Abstract: A treatment for a dental water unit system comprises a shock treatment including silver colloid and hydrogen peroxide that stays in the system for an extended period, followed by a flushing of the system and the addition of a maintenance solution comprising at least silver colloid in an amount safe for human consumption.

Abstract: A method for preparing a medical liquid from a liquid, such as water, and two concentrated solutions comprises the following steps: circulating the liquid in a conduit (15), at a flowrate Q0; injecting into the conduit (15), at a flowrate Q1, a first concentrated solution containing a first ionic substance A and a second ionic substance B, the ionic substances A and B having, respectively, in the first concentrated solution, a concentration [Asol] and a first concentration [B1sol]; injecting into the conduit (15), at a flowrate Q2, a second concentrated solution containing the first ionic substance A and the second ionic substance B, the first ionic substance A having, in the second concentrated solution, the same concentration [Asol] as in the first concentrated solution, and the second ionic substance B having, in the second concentrated solution, a second concentration [B2sol] different than the first concentration [B1sol] in the first concentrated solution; regulating the injection flowrate Q1 and t

Abstract: A method for treating feedwater is provided. The method includes steps of introducing a treatment composition into a feedwater stream to provide a treated feedwater stream containing scale inhibitor at a concentration of at least about 0.1 ppm, and combining the treated feedwater stream with a detersive composition. The scale inhibitor can include a phosphate scale inhibitor, a carbonate scale inhibitor, or a combination of a phosphate scale inhibitor and a carbonate scale inhibitor. The detersive composition can be provided as a cleaning composition, a rinse agent composition, or a drying agent composition. A treatment composition and an apparatus for treating feedwater are provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed a multifunctional polymer capable of inhibiting both calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate scale. The multifunctional polymer contains at least one monomer unit from each of four groups: dicarboxylic acids, mono-carboxylic acids, nonionic monomers, and sulfonated or sulfated monomers. The polymer also inhibits many other alkaline earth scales, such as calcium sulfate scale and provides stabilization of minerals such as iron, zinc and manganese. The polymer is especially effective in highly stressed systems that contain high electrolyte concentrations and have a high number of cycles of concentration.

Abstract: A method and composition for flocculation and separation of suspended solids from an industrial process stream containing suspended solids is provided. The method includes the steps of adding to the stream a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion polymer in an amount effective to flocculate the suspended solids and separating the flocculated solids therefrom. The composition is a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion of a water-soluble polymer in which the continuous phase is an aqueous solution of a water-soluble salt.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that comprise determining polarity or electrical property of a fluid composition and utilizing a filter for the composition that is coordinated with the determined fluid composition property. In a further aspect, methods and systems are provided that comprise applying an electric current (power) through a filter while a fluid composition is being treated with the filter.

Abstract: A method for wet oxidation of excess sludge produced by biological purification plants, which is adapted to convert the excess sludge into a substantially inorganic and inert powder. The organic fraction of the sludge is mostly oxidized to water and carbon dioxide and the remaining part is solubilized and rendered biodegradable so as to be advantageously recycled to the biological purification plant. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for separating components of a fluid or particles. A separation vessel having a barrier dam is provided to initially separate an intermediate density components of a fluid, and a fluid chamber is provided to further separate these intermediate density components by forming an elutriative field or saturated fluidized particle bed. The separation vessel includes a shield for limiting flow into the fluid chamber of relatively high density substances, such as red blood cells. The separation vessel also includes a trap dam with a smooth, gradually sloped downstream section for reducing mixing of substances. Structure is also provided for adding additional plasma to platelets and plasma flowing from the fluid chamber. The system reduces clumping of platelets by limiting contact between the platelets and walls of the separation vessel.

