Abstract: In the production of multicolored yarn from differently colored filament bundles, the individual bundles may be texturized collectively. Then they are separated again into crimped part-threads 11.3 through 11.5 and are compacted individually in after-compacting means 8 before these part-threads are jointly compacted in a collective compacting means 9 and subsequently are wound up as a yarn 12 in a winding device 10.

Abstract: A method of making earth tilling sweeps from disc scrap including a process of cutting a plurality of circular discs side-by-side to form disc cut-outs as well as discs. Each cut-out is formed around an axis which is perpendicular to the plane of the sheet of metal from which the discs are cut. The method herein includes leaving a predetermined width of material between the disc cut-outs and a predetermined width of metal between each respective disc cut-outs on at least one of the side edges. A sweep blank is made by cutting between and through the width of metal between the cut-outs and between the one edge and each one of two adjacent cut-outs. Further cutting of the sweep blank toward its final configuration includes forming attachment openings therein. The sweep blank is then bent into a three-dimensional shape for use in tilling the earth.

Abstract: A cased coil spring producing apparatus comprises a coil spring producing mechanism for forming coil springs, a conveying mechanism including a conveyer for conveying the coil springs fed from the coil spring producing mechanism, a hardening-and-cooling mechanism for hardening the coil springs and cooling them, a sheet feeding mechanism for double folding a sheet and feeding it, a compression-and-insertion mechanism for compressing the coil springs and inserting them in the double folded sheet, a bonding mechanism for bonding the double folded sheet inserting therein the coil springs together, and a coil spring arraying mechanism for changing position of the coil springs inserted in the sheet. The conveyer of the conveying mechanism includes coil spring supporting members aligned in two or more rows rising upwardly therefrom. A sorting mechanism is provided for sortably distributing the coil springs fed from the coil spring producing mechanism to the coil spring supporting members.

Abstract: Structural shapes are descaled with water or air jets from a distributor beam in the form of a tube bundle extending across the path of the structural shape and rotatable to juxtapose a selected nozzle array with the structural shape. The nozzle arrays on the distributor have different nozzle patterns depending upon spray distribution required for the particular structural shape and upon a change in the rolling pattern, the distributor can be rotated about the distributor axis to bring one or another of its arrays into operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for forming a discontinuous slot, recess or other such opening of predetermined size and location in an extrusion section, such as a window jamb liner. The apparatus includes a cutting or shaping device mounted on or closely adjacent an extruding die, such device including a tip movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the extended position, the tip engages the extrusion as the extrusion is formed and leaves the die, to thereby slit or otherwise remove a strip or other predetermined amount of material from the extrusion and thus form a recess or opening. As the cutter-like member is extended into or retracted from the extrusion, the tip of the cutterlike member shears the extrusion cross-wise to form an opening which may form an end of a slot and the length of time the tip remains in such contact with the extrusion determines the slots length.

Abstract: Aspects for device and package separation of a multi-layer integrated circuit device attached at a frontside to an integrated circuit package are described. In an exemplary method aspect, the method includes slicing through material coupling the multi-layer integrated circuit to the integrated circuit package with a high power water stream. The slicing further includes cutting through solder bump material. Additionally, the multi-layer integrated circuit device is utilized for device analysis from a frontside following separation from the integrated circuit package by the step of slicing.

Abstract: A tool and a method employed by numismatists to extract numismatically valued coins from pockets on vinyl pages used to house and display coin collections. Tools can be machined from either plastic material or sheet steel stock, either material can be machined to identical configurations and are equal to performing desired function. Tool is machined on left segment to form a half circle, right segment is machined to a narrowed extension, on extreme right end of segment a small ridge is formed. Tool is held by placing thumb on inner surface of half circle, opposing forefinger is placed on outer surface of half circle, holding it thusly, narrowed segment is inserted into top opening of pocket, housing numismatically valued coin, engaging small ridge in recessed area of coin holder, drawing tool upward extracts coin holder.

