Abstract: A storage and display system according to the present invention may include one or more stackable and alignable storage frames, each storage frame including one or more storage tracks. A movable display frame that may pivot may be used to align a display track with one of the storage tracks to accept an item stored thereon. The display track may be lowered or pivoted to properly display the item, motion of the display frame and track may be controlled by computer. The display frame and track may also be used to load and unload the storage tracks. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control monitoring device for tower cranes, in particular for small cranes, with integration of functions, and adapted for radio control.

Abstract: A closure for use on a container having an externally threaded neck is disclosed wherein an inner surface of a downwardly depending skirt portion of the closure cap includes a helical thread having a flat upper surface with a lower thread profile having a first depth greater than an upper thread profile of a second depth. The helical thread of the closure tapers into the sidewall of the closure skirt. The closure is provided with a seal integral with the inner surface of the skirt, spaced from a top wall of the closure, and retained at a lowermost point along the downwardly depending skirt by a bead.

Abstract: In devices such as flat panel displays, an aluminum oxide layer is provided between an aluminum layer and an ITO layer when such materials would otherwise be in contact to protect the ITO from optical and electrical defects sustained, for instance, during anodic bonding and other fabrication steps. This aluminum oxide barrier layer is preferably formed either by: (1) partially or completely anodizing an aluminum layer formed over the ITO layer, or (2) an in situ process forming aluminum oxide either over the ITO layer or over an aluminum layer formed on the ITO layer. After either of these processes, an aluminum layer is then formed over the aluminum oxide layer.

Abstract: A method for making a magnetic sensor for a disk drive read head, the method comprising the steps of depositing a magnetoresistive stack on a surface of a first layer of material, depositing a resist layer on a first portion of the magnetoresistive stack, removing a second portion of the magnetoresistive stack not covered by the resist layer, depositing a layer of additional material on the magnetoresistive stack, the resist material, and the surface of the first layer, removing the additional material from sidewalls of the resist material, and using a lift-off process to remove the resist material. Magnetic sensors made by the above process are also included.

Abstract: The processes allow structuring of a metal-containing layer. The metal-containing layer is etched, using an etching mask, in a plasma-assisted etching gas atmosphere at a temperature of over 130° C. and in the presence of at least one halogen compound and at least one oxidizing agent. The concentration of the oxidizing agent is thereby set higher than the concentration of the halogen compound.

Abstract: In a process for the anisotropic dry etching of an organic antireflection layer, the etching gases used are substantially hydrogen and nitrogen.

Abstract: A method for removing from a microelectronic device structure a noble metal residue including at least one metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, iridium and rhodium, by contacting the microelectronic device structure with a cleaning gas including a reactive halide composition, e.g., XeF2, SF6, SiF4, Si2F6 or SiF3 and SiF2 radicals. The method may be carried out in a batch-cleaning mode, in which fresh charges of cleaning gas are successively introduced to a chamber containing the residue-bearing microelectronic device structure. Each charge is purged from the chamber after reaction with the residue, and the charging/purging is continued until the residue has been at least partially removed to a desired extent. Alternatively, the cleaning gas may be continuously flowed through the chamber containing the microelectronic device structure, until the noble metal residue has been sufficiently removed.

Abstract: A plasma etching system using a ground electrode made of silicon carbide and a cover made of a dielectric material not containing aluminum, where the cover is laid over the substrate electrode, thereby preventing aluminum from being produced out of these parts and reducing device damage. Namely, a plasma etching system has a substrate electrode mounted in a vacuum process chamber, a ground electrode and a plasma generating source, and uses plasma to provide etching of substrates mounted on said substrate electrode. The plasma etching system is characterized in that the ground electrode is made of carbon or silicon carbide, and the dielectric material containing a Si compound covers the surface portion of the substrate electrode facing inside the substrate installation portion of the vacuum process chamber, except for the substrate installation portion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of etching a compound metal oxide film containing plural kinds of metallic element, such as Ba, Sr, Ti or the like. A first cleaning step employing Cl2 gas is carried out in order to remove alkaline earth metal (Ba, Sr) from the film, then a second cleaning step employing ClF3 gas is carried out in order to remove a metal (Ti) other than the alkaline earth metal from the film. The etching method is applicable not only to the etching process in the semiconductor manufacturing but also to the cleaning process for cleaning the processing vessel for film deposition.