Abstract: A holder for individual shopping carts by means of nesting the front wheels of the shopping cart within a confined physical barrier. The holder is fastened to the parking lot surface consisting of an entrance or front inclined ramp an exit or nesting area ramp. The front wheels of the shopping cart drop into a holding or nesting area presenting a four-sided vertical walled physical barrier including one side exit ramp. Once placed within this physical barrier this device would prevent the front wheels of the cart from rolling, voluntary, outside the confines of the barriers presented by this nesting area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hairbrush holder suitable for receiving and organizing a plurality of round hairbrushes, of varying sizes and shapes. Cylindrical receptacles of suitable size for receiving round hairbrushes extend from a planar support member. In one embodiment, the cylindrical receptacles are removably held in grooves located in the planar support member.

Abstract: A plastic bottle specially sized and configured for use in conventional vending machines. The bottle has structurally reinforced upper and lower portions providing additional strength and resistance to transversely imposed stacking and crushing forces. By internally thickening the plastic in the neck and upper shoulder portion, and in the base and lower sidewall portion, reinforcement is provided. The outer surface of the sidewall of the bottle is perfectly right-circular cylindrical in configuration, having no discontinuities such as ribs or label panels to impede smooth rolling through the can channels in a vending machine. The bottle shoulder includes one portion which is horizontal and substantially planar, and a another portion which is curved. The curved portion is particularly abrupt, providing increased contained volume and more closely resembling the corresponding portion of a can.

Abstract: The invention concerns an embossing plate for a hot-cold-laminating press with a three-dimensional structure based on an essentially flawless metal plate with a hardened surface of appropriate thickness and dimensions and a suitable surface, specifically a highly polished surface, into which or onto which the three-dimensional structure is incorporated by a process with at least two steps. An embossing plate produced by this process is used for the production of documents, specifically security documents, such as personal identity cards, passports, identification cards, credit cards, customer cards, driving licenses and similar sheet and/or card and/or book-like documents by means of hot-cold-lamination and/or embossing and/or item-by-item embossing.

Abstract: A base member for use in manufacturing an ink jet recording head, which includes a supply port, an ejection outlet, a liquid flow path for directing liquid supplied from the supply port to the ejection outlet, and an ejection pressure generating element, disposed in the liquid flow path, for ejecting the liquid. The supply port is formed as a through-opening in a substrate on which the ejection pressure generation element is provided. The base member includes a recessed portion formed on the side of the substrate provided with the ejection pressure generation. The recessed portion extends from an edge of the supply port to a neighborhood of the ejection pressure generation element. A protection layer is provided at least on a portion of the substrate surface constituting the recessed portion.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a mask is provided. A patterned sacrificial layer is formed over a mask material layer, and the patterned sacrificial layer has an etch selectivity different from that of the mask material layer. An isotropic etch process is performed to the mask material layer by using the patterned sacrificial layer as an etch mask to form a mask layer, wherein the dimension of the mask layer is smaller than that of the patterned sacrificial layer.

Abstract: A mask for forming a thin film having a first pattern against a film formation substrate, including: a nonmagnetic substrate having an aperture corresponding to the first pattern; and a magnetic film having a second pattern and arranged on the nonmagnetic substrate.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate that enables the amount removed of an insulating film to be controlled precisely, without damaging an electronic device. An insulating film on a substrate of a solid-state imaging device is exposed to an atmosphere of a mixed gas containing ammonia and hydrogen fluoride under a predetermined pressure. The insulating film that has been exposed to the atmosphere of the mixed gas is heated to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: The present disclosure suggests apparatus and methods that can be used to chemically process microfeature workpieces, e.g., semiconductor wafers. One implementation of the invention provides a method in which a surface of a microfeature workpiece is contacted with an etchant liquid. The wall of the processing chamber may be highly transmissive of an operative wavelength range of radiation, but the etchant liquid is absorptive of the operative wavelength range. The etchant liquid is heated by delivering radiation through the wall of a processing chamber. This permits processing chambers to be formed of materials (e.g., fluoropolymers) that cannot be used in conventional systems that must conduct heat through the wall of the processing chamber.

