Abstract: A process is described for withdrawing filtered permeate from a non-pressurized substrate in a reservoir through an assembly. The assembly has a plurality of hollow fiber filtering membranes disposed generally vertically between two solid bodies, an enclosure sealed to the upper solid body to define a cavity, a permeate port in communication with the cavity and the lumen of each membrane in fluid communication with the port via the cavity. A suction is applied to lumens of the membranes via the permeate port to withdraw permeate. A gas is directed to provide bubbles which contact the membranes. Feed water is added so that the membranes are immersed while applying the suction.

Abstract: A filtration device is provided for withdrawing permeate essentially continuously from a multicomponent aqueous substrate containing growing microorganisms in a reservoir. A vertical skein of fiber is scrubbed with coarse bubbles which emanate from a conversion baffle positioned under the skein. The substrate is aerated with fine bubbles in a size range small enough to transfer oxygen to the substrate efficiently. The baffle traps the fine bubbles and converts them to coarse bubbles which are effective to scrub the fibers. In the most preferred embodiment, the finished headers of the skein are derived from composite headers comprising a fixing lamina of resin in which the fibers are potted near their terminal ends, and a fugitive lamina of fugitive powdery material in which the terminal ends of the fibers are potted. The fugitive lamina is removed, preferably by dissolving the powder, e.g. finely divided common salt in water.

Abstract: A method and device for blood treatments that use fluids such as dialysate and replacement fluid for renal replacement therapy. In an embodiment, fluid is passed either by pump or passively by gravity feed, through a microporous sterilization filter from a fluid source to a replacement fluid container. The latter forms a batch that may be used during treatment. The advantage of forming the batch before treatment is that the rate of filtering needn't match the rate of consumption during treatment. As a result, the sterilization filter can have a small capacity. In another embodiment, a filter is placed immediately prior to the point at which the sterile fluid is consumed by the treatment process. The latter may be used in combination with the former embodiment as a last-chance guarantee of sterility and/or that the fluid is free of air bubbles. It may also be used as the primary means of sterile-filtration.

Abstract: A blood purification method that purifies blood taken from a body by blood dialysis or by hemodiafiltration includes the step of changing an osmotic pressure of the blood to an increasing condition until a blood volume (BV level) attains a standard blood volume, in a former part of a blood purification process and the step of maintaining a standard blood volume and periodically changing the osmotic pressure of the blood in a later part of the blood purification process.

Abstract: An ion exchange process for removing arsenic from drinking water is disclosed which uses a mixed ion regenerant and generates minimal levels of waste.

Abstract: A series of devices, methods and compounds for dosing corrosion inhibitors and cleaners to closed loop systems, boilers, towel rails, heat exchangers and heat stores. The devices and materials can be designed to allow corrosion inhibitors and cleaners to be built into boilers, radiators, heat stores, and any other similar devices. The chemicals are either bound into a gel or dissolved within the crystal lattice of a phase change compound. It is possible to design materials that will rapidly release the chemicals at elevated temperatures. These materials allow cold water flushing of systems without releasing the chemicals. The devices can also be modified to incorporated softening resin to remove the hardness from the system water and thereby prevent scaling.

Abstract: The present invention is a geo-thermal energy system comprised of: at least one extraction pump that draws water from a natural water source; at least one heat exchanger, each of which provides an energy source, from which one or more corresponding buildings can extract heat to provide heating, or into which each building can reject heat to provide cooling; a first length of piping between the water source and the heat exchanger that delivers the water to each heat exchanger; a second length of piping that discharges the water after exiting each heat exchanger; and at least one diversion junction that is coupled to either the first or second length of piping and provides non-potable water to a fire protection system, or other potable water use, within each building. The discharged water is discharged back to the same water source, a second natural water source, a well, or a drainage system without adding any contaminants to the water.

Abstract: A water filtration process and apparatus which includes the steps of treating well water with a coagulating agent or flocculant such as aluminum sulfate and/or potassium permanganate and aluminum chlorohydrate and directing the treated effluent water stream containing positively charged coagulated contaminant particles into a series of filter chambers packed with finely crushed rocks, sand and/or negatively-charged glass filter medium of random particle size. The water is filtered through the glass filter medium from top to bottom and the filtered potable effluent removed from the bottom of the filter chambers and typically directed to a storage tank.