Abstract: Where can bodies of sheet metal are welded between the welding rollers of a welding machine, the welding current is not applied to the welding rollers until the body is between the welding electrode rollers. In this way, the quality of the weld at the initial weld point is improved, and where intermediate wire electrodes are used, wire breaks are reliably prevented.

Abstract: The multi-layered heat resistant metal tube is disclosed. This tube has excellent anti-coking characteristics and is suitable for use under the conditions where carbon tends to deposit and accumulate thereon due to contacting with hydrocarbons at a high temperature. The tube is made by forming weld-mounted overlaid layer of Cr—Ni alloy by building-up welding over the inner surface and/or the outer surface of a substrate tube made of a heat resistant metal. The Cr—Ni alloy comprises 35% by weight or more of Cr and satisfies the relationship: Ni(w%)≧0.5Cr(wt %). Building-up welding is preferably carried out by PPW (Plasma Powder Welding) in which the filler metal is supplied in the form of powder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel electric joining method and apparatus that can overcome the defects associated with the prior art while taking advantage of the technology for the pulse excited sintering process such as spark plasma sintering process or the hot-press joining process.

Abstract: To provide a seam welding apparatus and a seam welding method that may operate at a low pressure to obtain a suitable overlapped alignment amount. In the seam welding apparatus, a trailing plate clamp moving means is provided with link mechanisms for overlapping and aligning a leading end of a trailing plate with a trailing end of a leading plate and a link drive source for operating the link mechanisms under an extended condition. The link mechanisms are arranged in parallel along both side edges of the trailing plate. The pair of link mechanisms are connected to a link drive source to form a parallel link mechanism assembled through a coupling link. Also, a movable portion of the leading plate clamp means has a tilt pivot. This tilt pivot is adapted to be movable so that the overlapped alignment amount may be adjusted.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed with interchangeable tooling modules for use in a base operating machine. Disconnectible welding current contactor members connect the tooling module to a power supply/transformer of the base operating machine when the module is installed. The module is movable on a guide between uninstalled and installed locations and the contactor members are closed upon installation of the module. A set of fluid pressure and electrical connector members have complementary mating parts mounted on a module connector plate and on a machine connector plate of the base operating machine. An actuator moves the machine connector plate from a retracted position to an extended position for connecting the complementary connector members after the module is installed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a resistance welding method, especially for the resistance welding of aluminum sheets. According to the inventive method, a direct voltage which is applied to welding electrodes is commutated during the welding process in order to generate a welding alternating current. According to the invention, at least one parameter of the welding process is measured during welding, whereby the commutation of the direct voltage ensues according to the measured parameter or to at least one of the measured parameters. The inventive method reliably eliminates the occurrence of temperature differences between the welding electrodes which cause the welding electrodes to wear unevenly and which lead to a formation of a welding spot that is asymmetrical with regard to the contact plane between the work pieces to be welded.

Abstract: In a resistance welding method using direct current in which a direct voltage that is applied to the welding electrodes is commutated. According to the invention, the polarity of the direct voltage applied to the electrodes is selected before or after each welding process according to at least one parameter detected during the welding process. Preferably, the selection of polarity of the direct voltage of the welding electrodes is controlled by control means before or after each welding operation. The inventive method prevents the welding electrodes from being worn on one side, which, in turn, increases their serviceable life or endurance.