Abstract: A method of forming an organic film disposes a substrate on which the organic film is formed in a chamber capable of reducing a pressure therein, introduces a gas including a deuterium compound or a trideuterium compound in the chamber, to generate a plasma by ionizing the gas; and etches and patterning the organic film by the plasma.

Abstract: In the inventive method for the wet-chemical removal of a sacrificial material in a material structure, there is first provided the material structure, wherein the material structure has a treatment region with the sacrificial material accessible through an opening. Subsequently, the sacrificial material is brought into contact with a wet-chemical treatment agent through the opening for the removal of the sacrificial material, wherein a mechanical vibration is generated in the wet-chemical treatment agent or in the wet-chemical treatment agent and the material structure during the contacting of the sacrificial material with the wet-chemical treatment agent.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and composition for providing roughened copper surfaces suitable for subsequent multilayer lamination. A smooth copper surface is contacted with an adhesion promoting composition under conditions effective to provide a roughened copper surface, the adhesion promoting composition consisting essentially of an oxidizer, a pH adjuster, a topography modifier, and a uniformity enhancer. A coating promoter may be used in place of the uniformity enhancer or in addition to the uniformity enhancer. The adhesion promoting composition does not require a surfactant. The process may further comprise the step of contacting the uniform roughened copper surface with a post-dip, wherein the post-dip comprises an azole or silane compound or a combination of said azole and said silane. The post-dip may further comprise, alone or in combination, a titanate, zirconate, and an aluminate. The pH adjuster is preferably sulfuric acid and the oxidizer is preferably hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: An algorithm uses offline metrology to control a process by passing information from an outer control loop to an inner control loop, extended Kalman filter estimator. The inner control loop operates online, and the outer control loop operates asynchronously with respect to the inner control loop. The online control loop is updated for each subsequent process. The offline metrology is optionally updated for each subsequent process.

Abstract: A CMP slurry delivery system includes a delivery pipe, a first slurry supply reservoir coupled to the delivery pipe for supplying an abrasive, a second slurry supply reservoir coupled to the delivery pipe for supplying a clean chemical, a third slurry supply reservoir coupled to the delivery pipe for supplying a corrosion inhibitor, and a fourth slurry supply reservoir for supplying an oxidizer.

Abstract: A method for polishing a wafer comprising an aqueous solution having a pH in the range of 6 to 8, wherein the aqueous solution comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a polymethacrylic acid, a polysulfonic acid, and combinations thereof, and wherein the compound is present in the range of 1.5 to 4 percent by weight of the aqueous solution. 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 circuit breaker has a molded case with a main case, a middle cover and a top cover being dividable from one another. The main case contains contactor sections, each including a stationary contactor and a movable contactor for a pole corresponding to each phase in a polyphase circuit, an arc-extinguishing device, an overcurrent tripping device actuating a tripping mechanism by detecting an overcurrent, and a zero-phase current transformer detecting a leak current. The middle cover has a partitioned recess for containing a switching mechanism and the tripping mechanism. Interpole partitions, surrounding the contactor section and the arc-extinguishing device, and a screen-like intermediate partition, isolating the contactor sections from the overcurrent tripping device, are formed with the middle cover laid on the main case. A wall with gas outlets for an arc gas is provided on the back of the arc-extinguishing devices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pipe section (220) and a connector (400) that are adapted to be welded together, wherein each of the pipe and connector have inner and outer beveled surfaces and the joint is comprised of an angular alignment land (60). In one embodiment, an outer beveled surface on the pipe and an inner beveled surface on the connector cooperate to define the angular alignment land (60). In yet another illustrative embodiment, the inner beveled surface of the connector and the outer beveled surface of the pipe have a bevel angle of approximately 30 degrees, while the outer beveled surface of the connector and the inner beveled surface of the pipe have a beveled angle of approximately 45 degrees.

