Abstract: A packaging machine is shown for individually wrapping objects, such as candies. The machine has a rotary hopper for selecting the objects to be wrapped, folding them and ejecting them precisely onto a delivery conveyor. A continuous wrapping film is laid over the objects on the delivery conveyor and the sides of the film are folded downwardly to partially wrap the objects. The objects are then gripped through the wrapping film by gripping fingers mounted on a second gripping conveyor. The gripping conveyor moves the objects along while the bottom edges of the wrapper are crimped, and the wrapper between the objects is then crimped and cut off. The gripping fingers then release the wrapped object.

Abstract: A tensioning and tracking system with specific useful features for adjusting a conveyor belt is disclosed. Generally, the tensioning and tracking systems include a pair of plate members attached together and defining a channel and an elongated opening. Mounted within the channel is a slide plate having a distal end. Also, connected to one of the side plate members is a rotating member for reciprocally advancing the distal end of the slide plate into the elongated opening. The position of the slide plate within the elongated opening is secured by a locking screw connected to one of the plate members.

Abstract: A breaker apparatus comprises: a breaker switch including a pair of fixed electrodes standing upright on the breaker body, a plug detachably mounted on the breaker body, and a movable electrode provided on the plug for disconnecting and connecting between both fixed electrodes by being pulled out or pushed in to the both fixed electrodes; and a fuse mounted in parallel with the breaker switch, characterized in that a locking lever is pivotably mounted on one of the breaker body and the plug and the locking lever is pivoted to the locking position where the plug is locked in the fitted state, in that the breaker body is provided with a micro switch having a swinging strip for detecting whether or not the locking lever is pivoted to the locking position so that the micro switch is activated when the tip of the locking lever pivots along the length of the swinging strip and presses the swinging strip on the way to activate the micro switch, and in that the tip of the locking lever is formed so that the length is

Abstract: Improved methods are disclosed for the efficient and cost-effective recovery of zinc metal from zinc-containing brines. Zinc is first bound to an anionic ion exchange resin (IX) which has been equilibrated with a solution containing a reducing agent, washed, and eluted with an elution solution. A reducing agent can be added to the brine prior to loading on the IX and can optionally be added to the IX after the washing step. The eluted zinc is extracted with a water-immiscible cationic organic solvent (SX), which is scrubbed, then stripped with concentrated acid. Substantially pure zinc is recovered by electrowinning the zinc-loaded concentrated acid solution.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the NOx concentration includes a first measurement chamber 20 communicating with the gas under measurement via a diffusion rate defining layer 4d and a second measurement chamber 26 communicating with the first measurement chamber 20 via diffusion limiting layers 6d, 22d. A first pump current IP1 is controlled so that an output of a Vs cell 6 will be equal to the reference voltage VCO for controlling the oxygen concentration in the first measurement chamber 20 to a pre-set low value. A constant voltage is applied across the second pump cell 8 for decomposing the NOx component in the second measurement chamber 26 for pumping out oxygen for detecting the NOx concentration from a second pump current IP2. The sensor temperature is detected from the internal resistance of the Vs cell for controlling the current supplied to the heaters 12, 14. If the temperature of the gas under measurement is changed rapidly, the sensor temperature is changed.

Abstract: A storage container for holding an item of recorded media includes a base; an outer wall extending upwardly from the base, the outer wall having an upper surface adapted to receive the lower surface of item adjacent the outer diameter of item. The storage container also includes a retaining hub that extends upwardly from the base. The retaining hub includes a plurality of hinged arms and fixed supports. A retaining lip is carried by the hinged arms. The retaining lip engages the upper surface of the item in a storage position and is moveable inwardly and downwardly to release item. Retaining lip also engages the lower surface of item to lift item from the storage container. The fixed supports include an upper surface that remains in position during the removal of item to provide support to item to substantially prevent bending forces from damaging item.

Abstract: An atomizing gas, such as steam, and a hot fluid comprising a hot liquid to be atomized, are passed under pressure, through separate fluid conduits in a heat exchange means, in which the hot liquid heats the steam to a superheat temperature, by indirect heat exchange. The superheated steam is then injected into the hot fluid, which comprises a two-phase fluid comprising steam and the hot liquid, subsequent to the superheated steam injection. The two-phase fluid is passed through an atomizing means, such as an orifice, into a lower pressure atomizing zone, which causes the steam to expand and atomize the liquid into a spray of liquid droplets. The two-phase fluid is formed before or as a consequence of the superheated steam injection and is preferably steam-continuous when passed through the atomizing means. This process is useful for atomizing a hot feed oil for a fluid cat cracking (FCC) process.

