Abstract: A mattress assembly system tailored by an individual whereby the individual may select the specific components which will be assembled into an individualized mattress assembly. The system includes a selected comfort module selected by an individual from a group of interchangeable comfort modules and a selected support module for supporting the individual selected by the individual from a group of interchangeable support modules. A module carrier carries the selected comfort and support modules once they have been selected.

Abstract: An inflatable overlay for a bed mattress has a base sheet with a top and sides sized to retentively fit over the mattress, and inflatable elements secured to the sheet defining a body support surface. Impermeable sheet material is layered on the base sheet to form air conduits connected for supplying the inflatable elements. The overlay is pliable and can be folded or rolled for transport and storage.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a lateral rotation therapy mattress system for a patient, including: a plurality of side-by-side longitudinal air cells, the air cells being divided into first and second side-by-side groups, wherein decreasing the pressure of pressurized air in the second group will cause the patient to rotate in the direction of the second group; and first and second pairs of solenoid valves connected to provide, respectively, the pressurized air to the first and second groups, wherein opening one of the solenoid valves in a the first and second pairs of solenoid valves will provide a desired low air pressure level and opening both of the solenoid valves in a the first and second pairs of solenoid valves will provide a desired high air pressure level, the low air pressure levels providing partial turn of the patient and the high pressure levels providing full turn of the patient.

Abstract: A cable stripping and bending device. The device is a tool with no moving parts. The cable is inserted into a rounded recess where the sheath is cut longitudinally of the cable by a cutting blade which is fixed to the tool and projects into the rounded recess. The insulation is cut and stripped by additional cutting blades fixed to the tool and projecting in a V-shaped recess. The ends of the conductors are bent by pivoting the tool with the ends of the conductors inserted into a bore in the tool.

Abstract: The present invention provides an unique and compact shoe support apparatus for supporting and holding a shoe at an operable position. This mounting means frees both hands of the user for cleaning and polishing. The apparatus includes a `U` shaped mounting bracket which fastens to both door knobs. The mounting bracket is adapted to receive a shoe tree device which is adjustable to accommodate various sizes of shoes. The shoetree has an adjustable heel snubber portion which functions to hold the shoe in place through a combination of a rearward force and a grip developed between the inside heel portion of the shoe and the last located in the toe portion of the shoe.

Abstract: Disclosed is a brush conditioning apparatus for attachment to a wafer cleaning tool having a cylindrical brush. The brush conditioning apparatus includes a freely rotatable, cylindrically shaped brush conditioner that can be adjustably mounted onto an existing wafer cleaning tool. The apparatus also includes a fluid injection system that has an intake port on at least one end of the cylindrical brush conditioner and includes fluid dispensing outlets along the radial surface of the brush conditioner. Because the brush conditioner is freely mounted onto the brush cleaning tool and in contact with the cleaning brush, a counter rotation of the brush conditioner will occur as the cleaning brush is rotated.

Abstract: An improved substrate processing system. The system may be used for double sided scrubbing of a semiconductor substrate. The wet stations of the system has covers which prevent accumulated liquid from dripping outside of the station and which minimize dripping on the substrates. Transport tunnels are provided between modules to prevent leakage between the modules. A substrate transport mechanism which is moveable along a rail is provided with the stabilizer to provide for stable substrate transfer. The processing system has two brush stations which are placed within a single enclosure. The sensors located throughout the system, which sense the presence of a wafer, are fixedly mounted in a frame so that they are self-aligned to one another. In the sender station, two sensors are used, with the system requiring both sensors to sense the presence of a wafer to increase the reliability. In the dry station, the heating lamp is shielded from the substrate to reduce particulate contamination.

