternate the effective packing tube lengths of packing tube uppermost nozzles along the screen system. Methods of making well screen systems and methods of gravel packing well screen systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for conducting biological assays which employs “virtual wells” in lieu of the physical wells of conventional array plates. Also provided are methods of processing a sample and/or culturing cells using the apparatus and systems described herein. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a first structure having a sheet layer with a plurality of discrete through holes; and a second structure coupled to the first structure, the second structure including a base layer. At least a portion of a first surface of the sheet layer of the first structure is exposed from the second structure, and a second surface of the sheet layer, opposite to the first surface of the sheet layer, is embedded in the base layer of the second structure adjacent the first surface of the base layer.

Abstract: A printing apparatus with capability for drying printed media is disclosed. The printing apparatus includes a print zone and a post-printing zone, an advancing mechanism for transporting the print medium through the print zone, a print head for ejecting ink onto the medium as the medium is being transported through the print zone, and a heating system for drying the ink ejected onto the medium. The heating system includes a plurality of thermoelectric modules positioned in the print zone or the post-printing zone. Each thermoelectric module has a heat-rejecting surface and a cooling surface. The heat-rejecting surface of each thermoelectric module is positioned to face the medium being transported.

Abstract: A double layered low dielectric constant material dual damascene metallization process is described. Metal lines are provided covered by an insulating layer overlying a semiconductor substrate. A first organic dielectric layer is deposited overlying the insulating layer. A second inorganic dielectric layer is deposited overlying the first dielectric layer. In a first method, a via pattern is etched into the second dielectric layer. The via pattern is etched into the first dielectric layer using the patterned second dielectric layer as a mask. Thereafter, a trench pattern is etched into the second inorganic dielectric layer to complete dual damascene openings. In a second method, a trench pattern is etched into the second dielectric layer. Thereafter, a via pattern is etched through the second inorganic dielectric layer and the first organic dielectric layer to complete dual damascene openings. In a third method, a via pattern is etched into the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method of making semiconductor quantum wires employs a semiconductor wafer (14) as starting material. The wafer (14) is weakly doped p type with a shallow heavily doped p layer therein for current flow uniformity purposes. The wafer (14) is anodised in 20% aqueous hydrofluoric acid to produce a layer (5) microns thick with 70% porosity and good crystallinity. The layer is subsequently etched in concentrated hydrofluoric acid, which provides a slow etch rate. The etch increases porosity to a level in the region of 80% or above. At such a level, pores overlap and isolated quantum wires are expected to form with diameters less than or equal to 3 nm. The etched layer exhibits photoluminescence emission at photon energies well above the silicon bandgap (1.1 eV) and extending into the red region (1.6-2.0 eV) of the visible spectrum.