Abstract: A capacitively coupled reactor for plasma etch processing of substrates at subatmospheric pressures includes a chamber body defining a processing volume, a lid provided upon the chamber body, the lid being a first electrode, a substrate support provided in the processing volume and comprising a second electrode, a radio frequency source coupled at least to one of the first and second electrodes, a process gas inlet configured to deliver process gas into the processing volume, and an evacuation pump system having pumping capacity of at least 1600 liters/minute. The greater pumping capacity controls residency time of the process gases so as to regulate the degree of dissociation into more reactive species.

Abstract: A method of adjusting plasma processing of a substrate in a plasma reactor having an electrode assembly. The method includes the steps of positioning the substrate in the plasma reactor, creating a plasma in the plasma reactor, monitoring optical emissions emanating from a plurality of different regions of the plasma in a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate during plasma processing of the substrate, and determining an integrated power spectrum for each of the different plasma regions and comparing each of the integrated power spectra to a predetermined value. One aspect of the method includes utilizing an electrode assembly having a plurality of electrode segments and adjusting RF power delivered to the one or more electrode segments based on differences in the integrated power spectra from the predetermined value.

Abstract: A micro-machining process that includes etching a substrate having copper overlying a dielectric layer to a charged particle beam in the presence of an etch assisting agent. The etch assisting agent is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, acetic acid, thiolacetic acid, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a system and method for determining the reverse voltage and time to apply to the dechucking of a workpiece from an electrostatic chuck (ESC). The system for dechucking comprises a processing chamber operatively coupled to a microprocessor and a memory that is configured to determine the dechucking parameters for the workpiece. The method for determining dechucking parameters comprises generating a correlation between ESC resistance and dechucking parameters, performing a single experimental test on a new ESC and generating a fitting parameter, and using the correlation and the fitting parameter to determine the dechucking parameters.

Abstract: A wafer protected by a protective film on a first surface is mounted on a base member. An etching bath cylinder, to which a gasket for sealing the periphery of the wafer on a second surface that is opposite to the first surface is attached, is placed on the wafer. An etching chamber is formed by vacuum chucking with a vacuum chuck cylinder in an etching pot. Nitrogen gas is supplied from a high pressure gas supply source to a hermetic room, which is formed by the base member and the wafer, while being regulated by a pressure regulator. The pressure regulator includes a water reservoir, a decompressing room having an orifice, a first balance tube, and a second balance tube. The wafer is etched while a pressure higher than that applied to the second surface from an etchant is put on the protective film by the nitrogen gas.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for manipulating an operating handle of a circuit breaker is provided. The operating mechanism includes a holder assembly being configured, dimensioned and positioned to receive a portion of the operating handle where the holder assembly is capable of movement between a first position and a second position wherein the first position corresponds to a closed position of the handle and the second position corresponds to an open position of the handle. The operating mechanism further includes a drive plate being movably mounted to a support structure of the operating mechanism. The drive plate is coupled to the holder assembly. The operating mechanism also includes an energy storage mechanism for assuming a plurality of states, each state having a prescribed amount of energy stored in the energy storage mechanism.

Abstract: A method for producing bores in workpieces of electrically conductive material, in particular injection ports (11) in injection nozzles (10) is disclosed, in which method, by means of an erosion wire (12) forming an electrode, material in the workpiece forming the counterelectrode is removed in a targeted way by spark erosion. To produce bores of different cross-sectional shapes and/or a varying cross-sectional area over the length of the hole, the erosion wire (12) is actively excited to a defined vibration, and the form of vibration is established by targeted variation of the vibration excitation in accordance with the desired bore hole shape. A preferred apparatus for performing the method has a fastening unit (13), which receives the end (122) of the erosion wire (12) and which is driven by two actuators (14, 15) to execute a separate oscillating displacement along an x axis and a y axis (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A pogo welding apparatus especially for spot welding metal sheets at selected locations spaced away from their edges wherein the sheets are held in a temporary assembly with the selected locations engaged and separate programmable positioners move a primary (pogo) electrode and a backup electrode sequentially against opposite sides of the selected locations to spot weld the sheets at the selected locations in sequence. Various alternative programmable positioners, including robots of varying types, may be used to carry the electrodes. A multi head back-up electrode is adapted for efficient use of the apparatus and method in difficult to reach workpiece locations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a strain relief mechanism for a plasma arc torch. In particular, the invention relates to a strain relief system including a positive axial restraint component for restraining axial movement of a lead relative to a housing and a positive rotational restraint component for restraining rotational movement of the lead relative to the housing, wherein the positive axial restraint component and the positive rotational restraint component are independent components arranged in a spaced relationship relative to each other.