Abstract: A debris collection vehicle (1) having an offset cab (12) adjacent to a conveyor belt (61) which transports collected debris to a hopper (59). Rows of resilient fingers (51) are mounted on a collector drum (36), the conveyor (61) and on curb brushes (22, 24). The orientation of the collector (36) may be varied with respect to the lower drum (57) supporting the conveyor belt (61) in order to permit the reliable entrainment of various sized and shaped objects without fouling. The collector drum (36) is biased by a spring (192) to facilitate clearance of obstacles or oversized debris. A front deflection bar (229) is mounted adjacent to the collector drum (36) to direct debris toward the lower support (56) of the conveyor belt (61). A rear deflection bar (239) is mounted adjacent to the lower conveyor support (56) to direct debris toward the upper surface of the conveyor belt (61).

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning conduits which includes a generally cylindrical body (12) having a bore adapted at one end for connection with a high pressure fluid source. The body includes a groove (26) extending circumferentially about the exterior of the body. The body further includes a port (28) which extends through the body from the bore to the groove. The conduit cleaning apparatus further includes an annular rotor (32) having a central rotor bore (34). The annular rotor is positioned about the body for rotation thereon. The annular rotor further includes at least one orifice (46) extending through the annular rotor from the bore to the exterior of the annular rotor. The orifice is positioned in communication with the groove when the annular rotor is positioned for rotation on the body. The conduit cleaner apparatus further includes a wire (48) attached to the annular rotor. The wire is manufactured from braided stainless steel wire, and is highly abrasive and shearing to objects which it contacts.

Abstract: This apparatus includes a sponge-like material approximately 2.times.3.times.0.5 inches, impregnated with a lotion, such as sun-tan lotion, in the middle of a length of cloth-like material of about 4 ft. by 2 inches in width. This comes in a leak proof container and is used to apply said lotion to the part of ones back difficult to reach by oneself. One grasps each end, flips it over the head and rubs in a side-to-side buffing motion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sootblower and particularly to a hub and drive assembly therefore capable of producing improved cleaning by directing the blowing medium over substantially all of the surface to be cleaned. Includes a hub and drive assembly in accord with the present invention converts the alternating, clockwise and counter-clockwise rotary output of a reversible drive motor to uni-directional rotary movement of the sootblower lance. Further, the hub and drive assembly of the present invention provides an incremental degree of lost rotational movement each time the direction of longitudinal movement of the lance and nozzle assembly changes.

Abstract: A caster assembly mountable to a frame leg of a movable frame structure having a caster receiving aperture therein. The caster assembly of a preferred embodiment includes a caster having a caster fork, a caster wheel attached to the caster fork, and a mounting shaft attached to a caster fork. The mounting shaft is shaped and sized to extend through the aperture in the frame portion when the caster assembly is in an installed position wherein the caster is adjacent to a bottom side of the frame leg and an intermediate portion of the mounting shaft is adjacent to a top side of the frame leg. The mounting shaft has an generally flat blocking surface extending along a portion of the shaft such that the blocking surface is adjacent to the aperture in the frame leg when the caster is in the installed position. A locking washer is removably connected to the mounting shaft and is mountable to the frame leg.

Abstract: A hermaphroditic ball and socket joint permits a ball to rotate freely within a socket within constrained bounds. The socket resides within a housing that has an exterior surface having a rotational axis of symmetry passing through the center of the socket. A channel connects the socket to the exterior surface. The ball extends from a member having a collar which partially enshrouds the ball and which has an inside surface that is substantially identical to the exterior surface of the socket housing and which has an axis of rotational symmetry passing through the center of the ball. The free rotation of the ball in the socket is constrained by the restricted movement of the member through the channel and the restricted rotation of the collar around the exterior surface of the housing.

Abstract: A hinged platform assembly includes a platform having an end member with a lobed surface on one side thereof and a relatively flat surface on another side thereof. A socket assembly is provided for receiving the end member and enabling the member to turn about an axis within said socket means. The socket assembly includes an opening therein for enabling insertion of the member into said socket means at one angular relationship between said member and the socket assembly and preventing separation of the member and the socket assembly at all other angular relationships therebetween. The socket assembly further includes opposing surfaces for preventing turning of the member within the socket assembly past a selected angle therebetween, thus allowing the platform to support heavy loads without the need of additional components or struts of any kind.