Abstract: A gap welding process (10) for manipulating a movable robotic welder (30) for making a weld between two or more substantially immovable work pieces (51) using a higher level programming language (20). The gap welding process (10) performs a data transfer routine which takes spreadsheet data (18) representing expected variables, runs a data conversion program (20) that creates weld program data including point position, user frames (34 and 36), weld schedule, seam tracking schedule, weave schedule, azimuth orientation, travel speed, wait time, weave type and number of digital output control data. The gap welding process (10) also performs a gap-sensing routine (28) for actual weld gap measuring by using the robotic welder (30) to touch specific locations on pieces forming the gap or fixturing to produce weld variance data.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of performing physical vapor deposition in a reactor chamber on a workpiece positioned on a workpiece support facing the metal sputter target. The method includes sputtering atoms from the metal sputter target by applying a low level of target bias power to the metal sputter target to produce a correspondingly low metal deposition rate on the workpiece. The method further includes ionizing the atoms sputtered from the metal sputter target to an ionization fraction in excess of about 50% by applying a high level of VHF source power to the metal sputter target through a solid large diameter RF feed rod that engages the metal sputter target. The low level of target bias power can be as low as about 500 Watts although it may range up to about 2500 Watts. Preferably, the target bias power is D.C. power. The RF feed rod may be threadably engaged into a receptacle in the center of a top surface of the metal sputter target.

Abstract: A plasma processing method for performing a plasma process on a target object placed in a chamber includes a first plasma process of turning a gas containing at least a halogen element into plasma to generate first plasma, thereby processing the target object; a second plasma process, subsequent to the first plasma process, of supplying a gas containing oxygen into the chamber to generate second plasma, thereby processing the chamber and the target object; and a third plasma process, subsequent to the second plasma process, of turning a gas containing at least fluorine into plasma to generate third plasma, thereby processing the target object.

Abstract: A method of preparing a faying surface of a component for fusion welding includes plastically deforming a surface layer adjacent a faying surface of said component. If necessary, the faying surface is machined smooth after the surface layer is plastically deformed.

Abstract: A plasma processing member includes a ceramic base, a plasma generating electrode embedded in the ceramic base, and an electrode power supply member connected to the plasma generating electrode. The impedance of the plasma processing member when plasma is generated using high frequency power at a frequency higher than 13.56 MHz is adjusted to 25? or less.

Abstract: A plasma generation apparatus includes: a chamber having a chamber lid and defining an airtight reaction region; a susceptor in the chamber; a gas supply means supplying a process gas to the chamber; and a toroidal core vertically disposed with respect to the susceptor through the chamber lid, comprising: a toroidal ferromagnetic core combined with the chamber, the toroidal ferromagnetic core having a first portion outside the chamber and a second portion inside the chamber, the second portion having an opening portion; a radio frequency (RF) power supply connected to the chamber; an induction coil electrically connected to the RF power supply, the induction coil rolling the first portion; and a matching circuit matching an impedance between the RF power supply and the induction coil.

Abstract: A coupling method, a spindle motor using the coupling method and a recording disk driving apparatus using the spindle motor are disclosed. An upper depression (43) and a lower depression (44) of a hub (4) are welded to an upper seal (61) and a lower seal (62), respectively. The weld zone is coated with an oil repellant (700) or welded again by laser with a smaller energy. A pore, even if generated at the weld zone, is closed by the oil repellant (700) or the opening of the pore is melted and filled thereby to prevent the leakage of a lubricating fluid (600) out of a motor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming apertures in microfeature workpieces are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes directing a laser beam toward a microfeature workpiece to form an aperture and sensing the laser beam pass through the microfeature workpiece in real time. The method can further include determining a number of pulses of the laser beam and/or an elapsed time to form the aperture and controlling the laser beam based on the determined number of pulses and/or the determined elapsed time to form a second aperture in the microfeature workpiece.

Abstract: A laser processing configuration, in particular for laser welding of three-dimensional components, includes a first optical element for dividing a laser beam into at least two partial beams, and a second optical element for focusing the partial beams. The first and the second optical element are stationarily mounted in a common housing disposed on a laser processing head in such a manner that it can be rotated.

