Abstract: A method for manufacturing a micro-electromechanical printer nozzle arrangement on a substrate having a layer of integrated drive circuitry includes etching a nozzle region through the layer of integrated drive circuitry up to the substrate. Electrical contact regions are etched about the nozzle region. Metal and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layers are deposited and etched on the layer of integrated drive circuitry so that the metal layer defmes heater elements in electrical contact with the drive circuitry and embedded in PTFE structures disposed about the nozzle region. A nozzle chamber is etched in the substrate such that the nozzle chamber is in fluid communication with the nozzle region. The substrate is back-etched to define an ink channel in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a printhead integrated circuit includes the step of forming a first layer of a polymeric material on a substrate that incorporates drive circuitry. A heater element is formed on the first layer of polymeric material to be connected to the drive circuitry. A second layer of a polymeric material is formed on the heater element and the first layer such that the heater element is embedded in polymeric material. The polymeric layers are etched to define a plurality of radially extending bridging portions which terminate in a nozzle rim and a plurality of actuators which each extend between a respective pair of adjacent bridging portions and each terminate in a free end proximal to the rim. The substrate is etched so that the substrate and the actuators define a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with an ink ejection port defined by the nozzle rim.

Abstract: A nanoscale lithographic method in which a reusable conductive mask, having a pattern of conductive surfaces and insulating surfaces, is positioned upon a substrate whose surface contains an electrically responsive resist layer over a buried conductive layer. When an electric field is applied between the conductive mask and buried conductive layer, the resist layer is altered in portions adjacent the conductive areas of the mask. Selective processing is performed on the surface of the substrate, after mask removal, to remove portions of the resist layer according to the pattern transferred from the mask. The substrate may be a target substrate, or the substrate may be utilized for a lithographic masking step of another substrate. In one aspect of the invention the electrodes to which the charge is applied are divided, such as into a plurality of rows and columns wherein any desired pattern may be created without the need to fabricate specific masks.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for forming a pattern on a substrate with a composition by forming a cross-linked polymer from the composition upon exposing the same to radiation. The method includes depositing the composition to function as a planarization layer. Thereafter, a layer of polymerizable material into which a pattern is to be recorded is deposited.

Abstract: The surface of a material for an electronic device is flattened by irradiating the surface of the material with at least part of plasma components, while supplying a liquid to the surface of the material for an electronic device. There are provided a method of treating the surfaces for favorably flattening the surface of the material for an electronic device or of the substrate for an electronic device, while suppressing damage to the material or to the substrate, and an apparatus for treating the surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new method for producing a structure having a three-dimensional network skeleton. The method includes providing a film including a first material and a second material and removing the second material contained in the film by dry etching. The first material contains a noble metal and is dispersed in the second material.

Abstract: An etching method includes applying a photoresist over a substrate, forming an opening in the photoresist, and etching the substrate under the opening using a plasma generated with a gas composition containing argon and an amount of higher atomic mass inert gas. The amount may be effective to increase photoresist stability compared to otherwise identical etching lacking any of the higher atomic mass inert gas. The photoresist may have a composition sensitized to an actinic energy wavelength of 248 nm or less. A method of increasing the stability of 248 nm or less photoresist during RIE includes providing a means for reducing electron temperature of a plasma and etching a substrate exposed through photoresist openings without substantially destabilizing the photoresist.

Abstract: In a plasma processing system, a method of tuning of a set of plasma processing steps is disclosed. The method includes striking a first plasma comprising neutrals and ions in a plasma reactor of the plasma processing system. The method also includes etching in a first etching step a set of layers on a substrate; positioning a movable uniformity ring around the substrate, wherein a bottom surface of the uniformity ring is about the same height as a top surface of the substrate; and striking a second plasma consisting essentially of neutrals in the plasma reactor of the plasma processing system. The method further includes etching in a second etching step the set of layers on the substrate; and wherein the etching in the first step and the etching in the second step are substantially uniform.

Abstract: A novel arrangement and method for depositing evaporation control agents so as to coat immersion lithographic solutions which are employed on the surface of semiconductor wafers in connection with the etching of the surfaces of the wafer through the intermediary of an immersion lithographic process.

Abstract: Process for pickling metallic surfaces by treating the metallic surface with a composition which comprises water, at least one acid, an alkyne alkoxylate and optionally further additives. In a preferred embodiment, the alkyne alkoxylate is used together with a complexing agent.

