Abstract: A marine engine flushing system for super flushing the cooling system of a marine engine comprising an off-axis inlet port for receiving the flow of fresh water, a rotary distribution cylinder, and a plurality of axial outlet ports for proportionately discharging the flow of fresh water. The rotary distribution cylinder provides enhanced hydrodynamic forces that help break up salt and mineral deposits in a fashion superior to all existing methods.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a spark plug which reduces the generation of spatters and the possibility of insufficient weld strength resulting from penetration depth insufficiency of a weld metal portion is disclosed. In accordance with the method, a chip joint face formation portion of a center electrode is formed from a heat-resistant alloy predominantly containing Fe or Ni. A noble metal chip is attached to a chip joint face of the chip joint face formation portion to thereby form a chip-attached assembly. A full-circled laser-beam weld metal portion is formed on the chip-attached assembly in such a manner as to intrude into the noble metal chip and into the chip joint face formation portion. A graded-index-type fiber optic cable is used as an optical transmission path extending between a laser beam generator and an optical emission section. A laser beam which is transmitted from the laser beam generator through the cable irradiates the chip-attached assembly while being condensed.

Abstract: A flat luminescent lamp and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed in the present invention. More specifically, a flat luminescent lamp includes first and second substrates each having a plurality of grooves in sides which the first and second substrates face into each other, first and second electrodes in the grooves, first and second phosphor layers in the first and second substrates including the first and second electrodes, respectively, and a frame for sealing the first and second substrates.

Abstract: The apparatus for manufacturing a plasma display panel having a first mechanism for supplying a cover member formed by a metal sheet to which low-melting-point glass is applied to a first location within the gas introduction and sealing chamber, a second mechanism provided in the gas introduction and sealing chamber for moving the cover member from the first location to a second location which is over a heating apparatus provided in the gas introduction and sealing chamber, a third mechanism provided in the gas introduction and sealing chamber for performing vacuum exhausting an inside of the plasma display panel and then introducing a luminescent gas into the plasma display panel, and a fourth mechanism provided in the gas introduction and sealing chamber for heating the metal sheet to which the low-melting-point glass is applied by using the heating apparatus, so that the gas introduction port is sealed by the low-melting-point glass.

Abstract: An air pressure projectile launcher toy comprising at lease one soft foam projectile and a telescopic tube assembly, adapted on one end for releasably securing a projectile, and capable of generating a high speed compressed air stream, which is buffered by a large available air volume, intended to accelerate lightweight foam projectiles without generating an undesirable shock wave, caused by the rapid build-up of high internal pressures, thereby making it possible for children to launch safe foam projectiles with less effort and increased accuracy.

Abstract: A set of elements used for building easily disassembled structures includes a plurality of building cards. At least one surface of each card is provided with protrusions extending normally therefrom. When an edge of a first card is in abutting contact with one or more protrusions of a second card, the one or more protrusions prevent the first card from sliding beyond a point or locus defined by the one or more protrusions thereby permitting the first card to be stably leaned against a third card, and so on, to create supported structures constructed from a plurality of the building cards.

Abstract: An interactive soft toy with a light emitting diode device mounted within the soft toy. The light emitting diode device has a translucent front cover and translucent sheet to which a graphic pattern is applied. The light emitting diode device is operative to display a pattern. When the pattern of the light emitting diode panel is illuminated, the graphic pattern is overshadowed thereby. The on/off status of the light emitting diode units can be controlled by a manual input device, an infrared signal, or an audio signal. The light emitting diode device further has a speaker for generating a sound effect corresponding to the pattern displayed by the light emitting diode device.

Abstract: A toy is provided having a motion detector that detects motion of the toy and generates a signal indicative of the motion. There is a visual display that is capable of selectively producing a visual output and an audio system capable of producing an audible output corresponding to, and descriptive of, the visual output.