Abstract: In order to make the depth of penetration in the weld bead portion uniform and obtain a bead shape having a flat bottom without spiking and meltdown during continuous hot rolling by bonding a plurality of hot-rolled steel materials using a laser beam, the following methods are employed: (A) a method of butt welding wherein center gas is blown against the welding portion symmetrically to the optical axis of the laser beam while side gas is being blown thereagainst from the side, the method comprising conducting welding while the center of laser-induced plasma is shifted in the welding direction from the center of the laser beam by a distance 0.2 to 0.

Abstract: A system and method for marking a surface of a gemstone employs an optical passage member positioned in the resonant cavity of an excimer laser in proximity to the front laser mirror, so that to pattern the generated laser beam in a predetermined fashion and to expose the gemstone to the patterned laser beam for evaporating the material of the gemstone from the surface of the gemstone at locations predetermined by the optical passage member. The system is operated in two marking modes. At the first mode, when the optical passage member is an aperture, a simple spot is projected onto the surface of the gemstone, and in order to inscribe the marks and characters on the surface of the gemstone, the gemstone is moved with respect to the laser beam by a precision motion system in accordance with a pre-set pattern.

Abstract: This invention is intended to provide a laser annealing method by employing a laser annealer lower in running cost so as to deal with a large-sized substrate, for preventing or decreasing the generation of a concentric pattern and to provide a semiconductor device manufacturing method including a step using the laser annealing method. While moving a substrate at a constant rate between 20 and 200 cm/s, a laser beam is radiated aslant to a semiconductor film on a surface of the semiconductor substrate. Therefore, it is possible to radiate a uniform laser beam to even a semiconductor film on a large-sized substrate and to thereby manufacture a semiconductor device for which the generation of a concentric pattern is prevented or decreased. By condensing a plurality of laser beams into one flux, it is possible to prevent or decrease the generation of a concentric pattern and to thereby improve the reliability of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A method of controlling the application of laser peening overlays on the surface of a workpiece to reduce the variability of shock waves generated therein, comprises applying an energy-absorbing overlay to a portion of the surface of a workpiece, measuring the thickness of the energy-absorbing overlay in at least one location on the energy-absorbing overlay, applying a transparent overlay material over the energy-absorbing overlay, measuring the thickness of the transparent overlay in at least one location on the transparent overlay, determining if the measured values for each overlay is within a specified range, and directing a pulse of coherent energy to the workpiece to create a shock wave therein when the measured values are within the specified range.

Abstract: An electronic heating module includes a heating transistor operated in its linear region as a current source. The temperature of the heating transistor is detected and used to control whether the heating transistor is turned on or off. Further control of the heating transistor is provided via a feedback control loop that monitors a voltage at one terminal of the heating transistor.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus for an image forming apparatus comprises a heater and a rotary member having plasticity and rotated in contact with the heater. The rotary member in the image heating apparatus has an external shape becoming larger toward the end portions in the longitudinal direction, thereby preventing generation of wrinkles or unevenness in the conveyed recording medium.

Abstract: A method and device for burning a pattern in a surface of wood or other charrable material. The device generally comprises a ceramic body having a raised pattern defined on a surface thereof and means for locally heating the raised pattern to a temperature sufficient to burn a pattern in a surface of wood contacted by the ceramic body. While various heating means are possible, two noted heating means are an electrically-resistive wire or an electrical-conductive ceramic material embedded in the ceramic body in proximity to the raised pattern, both of which serve to locally heat the raised pattern when current from a suitable electric current source flows therethrough.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermal processing of a workpiece is provided. The time taken for a processing gas to be purged, or switched, during one or more processing steps is significantly reduced for thermal processing systems. The thermal processing system includes a heating chamber in accordance with one example embodiment of the present invention. A small-volume workpiece enclosure is disposed about the workpiece. A translation mechanism, e.g., in the form of a positioning assembly, supports the small-volume workpiece enclosure for moving the small-volume workpiece enclosure and the workpiece within the heating chamber. The small-volume workpiece enclosure enables the use of relatively smaller amounts of process (ambient) gases, and decreases the purge time of such gases. The heating chamber can have at least one of a thermal radiation intensity gradient and a temperature gradient for thermally processing the workpiece.