Abstract: A system and method for computing the parameters of a forge welding machine for the forge welding of one or more materials is provided. A computer program executes a self-tuning routine to compute the operating frequency and operating power setting for the forge welding machine in response to an inputted width of the heat affected zone and an inputted weld temperature.

Abstract: There are described various methods and circuits for trimming the parameter value of a thermally mutable electrical component in two directions. A sequence of heat pulses is selected as a function of thermal history using an adaptive trimming algorithm, where parameters of the sequence of heat pulses are based on a resulting impact of previous heating pulses. Direction of trimming, trimming increment, and remaining trimming distance can all be used to determine the parameters of succeeding heat pulses, wherein the parameters of the pulses can be, for example, amplitude, duration, and time interval between pulses.

Abstract: An electric discharge machining apparatus capable of precisely detecting the electric discharge in a case of performing machining by minute machining energy such as in finish machining. A voltage is applied between a tool electrode and a workpiece by repeating ON/OFF of a switching element to charge a stray capacitance between the electrodes to cause electric discharge between the electrodes by the charged voltage. The electric discharge between the electrodes in the electric discharge machining by the minute machining energy is detected. The current between the electrodes is detected by integrating an output of a sensor coil. An offset component superposed in the output of the integrator by a low-pass filter is extracted. The extracted offset component is eliminated from the output of the integrator by a differential amplifier. An output of the differential amplifier is compared with a reference value to detect the electric discharge.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to achieve a deep weld penetration in a welded portion in metal by setting appropriate conditions for welding without deteriorating the quality of welding. That is, in the present invention, the weld penetration can be made deep by using a shielding gas comprising: 0.2% by volume or more (preferably 0.4% by volume or more) of oxygen gas; and the balance being helium gas, and by further setting the other welding conditions, such that the concentration of oxygen in the welded metal in the range of 70 to 700 ppm, and the scale ratio, i.e. the value D/W, can be made large. According to the present invention, a deeper weld penetration can be achieved without deteriorating the quality of welding by adopting at least one selected from the appropriate conditions of the welding current, the welding speed, and the arc length.

Abstract: A butt-welding control system for bars, blooms, or billets controls the welding operation by acting on an actuator (U) for opening the valve for controlling positioning of the clamps of the welding machine and on the partializer, on the basis of the operation of an observer (A) of dynamic state that observes state variables (X) of the welding process; a dynamic path generator (B) for performance variables (Z), which defines pre-determined optimal paths (Zset) for the performance variables (Z) to follow; a dynamic control law (C), based upon values of performance variables (Z) and of the optimal paths (Zset), designed to control the valve for positioning the clams (U) and the partializer on the basis of the value of the performance variables (Z) and of the desired paths; and a generator (E) of sync signals designed to generate sync signals (Sync) for the observer (A), the dynamic path generator (B) and the dynamic control law (C).

Abstract: A method of connecting a rotationally symmetrical part (11) having precision-machined functional surfaces (16) to a hub part (21) by welding is to deliver a distortion-free end product. To this end, the rotationally symmetrical part (11) and the hub part (12), in their longitudinal sections, are dimensioned in such a way that, when the rotationally symmetrical part (11) is shrunk onto or pressed onto the hub part (12), stresses are produced in the former and said stresses produce deformations which are opposed to the stresses to be expected during the subsequent welding and to deformations caused by said stresses. This is achieved by one of the contact surfaces (14; 15) being conical or by shaping the rotationally symmetrical part (11).

Abstract: The invention pertains to a large format, plotter-style automated laser engraver which can be used to engrave various materials. A cabinet body supports a substantially flat work surface which can be raised or lowered as desired. A gantry assembly is mounted in close proximity to such work surface, and facilitates movement of a focused laser assembly to any x/y coordinate along the work surface. A computer controlled wireless focus mechanism is used to regulate the vertical distance between the focused laser assembly and the work surface. Air is provided to cool the work surface during the engraving process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a polishing pad for chemical mechanical planarization utilizing laser ablation. In particular, the method includes providing a laser to cut a groove into the polishing pad and providing a beam splitter to split a laser beam from the laser. Further, the method provides splitting the beam from the laser to provide multiple laser beams onto the polishing pad and wherein the multiple laser beams have effective cutting areas that at least overlap each other.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a stent using a femtosecond laser with an Ytterbium Tungstate active medium are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method includes forming a pattern in the substrate with the laser, the pattern including a plurality of structural elements.