Abstract: A steering device for a toy including: right and left turning members for turning right and left steering wheels in clockwise and counterclockwise directions around predetermined shafts; and a connecting member for connecting and forming a turning pair with each turning member. The right and left turning members are turned around each predetermined shaft by moving the connecting member in right and left directions so as to change each direction of the steering wheels. One of a coil and a magnetic body is provided on the connecting member, the other of the coil and the magnetic body is fixed to a fixing portion of the toy, and the coil and the magnetic body come close to and go away from each other by moving the connecting member. The connecting member takes at least two steering positions by controlling a current to be carried to the coil with a coil current carrying unit.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bra pad having a thicker summit area, as well as the pad itself, includes holding a sheet of resilient and formable material of uniform thickness, such as thermoplastic foam, and forming the sheet to have a graduated thicker summit area corresponding to each summit of a bra or bra-like garment for including the pad, and a surrounding thinner area. Each pad thus has a thicker summit area for extending over the summits of the breasts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a semiconductor wafer by simultaneous polishing of a front surface and a back surface of the semiconductor wafer with a polishing fluid between rotating polishing plates during a polishing run which lasts for a polishing time, the semiconductor wafer being located in a cutout in a carrier having a defined carrier thickness and being held on a defined geometric path, the semiconductor wafer having a starting thickness prior to polishing and a final thickness after polishing. The polishing time for the polishing run is calculated from data which include the starting thickness of the semiconductor wafer and the carrier thickness as well as the starting thickness and final thickness and the flatness of a semiconductor wafer which was polished during a polishing run preceding the present polishing run.

Abstract: A method of forming a chemical-mechanical polishing pad having at least one optically transmissive region comprising (i) providing a polishing pad comprising an aperture, (ii) inserting an optically transmissive window into the aperture of the polishing pad, and (iii) bonding the optically transmissive window to the polishing pad by ultrasonic welding.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus comprises a polishing tool, a substrate holding member, and a sensor for detecting a failure of a substrate to be polished.

Abstract: A device for the simultaneous double-side grinding of workpiece wafers has two collinear grinding wheels and two hydropads oppositely positioned for hydrostatic bearing of the workpiece, each having at least one hydrostatic bearing and at least one dynamic pressure tube for measuring the spacing between the workpiece and the hydrdopads. The surfaces of the hydropads which face the workpiece are of nonplanar configuration, contoured in such a manner that the spacing between the surface and the workpiece adopts a minimum value near the edge of the hydropads proximate the grinding wheels, this spacing increasing at increasing distance from the grinding wheels. In a further embodiment, at least one bore, through which liquid and abraded material can be discharged from the vicinity of the dynamic pressure tube, is proximate each dynamic pressure tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for sandblasting, especially removing in a precise manner and/or compacting and/or coating solid surfaces, such as removing defective spots of paint from coats of lacquer, smoothing out soldered and welded joints, removal of contaminated concrete coatings or rust coatings, hardening, planing or coating metal surfaces, wherein a sandblasting agent is added by means of gravity and/or due to the effect of an injector to a carrier air flow produced by an underpressure, conveyed in a flexible hose- line system (13) to a jet lance (14) before being guided via a processing surface subject to low pressure by a sandblasting chamber, whereupon it is returned in the air flow, purified and returned to the circuit, whereby acceleration of the sandblasting agent is produced by the low pressure and the sandblasting chamber is displaced from one processing surface to another.