Abstract: A hinge positioned at the intermediate extents of the adjacent rail components to hold such components in an aligned orientation including a saddle with a central button aperture, interior plate apertures and exterior end apertures with associated rail pins for pivotally coupling the saddle and the adjacent interior ends of associated rail components, a pair of locking plates each with a plate pin coupling the upper end of each plate to a plate aperture of the saddle, each plate having an opening extending therethrough the plates urged away from each other, a liftable button with an elongated slot and with an associated button pin for slidably coupling the button to the saddle, the button having inclined bearing surfaces on their edges and an inwardly facing projection located at the adjacent interior edge of each adjacent rod segment, each projection having an upper curved surface and a lower planar surface receivable by the bearing opening.

Abstract: A sliding flat formed from section bars for a card with moving flats driven by toothed drive belts, with upper return guides for the flats. The flats are provided in their ends with pins for cylindrical coupling with the toothed belts, said coupling pins projecting from the toothed belt such that it is they which rest on the return guides instead of the teeth of the toothed belt.

Abstract: A device for monitoring and regulating the tension in the sliver produced by a carding unit and transferred from this along a path to a unit for its collection into cans for further processing, comprising a deviator bar pivoted on a pivot and an oppositely located rod provided with an element which opposes the rotary movement of the bar deriving from the variations in tension of the sliver deviated by it, the sliver tension being measured by sensors on the basis of the effect induced by the sliver on the bar, the relative signals being transmitted to the control unit which compares the values received with the allowable limiting values and implements the consequent interventions.

Abstract: A cable tie includes an elongate generally planar strap and a head. The head includes a passageway therethrough for inserting the strap and a flexibly hinged locking pawl adjacent the passageway. The cable tie resists longitudinal deformation of the locking notches when adjacent the locking teeth on the pawl. Side edge-barriers are located along the strap adjacent the head so that the strap may be cut at a location between the side edge-barriers.

Abstract: A rectangular band disposed in a closed loop about a cable coiled in a hank to facilitate the handling and storage of the hank when the cable is not in use. The band has two adjacent longitudinal slits through which a cable end is projected to hold the band on the cable when it is used and also so it is readily handy to again bind the cable after its use into a hank. In its position on the hank, the band holds the end of the cable projected through the slits in the same plane as the hank and thus provides a flat, compact condition in the hank and in the cable end that is favorable for handling and storage.

Abstract: A ratchet buckle for incrementally tightening and quickly releasing a strap, such as a snowboard binding strap and the like. A housing supports a pawl, a release actuator and a drive actuator. The housing slidably receives a serrated strap, which is engaged by the pawl to prevent an inadvertent release from the buckle. The drive actuator allows a user to selectively tighten the strap relative to the buckle. The release actuator is arranged to both disengage the pawl from the strap and separate the buckle from the strap using one continuous motion. The pawl, release actuator and drive actuator may be pivotally mounted to the housing about separate axes, and the drive actuator may be pivotally attached to the release actuator.

Abstract: A device and method which facilitates the removal of a zipper component such as a slider e.g. for maintenance, repair, security and the like, is provided. In one embodiment a plate configured so that it can define a receiving area is positioned adjacent to a pair of zipper tapes such that a slider may be moved off the zipper tapes and into the receiving area. Preferably the receiving area is configured so that once the slider is in the receiving area it may be removed therefrom and/or a new slider may be inserted therein for positioning onto the zipper tapes. In one embodiment one or more removable doors or tabs are provided to limit movement of the slider and/or prevent movement into the receiving area unless the doors or stop members are moved or removed. In one embodiment, one or more guide lugs are provided for engaging the slider to glide the slider from the receiving area onto the tape so as to readily engage the zipper teeth.