Abstract: A protein skimmer for removal of protein contaminates from protein contaminated water. An injector is used for spraying protein contaminated water into a water bubble chamber. The spraying motion causes bubble generation in the water bubble chamber. Contaminates in the water attach themselves to the bubbles and rise to the surface of the water as foam. A hollow foam riser is attached to the top of the water bubble chamber and provides an exit pathway for the contaminated foam. As foam is generated, it rises through the foam riser and carries with it contaminates. A foam collection cup is attached to the top of the foam riser and collects the contaminated foam. Consequently, the water left behind in the mixing chamber is substantially more pure. The substantially more pure water exits the mixing chamber through a purified water exit aperture.

Abstract: A tamper-evident, snap-on, screw-off closure is used with a specially shaped container neck. The neck has double lead external threads and, below the threads, a conical wall having external ratchet teeth. The closure has an upper skirt having internal threads mating with the neck threads. A conical lower skirt is connected to the upper skirt by a plurality of frangible bridges. The lower skirt has internal ratchet teeth to mate with the neck ratchet teeth. The cap skirt threads are double pitch and slightly over 360° in length. When the cap is applied to the neck it snaps on in two stages. The lower skirt has a tear tab which, when pulled, fractures the lower skirt on a vertical line. Continued pulling on the tab sequentially fractures the bridges.

Abstract: A method for forming a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor element. There is first provided a substrate. There is then formed over the substrate a seed layer. There is then formed contacting a pair of opposite ends of the seed layer a pair of patterned conductor lead layer structures. There is then etched, while employing an ion etch method, the seed layer and the pair of patterned conductor lead layer structures to form an ion etched seed layer and a pair of ion etched patterned conductor lead layer structures. Finally, there is then formed upon the ion etched seed layer and the pair of ion etched patterned conductor lead layers structures a magnetoresistive (MR) layered structure. Withip the magnetoresistive (MR) sensor element, the pair of patterned conductor lead layer structures may be formed within a pair of recesses within an ion etch recessed dielectric isolation layer.

Abstract: The invention is embodied in a coil antenna for radiating RF power supplied by an RF source into a vacuum chamber, the coil antenna including plural helical conductors each having a first end and a second end, the first ends being adapted for connection to a first common RF potential, the second ends being adapted for connection to a second common RF potential, each of the plural conductors being wound about a common axis of helical symmetry, each of the second ends being spaced substantially equally from the axis and from each other.

Abstract: A wiring board is machined by providing a light shielding body for shielding a portion of a laser beam in a light path between a laser oscillator and a machining lens, irradiating the laser beam onto the light shielding body, and introducing a non-shielded portion of the laser beam having passed through the light shielding body to the machining lens.

Abstract: A device for flushing the optical path of a UV laser beam has a casing (18) with which the optical path is separated from the external atmosphere (26). In order to maximize the life of the optical components (24, 26) in the optical path, a noble gas, in particular argon, is used for flushing the optical path.

Abstract: An engine driven welder has a fuel tank with a filler tube that extends upwardly from a reservoir in the machine base. The filler tube upper end and a cap thereon are below the machine top cover. The machine top cover has a cutout into which is installed a grommet that closes the cutout and that fully protects the filler tube upper end and the cap. The grommet has a hole that seals over a top portion of the filler tube such that any spilled fuel does not leak inside the machine. The filler tube has an expansion space that prevents splashback and spillover during fueling. An angled tail pipe directs engine exhaust away from the welding machine in any desired direction.

Abstract: A handy electric sealer used for sealing a plastic bag or the like, including a casing, a sealing mechanism, a press bar, and safety means. The sealing mechanism has a heating wire, which produces heat for sealing the plastic bag or the like when turned on. The safety means controls the heating of the sealing mechanism, and stops the sealing mechanism from being triggered by an erroneous action.