Abstract: A heating device of the light irradiation type in which uniform illuminance can be obtained without placing a single end lamp in the middle of the light source part is achieved providing a light source part in which circular lamps are arranged concentrically to one another with a mirror in the center of the circular lamps. The mirror is convex toward the workpiece and reflects the light emitted from the innermost circular lamp located closest to the center area so that, without placing a single end lamp in the middle area, the reduction of illuminance in the middle area of the irradiated surface is reduced. Furthermore, the reflector can be made conical, and in this way, the light from the lamps can be emitted with high efficiency onto the workpiece surface.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a hot plate for a semiconductor producing/examining device, in which hot plate, when an object to be heated such as a silicon wafer is heated in a state that the object is distanced by a certain distance from the heating face, air is less likely to stagnate between the silicon wafer and the heating face and thus the object to be heated can be evenly heated. Specifically, the hot plate for a semiconductor producing/examining device of the present invention comprises a resistance heating element formed on a surface of a ceramic substrate or inside the ceramic substrate, wherein the glossiness of the heating face of said ceramic substrate is 1.5% or more.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inducing heat within a workpiece. A flexible fluid-cooled induction heating cable is used to produce a magnetic field to induce electric current in a workpiece. The induction heating cable has separate fluid and electrical connectors to separately couple cooling fluid and electric current to and from the induction heating cable. An induction heating system having a fluid cooling unit, a power source, and a flexible fluid-cooled induction heating cable having separate fluid and electrical connectors. An extension cable may be used to enable the flexible fluid-cooled induction heating cable to be used at a greater distance from the power source and the fluid cooling unit. An insulation blanket adapted for use with a specific size workpiece may be used with the flexible fluid-cooled induction heating cable.

Abstract: A vacuum sealed container and a method for cooking food under vacuum including the steps of heating the food and the cooking liquid in a heat-and-cold resistant vacuum-sealed container having microwave permeability using the microwave oven at high power for boiling, heating the container for a required time, stopping the heating to cool the container, thereby producing a vacuum therein, heating the container for a required time to cook the food and the cooking liquid at low temperatures using the microwave oven at low power, while the container is under vacuum, and allowing the container to cool.

Abstract: A receptacle with compartmented peripheral walls for displaying personalized and changeable graphics is disclosed. The receptacle has an inner cylinder and a transparent outer cylinder which are spaced apart by vertical spacers which divide the cavity between the cylinders into compartments, each of which houses a removable sheet of graphic material. In a preferred embodiment, each compartment is sized to hold a standard, stock sized paper, such as 8½″×11″, so the graphics may be quickly and easily changed.

Abstract: The present invention is a cover with adjustable apertures for containers. The present invention comprises of two components that snap together to form an integrated cover. The cover has an adjustable aperture that can be adjusted easily from fully closed to almost fully open. The present invention is aesthetically pleasing and easy to operate.

Abstract: A beverage can end is provided herein which has a small opening preferably centrally disposed which is adapted for receiving a straw. Preferably, the small opening end is opened with a conventional pull tab, but which establishes a vent area positioned adjacent the small opening end which provides sufficient venting during use of the straw. It is further preferred that the pull tab be slightly elevated with rounded corners to provide a smooth, easily accessible pulling surface for the user of the beverage can.

Abstract: A collapsible container configured to lay substantially flat in a collapsed position and maintain an extended or usable position by utilizing load-bearing means rigidly disposed among and affixed to various support members. The load-bearing means are adapted to receive support members and sustain the container in its usable position when a load is placed therein. The load bearing means resist movement of support members in the direction caused by the load exerted on the container. When the load is removed, the load-bearing means is adapted to permit the support members to be withdrawn there from so that the container may be transitioned to a substantially flat collapsed position.