Abstract: A method of welding reinforcement steel bars (rebar) and assembly of fusion-welded rebar into panel assemblies that are self-stabilizing to withstand the rigors of transport to and positioning within construction sites. The rebar welding method generates fusion welds in such a manner that the weld imparts stability and strength to the welded rebar assemblies. The rebar welds permit the assembling of larger and more varied rebar panel configurations without the need for tie wire or other coupling devices. Further, the welded panels allow positioning of large rebar configurations, insuring that the spacing of the individual bars exceeds all required tolerances. The self-stabilizing fusion rebar welding process allows a more efficient, flexible and rapid method of rebar panel construction by using assembly systems on mobilized trailers or at stationary locations.

Abstract: A welding machine manipulated by automated equipment controls feeding of depositing metal independently of controlling a welding current, so that the welding can be finely controlled and quality welding is achievable. The welding machine includes a robot having an arm for moving a welding torch, a robot controller for controlling the movement of the robot, a welding power source coupled to the torch, a depositing metal feeder for feeding depositing metal to the welding torch, and a feeder controller for controlling the feeder. The robot controller is coupled to the feeder controller for transmitting a control signal, related to feeding the depositing metal, to the feeder controller.

Abstract: There is described a fixing apparatus, for fixing a toner image on a transfer medium by applying heat and pressure onto the transfer medium, which includes a heat ray irradiating device to irradiate heat rays and a pair of fixing rollers being hollow cylinders. The fixing roller includes a base body being a hollow cylinder and capable of transmitting the heat rays irradiated from the heat ray irradiating device, a heat-resistant resin layer formed on an outer surface of the base body and being capable of transmitting the heat rays irradiated from the heat ray irradiating device, and a heat ray absorptive layer provided on the heat-resistant resin layer.

Abstract: In a conductive board heater using metal as the board, since thermal expansion is large, and expansion and shrinkage are repeated in a heating apparatus, there is a defect that the electrode portion to which a power supply spring contact point on the power supply connecter side is pressurized and contacted is worn and contact inferior occurs and it is easy to break. Furthermore, since the position of the resistor pattern of the heating body varies, excessive heating, insufficient heating, uneven heating at an end portion, or uneven curl unevenness at a paper end is occurred. A heater in an image heating apparatus is provided so as to prevent a contact defect between an electrode and a connecter of image heating apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for attaching a heating element to a glass substrate. The heating element is formed of a plurality of conductive polymer thick film inks screen printed on the substrate. The heating element includes a resistive strip or resistor, conductive strips or conductors, and terminal portions, which form part of an electrical circuit. Electrical power applied to the terminal portions causes current to flow through the resistive strip, which generates heat through resistive heating. The heat is transferred to the substrate. The method of applying the heating element to the substrate includes, in one embodiment, screen printing polymer thick film materials onto a surface of a glass substrate to form the circuit conductors and resistive elements and surface mounting other components of the circuit on the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for heat treatment of a wafer is disclosed. The apparatus includes a heating chamber having a heat source. A cooling chamber is positioned adjacent to the heating chamber and includes a cooling source. A wafer holder is configured to move between the cooling chamber and the heating chamber through a passageway and one or more shutters defines the size of the passageway. The one or more shutters are movable between an open position where the wafer holder can pass through the passageway and an obstructing position which defines a passageway which is smaller than the passageway defined when the shutter is in the open position.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a bump-bonding heating apparatus, a bump bonding method and a bump forming apparatus which do not involve large-sized apparatus configuration and which are easy to handle, and a semiconductor wafer in which bumps are formed by using the bump bonding method. The bump-bonding heating apparatus has a wafer turning member, a turning unit and a wafer heating unit. The turning member is turned by the turning unit without turning the wafer heating unit, whereby a semiconductor wafer mounted on the turning member is turned. Like this, since the wafer heating unit is not turned, the apparatus configuration can be made compact. Since the turning member is turned directly by the turning unit, the turning angle of the semiconductor wafer can be implemented with higher precision as compared with the conventional gas floating type turning method.

