Abstract: A toothbrush has a handle and a head portion in which tufts of bristles are mounted in two different types of supports. Supports of a first type are mounted in the head portion for oscillation about axes perpendicular to the length of the bristles so as to be oscillated by rectilinear motion of the toothbrush on the teeth. At least one rack is connected with inner ends of supports of the first type so as to be reciprocated by oscillation of the supports. Supports of a second type are mounted in the head portion for rotation about axes parallel to the length of the bristles. Pinions on the inner ends of supports of the second type mesh with the rack or racks connected with supports of the first type so that the pinions and respective supports of the second type are rotated upon reciprocation of the rack of racks by oscillation by supports of the first type.

Abstract: A windshield wiper assembly includes a helical compression spring arranged laterally staggered relative to the wiper shaft in such a way that the center line of the helical compression spring runs alongside the wiper shaft. This permits the wiper arm to be made very compact and low, so that it can be used in motor vehicle windshield wiper installations having a concealed parking position.

Abstract: The invention includes a floor care appliance with a rigid housing having a pocket for nesting an accessory appliance. A latch means maintains the accessory appliance within the pocket and is releasable to permit removal of the accessory appliance.

Abstract: A plastic hinge made of fifty percent (50%) glass filled plasticized nylon. The hinge includes a hinge pin having a twenty percent (20%) Delron (trademark) composition. The hinge is non-corrosive and thus is suitable for use in environments where the presence of metallic or other corrosive substances is prohibited. The hinge, which is formed by an injection molding process, is strong but not brittle and is not overly abrasive.

Abstract: A casing article for use in automatic production of frankfurters and the like includes a tubular core and a shirred casing stick carried by the core. The core can function as a disposable stuffing horn and, for this purpose, it has one end receivable in the discharge of the stuffing machine including a flange which is engaged and rotated by a rotating chuck of the stuffing apparatus. Also disclosed are modifications to the stuffing machine to make the machine compatible with the casing article, an end-of-casing monitor, a carrier for moving the casing article to a stuff position and a method for operating the stuffing machine to stuff out the casing and produce linked frankfurters.

Abstract: An apparatus for the mechanical trimming of molluscs, especially squid, comprising(a) a station for attachment of the squid to holding means for holding it during the trimming;(b) a station having cutting means for cutting the tentacles of the squid, leaving its head;(c) a station having a cutter for loosening the viscera of the squid from its mantle wall, and with gripping means for gripping and extracting the head of the squid with its associated viscera from the mantle;(d) a station having means for removing at least part of the tissue on the inside part of the mantle located above the pen in the squid;(e) a station having gripping means for gripping and extracting the pen from the mantle, and optionally(f) a station having a device for removing the trimmed mantle from the holding means and transport of the mantle for further treatment; and(g) means for transporting the holding means with the squid successively through the stations (a)-(f) and for returning the holding means to the station (a) for receivin

Abstract: A sliver coiler including a rotary head supported in a machine frame. A device is provided for rotating the rotary head about its rotary axis. A pair of parallel extending cooperating feed rollers are rotatably supported in the rotary head for drawing sliver into the rotary head and discharging the sliver therefrom to deposit the sliver underneath the rotary head. A sliver coiler component surrounds the rotary head and has a circular track. During rotation, the rotary head turns relative to the sliver coiler component. A driving device provided for rotating the feed rollers includes a runner element which is rotatably supported by the rotary head and in contact with the circular track for running thereon during rotation of the rotary head, and a torque-transmitting mechanism for applying a driving torque from the runner element to the feed rollers.

Abstract: An extensible clasp is described for use with a continuous flexible wristlet, as for a watch. The clasp comprises first and second elongated portions that are connected by a hinge pin. The first portion is slightly curved to conform to the shape of a wrist and is formed of two parts that can slide along each other, with one part carrying the hinge pin at one end and being formed with a single hole near its other end, and the other part being formed with several aligned holes arranged selectively to register with the single hole. The second portion is also curved, but slightly more so, and carries a beak element which, upon the two portions being folded over each other to close the clasp, is pushed through a registering pair of holes to lock the clasp in a selected position.