Abstract: A vending machine is provided with a cabinet having a plurality of inclined, vertically spaced shelves. The shelves are able to selectively feed a beverage container to an elevator which is located adjacent an interior, right side wall of the cabinet of vending machine. A beverage container is dispensed by an escapement block of a shelf onto the elevator. The elevator vertically moves the beverage container, and then dispenses the beverage container to a delivery mechanism which gently lowers the beverage container to a delivery port which communicates with the exterior of the vending machine. The shelves in the cabinet are readily reconfigurable such that their vertical spacing within the cabinet can be easily altered. The escapement blocks of the shelves are mechanically activated to dispense a beverage container by an activation device on the elevator. Thus, electrical power and control signals for the individual shelves are not necessary.

Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing items from a plurality of horizontally arranged helical coils including a single dispenser for actuating for rotational movement of a selected helical coil. The machine includes, in a first embodiment, a horizontally positioned threaded bar on which is mounted the dispenser wherein rotation of the threaded horizontal bar re-positions the dispenser along a Y axis. A pair of vertical bars, a first vertical bar having a threaded exterior, rotation of the threaded vertical bar re-positions the horizontal bar with the following dispenser. Light emitters, positioned adjacent each helical coil, signal a receiver mounted on the dispenser assembly for positioning the dispenser in a pre-determined position. Once in position, dispenser is urged from a normal position out of engagement with any helical coil to an second position in engagement with a selected helical coil for actuation of the selected helical coil vending the selected article.

Abstract: A system for metering and dispensing single and plural component liquids and solids as described herein. The dispensing system has a microprocessor-based control system and progressive cavity pumps which provide a very accurate control of component ratios, shot sizes, flow rates and dispense durations. The system has numerous feedback components for accurately controlling the pressure, flow rates, fluid levels and amounts of fluids dispensed. Where a valved nozzle is used, the pressure in the flow system is used to control the pumps rather than the valve. Such a system may be used as a sprayer with compressed air added. Drum rams are associated with the supply drums and the progressive cavity pumps may be placed on the drum ram. Maintenance of a steady state in the system is accomplished with back and forth movement of the pump, with compensation for pressure changes. Absolute rotational position of the pump can be monitored when a set pressure is maintained, to diagnose system conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus uses a burster method to bow a continuous web of inserts and thereafter separates the forwardmost insert from the continuous web. A pair of feed rollers advances the forwardmost insert along a predetermined path toward a pair of burst rollers. Upon receipt of the forwardmost insert, the burst rollers first operate at a decreased relative speed with respect to the advancing speed of the web, thereby bowing the continuous web of inserts. The burst rollers then operate at an increased relative speed with respect to the feed rollers, thereby separating the forwardmost insert.

Abstract: A feed unit for moving parts over short distances has a four-bar chain forming a translating solid parallelogram having two parallel rigid opposite legs, one of which constitutes a base leg, connected to one another by elastic elements and a piezoelectric stack translator extending between and flexibly connected to the rigid legs for articulation relative to the rigid legs and oriented at an angle of incidence (&agr;) with respect to a base leg that is greater than 90° and less than 45°.

Abstract: A fuel dispenser having a server is disclosed. The fuel dispenser server is adapted to dynamically or periodically create electronic documents reflecting fuel dispenser data for viewing remote to the fuel dispenser. A network connection provides connectivity of the server to remote clients. The fuel dispenser with a server is relatively inexpensive to produce and is ideally suited for remote troubleshooting and for interaction with a dispenser customer.

Abstract: A keyboard support arrangement which includes both a main support pad for supporting a computer keyboard and an auxiliary support pad for supporting a computer mouse. The auxiliary pad is removably and angularly positionable adjacent either side of the main keyboard pad to provide increased convenience and flexibility of use. The auxiliary mouse pad is totally separable from the main keyboard pad, and a multi-positionable connecting structure enables the auxiliary pad to be positioned relative to the main keyboard pad at one of a plurality of angular positions.

Abstract: Invention provides a self latching, object-holding fixture designed to release a held object whenever the object is turned slightly in either direction. Fixture has a shaped housing and the object to be held has a mated opening of a similar matching shape. Placing an object to be held locks the object to the fixture by spring-loaded latching action. The fixture housing covers a fixed spring holding base that is anchored by any suitable means to a support surface. Covering that fixed-position base, except for exposed spring-loaded keeper latches, is a rotatable casing having a pair of spring compression cam surfaces carried by the casing. Using a cam follower action, these cam surfaces selectively cause the spring to collapse in response to the rotation of the casing holding in either direction of casing rotation. As the object/casing is turned slightly, this cam follower/spring collapse action releasably disengages the keepers from the object being held.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer comprising an ionization means For ionizing sample compounds to be analyzed mass spectro-scopically in an atmospheric pressure, a sample solution supply means for supplying a solution containing the sample compounds to the ionization means, means for feeding the ions formed by the ionization means through an aperture disposed in an electrode into a vacuum region and a ion trap type mass spectroscopic means for mass spectroscopically analyzing ions entered through the aperture into the vacuum region, in which an ion decelerating electric field forming means is disposed between the electrode disposed with the aperture and an electrode disposed with an ion entrance opening for entering the ions into the ion trap type mass spectroscopic means for forming an electric field for decelerating the ions, and the ions injected to the ion trap mass spectroscopic means is lowered.