Abstract: A fuel tank for motor vehicles is constructed so that the generation of noise in the fuel tank due to sloshing fuel is minimized. For this purpose, a dampener element, which is permeable to the flow of liquid fuel, is attached to the interior of the tank. According to the invention, the dampening element has a dimensionally stable lattice or similar network structure. This dampener element is attached near the bottom wall of the fuel tank and has a generally horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A baking pan system is disclosed comprising an outer frame and an attached baking sheet. The outer frame comprises two side walls and two end portions. Each end portion connects corresponding ends of the side walls, and each end portion forms at least one fastening aperture. The baking sheet includes a plurality of extruded portions. Each extruded portion aligns with and pierces a corresponding fastening aperture of the outer frame. Each extruded portion further curls around the outer frame. Methods for fastening a baking sheet to an outer frame and unfastening a baking sheet from an outer frame are also disclosed.

Abstract: A. Flipout Cooler's & Accessories is an invention that incorporates work surfaces, I.e., tables, cup holders, shelves or any combination thereof placed into or onto an “ice chest”/“cooler”.

Abstract: A door assembly for a refrigerator having a cabinet with a cabinet opening, a cabinet height and a cabinet width includes a main body portion and a cap portion. The main body portion has a door height and a door width generally corresponding in size to the cabinet height and the cabinet width, respectively. The cap portion is secured to and upwardly extends from the main body portion. The cap is configured to substantially cover a plurality of control elements upwardly extending from the cabinet when the door assembly is articulated to a closed position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-heating container for heating consumable items such as food and beverages. The container assembly includes a star-shaped inner container for holding heating media that produces an exothermic reaction, and an outer container for holding a consumable item such as food and beverages. The inner container includes a thermally conductive polymer composition, and the outer container includes a heat-insulating material. The thermally conductive polymer composition includes a base polymer matrix and filler material.

Abstract: A device for stabilizing laboratory ware includes a container body having a refillable interior space defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, an outer wall and an inner wall. The inner wall defines a centrally disposed passageway and has an exterior surface having a size and geometry for resting upon an outer surface of the laboratory ware. The outer wall includes at least one releasably sealable port arrangement for facilitating the introduction of a filler material therein.

Abstract: A storage container, such as a tackle box, with well protected latches and hinges which can be easily repaired if they are damaged. The front latches and rear hinges preferably use inserts which are formed separately from the upper and lower tackle box trays. The rear hinge insert, for example, preferably takes the form of a U-shaped piece of molded plastic with a thinned plastic section in its middle to act as an internal hinge for the insert. The walls of this U-shaped insert are pressure fitted into slots formed into the interior of the upper and lower trays. The front latch insert is preferably formed from an approximately flat piece of plastic which has a bar at an open spaced end and a solid, flanged snap at the other end. Both the bar and the snap for this front insert are received into grooved catches which are formed onto both the upper and lower trays.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tablet feeder in which a rotor can smoothly rotate to discharge tablets in spite of a large volume type of tablet containing case having a simple construction. A support portion 11 is provided in the tablets containing case 4 and positioned above at least one of the pocket portions 9 for preventing the weight of the tablets acting on the pocket portions 9 from resisting the rotation of the rotor 8.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting and feeding identically shaped small objects has a funnel adapted to hold the objects and having a downwardly open outlet and a housing and a wheel together forming an arcuate passage generally centered on an axis and having an upper inlet end at the outlet and a lower outlet end so that the objects can enter the upper inlet end of the passage and move downward through the passage. The wheel has an outer periphery exposed in the passage and formed with a row of outwardly open pockets of a shape corresponding generally to a shape of the objects. The wheel is rotated such that its periphery moves upward in the passage so that the objects are separated from one another and aligned behind one another in the passage.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system including at least one beverage container assembly. Each beverage container assembly includes a beverage container, a gas container, and a regulator cap assembly. The regulator cap assembly has a beverage coupler for receiving the beverage container and a gas coupler for receiving the gas container. The gas coupler includes a first channel which is connected to a regulator valve for regulating the gas through a second channel such that it fills the beverage container enabling the contents of the beverage container to flow out through an outlet valve.