Abstract: An extensible clasp is described for use with a watch strap of flat flexible material having at one end a portion formed with a loop fitted with a buckle and at the other end a portion providing apertures for the tongue of the buckle. The clasp comprises first and second elongated portions that are connected by a hinge pin. The outer end of the first elongated portion is pivotally mounted on one of two pins of a link element, the other pin being fitted in said loop after removal of the buckle. The second elongated portion consists of a flattened sleeve into which the apertured end portion of the strap is inserted and secured by a screw. The strap thus becomes continuous and is unlikely to slip off when being fitted round a wrist. To close the clasp, the two elongated portions are folded against each other and a hole near the outer end of the first elongated portion is pressed into locking engagement with a beak element on the second elongated portion.

Abstract: The fastener for waistbands on trousers or skirts has a detent rail fastened to one part of the waistband and a slide displaceable on the rail. The slide carries a pivotal lever which extends beyond its pivot axis into a detent projection. The slide or the lever is detachably connectable to the other part of the waistband. The other waistband part is provided on its inside with a hook which is engageable with an opening in either the slide or the lever. The opening is coordinated with a slide surface that facilitates this engagement even without looking. In this respect the slide surface is the outside surface of the lever, and it is located ahead of, with respect to the engagement direction, and lower than the opening.

Abstract: Lock for a safety belt, with a belt lock into which an insertion tab can be inserted and can be locked by a locking latch, as well as with a pushbutton which can be shifted parallel to the insertion path of the insertion tab against a spring force, and through the operation of which the locking latch can be moved against the force of a compression spring from a locking position into the opening position. A spring tab which is clamped on one side and is arranged substantially parallel to the shifting path of the pushbutton is provided as the compression spring. The pressure of the spring decreases when the pushbutton is shifted into the opening position, as the effective spring length between the clamping point and the point of attach of the force becomes larger.

Abstract: Pin or clip chain for web tensioning machines, including a pin or clip chain link, a connection chain link, a connection pin holding the links together, the pin or clip chain link having a C-shaped box section with a side disposed in a given plane having an opening formed therein and longitudinal ends, and a bearing half shell being disposed in each of the longitudinal ends of the C-shaped box section, the bearing half shells having axes extended perpendicular to the plane of the side of the C-shaped box section, the connection pin being insertable in the opening formed in the C-shaped box section.

Abstract: The warp threads presented from a curtain of threads are slightly spread apart and tensioned by a constantly rotating tensioning shaft with an enlarged part. A sleeve with a screw-like guidance groove is slipped over the last part of the tensioning shaft, this sleeve being switched as needed by means of a coupling to be driven in synchronization with the tensioning shaft or to be shut off in a specific angular position. The sleeve is provided at its beginning with a knife-like guide beak which during rotation separates the outermost warp thread from the curtain of threads and deposits it into the guidance groove. The spacing between the turns of the groove corresponds to the spacing between the draw-in needles. When the sleeve is stopped, the separated warp threads individually deposited into the turns of the groove are arranged in the proper transfer position to the draw-in needles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing venetian blinds in which at least two ladder tapes, preferably with rungs each consisting of at least two cross cords, are provided, of a sufficient length for a large number of venetian blinds.The slats are inserted between the cross cords of the ladder tapes to form a substantially continuous mat of slatted ladder tape. The mat is then stored, for example, on a roll or in a container, and is subsequently cut off into individual lengths, each length being suitable for one blind.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and structure of preventing cylinder head warpage and over-heating of internal combustion engines by utilizing a cylinder head modification assembly. The cylinder head modification assembly includes (1) a main expansion transfer plate assembly; and (2) an exhaust port expansion transfer assembly, each of which are adapted to be mounted on a cylinder head structure to provide strengthening and expansion transfer characteristics. The main expansion transfer plate assembly is of an elongated rectangular shape having various portions of different heights in order to achieve the required strength and heat transfer properties. The exhaust port expansion transfer assembly includes a main support body having an integral anchor section and is adapted to be mounted and secured between adjacent exhaust ports of the cylinder head structure.

Abstract: An index bar is secured to a machined and leveled surface of a base. One side of the bar is machined to be contacted and to act as a buttock plane. The bar has a series of in line holes positioned for lengthwise indexing. A second index bar, secured to the base, has a series of matching holes and the bar is positioned parallel to the buttock plane. The index bars are used for alignment for scribing header locations on the base. Headers, contoured with respect to the base surface and with respect to the buttock plane, are formed and while on the scribed line and while contacting the base and the buttock plane surface, are secured to the base. The secured headers are vertically aligned and held in that position to provide the critical lines for forming a master model.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved fasteners for securing insulation to a supporting structure, to a method of using the fasteners, and to combination wall structures obtained by such use. The fasteners are adapted to facilitate the securement of relatively thick insulation to a supporting structure, particularly where the supporting structure consists of a relatively hard material, such as aged concrete of high compressive strength.