Abstract: A description is given of a temperature detection device for an electric radiant heater, with which is associated an active sensor for detecting the positioning of a cooking vessel on a hotplate, particularly a glass ceramic plate, covering the radiant heater. This sensor is part of an inductive resonant circuit of a control means and preferably has a single sensor loop of electrically conductive material located in the vicinity of at least one heating zone heatable by electric radiant elements and preferably partly overlapping the same. According to the invention, with at least one portion the sensor loop forms a functional element of a temperature sensor of the temperature detection device. For example, a tubular sensor loop portion can serve as a supporting or protective jacket of a jacket thermocouple.

Abstract: A cooking surface for a cooktop. Encrusted, spilled, or overflowing food is deposited on the cooking surfaces of cooktops during cooking and the removal of such residue is difficult because the surface of a cooktop is typically rough and uneven. The invention teaches the manufacture of an easy-to-clean glass ceramic cooktop from a floated glass ceramic. As a result of the increased use of controls in cooking devices, an increased number of displays are also being used under the surface of the cooktops. The invention provides a cooktop with a smooth, distortion-free surface that is easy to clean. The invention also relates to window panes for enclosed hot areas with high temperatures, which are typically made of transparent glass ceramic. When used as windows in warming stoves or in self-cleaning ovens, combustion residues are thereby deposited on the windows, which residues must then be removed.

Abstract: An infrared device for prewarming water is provided with a cassette having a predetermined length of tubing connectable at an inlet to a watrer source and an inlet connected to a device for dispensing hot water. An infrared energy-generating sheet is positioned in the cassette on or adjacent to the tubing or passage. The infrared energy sheet includes a fiberglass support grid, a layer formed on support matrix from a mixture of carbon and polymeric materials capable of producing infrared radiation in response to electrical current passed there through. A pair of electrical conduction power strips are attached along opposite sides of the matrix layer and are attached to input power terminals to provide the required current. The entire cassette may be held together with a glue or may be otherwise bonded or molded into a unit for convenient handling.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for signal control of a switch which outputs a first signal in response to a turning operation thereof and outputs a second signal in response to a depressing operation thereof. If one of the first and second signals is outputted in response to a corresponding one of the switch turning operation and the switch depressing operation and the other signal is thereafter outputted in response to the other operation within a predetermined period, the control device nullifies the other signal. With this arrangement, a heating cooker provided with the switch is prevented from performing an under-heat or over-heat cooking operation on the basis of a misoperation of the switch. Further, the need for resetting a cooking period is obviated which may otherwise arise from the misoperation of the switch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric heating device which is especially conceived as a heating device for use in automotive vehicles. A plurality of heating elements, which are stacked so as to define a heating block, form together with a control device a structural unit. For this purpose, the control device is accommodated in a lateral bar of the frame by means of which the heating elements are held together. The air to be heated flows through the heating block as well as through windows provided in the lateral bar, past cooling elements which are respectively connected to the power-electronics components of the control device.

Abstract: An induction heating apparatus used as a fixing apparatus of a copying machine, a printer, and the like includes a first coil for generating a magnetic field to induce an eddy current in a heating member, a second coil for cancelling the magnetic field generated by the first coil, and a third coil connected to the second coil and wound in a direction opposite from the winding direction of the second coil. The induction heating apparatus permits an efficient use of power.

Abstract: Device for the electromagnetic induction heating of a metal strip travelling in a specified direction comprising at least one electric coil arranged opposite at least one of the large faces of the said strip so as to heat the latter by transverse magnetic flux induction, each coil being associated with at least one magnetic circuit, each circuit being divided into a plurality of mutually uncoupled magnetic bars arranged parallel to the direction of travel of the strip, the said magnetic circuit, consisting of the said plurality of mutually independent bars, adapts to the width of the strip to be heated by moving the said bars away from or towards one another, in such a way as to continuously adapt the distribution of the said magnetic flux to the characteristic dimensions of the said strip.