Abstract: An embodiment of a safety closure for a container includes a sleeve which is fixed to the container inside of which a part is rotatable to place the container in a position where dispensing may take place. A recess in the sleeve with a vertical wall cooperates with an outwardly biased hinged tab on the rotatable part abutting the wall and preventing rotation, unless the tab is pushed in to clear the wall, while at the same time rotating the first part to said dispensing position.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a blow molded drum has a port including a neck with exterior buttress threads and a port opening having a shoulder. A snap-in down tube assembly seats with the shoulder and has an upwardly extending nipple. Either a dispense head or a closure seats within and is secured by a threaded retainer nut. The dispense head has a first flow duct extending to a nipple engaging portion to seal with the upwardly extending nipple and a second flow duct leading to an annular space around the nipple for a return fluid line or for providing air or a gas for displacing withdrawn fluid.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus (10) for dispensing a product from a container (12) includes: a product chamber within the container (12); a valve (14) adjacent to the product chamber; a hinge assembly secured to the opening of the container and to which is connected a nozzle assembly (20); and a lever (18) attached by means of the hinge assembly. The nozzle assembly (20) is rotatable between open and closed positions and includes an actuator portion provided with a cam surface (96, 98) which co-operates with a bearing portion (100) on the lever (18) such that, when the nozzle assembly (20) is in the open position, operation of the lever (18) causes movement of the actuator portion to open the valve (14) and permit flow of the product out of the container (12).

Abstract: A laptop computer transport and support system for a mobile environment such as an airplane, bus or train is embodied as a wheeled clamshell style backpack carrying case with a retractable handle. The system is employed by unzipping three case edges and lifting a hinged protective cover thereby exposing a computer. The backpack straps unhook from the cover and secure to a user's seatback or around a user's headrest while strap posts at an opposite backpack strap end extend from the case and prevent strap interference with the user. A foldable or detachable handle permits retractable handle posts to extend on each side of the user and support the system against the seatback instead of the user when the system is used. Optionally, computer peripherals within a compartmentalized base are connected within the base to a docking station port and provide the computer with quick access to the peripherals.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a gun or a bow securely to an all terrain vehicle. . The apparatus has one or more adjustable support arms each having a quick release and lock mechanism. The support arms serve as a way to allow the gun or bow to fit closely to the contour of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is that of an improved device for carrying a weapon. The present invention provides concealed carrying of a weapon, preferably a handgun, by a law enforcement officer or the like. The handgun is supported on the upper back of the wearer, preferably between the wearer's shoulder blades. The handgun is held in a holster having a body that is formed to match the contour of the gun. The holster includes a sheath of flexible material extending across the upper back of the wearer. The sheath is held in place by a pair of shoulder straps and a pair of armpit straps.

Abstract: This is a method and apparatus for packaging, transporting and cutting a quantity of Duct Tape in which the tape is formed into a substantially hexahedron shape mounted upon a polyhedron mandrel containing cutting means so configured as to be cooperative with, and useful in, cutting and trimming segments of the tape, wherein the cutting means has auxiliary uses.

Abstract: A detachable insulation wire-pressing element of a stapling device is disclosed. The wire-pressing element has a wire-pressing section at the center of the element and the bottom face of the wire-pressing section is provided with a wire slot having an opening facing downward the two sides of the wire-pressing section are respectively provided with a corresponding nailing hole, and the nailing hole is corresponding to a staple-impacting plate of the stapling device, thereby a wire-pressing element is formed. When the front edge of the wire-pressing element is aligned with the front edge of the stapling device the nailing holes are corresponding to the staple-impacting plate of the stapling device, and thereby a staple row utilized in the stapling device and by aligning the wire-pressing element with the front edge of the stapling device, the wire-pressing element can be used to secure insulation wires. The wire-pressing element can be utilized in stapling device for outdoors and indoors.