Abstract: A fatigue resistant threaded connection includes a nut having two threads which are aligned axially but turned relative to one another about their common axis through an angle great enough to cause development of large axial forces between the screw and nut threads when they are connected together, resulting in improved distribution of load forces between the two threads of the nut and improved resistance of the screw and nut to fatigue and tensile failures.

Abstract: A structural article such as an automobile bumper includes a plastic body portion having an outer surface and a single metal sheet stretched to be completely disposed about and fixedly secured to the outer surface. The body portion provides a structural member and the metal sheet provides a continuous metal trim thereon.A method of forming the structural article includes the steps of compressing a sheet of metal and a sheet of heated softened plastic material within a mold so as to simultaneously cool the plastic material during the compression to set the molded plastic and stretch the metal about the outer surface of the molded plastic.An apparatus for forming the structural article includes a female mold portion including a clamping frame disposed about the periphery thereof. The clamping frame includes toggle clamps for clamping the peripheral edges of the sheet of metal to the periphery of the female portion.

Abstract: Positional information about movable components in a machine system relative to the workpiece is wirelessly transmitted by infrared radiation to a remote receiver. The receiver is operative to convert the infrared signals into electrical signals for controlling operational cycles of the machine system.

Abstract: A tool magazine of a tool handling machine which carries several similar tools comprises a unit which can be removed from the tool machine. The tools are conducted between guide rails in a lengthwise shiftable manner. The lengthwise feed of the tools in the tool magazine takes place by means of a feed comb whose comb teeth are moved transversely into engagement between the individual tools. The feed comb carries out a driven feed movement in a lengthwise direction of the magazine. The tools are moved from the tool magazine by a tool gripping device and conducted to a tool fixture of the tool machine. Conversely, the expended tools are moved into the tool magazine by a tool gripping device.

Abstract: All the layers of the anode foil of an electrolytic capacitor roll (5) are cold welded to a piece of tabbing (8) using radiussed weld tooling (10, 12, 13) which bends the foil layers in the course of the welding operation so as to enable a good weld to be effected. The cathode foil layers are welded to their piece of tabbing in the same way. Optionally the roll may be partially flattened at the time the welds are made.

Abstract: A method of producing a high frequency III-V FET and the resultant structure is described wherein a doped layer is formed on a wafer of undoped, semi-insulating III-V material. The structure is then etched to form a mesa after which, a channel region is regrown from an exposed portion of the III-V substrate. The formation of the channel region defines the source and drain regions. Ohmic contacts are then made to the source and drain regions after which a Schottky contact is made to the channel region.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a field effect device is set forth where the source and drain zones have extensions of an accurately and reproducibly determined length adjoining the gate electrode. According to the present invention, an oxygen-preventing insulating layer is formed on a first silicon layer forming the gate electrode, and a second silicon layer is provided on the oxygen-preventing layer. A part of the second silicon layer is removed and the edges substantially coincide with the edges of the gate electrode to be formed. The edges of the remaining part of the second silicon layer are oxidized. Through successive maskless selective etching steps, the first silicon layer is exposed and etched away at the area of the oxidized etched portions. The extensions of the source and drain zones are implanted through the openings thus obtained.

Abstract: A method of making a parallel programmed electronic matrix array including the steps of forming at least one layer of a phase changeable material on a conductive substrate, wherein the phase changeable material has a substantially nonconductive state and a comparatively high conductive state. The layer is formed in one of the states. The method also includes irradiating selected areas of the layer to simultaneously convert the selected areas of the layer to the other one of the states to form selected substantially nonconductive layer portions and selected comparatively high conductive layer portions. Thereafter, in a preprogrammed embodiment, first and second sets of electrically conductive address lines are formed on respective opposite sides of the layer.

Abstract: An improved method of manufacturing thin film transistors. A gate metal is patterned to form a gate electrode and a drain, gate and source contact pad for the transistor. To reduce shorts and capacitance between the gate and the source or the drain, an intermetal dielectric is patterned to form a central portion over a planar portion of the gate region and to cover any exposed gate edges.