Abstract: A membrane module (5) including a plurality of porous membranes (6) extending in an array and mounted, at least at one end, in a header (8). The header (8) has a number of distribution apertures (11) for distributing a fluid into the module (5) and along a surface or surfaces of the membranes (6). An elongate chamber (10) having one open end (13) and another end is in fluid communication with the distribution apertures (11) for distributing the fluid to the distribution apertures (11).

Abstract: A phosphorus removal system is operable to remove phosphorus from an influent. The system includes a first section receiving the influent and discharging a first flow. A first coagulant inlet is positioned upstream of the first section and is in fluid communication with the influent to introduce a first coagulant selected to precipitate phosphorus. A second section receives the first flow and discharges a second flow, and a third section receives the second flow and discharges an effluent. A second coagulant inlet is positioned downstream of the first section and upstream of the third section to introduce a second coagulant selected to precipitate phosphorus.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for maintaining a minimum flow velocity in return piping receiving dirty coolant from a plurality of machine tools receiving filtered coolant from a filter apparatus. A bypass line diverts clean coolant into the return piping via a pressure reducing valve set to allow make up flow of clean coolant into the return piping just sufficient to maintain a pressure corresponding to the minimum flow velocity in the return piping. A pressure maintaining valve is interposed upstream of the pressure reducing valve and set to restrict flow as necessary to maintain adequate pressure to insure that the machine tools are adequately supplied with clean coolant at start up prior to the beginning of contaminated flow in the return piping.

Abstract: A system and a method for disinfecting a fluid includes a vessel with at least one passage having at least an inlet and an outlet and one or more radiation sources. The one or more radiation sources are positioned about at least a portion of a perimeter of the passage in the vessel to direct radiation into a fluid in the passage of the vessel to at least partially disinfect the fluid.

Abstract: Fluid treatment elements substantially inhibit electrical charge imbalances and/or build-ups of electrical charges. A fluid treatment element may comprise a multilayer composite including an electrically conductive fibrous matrix, having an upstream side and a downstream side, disposed on a porous substrate, also having an upstream side and a downstream side, which supports the fibrous matrix. The fibrous matrix may include a combination of conductive and nonconductive fibers, wherein the conductive fibers include metal fibers and substantially inhibit an electrical charge and/or build-up of electrical charge. The conductive metal fibers of the electrically conductive fibrous matrix may comprise less than about 50% by weight of the conductive and nonconductive fibers and may have diameters in the range from about 1 ?m or less to about 10 ?m.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional fundraising apparatus is provided for use in fundraising activities. The apparatus may include multiple faces and at least one cell on each of the multiple faces. The cells may be formed as interlocking puzzle pieces. Each cell may have a pre-designated donation level. A unique initial cell appearance may be provided for each cell having a unique donation level. Additionally, a method for fundraising may include implementing the multi-dimensional device having multiple cells, wherein each cell represents a corresponding donation value. The method may additionally include obtaining a fundraising commitment for a donation value corresponding to a cell and associating the fundraising commitment with the corresponding cell.

Abstract: A method of producing a particle-dispersed liquid, using a channel of micro width having a core flow channel, includes: sending the particle-dispersed liquid containing larger particles to an inner portion of the core flow channel; separating and removing the larger particles from the particle-dispersed liquid; and sending the removed larger particles to an outermost part of the core flow channel. An outer diameter of the core flow channel is 50 to 5,000 ?m.

Abstract: A retail merchandising apparatus affording assured automatic product rotation, labor-savings associated with reduced stocking times and the elimination for the need to manually rotate product. The apparatus also provides greatly enhanced permanent brand-identification, brand exposure and distinction from competitor's in the grocery aisle due to the product always being in an upright position throughout the loading and dispensing process and the superior graphic presence presented on the apparatus.

Abstract: A hanger rack for hand tools includes a bar having a rail formed at an upper side of the bar. Multiple fixture pieces are movably mounted on the bar. Each fixture piece has a seat with a hook slidably attached to the rail and a hanging member laterally extending from the seat for attaching with a hand tool. Whereby, the fixture pieces are slidable along the bar, spaces between two adjacent fixture pieces can be adjusted according to the sizes of the hand tools such as screwdrivers.