Abstract: In a surface fastener, a multiplicity of hook-shape male engaging elements each formed of monofilament, a multiplicity of pile-like female engaging elements each formed of a multifilament, and a multiplicity of cut piles each formed of a set of fibers of a multifilament stand mixedly from a front surface of a woven or knit substrate.

Abstract: In a roller clip with a U-shaped body having resilient top and bottom legs, the top leg has an opening capturing a rolling means between the two legs and rotatably supporting the rolling means to permit insertion of a slip between the rolling means and the bottom leg for holding the slip. The bottom leg is provided with means for attaching the roller clip to a support surface.

Abstract: The device comprises a ratchet (3) and a base (4) that are to be respectively secured to the two footwear portions (A, B) to be closed on one another, a sprocket wheel (12) supported on the base (4) to be rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction of the ratchet (3), a lever (8) mounted on the base (4) so that it can be swung about the axis of the sprocket wheel (12), as well as first (13, 15) and second. (26) unidirectional retainers means respectively between the lever (8) and the sprocket wheel (12), for the rotation of the sprocket wheel and the resultant sliding in one direction of the ratchet (3), and for holding the ratchet with respect to the base (4) in the opposite direction; the first unidirectional retaining means comprises a coupling having front teeth (13, 15), which coupling acts between one axial end of the sprocket wheel and the lever.

Abstract: A push-button closure part including a contoured button, a metallic rivet part having a rivet shank projecting from the underside of the button and an approximately radially extending, round rivet flange. The closure part includes a push button eyelet for slipping onto the rivet shank through a central opening. The rivet shank is deformed in a shallow S-shape which causes flexible material clasped between the rivet flange and the eyelet to be pressed between the edge of the central opening of the eyelet and rivet flange and also between the surrounding outer edge of the eyelet and the rivet flange.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ampul containing a marking substance and intended for use in a theft-deterrent device for theft-attractive goods. According to the invention, the ampul (2) encloses an alarm element (8) which can be sensed or detected by an electronic alarm system and which is inaccessible unless the ampul (2) is broken, crushed or destroyed in some other way such as to release the marking substance (4). The invention also relates to a theft-deterrent device which includes such an ampul.

Abstract: A singeing device (V) for the gassing of circular goods (1), for instance circular knitted textile goods, having a singe burner (3) and a cloth guide (W) in order to obtain uniform gassing. The guidance of the goods (W) is developed so as to result in flat sides (a) of the circular goods (1) which extend substantially parallel to each other and rounded transition sides (b), and the singe burner (3) gasses the circular goods (1) both on the flat sides (a) and on the transition sides (b).

Abstract: A turret head device for machine tool comprises a housing; a motor mounted on a rear surface of said housing; a first and second planetary gear mechanisms, both integrated into the housing; a turret for mounting tools; and a tool driving shaft integrated into the turret.Wherein said turret is connected with said motor through said first and second planetary gear mechanisms and the tool driving shaft is connected with the motor through the first planetary gear mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool used to insert the sleeve of a cylindrical printing blanket over a press cylinder. One end of the tool is equipped with a tapered portion which forms a snug fit with the inside wall of the sleeve. This tapered portion is formed on a ring shaped member, a plurality of connecting rods connect the ring shaped member to a base plate attached to a handle. The length of these connecting rods is sufficient to accommodate the length of a bearing assembly of the press cylinder onto which the cylindrical blanket is mounted.

Abstract: A repairing method using a lance for repairing an oven wall surface of a coke oven comprises the steps of arranging a distance sensor at a top end of the lance, quantitatively measuring a depth of a worn or a damaged area by the distance sensor, and blowing a repairing material from a repairing nozzle to the worn area in accordance with a measurement result to thereby repair the worn area. The lance used in this repairing method has a multistage structure having a polygonal cross section and is extendable. With this structure, the oven wall surface can be scanned in a linear fashion or along a plane. If the top end of the lance is movable in accordance with a basic motion pattern and/or a travelling pattern, it is possible to readily repair a repair range having a complicated shape.