Abstract: A machine for fastening rail plates to cross-ties, utilizing spikes or the like, and method therefore, is disclosed in the present invention. The preferred apparatus of the present invention teaches a system wherein there is provided a conveyor for conveying a plurality of laterally arranged, juxtaposed ties in bulk, a loader or retriever for loading a single tie upon a template conveyer, and a positioner for positioning the single tie during the pre-plating process. The present invention further includes a template system for securing the cross-tie or tie in place, feeding and positioning the rail-plate in place, feeding, dispensing, and positioning the spikes in place, driving the spikes, and discharging the processed tie, the template system utilizing as a principle motive force the displacement of the template reciprocating drive piston for positioning the template, as well as dispensing the plates.

Abstract: A method for producing the supporting structure includes pressing-in an electrically insulating ceramic material, preferably in powdered form, on substantially all sides between the structures, and shaping the structures to be both accessible, at least in partial regions, and to exert pressure from substantially all sides onto the ceramic material, without touching one another, for metallic bonding to further structures. Another method for producing the supporting structure includes joining together the structures with three-dimensional form-locking connections by joint deformation, forming a surface or a surface layer being convertible chemically into an electric insulating layer on at least one of and between the structures, and subsequently converting the convertible surface or surface layer into an electrically insulating ceramic layer, in particular by oxidation, for creating an insulating layer being pressed-in on substantially all sides between the connections.

Abstract: A non-rotating and axially secured connection between an inner joint part of a constant velocity joint and a driveshaft has an inner joint part at its outer circumference with tracks for receiving torque-transmitting balls or tripod arms for sliding on rollers, as well as-a central bore with inner teeth. The driveshaft is inserted into the bore and is provided with corresponding outer teeth. At the end of the inner joint part facing the shaft end, the bore, with its inner teeth, changes into a through-hole with a smaller diameter. At the end of the driveshaft in front of the outer teeth, a cylindrical portion is provided carrying an axial securing mechanism.

Abstract: A fully automatic cutting metal-working machine, which includes a material feed unit, a cutting metal-working main unit controlled to process metal rod material delivered from the material feed unit into finished products, and a waste material conveyer controlled to collect and carry waste material out of the cutting metal-working main unit, wherein the cutting metal-working main unit includes a machine base, a casing mounted on the machine base, a material cut-off shaft assembly controlled to cut metal rod material from the material feed unit into individual workpieces, a plurality of processing shaft assemblies mounted around the casing, a rotary center fixture holder mounted within the casing at the center and controlled to carry workpiece to each of the processing shaft assemblies in proper order to receive a respective processing procedure, and a steering shaft assembly controlled to reverse the position of workpiece at each fixture.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a combined magnetic head, milling time for notching a first pole piece of the head's write element is reduced by constructing the first pole piece with a notching layer on a first pole piece layer, the notching layer having first and second corners adjacent first and second side walls of the second pole tip. The first pole piece layer has a wide lateral expanse, and the notching layer has a narrow lateral expanse. The width of the notching layer is preferably 0.2 .mu.m to 2.0 .mu.m wider than a target track width of the second pole tip. With this arrangement, the notching layer has first and second side walls that project 0.10 .mu.m to 1.0 .mu.m, laterally, beyond first and second side walls, respectively, of the second pole tip. The thickness of the notching layer is preferably between 0.1 .mu.m to 1.0 .mu.m. Accordingly, full notching of the notching layer can be achieved by milling a small corner in a range of 0.10 .mu.m by 0.10 .mu.m to 1.0 .mu.m by 1.0 .mu.m, as seen in an ABS view.

Abstract: A power module with leads extending upwardly. The circuit components and connections of the power module are arranged upon a substrate having interface leads attached thereto extending away from the undersurface of the substrate. The interface leads extend through openings in a form fitting molded case. The case has an open center region to facilitate performance of final assembly steps upon the module and is subsequently covered with a rugged lid and is encapsulated with a suitable potting material. The interior of the module is filled with a gel to provide moisture-proof protection.