Abstract: A lateral transistor structure having a self-aligned base and base contact is provided, together with a method for fabricating such a structure in which the base width is controlled by lateral diffusion of an impurity through a polycrystalline silicon layer. The resulting zone of impurity changes the etching characteristics of the layer and permits use of a selective etchant to remove all of the layer except the doped portion. The doped portion may then be used as a mask to define the base electrical contact, which in turn is used to provide a self-aligned base for the transistor. Dopants introduced on opposite sides of the base electrical contact create the emitter and collector.

Abstract: A bipolar or MOS semiconductor device is produced by self-alignment by (a) forming an insulating film on a semiconductor substrate, (b) forming a first conductive film, on the semiconductor substrate and (c) forming a first masking film having a window. The conductive film is then (d) anisotropically etched to form an opening and then, (e) transversely etched to form a protruding portion of the first masking film. A second masking film is (f) forming a second masking film on the insulating film through the window, (g) an uncovered portion of the insulating film under the protruding portion, is etched and (h) a second conductive film connecting the first conductive film and the exposed portion of the semiconductor substrate is formed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making ohmic and/or Schottky barrier contacts to a silicon semiconductor substrate in which before depositing the metal on silicon semiconductor substrates containing integrated circuits which are covered by a mask having contact windows, the metal is initially deposited on freshly cleaned blank silicon semiconductor substrates mounted in the same vacuum chamber. In this manner any traces of oxygen present in the vacuum chamber are chemisorbed by the blank substrate resulting in deposition of a high quality oxide-free metal contacts on the device substrates.

Abstract: A method of forming a metallic silicide on silicon or polysilicon in which a masking layer such as silicon dioxide is formed on a silicon slice and patterned to expose selected areas of the slice surface. The slice is then sputter etched followed by in situ deposition of a metal layer. The slice is heated to convert the portion of the metal layer in contact with the silicon and/or polysilicon to a metal silicide, then the non-converted metal is removed by a selective etchant. According to another embodiment of the invention a titanium layer is deposited and reacted in an ambient including nitrogen to prevent the out-diffusion of silicon through the TiSi.sub.2 and titanium layers.

Abstract: A linear stepper motor comprising a stator bar having stator teeth and a slider having slider teeth. The slider is positioned under the stator bar. The surface of the stator bar opposed to the slider has a pair of flat portions with a predetermined width between the edges and the teeth. The flat portions serve as rail portions for the rollers mounted on the slider. On the surface of the stator bar extending between the pair of flat portions are formed a plurality of parallel grooves to provide a plurality of stator teeth. The surface of thes stator bar is hardened by plating with a metallic material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching sliders and bottom stops to a slide fastener chain having longitudinally spaced gaps free of fastener elements, in which the chain is conveyed forwardly until a gap is detected. The chain is stopped and the gap area widened. A rotor movable beneath the chain is adapted to carry a slider and is also formed with a die plate portion. The rotor rotates to deliver the slider to the gap, thread the slider onto the fastener elements of the chain, and place the die plate beneath the gap across from bottom stop punch and chain cutter means which then fix a bottom stop to the chain and separate adjacent fastener element ends.

Abstract: Printed circuit board, provided with conductive pattern on one side or both sides of the board and through-holes, has conductive materials being inserted in its through-holes, the conductive material being metallically connected with the conductive pattern.The printed circuit board is manufactured in such a manner that by inserting conductive material to the through-hole, bending end portion of the conductive material laterally toward conductive pattern, applying ultrasonic welding to the bent end portion of the conductive pattern so as to make the end portion metallically connected to the conductive pattern.

Abstract: A shaving apparatus has a circular shear plate provided with hair-entrance apertures and a cutting unit associated with and rotatable relative to the shear plate about an axis of rotation. The cutting unit comprises a cutting member having a circular central body, cutter arms extending from the periphery of the central body toward the shear plate, and a cutter formed at the end of each cutter arm, a part of each cutter arm extending in a substantially axial direction. A hair-pulling member has a circular central portion, hair-pulling-blade arms extending from the periphery of the central portion toward the shear plate, and a hair-pulling blade formed at the end of each hair-pulling-blade arm, each hair-pulling blade being associated with and movable relative to a cutter, a part of each hair-pulling-blade arm extending in a substantially axial direction.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool with a circular-disk-shaped tool mounted on an output shaft which extends normal to a drive shaft has a guiding part which surrounds the tool in an immovable position at its cutting side. The guiding part has a wall arranged for abutting against a workpiece and having a through slot for the tool, and a guiding edge extending parallel to a cutting direction of the tool, and the guiding part being movably guided in direction normal to the wall.