Abstract: A chucking magnet magnetizing method and magnetizing apparatus with which it is possible to carry out magnetization so that the magnetic attraction forces of chucking magnets are uniform even when there is some dispersion among products in the difference in height between the hub support and the chucking magnet are disclosed. Magnetization of a chucking magnet is carried out with the magnetizing power of a magnetizing device varied according to the difference in height between a hub support and the chucking magnet. There are provided a dimension measuring device for measuring the difference in height between the hub support and the chucking magnet and a varying device for varying the magnetization power from the magnetizing device based on measured values form the measuring device.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pulp molding die, by providing a superplastic material plate having a plurality of preformed through-holes, closing the plurality of preformed through-holes, heating the superplastic material plate under a pressurized atmosphere, forming the plate into a desired shape, and uncovering the plurality of preformed through-holes of the plate, thereby forming the pulp molding die.

Abstract: A system for producing parts/substrate assemblies each of which includes a substrate such as a ceramic substrate and a plurality of parts such as LSIs mounted on the substrate. After the LSIs for one lot of the production have been checked for excess or deficiency, etc. by a collating device, they are formed with solder bumps and then inspected. The LSIs are automatically arranged on empty work pallets as parts kits by a kit setting apparatus, and the work pallets on each of which the corresponding LSIs have been arranged as the parts kit are moved into a stocker. A host computer gives a command for mounting the LSIs on the ceramic substrate on which they can be mounted, on the basis of information indicating the stocked pallet and information indicating the progress of the ceramic substrate. An LSI mounting apparatus reads the serial No. of the introduced ceramic substrate, and requests the stocker to deliver the work pallet on which the associated LSIs have been arranged as the parts kit.

Abstract: A pallet assembly comprising in combination a single deck member and multiple leg members, the leg members being threadingly attached to said deck member. The leg members comprise a hollow interior formed by a bottom and side wall, preferably circular in cross-section, with a peripheral flange to support the deck member and an annular, threaded aperture ring corresponding to circular apertures within the deck member.

Abstract: The present invention improves the durability of a plastic sleeve formed integrally with a bush on the inner circumference of the bush. A method of fabricating a chain link assembly deforms a bush (1) set in a mold (2) into the same barrel-like shape as that of the bush (1) in the chain link assembly, injects a molten plastic into the mold to form a plastic sleeve (8) on the inner surface of the bush (1), and unites the bushes (1) respectively provided with the plastic sleeves (8) with chain link plates so that the internal stress induced in the sleeves (8) is removed.

Abstract: A machine for producing wire harnesses of the type having multiple connectors terminated to the wires of the harness, the connectors being arranged in serial order along the length of the wire harness and some of the connectors being of two-piece construction is disclosed. The machine includes a reciprocating carriage and a nest that retains a lead connector in place during termination and subsequent advancement of the harness wires. The carriage is received within a termination assembly which has different termination members for different connectors.

Abstract: An electrical slip ring base is constructed of flexible and moldable or extrudible material so as to be capable of being formed into a variety of profiles or shapes. A rigid backing or hub stiffens or reinforces the base member. Any form of conductive rings can be used, and the base member can be formed to accommodate them.