Abstract: A wiring board connecting method of electrically connecting a plurality of first wiring boards juxtaposed side by side each having terminals at one end, to a second common wiring board having a plurality of terminal groups to be connected to the terminals of the first wiring boards. The method includes the steps of providing a first position alignment mark at each side area of each of the first wiring boards and a second position alignment mark at each area between adjacent terminal groups of the second wiring board, after the first and second wiring boards are superposed to make the areas provided with the first and second position alignment marks face one another, aligning the first wiring boards with the second wiring board so as to make the largest gap between the first and second position alignment marks as small as possible, and electrically connecting the first wiring boards to the second wiring board.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a build-up multi-layer printed circuit board for use in computers, VTR, or portable telephones is disclosed, in which the method of forming a hole in a circuit layer and the method of forming a hole in an insulating layer are made different from each other by applying a combined formation method, thereby improving the formation precision and efficiency in forming the holes. Specifically, a resin-clad copper foil (RCC) is stacked on a CCL (copper-clad laminate) after forming a printed circuit layer, and this structure is heated and pressed. Then, beams of an Nd-YAG laser are irradiated to remove the copper-clad layer, and then beams of CO.sub.2 laser are irradiated to remove the residual resin insulator, thereby forming a via hole. Then, circuit patterns are formed on the board on which the via hole has been formed.

Abstract: This invention provides an electronic component sucking method in which the movement of a component supply table (15) can be increased without increasing tact time, thereby improving the mounting efficiency of electronic components (2, 4). According to this invention, the movement disabled period of the component supply table (15) is set on the basis of the height of an electronic component (2, 4) in order that the interlock time for a low electronic component (4) can be set to be shorter and the movement enabled period of the component supply table (15) can be set to be longer. Therefore, a low electronic component (4) can have a shorter tact time, thereby improving the overall mounting efficiency of electronic components.

Abstract: A workpiece, on which electrically-conductive balls have been mounted by a mounting machine, is inspected by a camera of an inspecting device. The workpiece has a number of conductive ball-mounting areas arranged in a matrix-like pattern. The camera inspects each of the mounting areas independently with respect to the absence of the conductive ball, the misregistration of the conductive ball and the overload of the conductive balls. The defective workpiece, fed from the inspecting device, is stopped at a repair stage, and the operator effects a repairing operation at this repair stage. A monitor television is provided at the repair stage, and a defect category for each mounting area of the workpiece is displayed on a screen of this monitor television, and the operator effects the repairing operation while viewing this screen. Therefore, the burden of labor on the operator is reduced, and the repairing operation for correcting the mounting error can be effected easily and rapidly.

Abstract: A method for making high-density multilayer printed circuit boards is disclosed.

Abstract: A worked nozzle ring for a gas turbine, in particular an aircraft engine, having at least one shroud and at least one blade sheet arranged thereon, whereby in order to create a worked nozzle ring that is easy to manufacture, the blade sheet comprises, at the frontal side, at least one two-dimensionally profiled connecting space region that is placed in a profiled opening formed in the shroud by means of beam cutting and is connected therewith.

Abstract: A heat exchanger member (12) having an internal passage in which a baffle assembly (14) is received to define at least two separate flow regions within the passage. The baffle assembly (14) includes a pair of baffles (18, 26), a first (18) of which having a first peripheral portion (22) contacting the wall (16) of the heat exchanger member (12) so as to form a fluid-tight seal therebetween. The first baffle (18) further has a second peripheral portion (24) spaced apart from the wall (16) of the heat exchanger member (12) so as to form a peripheral gap (32) therebetween. The second (26) of the two baffles also has a peripheral portion (30) contacting the wall (12) of the heat exchanger member (12) so as to form a fluid-tight seal therebetween. A second peripheral portion (30) of the second baffle (26) contacts the second peripheral portion (24) of the first baffle (18) so that the baffles (18, 26) are joined together as an assembly.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing flat tubes by forming a flat tube body from a single plate material which is continuously drawn from a drum by either folding it into two or placing two plate materials one upon the other, and cutting the flat tube body in a predetermined length. The method is characterized by the steps of placing the plate material with its inner surface facing downwardly at any selected stage before completion of folding the plate into two, or before completion of placing two plates one upon the other; fluxing the inner surface of the plate material with a liquid flux material, and drying the applied flux material.