Abstract: An aqueous solution that will prevent rust, corrosion and scale on metal surfaces that includes potassium sorbate at percentages above 0.3%. This aqueous solution is effective at pH 4.5. However, its optimum effectiveness as a rust preventive is at pH 6.0 and above. The solution can be produced in a concentrated form and then diluted with tap or deionized water. The potassium sorbate solution has reduced conductivity and reduced oxygen content, both relative to tap water. This is believed to be the technical basis for its ability to prevent rust. Furthermore, the combination of lower conductivity and reduced oxygen content renders the potassium sorbate solution less viable for microbiological growth which prevents the solution from becoming rancid when it is used in re-circulating water systems. This also permits the use of toxic biocides to be eliminated in re-circulatory water systems, which are often used to reduce and control microbiological growth.

Abstract: A thin film transistor (TFT) which may be used as a pixel drive element in an active matrix LCD display includes a pair of side wall spacers adjacent to the opposing side walls of its gate electrode. The side wall spacers provide the gate electrode with a substantially rectangular cross section, such that the gate electrode has a substantially constant thermal conductivity over its area. The TFT has a uniform device characteristic.

Abstract: A bidirectional optical semiconductor apparatus of the present invention includes: a substrate embedding an optical waveguide, through which output light and input light are propagated; a semiconductor light-emitting device for emitting the output light toward one end of the optical waveguide; an optical branching filter, provided in the optical waveguide, for transmitting at least part of the output light and guiding at least part of the input light to the outside of the optical waveguide; a semiconductor light-receiving device, provided over the substrate, for receiving the input light guided by the optical branching filter to the outside of the optical waveguide; and a light-blocking member, formed on the surface of the semiconductor light-receiving device, for blocking the light emitted from the semiconductor light-emitting device.

Abstract: The light-radiating semiconductor component has a radiation-emitting semiconductor body and a luminescence conversion element. The semiconductor body emits radiation in the ultraviolet, blue and/or green spectral region and the luminescence conversion element converts a portion of the radiation into radiation of a longer wavelength. This makes it possible to produce light-emitting diodes which radiate polychromatic light, in particular white light, with only a single light-emitting semiconductor body. A particularly preferred luminescence conversion dye is YAG:Ce.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensor comprises a semiconductor substrate, a photoelectric conversion portion formed above the semiconductor substrate, and noise cancelers each formed, adjacent to the photoelectric conversion portion, on the semiconductor substrate through an insulating film, for removing noise of a signal read from the photoelectric conversion portion, wherein the semiconductor substrate has a conductive type opposite to a conductive type of a charge of the signal, and has a first region where concentration of impurities for determining the conductive type is high and a second region where concentration of the impurities on the first region is low.

Abstract: A microelectronic device includes an insulating layer on a microelectronic substrate wherein the insulating layer has a contact hole therein exposing a portion of the microelectronic substrate. A first capacitor electrode is provided on a surface of the insulating layer opposite the microelectronic substrate and adjacent the contact hole wherein a lower portion of the first capacitor electrode extends into the contact hole below the surface of the insulating layer. A ferroelectric layer is provided on the first capacitor electrode, and a second capacitor electrode is provided on the ferroelectric layer. Related methods and memory devices are also discussed.

Abstract: In a non-volatile semiconductor memory device and a method for manufacturing the device, each memory cell and its select Tr have the same gate insulating film as a Vcc Tr. Further, the gate electrodes of a Vpp Tr and Vcc Tr are realized by the use of a first polysilicon layer. A material such as salicide or a metal, which differs from second polysilicon (which forms a control gate layer), may be provided on the first polysilicon layer. With the above features, a non-volatile semiconductor memory device can be manufactured by reduced steps and be operated at high speed in a reliable manner.