Abstract: A method and device for processing materials with laser pulses having a large spectral bandwidth and a device for carrying out said method. The aim of the invention is to create an easy, flexible method enabling universally applicable processing which can, however, be adapted to specific processing and methodological requirements. According to the invention, one or several spectral parameters of the laser pulses, i.e. the spectral amplitude and/or spectral phase and/or spectral polarization thereof, is/are specifically modified, preferably according to a measuring process variable, in order to process material or during the occurrence of said processing. The invention is used in order to process material with laser pulses having a large spectral bandwidth, particularly femto-second pulses and pico-second pulses.

Abstract: In the conventional arc welding control unit, since the air of the outside of the equipment is applied directly to the whole of the main semiconductor for cooling, there is found a problem that dust, welding fumes and the like can accumulate on or adhere to the conductive portions of the inside of the equipment, which takes time for maintenance of the equipment. To solve this, according to the invention, there is provided an arc welding control unit having a heat radiating unit built in the box body thereof for discharging the air heated by a heat generating first electrical element to the outside. The heat radiating unit has a tunnel-type shape including an outer peripheral portion for defining a cavity portion allowing the air to flow therethrough, whereby dust, welding fumes and the like can be prevented from accumulating on or adhering to the conductive portions of the inside of the equipment.

Abstract: An electric arc welding system for creating a first AC welding arc with a first current waveform between a first electrode and a workpiece by a first power supply and a second AC welding arc with a second current waveform between a second electrode and a workpiece by a second power supply as the first and second electrodes are moved in unison along a welding path, where the first and second power supply each comprising a high speed switching inverter creating its waveform by a number of current pulses occurring at a frequency of at least 18 kHz with the magnitude of each current pulse controlled by a wave shaper and the polarity of the waveforms is controlled by a signal. The first AC waveform has a positive portion substantially different in energy than its negative portion and/or has either a different shape and/or a synthesized sinusoidal portion.

Abstract: A magnetic ground (or earth) clamp in which the current carrying electrode is electrically insulated from the housing to prevent electric arcing between the electrode and the housing or between the housing and the surface to which it is clamped.

Abstract: A heating body is provided. The heating body includes a tube, a heating member disposed in the tube, and a supporting unit disposed along a length of the tube to maintain a predetermined space between the tube and the heating member.

Abstract: Indoor use rotisserie ovens which have construction features and scale which make the cleaning process easier. Shown are indoor use rotisserie ovens which also may rotate cooking foods about either a horizontal or vertical axis, which makes their applications more versatile. Construction features include: a scale appropriate for cleaning in a typical kitchen sink, use of removable electrical components, and single oven wall construction, all to allow easy cabinet cleaning. Also shown is a locking tab manufacturing detail which creates an inexpensive, light weight, oven cavity, which is easy to clean and also permits oven cavity washing and/or immersion in water. This manufacturing detail also is easy to handle by the end-user without projecting sharp edges. Self lubricated spit assembly axles are shown as well to help deaden sound.

Abstract: A heating device adapted to be disposed on or neat an automobile floor for producing a warmed substrate for the receipt of feet thereon. The heating device preferably is generally similar to a car mat, having a generally rubber-like body and additionally housing a heating element therein, preferably a resistance heating element. The device is adapted to couple to an automobile-based source of electricity and translate the received electricity into radiant heat.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding polymer components by forming a groove along a surface of a polymer part to be welded, placing a conductive member in the groove, heating the conductive member to a first temperature for a first period, allowing the parts to cool for a second period to form a weldment, heating the conductive member to a second temperature for a third period, and removing the conductive member from the weldment.

Abstract: A compound container includes an upper half body and a lower half body combined together. The upper half body is made of non-metal material, having a tapered up surface covered with a metal layer on the tapered up surface. The lower half body is made of a transparent plastic, having a tapered down surface. The compound container formed by the upper and the lower half body presents esthetic feeling caused by its outer solid profile and increases its commercial value.

Abstract: A method of producing a log purse and/or personal self-defense weapon that is made from a natural cylindrical elongated section of a natural growing tree. The log purse and/or personal self-defense weapon is non-lethal, legal and obvious to all. It is a wood receptacle for personal items such as money, credit cards, identification or any items that one may need to keep readily available on the person. The natural hard surface of the log purse and/or personal self-defense weapon allows it to be strong enough to be used in such a manor as to swing with enormous force through the air, aiming the purse at the assailant with intention of striking the assailant to cause a moment of pain and injury as a distraction to allow the victim time to escape. It is easy to use and can be carried almost any where a person can go.