Abstract: An armature core composed of a plurality of thin plates having a plurality of slots and a center hole is provided. Then, lower coil bars and subsequently upper coil bars are placed in the respective slots with insulators so that a coil end portion of one of the lower coil bars in one of the slots and a coil end portion of one of the upper coil bars in another slot meet together. After the meeting-coil-end portions are welded, a shaft is inserted to the center hole.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor design and fabrication process that provides improved microtrack profile linearity for servo elements while simultaneously providing stable and linear data sensing elements suitable for high density tape head applications. The stability and uniformity of both data and servo sensor elements is enhanced through the use of a grating profile under both the soft film biased magnetoresistive sensor layer and the hard bias stabilizing magnets. Processing steps are eliminated by replicating the grating pattern for the servo sensor elements through a thick layer of alumina or silicon dioxide. The outer read shield is removed from the servo elements using a stripping process that eliminates structural damage arising from alumina pinhole's. Both element types are free of significant Barkhausen noise and instability because of the grating-stabilized domains in both the active magnetoresistive regions and the passive hard-biasing regions of each sensor.

Abstract: A disk drive assembly in which the suspension and read/write transducer are integrated into a combination assembly and fabricated using thin film deposition techniques thereby producing an assembly which is very low in mass permitting contact recording. In one embodiment, transducers are deposited in a row and column configuration onto a release and support layer covering a wafer substrate having a thickness equal to a desired suspension length. The wafer is separated into a plurality of row sections, with each row section providing one thin film transducer from each column. A second release layer is formed on a separated side on the row section and thin layers of suitable materials are deposited to form a suspension layer including conductive lines extending to the thin film transducers. The first and second release layers are dissolved and the row section is further cut to form the individual combination assemblies.

Abstract: An inductive pinched-gap thin film head (TFH) device having pole-tips which are in substantial contact along their side-edges, thereby precisely defining a pinched-gap segment. The substantial contact between the pole-tips' side-edges effectively eliminates all flux lines emanating from the edges and corners during the write operation. The write magnetic field is thus precisely confined to across the pinched-gap segment. As a result, the written medium track width is accurately defined by the width of the pinched-gap segment with high degree of magnetization coherency and virtual elimination of the track-edge noise. The improved (medium) signal-to-noise ratio facilitates substantial increase of the track density. Photolithographic definition and etching of the gap-vias to the bottom pole-tip, followed by deposition of the top pole-tip, facilitates precise and consistent control of the width of the pinched-gap segment (and the written track) drawn to .ltoreq.1 .mu.m.

Abstract: A magnetic or electromagnetic circuit component includes an embedded magnetic material (e.g., ferromagnetic) in an HDI structure with alternating dielectric and metal or winding layers. In one embodiment, the ferromagnetic material is situated in a substrate well, or cavity, with or without an adhesive. Alternatively, the ferromagnetic material is co-fired with the ceramic substrate and then machined to achieve a required core shape. An electroplating process is employed to construct the metal layers, such process including differential plating for varying the thickness of metal layers and/or other portions of the circuit. Laser ablation or any other suitable technique is employed to make through-holes for insertion of the posts of a ferromagnetic core plate used to complete a magnetic circuit, if required. Advantageously, a magnetic or electromagnetic component may have a height of less than about 0.1 inch.

Abstract: An apparatus (40) is disclosed for crimping a terminal (12) onto a wire (10) thereby forming a crimped wire assembly (32). The apparatus includes an upper die form tool (78) and a mating lower deep crimping nest (74) for performing the crimping operation. A terminal feed unit (86) is provided for feeding a strip (24) of terminals along a feed path (180) and positioning each terminal, in turn, in crimping position between the mating tooling. A lifting arm (134) is provided for separating the crimped wire assembly (32) from the deep crimping nest (74). The arm is pivotally attached to the apparatus and includes a first end having a camming surface (160, 162) arranged to engage the crimped wire assembly, and upon pivoting of the arm, the camming surface cams the crimped wire assembly (32) out of the deep crimping nest (74) in a direction (178) substantially perpendicular to the feed path (180) and then moves the wire assembly (32) in a direction along the feed path.