Abstract: In a non-volatile memory cell that has a select transistor and a memory transistor, the substrate trenching that occurs when the gate of the select transistor and the stacked gate of the memory transistor are initially defined is eliminated by forming the gate of the select transistor and the stacked gate of the memory transistor to have substantially the same step height.

Abstract: In a thin-film transistor of multi-gate structure, the width of a channel forming region 108 closest to a drain region 102 is made the narrowest. This prevents a transistor structure closest to the drain region from first deteriorating. Further, the channel length at the vicinity of a center of an active layer is intentionally widened, so that the amount of current flowing through the vicinity of the center of the active layer is decreased and the deteriorating phenomenon due to heat accumulation is prevented. Therefore, a semiconductor device with a high reliability is realized.

Abstract: A method and structure for a silicon on insulator (SOI) device with a body contact are provided. The body contact is formed by epitaxial growth from a substrate to the body region of the device. The body contact is self-aligned with the gate of the device and is buried within an isolation region outside of the active area of the device. Thus, the body contact does not increase parasitic capacitance in the device, not does the body contact affect device density. No additional metal wiring or contact holes are required.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, in which diffusion of impurities and boron penetration are prevented, comprising a substrate, a first polycrystalline silicon layer formed on the substrate and comprising large grain polycrystalline silicon with a maximum grain size of more than 200 nm; a second polycrystalline silicon layer formed on the first polycrystalline silicon layer and comprising large grain polycrystalline silicon with a maximum grain size of at least 200 nm; and a metal layer or a metal silicide layer formed on the second polycrystalline silicon layer.

Abstract: Memory devices, such as random access memory, are affixed to an electrical contact frame and coupled to signals lines on the contact frame which is, in turn, mounted on a top surface of an integrated circuit. The signal leads are coupled to electrical contact pads disposed on the top surface of the integrated circuit. The contact pads and signal leads transfer control and power signals between the integrated circuit and the memory devices.

Abstract: This semiconductor surface mount package is relatively inexpensive to produce and has a footprint that is essentially the same size as the die. A conductive substrate is attached to the back side of a wafer and is in electrical contact with a terminal on the back side of each die in the wafer. A nonconductive overcoat is formed and patterned on the front side of the wafer, leaving a portion of the passivation layer and the connection pads for the dice exposed, each of the connection pads being coated with a solderable metal layer. The assembly is then sawed in perpendicular directions along the scribe lines between the dice, but the saw cuts do not extend all the way through the substrate, which remains intact at its back side. The parallel cuts in one direction are broken to produce die strips which are mounted, sandwich-like, in a stack, with one side of the strips exposed.

Abstract: Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same prevent the spread of a tungsten film out of an opening portion of a contact hole when the tungsten is grown in the contact hole and avoid inferior wiring shape and inter-wiring shirt-circuit. After a titanium/titanium nitride film is formed along an inner surface of the contact hole, a photo-resist film is applied. Then, the photo-resist film is etched away until a distance from an upper end of the contact hole to the surface of photo-resist film is not smaller than one-half of a width of the contact hole when the titanium/titanium nitride film is formed. After the titanium/titanium nitride film is etched by using the photo-resist as a mask, the photo-resist film is removed and a tungsten layer is selectively grown by using the titanium/titanium nitride film as a seed.

Abstract: A monolithic, fired ceramic gas diffuser for injecting gas into a molten metal bath, including a first portion, a second portion integrated with the first portion, and a bore passing through the first portion and communicating with the second portion for supplying gas to the second portion, wherein at least the second portion has a network of interconnected pores that provides preferential gas flow from the bore through the second portion to inject gas into the molten metal bath.

Abstract:

Abstract: A vial pack cover, a vial pack kit, and a method for forming the vial pack cover is provided. The vial pack cover can simultaneously cover a plurality of containers while preventing the contents of the containers from degrading or permeating through the cover. In addition, the vial pack cover allows a user to access individual containers without having to remove the cover from the un-accessed containers. The vial pack cover generally includes: (1) a plurality of plug portions joined together and formed from a heat curable rubber; and (2) a barrier layer covering each of the plug portions.