Abstract: A storage system comprises a rack of multiple platforms connectable to one another in a first direction, where each of the platforms has segments that connect to one another along a direction other than the first direction, via a user-operable coupling. The platforms are preferably rectangular, and are connected at their long ends. The segments of each platform are also preferably rectangular, but they are connected along their long sides. In such embodiments, the connection between platforms is perpendicular to the length of the rack, while the connection between segments is parallel to the length of the rack. The segments of individual platforms are preferably coupled together with snap fit connections, and supported from their undersides by transverse supports, and the transverse supports are supported from their undersides by longitudinal supports. The transverse supports are preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal supports.

Abstract: A screen panel for use as a sidewall of a basket or cabinet, the bottom of a tray, pr a screen wall of a partition device is disclosed to include a frame structure and a plate member formed annular bamboo stem elements peripherally fastened to one another and surrounded by the frame structure

Abstract: A housing for a railway car draft gear assembly for cushioning buff and draft shocks includes a rear portion engageable with the rear stops of such railway car and a front portion configured for attachment to a coupler arm. Opposed ends of the front and rear portions are provided with complimentary flanges for removable attachment of the front portion to the rear portion with threaded fasteners.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes a container defining a container volume, and a substantially spill-proof cap, having a suction portion and an aperture on top of the suction portion, coupled to the container. A valve with a slit is inserted between the container and cap so that the slit is placed beneath the aperture of the cap. A pressure sensitive seal is placed on top of the aperture of the cap, so that a vacuum is created between the cap and the beverage inside the container. The slit is formed so that the beverage will flow through the slit of the valve and thus out of the aperture of the cap only if a suction force is applied on the suction portion of the cap 20.

Abstract: A bottle for fluid products, particularly pharmaceutical, medicinal and cosmetic products, comprising a body for containing a fluid product, particularly a pharmaceutical, medicinal or cosmetic product, a mouth for dispensing the product, which is formed at one end of the containment body, a closure element associated detachably with the dispensing mouth, a cap associated with the end of the containment body, an element for removing the closure element that is formed inside the cap, at least one grip tab that protrudes from the outer lateral surface of the containment body, and at least one sealing tab, which is interposed between the cap and the grip tab and is associated, so that it can be removed by tearing, with at least one among the containment body, the grip tab and the cap, at respective first weakened regions.

Abstract: A readily identifiable individual bottle for packaging at least one of water and other beverages therein. The individual bottle includes a molded plastic bottle body portion having each of a predetermined shape, a predetermined volume and a first predetermined color. There is a threaded neck portion disposed adjacent an upper end of the body portion and a threaded cap portion having a second predetermined color.

Abstract: An improved two-piece container seal suitable for sealing a container having a removable closure and for lining the closure comprises a flexible sealant sheet and a flexible liner sheet bonded thereto. The sealant sheet and liner sheet are of the same size and shape. The sealant sheet has a sealing surface and a first thermoplastic surface, and the liner sheet has an outer surface and a second thermoplastic surface. The first and second thermoplastic surfaces are in opposed, congruent contact with each other, and the first thermoplastic surface is ultrasonically welded to the second thermoplastic surface by an array of spaced, frangible ultrasonic welds, forming an adhesive-free interface therebetween. A method of manufacturing a two-piece container seal and a sealed container comprising a two-piece container seal are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bottle cap 100 that is detachably assembled with an adjacent portion 2 of an opening of a bottle 1, and the bottle with the same. The bottle cap 100 is comprised of a circumferential portion 10 that is shaped to wrap up an outer surface of the adjacent portion 2 of the opening therein; a cap portion 20 that closes an upper side of the circumferential portion 10; a plurality of tamper indication portions 30 respectively extended from a central area of the circumferential portion 10 to a lower end thereof; a bending portion 40 that connects upper ends of the respective tamper indication portions 30 in a line; an opening piece portion 50 comprised of the plurality of tamper indication portions 30 and the bending portion 40; and a recess portion 70 so formed on an inner surface of the circumferential portion 10 as to prevent separation.