Abstract: A record head for an electrostatic ink jet recorder includes a head chip implemented as a laminate of alternating flat conductors and flat insulators and etched by an etching liquid reactive only to the material of the insulators. The conductors readily turn out ridges protruding from the head chip and having a high aspect ratio. The ridges each serve as an ejection electrode.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pressure roll including a cylindrical core member having a center shaft, an intermediate layer surrounding the core member and formed from a flexible material, and an outermost layer surrounding the intermediate layer and formed from a high-thermal conductivity material. The method includes forming a plurality of axially extending notches in a cylindrical member to form tongues, radially bending the tongues of the cylindrical member so as to enlarge one end of the cylindrical member, and inserting a core member into the enlarged end of the cylindrical member.

Abstract: Core-type structures are formed in a continuous process by assembling cut tubes or sheets of a thermoplastic material that are aligned, cut into separate continuous structures which are then subsequently cut into separate structures suitable for use as a core member.

Abstract: A center sill for a railroad car formed by cold rolling a flat sheet of steel into a rectangular configuration. One of the embodiments includes strengthening flanges and another includes ribs. The center sill may be formed of a single cold formed section or a pair of cold formed sections joined by a single longitudinal weld seam.

Abstract: A bearing comprising different materials having oil-filled pores in them has a relief space in the middle section which is not provided by machining. The materials are different, have different characteristics, and bear different portions of load the bearing supports, resulting in longer bearing life and reduced noise. Materials 1 and 2 are separately formed and sintered in such a way that material 1 has smaller pores in it and can support higher load, material 2 has larger pores in it and can support lower load, and an end portion of each material is stepped so that material 1 can be partially inserted into material 2 and a relief space is provided on the inner periphery of material 1. The materials 1 and 2 are then joined together into one piece, and the one piece is placed in a sizing die and pressed. The sized one piece is a strong one-piece bearing having an accurate inside diameter and good concentric alignment.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing steel balls for use in a ball bearing comprising an inner steel race or shaft with an inner raceway formed around its outer peripheral surface, an outer steel race with an outer raceway formed around its inner peripheral surface, and the steel balls freely rotatably disposed between the inner raceway and the outer raceway comprises the steps of providing steel balls, quenching the steel balls, preliminarily tempering the steel balls after quenched, rough-polishing the steel balls after preliminarily tempered, surface-hardening the steel balls after rough-polished, tempering the steel balls after surface-hardened, and finish-polishing the steel balls after tempered.

Abstract: A method for setting a gap at or near an optimum width in a hydrodynamic bearing defined between a shaft having end pieces, the end pieces having axially opposing exterior sides which are not parallel, the end pieces being adjustable axially, and a surrounding sleeve comprising independently supporting the shaft and the sleeve to be capable of finely positioned relative motion, in which adjustment is accomplished by moving the shaft and the sleeve together to form the gap with respect to the end pieces and the sleeve and supplying pressurized air to an opening to the gap to cause air to flow through the gap, while monitoring an air pressure drop due to the air flow through the gap while the end pieces are adjusted.

Abstract: A cigar cutting device includes three cutting units with different sizes and the three cutting units are threadedly and telescopically connected with each other. Each cutting unit has a sharp edge defined in a distal end thereof. A push rod has the first end thereof extending through the cutting device and the second of the push rod has an end member located outside of the cutting device. A spring is mounted to the push rod and is biased between an annular flange of the central cutting unit and a flange of the push rod so that the push rod can be pushed from the end member to push the cigar form the cutting unit and returns to its original position by the spring.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rotatable cutting head for a powered trimmer comprising top and bottom cover members, the bottom member is adapted to be operably associated with the drive shaft of a trimmer and includes at least one pivot member for receiving a pivoting cutting element, a latch mechanism is provided on the top cover for engaging the pivot member when the top and bottom cover members are mated, the latch member is secured against the pivot member by centrifugal forces acting on the latch during operation of the trimmer. The cutting elements comprise blades or molded lines that are readily adapted to be interchanged within the cutting head without the need for tools or complex disassembly.