Abstract: A continuous flow type heating apparatus using microwave, which can continuously supply hot water with practically usable flow amount and temperature. An open part is formed on a top face of a horizontally prolonged empty box 10 to become an emitting port of the microwave. The empty box 10 is divided into two by a vertical partition except for the upper and lower part of the emitting port. One side of the space is horizontally divided into three by two of an upper and a lower partitions 12, 13 on which slits 12a, 13a are set at a desired interval. The space formed on the partition 12 becomes a first irradiation part 4. The space formed under the partition 13 and connected in lower part to the space on another side becomes a second irradiation part 5. A water supply pipe 2 is disposed at the center of the space formed between the partitions 12 and 13. The microwave from a microwave oscillator 6 is irradiated from the emitting port into the empty box 10.

Abstract: An adjustable length containing device comprises modular, molded polymer members. The containing device members are ribbed and attached to each other by connection flanges and bottom panels. The containing device is used to store and ship heavy, large objects and is used as an underground storage tank.

Abstract: In a plastic fuel tank comprising a main body having a laminated structure including a layer made of gasoline barrier material and an outer layer made of common plastic material, and a component part adapted to be secured in a hole formed in the tank main body, the component part includes at least a part made of weldable plastic material and welded to a part of the tank main body made of common plastic material, and a part made of gasoline barrier material and extending across said component part so as to separate the interior and exterior of the tank main body from each other. The two parts of the component part may be permanently integral to each other or may be detachably attached to each other. Thus, the welding strength can be ensured while the permeation of HC through the part made of the common plastic material can be avoided.

Abstract: A light weight fuel tank for a hydrogen powered airplane used as a platform for communication repeaters for communication services. An outer spherical shell member of a sandwich configuration surrounds an inner thin walled spherical shell member in which the liquid hydrogen is contained. A radial gap between the shell members is evacuated to a high vacuum. The facing surfaces of the shell members are coated with a low emissivity material. Electrical heaters are provided to control the evaporation rate of the hydrogen to match the fuel usage and to prevent icing during ascent and descent of the airplane.

Abstract: The present invention is a container assembly that includes an inner tube formed from a plastic that is substantially inert to bodily fluids and an outer tube that is formed from a different plastic. Collectively, the container assembly is useful for providing an effective barrier against gas and water permeability in the assembly and for extending the shelf-life of the container assembly, especially when used for blood collection. The inner container is spaced from the outer container at most locations. However, the inner container includes an enlarged top configured to engage the outer container. The enlarged top has a roughened outer surface to permit an escape of air from the space between the containers.

Abstract: A lid apparatus for a tank opening that retains fluid within the tank while allowing air to vent into or out of the tank. An air manifold is provided, preferably as part of an installation ring of the apparatus which is mounted to the tank around the tank opening. The air manifold has an outer radial wall and an inner radial wall spanned by an annular base surface. A plurality of angularly spaced openings in the outer radial wall are angularly offset from a plurality of openings in the inner radial wall to be out of angular alignment therewith, and the space above the annular base surface between the outer radial wall openings and the inner radial wall openings provides a plurality of air flow passageways. A cap of the apparatus has a cover portion and a depending mounting member adapted to insert within the installation ring and engage a cap mounting portion of that ring to detachably mount the cap to the installation ring.

Abstract: A splash-proof lid assembly is a substantially planar unit which is made up of a disc and a bottom section that is rotatably connected to the disc. By rotating the bottom section to the underside of the disc, a tube is formed which allows for drinking from a cup once the lid is placed on the cup.

Abstract: A tray is described which has a corner having an angle where the tray is attachable to 1) a holding bracket which may be attached to the comer defining at least one top chamber; 2) a tray having a tray bottom chamber removably insertable within the top chamber said tray having an indented portion having an angle corresponding approximately to the angle of the corner and around the corner when the tray is placed within the top chamber; and 3) at least one cup holder located on top of the tray capable of holding a drink container of a given diameter, and at least one insert having a first end and a second end fitting within the at least one cup holder capable of holding at least one second drink container of a lesser given diameter. The holding bracket further comprises at least bottom elastic holding partially opened arc shaped arm for holding the insert elastically along the outer diameter ofthe insert.