Abstract: A reusable, collapsible container intended for carrying goods that maintains its shape whether empty or heavily loaded, keeps contents level and stable when carried, is comfortable and easy to use, and lays flat when collapsed for easy storage and transportation, comprising a reinforced base, folding mesh walls, a center divider, snaps and Velcro connectors, reinforcing rods, two carrying handles, and one padded shoulder strap.

Abstract: An intermediate bulk container includes a flexible storage container, a rigid rectangular base member including a plurality of pole engaging formations on its upper surface which are arranged about its periphery, a plurality of poles, the lower end of each of which is releasably engageable with a pole engaging formation on the base so that the poles collectively provide a support cage for the storage container, a rigid pole location member (10) which includes a central opening through which the support container may be filled and a plurality of pole engaging formations with which the upper ends of the poles are releasably engageable, and bracing elements connecting a pair of poles on at least two adjacent sides of the cage to each other for holding the poles, in the planes in which they are located in the assembled container, perpendicular to the base and pole locating member.

Abstract: Disclosed is food container, which includes a container body formed off a casing and a cover, a lock for locking the cover to the casing, a vacuum pump controlled by a control circuit to draw air out of the container body, and a relief installed in the cover of the container body for pressing by the user to release the inside space of the container body from the vacuum status.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum thermoforming disposable drink cups lids including the step of imparting printing to the lids in two or more colors while they are in contact with the vacuum thermoforming platen.

Abstract: A device for dispensing oblong objects comprising: (i) a main dispensing opening for allowing the objects to be dispensed to pass therethrough one by one; (ii) at least one other opening of elongate shape, one of whose sides opens into the main dispensing opening, the elongate opening having an opening width equal to or greater than a minimum thickness of the object to be dispensed; and (iii) guide surfaces for guiding the objects to be dispensed. The guide surfaces lie along front sides of the elongate opening and face the objects to be dispensed, so as to collect and guide the objects toward at least one of the elongate openings.

Abstract: Provided is a container having a detachable lid that is suitable for use as a reusable oil filter and can improve the disassembling and assembling efficiency and minimize the weight. The container 1 suitable for use as an oil filter essentially consists of a casing 2, a set plate 3 closing the lower end of the casing 2 and a lock ring 4 that fastens the set plate 3 onto the casing 2. The casing 2 is provided with a radial outer flange formed around an open end of the main body thereof 22. The radial outer flange 23 is provided with three stop projections 25, three notches 26 and three biasing projections 27, the members of each threesome being arranged at a regular angular interval and each threesome being arranged at different angular phase positions from those of the other threesomes.

Abstract: A beverage container, such as a beverage can, having a floatation device enclosed therein to provide the beverage container with positive buoyancy so that the container will float when discarded into a body of water. In one arrangement, the floatation device is a gas-filled element enclosed within the beverage container. Preferably, the floatation device is larger than the opening of the container so that the device is prevented from exiting the container after the container has been opened.

Abstract: A plastic waste container is rotationally molded with a hollow material carrying or holding compartment having a bottom, rear, front and opposed side walls. A plastic pocket defining a prong receiving channel, located on each side wall or on the bottom wall, is integrally formed and preferably molded with the compartment. The bottom wall extends upwardly and inwardly from a location adjacent the perimeter to form a convex dome with an upper surface above the perimeter in the range of about 3? to 10?.

Abstract: A hydration system is described, including a pouch for storing fluid, a flexible conduit connected to the pouch for delivering fluid to the user, and a rotatable port structure connected to both the conduit and the pouch, the port structure having at least two components connected in a moveable joint structure about a first axis of rotation—a surface mount receiver mounted to the surface of the pouch and an outlet connector that is rotatably connected to the surface mount receiver in a watertight arrangement. A quick connect apparatus may also be attached to the outlet connector for quickly connecting and disconnecting the conduit from the port structure and providing a second axis of rotation.

Abstract: A garbage can includes a cap body, an arc-shaped blade unit and a starting device as main components. The starting device and the arc-shaped blade unit are fitted together for acting mutually. The starting device is provided with a torsion spring for actuating the arc-shaped blade unit to collapse or expand sideward so as to open or close the opening of the cap body of the garbage can.