Abstract: A high-speed, precise, laser-based material processing method and system are provided wherein relative movement of target material and a pulsed laser output used to process the material are synchronized. The laser-based system includes a pulsed laser source for generating a set of laser pulses, and a laser output control that controllably selects a subset of pulses from the set of laser pulses at a position beyond the laser source to obtain the pulsed laser output. The laser-based system further includes a mechanism for synchronizing the pulsed laser output with relative movement of the target material. A beam delivery and focusing subsystem delivers at least a portion of the synchronized pulsed laser output to the target material as a laser material processing output to process the target material. A positioning subsystem moves the target material relative to the pulsed laser output.

Abstract: A system configured to provide food storage, preparation, and delivery in a finished cooked state includes a computer control interface, a freezer/refrigeration module, a food transport mechanism, a heating/cooking module, and a delivery area. The meal system is configured to provide food storage, preparation, and delivery in a finished cooked state. The system may be configured in the form of an independent unit or in the form of a combination of separate modules. The computer control interface, freezer/refrigeration module, food transport mechanism, heating/cooking module, and delivery area may be communicatively interconnected wirelessly or non-wirelessly.

Abstract: The present invention is provided to a heat mattress for bed having springs and heating wire which are electrically connected to an electric source for heating, which comprises a container located between the springs and containing a binding post to supply electric power to the heating wire; and a shield located between the wires and the mattress and made of at least one of shield net or carbon fiber to shield electromagnetic waves. According to the present invention, an advantage of the present invention is that the binding post is located inside for the electromagnetic waves not to be reached at the user.

Abstract: A device and method for the temperature control, concentration, volume measurement and transport of microfluidic volumes are provided. The device includes one or more heating elements having a resistive material that varies with temperature. The heating elements are formed into a laminar body that may be formed into a variety of geometries and/or easily married to a second body including micro-well plates, micro-centrifuge tubes and microfluidic circuits.

Abstract: A curling iron having a variable timer to control audible signals that are referenced to and adjusted according to the actual temperature of the barrel as well as to the curl setting. The temperature of the barrel and the curl setting can be adjusted by the user, which alters the signaled time of exposure. A turbo setting can be employed to rapidly increase the temperature of the barrel.

Abstract: A solder-joint detection circuit uses a resistive bridge and a differential detector to detect faults in the solder-joint network both inside and outside the digital electronic package during operation. The resistive bridge is preferably coupled to a high supply voltage used to power the package. Resistors R1 and R2 are connected in series at a first junction between the high and low supply voltages and a resistor R3 is coupled to the high supply voltage and connected in series with the resistance of the solder-network at a second junction. The network is held at a low voltage on the die. The detector compares the sensitivity and detection voltages and outputs a Pass/Fail signal for the solder-joint network.

Abstract: A soldering assembly has a base with a support member and at least one workpiece support member to support a workpiece. A soldering iron is removably supported by the base support member. The soldering iron includes a heating element and a heatable tip heated by the heating element. The soldering iron also has a temperature indicator that is movable, between positions, depending on the temperature of the heatable tip. Thus, the soldering iron indicates the temperature of the heatable tip to a user.

Abstract: A combination bread toaster and steamer device includes a pair of vertically oriented bread slots extending into a housing from a top of the housing; means for elevating and lowering bread in the bread slots; a steamer compartment, disposed on the housing, including a heater pan configured to receive water; and at least one heating element associated with the bread slots and the steamer compartment.