Abstract: A beveled edge fork provides a handle and a head portion. A preferred version of the head provides four tines extending from a base of the head portion, which are strengthened by center, left and right reinforcements. A concave upper surface, enclosed by a U-shaped upper convex perimeter surface mates with a lower beveled edge on a lower convex surface, forming left and right cutting edges, allowing a user to cut food with the side of the fork.

Abstract: A manual can opener that can be operated with ease by both left-handed and right-handed users is provided. The initial rotation of an operating handle in either direction moves a transport wheel linearly toward a cutting blade to engage the end of the can, and simultaneously cants the cutting blade in a direction opposite that of handle rotation so that it is in proper condition to cut the end from the can. Further rotation of the operating handle, in the direction of the initial rotation, then forces the can against the blade to cut the end of the can.

Abstract: Equipment for non-contact measurement of the deflection of a road (2) comprises a self-propelled vehicle with a load (7) which influences at least one wheel (4), the speed of which is measured in the direction of travel. The equipment further comprises a laser device (8) from which at least one electromagnetic beam (9) is directed towards the rodway in the vicinity of the vehicle, and the Doppler frequency change in the reflection (9) is detected. An electronic circuit (10) continuously registers the results of the measurements and herewith the deflection at normal traveling speed.

Abstract: A trammel adaptor for a square head. It has a right angle bracket having a vertical leg and a horizontal leg. A vertically extending left flange is connected to the left edge of the vertical leg and they intersect each other at an acute angle A. A vertically extending right flange is connected to the right edge of the vertical leg and they intersect each other at an acute angle B. The planar inner surface and the respective left and right flanges form a tract for removably receiving the vertical flanges of a square head. An elongated indicator leg is vertically mounted on the bottom of the right angle bracket. The pointed bottom end of the indicator leg may have its height adjusted vertically along a Y-axis that also passes along the vertical rear surface of the square head.

Abstract: An audible signal generator incorporated into a total station to audibly indicate to the user the rotational orientation of the total station, and a method for using the audible indication to perform the tilt sensor calibration. In one embodiment, the present invention indicates to the user of the total station when the tilt sensor has been calibrated with the total station in a first rotational orientation. This embodiment then audibly indicates to the user when the rotational alidade portion of the total station has been rotated to a second rotational orientation. This embodiment then audibly indicates to the user when the tilt sensor has been calibrated with the total station in the second rotational orientation.

Abstract: Embodiments of a stairway or walkway handrail construction tool are shown and described, each embodiment comprising a frame of four outer members. The members are pivotally joined at or near each end and can thus be moved to form a square or rectangle and variously-angled parallelograms. Whether used on sloping stairs or flat floors, the top and bottom members of the tool will be parallel to each other and to the corresponding stair slope or floor. Thus, the invention may be placed temporarily in the subject location, it may be adjusted up or down according to taste or other criteria to chose a particular configuration for the prospective rail, and then the inventive device may be used to mark, align, plan, and/or visualize the layout of the railing or other feature for its construction. The preferred tool may be fully collapsed to a nearly-flat configuration, to make it very portable and amenable to transport within a case such as a carpenter's level case.

Abstract: A scale device 1 includes a base unit 2 comprised of an elongated casing 3 wherein an elongated thin-plate-like scale 4 is secured with the a mid portion of the thin-plate-like scale 4 kept in a floating state and a slider unit 10 slidable relative to the base unit 2. The slider unit 10 has a sensor 15 for detecting magnetic graduations recorded on the thin-plate-like scale 4. A reference sliding member 16 is provided for maintaining a constant separation between the sensor 15 and the recording surface of the magnetic graduations of the thin-plate-like scale 4. A pressing sliding member 17 is provided for pressing the reference sliding member 16 so that the recording surface of the magnetic graduations are perpetually contacted with the reference sliding member 16. A detection head unit 14 is movable telescopically relative to the thin-plate-like scale 4 in a direction along the width of the scale.