Abstract: Planarizing solutions, and their methods of use, for removing titanium nitride from the surface of a substrate using a fixed-abrasive planarizing pad. The planarizing solutions take the form of an etchant solution or an oxidizing solution. The etchant solutions are aqueous solutions containing an etchant and a buffer. The etchant contains one or more etching agents selective to titanium nitride. The oxidizing solutions are aqueous solutions containing an oxidizer and a buffer. The oxidizer contains one or more oxidizing agents selective to titanium nitride. In either solution, i.e., etchant or oxidizing solution, the buffer contains one or more buffering agents. Titanium nitride layers planarized in accordance with the invention may be utilized in the production of integrated circuits, and various apparatus utilizing such integrated circuits.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus for polishing a surface of a workpiece includes a housing unit, a partition wall partitioning an interior of the housing unit into a first chamber and a second chamber, a polishing section disposed in the first chamber and having a turntable with an abrasive cloth mounted on an upper surface thereof and a top ring positioned above the turntable for supporting the workpiece to be polished and pressing the workpiece against the abrasive cloth, and a cleaning section disposed in the second chamber and cleaning the workpiece which has been polished. The polishing apparatus further includes a transferring device for transferring the workpiece which has been polished from the polishing section to the cleaning section through an opening and an exhaust system for exhausting ambient air from each of the polishing section and cleaning section separately and independently.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a film layer on a glass plate includes: a supporting base for supporting a glass plate; a pair of removing devices for removing a film layer on the glass plate; a transporting device for transporting the glass plate; and a control unit for defining in a divided manner a region of a film layer to be removed by the pair of removing devices and for causing the pair of removing devices to concurrently effect removal of the film layer on the glass plate in an apportioned manner with respect to divided regions defined in the divided manner.

Abstract: A process for fabricating sliders with one or more sacrificial structures (extensions) that facilitate lapping to create the air-bearing surface (ABS) is described. Prior to separating individual sliders from a wafer, a mask of material that is not removable by deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) is patterned on the surface of the sliders. The mask outlines a sacrificial extension around portions of the magnetic transducer elements that are nearest the predetermined plane which will become the ABS. The sacrificial extension makes the surface of the slider which will be lapped non-planar. The sacrificial extension extends below the predetermined ABS plane. When the sliders are individually separated by DRIE, the shape of the mask including the sacrificial extension is projected down into and along the slider body.

Abstract: A wafer polishing solution and method for polishing a wafer comprising an amino acid and calcium ions or barium ions. The wafer polishing solution can be adjusted to control cut rate and selectivity for modifying semiconductor wafers using a fixed abrasive CMP process.

Abstract: A method of preparing a sanding block to repair a damaged surface profile. A first step involves finding an undamaged surface profile that matches the damaged surface profile. A second step involves providing a moulding block having a body with a flat surface surrounded by an upstanding flexible peripheral seal to form an enclosure. A third step involves filling the enclosure of the moulding block with hot melt adhesive and, with the hot melt adhesive still mouldable, pressing the moulding block against the undamaged surface profile until the hot melt adhesive solidifies to form a negative image of the undamaged surface profile. A fourth step involves removing the negative image formed of solidified hot melt adhesive from the undamaged surface profile for use as a sanding block.

Abstract: A cutting tool having a hard tip is pressed with a uniform pressure against a surface of a vehicle wheel as the wheel is rotated to smooth and seal the surface. The smoothed and sealed wheel surface is then chrome plated with a process that includes applying a nickel layer directly upon smoothed and sealed wheel surface and a chromium layer over the nickel layer.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing method is disclosed in which a batch of wafers is first supplied to a low-selectivity, first CMP tool for partly polishing the batch with one or more relatively non-selective CMP slurries (e.g., silica (SiO2) based); and in which the batch of partly-polished wafers is subsequently transferred to a higher-selectivity, second CMP tool which uses one or more comparatively more-selective CMP slurries (e.g., ceria (CeO2) based) to further the polishing of the batch of partly-polished wafers and/or to complete the polishing of the partly-polished wafers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for planarizing a microelectronic substrate. In one embodiment, the apparatus can include an elongated, non-continuous polishing pad oriented at an angle relative to the horizontal to allow planarizing liquids and materials removed from the microelectronic substrate to flow off the polishing pad under the force of gravity. Two such polishing pads can be positioned opposite each other in a vertical orientation and can share either a common platen or a common substrate carrier. The polishing pads can be pre-attached to both a supply roll and a take-up roll to form a cartridge which can be easily removed from the apparatus and replaced with another cartridge.

Abstract: An improved method of manufacturing automotive accessory drive belts or other workpieces of pliant material which have a grooved operative face, a tool having an abrasive ramp configuration for performing said improved method and a method of manufacturing said tool with the abrasive ramp configuration.