Abstract: A steam cooker, wherein a sub cavity incorporating a steam heating heater is formed at the center of the ceiling part of a heating chamber. Steam in the heating chamber is sucked into an air blow device through a suction port and force-fed into the sub cavity through an external circulating passage. Gas passed through the external circulation passage sucks steam from a steam generator midway in the external circulation passage and enters from the external circulation passage into the sub cavity. The steam heated by the steam heating heater until it is brought into an superheated state is jetted downward from a plurality of upper gas jetting holes formed in the bottom panel of the sub cavity by such a force that makes the steam reach the bottom of the heating chamber so that the steam can be collided with a heated matter. The steam is raised on the outside of downward air flow and the convection of steam occurs in the heating chamber.

Abstract: A multi-well microfiltration apparatus and method are provided and feature a manual touch-off system for transferring pendent drops hanging from discharge-conduits of a discharge-conduit array to respective receiving wells or receiving holes of a corresponding receiving array, with minimum or no cross-contamination between the discharge conduits, or the receiving wells or receiving holes. The manual touch-off is achieved by manually shifting a carriage that supports one of the arrays, into a position whereat pendent drops of fluid hanging from the distal ends of the discharge conduits contact the inner sidewalls of the corresponding receiving wells or receiving holes of the receiving array.

Abstract: In a heat radiation structure for an electronic appliance in which heat generated in a heat generating member inside a flap of the electronic appliance is radiated to a space outside the flap, a heat radiation plate integrally formed with a circuit element is thermally coupled to the heat generating member and is exposed outside the flap. Heat generated in the heat generating member is conducted to the heat radiation plate via a contact portion and is radiated to a space outside the flap from an exposed surface along with heat generated in the circuit element.

Abstract: A portable electric grill including an exhaust fan for indoor grilling is disclosed. The present grill is constructed to permit its supporting frame to be folded from an open position wherein the horizontally disposed grilling plates are supported by folding leg members to a closed position wherein the grilling plates are folded vertically along with the leg members for convenient portability and storage. The present grill also provides heating elements associated with each grilling plate, which permits the grilling plates to be selectively energized. An air filter is disposed within the air intake of the exhaust fan utilizing filter media capable of capturing particulate matter of a size range found in smoke and cooking fumes generated by the grill during operation.

Abstract: A system for analyzing the impact of operating soot blowers in a heat transfer section of a power plant determines a steam temperature influencing sequence and calculates a feed-forward signal to be applied to a steam temperature control system of the heat transfer section. The system operates a group of soot blowers for a number of times and collects quantitative data related to the steam temperature during and after each soot blowing operation. A computer program used by the system analyzes the quantitative data, generates a number of statistical parameters for evaluating the impact of operating the soot blowers according to a given sequence on the steam temperature, and determines whether the given sequence is a steam temperature influencing sequence.

Abstract: Between a characteristic a of a process chamber 21a having a large pressure loss and a characteristic b of a process chamber 21b having a small pressure loss, threshold value A (flow rate value Q3, pressure value P3) is set on the characteristic a. The threshold value A is set on a controller 9. When a rotation speed of a pump 3 is increased by an electric motor 8, the flow rate of a fluid flowing through pipelines 1, 2 and a flow path of a process chamber 21 increases. At the time, the flow rate of the fluid is measured by a flowmeter 4 and a pressure of the fluid is measured by a pressure switch 5. If the pressure reaches the pressure value P3 when the flow rate of the fluid reaches the flow rate value Q3, the pressure switch 5 operates. At the time, the controller 9 judges that the process chamber 21a having a large pressure loss is connected to the pipelines 1, 2.

Abstract: A ramp system for recreational use. The ramp system comprises at least one member having each of a predetermined shape, a predetermined size and a plurality of substantially planar exterior surfaces, a first portion of the at least one member having an upper surface disposed in a substantially horizontal plane and a second portion disposed in a descending sloped plane, such upper surface being one of covered and uncovered.

Abstract: An over temperature protection device can be applied to a support surface having a heat conductor. The heat conductor has an interruption forming a gap, on the top of which a tin-based protection element is prefixed by an adhesive. In one embodiment, the ends of the protection element project beyond the heat conductor and are electrically contacted to the heat conductor by a silver/polymer paste.