Abstract: An underpressure-activated valve device for a drinking container (32). The device consists of an outer membrane (2) and an inner membrane (4) that are placed at an axial distance from one another, and their peripheral attachment areas are pressure-sealingly interconnected, causing a reference pressure chamber (6) having at least one vent (8) to an ambient pressure P1 to exist between the membranes (2, 4). One membrane (2, 4) is fixedly connected to a flow pipe (10), and the other membrane (4, 2) is provided with a membrane opening (12) within which the pipe (10) is movably arranged. The membrane opening (12) is associated with a primary sealing body (18) for sealing against fluid flow via the pipe (10), and with a secondary sealing body (16) for sealing between the chamber (6) and an internal pressure P3 in the container (32).

Abstract: A moisture-tight safety closure and a container wherein a depending flexible, circumferentially extending sealing lip on the closure engages a radius finish on the neck of the container. A plurality of circumferentially extending lugs on the closure cooperate with a plurality of circumferentially spaced hooks on the container neck for releasably securing the closure to the container.

Abstract: A closure (1) for flexible packaging (2, 3) with a floating valve (5) which is a situated within the cap (4). The cap (4) is provided with holes (14) to allow for escape of air. The valve (5) may incorporate a spring (15) to regulate flow of air upon collapse of container (2, 3).

Abstract: The technical problem of this invention is to create a bottle in such a shape that can fully absorb an increased volume caused by the freeze, does not break the shrink film if the film is wrapped around the body, and gives no large damage to the outer appearance of the bottle. The object of this invention is to provide a synthetic resin bottle, which is usable safely, is protected from giving any large damage to the outer appearance under the freezing condition, and is effective in the storage and/or transportation of multiple bottles neatly packed in rows. The synthetic resin bottle of this invention is used by filling the bottle with the contents that have water as a main component and by freezing such contents. The bottle comprises a body that has an out-of-round circular shape in the plane cross section over a certain height of the body, and the body wall has no hollowed portion that is caved inward.

Abstract: An injection blow molded bottle with alternate capstand about the exterior walling thereof for receipt of the cap of the bottle in a manner equivalent to the manner in which the cap is receivable by the primary capstand atop the bottle with the alternate capstand having a diameter, shape and contour equivalent to the diameter, shape and contour of the primary capstand and a hollowed out cavernous center area to accommodate snap-on receipt of a non-threaded cap and threading or ridging about the outer walling thereof to accommodate receipt of a non-snap-on bottle cap.

Abstract: A handleware container particularly useful for holding and dispensing liquid household products. The container includes a bottom wall panel; vertically oriented front, rear and opposing side wall panels; and a handle joining one of the side panels to form a gripping space; wherein the surface area of the front wall panel is larger than the surface area of the rear wall panel; and the gripping aperture is hidden from view by the front wall panel when the container is viewed orthogonal to the front wall panel.

Abstract: A method for self-assembling microstructures onto a substrate includes using a bonding material to make the microstructure assembled onto the substrate by a physical attraction force. The microstructures are self-aligned with the substrate, and further are permanently fixed on and electrically connected with the substrate by the solder bumps between the microstructures and the substrate, which is formed by the solder bumps via reflow process. There is no need for the using of the conventional pick-and-place device in the method. The method could be applied to light emitting diodes, RFID tags, micro-integrated circuits or other types of microstructures.

Abstract: A process for producing multiple undercut profiles in a single material. A resist pattern is applied over a work piece and a wet etch is performed to produce an undercut in the material. This first wet etch is followed by a polymerizing dry etch that produces a polymer film in the undercut created by the first wet etch. The polymer film prevents further etching of the undercut portion during a second wet etch. Thus, an undercut profile can be obtained having a larger undercut in an underlying portion of the work piece, utilizing only a single resist application step. The work piece may be a multi-layer work piece having different layers formed of the same material, or it may be a single layer of material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving charge/discharge cycle characteristics of a lithium secondary battery using a Si based anode active material, the method comprising surface-treating a surface of an anode current collector to have specific morphology, and preferably vapor-depositing a silicon film, as the anode active material by sputtering under application of bias voltage to the surface-treated anode current collector, and/or disposing an adhesive layer between the surface-treated anode current collector and silicon film, so as to reinforce bondability between the anode current collector and active material, ultimately leading to improvement of charge/discharge characteristics of the battery.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of fabricating a device having a microstructure. The method includes forming a connector on a semiconductor substrate, coating the connector with a polymer layer, and immersing the semiconductor substrate and the coated connector in an etchant solution to form the microstructure from the semiconductor substrate and to release the coated connector and the microstructure from the semiconductor substrate such that the microstructure remains coupled to a further element of the device via the coated connector. In some cases, the microstructure is defined by forming an etch stop in the semiconductor substrate, and the microstructure and the semiconductor substrate are coated with a polymer layer, which may then be selectively patterned. The microstructure may then be released from the semiconductor substrate in accordance with the etch stop.