Abstract: Polishing heads to polish the surface of a semiconductor wafer and methods of using the same are disclosed. A disclosed polishing head includes at least one rotating head to apply a downward force; and a plurality of vacuum cells to hold the wafer via a vacuum force and to convey a least some of the downward force from the at least one rotating head to the wafer.

Abstract: A dustproof grinder including: a main body; a rotary shaft vertically mounted in the main body and drivable by the driving unit, a bottom end of the rotary shaft having a plane face facing downward; a bottom cover formed with a central through hole, the bottom cover being disposed at the bottom end of the main body; the plane face of the rotary shaft being larger than the through hole and positioned above top face of the bottom cover; and a sealing member disposed between the plane face and the top face of the bottom cover. A grinding disc is mounted at a bottom end of the rotary shaft for grinding or buffing an object. The bottom cover is sealed with the bottom end of the main body, also, the bottom cover is sealed with the plane face so that the dirt, dusts and chips are prevented from entering the interior of the grinder.

Abstract: A plurality of projections and grooves are formed on a polishing member. The grooves are formed in grid pattern. A portion on which the grooves and the projections are formed (polishing portion) has a substantially circular shape in a plane view. Around the polishing portion, an outer peripheral portion having a fixed height is provided. The height of the outer peripheral portion is equal to the height of bottom portions of the grooves. Ends of each of the grooves extend to the outer peripheral portion, which allows slurry and the like entering the grooves to flow outside via the outer peripheral portion. When a polishing pad thus structured is to be bonded to a surface plate, adhesive is applied or a double-stick tape is affixed to a rear surface of a base member, and thereafter, the polishing pad is put in place on the surface plate.

Abstract: A disposable sanding device is fabricated as a continuous rope-like article which is adapted for selective segmentation and application as a plurality of serially arranged disposable hand sanding devices or ropes. Each hand sanding device is formed as a generally elongated rod shaped base portion formed of lightweight material such as closed cell foam having a relatively constant cross-section along its line of elongation. An abrasive surface is permanently applied to the external surface of the base portion via an intermediate adhesive layer. As constructed, the sanding device is operable to conform to curvilinear contours of a work piece to be sanded upon application of user induced loading against the work piece. A dispenser holds a rolled length of sanding rope and includes a cutter feature for severing pieces of sanding rope from the coil as required as well as a retainer for the free end of the coil. A tensioning hand tool holds a severed length of sanding rope for precise applications.

Abstract: A manual sharpener for sharpening either right or left-handed blades of scissors or shears comprises a support structure with an attached hand holding arrangement. A magnetic device holds at least one adhesive pad on the supporting structure. One or more precision angle blade guides are mountable on the structure.

Abstract: A meat mallet for tenderizing and flattening meat with a handle, a neck and a head with interchangeable face plates. The face plates have a meat-engaging surface of varying patterns that can be flat, have outwardly projecting points of different sizes and shapes to accommodate meats having different connective tissues or other suitable tenderizing structure. The head has a partially hollow cavity that opens at a front end and stores the face plates in a nested configuration with the top-most plate being an in-use plate. The face plates have a perimeter support shoulder that facilitates the nesting configuration providing a perimeter support system while protecting the meat engaging surfaces of the face plates. A retainer ring has an inner threaded surface that threadedly engages an outer threaded surface of the front end of the head and allows the meat-engaging surface of the in-use plate to partially extend past the retainer ring to engage the subject meat.

Abstract: A device for processing slaughtered animals or parts thereof, having a first station and a second station, comprises a conveyor which extends between the first station and the second station. The conveyor comprises at least one slot which is designed to carry and support the slaughtered animals, a supply device for supplying the slaughtered animals or parts thereof at the first station on the conveyor, and a discharge device for discharging the slaughtered animals or parts thereof from the conveyor at the second station. The device has at least one driven driving member which spans at least half of the width of the slot, passes through a path which is substantially parallel to the course of the slot and is designed to move the slaughtered animals or parts thereof which are in the slot along the slot.