Abstract: A tool for batch processing the definition of air bearing surfaces on rows comprising a plurality of sliders is disclosed. The tool has a main body member having a length defining a y-axis direction, a width defining an x-axis direction, and a thickness defining a z-axis direction. The main body member has a top surface defining an upwardly facing z-axis base surface. The main body also defines a y-axis alignment reference surface, and an x-axis alignment reference surface. The rows are positioned on the tool for processing, where the upper surface of the platform engages the lower surface of the plurality of rows to provide proper z-axis positioning on the tool. The y-axis alignment reference engages one longitudinal side of an anchor row to provide proper y-axis positioning, and the x-axis alignment reference surface abuts the second end of the plurality of rows to provide proper x-axis positioning. The top surfaces of the rows lie in a common plane.

Abstract: A multi-chip module is provided which utilizes benzocyclobutene as a laminate adhesive for bonding the upper dielectric films in a high density interconnect structure. The benzocyclobutene thermosetting polymer is spin coated on a polyimide film, and baked at low temperature to remove any solvent to leave a B-staged coating on the polyimide film. The composite film can be laminated to an underlying electrical structure using a vacuum laminator and heat. As the heat is applied, the BCB layer softens, flows and then cures to bond the polyimide film to the underlying electrical structure.

Abstract: A method of attaching a microchip onto a circuit board is described. The method may include: forming a core portion of thermally conductive and electrically conductive material 50; forming a perimeter portion of thermally conductive and electrically nonconductive material 54; placing the core portion of thermally conductive and electrically conductive material 50 at a site on a circuit board 58 where the microchip 56 will be bonded; placing the perimeter portion of thermally conductive and electrically non-conductive material 54 around the core portion 50 on the circuit board; and attaching microchip component 56 to the core portion 50 and the perimeter portion 54. The method may also include applying a catalyst on the circuit board before attaching the core and perimeter portions. The method may also include curing the core portion and the perimeter portion at 90 degrees C. for 10 minutes and then applying a catalyst on the core portion and the perimeter portion.

Abstract: A method for mounting an integrated circuit includes a plurality of solder balls arrayed on the bottom surface of a package of the integrated circuit on a circuit board. These solder balls provide for surface mounting of the integrated circuit to a circuit board by solder reflow. The array of solder balls can be planarized so that each of the plural solder balls participate in defining a truly planar solder ball contact array for the integrated circuit package. Methods of manufacturing the integrated circuit with a package having planarized solder balls in an array dependent from a bottom surface thereof are set forth. The truly planarized solder ball contact array of the integrated circuit package affords nearly absolute reliability in forming of surface-mount electrical connections between the integrated circuit package and the circuit board on which the package is to mount.

Abstract: A method of joining a metal heat sink pallet to a circuit board by electroplating a layer of solder on the mounting surface of the pallet, placing and holding the circuit board metal circuit paths firmly against the plated mounting surface of the pallet and heating the pallet until the solder melts and alloys with the circuit paths. A nitrogen gas bath is used to inhibit oxidation during heating and alloying and a flux is used to promote alloying. A bonding fixture accurately positions the circuit board with respect to the pallet and applies pressure in circuit path areas of interest during heating, alloying and cooling to accurately position the circuit board on the pallet and to promote a superior mechanical and electrical bond between the circuit paths and the pallet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing data carriers containing a positioned element on at least one of their surfaces from a multiple-copy sheet. As many method steps as possible are performed on the multiple-copy sheet which is subdivided, before the elements are positioned in the data carriers, into smaller units having positioning markings as position references. Using these markings the small units are brought in an exact position relative to various working stations, where several data carriers in the units are provided with a positioned element simultaneously.

Abstract: An optically transparent article is prepared from an optically transparent first piece and an optically transparent second piece. A channel pattern is scribed into a surface of the first piece to a preselected depth. A metallic stripe pattern is deposited into the channel pattern, with the thickness of the metallic stripe pattern being less than the depth of the channel pattern. The second piece is placed over the first piece and sealed thereto at a peripheral boundary such that the second piece does not contact the metallic stripe pattern. A bus connection is optionally made to the metallic stripe, preferably from the periphery of either the first or second piece.