Abstract: A device and method for monitoring the thickness of printed products which are conveyed by one conveying means each in a continuous conveying stream along a conveying direction. Monitoring elements are introduced into the conveying stream and one monitoring element is allocated to each printed product. The monitoring elements include a pair of monitoring levers with clamping jaws which are pressed against each other with a clamping force. During monitoring, a region of each printed product is clamped between the clamping jaws of a pair of levers which are pressed against each other. Pairs of one monitoring element and one printed product interact with each other and are conveyed in succession through a monitoring area. For quantitative recording of this interaction, an image is recorded of one edge of each of the monitoring levers of one lever pair, and of the distance between these edges. The distance is a function of the thickness of the pressed printed product.

Abstract: An electrical base 32 having a stationary detection element 31 is fixed to a body case 11 movably supporting a spindle 13, and a synthetic resin made scale holder 34 is provided to synchronize with the spindle 13 and move through a guide 33. In addition, a scale 36 having a movable detection element 35 is adherently fixed to the scale holder 34 at a plurality of points. More specifically, a projection 51 is fixed through an adhesive layer 52 to the back face of the scale 36, and held in a accommodating hole 46 formed in the scale holder 34, and then adhered through an adhesive layer 53 in the circumferential direction. As a result, the reduction in weight can be achieved and a disadvantage with the reduction in weight (which is that a gap between a stationary detection element and a movable detection element is changed) can be resolved.

Abstract: A device that is both square and multi-sided in configuration. At equally spaced intervals a variety of hole sizes (A,B,C,D) are drilled through the base (8). The base (8) is coupled to a L-shaped ratchet mechanism (6). The ratchet mechanism (6) rotates in both directions about the base (8). The ratchet mechanism (6) provides selective positioning about the base (8). A micrometer (4) is attached to the ratchet mechanism (6). A scale of measurement is provided on the micrometer (4). The base (8) surface represents the zero measuring point. The object being measured is interposed into the appropriate diameter through the base (8). The object is pushed through the base (8) until contact between the object and the micrometer (4) shaft occurs. Adjusting the micrometer (4) clockwise moves the objects grinding taper flush with the base (8) surface. The value measured on the micrometer (4) represents the angle of the object being measured.

Abstract: A method for drying the applicating finger of a contact lens wearer with sterile, lint-free, absorbent paper. The applicating finger is used to remove the contact lens from an aqueous solution. The lens is then transferred from the applicating finger, and the applicating finger is dried by contact with the sterile, lint-free, absorbent paper. Thereafter, the lens is returned to the dry applicating finger for insertion of the contact lens onto the eye.

Abstract: An arrangement for impingement drying and/or through-drying of a paper or material web in which the web is dried by blowing hot air and/or superheated steam from an impingement drying and/or through-drying dryer in a direction substantially perpendicular to the web, and the web runs on support of a wire or equivalent past the dryer. In the area of the dryer, the web and wire are supported from the opposite side of the wire, opposite in relation to the web, by blowings produced from one or more vacuum blow boxes substantially across the entire width of the web. The outlet direction of the blowings may be substantially the same as the running direction of the drying wire and as such, steam and/or air is/are ejected out of the space between the drying wire and the wall placed in connection with the blow boxes that produce the blowings.

Abstract: Directly heated rotary drums are used in the drying of pourable goods such as wood chips or strands. Drums are provided with built-in fixtures such as cross fixtures, in order to ensure good heat transmission from the drying gas to the goods. The invention comprises a design for a rotary drum (4) which enables good transmission of drying gas to the goods and which is cheap to produce and assemble in comparison with cross fixtures. According to the invention the built-in fixtures in the rotary drum (4) extend radially in the direction of the middle of the drum, starting from the perimeter, over an area of 60 to 85% of the radius of the rotary drum (4), form at least two pockets, and run, apart from the area close to the perimeter, substantially in the direction of rotation (25), in front of the radial starting from their point of attachment. These radially shaped built-in fixtures enable constant distribution of the goods over the cross-section and are substantially cheaper to manufacture and assemble.

Abstract: A process for drying or curing green wood including the heating of green wood in a heating enclosure to a predetermined temperature over about 120 F while maintaining the moisture content of the wood close to the original moisture content of the felled wood, and then immediately cooling the heated wood with a cooling fluid at a temperature and humidity substantially less than the temperature and relative humidity of the heating enclosure for a time period sufficient for the wood to reach substantially the reduced temperature of the cooling fluid for normally removing at least about 5% of moisture from the green wood. The green wood is conditioned by the cooling step for subsequent drying steps in which moisture removal rates are substantially higher than moisture removal rates under prior conventional drying steps. The green wood process as set forth is effective to minimize staining of the wood.