Abstract: A plastic chimney cap is molded in one-piece from either a thermoset or a thermoplastic resin. The chimney cap has a wall extending continuously around a closed-circuit. The wall interior surface defines an interior space. A plurality of vent holes through the wall communicates with the interior space to vent combustion gases. A roof is attached to the upper edge of the wall. A flange is disposed outside the lower edge of the wall and has a perimeter extending completely around the wall. A shoulder connects the flange with the wall. Thickened reinforced regions with threaded holes and mounting screws are spaced apart around the flange perimeter for fastening the chimney cap to the flue. The interior surfaces can be coated with a metallized coating for heat resistance.

Abstract: A damper unit for an air circulation system. The damper unit includes a frame defining an air flow opening, a damper vane for opening and closing the air flow opening, and a stepper motor for turning the damper vane between the open and closed positions. The stepper motor is directly coupled to the damper vane to move the vane between the open and closed positions. A shaft of the stepper motor extends through a frame of the damper unit and is coupled to the damper vane by a hub. A controller is coupled to the stepper motor to control the stepper motor.

Abstract: A roof ventilation system including a prefabricated ridge vent assembly with sidewalls secured at spacers. The spacers support a top cap spaced above the sidewalls which defines a net free ventilation area. The ventilation area is screened. The ridge vent assembly is maintained by mounting blocks which are secured to the ridge vent by connectors such as 2?×4? lumber sections. The system may also utilize eave vent assemblies having a screened ventilation area. The eave vent assembly has a lip to support a trim piece such as a fascia board.

Abstract: A roofing vent that includes a base a duct extending from the base. The duct includes a first end attached to the base and a second end having a hood or cover over the second end. A collar having an aperture therethrough is mounted from the duct such that the duct extends through the aperture, with the collar is slideably supported along the duct and captured between the base and the hood or cover.

Abstract: A gaming device displays a game field with a start field and a target field separated by at least one field. The number of fields separating the start field from the target field is determined for each play of the game by, for example, a pseudo random number generator. In some embodiments, the game field has multiple start fields and multiple target fields that may change position in the game field with each play of the game. An indicator randomly selects the number of moves for the player and a virtual player in competition with the actual player. The object of the game may be for the player to reach a target field before the gaming machine virtual player reaches a target field. An award may be based on the player reaching the target field before the virtual player.

Abstract: A disclosed gaming machine provides a plurality of virtual gaming peripherals that are each used to generate one or more gaming services. To provide a particular gaming service, each virtual gaming peripheral may comprise virtual gaming peripheral software that controls one or more gaming devices. A logic device, such as a master gaming controller on the gaming machine, may simultaneously activate a plurality of virtual gaming peripherals. Therefore, a gaming device may be shared by a plurality of active virtual gaming peripherals and additional logic may be provided to resolve conflicts that arise when two or more virtual gaming peripherals desire to control the same gaming device at the same time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for facilitating participation in a slot game. A display grid having a plurality of active display segments is presented. Symbols are randomly presented in each active display segment that has not expired. The active display segments that have expired in response to at least one randomly-selected expiration parameter are deactivated. The presentation of symbols in each of the active display segments, and the deactivation of active display segments that have expired, is repeated until a predetermined number of the active display segments have been deactivated through expiration.

Abstract: A method for operating two different bonus games in a casino game machine. The first bonus game is played when a first predetermined orientation of the bonus symbols occurs on a pay line. The bonus game has a meter and a path to a goal wherein the path has a number of stopping points. The player advances based on player input from stopping point to stopping point along the path to the goal until either the meter reaches a predetermined value that ends the bonus game or until the goal is reached. The second bonus game is played when a second predetermined orientation of the bonus symbols occurs. The operation of the casino game is further affected by providing a graphic image in the video display of the reels to affect the play outcome. A game ticket version is also shown.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for playing a betting game in which a player selects at least one betting line. The player-selected betting lines correspond to particular cells on a game board. Each cell on the game board is assigned a randomly selected spinner icon. The spinner icons within cells corresponding to a selected betting line are evaluated to determine if a winning condition as defined in a payout table has been achieved. A winning condition occurs when a predetermined minimum number of identical icons in the one or more player-selected betting lines are displayed. If a bonus feature icon is displayed by at least one of the cells, a bonus feature is automatically activated enabling the player to earn additional winnings. The present invention may be configured as a slot machine and provided within a gaming establishment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cashless gaming wherein a player can access credits via a pin activated keypad located on the gaming machine. Real-time accounting allows the player to redeem credits and secure perquisites as a function of patronage. A player account is created which has two account balances, one balance based on cash value and the other balance based on promotional value. Credits on the credit meter related to the promotional value cannot be cashed out. In addition, credits on the credit meter may be accounted as to type of credit, and one type of credit may be removed from the credit meter before another type of credit.