Abstract: A chain saw gauging attachment having a fitting at one end adapted to be received under an existing nut on an existing stud of a chain saw, a rod extending outwardly from the fitting, means for firmly attaching the rod to the fitting, and an indicator which is slidably affixed to the rod and adapted to be fixed in predetermined positions. The fitting of the gauging attachment may be provided with a rotating means which permits the gauging attachment to be swung to the rear of the chain saw and away from the working area when not in use. When mounted, the gauge rod extends along the length of the work piece of a log to which is to be cut, and the indicator of the gauge rod enables the user to fix by sight the place on the log where the next cut is to be made. The gauge rod is slender and resilient whereby it will spring back to its original shape if accidently flexed.

Abstract: A reciprocating jigsaw tool having a plurality of selectible fixed linear plunger and blade motions as well as fully adjustable orbital and manual or auto scrolling saw blade control. A single mode selector is provided to select between the above operational modes. The mode selector includes a cam to selectively limit the oscillatory motion of a pivotally mounted plunger upper swivel bearing carriage assembly thereby directly limiting the degree of orbital plunger motion. The mode selector further includes a gear segment in operative engagement with a rack member which, in turn, engages an integral scrolling interface member of the top-mounted scrolling adjustment knob. The scrolling interface member incorporates an annular ring having a gap therein adapted to inhibit upward travel of the rack which, in turn, inhibits orbital saw operation when the plunger and blade is positioned other than in the cut forwardly position.

Abstract: A weld gauge for measuring the dimensions of welds between a base member and a workpiece extending outwardly from the base member at an angle, such as an acute angle or an obtuse angle. The gauge includes aplate having an arm pivotally mounted thereon for movement past a scale on the plate, the arm frictionally engaging the plate so that it can be adjustably put into any one of number of fixed positions along the scale for measurement purposes. The plate of the gauge has an upper margin which extends at an acute angle relative to the horizontal so that the gauge can be placed in the limited space formed by the workpiece extending at an acute angle relative to the base member. The scale is on one face of the plate.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning a number of nondestructive dud detectors above a conveyor includes side support members to which a rotatable threaded positioning bar is mounted. The positioning bar includes a number of serially placed threaded positioning segments. The dud detectors are supported by the positioning bar through individual dud detector supports. Each dud detector support includes a threaded block which engages the threaded positioning bar. The threaded positioning segments have threads with different pitches. Rotation of the positioning bar cause the dud detectors to move axially along the positioning bar, and thus transversely over the conveyor belt, at unequal rates. The thread spacing or pitch for each threaded positioning segment is chosen so that the separation between adjacent dud detectors changes while keeping the dud detectors equally spaced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for checking toothed articles such as splines. A spline is rotatably supported in a cradle, and a pair of discs, one of which is axially moveable, the other of which is axially fixed, are brought into engagement with generally parallel and oppositely directed teeth of the spline. The discs are of the same hand and are rotated in unison causing rotation of the spline in the cradle. Relative movement of the discs is monitored to provide a succession of span measurements in order to provide information which can be used to sort splines according to their deviation from designed dimensions.

Abstract: A positioning system for locating a keyed embroidery hoop on a workpiece, including a hoop mounting plate; a hoop recess in the mounting plate for receiving a keyed hoop; a center line on the plate; and a plurality of parallel gauge lines for positioning a workpiece on the plate relative to the hoop recess.

Abstract: On a truck comprising tandem flangeless wheels riding on a single rail and four guide rollers rotatable on vertical axes, two at each side of the rail, crabbing and turning misalignments of the wheels are diagnosed from information about which rollers rotate during truck movement in each direction along the rail. For obtaining that information, a small reflective spot is delineated at an eccentric location on the upper surface of each roller, and a photoelectric sensor for each roller, magnetically attached to the truck, has its optical axis aimed at the orbit of the spot to issue an electrical impulse for each roller rotation. A signal device connected to each sensor issues a perceptible signal for each impulse. The signal devices are at a single console to facilitate comparisons of the number of revolutions made by the several rollers during a truck movement.