Abstract: In an automatically operating cleaning installation for removing treating and/or machining residues from workpieces, comprising a cleaning station having associated therewith a channel for receiving at least one workpiece to be cleaned, a workpiece transportation device for introducing the workpieces to be cleaned into the channel and for removing the cleaned workpieces from the channel, and at least one blow nozzle directed into the interior of the channel and thus onto the workpieces to be cleaned for acting upon the workpieces with a stream of blow air, an air feeder, in particular, in the form of a ventilator, for supplying air to the blow nozzle at a pressure of at most approximately 0.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for drying and/or cleaning a workpiece, such as an electronic part, semiconductor wafer, printed circuit board or the like. As the workpiece is withdrawn from a processing liquid, a selected drying liquid, such as hydrofluoroether (HFE), ethylated HFE, an HFE azeotrope or an ethylated HFE azeotrope, that has a very small surface tension, is volatile, and has a density that is greater than the processing liquid density, is sprayed on, dribbled on or otherwise transferred to an exposed surface of the workpiece. The exposed surface may be stationary, may be rotating or may be moving along a selected path. The workpiece can be dried in 5-60 seconds, or less, in most situations and can be cleaned using the invention. Drying and/or cleaning can be performed in a single workpiece process, a single workpiece continuous process or a batch process.

Abstract: In order to remove water adhering to the surfaces of cleaned semiconductor wafers W, a vibration transmitting device 20 capable of approaching the surfaces of the semiconductor wafers W, and an oscillator 25 for applying an ultrasonic vibration to the vibration transmitting device 20. The oscillator 25 is driven to apply the ultrasonic vibration to the vibration transmitting plates 24 of the vibration transmitting device 20 and to apply energy of the ultrasonic vibration to a gas between the vibration transmitting device 20 and the surfaces of the semiconductor wafer W to remove water adhering the surfaces of the semiconductor wafers W. Thus, it is possible to surely remove water adhering to the surfaces of cleaned objects to be treated, to dry the objects without the need of a dry gas of an organic solvent vapor, such as IPA.

Abstract: An improved cool chamber is provided which includes a gas manifold for redistributing the gas flow and reducing the velocity of the gas particles that are directed towards a wafer. The gas manifold has a generally circular body that defines a plurality of outlets. A plurality of tubes, each having a first end and a second end, extend from the body. The first end is coupled to the body at the outlets. A vent diffuser is coupled to the second end of each tube. The vent diffuser includes a sintered gasket for providing point-of-use filtering of the gas and diffusion of the gas. The gas manifold is at a height different from the height of the plane of the wafer. An adapter plate that includes a bypass port is also provided. The bypass port is employed to conduct gas from the gas manifold back into the chamber during de-pressurization.

Abstract: A vacuum-assisted hot plate is used to precondition webs, such as paper webs used in the manufacture of corrugated paperboard. The vacuum-assisted preheater has a web supporting and heating surface separated into four sections, namely: an input section, a central upstream section, a central downstream section, and an output section. The sections are separated by three vacuum channels that are sized wide enough to prevent clogging from paper dust. The central upstream section and the central downstream section have convex surfaces. Vacuums applied to the vacuum channels provide a normal force to pull the traveling web against the heated surface, whereas the convex configuration of both the central upstream section and the central downstream section provide a normal force pushing on the paper web in the opposite direction. The result is effective positive contact of the traveling web against the heated surface, thereby promoting effective heat transfer.

Abstract: An insert or inner sole for a shoe having as its purpose support of the metatarsal and arch portions of the foot to thereby reduce pressure on those areas and associated foot pain. The insert or inner sole has three layers that interface with one another to create and displace a metatarsal hump. As a foot strides, the flex plate layer rocks forward and back on its centrally located, relatively thicker hump portion. The flex plate may engage the bottom layer by way of serration or friction.