Abstract: A gaming device which includes symbols having a transformation probability. The gaming device in one embodiment includes an activator symbol. When the activator symbol is displayed, a processor of the gaming device determines the transformation probability of each of the displayed symbols and randomly determines which, if any, symbols are to be transformed into wild symbols or other functional symbols based on the transformation probability of the symbols.

Abstract: This invention is intended to provide an information processing apparatus and method, a recording medium, and a program in which, on the basis of a first script for executing the processing for playing a game, a second script for causing the opponent of the game to execute the processing is generated as well as data indicative of game progress status and the generated second script and data are stored in an electronic mail to be sent to the opponent of the game. Consequently, the game players can proceed with a game via a network without always being connected thereto.

Abstract: The invention comprises various gaming machine features and a slant-top type gaming machine. In one embodiment, a cabinet has a play area between an upwardly extending console and a supporting base portion. Input or selection buttons are mounted to a button panel which serves as a door providing access to machine components. A media writer is located below the button panel and dispenses media to a front of the gaming machine. In one embodiment, machine elements such as a keypad, buttons, ticket printer slot and/or bill validator slot are located in a recessed portion of the play area and, more particularly, in a recessed area of a bumper of an armrest portion of the gaming machine.

Abstract: A hermetic seal functions as a closure between opposite ends of the coupling by combining a metal sleeve and an elastomer sleeve extension. The metal sleeve is sealingly attached to the outer surface of one end of the coupling and the elastomer sleeve, sealingly attached to the metal sleeve, is attached at the distal end to the other end of the coupling. As an alternative, the distal end may be bonded to a second metal sleeve sealingly attached to the other end of the coupling. The seal may be convoluted, with multiple convolutions.

Abstract: A drive shaft extends into a tubular member for use in a portable working machine. The drive shaft is mounted relative to the tubular member so as to undergo rotation relative to the tubular member. The drive shaft has a longitudinal axis and resin bushes integrally mounted on the drive shaft for rotation therewith at positions along the longitudinal axis corresponding to vibration nodes of the drive shaft. Each of the resin bushes has an outer peripheral surface disposed in slidable contact with an inner peripheral surface of the tubular member.

Abstract: A crash optimized propeller shaft includes a swaged tube to connect ends having disparate diameters. The variable diameter tube creates a stress concentration zone which allows the shaft to collapse or buckle in a controlled and predictable manner in response to predetermined loads.

Abstract: An elongated T-nut fastener is formed from a single piece of material. The fastener includes a barrel and a flange, with a threaded portion in the barrel and an unthreaded portion beyond the threaded portion. Fastening sites are provided at spaced locations along the length of the fastener.

Abstract: The present invention relates to playground apparatus, and in particular to a swing apparatus which may be used by a person confined to a wheelchair. The preferred embodiment of the swing apparatus includes a main body which is adapted to accommodate a wheelchair. The body is formed from moulded plastic and is suspended from a frame structure for reciprocating motion by means of two pairs of substantially parallel arms. The body includes vertically extending internal frame members within the side walls of the body and transversely extending frame members underneath the body connecting opposing vertical frame members located on each side of the swing body. The body of the swing further includes a seat assembly which can be moved between a collapsed position and a raised position. The seat assembly comprises a pair of members which are adapted to clip together so as to provide a secure engagement when the seat is in its erected position.