Abstract: An elongated hollow body of transparent material is provided and defines a closed cavity therein including a first elongated portion extending transversely of one end of the body, a second elongated portion disposed adjacent and at a 45.degree. angle relative to the other end of the body and a third elongated portion extending along the body and communicating corresponding ends of the first and second cavity portions. A quantity of liquid and a gas bubble fill the cavity and the cavity walls include first, second and third partial cylindrical wall portions spaced closely inwardly of first and second end surfaces and a longitudinal side surface of the body. The first and second end surfaces are disposed at 90.degree. and 45.degree. relative to the longitudinal side surface of the body and each of the surfaces includes indicia thereon defining the central area of the corresponding cavity wall portion in which the bubble may be seated.

Abstract: A designer's triangle which permits completion of a drawing with the use of a single instrument includes a planar sheet having three external edges forming a triangle with angles of 45.degree., 60.degree. and 75.degree., respectively. The planar sheet defines three-sided first and second internal triangular cutout openings having respective edges lying along perpendiculars to edges of the external triangle and a trisector of the 45.degree. angle. In some preferred embodiments these perpendiculars intersect at a common point and may constitute altitudes of the external triangle.

Abstract: A drier (6) intended to dry print on a material (11), consisting of a conveyor device (6a) for moving the material in and out of the drier and a number of drying units (14,15,16). Each is arranged so as to be capable of drying that part of the print which is situated immediately against the unit. For the purpose of drying print (12,12a) applied to the material (11) only those units (14c,14d,16a,16b) are used which are arranged so as to be able to dry the applied print.

Abstract: An improved method for cooling particulate solids in an expanded bed by successively charging the particulate solids to a plurality of expanded beds with the exhaust gas from each of the plurality of expanded beds being discarded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retarding electrochemical type decomposition of electrical insulation by flushing moisture from the insulation of installed power cables with a fluid having a low moisture content. The insulation of the power cables is dried and maintained dry by a continuous flow of dry fluid through the conductor and insulation while the cable is energized. An apparatus is disclosed which provides for the fluid to enter and exit from the cable. The disclosed method provides an effective retardation of the growth of electrochemical trees in the insulation structure and thereby significantly extends the useful life of the cable system.

Abstract: A vapor component of a gas mixture is separated by condensation and is recovered for further use. A solvent vapor mixed with inert gas is condensed in a multistage heat exchange system in a manner which utilizes a first refrigerant to condense a portion of the vapor in a first heat exchange device, a second refrigerant, typically cold inert gas, for condensing a further portion of the vapor in a second heat exchanger and a third heat exchange device wherein chilled liquid is utilized to condense a still further portion of the vapor. In a fourth heat exchange device, a cryogenic liquid is passed in heat exchange relation with the liquid passed thereto from the third heat exchange device. The cryogenic liquid is vaporized to form an essentially pure inert gas which is supplied to the vicinity of the oven exit and entrance, but exteriorly of the oven to form inert gas barriers. The fourth heat exchange device may effect direct or indirect heat exchange with the cryogenic liquid.

Abstract: Installation for the centrifugal spin-drying or combined spin-drying and drying of fibrous or porous materials comprising, in combination, a spin-drier and a material carrier adapted to receive at least one pile of spools or similar of fibrous or porous materials, said material carrier being formed from a plurality of supports each adapted to receive a pile of spools or similar, disposed along at least one ring about a common axis formed by a central caisson, said spin-drier being equipped with a basket comprising a plurality of pockets or similar each adapted to receive a pile of spools or similar carried by a support of the material carrier, said supports being designed to be each housed in a pocket of the basket of said spin-drier and the common axis about which said supports are disposed in a ring being formed by a hollow central caisson adapted to fit into the central pivot of the centrifugal spin-drier.

Abstract: A valve for isolating the interior of a glow discharge chamber from the atmosphere and other reactants. The valve includes a body mounted in an aperture of the chamber. A slit-like opening is provided therein to allow the interior of the chamber to communicate with interrelated elements of a deposition system. A source is provided for introducing inert gas into the opening under pressure somewhat greater than that of reaction gases and plasma within the chamber to create an effective, non-reactive gas curtain.