Abstract: A medium dispensing apparatus, a stirring and heat-retaining apparatus, and a dispensing method are provided which enable a medium to be surely supplied at an adequate temperature while variation of the dispensation amount of the medium, liquid dripping which produces air bubbles, and pulsated ejection are prevented from occurring, and local gelation of the medium and contamination due to various kinds of bacteria are prevented from occurring.

Abstract: External manipulation of a prefilled vial to dispense its contents by deforming the vial is disclosed.

Abstract: A spout, especially suitable for a heavy duty liquid detergent container fitment, is made by thermoforming. Preferably the spout is part of a fitment which includes a bottom wall extending from the bottom of the spout wall, a circumscribing wall surrounding the spout and extending from the bottom of the bottom wall and a peripheral radially extending flange extending from the top of the circumscribing wall. The thermoformed spout/fitment finds special use in plastic containers having inside blown threads. The inside blown threads mate with external threads on a closure.

Abstract: A dispensing container which has an operating mechanism for dispensing a product in the container, and which has a cap which locks onto the container and which seals the product within the container.

Abstract: A cone-shaped nozzle for an aerosol spray can is disclosed. The nozzle preferably has a top end, or tip, and an opposing end, or stem, that removably connects to the can. Through the nozzle from the top center of the tip to the bottom center of the preferably cylindrical stem is a central cylindrical passageway. The top end of the passageway is the tip orifice, through which is discharged the contents of the can, and the bottom end of the passageway is the stem orifice, which receives the contents of the can for passage to the tip. The bottom of the stem and the stem orifice cooperate with the top of a release valve in the top of the aerosol can, so that the nozzle is supplied through the stem orifice. The stem is long enough to permit the cone-shaped nozzle to be depressed on its top, and travel downwardly far enough to activate the release valve.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for a liquid which relies on moulded components capable of being interchanged to provide, in addition to incremental adjustment within a range of dosages allowed by stroke limiting rotational adjustment of the relativity of escarpment and abutment members, the change of one or both the spread of the dosage range and at least one limit of the range.

Abstract: A display device having a rigid based form is provided for supporting collectible items. The display device includes at least two arms which support the collectible item, such as a miniature jersey, and a seat which supports a novelty item, such as confectionary.

Abstract: A baby carrier is provided, which includes: a baby wrapper having a back supporter formed toward the back of a user, a bottom sheet formed on the bottom of the back supporter and a sheet formed by folding the back supporter and the bottom sheet in the counter-direction of the user's back, to thereby form a space for enabling the user to take a baby on the user's back; a reception portion having a sack formed to have a reception space in the direction where the back supporter is folded from the baby wrapper; shoulder straps formed toward either shoulder of the user from the sack of the reception portion; and a supporter which is connected toward each other in the middle of the shoulder straps, and connected with the shoulder straps from the center portion on the bottom of the baby wrapper.

Abstract: An improved casing for pistols, specifically designed for facilitating the pistol bearing and withdrawing, comprises a box-like body, the inner construction of which comprises two “C”-shape section members, a top section member and a bottom section member, coupled to an element of the casing, and a third section member coupling the other two section members and which is perpendicular to the latter.

Abstract: A cargo retention system for a vehicle having a seat is described. The seat has a seat bottom with an upper surface and a seat back with a front surface. The intersection of the upper surface and the front surface defines a bight. The cargo retention system includes a first anchorage adapted to be coupled to the vehicle. A portion of the first anchorage is adapted to be positioned in the bight. A retainer releasably interconnects a vehicle accessory and the first anchorage.

Abstract: A roof rail in which a rail portion and a plurality of leg portions are integrally molded by use of a mold having a fixed or movable dam provided in a mold cavity, and which is formed of a polyamide resin composition containing a polyamide resin having a crystallization temperature of not higher than 210° C. and a glass transition temperature of not higher than 70° C. and glass fiber, wherein the difference in surface gloss between the surface of the rail portion and the surface of the leg portion is not higher than 5, and the difference in surface roughness between the surface of the rail portion and the surface of the leg portion is not larger than 0.5 &mgr;m.