Abstract: A welding device comprises a casing, a power supply unit, a carriage for continuous delivery of filler wire, conduit that carries filler wire to an outlet nozzle, and at least one motor. First wire drive means, mechanically coupled to the motor(s), imparts reciprocating movement to filler wire that is carried in the conduit to the outlet nozzle. Second wire drive means, mechanically coupled to the motor(s), imparts continuous movement to filler wire that is carried in the conduit to the outlet nozzle. A single controller is adapted to control the motor(s) to obtain desired kinematic movement of the filler wire, preferably giving the filler wire the same kinematics as a welder's hand. The motor parameters and corresponding kinematic characteristics of the filler wire is adjusted by the single controller in response to a single operator actuated adjustment means.

Abstract: Concave portions and convex portions are formed on a peripheral surface of a thin metal sheet by applying a pressing force thereto while the metal sheet is being embossed; pores are each formed on an apex of each of the concave portions and convex portions and burrs each projecting outward from a peripheral edge of each of the pores are generated by the pressing force; the metal sheets having the concave portions and convex portions formed thereon are layered on each other; the burr at the apex of each convex portion of a lower-layer metal sheet is interlocked with the burr at the apex of each concave portion of an upper-layer metal sheet adjacent to the lower-layer metal sheet to integrate the metal sheets with each other; and an active substance is charged into spaces between the upper-layer metal sheet and the lower-layer metal sheet through an aperture at the apex of each of the concave portions and convex portions.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of continuously controlling and tracking a position of a welding torch (10) and welding head relative to a weld seam to be produced on a workpiece (16), whereby the welding torch (10), spaced at a distance apart from a workpiece (16) and the weld seam, effects a pendulum motion which is superimposed on its linear welding motion, during which state variables, in particular an ohmic resistance or a current and/or a voltage, are detected as they change in time. The lateral deviation of the welding torch (10) from the weld seam, in particular from the welding line centre, and/or the height of the welding torch (10) above the workpiece (16) and the welding head are derived from the detected actual values and signals in order to control and track the position of the welding torch (10).

Abstract: An electronic component with at least one semiconductor chip and a wiring layer are described. The wiring layer has elastic contact elements of low mechanical strength in the spatial directions x, y and z, which can be electrically connected to corresponding contact terminal areas of a printed circuit board. The semiconductor chip or the wiring layer additionally has at least two spacers for the mechanical connection to a printed circuit board. A method for producing the electronic component is also described.

Abstract: In a bonding tool which bonds a component to a substrate by urging and vibration, a through hole is formed in the horn. An adhesion section is fit into a lower section of the hole and an engaging section is fit into an upper section of the hole, so that a sealed inner space is formed inside the hole by tightening an outer screw. An adhesion hole open to a bonding section communicates with a sucking hole of the horn via the inner space, so that a simply structured vacuum-adhesionsystem can be formed. This mechanics does not loose replaceablility of the adhesion section detachable to the horn. As a result, the adhesion section can be replaceable as an independent part (urging terminal), and a bonding apparatus as well as a bonding tool having the simply structured vacuum-adhesion-system can be provided.

Abstract: A rim member 120 forming an entrance 110 and a plate 11 (21) are friction stir welded by moving a rotary tool 200 along the rim member 120. The rotary tool 120 is tilted along the direction of movement. Welding is started at right block 120R, and when the tool reaches corner portion P5 between the right block 120R and a center block 120C, the tool 200 is pulled out of the rim member 120 and plate 11 (21). Next, the tool is tilted toward the direction of movement along center block 120C. Thereafter, the tool is lowered and inserted to position, and friction stir welding is restarted. According to the invention, the direction of the rotary tool is not changed while the tool is inserted to the rim member 120. This prevents generation of excessive friction heat, and thereby realizes a good weld.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a radial-type ceramic electronic component that can prevent cracking in the ceramic substrate and detachment of the terminal electrodes due to the contractile stresses in the solder. A ceramic electronic component element 1 is equipped with terminal electrodes 11 and 12 on either end of a ceramic substrate 10. A pair of lead wires 2 and 3 are soldered to the terminal electrodes 11 and 12. The support parts 2B and 3B of the lead wires 2 and 3 are bent from the soldering parts 2A and 3A in a direction away from the terminal electrodes 11 and 12.