Abstract: Etchant solutions for making porous semiconductor materials. Also disclosed are methods of making porous semiconductor materials, post etch treatments, and porous semiconductor materials produced by these methods.

Abstract: System and method generating a polycrystalline thin film with a particular crystalline orientation for use as thin film transistors, microelectronic devices and the like. In one exemplary embodiment, a polycrystalline silicon thin film that has a substantially uniform crystalline orientation is produced so that its crystals are provided in at least one direction. The crystalline orientation may be any low index orientation and may be achieved with sequential lateral solidification. The polycrystalline thin film may then be crystallized in a direction that is perpendicular to the first direction by, e.g., a sequential lateral solidification procedure so that the crystalline orientation is approximately the same as the first direction, and is substantially uniform in all directions.

Abstract: An ion beam etching method comprises an etching step of etching an object to be processed with an ion beam extracted by an extraction electrode, and a cooling step of cooling the extraction electrode with an inert gas.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a loss of plasma confinement. The system includes a plasma chamber that includes a plasma space and a non-plasma space. A plasma apparatus generates a plasma within the plasma space. The non-plasma space surrounds the plasma space and is separated from the plasma space by a confinement barrier that is adapted to confine the plasma in the plasma space during performance of an operational process by the plasma on a substrate disposed within the plasma space. Plasma detectors distributed on bounding surfaces of the non-plasma space are adapted to detect plasma that has escaped from the plasma space during performance of the operational process. The operational process is performed while the plasma detectors are monitoring the non-plasma space for a presence of the escaped plasma in the non-plasma space. If the monitoring has detected the escaped plasma, then the operational process is aborted.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for reclaiming a silicon wafer in which a thin film has been formed on its surface, at least, comprising a thin-film removing step for removing the thin film having been formed on the silicon wafer and a mirror-polishing step for mirror-polishing at least one side of the thin-film-removed silicon wafer, wherein, before performing the mirror-polishing step, gettering-site forming treatment for applying damage load to at least one side of the silicon wafer is performed and then the silicon wafer is subjected to heat treatment, thereby impurities inside the silicon wafer are reduced. Thereby, there is provided a method for reclaiming a silicon wafer, in which a thin film such as a metal thin film having been formed on a silicon wafer can be removed, and impurities having diffused inside the wafer can be also reduced, thereby silicon wafers having very little metal contamination can be stably obtained.

Abstract: A manufacture method for a semiconductor device, includes the steps of: in CMP for forming STI, (a) polishing the surface of a film formed on a semiconductor substrate until the surface of the film is planarized, by using first abrasive containing cerium dioxide abrasive grains and additive of interfacial active agent; (b) after the step (a), polishing the surface of the film is polished by using second abrasive having a physical polishing function; and (c) after the step (b), polishing the surface of the film by using third abrasive containing cerium dioxide abrasive grains, additive of interfacial active agent, and diluent.

Abstract: A processing method for a semiconductor wafer which is generally circular, and which has on the face thereof an annular surplus region present in an outer peripheral edge portion of the face, and a circular device region surrounded by the surplus region, the device region having many rectangular regions defined by streets arranged in a lattice pattern, each of the rectangular regions having a semiconductor device disposed therein. The processing method includes a back grinding step of grinding a region in the back of the wafer corresponding to the device region to form a circular concavity in the back of the wafer corresponding to the device region.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aqueous composition useful for polishing silica and silicon nitride on a semiconductor wafer comprising by weight percent 0.01 to 5 zwitterionic compound, 0.01 to 5 carboxylic acid polymer, 0.02 to 6 abrasive, 0 to 5 cationic compound and balance water, wherein the zwitterionic compound has the following structure: in which n is an integer, Y comprises hydrogen or an alkyl group, Z comprises carboxyl, sulfate or oxygen, M comprises nitrogen, phosphorus or a sulfur atom, and X1, X2 and X3 independently comprise substituents selected from the group comprising, hydrogen, an alkyl group and an aryl group.