Abstract: A door operating mechanism is provided for rotatably switching a door relative to a base between a closed position and an open position. A sector gear is disposed in a support arm projected from the door. A rotary gear is disposed substantially in the center of the arc of the sector gear. A first gear of the base has internal teeth disposed to engage the sector gear. A second gear of the base is resiliently and displaceably disposed to engage the rotary gear. The door is rotatably disposed along a track corresponding to the first gear via engagements between the first gear and the sector gear, and engagements between the second gear and the rotary gear. A load received by the door in the closed position towards the bottom of the base is absorbed by resilient displacement of the second gear.

Abstract: A container having a lid and storage portions connected about a self opening, spring actuated hinge is provided with at its front with a push button actuated latch so that one handed opening is possible.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing folded sheet products from a stack of folded sheet products, includes: an open-ended body, a front panel provided with a dispensing opening, a rear panel, and a transverse panel located between the front and rear panels. The dispenser further includes a support member for receiving the stack of the folded sheet products and at least one locking mechanism located between the support member and at least one longitudinal wall of the open-ended body.

Abstract: A dispenser for individual webs from a stack of such individual webs. The dispenser includes an outer housing defining an interior space; stacking elements mounted within the outer housing for holding a stack of individual folded webs within the interior space; a dispensing face defined in the outer housing proximate to an end of the stacking elements; a stack of individual folded webs, and at least one edge of a dispensing opening which contacts the stack of individual folded webs so that a portion of individually folded webs is exposed by the dispensing opening. In addition, a cross-section through dispensing face has a curved shape with an inflection point.

Abstract: A device for dispensing articles such as paper clips and pins having a body chamber to contain a stack of the articles, a head assembly to eject the articles, and a base assembly containing a spring mechanism to bias the stack of articles toward the head assembly. Additional aspects of the invention are paper clips and pins designed to be used in conjunction with the dispenser having generally flat top surface and bottom surfaces, these surfaces being essentially parallel to one another to facilitate stacking.

Abstract: A ball carrier apparatus including: a main body defining a chamber in which balls or the like can be accommodated, the main body being formed with a window communicating the chamber with outer side, whereby the balls or the like can be placed into the chamber or taken out of the chamber; and a valve sleeve reciprocally movably fitted around the main body. In a blocking position, the valve sleeve shuts off the window of the main body. However, in the case that an external force is applied to the valve sleeve to move the valve sleeve away from the window, the valve sleeve unblocks the window, permitting the balls or the like to get into or get out of the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing granular material, such as flux powder to a mold for continuous casting of metal, has an intermediate chamber, a dispensing hopper, and a conduit communicating the interior of the chamber to the interior of the hopper. The conduit has a rotatable auger running through its length, the auger reaching from within the interior space of the chamber into the interior hopper for transferring material from the chamber into the hopper. A dispensing line communicates with a bottom of the hopper at a transfer point for receiving material from the hopper and dispensing the material toward a dispensing end of the line. Pressurized air is supplied to the line, upstream of the transfer point, and a sealing cap is provided for actuating into sealing engagement with a hopper end of the conduit. A second inlet for pressurized air is provided such that air may be supplied directly into the hopper above the fill line.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing apparatus is configured to dispense a predetermined volume of fluid, and includes a fluid reservoir to hold a fluid to be dispensed, a dispense tube to dispense the fluid, and an elevator mechanism. The fluid reservoir receives a fluid from a fluid supply. A dispense tube has a dispense outlet, and is connected to an outlet port on the fluid reservoir. The elevator mechanism changes a relative vertical displacement between the dispense outlet and the outlet port, such that the fluid is dispensed when the dispense outlet is lower than the outlet port, and not dispensed when the dispense outlet is higher than the outlet port.

Abstract: A multi-station dispensing apparatus which affords an automatic flow rate for the product to be dispensed. It also provides a single control knob which can select from several different chemical concentrates to be diluted and dispensed. In addition, a bottle can be filled by single-handed operation as well as a bucket without the need to reset the control knob.

Abstract: A combination tube container protector and dispenser device includes a base, a cover, an open track in the cover, a ram paddle in the track, ratchet mechanism(s) to permit only forward travel of the ram paddle when in the operative mode, and a latching mechanism for opening and closing the device. Guide tracks for paddle stability and movement may be included.

Abstract: A metallic container for storing the liquid monomer component of bone cement and a method of packaging same are disclosed. The container is preferably aluminum and has an interior wall, a dispensing end, a reservoir for housing the liquid monomer, and a filling end for receiving the liquid monomer. The container is sealed by a welded seam near the filling end of the container, which secures a section of the top portion and lower portion of the interior wall of the container together.