Abstract: A gaming device having a plurality of mechanical reels placed adjacent to a thin profile video display. The thin profile video display allows access to storage rearward thereof. The close relationship of the video display and reels allows a player to view both video display and the reels within one's field of vision.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of paying winning bets against the house in a casino game such as Roulette. According to this method the casino provides a player's VDU display to display those bets of a player which are normally combined mentally by a croupier to provide a payout but which instead are entered through a keyboard or the like of data-input means by a croupier to provide an automatic calculation of the player's winnings. The player's VDU display also displays the total payout which is computed as being the amount payable to the player. In addition the data-input means has a display which the croupier can read without taking their attention from the table. This display enables the croupier to check the accuracy of the amounts entered and the total payout while maintaining surveillance oF the table to ensure that bets are not shifted after close of play. At the same time the players can readily check the player's VDU display to ensure their wins are paid correctly.

Abstract: A vehicular child safety seat comprises a waist belt engaging portion for deciding the vertical position of a waist belt provided on a movable member displaceable with respect to a base portion and locking means for restricting displacement of the movable member with respect to the base portion. The movable member is rendered rotatable about an axis X—X. A user can adjust the vertical position of the waist belt by rotating the movable member. The user can further fix the vertical position by changing the direction of a switch portion.

Abstract: A seat for, for example, an aircraft that has an open outer shell which embraces a seat portion, a seat back, a head rest and a foot rest when the seat is in an upright position. Also embraced by the shell are a pair of arm rests. The seat is reclinable into a bed configuration such that the seat portion is moved forwardly out of the open end of the shell. Simultaneously, the arm rests are movable between the raised position and the position substantially flush with the seat portion. In the bed configuration, the removal of the arm rests from the raised position significantly increases the width of the bed, thus enhancing the comfort of the user.

Abstract: A waste container for the disposition of waste concrete comprising a bottom floor section having a major dimension extending longitudinally of the container, front and rear lateral dimensions which are substantially less than the major longitudinal dimension, and a forward end closed by a forward transverse wall section. Opposed side walls extend longitudinally of the container and upwardly from the bottom floor section to define with the bottom floor section a receptacle for waste concrete. The side walls are flared from the front to the back of the container to provide a back opening which has a lateral dimension greater than the lateral dimension of the forward transverse wall section. The side walls are sufficiently flexible to permit relative displacement between a first lateral dimension corresponding to the configuration of the side walls when they are not stressed and a second lateral dimension which is less than the first lateral dimension.

Abstract: A power buggy is configured to be safe, stable, easy to control, and comfortable. Frequently-used controls such as dump controls, a speed control, and a directional control, are located at or very near handgrips of the operator's handle so as to permit the operator to control the vehicle without releasing either of the handgrips. For instance, speed and direction are both controlled by a bidirectional twist grip forming one of the handgrips. The twist grip must rotate through a neutral position before changing directional control from forward to reverse so that an operator cannot reverse the vehicle's direction of travel without first rather gradually reducing vehicle speed. Operator comfort is also enhanced by a fuel tank that shields the operator from the engine. The fuel tank also has a large capacity while simultaneously functioning as a support for side shrouds of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a commutator adapted to be mounted on a shaft of an electric motor for cooperation with electrical contacts of the motor, wherein a support member is molded from an electrically insulating material, the support member having a major outer surface portion divided into subsections of lesser area by a plurality of rib members extending upwardly from the outer surface portion. A sheet of electrically conductive material with minimum waste, is cut into commutator segments of predetermined shape and dimensions preferably by a stamping process for attachment to the outer surface portions of the subsections. The commutator segments are then adhesively attached to the outer surface portions of the subsections such that the segments form commutator surfaces interrupted by the rib members, with the upper surface of each segment being slightly higher than the upper surface of each of the adjacent rib members.

Abstract: A dispenser and method for attaching abrasive sheets to a backup pad. The dispenser conveniently centers on the backup pad an abrasive sheet that is larger than the backup pad. In a preferred embodiment, the dispenser comprises: a holder configured to receive circular abrasive sheets, the holder including a bottom, a top, front portion and a rear portion, wherein the rear portion extends farther from the bottom than the front portion, and wherein the bottom of the holder defines at least a 180 degree arc of a first circle having a first radius; a slider guide extending along the rear of the holder; and a spacer mounted in the guide, wherein the spacer is movable along the guide from a first portion within the front portion of the holder to a second position beyond the front portion of the holder, the spacer defining an arc of no more than 180 degrees of a second circle having a second radius smaller than the first radius.