Abstract: An electrical contact used herein comprises chromium; one of copper and silver; and a carbide, in which the electrical contact comprises a matrix and chromium, the matrix phase mainly comprising one of copper and silver, and the chromium being surrounded by the carbide and dispersed in the matrix. The electrical contact contains 1 to 30 percent by weight of a carbide, with the balance being copper. Another electrical contact contains chromium, copper, and a carbide and has a weight ratio of chromium to the carbide within the range of 1:1.5 to 1:50.

Abstract: A metal component for a vacuum chamber, such as an end cap or external center shield, having a sealing edge portion with a cross-sectional wall thickness that is gradually reduced from the thickness of the metal component body to a more narrow sealing surface where the metal component is structured to be joined with a ceramic component.

Abstract: A system or method of repairing railroad rails which includes a head, upright and base sections. The method includes at least the following steps: identifying and locating a defect in the rail, removing the defect by removing material from the rail surrounding the defect in at least the head section so as to form a void and a rail void interface while maintaining continuity of the rail, filling the void with molten metal having a high carbon content and causing the molten metal and the rail void interface to bond. The molten metal may be produced by gas shielded arc welding. The carbon content of the molten metal is near that of the rail to decrease carbon migration from the rails.

Abstract: A welding machine, operating by the electric resistance welding method, for producing wire grid mat of longitudinal and transverse wires (L, Q) crossing one another and welded together at the crossing points, having a plurality of welding units (1, 1?), located transversely to the production direction, which at least for each longitudinal wire have one upper welding head (2) with an upper electrode, located above the grid production plane (X-X), and one lower welding head (5) along with a lower electrode movable counter to the upper electrode, the lower welding head being located below the grid production plane (X-X), having a common rail system (26, 28, 31) with at least two common rails extending along the welding line (S-S), for delivering the welding current to the welding electrodes, in which for continuously variable positioning of all the welding units transversely to the production direction (P1) along the welding line, adjusting devices (56, 57) and clamping devices (64, 65, 66; 64?, 65?, 66?) as wel

Abstract: An improved spot welding system for clamping and welding a plurality of workpieces at predetermined datum locations includes a clamping element, and at least one electrode. The preferred electrode(s) and element are concentrically alignable during engagement, and configured to produce an annular weld about the datum location. More preferably, the workpieces define an opening at the datum location, the element includes an insulated pin at least a portion of which is configured to pass-through the opening, and the electrode defines an inner space configured to receive the portion of the pin, when the electrode and element fully engage the workpieces.

Abstract: An improved fusion welding system having a heating unit and welding device is adapted for increasing the efficiency of welding a plurality of workpieces. The system preferably presents a single-sided process, and includes first and second electrode wheels operable to heat a portion of the workpieces to a minimum temperature, and a translatable laser cooperatively configured to form a continuous weld within the heated portion. The preferred system provides the advantages of laser welding, such as precision, while enabling weld production at lower laser power outputs or faster welding speeds than conventional laser welding systems.

Abstract: A method of welding a stud 15 to a base material 14, both made of magnesium or magnesium alloy, comprising; a first step of disposing the stud 15 having a projection 28 at an end portion thereof to have a gap to the base material 14; a second step of lowering the stud 15 rapidly; and a third step of welding the end portion of the stud 15 to the base material 14 by discharging an electric charge stored in a capacitor 11 between the base material 14 and the stud 15, each having an oxide layer destroyed by the rapid lowering of the stud 15, wherein the discharge of the capacitor 11 is carried out by applying a pulse signal having a duration of more than 0.1 seconds to a gate of a thyristor 13 as a signal to start welding, the thyristor 13 serving as a discharge switch of the capacitor 11.